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

12 But let us get us out of this mire, and praise God that he hath pulled us out of it. And on the other side let us employ diligently all our mind throughly to know, and as throughly to serve him who hath opened the eyes of our mind & our heart unto this effect, that we fall not into greater reproof then they who fail in this point either of ignorance or of superstition; whereas the covetous contemplate nothing else with their mind and eyes but their riches, the fornicators are given utterly over unto their uncleanness and wantonness, having their eyes full of adulteries and other infamous villainies, the gluttons think on nothing else but their good-cheer, the ambitious nothing but on their pomp and vanities: and so on in the rest: whereas all things which presents it self before our eyes, ought to draw us rather unto that which all the world preacheth unto us, namely to consider the wisdom, power, and infinite bounty of such a work-man, and to dedicate and consecrate unto him both our soul and body in an acceptable sacrifice, Rom. 12.1. It is not enough therefore to contemplate him, but we must acknowledge him for such a one as he is, which is the end and scope whereunto all this contemplation ought to be referred. In a word we ought to confess & adore this King Solomon and that crowned. And with what crown? With that which his mother crowned him withal. And when? In the day of his fiansailes & mirth. Let us therefore consider again all these points directly.

12 But let vs get vs out of this mire, and praise God that he hath pulled vs out of it. And on the otherside let vs employ diligently all our minde throughly to knowe, and as throughly to serue him who hath opened the eies of our minde & our heart vnto this effect, that wee fall not into greater reproofe then they who faile in this point either of ignorance or of superstition; whereas the couetous contēplate nothing else with their minde and eies but their riches, the fornicators are giuen vtterly ouer vnto their vncleannesse and wantonnesse, hauing their eies full of adulteries and other infamous villanies, the gluttons think on nothing else but their good-cheare, the ambitious nothing but on their pompe and vanities: and so on in the rest: whereas al things which presents it selfe before our eies, ought to drawe vs rather vnto that which all the worlde preacheth vnto vs, namely to consider the wisedome, power, and infinit bountie of such a worke-man, and to dedicate and consecrate vnto him both our soul and body in an acceptable sacrifice,