A19563:2410
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.
Now if any man lift him self higher then the Pope hath done, who lifteth him self above all the world, or can be more adversary to Christ then to dispense against Gods laws, and where Christ hath given any commandment, to command directly the contrary that man must needs be taken for Antichrist. But until the time that such a person may be found, men may easily conjecture where to find Antichrist. wherefore seeing the Pope thus, to overthrow both Gods laws and mans laws, taketh upon him to make Emperors and Kings to be vassals and subjects unto him, specially the crown of this Realm, with the laws and customs of the same. I see no mean how I may con sent to admit this usurped power within this Realm, contrary to mine oath, mine obedience to Gods law, mine allegiance and duty to your Majesty, and my love and affection, to this Realm.
Now if any man lift him selfe higher then the Pope hath done, who lifteth him selfe aboue all the world, or can bee more aduersary to Christ then to dispense agaynst Gods lawes, and where Christ hath geuen any commaundement, to cōmaunde directly the contrary that man must needes be taken for Antichrist. But vntill the tyme that such a person may bee founde, men may easly coniecture where to finde Antichrist. wherefore seyng the Pope thus, to ouerthrow both Gods lawes and mans lawes, taketh vppon him to make Emperours and Kyngs to be vassals and subiectes vnto him, specially the crowne of this Realme, with the lawes and customes of the same. I see no meane how I may cō sent to admit this vsurped power within this Realme, contrary to myne othe, myne obedience to Gods law, myne allegeaunce and duetie to your Maiestie, and my loue and affection, to this Realme.
This that I have spoken against the power & authority of the Pope, I have not spoken, (I take God to record and judge) for any malice I owe to the Popes person, whom I know not, but I shall pray to God to give him grace, that he may seek above all things to promote Gods honour and glory, and not to follow the trade of his predecessors in these latter days, nor I have not spoken it for fear of punishment and to avoid the same, thinking it rather an occasion to aggravate, then to diminish my trouble: but I have spoken it for my most bounden duty to the crown, liberties, laws, and customs of this