A Brief and Pithy Sum of the Christian Faith

Having finished the point of y• authority of the body of the Church, it resteth to see what is the duty & authority of the principal members thereof, the which I think may be very well divided into .4. kinds: the one hath charge to teach, the other to distribute the ecclesiastical goods, the other to govern the spiritual affairs, which is the ecclesiastical ⟨p. 163⟩ordinances and discipline, the other to have respect as well to the public affairs of this life, as generally to maintain the tranquillity of the whole Church, with the power of the sword. But those which have separated themselves (being called the Church or the clergy) from those which be called lay people, as though they were not members of the Church (yea from the most noble) have greatly erred, considering that Kings in the scripture are called the anointed of the Lord, ^a(as are all the faithful^b) and S. Peter did understand by this word clergy ^c(which is as much to say a portion or heritage) all the whole Chuch of God.

HAuing finished the poynt of y• autoritie of the body of the Churche, it resteth to see what is the duty & authority of ye principall mēbers therof, the which I thinke may be very wel deuided into .4. kindes: the one hath charge to teach, the other to distribute the ecclesiastical goodes, the other to gouerne the spyrituall affayres, which is the ecclesiasticall