A09998:86
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.
7 To correct therefore all these defaults, the spouse teacheth us here first by her own example, that it is God alone, to speak properly, whom we ought to love, without giving any part of our hart to any other thing whatsoever. Which thing reason it self may in general teach us, how corrupt and perverse so ever it be. For there are two things which naturally draw men to love, to wit, beauty and virtue: which if a man will not be deceived, must never be separated, witness the common proverb, That a fair feature with foul conditions is nothing worth, beauty by it self being nothing else, but a vain bait and allurement, which draweth to an evil end. Now we must of necessity confess that God alone is properly beautiful and good, yea beauty and virtue or goodness it self in infinite perfection, seeing whatsoever is good and beautiful among the creatures, is but a small glimmering beam of that which is wholly entire and essential in the Creator.
7 To correct therefore al these defaults, the spouse teacheth vs here first by her own example, that it is God alone, to speak properly, whom wee ought to loue, without giuing anie part of our hart to any other thing whatsoeuer. Which thing reason it selfe may in general teach vs, how corrupt and peruerse so euer it be. For there are two things which naturally drawe men to loue, to wit, beuty and vertue: which if a man will not bee deceiued, must neuer bee separated, witnes the common prouerb, That a fayre feature with foule conditions is nothing worth, beuty by it selfe being nothing else, but a vaine bayte and allurement, which draweth to an euil end. Now wee must of necessity confesse that God alone is properly beutifull and good, yea beuty and vertue or goodnes it selfe in infinite perfection, seeing whatsoeuer is good and beutifull among the creatures, is but a small glimmering beame of that which is wholy entire and essential in the Creator.
8 But because that God is incomprehensible not only to our outward senses, so that we can neither see, nor hear, nor taste, nor smell, nor touch him, but also to our understanding: it seemeth that it may be thence concluded, that therefore we cannot any way neither know, nor love him, seeing we must know him before we love him, nor by consequent serve him aright; whence it would follow, that our faith and hope are things vain and frivolous, which would be the overthrowing of all religion. You see then why this matter is to be understood yet more clearly. The Scripture therefore teacheth us that the Creator having created all things for his gloy Proverb. 16.4.