Theophilus. First this, for that I see oftentimes the examples and copies of many books to vary: the which variety oftentimes is happened for such cause. Furthermore, I consider that in that time there was no mention made of Purgatory. Wherefore if we must pray for the dead, it is most likest, that the prayer should have been ordained to that end that they should be delivered from the Limbs, if there had been any, then from the pains 1of Purgatory: or for the coming of Jesus Christ and the resurrection of the flesh. But I do not find in all the holy Scripture, as well of the old as of the new Testament, that ever the Patriarchs, Prophets and Apostles, have instituted or ordained, that one should make any special or particular prayers, for the dead, neither for to draw them from the Limbs nor from Purgatory, nor for the resurrection of their bodies. I will not deny, but that the holy Fathers have greatly desired the coming of Jesus Christ, and but that according to their desire they have made earnest prayers and requests unto God, even as we do pray daily, that Gods kingdom may come, desiring generally, all that which appertaineth to the fulfilling of the same. But it followeth not therefore, that we must especially ordain particular prayers in y• church, for to demand particularly all things appertaining unto y• kingdom, & depending of the same. For in making such prayers, we regard not our selves nor our neighbour, but only the glory of God: the which we desire to be exalted & magnified, without consideration of our persons nor of others, but insomuch as our health & salvation is joined together with y• glory & •raltation of his kingdom: But not in such sort y• it is required or requisite to use any other manner of prayers, thou those of which we have the express word of God, and the examples of the true servants of God. And if it should have been otherwise, it is impossible that God would have omitted it, without making express mention in his holy scriptures, as I have already sufficiently declared unto thee by reasons so evident, that none can gain say them.
Theophilus. First this, for that I sée oftentimes the examples and copyes of many bookes to varye: the which varietie oftentimes is happened for such cause. Furthermore, I consider that in that time there was no mention made of Purgatorye. Wherefore if wée must praye for the dead, it is most lykest, that the prayer should haue bene ordeyned to that ende that they shoulde be deliuered from the Lymbes, if there had bene any, then from the paines 1of Purgatory: or for the comming of Iesus Christ and the resurrection of the flesh. But I doe not finde in all the holy Scripture, as well of the olde as of the newe Testament, that euer the Patriarches, Prophetes and Apostles, haue instituted or ordeyned, that one shoulde make anye speciall or perticuler prayers, for the dead, neither for to drawe them from the Lymbes nor from Purgatorye, nor for the resurrection of their bodyes. I will not denye, but that the holy Fathers haue greatly desired the comming of Iesus Christ, and but that according to their desire they haue made earnest prayers and requestes vnto God, euen as we doe praye dayly, that Gods kingdome may come, desiringe generally, all that which apperteineth to the fulfilling of the same. But it followeth not therefore, that wée must especially ordeine perticuler prayers in y• church, for to demaūd perticulerly all things apperteining vnto y• kingdome, & depending of the same. For in making such prayers, wée regard not our selues nor our neighbour, but onely the glory of God: the which we desire to be eralted & magnified, wtout consideratiō of our persons nor of others, but insomuch as our health & saluation is ioyned together with y• glory & •raltation of his kingdome: But not in such sort y• it is required or requisite to vse any other manner of praiers, thō those of which we haue the expresse worde of God, and the examples of the true seruants of God. And if it should haue bene otherwise, it is impossible that God would haue omitted it, without making expresse mentiō in his holy scriptures, as I haue alredy sufficiently declared vn to thée by reasons so euident, that none can gaine say them.
- 1Prayers for the resurrection
