A09998:96
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.
16 As for the other creatures there is choice to be made. For first because man alone amongest all the creatures is infected ⟨p. 41⟩with the poison and venom of this serpent, yea and that wholly and entirely both within and without, we must consider of him also distinctly: and behold how we must govern our selves herein. It is true that mankind is altogether corrupted and consequently every man being such, even from his conception, Psal. 51.7. is culpable of the wrath of God: Eph. 2.3. It is also true that the Law of friendship requireth, that a man be a friend of his friends friends, and an enemy of his friends enemies. But because that God of his infinite goodness would not adjudge every man particularly unto everlasting destruction, as he hath done Satan & the Angels his complices, but contrariwise would draw his spouse & his Church out of this corrupt mass, in such manner as I have before spoken: & thereupon we cannot (& therefore consequently we ought not) but by very uncertain presumptions discern those, which he hath destinated or not destinated unto this favour: therefore leaving unto God his secret judgements, we must indeed be friends unto the friends, & consequently enemies unto the enemies of our beloved, but indefinitely: that is to say, without giving of sentence of this man, or that man to set & sort him among the number of the reprobate. On the contrary side knowing by experience of our selves, that of being his enemies by nature, Ephes. 2.3. he hath made us his friends, Rom. 5.8. Ephes. 2.11. we must irreconcilably hate the evil, that is to say, the corruption, & all the fruits thereof, first in our selves, then in every one besides, & yet not hate the persons, but contrariwise seek by all means to make them partakers of the same grace, which is showed on us by our continual prayers unto god, beseeching him, That his kingdom come: (which consisteth in the accomplishment of the number of his elect in the last day,