Page:Duns Scotus, defender of the Immaculate Conception (1955).djvu/32

 as proposed; for from the fact that the Son of God was the Universal Redeemer, it follows that He was a most perfect Redeemer. As such, He employed the most perfect degree of mediation possible in regard to the person most esteemed by Him (respectu excellentissimae personae sub ipso [His mother]). But the most perfect act of mediation preserves from all sin, inasmuch as no one intervenes perfectly on behalf of another unless he prevents offense if he is able. Now, if guilt were found at any time [in Mary], Christ as mediator would not have intervened as perfectly as would be the case had He prevented all offense. For he who prevents lest one offend, is a more perfect mediator than he who merely reconciles after the offense.” $37$

Scotus tells us here that redeeming grace which preserves from original sin is greater than that which merely purifies from sin incurred, and therefore Christ was Mary’s Redeemer and Mediator more perfectly by preservative redemption. By preserving Mary from original sin, in view of the foreseen merits of his sacrifice on Calvary, Christ did not merely redeem her, He pre-redeemed her. This implies far greater grace and a far greater excellency of redemption.

The Subtle Doctor expresses this sentiment as follows: ’’Mary had the greatest need of Christ as Redeemer, for she would have contracted original sin by reason of her descent unless this had been prevented by the grace of a Mediator. As others needed Christ that through His merit sin already contracted might be remitted to them, she needed even more a Mediator preventing this, that she 16