Hillarius. Sith that there is an allegory, and that your Doctors do play so with the word of God, I will also play and jest with them. First, although there were none other reason, but that you will hear build the Purgatory upon an allegory, it is sufficient enough, for to overthrow and pull down all your foundation. For there is not a Theologian 1which confesseth not but that the Allegories are not sufficient for probation and confirmation of doctrine, whatsoever it be, if it have none other foundation, more clearer and more plain in the word of God: but is more proper and fit for to beautify and set out the matters, to delight and move the auditors and hearers, then for to prove and confirm it. For one may expound them after diverse manners, according to the dexterity and wit of him which declareth them.
And therefore if I would jest and play with the word of GOD, as your Doctors do. I might allegorise 2and declare that place, expounding the Judge ⟨p. 269⟩for the Pope, which is the God Pluto. The adversary for the Priests. For they do quarrel with us always for to get money from us, and we can never be at one, and agreed with them, except they have all, and that they have eaten us quick and dead. The Sergeant that is the Angel and the God Mercury. For according to the Poetical 3Theology, he had wings and •aryed the souls to hell, and was the God of gain, of deceits & larcenies as already hath been touched. Now who leadeth the souls into Purgatory, but that Sergeant here of God Pluto? As the cause of the gain and hope of the money and ransom which our Merchants and adverse parties do look for? They would gladly that we should agree with them whilst that we are in the way, in this present life: and that we should distribute unto them all our goods, without leaving any thing, neither to our children, parents, nor friends. I am very certain, that after that we have given them all, and that there is no more hope to get any more ransom of us, that there shall be no more prison for us, nor Sergeants for to lead us thither. Doest thou think Eusebius, that my interpretation is not as good as thine? I am well assured, that as to the sense and meaning of the words of Jesus Christ, neither the one nor the other approacheth nigh unto it, and less thine then mine:
Hillarius. Sith that there is an allegory, and that your Doctors doe play so with the word of God, I will also play and iest with them. First, although there were none other reason, but that you will heare build the Purgatory vpon an allegory, it is sufficient inough, for to ouerthrow and pull downe all your foundation. For there is not a Theologian 1which confesseth not but that the Allegoryes are not sufficient for probation and confirmation of doctrine, whatsoeuer it bée, if it haue none other foundation, more cléerer and more playne in the worde of God: but is more proper and fitte for to beautifie and set out the matters, to delite and mooue the auditors and hearers, then for to proue and confirme it. For one maye expounde them after diuerse manners, accordinge to the dexteritie and wit of him which declareth them.
And therefore if I woulde ieste and playe with the woorde of GOD, as your Doctours doe. I might allegorise 2and declare that place, expoundinge the Iudge ⟨p. 269⟩for the Pope, which is the God Pluto. The aduersari• for the Priestes. For they doe quarrell with vs alwaies for to get money from vs, and we can neuer be at one, and agréed with them, except they haue al, and that they haue eaten vs quicke and dead. The Sergeaunt that is the Angell and the God Mercury. For according to the Poetical 3Theologie, he had wings and •aryed the soules to hel, and was the God of gayne, of deceipts & larc•nyes as already hath bene touched. Now who leadeth the soules into Purgatory, but that S•rgeaunt héere of God Pluto? As the cause of the gayne and hope of the money and raunsome which our Merchaunts and aduerse parties doe looke for? They would gladly that we should agrée with them whilst that we are in the way, in this present lyfe: and that wée should distribute vnto them all our goodes, without leauing any thing, neyther to our children, parents, nor friends. I am very certeine, that after that we haue giuen them all, and that there is no more hope to gette any more raunsome of vs, that there shall bée no more prison for vs, nor Sergeaunts for to leade vs thether. Doest thou thinke Eusebius, that my interpretation is not as good as thine? I am well assured, that as to the sence and meaning of the words of Iesus Christ, neyther the one nor the other approcheth nigh vnto it, and lesse thine then mine:
- 1The use of alleg•••es.The vse of alleg•••es.
- 2Exposition allego•••all.
- 3Merc••y.
