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

1 Three great abuses committed in contemplative life falsely called religion. 2 It is from the voice of the Bridegroom that this desire proceedeth of putting our selves into the way and going forward in our vocation. 3 Application of this doctrine unto the Church of Geneva. 4 The more then marvellous diligence and carefulness of this Bridegroom, to run unto his spouse. 5 A comparison of this diligence with our sluggishness. 6 The first high mountains▪ which satan and his complices have reared to keep the spouse from her Bridegroom, which the Bridegroom mounteth readily over, without staying a moment. 7 Other exceeding rough and craggy mountains of our sins and iniquities, traversed also over by the Bridegroom. 8 The Bridegroom hath also taken upon himself the bottomless gulf of the curse of God his father, to run unto our delivery with this burden on his shoulders. 9 The difference between the new and the old covenant, represented by the similitude of a wall, and of a grate or lattice. 10 This Bridegroom hath never been dumb, and the abuse committed in this behalf in the false Church. 11 The word of the Bridegroom serveth to no purpose, if men hearken not unto it, and if they awake not themselves in deed. 12 Wherefore this spouse is called the fair one, opposed unto her which is nothing but painted. ⟨p. 241⟩13 The true spouse is neither called nor goeth else whither, then unto her bridegroom only. 14 The Bridegroom must come unto us to cause us to come unto him. 15 The Bridegroom never came unto his spouse, or at this day presenteth himself unto her to stay her here below: but ever called & yet calleth her to heaven: & the great abuse of them which look for him at this day corporally in the earth. 16 These words come thy way ought to serve us for a sum and abridgement of the whole doctrine of salvation, and to teach us the end of the whole life of a Christian.

1 Three great abuses committed in contemplatiue life falsly called religion. 2 It is from the voice of the Bridegrome that this desire proceedeth of putting our selues into the waie and going forward in our vocation. 3 Application of this doctrine vnto the Church of Geneua. 4 The more then marueilous diligence and carefulnesse of this Bridegroome, to runne vnto his spouse. 5 A comparison of this diligence with our sluggishnes. 6 The first high mountaines▪ which satan and his complices haue reared to keep the spouse from her Bridegroome, which the Bridegroome mounteth readily ouer, without staying a moment. 7 Other exceeding rough and craggie mountaines of our sinnes and iniquities, trauersed also ouer by the Bridegroome. 8 The Bridegrome hath also taken vpon himselfe the bottomlesse gulfe of the curse of God his father, to run vnto our deliuerie with this burden on his shoulders. 9 The difference betweene the new and the olde couenaunt, represented by the similitude of a wall, and of a grate or lattise. 10 This Bridegroome hath neuer beene dumb, and the abuse committed in this behalfe in the false Church. 11 The woorde of the Bridegroome serueth to no purpose, if men harken not vnto it, and if they awake not themselues in deede. 12 Wherefore this spouse is called the faire one, opposed vnto her which is nothing but painted.