A03549:263
The second tome of homilies of such matters as were promised, and entitled in…The second tome of homilees of such matters as were promised, and intituled in…
The second tome of homilies of such matters as were promised, and entitled in the former part of homilies. Set out by the authority of the Queens Majesty: and to be read in every parish church agreeably.The second tome of homilees of such matters as were promised, and intituled in the former part of homilees. Set out by the aucthoritie of the Queenes Maiestie: and to be read in euery parishe church agreeably.
Imprinted at London : In Poules Churchyarde, by Richard Jugge, and John Cawood, printers to the Queens Majesty, 1571Imprinted at London : In Poules Churchyarde, by Richarde Iugge, and Iohn Cawood, printers to the Queenes Maiestie, 1571
No title page in the transcription: set from the catalogue record.
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.
Now to entreat of that question, whether we ought to pray for them that are departed out of this world, or no. Wherein if we will cleave only unto the word of God: then must we needs grant, that we have no commandment so to do. For the scripture doth acknowledge but two places after this life. The one proper to the elect and blessed of god, the other to the reprobate and damned souls, as may be well gathered by the parable of Lazarus and the rich man, which place saint Augustine expounding, saith in this wise: That which Abraham speaketh unto the 1rich man in Lukes Gospel, namely that the just can not go into those places where the wicked 2are tormented: What other things doth it signify, but only this, that the just by reason of gods judgement, which may not be revoked, can show no deed of mercy in helping them, which after this life are cast into prison, until they pay the uttermost farthing? These words as they confound the opinion of helping the dead by prayer, so they do clean confute and take away the vain error of purgatory, which is grounded upon this saying of the gospel: Thou shalt not depart thence, until thou hast paid the uttermost ⟨p. 254⟩farthing. Now doth saint Augustine say, that those men which are cast into prison after this life, on that condition may in no wise be holpen, though we would help them never so much. And why? Because the sentence of God is unchangeable, & can not be revoked again. Therefore let us not deceive our selves, thinking that either we may help other, or other may help us by their good and charitable prayers in time to come. For as the preacher saith: When the 3tree falleth, whether it be toward the South, or toward the North, in what place soever the tree falleth, there it lieth: meaning thereby that every mortal man dyeth either in the state of salvation or damnation, according as the words of the Evangelist John do also plainly impart, saying, He that believeth on the Son of God, 4hath eternal life: But he that believeth not on the Son, shall never see life, but the wrath of God abideth upon him. Where is then the third place which they call purgatory? or where shall our prayers help and profit the dead? Saint Augustine doth only acknowledge two places