A68595:317
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.
•• Howe far we may differ from the councils.
•• Hovve far vve may differ from the councels.
Some there be that contemn the councils of the church as things of nothing: some other think, that all that cometh from the councils, ought to be received as the word of God without exception. But we do not agree with the one nor the other. For we doubt not but the lord is amongst those which be lawfully called in his name, as he hath promised, although they were but two or three: athen much less do we doubt, but that he governeth with greater power in the greater company of his church which he governeth by his holy spirit. bAnd we know & be assured, that the truth of God is stedfastlier grounded than upon niē, cwhatsoever they be: for we all know not God as yet, but in a part. dMoreover experience showeth us sufficiently, how easy it is to abuse this title of councils, & namely what contrariety there is among them. Wherefore we conclude, y• a mean must be kept which is neither to despise them, nor yet to extol & set them up above god, who only cannot err. ⟨p. 93⟩And saint Augustine saith, the church ought not to be preferred before Jesus Christ. For he judgeth always truly, but the ecclesiastical Judges oftentimes may deceive themselves, & truly so they do. For who condemned Jesus Christ? A counsel lawfully assembled, if we consider the outward succession and appearance. Who concluded, that those which were baptised by Heretics, should be rebaptized? A Council of Africa, where as was saint Cyprian. And to be brief, if it shall be needful to consider the inconstancy of the Judgement of the councils, I speak namely of those, which without controversy have ben gathered in the name of God: It shall be easy to declare, that such have but a weak stay which have no surer foundation. But yet we marvel of those which reprove and condemn us as contemners of Councils, which nevertheless, will keep themselves no one jot of them. Witness the council of Basil, which was abolished by all the