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

IT appeareth by these words which we have to handle, that the Dove is flown unto her Bridegroom at his call, who hath gathered her with her company as we shall afterwards see, according unto the purport also of the history, that finally all the tribes put themselves in subjection unto the anointed of the Lord, I mean, unto David, & after unto Solomon, both which were figures of this true Bridegroom in this respect. But to the end that the spouse should not imagine, that this spring-time brought so perfect a peace, as that nothing should impair and disturb it she is in good time warned, that this vineyard having escaped the former storms and tempests, was not for all that, altogether freed from all kind of hurt. And this he warneth her of, not to affright or astonish her, but so as to make her full of consolation. For he saith not, there are foxes which wast and destroy our vineyards, but take us those foxes, as if he said. Indeed there are great and little ones, but I have taken order they shall be caught. Now to make our profit hereof, we must first of all learn that they abuse themselves much, who are so persuaded to see the Church in so good case as to be without her afflictions, either within or without, or both together within and without: the experience of all ages showeth us the contrary.

IT appeareth by these words which we haue to handle, that the Doue is flowen vnto her Bridegroome at his call, who hath gathered her with her companie as wee shal afterwardes see, according vnto the purport also of the historie, that finally al the tribes put themselues in subiection vnto the anointed of the Lord, I meane, vnto Dauid, & after vnto Salomon, both which were figures of this true Bridegrome in this respect. But to the end that the spouse should not imagine, that this spring-time brought so perfect a peace, as that nothing should impaire and disturb it she is in good time warned, that this vineyard hauing escaped the former storms and tēpests, was not for al that, altogether freed frō al kind of hurt. And this hee warneth her of, not to affright or astonish her, but so as to make her ful of consolation. For he saith not, there are foxes which wast and destroy our vineyardes, but take vs those foxes, as if he said. Indeede there are great and little ones, but I haue taken order they shal be caught. Now to make our profit hereof, wee must first of al learne that they abuse themselues much, who are so persuaded to see the Church in so good case as to bee without her afflictions, either within or without, or both together within and without: the experience of al ages sheweth vs the contrarie.