A19563:2043
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.
The fifth Book. The greatest blasphemy and injury that can be against Christ,1 and yet universally used through the Popish kingdom, is this, that the Priests make their Mass a sacrifice propitiatory, to remit the sins as well of them selves, as of other both quick and dead, to whom they list to apply the same. Thus under pretence of holiness, the Papistical priests have taken upon them to be Christs successors, and to make such an oblation and sacrifice, as never creature made but Christ alone, neither he made the same any more times then once, and that was by his death upon the Cross. For as S. Paul in his Epistle to the Hebrews witnesseth, 2Although the high priests of the old law offered many times (at the least every year once) yet Christ offered not him self many times, for then he should many times have dyed. But now he offered him self but once, to take away sin, by that offering of him self. And as men must dye once, so was Christ offered once, to take away the sins of many. And furthermore S. Paul saith,3 That the sacrifices of the old law, although they were continually offered from year to year, yet could they not take away sin, nor make men perfect. For if they could once have quieted mens consciences, by taking away sin, they should have ceased, and no more have been offered. But Christ with once offering, hath made perfect for ever, them that be sanctified: putting their sins clean out of Gods remembrance. And where remission of sins is, there is no more offering for sin. And yet further he saith,4 concerning the old Testament, that it was disannulled and taken away, because of the feebleness and unprofitableness thereof, for it brought nothing to perfection. And the priests of that law were many, because they lived not long, and so the priesthood went from one to an other: but Christ liveth ever, and hath an everlasting priesthood, that passeth not from him to any man else. Wherefore he is able perfectly to save them that come to God by him, forasmuch as he liveth ever to make intercession for us. For it was meet for us to have such an high priest, that is holy, innocent, with out spot, separated from sinners, and exalted up above heaven: who needeth not daily to offer up sacrifice (as Aaron's priests did:) first for his own sins, and then for the people. For that he did once, when he offered up him self.