The B. of Sarisburie.
Touchinge the Oblation of Christes Bodie, wée beléeue, & Confesse as muche, as the Holy Ghost hath opened in the Scriptures. Where as M. Hardinge saithe, Christes Bodie is offered vp by the Priest vnto God the Father, in Remembrance of that Bodie, that Christe himselfe offered vpon the Crosse, He séemeth not to consider the inconstancie, and folie of his owne tale. For it is wel knowen to al Creatures, not onely Christiās, but also Iewes, Turkes, and Saracenes, that Christe was Crucified vpon the Crosse: But that Christe should be Sacrificed by a Mortal man, Inuisibly, and, as they saie, vnder the Formes of Breade, and Wine, and that Really, and in deede, it is a thinge so far passinge the common sense of Christian knowledge, that the best learned, and wisest of the Ancient learned Christian Fathers coulde neuer know it.
Therefore this is, not onely the proouinge of a thinge knowen, by a thinge vn∣knowen: and of a thinge moste certaine, by a thinge vncertaine: but also the Confirmation of a manifest Trueth, by an open Errour.
Neither doo wée robbe the Churche of God of that most Heauenly, and moste comfortable Sacrifice of Christes Bodie: But rather wee open, and disclose the errours, wherewith certaine of late yeeres haue wilfully deceiued the Churche of God. Wée know, That Christes Badie was rente for our Sinnes,* 1.1 and that by his Wounds wee are made whole:* 1.2 That Christe in his Bodie caried our Sinnes vpon the Tree:* 1.3 And by the Oblation thereof,* 1.4 once made vpon the Crosse, hath sanctified vs for euer, and hath purcha∣sed for vs euerlastinge Redemptiō: 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 rec∣ken, who so teacheth this Doctrine, leaueth not the Churche of God without a Sacrifice.
Touchinge the multitude of Authorities, wherewith M. Hardinge findeth him selfe so muche encombred, the greater his stoare is, the more wil wise men require his discretion, and skil in the choise. His choise wil séeme vnskilful, if he allege his Authorities biside his purpose. His purpose, and promise is to prooue, that the Priest hath good warrant, to offer vp Christe the Sonne of God vnto his Father. Whiche purpose if he neuer vouchesaue once to touche, but range abroade, as his manner is, and roaue idlely at maters impertinent, then muste wee needes saie, He bewraieth his wante, and bringeth his greate Stoare out of credit. So shal the offer, that is gently made him, séeme to stande vpon good, and conuenient termes, of Trueth, and Modestie. So shal his stoareful Uaunte of al thinges, performing nothinge, vnto the wise (to vse his owne woordes) seeme pearte, and insolente.