A68595:319
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.
13. To whom it pertaineth to call a council.
13. To vvhome it pertayneth to call a councell.
The commonalty ought to be assembled by order, and then by authority of some one elected among them, we doubt not but that it is the office of the magistrate, to give order and provide that the ecclesiastical estate may be well governed and ruled in peace, and to increase therein. aNow if the chief Magistrate be a Christian, by his authority such assemblies ought to come together, as it hath ever been practised in the Church of God without contradiction, until such time as the ambition of the Patriarchs, and especially they of Rome, hath reversed and overturned the whole order. Notwithstanding we confess, that for lack of ⟨p. 94⟩Christian Princes, or when they shall2 not do their duty, then must the Pastors which watch over the flock, take heed to those things that be necessary for the Church, but in such sort as all things may be done without ambition or disorder, as we see how the Church of Antioch hath practised, as it is written in the Acts of the Apostles.
THe communaltie oughte to be assembled by order, and then by authoritye of some one elected among them, we doubte not but that it is the offyce of the magistrate, to giue order and prouide that the ecclesiasticall estate maye bée well gouerned and ruled in peace, and to encrease therein. aNow yf the chiefe Magistrate bee a Chrystian, by his authoritye suche assemblies ought to come togither, as it hathe euer beene practised in the Churche of God without contradiction, vntill suche tyme as the ambition of the Patriarkes, and especially they of Rome, hathe reuersed and ouerturned the whole order. Notwithstandynge we confesse, that for lacke of