A68595:23
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.
The Printer to the Reader.
After I had read this confession, & seen the great riches of spiritual doctrine which is therein contained, I thought I should do a thing acceptable and also profitable, if for your comfort I did make a Table, setting in order the principal matter contained herein, the which thing I did for your commodity and easiness, read it therefore with diligence: O would to God that King, prince and other noble parsonages of the world which be so civill informed of the doctrine which we teach (by those which serve in the Church for their bellies sake) would vouchsafe to have patience to read or cause to hear read that which is herein contained: and I believe they would not be so angry, nor have so evil opinion of us as they have. But some will take good heed enough to beware that ⟨image 15⟩the wind of those Books shall not touch such estates. For if they do some of them will not laugh at it in the end. Now God which hath the hearts of Kings in his hand, grant them his spirit of prudence and discretion to discern the light from darkness, and give place to the King of Kings, the Lord Jesus Christ, whose lieutenants they be, that he may rain peaceable among his by the sceptre of his word, and that all human traditions and superstitions full of Idolatry, may be taken away and thrown down.
AFter I had read this confession, & seene the great rytches of spiritual doctrine which is therein contained, I thought I shoulde do a thing acceptable and also profitable, if for your comfort I dyd make a Table, setting in order the principall matter contayned herein, the which thing I did for your commoditie and easynes, reade it therfore with dilygence: O would to God that King, prince and other noble parsonages of the worlde which be so ciuill informed of the doctrine whiche we teache (by those which serue in the Church for their bellyes sake) woulde vouchsafe to haue patience to reade or cause to heare read that which is herein cōtained: and I beleeue they would not be so angrie, nor haue so euyll opinion of vs as they haue. But some wyll take good hede inough to beware that