Synopsis papismi, that is, A generall viewe of papistry wherein the whole mysterie of iniquitie, and summe of antichristian doctrine is set downe, which is maintained this day by the Synagogue of Rome, against the Church of Christ, together with an antithesis of the true Christian faith, and an antidotum or counterpoyson out of the Scriptures, against the whore of Babylons filthy cuppe of abominations: deuided into three bookes or centuries, that is, so many hundreds of popish heresies and errors. Collected by Andrew Willet Bachelor of Diuinity.

THE SECOND PART OF THE INVO∣cation of Angels.

The Papists.

* 1.1THey hold, that it is lawfull to direct our praiers vnto Angels, Rhemist. Co∣loss. 2. sect. 3. Yea, and because they pray for vs, and deale with God to pro∣cure

mercie for vs, they may iustly be called our aduocates.

Angels are deputed for our protection (which is nothing but aduocation) Dan. 10.23. Math. 18.10. Rhemist. annot. 1. Iohn 2. sect. 5.

Ans. First, the argument followeth not: for the Angels at the appoyntment of God, may serue for our protection and defence, though they be not aduo∣cates for vs, to obtaine remission of our sinnes. Secondly, the places alleadged proue no such aduocation of Angels, but onely defence and protection. Dan. 10.23. The Angel was readie at the first praiers of Daniel, but he was letted a while. This proueth, that angels may knowe our praiers when it pleaseth God, and be ministers of his helpe vnto vs, which we denye not: not that they are our aduocates.

The Protestants.

THat angels are not to be worshipped, nor inuocated, as mediatours, inter∣cessors, or aduocates, the scripture speaketh euidently.

1 Coloss. 2.18. Let no man beguile you in the humblenes and worshipping of Angels: Ergo, not lawfull to pray vnto them, or to worship them.

Rhemist. The Apostle speaketh heere against the wicked doctrine of Simon Magus, that affirmed that the angels both ill and good, were mediators for vs vnto God, and against the superstition of the Iewes, that worshipped the angels by whom the law was giuen.

Ans. The Apostle condemneth both these superstitions, as likewise the po∣pish inuocation of angels: because all will-worship is forbidden, which is not after the prescript of Gods word, Coloss. 2.23. Fulk. in hunc locum.

2 If any man sinne, (sayth the Apostle) we haue an aduocate with the fa∣ther, Iesus Christ the Iust, he is the propitiation for our sinnes, Iohn 2.2. Ergo, Christ onely is our aduocate.

Rhemist. Christ is our aduocate in the highest degree, because by himselfe, and his owne merites, without the assistance of any other, he obtaineth pardon for vs. The other, as angels and Saints are as secondary intercessors, that obtaine not any thing by their owne merites, but onely through Christ.

Ans. First, he onely and properly is an aduocate that can pleade the iustice of his clients cause, which euery one that prayeth for vs cannot doe: for though the angels and Saints departed should pray for vs (which we knowe not by the scriptures) as our brethren vpon earth doe, yet should they not be mediatours and aduocates, but petitioners and intreators for vs, Fulk. ibid.

Secondly, we gather many strong arguments out of this place, for the sole sufficient aduocation of Christ. First, the Sonne is the best and onely sufficient aduocate with the father, therefore where we may haue free and bold accesse to the Sonne, Heb. 4.16. what need haue we of the seruants helpe? 2. He is the on∣ly aduocate that is iust and righteous before God: so onely is Christ, the angels

are imperfect in his sight, Iob. 4.18. Ergo. Thirdly, he must be our aduocate that is also the propitiation for our sinnes, Ergo, onely Christ.

Augustine saith, Dicitis, angelos nos colimus: vtinam illos coleretis, facile ab illis disceretis, illos non colere: But ye will say, ye worship not images but Angels: I would you did truely worship and reuerence them: for you should soone learne of the Angels, not to worship the Angels, in Psal. 96.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Haeres. 8.