ANSVVER.

In words, and outward pretext, you allow vnto Saints subordinate Mediation onely; but your practise sheweth, that you make them principall a Mediators (at least) to Page  338 Christ a: and in your prayers to them, you say to them, Let [ A] your abundant Charitie couer our sinnes, Let thy integritie excuse our corruption: Thou, 〈◊〉 B. Virgin, art the onely hope of the Patriarchs, the glorie of the Prophets, the solemne crie of the Apostles, &c.

And yet if your practise were according to your distinction, you were transgressors: for that which is giuen to another, without commission from Christ, is taken from him. And [ B] Subiects may as well fet vp a Viceroy or subordinate King in a Commonwealth, as Christians appoint new Mediators, without Christ his Word. Also, when Christ himselfe hath prescribed the meanes whereby he will be honoured, and by which his people shall be saued, mens holy-seeming Inuenti∣ons, repugnant or diuerse from these, are no honour to Christ, but an offence, Matth. 15.9. Lastly, when the holy Scripture teacheth vs, that there is one Creator, and one Redeemer; it is impietie for man to honour any other, vnder the name of a subordinate Creator and Redeemer. So likewise, when the [ C] same Scripture teacheth but one Mediator of Intercession, it is impietie to honour Creatures vnder the name of secondarie and subordinate Mediators of Intercession; because wee haue no Diuine Authoritie to warrant vs in the latter, more than in the former. For if our Aduersaries say, that Diuine Authori∣tie hath appointed the Saints liuing, and the glorified Saints, secondarie Mediators of Intercession, they are vnable to de∣monstrate this: for liuing Saints are onely ioint Suitors, and in crauing mercie for their brethren, they doe withall deprecate [ D] their owne sinnes, and craue the same deliuerance from punish∣ments and calamities, &c. being still fellow-prisoners in the same Cottage of mortalitie and frailetie. These and the like respects doe so abate all suspition of presumption, to dignifie their prayers with any Mediatorship, that this can in no sort encroach vpon Christs Office. But in the glorified Saints, there are many personall eminencies of estate and degree in glorie, which our rashnesse or weakenesse is ouer-prone to mis-imploy or mistake. And this, among other, may be a cause, why the wisdome of God sendeth vs not to be suitors to the glorious [ E] Saints in Heauen, but commandeth vs to craue the ioint pray∣ers of our brethren on Earth, which are still tossed in the same Sea of miserie and infirmitie with vs.