And what is the Reason, why men should so readily close with other means, other Mediators of Intercession to go to God by them? For when they pray to Saints, although they should only pray unto them to intercede for them, as some of them pretend, (however openly and manifestly against their express and avowed Practice) yet do they go to God by them. For to speak of any Religious Prayer, and yet not to look on it in general as a going or coming to God, is a fond and senseless Imagination. Wherefore whenever they pray to Saints, as most of them do more than to Jesus Christ, their design is to go to God by them. But what is it that should induce them hereunto? Our Lord Christ hath told us, that he is the way; and that no man cometh unto the Father but by him, John 14. 6. What reason can any man give why he should not believe him, but although he hath said that no man cometh unto the Father but by him; should yet attempt to go another way? Have others more Power in these things than he, so as it is advisable on that Account to make our Application unto them? Where is it said of any Saints or Angels, or all of them together, that they are able to save to the utmost all that come to God by them? Or where is any one word spoken of their Power or Interest in Heaven unto that Purpose? But it will be said, that we may be relieved and saved, we stand not in need of Power only, but of Love, Pity and Compassion: And although the Saints have less Ability than Christ, yet they may have more of Love and Compassion for us. For some of them it may be were our Kindred, or Progenitors, or Country-men, or such as may have an especial kindness for us, especially the Blessed Virgin, ⟨p. 243⟩and other female Saints are by their natural constitution as well as their Grace, (who would not think so?) mightily inclined unto pity and compassion. And indeed they are marvellous things, which some of them tell us concerning the Blessed Virgin in this case, and her condescension in the pursuit of her Love and Pity. But yet this Imagination is the highest pitch of Folly and Ingratitude. Certainly nothing can more stir up the Indignation of God, than to have any Creatures in Heaven or Earth, or all together equalled in Love and Compassion with Jesus Christ.
And what is the Reason, why men should so readily close with other means, other Mediators of Intercession to go to God by them? For when they pray to Saints, although they should only pray unto them to intercede for them, as some of them pretend, (however openly and manifestly against their expresse and avowed Practice) yet do they go to God by them. For to speak of any Religious Prayer, and yet not to look on it in general as a going or coming to God, is a fond and senseless Imagination. Wherefore whenever they pray to Saints, as most of them do more than to Jesus Christ, their design is to go to God by them. But what is it that should enduce them hereunto? Our Lord Christ hath told us, that he is the way; and that no man cometh unto the Father but by him, John 14. 6. What reason can any man give why he should not believe him, but although he hath said that no man cometh unto the Father but by him; should yet attempt to go another way? Have others more Power in these things than he, so as it is adviseable on that Account to make our Application unto them? Where is it said of any Saints or Angels, or all of them together, that they are able to save to the utmost all that come to God by them? Or where is any one word spoken of their Power or Interest in Heaven unto that Purpose? But it will be said, that we may be relieved and saved, wee stand not in need of Power only, but of Love, Pity and Compassion: And although the Saints have less Ability than Christ, yet they may have more of Love and Compassion for us. For some of them it may be were our Kindred, or Progenitors, or Country-men, or such as may have an especial kindness for us, especially the Blessed Virgin, ⟨p. 243⟩and other female Saints are by their natural constitution as well as their Grace, (who would not think so?) mightily enclined unto pity and compassion. And indeed they are marvellous things, which some of them tell us concerning the Blessed Virgin in this case, and her condescension in the pursuit of her Love and Pity. But yet this Imagination is the highest pitch of Folly and Ingratitude. Certainly nothing can more stir up the Indignation of God, than to have any Creatures in Heaven or Earth, or all together equalled in Love and Compassion with Jesus Christ.
