Forasmuch as we have1 already plainly declared, that our adversaries err, even in the chefest point of this question, and that is, in the fire of Purgatory it self, because it hath no testimony in the Scripture, therefore I conclude the souls of the faithful can not there be punished, because there is no such thing: and therefore we need not pray for them after they be dead, or do any thing for them, saving only to make a reverend remembrance, ⟨image 89⟩and render thanks unto God, for that it hath pleased him to call them out of this world (in the true faith) unto his kingdom, and that it would please him to increase our faith, and so in time to couple us with our forefathers in eternal felicity. Furthermore we teach, that if we could do anything for their sakes, acceptable to God, and profitable to them, that then we ought to do for their wives, children, and kinsfolk. And I am not ignorant that many civill men are marvellously offended with us, because they think it very undecent, yea horrible, & a thing in no wise beseeming a christian man, that we not only do nothing to help our forefathers, but also speak & write against so ancient a custom (and as we ourselves know) so universally received and used. And therefore I heartily beseech all those, to hear and way those our reasons, which move us hereunto. For we do not this, neither cease we to pray for them, or neglect so usual things, because we love not our forefathers, or for that we care not for them, ⟨p. 79⟩but because the christian faith teacheth and confirmeth, yea forceth, so as by no means we can acknowledge▪ it good and sound doctrine to pray for them, or that these things ought to be done for their salvation, yea we know that our fathers have no need hereof, and that they require no such thing of us. For we faithfully and certainly believe and know, that sins are remitted both here in this life, and in that to come, by none other means, but by the grace of God in the blood of Jesus Christ through faith: and as for the fire of Purgatory, which standeth on our merits and punishments which we suffer, is nothing appertaining to the grace of God, nor the blood of christ in faith.
FOrasmuche as we haue1 alredy playnly declared, yt our aduersaries erre, euen in the chefest point of this question, and that is, in the fire of Purgatorie it selfe, bycause it hath no testimonie in the Scripture, therefore I conclude the soules of the faythfull can not there bée punished, bycause there is no suche thing: and therfore we néede not pray for them after they be dead, or do any thing for them, sauing onely to make a reuerende remembraunce, ⟨image 89⟩and render thankes vnto God, for that it hathe pleased him to call them out of this worlde (in the true fayth) vnto his kingdome, and that it would please him to encrease our fayth, and so in tyme to couple vs with our forefathers in eternall felicitie. Furthermore we teache, that if we could doo anything for their sakes, acceptable to God, and profitable to them, that then we ought to doo for their wyues, children, and kynsfolk. And I am not ignoraunt that many ciuill men are maruelously offended with vs, bicause they thinke it very vndecēt, yea horrible, & a thing in no wise beséeming a christian man, that we not onely doo nothing to helpe our forefathers, but also speake & write agaynst so auncient a custome (and as wée ourselues knowe) so vniuersally receyued and vsed. And therefore I hartily beséeche all those, to heare and way those our reasons, which moue vs herevnto. For we doo not this, neither ceasse we to pray for them, or neglecte so vsuall things, bicause we loue not our forefathers, or for that we care not for them, ⟨p. 79⟩but bicause the christian fayth teacheth and confirmeth, yea forceth, so as by no meanes wée can acknowledge▪ it good and sounde doctrine to pray for them, or that these things oughte to bée done for their saluation, yea we know that our fathers haue no néede hereof, and that they require no suche thing of vs. For wée faythfully and certaynely beléeue and knowe, that sinnes are remitted bothe héere in this lyfe, and in that to come, by none other meanes, but by the grace of God in the bloud of Jesus Chryste through fayth: and as for the fyre of Purgatorie, which standeth on our merites and punishments whiche we suffer, is nothing appertayning to the grace of God, nor the bloud of christ in fayth.
- 1Of prayers & such like things done for the dead.Of praiers & such lyke things done for the dead.
