A09998:538
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
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.
2 But we must especially consider that which the spouse saith in this place, namely, that she diligently sought after her Bridegroom, by the open places, and went round about the City and found him not. For contrariwise in the parable of the banquet, Luk. 14.21. the servants are commanded upon the refusal which the greater sort and the rich made, to go unto the open places & streets of the City, to bring together those which were poor & impotent, lame and blind. But this similitude tendeth to another purpose then this of the spouse, to wit, to show us that they are no members of the Church, or (if they were before) leave to be, who make more reckoning of their worldly ease and other their commodities and affairs of this world, then they do of their conscience: in whose places God doth often choose the poor and contemptible of the world, as it is said in the Canticle of the blessed virgin, Luk. 1.52.53. We read also, Pro. 1.20. that Wisdom maketh her voice to ring in the streets and open places: but it is not said that she was harkned unto or received there: yea contrariwise, Wisdom lamenteth and bewaileth the disorders which do there reign. There is likewise speech in the parable of the ⟨p. 320⟩sower of seed which fell in the way, which because it pierced not into, and entered the earth, it was incontinently eaten up by the birds. These two places may serve us for the interpretation of this, in which we understand by the open places and the circuit of the City, that which is commonly received & beareth sway among men. And to say all in one word, it is that mask which is called at this day by the name of the Catholic Church, not that Catholic Church which we mention in our Creed, but that monster which the efficacy of error hath engendered by her, who hath bewitched the kings and nations of the earth, as it hath been before prophesied and foretold.
2 But wee must especially consider that which the spouse saith in this place, namely, that she diligētly sought after her Bridegroome, by the open places, and went round about the Cittie and found him not. For contrariwise in the parable of the banquet,