A09998:174
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.
3 It is very true notwithstanding that the spouse speaketh here of another kind of blackness, to wit, of the outward overthrow and dissipation of the Church by the vehemency of persecutions: which is the cause that many making no difference between the glittering beauty of the kingdoms of this world, and the spiritual beauty of that kingdom, which is not of this world: and suffering themselves to be dazzled and blinded with that which hath only a certain outward gloss: either enter not at all into the Church, or if happily they be entered, retire themselves afterward out of it, to return again to their vomit, 2. Pet. 2.22. For fault of hearkening unto this warning and advertisement, not to rely or stand upon this outward black and hideous appearance of the cross; but contrariwise to weigh and consider well the true and native beauty of the Church, in the middest of her greatest afflictions. According hereunto the Lord having warned us that his kingdom cometh not with such observation, Luk. 17.20. hath said also, That he shall be happy which shall not be offended at him, who notwithstanding is called a man of sorrows and griefs, and so disfigured, ⟨p. 91⟩Isaiah 53.3. that he is compared unto a worm of the earth: Psal. 22.6. to whom notwithstanding the church must be made conformable to be the true church, Rom. 8.29. in such sort, that so far it is that the cross maketh the Church not to be known, that on the contrary it is the true mark thereof being given to none but to the true believers, to suffer for the name of God, the Apostle crying out, That this is it whereof he will boast himself: Gal. 6.14. Mat. 5.10. Phil. 1.19. and elsewhere throughout the Scripture. Hereunto is referred the second point which I have touched, being contained in this, that the Church which called her self black, saith that she is Browne, as if she should say to these Daughters of Jerusalem, Comparing my self with you, who are so fresh and so fair, it seemeth indeed that there is nothing more black then I: but yet if your eyes be good, you shall find that albeit I be brown and sunneburnt by the parching of the sun, yet am I not for all my tanned hew, an Arabian or Ethiopian.