– Essay on the Development of Doctrine
LACK OF DEVOTION TO MARY
LEADS TO LACK OF DEVOTION
TO JESUS
It has been anxiously asked, whether the honors paid to the Blessed Virgin, which have grown out of devotion to her Almighty Lord and Son, do not, in fact, tend to weaken that devotion; and whether, from the nature of the case, it is possible so to exalt a creature without withdrawing the heart from the Creator.
In addition to what has been said on this subject, I would here observe that the question is one of fact, not of presumption or conjecture. The abstract lawfulness of the honors paid to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and their distinction in theory from the incommunicable worship paid to God, are points which are already well known. Here, the question turns upon their practicability or expedience, which must be determined by the fact whether they are practicable, and whether they have been found to be expedient.
First, I observe that to those who admit the authority of the Fathers of Ephesus, the question is in no slight degree answered by their sanction of the (Theotokos), or “Mother of God,” as a title of Mary, and as given in order to protect the doctrine of the Incarnation, and to preserve the faith of Catholics from a specious Humanitarianism. And if we take a survey at least of Europe, we shall find that it is not those religious communions which are characterized by devotion towards the Blessed Virgin that have ceased to adore her Eternal Son, but those very bodies, (when allowed by the law,) which have renounced devotion to her. The regard for His glory, which was professed in that keen jealousy of her exaltation, has not been supported by the event. They who were accused of worshiping a creature in His stead, still worship Him; their accusers, who hoped to worship Him so purely, they, wherever obstacles to the development of their principles have been removed, have ceased to worship Him altogether.
Next, it must be observed, that the tone of the devotion paid to the Blessed Mary is altogether distinct from that which is paid to her Eternal Son, and to the Holy Trinity, as we must certainly allow on inspection of the Catholic services. The supreme and true worship paid to the Almighty is severe, profound, awful, as well as tender, confiding, and dutiful. Christ is addressed as true God, while He is true Man, and as our Creator and Judge, while He is most loving, gentle, and gracious. On the other hand, towards Mary the language employed is affectionate and ardent, as towards a mere child of Adam, although it is subdued, as coming from her sinful kindred. How different, for instance, is the tone of the Dies Iræ from that of the Stabat Mater. In all the Marian hymns, we have an expression of the feelings with which we regard one who is a creature and a mere human being; but in the many hymns to Christ, we hear the voice of the creature raised in hope and love, yet in deep awe to his Creator, Infinite Benefactor, and Judge.
–Essay on the Development of Doctrine