Meditations vppon the mysteries of our holy faith with the practise of mental praier touching the same composed in Spanish by the R.F. Luys de la Puente ... ; and translated into English by F. Rich. Gibbons ...

The twelfth Meditation. Of what happened in the blessed VIRGINS Visitation of S. Elizabeth.

The first Pointe.

FIrst, I will consider the entrance of the VIRGIN into the house of Elizabeth, and the greate Benefits that entred in with her. For the blessed Virgin as beeing the most humble saluted her first, and the Worde Incarnate which was in her Wombe, tooke the Wordes of his Mother, for an instrument to acte meruailous workes in the Babe, that was in the Wombe of Elizabeth. He cleansed him from Originall Sinne, hee iustified him with his Grace, hee

filled him with the holy Spirit, he hastened vnto him the vse of Reason, he made him his Prophet; he gaue him Light, and knowledge of the mysterye of the Incarnation, and he communicated vnto him so greate Ioy, that he leaped for pleasure in his mothers wombe, manifesting aswell as he could the Delight that hee tooke in the comming, and Visita∣tion of his Lorde: and all this was in one moment, wherein I am to ponder two things of greate Consolation.

The first is, the Omnipotencye, [ 1] and Libe∣rallitye of our Sauiour that hath come: seeing so sodainely hee doth so greate workes of his meere grace, without any merit of his that re∣ceiueth them, accomplishing heerein the saying of the Wiseman: * 1.1 The king that sitteth in his Throne of Iudgement, with his Countenance disper∣seth all euill: for this king of kings seated in the Throne of the Virgins wombe, behelde with the eyes of mercye his Fore-runner, and with this only viewe in a moment he dissipa∣ted all the euill of Sinne that he had. Vpon which I may builde an assured Confidence that he will vse mercye towardes me, remembring that saying of Ecclesiasticus: * 1.2 Be confident my Sonne, for in the eyes of God it is an easy thing to reme∣dye the Poore.

O omnipotent king, * 1.3 shewe towardes mee thy Omnipotencye, deliuering mee from my euill, and filling me with thy good, that the greatenesse of thy mercies may bee discouered in one so vnworthy of them. Giue to mee as to thy Praecursor, remission of my Sinnes, Light and knowledge of thy Incar∣matien, add Spirituall Alacritye in thy seruice. Amen.

The second thing to bee considered, is the efficacye of the Worde of the blessed VIRGIN, by beeing the mother of God; and how much shee may bee able to obtaine of her Sonne in a moment: seeing by her meanes so many benefits togither were sodainely heaped vpon the Baptist, who was the first fruites of our Sauiour Christ, and of his Redemption: and he by the media∣tion of his mother, was willing to ripen this first fruite before his due time, to giue vs Confidence that by her Intercession, we shallbe preuented, and ayded by the mercye of God. And there∣fore I am humbly to beseeche this Soueraigne Queene, to vse in my behalfe this her greate Power, obtaining for me somewhat of that much, that by her mediation was giuen to this happy Fore-runner.

The Second Pointe.

SEcondly, [ 2] I am to consider, how S. Elizabeth likewise was replenished with the holy Ghoste, allmighty God communicating vnto her by meanes of this salutation, the light and knowledge of this mysterye, and the gift of Prophecye. Whereby he meruailously discoue∣red fower effectes which these giftes caused in her, in the which are resplendent fower properties of the Interious Visitation of our Sauiour Christ, and of the presence of the holy Ghoste, when hee replenisheth Soules with his giftes. * 1.4

First, [ 1] S. Elizabeth with most greate affection mooued by the holy Ghoste brake forth into Praises of God, and of his blessed mother, saying with a lowde voice, Blessed art thou among

VVomen, and blessed is the fruite of thy VVombe. As if shee had saide. True it was that the Angell saide vnto thee, that thou art Blessed among women: to the which I adde, that blessed is also the Sonne of thy Wombe: for hee beeing blessed, thou also art blessed, because from him, as from a fountaine, proceede all celestiall Benedictions. Whereby wee may see, that it is the Propertye of the holy Ghoste to moue vs to glorifye Christ, and his mother with greate feruour of Spirit, for that such Praises are very acceptable vnto him.

Secondly, [ 2] shee greately humbled herselfe with a profounde knowledge of her owne basenesse, and with another very high of the greatenesse of that blessed LADYE that visited her, saying: VVhence is this to mee, * 1.5 that the mother of my Lorde commeth to visite mee? [ 2] And then presently with an affection of Thankesgiuing, shee confessed the greatenesses of God, and published them to one that knewe, that for them shee was to praise, and glorifye him, saying to the Virgin: Assoone as the voice of thy Salutation sounded in my eares, * 1.6 the Infant in my VVombe did leape for Ioye. Where I will ponder how it is also the pro∣pertye of the holy Spirit to cause Humillity, & thankesgiuing in the middest of the fauours that hee doeth vs, that they may bee proffitable vnto vs, and that his giftes may bee secure, holding ourselues as vnworthy thereof, and giuing Thankes for them to the Giuer. And therefore in imitation of this Sainct, when our Lord God shall interiourly visite me, or when I shallbee to receiue him in the most blessed Sacrament. I am to reuiue in myselfe these two knowledges of myne owne basenesse, and of

his heigth; and beholding the Originall from whence so greate a Good commeth vnto mee, which is the meere Bountye of God himselfe, with greate astonishment I will say:

VVhence is this to me that my Lord commeth to visite me? to me so vile a Slaue! to mee so ingratefull, * 1.7 and wretched a Sinner? to me commeth my Lord, who is a Lord of infinite greatenesse, and maiestie? to visite mee, and to enter into my poore Cottage? from whence to mee so greate a fauour? Is it perad∣uenture for my seruices, or merits? or by my nature, or owne industrie: O blessed bee the immense Charity of God, that meerely of his owne infinite mercye daigneth to visite so base a Creature.

Fourthly, [ 4] S. Elizabeth confirmed the blessed VIRGIN in her Faithe, and Resolution, saying vnto her: Blessed art thou that beleeuedst, * 1.8 because doubltesse those things shallbee accomplished that were spoken vnto thee by our Lord: In the which wordes shee discouered the soueraigne gift of Prophecye that shee had receiued, knowing all that apper∣tained to the VIRGIN, aswell that passed, which the Angell had saide, as the present of being the mother of God, & the accomplishment of that which was to come. Whereby wee see that it is the propertye of the holy Spirit, to inspire the righteous to make vse of his giftes to the benefit of their neighbours, confirming them in Faithe, and in the Loue of God. In these Fower meruailous affections, I will endeuour to imitate S. Elizabeth, beseeching her to obtaine for me of our Lord, grace to that ende. And lastly I will ponder, how this day was published the most glorious name of the VIRGIN, which is the MOTHER OF GOD, which shee heard with greate Humillitye, and Ioye; and with it

I am to salute her, and to giue her the Much good doe it her of this name, praising him that gaue it her.

The third Pointe.

VVheerein is Meditated the Canticle of Magnificat.

THe third pointe shallbee to consider what the VIRGIN aunswered hauing hearde the Wordes of S. Elizabeth: for shee likewise was forthwith replenished with a most high Spirit of Prophecye, and composed thereupon the soueraigne Canticle of Magnificat: concerning which wee are to ponder, First: [ 1] how the blessed VIRGIN hauing heard so greate things in her owne praise, directed not her aunswere to S. Elizabeth who praised her, as commonly men vse to doe, in respect of shewing themselues gratefull: but all her wordes shee directed to God our Lord, teaching vs the manner, how wee are to conuerse with men when they praise vs: for the best, and securest is to alter the Discourse, and to speake vnto God, from whome proceede those giftes, for which wee are praised.

Secondly, I am to ponder, [ 2] how the blessed VIRGIN, who was so breefe, and so measured her wordes, when shee spake with Angells, and with men, dilated herselfe much more when she spake to God, recounting his Greatenesses. For the first is Prudence, and Respect: but the second is Excesse of Loue, and Thankefullnesse, according to that of the Wiseman: * 1.9 Yea that blesse our Lord, exalt him all that you can, for hee is

greater then all your praise. [ 3] And as he that is replenished with God, all his Discourse is of God, with affections of God to magnify, and glorifye him in all that he is able: for of the abundance of the Hearte the mouthe speaketh. * 1.10 So our blessed LADYE the VIRGIN, as shee was replenished with God, vttered with her mouthe this soueraigne Canticle, full of Affe∣ctions of God; which Canticle hath ten verses, and is as it were a Psalterion, or Harpe of ten strings, like to those, * 1.11 which Dauid commaundeth vs to touche for to glorifye God: and therefore it shall not bee amisse to meditate all her Wordes, that wee may knowe how spiritually to rehearse them to the honour of the VIRGIN, ioyning to euery worde, or Verse some holy Affection, or ioye of the Vertues of this our Ladye, with the peticion, and colloquye be∣longing vnto it.

My Soule doth magnifie our Lord.

In this first Verse the sacred VIRGIN teacheth vs the Spirit of praising God, thinking highly, and magnificently of him, & magnifying that which is his, in all that is possible: that is: his Bountye, and Mercye: his Wisdome, and Charitye, & the excellencye of his Gouernment. And this not only with corporall wordes, but with the Soule, and all her interiour Faculties, inuiting them with Dauid to praise our Lord. * 1.12 And shee sayed not: My Soule did magnifye, or will magnifye, but doth magnifye, to signifye that her principall office, and perpetuall occupation was, to magnifye God, doing on Earthe that

which the Angells doe in Heauen.

O that my Soule might allwayes magnifye our Lorde! * 1.13 o Lord of infinite greatenesse, litle can I ma∣gnifye thee with my praises: But as I may, I praise, and magnifye thee, and confesse that thou art greater then I am able to say, or to thinke. O Soueraigne VIRGIN, * 1.14 whose Soule allwayes magnified our Lord, and like another Dauid inuited all others to ma∣gnifye him, impetrate for mee, that my Soule may likewise magnifye him, occupying herselfe continually in singing his Greatenesses worlde without ende. Amen.

And my Spirit hath rejoiced in God my Sauiour.

In these Wordes the B. VIRGIN discouereth the manner of our rejoicing in God, * 1.15 nothing fiue Conditions of this Ioye to make it pure, and perfect. For first, [ 1] wee are not to place our principall Ioye, and Alacritye in corporall thinges, but in things spirituall: [ 2] nor so much in giftes receiued, as in the giuer of Giftes who is God himselfe. [ 3] And allbeeit we are to rejoice in God, as he is our Creator; yet principally as he is our Sauiour, and Sanctifyer: for in this sorte he is the fountaine of spirituall Alacritye, which is founded vpon the Saluation of the Soule sanctified by Gods grace. [ 4] And this loye is principally to consist in the Spirit, or superiour parte of the Soule, that it may be the more pure from all, that tasteth of fleshe, as the sensuall Ioye of the Bodye vseth to doe: allbeeit some∣times the Ioye of the spirit redoundeth likewise into the fleshe, * 1.16 according to that of Dauid: My Hearte, and my Fleshe reioiced in the liuing God.

Finally, [ 5] our Spirit is not to reioice in itselfe, as if it had thorough it owne merites those giftes for which it reioiceth, but our Ioye is to bee in God our Sauiour, who gaue them vnto vs, and vpon whome our ioye is to rest, as saithe the Prophet Dauid: My Soule shall reioice in our Lorde, * 1.17 and shallbee delighted in our Sauiour. Such was the Ioye of the blessed VIRGIN, who at this instant behelde our Sauiour whome shee bare in her Wombe, and rapt with his exceeding Loue, shee saide: My Spirit hath reioiced in God my Sauiour.

O my Soule, exalt thyselfe aboue thyselfe in Spirit like the VIRGIN, and reioice purely in Christ thy Sauiour, placing in him only all thy Alacritye. * 1.18 If thou desirest Ioye, reioice in God, and hee shall fullfill the desires, and petitions of thy hearte, that thy ioye may bee full, and that none may depriue thee of it, vntill at last thou maiest enter into the eternall ioye of thy Lorde.

Because he hath regarded the Humillity of his Handmaide.

In this Verse, and in those following, the B. VIRGIN declareth ten soueraigne benefits, three speciall, and seuen generall: which are the prin∣cipall causes, and respectes that shee hath to magnifye God, to reioice in him, and to shewe herselfe so thankefull.

The first is, [ 1] for that he regarded the Humil∣litye, and lowlinesse of his Handmaide: In which wordes the VIRGIN pointeth at two rootes of the Diuine Benefits. The one principall of Gods parte; and the other of our parte. It is of allmighty Gods parte, that he daigneth to regarde vs with a good eye, and to be mindefull

of vs, to doe vs good. For allbeeit it is truthe, that he seeth all things: yet he is not saide to regarde, nor make account of those which he leaueth in the abysme of nothing, or in the profunditye of their miserye, but of those which he regardeth, to vse towardes them his greate mercye. [ 2] The roote of our parte is the acknowledgement of our Lowelinesse, by the which we may dispose ourselues to receiue the giftes of his Diuine Liberallitye. And so the blessed VIRGIN as illuminated by God, joyned both these togither, magnifying God, for that he daigned to regarde the Humilli∣tye of his Handmaide. By the which wordes, shee confesseth not so much of herselfe that she hath the Vertue of Humillitye, as she exercizeth it: for as a true humbled one, either she esteemeth not so herselfe, or she would haue concealed it: but with Humillitye shee confesseth that she is lowly, base, and con∣temptible as a Slaue, or a Handmaide, and that notwithstanding all this, allmighty God dis∣dained not to regarde her. Whereby shee teacheth vs, that the foundation of the Praises of God, and of Thankesgiuing for the bene∣fits he doth vs, is to bee the acknowledging of our owne basenesse, and indignitye: for in this sorte there will be no perill of mixing vaine selfe-pleasing, as it happened to the prowde Pharisee. * 1.19 Rather this Lowlinesse is to be the respect why to beseeche allmighty God to regarde mee with a good eye, and to doe mee greate fauours: * 1.20 for his Condition, (as Dauid sayeth) is to beholde the lowely things in Heauen, and on Earthe, and to doe them greate mercyes. * 1.21 And this the saide Dauid had

experience of, saying of himselfe: Because God regarded my Humillitye, and Lowelinesse he deliuered my Soule from all her miseries.

O highest God whose Habitation is in the highest Heauens, * 1.22 beholde the lowelinesse of this thy vile Slaue, and vse towardes him thy accustomed mer∣cye, raising this begger from the Dust, and this poore wretched one from the Dunghill, to place him with Princes, and to sanctifye him aswell as they. Amen.

Beholde from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

And this is the seconde respect that the B. [ 2] VIRGIN had to magnifye God: for that from that moment that he behelde her Humillitye, and that he regarded her, all the nations of men that beleeued in Christ, aswell the present, as those to come thoroughout all Ages, should call her blessed. Wherein the VIRGIN taketh not for the motiue of her Ioy, her owne praises, but the greatenesses that God had giuen her, vpon which they were founded, and the good that should arize thereof to all those that should serue her, and praise her.

O Soueraigne VIRGIN, * 1.23 I for my parte am willing to fullfill this prophecye of thine, and to be one of those that call thee blessed. * 1.24 Thou art blessed (as thy Cosin saide) because thou beleiuedst: and thou art blessed for bearing our Sauiour in thy Wombe: but much more blessed for hearing his VVorde, and keeping it. Thou art blessed likewise with those eight Beatitudes preached by thy Sonne our Sauiour vpon the Mount. [ 1] Thou art poore in spirit, * 1.25 and thine is

the kingdome of Heauen. Thou art meeke, [ 2] and pos∣sesseth the Lande of the Liuing. [ 3] Thou mournedst for the Sinnes of the VVorlde, & therefore art comforted. Thou didst hunger, and thirst after Iustice, [ 4] therefore now thou art filled. Thou art mercifull, [ 5] and obtainedst mercye. Thou art a peace-maker, [ 6] and therefore for thy excellencye, thou art the Daughter of God. [ 7] Thou art cleane of Heart, and now thou art clearely be∣holding God. Thou sufferedst persecution for Iustice, [ 8] and now the kingdome of Heauen is thine, and thou art the supreme Queene of all the Inhabitantes the∣reof. O soueraigne Queene, I reioice that thou art blessed for so many respectes. O that all the nations of the VVorlde were conuerted to thy Sonne, and might all with greate Faithe call thee blessed, that by thy mediation they might all come to be blessed, imita∣ting heere on Earth thy life, and enioying afterwardes thy Glory in Heauen.

From hence I will likewise collect, what a greate motiue it is to rejoice in God, to haue an assured Hope to be blessed. For the which our Sauiour Christ saide to his Disciples, * 1.26 Reioice not in this that the Spirits (to wit the Diuells) are sub∣iect vnto you, but reioice in this that your names are written in Heauen. * 1.27 And S. Paule saithe, that wee should rejoice in Hope to obtaine the bles∣sednesse that is promised vs.

Because he that is mighty hath done greate things to me, and holy is his name.

This is the third respect the blessed VIRGIN alledgeth to glorifye God, [ 3] for at this instant shee reuolued in her memory the wonderfull things

that God had wrought in her, and the greate benefits he had donne her, from the instant of her Conception vntill then: especially that greate miracle of beeing a VIRGIN, and a MOTHER, and that not any mother what∣soeuer, but the mother of God himselfe: ad∣miring at all which greatenesses, she praised God for them, attributing them to his Omnipoten∣cye, and to the Holinesse of his name: for with his Omnipotencye hee wrought them, and with his Holinesse he would enact them, that tho∣roughout all Ages, his name might be sanctifyed, and glorifyed. And in saying that God did greate things, to her, she giueth likewise to vnderstand, that hee magnified her in those things, that ma∣gnifye men before God, which is, Sanctitye, and Caelestiall giftes: for the Sonne beeing greate, the mother was likewise to be magnifyed. Whe∣reby it appeareth, that it is not contrary to Humillitye to acknowledge in ourselues the giftes of God: rather (as S. * 1.28 Paul sayeth) the di∣uine Spirit itselfe discouereth them vnto vs, that wee may bee thankefull for them, attributing them not to our owne merits, but to the power, and Sanctitye of God, making a connexion of these two Attributes, as did the foure holy Beastes which gaue Glory to God, saying: Holy, * 1.29 Holy, Holy, Lord God omnipotent, which was, which is, and which shall come.

And his mercye from Generation to Generations, to them that feare him.

This is the fourth respect why the blessed VIRGIN magnifieth God, [ 4] not only for the

benefits receiued, but for many other which she hopeth to receiue: and not only for her owne benefits, but also for those which all the nations of the worlde doe receiue, rejoicing that the Mercye of God is Continuall, Infinite, and Sempiternall, and extendeth itselfe to all those that serue, and feare him, of what nation soeuer they bee. For it is the propertye of holy men, when they acknowledge the fauours that God hath donne them, to expect of his mercye that hee will doe them many others, as S. Paul saide: * 1.30 God hath deliuered, and doth deliuer vs out of so great dangers, in whome we hope that hee, will yet also deliuer vs. It is likewise the pro∣pertye of holy Persons, to thinke that the Sun of Iustice rizeth not vpon their houses only, but to conceiue highly of his mercye, and that he extendeth himselfe to many others, and thoroughout all Ages: for the which they are thankefull vnto God, taking the generall be∣nefit of all, as their owne in particular, and rejoicing to haue a God so mercifull, that hee denyeth his mercye to none that feare him, as Dauid confesseth in the 102 Psalme, * 1.31 wheerein hee doth nothing els but glorifye God for these two respectes of mercye towardes him∣selfe, and towardes the rest of the Iust.

He hath shewed might in his Arme.

The fifth respect to glorifye God, is, [ 5] the Workes of his Omnipotencye, which hee hath donne by his owne Vertue, and Fortitude, without the aide of any other: the which the

VIRGIN recorded in her memorye, calling to her remembrance the Creation of the Worlde, the Conseruation, and Gouernment thereof with so greate, and so admirable Prouidence: the pro∣digious things that he did deliuering his People out of Egipt, and carrying them thorough the desert vnto the Lande of promise, with all the other things that the Scripture reporteth: and principally shee called to minde this worke of the Incarnation, wheerein God shewed his power, and the might of his Arme. For all these regardes she magnified God, declaring in one worde that which Dauid did at large, * 1.32 re∣counting all these potent workes of God very particularly.

Besides this, in this Verse, * 1.33 and in the following, the VIRGIN not only recounteth what God hath donne, but what he vseth, and accustometh to doe conformable to his Goodnesse: and therefore shee glorifieth him, for that with his Arme hee vseth to worke powerfully, and to doe powerfull Actions, when, and how he will, and with whome he will; and as he did them in times past, he doth them at this present, and will doe them in time to come. All which may be a greate motiue to make me to rejoice in God, trusting that in me also he will doe powerfull things with the might of his Arme.

He hath dispersed the prowde in the conceite of their Hearte.

The sixth respect to glorifye God is, [ 6] not only the Omnipotencye that he sheweth in the

workes of his Mercye, but also what he hath shewed in the Workes of his Iustice, chastising the prowde, defeating their inuentions, and the imaginations of their heart. This the VIRGIN reuolued in her memorye, recording how our Lord God had defeated the plottings of prowde Lucifer who had saide: * 1.34 I will ascend vp in to Heauen, I will exalt my throne aboue the Starres of God, & will be like vnto the most High. As also the plots of those prowde ones that would haue builded the towre of Babel: * 1.35 and the punishments that he inflicted vpon Pharao, vpon Nabuchodonosor, and other such prowde ones. And for all these regardes she likewise magnified God, seeing for them he is worthy to be praised, as did our Sauiour Christ when he saide: * 1.36 I confesse to thee, o Father, Lord of Heauen, and Earthe, because thou hast hid these things from the wise, and prudent, & hast reuealed them to litle ones.

He hath deposed the mighty from their seate, and hath exalted the humble. The hungrye he hath filled with good things, and the riche he hath sent away emptye.

These two Verses [ 7] containe two other respectes of praising God [ 8] for the coniunction he maketh of his Mercye with his Iustice, demonstrating his power in deposing the mighty of this Worlde from their Thrones, and Seates, de∣priuing them of the Kingdomes, Dignities, and Greatenesses which they helde; and in their place exalting, and inthronizing the lowely, and humble. As he threwe from the celestiall Throne

the prowde Angells, and in their place exalted humble men: & from the Throne of this Worlde he cast the prowde Prince Sathan who had ti∣rannized ouer it, and in his place exalted Christ the master of Humillitye: * 1.37 who beeing litle as a Stone descended from Heauen without handes, or worke of men, ouerthrewe the Statue which signified the Foure monarchies of the Worlde, and by his Humillity increased till he came to be a greate mountaine. And this custome he hath alwayes obserued, * 1.38 as it is saide in the booke of Iob, fullfilling that which is written. That he that exalteth himselfe shallbee humbled: and he that humbleth himselfe shallbee exalted. And in like manner the poore, and hungrye that are in necessitye, which hunger, and thirst after righteousnesse, he replenisheth with spirituall benefits fullfilling their desiers: and contrarily the riche that thinke they haue abundance, and that they haue no necessity of others, he sendeth awny emptye; according to that of the Prophet Dauid: The riche were hungrye, and in want, * 1.39 but those which seeke God, shall haue abundance of all good things.

O my Soule magnifye thy Lord for this most noble condition that hee sheweth, * 1.40 in fauoring so much the humble, and hungrye of the Earthe. O my Spirit, reioice in God thy Sauiour, * 1.41 for that he crowneth thee with mercyes, and filleth thy desier with innume∣rable benefits. Prize thyselfe for beeing lowely, hungry, and full of neede, that God may exalt thee, fill thee, and replenish thy Desiers: but tremble to be prowde, riche, and disdainefull, least hee cast thee out of thy seate, and leaue thee emptye of his Grace.

He hath receiued Israel his Childe, beeing mindefull of his Mercye, as he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and his seede for euer.

These two Verses [ 9] containe other two most powerfull respectes [ 10] to moue vs to rejoice in God, and to praise his most holy name. One is, the Care, and Prouidence that hee hath to prouide for those whome he hath taken to his charge, as for his Children, and Domesti∣calls, comming personally to redeeme them. And allbeeit it seemeth that for a time, he forgetteth them: yet when he seeth time he is mindefull of his mercye, and remedyeth them, as he was mindefull of Israel, and of the whole worlde, comming to remedye it when he made himselfe man. The other respect is, the greate fidelitye that God hath in accomplishing the promises hee had made to our fathers, fullfilling them faithefully to all their seede for euer vnto the ende of the worlde: As he fullfilled his Worde to Abraham, and to Dauid which he gaue them, that hee would come to remedye them, and to giue to their Children, life, and Saluation, worlde without ende. These two considerations inflamed the Soule of the VIRGIN to magnifye God, and her Spirit to rejoice in God her Sauiour: and with these, my Soule, and my Spirit are to bee inkindeled with the like affections, seeing euery day, I beholde this Prouidence that God hath of his Children, and with what faithfullnesse he ac∣complisheth

complisheth what he promised to the Apostles our Fathers, not forgetting the faithfull which are their seede vnto the ende of the worlde.

And these are the ten causes, and respectes alledged in this Canticle by the blessed VIR∣GIN to glorifye God, inspired thereunto by the eternall Worde Incarnate whome shee bare in her Wombe: of the which I may make another Psalter, and Harpe of ten strings to the same ende, praising, and glorifying God, some∣times for one respect, and sometimes for another, which because I cannot doe as I ought, I am humbly to beseeche the Incarnate Worde to teache mee, as he taught his blessed mother: and her, to obtaine it me, for the glorye of her Sonne. Amen.

The fourth Pointe.

FInally, [ 1] I am to consider how the sacred VIR∣GIN remained with her Cosin, about three moneths. Pondering the greate good shee might doe to all that dwelled there, with her Discour∣ses, and with her examples of Modestye, Hu∣millitye, and Charitye: for if she did so much at her first entrance, it is to be beleiued, that in those three moneths she would augment what she then did, especially towardes S. Eli∣zabeth, discoursing of these mysteries: and both of them exhorting one another to Praier, and Conuersation with God, and to diuerse Exercises of Vertue. For, if because the Arke of the Testament was three moneths in the house of Obed-enlom, God filled him, * 1.42 and all his, with so greate benefits, that Dauid with an

holy Enuye desired to drawe the Arke to his owne house, that God might cast vpon it his benedictions: how much more are we to beleeue, that this diuine Arke of the newe Testament, within the which was Christ himselfe, hauing remained about three moneths in this house, would fill it with a thousand benedictions? And if I with a liuely Faithe could vnderstand them, I would presently be desirous to drawe it to my house, and that the Deuotion to this Soueraigne LADYE should dwell in my Soule, not only three moneths, but all my whole life, that she might replenish mee with all spirituall Benedi∣ctions. But it is not without a mysterye, [ 2] that our Lord by meanes of the blessed VIRGIN, hauing donne so greate mercyes to S. Iohn, and to his mother, yet would not heale his Father Zacharias, nor dispense with the Sentence pro∣nounced by the Angell, that hee should be dumbe vntill the birth of the Childe: for God is just, and this was conuenient, to obserue the order of his Iustice: & also he reserued this his mercye for another time more conuenient. From whence I will learne to reuerence the secret Iudgements of God, to humble myselfe, and to passe ouer his Deuises, expecting the conuenient time of his visitation, seeing there is no day that commeth not at last, and what this day hee graunted to S. Elizabeth, he gaue afterwardes more largely to Zacharias.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Pro. 20.8
• * 1.2

  Eccl. 11.22.23.
• * 1.3

  Colloquie.
• * 1.4

  The Pro∣perties of the Inte∣riour Vi∣sitations of God.
• * 1.5

  Luc. 1.43
• * 1.6

  Luc. 1.44
• * 1.7

  Colloquie.
• * 1.8

  Luc. 1.45
• * 1.9

  Eccl. 43.33.
• * 1.10

  Matt. 12.34
• * 1.11

  Psal. 42.4. 91 4. & 143.9.
• * 1.12

  Psal. 102.1. & 103.1.33.
• * 1.13

  Colloquie. Eccl. 43.30.
• * 1.14

  Psal. 33.4
• * 1.15

  The man¦ner of re∣joicing in God.
• * 1.16

  Psal. 83.3 & 15.9.
• * 1.17

  Psal. 34.9
• * 1.18

  Psal. 36.4 Ioan. 16.32.24. Matt. 25.21.23
• * 1.19

  Luc. 18.14.
• * 1.20

  Psa. 112 6
• * 1.21

  Psal. 30.8
• * 1.22

  Colloquie. Psa. 112.5.
• * 1.23

  Colloquie.
• * 1.24

  Luc. 11.28
• * 1.25

  Matt. 5.3
• * 1.26

  Luc. 10.20.
• * 1.27

  Rom. 12.12
• * 1.28

  1 Cor. 2.10.
• * 1.29

  Apoc. 4.8
• * 1.30

  2 Cor. 1.10.
• * 1.31

  Psal. 102.
• * 1.32

  Psal. 135.
• * 1.33

  NOT••.
• * 1.34

  Isa. 14.13
• * 1.35

  Gen. 11.5 Exod. 10. & 11. Dan. 4.28
• * 1.36

  Matt. 11.25
• * 1.37

  Dan. 2.34
• * 1.38

  Iob 5.11. & 40.6. & seq.
• * 1.39

  Psa. 33.11
• * 1.40

  Colloquie.
• * 1.41

  Psal. 102.4.5.
• * 1.42

  2 Reg. 6.11.