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…

For this cause is it not good to learn lowliness after this manner, that he have in sight and imagine vile and despised things or persons. Neither contrariwise waxeth any man proud because he seeth high and great things. The images are not to be avoided, but the eye ▪ must be weened therefrom. As long as we live upon earth, we must live both with the high and low things or estates: but (as Christ sayeth) the eye must be put out. Genesis the .iii chapter sayeth not Moses, that Adam and Eve saw other things after the prevarication, than they did see before it, but that their eyen were opened, that they might see their nakedness, where as they were naked before also, and yet did not consider it. The queen Esther did wear a very costly crown upon her head, yet did it seem but a stained cloth in her sight. Here were not the high images taken away from her, but ⟨image 25⟩rather were set before her, as unto a most puissant queen, and no sleight or vile things were before her: but the sight was wended therefrom, and her heart and mind did not behold the high things and glorious: Wherefore God wrought also strangely with her. After this fashion must not the outward things be altered, but we must be altered in our mind and wits: for than shall we easily learn to despise and fly high things, to set much by and to seek sleight & lowly things. For there is humility or lowliness found and steadfast for all chances, & yet never are ware of it. This is done with delight and the heart remaineth alway one and of one fashion, howsoever other things do befall or change, ether to the height or depth.

For thys cause is it not good to learne lowlynesse after thys maner, that he haue in syghte and imagine vyle and despysed thynges or persons. Nother contrarywyse waxeth ony man proude because he seyeth hygh and greate thynges. The images are not to be auoyded, but the eyē ▪ must be weened therefrom. As longe as we lyue vpon earth, we must lyue both wyth the hygh and lowe thynges or estates: but (as Christ sayeth) the eye must be put out. Genesis the .iii chapter sayeth not Moses, that Adam and Eue sawe other thynges after the preuaricacion, thā they dyd se before it, but yt theyr eyen were opened, that they myght se theyr nakednesse, where as they were naked before also, and yet dyd not consyder it. The quene Hester dyd weare a verye costlye crowne vpon hyr heade, yet dyd it seme but a stayned cloth in hyr syght. Here were not the hygh images taken away from her, but