A19563:541
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 the manner of his presence you call so high a mystery, that the carnal man can not reach it. And in deed as you feign, the matter it is so high a mystery, that never man could reach it, but your self alone. For you make the manner of Christs being in the Sacrament so spiritual, that you say his flesh, blood and bones be there really and carnally, and yet you confess in your book, that you never red any old author that so said. And this manner of handling of so pure a mystery, is neither godly foolishness nor worldly, but rather a mere frenzy and madness.
And the manner of his presence you call so high a mistery, that the carnall man can not reach it. And in deed as you fayne, the matter it is so high a mistery, that neuer man could reach it, but your selfe alone. For you make the manner of Christes being in the Sacrament so spirituall, that you say his flesh, bloud and bones be there really and carnally, and yet you confesse in your booke, that you neuer red any old author that so said. And this manner of handling of so pure a mistery, is neither godly foolishnes nor worldly, but rather a meere fransy and madnesse.
And although the scripture speak of Christs body to be eaten of us, yet that is understanded of spiritual and not of corporal eating, and of spiritual not of corporal presence. The scripture saith,1 that Christ hath forspoken the world, and is ascended into heaven. Upon which words S. Augustine Uigilius, and other ancient authors do prove, that as concerning the nature §1of his manhood, Christ is gone hence, and is not here, as I declared in my 3. book. the 3.4.5. and 6. chapters.
And although the scripture speak of Christes body to be eaten of vs, yet that is vnderstanded of spiritual and not of corporall eating, and of spirituall not of corporall presence. The scripture sayth,1