Theophilus. Therefore hath he begun in a lucky hour, yea a sithens y• time of Augustin, to forge the Purgatory: although y• then, it was not received nor allowed, as an article of faith, but they disputed only, as of an opinion, which hath some colour & show. For although y• S. Augustin moved y• question, & touched some thing y• matter, 1yet nevertheless he hath determined or concluded nothing for certain, but rather to y• contrary. He hath written, y• there were some which did think that there was a certain fire of Purgatory, & that the thing was not incredible. But yet nevertheless, he •urst not affirm it, but spake of it as of a thing doubtful and incertein: notwithstanding that he ••emeth to be of an opinion, that the prayers made for the ⟨p. 182⟩dead, did profit them. But when all shall be well considered, what witness or what example doth he allege out of the holy Scripture, either of the old or new testament, sufficient for to prove and confirm that doctrine? I• he show forth unto me y• custom of the ancient Church, & the traditions of the Apostles, I will demand upon the same the witness or example of the holy scripture, or of the primitive Church. For I am certain he shall not find it. It is then necessary, that we do come to the next age, as was the time of Tertullian, Ireneus and other like: and afterwards from 2thence unto the same of Cyprian. For I have already proved by their writings, that in those times they did not make such prayers for the dead, as they were after the time of Saint Augustin. For they did them not to the intent to help & succour the dead, but they directed them unto God only, for to give him praise & for to demand his grace & mercy towards the living:
Theophilus. Therfore hath he begunne in a luckey howre, ye a sithens y• time of Augustin, to forge the Purgatory: although y• thē, it was not receiued nor allowed, as an article of faith, but they disputed only, as of an opinion, which hath some colour & shew. For although y• S. Augustin moued y• questiō, & touched some thing y• matter, 1yet neuerthelesse he hath determined or concluded nothing for certein, but rather to y• contrary. He hath writtē, y• ther were some which did thinke that there was a certeine fire of Purgatory, & that the thing was not incredible. But yet neuerthelesse, he •urst not affirme it, but spake of it as of a thing doubtsull and incertein: notwithstanding that hee ••emeth to bee of an opinion, that the prayers made for the ⟨p. 182⟩dead, did profit them. But when all shal be well considered, what witnes or what example doth hee alledge out of the holy Scripture, either of the olde or new testament, sufficient for to proue and confirme that doctrine? I• he shewe foorth vnto me y• custome of the aūcient Church, & the traditions of the Apostles, I will demaunde vpon the same the witnes or example of the holy scripture, or of the primitiue Church. For I am certeine he shall not finde it. It is then necessary, that we do come to the next age, as was the time of Tertulian, Ireneus and other like: and afterwards from 2thence vnto the same of Cyprian. For I haue already proued by their writings, that in those times they did not make such prayers for the dead, as they were after the time of Sainct Augustin. For they did them not to the intent to helpe & succour the dead, but they directed them vnto God only, for to giue him prayse & for to demaund his grace & mercy towards the lyuing:
- 1The question of […].The question of 〈…〉.
- 2The time of Tertullian and Cyprian.The time of Tertul••n and Cyprian.
