Christians for their Security in Matters relating to our present Peace and eternal Salvation can any Errour be less corrigible any Precipice more unavoidable any Wretchedness so deplorable It is a Slavery great enough that the Immortal Soul so near related to the Seraphims should borrow her Lights at least the first Sparks of All from dull Sense and earthly Images that 's one dreadful Effect of Sin Penal Darknesses sayes St. Augustin 1. Conf. c. 18. are sprinkled over our Rebellious Concupiscences But then notwithstanding this so abject dependence of Man's Soul deriv'd from so shameful a Cause whatever Sacred Lights are set up whereby to guide our Apprehensions in the search of Divine Mysteries and to rectifie our Judgement and Will in the acceptance and use of them to their due ends still to be puzzling in the Mists and Shadows of sensible Images and while Divine Revelation for our improvement in all Christian Truths and Duties discovers unto us the Mysteries of his Love and this by so convincing a Proponent that although sifted by the severest Enquiry doth rationally create an Evidence of the Credibility of those Mysteries prudently undeniable and absolutely above whatever may venture to stand in opposition to it and is moreover approv'd and recommended unto us at our utter peril by our Blessed Lord for the entire convicting our Humane Reasonings and Fallacies and for the obliging our Wills to a free and firm assent as a Means above all Reasonable Exception everlastingly to fetter the Illustrious and super-illuminated Soul with Arguments drawn from blind and creeping Sensuality and this in Matters however transcendent and Divine is justly proclaim'd by St. Augustin Epist 118. c. 5. a most Insolent and unsufferable Madness IV. Yet further amidst the whole Symbol of the Mysteries of Grace thus revealed and this Revelation so manifestly propounded and attested through a wretched Self-choice the true Parent of Schism and of all thence growing Heresies which Party and Passion against the antient and authentick Rule of Credibility Mishaps into reveal'd Truths To admit One or some few Points of Faith for the securing some apparent Right to the Title of a Christian but to reject all others purely through the Suggestion of a private Opinion or through an over-ruling Power of a prevailing Society broken off from and in opposition unto the Antient Holy and Vndivided Body of Christians even such at the first appearing of Luther Calvin Zuinglius and other Vn-authoriz'd Preachers of new Lights whereas all Articles of Christian Faith are alike reveal'd and the Revelation of all is equally evidenc'd for the securing Catholick Unity and the obliging all to a peaceable Submission and Communion therein This without question demonstrates evidently a willful Separation Perverseness and Obstinacy in this most important Affair of Man's Salvation and that sinful man not one way only offers Sacrifice to the Apostate Angels Aug. 1. Conf. c. 17. V. For all Christian Verities however different as to their Matter and Objects yet as they are Articles of Super-natural Faith reveal'd to Man by Truth it self and shining to Him in a Divine Light and as witnessed to be so revealed by the Authority of a prudently convincing Proponent above all Exception or apparent Competition are of One and the same Kind and Nature and consequently are also inseparable if not as to actual Assent when so propounded yet at least as to the actual Obligation of Assent so as not to contradict or dissent from Them And thus whether this their Vnity and Inseparableness arise from the only Motive of all Assent in Matters of Divine Faith which is Gods Veracity Revealing All or from the Visible and Living Proponent of this Revelation or Divine Credibility which is the Authority of the Catholick Church and which as to all Matters within the Precincts of Divine Faith is the most Rational and therefore to every Prudent and Sober Enquirer of revealed Truths is the most convincing of all Humane Authorities The Pillar of Truth 1 Tim. 3.16 the true Interpreter of Gods Word Trid. Sess 4. de Edit Libr. Sacr. and Rule of Faith Aug. Epist 118. c. 5. l. contr Epist Fund c. 5. l. 1. contr Crescon c. 33. against which no Infidelity or Malice shall prevail Matt. 16.18 Aug. l. 1. Symb. c. 6. Epist 48. especially if that Authority of Learn'd Holy and Industrious Pastors and Doctors be further consider'd as authoriz'd by the express Institution and Testimony of Christ and as such recommended to our pious Obedience and Credulity by the thence ensuing Practice of all Believers ever own'd by an un-interrupted Series of Doctors and an unalter'd Chain of Doctrines to be within the Pale of the True Church And surely the ordinary course of the Sun and Stars is more marvellous and useful than the irregular and fatal Rays of giddy and dwindling Comets Sect. II. That this secure Means of arriving to Truth is Easie and Effectual VI. THis Authority of the Catholick Church whose Hierarchy supposes Superiours and Subjects and whose Mysteries do imply Doctors and Disciples is Eminential or Representative The Eminential Authority resides in One chief Bishop Superiour and Doctor though invested successively in each one of the whole Series of chief Bishops from St. Peter till now by a Legal Mission governing and teaching Christs Flock as His Vicegerents in His Name and with His Spirit and thus forward to the Worlds end The Representative Authority is diffus'd through many subordinate Pastors who as Superiors and Teachers of their special Flocks conserve the Traditions of the Ancients and instruct their Disciples in the Doctrine and Duties they receiv'd from above but is especially visible in the solemn Assemblies of these Church-Governours when legally conven'd they meet under and with their chief Bishop through the several Ages of the Church for the securing and publishing those Traditions against the Novelties of private and unsent Teachers And thus as it is no hard Matter for Subjects to determine the Imperial Right of and their own Duty to a Prince who claims by Legal Succession and Descent in the Legitimate Line of his Royal Ancestors So neither can there be any rational Doubt in whom this either Eminential or Representative Church-Authority establish'd by Christ for the conserving of Peace Truth and Obedience amongst Believers doth even this day reside with all its due Prerogatives Joan. 21.17 Chalced. act 16. in Epist ad Leon. P. Synod 6. act 18. 7. act 2. Florent Decret Vnion Iren. l. 3. c. 3. Athan. Ep. ad Faelic P. Theodoret. Ep. ad Renat Hier. Ep. ad Dam. Aug. Ep. 162. VII Now either of these Church-Authorities considering Mans present dependence on superiour Lights and Guides as to Divine Mysteries is the most unquestionable and most safe Evidencer of what Truths are indeed reveal'd by Christ and of their true Sense and Use any sincere Enquirer can reasonably appeal unto for satisfaction and security in Matters and Controversies of a Supernatural Religion And hence the
and Design being only a new model'd Continuation of the Devotions of our Fore-Fathers in several Ages Tongues and Nations supported by an uniform Tradition of Holy Fathers Doctors and Preachers and co-herent with the un-interrupted Authority of the suceeeding Chief Eminential and Representative Governours of the Catholick Church who are the Fathers of our Faith under Christ And certainly it must appear to any Rational and considering Christian to be an extream Folly and Insolent Madness according to St. Augustine's Rule Epist 118. ad Jan. to dispute a Catholick Doctrine and Duty which the whole Church hath canoniz'd as holy and profitable by her perpetual Acceptance and Practice and whose Opposers have still been branded with the vilest Notes and Characters of Ignominy by the undoubted Rulers and Pastors of that Church and accounted Violators of the Majesty Innocency Holiness and Glory of the Son while they abrogate or impair the Honour of his Divine Sanctuary Holy Mary the Mother of JESVS For the Ignominy and Scorns past on the Parent is also the contumely of the Child Eccl. 3.13 LXXIV Nor may we abridge the Veneration due to Holy Mary since her Son JESVS would not infringe a Rule of Honour to Her engrafted by Nature in All Children and by Grace confirm'd and recommended to all Luc. 2.51 Since the Holy Ghost hath through all States of Gods People since Adams Fall by the Pens of the Divine Writers pronounc'd the lofty and Magnificent Panegyricks of the Mother of JESVS Gen. 3.15 Psalm 86.3 Matt. 1.16 and since our Soveraign Lord has by a special Commission made all Christians adoptive Children of the Mother of JESVS and by his last breath oblig'd all to accept Her as such and to pay all those Marks of Honour to Her which may become that Duty and report we have to JESVS Jo. 19.27 So that there cannot be a greater Reproach cast upon a Christian next to his Apostacy from Christ by Heresie or Schism than to contaminate this holy Sanctuary of Christ by ravishing the Honour and Veneration due to Holy Mary who gave to JESVS those rich Springs of peace-making Blood which was the price of the World the Laver of our Souls and purchase of our Glory and by whom all Nations are bless'd In pursuance of which Magnificent Favours all Generations of the Catholick Church have been ever busie in the Praises Honour and Worship of that rich Fountain whence those precious Streams of super-natural Blessings issu'd and in courting Her by their humble Addresses for Protection and Intercession to God for us Whence such copious Blessings have already flow'd in the Souls of the Saints the living Images of God and Temples of his Sanctity Grace and Glory All which will manifestly appear by the following Testimonies of the Fathers in the several Ages of the Church carrying in themselves and handing unto us the sense and Practice of the Diffusive Church holding Communion with and Obedience to the Eminential and Representative Sect. XVII Illustrious Testimonies of the Reverence of the first Age of the Church towards the Holy Mother of JESUS as a Rule to all succeeding Ages thereof LXXV THE first Age offers to us the sacred and venerable Testimonies of the holy Evangelists Apostles and some Fathers of the Infant Church of Christ though only glancing briefly at the eminent Priviledges Perfections and Merits of this Divine Creature and the consequent efficacy of her Power at the throne of Mercy of her Son JESVS Under which Heads they have left unto all following Ages the most Illustrious and pithy Panegyricks on the Mother of God that could ever be proclaim'd by the Tongue of Men or Angels that have served to all succeeding Doctors and Preachers through all Nations as Theams for their Sermons and Orations and which are of that Majesty and efficacy as to bend the knees of all Pure Creatures unto her as their powerful Queen and Advocate LXXVI First then as to the Illustrious Prerogatives of Holy Mary she is stiled the Spouse of the Holy Ghost (a) What is born in Mary is of the Holy Ghost Matt. 1.20 The Holy Ghost shall come down upon Thee and the Virtue of the most High shall over-shadow Thee Luke 1.35 Matt. 1.20 Luc. 1.35 The Mother of JESVS (b) Of Mary is born JESVS Matt. 1.16 This is the Son of Mary Mark 6.2 Matt. 1.16 Mar. 6.2 and the Miraculous Instrument of the ineffable Vnion of Con-subsistence of God and Man in the Person of the eternal Word and the Rich Fountain of the Blood of JESVS saving on the Cross sanctifying in the Sacraments and pleading at the Tribunal of Gods Justice (c) Thou shalt call his Name JESVS for he shall save his People from their sins Matt. 1.21 He healed many of their Sicknesses and Sores and of evil Spirits and gave sight to many blind Luke 7.21 Neither is there any other Name under Heaven given to Men in which we have Right to be saved Act. 4.12 God fent his Son made of a Woman made subject to the Law that he might redeem those who were under the Law that we might receive the Adoption of Children Gal. 4.4 5. Thou wert slain and didst redeem us in thy blood Apoc. 5.9 Matt. 1.21 Luke 7.21 Act. 4.12 Gal. 4.4 5. Apoc. 5.9 Titles far above those of Queen of Angels and Refuge of Sinners LXXVII Next for the most sublime virtues of holy Mary The Evangelists recommend unto us Her fervent Practice of Divine Contemplation of Extatick Prayer and of giving praises to her Almighty Benefactor (a) Mary conserv'd all these words meditating on them in her heart Luke 2.19 All persever'd in Prayer with one accord with Mary the Mother of JESVS Act. 1.14 Let my Soul magnifie my Lord c. Luke 1.47 Luke 2.19 Act. 1.14 Luke 1.47 Her exeellent Faith. (b) Blessed art Thou who hast believed Luke 1.45 Luke 1.45 Admirable Purity (c) The Angel was sent to a Virgin espoused unto Joseph and the Name of the Virgin was Mary Luke 1.27 How shall this be done for I know not Man. 34. Let it be done to Me as thou hast said 38. Luke 1.27.34 38. Profound Humility (d) Behold the Handmaid of our Lord. Luke 1.38 Mary arising went to the Mountains 39. Luke 1.38 39. Perfect Obedience (e) Mary went to the Mountains in great hast Luke 1.39 Mary big with Child goes from Nazereth to Bethleem to obey the command of Caesar Luke 2.5 Luke 1.39 2.5 Her Fidelity and Obsequiousness (f) They found JESVS with Mary his Mother Matt. 2.11 Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months Luke 1.36 Matt. 2.11 Luke 1.56 Her incomparable Fortitude and Patience (g) Joseph goeth from Nazareth to Bethlehem with Mary his Spouse then big with Child Luke 2.4.5 Mary the Mother of JESVS stood near the Cross Jo. 19.25 The Sword of the Sorrows of JESVS shall penetrate thy very Soul. Luke 2.35 Luke 2.4 Jo. 19.25
Alcuinus (f) Synod Nicen. 2. in Defin. fid Sanctorum nostrorum divinorum Patrum Dotrinae insistentes Catholicae Ecclesiae in qua Spiritus Sanctus inhabitat Traditionem observantes definimis Venerandas Imagines in templis sanctis Dei collecandas maximé autem Imaginem Domini Dei servatoris nostri JESV Christi deinde Intemeratae Domina nostrae Deiparae quo scilicet per hanc Imaginum inspectionem omnes qui contemplantur ad prototyporum memoriam desiderium veniant ill sque salutationem honorariam Adorationem exhibeant Adhering to the Doctrine of our Holy and Divine Fathers and observing the Tradition of the Catholick Church in which the Holy Ghost abideth we define That venerable Images shall be placed in the Holy Temples of God principally of our Lord and God our Sabiour JESVS Christ then of our Immaculate Lady the Mother of God to the end that beholding the Images all may have a Memory and Affection towards their Originals and offer unto Them a Saluation and honorable Adoration The Fathers of the Seventh General Council under Adrian 2. (g) Caral Magn. Sanct. pragm Decebat ut templum quod cunctis Monasticis aedificiis in regno nostro formâ structurâ praeesse videtur in honorem sanctae Dei Genetricis à nobis regali studio fundatum dignitate Consecrationis praecelleret sicut ipsa Virgâ— super omnes choros sanctorum pracellens exaltata est It behoved that that Temple by our Royal Order erected to the Honour of the Holy Mother of God and which excels all other Monastical Buildings within our Dominions in Workmanship and Beauty should as much surpass all others in the Magnificence of its Consecration as the Holy Virgin her self excels and is exalted above all the Choires of Saints And Charlemain in his Laws for the observance of the Feast of the Assumption of our Lady and in his Pragmatical Sanction for the Immunity of the Church of the Holy Virgin in Aquisgran Sect. XXV Testimonies of the Ninth Age. XCVII THe Piety of the Catholick Church towards the Holy Mother of JESVS supported by an uninterrupted Tradition of the Doctrine and Practice of all former Ages is confirm'd by the Fathers of this Ninth 1. In their Censure of Claudius Bishop of Turin who in this Age revived the Heresies of Nestorius the Iconoclasts and Vigilantius all great Enemies of the Holy Mother of JESVS and as such are proscribed by Church Authority Jonas Aurel. Tom. 4. Bibl. patr Baron an 825. n. 58. 2. In their repeated Veneration and Prayers to the Saints Niceph. Constant Patr. Ep. ad Leon. p. 3. Haym hom de Laz. Raban Ep. ad Otgar And 3. in the Decree of the Eighth General Council justifying the ancient Tradition of giving that Derivative Honour and Veneration to the Images of Saints which is given primitively to the Originals they represent Conc. Constant 4. And in order to the Holy Virgin (a) Eorum bonorum haredes efficiamur quae in Christo vero Deo reposita sunt non indignis Idque Immaculatae inculpataeque Matris ejus omnium sanctorum Intercessione That we may become Heirs of those Blessings which are prepared in Christ the true God for the Worthy and that through the Intercession of his Immaculate and spotless Mother and of all the Saints S. Niceph. cit St. Nicephorus Epist cit gives an account of the constant practice of the Greek Church agreeing with that of former Ages and with the Custom of the Latin. Sect. XXVI Testimonies of the Tenth Age. XCVIII THe same received Doctrine and Practice of the Veneration and Invocation of Holy MARY we find supported by the Concord of the Writers of the Tenth Age relating the Zeal of those Times in propagating the Glory of the Saints and requesting their Protection and Prayers Windechin l. 1. Annal. Regino Chron. An. 655. 773. 871. Rather vit S. Ursmar Luitprand l. 4. hist c. 14. S. Odo Cluinac l. Transl S. Mart. c. 5. tom 7. Bibl. patr The words of St. Odo are very expressive Tu ergo ô bone Martine pie Pater Pastor Patrone noster nobis filiis alumnis nec non VENERATORIBVS tuis more tuo bona confer noxia submove ORATIONVM jugi instantia gaudia nobis Interminabilis Vitae obtine Thou therefore O Holy Martin our Pious Father Pastor and Patron continue to grant unto thy Children Disciples and Worshippers thy accustomed Favours defend us from all evils and by the efficacy of thy earnest Prayers obtain for us the Joys of a never-ending Life Sect. XXVII Testimonies of the Eleventh Age. XCIX IN the Eleventh Age (a) Suid. V. Leo. Adjecit homo profanus ne Mariae Intercessionem quisquam petat This profane Man added to the rest of his Crimes that none should presume through his Empire to beg the Intercession of Mary And V. Constantius Eo vesaniae Vecordiae redactus ut lege sanciret ne Mariae quidem Intercessionem quisquâ—m petat neque eam juvare quempiam posse neque Deipara nominetur O audacem blasphemiam Saracenicae Religionis Judaicae Sententiae He at length grew to that degree of Insolency and Madness that he enacted a Law that no Person should presume to beg the Prayers of Mary that she was not able to succor any one and that she should no more be called the Mother of God O presumptious Blasphemy of Saracenism and Judaism Suidas reproaches Leo Isauricus and his Son Constantine Emperours of profane Insolency and Madness in forbidding the honorable Title and Invocation of the Mother of God and by asserting her want of power to relieve her Clients and Petitioners (b) Coccius l. de Deip. art 4. Hermannus Contract shews his Piety to Holy Mary in the Anthems Alma Redemptoris and Salve Regina used in our Church Office and canoniz'd by its Authority though severely inveigh'd against by our Modern Vigilantians First Answ to Misrepres p. 19. as other Pious Hymns and Prayers to our Blessed Lady us'd by the same Spirit and Authority are Also Specul B. M. p. 11. (c) Petr. Dam. Serm. 1. Nat Mar. Virgo Dei genitrix cujus pulchritudinem sol luna mirantur subveni Domina clamantibus ad Te jugiter O Virgin Mother of God whose beauty astonishes the great Lights of the World help O Lady all those who earnestly have recourse to thee Serm. de Assumpt Caro Virginis Maculas Adae non admisit The Flesh of the Holy Virgin was so pure that it was not blemish'd with the least uncleanness of the sinful Adam St. Peter Damian a Holy and Learned Prelate frequently dilates himself in the Praises Encomiums Veneration and Invocation of the Holy Mother of JESVS And (d) S. Anselm l. Conc. Virg. c 18. Decens erat ut sanctissima Virgo eâ purîtate niteret quâ major sub Deo nequit intelligi It was but reasonable that the most Holy Virgin should be adorn'd with
in an Assent to the Existence or Being of them precisely upon the extrinsick Testimony of that Legal Proposer of their being reveal'd who must be acknowledg'd by All to be the most convinceing to any prudent Enquirer after Christian Truth and further to be most conspicuously authoriz'd and attested by the written Word of God. However from these several rehears'd wayes of Intuitive and Abstractive Knowledges which the Saints in Glory may have of us Mortals and of our most secret thoughts and Affections at any distance It appears evidently That this their knowledge of our Petitions here made to Them is possible and is confirm'd from the aforesaid Matters of Fact several Prophets and Saints by such a Vision or Revelation or otherwise exactly knowing Things done or spoken in Absence and at a vast Distance even those things which had then no being but in the Divine Essence or in their abstractive Images as is evident in the Prophecies of the Birth Wonders and Kingdom of JESVS under the Old Law and of the Kingdom of GOD and the Saints in the New. LXVIII Thus then the glorious Saints if not by the Vivacity of their own Intellectuals in that elevated State of bliss yet by those other Mediate Helps know such Requests of their Petitioners at whatever distance as may concern Them considering their State of superabundant Charity and Pitty and the thence amplifi'd Communion of the Saints in spiritual Favours amongst themselves and also to and for us God of his Fatherly Love and Mercy graciously indulging the use of such Advocates for us who were sometimes acquainted with our Miseries and from what they then suffer'd and needed learn'd to compassion the yet afflicted Members of Christ still groaning in the Chains of Sensuality LXIX This suppos'd 't is manifest That our Addresses to the holy Mother of JESVS so Innocent so full of GRACE so exalted in Glory First by Praises Titles of Honour and sensible Acts of Veneration suiting with the degree of her super-eminent Excellencies above All Pure Creatures of whatever Stile or Perfection Next by express Invocation of her Aid for the procuring those Favours we hope by Her efficacious Intercession to God for us grounded on those Her endearing Grandeurs and Gods gracious Promises are exceedingly useful to us LXX For absolutely and universally to make void this congruous and comfortable Advantage of Saint-worship as to All Saints All Requests and All Petitioners It must be peremptorily resolv'd First That no Saint ever petition'd by Mortals can possibly by any power of God or at least doth not by any Means know any one Thing done here or at least Not any one single Request of ours Or that knowing any yet will not Mediate to God for our relief Or that Mediating for us They cannot obtain the Grant of any one Request by Them made to God for us Secondly That neither the Saint so petition'd by us nor any other Saint or Angel upon our Petition made to Them or to God through them these our Petitions known or not known to Them but seen distinctly by God They either Mediating in particular for some or more amply for all their Petitioners at any time being or yet more Generally for all their Co-members here in distress These either begging or not begging their Aid or Gods gracious Regard to those Intercessions of the Saints one of those ways made to God It must be further Resolv'd That no Saint can be assum'd even by the absolute and extraordinary Power of an Omnipotent God at his own pleasure as an Instrument of his Free and unlimited Providence for the Relief of our Necessities And that God in any wise cannot establish one Hierarchy or Empire of Illuminating Inflaming and Ministring Spirits in the two Churches Militant and Triumphant and this precisely because He is our Soveraign Lord can Himself relieve our Wants and doth with a fatherly Love invite us to come to Him Mat. 11.28 LXXI But this surely were too great boldness peremptorily to Assert since the secrets of Gods Power and Counsels are unscrutable and that the Mediation of the Saints for Sinners taught and practic'd by the Catholick Church is so congruous no where forbidden nor involves any apparent Contradiction or Vndecency For if any such knowledge of our Petitions can be in the Saints or any such Petition be made by Them to God or any Divine regard be had to our Petitions for any Saints-sake so prais'd Honour'd Worship'd or Requested by us It follows manifestly That our Saint-servitude is useful to us Because if any Saint doth any way know and relieve any Petitioner to Them or to God through Them It is useful at any time and for any want to implore their Help and Acceptableness to God who being super-abundantly Good and Bountiful 't is likely may then and thus give Relief unto us And if thus for any Saint much rather for the Glorious Mother of JESVS super-eminently priviledg'd above all Saints and Angels LXXII But there be some who would fasten upon our Catholick Addresses to the Glorious Saints That either we who pray to the Saints or God who reveals to Them our Petitions therefore doth it That the Saints may further to God the knowledge either of our Prayers or of our Wants in order to work a greater Indulgence in God to us which is an unjustifiable Calumny no where hinted at by any Catholick Tradition Council Father or Practice All agreeing in this one Verity That the Glorious Saints being exceedingly in favour with God upon account of their participated super-natural Endowments of Grace and Glory inherent in Them and transfiguring Them into a Divine Likeness and Being may more effectually obtain of Gods Clemency the Grant of our Petitions we for our Great and Frequent sins oft deserve not And it is indeed a large demonstration of our good Gods super-abundant Love to us that he makes known our Prayers to the glorious Saints by occasional Intuitive or Abstractive Illuminations and is kind to us for their sakes Albeit too God thereby preserves a congruous Subordination co-herency and Communion between the Members of the Militant and Triumphant Churches under the gracious Illapses of super-natural Lights and Graces for supporting the Dignity and Order of the spiritual Hierarchy of the Elect from the Supream Monarch of both and for the encouraging Humble and Timorous Petitioners by assigning us such glorious Advocates such powerful Co-adjutors at the Throne of a so oft provok'd Judge and amidst so many desperate and entangling Miseries Sect. XVI That the Contemplations are only a Continuation of the Antient Doctrine and Practice of the Catholick Church LXXIII THere remains now only the second and conclusive Point of this Apology The shewing from the Records of all past Ages the Doctrine and Practice offer'd to the Devotes of holy Mary the Mother of JESVS in the Contemplations on Her Life and Glory to contain nothing New besides the Method and therefore to be blameless both in the Matter
in the Colledge of the Apostles celebrating her Praises with Hymns and Canticks (d) Quando ad contuendum Corpus quod vitae principium dedit Deum suscepit convenissemus Viso sacro corpore placuit omnibus prout quisque poterat hymnis celebrare infinitam Bonitatem Divina potentiae Epist Dion cit When we met to behold that Body which gave the beginning of Life and wherein God lodg'd Having beheld the Body each one according to his Power sung forth Hymns of Glory to the Infinite Bounty of the divine Power Epist Dion ad Timoth. apud Damasc Orat. 2. de Dormit Deip. LXXXII From these Illustrious Witnesses of the Ancient and Innocent Veneration and Invocation of the Mother of JESVS it manifestly appears that albeit the Sacred Monuments of this First and others next succeeding Ages of the Catholick Church either decay'd by Time or destroy'd by Persecutors or falsifi'd by false Brethren be few in regard of the great Train of holy Pastors and Teachers who by their Doctrine and Practice convey'd to us the Apostolical Faith and Holy Institutions conserv'd entire to this day by the Divine Providence ever assisting and guiding the Eminential and Representative Church-Authority Yet even these few do abundantly demonstrate the Primitive Doctrine and Practice of this Important Article of the Communion of the Saints as to the Worship and Intercession of Holy Mary the Mother of JESVS even under the dreadful Mystery of the Sacrifice of the Mass the greatest Act of Divine Worship Sect. XVIII Testimonies of the Second Age. LXXXIII IN the Second Age St. Irenaeus stiles the Holy Mother of JESVS The Advocate of the guilty Children of Eve. (a) Suasa est Maria obedire Deo ut Evae Virginis Maria Virgo fieret Advocata Iren. cit Libr. 5. c. 19. And Tertullian calls Her The Co-adjutrice of our Saviour JESVS in repairing the Apostacy of our first Parents and in promoting Mans Salvation (b) In Evam adhuc Virginem irrepserat Verbum aedificatorium mortis In Virginem aeque introducendum erat Verbum Dei extructorium Vitae ut quod per ejusmodi sexum abierat in perditionem per eundem redigeretur in salutem quod Eva credendo deliquit Maria credendo delevit Tert. cit Where the Parallel runs between the efficacy of Eves sin to perpetuate Mans ruine and the Excellencies of the Holiness of the Mother of JESVS to continue Mans Salvation and speaking elsewhere of the Catholick Worship of things Sacred and especially of the Holy Cross he has this remarkable Saying Ejusmodi disciplinarum si Leges expostules Scripturarum nullam invenies Traditio tibi praetendetur Auctrix consuetudo firmatrix fides observatrix l. Cor. Mil. c. 3. If sayes he you require an Express Authority of Holy Scripture for these our observances we alledge none we assert Tradition to be their Introducer Custom their Conserver and Faith their Observer l. de Carn Christ c. 17. And the great St. Justin Martyr in his Illustrious Apology for Christian Religion offer'd to Antoninus Pius the Emperor doth in express Words vindicate this Age of the Church from the Imputation of Atheism impos'd by Pagans for the practice of Saint-Servitude acknowledging the Fact but denying and refuting the Crime in that Christians give them not Divine but only Saint-Worship (c) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Justin cit We do in deed and Truth sayes he Worship adore and venerate the most true God and his Son whom he sent into the World to teach us these things and also the Troops of his Followers and Imitators of the good Angels and the Spirits of the Prophets and this Doctrine we sincerely teach others as we our selves were taught Justin Mart. Apol. 2. ad Antonin Pium Imper. Vid. Apol. 1. ad Senat. Resp ad q. 30. Gentil wherein he exactly agrees with the first Age and the practice of Ours Sect. XIX Testimonies of the Third Age. LXXXIV THis Age gives us many solemn Witnesses of the Practice of Christians in their days in Worshipping and Invocating the Glorious Saints and consequently of the Holy Mother of JESVS the Queen of Angels and Saints S. Cypr. Epist 34. 37. ad Clerum Cornel. P. Epist 1. Euseb Alex. hom de Cult Sanct. Orig. Hom. 1. in Ezech. med l. 8. contr Cels hom 5. in Cant. hom 16. in Jos But S. Methodius doth specially dilate himself in the Praises of Holy Mary (a) Salve in aeternum Ineffabile Gaudium Ad te namque rursus recurrimus Tu Festivitatis nostrae Principium Tu medium Tu Finis Tu sons uberrimus totius Sanctitatis animarum Altare In te perbenignus Conditor ferventissima Charitatis flammas quasi conferâ—â—s solis radios est ejaculatus Method cit All hail for ever O Ineffable Joy we again have recourse to thy protection for thou art the Beginning the Advancement and Conclusion of our Festivals the over-flowing Fountain of all Holiness the Altar of our Souls In thee our most bountiful Creator hath power'd forth the flames of his most ardent Charity as so many condensed beams of a glorious Sun. Orat. in Hypant Dom. where having given Her many magnificent Titles of Honour he expresseth his singular confidence in her protection through the whole Course of his Life and to that end He requests Her powerful Aid calling Her the delicious Fountain of Salvation and Altar of Propitiation where the Almighty Creator casts forth the powerful beams of his most ardent Love. Sect. XX. Testimonies of the Fourth Age. LXXXV THE Fourth Age abounds with a copious train of Zealous Witnesses of this great Article of Christian Doctrine and Devotion towards the Glorious Mother of JESVS receiv'd from their holy Pastors and Teachers and by their pious Care transmitted to their Disciples and Successors for a clear conviction of the Innocency Equity and Antiquity of the Veneration given to Her by the Catholick Church (a) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Athan. cit Since he who was born of the Virgin is a King Soveraign Lord and God she also of whom he was born is truly and properly a Queen Lady and Mother of God Le ts then say that now it is verifi'd That the Queen stands at the Right hand of JESVS clad in a Mantle of Gold embroider'd with Jewels of an Infinite variety To thee we cry out Remember us O most Holy Virgin and for these our small Praises render unto us rich Gifts out of the Treasures of thy Graces O thou who art full of Grace O Mistris O Lady O Queen O Mother of God make Intercession for us St. Athanasius Serm. de Sanctis Deipar proves Her Right to the Imperial Titles of Lady and Queen from her being the True Mother of God who is the King of the World and to that end applies to Her the Prophesie of that Illustrious Queen David saw standing in glory at the right hand of God thence he proclaims the Amplitude of her Power in the Spiritual
Kingdom of JESVS and accordingly implores her Protection and Prayers LXXXVI To the same purpose speaks in this same devout Age (b) Omnes tibi advolvimur omnes te imploramus erue nos O Intemerata ab omni necessitate à canctis Diaboli tentationibus esto nostra Consiliatrix Advocata in horâ Judicii Libera nos à futuro igne tenebris tui Filii Gloriâ Virgo nos dignare S. Ephr. Lament Virg. ad Cruc We all prostrate our selves before Thee we all implore thy protection free us O thou unspotted Virgin from all want from all the Temptations of Satan be thou our Counsellor and Advocate at the hour of our Judgement preserve us from those future flames and darknesses and grant unto us O Virgin the Glory of thy Son. Vid. Orat. de Laud. Deip. St. Ephrem (c) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 S. Basil Liturg. Sanctifie our Souls and Bodies and grant that we may serve thee in Holiness all the days of our Lives through the Intercession of the Holy Mother of God. St. Basil (d) Vid. n. LXXX b. Where he calls the Mother of JESVS Queen and Lady super-eminent above all the heavenly Spirits then adds 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Naz. Trag. cit preserve us and free us from eternal fire and darkness St. Gregory Nazianzen (e) Vt efficax sit haec mea deprecatio Beata Mariae Virginis suffragia peto quam tanti meriti esse fecisti ut prima intar mulieres Novum munus offerret nulla praeter ipsam tam Novum acciperet S. Ambr. Orat. 2. ante Miss That this my Petition may be acceptable to thee I beg the Prayers of the blessed Virgin Mary whose Merits were so great through Thee that she was the First of Women who offer'd a New Gift and none besides her self receiv'd it St. Ambrose (f) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 S. Epiph. Serm. de Laud. Mar. Mary is superior to all God only excepted for she is the Mediatrice of Heaven and Earth St. Epiphanius (g) Haec est virgo quae sola interimit universam haereticam pravitaetem sola post Deum quae nos confirmet in omni veritate suisque commendet meritis precibus auxilietur Amate quam colitis eolite quam amatis quaecunque virgo tibi ab eâ optat praemium implorat auxilium debet imitari exemplum S. Hier. Ep. 10. ad Paul. Eustoch This is that Virgin who alone hath overthrown all Heretical Impiety she alone next to God is able to confirm us in all truth can recommend us to God through her own Merits and can aid us by her Prayers love Her whom you Worship worship Her whom you love what ever Virgin expects a Reward from Her and craves her Protection she must follow her Example and St. Hierom all eminent Doctors renown'd Saints and unreprovable Witnesses of Catholick Truth and singular Champions of the Prerogatives Veneration and Invocation of holy Mary the Mother of JESVS Sect. XXI Testimonies of the Fifth Age. LXXXVII THE Fifth Age of the Catholick Church supported by its own Grandeur under the Conduct of its Apostolical Pastors and Teachers against the Heresies of Vigilantius Nestorius Eutyches and other Enemies of the Mother of JESVS give us a conspicuous Continuation of the Sacred Chain of the Primitive Doctrine and Practices of Christians towards Her. The Council of Ephesus gives Her the transcendent Title of the Mother of God Ephes c. 13. from which time the Church salutes her with that known Prayer Holy Mary Mother of God pray for my Sinners now and in the hour of our death Coriolan Annot. ad Can. 8. Ephes And thus the Most Illustrious Mother of JESVS (a) Conc. Ephes c. 13. In tali sensu sanctos Patres fuisse comperimus ideoque non dubitârunt sanctam Virginem dicere Theotocon This we find to have been the Tradition of the Holy Fathers who for this cause doubted not to call the Holy Virgin the Mother of God. whose due Praises were envy'd by the treacherous Serpent was honour'd with more magnificent Titles and Addresses (b) Chrysost Liturg. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Accept O Lord this Sacrifice on thy heavenly Altar to the Honour and Memory of our highly blessed and glorious Lady Mother of God and ever Virgin Mary through her Mediation S. Jo. Chrys offers to God the Divine Sacrifice through the Memory and to the Honour of the most blessed and glorious Lady the ever-Virgin Mother of JESVS and begs Gods acceptance thereof through her Mediation Liturg. S. Chrysost And again He attributes the Reparation of Mans Spiritual Life to the Merits of Holy Mary Serm. de Lign vetit (c) Aug. Med. cit Sancta Immaculata Virgo Dei genetrix Maria Mater Domini nostri JESU Christi intervenire pro me digneris apud illum cujus meruisti effici Templum O holy and spotless Virgin Mary Mother of God and of our Lord JESVS Christ vouchsafe to pray for Me to Him whose Temple thou deservedst to be made and Serm. 18. cit O beata Maria admitte nostras preces intra sacrarium Exauditionis tuae reperta nobis Antidotum Reconciliationis O blessed Mary admit our Prayers into the Sanctuary of thy Compassion and obtain an Antidote of Reconciliation for us S. Augustin in like Manner implores the Protection and Prayers of the blessed Virgin under most excellent Attributes of respect Med. c. 40. n. 5. And elsewhere He admires the Priviledges and Miraculous Operations of this Divine Creature in promoting Mans redemption acknowledges his own unworthiness to become her Petitioner and craving to be admitted to the number of her Clients he concludes with that Excellent and well known Anthem Holy Mary succour the distressed aid the timorous comfort the sorrowful pray for the People intercede for the Clergy mediate for all devout Women and grant that whoever honours thy Festivals may experience thy Favours Serm. 18. Sanct. then he calls her the Miracle of Gods power Serm. 34. and the Mediatrice of the World. Serm. 35. LXXXVIII Many other Holy Fathers of this Learned and Pious Age do in like manner dilate themselves in their Panegyricks on the Mysteries of the Holy Virgin and their humble Requests of Her Mediation to God for his super-natural Blessings as appears in the devout Monuments of (d) S. Proel Serm. de Nativit Christ Ecce terra Mare Virginem honorat donisque cumulat Hoc mitia Navigentibus dorsa substernens Illa Viatorum vestigia inoffense dirigens sacra Deipara Maria in unum nos coegit Behold how the Land and Sea pays Homage to the Virgin and heaps up their Offerings unto Her The Sea becomes smooth to our Ships and our Travellers find safe passage by Land Holy Mary the Mother of God this day calls us together St. Proclus of Constantinople (e) Cyril hom 6. contr Nestor Salve Sancta Deipara preciosus orbis totius Thesaurus inextinguibilis
Council of Basil asserting as Pious Holy and according to Divine Revelation the Doctrine of the preservation of the ever Immaculate Mother of JESVS from all stain and liableness to Original Sin Conc. Basil Sess 36. And in recommending in a most special manner the Veneration and Invocation of Holy Mary as a most effectual Means for the obtaining of God the Blessings of Peace and Vnion between Christian Princes Sess 43. CIV The same Religious Practice is confirm'd (d) Jo. Gerson Colloq de Mendic Spir. p. 2. Virgo gloriosa spes certa Refugium singulare peccatorum tu Sancte Angele Dei Custos bone ac caeteri alii sancti caelestes estote adjutores defendite consulite associate propellite Canes illos Infernales O glorious Virgin my secure Hope and singular Refuge of Sinners and thou O Holy Angel of God my good Guardian and all the other Saints of Heaven be my Helpers defend me direct me be present with me drive from me those Infernal Dogs by the devout Chancellor of Paris who calls the holy Mother of JESVS The firm Hope and special Refuge of Sinners (e) Dion Carth. Serm. 4. de Omnib Sanct. Dion Carthus humbly begs the Protection and Prayers of the Saints (f) B. Laur. Justin Serm. Nat. Mar. Igitur ad honorem hujus Virginis praecinamus in Confessione Jesum veneremur in matre matrem honoremus in filio utrisque vota nostra fideliter exolvamus quatenus filium Genitrice interpeliante pro nobis vincamus mundum Therefore let us sing in Confession to the Honour of this Virgin Let us worship JESUS in his Mother and honour the Mother in JESUS Let us with all Fidelity pay our Vows to both that the Mother interceding to the Son for us we may conquer the World. Blessed Laurence Justinian having heaped up many Excellent Praises and Honourable Titles as an Illustrious Monumeni of his Piety to Holy Mary offers up his Vows of Fidelity to Her beseeching God that he may become victorious over his sensual Passions by her Mediation (g) S. Bernardin Serm. 15. de Fest Virg. Eo actu fidei obedientiae plus mercuit quam meruerint omnes sancti omnibus actibus ac meritis suis That act of Faith and Obedience wherewith holy Mary professing her self the Hand-maid of our Lord consented to become the Mother of JESUS she merited more then all the Saints did by all their Acts and Merits Serm. 61. Oportuit ut sic dicam faeminam elevari ad quandam aequalitatem divinam per quandam quasi infinitatem perfectionum gratiarum Non timeo dicere quod in omnem gratiarum influxus Jurisdictionem quandam haebuerit Quandam Jurisdictionem habet in temporalem Missionem Spiritus Sancti It behoved If I may so say that that Woman should be exalted to a certain degree of Divine Likeness as to a kind of resemblance of an Infiniteness of super-natural Perfections and Graces I may presume to say that she had granted to Her an Exuberant Power over the Influences of Grace and that she had a Kind of Jurisdiction in the temporal Mission of the Holy Ghost The devout St. Bernardine in his sublime Panegyricks frequently exhorts his zealous Hearers to a super-eminent Esteem of the Excellencies of Holy Mary and specially to confide in her Protection and Prayers as being singularly priviledg'd above all PVRE CREATVRES the most powerful Advocate Patroness and Mediatrice of Christians The holy Sanctuary of Propitiation and the most indulgent Refuge and Safe-guard of penitent Sinners 'T is very remarkable what he affirms Serm. 15. de S. Mar. That the high acts of Faith and Obedience which this Divine Creature used in her assent to the stupendious Mystery of the Incarnation were incomparably more Meritorious and acceptable to God than the Collection of all the most inflam'd Operations of the Saints And again Serm. 61. That she was endow'd with a kind of Immenseness of Sanctity Grace and Perfection and with an almost unconfin'd Jurisdiction over the Treasuries of heavenly Grace (h) Thom. à Kemp. Petr. de Alliac S. Vincent Ferrer Alphons Tostat S. Jo. Capistr Nicol. Cusan S. Antonin Nicol. Orbâ—ll Heur Harph. Biel. Trithom Bapt. Mantuan To these we might add an Immense Catalogue of Illustrious School-men Controvertists Preachers and Historians of this flourishing Age of the Church who oft repeat this Primitive Doctrine and Practice and with exemplar Zeal do humbly Venerate and Invocate the holy Mother of JESVS as their most potent Advocate at the Throne of her Son JESVS for the Blessings of this and the next Life Sect. XXXII Testimonies of the Sixteenth Age. CV IN this Age the Fathers of the Illustrious Council of Trent manag'd by a special Providence of God for securing the Ancient Doctrine and Customs of the Catholick Church receiv'd from above against the Innovations of Schism and Heresie by monstrous super-fetations invading Gods Sanctuary and polluting whatever is Sacred with their unclean private Spirit (a) Trid. Sess 25. Decret de Invoc Mandat Sancta Synodus omnibus Episcopis caeteris docendi munus curamque sustinentibus Vt juxta Catholicae Apostolica Ecclesiae usum à primavis Christiana Religionis temporibus receptum sanctorumque Patrum consentionem sacrorum Consiliorum decreta fideles diligenter instruant Sanctos una cum Christo regnantes Orationes suas pro hominibus Deo offerre bonum atque utile esse suppliciter eos invocare ob beneficia impetranda à Deo per filium ejus JESVM Christum Dominum nostrum qui solus noster Redemptor Salvator est ad eorum orationes opem auxiliumque confugere The Holy Synod commands all Bishops and others whose Office and Care it is to teach That according to the Practice of the Catholick and Apostolick Church receiv'd from the first Ages of Christian Religion the unanimous Consent of Holy Fathers and the Decrees of Sacred Councils they diligently instruct the Faithful that the Saints who Reign with Christ do offer to God their Prayers for Men that it is Good and usefull humbly to Invocate them and to have recourse to their Prayers Help and Assistance for the obtaining Benefits from God through his Son JESUS Christ our Lord who only is our Redeemer and Saviour Again Sanctorum corpora quae viva membra fuerunt Christi templum Spiritus Sancti à fidelibus veneranda esse per quae multa beneficia à Deo hominibus praestantur Imagines porro Christi Deiparae Virginis aliorum Sanctorum retinendas eisque debitum Honerem Venerationem imperiendam That the Bodies of Saints which were the living Members of Christ and the Temple of the Holy Ghost are to be worshipped by the Faithful and that thereby God bestows many favours on us Also that the Images of Christ of the Holy Virgin Mother of God and of other Saints be retained and that due Honour and Worship be given unto Them. do with great earnestness
Lampas Corona Virginitat◠sceptrum recta Doctrina per quam sancta Trias per Vniversum orbem glorificatur adoratur exultat calum latantur Angeli fugantur doemones quis adeo valet Eloquio ut Mariam satis celebret Hail holy Mother of God rich Treasure of the World ever-shining Lamp Crown of Purity and Scepter of true Doctrine by thee the Holy Trinity is every where blessed and adored Heavens exult Angels rejoyce and the Devils are chaced from us who so surpasses in Eloquence that he is able to say enough to the Glory of Mary St. Cyril of Alxandria (f) Hesych Serm. 1. de Deip. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This Virgin transcends all And Serm. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Let all tongues call the Virgin Mother of God Fountain of light Star of Life Id. Serm. compend Cent. 1. c. 100. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 There is but one God whose glorious Kingdom may we all possess through the Mediation of the most Immaculate Mother of God. Hesychius and (g) Chrysip Serm. de Deip 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 We ought at all times to bless admire and praise the Mother of JESVS Chrysippus of Hierusalem (h) Chrysol Serm. 143. Vere benedicta quae fuit major coelo fertior terra orbe latior nam Deum quem mundus non caepit sola capit bene gratia plena quia caeteris per partes datur Mariae vero simul se totam infudit plenitudo Gratiae Mary is indeed Blessed she is greater than the Heavens more powerful than the Earth more spacious than the whole World because she alone comprehends Him whom the whole World comprehends not she is truly full of Grace to others Grace is given to a proportion but to Mary the fullness of Grace gave it self wholly St. Peter Chrysologus of Ravenna and of many (i) Vid. Paul. Oros l. 7. histor c 39. S. Paulin. Ep. 31. ad Aleth Sulpit. Sever. Ep. 2. ad Aurel. S. Maxim. Taurinenf hom de S. Agnet hom de SS Petr. Paul. Theodoret. l. 8. de Cur. Graec. Affect l. 3. hist c. 14. S. Eucher hom de SS Epipod Alexand. S. Leon. Magn. Serm. 1. 2. de SS Apost Victor Vtic. l. 3. persec Vandal Conc Chalced. act 11. prays to S. Flavian Martyr and Sozom. lib. 7. Mirac Deip. c. 5. reports wonderful Miracles attributed to holy Mary 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 All believ'd them to be wrought by the holy Virgin Mary the Mother of Christ others who in general assert the Worship and Invocation of glorified Creatures and whose co-herent assent with the receiv'd Tradition of former Ages do manifestly evidence the Innocency Equity and Antiquity of our Catholick Saint-Servitude super-eminently due to the Holy Mother of JESVS and consequently do vindicate the Contemplations on her Life and Glory from the unkind Reflections of their Opposers Sect. XXII Testimonies of the Sixt Age. LXXXIX IN the Sixt Age (a) Fulgent Serm. de Partu Salvator Omnes Natura Cursus Virgo Maria in Christo suscepit ut omnibus ad se confugientibus subveniret The Virgin Mary did undergo the several States of Life in Christ that she might the more effectually relieve all who fly for Aid unto Her. St. Fulgentius with great Energy acknowledges the holy Mother of JESVS to have a most ample Power at the Tribunal of Gods Mercies for the relief of her earnest Petitioners (b) Andr. Cretens Com. in Ave Maria. Benedicta Tu inter foeminas quam Beatam omnes generationes praedicant Reges glorificant Potentatus adorant cujus in conspectu ditissimi ex populo dona litant Blessed art thou amongst Women whom all Generations do proclaim Blessed Kings do glorifie Potentates do adore and before whom the Rich offer up their Presents Andreas Cretens says That all Princes and Powers of the Earth must adore the Mother of JESVS as the common Propitiatory of Sinners (c) Greg. 1. Reg. 1. Omnem Electae creatura altitudinem Electionis suae dignitate transcendit Virgo Maria An non Mons sublimis quae ut ad Conceptionem verbi aeterni pertingeret Meritorum verticem supra omnes Angelorum Choros usque ad solium Deitatis erexit The Virgin Mary transcends the Highest of the Elect by the Excellency of her Predestination Is not Mary a sublime Mountain who to arrive unto the Conception of Gods eternal Word exalted the Meridian of her Merits above all the Quires of Angels next to the Throne of the Divinity St. Greg. Magn. seems to say the proper Motive of the Amplitude of Her Power with God and of Our Duty to Her to be her super-eminent Merits whereby she transcends all the Quires of Saints and Angels next beneath the Throne of the ever-blessed Trinity For which reason we may presume (d) Procop. Orat. 1. de aedif Justin Imp. Dei genitrici passim per Romanum Imperium multas aedes Justinianus consecravit adeo planè magnificas praestantes ut si quis unam duntaxat conspexerit hoc solum opus ab ipso elaboratum existimabit Justinian every where through the Roman Empire consecrated such magnificent Temples to the Mother of God that each seem'd to be the Work of his whole Life The Emperor Justinian was mov'd to erect those many Sumptuous and Magnificent Temples to the honour of the glorious Mother of JESVS Sect. XXIII Testimonies of the Seventh Age. XC THE Seventh Age of Christianity agrees with the former in the Doctrine and Practice of the Worship and Invocation of the holy Mother of JESVS (a) Conc. Tol. 10. c. 1. Festivitas gloriosae Matris Verbi Incarnati eadem Observantiâ uno simul ubique Die similique habeatur Honore The Feast of the glorious Mother of the Word Incarnate shall be every where kept the same day with the same Solemnity and the like Honour Witness the Tenth Council of Toledo where the Fathers enact a special Canon for celebrating the Festivals of the Sacred Virgin. (b) Sigibert Chron. An. 686. Sergius constituit ut in Nativitate Assumptione Sanctae Mariae exeant Litaniae Pope Sergius commanded that on the Feasts of the Nativity and Assumption of Holy Mary Litanies should be sung in Procession Sergius Pap. 1. Appoints solemn Processions and Litanies on the Feasts of her Nativity and Assumption (c) S. Isid Hispal l. Vit. Sanct. c. 68. seqq l. 1. Off. c. 34. Festivitates Antiqui Patres in venerationis mysterio celebrari Sanxerunt vel ad excitandam Imitationem vel ut meritis eorum consociemur atque orationibus adjuvemur Ita tamen ut nulli Martyrum sed ipsi Deo Martyrum Offeramus quamvis in memoriis martyrum constituamus Altaria The Ancient Fathers did decree that Feasts should be kept in the Mystery of our Worship either to quicken us to the Imitation of the Virtues of the Saints or that we may communicate in their Merits and be help'd by their Prayers Not
do piously and confidently covet the Patronage and Protection of the Saints as subordinate Ministers of manifold Favours not exceeding their Power such as are Illuminations or Suggestions of holy thoughts and desires Restraining or destroying the Illusions of Demons Diverting of many evil Accidents of Mans Life which are the proper Effects of the Ministery of the Angels and Saints Gen. 48.16 Ps 90.11 with Matt. 22.30 Since the Saints are as the Angels of God and therefore do offer up our Petitions to God and joyn their Prayers with ours Yet is it not lawful to Invocate the Saints of whatever Excellency they be as chief Authors of Mans Redemption from sin or of his Sanctification by Grace or of his Glory with God this being uncommunicably proper effectively to the Omnipotency of God meritoriously to the Mediatorship of JESVS Christ whereof neither is properly and strictly subject to the Empire of any Creature otherwise than through a free condescention and Covenant of the Divine Goodness for the raising and supporting a Sinners Confidence in the super-abundant Aides offered for Mans Salvation and thus Man Conjures his Friend to command his affections and Josua's Faith commands God to arrest the Sun in its Meridian Jos 10.14 And Christ assures us upon his Fidelity that whatever the true Believer asks in Prayer God will grant his request Matt. 21.22 Whence the devout St. Augustine l. 5. Conf. c. 9. Dignaris enim quoniam in saeculum Misericordia tua eis quibus omnia debita dimittis etiam promissionibus tuis debitor fieri Because thy Mercy O God is for ever thou vouchsafest to become a Debter to thy own promises even in regard of those whose sins thou forgivest Much rather when a glorified Soul asks for a penitent Sinner dreading the Justice of an offended Father and fearing the foulness of his own Crimes and therefore making his Addresses by the heavenly Courtiers but with the strongest confidence by the holy Mother of JESVS as his chief Favourite by priviledge 1. of her Divine Maternity Innocency and Holiness and 2. of the filial Love of JESVS through which confidence St. Ildefons St. Bonaventure St. Bernardin and other Illuminated Servants of God beg holy Mary to command the dispensing of Divine Favours in Right of Christs gracious promise to the Church and of his super-abundant Love to his Mother though they still own Her as a Pure Creature and therefore as a meer Petitioner though of a most super-eminent Acceptableness with God. Sect. XXIV Testimonies of the Eighth Age. XCV THis pious and learned Age abounds with many Illustrious Witnesses of the received Doctrine and Practice of the Church as to that Worship and Invocation of the holy Mother of JESVS with Praises of her Heroical Vertues and giving Her such Titles of Honour as are suitable to her Excellent super-natural Prerogatives asserted in the Contemplations on her Life and Glory (a) Ven. Bed. in 1. Luc. Eadem Voce Maria ab Elizabeth quâ à Gabriele benedicitur quatenus Angelis Hominibus veneranda cunctis merito faeminis praeferenda monstretur Mary with the same words is proclaim'd Blessed by Gabriel and Elizabeth to shew that she is to be worshipped by Angels and Men and that she is incomparably more Excellent than all Women tom 7. Serm. de Deip. Serviamus semper tali Reginae quae non derelinquit sperantes in se cum diligat Jesus orationes sanctorum exaudiat multo magis Matrem suam exandit pro peccatoribus exorantem Let us ever serve this Illustrions Queen who forsakes not those who confide in Her since JESVS loves the Prayers of the Saints and grants their demands much rather doth he hearken to his own sacred Mother praying for Sinners Our holy Country-man Venerable Bede sayes Holy Mary is to be Worshipped by Men and Angels as their Queen that she forsakes not those who confide in her Protection and since God delights in the Prayers of the Saints that he will not reject the Petitions of his own Mother (b) S. Germ. Patriarch Constant Theor. Rer. Eccles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Because we offer up the Divine Mystery for the Salvation of Souls and the Pardon of our Crimes we address our Supplications in the first place to the Mother of God being more Excellent than all the Saints and super-celestial Powers next we have recourse to those who are more gracious to her Son. And a little after he calls Her most Holy and Immaculate and that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That we all must praise this Lady of the Universe And Scrm. de Assumpt Mar. he sayes Omnia observas Maria inspectio tua ad omnes se perrigit Sanctissima Virgo dignis Teipsam patefacis neque Spiritus efficaciam caro moratur That she observes the Condition of all her Clients extends her care to all discovers her self to all and that her Immaculate Flesh hinders not the Vivacity and Power of her Spirit St. German Patriarch of Constantinople tells us That even in the holy Sacrifice of the Mass offer'd to God for the Remission of sins and the Sanctification of our Souls we in the first place implore the Prayers of the Mother of God as One in all Divine Favours and Gifts transcending all the Saints and Heavenly Spirits And elsewhere he acknowledges her Vniversal super-intendency over Christians Wants and Petitions (c) Jo. Dam. Orat. 1. Nat. Deip. Domina peccatoris Orationem accipe ardenter tamen amantis colentis teque solam gaudii spem habentis Vitae Antistitem in gratiam cum filio me reducentem firmamque salutis Arrham Receive O Lady the Praycr of a Sinner who still passionately Loves and Worships Thee reposes his hope of Joy in Thee as the Guide of my Life my Reconciler to thy Son and the Earnest of my Salvation Vid. Orat. de Dormit Mar. Carm. de Nativ Christ St. Jo. Dam. frequently dilates himself in the Praises of the sacred Virgin giving her magnificent Titles professing his Veneration towards Her and humbly craving her Prayers and Protection XCVI The same Tradition of our Christian Worship and Invocation of the holy Mother of JESVS is yet further supported by the cleer Testimonies of other Holy Fathers and Illustrious Writers of this Eighth Age. (d) S. Cosm Hieros t. 8. Bibl. Patr. hymn 6. in fer 5. Misericordiae Januam aperi nobis benedicta Deipara liberemur per Te à Calamitatibus pete à filio tuo Deo modo dari mihi remissionem malorum quae feci serva me sub protectionem suam Blessed Mother of God open to us the Gate of Mercy Let us be freed by Thee from all Calamities beg of thy Son and God even now the forgiveness of all my sins Keep me under thy Protection Cosm Hieros (e) Alcuin tr de Usu Psalm Rogo sanctam Beatissimam Matrem Mariam in auxilium Meum I beseech Holy Mary the most blessed Mother of God to aid me
Illustrious Defender of the Prerogatives Immunities and Rights of the holy Mother of JESVS He proves that by Vertue of her Divine Maternity she approaches next to God in all communicable Perfections is free from all sin is to be worshipped and Invocated with super-eminent Saint-Servitude and is the mighty Envoy of our Nature to God for the reconcilement of Mankind (d) Albert. Magn. Marial c. 230. Albertus Magnus speaks in the same Phrase In his Marial he sayes that God in regard that his Son JESVS was the Son of Mary endow'd her with a kind of infiniteness of super-natural Perfection (e) S. Anton. de Pad Thom. Cantapret Rich. Mediavil Nicol. de Lyr. Jacob. de Vorag Pelbert Stellar In like manner a most Illustrious train of other learned and holy Preachers and Doctors of this zealous Age in their Panegyricks Summes of School-Divinity and Questions on the Books of Sentences do frequently justifie and propagate this sound Doctrine and Practice of super-eminent Servitude with so constant an Assent receiv'd from above (f) Robert. de monte Suppl Chron. Sigebert an 1228. The use whereof prov'd extreamly beneficial to the People of Soisson who touch'd with the Holy fire found a prodigious Redress through the Mediation of the holy Mother of JESVS (g) D. Bon. Spec. B. Mar. Lect. 7. consid 6. Ipsa non tantum in plenitudine Sanctorum detinetur sed etiam in plenitudine Sanctos detinet ne eorum plenitudo minnatur detinet nimirum Virtutes n◠fugiant detinet Merita ne pereant detinet Daemones ne noceant detinet Filium ne peccatores percutiat Whence the Seraphical Doctor might duely conclude That Holy Mary had not only a comprehensive Fullness of all Perfections of the Saints But moreover keeps the Saints themselves in their Fullness that it diminish not preserves their Vertues that they slack not supports theih Merits that they perish not restrain the Devils that they hurt them not and appeases her Son that he punishes not Sect. XXX Testimonies of the Fourteenth Age. CII THis Age still gives clear Evidences of the Piety both of Eastern and Western Churches towards the Holy Mother of JESVS (a) Nicephor Gregor l. 9. Hist Constant In the East we have the Emperour Andronicus the Elder of whom it is reported as a Test of the Belief and Practice of the Grecians and as a signal Mark of his Christian Zeal that he ever carried in his Bosom the Image of Holy Mary in witness of his special Veneration towards Her and of his confidence in her Protection and Prayers for a further proof whereof he frequently kissed it with Expressions of great Tenderness and Devotion towards Her upon his Death-bed (b) Scot. 3. d. 3. q. 1. n. 10. Quod est Excellentius videtur attribuendum Maria si authoritatibus Sacra Scriptura Ecclesiae non repugnet But in the West the Zeal of this Age is wonderfully conspicuous in Asserting the Preservation of the Holy Mother of JESVS from the Guilt of Original Sin revived and amplified An. 1303. by our renown'd Country-man the subtile and Pious Doctor John Dunscot the Glory of England the Ornament of Oxford the Star of the Seraphical Order and the Illustrious Champion of the transcendent Perfections of Holy Mary of the Amplitude whereof he prescribes this certain RULE That all that Excellency must be allow'd to Holy Mary which is not against the express word of God or the Authority of the Catholick Church (c) Durand 4. d. 49. q. 4. a. 1. Aug. Triumph q. 17. Sum. a. 3. ad 2. Franc. Mayr Hug. de Prat. Petr. Aureol Jo. Baccon Holcot Greg. Arim. Rusbrock Vid. Cavel Rosar Saec. 14. Her. p. 2. tr 2. d. 6. n. 38. To these may be added a vast Cloud of authentick Witnesses of our Catholick Saint-Servitude in General and of the super-eminent Worship and Mediation of Intercession acknowledged through all former Ages of the Church to be specially due to the holy Mother of JESVS Sect. XXXI Testimonies of the Fifteenth Age. CIII THE Piety of this Age towards Holy Mary is manifest (a) Art. Wickleff 48. apud Gualt Saec. 14. tit haer c. 14. Castro V. Sancti Walfingh hist p. 338. Waldens t. 3. p. 204. Ausu nimio debacchatur Wicleff in Sanctos eos orare prohibens festivitates eorum Honores quoslibet interdicens Wickleff with an excessive Insolence rages against the Glorious Saints denying they may be prayed unto and forbidding their Feasts to be solemniz'd and any Honour to be given unto them Thom. James in his Apology for Wicleff wherein he shews the Conformity of that Innovators Doctrines with that of the now Church of England c. 8. Sect. 24. 25. is perswaded that Wicleff in his later and more learned Works retracted his opinion of Praying to the Blessed Virgin Mary from the Judgment of Catholick Writers who about the time of the Council of Constans asserted the Veneration and Invocation of the blessed Virgin against the then spreading Impostures of Wicleff l. 3. Trialog c. 30. against this ancient Doctrine and Practice of the Catholick Church of which our learned Country-man (b) Thom. Waldens cit calls Wicleff Hostis omnium Sanctorum a profess'd Enemy of all Saints V. eod t. 3. Tit. 13. c. 118. Waldensis gives an exact account evidently proving That the glorious Saints according to the degree of their super-natural State and Grandeur ought to be honour'd and magnificently worshipped not Latreutically as Infinite and Independent Deities as our conscious Opponents would have it believ'd the better to colour their Separation from the ancient Body of Christians of the true Apostolical Line of Descent but with a sub-ordinate and relative Veneration due to them in Right of their participated Excellencies of Grace and Glory (c) Conc. Basil Sess 36. Declarantur sententiam eam quae tuetur quod beata Virgo praveniente operante Gratiâ dei singulari Originali peccato obnoxia non fuerit Piam Sanctam Cultui Ecclesiastico Fidei Catholica Recta rationi Sanctis literis consonam ideoque tenendam esse It is declar'd That the Opinion which maintains That the Blessed Virgin through the special preventing and operating Grace of God was not at all liable to Original Sin Is Pious Holy and agreeable to the Worship us'd towards her in the Catholick Church to Holy Catholick Faith to the Principles of Reason Holy Scripture and is therefore accordingly to be retained Again Sess 43. Constituitur ad turbas Ecclesia sedendas Pacemque Vnionem fidelium Intercessione divae Virginis impetrandam Debita solemnitate Festum Visitationis Beatae Virginis celebretur It is decreed That for the appeasing all present troubles arisen in the Church and for the obtaining a firm Peace and Union of Believers through the Intercession of the Divine Virgin the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin be kept with due Solemnity We have also the Judgment of the Fathers of the
maintain this pious and useful point of Saint-Servitude in General and in a special Manner do encourage Christians to a super-eminent Worship and Invocation of the holy Mother of JESVS while they not only recommend unto us an Imitation of the sublime Vertues of the Saints Trid. Sess 25. Decr. de Invoc § Illud vero and a Veneration of their Persons and Representatives by reason of those Vertues by which they are the Living Members and Temples of the Holy Ghost § Sanctorum (b) Declarat Sancta Synodus non esse suae Intentionis comprehendere in hoc decreto ubi de peccato Originali agitur Beatam Immaculatam Virginem Mariam Dei Genitricem sed observandas esse constitutiones Sixt P. 4. quas innovat This Holy Council declares that it intends not in this Decree of Original Sin to comprehend the Blessed and Immaculate Virgin Mary Mother of God but that the Constitutions of Sixtus the Fourth be observed which are hereby renewed Vid. Const 1. Cum praeexcelsa where Holy Mary is call'd the Queen of Heaven Way of Mercy Mother of Grace Friend of Piety comfort of Mankind and the earnest and watchful Petitioner of the King of Hcaven her Son for the Salvation of the Faithful oppressed with the burthen of their Sins But moreover lays a most solid Foundation and Motive of all the super-natural Grandeurs and consequent duty of super-eminent Worship and Invocation of the holy Mother of JESVS for as much as that in regard of her inneffable Priviledge of her Divine Maternity they will not conclude Her under the General Curse of Original Sin Sess 5. Decret de peccat Orig. § declarat whereby they shew their high Opinion of the exuberant Amplitude of the Grace Holiness and Glory of the Blessed Virgin her super-eminent Merits and Acceptableness to God and of that Veneration upon such pressing Motives due to Her with a firm Confidence in the Success of her Protection and Prayers (c) Vid. Beauxamis l. de Cult Sanct. c. 24. Castro Verb. Sancti Lindan l. 3. Panopl Eck. Euchyr c. 15. Perez p. 3. de Tradit Grysald Decis q. 27. Jod Cocc t. 1. Thes l. 3. seqq Caenis Marial l. 5. c. 6. Besides these Fathers this Learned and Zealous Age affords innumerable eminent Doctors who abundantly maintain this Article of Saint-super-eminent Servitude against the Assaults of Luther Calvin and other Innovators as most Ancient Pious and Vseful to all who believe confide in and hope for the Communion of Saints Sect. XXXIII That the Innocency Equity and Antiquity of the Super-eminent Veneration and Invocation due to Holy Mary with Magnificent Praises and Titles of Honour ought to be acknowledg'd by all True Believers CVI. AS for this present Age wherein we now live if we humbly cast an Eye back on the Chain of this Doctrine and Devotion which links us fast to the Apostles Times and to the Oracles of the Evangelists Angels and Christ deliver'd by them in favour of the Excellencies of holy Mary which are thence handed to us and are from intrinsical Causes supported by the super-eminent Priviledges of the ever-Innocent most holy and Glorious Mother of JESVS the Soveraign Mediator of Men and Angels can we believe and hope in JESVS and not bless holy Mary by whom we have JESVS can we love JESVS and not Honour his Sanctuary wherein the power of the Almighty made â—â—e Word Flesh to abide with us Can we apprehend the Idea of a Mother of JESVS beautified with all the Excellencies of Nature and Grace con-naturally sitting her for so stupendious an Operation and now glorious in Heaven next beneath JESVS and not bend our knee with an humble acknowledgement of that her unaccessible Grandeur Or can we conceive her nearness to God Her clear sight of the infinite Myrrour of all Creatures Her co-operation to Mans Redemption and Holiness and Her exuberant fullness of Charity and yet deny that she offers her Prayers still to JESVS for us and knows those Wants Tears and Prayers which we powre forth in the presence of her Son JESVS Surely such impregnable Motives drawn from Authorities Reasons and Obligations so convincing should effectually induce any sincere Enquirer of Truth and not prepossessed by Passion or Party to confess the Innocency Equity and Antiquity of the Veneration and Invocation of holy Mary asserted in the Contemplations on her Life and Glory and that its propagation and practice through the Christian World of all Tongues Ages and Manners must be according to St. Augustine's Rule l. 22. Civ c. 7. An effect of Gods Power and not of Mans Perswasion And that as Richard of St. Victor speaks l. 1. Trin. c. 2. If it be an Errour it proceeds from the irrefragable Authority of Truth it self speaking by such Signs and Wonders as are proper to God only CVII Yet further even in this Critical Age which nicely searches the most authentick Records of Time Monuments of Councils and Fathers Authorities of Miracles and Opinions of School-men Panegyrists and Mystical Divines there be so many Illustrious Assertors of this true and solid Devotion towards the holy Mother of JESVS so many conspicuous Testimonies of the Judgement of our Chief Bishops amplifying the Sacred Mysteries of holy Mary erecting Monuments in Honour of her Name establishing Festivals for an encouragement of the Doctrine and Practice of this super-eminent Saint-Servitude and in condemning the pretended Zeal of some few scatter'd Members who against the whole torrent of the Catholick World have lately endeavour'd to asperse this Worship and Invocation through a pretended Indiscretion of some too credulous Devotees finally there be so many convincing Arguments of its Innocency Equity and Antiquity drawn from the constant Practice of the Catholick Church diffusive in solemnizing the Mysteries of the holy Mother of JESVS frequenting Oratories dedicated to God under her Memory and registring themselves Disciples of Christian Perfection in Religious Orders Confraternities and Sodalities establish'd by Church-Authority under some Illustrious Mystery of Holy Mary for the improvement of Virtue with marvellouâ— Success through all Nations of the Christiaâ— World That it were too great an Insolency to impeach this Truth and Custom either of Novelty or Superstition CVIII Conclude we then That super-eminent Praises Titles of Honour Veneration and Invocation of Prayer are due to the holy Mother of JESVS being drawn from Motives so Just of the Almighties Love and Bounty to Her and Her thence ensuing Excellencies and Perfections above all other PVRE CREATVRES and being convey'd unto us by a perpetual Series of Classical Fathers Pastors and Doctors from the Apostles time without possibility of shewing their beginning in any later Age or any Opposition from any but such as besides their guilt of other Heresies decried even by our Antidicomarians have been even for that Cause cut off from the Vnity of the Catholick Communion as appears in the Manichees Eustathians Vigilantians Claud of Turine Pseudo-Apostles Waldensians Almaricus Wicleff
Luther and Calvin Enemies of the Glory of the Saints of their acceptableness to God and of their Communion with the Just as if they who sometimes pray'd with us should now either not pray or to no purpose do pray for us and that they who here reliev'd us by their Prayers should now not know us nor mind us nor have any power with God to assist us Cassiodor l. 1. Institut c. 13. CIX So that nothing doth offer it self further to incapacitate the Glorious Saints and above all these the most Innocent Holy and Glorious Mother of JESVS to hear our Praises Honourable Appellations Expressions of Veneration and humble Petitions and to help us in our Wants since 't is possible Pious Authoriz'd and Beneficial and this more effectually in order to holy Mary by how much more glorious she is whom we Petition and by how much the greater Authority this Doctrine receives from its ancient Tradition as to matter of Right and Duty and its antient Practice and the many undeniable stupendious Benefits thereby obtained Trid. Sess 22. c. 3. de Sacrif Miss Sess 25. decret de Invoc above all exception evidenc'd in matter of Fact from the Histories of a Times and of Classical Writers living in those times agreeing both to the Doctrine receiv'd and Devotions used and Benefits granted and consequently obliging us to the like Practice and this most Eminently towards the holy Mother of JESVS because most excellent in all communicable Perfections above all however glorious PVRE CREATVRES and therefore deserving super-eminent Praises Titles of Honour most profound Veneration and our humblest and most confident Addresses that she vouchsafe to become our Advocate to JESVS The God of all Glory the Giver of all Grace the Forgiver of all Sin and the Saviour of Men and Angels from whom ever begins and to whom finally are directed all Praise Honour Worship and Supplication through the Mediation of the Glorious Queen of Men and Angels as from and to the Head-spring of all super-natural Light Grace and Glory Amen FINIS Books Printed and sold by Nathaniel Thompson at the Entrance into the Old Spring-Garden near Charing-Cross A Manual of Controversies clearly demonstrating the Truth of the Catholick Religion By Texts of Holy Scripture Councils of all Ages Fathers of the first 500 years Common Sense and Reason And fully answering the principal Objections of Protestants and all other â—ectaries Price bound 1 s. 6 d. 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