A68595:13
A Brief and Pithy Sum of the Christian Faith
A brief and pithy sum of the Christian faith made in form of a confession, with a confutation of all such superstitious errors, as are contrary thereunto. Made by Theodore de Beza. Translated out of French by R.F.A briefe and piththie summe of the Christian faith made in forme of a confession, vvith a confutation of all such superstitious errours, as are contrary therevnto. Made by Theodore de Beza. Translated out of Frenche by R.F.
London: printed by Richard Serll, 1565
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.
I would think my labour well bestowed, if I mought obtain of your honour, and other that be of a godly meaning, to read this over with good deliberation, and Judgement: And also such as be in doubt which is the true religion. And those that think we be in ⟨image 6⟩an error, I would to God they would vouchsafe to read and confer it with the scriptures, and doctors, as is noted in the margin. And in reading, to put a side disdain, contempt, and all singular and private affections. And then I doubt not but God will open unto them further knowledge, and move them to be more studious in Gods word and also have a better opinion of the true religion.
I would thinke my labour well bestowed, if I mought obtayne of your honor, and other that be of a godly meaninge, to reade this ouer with good delyberation, and Iudgement: And also suche as be in doubte whiche is the true religion. And those that thinke we be in ⟨image 6⟩an errour, I would to God they woulde vouchesafe to reade and conferre it with the scriptures, and doctours, as is noted in the margine. And in reading, to put a syde disdayne, contempte, and all singular and pryuate affections. And then I doubte not but God wyll open vnto them further knowledge, and mooue them to be more studious in Gods word and also haue a better opinion of the true religion.
I have for my Countries sake translated this godly and necessary work, whereunto I have added nothing of mine own, but simple, and plainly, according to my small understanding, I have kept the words and meaning of the authority, as near as our English will suffer me, rather showing me self homely and plain, then by over much fineness to dissent from the mind of him, who in the fear of God, and for his Brethren's sake set it forth.
I haue for my Countryes sake translated this godly and necessarye woorke, wherevnto I haue added nothyng of myne owne, but symple, and playnelye, according to my small vnderstanding, I haue kepte the wordes and meanyng of the authoritie, as neare as our English wyl suffer mée, rather shewing mee selfe homelye and playne, then by ouer muche fynenesse to dissent from the mynde of hym, who in the feare of God, and for his Bretherns sake set it foorth.