Theophilus. Thou oughtest already to have understanded by that which hath been said of that place, that it can serve nothing at all for Purgatory. I do not deny unto thee, but that in the time of the Apostles, there were suffrages and prayers for the dead. But that was among the Paynims and Idolaters, as it hath been already very amply entreated off amongest us. And doubt not, but that there remaineth some root of such superstition in some of those which are called Christians. But if it were so as thou doest understand it, it followeth not therefore that Saint Paul alloweth that manner of doing: As the ancient Doctors themselves do witness it, namely Saint Ambrose. For I may well take 1an argument against a Papist (which will deny unto me the resurrection, or immortality of the souls) with their manner of doings towards the dead, for to beat him with his own sword, and yet I will not allow nevertheless their superstition. But it is not needful to stay any more upon that place, sith that I have already declared unto thee, how the ancients have understanded it, and how it is also expounded by others. For whatsoever exposition that thou mayest give unto it, it cannot serve for thy purpose. And there was never any of the ancients, which hath dreamed, that the same was done because of Purgatory. For Epiphanius witnesseth, 2that those which baptised themselves for the dead, which were dead before that they had received Baptism, did it to that end that when they should rise again in the resurrection, they should not be punished for that they have not been baptised in this world. He saith that such was their opinion. Wherefore it is easily to know, that they did not think of Purgatory.
He toucheth yet an other exposition of that place, the which he alloweth. But yet it maketh less for thee. To conclude, that place serveth as much for your broilers of souls for to prove your Purgatory, as for the Marcionites heretics, who as witnesseth Theophilactus, ⟨p. 291⟩do draw them to their purpose, for to prove their 3baptism, which they receive for the dead. For when any dyed among them without baptism, they had a custom, that one that was a live should enter within the beer of the dead, or where the dead was laid. Afterwards they did come unto the beer and demanded of the dead, if he will be baptised?
Theophilus. Thou oughtest alreadye to haue vnderstanded by that which hath bene sayde of that place, that it can serue nothing at all for Purgatory. I doe not denye vnto thée, but that in the time of the Apostles, there were suffrages and prayers for the dead. But that was among the Panims and Idolaters, as it hath bene already very amply entreated off amongest vs. And doubte not, but that there remayneth some roote of such superstition in some of those which are called Christians. But if it were so as thou doest vnderstande it, it followeth not therefore that Sainct Paul alloweth that manner of dooing: As the auncient Doctors themselues dooe witnesse it, namely Sainct Ambrose. For I may well take 1an argument against a Papist (which will denye vnto mée the resurrection, or immortalitie of the soules) with their manner of dooings towardes the dead, for to beate him with his owne swoorde, and yet I will not allow neuerthelesse their superstition. But it is not néedfull to stay any more vpon that place, sith that I haue already declared vnto thée, howe the auncientes haue vnderstanded it, and howe it is also expounded by others. For whatsoeuer exposition that thou maist giue vnto it, it cannot serue for thy purpose. And there was neuer any of the auncientes, which hath dreamed, that the same was done bicause of Purgatorye. For Epiphanius witnesseth, 2that those which baptised themselues for the dead, which were dead before that they had receiued Baptisme, did it to that ende that when they shoulde rise againe in the resurrection, they shoulde not bée punished for that they haue not bene baptised in this worlde. He sayth that such was their opinion. Wherefore it is easily to knowe, that they did not thinke of Purgatory.
Hée toucheth yet an other exposition of that place, the which hée alloweth. But yet it maketh lesse for thée. To conclude, that place serueth as much for your broylers of soules for to proue your Purgatory, as for the Marcionistes heretickes, who as witnesseth Theophilactus, ⟨p. 291⟩doe drawe them to their purpose, for to proue their 3baptisme, which they receiue for the dead. For when any dyed among them without baptisme, they had a custome, that one that was a liue should enter within the béere of the dead, or where the dead was layde. Afterwards they did come vnto the béere and demaunded of the dead, if he will be baptised?
- 1Ambro. in 1. Cor. 15.
- 2Epipha. li. 1 Tom. 2. heres. 18.
- 3Theophilact. […], Cor. 15Theophilact. 〈…〉, Cor. 15
