MeditationstoúèbirgVeatb. 667 othersmaybee either finallyfreed, or at the leaftmuch relieued. Hence haue itremedallthofe feruicesfor the dead, ofMaffes, Dirges,Trentals,& filch like; together with the large legaciesglum forthe buyingout ofthe tormentthere; though it isheld,tharfeuenyeeresfpace, is the ordinaryrateoffiffring fore- uery particular finne, for which there was not madeinthis lifeapl_naryfa- tistaftion. Thisis thebriefeof Popifhdo&rinetouching this; a pointintheir holding fomateriall, that he is adjudged to be no Chriflianthat denieth it. . Strange andmanyare thefables and talcs for thecolouring ofthisopinion; it being a doftrineto the purl: fo exceeding profitable : neither bath anyOne thingfo much enriched Rome,asthe feareofPurgatory: Whenmen are poffelfed with an opinion, ofthe vnauoidable necefsityof pulsing thorow purgatoryinto Heauen,andwhen theyare taught, thepains thereoftobe fovnfpeakable, what willthey not glueto bedeliuered thence? Who wouldnotpart withthevery heft ofhis outward eflate , whenheeis now toleauethe world, to theend heemight be affured, tomake but afort cut throughfuch a burning lake,asthis is fuppofed tobe,vntatheplaceofeter_ nall,quiet; and tobelanded quicklyin that llowry field, imaginedtobeeby Purgatory; in whichthepoore road foulesare thoughttobee refrefhedafter theirendedpains, before their entrance intoPatadtfe. Now, how agreeththiuwith thedottrine ofiheScripture, maintaining, th0 foulesdeparted, inlianely upon their death tobewith Chrift, and toteft from Labour? How be theywithChsril}, iftheybe in Purgatory ? howdoe theyreft, if theybe ¡tilltormented fovnmeafurably? Strangeit is, thata matter where- in theProfeffors ofitare foconfident,and which is reputedtobe little leffe then anArticleoftheFaith, Ihouldyet haueflender euidence from the Scripture.A wonder, thatGod,who in hisLawofold, appointedfacrifices,andexpiations for all fortsof finnenandpollutions (elanicrhprofits iflùesofblond, touch- ingsofthe dead,&c.) Ihould yet neuer, thatweecan find, ordaine any for the foulesinPurgatory. The Beleeuersofold wept for the dead : neuer dgewee read that they mingled their testes with prayers for deliuerancefrom thefe flames. There was thennoChurch-treafury, into which togather the fatisfa_ coons offuchworthymen,as NoahandAbraham,to glue outfomepart there- offor the fatisfa& ionoftormented foules, Foure thoufandyectes had the Churchcontinued beforeour Sauiour came: andyet all thatwhile, therewas nothingtending to thisdo&rine. Neitherin the ftoryofthe Gofpell, noryetinthe writings oftheApoftles, is there any thew hereof : no indulgencegranted forthe dead; no prayer for departed foules ; nothingfo muchas to make it probable, thattheyare yet in torment. Thus is Purgatoryprouedto beebut ameere fi&ion, No rush place,no fuch fier forfcoueung of foulen,aais there imagined, Chap. XV. ThedolPrine touching the conferrable eflate of theSaxleafterdeath, and thepofiibility afbeing allured there, makerha maimdfe_ rence betwixt trueReligion andPopery. Y thatwhichbath been laid, wee may behold a materialldiffe- )) rene betwixt our true Religion,andthat ofPopery. An efpeciatl Ours,giues affurance of-going immediatly untoChrift. That, diffil reachetha mancan neuer in life be offaluatio On- and -. 4 1i ion ly thisishefure,thátìncafehebefined, hemultremaine foraPopery. nine ina paineas greatas belles; where; ifthe matter beenot wellplyedby Ooo4 thole
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