Besides, it is to be firmly believed, and not at all doubted, that there is a purgatory, the souls detained in which are aided by prayer, fasting, alms, and other good works, so as to be more quickly freed from suffering.
PROOF. — Because many holy monks and devout matrons have had various apparitions, when souls have said so; as may be seen at length in the Dialogues of Gregory, aye, throughout. But if the Lutherans do, as they say, account such things as nothing, or as the phantasies of a disordered brain, or spectres and impostures with which Satan deceives men, I answer, that they are authenticated by the authority of Gregory, who was a Pope. The second proof is the long prescription. For all the Churches are founded, or at least enriched, with annual donations, on an idea of purgatory. Nay, even the Pagans had a knowledge of it, as appears from their poets, and especially from Ovid. Indeed, if satisfaction is to be made for sins done in this mortal life, it follows that he who is prevented by death must satisfy in another world, and, consequently, that there is a place destined for paying the debts undischarged. It is proved also From natural philosophy; because souls which have attracted ponderous humor from a gross natural body, could not fly off instantly to heaven, unless they were previously desiccated by fire. But when our masters assert that we ought to believe firmly, and without any doubt, a thing which has only an appearance of probability, they have in this followed the rule of law,
“Dubious belief is unbelief.” It is better, however, to say, that the thing is indubitable. For, grant that the reasons which are adduced are doubtful, still the supervening authority of the Church makes them certain.
However, it being once fixed that there is a purgatory, the other thing follows infallibly, viz., that the wretched souls which are there tormented are to be aided by sacrifices of the living, and it must be held, that the mass for the dead, which supposes that souls can be aided by such sacrifices, was not instituted without reason. Accordingly, kind mother Church,
when she found nothing in Scripture, chose to abuse the Psalms and passages out of the book of Job, and many parts of the prophets, rather than leave miserable souls without relief.
ANTIDOTE TO ARTICLE 17
Of purgatory there is not one word in Scripture, and Augustine, who in this matter yields to custom, acknowledges that this opinion is supported by no passage of Scripture, unless it be the history concerning the oblation of Judas Maccabeus, although the fact of its not being canonical and of certain authority, both he himself confesses, and Jerome teaches, and universal consent; confirms. For the passage, which is wont to be cited, from the First Epistle to the Corinthians, he himself expounds otherwise, as all men of sense see it ought to be otherwise expounded, (<460313>
1 Corinthians 3:13.) For as the words, wood, hay, and stubble, are
metaphorical, so, without doubt, the word fire is used metaphorically for the trial of the Spirit, under which human doctrines perish, whereas divine truth is proved like gold. But though Augustine allowed himself, as I said, to be ruled by custom, so as not to deny a purgatory, (August. Ench. ad Laur. c. 68,) he does not venture to make any positive assertion with regard to it. Nay, he even speaks doubtingly, saying, that it is not incredible, and that its existence may be made a question. Besides, he is not at all consistent with himself; since, in another place, he teaches that souls, when they leave the world, meet with different receptions, the good enjoying delight, while the bad are tormented, (Idem, in eod. lib. cap. seq.;) and, moreover, that the rest which is given immediately after death, every one receives the moment he dies, provided he is worthy of it, (Homil. in Joan. 49.) But since it is not in the power of any man to determine concerning the souls of the dead, nothing is safer in judging of their state than to hear God himself, who has the power over their state, speaking of it. Scripture then testifying,
“That blessed are the dead who die in the Lord,”
(<661413>Revelation 14:13,)
“for they rest from their labors,” teaching that they receive consolation,
(<421625>Luke 16:25,) that they live with Christ, and enjoy the presence of
God, (<500123>
Philippians 1:23; <470508>
2 Corinthians 5:8 ;) let us take our
stand on this doctrine, as to which there is no room for controversy. But the structure of purgatory has just as much solidity as any thing can have which is, in regard to things unknown, fabricated by the brain of man, without the word of God. Assuredly, the prayers by which they usually try to aid souls not being supported by any precept of God, or by any promise, have not that foundation of faith which Paul requires in the prayers of the faithful, (<451014>Romans 10:14.) Nothing is more carefully enjoined upon us in Scripture, than to exercise all the offices of charity towards the living. Of assisting the dead there is no mention. In addition to this, there is not a single example extant, though Scripture mentions the burials of many individuals, and even relates the obsequies of some of them at great length, (History of the Old Testament, especially the Books of Moses and the Books of Kings.) Moreover, it is not credible that Scripture when giving those minute details, omitted that which would have been of principal moment.