Methodius,  *  you  are  the  beginning,  the  middle,
and  the  end  of  our  felicity.'  The  beginning,
obtaining  us  the  remission  of  our  sins ;  the
middle,  in  procuring  us  perseverance  in  grace ;
the  end,  in  opening  paradise  to  us.  'By  you
Mary,'  says  St.  Bernard,  'heaven  has  been
opened,  hell  has  relinquished  its  prey,  the  celestial
city  has  been  peopled,  and  eternal  life  given  to
those  who  deserved  hell.'"  (p.  179.)

Thus  all  the  glory  of  our  salvation  is  taken


CHAP.   II.    OF    SAINTS.  313

from  Christ,    and  given  to  Mary.     I  need  not
stop  to  refute  such  blasphemies  as  these.
"  Do  we  desire  more  assurance  of  Mary's
power  and  will  to  obtain  us  paradise  ?  We  have
it  in  the  words  which  the  church  puts  into  the
mouth  of  this  holy  Virgin  :  *  Those  who  work
with  me  (says  she,)  will  not  sin,  and  those  mho
glorify  me,  shall  have  eternal  life'  '  Blessed
then,  and  thrice  blessed  are  they,'  says  St.  Bona-
venture,  'who  enjoy  Mary's  favour;  the  saints
already  regard  them  as  their  companions  in  bliss.
Whoever  bears  the  livery  of  the  Mother  of  God,'
he  continues,  'will  have  his  name  inscribed  in
the  book  of  the  elect.'"  (pp.  179,  180.)

Let  us  now  see  how  briefly  and  easily,  the
deep  and  important  subject  of  Predestination  is
disposed  of.
