A14227:273
An answer to a challenge madeAn ansvver to a challenge made
An answer to a challenge made by a Jesuit in Ireland Wherein the judgement of antiquity in the points questioned is truly delivered, and the novelty of the now romish doctrine plainly discovered. By James Usher Bishop of Meath.An ansvver to a challenge made by a Iesuite in Ireland Wherein the iudgement of antiquity in the points questioned is truely delivered, and the noveltie of the now romish doctrine plainly discovered. By Iames Vssher Bishop of Meath.
Dublin: printed by the Society of Stationers and Eliot's Court Press, 1624Dublin: printed by the Societie of Stationers and Eliot's Court Press, 1624
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.
yThis man hath spent his whole life in vain, neither hath lived one day to himself, but to voluptuousness, to luxury, to covetousness, to sin, to the Devil. Tell me therefore; shall we not mourn for him? shall we not endeavour to pull him out of these dangers? For there be means, if we will, whereby his punishment may be made light unto him. If then we do make continual prayers for him, if we bestow alms; although he be unworthy, God will respect us. For zmany have received benefit by the alms that have been given by others for them: and found thereby, although not a perfect, yet some consolation. aThis therefore is done, that although we our selves be not virtuous, we may be careful to get virtuous companions and friends, and wife and son; as looking to reap some fruit even by them also: reaping indeed but little, yet reaping some fruit notwithstanding. bLet us not therefore simply •eepe for ⟨p. 229⟩the dead, but for such as are dead in their sins: these be worthy of lamentations and bewailings and tears. For what hope is there (tell me) for men to depart with their sins, where they cannot put off their sins? for as long as they were here, there was peradventure great expectation, that they would be altered, that they would be bettered. but being gone unto Hell, where there is no gaining of any thing by repentance (for in hell, saith he, who shall confess unto thee?) how are they not worthy of lamentations? cLet us therefore weep for such, let us succour them to our power, let us find out some help for them, little indeed, but yet such as may relieve them. How and after what manner? both praying our selves, and entreating others to make prayers for them, and giving continually unto the poor for them. for this thing bringeth some consolation.
yThis man hath spent his whole life in vaine, neyther hath lived one day to himselfe, but to voluptuousnesse, to luxury, to covetousnesse, to sinne, to the Divell. Tell me therefore; shall we not mourne for him? shall we not endevour to pull him out of these dangers? For there be meanes, if we will, whereby his punishment may be made light unto him. If then we doe make continuall prayers for him, if we besto almes; although he be unworthy, God will respect us. For