A09998:156
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.
For even that outward Levitical pomp, how glorious and excellent so ever it were, had it not been referred unto this end, wherefore it was ordained, would have been not only no fair or beautiful thing in the eyes of the Lord: but contrariwise, as he declareth by the mouth of all his prophets, all of it whatsoever would have been unto him in this respect most stinking, foul, & infected. Ye see then that the Church hath a double ornament, and that a most precious one, with which being clothed and decked, she showeth passing fair & goodly, as on the contrary side, being spoiled thereof, she is in such sort disfigured and groweth out of favour, that he must have very good eyes which will know her.
For euen that outwarde Leuitical pomp, how glorious and excellent so euer it were, had it not beene referred vnto this end, wherefore it was ordained, would haue been not only no faire or beutiful thing in the eies of the Lord: but contrariwise, as he declareth by the mouth of al his prophets, all of it whatsoeuer would haue beene vnto him in this respect most stincking, foule, & infected. Yee see then that the Church hath a double ornament, and that a most precious one, with which being clothed and decked, she sheweth passing faire & goodlie, as on the contrarie side, being spoiled thereof, she is in such sort disfigured and groweth out of fauour, that he must haue very good eies which wil know her.
8 But we are to note that of these two ornaments, the inward is never taken from this spouse, being as it were a costly jewel which he never looseth, and without the which also she should be no more taken and acknowledged for the spouse. But as for the outward decking, together with other marks which are likewise visible, when it pleaseth God, his poor Church is for a time as it were stripped out of it, either because the world is not worthy to have in the midst of it such a beauty which it contemneth, or happily because it is expedient and necessary, that she be for some fault of hers, deprived of it for a time, to wit, until the time of reconciliation, as Isaiah hereof speaketh: 54.6. and 7. For that time therefore she is in sorrow and heaviness, and without her gloss and glittering, which may be perceived: fair still notwithstanding and beautiful in the eyes of her beloved, who hath always an eye upon her, not to forsake her.