Yet already history informs us that the practise of praying for the dead was gaining ground in the church, along with image worship.

St.Cyprian, who lived long before him, and during a purer state of the church, leaves no doubt on our minds as to his sentiments on this subject; his words are these: 'When ye depart hence, there will be no room for repentance--no method of being reconciled to God.

Here eternal life is either lost or won.

Here, by the worship of God, and the fruit of faith, provision is made for eternal salvation.

And let no man be retarded, either by his sins or years, from coming to obtain it.