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

10 As for the other kind of the law concerning the outward divine service, the spirit of error hath done the clean contrary, tending notwithstanding unto the same end. For having abolished the Law moral which should notwithstanding be perpetual, he hath clean contrary found the means to establish the Law ceremonial, knowing that Jesus Christ had imposed an end unto it: and this design of his hath he executed by a marvellous sleight, which hath deceived those of the better sort. For if he would have persuaded them that he would set Judaism up again, or retained Paganism, men would have openly withstood him. And therefore he objected that the great simplicity of the outward service of God both in the ministry of the word & in the administration of the sacraments would breed a contempt, and therefore it would be good to have some petite matters beside, not that this should be of the substance of the doctrine or of the sacraments, but to make the things more commendable, and men more attentive and devout. This being once thought to be good by an efficacy of error, he added, that using withal some ceremonies ⟨p. 416⟩of the Law not to Judaize but to turn them unto a a good use, & doing the same soberly in certain points like others without superstition or Idolatry, would be a mean to win the Jews and the Idolaters the easier unto the true religion. Thence came holy-Water, square-Caps, Surplices, hoods, bald crowns, chanting of prick-song, altars, distinction of days and of meats, with the rest of the furniture of all that goodly ceremonial service, as if God had imposed an end unto the legal ceremonies, of which himself was the author, to give authority, not unto the Apostles (who never ordained, nor practised such things, nay contrariwise established and recommended the true and pure simplicity aswell of doctrine as of ecclesiastical government) but unto them who should come after them, to cut and clip off all at their pleasure. If any man will deny this, the sight thereof discovereth the fact, if we confer their inventions with Moses and with profane histories. True it is that touching this point they want no allegations of certain books forged at pleasure, but so doltishly written, that a man need go no farther for proof of such forgeries.

10 As for the other kinde of the lawe concerning the outward diuine seruice, the spirite of errour hath done the cleane contrary, tending notwithstanding vnto the same end. For hauing abolished the Lawe morall which should notwithstanding be perpetual, he hath cleane contrarie found the meanes to establish the Lawe ceremonial, knowing that Iesus Christ had imposed an end vnto it: and this dessein of his hath he executed by a marueilous sleight, which hath deceaued those of the better sort. For if he would haue persuaded them that hee woulde set Iudaisme vp againe, or retained Paganisme, men would haue openly withstood him. And therfore he obiected that the great simplicity of the outwarde seruice of God both in the ministerie of the word & in the administration of the sacramentes would breede a contempt, and therefore it would bee good to haue some petite matters beside, not that this should be of the substance of the doctrin or of the sacraments, but to make the thinges more commendable, and men more attentiue and deuout. This being once thought to be good by an efficacie of errour, hee added, that vsing withal some ceremonies