A68595:501
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 sacrament of the supper ought to serve us as a ladder, for to ascend up to heaven by faith, and there to embrace him, which is represented in the supper, by signs and visible ceremonies. By reason whereof they also yet sing Sursum corda, that is to say, not to stay themselves upon visible signs on the earth, but to lift up their hearts and minds on high, for to eschew all Idolatry, but these after they have song it, do prove themselves liars, going clean contrary, willing the people to stay and gaze upon that which they hold in their hands: and do worship it as very God, surely a thing so detestable, that it is marvel that the earth doth not open and ⟨p. 157⟩swallow them up.
The sacrament of the supper oughte to serue vs as a ladder, for to ascende vp to heauen by faith, and there to embrace him, which is represented in the supper, by signes and visible ceremonies. By reason wherof they also yet sing Sursum corda, that is to say, not to staye themselues vpon visible signes on the earth, but to lyfte vp their heartes and mynds on hye, for to eschewe all Idolatrie, but these after they haue song it, doe proue themselues lyers, going clean contrary, willing the people to stay and gase vpon that which they holde in their hands: and do worshyp it as very God, furely a thyng so detestable, that it is maruell that the earthe dothe not open and ⟨p. 157⟩swalowe them vp.
The sacraments be ordained, to be ministered and used as hath ben said, according to the word of god. And therefore without this use and ministration, they be no sacraments, as S. Augustine declareth1 plainly speaking of the bread of the supper saying: such things be honourable, and religious things, but not marvellous, or miraculous things, but these contrariwise, close it in their boxes, worship it as very God, and yet the worms will eat it: they make it rest some certain days of the year, and make him to walk some other days. Whih was instituted by Pope Urbane the fourth, a boute the year. 1264. for the Christian church did never know what that meant which they call in some places the feast of god, or corpus christi, but since. 97. years which declareth sufficiently which orm and order of the Church is now, either theirs, or this which we now hold. Certainly it is marvel that they do not reserve and cause to walk, or to lead about