A68595:579
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.
But in the end when all these things1 were fulfilled, Jesus Christ ascended up ⟨p. 188⟩into heaven, and willed this doctrine not only to be preached by mouth of the Apostles & Evangelists, but also that their hands should write it in such wise, as the Church should have to the end of the world one certain doctrine, upon the which she might stay & rest, and also by it might separate most clearly the lies of the false Prophets and Antichrists from the only verity of God, which is comprehended wholly and perfectly in the books of the old and new testaments, so that it is not lawful to change any thing, either add to it, or take from it.
But in the ende when all these things1 were fulfilled, Iesus Christe ascended vp ⟨p. 188⟩into heauen, and wylled this doctrine not onelye to bee preached by mouth of the Apostles & Euangelists, but also that theyr handes shoulde wryte it in suche wyse, as the Church should haue to the ende of the worlde one certayne doctrine, vppon the which she might stay & rest, and also by it might separate moste clearely the lyes of the false Prophets and Antichrists from the only verity of God, which is comprehēded wholy and perfectly in the bookes of the olde and new testaments, so that it is not lawfull to chaunge any thing, eyther adde to it, or take from it.
- 1XIII
Moreover this doctrine had been written in vain, if it were not preached and declared faithfully. And man cannot endure nor sustain the face of God or of Angels. And God having pity of the seed of man, in this point hath ordained and constituted Pastors and Teachers in his Church, by whom he willed that this doctrine should be faithfully declared and applied to the necessities of the Church publicly and particularly, that man should not allege any ignorance