be so utterly untenable, upon any ground whatsoever, that it is extremely difficult to conceive the possibility of their reception by any one, who is permitted to read and to meditate upon the uncorrupted word of divine truth. That the illiterate and humble peasantry of the Romish communion, in any country, should implicitly believe whatever is told them by their teachers, few will be disposed to deny; and that the ill-informed and half-educated priests, who are poured forth from the College of Maynooth to uphold the popish doctrines in Ireland, should receive, almost as divine, the instructions which have there been instilled into them, may also be readily allowed; but that the more respectable portion of the priesthood, who have had time, and opportunity, to examine the real merits of the doctrine of Purgatory, and also that laymen of rank and education should calmly and unresistingly embrace it, without scruple, as an article of faith, are intellectual phenomena, for which it is scarcely possible to account.

Still, in expressing surprise at such an instance of credulity, it is both unjustifiable and unnecessary to impugn the sincerity of individuals; but if, after a candid perusal of the arguments adduced against the doctrine, they remain unconvinced of the fallacy of the grounds upon which it is maintained, it is scarcely possible, with the utmost stretch of christian charity, to reject the conclusion, that God has judicially blinded them, and sent upon them "strong

delusion, that they should believe a lie." Having corrupted the bread of life, through their vain traditions, it would seem that the Lord has given them up "to feed on ashes:" that "a deceived heart has turned them aside, that they cannot deliver their souls, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?" 1 Under this impression, both for teachers and taught, for those who so grossly mislead others, and those who are so fearfully misled,

it is the duty of the true believer in the perfection of Christ's atonement to be ready at all times to offer up the expansive and charitable petition of our Litany-" that it may please God to bring into the way of truth, all such as have erred and are deceived!"

In bringing the discussion to a close, therefore, it will not be out of place to express an earnest desire that every Romanist, casting off the deadly doctrine of temporary torture after death as a satisfaction to the justice of the Almighty for sins committed here, will hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, as set forth in the Scriptures. To this end, in respect to the doctrine which has been long under examination, he will do well to reflect seriously upon the following passage from one of the Homilies of our English Church: "The only Purgatory, wherein we must trust to be saved, is the death and blood of Christ; which, if we apprehend with a true and steadfast faith, it purgeth and cleanseth us from all

1 Isa. xliv. 20.

our sins, even as well as if he were now hanging upon the cross. The blood of Christ is that Purgatory, wherein all christian men must put their whole trust and confidence: nothing doubting, but if they truly repent them of their sins, and die in perfect faith, that then they shall forthwith pass from death to life. If this kind of purgation will not serve them, let them never hope to be released by other men's prayers, though they should continue therein unto the world's end. He that cannot be saved by faith in Christ's blood, how shall he look to be delivered by man's intercessions? Hath God more respect to man on earth, than he hath to Christ in heaven? 6 If any man sin,' saith St. John, we have an advocate with the Father, even Jesus Christ the righteous, and he is the propitiation for our sins.' But we must take heed that we call upon this Advocate, while we have space given us in this life; lest, when we are once dead, there be no hope of salvation left unto us. For as every man sleepeth with his own cause, so every man shall rise again with his own cause. And look, in what state he dieth, in the same state he shall be also judged, whether it be to salvation or damnation."

"Hear ye this, O priests; for judgment is toward you, because ye have been a snare on Mizpah,

and a net spread upon Tabor!"" Oh, that the priests of the apostate Church of Rome,

-the

supporters and teachers of this delusive doctrine,—

1

Homily xix. part iii.

2

O Hosea v. 1.

1

would lay these things to heart, and tear away in time the fatal vail, by which the brightness of divine truth is hidden from their minds! Would, indeed, that they were so "nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine," as to "refuse profane and old wives' fables," lest the sentence of the Prophet should be judicially and eternally fulfilled against them! Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks! Walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; -ye shall lie down in sorrow!"2

1 1 Tim. iv. 6, 7.

66

394

NOTES TO CHAPTER X.

Note A, p. 387.

BULLA S. D. N. D. PI DIVINA PROVIDENTIA PAPE IV. SUPER

FORMA JURAMENTI PROFESSION IS FIDEI.

"Pius Episcopus, servus servorum Dei, ad perpetuam rei

memoriam.

***

*** Ut unius ejusdem fidei professio uniformiter ab omnibus exhibeatur, unicaque et certa illius forma cunctis innotescat *** formam ipsam præsentibus [in Concilio Tridentino] annotatam publicari ac, sub pœnis per Concilium ipsum in contravenientes latis, juxta hanc et non aliam formam, professionem Prædictam solenniter fieri auctoritate Apostolica mandamus, hujusmodi sub tenore :—

"Ego N. firma fide credo et profiteor omnia et singula, quæ continentur in symbolo fidei, quo S. Romana ecclesia utitur,—viz.

"Credo in unum Deum Patrem omnipotentem, factorem cœli et terræ, visibilium omnium, et invisibilium : et in unum Dominum Jesum Christum, filium Dei unigenitum, et ex Patre natum ante omnia sæcula; Deum de Deo, lumen de lumine; Deum verum de Deo vero; genitum, non factum; consubstantialem Patri; per quem omnia facta sunt; qui propter nos homines, et propter nostram salutem, descendit de cœlis, et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto ex Maria virgine, et homo factus est; crucifixus etiam pro nobis sub Pontio Pilato, passus, et sepultus est; et resurrexit tertia die secundum scripturas: et ascendit in cœlum, sedet ad dexteram Patris; et iterum venturus est cum gloria judicare vivos et mortuos; cujus regni non erit finis : et in Spiritum Sanctum Dominum et vivificantem, qui ex Patre Filioque procedit; qui cum Patre et Filio simul adoratur et conglorificatur; qui locutus est per prophetas et unam sanctam catholicam, et apostolicam Ecclesiam. Confiteor unum baptisma in remissionem peccatorum; et expecto resurrectionem mortuorum, et vitam venturi sæculi. Amen.