Simon Fish's Summary: A Supplication For The Beggars

It light of recent news, I feel it my duty to address the heinous accusations which have been put forth by Simon Fish in his broad-sheet, A Supplication for the Beggars. Fish charges the church with numerous offenses, many of which hold no substance, nor proof, and reflects heretical ideals similar to those expressed by Martin Luther himself. The discontent that Fish has created within the commonwealth is unacceptable, but there is small sliver of truth in Fish’s statements, not in his accusations, but in the need for reform in the church. However, for effective reform to be established, it is best undertaken within the hierarchy of the church itself, and not by an outside force. Just as a cobbler, who possess no experience in the means of captaining a ship should be able to steer the vessel. I will begin first with his most erroneous accusation that the Roman Church fabricated the idea of purgatory as a way to line their own pockets and feed their insatiable …show more content…
This is a horrific lie believed only by heretics who hold that our salvation can be justified by faith alone. The idea that our salvation is warranted by our faith in the Lord alone provides no disincentive to sin, there would be no cause to fear God or fear transgressing against Him. One could simply do as he pleased, knowing that because he had total and utter faith in God, he would immediately be forgiven. Purgatory is a very real state, and glaring reminder that our good works, indulgences and sacraments, which are done in the name of God are not done so in vain, but rather to expedite our sins. And as I have pointed out earlier in my statement, indulgences were created with the purpose of remission of punishment, which is given by the justice of God. Furthermore, Fish claims that there is no evidence of Purgatory found in scripture, this too is another one of his numerous lies. For example, “Nothing impure will ever enter [heaven], nor will anyone who does