A68595:538
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.
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 ⟨p. 176⟩what order they keep in their Hierarchy.
Concerning Chapiters, there is some more apparaunce: For the name onelye of Cannons, and Prebendes declareth that they haue succéeded in the Cleargie, of those that were norished of the fowrth parte of the goodes of the Church, among whome were chosen wyllinglie, those whiche were employed to charge an office, and to those whiche had with the Bishop the spiritual gouernment, wher of hath béene spoken in the. 32. Artycle of the fyfte poynt. But notwithstanding what is the office of Canons? trulie nothing lesse then to gouerne a Church? For namely, the Bishoppes woulde neuer suffer them, and in déede they coulde not. And if we shall come to speake of the lyues of those Gentlemen, I woulde knowe if there be any man that hath his naturall wytte, that can tell what dyfference there is betweene the most part of Cannons and the Hogges. This question auoyded, they shall haue a respecte ⟨p. 176⟩what order they keepe in their Hierarchye.
It hath been spoken of the person of those Lords the governors of the Church who having so good a foundation▪ it is easy to perceive what may be their government.