Theophilus. It is true, but in the mean time, thou takest no heed of the subtlety of Satan, and by what means he would be served of that Sorbonist doctors. Because y• Satan did see those errors to be already too much uncovered and opened, & that he had no more hope to uphold them, chiefly in those Churches here abouts, he hath chosen this instrument, for to set forth that opinion, the which could not serve to any edification, but for to trouble the Church, chiefly in this time now, that the opinions of men are so diverse, For how goodly a reason soever he can allege, notwithstanding that he condemneth openly the Purgatory of the Priests, and their suffrages for the dead, yet nevertheless, sith that he putteth forth that proposition: we must pray for the dead: It were impossible, but that in every point, it should he evil spoken 1off and offensive. For the Idolaters and superstitions, which were yet in their old error, touching that matter, do draw that proposition to their advantage, to the confirmation of their Purgatory, and care not for all his other reasons and sophistries, the which the most part cannot understand, others will not. It is mough for them that they can say: Monsieur the Doctor hath preached, that we must pray for the dead. They do arm themselves with that proposition, against the truth, as with a buckler, and do condemn more boldly the wholesome doctrine. The other poor simple people, which have already some knowledge of the abuses, were not also without being troubled, fearing to have ben evil taught. For all could not easily comprehend those sophistical subtleties, but do abide in perplexity. Notwithstanding that that dream which he did put forth, was not new: It hath already at an other time been put forth by others, the which yet nevertheless they have not followed. Those which were ⟨image 266⟩best instructed and most firm in the doctrine of the Gospel, although that they had their spirits sharp enough for to comprehend that which they said, yet they were not out of danger. For sith that this proposition abideth and continueth: we must pray for the dead: And this here, the Church hath always duly p•ayde for them that they should be delivered from death:
Theophilus. It is true, but in the meane time, thou takest no héede of the subtiltie of Sathan, and by what means he would be serued of that Sorbonist doctors. Bicause y• Sathan did sée those errors to be already too much vncouered and opened, & that hée had no more hope to vphold them, chiefely in those Churches héere aboutes, hée hath chosen this instrument, for to set foorth that opinion, the which could not serue to any edification, but for to trouble the Church, chiefly in this time now, that the opinions of men are so diuerse, For how goodly a reason soeuer he can alledge, notwithstanding that he condempneth openly the Purgatory of the Priestes, and their suffrages for the dead, yet neuerthelesse, sith that hée putteth foorth that proposition: we must praye for the dead: It were impossible, but that in euery pointe, it should he euill spoken 1off and offensiue. For the Idolaters and superstitions, which were yet in their olde errour, touching that matter, doe drawe that proposition to their aduauntage, to the confirmation of their Purgatory, and care not for all his other reasons and sophistries, the which the most part cannot vnderstand, others wil not. It is mough for them that they can say: Monsieur the Doctor hath preached, that we must pray for the dead. They doe arme themselues with that proposition, against the truth, as with a buckler, and doe condemne more boldly the holesome doctrine. The other poore simple people, which haue already some knowledwe of the abuses, were not also without being troubled, fearing to haue ben euill taught. For all could not easily comprehend those sophisticall subtilties, but doe abide in perplexitie. Notwithstanding that that dreame which hée did put foorth, was not newe: It hath alreadye at an other time bene put foorth by others, the which yet neuerthelesse they haue not followed. Those which were ⟨image 266⟩best instructed and most firme in the doctrine of the Gospell, although that they had their spirites sharpe inough for to comprehend that which they sayd, yet they were not out of daunger. For sith that this proposition abideth and continneth: we must pray for the dead: And this héere, the Church hath alwayes duely p•ayde for them that they should be deliuered from death:
- 1A troublesome doctrine.
