A68595:533
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.
IF it be needful to speak of the abuse which is committed in the third part of Ecclesiastical offices, of the which hath been spoken in the fifth point, in the Articles. 32. 33. 34. and other following, by what end may we begin to enter into so great a confusion?
IF it bée néedefull to speake of the abuse whiche is commytted in the thyrde part of Ecclesiasticall offyces, of the which hath bene spoken in the fifte poynt, in the Artycles. 32. 33. 34. and other following, by what ende maye we begynne to enter into so great a confusion?
First, by what authority have they changed (for the most part) the nature of the spiritual jurisdiction of the Church into a m•ere temporality, appertaining only to the Civil Magistrate, by all right both divine and human?
Fyrst, by what authoritie haue they chaunged (for the moste parte) the nature of the spyrituall iurisdiction of the Churche into a m•ere temporalitie, appertayninge onelye to the Ciuyll Magistrate, by all ryght both diuine and humaine?
Secondly, although the Priests or Elders be especially ordained to do their ⟨p. 174⟩office by Gods word, from whence cometh it, that it is so out of use in all the Papacy? For I doubt not of that I speak, and also it is manifest throughout the Scripture, and by all the ancient Counsels and Doctors, that those which be called Priests at this day, be no more like that they bear the name of, then black is like white. For after their manner, what is it to be a Priest? It is to have authority to Sacrifice and to offer up Jesus Christ for the quick and for the dead: that is to say, in one word, to turn the roots upward, as much as in them is, of all the ground of our salvation, as in other places hath been said. And from thence is it sprung that of Governors, they have made hireling Sacrificers for wages. And so there is become two sorts of Priests, that is to wit the Beneficed, and the poor hirelings, which live under the other, and be more busied in offerings aswell in their daily butchery for money, as Judas was, as also affirming their office to save and damn for money, yea