A68595:590
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 Sacraments be ordained of God for the same and & purpose that the word lively declared is, without Sacrament, that is to say, to be means to us to serve and aid us more and more to unite and join us to Jesus Christ by faith, the which cannot be without the word. For the word declareth to us, that which God doth represent and ratify by them, for as much as they be disible signs of the spiritual conjunction which we have with Jesus Christ. Now there is 4. principal points to consider in this matter: the first what the signs be, the second what is the thing signified and ratified by them, the third what is the conjunction of the signs and the thing signified, the fourth how we may communicate ⟨p. 193⟩with the signs and the things signified. The signs be as well things needful to serve us in the Sacraments (which be water in Baptism, bread and wine in the Supper): as be the Ceremonies and manners of doings or ordinances by the word of God in the use of them, as we shall say hereafter.
The Sacraments be ordayned of God for the same and & purpose that the woord lyuelye declared is, without Sacrament, that is to saye, to be meanes to vs to serue and ayde vs more and more to vnite and ioyne vs to Iesus Christe by fayth, the which cannot be wythout the word. For the word declareth to vs, that which God doth represent and ratifie by them, for as much as they be disible signes of the spirituall coniunction whiche we haue with Iesus Christe. Nowe there is 4. pryncipall poyntes to consider in thys matter: the fyrst what the signes bee, the seconde what is the thyng signifyed and ratifyed by them, the thyrde what is the coniunction of the signes and the thing signified, the fowrth howe we may communycate ⟨p. 193⟩with the signes and the thinges signified. The signes bée as well thinges néedefull to serue vs in the Sacramentes (whiche be water in Baptisme, bread and wine in the Supper): as be the Ceremonies and manners of doings or ordinances by the woorde of God in the vse of them, as we shall saye hereafter.