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

WE have understood in the two vers. going before what testimony the Bridegroom, who knoweth himself and his spouse best, hath given of that perfection which is in himself, & of that which it pleaseth him to like and accept of in his spouse. Followeth now what the spouse testifieth she hath found & received of the excellency of her Bridegroom, whom she compareth unto an apple tree full of most pleasant fruit and growing in the midst of a forest of wild trees and such as are utterly different in nature from this apple-tree: wherein are showed us great and high mysteries. For first of all it is true that in respect of the spiritual nourishment and life, the simple savour and smell of a Rose or some other flower doth best represent it unto us, and after a more spiritual manner then gross and material meat, as a Pear or other like fruit: ⟨p. 216⟩but to assure us of that which we ought to seek after for the sustenance of the true life, the infirmity of our faith requireth that we should be taught according unto our rudeness and weakness. And this is the cause why, for that men live not by the odour and smell of flowers, but must eat and drink to be sustained: the holy ghost compareth and likeneth in this place this Bridegroom, whom he had before compared unto a Rose and a Lilly, unto an apple-tree and other like fruitful tree. For the word which Solomon here useth, as also that of the latins which signifieth an apple, comprehendeth in general every fruitful tree men eat of, be it of apple, or nut. So we see that under the ancient covenant the Lord represented this Bridegroom and the life which we receive of him, by the sacrifices and oblations of creatures more corporal then this: and under the new covenant he would have water and bread and wine to be unto us sacramental signs of that which himself doth in us unto the end and consummation of the world.

WE haue vnderstood in the two vers. going before what testimony the Bridegrome, who knoweth himselfe and his spouse best, hath giuen of that perfection which is in himself, & of that which it pleaseth him to like and accept of in his spouse. Followeth now what the spouse testifieth shee hath found & receiued of the excellencie of her Bridegroome, whom shee compareth vnto an apple tree full of most pleasant fruit and growing in the midst of a forest of wilde trees and such as are vtterlie different in nature from this apple-tree: wherein are shewed vs great and high mysteries. For first of al it is true that in respect of the spirituall norishment and life, the simple sauor and smell of a Rose or some other flower doth best represent it vnto vs, and after a more spirituall manner then grosse and materiall meate, as a Peare or other like fruit: