Sum of the Christian Faith, Table of contents – Scriptural passages
This vvhole Worke or confeſsion conſiſteth of .vij. principall poinctes. The firſt number ſignifieth the article. The ſecond the leafe.
THe fyrſte poinct intreating of the Trinitie contayneth theſe thrée articles.
1 Of the vnitie of God. Folio. 1
2 Of the Trinitie of perſonnes diſtinct in one vnitie of ſubſtance. Eodem
3 Of the eternall prouidence of God. Eodem
¶ The ſecond poinct intreating of God the Father, containeth theſe fowre articles.
1 Of the perſon of the Father. fol. 2
2 How the father is creatour and preſeruour of all thinges. Eodem
3 Of the creation of Angelles. Eodem
4 The works of ye trinity are inſeparable. eodē
¶ The thirde poinct intreating of Ieſus Chriſt the onelye Sonne of God, containeth theſe. 26 articles.
1 Of the diuinitie of the Sonne. fol. 3
2 The Sonne onelyonly mediatour betwéene God and his elect eternally ordayned. Eodem
3 God is perfectly iuſt and mercifull. Eodem
4 God is immutable. Eodem
5 The counſell of God doeth not exclude the ſeconde cauſes. Eodem
6 Man was created to declare the Iuſtice and mercy of God. Foli. 4
7 Why it was neceſſarye that the fyrſte man ſhould be created good and pure. Eodem
8 It was neceſſary that man ſhould fall from his puritie. Eodem
9 How God hath created men good. Foli. 5
10 How mā brought himſelf wt all his poſterity culpable of the firſt & ſeconde death. Eodem
11 The way which leadeth to y• firſt death. Eodē
12 The fyrſt death can not be eternall. Eodem
13 The way which leadeth to y• ſecōd death. eodē
14 What free wyll remayneth in man after ſinne. Foli. 6
15 A briefe ſumme of originall ſinne. Eodem
16 Howe God turneth mannes ſinne to his glorie. Foli. 7
17 Ieſus Chriſt the onelyonly mediatour ordained and promiſed. Eodem
18 The agreement and difference of the olde and new Teſtament. Foli. 8
19 Wherefore it behoued Ieſus Chriſt to be a very naturall man in body and ſoule without ſynne. Eodem
20 Wherfore was it néedeful that Ieſus Chriſt ſhould be very God. Folio. 9
21 Howe the miſtery of our ſaluation was fulfilled in Ieſus Chriſt. Foli. 10
22 The two natures were vnited and knitte in one perſonne from the fyrſt inſtaunt of the conception. Eodem
23 The Vyrgine Marye is Mother of Ieſus Chriſte God and man. Eodem
24 The ſumme of the accompliſhment of our ſaluation in Ieſus Chriſt. folio. 11
25 Howe Ieſus Chriſte beinge aſcended into heauen, is neuertheleſſe here on earth wyth his flocke. Fol. 12
26 There can be no other true Relygion then this. Folio. 13
¶ The iiii. poynt intreating of the holye ghoſt, containeth the 15. Articles.
1 Of the perſon of the holy ghoſt. Folio. 13
2 Of the effectes properlye conſydered in the holy Ghoſt. fol. 14
3 The holy Ghoſt maketh vsus partakers of Ieſus Chriſt by fayth onelyonly. Eodem
4 What meanes the holy ghoſt vſeth to create and maintaine faith in vsus. Eodem
5 How neceſſary faith is, & what faith is. fol. 15
6 What is the obiect of the true fayth, and of what force it is. Fol. 16
7 How this is to be vnderſtand which we ſay, as Saint Paule ſayth, that we be iuſtified by onelyonly fayth. Eodem
8 To be aſſured of our ſaluation by faythe in Ieſus Chriſte, is nothing leſſe then arrogancie or preſumption. fol. 17
9 Faythe findeth in Ieſus Chriſte all that is neceſſary to ſaluation. fol. 18
10 Of the remedy which faith findeth in Ieſus Chriſt only againſt ye firſt aſſault of ye firſt tēptation groūded vponupon ye multitude of our ſyns, & what aſſuraunce there is in this caſe eyther vponupon the ſaints or vponupon our ſelues. Eodem
11 The remedy which only fayth findeth in Ieſus Chriſte onelyonly againſt the ſecond aſſault of the firſt temptation grounded vponupon this, that we be vnfurniſhed of the righteouſneſſe which God requireth of vsus. fol. 22
12 The thyrde aſſault of the ſame temptation, grounded vppon the naturall corruption of originall ſinne which is within vsus. Fol. 23
13 The remedy againſt the ſeconde temptation whether we hauehave faith or not. fol. 24
14 Thoſe do ſlaunder vsus falſely which ſay that we diſalow good workes. fol. 26
15 The firſt differēce in the mater of good works is, which be good and which be euyll. fol. 27
16 Which be the moſt excellent works, and the qualities of true praier according to the work of God, and the authoritye of the aunciente doctors of the Church. folio. 28
17 The ſecōd differēce of ye mater of good works is, to know from whence they procéede. fol. 31
18 The thyrde dyfference in the matter of good workes is, to knowe wherevnto they be good. fol. 33
19 To what ende good works do ſerue vsus before God and before men. foli. 34
20 Remedies againſt the laſte and moſt daungerous temptation, which is, whether we be ſaued or not. fol. 37
21 Of two inſtrumentes wherewith the holye Ghoſte is ſerued to create fayth in the hartes of his electe, to wéete, the worde of God, and the ſacraments. foli. 42
22 What is that we call the word of God, and of the two partes, that is to ſay the lawe and the Goſpel. Eodem
23 What dyfference there is betwene the law and the Goſpell. folio. 43
24 After what maner the preaching of the law ſerueth the holy ghoſt. fo. 46
25 Of the other part of the word of god caled the goſpel, of what autoritie it is, wherfore, howe and to what ende it is written. foli. 48
26 How the goſpel comprehendeth in ſubſtance all the bookes of the olde teſtament. fo. 50
27 Howe it is to be vnderſtande that we hauehave ſpoken of the authority of the word written, and if it be neceſſarye to traunſlate it into all languages. folio. 51
28 Howe the holye ghoſt is ſerued with the exteriour preachinge of the Goſpell to create fayth in the hartes of the elect, and to harden the reprobate. fol. 52
29 Another fruite of the preaching of the lawe after the preaching of the Goſpel begynneth to worke. folio. 53
30 The ſeconde meane which the holye ghoſte vſeth, to make vsus reioyce in Ieſus Chriſt, and wherfore the lord is not only content with the ſymple preaching of his word. fol. 55
31 The diffynition of that which is called Sacrament. folio. 57
32 The difference betwen the ſacraments of ye olde couenaunt, and thoſe of the new. fo. 58
33 Whereby the falſe ſacraments be knowen from the true, and the abuſe of them from the right vſage. Eodem
34 Which things be common to the preaching of the word, and to the ſacraments. fol. 59
35 What things belong properly to the ſacramentes hauing reſpect to the ende wherefore they were ordained of God. folio. 60
36 Howe there is but two Sacraments in the Chriſtian Church. fol. 63
37 The fowre points which be to be conſydered in the declaration of this matter Eodem
38 The firſt point is to vnderſtand what we do meane by the name of ſygnes in this matter of Sacramentes, and wherfore the Lord dyd chuſe for ſygnes the moſt vulgar and cōmon thinges. Eodem
39 What followeth the errour of thoſe which take awaye the ſubſtaunce from the ſygnes in the ſacrament. foli. 65
40 What mutation or change is in the things which he vſed in the ſacrament. Eodem
41 From whence proceedeth this alteration, & the errour of thoſe which make a charme or ſorcery of the the▪ ſacramental words fo. 66
42 The Sacramentes to be no Sacramentes without the vſe of them. Eodem
43 The ſeconde poynt is the thing ſygnified in the ſacrament. Eodem
44 The thyrd poynt is howe Ieſus Chriſt is ioygned with the ſygnes. Eodem
45 The diſtinction of ſygnes and of the thing ſygnified. Folio. 67
46 The maner to communicate aſwel y• ſignes of the ſacraments as the thing ſignified. eodē
47 Application of all that is beforeſayde of the ſacrament of Baptiſme. foli. 68
48 For what cauſe the young chyldren of the faithfull be Baptiſed. foli. 70
49 Applycation of all that goeth before of the Sacrament of the Supper, and the ryght vſe therof. foli. 71
50 The concluſion of the matter of the Sacraments. foli. 76
51 Wherfore ye holy ghoſt is called y• conſolator or comfortour, and to what purpoſe and ende the afflictions of the faithful ſerueth. Eodem
¶ The v. poynt intreating of the Church containeth the 43. Articles.
1 That there hath alwayes béene and ouer ſhalbe a Churche, out of the whiche there is no ſaluation. Foli. 77
2 There can be but one true Church. Fol. 78
3 Wherfore we call the Church catholik. eodē
4 In what thynge lyeth the Communion of Saynts. Eodem
5 The Churche hath but one heade, that is to ſaye, Ieſus Chriſte, to whome there néedeth no lieuetenaunt. foli. 79
6 The communion of the Sayntes letteth nor hindereth not the diuerſytie of offices among the faithfull. fol 80
7 The markes whereby we maye diſcerne the falſe Church from the true. fol. 81
8 Which be the true members of y• church, fo. 82
9 The marks or tokens of the Churche be not alwaies in one eſtate, and how it ought to be gouerned. fol. 83
10 Wherein conſiſteth the duetie and autority of the Church generally. Folio. 84
11 Of the autority of the vniuerſal counſelles, and firſt what is an vniuerſall counſel. Eodē
12 Howe farre wée maye dyfferre from the counſelles. folio 85
13 To whom it pertaineth to cal a coūſel. fo. 86
14 Howe thoſe ought to bee choſen whiche the churches do ſend to the counſels. folio. 87
15 EueryEvery man ought to be heard in the counſel. prouided that there be no confuſion. fol. 88
16 Who ought to procéede or to be chiefe in the counſell. folio. 89
17 How far extendeth the power of the coūſels, and why they be ordained in the church. fo. 91
18 The firſt point to conſider the caſe wel when or at what time they ſhoulde ſet vp publique lawes in the Churche. folio 93
19 The ſecōd poynt which is to be conſidered in the Eccleſiaſticall ordinaunces. folio 95
20 The third conſideration that ought to be had in Eccleſiaſticall ordinaunces. folio 96
21 What is to be aunſwered to thoſe whiche alleadge counſelles againſt vsus. folio 97
22 Of particular counſelles, as of nations or prouinces. Foli. 98
23 Howe manye ſortes of ſpeciall gouernours there be in the Churche. Eodem
24 The office of Apoſtles Euangeliſts & Prophetes in the primatiue Church. folio 99
25 Of the office of paſtours & doctours fol. 100
26 The dyfference betwéene Paſtours and Doctours. folio 101
27 The paſtours and doctours be but inſtrumentes by the which God conducteth the myniſterye of his worde. Eodem
28 The markes and tokens of falſe Doctours and Paſtours. fol▪ 102
29 Of degrées which ought to be among miniſters of the worde, according as they be diſſeuered by companies folio. 104
30 The ſecond degrée of Eccleſiaſticall offices, which is the office of deacons & the diſtribution of the goodes of the Church. foli. 105
31 Of the fowre orders whiche they call minores ordine. foli. 107
32 The third degre of eccleſiaſtical offices which is the iuriſdiction & office of the elders fol. 108
33 To what purpoſe and ende ſerueth the eccleſiaſticall iuriſdiction, and whiche bée the par…es therof. Foli. 109
34 What is ye office of y• elders in ye church. fo. 110.
35 How ye ecl…ſ…aſtical electiōs ought to be. fo. 11…
36 Of the qualities & conditions of thoſe which they ought to elect. folio. 112
37 The order & maner to geue the voices. fo. 11…
38 Of confyrmation and conſecration of the perſons elect. Eodem
39 Of mariage, of faſting, and of the difference of dayes, and meates. Eodem
40 Of the ſecond part of the eccleſyaſticall iuriſdiction, concerning correction. foli. 116
41 What excommunication is, and what the right vſe therof is. fol. 118
42 Of the ciuile and Chriſtian magiſtrate, and to what ende his office tendeth. fol. 120
43 how far they are boūd to obey ye magi. fo. 121
¶ The .vi. poynct intreating of the laſt iudgemēt containeth only this .i. article.
1 What it is that we do beléeue and hope of the laſt Iudgement. folio. 122
¶ The vii. point diſcourſing a briefe copariſon betwene the doctrine of the papiſtes and this of the Catholick church containeth theſe. 15. articles.
… The papiſts worſhippe a falſe God, which is neither righteous nor mercifull. Foli. 124
… If y• doctrine of y• papiſts be true, if followeth that Ieſus Chriſt is not very man. foli. 125
… The papiſtes abolyſhe the true interceſſion … Ieſus Chriſt of none effect. foli. 126
4 The papiſtes doctrine maketh the oblation of Ieſus Chriſt. fol. 127
… The papiſts do not acknowledge Ieſus chriſt to be the perfect declarer of the wyll of God, neyther the holy Scripture to be a ſuffycient doctrine of ſaluation. foli. 128
6 The papiſtes ſpoyle Ieſus Chriſt of his office of head of the Church. fol. 129
7 By the doctrine of the papiſtes we can in no wyſe vnderſtande howe mortall the naturall ſickneſſe of mankinde is. foli. 131
8 Another execrable errour of the papiſts in the vſing of the only medicine of health, which is in the benefite of Ieſus Chriſt. Eodem
9 They knowe not the papiſtrie the exerciſe, of the lawe of God or the Goſpel. foli. 133
10 They knowe not what good workes bée in the papiſtry. fol. 135
11 In the papiſtry they know not what is a ſacrament, nor what is the vſe therof. foli. 13…
12 In the papiſtrye there is no Eccleſyaſtica… gouernment. foli. 16…
13 The abuſe whiche is committed in the ſeconde parte of Eccleſyaſticall offices, which be Deacons. foli. 17…
14 Of the abuſe which is committed in the order of prieſthoode, and in the gouernement o… their ſpyrituall iuriſdiction fol. 17…
15 The Papiſtes be manifeſtly culpable of re… bellyon againſt the magiſtrate. fol. 18…
¶ Another bryefe conſeſſion of fayth according to the ſame here before and the ſame author.
The ende of the Table.
The Printer to the Reader.
AFter I had read this confeſsion, & ſeene the great rytches of ſpiritual doctrine which is therein contained, I thought I ſhoulde do a thing acceptable and alſo profitable, if for your comfort I dyd make a Table, ſetting in order the principall matter contayned herein, the which thing I did for your commoditie and eaſynes, reade it therfore with dilygence: O would to God that King, prince and other noble parſonages of the worlde which be ſo ciuill informed of the doctrine whiche we teache (by thoſe which ſerue in the Church for their bellyes ſake) woulde vouchſafe to hauehave patience to reade or cauſe to heare read that which is herein cōtained: and I beleeue they would not be ſo angrie, nor hauehave ſo euyll opinion of vsus as they hauehave. But ſome wyll take good hede inough to beware that the wynde of thoſe Bookes ſhall not touch ſuch eſtates. For if they do ſome of them wyll not laugh at it in the end. Nowe God which hath the hartes of Kinges in his hande, graunt them his ſpyrite of prudence and dyſcretion to diſcerne the lyght from darkneſſe, and geue place to the King of Kinges, the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, whoſe lieuetenants they be, that he maye rayne peaceable among his by the ſcepter of his worde, and that all humaine traditions and ſuperſtitions full of Idolatrie, may be taken away and throwen downe.
¶ Certaine textes of the new Teſtament by the which eueryevery faythfull chriſtian is exhorted to render a confeſsion of their …aith before men.
Mathew. 10. chap.
EueryEvery man which confeſſeth me before men, him wyl I confeſſe before my father in heauen.
But he that denieth me before men, him wyll I deny before my father which is in heauen.
Marke. 8. Luke, 9. chap.
He that is aſhamed of me & my words in this adulterous & ſinfull generation, the ſon of man ſhalbe aſhamed of him when he ſhal come in the glory of his Father with his holy Angels.
Roma. 10. chap.
The beléefe of the harte iuſtifieth, but to confeſſe with the mouth maketh a man ſafe.
2. Timothy. 2. chap.
If we deny Ieſus Chriſt, he wyl alſo deny vsus.
1. Peter. 3. chap.
Be alwayes ready to anſwer to eueryevery man yt demaundeth a reaſon of the hope that is in you.
For reading vvith Iudgement ye ought not be shent.
Therfore reade me oft, the tyme is vvell ſpent.