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
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
Fathers send us sometimes to the Eminential Line of Church-Authority for the justifying Catholick Faith against the Invasions of Schism and Heresie Iraen cit Tertul. l. praescript c. 32. Hier. dial contr Lucifer Aug. Ep. 165. psalm contr part Donat. contr Ep. fund c. 4. Epiph. haer 27. Optat. l. 2. contr Parmen thereby proving the Catholick Church to be the only Apostolical as well from the Vocation and Succession of chief Bishops as for the perpetuity of its Doctrines At other times they refer us to the Body of Church-Representatives for the final Decision of all Controversies in Matters of Faith and Duty Gelas Ep. ad Episc Dardan Cyril l. 1. Trin. Ep. 1. Leo. Ep. 53 54 55. 61. Greg. l. 1. Ep. 24. Ambr. Ep. 13. Naz. l. de fid Orat. de Athan. Ep. ad Cledon Aug. l. 1. contr Crescon c. 33. VIII These Methods therefore of seeking the whole Symbol of Christian Religion are easie and secure for the Church-Authority now being is the same with that through all Ages visible to All by the perpetuity of chief Bishops by the Synods of subordinate Pastors and by the Communion of Christians with both and is efficacious enough in guiding and obliging even prescinding from that Infallibility either of those Church-Authorities have from Gods special Assistance asserted by Scripture because it resides in the most Illustrious Collection of learned and zealous Pastors and Doctors the whole World can offer as a Guide to Mankind in Matters most Important that being also their only business and they therein very intent and unanimous as to all Doctrines and Practices necessary But much rather if regarded under the Commission of that their Authority it being their special Institution and Office so to guide to that intent authoriz'd by Christ successively for all Ages that Establishment being legally proclaim'd by the Apostles and the use of this Commissive Power executed by Apostolical Governours and acknowledg'd by an universal and un-interrupted Practice of the Undoubted Christian Churches In the chief Apostolical Church the Ecclesiastical Supremacy hath ever flourished saith St. Augustin Ep. 162. and therefore To this Church all others owe their being Orthodox says Iren. cit S. Hier. adds Dial. cit fin That its perpetuity is an easie and plain Demonstration of the Duty we owe to its Doctrines and Precepts Sect. III. That this Authority assented unto all Controversies of Religion even this of the Veneration due to the Holy Mother of JESUS is at the end IX THis Church-Authority so ancient so universal so uniform and easie being once admitted by all Parties as admitting no Opposition no Competition no Appeal in Decisions of Faith the Remedy of all Ignorance and Error in Matters relating to Man's Sanctification is plain and effectual all Separation in Judgement and Manners as to the perilous Doubts what Truths are reveal'd and what Precepts impos'd would become void and the whole Body of Christians would become Catholick as well in Vnity of Belief and Practice as in the Confession of One God one Christ one Baptism Mysteries as hard and as incomprehensible as any assented unto by Catholicks by reason of that Authority X. Neither would it be here needful to set forth an Apology for my Innocent Contemplations on the Life and Glory of Holy Mary the Mother of JESUS they being in every Point consonant to the Judgment and Practice of Church-Authority nothing being therein asserted or used which may give any reasonable Jealousie of an attributed Deity or may transcend the just Prerogatives of a Pure Creature since all those Praises Titles of Honour Acts of Veneration and humble Addresses therein used imply that express Limitation of Her being a Pure Creature than which nothing can more derogate from the Perfections or Rights of a Divinity although still we must own to the Holy Mother of Jesus all those Excellencies and Duties unto WHOM the most Illustrious Gifts of Nature and Grace consistent in a PURE CREATURE seem enough only to qualifie Her for the super-eminent and ineffable Excellency of a Divine Maternity Matt. 1.16 Conc. Ephes 1. cap. 13. Greg. l. 1. Reg. c. 1. an Excellency which is the most magnificent of all communicable to a Pure Creature which no Christian can deny to Holy Mary and which as confer'd on a Pure Creature is the Measure of what-ever is said in those Contemplations according to the Pious Maxim of subtil Scotus 3. d. 3. q. 1. n. 10. That whatsoever is most Excellent is due to Holy Mary unless contrary to the Oracles of Divine Revelation or the Churches Authority And thus the whole Body of Christianity saith St. Ansel libr. de Excel Virg. c. 4. doth acknowledge Her to be priviledg'd above all the Chores of Angels And seated only beneath the un-accessible Throne of the most adorable Trinity saith St. Greg. cit Sect. IV. Two sorts of Persons oppose these Marian Contemplations and upon what Grounds XI THE modern Opposers of these Contemplations are of two kinds a friendly Trimmer Speculum B. V. London Printed for R. T. An. 1686. and an open Vigilantian Answ to a Catholick Mis-represented To the first belong all they who whatever Judgement they have of the Substance of the Doctrine and Devotions of the Contemplations wherein they are very yielding blame the Excess of some Expressions either as unduly worded or not cautiously trimmed to the present Humour and Palate of such Mis-believers who will not away with sound and wholesome Meats if not toothsome also or if themselves ill digest some Catholick Doctrines and Duties as if therefore such Meats were not to be offer'd to the Sound and Healthful And there be of these too who so trim in this great Point of Christian Piety towards the Holy Mother of JESVS so ancient and renown'd through all Nations and Ages of the Church as to reduce the whole design of the Worship of Saints to a bare Admiration Commemoration and Imitation of their Virtues Spec. c. p. 9. 29. as if the Veneration of the glorious Saints aecording to their several Degrees of Super-natural and Eternal Excellencies and our Mediation of Intercession directed mediately or immediately unto Them were not in themselves Christian Virtues or that the Practice of these Vertues were not due by Us to their high Rank and Honour as they are the refin'd and excellent Images Temples and Favourites of God or that our being Christians should under peril of the heaviest Crime and Penalty of Idolatry oblige us to lay aside all good Manners and whereas our Morals teach Men to reverence and petition the more Illustrious sort even of sinful Mortals The Gospel should command us under forfeiture of all that is Sacred and comfortable to neglect both towards the glorify'd Saints so incomparably above Us and so acceptable to God for those Excellencies especially since They by reason of those their excellent virtues and Gods Supernatural Gifts the Motives and Measure of all that Praise Honour Worship
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
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
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
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
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
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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