A68595:502
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 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. Whi•h 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 ⟨image 174⟩the wine, as well as the bread, for the one is as precious as the other. It were out of order to say, they fear the wine will eager or wax palled. For they hold that it is no more wine, but the pure blood of the Lord, the which being glorified, is no more subject to corruption. But how much wanteth it after their doctrine, that Saint Hierome is not an heretic, the which spake honourably of Exuperius Bishop of Toulouse, for that he kept the blood in a cup of glass, and the body in a basket of osiers, without any pomp? What shall become of all the ancient Church, which gave the bread, not into the mouth, but into the hands of the faithful? What shall become of the time of Saint Cyprian,2 where there were women which without reprehension, did keep the residue in their coffers? Although there were in it we confess, Superstition proceeding of ignorance: but yet this was far from Idolatry, the which we see at this day maintained, with all kind ⟨p. 158⟩of cruelty, as though we did not believe in God to say this (which is true) that we must seek Jesus Christ in Heaven by faith, and not with corporal eyes in this world.