A09998:287
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.
4 And what shall the true pastors and christian magistrates do hereupon? They must wait, say these hick scorners, until such time, as the Pope and prelates the Apostles successors forsooth remedy the matter, that is to say, until the whores reform the stews. As it is an usual thing throughout the Scripture to compare spiritual fornication and whoredom unto corporal whoredom. But Jesus Christ giveth us a contrary lesson, Let them alone, saith he, they are blind leaders of the blind, Mat 15.14. nay which is more, he took a whip in his hand, and overturning the tables and money of the changers, drave them forth t[…]ice out of the temple, Joh. 2.15. and Luk. 19.45. So about three hundred years since, God hath chastised and scourged the East and the South, and some part also of the North with a terrible whip of his anger and wrath, I mean by the Turks, successors of the Saracens, and hath in our memory given the City of Rome a shrewd lash with the whip. Contrariwise it is on us that he hath reached forth his great mercy, having raised up those chief servants of God, who took into their hands the true arms of Christians, 2. Cor. 10.4. I mean the spirit of the mouth of the Lord, 2. Thess. 2.8. otherwise called the two edged sword of the word, Psal 149.6. and Heb. 4.12. by which they cleansed the house of the Lord where we are now. It is replied hereupon that some have also res•sted by way of arms. They which have been brought to this extremity, are sufficient ⟨p. 162⟩to answer for themselves: and behold their answer which all the world might understand. We vouch say they the fact, yea and that Satan hath thrust and shoved in some of his thieves and robbers among us we confess, as David himself during the time of his persecution found himself much encumbered with those which joined themselves unto him. But notwithstanding for all this, considering when and why and by whose means the matter came to handy-blows, it shall be found, that they who complain, are no more to be approved in their complaint, then they should be, who should complain they happened to meet in a forest, where they lay in ambush, certain passengers, who armed by the authority of the Laws, hindered in some part their wicked purpose.