But this one thing is yet to be remembered, that he being bound to the stake with another good martyr, which was a very simple young man, named Andrew Hewet, there was present one Doctor Cooke, that was parson of the Church called Allhallows, in Honey-lane, situate in the midst of Cheapside. And the said Cooke made an open exclamation, and admonished the people that they should in no wise pray for them no more than they would do for a dog: at which words, Frith, smiling, desired the Lord to forgive him. But the ungodly and uncharitable words of the said Doctor did not a little offend the people. And thus for the testimony of the true doctrine of Christ, which the said Frith sealed with his blood, the day and year aforesaid, he died in the twentyfourth year of his age, (as some say,) but his parents reported in the thirtieth year of his age.

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,

but that which is

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 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,

he pleaseth.

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, word is sin 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.

resist God's

Ghost.

Objection.

Answer.

1 Thess.

Our imper

fection for

given 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