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

For adversity and need stirreth up and awaketh the most senseless and sluggish, to think on the remedies thereof, whence it is said that Necessity hath been the occasion that arts and sciences were found out and invented: but prosperity and abundance bring the best asleep, witnesses whereof may be Adam and Eve before their miserable fall, and Solomon who was so wise: in a word the whole history of the Church truly Christian, Apostolical and Catholic, which flourished under Saint Peter, and Saint John, who had neither gold nor silver, Act. 3.6. but distributed unto others in midst of their poverty from the break of day until night, the true riches which God had committed ⟨p. 309⟩unto them, Act. 5.21. & under S. Paul who lived and nourished others by the labour of his hands, preaching unto them day and night, and that with tears, Act. 20.31.34: whereas afterward upon the peace which Constantine granted it, accompanied with wealth and abundance, the mother of ambition and dissolution, it never ceased until this day to decline touching heavenly & celestial things, though in respect of the world it have grown great and mighty. For how can the kingdom of God and the kingdom of the world agree together? Luk. 18.36. Things so contrary one unto the other, Jam. 4.4. Thus you see then in what sort a sweet repose and rest bringeth asleep not this man or that man, but the whole Church considered in a generality, that in less then a turn is she turned and wandered away from her Bridegroom.

For aduersity and neede stirreth vp and awaketh the most senslesse and sluggish, to thinke on the remedies thereof, whence it is said that Necessity hath beene the occasion that artes and sciences were found out and inuented: but prosperity and aboundance bring the best asleepe, witnesses whereof may be Adam and Eue before their miserable fall, and Salomon who was so wise: in a word the whole historie of the Church truely Christian, Apostolicall and Catholique, which florished vnder Saint Peter, and Saint Iohn, who had neither gold nor siluer,