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

8 We may not marvel then that the spouse found as little comfort by the watch, as she did in the open places of the City: being a thing most certain and assured, that if the poor Church of God, having, amiddest these straits of hers, ⟨p. 325⟩lost the sight of her Bridegroom when she looked so ill unto him, had referred her self to this goodly watch to have her resolution of them, she had but lost her pains, this watch being set rather to turn aside & to scare these poor affrighted sheep, then to bring them again into the right way. God therefore himself was aiding unto his spouse in this, that she passed farther, without staying for an answer from them, according unto that which the Lord in his time speaking of such saith, Let them alone, for they are blind leaders of the blind. For we shall see afterwards that she was beaten of the watch.

8 Wee maie not maruell then that the spouse found as little comforte by the watch, as shee did in the open places of the Cittie: beeing a thing most certaine and assured, that if the poore Church of God, hauing, amiddest these straites of hers, ⟨p. 325⟩lost the sight of her Bridegrome when shee looked so ill vnto him, had referred her selfe to this goodlie watch to haue her resolution of them, shee had but lost her paines, this watch beeing set rather to turne aside & to skare these poore affrighted sheepe, then to bring them againe into the right way. God therefore himselfe was aiding vnto his spouse in this, that shee passed farther, without staying for an aunswere from them, according vnto that which the Lorde in his time speaking of such saith, Let them alone, for they are blinde leaders of the blind. For wee shall see afterwardes that she was beaten of the watch.

9 But let us see whether this doctrine, which we have more need of now then ever, extend it self unto the time of the new covenant: for behold the point wherein Satan at this day employeth his whole forces, namely to persuade men that neither can it nor may it ever happen, that they whom they call the Church representative (the titles whereof they afterwards either shorten or lengthen as please them, calling it sometimes the Roman Church, sometimes the Roman Catholic Church, & sometimes the Catholic Apostolical Roman Church, that this company I say, either hath or can ever be so forsaken of God, that it may for the most part be either it self apparently deceived, or deceive others. If a man ask why, seeing this came notoriously to pass in the ancient Church, behold their answer is ready. It was said unto Saint Peter, I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not. Now that Saint Peters faith were not at one time greatly shaken it cannot be denied. And therefore they must needs confess, that if their representative Church have no more force then he whom they of a notable abuse take for their foundation, it may at least for one time be so shaken, as to deny Jesus Christ three times and that with an oath and execration. And I would to God the like had happened to them but thrice. But to let this pass, what manner of conclusion, I pray you, is this? The Lord by a singular grace of his, raised up and comforted his disciple in such sort that he acknowledged his fault without drowning himself any farther therein, & which