Wesley Corpus

The state that believers immediately enter upon after death, is said to be “life” for the comfort, and “ever lasting” for the continuance, of it. “He that believeth on Him that sent me hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John v. 24.) So St. Cyprian: “The end of this life being completed, we are divided into the habitations of everlasting, either death or immortality.” (Ad Demetr., sec. 16.) Q. 23. Is there no way by which the souls of those that are in purgatory may be delivered out of that prison, and their time of torment shortened? A. They may be helped and delivered by the suffrages of the faithful that are alive; that is, by prayers, alms, and masses; and other works of piety, such as indulgences. (Concil. Trid, Sess. 25, Decr. de Purgat.; Sess. 22, can. 3. Bellarm. de Purgat., l. 2, c. 16, sec. Ad haec.) REPLY. “Betwixt us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that they which would pass from hence to you” (to relieve you) “cannot.” (Luke xvi. 26.) As the state in which Abraham and Lazarus were, needed ni relief; so that in which the rich man was, could not obtain it. “After death is no help to be gotten by godliness or repent ance. Lazarus doth not there go to the rich man, nor the rich man unto Lazarus. For the garners are sealed up, and the time is fulfilled.” (Epiphanius contr. Cathar., Haer. 59.) And if a man’s own repentance cannot help him, much less can another's good works profit him. So St. Jerome: “While we are in this world, we may be able to help one another, either by our prayers, or by our counsels: But when we shall come before the judgment-seat of Christ, neither Job, nor Daniel, nor Noah, can intreat for any one; but every one must bear his own burden.” (Lib. 3, Com. in Galat., c. 6.) And he elsewhere saith: “What shall be to all in the day of judgment, this is accomplished to every one at the day of death.” (In Joel, c. 2.) Q. 24. Is the doctrine of purgatory a matter of faith, and necessary to be believed ? A.