A68595:519
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.
But they are not determined to leave their title, so long as they add to them, as Saint Cross, Saint Sabine, and other. The which declare yet plain their original and first office. Yet that not withstanding, by a long space, it was thought a strange thing, that a Cardinal of Rome should hold a Bishopric, for he could not have it at Rome, where he must do his office of Elder, or of Deacon, and so feed his flock. And for to be a Bishop, and not to preach, was a thing no less strange, then to ⟨p. 168⟩see a Shepherd dwell in a City, and be called Shepherd, and to receive the wages, without keeping or feeding any Sheep.
But they are not determyned to leaue their tytle, so long as they adde to them, as Saynt Crosse, Saynt Sabine, and other. The which declare yet playne their oryginall and firste offyce. Yet that not withstandyng, by a long space, it was thought a straunge thing, that a Cardynall of Rome should hold a Bishoprike, for he could not haue it at Rome, where hée must doo hys offyce of Elder, or of Deacon, and so féede his flocke. And for to bee a Byshoppe, and not to preache, was a thyng no lesse straunge, then to ⟨p. 168⟩sée a Shephearde dwell in a Citie, and be called Shephearde, and to receyue the wages, without kéeping or féeding any Sheepe.
Far was it from their custom, to be absent from their charge and office, or to have a Vicar under them: and yet less to keep them in the courts of kings and Princes, and to be charged with Abbeys and Bishoprics. But after the horrible confusion was come, then their charges and offices were converted into dignities, and my Lord the Pope desired no better, then by these traffics and means to entertain himself with Kings and Princes, even by the means of his Cardinals, who of good right he calleth his Creatures. And nevertheless, of such gre• force is the Trueth, that in the year • ▪ 8. the principal among them, yea, naly the same which at this time, or of late was Pope, and called Paul the fourth declareth freely to Pope Paul the third, that to be a Bishop and Cardinal, were things utterly not to be suffered. The book is