A68595:537
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.
First, my Lord Bishop, master Official, master Vicar, their Promoters, Procurers, and such like have taken the place of my masters the Sacrificers. On the other side, the Canons as well in their Chapter, as in their dignities Capitularies, likewise have taken their part▪ Now for the first, that is the Officials and their sequel, who hath set them in this degree? Truly. the same Spirit that doeth conduct them, as the experience declareth. For as I have said in other places, it was not possible to have brought them into the Church of God, until they had driven him out, which is the only master, even our Christ. And there is neither ⟨image 189⟩holy Scripture, neither Council, nor Decree, nor any ancient Doctor which ever did know such monsters.
Fyrst, my Lorde Byshoppe, maister Offyciall, maister Uicar, theyr Promoters, Procurers, and suche lyke haue taken the place of my maisters the Sacrificers. On the other side, the Canons as well in theyr Chapiter, as in theyr dygnities Capitularies, lykewyse haue taken theyr part▪ Nowe for the first, that is the Officialles and their sequell, who hath set them in thys degrée? Truelie. the same Spyrite that doeth conducte them, as the experyence declareth. For as I haue sayde in other places, it was not possyble to haue brought them into the Churche of God, vntyll they had driuen him out, which is the onely maister, euen our Christ. And there is neyther ⟨image 189⟩holye Scripture, neyther Counsell, nor Decrée, nor any auncient Doctor whiche euer dyd know such monsters.
Concerning Chapters, there is some more appearance: For the name only of Cannons, and Prebends declareth that they have succeeded in the Clergy, of those that were nourished of the fourth part of the goods of the Church, among whom were chosen willingly, those which were employed to charge an office, and to those which had with the Bishop the spiritual government, where of hath been spoken in the. 32. Article of the fifth point. But notwithstanding what is the office of Canons? truly nothing less then to govern a Church? For namely, the Bishops would never suffer them, and in deed they could not. And if we shall come to speak of the lives of those Gentlemen, I would know if there be any man that hath his natural wit, that can tell what difference there is between the most part of Cannons and the Hogs. This question avoided, they shall have a respect