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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
Sermon 23: THE XXIII SERMON. Our help be in the name of God &c. It is written as followeth in the…
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.
WE have in the Chapter going before understood and seen the sweet and gracious behaviour of the Bridegroom in caressing and entertaining of his spouse, and reposing of her in a most happy rest, looking for still notwithstanding and expecting another more near arrival & coming of his, namely then, when he should come as the Sun rising from on high to give light unto the world, and when the figures and shadows of the Law should have an end, as it is said, Isaiah. 9.2. and by Zechariah yet more expressly in that excellent Canticle or Song of his. It seemed then that all went the best that might be in the world, the temple of the Lord being perfected and ended with so great magnificence, all that service so ⟨p. 306⟩well established, and the state of the kingdom so wisely governed and administered by Solomon. And indeed, we may and ought to say, that the Church was then marvellous goodly and glittering, and all the people in exceeding great quiet and peace. The same may likewise be said of the estate of the Church in the time of Joshua, the people being brought as it were into the rest of the Lord, as himself speaketh, Psal. 95.11. But what? This endured not long, as it was also foretold by Moses, Deut. 32.15. which thing is here in this place described, or rather most divinely painted forth unto us, containing doctrine altogether necessary for our time, that we be not deceived to the endamaging of our own salvation. For the church of god is fallen from age to age into that miserable estate whereof mention is made, Mat. 13.13.25. by being by little & little brought into an heavy slumber, by her over great ease, in such sort that while she is asleep the enemy hath set up his seat and prepared it as he would in the very midst of the house of God, as the Apostle foretold it, 2. Thess. 2.4.5. and so on. And when at this day the Lord would awake her, the most part have such blear eyes that they cannot nor will not open them: others are in so deep a slumber that though they be waked with never so great strokes of the whip, yet they lay their head down again upon the pillow: but in general there where the pot seethes is our holy mother the Church. In a word if you will believe them the gilden steeple of S.