A09998:311
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.
7 But alas are we this Church composed wholly of children of the light, and as it were shining lamps in the world, Phil. 2.15. Certainly on the Lords part we may say, we I say: that he hath set up and lighted in the midst of us this flaming light of his most pure and sincere truth, Psal. 19.8. and 119.104. in such sort that the whole world hath an eye upon us. But whereto serveth the Sun to such as be blind? What availeth it to speak to such as are and will be deaf? To what purpose is the true light arisen and come unto them, who have loved darkness better then light? Joh. 3.19. Alas then what shall I say hereupon, but that we are of all other the most wicked and unthankful in the whole world if we think not better on our selves? For what work of the flesh reigneth in the world, wherewith we are not yet infected? So many warnings as have been made us by the pure word of God, so many good Laws and orders which the Lord hath established in this place against fornicators and adulterers, so many executions of men and women for this vice, have they bin able to restrain and bridle our filthy lusts in this place? Alas no. Nay contrariwise there are too many who endeavour, if not utterly at once to take away, yet by little and little to destroy and abolish these good laws. Ye covetous misers, ye extortioners, ye usurers, ye crafty espiers of the necessity of your poor brethren, to make your gain of their pain, your commodity of their calamity, worse then thieves & robbers, forgers of artificial famines and dearths, devourers of mens quick and live flesh, ⟨p. 176⟩how long will you presume to appear in the church of God as if you were of it? Ye tavern haunters, ye drunkards & gluttons, will you never have other god then your belly? Ye engrossers and regraters, ye sellers with false weights & with false measures, adorers of your God Man mon, and worse then Idolaters, will ye never learn to content your selves with honest and lawful gain? Ye sowers of mutinies, ye quarrellers and wrong doers, ye envious and deadly malicious, ye impleaders and action-threateners, how long shall the Lord suffer you in his house, in which dwelleth nothing but peace and charity?