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

10 But alas behold for a certain our judgement & condemnation, namely that the most part of us, who vaunt our selves to be ⟨p. 372⟩the reformed Church, that is to say, received into and conducted by this Coach into paradise, believe not neither the pillars, nor the bottom, nor the covering thereof. For if it be true that the doctrine, which we (who are chosen by the great mercy of the Lord for the doing of this) preach unto you, is the only & true object of faith, why are we not believed, either when we teach, or when we comfort, or when we reprehend? If we be believed, wherefore doth every one make unto himself his particular ground & resting staff? And how so will some man say? For this were to play the parts of Idolaters and superstitious men. And are not you such ye covetous misers, who have nothing before your eyes but gain? I speak unto you merchants, who know so well to make your commodity by the rising & falling of crowns to the loss of your poor neighbours▪ who know your cabala so well to make your profit rather by selling for time, then for ready money, making 9. pecks of 1. bushel. I speak unto you usurers & white wolves (though there be some who begin very young) who under colour of aiding & helping your neighbour make it your trade to live by, & to enrich your selves by the necessity of another. Out upon you caitives, will you be always with us as it were in this Coach, to overturn not only the Coach, but your selves & us too? To say it in a word, so many tricks of close conveyance & deceit, so many left & sinister means reigning & swaying in the middest of us, how loud so ever we cry out against them in the pulpit, and what Laws soever be provided and established to the contrary, are sufficient testimonies that we yet believe not neither bottom nor covering of this Coach: as if we never had yet heard any speech thereof. And what shall I say of so many renegants & Apostates, some upon a jollity of mind, others upon fear, who have finally hardened themselves so far as to put out both their own and others eyes? Let us here remember the net which gathereth the good and bad fish, Matth. 13.27. which appertaineth also unto this Coach: as also him who was found at the marriage feast without his marriage garment. The scandal is great, yet so it must be, but cursed be they who are guilty thereof.