A68595:539
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.
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.
It hath bene spoken of the personne of those Lordes the gouernours of the Church who hauing so good a foūdation▪ it is easie to perceyue what may be theyr gouernment.
First if they would, or did understand how to do it, were it lawful for them, or either Archbishop or Bishop to reform the doctrine? No, for that appertaineth to the Theologians and Divines. And as for them I confess they be no such. And certainly there may be perceived in the same only the just Judgement of GOD, against those which have contemned so excellent an office, as to declare the the secrets of GOD to men. Yet the Archbishops and Bishops which only will have their voice deliberative in the Counsels, notwithstanding must come behind both in sight and knowledge, of those which have not removed out of the puddle of one popish school, and ought of right themselves to ⟨image 190⟩be ordered by the Bishops, according to all good order. For where was it ever seen that the Doctor (put the case that such were Doctors, which neither1 have doctrine, neither flock to teach) should go before the Pastor? And yet notwithstanding, some of these Gentlemen, taketh no less upon them over their native kingdoms. Yea the Pope him self, attributing to them the knowledge of doctrine in such wise, that it is not lawful for to gainsay them, under pain to be judged and punished for an heretic.
Fyrste if they woulde, or dyd vnderstande howe to doo it, were it lawfull for them, or eyther Archbyshoppe or Byshoppe to reforme the doctrine? No, for that appertayneth to the Theologians and Diuines. And as for them I confesse they bee no suche. And certaynlie there may be perceyued in the same onelye the iuste Iudgement of GOD, agaynste those whiche haue contempned so excellent an offyce, as to declare the the secréetes of GOD to men. Yet the Archebyshoppes and Byshoppes whiche onelye wyll haue theyr voyce delyberatiue in the Counselles, notwithstanding muste come behynde bothe in syght and knowledge, of those whiche haue not remooued out of the puddell of one popyshe schoole, and ought of right themselues to