A09998:625
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
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.
AN application of this dilection and power of God unto this, that he hath already begun in our time, harnessing again and putting in frame his Coach which was plucked in pieces by evil Coachers. We have already spoken very much of that which is contained in this text so full of doctrine and consolation, that the more a man considereth of it, the more he findeth in it to profit himself thereby, as in truth it is not without cause that this canticle or song is named the Canticle of Canticles, or song of songs. Besides that therefore which we have already drawn from this text, I say that it is not without great cause that the Lord speaketh in this place of a Coach or horselitter, which serveth unto two uses, namely to rest in & to travail in both together. Albeit therefore that the children of this world judge us to be as they suppose in the most tickle & uncertain state in the world, as being in continual motion & agitation, & (as the Apostle saith 1. Cor. 4.11.) vagabonds, having no certain place of dwelling: notwithstanding we travail in a Coach of gold, borne up with pillars of silver, covered with purple, & with infinite matters of pleasure & recreation carved & engraven in this Coach, which can nether be overturned, nor stopped, or stayed for one minute of time, what ruts soever or hindrances men lay in the way of it within or without, although it make not always the like journeys. For proof hereof I take the saying of the Lord. Rejoice, saith he, and be glad when men revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you for my names sake, falsely. Math. 5.11. For when are we shocked and mightily tossed if not then? But in the mean time we are so conducted in this Coach that these shocks & shakings, which seem to them without to menace our overturning, are unto us within no other then as a man would say, a dancing ⟨p. 376⟩& pleasant rocking, to the utter despiting of all those who laugh at that which cannot come to pass, to wit, our ruin and downfall: and they themselves while they laugh at us, fall into the ditch they digged for us, as we see how the Prophet taketh up an holy laughter upon them: Psa. 9.25.16. And the Apostle is bold to defy all those which assault him, be they on high or below: Rom. 8.38.39.