A68425:54
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…
An exposition upon the song of the blessed virgin Mary, called Magnificat Where unto are added the songs of Salve regina, Benedictus and Nu[n]c dimittis. Translated out of latin into English by John Hollybush.An exposicion vpon the songe of the blessed virgine Mary, called Magnificat Where vnto are added the songes of Salue regina, Benedictus and Nu[n]c dimittis. Translated out of latine into Englysh by Ihon Hollybush.
Southwark : J. Nicholson, 1538
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
For he hath looked upon the low degree of his handmaiden. Behold, from hence forth shall all generations call me blessed.
For he hath loked vpon the lovve degre of hys handmayden. Beholde, from hence forth shall all generacions call me blessed.
The word low degree have some drawn to humility, as though the holy virgin had referred ought to herself, of her honest behaviour, justice and work, and did rejoice therein: Whereby it is come that some prelates, and specially the Antichrists do call themselves humiles or lowly, which is far wide from the truth. For in the sight of God can no man boast of any good thing without sin and damnation. Before him must a man rejoice only of his pure goodness and grace showed unto us unworthy, that not ours, but Gods love and praise remain in us, & keep us: which thing Solomon doth also teach Pro. xxv. saying: Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, & press not in the place of great men. Better it is that it be said unto thee: Come up hither, than thou to be set down in the presence ⟨image 20⟩of the prince. How should than such boast & presumption be ascribed unto this chaste virgin, that she should advance her humility in the sight of God, which is the most worthyest of all virtue? Neither doth any man think or boast himself to be lowly, without he be the most proudest. Only God doth know, judge and open the low degree or lowliness, so that man never knoweth less of it, than when he is most lowly.