[De Coena Domini, plana et perspicua tractatio; (Geneva: Oliva Robert Stephan, 1559)]

Theodore Beza, born on June 24, 1519, in Vézelay, France, was a distinguished theologian, scholar, and reformer of the Protestant Reformation. Educated under the humanist Melchior Wolmar, Beza initially pursued law but later embraced the Reformed faith, leading to his exile from France. In 1548, he settled in Geneva, where he became a close associate of John Calvin. Beza's contributions were manifold. He served as a professor of Greek at the Academy of Lausanne and later at the Geneva Academy, where he succeeded Calvin as the chair of theology. His leadership extended to the Company of Pastors in Geneva, where he played a pivotal role in shaping Reformed theology and church governance. A prolific writer, Beza authored several significant works. His De jure magistratuum (1574) defended the rights of magistrates against tyranny, and his editions of the Greek New Testament were instrumental in biblical scholarship. Beza also penned a biography of Calvin and contributed to the Genevan Psalter, enhancing the liturgical life of the Reformed churches. Throughout his life, Beza was actively involved in theological debates, notably defending the doctrine of predestination and engaging in dialogues with Lutheran theologians. His efforts were crucial in consolidating the Reformed tradition during a period of religious upheaval. Beza passed away on October 13, 1605, in Geneva, leaving behind a legacy as a steadfast guardian of Reformed orthodoxy and a key figure in the Protestant Reformation.

Theodore Beza, born on June 24, 1519, in Vézelay, France, was a distinguished theologian, scholar, and reformer of the Protestant Reformation. Educated under the humanist Melchior Wolmar, Beza initially pursued law but later embraced the Reformed faith, leading to his exile from France. In 1548, he settled in Geneva, where he became a close associate of John Calvin. Beza's contributions were manifold. He served as a professor of Greek at the Academy of Lausanne and later at the Geneva Academy, where he succeeded Calvin as the chair of theology. His leadership extended to the Company of Pastors in Geneva, where he played a pivotal role in shaping Reformed theology and church governance. A prolific writer, Beza authored several significant works. His De jure magistratuum (1574) defended the rights of magistrates against tyranny, and his editions of the Greek New Testament were instrumental in biblical scholarship. Beza also penned a biography of Calvin and contributed to the Genevan Psalter, enhancing the liturgical life of the Reformed churches. Throughout his life, Beza was actively involved in theological debates, notably defending the doctrine of predestination and engaging in dialogues with Lutheran theologians. His efforts were crucial in consolidating the Reformed tradition during a period of religious upheaval. Beza passed away on October 13, 1605, in Geneva, leaving behind a legacy as a steadfast guardian of Reformed orthodoxy and a key figure in the Protestant Reformation.

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CHAPTER 2: CONCERNING THE FOUNDATION OF FAITH IN THE EUCHARISTIC CAUSE

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In this whole chapter Westphal inculcates that the word of the Lord ought to be αὐτόπιστον [self-evident] among all Christians—namely, that he might willingly persuade unlearned men that we differ from Turks or Papists either nothing or little, as if the word of the Lord were subject to our understanding, and not, on the contrary, we subject all our understanding to the one word of God.

But it is well that the man’s impudence is refuted both by innumerable books and by the thing itself. Certainly it would be dealt with badly with our Churches unless we had learned from elsewhere than from these badly sewn together patchworks of Westphal that all things are to be attributed to the word of God.

And indeed in the other articles of the Christian faith, it is wonderful whether this man dares to accuse us of such ἀπιστία [unbelief]. But in this very argument how improbably he acts, when he complains that not so much is attributed by us to the word of the Lord as is fitting, appears partly from those things which we said a little before, and partly also much better it will be clear from those things which we shall bring forward in their proper places.