A68595:186
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.
Concerning those which feel their vocation to be long ere it come to them, yet their assurance is nevertheless grounded and established upon some of these articles and effects aforesaid. And as for their interior testimony of conscience, of tentymes it worketh more lively then in some of those which are called much sooner, as the experience is well declared in the poor thief that was hanged by Christ. And concerning the works of regeneration, it is to be understand that the greatest and most excellent works1 which the holy ghost worketh in us, is the hate of sin, the love of God, the assurance of our salvation in Jesus Christ, and the invocation of his name. Wherefore, he that feeleth these motions in him self, although it be not until the hour of death, hath a ⟨image 61⟩certain testimony of his true faith▪ and consequently of his election and salvation. And for those which feel those good motions quenched in them, sorrowing and lamenting, as it happeneth sometimes to the holiest & most perfectest persons: Let them consider these points following to overcome such temptations.
Concerning those whiche feele theyr vocatiō to be long ere it come to thē, yet their assurance is neuerthelesse grounded and established vppon some of these articles and effects aforesaid. And as for their interior testimonie of cōscience, of tentymes it worketh more lyuelye then in some of those which are called muche sooner, as the experience is well declared in the poore théefe that was hanged by Christe. And concerning the workes of regeneration, it is to be vnderstande that the gretest and most eccellent workes1 whiche the holye ghoste worketh in vs, is the hate of synne, the loue of God, the assuraunce of our saluation in Iesus Christe, and the inuocation of hys name. Wherefore, he that feeleth these mocions in hym selfe, although it bée not vntyll the houre of death, hathe a ⟨image 61⟩certayne testimonie of hys true faythe▪ and consequently of his election and saluation. And for those whiche féele those good mocions quenched in them, sorowing and lamentyng, as it happeneth sometimes to the holiest & most perfectest persons: Let them consyder these pointes folowyng to ouercome suche temptations.