A09998:84
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
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.
6 Last of all, let us learn of this spouse the true use of considering of these infinite dilections of this Bridegroom, namely, to the end that as he hath loved us more than he needed, so that we love him because he is only worthy to be loved: whereupon it is requisite and needful that we here treat at large of true dilection, and well ordered hatred, which are two affections which rule, as I may say, all the other.
6 Last of al, let vs learne of this spouse the true vse of considering of these infinite dilections of this Bridegroome, namely, to the end that as he hath loued vs more than he needed, so that wee loue him because hee is onely worthy to bee loued: whereupon it is requisite and needefull that we here treate at large of true dilection, and well ordered hatred, which are two affections which rule, as I may say, all the other.
Our Lord Jesus Christ Math. 22.36. being asked his opinion touching the greatest commandment, sendeth us back to the first table of the law, which he reduceth into this sum: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy hart, with all thy soul, and with all thy thought: and indeed mutual love and amity, be it good or bad, leadeth us thereto, that he which loveth truly, seeketh after nothing so diligently and so affectionately, as to do that which he knoweth to be agreeable and pleasing to him, whom he loveth. And therefore the faithful soul which is here brought in, to show us what and how ardent the true affection of the faithful soul is towards God, began her speech with the testimony of her extreme desire she hath to be joined most nearly with Jesus Christ her Bridegroom, to wit, to be united altogether unto him, yea to be as it were with him, to serve & to honour him with all her hart & all her might. And this is also the true, the right and the last end and scope of not only all our actions, but also of our whole understanding and will, to the end that we may say with the Apostle, that Jesus Christ liveth in us and we in him: Gal. 2.20. So then as among all the rest of the affections, love is the most ardent, so are the effects thereof most vehement, according to the saying of Christ: