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 this manner are there many found that do not praise the goodness of God, if they see that they have not received so much as Peter, or any of the other saints, ether this or that holy man alive on earth: thinking that if God had given them so many good gifts also as he hath given to other, they would praise and laud him likewise, setting it light to be endued of God with such goods, as they do not perceive, as be: the body, life, reason, substance, honours, ⟨image 29⟩friends, the service of the Sun, with all other creatures. The which persons, if they had all the goods that Mary had, yet would not they knowledge nor praise God in them, For as sayeth Christ Luke .xvi. He that is faithful in the leest, is faithful also in much: and he that is unrighteous in the leest, is unrighteous also in much. Therefore are not they worthy of the great and much, because they despise the small or little. If they did praise God in the leest, they should have abundantly the great: whereof the cause is they have their sight above them, and not under them. For if they had their sight bowed downward, they should see some, which perchance have not half so many goods and gifts, and yet be at rest and con tent, praising God. A bird hoppeth for joy and singeth if it can, being content with it that it possesseth, and murmureth not because it can not speak. A dog leapeth and waggeth his tail, showing a joyful countenance, neither is he miscontent that he wanteth reason. All manner of beasts are content with their goods, & serve God with their endeavour & praise. But the only wicked and loving it self eye of man is unsatiable, neither doth it endeavour ⟨image 30⟩itself to be satiate by reason of his unkindness and pride, seeing it coveteth ever to be the chefest & best, preferred above other: neither will it praise and glorify God but rather look for honour of him.

After thys maner are ther many foūde that do not prayse the goodnesse of God, yf they se that they haue not receaued so much as Peter, or ony of the other sayntes, ether thys or that holy man alyue on earth: thynkynge that yf God had geuen them so many good gyftes also as he hath geuen to other, they wolde prayse and laude hym lykewyse, settynge it lyght to be endued of God wyth such goodes, as they do not perceaue, as be: the body, lyfe, reason, substaunce, honoures,