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

13 But what shall we say of them, among whom there is not only no order, but (which is worse) though all things be turned up-side-down, notwithstanding with a desperate impudency they attribute all this while unto themselves the precious name of the catholic church? Among whom the vocations ordained by the Son of God, for the service of his house, are all of them moulded upon the Image of the beast, the ancient Roman Empire? Where to be called, is nothing else but to have posted best and to be first in dated? Where there remain nothing save the simple & bare names of charges and vocations of the holy & sacred ministry? Where the entrance into the house of god (I mean the scripture in which he hath placed his truth) is interdicted & forbidden the people? Where the house of prayer is not only turned into an harbour of them who make merchandise of souls, but is changed into a shop of all falsehood and Idolatry, yea of more abominable Idolatry then all the Idols of the Paynims and heathen? Where Jesus Christ is changed ⟨p. 330⟩into a dead and senseless thing, which hath neither head nor feet, nay which cannot keep himself from the talons of thieves, nor the teeth of rats and of mice, and which perisheth of himself if he be not the sooner devoured? In such a case, should the poor famished sheep, I pray you, go unto the wolves and say, cut our throats and devour us? Should the consciences of men go unto them to be resolved, who maintain themselves by devouring of them quick and dead? Should they to purge & cleanse themselves, shove themselves farther and farther into such dirty miry places? Should men expect and wait until the hogs resolve themselves to live neatly and cleanly, or until the whore-masters and whores take order for the stews? Nay contrariwise the whole church warneth & enjoineth us, as touching doctrine, to take heed of false Prophets, & to fly not only Idolaters but Idols also, 1. Joh. 5.21. So did the Levites and the Priests, retire themselves out of the kingdom of Israel, when all things were there in utter overthrow and confusion. There continued notwithstanding an assembly of Prophets which communicated not at all with the Baalims, nor with such as assembled themselves there, 2. Chr. 11.14. & 2. King. 4.38.42