A09998:130
Master Bezaes sermons upon the three chapters of the canticle of canticlesMaster Bezaes sermons vpon the three chapters of the canticle of canticles
Master Bezaes sermons upon the three chapters of the canticle of canticles wherein are handled the chiefest points of religion controversed and debated between us and the adversary at this day, especially touching the true Jesus Christ and the true Church, and the certain & infallible marks both of the one and of the other. Translated out of French into English by John Harmar ...Master Bezaes sermons vpon the three chapters of the canticle of canticles wherein are handled the chiefest points of religion controversed and debated betweene vs and the aduersarie at this day, especially touching the true Iesus Christ and the true Church, and the certaine & infallible marks both of the one and of the other. Translated out of French into English by Iohn Harmar ...
Oxford: printed by Joseph Barnes, 1587Oxford: printed by Ioseph Barnes, 1587
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
5 But in saying Draw me, we must withal take the cord in our hand by which we are craned up and drawn unto him: for to speak thus, & in the mean time to refuse the mean which is presented us to draw us, were but to mock God. That which I ⟨p. 61⟩call the cord is the preaching of the Gospel, the ordinary instrument of the spirit of God, to open our heart, to the end to make it heedful and attentive, and to pierce our ears to hear, & to give us eyes to see, in a word to lead us into all truth, and to confirm and comfort us unto the end: and this is it in which the ordinary exercise of all Christians consisteth. It is but in vain therefore for such as are ordinary and common contemners of Gods word to say Draw me. For it is no more then if they should say unto God, make me to live without a soul, make me to see without light.
5 But in saying Draw me, we must withal take the cord in our hand by which we are craned vp and drawn vnto him: for to speak thus, & in the meane time to refuse the meane which is presented vs to draw vs, were but to mock God. That which I ⟨p. 61⟩call the corde is the preaching of the Gospell, the ordinary instrument of the spirit of God, to open our heart, to the end to make it heedful and attentiue, and to pearce our eares to hear, & to giue vs eies to see, in a word to lead vs into al truth, and to confirme and comfort vs vnto the ende: and this is it in which the ordinarie exercise of all Christians consisteth. It is but in vaine therefore for such as are ordinarie and common contemners of Gods word to say Draw mee. For it is no more then if they should saie vnto God, make me to liue without a soule, make me to see without light.
6 But to go on: a man may demand why the spouse saith in the singular number Draw me and not Draw us, seeing that anon after she speaketh also of her companions And we will run after thee. Let us therefore understand that this spouse here representeth not one only person, but the whole company & assembly of the true faithful already instructed, and bringing forth every day as a fruitful mother children unto God: which are here understood by the companions of this spouse. She meant not therefore to forget her company in speaking particularly of her self, but to show by her own example the rest of her train what they ought to do. And thus must they do which have profited more then others in the Church of God, they must be instruments of grace towards others, and so take one another by the hand, and ascend up together to this holy house of God whereunto we aspire: Isaiah 2.3. which thing is principally required in the pastors and teachers which are sent to this effect and purpose.