A reioindre to M. Iewels replie against the sacrifice of the Masse. In which the doctrine of the answere to the .xvij. article of his Chalenge is defended, and further proued, and al that his replie conteineth against the sacrifice, is clearely confuted, and disproued. By Thomas Harding Doctor of Diuinitie.

Iewel.

Touching the Oblation of Christes Bodie, vvee beleue, and Confesse as much, as the holy Ghost hath opened in the Scriptures. VVhere as M.

Harding saith, Christes Bodie is offred vp by the Priest vnto God the Father, in remembrance of that Bodie, that Christe him selfe offered vpon the Crosse, He seemeth not to consider the incon∣stancie, and folie of his ovvne tale. For it is vvel knovven to al Creatu∣res, not onely Christians, but also Ievves, Turckes, and Saracenes, that Christ vvas Crucified vpon the Crosse: But that Christe should be sacrifi∣ced by a Mortal man, Inuisibly, and, as they say, vnder the Formes of Bread, and vvine, and that Really, and in deede, it is a thinge so far passinge the common sense of Christian knovvledge, that the best learned, and vvisest of the Ancient learned Christian Fathers coulde neuer knovv it.

Therefore this is, not onely the proouing of a thinge knovven, by a thinge vnknovven: and of a thinge moste certaine, by a thinge vncer∣taine: but also the Confirmation of a manifest Trueth, by an open Errour.

Neither do vvee robbe the Churche of God of that most Heauenly, and moste comfortable Sacrifice of Christes Bodie: But rather vvee o∣pen, and disclose the errours, vvherevvith certaine of late yeeres haue vvilfully deceiued the Churche of God. VVee knovv, That Christes Bodie was rente for our Sinnes, and that by his VVounds wee are made whole: That Christe in his Bodie caried our Sinnes vpon the Tree: And by the Oblation thereof, once made vpon the Crosse, bath sanctified vs for euer, aud hath purchased for vs euerlastinge Redēption: And That there is none other Name (or Sacrifice) vnder Heauen, whereby wee can be saued, but onely the name (and Sacrifice) of Iesus Christe. I recken•• vvho so teacheth this Doctrine, leaueth not the Churche of God vvithout a Sacrifice.

Touchinge the multitude of Authorities, vverevvith M. Harding findeth him selfe so muche encombred, the greater his stoare is, the more vvil vvise men require his discretion, and skil in the choise. His choise vvil seeme vnskilful, if he allege his Authorities biside his purpose. His purpose, and promise is to prooue, that the Priest hath good vvar∣rant, to offer vp Christe the Sonne of God vnto his Father. VVhiche purpose if he neuer vouchesaue once to touche, but range abroade, as his manner is, and roaue idlely at maters impertinent, then muste vvee needes say, He bevvraieth his vvante, and bringeth his greate Stoare

out of credit. So shal the offer, that is gently made him, seeme to stande vpon good, and conuenient termes, of Trueth, and Modestie. So shal his stoareful Vaunte of al thinges, perfourming nothing, vnto the vvise (to vse his ovvne vvordes) seeme pearte, and insolent.

Notes

• Esay. 53.
• 1. Pet. 2.
• Heb. 9.
• Actor. 4.