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

—MARY AND THE PSALTER. 371In 1832, the cholera desolated the country around Lyons,but did not enter the city. A pillar, erected in the suburbs,commemorates the event, and ascribes it to the interpositionof the Virgin. When the pontiffs would bless withspecial emphasis, it is in the name of Mary ; and when theythreaten most terribly, it is her vengeance which they denounceagainst their enemies.* In short, the Roman Catholicis taught that none are somiserable but she can succourthem, none socriminal but she will pardon them, andnone so polluted but she can cleanse them.There is scarce an act which it is lawful to perform towardsGod which the Roman Catholic is not taught to performtowards the Virgin. One of the most solemn acts ofworship a creature can perform is to give himself in covenantto God,—to make over himself to Jehovah,—for timeand for eternity. The Papist is taught to make this solemnsurrender of himself to the Virgin. " Entering into a solemncovenant with holyMary, to be for ever her servant,client, and devotee, under some special rule, society, or formof life, and thereby dedicating our persons, concerns, actions,and all the moments and events of our life, to Jesus,under the protection of his divine mother ;be our adoptive mother, patroness, and advocate ;choosing her toand entrustingher with what we are, have, do, or hope, in life,death, or through eternity ."-f-Some of the most sublimeand devotional passages of the Bible are applied to the VirginMary. From the work quoted above we may give thefollowing illustrations, in which a strain of mingled prayerand praise suitable to be offered only to God, is addressedto the Virgin :|* When the present Pope fled from Rome, he threatened the Romanswith the vengeance of the Virgin. Finding her not so ready to espousehis quarrel as he expected, he solicited aad obtained 40,000 soldiers fromFrance.t Contemplations on the Life and Glory of Holy Mary, A. x>. 1685,[quoted from Dr Cunningham's " Stillingfleet."]J Quoted from Dr Cunningham's " Stillingfleet," pp. 96-97,