Master Bezaes sermons upon the three chapters of the canticle of canticlesMaster Bezaes sermons vpon the three chapters of the canticle of canticles

9 The spouse addeth that which is properly belonging unto this matter, saying, that when she found not her Bridegroom in this bed where she sought him, she rose to seek him whom she so heartily loveth, where ever he were. Now to creep into her bed and there to lie grovelling, and to rise, are things clean contrary, the one to the other: and indeed it is not enough to condemn ⟨p. 316⟩that which is ill, but we must like and approve that which is good and practise it. What is then to rise out of her bed? It is to quit and forsake all things without exception, together with which we cannot enjoy Jesus Christ, that is to say, to renounce a mans self, which is the A.B.C. of Christians, Matth. 16.24. It is to put out one eye, and to cut off one arm, to enter rather one-eyed & maimed into the kingdom of this Bridegroom, then having two eyes & two arms to be cast into hell fire, Mat. 5.29.30. it is to leave all things to follow after this Bridegroom, according unto the example of his true disciples, Mat. 19.27. it is to follow the example of that thrice happy merchant, who sold all that he had to buy the pearl be found, Mat. 13.46. it is to be ready in the banqueting hall, and not to be hindered and kept thence either by farm, or tillage, or marriage, Luk. 14.16. it is to to love neither father, nor mother, nor country, nor kindred so much, or more then God, Gen. 11.33. &. Deu. 33.9. and not to become a monk (as some one of the ancient not so advisedly said, although the monkeries then, were as far distant from those of our days, as the Moon is distant from the earth, though they were even then, to say the truth, in some point lunatic and fantastical) but to follow Jesus Christ, that is to say to stick unto this Bridegroom, in exercising every man his lawful calling in all honesty and holiness. To rise then out of bed, is not simply to change our place, but it is as I have said to quit and forsake all things, which may let and hinder us from that which concerneth the peace of our consciences, & so consequently our salvation, to keep on in the right way if we be once in it, and to find it out if we be strayed from it, and that not only to follow in general the vocation common unto all Christians most excellently described among other places,