An answer to a challenge madeAn ansvver to a challenge made

Another private conceit, entertained by diverse (as well of the elder as of middle times) in their devotions for the dead, was; that an augmentation of glory might thereby be procured for the Saints, and either a total deliverance, or a diminution of torment at least wise, obtained for the wicked. ^qIf the Barbarians (saith S. Chrysostom) do bury with their dead the things that belong unto them: it is much more reason, that thou shouldest send with the deceased the things that are his; not that they may be made ashes, as they were, but that they may add greater glory unto him. and, if he be departed hence a sinner, that they may loose his sins; but if righteous, that an addition may be made to his reward and retribution. Yea in the very latter days, Ivo Carnotensis writing unto Maud Queen of England, concerning ⟨p. 227⟩the prayers that were to be made for the King her brother his soul; saith, that ^rit doth not seem idle, if we make intercessions for those who already enjoy rest, that their rest may be increased. Whereupon Pope Innocent the third doth bring this for one of the answers, wherewith he laboureth to salve the prayers which were used in the Church of Rome, that such or such an oblation might profit such or such a Saint unto glory: that ^smany repute it no indignity, that the glory of the Saints should be augmented until the day of judgement; and therefore that in the mean time the Church may wish the increase of their glorification. So likewise for the mitigation of the pains of them, whose souls were doubted to be in torment; this form of prayer was of old used in the same Church (as in Grimoldus his Sacramentary may be seen) and retained in the Roman Missal it self, until in the late reformation thereof it was removed. ^tO almighty and merciful God, incline (we beseech thee) thy holy ears unto our poor prayers, which we do humbly pour forth before the sight of thy Majesty for the soul of thy servant N. that forasmuch as we are distrustful of the quality of his life, by the abundance of thy pity we may be comforted; and if his soul cannot obtain full pardon, yet at least in the midst of the torments themselves, which peradventure it suffereth, out of the abundance of thy compassion it may feel refreshment.