A19563:2116
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 your doctrine hath such ambiguities, such perplexities, such absurdities, and such impieties in it, and is so uncertain, so uncomfortable, so contrary to Gods word and the old Catholic Church, so contrary to it self, that it declareth from whose spirit it cometh, which can be none other but Antichrist him self.
And your doctrine hath such ambiguities, such perplexities, such absurdities, and such impieties in it, and is so vncertaine, so vncomfortable, so contrary to Gods word and the old Catholicke Church, so contrary to it selfe, that it declareth from whose spirite it commeth, which can be none other but Antichrist him selfe.
Where as on the other side the very true doctrine of Christ and his pure Church from the beginning, is plain, certain, without wrinkles, without any inconvenience or absurdity, so cheerful and comfortable to all Christen people, that it must needs come from the spirit of God, the spirit of truth and all consolation. For what ought to be more certain and known to all Christen people, then that Christ dyed once and but once, for the redemption of the world? And what can be more true, then that his only death is our life? And what can be more comfortable to a penitent sinner that is sorry for his sin, and returneth to God in his hart and whole mind, then to know that Christ dischargeth him of the heavy lode of his sin, and taketh the burden upon his own back? And if we shall join the Priest herein to Christ in any part, and give a portion hereof to his sacrifice (as you in your doctrine give to the priest the one half at the least) what a discourage is this to the penitent sinner, that he may not hang wholly upon Christ? what perplexities and doubts rise hereof in the sinners conscience? And what an obscuring and darkening is this of the ⟨p. 394⟩benefit of Christ? Yea what injury and contumely is it to him?
Where as on the other side the very true doctrine of Christ and his pure Church from the begynnyng, is playne, certaine, without wrynkels, without any inconuenience or absurditie, so chearefull and comfortable to all Christen people, that it must needes come from the spirite of God, the spirite of truth and all consolation. For what ought to be more certaine and knowen to all Christen people, then that Christ dyed once and but once, for the redemption of the world? And what can be more true, then that his onely death is our lyfe? And what can be more comfortable to a penitent sinner that is sory for his sinne, and returneth to God in his hart and whole mynde, then to know that Christ dischargeth him of the heauy lode of his sinne, and taketh the burden vpon his owne backe? And if we shall ioyne the Priest herein to Christ in any part, and giue a portion hereof to his sacrifice (as you in your doctrine giue to the priest the one halfe at the least) what a discourage is this to the penitent sinner, that he may not hang wholly vpon Christ? what perplexities and doubtes rise hereof in the sinners conscience? And what an obscuryng and darkenyng is this of the