A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practically resolvedA Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practicaly resolved

This Notion of the Defilement of Sin, and that of the Necessity of its purification, were retained in the Church of Rome; for they could not be lost, without not only a rejection of the Scripture, but the stifling of natural conceptions about them, which are indelibly fixed in the Consciences of men. But Spiritual Light into the Glory of the thing it self, or the mystical Purification of Sin, with an experience of the power and efficacy of the Blood of Christ, as applied unto the Consciences of Believers unto that end, by the holy Ghost, were lost amongst them. In vain shall we seek for any thing of this Nature, either in their Doctrine, or their Practice.

This Notion of the Defilement of Sin, and that of the Necessity of its purification, were retained in the Church of Rome; for they could not be lost, without not only a rejection of the Scripture, but the stiffling of natural conceptions about them, which are indelibly fixed in the Consciences of men. But Spiritual Light into the Glory of the thing it self, or the mystical Purification of Sin, with an experience of the power and efficacy of the Blood of Christ, as applied unto the Consciences of Believers unto that end, by the holy Ghost, were lost amongst them. In vain shall we seek for any thing of this Nature, either in their Doctrine, or their Practice.

Wherefore having lost the Substance of this Truth, and all experience of its Power, to retain the Use of its Name, they have made sundry little Images of it, creeping things, whereunto they ascribe the power of purging Sin; such as Holy Water, Pilgrimages, Disciplines, Masses, and various commutations. But they quickly found by experience, that these things would neither purify the Heart, nor pacify the Consciences of sinners, any more than the Blood of Bulls and Goats could do it under the Law; yea, any more than the Lustrations and Expiations of Sin amongst the Heathen could effect it. Wherefore they have at length formed a more stated and specious Image of it, to serve all the turns of convinced Sinners; and this is a Purgatory after this Life; that is, a subterraneous place, and various means where, and whereby, the Souls of men are purged from all their Sins, and made meet for Heaven, when the Lord Christ thinks meet to send for them, or the Pope judges it fit to send them to him. Hereunto, let them pretend what they please, the People under their conduct, do trust a thousand times more for the purging of their Sins, than unto the Blood of Christ: But it is only a