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
Vertues and their Memorable Actions Thus to perpetuate the Truth of King Solomons Prophetick Song That the QVEENS of the Earth shall ever eccho forth Canticks of Praise and Glory to the Holy QVEEN of Heaven Cant. 6. v. 8. While by your Sacred Majesties Religious Examples Your Kingdoms and their vast Appendants be again reclaim'd to JESVS England once more becomes the DOWRY of MARY and that by the powerful Mediation of the Divine Mother to her Bountiful Son JESVS the British Empire may prosper in TRVTH PEACE and PLENTY under the Royal Scepters of an eternal Issue of King JAMES the JVST and Queen MARY the PIOVS which is the humble earnest and daily Petition of Madam Your Sacred Majesties most Humble most Obedient and most Faithful Servant Subject J. C. Febr. 28. 1686 / 7. The CONTENTS SEct. I. That there is a secure Means of arriving to the Knowledge of Christian Religion page 1 Sect. II. That this secure Means of arriving to Truth is easie and effectual page 7 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 an end page 11 Sect. IV. Two sorts of persons oppose these Marian Contemplations upon what Grounds page 13 Sect. V. Four kinds of Arguments used against the Contemplations and the Case open'd page 20 Sect. VI. The Worship properly due to the Holy Mother of Jesus truly stated page 25 Sect. VII What sensible Actions may lawfully express that inward Worship we owe to Holy Mary page 28 Sect. VIII That the Worship given to the Holy Mother of Jesus is Religious and Laudable page 31 Sect. IX That the Worship of the Saints being Religious the Doctrine and practice thereof in a Super-eminent degree in the Contemplations asserted to the Mother of Jesus is Pious and Just page 42 Sect. X. That a Super-eminent Veneration is due to the Holy Mother of Jesus page 45 Sect. XI Three Singular Motives of the Super-eminent Veneration due to the Holy Mother of Jesus page 48 Sect. XII That these Three most Excellent Priviledges of Holy Mary do challenge a Super-eminent Servitude from us as they are Her Super-natural perfections page 54 Sect. XIII That the same Excellencies of Holy Mary as sublime Images of the Divine Attributes confirm Her Right of Super-eminent Servitude page 61 Sect. XIV That the Mediation of Holy Mary derogates not from the Dignity of our only Mediator Jesus page 65 Sect. XV. That the Exaltation of the Holy Mother of Jesus above all the Choires of glorified Creatures renders not the Contemplations useless to Christians page 73 Sect. XVI That the Contemplations are only a Continuation of the Antient Doctrine and Practice of the Catholick Church page 85 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 page 88 Sect. XVIII Testimonies of the Second Age. page 97 Sect. XXI Testimonies of the Third Ages page 99 Sect. XX. Testimonies of the Fourth Age. page 100 Sect. XXI Testimonies of the Fifth Age. page 103 Sect. XXII Testimonies of the Sixth Age. page 107 Sect. XXIII Testimonies of the Seventh Age. page 108 Sect. XXIV Testimonies of the Eighth Age. page 116 Sect. XXV Testimonies of the Ninth Age. page 119 Sect. XXVI Testimonies of the Tenth Age. page 121 Sect. XXVII Testimonies of the Eleventh Age. page 122 Sect. XXVIII Testimonies of the Twelfth Age. page 123 Sect. XXIX Testimonies of the Thirteenth Ages page 117 Sect. XXX Testimonies of the Fourteenth Age. page 129 Sect. XXXI Testimonies of the Fifteenth Age. page 131 Sect. XXXII Testimonies of the Sixteenth Age. page 135 Sect. XXIXII 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 page 158 An Apology for the Contemplations on the Life and Glory of the Holy Mother of JESUS Shewing the Innocencie Equity and Antiquity of the Honour and Veneration given to Her by the Holy Catholick Church Sect. I. That there is a secure Means of arriving to the Knowledg of Christian Religion I. IGnorance and Errour are the proper Birth and Growth of Mans Rebellion and Sin Had Man been obedient to his Good God he had not been divested of Original Innocence and Grace the Lights of an abstractive Knowledge of God and Divine Mysteries had suffer'd no Eclipse and Man had still walk'd comfortably with God in the Splendours of the Earthly Paradice And therefore those Dreadful Effects and Punishments of Mans Iniquity cannot indemnify Him in his breach of Moral and Christian Duties justify Heresie or Schism or become a rational Plea for Immunity and Impunity at the Bar of Gods Justice since as to the Essential Points and Fundamental Obligations of Christian Religion both those Darknesses may be evacuated entirely for Mans acquiring his Supernatural End by the Means of the Lights of Divine Revelation sufficiently appliable to each ones Capacity Endeavours and Duty partly through internal super-infus'd Gifts of Faith and Grace to that end ever ready partly through that prudently justifiable and convincing Authority and laborious Industry of lawful and careful Guides and Teachers purposely appointed impower'd and continu'd through all Ages over Believers within the Churches Hierarchy by a most Fatherly Providence of our gracious God and plentifully endow'd with the Wisdom and Spirit of Jesus the Author Conservator and Finisher of Christian Religion out of which there is no Holiness or Salvation Hebr. 11.6 Trid. Sess 6. c. 6. 8. Aug. Serm. 38. de Temp. II. For the Living God being essentially Light and Truth designing Christs Mission for our improvement in Knowledge Love and Obedience till the finishing of all Time and by manifest Edicts proclaiming his sincere Will That none shall see or possess Him in the fulness of his Glory who is not prepar'd thereunto by previous Lights of Supernatural Faith and warmth of Divine Love He will not be wanting to Men of good Will in matters he so pressingly requires of them especially as to those more important and most useful Truths and Duties on which he hath built chiefly the Sacred Fabrick of Christian Religion and by It our Hopes of Eternal Happiness and therefore hath God graciously covenanted with Believers a Supply of all Necessary Aids for their efficacious advancement amidst all Letts of Holiness upon his own Fidelity Rom. 3.4 1 Cor. 10.13 1 Thes 5.24 Hebr. 10.23 Trid. Sess 6. c. 11. Araus c. ult Aug. tr 53. in Joan. Thus saith St. Augustin 4. Conf. c. 16. Christians securely ripen their first Feathers in the Nest of the Church and nourish the Wings of their Charity by a Sound Faith. III. But if these formidable Punishments of Mans Pride be moreover encouraged by Party and Passion in opposition to the Rules of those Lights and Covenants offer'd to
Soul and is a most powerful Advocate for Sinners at the Tribunal of his Mercy Cant. 4. 12. 13 Bern. Epist 174. Aug. Serm. 11. Nativ Dom. Anselm Libr. Conc. Virg. c. 18. Damian Serm. Assumpt Ildef l. de M. Virg. Ambr. l. 2. Virg. Aug. Medit. c. 40. n. 5. The efficacy of her Merits soaring above the Quires of the flaming Seraphims and approaching the Throne of the Eternal Trinity Greg. in 1. Reg. 1. XLIV Thirdly These two most Excellent Prerogatives of Holy Mary Her Divine Maternity and her super-seraphical Innocency lead us to the consideration of the stupendious Treasure of Super-natural Gifts of Original Justice Sanctifying Grace and of the whole Train of Moral and Theological Virtues transfus'd through Her Illustrious Soul with that fullness intensively as to its own Perfection in its self and extensively as to all its Operations of Holiness in this World and blessedness in the state of Glory That therein she incomparably surpasseth the Holiest and Happiest of all the Glorifi'd Saints and Angels as far as is possible for the most perfect amongst Pure Creatures Cant. 4.8 All which seems con-naturally to follow from the eternally pre-design'd priviledge of her being over-shadow'd impregnated and enrich'd by the Virtue of the Holy Ghost of her Conceiving the Holy of Holies Gods Consubstantial Word within her Chaste Bowels of her bringing forth into this World that stupendious Light of the Divinity inclosed in our Nature prepar'd for the Glory of Israel and the enlightning all Nations to Truth and Grace Luc. 2.32 Jo. 1.17 Sect. XII That these Three most Excellent Priviledges of Holy Mary do challenge a Super-eminent Servitude from us as they are Her Super-natural Perfections XLV THE Practice of the Saints and the Authority of Divine Oracles are most un-resistable Rules of our Christian Faith and Duty not only as to all radical Truths and Precepts but also as to the con-natural consequences of both so that if Majesty Innocency and Goodness be aimable and honorable they exact a most passionate Love a most profound Veneration where they are in their highest Meridian possible to a Pure Creature such they are in Holy Mary such likewise should our Love and Reverence be towards Her as a Just Homage due to her for these Her charming Grandeurs To train Christians up to these sublime Acts the Holy Ghost hath set us a most exact Copy when he proclaims Her blessed above All and to be blessed by All Luc. 1.41.48 49. Blessed above All because she shall crush the Serpents head as the Mother of JESVS shall be free from all sin by Gods preserving Decrees and shall be full of Grace for the dignifying the Temple of JESVS and for these her Excellencies All shall bless Her by celebrating her Praises by giving Her magnificent Titles by venerating this Her Majesty Purity and Holiness and by imploring Her Protection and Prayers Now and in the Hour of our Death by whom we have aceess to JESVS says S. Bern. Serm. ult de Assumpt and for the confirming us in this Belief and Duty The Holy Church in her sacred Councils pronounces an eternal Curse against all those who confess not Holy Mary to be the most excellent above all Visible and Invisible Creatures Synod 2. act 5. XLVI In pursuance of this great design of the Holy Ghost That all Generations should confess the Grandeurs and bless the Name and Power of the Mother of JESVS The venerable Pastors of the Church Holy Fathers and great Masters of our Christian Schools and Pulpits have through all Ages studiously pen'd lofty Panegyricks full of her Praises with the most Illustrious Titles of Honour possibly to be given to the most Excellent of Pure Creatures asserting Her fullness of super-natural Gifts the swiftness and clearness of her Intellectual Operations with those Gifts her undoubted Right to all those sensible Marks of internal Worship possibly due to their Chief in the most exquisite Prerogatives of Nature Grace and Glory and her surpassing Acceptableness to her Son JESVS for the effectual obtaining of whatever Favours fit for us to beg and God to grant through the Mediation of the Best amongst Pure Creatures Hence these burning and shining Lights of the Catholick World frequently entitle this Divine Creature The Miracle of the World Ark of the living God Abyss of Grace and Glory the Immense Treasury of Holiness stupendious Master-piece of Gods Omnipotency transcending the whole Sphere of the Elect in the Gifts of Grace and Fruits of Meritorious Actions And thus acknowleding her Right to the Worship of Hyperdulia or Super-eminent Saint-Servitude they stile Her our Advocate and Mediatrice and do with a most enflam'd Affection beg her Protection and Intercession Chrysost Orat. in Hypapant Epiph. Serm. de Laud. Deipar Damasc Orat. 2. Assumpt Anselm l. Excel Virg. c. 8. Greg. in 1. Reg. 1. Ephrem Serm. Laud. Virg. Gregor Neocaes hom Annunc Ambr. in 2. Luc. Chrysol Serm. 143. D. Th. p. 3. q. 25. Bern. Serm. Nativ Mar. sup Signum magnum Innocent 3. Serm. 2. Assumpt Mar. Bern. Serm. 2. Adv. Ephrem Orat. ad B. Virg. XLVII Upon the Authority of these Illuminated Oracles of the Church some Catholick Doctors of an eminent Rank do piously conclude That the Gift of Sanctifying Grace infus'd into the Immaculate Soul of Holy Mary in the first positive Instant of her passive Conception was more intense than the Beatifical Grace of the holiest and happiest of all other Pure Creatures But if the first Beams of her Grace were of that prodigious Beauty and Lustre how much greater were they at the last Moment of her Holy Life Since her whole Life was intensely apply'd in actuating her Illustrious and Flaming Soul with Divine Affections and Ravishments of Love to a most sublime Degree of Acceptableness to God and addition of new Lights of Grace and streams of Merits even to the comprehending of all those Graces which through all the Moments of time have been and shall be dispers'd amongst Pure Creatures And farther since all Divines agree that the Glory of the Holy Mother of JESVS is proportion'd to her State of accomplish'd Grace as a bountiful Gift and just Reward of a holy Life is suitable to the Merits and Right thereof therefore is she before the universal Resurrection of All to each ones Happiness deservingly Assum'd to Glory and exalted above all the Choires of Saints and Angels to a super-excellent Fullness of the Vision and Fruition of God in his full Splendor communicable to Pure Creatures and to most copious Dowries of Clarity Agility Subtility and Impassibility which irradiated from the glorious Lamp of her flaming Spirit through her Immaculate Body compleats her Intensive and Extensive Happiness above All only beneath JESVS XLVIII These three Excellencies the Maternity Innocency and Sanctity of Holy Mary thus Illustrated by the Holy Ghost and the Authority of the great Lights of the Christian World consider'd precisely as Perfections inherent in Her and raising her
each in their proper Station Since then next under God by Essence as the Holy Trinity One God blessed for evermore or by Con-subsistence as JESVS God and Man to whom Divine Worship is due the Holy Mother of JESVS in right of Her Maternity con-naturally qualify'd exceeds all the Choires of Angels and Saints in participated supernatural Perfections by the consent of all Doctors Fathers and Church-Authority for which reason St. Athanasius Serm. de Deip. applies to Her the prophetick Vision of David ps 44.10 of that Illustrious Queen he saw standing at the right hand of God whom therefore St. Gregory Nazianzen Traged Christi patient calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or pre-eminent above heavenly Orders Lady and Queen of All the proof and practice of which Excellency and Magnificence is the chief design of the Contemplations for this reason that Saint-Servitude or Worship in Right of that Excess is by the same Consent properly called Hyperdulia or super-eminent Servitude Contempl. n. 9. and this same surpassing Excellency of supernatural Endowments of Holy Mary as she is the Mother of JESVS is the precise Motive and Measure of all those superlative Praises Titles of Honour and sensible Marks of our internal Worship address'd unto Her As also of that lively and strong Confidence we have of Her Protection and Relief in our Mediation of Her Intercession for Us when we humbly offer up our Petitions either to God graciously to regard her Merits or to harken to her Requests according to the proportion of her excellent Acceptableness to Him or immediately to her self as the Mother of JESVS Queen of Angels Lady of Saints and Refuge of Sinners and therefore highly qualify'd to become a most efficacious Advocate at the Throne of Mercy for Us. XXI Wherefore All Christians believing holy Mary to be the true Mother of JESVS Symb. Apost art 3. Matt. 1.16 Conc. Ephes 1. c. 13. it seems very rational according to the regular and con-natural order of Gods Providence First That Holy Mary is the most sublime and most exact Original of all practical Perfection which the Omnipotency of God-ever drew in the Soul of a PVRE CREATVRE Contempl. Epist Dedic p. 4. l. 9. and Secondly That for this reason she claims the utmost Duty of every Christian as a proper Homage to her Greatness Ibid. p. 5. l. 10. Which Duty thirdly is explain'd to be an Act of super-eminent Servitude Contempl. n. 9. And fourthly brancheth it self by degrees into Praises of Holy Mary for her surpassing super-natural participated Perfections Illustrious Titles of Honour suitable to those Perfections Protestations of a cordial Esteem of her Excellencies of Congratulation for her just possession thereof of Submission to Her Grandeur so high above all other Pure Creatures and so nigh and acceptable to God by reason of those her exuberant Perfections of Holiness Grace and Glory so liberally communicated to Her and of humble Petition of her Intercession and Protection through her Maternity and her thence flowing Prerogatives efficaciously procuring those Divine Blessings upon us which may according to the Rules of his Sacred Providence be fit objects of his gracious Liberality towards us Contempl. n. 8. 18. Sect. VII What sensible Actions may lawfully express that inward Worship we owe to Holy Mary XXII AS the Voice is a sensible Representative of the hidden Notions and Passions of the Intellectual Soul Aug. 15. Trin. c. 11. Arist 1. Periherm 1. So also other outward actions may be Signs sensibly declarative of our inward Affections But those by which we express in our publick Worship our high esteem of and respect to the Majesty and Attributes of God which are Infinite and of the Persons and Perfections of the Saints in their several subordinate Stations though finite and dependent are frequently the same as to the Material or Physical Act. For as we uncover our Head bend our knee or lift up our Eyes or Hands to Heaven in our Latreutick or Divine Worship So also in our Saint-Servitude offer'd to Holy and Glorious Creatures without the least offence of the Creator because there is no usurpation of Gods Divine Prerogatives in the use of those indifferent Actions upon those finite Motives and also without any just cause of Scaendal to a weak Believer because nothing Divine is acknowledg'd by those sensible Marks of Worship to be intrinsick to the Saints to whom they are exhibited as to their immediate Terminative Object XXIII To clear which suppose First That as in the Old Law there was a severe Precept under penalty of Death Deuter. 17.8 So in the New under pain of Separation from the Church that Gods People should learn Divine Truths and Duties from his Commissioners the Eminential or Representative Church and therefore also the Nature Rules Design and Practice of publick Worship Matt. 18.17 1 Cor. 11.34 And this with a Spirit of Vnity by assent to reveal'd Verities and of Obedience to sublimer Powers in Matters relating to Manners and Discipline Sacred But then secondly suppose as manifest to All that those sensible Signs us'd in our Religious Worship have of themselves a manifold Signification though with a Subordination to one chief Analogate And therefore thirdly those Signs by direction of our Judgment and command of the Will are applicable to several Ends or Objects according to those divers Significations and the Nature of the Motives apprehended and guiding as their Immediate Rule and Measure so that according to the Quality of the Motive Divine or participated those general Signs are directed and specify'd and their Vse is justify'd XXIV Thus if our bended Knee by direction of our Spirit and mov'd by the apprehension of the infinite Majesty Wisdom Goodness or Power of God protests an acknowledgement of those Divine Perfections and our absolute dependence on God in our Being Motion and Happiness it is an exterior Act of Divine Worship But if it ariseth only from the apprehension of a participated Excellency of some glorify'd Creature and by our judgement be only directed to acknowledge their State of Holiness and Glory and to protest a Submission thereunto by reason of the vast Chaos betwixt a Mortal Sinner and a glorious Saint even in those their participated super-natural Blessings and consequently their acceptableness to God whose gracious Images Sanctuaries and Favourites they thereby are and our need of their Protection over us and Intercession for us then the bended Knee and other Religious Postures of Head Hands and Eyes are only Marks of Saint-Servitude or Worship suitable to the Motive and End and derogate not at all from our Latreutick Duty to the most High. XXV But because these sensible Acts by the help of our Reason and Will may profess a greater acknowledgement of the Grandeur of a Saint and a firmer confidence of their Aid by how much more Illustrious their super-natural Endowments are these being their exact Motive Rule and Measure therefore if they be directed to
the Holy Mother of JESVS they signify a super-eminent Saint-Servitude towards Her Esteem of her super-natural State and Confidence in her Protection and Mediation Bed. Serm. de S. Mar. Inter Varia German Patr. Constant Theoria Rer. Eccles These Rules and Limits being ever observ'd in our Catholick Addresses to the Mother of JESVS what hazard can there be of dis-respect to God by usurping the Rights of his Sacred Throne and Dignity What of scandal to the Godly by equalling a Creature to the Creator Such however is the Innocent Catholick Doctrine and Practice mis-represented through Love of Party and heat of Passion mis-guided by private false Lights Sect. VIII That the Worship given to the Holy Mother of JESUS is Religious and Laudable XXVI THe Opposers of the Contemplations cannot conceive How a Worship can be Religious and not begin from a Divine Motive tend to and end in God God only So that if Religious Worship be given by us to Holy Mary they conclude our Worship to be Sacrilegious because it invades the Rights of Gods Throne and makes her a DEITY To disperse this Mist of Misrepresentation 't is confess'd That Religion though not a Theological but Moral Virtue and a branch of Justice yet hath it for its chief Act and End To give due Worship to God for his own infinite Glory whereby he is our Supream and absolute Lord our first Cause and last End. The exact and adequate Object of Religious Worship in chief is a Collection of all those sensible Signs which are apt most effectually to testify to the World our sincere Esteem Love and Submission to God in Right of those his Infinite Excellencies and therefore those Divine Perfections are the original Motive and Measure of the whole Collection of those Signs Now because those Divine Perfections so conspicuous in God do as manifestly argue in us an unavoidable dependence on God as to our whole Being Motion and Rest therefore do they create in us an indispensable obligation of using those Signs under fit Circumstances wherefore they are not only the ultimate but also the Immediate Motive and Measure of this our Religious Worship and the End of this Religious Worship is God for his own infinite Excellency by those outward Signs blessed by us who in himself is blessed for evermore XXVII Within this Collection of sensible Signs of our Religious Worship the Offering of Sacrifice is one so proper so due to God only because it manifestly testifies His and His only absolute power over Life and Death That This in all States of the Church hath been specially reserv'd as the Holy Test of Mans dependence on and Duty to God his Creator and last End as both Laws and all Fathers and Divines do affirm Malach. 1.11 1 Cor. 11.26 Aug. l. 20. contr Faust c. 21. l. 10. Civ c. 4. Nic. 2. act 6. Trid. Sess 22. c. 1. D. Th. 2. 2 q. 83. Bell. l. 1. Miss c. 6. Less l. 2. Just c. 38. n. 19. Her. p. 4. tr 3. d. 8. n. 3. Therefore do the Fathers condemn the Arabian Collyridians of a gross Idolatry in offering their Cake-Sacrifices to the Mother of JESUS Epiph. haeres 78. 79. Baron ad Ann. 373. n. 30. Sander haeres 92. Gualter haer saec 4. c. 32. which no ways reflects on those Lights and Perfumes Catholicks do sometimes burn to the honour of the holy Virgin since by none look'd on as Sacrifices or as Protestations of a Supream Dominion but only as outward Symbols of their own lively Faith and of the ascent of a clean Soul to God by Prayer For this Royal Virgin needs not our Vain and Counterfeit Honours Bern. Epist 174. being dignify'd with real Excellencies of the first Magnitude next beneath the Majesty and Attributes of the Son of the Eternal God. Greg. in 1. Reg. 1. Anselm l. Excell Virg. c. 4. Suar. de Myster Christ d. 18. Sect. 4. Her. 4. tr 1. d. 4. n. 15. XXVIII But as to other sensible Actions by Us us'd in our Worship of God as Tests of our inward Value of Gods Omnipotency and Protestation of our own absolute dependence though they may be indifferently us'd by us as well in our Civil as in our Sacred acts of Veneration we owe to our Betters in either States Yet being assum'd and directed by the Virtue of Religion and having the Majesty of God for their Motive and the acknowledgement of his Omnipotency and of our dependence for their Ends They are properly and perfectly Acts of Religious Worship Yea these same Acts by reason of the aforesaid Indifferency to signify any Civil or Sacred Worship even as us'd in our Saint-Servitude only to express our acknowledgement of their Holy and Glorious State may proceed from the Motive End and Inclination of Religion whereby whether Immediately or only Mediately we do ever ultimately make profession of Gods Glory to which all knees must bow So that all these indifferent Actions even when refer'd to the Saints may be call'd Religious without giving the Saints any Divine Homage or otherwise invading the Just Limits of Gods Sanctuary XXIX For clearing this Truth and for removing the Ismaelites Rock of Scandal Observe That the participated Excellencies of Holiness Grace and Glory of the Saints may be consider'd two ways First absolutely and as those super-natural Gifts are habitually inherent in them and being diffus'd through their Souls do intrinsically imbellish Them and render them really Holy Just and Glorious Creatures Secondly Relatively or as those Excellencies do confer on these blessed Spirits a special super-natural and transfigurating Report to God whose accomplish'd Images they now are by consummated Holiness Grace and Glory and by Divine Vision Fruition and Tention made One Spirit with God intentionally in that blessed State. 2 Cor. 3.18 1 Jo. 3.2 2 Petr. 1.4 Aug. tr 2. in 1 Jo. Dion l. Div. Nom. c. 4. Bon. p. 4. Centiloq Sect. 1. For thus Divine Grace as the Seed of God 1 Jo. 3.9 transforms glorified Creatures into a Divine Being by participation of Authentick Marks and Covenants of Gods intimate Presence within Them of indelible Badges of his Friendship to Them and of their powerful Acceptableness to Him in his Sacred Courts and Councils for the promoting and propagating the Communion of the Saints and consequently by These Excellencies Seals the Saints with a super-naturalizing Character of Gods Image dignifies them with the Tale of his Temple and Sanctuary and adorns them with the stupendious Prerogatives of his Friends Favourites and adoptive Children XXX Now although the Super-natural Perfections of the Saints positively or absolutely consider'd as their glorious Endowments do challenge from us Mortals in this our State of Exile some Servitude or Worship and this far above Civil Respect by the Rules of Moral Politicks due to the Grandees of this World because they confer a degree of Excellency transcending the whole Sphere of Moral Vertue Civil power and Imperial Majesty Jo.
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