IESVIT. § 5. Inuocation to Saints, not an iniurie, but an honour to Christ the only Mediator. [ C]

ANother shew of pietie pretended against Prayer vn∣to Saints, is, that it seemes to ouerthrow the Media∣torship of Christ, which S. Paul commends, as onely, vnus Mediator Dei & hominum Christus Iesus. But * in shewing the inanitie of this shadow, I shall not need to be long, seeing this respect would make vs also neglect, and not vse the mediation of liuing Saints, out of feare of dis∣anulling the onely Mediatorship of Christ. It is no more [ D] against the honour of the onely Mediatorship of Christ, to pray vnto Saints deceased, than vnto Saints liuing: yea, the praying vnto these kind of Saints, may seeme more dishonor∣able, these being imprisoned in mortalitie, militant in dan∣gers, and not wanting some blemishes and defects; where∣as the other Saints are glorious, pure from any the least imaginable spot, settled in the consummation of ineffable blisse. But the Scripture allowes, yea, commands Prayer [ E] * vnto liuing Saints, and consequently, praying vnto them is not iniurious vnto the onely Mediatour Christ: There∣fore the praying vnto Saints deceased, that are in glory Page  335 with God, is not iniurious vnto the onely Mediatourship of [ A] Christ.