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…

Lo these are the two works of God repugnant each to other, wherein we are taught that to be the mind of God, that he be ⟨image 53⟩far from the wise and prudent, but be near unto the foolish, which must suffer wrong. This maketh God to be loved and praised, and comforteth the soul, body and all powers.

Lo these are the two workes of God repugnaūt ech to other, wherin we are taught that to be the mynde of God, that he be ⟨image 53⟩farre from the wyse and prudente, but be neare vnto the foolysh, whiche muste suffre wronge. Thys maketh God to be loued and praysed, and conforteth the soule, body and all powers.

Now consider the words: He scattereth them that are proud in the imagination of their heart. This scattering or wasting is done (as it is said) when they are wisest of all, and most fullest of their own wisdom, for than surely is the wisdom of God gone. But what way can he scatter them better, than with depriving them of his eternal wisdom? and by permitting them to be filled with worldly & transitory wisdom. It is pithy that she sayeth: them that are proud in the imagination of their heart, that is, such as their own mind, understanding (the which not God, but their heart doth minister) doth greatly please, as though they only were the most justest, wisest and best: whereby they advance themselves above such as fear God, mispraising their opinion and right, reviling & persecuting them to the uttermost, so that their cause only must be just and abide. The which when they have obtained, they heave them ⟨image 54⟩selves unto the clouds, as the Jews […], that withstood Christ, and yet perceived not that their matter came to nought thereby, and was despised, and Christ contrariwise to be exalted and set up unto an exceeding glory. Thus do we see than that this verse speaketh of spiritual goods, and teacheth by what means the works of God are known on both parts, and teacheth us also to embrace willingly the poverty of spirit, and to suffer injury, to permit unto our adversaries their request, for they shall not long rejoice. Herein is a strong and sure promise that the proud shall not escape Gods arm, they must be thrown down, though they heave themselves never so sore, if we at the leest be fully so persuaded. For where such faith is not, there doth God not work such great works, but leaving them he worketh openly by creatures as is declared before. But these are not true works whereby he may be known, for the powers of the creatures are joined to them also: Neither are they the bare works of God, which ought be to such, as he worketh alone, without any foreign help, which is done when we are oppressed for our opinion and right, and suffer the power of God to use her will in us.