The-papacy-its-history-dogmas-genius-and-prospects-wylie

370 THE WORSHIP OF THE VIRGIN.her as but a creature ; nevertheless he addresses her in termswhich imply that she possesses divine perfections, power, andglory The whole psalter of David has been transformed byBonaventura to the invocation of Mary, by erasing the nameof Jehovah, and substituting :— that of the Virgin. We givean example of the work " In thee, Lady, have I put mytrust : let me never be ashamed : in thy grace uphold me.""" Unto thee have I cried, Mary, when my heart was inheaviness ;and thou hast heard me from the top of the everlastinghills."" " Come unto Mary, all ye that labour andare heavy laden, and she shall refresh your souls.*"In the second place, the same worship is rendered toMary as to Christ. Churches are built to her honour ; hershrines are crowded with devotees, enriched with their gifts,and adorned with their votive offerings. To her prayers areoffered as to a divine being, and blessings are asked as fromone who has power to bestow them. Her votaries are taughtto pray, " Spare us, good Lady," and " From all evil, goodLady, deliver us."* Five annual festivals celebrate hergreatness, and keep alivethe devotion of her worshippers.In Roman Catholic countries the dawn is ushered in withhymns to her honour ; her praises are again chanted atnoon ; and the day is closed with an Ave Maria sung to thelady of heaven. Her name is the first which the infant istaught to lisp ; and the dying are dii'ected to entrust theirdeparting spirits into the hands of the Virgin. In healthand in sickness, in business and in pleasure, at home orabroad, the Virgin is ever first in the thoughts, the affections,and the devotions of the Roman Catholic. The soldierfights under her banner, and the bandit plunders underher protection. •[• Her deliverances are commemorated bypublic monuments erected to her by cities and provinces.Stillingfleet's Popery, l)y Dr Cunningliam, pp. 92, 93.t The brigands in some parts of Italy and Spain wear a picture of theMadonna, suspended round the neck by a red ribbon. If overtaken unexpectedlyby death, they kiss the image, and die in peace.