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

4 On the contrary we must call them, as they are indeed, fantastical men, who would have all the world apparelled after one manner & fashion, as also those who would bound & limit the use of such external things by necessity alone, as if it were not apparent & notorious that God himself hath bestowed upon men a thousand things more then necessity requireth. But hereby to think to excuse the intolerable daintiness & pomp of small and great, were nothing else but villainously to abuse the word of God, to cloak and cover that which no man can sufficiently cry out upon and condemn. And indeed we see what vengeance God hath taken upon the Daughters of Zion for this cause, as is particularly described, Isaiah. 3.16. And thus you see what we are to think of gold and silver & other things ⟨p. 172⟩of like nature. But who can excuse this broidered and frizzled hair, this painting and sleeking of faces, with other such filth? And therefore we need not marvel that the Apostles made the like reckoning of gold and silver and broidered hair, sorting them all in one rank. For in truth albeit the distinction which I have set down have his place, notwithstanding it is a marvellous hard thing to keep a measure. Insomuch that even among them, for whom these things are not unlawful, they are wiser which use them little, and they are most wise of all, who to cause others of meaner quality to be ashamed to use them, and to give an example unto others to fly such vaninities, abstain from the use of them altogether: making themselves by this means more honourable in their persons and states, then those who witness to the world by that which is without them, what is within them.

4 On the contrarie we must cal them, as they are indeede, fantastical men, who would haue al the world appareled after one maner & fashion, as also those who would bound & limit the vse of such external things by necessity alone, as if it were not apparant & notorious that God himselfe hath bestowed vpō men a thousand things more then necessity requireth. But hereby to think to excuse the intolerable daintinesse & pomp of small and great, were nothing else but vilanouslie to abuse the woord of God, to cloke and couer that which no man can sufficiently cry out vpon and condemne. And indeede wee see what vengeance God hath taken vpon the Daughters of Sion for this cause, as is particularly described,