xxxviii. Christe to his perfect Spouse.
The Argument.
Whan
Christe (accordyng to the confession of his welbeloued
Spouse) hath styerred and waked her vp by the
secret wurkyng of his grace, from the sluggysh rest whiche
she had in her disobedient and vnruly flesh, he cummeth hym
selfe vnto her, with his head God the father hye head of all,
full of the dewe of his grace, truth and mercie: hauyng hys
heary lockes full of the nyght droppes of tribulacion, persecucion,
and affliccion. (For all that receyue Christe with the
dewe of his fathers truth and mercye, must also receyue the
troubleous nyghtdroppes of his heares.) And now desirous
that she should so receyue hym, syngeth.
Open to me, my syster, my Loue,
Receyue my truthe, that I shal to thee shew:
Open to me my darlyng, my Doue,
For loe my head, my head is full of dewe,
Of truth, grace, and mercie.
Also my hears with nyght drops abounde,
My truth is full of tribulacion:
Fear thou not yet, for fayth shall thee grounde
And make thee strong in persecucion,
Through truth, grace, and mercie.
