A09998:550
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.
11 Why then, will some reply, what manner of Church will ⟨p. 328⟩this be if the prelates be not the Judges of errors, and if other keep them not to their sentence and resolution? Truly I confess that all things ought to be orderly done in the house of God, Cor. 14.4. but what is this order? Even that which the Lord of the house hath established by his Apostles. Let us then first of all keep and observe this, and hold all that for disorder which shall be farther added, diminished or changed: (I mean in the substance of doctrine) so that whosoever opposeth himself against this disorder, whensoever it slideth into the Church, may not be justly held for author of confusion, but ought rather to be praised & harkned unto, as the setter up again & reestablisher of that order, which the Son of God established in his house. Secondly although the form of outward order be observed, yet we may not tie the holy spirit to persons without exception, for those reasons which I have proved, & because that in many those things wherein they offend go not before but follow their vocation, as the Apostle warneth us, 1. Tim. 5.24. in whom the Church findeth afterward that she hath been deceived, as all the ancient heretics and the greatest part of them of our time may sufficiently witness. But we are to follow the rule which the Lord gave, and which he also confirmed by his own example. The Scribes and Pharisees, saith he, sit in Moses Chair, do ye that which they say, but do not that which they do, that is to say, so far as, according unto the order of God established by the ministry of Moses, they preach the truth in the Synagogues, their hypocrisy and wicked life otherwise, may not hinder you from receiving and practising that which they teach, for the truth dependeth not on the person of him which teacheth, either in doctrine or in the sacraments. But what saith Christ in an other place? Matth. 16.6. Take heed of the leaven of the Pharisees: and in an other place, Let them alone, they are blind, and leaders of the blind, Mat. 15.14. And indeed himself openly condemned their false interpretations of the Law: Matth. 5.6