thee, against all that that thou canst allege of the ancient Doctors, in the favour of Purgatory. Yet nevertheless the better 1to vanquish and pull thee down. I will yet show forth unto thee some sentences of the most ancient Doctors. Mark what Tertullian saith. It seemeth unto every one that is wise, which have heard sometime spoken of the fields Ehseus, that it hath some local determination which hath ⟨p. 195⟩been called Abraham's bosom, for to receive the souls 2of his children, and that the same region or country is not celestial, but it is yet never the less more higher then hell, in which the souls of the righteous do rest, until such time as the consummation of the things, restoreth the resurrection of all men, through perfect reward. I do not praise that which Tertullian hath determined of the place, without witness of the Scripture, but I 3think it a very dangerous thing to define of such things without witness of the same, and I had rather stay my self upon the sentence of saint Augustine, which saith, that it should be very good, that an uncertain thing of which not only the Scriptures do make no mention of it, but do speak the contrary, that one should affirm nothing: And allegeth the sentence of Seneca, saying: Thou oughtest to affirm nothing of uncertain things, but keep thy judgement inoerteyne. Also Tertullian propounded not the same, but as an advise, not as a biffinitive sentence, and an article of faith. Yet nevertheless, although that he said it, that sentence serveth me, for to show unto thee that it was no question, in Tertullian's time, of Purgatory, after the manner as you have taken it. For he putteth but one place indifferently for all the elect, and children of Abraham, which have been and shall be until the latter resurrection. It well appeareth, that he was of opinion, that they were not yet in the celestial habitations and chiefest felicity, but yet nevertheless he assigneth unto them Abraham's bosom, in which all the souls of the faithful do rest generally, without putting any difference between those of the ancient fathers, and ours, nor making mention of pain nor any Purgatory. In like manner Ireneus, who was next the time of the Apostles, is not of an opinion very much contrary and differing. For 4notwithstanding:
thee, against all that that thou canst alledge of the auncient Doctors, in the fauour of Purgatory. Yet neuerthelesse the better 1to vanquish and pull thée down. I wil yet shew foorth vnto thee some sentences of the most auncient Doctoures. Marke what Tertulian sayth. It seemeth vnto euery one that is wise, which haue heard somtime spoken of ye fields Ehseus, that it hath some locall determination which hath ⟨p. 195⟩bene called Abrahams bosome, for to receyue the soules 2of his children, and that the same region or countrey is not celestiall, but it is yet neuer the lesse more higher then hell, in which the soules of the righteous doe rest, vntyll such time as the consumation of the thinges, restoreth the resurrection of all men, thorowe perfect rewarde. I doe not prayse that which Tertulian hath determyned of the place, wythout witnesse of the Scripture, but I 3thincke it a very daungerous thinge to define of suche thinges wythout wytnesse of the same, and I had rather staio my selfe vpon the sentence of sainct Augustine, which sayth, that it shoulde bee very good, that an vncerteyne thing of which not onely the Scriptures doe make no mention of it, but doe speake the contrary, that one should affirme nothing: And alledgeth the sentence of Seneca, sayinge: Thou oughtest to affirme nothing of vncerteyne thinges, but keepe thy iudgement inoerteyne. Also Tertulian propounded not the same, but as an aduise, not as a biffinitiue sentence, and an article of faith. Yet neuerthelesse, although that hee sayd it, that sentence serueth me, for to shewe vnto thee that it was no question, in Tertulians tyme, of Purgatorye, after the manner as you haue taken it. For hee putteth but one place indifferently for all the elect, and children of Abraham, which haue bene and shall bee vntill the latter resurrection. It well appeareth, that hee was of opinion, that they were not yet in the celestiall habitations and chiefest felicitie, but yet neuerthelesse he assigneth vnto them Abrahams bosome, in which all the soules of the faythfull do rest generally, without putting any difference betweene those of the auncient fathers, and ours, nor making mention of paine nor any Purgatory. In like manner Ireneus, who was next the tyme of the Apostles, is not of an opinion very much contrary and differing. For 4notwythstanding:
- 1Other witnesses of the most. auncion doctors against Purgatory Ter aduer. Marl. li. 4. The sieldes Eh•eus.Other vvitnesses of the most. auncion doctors agaynst Purgatory Ter aduer. Marl. li. 4. The sieldes Eh•eus.
- 2Abrahams bosom.Abrahams bosome.
- 3To affirm uncertain thingsTo affirme vncerteyne things
- 4Irene. aduer. ha res. Valentma.
