Prayers for the Dead, unavailable. [ 838]
LOok but upon one,* 1.1 that plaies a game at bowles, how no sooner than he hath delivered his bowle, what a screwing of his body this way and that way, what calling doth he make after it, that it may be neither short nor over, nor wide on either side; but all in vain, the bowl keepeth on his course, and reacheth to the place, not where the mind, but the strength of the bowler sent it. Thus it is with those that pray for the dead, they pray, and call unto God, and sing Requiems and Diri∣ges, for the soules of men departed, that they may be sent into Purgatory, not Hell; a course altogether unwarrantable, unavailable: For, as the body is laid down in the dust, so the soul is gone to God that gave it, there to receive according to the deeds done here in the flesh; whether it be to life or death eternall.