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

12 We see on the other side how they of the Romish Church do at this day vaunt themselves & make great cracks of their antiquity and succession of Bishops, and of the Scriptures themselves, the book of the one and the other covenant. Unto whom we answer that the foundation of their hierarchy being in part forged upon an humane invention which finally degenerated into an open tyranny: and their doctrine being directly and diametrally repugnant unto the Scriptures of the Prophets and Apostles, this cannot be the way trodden out by the ancient Church Apostolic, what continuance of years soever and names of successors they allege. As much is to be said concerning the Anabaptists and Libertines, placing in stead of the Scripture their revelations and dreams, as also all both old and new or renewed heretics have this in common, that they hold not themselves within the limits and bounds of the doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets perfectly comprised in the holy and canonical Scriptures, which ought to serve for the text and commentary of his will.

12 Wee see on the other side howe they of the Romish Church do at this daie vaunt themselues & make great crakes of their antiquity and succession of Bishoppes, and of the Scriptures themselues, the booke of the one and the other couenant. Vnto whom we aunswere that the foundation of their hierarchie being in part forged vpon an humane inuention which finally degenerated into an open tyranny: and their doctrine beeing directly and diametrally repugnant vnto the Scriptures of the Prophets and Apostles, this cannot be the way trodden out by the auncient Church Apostolique, what continuance of years soeuer and names of successours they alleadge. Asmuch is to bee said concerning the Anabaptists and Libertines, placing in steede of the Scripture their reuelations and dreames, as also all both old and new or renued hereticks haue this in common, that they hold not themselues within the limites and bounds of the doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets perfectly comprised in the holy and canonicall Scriptures, which ought to serue for the text and commentary of his wil.

13 And this is the cause why the Bridegroom addeth that the spouse to find the track of the true sheep after which she is sent, must seek after the cabins or tents of the shepherds: meaning by these words, the true Pastors of the Church whom we must discern from the false, by their words and writings, and by their cabins and tents, that is to say, the retiring and resting place of this true flock. For indeed there is but one catholic flock, that is, universally considered, be it great or little. But there are so many cabins for the retiring unto, and pasturing of it, as there are places in the which the voice of these true shepherds, Prophets and Apostles, do resound, and shall resound unto the end of the world, by the mouths of their faithful successors, to gather together and to conduct unto the only Pastor and shepherd which is this Bridegroom, the whole number and multitude of the sheep.