Page 469
Of the Nativity of the B. Virgin.* 1.1
COnsider 1. How true is that saying of the Church: Your Nativity, O Mother of God, hath brought joyful tidings to the whole world, &c. For 1. The Blessed Trinity rejoyced, as for the Co∣adjutrix of the Incarnation. 2. The Angels for their Queen. 3. The Fathers in Limbo for the Mo∣their of their Deliverer. 4. The Just also in this world, God infusing an extraordinary kind of Joy into their Souls, though themselves perhaps knew not the cause thereof, as often happeneth: The whole world is exhilarated at the break of day, as the Fore-runner of the Sun rising: Mary was the Bright Morning, that brought the happy tidings of the Sun of Justice: Reverence therefore, and ho∣nour her Birth; and full of admiration, enquire diligently, Who is this that cometh forth, rising as the Morning?
Consider 2. The Virgin being born, her name was called Mary, and that, no doubt, by Divine In∣stinct, and perhaps also by express intimation of an Angel; for, Mary signifieth: 1. A Sea Star. 2. A bitter Sea. 3. Lady, or Exalted. 4. Enlighten∣ed, or enlightening: For she is indeed, 1. A Bright Star to them that sail in the dangerous Sea of this world. 2. A large Sea, of all manner of Grace, sweet to men, but bitter to the Devils; and in her Sons Passion she was an Ocean of Grief. 3. Lady of the whole world,* 1.2 and exalted to the Heavenly Kingdom above the Quires of Angels. 4. Enlightened first in her self, she enlightened the world, bring∣ing forth to the world the Eternal Light, Jesus Christ our Lord. O Mary, Oyl powred out is thy name, illu∣minating, healing, and comforting our souls.