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

5 The most part of us who are in this place may and ought to give true testimony hereof, having been by an infinite mercy of God drawn forth of this horrible desert & dungeon of Idolatry and superstition wherein our fathers & we were for so long a time plunged. But alas how many are there who are not ascended out of the desert, but are entered out of one desert into an other? Not, god be thanked, that this place where it hath pleased God to gather us together, is a desert and wilderness in respect of the graces and blessings which god hath here planted & sowed, having rid it of most pestilent bushes & woods by most painful and diligent husband-men: but because that the desert out of which we are to ascend to be comprised in this spouse, is that in which we are born, & which we carry within our selves, where ever we be or go, receiving there, & there entertaining that wicked spirit, of who it is said, Mat. 12.43. that he seeketh after dry places & deserts. Let those then who out of the desert of superstition and Idolatry are fallen into the dungeon of impiety: & out of the desert of a wretched conscience which utterly frighted & amazed them with fear, into that horrible gulf of a rotten and senseless conscience: & out of the desert of riotous dissolution into the pit of miserable covetousness: in a word, who out of sottishness have cast themselves headlong into wickedness: let those, I say, know that they have nothing to do with her of whom it is thus said, that she ascendeth out of the desert.

5 The most part of vs who are in this place may and ought to giue true testimony hereof, hauing beene by an infinit mercy of God drawen forth of this horrible desert & dungeon of Idolatry and superstition wherin our fathers & we were for so long a time plūged. But alas how many are there who are not ascended out of the desert, but are entred out of one desert into an other? Not, god be thanked, that this place where it hath pleased God to gather vs together, is a desert and wildernes in respect of the graces and blessings which god hath here planted & sowed, hauing ridde it of most pestilent bushes & woods by most painfull and diligent husband-men: but because that the desert out of which wee are to ascend to bee comprised in this spouse, is that in which we are born, & which we carry within our selues, where euer we be or go, receiuing there, & there entertaining that wicked spirit, of who it is said,