A68595:42
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
Preface: ❧ Theodore de Beze. to the Church of the Lord, grace and peace in him.
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.
Briefly, for as much as all Christians be expressly warned of Saint Peter, to be in a readiness to make answer to all those which demand a reason of their hope: So it appeareth by this, that the duty of a true Christian, is to ⟨image 19⟩have ready, and with him some brief resolution and sum of the principal points of his Religion, and also some principal reasons, whereby he may on the one part confirm and strengthen himself therein, and on the other part, repel according to his calling, the enemies of the truth, and be ready to communicate his spiritual riches with all men.
Briefelye, for as muche as all Christians bee expresselye warned of Sainct Peter, to bée in a readynesse to make aunswere to all those whyche demaunde a reason of theyr hope: So it appeareth by this, that the duetye of a true Chrystian, is to ⟨image 19⟩haue ready, and with him some briefe resolution and summe of the principall pointes of hys Religion, and also some principall reasons, whereby hee maye on the one parte confyrme and strengthen himselfe therein, and on the other parte, repell accordinge to his callinge, the enemies of the truth, and be ready to communicate his spirituall ryches with all men.
Whereupon, I being already of that mind, and beside the s•me being required to render a reason of my faith, by a personage to whom next unto God I am most bound to obey: I have of late composed and made this Treatise which I have entitled A confession of the faith, wherein I have comprehended after the best order I could, those things which I have learned in the Christian Religion by the reading of the Bible, with the conference of the most faithful Expositors.
Wherevppon, I bein• already of that mynde, and besyde the s•me beinge required to render a reason of my faythe, by a personage to whome nexte vnto God I am moste bounde to obey: I haue of late composed and made this Treatyse which I haue intytuled A confession of the faith, wherin I haue comprehended after the best order I coulde, those thinges whych I haue learned in the Christian Religion by the reading of ye Byble, with the conference of the moste faythefull Expositours.