A19563:2402
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.
These things (as I suppose) were not fully opened in the parliament house, when the popes authority was received again within this Realm, for if they had, I do not believe that either the King or Queens majesty or the nobles of this Realm, or the commons of the same would ever have consented to receive again such a foreign authority, so injurious, hurtful and prejudicial, aswell to the crown, as to the laws and customs, and state of this realm, as whereby they must needs acknowledge themselves to be accursed. But none could open this matter well but the clergy, and that such of them as had read the popes laws, whereby the pope hath made himself as it were a God. These seek to maintain the Pope, whom they desired to have their chief head, to the intent they might have, as it were, a kingdom and laws within themselves, distinct from the laws of the crown, and wherewith the crown may not meddle, and so being exempted from the laws of the crown might live in this realm like Lords and Kings,1 without damage or fear of any man, so that they please their high and supreme head at Rome. For this consideration I ween, some that knew the truth, held their peace at the Parliament, whereas if they had done their duties to the crown and whole realm, they should have opened their mouths, declared the truth, and showed the perils an dangers that might ensue to the crown and realm. And if I should agree to allow such authority within this realm, whereby I must needs confess that your most gracious, highness and also your realm should ever continue accursed until you shall cease from the execution of your own laws & customs of your realm: I could not think my self true, either to your highness, or to this my natural country, knowing that I do know. Ignorance, I know may excuse other men, but he that knoweth how prejudicial and injurious the power and authority which he challengeth every where, is to the crown, laws and customs of this Realm, & yet will allow the same, I cannot set in any wise how he can keep his due allegiance, fidelity and truth to the crown and state of this Realm.
These thinges (as I suppose) were not fully opened in the parliament house, when the popes authority was receiued agayne within this Realme, for if they had, I do not beleue that either the King or Queenes maiesty or the nobles of this Realme, or the commons of the same would euer haue consented to receiue agayne such a forrayne authority, so iniurious, hurtfull and preiudiciall, aswel to the crowne, as to the lawes and customes, and state of this realme, as whereby they must needes acknowledge themselues to be accursed. But none could opē this matter wel but the clergy, and that such of them as had read the popes lawes, whereby the pope hath made himselfe as it were a God. These seeke to maintayne the Pope, whome they desired to haue their chiefe head, to the intent they might haue, as it were, a kingdome and lawes within themselues, distinct from the lawes of the crowne, and wherewith the crowne may not meddle, and so being exempted from the lawes of the crowne might liue in this realme like Lordes and Kinges,