truth of the promise, but merely for information respecting the mode of its accomplishment. Now in this she shewed the eminence of her piety : and for this she was particularly com- mended by God himself, who inspired Elizabeth, at the first appearance of the Virgin, to exclaim, " Blessed is she that believed ; for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lordm." It was such an exercise of faith that made Abraham so distinguished among all the sons of men, and so eminently beloved of his God". This also was the grace which most particularly characterized all the saints of old0; which also our blessed Lord invariably honoured with his peculiar approbation ; which therefore should exalt his Virgin mother exceeding highly in our esteem.]
2. Her submission to the appointment —
[She could not but know that the honour proposed for her acceptance might entirely ruin her character, and possibly even affect her life : for God himself had commanded, that a virgin betrothed should, if unfaithful to her engagements, be punished with death, exactly as she would have been if actually married1'. On these grounds she might well have suggested doubts, and inquired, how she should be protected from these awful consequences. But she felt no doubt, but that He, whose power and love could confer upon her the proposed honour, would exercise a watchful care over her, and either entirely prevent, or richly recompense, these dreaded evils. Like " Abraham, who at the call of God went out, not know- ing whither he went," she cheerfully committed herself to the Divine protection, knowing in whom she had believed, and assured that he would never leave her nor forsake her. That there was j ust ground for such fears, appears by the very pur- pose which Joseph formed, of putting her away as an adulteress: and which was only prevented by the intervention of God himself, who sent an angel to inform him by what means she was pregnant, and to commend her to his peculiar care.
Here again we cannot but admire that resignation and forti- tude, whereby she rose superior to all those fears and appre- hensions, which such a situation was calculated to inspire.]
3. Her gratitude for the favour —
[At the first, as we might expect, her frame was that of meek and humble submission. But, when she had had time to reflect upon the greatness of the mercy vouchsafed unto her, and the blessings which would come upon the world by her means, she broke forth into the most exalted strains of praise : " My soul doth magnify the Lord? and my spirit hath rejoiced
m ver. 45. " Rom. iv. S, 13, 18—22.
o Heb. xi. p Deut. xxii. 23, 24.