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

What shall we then say of their holy water, spittle, holy wax, holy bread, & of their Agnus Dei, & other their trash? Finally who will excuse the adoration of the Chrism or holy oil so many times and so expressly reiterated in their Ceremonies? Who will not marvel at their blasphemy, that kneeling down ⟨p. 409⟩on their knees before a cross of wood or other such matter, they salute it and call it their only hope? Neither will any gloss serve here, that this is not said unto the cross, but unto Jesus Christ who is represented crucified there. For the clean contrary appeareth by their own words, which are these, O Cross all hail, our only hope in this time of the passion, the gibbet on which was hanged in flesh the Creator of flesh. And what more? Can the blessed virgin Mary be called Queen of heaven, without parting this kingdom? Our Lady, without matching a companion with the only Lord? Our life, our hope, our sweetness, without placing her manifestly in the throne of the godhead? But (ô most horrible blasphemy that ever was spewed forth!) can a man request her, without degrading of Jesus Christ, that in respect of the person of the father, she pray: but in respect of Jesus Christ his Son, that she command him of her motherly power and authority? And yet notwithstanding this is not only said, but song and howled forth in their temples: and who so findeth fault with this, he is an heretic. I conclude therefore, that there are in this church so many false gods as there be creatures called upon & served with a religious adoration, that is to say concerning directly the conscience, and the divine service dew to one only God the father, Son, and holy ghost: and as many as there be temples and altars consecrated and dedicated unto creatures: and how then can that Church be the true and only universal Church?

What shall we then say of their holy water, spetle, holy waxe, holy bread, & of their Agnus Dei, & other their trashe? Finally who will excuse the adoration of the Chrisme or holy oile so many times and so expressely reiterated in their Ceremonies? Who wil not maruel at their blasphemy, that kneeling down ⟨p. 409⟩on their knees before a crosse of woodde or other such matter, they salute it and call it their onely hope? Neither will any glose serue here, that this is not saide vnto the crosse, but vnto Iesus Christ who is represented crucified there. For the cleane contrary appeareth by their owne words, which are these, O Crosse all haile, our onely hope in this time of the passion, the gibbet on which was hanged in flesh the Creator of flesh. And what more? Can the blessed virgine Mary be called Queene of heauen, without parting this kingdome? Our Lady, without matching a companion with the onely Lord? Our life, our hope, our sweetenes, without placing her manifestly in the throne of the godhead? But (ô most horrible blasphemie that euer was spewed forth!) can a man request her, without degrading of Iesus Christ, that in respect of the person of the father, shee pray: but in respect of Iesus Christ his sonne, that she commaund him of her motherly power and authoritie? And yet notwithstanding this is not onely saide, but song and howled forth in their temples: and who so findeth fault with this, he is an hereticke. I conclude therefore, that ther are in this church so many false gods as there be creatures called vpō & serued with a religious adoratiō, that is to say concerning directly the conscience, and the diuine seruice dewe to one onely God the father, sonne, and holy ghost: and as many as there be temples and altars consecrated and dedicated vnto creatures: and how then can that Church bee the true and onely vniuersall Church?