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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 29: THE XXIX 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.
2 But because this authority of the true Church hath served Satan's turn at all times, in transferring it unto the false, we must therefore withal consider what this true spouse is, to take heed the better of her which borroweth her name. It is therefore she not which enticeth men unto her self, as harlots do, but inciteth them to contemplate her Bridegroom, yea and that crowned, as anon by Gods grace we will handle.
2 But because this authoritie of the true Church hath serued Satans turne at all times, in transferring it vnto the false, we must therefore withall consider what this true spouse is, to take heede the better of her which boroweth her name. It is therefore she not which entiseth men vnto her selfe, as harlots doe, but inciteth them to contemplate her Bridegrome, yea and that crowned, as anon by Gods grace wee will handle.
3 She speaketh unto the daughters of Zion, that is to say, unto them whom God hath vouchsafed this favour to send unto them the message of salvation, whether they receive it as they ought, to become as it were members of this spouse who calleth them, which is the assembly and mystical body of the believing: or whether they make themselves unworthy of the grace which God offereth them. This is signified unto us in the parable of the banquet, Luk. 14.14. in which we must note that which is there said that all they who were invited began with one accord to excuse themselves, though they took diverse excuses, to show us that there is also aswell a false Catholic Church, that is to say a Church general agreeing in that which is ill, though they be divided in opinions, as there is one true and only Catholic Church, hearkening unto with one accord this only & true bridegroom. And this is the cause why I said before that there are two sorts of daughters of Zion, so called because the terrestrial Jerusalem was the mother City of the people of God. The one sort therefore were as it were the waiting gentle-women of this spouse, to enter in after her by order, and together ⟨p. 389⟩