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

And thus you see what this name of king importeth in this place, joined also with the name of Solomon, which signifieth as much as peaceable, & is meant of the exercise of this kingdom in regard of this spouse which is his Church, over which himself alone hath power, quickening, justifying and saving it, as it is he also alone unto whom she yieldeth all obedience in that which concerneth this spiritual kingdom. It remaineth we consider whether this king be taken for such a one as he is among them, from whom we have separated our selves. Alas nothing less. For he is no otherwise called King among them, then he was of those who whipped him in Pilates judgement-hall: not that I will say that an infinite number of poor people who wander without a shepherd have the same meaning which they had, but because that in effect it cometh all to one end. And to prove that this is so, let us see whether they leave unto this king one sole point of his royalty and regality, which is not violated by their doctrine. First they say they have a King Lieutenant Catholic and universal. Ask them who this is, & they will answer you, he which sitteth ⟨p. 403⟩in the See of Rome. If you ask on what right: they allege that for his right possessory, there are so & so many ages that they have been in this possession: as for their right petitory, it is that same which was granted by the Lord unto S. Peter. Now if we would but debate these allegations, it were an easy matter to show that there was never such impudency ether seen or heard to propose such things. But though we presupposed all this, that is to say, that darkness were light, I demand of them whether a lieutenant of a king hath more authority then he who sent him to keep his place: & if he have not or cannot have, I demand, whether shrouding him-self in this lieutenantship with all manner violence and unlawful practise, and being so desperate & presumptuous that there is no manner falsifying of the will of his king which he committeth not openly, he may be tolerated as lieutenant of the king, or whether he ought not to be charged of high treason against his head.

And thus you see what this name of king importeth in this place, ioyned also with the name of Salomon, which signifieth as much as peaceable, & is meant of the exercise of this kingdome in regard of this spouse which is his Church, ouer which himselfe alone hath power, quickening, iustifieng and sauing it, as it is hee also alone vnto whom she yeeldeth al obedience in that which concerneth this spirituall kingdome. It remaineth we consider whether this king be takē for such a one as he is among thē, from whom we haue separated our selues. Alas nothing lesse. For he is no otherwise called King among them, then he was of those who whipped him in Pilates iudgement-hal: not that I wil say that an infinit nūber of poor people who wander without a shepheard haue the same meaning which they had, but because that in effect it commeth al to one end. And to proue that this is so, let vs see whether they leaue vnto this king one sole point of his roialty and regality, which is not violated by their doctrine. First they say they haue a King Lieutenaunt Catholique and vniuersall. Aske thē who this is, & they wil answere you, he which sitteth