FATHERS.
CENT. II.
St. IRENÆUS, L. C.-“ And as Eve was seduced to fly from God, so was the Virgin Mary induced to obey him, that She might become the advocate of her that had fallen.” Adver. Hæres. L. v. c. xix. p. 316.
CENT. III.
ORIGEN, G. C.--" Who can doubt, that our holy Fathers aid us by their prayers, and strengthen and excite us by the example of their actions, as also by the writings, they have left us; herein teaching and instructing us how to fight against the adverse powers, and in what manner these contests are to be maintained ? Thus they fight for us, and advance armed before us.” Homil. xxvi. in Num. T. ii. p. 373. - “ And of all the holy men who have quitted this life, retaining their charity towards those whom they left behind, we may be allowed to say, that they are anxious for their salvation, and that they assist them by their prayers and their mediation with God. For it is written in the books of the Maccabees: This is Jeremiah the prophet of God, who always prays for the people.” Lib. iii. in Cant. Cantic. T. iii. p. 75.—“The Angels are every where present: come then, thou Angel, receive him that is changed from his former error; from the doctrine of demons; from loud-speaking iniquity; and having received him, sooth him as a kind physician, and instruct him, for he is yet young.–And call to
