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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
Sermon 26: THE XXVI SERMON. Our help be in the name of God &c. It is written as followeth in the t…
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.
8 And to the end we should know that this excellency of hers is testified & declared by most certain effects, he addeth that this spouse is perfumed with all sorts of excellent perfumes, yea such as cast forth a cloud of most sweet odours. Now we know that both the outward heat of the sun, as also that inward heat which is in the earth, to temper together with moisture the seeds of whatsoever the earth bringeth forth and produceth, is it which draweth up these vapours, to be made more subtle, and distilled as it were in a limbeck, and finally to serve instead of leaven unto the element of the earth, as that most excellent natural Philosopher painteth forth the same unto us, Psal. 65. Which thing may serve us for a most lively & express similitude and resemblance of this, which the spirit of God ordereth, prepareth & doth in the understanding & heart of the elect in our time, to cause it there to bud, & finally to bring forth fruits of true knowledge, which are, giving of thanks, prayers, and works of charity which ascend up even to God, Act. 10.4. ⟨p. 353⟩Apoc. 5.8. and 8.3. Phi. 4.18. First therefore it is through the grace of the holy ghost, that the matter of these perfumes is given us, being a thing which waxeth not in our garden. Secondly it is by the same virtue that they are kindled and caused to fume. Thirdly as the fume and smoke of the fat of the beasts which were sacrificed, which could not be of it self but stinking, was made to be of a most sweet odour, by the precious perfume which was made upon the golden altar: so the best motions, and the most excellent actions which can part & proceed from us, how sanctified so ever we be by the holy ghost in this life, being considered according unto their value, there is found nothing in them which is ought worth, or which deserveth any blessing whatsoever, & yet they leave not to be liking & acceptable unto the Lord, & are finally crowned by him with a crown of Glory, in as much as it pleaseth God to consider of us & our actions unto which he hath fashioned & prepared us, not in us but in him, in whom alone he accepteth of us: