A19571:200
A Defence of the True and Catholic Doctrine of the Sacrament
A defence of the true and catholic doctrine of the sacrament of the body and blood of our saviour Christ with a confutation of sundry errors concerning the same, grounded and stablished upon God's holy word, [and] approved by the consent of the most ancient doctors of the Church. Made by the most reverend father in God Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury, primate of all England and Metropolitan.A defence of the true and catholike doctrine of the sacrament of the body and bloud of our sauiour Christ with a confutacion of sundry errors concernyng the same, grounded and stablished vpon Goddes holy woorde, [and] approued by ye consent of the moste auncient doctors of the Churche. Made by the moste reuerende father in God Thomas Archebyshop of Canterbury, primate of all Englande and Metropolitane.
Imprinted at London : In Poules churcheyarde, at the sign of the Brazen serpent, by Reginald Wolfe. Cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum, Anno Domini. M.D.L. 1550Imprinted at London : In Poules churcheyarde, at the signe of the Brasen serpent, by Reginald Wolfe. Cum priuilegio ad imprimendum solum, Anno Domini. M.D.L. 1550
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.
In all these sentences, and many other like, although they be negatives, nevertheless S. Paul meant not, clearly to deny, that he did ⟨image 43⟩that evil whereof he spake, or utterly to say, that he was not sent to baptise (who in deed did baptise at certain times,1 and was sent to do all things that pertained to salvation) or that in his office of setting forth God's word, he used no witty persuasions, (which in deed he used most discreetly) or that the grafter and waterer be nothing, (which be God's creatures, made to his similitude, & without whose work there should be no increase) or to say, that he was not alive (who both lived,2 and ran from country to country, to set forth God's glory) or clearly to affirm, that he gloried and rejoiced in no other thing,3 than in Christs cross (who rejoiced with all men that were in joy, and sorrowed with all that were in sorrow) or to deny utterly, that we wrestle against flesh and blood: (which cease not daily to wrestle and war against our enemies, the world, the flesh and the devil.) In all these sentences S. Paul (as I said) meant not clearly to deny these things, which undoubtedly were all true, but he meant that in comparison of other greater things, these smaller were not much to be esteemed, but that the greater things, were the chief things to be considered. As that sin committed by his infirmity, was rather to be imputed to original sin, or corruption of nature, which lay lurking within him, than to his own will and consent. And that although he was sent to baptise, yet he was chiefly sent to preach God's word. ⟨p. 38⟩And that although he used wise and discreet persuasions therein, yet the success thereof came principally of the power of God, and of the working of the holy spirit. And that although the grafter and waterer of the garden be some things, and do not a little in their offices, yet it is God chiefly, that giveth the increase. And that although he lived in this world, yet his chief life, concerning God, was by Christ, whom he had living within him. And that although he gloried in many other things, yea in his own infirmities,