The Elf-Fire of Purgatory, To the reader
To the READER.
COVRTEOVS READER,
COnsidering the grossenesse of this vnwarrantable, cruell, and couetous conceit of Purgatorie: so that many who in other poynts rests yet in Babell, yet in this confesses the vanitie of this prop of Bethauen. And perceiuing notwithstanding, how peremptorie the Aduersary is, not onelyonly against all opposers to this their fatning Kitchin, by their thundring Sentence; but also against all those who giues not full assent vntounto it, by their condemnatory Decree, adiudging all such to Hells fire for euer. So that Bellarmine spares not (as vsurping Gods chaire) determinatly to afflirme,Bell. l. 1. de Purg. c. 15. that it is such an article of faith, adeo vt qui non credit Purgatorium esse, ad illud nunquam sit peruenturus, sed in Gehenna sempiterno incendio sit cruciandus.
I thought my paines should not bee bestowed, nor my Penne imployed amisse, if according to my penury, I should contribute somewhat heerein to the Lords Treasurie, that they who stand in the olde way of trueth, may bee strengthened, and these who are any one footstep come out of Babell, may be helped forward; and if it were no more but as Augustine sayes,Aug. li. de trin. c. 3. & cont. Mend. c. 6. that heretikes may vnderstand, that there are not onelyonly one or two, but many in the campes of orthodox Catholikes, who dare with open face meet them.
As they then who coupled an Oxe and an Asse together, against that command of God to the Iewes, and sowe their field with diuers seeds: or as the children of those of the Captiuitie, spake partly in the Iewish Language, and partly in the Language of Ammon and Ashdoa: Euen so, how that false Prophet, who hath borrowed likewise the semblance of the Lambs hornes, calling him his Vicar (that vnderunder that he might the more craftily vent the speech of the Dragons tongue, whose mouth hee is, and whose priuiledge he claimes *Math. 4.9..) How he (I say) hath vnequally yoked, monstrously mixed, vniustly coupled, and impiously matched, that matchlesse, free, full, and perfect satisfaction of Christs, with humane satisfactions in an imaginary fire, which Auarice hath hatched, Ignorance fosters, and Crueltie with fire and faggot maintaines: Loe here, Courteous and charitable Reader, presented to thy view.
As Dauid then came against Goliath, armed with the Name of the Lord, when that Gyant stood betweene the two Hostes, and was a terrour to the Army of Israel: So for consternation likewise of this Monster, which they situate likewise betweene the place of the damned and glorified, to the terrour of simple soules, armed with that Armour, which experimentally hath euer giuen victorie both in the head and members, (and wherewith therefore we are bidden be girt continually)Ephes. 6. euen with that Sling and Sword of the Spirit, doe we chiefly meane to come against this grand Errour of Poperie, the very Diana of Rome, that by the very presence of the Arke of God set vp, that Idoll Dagon may fall to the ground.
Next, that Goliahs head after his ouerthrow, may bee cut off with his owne Sword: Arguments God willing of their owne great Warriour Bellarmines, (though adduced by him for another purpose, whether taken from Fathers or Reason) shall bee clearely drawne foorth, as Sauls Sword, or Hamans Halter, to kill and strangle themselues.
And last, their proofes for Purgatorie, especially such as they vpbraid vsus with, out of wrested and wronged Scripture, wee shall faithfully, God willing, relate, as they are set downe in their foresaid Champion, (whom cheefely I oppugne) and punctually shall answere: so that they shall bee seene to bee like short stubble, that was gathered vponupon necessitie by those vnderunder Pharaohs bondage, who otherwise could not get long straw to themselues.
And to instance the same here in one particular: what will they not bring to proone Purgatorie? when Bellarmine brings for it,Bell. l. 1. de Purg. c. 14. Hebr. 10.27. and sayes, that that place is a notable proofe of Purgatory; which speakes of a fearefull looking for of iudgement, and fiery indignation, which shall deuoure the aduersaries; and wherein the cleare words, and consent of all antiquitie doth shew, that Gods aduersaries are spoken of, and not his friends, who shall bee deuoured, and not purged, and whom fearefull damnation, and consuming wrath abides; which is not the lot nor expectation of the godly, neither heere nor hence: but theirs of whom the Apostle speakes clearly of; to wit, who treads the Sonne of God vnderunder foot, and hath counted the blood of the Couenant an vnholy thing, and done despite to the Spirit of Grace. So that such cleare places speaking of the wicked, and of hell, he will impudently bring to speake of the godly, and of Purgatory.
Accept then (courteous Reader) with a charitable hand, what with a humble one I present, and proue not a censorious Waspe, but a hony-gathering Bee; and that God and common Sauiour of ours, who gaue approbation to the widowes mite, and will not suffer vnrequited a cup of cold water giuen in his Name, giuegive thee a like minde, and blesse the perusall of this, and of all other helps to thy edification.
Thine in the Lord, W. GVILD.
OF PVRGATORY. The Romish Assertion.
THe Papistes describe their Purgatorie to bee a prison next to hell,Bell. lib. 1. de Purg. c. 1. Et lib 2. c. 6.9. & 10. where the soules of the faithfull that are defiled with veniall sinnes, and hauehave not satisfied heere the diuine. Iustice fully for mortall sinnes, are purged by a temporarie fire, as hote as that in hell, and very long;Bell. lib. 1. de Indul. c. 9. witnesse Bellarmines expresse words, saying; Constat plurimas annas in Purgatorio, … Iudicij, id est, per multas annorum centiuias esse cruciandas. Ibidem.Yea, Non videtur negandum (saith hee) posse aliquos nos fidei penitentiae agendae per spatium aliquot millium annorum.
Our Assertion.
WEe denie any such Purgatorie, affirming that Christ is our onelyonly and perfect purger by his Blood. And that the word (Purging) is metaphorically taken from the washing of corporall vncleannesse, to signifie the cleansing of the Soule from sinne, which is called the vncleannesse thereof. Zech. 13.1. So that, as an vncleane spot is said to bee purged when it is taken away; euen so are sinnes when they are remitted. Iohn 1.29. 1 Iohn 1.7.9.
Also, because Christ calleth our sinnes Metaphorically (Debts;) therefore such also is the word (Satisfaction,) God the Father being the Creditor, wee the Debtors, and Christ the Cautioner; who hauing fully satisfied our debt for vsus, hath thereby freely freed vsus at his Fathers hands from it; and therefore is called our payment and ransome. 1 Tim. 2.6. Math. 20.28.
In these foure poynts then consisteth all our difference.
1. Wee say, that Christ (by himselfe) hath fully satisfied for vsus. Heb. 1.3.
They ioyne mans owne satisfaction for himselfe in Purgatorie also.
2. Wee say, that it is Christ (onelyonly) that purgeth vsus by his blood, 1 Ioh. 1.9.
They ioyne a fire that doth so also.
3. Wee say, that his blood purgeth vsus from (all our sinnes) 1 Ioh. 1.7.
They say, from mortall onelyonly.
4. Wee say, that hee perfectly purgeth vsus (foreign) Heb. 7.25.
They say, That hee purgeth the guilt only, and taketh away the eternall punishment; but as for the temporall, we must satisfie for it our selues.