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.

M. Hardinges reasons.

Christes Death must be kepte in remembrance, Ergo, The Priest is bounde to say daily Masse, y•• although there be no man to receiue with him. Alas, how holdeth this poore argu∣ment?

Or how may wée make it good? Is there none other meane to remember Christes death, but onely by saiyng Priuate Masse? Or is not euery one of y^e people bounde to remember the same, as deepely, and as often as the Priest? It is a very simple sequele, onely vpon remembrance of Christes Death to founde the Masse. Doubtlesse the Masse, as it is now vsed, vtterly drowneth and defaceth al maner remembrance of the Death of Christe.

But to put a litle more weight to this séely reason, where as M. Hardinge saithe: The Priest ought daily to Sacrifice, ye although there be no man to receiue with him, I wil say further in his behalfe: If this Sacrifice be so necessarie, as it is supposed, then is the Priest bounde to Sacrifice euery day, ye although he him selfe receiue not. For the Sacrifice, and the Receiuing are sundrie thinges, as it is also noted in a late Councel holden at Toledo in Spaine. Quidam sacerdotes vno die plurima offerunt Sacrificia,* 1.1 & in omnibus se oblationibus a Communione suspendunt. Certaine Priestes there be, that euery day offer many Sacrifices: and yet in euery Sacrifice withholde them selues from the Communion. Thus hath M. Hardinge founde his daily Sacri∣fice, and loste his Priuate Masse.

An other reason.

The receiuyng with companie is no substantial parte of Christes Institution, Ergo, wee are not bounde therein to folowe Christes example. First this Antecedent is false, as it is alrea∣die prooued. And if it were no parte of the substance of Christes Institution, Yet are wée neuerthelesse bounde to his example, bicause he hath commaunded vs so to doo.

If Christes example haue no more weight of our side, let vs turne the same to M. Hardinges side, and sée how handsomely it will conclude: Christe ministred the Communion to his Disciples altogeather, Ergo, the Priest may receiue alone.

Consider, good Reader, what credit these men deserue to haue, that are thus faine to shunne and flie the example of Christe.* 1.2 S. Paule to rectifie the Corin∣thians thought no way better then to cal them backe to Christ{is} example. For thus he saith, That I receiued of the Lorde, the same haue I deliuered vnto you. Likewise saithe S. Hierome, Dominica Coena omnibus debet esse Communis:* 1.3 quia ille omnibus disci∣pulis suis qui aderant, aequaliter tradidit Sacramenta. The Lordes Supper must be Common to al. And that he proueth by Christes example, Bicause Christe gaue the Sacramentes equally to al his Disciples that were present.

But whose example foloweth M. Hardinge, when he saith his Priuate Masse? When did either Christe, or any of his Disciples, Or any one of the olde Catho∣like Doctours, Minister in that sorte? If he folow none of these, let him not blame others, if they refuse to folow him.

Notes

• * 1.1

  De Con. dist. 2. Relatum est.
• * 1.2

  1. Corinth. 11.
• * 1.3

  Hieron. in 1. Corin. 11.