A68595:547
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
Treatise › Point 7 › Section 14 › ¶ Of Monks.Treatise › Point 7 › Section 14 › ¶ Of Moonkes.
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 the name of Monks (that is to say solitary) be not sufficient to declare that those which at this day be named Monks, be nothing less then that which they be called, there be other reasons sufficient for to convince them. For ancient Monasteries were as Colleges, into the which men resorted for two causes. First, the better to be at quiet to study the Scriptures. The second to exercise patience, and austerity of life. Not withstanding, it was not to be strained and bound to one place during life without exception. But contrariwise ⟨p. 178⟩to be the more meet to serve the Churches, when they should be called and elected thereto, as it appeareth by Gregory Naziancene, Basil, and Chrysostom, and namely in Saint Augustinea. To be idle, or not to work with the hands was intolerable: for on the contrary they lived only by the labour of their own hands, yea and they did give the rest of their labour to the poor. So that a Monk not travailing for his living, was esteemed as a Thiefb, according to the rule of saint Paulc. And to put salvation partly or altogether in their abstinences, how extreme or hard so ever they were, they never thought it. For they knew very well what it was that Saint Paul had written of that pointd. Moreover Saint Augustine testifieth eand saith. Let none be oppressed above his power, least there be superstition in the abstinence of meat: for the weak refusing foolishly the use of Wine, were admonished brotherly, that by their superstition they brought them selves rather more ⟨image 192⟩weak, then holy.
If the name of Moonkes (that is to say solytarie) be not sufficient to declare that those whiche at this daye be named Moonkes, bee nothing lesse then that which they bée called, there bée other reasons sufficient for to conuince them. For auncient Monasteryes were as Collegies, into the whiche men resorted for two causes. Fyrst, the better to bée at quiet to studie the Scriptures. The second to exercise patience, and austeritie of lyfe. Not withstanding, it was not to be strayned and bounde to one place during lyfe without exception. But contrarywyse