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…

After the rehearsing of Gods works both in her and in other, doth Mary now come again to the beginning and first, and closeth the Magnificat with the greatest and chief of all the godly works, which is the incarnation of the son of God, and confesseth here freely that she is a handmaiden & servant of all the world, seeing the work is accomplished in her, the which is profitable not only to her, but unto all Israel. Yet dealeth ⟨image 63⟩she Israel in two, and bringeth that part only that serveth God. Neither doth any man serve God, save he that letteth him be his God, and suffereth him to work his work in him whereof we have spoken before: Although that word Gods service (alas for pity) is brought into so strange understanding and use, that whoso heareth it, doth think nothing, upon such works, but rather upon ringing, upon the stone work and timber of the temple, upon the censor, upon the burning of the lights, upon the blaring, the gold, the silver, the white clothes, the pearls, the vestments and surplices, the chalice, the pyre, the organs & tables, the procession and stations, and that most of all is, upon the babbling and talking with God upon bead stones. Foe (alas) Gods service is come hitherto, whereof he knoweth nothing. And we also know none other save this. We sing the Magnificat daily, and yea with great solemnity and loud, and yet keep secrete the true understanding thereof more and more. But yet doth this text stand stiffly: If we do not learn these works of God, and suffer them in us, than shall there be no Gods service, no Israel, no grace, no mercy, nor no God, though we ⟨image 63⟩cry out in temples, and ring till we burst and gave thereto all the goods of the world. For God hath given no commandment concerning that, & therefore doubtless can he have no pleasure therein.

After the rehearsynge of Gods workes both in her and in other, doth Mary nowe come agayne to the begynnynge and fyrste, and closeth the Magnificat wyth ye greatest and chefe of all the godly workes, which is ye incarnacion of the sonne of God, and confesseth here frely that she is a handmaydē & seruaunte of all the worlde, seyng the worke is accōplyshed in her, the which is profitable not only to her, but vnto all Israell. Yet dealeth ⟨image 63⟩