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

what shall we then do hereupon? Mary first look diligently unto this, whether it be true that every one allegeth the Scriptures. For if I should say that a great number of lies & forgeries may be found in the writings of our adversaries, alleging most falsely for Scripture that which is no more found in any book of the Bible, then Paradise is in Hell, I should not lie at all. Secondly we must note that they are no less false-sayers then the rest, who for proof of their doctrine, allege any other testimonies, over and besides the above named scriptures and writings of the Prophets and Apostles, unto whom we are no less forbidden to add, then to change and diminish, seeing they contain the whole Counsel of God touching our salvation Joh. 15.15. and Act. 20.27. And to the end no man reply, that all was not written which the Apostles taught: let us answer this lie first with that which is said, 2. Tim. 2.17. where Saint Paul requireth nothing, besides the scripture, to make the man of God perfect & complete. Secondly let these goodly unwritten doctrines and verities forsooth be compared with the scriptures, and the day will condemn this darkness. Thirdly, always and as often as there are diverse interpretations found of one and the same place, let us know that this cometh to pass, partly because every one hath not one and the same measure of understanding, and partly because the scripture is so plentiful in all trueth, that of one and from one only place, a man may draw diverse expositions, which may be all of them notwithstanding conformable unto the trueth of edification, & every of which may as occasion serveth be profitable. But when the interpretations are so repugnant, that it must needs be that one or more of ⟨p. 338⟩them be false, then if we confer other places therewith, & so expound Scripture by Scripture, as Jesus Christ teacheth us by his own example, Mat. 4.6.7. & as the ancient Councils have done (having by this only most true and most assured means convinced all sorts of false allegations of heretics) & if withal we refer the whole unto the correspondency of the articles of our faith, which we call our Creed, the summary abridgement of every fundamental point of Christian doctrine & religion, there is no man can be deceived, no not the simplest Idiots of all, except they will needs deceive themselves: