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

7 She saith then in sum that going so through the City she was found by the watch, & she asked them, if they could tell her any tidings of this Bridegroom, and saith not what answer she had of them: but it appeareth sufficiently by that which followeth, either that they answered her nothing, or that without staying their answer she went her way farther. Now who are they, I pray you, of the watch, but those who have the charge of watching over the City of God? And is it not expressly said, that the lips of the Priest, are the keepers of wisdom, because he is the messenger of god, Mal. 2.7. And unto whom did the Lord command his people to resort to be resolved in a case of difficulty touching the interpretation of the Law, but unto the Priests, Deut. 17.8. yea, to answer unto it according unto the Law which they might not ad unto, nor diminish. Notwithstanding we see here that the spouse found her Bridegroom no more among these then in the open places & streets of the city ▪ the reasons this, that there is great difference, between considering of a charge such as it is in it self, and considering of it as they discharge it, on whom it is imposed. Moreover albeit the Lord hath established an order wherein he declareth his blessing: yet notwithstanding we may not tie the holy Ghost entirely unto them, either who are called by an ordinary vocation, or unto ⟨p. 324⟩them who have the place thereof, because that as the Lord in his mercy giveth true pastors and teachers, for the gathering together of the saints, and for the work of the ministry, to the building of the body of Jesus Christ, Eph. 3.12. so doth he also in his anger give false Pastors with strong delusion and the efficacy of the spirit of error, 2. Thess. 2.11. punishing by that means the contempt of his holy word. As in that which concerneth the society of men in this world, God giveth good princes and governors, 1. Timot. 2.2. and Psal. 72. and on the other side he punisheth and chastiseth the people, taking his spirit from their princes and governors, Psal. 76.13. this holy ministry notwithstanding (considered in it self) remaining in that estate and form in the which God established it; as also the estate of Kings and of other Magistrates, although the tyrants abuse it,