A19563:467
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 where you say, that in the belief of this mystery is great benefit,1 and consolation. What benefit (I beseech you) is it to us, if Christ be really and corporally in the forms of bread and wine, a month or two, or a year or two? And if we receive him really and corporally with the bread and wine into our mouths or stomachs, and no further, and there he tarrieth not in that sort, but departeth away from us by and by again, what great benefit or comfort (I pray you) is such a corporal presence unto us? And yet this is the teaching of all the Papists, although you seem to vary from them in this last point, of Christs sudden departure. But when the matter shall be throughly answered, I ween you will agree with the rest of the Papists, that as concerning his carnal presence, Christ departeth from us, at the least when the forms of bread and wine be altered in the stomach. And then I pray you declare what comfort and benefit we have by this carnal presence which by and by is absent, and tarrieth not with us? Such comfort have weak and sick consciences at the Papists hands, to tell them that Christ was with them, and now he is gone from them. Nevertheless in the belief of this mystery (if it be understanded according to Gods word) is great benefit and consolation, but to believe your addition, unto Gods word, is neither benefit nor wisdom.
And where you say, that in the beleefe of this mistery is great benefitte,1 and consolation. What benefitte (I beseech you) is it to vs, if Christ be really and corporally in the formes of bread and wine, a moneth or two, or a yeare or two? And if we receaue him really and corporally with the bread and wine into our mouthes or stomackes, and no further, and there he tarieth not in that sorte, but departeth away from vs by and by agayn, what great benefit or comforte (I pray you) is such a corporall presence vnto vs? And yet this is the teaching of all the Papistes, although you seeme to vary from them in this last point, of Christes sodayne departure. But when the matter shall be throughly answered, I weene you will agree with the rest of the Papistes, that as concerning his carnall presence, Christ departeth from vs, at the least wheu the formes of bread and wine be altered in the stomack. And then I pray you declare what comfort and benefitte we haue by this carnall presence which by and by is absent, and taryeth not with vs? Such comfort haue weake and sick consciences at the Papistes handes, to tell them that Christ was with them, and now he is gone from them. Neuerthelesse in the beleef of this mistery (if it be vnderstāded according to Gods word) is great benefit and consolation, but to beleeue your addition, vnto Gods word, is neither benefit nor wisedome.