are much more insur'd in this Confidence while our Petitions are offer'd up to JESVS by the Greatest of the Saints And our Hope is yet further enforc'd from the Contemplation of that Excellent Obedience which Christ though Mortal yet a God as observ'd towards Josue 10.14 was pleas'd to pay unto Her Commands Luc. 2.51 Jo. 2.8 not only as an Illustrious Pattern left to all Children Disciples and Subjects of their Duty but also as a strong Encouragement to the Devotes of the holy Mother of JESVS to petition Her with a special Hope of success by Her pleading for us to so kind a Son and so gracious a Friend and Father So that if the Horrour of our sins saith St. Bern. Serm. sup Signum magnum makes us dread to appear in the presence of an Angry and Just God let 's have recourse to holy Mary a most proper Mediatrice to our Mediator JESVS Through whom sayes the same holy Father Serm. Nativ Mar. all our Hope all Grace all Salvation flows down upon us Sect. XIV That the Mediation of Holy Mary derogates not from the Dignity of our only Mediator JESUS LIII HEnce it seems manifest to any calm Considerer That no one Expression or Practice used in the Contemplations on the Life and Glory of the holy Mother of JESVS or by her Devotes with the Approbation of Church Authority detracts in the least either from the Infinite Majesty and Perfections of God or from the all-sufficient and most effectual Mediation of JESVS Christ Whom all still acknowledge with the Apostle 1 Tim. 2.5 The One Mediator of God and Men who gave Himself a Redemption for many And thus as the same Great Apostle speaks Colos 1.20 pacifying all by the Blood of the Cross and by the consequent Fruits deriv'd from that attoning Sacrifice the proper Act of the Office of our One Mediator JESVS for that End clad in our Flesh which could shed its blood dye and appease the Justice of an offended God through the Dignity of his Divine Person wherein it subsists Heb. 9.12 15. LIV. Wherefore if Deeds or exteriour Acts much rather Words have divers significations appliable to their several Analogates by attribution to one Chief whose property they in some measure imitate Thus As with the same bended knee by the direction of our Reason and Will taking their Measures from several Motives we give Divine Worship to God Saint-Servitude to glorifi'd Creatures and Civil Veneration to our Parents and Princes because the Saints in Heaven by Grace and the Monarchs of this World by a Commissive Power partake with God in his Sanctity and Soveraignty and by appropriation are dignifi'd with Titles proper to the Divinity Exod. 7.1 22.8 1. Reg. 28.13 Ps 46.10 81.6 Jo. 10.34 albeit the name of God at its first sound creates in us an Idea of a most Excellent Independent and Immortal Being Aug. l. 1. Doctr. Christ c. 6. So likewise the voice Mediator refers us to several Persons as represented to us under their several Characters and Merits An Vmpire in a Reference betwixt disagreeing Parties is a Mediator finishing differences between Man and Man A Messenger in a Treaty of Peace betwixt warring Kingdoms is a Mediator reporting Articles of Limits and Commerce between People of different Interests a Petitioner in a breach of Duty betwixt a Subject and his Superior is a Mediator pleading Pardon for past Crimes and Protection of his Person for the future LV. All these wayes Christ is properly our Mediator first as an Vmpire judging that Peace may be re-establish'd with God if he remits our faults and we obey his Laws S. Ambr. 1 Tim. c. 2. Then as Gods Messenger proclaiming under what Conditions Heaven is settled upon Believers Hebr. 9.15 Next as our Advocate still pleading at Gods Bar for Grace and Mercy Rom. 8.34 and yet by Appropriation Priests in the Tribunal of Repentance are Vmpires Preachers in their Pulpits are Gods Messengers and the Ministers of the Propitiatory Sacrifice at Gods Altars and the Prayers Groans and Tears of a Penitent sinner in his private Oratory are Petitioners at the Throne of Grace And thus at least not only the living Moyses Deut. 5.5 Rom. 15.30 but the glorified Saints also Apoc. 5.8 are truly Mediators between God and his guilty People Hier. l. contr Vigilant Much rather the Mother of JESVS and Queen of all Saints and Angels unless the more acceptable they be to God and the greater their Glory their Power should be less and their Prayers more Fruitless which is very inconsequent to that glorious State and coheirship with Christ our great Advocate Apoc. 2 26. 8.3 and to the Communion of Saints and that compassion of the Heavenly Citizens which they so eagerly practic'd towards their once Fellow-Captives LVI But that other Mediation by way of Sacrifice and Propitiation through the blood of the Cross cancelling Gods Sentence drawn up against us by the exuberant Dignity of the Person suffering this is so proper to JESVS that he alone is the One Mediator In substance because the Person of God substantially unites the Natures of God and Man and by Operation because the Merits of his Humane Nature con-subsisting with the Divine paid the whole Debt of our Crimes establish'd Seals for our Sanctification and through them gave us a co-heirship to Heaven 1 Tim. 2.5 6. ubi Chrys Ambr. Theophylact. Theodoret. Aug. l. 9. Civ c. 19. Fulgent l. de fid ad Petr. c. 2. Hilar. l. 9. Trin. Cyril l. 12. Thes c. 10. So that although Priests at the Altar do offer the Propitiatory and Satisfactory Sacrifice of our Mediator and the Saints in Heaven may commemorate its efficacy to move Gods Clemency to pardon our Crimes through the Merits of that our Mediator offer'd and commemorated yet not by their personal Mediation otherwise than by way of Application and Prayer to God. Apoc. 5.8 seqq LVII In like manner The several Expressions us'd by the Devotes of holy Mary of their Hope of her Aid for their freedom from present or future Calamities of Sin Sickness Captivity For her Protection against the Powers of Darkness from manifold Temptations and the dreadful Casualties of this wretched Life in imploring Her Mercy to pitty and bless them and to shield them from the severity of Gods Wrath in the day of his Vintage and height of his Justice against rebellious Criminals whereof the Offices of the Church and Writings of the Fathers are full can raise no other Idea in the Mind of a Right Believer than of the peculiar efficacy of her Prayers upon our earnest Suit made to God for us for those Ends grounded on those super-eminent Prerogatives of her Maternity Innocency and Holiness whereby first her Person then her Mediation of Intercession according to Gods Rule in the Case of Abel Gen. 4.4 hath a most sublime Acceptableness to God for us And thus too at a vast degree beneath the Mediation of JESVS
that we sacrifice to any of the Saints but to the God of the Saints only though we erect Altars to God in remembrance of the Saints St. Isidore oft dilates himself in the Praises and Worship of holy Mary and shews that the Catholick Saint-Servitude derogates not from that Worship which is due to God only (d) Ildefons l. Virginit Mar. c. 12. Venio ad Te sola Virgo Mater Dei Procido coram Te humilior coram Te Rogo Te ut obtineas deleri facta peccati Mei ut jubeas mundari me ab iniquitate operis Mei ut facias me diligere gloriam Virtutis tuae ut reveles mihi multitudinem Dulcedinis Filii tui ut mihi des loqui defendere Fidei sinceritatem Filii tui Concedas etiam mihi adhaerere Deo Tibi Illi sicut factori meo Tibi sicut Genitrici factoris Mei c. I approach to Thee O only Virgin Mother of God I prostrate my self before Thee I humble my self before Thee I beseech Thee obtain the cancelling of all my sinful Works command me to be cleansed from the Iniquity of my Crimes make me covet the Glory of thy Virtues reveal unto me the Plenty of the sweetness of thy Son Grant that I may profess and defend the true Faith of thy Son and that I may adhere to God and Thee To Him as my Creator to Thee as to the Mother of my Creator c. And St. Ildephons prostrating himself before the holy Mother of God conjures her by whatever is Sacred and Mysterious in the Conception of the eternal Word to obtain of Him the Remission of his Sins to command his delivery from all Iniquity to render him emulous of her own transcendent Vertues and to give Him a relish of the delicious Treasures of the Love of JESVS XCI The Opposers of our Catholick Saint-Servitude as taught and used by Christians of all Ages and Nations of the Apostolical Church regarding more the rind and Criticism of Words than the Spirit and Truth of Christianity discover'd by the Holy Fathers are much offended at the Phrase of Command sometimes us'd in our Addresses to the Mother of JESVS in order to his Divine and Theandrick Operations appertaining to Mans Redemption and Sanctification by Grace as in this passage of St. Ildefons Thence inferring our manifest Idolatry in Worshipping and Invocating Holy MARY as the chief and absolute Soveraign over Souls and Author of Grace and Holiness Calvin l. 3. Instit c. 20. n. 22. Answer p. 25. Specul p. 17. XCII But as the erecting of Temples and Consecrating Altars therein under the Patronage and Protection of Holy Mary the Mother of JESVS and the Ordaining Priests to offer Sacrifice there upon Her Festivals or the Imposing her Sacred Name in Baptismal Regeneration or making Holy Vows of Evangelical Perfection in a Religious Society establish'd in Memory of some Excellent Mystery of her Life c. cannot be reputed Idolatry because none of these Acts are design'd immediately properly and absolutely to Holy Mary but to God only the Supream Lord of all Creatures though by Appropriation performed in Remembrance of Her or of some Mystery relating to Christ or of some signal Favour obtain'd of Christ by her more powerful Intercession and Protection as by a super-eminent Saint a more glorious Image of the Divine Perfections and most endear'd Favourite in the Court of Heaven gratefully piously and duely acknowleg'd by those our external Acts So neither can those sensible Marks of that great Confidence Catholicks conceive of the power of the holy Mother of JESVS within his Spiritual Empire in Requesting Her to bestow Temporal or Spiritual Gifts or even to command us to be cleansed from sin which cannot be done but by the power of JESVS only in the known sense of the holy Church he esteem'd an Invasion of Gods Imperial Power or a Giving to Holy Mary that Religious Worship which is proper to JESVS the Son of the eternal God who alone is the absolute Creator and Giver of Life Light Grace and of all Good Things Eph. 2.8 Jac. 1.17 And the Soveraign Lord of All by Essence and indispensably in whole and in part Levit. 19.4 Ps 23.1 Insomuch that although God covenanting with his Church to assist her Governours Eminential or Representative in Teaching all Truth to co-operate with her Ministers of Sacraments in Sanctifying well-dispos'd Believers and to give Life everlasting to Faithful Laborours in his Vineyard with proportion to their Merits in Christ by Virtue of his Fidelity whereby his promise and performance still run parallel Matt. 28.20 Jo. 20.23 Scot. 4. d. 1. q. 5. n. 12. 2 Tim. 4.8 Trid. Sess 6. c. ult Yet in Right of Gods Essential Supremacy over all Creatures and Independency on all no Creature of whatever Spiritual magnitude can claim any Gift of his Mercy or power over his Will upon any strict Obligation of Justice Alens p. 1. q. 39. m. 1. D. Thom. q. 21. a. 1. D. Bon. 4. d. 46. a. 2. q. 1. Scot. q. 1. n. 4. 11. Smif tom 1. disp 4. q. 5. n. 45. But as St. Aug. 1. Conf. 4. says he gives what 's due though Debter to none because as St. Anselm remarks Prosolog c. 10. God is Just not giving as due but doing what becomes his Infinite Goodness upon his promise passed in his Gospel of Truth and Grace under the Seals of his most tender Love to Believers XCIII Whence 't is manifest according to the Doctrine and Spirit of the Catholick Church First that Faith Remission of sins and sanctifying Grace are not the principal proper and Physical Gifts of any however glorious Creature Secondly that God is not rigorously subject to any power beneath himself as to the dispensing his Gifts and Graces to us Thirdly That therefore whatever the Forms of our Prayers are their design is only to desire Gods gracious and glorified Servants to pray for us and according to the amplitude of their participated super-natural Dignity and the acceptableness of their Prayers according to the Measure of that Dignity covenanted for in the Gifts of Grace earnestly and effectually to obtain of God those Gifts for us purely by their Mediation of Intercession with God according to the known Decree of this Sixth General Council under Pope Agatho c. 7. Vnusquisque Christianus solo Deo adorato invocet Sanctos ut pro se intercedere apud Divinam Majestatem dignentur Having given Divine Worship to God only let every Christian pray to the Saints that they would vouchsafe to interceed to the Divine Majesty for them Syn. Constant Gen. 6. c. 7. And according to the practice of the Fathers of the Fourth General Council under Pope Leo the Great act 11. Flavianus post mortem Vivit Martyr pro nobis oret Flavian though dead lives Let the Martyr pray for us Syn. Gen. Chalced. act 11. XCIV Wherefore although according to the true Spirit of the Gospel of JESVS Catholicks
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
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