A19563:1177
An answerAn aunsvvere
An answer by the Reverend Father in God Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury, primate of all England and metropolitan, unto a crafty and sophistical cavillation, devised by Stephen Gardiner Doctor of Law, late Bishop of Winchester against the true and godly doctrine of the most holy sacrament, of the body and blood of our saviour Jesus Christ Wherein is also, as occasion serveth, answered such places of the book of Doct. Richard Smith, as may seem any thing worthy the answering. Here is also the true copy of the book written, and in open court delivered, by D. Stephen Gardiner ...An aunsvvere by the Reuerend Father in God Thomas Archbyshop of Canterbury, primate of all England and metropolitane, vnto a craftie and sophisticall cauillation, deuised by Stephen Gardiner Doctour of Law, late Byshop of Winchester agaynst the true and godly doctrine of the most holy sacrament, of the body and bloud of our sauiour Iesu Christ Wherein is also, as occasion serueth, aunswered such places of the booke of Doct. Richard Smith, as may seeme any thyng worthy the aunsweryng. Here is also the true copy of the booke written, and in open court deliuered, by D. Stephen Gardiner ...
London: printed by John Daye, 1580London: printed by Iohn Daye, 1580
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
And as for the foresaid books entitled to S. Ambrose, if I joined Ambrose with Clement, & should say that the said books intituled in the name of S. Ambrose de sacramentis, & de misterijs iniciandis were none of his, I should say but as I think, and as they do think that be men of most excellent learning and judgement, as I declared in my second book, which speaketh of transubstantiation. And so doth judge not only Erasmus, but also Melanchthon (whom you allege for authority when he maketh for your purpose) suspecteth the same. And yet I plainly deny not these books to be his (for your pleasure to give you as much advantage, as you can ask) and yet it availeth you nothing at all.
And as for the foresayd books intituled to S. Ambrose, if I ioyned Ambrose with Clement, & should say that ye sayd bookes intiuled in the name of S. Ambrose de sacramentis, & de misterijs iniciandis were none of his, I should say but as I thinke, and as they do thinke that be men of most excellent learning and iudgement, as I declared in my second book, which speaketh of transubstantiation. And so dooth iudge not onely Erasmus, but also Melancthon (whom you alleadge for authority when he maketh for your purpose) suspecteth the same. And yet I playnly denye not these bookes to be his (for your pleasure to geue you asmuch aduauntage, as you can aske) and yet it auaileth you nothing at all.
But here I cannot passover, that you be offended, because I say, that bread & wine be called holy,1 when they be put to an holy use, not that they have any holiness in them, or be partakers of any holiness or godliness. I would fain learn of Smith and you, when the bread and wine be holy. For before they be hollowed or consecrated they be not holy by your teaching, but be common bakers bread, and wine of the tavern. And after the consecration, there is neither bread nor wine (as you teach,) at what time then should the bread and wine be holy? But the creatures of bread and wine be much bound unto you, and can no less do, then take you for their saviour. For if you can make them holy and godly, then shall you glorify them, and so bring them to eternal bliss. And then may you aswell save the true labouring bullocks and innocent sheep and lambs, and so understand the prophet, Homines & jumenta saluabis domine.