A68595:582
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, that as this part of Scripture (which is called the law) testifieth to our ears, that we be most miserable sinners deserving eternal death, even so the holy ghost teacheth the same, and sixeth it in our consciences (which otherwise were dull and insensible) and maketh that we be touched with the true & perfect feeling of our sins, which is the first ⟨p. 189⟩step or degree to salvation, as in the sickness of the body, it is needful above all things, for the recovering of health, to know that we be sick, and how grievous our sickness is, and what manner of sickness it is.
Fyrst, that as this parte of Scripture (which is called the law) testifieth to our eares, that wée bée most myserable sinners deseruing eternal death, euen so the holy ghost teacheth the same, and sixeth it in our consciences (whiche otherwyse were dull and insensyble) and maketh that we bée touched with the true & perfect féeling of our sinnes, which is the first ⟨p. 189⟩step or degrée to saluation, as in the sicknesse of the bodye, it is needefull aboue all thynges, for the recouering of health, to knowe that we be sicke, and howe greeuous our sicknesse is, and what maner of sicknesse it is.
The second effect or work of the holy ghost is utterly contrary to this aforesaid. For it afflicteth us, because it declareth to us our damnation by the law, and how the hells be open to devour us. But this again doth comfort us, when the certain and only remedy of salvation is applied to our conscience, which is declared unto us by the other part of the scripture which is called the Gospel, that is to say, the happy and blessed message of salvation freely in Jesus Christ, as we have declared here before in order at large.
The seconde effect or worke of the holy ghost is vtterly contrary to this aforesayde. For it afflyeteth vs, because it declareth to vs our damnation by the law, and how the hels be open to deuoure vs. But this agayne doth comfort vs, when the certayne and onelye remedy of saluation is applyed to our conscience, which is declared vnto vs by the other parte of the scripture which is called the Gospell, that is to saye, the happy and blessed message of saluation fréely in Iesus Christe, as wee haue declared here before in order at large.