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

6 And if a man will pass beyond the time of Solomon, as the holy Ghost intending prophetically to bring forth testimonies of the dilections of this bridegroom until his coming in person, yea even unto the end and consummation of the world, we shall find that the nearer the time and term appointed of God approacheth for the real execution of his promises, the more evidently did the ardent affection of this bridegroom show it self towards his Jerusalem, how perverse and unthankful so ever she showed her self. But some man might think that this Coach was then at the least somewhat evil affected, when of 12. tribes 10. were cast out of this Coach under Rehoboam. But this is clean contrary. For as a family of 12. persons, whereof ten should be found traitors and such as had conspired the death of their mother, is never a whit endamaged by the casting of those ten rebellious and disloyal persons out of doors, but rather eased and purged of great filth: so did the Lord by throwing out of his Coach such caitiffs and miscreants. And as for the remnant which remained in this Coach if the king again take a view many times of the estate of his house, what hath followed thereof but which happeneth unto barns and garners, namely that the corn is the purer and cleaner the oftener it is winnowed and sifted? It is true it might seem that finally this Coach being most miserably guided by them unto whom this King had given the charge thereof, was not only over-turned but broken into a million of pieces, nay turned utterly into dust and powder, though it often resisted, and namely under Jehoshaphat and Hezekiah. But what? If we consider well of all we shall find the clean contrary. For so far is it that they who seem to have had this advantage might vaunt them-selves of those victories, that contrariwise it is the King himself who led and conducted and set him-self his enemies a work, not to overthrow ⟨p. 384⟩and ruinate his Coach, but first to discharge it of that great number of villainous and profane persons gotten into it, and afterward to unharness it:

6 And if a man will passe beyond the time of Salomon, as the holy Ghost intending prophetically to bring forth testimonies of the dilections of this bridegrome vntill his comming in person, yea euen vnto the end and consummation of the world, we shall find that the nearer the time and terme appointed of God approcheth for the reall execution of his promises, the more euidently did the ardent affection of this bridegrome shew it selfe towards his Ierusalem, how peruerse and vnthankefull so euer she shewed her selfe. But some man might think that this Coche was then at the least somewhat euil affected, when of 12. tribes 10. were cast out of this Coche vnder Roboam. But this is cleane contrarie. For as a family of 12. persons, whereof ten should be found traytors and such as had conspired the death of their mother, is neuer a whit endā maged by the casting of those ten rebellious and disloyal persons out of doores, but rather eased and purged of great filth: so did the Lord by throwing out of his Coche such caitifes and miscreaunts. And as for the remnaunt which remained in this Coche if the king againe take a viewe many times of the estate of his house, what hath followed thereof but which happeneth vnto barnes and garners, namely that the corne is the purer and cleaner the oftener it is winowed and sifted? It is true it might seeme that finally this Coche beeing most miserablie guided by them vnto whome this King had giuen the chardge thereof, was not onely ouer-turned but broken into a million of pieces, nay turned vtterly into dust and pouder, though it often resisted, and namely vnder Iosaphat and Ezechias. But what? If wee consider well of all wee shall finde the cleane contrary. For so farre is it that they who seeme to haue hadde this aduauntage might vaunt them-selues of those victories, that contrariewise it is the King himselfe who ledde and conducted and sette him-selfe his enemies a worke, not to ouerthrowe