Obrázky na stránke
PDF
ePub

others, to mention two recorded in Holy Writ :-I will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham's SAKE.(*)—For thy servant David's SAKE, turn not away the face of thine anointed." Do not these texts clearly show, that, in consideration of the zeal and fidelity of his departed servants, God may sometimes be induced to grant particular blessings and favours to the living? And this too without any derogation from the merits and mediatorship of Christ, because, whatever grace the Saints may possess in the eyes of God, it is wholly founded on the merits of our Saviour.

To understand the question rightly, and to explain that text of St. Paul, which says; There is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,(m) (m) it must be observed that Catholics acknowledge Christ to be the only mediator of salvation; but it cannot be argued from thence that there is no other mediator of intercession, without condemning the conduct of St. Paul, the commands of Almighty God himself, and the practice of the Established Church.) If, therefore, it is not derogatory from the mediatorship of Christ to solicit the prayers of each other, while here on earth, how should it be so in any other state of existence? And if the efficacy of prayer be such in behalf of

(k) Gen. xxvi. 24.
(m) 1 Eph. Tim. ii. 5.

(1) Psl cxxxi. 10.
(n) See Dr. Lingard's Tracts.

each other, while in this mortal state, in which no man living stands justified in the sight of his Creator," how much more may not be expected from it, when the just man is not only removed from this imperfect state of existence, but has received power over the nations ;) is seated (P) is seated upon the same

throne with the Almighty;

and is become a pillar in the temple of his God," in that temple where the smoke of the incense of the prayers of the saints ascends up before God."

would ask, is the superstition and

this?"

Where, then, I

idolatry in all

(0) Psl. cxlii. 2.

(P) Apoc. ii. 26.

(9) Ibid. iii. 21.

(r) Ibid. iii. 12.

() Ibid. viii. 4.

() I will subjoin the opinion of Luther upon this point, though rather as an object of curiosity, than for the purpose of founding any argument upon it.

"Concerning the Invocation of Saints," says he, “I agree with the whole Christian Church, and am of opinion that the saints in heaven are to be invocated; for, who can contradict the wonders daily wrought at their tombs ?" (In Purg. Quorund. Artic. Tom. i.)—Again: "Some, however, may say; Of what use can the saints be to us? Thou art to use them as thou dost thy neighbour; for as thou sayest to him; Pray to God for me; so mayest thou, St. Peter pray for me." (In Festo Sti. Johannis Baptistæ.) And in another place: "Let no one omit to invoke the blessed Virgin, and the Angels and Saints, that they may intercede with God for them at that instant [the hour of death]." (Luther's Præp. ad Mort.)

Though the honour paid to relics and images is not expressly mentioned in the oath, yet, as we are not sure that it may not by implication be comprised therein, and that the charge of superstition and idolatry may not, in the minds of those who take this test, be grounded upon the supposed doctrine and practice of Catholics upon this point, I deem it quite necessary for our justification to state our belief thereon. It may be found in the following propositions :-" God alone is the object of our worship and adoration; but Catholics shew honour to the relics of saints, and they place images and pictures in their churches, to reduce their wandering thoughts, and to enliven their memories towards heavenly things. They shew, besides, a respect to the representations of Christ, of the mysterious facts of their religion, and of the saints of God, beyond what is due to any profane figure; not that they believe any virtue to reside in them, for which they ought to be honoured, but because the honour given to pictures is referred to the prototype, or thing represented.

"They maintain also that honour and respect are due to the bible, to the cross, to the name of Jesus, to churches, &c. as things peculiarly appertaining to God; as well as to kings, magistrates, and superiors: for to whom honour is due, honour may be given, without any derogation from the majesty of God, or that divine worship which is appropriate to him."

p

To any one at all read in sacred history, it must be superfluous to produce texts of Scripture, to shew the wonderful miracles wrought by Almighty God by means of the relics of his saints :-When Eliseus smote the waters of Jordan with the mantle of Elias, they parted, and the prophet passed over;(*) -When a dead man was let down into the sepulchre of Eliseus, no sooner did he touch the bones of the prophet, than he revived and stood upon his feet. Numbers were healed merely by the shadow of St. Peter passing over them; and others by handkerchiefs which had touched the body of St. Paul. In the primitive ages, the miracles wrought by the relics of the martyrs were frequent and notorious, never failing to produce their effect, confirming the faith of Christians, and commanding the belief of Pagans in the religion in favour of which they were performed. Surely, then, it is lawful to venerate these instruments which the Almighty has so often been pleased to employ in the performance of his wonders; and for this purpose, as well as to stamp a mark of sanctity on the spot, from time immemorial it has been the custom, when a Church was not actually built over the tombs of martyrs, to furnish it with the relics of saints, placing them immediately under

(u) 4 Kings, ii. 14.
(y) Acts, v. 14, 15, 16.

(*) Ibid. xiii. 21.
(*) Ibid. xix. 11, 12.

the altar, that their mortal remains might occupy a similar situation upon earth, in which their souls were seen by St. John in heaven: I saw under the altar, says he, the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held.(a)

It is not that we believe any inherent power or supernatural efficacy to reside in these remains ; the very bones and ashes themselves serve to admonish us that the individuals whom we honour were perishable mortals like the rest of the human race. But when we remember the extraordinary graces the Almighty has conferred upon his saints, the signal favours he has granted them, and the heroic and exemplary manner in which they have performed all the duties of a Christian, thus preserving their bodies, according to the instructions of the apostle, the unpolluted temples of the Holy Ghost, we conceive it to be in full accordance with the best feelings of humanity, that the heart should pray with greater fervency in the presence of the memorials of such men; which, while we yield them our honour, serve, by the recollections they inspire, to animate the soul, to cherish devotion, and to excite us to constancy and perseverance. The supplications which, under such circumstances, we offer to the saints, are in their end and object

(a) Rev. vi. 9.

« PredošláPokračovať »