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

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 ⟨p. 326⟩more is, he used him afterward to encourage and strengthen others, I pray you, what doth this appertain unto the City of Rome, or unto the See afterwards erected there? Save that I confess (and I say it after one of their principal Poets whose verses themselves yet print and sing every day) that many ages ago this Papal See having put out and defaced the ancient Apostolic Church of Rome, is become The temple of heresy in doctrine, and an other Sodom in manners. But what allege they farther? Jesus Christ said thrice unto Peter, feed my sheep. The Pope therefore, and that Church which acknowledgeth the Pope for their head cannot err: no though he should drive whole cartloads of souls unto hell, no man may say unto him, sir what do you? O God, what impudent shamelessness is this!

9 But let vs see whether this doctrine, which we haue more neede of now then euer, extend it selfe vnto the time of the newe couenant: for behold the poynt wherein Satan at this day employeth his whole forces, namely to persuade men that neither can it nor may it euer happen, that they whom they cal the Church representatiue (the titles whereof they afterwards either shorten or lengthen as please them, calling it sometimes the Romane Church, sometimes the Romane Catholique Church, & sometimes the Catholique Apostolicall Romane Church, that this company I saie, either hath or can euer be so forsaken of God, that it may for the most part bee either it selfe apparantlie deceiued, or deceiue others. If a man aske why, seeing this came notoriously to passe in the ancient Church, beholde their answere is ready. It was saide vnto Saint Peter, I haue praied for thee that thy faith faile not. Now that Saint Peters faith were not at one time greatly shaken it cannot be denied. And therefore they must needes confesse, that if their representatiue Church haue no more force then hee whom they of a notable abuse take for their foundation, it may at least for one time be so shaken, as to denie Iesus Christ three times and that with an oth and execration. And I would to God the like had happened to them but thrise. But to let this passe, what maner of conclusiō, I pray you, is this? The Lorde by a singular grace of his, raised vp and comforted his disciple in such sort that hee acknowledged his fault without drowning himselfe any farther therein, & which