PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD.
PROPOSITION XII.
We also believe, that such souls so detained in purgatory, being the living members of Christ Jesus, are relieved by the prayers and suffrages of their fellow members here on earth. – But where this place be—of what nature or quality the pains be-how long souls may be there detained-in what manner the suffrages, made in their behalf, be applied—whether by way of satisfaction or intercession, &c. are questions superfluous and impertinent as to faith.
SCRIPTURE.
2 Machab. xii. 43, 44, 45, 46. “ Judas, the valiant commander, having made a gathering, he sent twelve thousand drachmas of silver to Jerusalem, for Sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection. For if he had not hoped, that they that were slain, should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead.—And because he considered, that they who had fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them. It is therefore a wholesome and holy thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.”
Matt. xii. 32, 36. “And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man it shall be forgiven him : but he that shall speak against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in the world to come. But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall render an account for it in the day of judgment.”—Ibid, xvi. 27. “ For the Son of man shall come
