A19563:335
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 because this may the more evidently appear to the reader, I shall rehearse my words hear again.
And because this may the more euidently appeare to the reader, I shall rehearse my wordes heare agayne.
Although in this treaty of the Sacrament of the body & blood of our saviour Christ,1 I have already sufficiently declared the institution & meaning of the same, according to the very words of the Gospel and of saint Paul, yet it shall not be in vain somewhat more at large to declare the same, according to the mind, as well of holy scripture, as of old ancient authors, and that so sincerely & plainly, without doubts, ambiguities, or vain questions, that the very simple and unlearned people, may easily understand the same, and be edified thereby.
Although in this treatie of the Sacrament of the body & bloud of our sauiour Christ,1 I haue already sufficiētly declared the institution & meaning of the same, according to the very wordes of the Gospell and of saint Paule, yet it shall not be in vayne somwhat more at large to declare the same, according to the minde, as well of holy scripture, as of olde auncient authours, and that so sincerely & plainly, without doubts, ambiguities, or vain questions, that the very simple and vnlearned people, may easily vnderstand the same, and be edified thereby.
- 1Cap. 6.
And this by Gods grace is mine only intent and desire, that the flock of Christ dispersed in this Realm (among whom I am appointed a special pastor) may no longer lack the commodity and fruit, which springeth of this heavenly knowledge. For the more clearly it is understood the more sweetness, fruit, comfort, and edification it bringeth to the godly receivers thereof. And to the clear understanding of this Sacrament, divers things must be considered.