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…

Thus is it evident unto us by this word humility or lowliness, that Mary the virgin ⟨image 26⟩was a despised, vile, and a maiden of no estimation, & in this low degree to have served God, and not to have known, that her low estate was much worth before God Whereby we are taught and comforted, that though we ought willingly be despised and brought low, yet should we not despair therefore, as though God did hate us: but rather trust that he shall be merciful unto us. Only this shall we beware, lest we be not willing enough in this subduing & casting down, lest our wicked eye be to much open, and so deceive us with privy looking upon high things, or searching out of our pleasures, wherewith the humility or lowliness do perish. For what helpeth it the damned to be cast down to the nethermost & lowest, seeing they do not suffer the adversity gladly and with a good will? And again what hurteth it the angels to be highly exalted, seeing they conceive no false lust and presumption thereby?

Thus is it euidēt vnto vs by thys word humilite or lowlynesse, that Mary the virgyne ⟨image 26⟩was a despysed, vyle, and a mayden of no estimacion, & in thys lowe degre to haue serued God, and not to haue knowen, that hyr low estate was much worth before God Whereby we are taught and cōforted, that though we ought wyllyngly be despysed and brought low, yet shuld we not despayre therfore, as though God dyd hate vs: but rather trust that he shalbe mercyful vnto vs. Only thys shal we beware, lest we be not wyllyng ynough in thys subduyng & castyng downe, lest oure wicked eye be to much open, and so deceaue vs wyth preuy lokynge vpon hyghe thynges, or searchynge out of our pleasures, wherwyth the humilite or lowlynesse do perysh. For what helpeth it ye dāned to be cast downe to the nedermost & lowest, seyng they do not suffre ye aduersite gladly and wyth a good wyll? And agayne what hurteth it the angels to be hyghly exalted, seyng they conceaue no false lust and presumpcion therby?

Finally, to be short, this verse doth teach us to know God truly, seeing it witnesseth that God doth behold lowly things and persons. And he knoweth God aright, that knoweth that he bendeth his eyen to the lowly, as we have sufficiently declared: & of the same knowledge followeth the love & trust to