A68595:268
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.
94. The manner to communicate aswell the signs of the Sacraments as the thing signified.
94. The maner to communicate aswel the signes of the Sacramentes as the thing signifyed.
Forasmuch as the sign and the thing signified (as we have said) be so knit and joined together & yet nevertheless not confounded the one with the other▪ but a distinction between them, concerning y• exterior & outward sign it is received by a corporal & natural manner, aswell of y• faithful as y• unfaithful, but to divers ends & purposes. For the faithful receiving1 the thing signified with the sign, do perceive augmentation and increase of their faith unto salvation & eternal life. But the unfaithful not receiving but the bare sign only, receive it to their condemnation: because that refusing the thing signified which is offered to them of God with the sign, they pollute & dishonour it, as much as in them is. Thus much concerning the communicating of the sign. But concerning the thing signified, ⟨p. 68⟩which is Jesus Christ with all his benefits and goodness: We have already declared, that the only mean to communicate with him is by true faith. And therefore he that bringeth not true faith cannot receive him, but he that bringeth faith, receiveth him truly & effectually, but not with teeth, nor by the belly after a corporal manner but spiritually by faith