A19563:587
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.
Wherefore when the minister pronounceth Christs words, as spoken of his mouth, it is to be believed, that Christ doth now, as he did then. And it is to be noted, that although in the Sacrament of Baptism, the minister saith (I baptise thee,) yet in the celebration of his Supper, the words be spoken in Christs person, as saying him self, this is my body that is broken for you, which is to us not only a memory, but an effectual memory §11with the very presence of Christs body and blood, our very Sacrifice. Who doing now, as he did then, offereth him self to his Father as he did then, not to renew that offering, as though it were imperfect, but continually to refresh us, that daily fall and decay. And as S. John saith, Christ is our advocate and entreateth for us, or pleadeth for us, not to supply any want on Gods behalf, but to relieve our wants in edification, wherein the ministry of the Church travaileth to bring man to perfection in Christ, which Christ himself ⟨p. 84⟩doth assist, and absolutely perform in his Church, his mystical body. Now when we have Christs body thus present in the celebration of the holy Supper, and by Christs mouth present unto us, saying, this is my body which is betrayed for you. Then have we Christs body recommended unto us as our Sacrifice, and a Sacrifice propitiatory for all the sins of the world, being the only Sacrifice of Christs Church, the pure and clean Sacrifice whereof the Prophet Malachi spake,1 and whereof the Fathers in Christs church have since the beginning continually written, the very true presence whereof, most constantly believed, hath increased from time to time such ceremonies as have been used in the celebration of that Supper, in which by Christs own mouth we be ascertained of his most glorious death and passion, and the self same body that suffered, delivered unto us in mystery to be eaten of us, and therefore so to be worshipped and acknowledged of us, as our very only Sacrifice, in whom, by whom, and for whom, our other private gifts and Sacrifices be acceptable, and no otherwise.
Wherfore when the minister pronounceth Christes wordes, as spoaken of his mouth, it is to be beléeued, that Christ doth now, as he did then. And it is to be noted, yt although in the Sacrament of Baptisme, the minister saith (I baptise thée,) yet in the celebration of his Supper, the wordes be spoaken in Christes person, as saying him selfe, this is my body that is broaken for you, which is to vs not onely a memory, but an effectuall memory