Master Bezaes sermons upon the three chapters of the canticle of canticlesMaster Bezaes sermons vpon the three chapters of the canticle of canticles

6 Their other distinction is double, namely between the guilt and the pain satisfactory, separating the one from the other: and between the sins going before Baptism and those which are committed after, and all to bring the satisfaction of Jesus Christ unto this point, to make that which proceedeth from us of some worthiness & merit, which they call condignly meritorious, an abuse which can in no sort agree with the priesthood of Jesus Christ, the sole and immediate cause of the Remission of our sins, and so by consequent of our salvation in this respect, Psal. 32.1. These good Doctors & teachers therefore, as touching the sins which go before ⟨p. 423⟩Baptism, grant indeed that they are entirely pardoned both in respect of the guilt, and in respect of the pain, and that by the means of some virtue of the sacred water, with the action it self of Baptism, reserving notwithstanding for the young Infants which die before they come unto the age of discretion, a certain place, which they call Limbus, where they are in some small enjoying of the joys of paradise, as are those infants which are dead when they are borne, or die before they be baptized. But as for the sins which are committed after Baptism, the guilt and trespass only pardoned, there remaineth the satisfactory pain to be paid as they say: and in what money? By Fastings, Almes, Pater-nosters and Aves, Pilgrimages, Foundations, and other pains and penances imposed in Auricular confession. And hereunto you must add Pardons, Indulgences, and the merits of Saints. But yet is a man freed and quited of all when he is dead? No. But he must go and pay the rest in an other world, in the fire of Purgatory. But they say that he which is there can merit no longer, & therefore he must come out of this fire by the prayers and good works of the living, and especially by a number of Masses, Obits, Requiems, Holy-water, & other like devotions. But what, shall he come forth? Nay that they cannot tell, though they tax every mortal sin at a certain number of days and of years. But put case one for whom we still pray at all adventures, be come forth already long since? Mary this shall be set of upon the tail of another score, to be allowed other. And whereto then shall the satisfaction of Jesus Christ serve?

6 Their other distinction is double, namely betweene the guilt and the paine satisfactory, separating the one from the other: and betweene the sinnes going before Baptisme and those which are committed after, and al to bring the satisfaction of Iesus Christ vnto this point, to make that which proceedeth from vs of some worthinesse & merite, which they call condignely meritorious, an abuse which can in no sort agree with the priesthoode of Iesus Christ, the sole and immediate cause of the Remission of our sinnes, and so by consequent of our saluation in this respect,