Where ye make S. Augustine very uncertain in this point, as though he said sometime there is such a certain place, sometime there may be such a one, sometime he doubted of it, sometime plainly denied any such to be: either ye understand not S. Augustine, or ye say contrary to your own knowledge. Verily ye be too bold with him.‡ First that he denieth Purgatory, that is false. And where ye allege Hypognostica in the margin of your book, read it once again at my request, and your selves will say: the place proveth not your purpose.2 The Author of that work, whether he were S. Augustine, which Erasmus believeth not, or who so ever he was, denieth not Purgatory: but that after the day of general judgement there is any place of Everlasting rest, or pain, but the Kingdom of Heaven, and Hell, that he denieth. Which we also deny. And there he speaketh against the Pelagians,3 who, as S. Augustine writeth of them ad Quoduultdeum, promised to infants dying without Baptism a certain everlasting and blessed life without and besides the Kingdom of God. Which Heresy in sundry places he reproveth. It seemeth the word Purgatorium, noted in the margin of that book* by the unlearned Printer, beguiled you. Which showeth how profoundly ye be seen in the Doctores.5 The thing, he doubted of, touching this matter, is this: Whether those temporal pains do only punish for the‡ Satisfaction of the Justice of God, or also do purge and correct the souls of the dead in such wise, as temporal pains are wont to do in this life. But now, whether the smart, and sorrow of things left behind, which proceeded in this life of Carnal affection, remain also to the souls after their departure from the Body, whereof S. Augustine showeth him self to stand in doubt in Enchiridio ad Laurent. cap. 68. & 69. and whether the fire which souls feel in Purgatory as it paineth them,* so also do by degrees diminish and correct those venial and Secular affections, which they carried with them at their Death, or whether death it self do so end them, as there remain not any correction of the mind ⟨p. 304⟩yet being vicious,8 but only the punishment of the sin paste: that is the thing, whereof S. Augustine‡ seemeth to have doubted. In effect his question is, whether the Fire of Purgatory be not* double.
VVhere ye make S. Augustine very vncertaine in this pointe, as though he saide sommetime there is sutche a certain place, sometime there maie be sutche a one, sometime he doubted of it, sometime plainely denied any sutche to be: either ye vnderstande not S. Augustine, or ye saie contrary to your owne knowledge. Verily ye be too bolde with him.‡ Firste that he denieth Purgatory, that is false. And where ye alleage Hypognostica in the margent of your booke, reade it once againe at my request, and your selues wil saie: the place proueth not your purpose.2 The Author of that woorke, whether he were S. Augustine, whiche Erasmus beleueth not, or who so euer he was, denieth not Purgatory: but that after the daie of general iudgemente there is any place of Euerlastinge rest, or paine, but the Kingdome of Heauen, and Hel, that he denieth. VVhiche we also denie. And there he speaketh againste the Pelagians,3 who, as S. Augustine writeth of them ad Quoduultdeum, promised to infantes dyinge without Baptisme a certaine euerlastinge and blessed life without and besides the Kingedome of God. VVhiche Heresie in sundry places he reproueth. It seemeth the woorde Purgatorium, noted in the margent of that booke* by thunlearned Printer, begiled you. VVhiche sheweth howe profoundely ye be seene in the Doctores.5 The thinge, he doubted of, touchinge this matter, is this: VVhether those temporal paines do onely punishe for the‡ Satisfaction of the Iustice of God, or also do purge and correcte the soules of the deade in sutche wise, as temporal paines are wont to do in this life. But nowe, whether the smarte, and sorowe of thinges lefte behinde, whiche proceded in this life of Carnal affection, remaine also to the soules after theire departure from the Body, whereof S. Augustine sheweth him selfe to stande in doubte in Enchiridio ad Laurent. cap. 68. & 69. and whether the fyre whiche soules feele in Purgatory as it paineth them,* so also do by degrees diminishe and correcte those venial and Secular affections, whiche they carried with them at theire Deathe, or whether deathe it selfe do so ende them, as there remaine not any correction of the minde ⟨p. 304⟩
- ‡Untruth Manifest. Read S. Augustines words in the Answer.Vntruthe Manifeste. Reade S. Augustines vvoordes in the Ansvveare.
- 2Lib. 5. Hypognostic•n.
- 3Haeres. 88.
- *Untruth. For the margin was so noted by Erasmus.Vntruthe. For the margine vvas so noted by Erasmus.
- 5What is that S. Augustine doubted of touching Purgatory.VVhat is that S. Augustine doubted of touchinge Purgatory.
- ‡Untruth, blasphemous against the Blood of Christ. Read the Answer.Vntruth, blasphemoꝰ against the Bloude of Christe. Reade the Ansvveare.
- *O grave Commentary: and a wi•e matter to be called in question.O graue Commentarie: and a vvi•e mater to be called in question.
- 8Scriptures to prove Purgatory.Scriptures to proue Purgatorie.
- ‡This whole matter is concluded with seeming, and likely hood.This vvhole mater is concluded vvith seeminge, and likely hoode.
- *Double Fire in Purgatory: Double Folly.Double Fire in Purgatorie: Double Folie.
