A19563:642
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.
Of these words of S. Augustine, it is most clear that the profession of the catholic faith is, that Christ (as concerning his bodily substance and nature of man) is in heaven, and not present here with us in earth. For the nature and property of a very body, is to be in one place, and to occupy one place, and not to be every where, or in many places at one time. And though the body of Christ (after his resurrection and ascension) was made immortal, yet this nature was not taken away, for then (as S. Augustine saith) it were no very body. And further S. August. showeth both the manner & form how Christ is here present with us in earth, & how he is absent, saying that he is present by his divine nature and majesty, by his providence, & by grace: But by his human nature and very body, he is absent from this world, and present in heaven.
Of these wordes of S. Augustine, it is most cleere that the profession of the catholick faith is, that Christ (as concerning his bodely substance and nature of man) is in heauen, and not present here with vs in earth. For the nature and property of a very body, is to be in one place, and to occupy one place, and not to be euery where, or in many places at one time. And though the body of Christ (after his resurrectiō and ascention) was made immortall, yet this nature was not taken away, for then (as S. Augustine saith) it were no very body. And further S. August. sheweth both the maner & fourme how Christ is here present with vs in earth, & how he is absent, saying that he is present by his diuine nature and maiesty, by his prouidence, & by grace: But by his humain nature and very body, he is absent from this world, and present in heauen.
Cyrillus likewise upon the gospel of S. John,1 agreeth fully with S. Augustin saying: Although Christ took away from hence the presence of his body, yet in Majesty of his Godhead he is ever here, as he promised to his disciples at his departing: saying: I am with you ever unto the worlds end.