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

1 Howe much this word of Drawing importeth, & how greatly repugnant the nature of man is to God and his truth. 2 Two most pernicious errors against this doctrine. 3 We had need to be drawn during the course of our whole life. 4 The imperfection of man appeareth both in the universal body of the church, & in every member thereof. 5 With what cord the Bridegroom draweth his Bride unto him. 6 We must one draw the other to run all together. 7 An application of this doctrine as well against those which are idle and negligent, as those which draw back and turn aside. 8 This is not all, to run: but we must run after the Bridegroom, and of what turnings we must take heed in this race. 9 What have bin, & are, & shall be the secret chambers we are admitted into, there to be merry. 10 How we must make more reckoning of the dilection of this Bridegroom, then of all things else without exception. 11 Wherefore special mention is made of wine, and how detestable a thing drunkenness is. 12 The conclusion of this doctrine.

1 Howe much this woorde of Drawing importeth, & how greatlie repugnant the nature of man is to God and his truth. 2 Two most pernicious errors against this doctrine. 3 Wee had neede to be drawen during the course of our whole life. 4 The imperfection of man appeareth both in the vniuersal body of the church, & in euerie member thereof. 5 With what coard the Bridegroome draweth his Bride vnto him. 6 We must one drawe the other to run al together. 7 An application of this doctrine as wel against those which are idle and negligent, as those which drawe backe and turne aside. 8 This is not all, to runne: but wee must runne after the Bridegrome, and of what turnings we must take heed in this race. 9 What haue bin, & are, & shal be the secret chambers wee are admitted into, there to be merrie. 10 How we must make more reckoning of the dilection of this Bridegroome, then of al things els without exception. 11 Wherefore speciall mention is made of wine, and how detestable a thing drunkennesse is. 12 The conclusion of this doctrine.

HITHERVNTO we have understood what hath bin the most ardent desire of the spouse, ravished with the consideration of the excellency of her Bridegroom, with whom she wisheth and desireth to be entirely and happily joined and united. All which may seem not to accord and agree with that which she now addeth, demanding to be drawn by him, whereas they which march forward of themselves with all diligence, as this spouse doth, which seemeth rather to fly than to run, need not be drawn, no more then a free horse needeth the spur, but they which are slow and heavy, and they much more which are altogether restive. And therefore we must weigh well this word of Drawing, to make our profit the better by it. We must therefore first of all confess, that if we have in us any good motion at all, that is to say, tending in such sort as it ought, to the glory of god, be the same never so small, it proceedeth not from our nature, either in whole, or in part. For contrariwise there is in our nature nothing but most desperate & most obstinate rebellion, until the spirit of God do drive away, first the darkness of our understanding, which cannot, nor will not of it self, so much as think upon the things of God,