Thomas Fuller · 91 of 228

VI. Always the Rising Sun.

I HAVE wondered why the Romish Church do not pray to Saint Abraham, Saint David, Saint Hezekiah, &c., as well as to the apostles and their successors since Christ’s time; for those ancient patriarchs, by the confession of Papists, were long since relieved out of limbo (soon out who were never in), and admitted to the sight and presence of God. Especially Abraham, being father of the faithful, as well Gentile as Jew, would (according to their principles) be a proper patron for their petitions.

But it seems that modern saints rob the old ones of their honour; a Garnet, or late Bernard of Paris, have severally more prayers made unto them than many old saints have together. New besoms sweep clean; new cisterns of fond men’s own hewing most likely to hold water. [Jer. ii. 13.]

Protestants, in some kind, serve their living ministers as Papists their dead saints. For aged pastors, who have borne the heat of the day in our Church, are justled out of respect by young preachers, not having half their age, nor a quarter of their learning and religion. Yet let not the former be disheartened, for thus it ever was and will be: English Athenians, all for novelties, new sects, new schisms, new doctrines, new disciplines, new prayers, new preachers.