Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New Testament

^8. Let then the “good Shepherd,” and, “the Comely in form above the sons of men,” make answer to this beloved one; make answer to her whom He has made beautiful from among the children of men. Hear what He answers, and understand, beware of that wherewith He alarms, love that which He advises. What then does He answer? How free from soft caresses, yea, to her caresses He returns severity! He is sharp that He may bind her closely, that He may keep her. “If you know not yourself,” says He, “O you fair one among women:” for however fair others may be by the gifts of your Spouse, they are heresies, fair in outward ornament, not within: fair are they without, and outwardly they shine, they disguise themselves by the name of righteousness; “but all the beauty of the King's daughter is within.” “If” then “you know not yourself;” that you are one, that you are throughout all nations, that you are chaste, that you ought not to corrupt yourself with the disordered converse of evil companions. “If you know not yourself,” that in uprightness, “he has espoused you to Me, to present you a chaste Virgin to Christ;” and that in uprightness you should present your own self to Me, lest by evil converse, “as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds too should be corrupted from my purity.” “If,” I say, “you know not yourself” to be such, “go your way; go your way.” For to others I shall say, “Enter into the joy of your Lord.” To you I shall not say, “Enter in;” but, “Go your way;” that you may be among those, who “went out from us.” “Go your way.” That is, “if you know not yourself,” then, “go your way.” But if you know yourself, enter in. But, “if you know not yourself, go your way by the footsteps of the flocks, and feed your kids in the tents of the shepherds. Go your way by the footsteps,” not “of the Flock,” but, “of the flocks, and feed,” not as Peter, “My sheep,” but, “your kids; in the tents,” not “of the Shepherd,” but, “of the shepherds;” not of unity, but of dissension; not established there, where there is One flock and One Shepherd. The beloved one was confirmed, edified, made stronger, prepared to die for her Spouse and to live with her Spouse.