A papist mis-represented and represented, or, A twofold character of popery the one containing a sum of the superstitions, idolatries, cruelties, treacheries, and wicked principles of the popery which hath disturb'd this nation above an hundred and fifty years, fill'd it with fears and jealousies, and deserves the hatred of all good Christians : the other laying open that popery which the papists own and profess, with the chief articles of their faith, and some of the principle grounds and reasons, which hold them in that religion / by J.L. one of the Church of Rome ; to which is added, a book entituled, The doctrines and practices of the Church of Rome, truly represented, in answer to the aforesaid book by a Prote

II. Of Worshipping Saints. (Book 2)

HE makes Gods of Dead Men, such as are departed hence, and now are no more able to hear, or see, or understand his necessities: And tho' God be so good as to invite all to come unto him, and to apply themselves to their only and infinite Mediator Je∣sus Christ: Yet so stupid is He, that neglecting, and, as it were, passing by both God and his only Son, and all their Mercies, he betakes himself to his Saints, and there pouring forth his Prayers, he confides in them as his Mediators and Redeemers, and ex∣pects no Blessing, but what is to come to him by their Merits, and through their hands: And thus, without scru∣ple or remorse, robs God of his Honour.

HE believes there's only one God; and that 'tis a most damnable Idolatry to make Gods of Men, ei∣ther living or dead. His Church tea∣ches him indeed, (and he believes) That it is good and profitable to desire the Intercession of the Saints, reigning with Christ in Heaven; but that they are Gods, or his Redeemers, he is no where taught; but detests all such Doctrine. He confesses, That we are all redeem'd by the Blood of Christ alone, and that he is our only Mediator of Redemption: But as for Mediators of Intercession, (that is, such as we may desire lawfully to pray for us) he does not doubt, but 'tis acceptable to God, we should have many. Moses was such a Me∣diator for the Israelites; Iob for his three Friends; Stephen for his Persecutors.* 1.1 The Romans were thus desir'd by Saint Paul to be his Mediators; so were the Corinthians, so the Ephesians; so almost every sick man desires the Congre∣gation to be his Mediators; that is, to be remembred in their Prayers. And so he desires the Blessed in Heaven to be his Mediators; that is, that they would pray to God for him. And in this, he does not at all neglect coming to God, or rob him of his Honour; but directing all his Prayers up to him, and making him the ultimate Object of all his Petitions, he on∣ly desires sometimes the Iust on Earth, sometimes those in Heaven, to joyn their Prayers to his, that so the number of Petitioners being increas'd, the Petition may find better acceptance in the sight of God. And this is not to make them Gods, but only Petitioners to God; 'tis not to make them his Redeemers, but only Intercessors to his Redeemer; he having no hopes of obtaining any thing, but of God alone, by, and through the Merits of Christ; for which he desires the Saints in Heaven, and good men on Earth,

to offer up their Prayers with his; the Prayers of the Iust availing much before God. But now, how the Saints in Heaven know the Prayers and Necessities of such, who address themselves to them, whether by the Mi∣nistry of Angels, or in the Vision of God, or by some particular Revela∣tion, 'tis no part of his Faith, nor is it much his concern it should be de∣termin'd. For his part he does not doubt, but that God, who acquain∣ted the Prophets with the knowledge of things, that were yet to come ma∣ny hundred years after; That inform'd Elijah of the King of Syria's Counsel, tho' private, resolv'd on in his Bed-chamber, and at a distance; (2 Kings 6.12.) can never want means of letting the Saints know the de∣sires of those who beg their Intercession here on Earth: Especially since our Saviour tells, That Abraham heard the Petitions of Dives, who was yet at a greater distance, even in Hell; and told him likewise the manner of his living, while as yet on Earth. Nay, since 'tis generally allow'd, that even the very Devils hear those desperate wretches, who call on them: Why should he doubt, that Saints want this Priviledge, in some manner granted to sinful men, and to wicked Spirits; who, (tho depar∣ted this life) are not so properly dead, as translated from a mortal life, to an immortal one; where, enjoying God Almighty, they lose no Per∣fections which they enjoy'd, while on Earth, but possess all in a more eminent manner; having more Charity, more Love, and being more ac∣ceptable to God than ever; becoming like Angels: And as these offered up their Prayers for Ierusalem, and the Cities of Iudah, (Zach. 1.12.) so undoubtedly they likewise fall down before the Lamb, having every one of them Harps, and golden Vials full of Odours, which are the Prayers of the Saints, Apoc. 5.8.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ep. ad

  • ...Rom.
  • ...Cor.
  • ...Eph.