A harmony upon the the three Evangelists, Matthew, Mark and Luke with the commentary…A harmonie vpon the the three Euangelists, Matthew, Mark and Luke with the commentarie…

43. Whence cometh this to me? This modesty is to be noted, that Elizabeth considering the great graces of God in Mary, doeth give unto her that honour that is due, and yet lifteth her no higher (whereby God might be offended) then was convenient. For there is such wickedness planted in the world, that there are but few that fall not into one of these 2. vices: for some pleasing them selves to much above measure do maliciously despise the gifts of God in their brethren, that they alone might be aloft. And there are others which do so superstitiously extol men, as if they should make idols of them for them to worship. Hereof it came, that they leaving Christ as it were in the lower room, did give the chiefest seat unto Mary. Contrariwise Elizabeth in praising her, doeth not so obscure the glory of God, but rather referreth all things to God himself. And yet as she acknowledgeth that God hath given his grace unto her, and to others, she envieth not to give him the highest degree, and modestly showeth that she hath received more then was due to her. ⟨p. 33⟩In that she calleth Mary the mother of her Lord, there is noted the unity of the person in two natures, as if she should have said: he which is begotten a mortal man in the womb of Mary, is also eternal God: for it must be remembered that the simple woman doth not speak of her own wit, but she only uttereth those things which the holy Ghost doeth teach her. And this name doth properly belong to the son of God manifested in the flesh, unto whom all power is given of the father, and which was ordained the chief Prince of heaven and earth, by whose hand God governeth all things. Yet he is especially the Lord of the faithful, who willingly and gladly submit themselves under his government: for he is not the head but of his own body. Therefore Paul sayeth, 1. Cor. 8. 5. Although that many are called Lords in the world, yet unto us, that is, to them that are of the household of faith, there is but one Lord. Furthermore, when she amplifieth this grace of God whereof she speaketh, by the sudden motion of the infant which she bare in her womb, it is not to be doubted but that she would declare that she felt something supernatural and divine.

43. VVhence commeth this to me? This modestie is to be noted, that Elizabeth considering the great graces of God in Marie, doeth geue vnto her that honor that is due, and yet lifteth her no higher (wherby God might be offended) then was conuenient. For there is such wickednesse planted in the world, that there are but fewe that fall not into one of these 2. vices: for some pleasing them selues to much aboue measure doe maliciously despise the giftes of God in their brethren, that they alone might be aloft. And there are others which doe so superstitiously extoll men, as if they should make idols of them for them to worship. Heereof it came, that they leauing Christe as it were in the lower rowme, did geue the chiefest seat vnto Marie. Contrariwise Elizabeth in praising her, doeth not so obscure the glorye of God, but rather referreth all things to God himselfe. And yet as shee acknowledgeth that God hath geuen his grace vnto her, and to others, shee enuieth not to geue him the highest degree, and modestly sheweth that shee hath receiued more then was due to her.