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I. Reflection.
WE pray for all Sinners, though never so great; of whose Salvation we have some Signs and Hopes at their departing hour: For these may be call'd the Faithful deceased. This is what the Council of Florence includes in these Words: If they dyed truly penitent in the Love of God. They may be called the de∣ceased in Christ, as the Council of Trent expresses it; and the Souls of thy Servants, as the Priest prays for them in the Mass for the Dead.
Nor ought we to be blamed, for complying with this pious Exercise; though some of the deceased, for whom Prayers are offer'd, should be really in Heaven, or in Hell; for in doubtful things, the securest is best to be chosen. And Prayers, some wayes or other, still prove beneficial. S. Austin illustrates this, after his usual manner, with great sense and approbation: When Offerings, either of the Altar, says this Father, or of Alms, are ordered for all the Dead who were Baptised in Christ, if they be made for the very Good; or Saints, they are thanksgivings; if for them, who are not very Bad, or in a middle State, they are Expia∣tions; if for the very Wicked, or the Damned, although they prove not advantagious to these unfortunate De∣ceased; yet they become Consolations to the Living. They are Witnesses of the performance of their Christian Charity.