Page 143
The thirtenth Meditation. Of the birth of S. Iohn the fore-runner of our Sauiour Christe.
The first Pointe.
FIrst, I will consider what happened before the Conception of this Sainct: for God ha∣uing elected him for his fore-runner, was willing to honour him, to demonstrate in him the great∣nesse of his mercye, and the heigth of the office that he gaue him in charge, all for the glorye of Christ IESVS whose fore-runner he was. As first he would that he should be miraculously conceiued of barren Parents, [ 1] that he should be the Sonne of holy Parents, and the Sonne of Praiers, & holy Desiers: for Praier is the meanes that God vseth to execute the Deuises of his eternall predestination; as S. Gregory sayeth, speaking of the birth of the Patriarch Isaac. Whereby he moueth vs to haue greate Affection, & Confidence in Praier, though it be concerning things that seeme difficult, seeing for all it is auaileable. [ 2] He would likewise that his Conce∣ption should be annunciated by the Angell S. Gabriel, who annunciated that of his Sonne: and with the selfe same spirit of prompt Obedience, the Angell came to declare both the one, and the other, because it was God that commaunded it. In the same manner that S. Raphael came to serue Tobias in very base things, with no lesse pleasure then if God had commaunded him things of greate heigth: for all the Angells place their Glory