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…

When God worketh by the mean of creatures, than is it evidently seen where strength or feebleness is: whereof is risen this proverb: God doth aid the stronger part. Whatsoever ever prince therefore vanquisheth the other, the same is he, through whom God doth strike the other. If a wolf tear any man, or he get any damage otherwise, that same is done by the creatures. Of this wise doth God make or destroy one creature by another. He that overcometh, overcometh: he that abideth, abideth. But where as he ⟨image 52⟩himself worketh with his arm, there goeth it otherwise to work: for there is the matter destroyed or made again, contrary to our opinion, no man perceiving it. This kind of working doth he use in two sorts of men, namely good and wicked: for the good he suffereth to be so feeble, strengthless and oppressed, that every man would think it were all done with them, and that they were at their latter meace, & at the very same time is he strongly by them, and that so secretly, that they themselves that suffer can not tell thereof, but believe it. There is the full strength and arm of God. For when the strength of man faileth, than cometh the power of God in: if faith only be there, waiting for the same. Now when the trouble is come to an end, then doth it appear what strength lay hid under the feebleness. Of this wise (lo) was Christ destitute of strength on the cross and even than wrought he exceeding great things, vanquishing sin, death, the world, hell and all evil. After this manner were all martyrs strong and overcame: and after this manner do all such as be troubled now a days overcome. For the which cause Joel sayeth in the .iii. Chap. Let the weak man say, I am strong, but in faith, not in feeling, ⟨image 52⟩until it be near hand come to an end.

Whan God worketh by the meane of creatures, than is it euidentlye sene where strength or feblenesse is: wherof is rysē this prouerbe: God doth ayde the stronger part. Whatso euer prynce therfore vanquysheth the other, the same is he, thorow whom God doth stryke the other. Yf a wolfe teare ony man, or he get ony dāmage otherwyse, that same is done by ye creatures. Of thys wyse doth God make or destroye one creature by another. He that ouercōmeth, ouercōmeth: he that abydeth, abydeth. But where as he ⟨image 52⟩