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

2 First therefore it is said that Solomon himself made himself this Coach, to teach us, that whether we consider the doctrine of truth, for the publishing & making known whereof this Coach was made: or whether we regard the whole furniture and direction thereof, it is he that must set down the order, and as I may say the Carpentership: he must pin it and fit it throughout, and he must after teach the Coachmen the manner and order how he will have it ruled and governed. Wherein there is a double fault committed. The first is in them, who will build & frame this Coach after their own fancy and appetite, keeping themselves no farther then liketh them unto the ordinances and prescriptions of the bridegroom: the other is in them, who confess indeed that as for the manner and fashion of this Coach in general considered, there must be nothing but that which is correspondent unto the pattern which the bridegroom himself hath left us, not in chalk only, but in lively picture and portrait in his holy scriptures. But for the direction of this Coach, some are of opinion that they must follow the ancient customs of the fathers, taking away only such abuses as afterwards came in: others think that because of the contrariety of circumstances of places, times, and persons, God hath left it in the power and liberty of the Churches to appoint and ordain the whole ordering, according as they judge it to be expedient: provided always they tend unto the right end and mark they ought. And the ground of all this is that God doth it as it were by himself ⟨p. 362⟩which he doth by the ministry of them whom he setteth a work in his name, whether they be Pastors, or christian Magistrates. I allow well of this ground, for otherwise what shall be said of the ancient Church which went before the coming of the Bridegroom in person, and of the Church, which followed the ascension of the Lord into heaven, & which shall continue unto his second coming in person? And he that would gainsay, & contradict this, should find himself convinced by the whole scripture: but I deny the consequences which are drawn from hence. Now to answer distinctly of both these points, I mean, that of doctrine, and afterward that concerning the government of the Church: I say touching the first, that being a thing most notorious that flesh and blood, Mat. 16.17.

2 First therefore it is said that Salomon himselfe made himselfe this Coche, to teach vs, that whether wee consider the doctrine of truth, for the publishing & making knowen whereof this Coche was made: or whether we regarde the whole furniture and direction thereof, it is he that must set downe the order, and as I may say the Carpentership: he must pinne it and fit it throughout, and he must after teach the Cochemen the manner and order how he will haue it ruled and gouerned. Wherein there is a double fault cōmitted. The first is in them, who will build & frame this Coche after their owne fancie and appetite, keeping themselues no farther then liketh them vnto the ordinaunces and prescriptions of the bridegrome: the other is in them, who confesse indeede that as for the manner and fashion of this Coche in generall considered, there must be nothing but that which is correspondent vnto the patterne which the bridegrome himselfe hath left vs, not in chalk onely, but in liuely picture and pourtraite in his holy scriptures. But for the direction of this Coche, some are of opinion that they must followe the ancient customes of the fathers, taking away onlie such abuses as afterwardes came in: others thinke that because of the contrarietie of circumstances of places, times, and persons, God hath left it in the power and libertie of the Churches to appoint and ordaine the whole ordering, according as they iudge it to be expedient: prouided alwaies they tend vnto the right end and marke they ought. And the grounde of all this is that God doth it as it were by himselfe