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 song hath .iii. verses, & it was song what time Christ was borne, to the consolation of Mary and Joseph, with diverse other elect. Moreover, like as Zechariah and Mary, and before them Moses, Debora, Anna the mother of Samuel, David & diverse other did utter their thankfulness toward ⟨image 94⟩God with songs, nor could find more pleasing thing to thank him for his benefits, than such open praises, wherein the glory of Gods name is recited: Even so doth here Simeon by the holy ghost burst out in a song, wherewith he declareth his thank full mind toward the goodness of God. He setteth forth Christ in this song, & decketh him with great praises goodly titles. He teacheth also by his own ensample whereof the true peace of conscience doth come, and whereby it cometh that we look readily and gladly for death, ye even overcome death. Now (sayeth he) LORD lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy promise. That is, I have nought in me, whereof I may boast at thy judgement, save only this, that thou art my LORD, & I thy servant: not such one that have done all thy will, but such one, as seeing I have not done thy will, & ought therefore worthily to have ben condemned, yet nevertheless am graciously saved of thee. It was verily a fervent prayer and desire that the righteous & dreading God sage Simeon praised God with as he saw the LORD in the temple, and toke him in his arms. The heart of the aged man rejoiced so sore at that time, that he could ⟨image 94⟩keep the praise of God no longer hid in his heart: ye if it had ben possible, the heart would have brusten for joy, saying: LORD, now lettest thy servant depart in peace according to thy promise. As though he would say: Let me now depart, I aim now glad to dye, death shall be now acceptable unto me for it is fulfilled, that was promised unto me. It might also be understand, that Simeons desire was not only to be delivered of the bodily death, but also from all pining and unquietness of conscience, the which can be appeased with no works, before we have seen the anointed of the LORD, that is: before that our conscience knoweth Christ aright. For than waxeth a man first merry, than dyeth a man gladly, and than driveth the holy ghost away all grief of conscience also, which maketh a man restless.

THis songe hath .iii. verses, & it was songe what tyme Christ was borne, to the consolaciō of Mary and Ioseph, wyth diuerse other electe. Moreouer, lyke as Zachary and Mary, and before them Moses, Debora, Anna the mother of Samuel, Dauid & diuerse other dyd vtter theyr thankefulnes towarde