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A Source Book for Ancient Church History - Mirrors

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682 A <strong>Source</strong> <strong>Book</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Ancient</strong> <strong>Church</strong> <strong>History</strong>mystery of the sacred oblation. For it is His body that is theregiven, His flesh that is divided <strong>for</strong> the salvation of the people, Hisblood that is poured, no longer into the hands of unbelievers, butinto the mouths of the faithful. For this let us ever estimate whatthis sacrifice is <strong>for</strong> us, which <strong>for</strong> our absolution ever imitates thepassion of the only begotten Son. For what one of the faithful canhave any doubt that at the very hour of the offering [immolatio],at the word of the priest, the heavens are opened, the choirsof angels are present at the mystery of Jesus Christ, the lowestthings are united to the highest, earthly things with heavenly, andfrom the invisible and the visible there is made one?(c) Gregory the Great, Dialog., IV, 39. (MSL, 77:393.)The doctrine of purgatory.Gregory hardly adds anything to Augustine more than aclearer definition after the lines laid down by Cæsarius ofArles.From these sayings [John 12:35; II Cor. 6:2; Eccles. 9:10] it isevident that as one left the earth so one will appear be<strong>for</strong>e thejudgment. Yet still it is to be believed that <strong>for</strong> certain slight sinsthere is to be be<strong>for</strong>e that judgment a fire of purification, becausethe Truth says that, if one utters blasphemy against the HolyGhost, his sin will be <strong>for</strong>given him neither in this world nor in thefuture [Matt. 12:31]. From this saying one is given to understandthat some sins can be <strong>for</strong>given in this life, others in a future life.[624](d) Gregory the Great, In Evangelia, II, 37, 8. (MSL, 76:1279.)The application of the sacrifice of the mass to persons inpurgatory.

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