A68595:481
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.
Item, if one look on the ceremonies of the iiij. orders which they call Minores, they give the keys of the Temple into the hand• of those which they call Ostiarie. A book to handle to those they call Lectors: to their Exorcists certain forms and manners of conjurations, and to their Acolytes, they gave tapers and cruets ⟨p. 150⟩to touch. Notwithstanding, those which receive these fair sacraments, have neither Temples to shut, nor Bibles to read, nor Devils to conjure, nor Bishops to follow: and what more, they receive all those offices at one time together. Who is it now that seeth not that all this is a very apish play and mockery to God and his Church.
Item, if one looke on the ceremonies of the iiij. orders which they call Minores, they geue the keyes of the Temple into the hand• of those which they call Ostiarie. A booke to handle to those they call Lectors: to their Exorcists certain forms and maners of coniurations, and to their Acolytes, they gaue tapers and crewets ⟨p. 150⟩to touche. Notwythstandinge, those which receyue these fayre sacramentes, haue neyther Temples to shutte, nor Bybles to reade, nor Diuels to coniure, nor Bishops to folowe: and what more, they receyue all those offices at one tyme together. Who is it now that séeth not that all this is a verye apyshe playe and mockery to God and his Church.
Also for the three orders which they call Mayors, behold how it goeth. Those which they call Deacons, receive a stole upon their left arm, with a text of the Gospel chopped in pieces. Then my Lord the Bishop (without calling or Bishopric) putteth his hands upon him, to make up the measure of the ancient ceremony. And yet notwithstanding, these godly mysteries they play all in a strange and unknown language. And how shall he be a Deacon which hath no goods for the poor to distribute? No, for it is not given him in charge by my Lord Bishop.