Theophilus. Thou always comest unto my compt, and thou shalt he compelled to confess that there is nothing which was the cause of his salvation but the faith which he had in Jesus Christ, and the mercy of God, 1which he hath obtained by the same, without that that God had regard neither to his dignity or worthiness, nor ⟨p. 221⟩unto his works, but unto Jesus Christ his son, for whose love he hath pardoned him, not for the forment and death, which the thieves hath suffered, and the satisfaction that he could do unto him, but for the forment, death and passion which Jesus Christ hath suffered & the satisfaction that he hath made for him, the which Saint Cyprian hath 2well understanded, of whom the witness is alleged by the master of the sentences. For although all the deaths and forments that all men have ever suffered, Patriarchs, Prophets and Apostles, Martyrs and confessors should be put together, they should not be sufficient, for to put out the least sin in the world. For God doth not take only for satisfaction, the torment, but regardeth the worthiness of the person, of which he receiveth the ransom, the which was not found sufficient, but in Jesus Christ. Or otherwise if the torment which man doth suffer, were approved and allowed of God for satisfaction, and cause to avoid the pains of Purgatory, there should be no men more happier and blessed then the thieves, murderers, brigands and other malefactors, which are executed by Justice. And there would be, none which would not but become a thieves or murderer, or to commit some fault wor thy of death for to be executed through Justice, to avoid the pains of Purgatory. For if the doctrine of your divines be true, the fire of Purgatory surmounteth all the pain, that a 3man can suffer in this life, and it is so hot and burning, that the visible and material fire of this world, is but as a painted fire in comparison of that same.
Theophilus. Thou alwayes commest vnto my compt, and thou shalt hée compelled to confesse that there is nothinge which was the cause of his saluation but the faith which he had in Iesus Christ, and the mercy of God, 1which hée hath obteyned by the same, without that that God had regard neither to his dignitie or worthinesse, nor ⟨p. 221⟩vnto his workes, but vnto Iesus Christe his sonne, for whose loue he hath pardoned him, not for the forment and death, which the théese hath suffred, and the satisfaction that he could doe vnto him, but for the forment, death and passion which Iesus Christ hath suffred & the satisfaction that he hath made for him, the which Sainct Cyprian hath 2well vnderstanded, of whom the witnes is alleged by the maister of the sentences. For although all the deathes and forments that all men haue euer suffred, Patriarkes, Prophets and Apostles, Martirs and confessors should be put together, they should not be sufficient, for to put out the least sinne in the world. For God doth not take onlye for satisfaction, the torment, but regardeth the worthynes of the person, of which he receaueth the raunsome, the whiche was not found sufficient, but in Iesus Christ. Or otherwise if the torment which man doth suffer, were approued and allowed of God for satisfaction, and cause to auoyd the paines of Purgatory, there shoulde bee no men more happier and blessed then the théeues, murtherers, brigandes and other malefactors, which are executed by Iustice. And there would bee, none which would not but become a théese or murtherer, or to cōmit some fault wor thy of death for to be executed thorow Iustice, to auoide ye paines of Purgatory. For if the doctrine of your diuines be true, ye fire of Purgatory surmounteth al the paine, that a 3man can suffer in this life, and it is so hot and burning, that the visible and materiall fire of this world, is but as a painted fire in comparison of that same.
- 1The only death of Jesus Christ doth satisfy.The only death of Iesus Christ doth satisfie.
- 2Cypr. lib. 4. de bapismo l•. sent 4. dist. 4. sunt.
- 3The greatness of the pains of Purgatory.The greatnes of the paynes of Purgatory.
