A68595:521
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 truly I agree with them in one thing, that is to say, that their universal head (which Saint Gregory calleth Antichrist) cannot better be chosen then of such an honest company. But of one thing I much marvel, that so many great men of so noble and ancient houses, yea even Princes, have through this cursed son of perdition been so bewitched, deceived and poisoned, to ⟨p. 169⟩make them Ministers of his cruelties, that they have no more regard to the dignity of their ancestors, nor the building and restoring of the poor Christian Church, and the authority of kings ruinated and overthrown by the false persuasions of this wicked beast. But to be so contaminated with such filthiness to maintain that which they see and know in their own consciences •owe evil it is.
But truely I agrée with them in one thing, that is to say, that their vniuersall heade (whiche Saynt Gregory calleth Antichriste) cannot better be chosen then of such an honest company. But of one thing I muche maruayle, that so many great men of so noble and auncient houses, yea euen Princes, haue thorowe thys curssed sonne of perdition béene so bewytched, deceyued and poysoned, to ⟨p. 169⟩make them Mynisters of his crueltyes, that they haue no more regarde to the dygnitie of theyr auncestours, nor the building and restoring of the poore Christian Church, and the authority of kings ruinated and ouerthrowen by the false perswasions of this wycked beast. But to be so contamynated with such fylthynes to maintaine that which they sée and knowe in theyr owne consciences •owe euyll it is.
Behold here how the Pope and his Cardinals be the successors of the Apostles and Disciples of▪ Jesus Christ: Concerning their Suffragans, Officials, Proctors in the Courts of the Church, Notaries Apostolical, Promoters, Auditors, Bullists, Copyists, Couriers, Vicars, Chaplains, Provosts, and other such innumerable vermin, what can I say otherwise? For one shall find as soon the devil among the Angels, as one word or mention of them in the holy scripture, or in the ancient Counsels, Decrees, Doctors, Greeks, or Latins for to approve them. I say more,