Thanks for telling me the source of your source, now that that makes sense.
I meant, Tertullian , Cyprian and Augustine made use of Jesus’ Words in the Gospels.
For example, regarding
St. Matthew 12:32,
the Catholic Encyclopedia’s article on “Purgatory” says:
“There are several passages in the New Testament that point to a process of purification after death. Thus, Jesus Christ declares (Matthew 12:32): ‘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.’ According to St. Isidore of Seville (Deord. creatur., c. xiv, n. 6) these words prove that in the next life ‘some sins will be forgiven and purged away by a certain purifying fire.’ St. Augustine also argues ‘that some sinners are not forgiven either in this world or in the next would not be truly said unless there were other [sinners] who, though not forgiven in this world, are forgiven in the world to come’ (City of God XXI.24). The same interpretation is given by Gregory the Great (Dial., IV, xxxix); St. Bede (commentary on this text); St. Bernard (Sermo lxvi in Cantic., n. 11) and other eminent theological writers.”
So, more ECF’s (and some later writers) than I remembered.
Regarding
St. Matthew 5:26:
Tertulian wrote:
“’[T]hat allegory of the Lord which is extremely clear and simple in its meaning, and ought to be from the first understood in its plain and natural sense…Then, again, should you be disposed to apply the term ‘adversary’ to the devil, you are advised by the (Lord’s) injunction, while you are in the way with him, ‘to make even with him such a compact as may be deemed compatible with the requirements of your true faith. Now the compact you have made respecting him is to renounce him, and his pomp, and his angels. Such is your agreement in this matter. Now the friendly understanding you will have to carry out must arise from your observance of the compact: you must never think of getting back any of the things which you have abjured, and have restored to him, lest he should summon you as a fraudulent man, and a transgressor of your agreement, before God the Judge (for in this light do we read of him, in another passage, as ‘the accuser of the brethren,’ or saints, where reference is made to the actual practice of legal prosecution); and lest this Judge deliver you over to the angel who is to execute the sentence, and he commit you to the prison of hell, out of which there will be no dismissal until the smallest even of your delinquencies be paid off in the period before the resurrection. What can be a more fitting sense than this? What a truer interpretation?’ Tertullian, A Treatise on the Soul, 35 (A.D. 210).”
Source:
scripturecatholic.com/purgatory.html
St. Cyprian of Carthage:
“‘The strength of the truly believing remains unshaken; and with those who fear and love God with their whole heart, their integrity continues steady and strong. For to adulterers even a time of repentance is granted by us, and peace * is given. Yet virginity is not therefore deficient in the Church, nor does the glorious design of continence languish through the sins of others. The Church, crowned with so many virgins, flourishes; and chastity and modesty preserve the tenor of their glory. Nor is the vigor of continence broken down because repentance and pardon are facilitated to the adulterer.** It is one thing to stand for pardon, another thing to attain to glory; it is one thing, when cast into prison, not to go out thence until one has paid the uttermost farthing; another thing at once to receive the wages of faith and courage. It is one thing, tortured by long suffering for sins, to be cleansed and long purged by fire; another to have purged all sins by suffering. It is one thing, in fine, to be in suspense till the sentence of God at the day of judgment; another to be at once crowned by the Lord***’ (Letters 51[55]:20 [A.D. 253]).”
Source:
catholic.com/tracts/the-roots-of-purgatory (emphasis mine)
Also, the article I linked to from the
Catholic Encyclopedia cites 1 Corinthians 3:15 as proof for Purgatory and gives a number of the Fathers who interpreted it that way.
Well then it is two people ascertaining that your sins are not forgiven at death. (Edited) My faith is in their words not the words of man. If not then it would never have been written that the wages of sin is death. I do not believe God is a god of inflicting pain and punishment, but a loving god. He will know by your heart where your treasure is . The next life he was talking about was life after death. On earth , without the evil and temptations of Satan and his angels. To restore the glory to His creation of the earth and mankind. And for everyone to " be taught by God". Once again why would God have created a flesh and blood being and give him the perfect environment to suit his needs if we weren’t going to stay here forever? Would He have made us spirit beings to reside with Him in Heaven? And why did Jesus come back in the flesh. Because He was revealing to us that was what awaits us on the resurrection. God created man to live forever on earth. Our God is a living God. That is why Jesus came to the earth. To show is what His Father is like . (Edited)