An exposition upon the song of the blessed virgin Mary, called Magnificat Where unto…An exposicion vpon the songe of the blessed virgine Mary, called Magnificat Where vnto…

This (lo) is a faithful soul, and fearing God, by whom is mercy, as the mother of God singeth of. And here by may it be evident, of what fundament and spirit Abraham, David, and all Israel did war and slay so many in times past. For they toke the matter in hand at the commandment and will of God, and with fear: not fighting for riches, but because God did require it of them, showing otherwhiles the commandment of God in that behalf, as the holy scripture maketh mention sometime. Now may ye see that the truth is not denied, which sayeth that these be good creatures: Ye the same truth also doth say ⟨image 47⟩and teach that thou do forsake, and ready at all time to forgo the same goods, if it please God, and so hang only upon God, The truth doth not compel the to require the goods again, in that she sayeth they be good: neither doth she constrain the to say they be not good, but renouncing the same say that they be not evil.

Thys (lo) is a faythfull soule, and fearynge God, by whome is mercy, as the mother of God syngeth of. And here by maye it be euident, of what fundament and sprete Abraham, Dauid, and all Israel dyd warre and slaye so many in tymes past. For they toke the matter in hande at the commaundement and wyll of God, and wyth feare: not fyghtynge for ryches, but because God dyd requyre it of them, shewynge otherwhyles the commaundement of God in that behalfe, as the holy scripture maketh mencion somtyme. Now maye ye se that the truth is not denyed, whych sayeth yt these be good creatures: Yee the same truth also doth saye ⟨image 47⟩and teach that thou do forsake, and ready at all tyme to forgo the same goodes, yf it please God, and so hange onely vpon God, The truth doth not compell the to requyre the goodes agayne, in that she sayeth they be good: nother doth she constrayne the to saye they be not good, but renouncynge the same saye that they be not euell.

Likewise must be done with the law, and all manner of goods ether of wit or reason. Justice is a good thing, given of God, who doubteth therein? Gods word it self doth confess that the law is good. Neither may any man say that his righteous cause is evil, but shall rather dye the death, and forgo all that is not God. For that were to deny God and his word, the which testifieth that the law is not evil, but good. Wilt thou therefore cry out, rage, play the mad man, and kill all the world, because such right or law is taken from thee? As some do which lift up their voice until heaven, causing great misery, wasting people and countries, filling the world with war and bloudsheddynge. What knowest thou whether God will leave those gifts and right to thy governance? they be his, he can take them from thee, ether to day