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

1 By the discourse at this banquet between the Bridegroom and the spouse we may understand and gather the unspeakable joy and pleasure which the faithful soul receiveth, hearing that which Jesus Christ testifieth unto it. 2 The exceeding beauty of the church, and wherein it consisteth. 3 What is meant by the eyes of a Pigeon. 4 What conveniency and what inequality there is between the dilection & love of this Bridegroom towards his spouse, & that of this spouse towards her Bridegroom. 5 This spouse findeth her self no otherwise beautiful then by the beams of her Bridegrooms beauty, contrary unto her, who pleaseth her self in her self. 6 This spouse neither seeketh after, nor findeth any repose and rest but in the bed of her Bridegroom. 7 What this bed is which is always green, and what the pillars thereof are, which are of perpetual continuance, opposed unto those which are of rotten wood.

1 By the discourse at this banquet betweene the Bridegroome and the spouse we maie vnderstand and gather the vnspeakeable ioie and pleasure which the faithfull soule receiueth, hearing that which Iesus Christ testifieth vnto it. 2 The exceeding beuty of the church, and wherein it consisteth. 3 What is meant by the eies of a Pigeon. 4 What conueniencie and what inequality there is between the dilection & loue of this Bridegroome towardes his spouse, & that of this spouse towards her Bridegroome. 5 This spouse findeth her selfe no otherwise beutifull then by the beames of her Bridegroomes beuty, contrarie vnto her, who pleaseth her selfe in her selfe. 6 This spouse neither seeketh after, nor findeth anie repose and rest but in the bed of her Bridegroome. 7 What this bedde is which is alwaies greene, and what the pillers thereof are, which are of perpetual cōtinuance, opposed vnto those which are of rotten wood.

WE have hitherto as it were accompanied the Bridegroom & the spouse unto the feast & banquet of the fiansailes, now their holy discoursing & talking together, full of unspeakable comfort and consolation is here set down and declared. For who is he that can comprehend either the love which the bridegroom by inward effects testifieth unto his spouse, yea to every faithful & believing soul, or the joy & contentment, which the spouse thereby receiveth, considering aright and esteeming the price and value of that she receiveth, & the excellency of him who vouchsafeth her so great honour. Now seeing the consideration of so great a benefit constraineth such as are most ignorant to wish and desire it, and such as are most wicked to condemn themselves for despising and contemning of it, we must be so much the more diligent and attentive in heedful marking of these discourses of theirs, that so we may have our part therein.