A

DISPUTATION OF PURGATORY

MADE BY

JOHN FRITH.

WHICH IS DIVIDED INTO THREE BOOKS.

The First Book is an answer unto RASTELL which goeth about to prove Purgatory by Natural Philosophy.

The Second Book answereth unto Sir THOMAS MORE which laboureth to prove Purgatory by Scripture.

The Third Book maketh answer unto my Lord of ROCHESTER which most leaneth unto the doctors.

"Beware, lest any man come and spoil you through philosophy and deceitful vanity, through the traditions of men, and ordinations after the world, and not after Christ."-Col. ii.

JOHN FRITH

UNTO

THE CHRISTIAN READER.

Not who speaketh, which is

but that

spoken,

is to be

weighed

most.

GRACE and peace be with thee, Christian reader. I am sure there are many that will much marvel and count it a great presumption, that I, being so young and of so small learning, dare attempt to dispute this matter against these three personages, of the which number two, that is to say, my Lord of Rochester and Sir Thomas More, are ancient men, both of great wit and dignity. Notwithstanding, I will desire them patiently to hear mine answer, not advertising who speaketh the words, but rather what is said. And as concerning mine youth, let them remember what Paul monisheth 1 Tim. iv. willing that 1 Tim. iv. Timotheus should instruct the congregation, and that no man should despise his youth; for as the Spirit of God is bound to no place, even so is he not addicted to any age or person, but inspireth when he will and where he will, making the young he pleaseth.

to see visions and espy the truth, and the elders to dream dreams, and to wander in phantasies. (Acts ii. Joel ii.)

The Holy spireth when, and

Ghost in

where,

on whom

Acts ii.

And as touching my learning, I must needs acknowledge (as the truth is,) that it is very small, nevertheless that little (as I am bound,) have I de- 1 Cor. xii

The talent termined by God's grace, to bestow to the edifying of Christ's congregation, which I pray God to increase in the knowledge of his word.

of our

learning

to be employed to the edifying of Christ's

congregation.

is

I would not that any man should admit my words or learning, except they will stand with the Scripture, and be approved thereby. Lay them to the touchstone, and try them with God's word. If they be found false and counterfeit, then damn them, and I shall also revoke them with all mine heart; but if the Scripture allow them, that you cannot deny but it so is, then resist not the doctrine of God, but acknowledge your ignorance and seduction, and return gladly into the right Wilfully to way; for if you cannot improve it by God's word, resist God's and yet of an hate and malicious mind that you against the bear to the truth, labour to resist it, and condemn Holy that it should not spread, I insure you your sin is irremissible, and even against the Holy Ghost, Eze.xxxiii. and the blood of them that perish for fault of instruction, shall be required on your hands.

Ghost.

Objection.

Answer.

1 Thess.

Our imper

fection forgiven through faith in Christ's blood.

Peradventure some of you will say, your fathers and old progenitors, with many holy men and doctors, have so believed, and that therefore you will abide by the old. I answer: the ways and judgments of God are marvellous. Who knoweth whether God have suffered his elect to err and be seduced for a season, to the intent that the unfaithful, which would not believe the truth, but had pleasure in iniquity, might stumble at their error into their utter confusion and ruin? Although a man be never so faithful and holy, yet is there much imperfection in him as long as he is included in this mortal body; howbeit, it is not imputed

unto him, but through the faith in Christ's blood, wholly pacified and forgiven. And therefore it is not sure that we follow their exterior works or other imaginations, but let us ever confer them unto the pure word of God, and as the Scripture testifieth, so let us receive them.

The Bishop ter's own

of Roches

opinion

the understanding of

the scrip

tures in his

time, and long afore

that.

My Lord of Rochester doth testify himself, writing upon the 18th Article, that there are many points both of the Gospels and other Scriptures, concerning which are now discussed more diligently, and more th clearly understood than they have been in times past. And addeth furthermore, that there are divers places in Scripture yet some deal dark, which he doubteth not but that they shall be more open and light unto our posterity; for why shall we despair of that, (saith he) since that the Scripture is for that intent left with us, that it may be understood of us exactly, and to the uttermost point? Of this may you evidently perceive, that the old fathers and holy doctors have not seen all the truth; but somewhat is also left, through the high provision of God, to be discussed of their successors; and therefore is it not meet that we straightways cleave unto their words, without any farther ensearching the Scriptures. But we must examine all things by the Scriptures, although St. Paul or Peter should preach it unto us, as we see experience, (Acts xvii.) that when Paul preached, Acts xvii. the audience daily searched the Scriptures, whether it were as he said.

But you have been of long continuance secluded from the Scriptures, which is the cause of such

gross errors as ye are now fallen in, so that

ye could

The cause blindness

of our

and gross

errors.