XXV. Proposition. That prayers are to be made vnto Angels and Saints departed:
Confuted by their owne Bible.
1. FOr Angels, their owne Bible telleth vs, that the Angels themselues forbid worship to be done to them, Reu. 19. 10. and 22. 9. And so Saint Paul taught that they should not be worshipped, Col. 2. 18. Now, prayer to them, is worshipping of them, and that in a great degree.
Secondly, for Saints departed, the Virgin Mary, or any o∣ther, they are not to bee prayed vnto: for they know not our particular estates here. Abraham hath not knowne vs, and Israel hath beene ignorant of vs, Esa. 63. 16. The dead know nothing more, Eccles. 9. 5. Iob. cap. 14. 21. speaking of the dead, saith, Whether his children shall be noble or vnnoble, he shall not vnderstand. How vaine is it then to pray to them?
Touching either Angels, or Saints, their Bible alloweth vs not to pray vnto them.
I. It teacheth euery where, wheresoeuer there is either a commandement to pray, or an example of any holy man of God praying, that the same is made vnto God. For commandement, Psal. 49. 15. Inuocate me in the day of trouble, who is very ready to heare, Esay 64. 24. Mat. 11. 28. Come vnto me, saith Christ, and promiseth them that come vnto him, that hee will not cost forth, Iob. 6. 37. Iames saith, Aske of God, chap. 1. 5. There is no commandement to pray to any other in all the Scripture. For examples, Abraham called vpon the Name of the Lord; so Isaac, Iacob, Moses, Iosua, Samuel, Dauid, and all the rest. No in∣stance can be giuen to the contrary, in either precept, or example.
II. The Apostles desired to be taught to pray, Luk. 11. Now, Christ in his perfect forme of Prayer taught them, and in them,