Mary in the Epistles

IT would be a mistake, to infer from the Title given to this volume that everything which has been applied in it to the Blessed Virgill is held to be actually contained in the Apostolic writings. On the contrary I am well aware that some of the applications, whether of texts from the Epistles or from saints and theologians, have been made rather by way of pious accommodation or illustration. But after making all llecessary deductions, I hold that enough remains fully to sustain my thesis as explained in the Introductory Chapters, viz., that there is a considerable amount of teaching on our Lady implicitly contained in the Canonical Epistles; and I show by the quotations adduced that this view is borne out by the Fathers and ecclesiastical writers. If I cite at times passages which some may deem irrelevant, or of purely accommodated application, I do so for the purpose of showing that my method is not novel, but was familiar to saints and theologians, and is entirely consonant with the traditional teaching of the Catholic Church; even though the whole ground that I occupy has not perhaps been before entered upon ex professo. The aim, of my work is positive, rather than controversial: its treatment devotional, rather than scientific; being set forth in what might be called, Devout Comments. At the end of the volume will be found an alphabetical list of the Authors cited, and their date, with a reference to the page in which the several quotations appear; and also an analytical Index of the principal subjects, together with the places where they are treated.