ADORATION OF SAINTS. In one of my preceding articles, I showed sufficiently the corruptions, the deceit, the heathenish adoration of the Virgin Mary, and the manner in which saints are manufactured; but having only given an historical account, I resume the subject in a separate section, to show the light I received after an attentive examination of the scriptures with regard to the invocation of saints. Having been taught to venerate and adore the saints, I felt the great importance of that subject, and it was not a matter of trifling or small moment for my conscience whether it was true or false. The scriptures teach, that: "God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." Consequently it was a practical question in which every man, lay-man as well as priest must be interested. How am I to approach God with acceptance? How am I to present my prayers unto Him? Is it through the Lord Jesus as the only and perfect Mediator, or through him and the saints with him. in heaven? Through one mediator and advocate, or through many? were naturally the thoughts which rose in my mind. If I would give my views on the subject with the light I have now, I would certainly treat it differently. But I will in the plainest and most concise manner, give the views I had at that time. Two points presented themselves to my mind. 1st. Whether the saints pray in heaven for man; and 2dly. Whether men should pray to God through the saints. On the first point I could not decide, because I found nothing revealed in the scriptures to make it a matter of faith. It was the second point; whether it is the duty of making saints in heaven our mediators with God? This it was my desire to verify. Before I enter upon the inquiry, I will see if the Roman Catholics offer really a regular and unequivocal worship to the saints, and if they adore them as mediators between God and man; then examine if it is right or wrong. The following prayers are addressed to the Virgin Mary and to other saints. As the Roman Catholics are not much versed in the Bible, I will for their convenience give also the passages from scripture as a parallel to their prayers. The Church of Rome. "Heart of Mary, illustrious throne of glo ry. "Heart of Mary, comfort of the afflicted. "Heart of Mary, refuge of sinners. "Heart of Mary, hope of the agonizing. "Heart of Mary, seat of mercy. "Hail Mary, lady and mistress of the world, to whom all power has been given, both in heaven and earth."" "Come then, hardened and inveterate sinner, how great soever your crimes may be! come & behold! Mary stretches out her hand, opens her breast to receive you. Though invisible to the great concerns of your salvation, though unfortunately, proof against the most engaging invitations of the Holy Ghost; fling yourself at The Bible. "I sought the Lord, and he heared me, and delivered me from all my fears."2 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present Help in trouble.3 "Look unto me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else." 'Litany of the heart of Mary. p. 206. 2Ps. xxxiv. v. 4. 3Ps. xlvi. v. 1. 4Isaiah ch. xlv. v. 22. 994 thou art, who under- ye liken God? or what standest that thou dost likeness will ye compare rather fluctuate in the unto him? The workstreams of this life, a- man melteth a graven midst storms and tem- image, and the goldsmith pests, than walk over spreadeth it over with the earth, turn not thine gold, and casteth silver eyes away from the chains. He that is so splendor of this star, impoverished, that he if thou desirest not to hath no oblation, choosbe overwhelmed with eth a tree that will not storms. If the winds rot; he seeketh unto him of temptations arise a- a cunning workman to gainst thee; if you run prepare a graven image upon the rocks of tribu- that shall not be moved. lations, look to this star, Have ye not known? call upon Mary. If you have ye not heard? hath are cast upon the waves it not been told you from of pride, ambition, de- the beginning? have ye. traction, and emulation, not understood from the look to this star, call up- foundation of the earth? on Mary. If anger, or It is he that sitteth upon avarice, or the entice- the circle of the earth, ments of the flesh strike and the inhabitants thereagainst the vessel of the of are as grass-hoppers; 'Litany of the heart of Mary. p. 293. The Church of Rome. The Bible. mind, look to Mary. If that stretched out the disturbed by the immen- heavens as a curtain, and sity of your crimes, con- spreadeth them out as a founded by the pollution tent to dwell. That of your conscience, and bringeth the princes to terrified with the horrors nothing; he maketh the of the judgment, you be- judges of the earth as gin to be absorbed in the vanity," &c. gulf of sorrow, in the abyss of despair, think of Mary." "O God, who hast crowned the blest king, Edward thy confessor with the diadem of glory, grant that we may honor him in such a manner on earth, as to hereafter reign with him in heaven, through, &c.2 66 Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." 994 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water, under the earth. Thou shalt not "And I reverence you, O, sacred Virgin Mary, the holy ark of the covenant, and together with all the thoughts of all the blessed spirits in heaven, do bless and praise you infinitely for you are the great Mediatrix bow down thyself to 1Breviary Roman. Autumn. Fest. Sept. lect. 5, Sermo St. Bernardi. 2Missal. Rom. p. 672. ̧ 3Isaiah xl. v. 18-23 John ch. xiv. v. 13. |