A68595:585
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.
The third effect and work of the holy ghost is fixed and set on our harts on this manner, that as he doth unite and knit us into Jesus Christ, as is said before, and that Jesus Christ can not be idle within us, it is necessary that the same holy ghost which engendereth faith in us (as is said) do sanctify our hearts, that is to say, do consecrate us to God. Now this sanctification hath two parts, that is to say, the abolishing of this corrupt nature and quality, which before caused the law of God to displease us, and the creation of the new nature or quality maketh us to begin to will and to do cheerfully and courageously those things which we know do please God.
The thyrd effect and worke of the holy ghost is fixed and set on our harts on this maner, that as he doth vnite and knyt vs into Iesus Christ, as is sayde before, and that Iesus Christ can not be ydle within vs, it is necessary that the same holy gost which engendreth fayth in vs (as is sayd) do sanctifie our hartes, that is to say, doo consecrate vs to God. Now this sanctyfication hath two partes, that is to saye, the abolishing of this corrupt nature and qualytie, which before caused the lawe of God to dysplease vs, and the creation of the new nature or qualytie maketh vs to beginne to wyll and to do cheerefully and couragiouslye those thynges whiche wee know do please God.
Now this abolishing is first begun in the understanding, by the which the darkness is lightened in such wise, that we begin to know and approve that which we ⟨image 204⟩did think before was foolishness. Then after in the will which is consecrated to God in such wise that it hateth sin, not for the pain, but for the love of God, and loveth righteousness, not because of reward, but because that righteousness of it self pleaseth God, so that if there were not yet death appointed and prepared for sinners, or eternal life appointed and prepared for those which study to do righteousness: yet had he rather for the love of God to follow righteousness, that is to say, to serve God holily, & to love his neighbour as his law commandeth, and to endure and suffer all manner of pain for his names sake, then to serve the Devil and his covetousness.