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

3 Let us come now unto that which the spouse desireth to know of him, which is in sum, that it would please him to tell her the place, where he feedeth and causeth his flock to rest at noon: that is to say, in the heat of the day. This is a thing very common and accustomable in the Scripture, to attribute the name of Pastor or shepherd to our Lord Jesus Christ, and the name of flock unto his church. Hence it followeth that by the pasture or food, we must understand the word of God, and by the pasturing places, those places where this word is sincerely taught and administered. This needeth no proof, because the whole scripture both of the old & of the new testament is full of proofs and testimonies hereof. Instead therefore of standing upon the reasons & grounds of this allegory, albeit they contain a goodly and excellent doctrine, we will first of all answer and resolve a doubt which may be made in this place. For if the church which is but one, is brought in, speaking in this place, and herself is the flock of Christ, what is this flock which she asketh and seeketh after? If hereupon some man reply and answer that it is true indeed, there is but one Church of God, but that this church is parted and divided as it were into two, namely, into that company which is already gathered up on high, which we commonly call the triumphant Church, composed and made of the spirits and souls of the just: whereof mention is made, Heb. 12.23. and that which is here below which we call the Church Militant, ⟨p. 104⟩as Saint Paul also divideth this family into two, whereof the one part is in heaven, & the other in the earth, Ephes. 1.10. Coloss. 1.16. and 20. if a man I say so answer this doubt, although it be indeed in heaven that our true repose and rest lieth, yet is this nothing to the matter. For there is no parching of the noon-day. Farther the verse going before, and the answer of the Bridegroom contained in the verse following showeth that the point in question here is of the comforting & reestablishing of the Church desolated and wasted by disorders and persecutions, as we have before at large handled.

3 Let vs come now vnto that which the spouse desireth to know of him, which is in summe, that it would please him to tel her the place, where hee feedeth and causeth his flocke to rest at noone: that is to say, in the heat of the day. This is a thing verie common and accustomable in the Scripture, to attribute the name of Pastor or sheepeheard to our Lord Iesus Christ, and the name of flock vnto his church. Hence it followeth that by the pasture or foode, wee must vnderstand the worde of God, and by the pasturing places, those places where this word is sincerely taught and administred. This needeth no proofe, because the whole scripture both of the old & of the new testament is full of proofes and testimonies hereof. Insteede therefore of standing vpon the reasons & grounds of this allegory, albeit they containe a goodly and excellent doctrine, we will first of all aunswere and resolue a doubt which may bee made in this place. For if the church which is but one, is brought in, speaking in this place, and herselfe is the flocke of Christ, what is this flocke which she asketh and seeketh after? If hereupon some man reply and aunswere that it is true indeede, there is but one Church of God, but that this church is parted and diuided as it were into two, namely, into that companie which is alreadie gathered vp on high, which we commonly call the triumphant Church, composed and made of the spirits and soules of the iust: whereof mention is made,