Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

A Popifh afirtion confuted. &ion, besaufe the fame fpirit, which is the fpirit Of fupplication, is alfo the fpirit of adoption whereby we cry in our hearts, Abba, Father; and which te/tifeth Rarn8. &. to our fpirit. that we are the fonnes of God; and if fnnes then alfo heirs, &c. But the Papifis not content herewith,afcribe tW7o The Papifis other fruits to their prayers ; that they are alfo Sa- confuhted, who old tisfadorie for their finnes, and Meritorious of eter- that prayer nail life. Satisfadorie, as being penal works ; and is fatisfaEto- therefore both voluntarily undertaken,: and by their rnd ,e- rito,e Priefs injoyned by way of penance. So that this exercife which is fo honotirableand fo profitable as you have heard, being allo a chief prerogative to the faithfull to have free acceffe to God, is to them a punifhment Or work of penance to fatisle for fins. But their, prayers performed with thefe conceits of fatisfaéion and merit are facrilegious and deroga- torie' to the all- fufficient fatisfaCtion and merit Of Chrif ,though otherwife they-Were cortnendable. Suit the impietie of their affertion will better appear, if we take a brief furvey of their prayers. For firfi, whereas our prayers ought to be directed unto the Lord alone, they pray to Saints and Angels, yea before images and crolres, and by their prayers commit mol} horrible idolatry. 2. Neither do they pray in the name and mediation of Chrift alone; but unto him joyn other mediatours of interceflion, by whole merits and interceffion they defire and hope to be heard. 3. The molt of them pray with- out underftanding for that which they utter in pray- er, as praying in an unknown language; and confe- quently pray without attention or atuall intention, which