A68595:131
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.
7. Howe this is to be understand, which we say, as Saint Paul saith, that we be justified by only faith.
7. Hovve this is to be vnderstande, vvhich vve saye, as Sainet Paule sayth, that vve be iustified by onely faithe.
The reason is because that faith is the instrument which receiveth Jesus Christ, and by consequent receiveth his righteousness, that is to say, all perfection. When we say than as Saint Paul said, athat we be justified by only faith, it is not to say that faith is a virtue which maketh us righteous in our selves before god (for that were to set our selves in the place of Jesus Christ, the which only is our perfect and entire righteousness) but we understand that we be justified by faith, for as much as it embraceth him which justifieth us, that is to say, Jesus Christ, in such wise that it uniteth and knitteth us together with him to be partakers of all the goodness which he hath, the which being allowed and imprinted in us, is fully sufficient, to make us perfect & accepted for righteous before God.
THe reason is bicause that faith is the instrument which receiueth Iesus Christ, and by consequent receyueth his righteousnes, that is to say, all perfection. When we say than as Sainct Paul saide, athat we be iustified by only faith, it is not to say that fayth is a vertue whiche maketh vs righteous in our selues before god (for that were to set our selues in the place of Iesus Christ, the which only is our perfect and en••ier righteousnes) but we vnderstand that we be iustified by fayth, for as much as it embraceth him which iustifyeth vs, that is to say, Iesus Christ, in such wise that it vniteth and knitteth vs together with him to be partakers of all the goodnes whiche he hath, the whiche being allowed and imprynted in vs, is fully sufficient, to make vs perfect & accepted for righteous before God.