The Death of Christ: The Only True Purgatory
The only purgatory wherein, we must trust to be saved, is the death and blood of Christ
The only purgatory wherein, we must trust to be saved, is the death and blood of Christ; which if we apprehend with a true and steadfast faith, it purgeth and cleanseth us from all our sins (1 John 1.7), even as well as if he were now hanging upon the cross. The blood of Christ, saith St. John, hath cleansed us from all sin. The blood of Christ, saith St. Paul, hath purged our consciences from dead works to serve the living God (Hebrews 9.14). Also in another place he saith, We be sanctified and made holy by the offering up of the body of Jesus Christ done once for all (Hebrews 10.10). Yea, he addeth more, saying, With the one oblation of his blessed body and precious blood, he hath made perfect for ever and ever all them that are sanctified (Hebrews 10.14). This then is that purgatory, wherein all Christian men put their whole trust and confidence, nothing doubting, but if they truly repent them of their sins, and die in perfect faith, that then they shall forthwith pass from death to life.
If this kind of purgation will not serve them, let them never hope to be released by other men's prayers, though they should continue therein unto the world's end.
If this kind of purgation will not serve them, let them never hope to be released by other men's prayers, though they should continue therein unto the world's end. He that cannot be saved by faith in Christ's blood, how shall he look to be delivered by man's intercessions? Hath God more respect to man on earth, than he hath to Christ in heaven? If any man sin, saith St. John we have an Advocate with the Father, even Jesus Christ the righteous, and he is the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 2.1). But we must take heed that we call upon this Advocate, while we have space given us in this life, lest when we are once dead, there be no hope of salvation left unto us. For as every man sleepeth with his own cause, so every man shall rise again with his own cause. And look in what state he dieth, in the same state he shall be also judged, whether it be to salvation, or damnation.
Martin Davie, Our Inheritance of Faith: A Commentary on the Thirty Nine Articles, 427-428.
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