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

For all this is properly appertaining unto God our father, by his holy spirit, in his Son Jesus Christ. And what is the power of men chosen and sent unto this purpose? To be the ambassadors of God, to announce and declare his will, to sow, to plant, to water the field into which they are sent, inasmuch as they preach the word & administer the sacramental signs: but who is it that disposeth and fitteth the land, which of it self is barren and stony, to receive the seed? Who maketh it to grow, to bud forth, to flourish, to bear fruit? The only Sun of righteousness, the only appointed Prince and Saviour to give repentance and remission of sins unto his Israel, Act. 5.31. What is then the use of the word? To signify unto the soul of man by the ears, that wherefore the words are in every language and tongue ordained, and nothing else: in such wise, that in respect of them who have not the understanding of the tongue in which a man speaketh, and of them which well understand the tongue, but have not received of God the capacity of understanding, to discern and like of that which soundeth in their ears, this word hath no more efficacy of working unto salvation, then if one should speak unto a dead man. And the sacraments what virtue have they? To represent unto the eyes that which the sacramental promise saith unto the ears, and nothing else. What doth then the water of Baptism do in the administration thereof? It testifieth unto the eyes and other the senses of him which is Baptised being come unto age, that as the common water washeth away the filth and uncleanness ⟨p. 234⟩of the body, so Jesus Christ hath by his death and passion washed away and done forth all our sins, and purified and cleansed us from our corruption to glorify us one day in life eternal. This is it I say which it testifieth and witnesseth unto us, & not that it can cause any thing to be performed in us unto farther sanctification, or produce any thing in us in that behalf, as being therefore called sacred & holy, not that it hath any more purity or holiness in it self then common water: but only because it is appointed and dedicated unto this holy use, to be an holy, heavenly and spiritual testimony of our sanctification, by the ordinance of God.

For all this is properlie appertaining vnto God our father, by his holy spirit, in his sonne Iesus Christ. And what is the power of men chosen and sent vnto this purpose? To be the embassadors of God, to announce and declare his wil, to sow, to plant, to water the field into which they are sent, in asmuch as they preach the word & administer the sacramentall signes: but who is it that disposeth and fitteth the land, which of it selfe is barraine and stony, to receiue the seede? Who maketh it to grow, to bud forth, to florish, to beare fruite? The onelie sonne of righteousnesse, the onely appointed Prince and Sauiour to giue repentaunce and remission of sinnes vnto his Israel,