A68595:496
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.
The ordinance of God ought to be plainly declared, and expounded in the ministration of the sacraments, according to his word, otherwise no faith can be there. But these have wrapped the ordinance & word of the supper, among a number of things, utterly contrary to it, for to turn away the people from that which they ought chiefly to consider. Also they say nothing, but in an unknown language to the most part: and ⟨p. 140⟩finally much less expound they any thing, but on the contrary, they enforce themselves to speak at that time basest and softest, so that then it seemeth they blow rather than speak. And then they have done their great consecration, by reason whereof they esteem themselves more worthy than the Virgin Mary, for (say they) the virgin Mary did but bear Jesus Christ, but we make him.
The ordinaunce of God ought to be playnely declared, and expounded in the ministration of the sacramentes, according to his word, otherwise no faith can be there. But these haue wrapped the ordinance & word of the supper, among a number of things, vtterly contrarie to it, for to turn away the people from that whiche they oughte chiefly to consider. Also they say nothing, but in an vnknowen language to the moste parte: and ⟨p. 140⟩finally muche lesse expounde they any thing, but on the contrarie, they enforce themselues to speake at that tyme basest and softeste, so that then it séemeth they blow rather than speake. And then they haue done their greate consecration, by reason wherof they estéeme themselues more worthy than the Virgin Mary, for (say they) the virgin Mary did but beare Iesus Chryst, but we make him.
The supper is the Sacrament of the communion of the faithful, as well with Jesus Christ, as one with another: but these against the express word of god, against the nature, and the end for which this Sacrament was instituted, against all the custom of the ancient1