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

2 But let us hearken unto the residue of the Bridegrooms speech, seeking after this spouse: My dove, saith he, which keepest thy self in the clefts of the rock, and in the secret places of the ascent thereof. And what are the great secrets which are comprised in ⟨p. 277⟩these words? Let us pray unto God he will vouchsafe to teach them us throughly. We have said before, that the spouse, the Church, is brought in in this place and represented unto us, assisted by her Bridegroom in such sort, that sometimes she languisheth after him, sometimes she obtaineth as it were the fiansailes, sometimes she seemeth to be as it were a far off, sometimes as it were somewhat nearer, sometimes she is seeking as it were after him, sometimes she seemeth to be sought after: which thing we are necessarily to understand & diligently to consider, that we take heed the better of the mask of the false Church, which many paint forth and shape out unto themselves in their own brain, persuading themselves, that the Catholic Church continueth always in her apparent gloss and beauty: contrary unto that which is delivered throughout the whole sacred history, and the experience we have since had, and have until this day, thereof: wherein these so wretchedly abused resemble the Butterfly which flieth into the candle and burneth himself, and those simple silly birds which fly into the fire thinking they are in the warm sun. This is then a false opinion in which many do gladly please themselves, because they would have a gospel of ease and a Church all of velvet: whereas, it is in the cross, that the Bridegroom triumpheth, and he was crowned with a crown of thorns, and there is no reason the spouse be put in a better livery then her Bridegroom. We have therefore heard above in the 11. verse, how the Bridegroom made mention of the winter, bringing tidings unto his spouse of the sweet and pleasant spring-time. He speaketh therefore now unto her, as if she were frighted and scared as sometimes Pigeons are and driven from the dove house, and therefore flown to hide herself in some chinks and crevices of a rock, to have there some place of retire and rest.

2 But let vs hearken vnto the residue of the Bridegroomes speach, seeking after this spouse: My doue, saith he, which keepest thy self in the cleftes of the rocke, and in the secret places of the ascent therof. And what are the great secrets which are comprised in ⟨p. 277⟩