A68595:507
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.
IT appeareth by this above said, that there is neither word of God purely declared, nor prayers duly made, neither Sacraments rightly administered in the papistry. But all is notoriously reversed and changed, which be nevertheless the very substantial and true marks of the Christian church, as hath ben said. It followeth that the Papists, or otherwise the Romish Church, be in no wise the holy Catholic Church, that is to say universal: the which we do believe: for as much as God hath ever preserved and kept his church, ⟨p. 160⟩as was answered to Elijah, in the time of the revolting of the ten Tribes of Israel.
IT appeareth by this aboue sayde, that there is neyther worde of God purely declared, nor prayers duely made, neyther Sacramentes ryghtly admynistred in the papistrie. But all is notoriously reuersed and chaunged, which be neuerthelesse the verie substantiall and true markes of the Christian church, as hath ben said. It foloweth that the Papistes, or otherwise the Romishe Churche, be in no wise the holy Catholike Churche, that is to saye vniuersall: the whyche wée doe beléeue: for as muche as God hath euer preserued and kept his church, ⟨p. 160⟩as was aunswered to Elias, in the time of the reuolting of the ten Trybes of Israell.
But because they allege to us the succession of the Apostles, as if that were a sure argument, it must be seen of what force this reason is, at the least in the government which they call the ecclesiastical Hierarchy. First I say, they presuppose a foundation utterly false, that is to wit, the Church to be joined or tied to a certain nation see, or place, considering that all the Scripture, and the experience of that we see with our eyes, be all together contrary.
But bycause they alleadge to vs the succession of the Apostles, as if that were a sure argument, it muste be séene of what force thys reason is, at the least in the gouernemente whyche they call the ecclesiasticall Hierarchie. Fyrste I saye, they presuppose a foundation vtterly false, that is to wit, the Churche to be ioyned or tyed to a certaine nation sée, or place, consydering that all the Scripture, and the experience of that we sée wyth oure eyes, be all together contrary.