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

2 Let us therefore note here in the first place, that there is no mention here of Tigers or Lyons, which are open and declared persecutors of the church, as were sometimes against Israel, Edom, Moab, Ammon, and finally the Chaldeans and Babylonians: and in the time of the Christian Church, the Romaine empire, the Saracens & the Persians, & the Turks, ⟨p. 288⟩but of those which are crept into the midst of the vineyard like crafty Foxes to keep back and hinder the vintage, which sort of beasts, the vineyard were it never so well planted and husbanded, never wanted. Such were in the time of Moses, Core, Dathan, and Abyron, who as it is written Numbers, 16. being in the very midst of this vineyard, sought subtly to undermine the foundation thereof, under colour, said they, because the whole people were the people of the Eternal, and hereupon pretending to overthrow the ministry of Moses and Aaron. Such were the false Prophets who lulled the people of Israel asleep, vaunting of their visions from God, against the true servants of the Eternal, as is especially seen in that miscreant Sedechias opposing himself against Micah, 1. King. 22. and in Hananias against Jeremiah, Jer. 18. and by all the writings of the Prophets: unto whom, for the most part they always lent an helping hand who should have been the principal hunters of those foxes, to wit, the Priests, as is witnessed throughout the whole sacred history. And what foxes were the Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes, Essenians, Herodians and others, who so craftily & so slyly ventured to entrap the Lord himself of the vineyard, being descended from heaven expressly for this purpose, to take order for this vineyard, and travelled so throughly herein, that finally he thrust them out of possession of it, and transplanted his vineyard, as he had before threatened them he would do, Mat. 21.41. and planted it among a people, which before appertained nothing at all unto unto him, as he had menaced them by Hosea 2.23. the execution of which threat is most largely set down Ephes. 2.11