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Jf reuealed Doctrine, comming by succession of Bishops from the Apostles to vs, will not alone winne beleefe, euen the Scriptures afford vs sufficient testimonie hereof. When Abimelech king of Gezara had offended God, by taking away from Abraham his wife Sara, and penitent of the [ E] fact (though committed but in ignorance) sought for par∣don, did not God himselfe send him vnto Abraham, say∣ing, Restore his wife vnto the man, for he is a Pro∣phet,
and he will pray for thee, and thou shalt liue. [ A] By which example, we see, that Gods infinit mercie, who saith, Come to me all, will not many times bestow fauours and graces without intercession of his Saints, that men may know he loues and respects his friends. When he was offended against Eliphaz and his companions, did hee not send them vnto his fingularly beloued seruant Iob, that he might be a Mediator for them? Ite ad seruum meum Iob, & offerte holocaustū pro vobis, Iob autem seruus [ B] meus orabit pro vobis, faciem eius suscipiam, vt non vobis imputetur stultitia. Out of which place, two things are cleerely gathered: First, that though Gods mercy be infinite, yet many times he will not grant our prayers, but in such manner as he will make vs beholding to his Saints: Secondly, that we ought to prostrate our prayers vnto him, as with great confidence in his goodnesse, so likewise with a most feeling humble distrust of our owne [ C] worthinesse, which affection cannot but mooue vs to seeke the intercession of them we know to be most highly grati∣ous in his fauour; so that vpon pretence of Gods great mercie to reiect the mediation of Saints, is zeale without science, deuotion not throughly instructed about the lawes and orders that God hath prescribed vnto his measure∣lesse mercie, by his imcomprehenfible wisdome. Andif we greeue to humble our selues vnto Saints, and repine at [ D] Gods prouidence, that he will not many times grant our supplications without honouring his Saints, and making vs bound vnto them, we may iustly expect to heare what hee said to one in like case, Friend I do thee not wrong; May I not dispence my mercies as I please? if I will be∣stow them in such sort, as to ioine together with thy good, the honour of my friends, Is thine eye euill because I am good, and courteous to them that haue loued mee more than their owne life? [ E]
Cen. 20. v. 8.
Iob 42. v. 8.
Math. 20.15.