§ 3. The invocation of the Saints.

Venerate also the other citizens of heaven, as illustrious princes, and glorious kings and queens. Listen not to the unhappy heretics of these times, who with stupid temerity assert that the Saints in heaven can not hear our prayers, nor help us, and therefore should not be invoked. For the Catholic and Apostolic Church, which “is the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. iii. 15), holds an utterly different opinion. Assuredly the beatitude of the Saints in the heavenly kingdom admits not of the ignorance and powerlessness under which heretics say they labour; for there all things are perfect. The Saints in heaven clearly contemplate God, they doubtless see Him as He is: for if they did not thus discern and know Him, they would not be blessed. Christ saith to the Father in the Gospel: “This is eternal life; that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent ” (St. John xvii. 3). Therefore the Saints seeing God face to face, are in a most excellent manner united to God. And since they are one with Him who knows all things, and can 195do all things, they also in Him are able to know and to do all things which concern their glory; doubtless they can know and do whatsoever they will. Wherefore they perceive not only the words of our prayers, but also our holy desires and thoughts, by which we speak to them and honour them, and they succour with great fidelity all who devoutly invoke them. Since they are the intimate friends and most dear children of God, and are gloriously reigning with Him, it is highly pleasing to God that they should be held in great veneration by all Christians.