A replie vnto M. Hardinges ansvveare by perusinge whereof the discrete, and diligent reader may easily see, the weake, and vnstable groundes of the Romaine religion, whiche of late hath beene accompted Catholique. By Iohn Iewel Bishoppe of Sarisburie.

The B. of Sarisburie.

Here M. Hardinge is driuen to make woonderful harde shifte, and to leaue al the whole companie of his Schooledoctours, and to goe alone. The Masse, saithe he, sometime signifieth the Bodie of Christe. Sometime, saie you? And at what time? I beseeche you. And, if at one time, why not at al times? what Ancient Doctour, or Holy Father euer tolde vs this tale? But let vs geue M. Har∣dinge leaue to make somewhat of him selfe, and to vpholde his strange Religion, with strange phrases, and Formes of speache. For he hopeth, that, what so euer he liste to say, the ignorant people wil beléeue him.

But wherefore allegeth he not, either the Scriptures, or some Olde Coun∣cel, or some Ancient Doctour: at the leaste, some one, or other of his owne Schoole∣doctours, Innocentius, Thomas, Scotus, Alexander, Henricus de Gandauo, Robertus de collo torto, or some other like in this behalfe? Is there none of al these, that euer coulde vnderstande, that the Masse is the Bodie of Christe? And muste wée néedes beléeue M. Hardinge in so strange a mater, without witnes?

Uerily if the Masse, accordinge to this newe Doctrine, be Christes Bodie, and that verily, and in déede, without shifte, or healpe of Figure, then was the Masse Borne of the Blissed Uirgin: then was it Crucified: then was it Buried in the Graue. For al these thinges happened to the Bodie of Christe. Then who so

euer denieth the Masse, denieth Christes Bodie: and who so euer beléeueth Christes Bodie, beléeueth the Masse. But what shoulde M. Hardinge doo? A monstrous Doctrine requireth a monstrous kinde of woordes.

In deede,* 1.1 Christes Bodie Crucified was the Price, and Propitiation for al our Sinnes. Christe with one Oblation hath made perfite for euer, al, that be Sanctified. For in his Fleashe he was that Lambe of God, that hath taken awaie the Sinnes of the Worlde. And nowe in the same Fleashe he appeareth before God, and euermore intreateth for our Sinnes.

But, M. Hardinge, what is al this to your Masse? Who euer bade you, to Sa∣crifice Christe vnto his Father? Who euer warranted you, that your Sacrifice, diuised by your selues, should be of the same vertue, and power, as you saie, that was the Sacrifice of Christe him selfe vpon his Crosse? who euer tolde you, that your Sacrifice shoulde be the Price, and Propitiation for the sinnes of the whole worlde? Or that Christe in your Masse shoulde euermore appeare before God, and intreate for vs?

But why adde you farther this Special exception of your selfe, And this, not for that, it is offered of the Prieste in the Masse Specially? What needeth you with this so Special prouiso, so finely to mince this mater? Why shoulde you so Specially dishable, or discredite the Unblouddy Sacrifice of the Churche? If the Fleashe of Christe be not Specially auaileable, for that, as you saie, it is offered by the Prieste, howe then, beinge so offered, can it be propitiatorie for our sinnes? If it be propitiatorie in deede, and if the Prieste offer vp Christe vnto his Father, and that in al respectes of power, and Uertue, as effectual, and auaileable, as that Christe him selfe offered vpon the Crosse, howe then is it not Specially profitable for that, as you saie, it is offered by the Prieste? Ye shoulde haue brought some Daniel with you, to expounde your dreame: or some skilful Surueiour, to parte tenures bitweene Christe, and the Prieste, and to limit eche parte Generally, and Specially his owne right.

O M. Hardinge, what a miserable Doctrine is this? Remooue onely this vaine shewe of strange Woordes, wherewith ye delite to astonne the simple: and the reste, that remaineth, is lesse, then nothinge.

Notes

• * 1.1

  S. Iohan. 2. Hebrae. 10. Iohan. 1. Roman. 8. Hebrae. 7.