But where has this arrangement, to which he refers when he says that
we ought to resort to the aid of the saints, been instituted by God?
Let him produce an example or command from the Scriptures. Perhaps
they derive this arrangement from the courts of kings, where friends
must be employed as intercessors. But if a king has appointed a
certain intercessor, he will not desire that eases be brought to him
through others. Thus, since Christ has been appointed Intercessor
and High Priest, why do we seek others? [What can the adversaries
say in reply to this?]

Here and there this form of absolution is used: The passion of our
lord Jesus Christ the merits of the most blessed Virgin Mary and of
all the saints, be to thee for the remission of sins. Here the
absolution is pronounced on the supposition that we are reconciled
and accounted righteous not only by the merits of Christ, but also by
the merits of the other saints. Some of us have seen a doctor of
theology dying, for consoling whom a certain theologian, a monk, was
employed. He pressed on the dying man nothing but this prayer:
Mother of grace, protect us from the enemy; receive us in the hour of
death.

Granting that the blessed Mary prays for the Church, does she receive
souls in death, does she conquer death [the great power of Satan],
does she quicken? What does Christ do if the blessed Mary does these
things? Although she is most worthy of the most ample honors,
nevertheless she does not wish to be made equal to Christ, but rather
wishes us to consider and follow her example [the example of her
faith and her humility]. But the subject itself declares that in
public opinion the blessed Virgin has succeeded altogether to the