Sermons on the Song of Songs

Who will enable me to follow up and to chastise all my transgressions with such thoroughness, that there may be no longer anything for which I need dread the Eyes of the Roe, no longer anything for which I should be put to confusion under the light of the lamps! I am seen now, though I do not see. I am under the gaze of that Eye to Which all things are visible, whilst It is invisible Itself. But the time will come when “I shall know even as I am known.” Now indeed I know in part, yet in part I do not know; whereas I am known, not in part, but completely. I fear the glance of that Scrutiniser Who “standeth behind our wall.” For the Spouse goes on to say of Him Whom, on account of His keen-sightedness, she has compared to a roe, “Behold He standeth behind our wall, looking through the windows, looking through the lattices.” Of these words I shall treat in their proper place. It is He, therefore, Whom I am afraid of, this secret Observer of my secret thoughts and actions. The Spouse has no fear, because she is conscious to herself of nothing. Why should she be afraid, who is His love, His dove, His beautiful one? Hence she says further on, “Behold my Beloved speaketh to me.” But to me He does not speak, and therefore I fear, as not having testimony of His voice. O Bride of Christ, what hearest thou of thyself? What sayest thy Beloved to thee? “Arise, make haste, My love, My dove, My beautiful one, and come.” But this also must be left for another sermon, lest what demands full and careful discussion should be confined within limits of inadequate extent, and I should have yet another sin laid to my charge, that, namely, of not having advanced you thereby in the knowledge and the love of the Bridegroom of the Church, Jesus Christ Our Lord, Who is over all things, God blessed for ever. Amen.