A68595:586
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.
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.
Nowe this abolyshing is first begun in the vnderstāding, by the which the darknes is lightened in such wise, that we begyn to know and approue that which we ⟨image 204⟩dyd thinke before was foolyshnesse. Then after in the wyll which is consecrated to God in such wyse that it hateth sinne, not for the payne, but for the loue of God, and loueth ryghteousnesse, not because of rewarde, but because that righteousnesse of it selfe 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 ryghteousnes: yet had hée rather for the loue of God to folow righteousnes, that is to say, to serue God holyly, & to loue his neyghbour as his lawe commaundeth, and to endure and suffer all maner of paine for his names sake, then to serue the Diuell and his couetousnes.
Wherefore to the end that I may gather all summarily together, how only in Jesus Christ we find all that is necessary to salvation, likewise only by the holy Ghost we apply Jesus Christ to our selves by faith. But because this faith in the beginning is very small in us, it is necessary that it be increased in us daily: wherefore now we must declare by what entertainment