A09998:45
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.
5 Now to understand more particularly the order of handling of this Canticle or song, we must know, that it is written in manner of a dialogue, many persons being introduced in a most wonderful and artificial manner, speaking and answering one the other: to wit, a Bride addressing her speech unto her maidens, and a Bridegroom in like sort accompanied with his friends: according to the manner used in the celebration of such fiansailes and espousals as are honestly and orderly made. The spouse or bride is the company of the faithful land believing, which is called the Church, represented as it were in one only person, (as it is also said that the faithful have but one hart, and one soul. Act. 4.32) in the which company notwithstanding Solomon bringeth one in speaking as it were in the name of the rest of the train. But farther ⟨p. 9⟩seeing he maketh a distinction between her, which speaketh as the Queen & mistress, and the other daughters & maidens of Jerusalem, (according to that which is written in the 45 Psalm) we may understand by these other daughters, aswell those, which are in the church rather in name then in deed, as those, which are the true faithful, but are yet new, and as it were little children, which follow their mother, who is as it were a Queen accompanied and waited on with her damsels and maidens. On the other side the bridegroom is our Lord Jesus Christ, by whose friends, in the treatise of this marriage, we understand, first the blessed spirits, which have at all times served Jesus Christ, and whose ministry he useth for the building of his church, as it is said in the 34 Psal. and Heb. 1. as also the whole scripture showeth us their effects & workings: secondly those excellent archbuilders of the spiritual temple of the church, I mean, the Prophets and Apostles, Ephes. 2. and Apocal. 21. thirdly the pastors and teachers who painfully and faithfully travail for the preparing this holy Bride, as the Apostle speaketh 2 Cor. 11.2. and gathering together the company and assembly of the Saints, Ephe 4.12. We must farther note, that as in marriage there be three degrees, whereof the first is the stipulation and contracting, which we call fiansailes or betrothings, during the which the parties are called the fiancer & the fianced: