Popery condemned by scripture and the fathers - End Time Deception

SCRIPTURE AND THE FATHERS. 319
this point with more candour than credit to his
cause. " No true believer," says he, " doubts
*'
the existence of a purgatory ; though it be
*'
never, or very rarely indeed, mentioned by
" ancient writers, and though the Greeks do not
" believe it to this day :" And then he proceeds
to shovv'
how much this wholesome doftrine tended
to the edification of the clergy.
** As long
•'
as there was no concern about purgatory, none
*'
regarded Indulgences ; for, from the former
*'
proceeds all the esteem which persons have for
" the latter. If there be no purgatory, of what
*'
use are Indulgences No sooner did men be-
*'
come terrified for the torments of purgatory,
* than these w^re in request *•**
Since the Church of Rome has such a controul
over purgatory, can the R. assign any reason,
Vv^hy her charity is not frequently displayed
by a general jail-delivery of these wTetched
sinners
Is it because the clergy are not remarkable
for their benevolence or, because prayers and
masses are availing, exactly in proportion to the
price which is paid for them Did many of the
Romish clergy express their sentiments respecting
the efficacy of these,
they would use the Ianguage
of Cardinal Richelieu, who, after posing
his chaplain to tell him how many masses were
requisite to free a soul from purgatory, solved
the
* Polyd, VIrg. Lib. 8. c. f.