Popery condemned by scripture and the fathers - End Time Deception

SCRIPTURE AND THE FATHERS. 321
says St. Ambrose, " Christ only, who is the
" righteousness of God, and never committed
" sin, escapes It */' But this affords no proof
of the existence of purgatory ; for, as the R.
knows, that is not designed for all men, but
chiefly for the benefit of such as can pay well to
get out of it.
Origen was the first, person who taught the
doctrine of a purgatory. He supposed the great
end of all punishment to be reformation ; and
therefore he maintained,
not only all
that in course of time,
men, but all devils, would be saved.
This was one of the novelties which he attempted
to introduce into religion ; and as such, it
was rejected by the Church, and received the
mark of reprobation in the fifth general Council.
At present, it will be unnecessary to show
how Papists have perverted the sentiments of the
Fathers, by attempting to produce them in defence
of purgatory. When the R. brings them
forward,
use to his cause.
he will perhaps find them of very little
Should he ever attempt a vindication
of this doctrine,
I would advise him to
illustrate it from the Fathers in all its bearings.
For every quotation to prove its existence, let
him produce one to show, that these primitive
teachers of Clirisiianity sold prayers, masses, and
* In Ps. 1 1 8. Serm. 20.
Indulgences,