A discourse of the religion anciently professed

The next Point that offereth it self unto our consideration, is that of Purgatory. Whereof if any man do doubt;^a Caesarius (a Germane Monk of the Cistercian order) adviseth him for his resolution to make a journey into Scotland (the greater Scotland he meaneth) and there to enter into S. Patricks Purgatory: and then he giveth him his word, that he shall no more doubt of the pains of Purgatory. If Doctor Terry (who commendeth this unto us as the testimony of^b a most famous Author) should chance to have a doubtful thought hereafter of the pains of Purgatory; I would wish his ghostly Father to enjoin him no other penance, but the undertaking of a pilgrimage unto S. Patricks purgatory; to see whether he would prove any wiser when he came from thence, than when he went thither. In the mean time, until he hath made some further experiment of the matter, he shall give me leave to believe him that hath been there, and hath cause to know the place as well as any (the Island wherein it is seated, being held by him as a part of the inheritance descended unto him from his ancestors) ⟨p. 22⟩and yet professeth, that he found nothing therein, which might afford him any argument to think there was a Purgatory. I pass by, that Nennius, and Probus, and all the elder writers of the life of S. Patrick that I have met withal, speak not one word of any such place; and that^c Henry the monk of Saltrey, in the days of King Stephen, is the first in whom I could ever find any mention thereof. this only would I know of the Doctor, what the reason might be, that where he bringeth in the words of Giraldus Cambrensis touching this place, as^d an authentical authority; he passeth over that part of his relation, wherein he affirmeth, that S. Patrick intended by this means to bring the rude people to a persuasion of the certainty^e of the infernal pains of the reprobate, and of the true and everlasting life of the elect after death.