WHo this Elizabeth was , whom here we haue mentioned , none I suppose to be so ignorant , Luk. 1.6 , but that he knoweth . She was ( saith this Euangelist ) of the daughters of Aaron : her husband was Zacharias a Priest , and both he and she , iust before GOD , walking in all his comaundements and ordinances without reproofe . A notable patterne and example , not onely for ministers , and their wiues , whose blameles conuersation in all things , and at all times , ought to be a second instruction vnto the people : but for all couples ( as we tearme them ) of what degree , or calling soeuer they bee , that they themselues fearing the Lord , and walking in his wayes : Iob. 1.5 . Gen. 18.19 . they may not onely teach as did Iob , but commaund also as did Abraham , their sonnes , and their houshold , to knowe the way of the Lord , to doe righteousnes and iudgement . For this the godly whome any care of religion hath touched , haue alwayes according to his commaundement done , and this of his mercie towards them he hath not left vnrewarded . Abraham his reward with God was exceeding great , being made for this , as it were , one of his priuie councell . For shall I conceale or keepe any thing from Abraham ( saith God ) since he wil teach his sonnes and his housholde . Gen. 18.17 . Iob who vsed euery day to sanctifie his sonnes , that is to prepare them vnto sanctification , by teaching them how ; though for his triall & our example , in the chiefest of his prosperous felicitie he was humbled & cast down ; Iob. 42.12 . yet the Lord restored him againe and blessed his latter dayes , Psal. 101. Iosu 24.15 . Gen. 35.2 . Act. 10.2 . more than his former . The like may be said of Dauid , of Iosua , of Iaacob , of Cornelius the Italian Captaine , and such like ; whose carefull obedience to the commaundements of the Lorde , with the no lesse diligent information of their housholds therin , is set downe ; & their reward from the Lord by his singular blessings in great aboundance bestowed vpon them , is as it were particularly noted . Zacharias therefore and Elizabeth as no doubt they performed this duetie , so they are not alone , neither is the rewarde of their holy conuersation the least : for whereas Elizabeth was barren and long without a childe , wherby she was a reproach among women , the Lord for a reward maketh her fruitfull , and the mother , not of a meane babe , but of such a one as a greater before him of a woman was neuer borne . This blessing that the Lord bestowed vpon Zacharias and Elizabeth his wife : Matt. 12.11 the Euangelist S. Luke here sheweth in these two verses , and withall declareth how her neighbours and Cosins with her reioyced thereat . The blessing is heere amplified by three circumstances : First of the time , It was fulfilled : Secondly of the deliuerance , for at her full time shee was deliuered : Thirdly of the fruite it selfe : which was a sonne .

To accomplish , and fulfill the full , and the iust time , before the deliuerance , how exceeding great a blessing it is , may best be considered by the contrarie , which is when women bring foorth vntimely fruite , such which as the Prophet saith neuer seeth the sunne . Psal. 58.8 . For this ( besides that it is a great griefe , to the mother , to haue her womb to be her childes Graue , and withall bringeth her to exteame darnger of her owne life , if not to death it selfe ) is a curse which the Lord threatneth to punish them with who doe rebelliously transgresse against him . Hose. 9.11 . Their glorie ( saith the Prophet Hoseah ) that is their Children , which men account their glory shal flie away from the birth , from the wombe , and from the concedtion : that is either being conceiued , they shall not be quickned : or being quickned , they shall not in the wombe accomplish the iust time the birth , wherby for glorie they receiue a kinde of dishonour , and for comfort and ioy , sorrow and griefe . Examples of this iudgement among the Iewes , no doubt but there were many though they are not recorded : for that as now , so then children in such sorte borne , were hid and not spoken of as appeareth by this , that Iob wished vnto himselfe . Iob. 3.16 . Why was I not hid as an vntimely fruite either as infants which haue not seene the light : which manner of secret , and close hiding of them , sheweth also how fearefull a curse it is , when as thereby it is signified that both the mother is ashamed of , and loatheth the fruit of her own bodie , & that the eies of others are not able to endure the sight thereof . Now though the wicked are not alwayes ouertaken with this curse , but are made partakers of the contrarie blessing in such great measure that not onely themselues doe accomplish the dayes of their deliuerance , but their beasts also : Iob. 21.10.11 , &c. according to that which Iob saith : Their bullock gendreth and faileth not ; their Cow calueth and casteth not her calfe : they send foorth their children like sheepe , signifying thereby the great number of their Children : Yet is this the special blessing , promised vnto the children of God , to them that serue him and hearken to his lawes , to heare and doe them , according as we read : Exod. 23. If thou hearken to his voice and doe all that I speake , Exo. 23 , 26. there shall none cast their fruit or be barren in the land , the number of thy dayes will I fulfill . This promise then we see the Lord maketh vnto his children , which he also performeth vnto them ; as here vnto Elizabeth : vnles their sinnes , as they hinder many other good things doe also hinder it . Ier. 5.25 . And when he performeth it to them , it is a blessing from him , and a most sure token of his fauour and louing kindnes towards them : wheras to the wicked , though they commonly enioy the commoditie thereof , as they doe of the sunne and the raine which shineth and falleth vpon the good and the bad , Mat. 5.45 . the iust and vniust : Yet it is to them as are all other things of this life which they vsurp , but as a curse heaping coales vpon their heads , and making their condemnation more grieuous .

The next circumstance whereby this blessing is amplified , is , that she was deliuered : which of it selfe howe great a mercy it is , may be considered also by the contrarie , which is , when either a woman who hath fulfilled her time , cannot be deliuered , or in such sorte after long and gieuous trauaile is deliuered , as therewith in the anguish , and panges thereof she endeth her life : This is ( saith Hezechias ) a day of tribulation : the Children are come to the birth , 2. Kin. 19.3 . & there is no strength to bring forth : comparing the estate of Ierusalem besieged by Zenacherib , and not able of it selfe to defend it selfe , to a woman trauailing of Childe at the full ende of her tearme , and yet wanting strength to bring it foorth as though hee should say , if a woman in such a case is most miserable , then most miserable is our estate . This then sufficiently declareth the lamentable condition of a woman in such distresse . But consider we it further by examples : what a day of tribulation was it to Rachel , when after many grieuous pangs and great difficultie , being deliuered , her sorrowes decreased neither in hearing nor seeing that she had brought foorth a man childe into the worlde : but encreased , to the taking away of her life , in so much that yeelding vp the ghost ; shee called her Child Ben-noni , Gen. 35.18 the sonne of my sorrow . In like manner what a day of tribulation was it to Phinehas wife , mentioned 1. Sam. 4.19 . 1. Sa. 4.19 . when not answering the women that stoode about her , who bad her not feare , for that she had borne a sonne : nor regarding at all the fruite of her wombe , she named him Ica-bod , saying , The glorie of GOD is departed from Israel : and so with griefe of heart , repeating the words againe : The glorie is departed from Israel , shee departed also & left her life ; giuing the women standing by to vnderstand , that the glory of God being gone out of the land , which is , when his true religion and seruice is taken away , as it was then from them , the Arke being taken by the Philistines : that there can no comfort be receiued , by Children , nor by life it selfe . A notable example for the women to make them carefull of the true religion of God , who now together with their husbands are so carelesse thereof , that whether it depart from them or tarrie with them , they make no reckoning , for they account not the gospell the glorie of England , as Phinehas wife accounted the Arke the glorie of Israel : to the therfore we must preach , Esay . 32.9 . as Esay preached to the women of his time : Rise vp ye women that are at ease , heare my voice ye careles daughters , hearken vnto my words : For assure your selues that what day the gospell ( which now ye neglect , and doe not regarde , respecting onely your pride , pleasure , and profite ) be taken from you , the fame day shall be taken from you the ornaments of your pride : as your high corked slippers , your golden Calls , &c. yea your husbands , who haue cherished you , and your Children ; whome in great sorrow ye haue brought foorth : Esay . 3.24 . and the Lord shall giue you for husbands widowhead , for children disolutenes , for swéete sauour stinck , for a girdle a rent , for dressing of the haire baldnes , for a fine stomacher sack-cloth , and for beautie burning .

Thus it befell to the women of Siloh : and thus the Lord threatneth to doe , as he did vnto them , and to all other that are careles of his seruice , and rebellious against him . And therefore he sendeth vs to Siloh , saying : Goe ye now to my place which was in Siloh , Ierem. 7.12 where I set my name at the beginning : and beholde what I did to it for the wickednes of my people Israel . But to returne from this digression vnto Phinehas wife , she is a patterne as I said , in whome we may sée the great distresse and miserie of a woman lying in such plight , that though at length she be deliuered of her childe , yet she is not deliuered from her paines , vntill she be deliuered of her life : Yet this case in comparison of theirs , who hauing accomplished their full time and cannot be deliuered at all , séemeth somewhat tollerable . And of such , histories record some , and women no doubt , are priuie to many mo : from these perils and daungers , when the Lord deliuereth a woman , that not onely she bringeth forth with the safegard of her life , but that before the trauaile shee bringeth foorth , and before her paine come shee bee deliuered of her Child : howe great mercie doth the Lord shew vnto that woman ? Esay . 66.7 . This the Lord speaketh of the sodain restawration of the Church : Before shee trauailed shee brought foorth , and before her paines came she was deliuered of a man Childe : declaring thereby that as he pleaseth to giue such a speedy and easie deliuerance to some , whome it pleaseth him , that as it were before their paines come they are deliuered ; so he can and will when his Church is by al likelyhood in greatest danger , euen as a woman is when shee boweth her selfe to trauaile of Child , vpon the sodaine , deliuer it without paine and trouble , in the turning of an hand . This is more manifestly shewed in the Reuela , Apoc. 12.2 . 12. where the great danger of the Church of God , and the miraculous deliuerance thereof , is set foorth vnder the similitude of a woman trauailing in birth readie to be deliuered . Let women therefore , who are partakers of this mercy , as was Elizabeth : namely , to be both deliuered , and that without the dolefull continuing in labour and trauaile many dayes , as many doe acknowledge that the Lord bestoweth vpon them an extraordinarie blessing to be wondred at ; as it is in the former place of Esay : Who hath heard such a thing ? Esay . 66.8 . Who hath seen such things ? assoone as Sion trauailed she brought forth her children . For what is one woman in comparison of the whole Church of God , men and women ; and what greater mercie doth or can the Lord in this life bestow vpon them , than spéedelie ( in such distresse ) when they call to heare and deliuer to them :

The last circumstance in this first verse obserued is , that she brought forth a Sonne : diuers we know bring forth monsters , Luk. 16 , ● which can haue the name neither of sonnes nor of daughters . In that therefore the Lord fréeeth Elizabeth from this curse , and graunteth her to bring foorth a childe , and he a man child , and such a childe who should be filled with the holy ghost , euen from his mothers womb , to be the Prophet of the most high , and to goe before him in the spirit and power of Elias ; it is the summe and the perfection of the former benefites : and that which maketh ordinarily , euen in ordinarie births , the sorrowes in trauaile to be forgotten . This women know to be true by their own experience : Ioh. 16.21 . And our Sauiour Christ ( from whom nothing is hid ) teacheth vs also the same , saying ; A woman when shee trauaileth hath sorrow because her howre is come : but so soone as she is deliuered of her Childe , she remembreth no more the anguish : for ioy that a man is borne into the worlde . Where by Man hee meaneth aswell the woman Childe as the man Childe , both being the great blessings of the Lord , though in some respects : the man childe is preferred to the woman , as by whom the name , which men and godly men most of all earthly blessings do desire , is the longest in remembrance continued . And therfore the Godly men and women in the Scripture who haue béen barren haue especially asked of the Lord a sonne : Gen. 15.2 . so Abraham desired a sonne , that Eliezer the steward of his house might not be his heire . 1. Sa. 1.11 . And Anna prayed for a man child that she might dedicate him to the seruice of the Lorde in his Temple : In which respect also it appeareth that the godly then desired rather sonnes than daughters ; howsoeuer to serue the Lord in that office , seemeth now a thing so contemptible ; though the ministrie of the gospel be farre more glorious , as the Apostle notably sheweth to the Corinth . 2. Cor. 3.8 . than was the ministrie of the law : That euerie man ( be he neuer so meane ) disdaineth ; saue that necessity for want of other maintenance constraineth him , to train vp his Sonne as Anna did her Samuel , to serue the Lord in that vocation : No maruaile therfore though the Lord disdaine to giue them sonnes , who doe disdaine to consecrate them vnto him ; or if he giue such sonnes , no maruaile though as commonly we see his blessing be not vpon them , since of many they wil not spare him one , but if all other meane faile they will rather bestow them vpon * * 〈…〉 at is to 〈◊〉 Phisiti●●s , ciuill or ●●mmon ●●wyers ●●rchants , &c. Hose. 9.14 . Galen Iustinian & Littleton , and commit them to the windes and the Seas , to aduenture thereupon their wittes , their goods , and their liues , and to other handiecraftes , than that they should serue him to his glorie in his Church . But to leaue complaining of such to whom the Lord for this cause I doubt not giueth oftentimes barren wombes and drye breastes . The issue whether it bee of Sonnes or daughters , it is a singular blessing , and the cheefe blessing of this life : for to bee blessed in the fruite of the wombe , excelleth the blessing in the fruite of the ground ; 〈◊〉 128.3 . the wife to bee as the fruitefull Vine , Iudg. 9.9 . & 13. and the Children to bee as the Oliue branches round about the table , surmounteth the fatnes of the oliue , wherewith are honored , and the red bloud of the Grape , whereby are chéered both God and men ; for sonnes are more pleasing than pleasant plants , & daughters are more louely and glorious in parents eyes , than are the polished corners of a temple . The Prophet Dauid in the 127. Psalme , Psal. 127.4 . compareth Children to arrowes in the hand of a strong man , and pronounceth him blessed , that hath his quiuer full of them : shewing also , wherein that blessednes dooth consist , namelie in this , that they whome the Lord hath thus blessed shall not bée ashamed when they speake with their enemies in the gate : 1. Sam. 1.6 . for whereas their enemies would haue vpbraided them as accursed , by reason of their barrennes , like as Peninnah did Anna , 1. Sam. 2.1 . this their opprobrie by their hauing of Children , is taken away according to that with Elizabeth here saieth of her selfe : and their mouthes as Anna saith , enlarged ouer their enemies . Thus then wee see what a blessing this was to Elizabeth , that shee was made fruitefull , and brought foorth a sonne , and how generallie the fruite of the wombe , Psal. 127.3 . is an inheritance and blessing that commeth of the Lord . And this that it is so , is a most necessarie doctrine in these daies to be taught , in respect of two sortes of people ; the one who thinketh Children to be a charge : and therefore if they might haue their choise , had rather to bee without them than haue them . Prou. 17.6 , How farre are such from the knowledge of Gods trueth in this behalfe , which teacheth vs , that Children are a blessing , an inheritance , a reward , and a crowne vnto vs from the Lord : this if such would duely consider , it would both reforme their corrupt , and wicked iudgement in this behalfe , and it would also comfort them in their distresse , being ouercharged in their owne eyes , with a charge of Children : for what greater comfort can there bee , than with our eyes , sensibly to see the Lordes blessings and signes of his fauour before vs , which because many in their Children cannot see , by reason of their ignorant hearts , which neuer were instructed in Gods schoole , they take more comfort in the increase of their swine , than they doo in the increase of sonnes and of daughters . The other sort , for whom the knowledge of this doctrine is necessarie , are they who taking delight , and that great as great may bee in their Children , they yet sound not to the deapth of this blessing ; they perceiue it not to be a blessing from the Lord , but doo take it to be a naturall and ordinarie worke of nature , whereby they both robbe the Lord of that honour , and thankes which is due vnto him , and depriue themselues also of that inward ioye : which in the consideration thereof the godlie doo coonceiue , who thereby perceaue the Lord , to haue a speciall regarde vnto them , according as Elizabeth did , as it is manifest by these her owne words : Luke . 1.25 . Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the daies that he looked vpon me . Where we see that by her sonne that she had conceaued , & afterwards brought foorth : she maketh an argument vnto her selfe , that the Lord looked down vpon her ; or as the Virgin Marie saith : Luke . 1.48 . regarded her estate : than which assuredlie to knowe , as she knew it perfectly hereby , what greater ioye could her heart conceiue ? But least by this generall speach , it shoulde bee thought , that children are vnto all a token of God his fauour , and that from them they may reason as did Elizabeth : Thus hath the Lord dealt with me , in the daies that hee looked vpon me . It must bee vnderstoode , as partlie in the beginning I signified , that these temporal things which the Lord bestoweth indifferentlie , both vpon the good and the bad ; are then vnto vs blessings and signes , and assurances of the Lordes fauour and louing kindenes towards vs : when as wee , vppon whome they are bestowed are such , who doo from our hearts , loue , serue , and feare him ? For otherwise , if he who receiueth them from the Lord is wicked and vngodlie , and doo continue therein without repentance , they are not vnto him blessings , but cursings , not pledges of his saluation thorough the grace and fauour of God in Christ : but heauie tokens , and certaine of his more grieuous condemnation . The Scripture therefore to put a difference , it thus speaketh : Blessed is euerie one , that serueth the Lord , Psal. 128. and walketh in his waies . And thereupon reckoning God his blessings vpon such , in respect of the labors of their hands , in respect of the fruitefulnes of their Wiues , in respect of the towardlines of their Children : it thus concludeth : Loe thus shall the man bee blessed , that feareth the Lord . The feare therefore of the Lord , which is manifested , by a carefull watching in his waies : is it that sanctifieth to vs the fruite of the womb , & the fruite of the ground , which halloweth our basket and our store ; and which blesseth our goings out , and our commings in : and maketh what euer we haue , be it smal or great , to be an exceeding blessing vnto vs . But with the wicked it is nothing so , Iob. 21.7 . &c. for though to vse againe the words of holy Iob ; They liue , waxe olde , and growe in wealth , though their seede be established in their sight with them , and their generation before their eyes : though their houses be peaceable and without feare , and the rod of God be not vpon them : though their Bullock gendereth and falleth not , their cow calueth and casteth not her calfe : though they send foorth their Children like sheepe , and their sonnes daunce : though they take the Tabret and Harpe , and reioyce in the sounde of the Organes : though they want nothing that their heart wisheth , or their eye lusteth after . In which case , thus laded with the things of this life , we ( like as did Iob ) doo often see the most vngodlie men , according to that the Psalmist saith . Loe these are the wicked , they prosper & increase in riches , their eyes stand out for fatnes . Though I say all these things , and al other good things of this life befall them , according to their owne hearts desire : yet neither Children nor any other thing else , though they haue gathered golde as dust , and siluer as the stones of the streat , is , or can be a crowne , or a blessing vnto them . For notwithstanding all those things , the increase of their house saith Iob , Iob. 20.7 . shall goe away , it shall flowe away , in the day of the Lords wrath , they shall perish for euer , like their dung , and they that haue seene them , shall see them no more . Thus it is apparant , how that to the godlie onelie , Children and all things are a blessing : as was this Sonne to Elizabeth , which shee brought foorth , for that she together with her husband feared the Lord : walking in all his waies and ordinances without reproofe . So that to conclude this first part , we see , how in euerie circumstance , which the Euangelist here noteth , the Lorde his mercie towardes her appeareth : ●uke . 1 as it dooth also to all them , to whome hee sheweth the like fauour to conceaue , to fulfill their time , to bee deliuered , and to bring foorth their issue , whether it bee Sonne or Daughter .

Now followeth the second part , which sheweth how her Neighbours , ●uke . 1 and Cousins reioyced thereat . And herein these circumstances are to bee obserued , first , who they were that reioyced , secondlie how , and thirdly for what .

They that reioyced were her Neighbours , and Cousins that is kinsfolke in generall . And here in parte began to bee fulfilled , that which the Angell foreshewed to Zacharias himselfe , Luke . 1.14 to wit , that manie shoulde reioyce at his birth . Which they did as in respect of Elizabeth , whose reproache hereby they sawe to bee done away , whereof they could not , but bee right glad : so especiallie in regarde of that hope , which they had conceiued of the Childe , by the relation of the Angell vnto Zacharias : both therefore for the benefit , as it respected Elizabeth and her Husband particularlie , and for the blessing : which hereby the Church of GOD shoulde receiue generallie , did they thus at this birth reioyce . In the former they perfourmed the duetie of kinde Neighbours and kindred ; and in the latter the part of good and godlie Christians . For to speake of the former , it is the duetie of good Neighbours and kinsfolke to be glad , and to reioyce at the good of their Kindred , and Neighbours . So did ( as the last yeare vppon like occasion I shewed ) the Neighbours of Naomie in the booke of Ruth : for when Ruth her Daughter in Lawe , was deliuered of a Childe by Obed , Ruth . 4.14 . The Women her Neighbours ( saieth the text ) saide vnto her in reioycing manner . Blessed be God which hath not left thee this day without a kinseman : this shall bring thy life againe , and cherrish thine old age , for thy daughter in law which loueth thee , hath borne vnto him , &c. Thus also did Iob his bretheren , friends and acquaintance , Iob. 42.11 . for they after the Lorde had turned the captiuitie of Iob , came vnto him , and brought presents with them , to comfort him ouer the euill that the Lord had brought vpon him , and to reioyce with him for his recouerie there from . Rom. 12.15 . This is to Reioyce with them that reioyce , and to weepe with them that weep : like as the Apostle commandeth : whereby it appeareth that such good Neighbourhoode was then , and that it ought to be also now : for which cause , their example , and this commaundement is left vnto vs . But good neighbourhoode is now gone , the common complaint in euery place is : and Cousins kindnes is such , that euen the name it selfe through Cousins that are Cousiners , is growne to bee odious , and a name of reproach : for so farre are men in these daies from reioycing at the good of each others , though they bee Neighbours the next doore together , or kinsemen of the néerest bloud , that they rather repine and grudge , that any fat should fall besides their owne beards : and as for the weeping with them that are in affliction , thereby to comfort them , it may bée saide , as Iob saide of his friends in the same respect : that in his behalfe men haue forsaken the feare of the Almightie ; Iob. 6.14 . for whereas , Hee that is in miserie should bee comforted of his Neighbour , all his friends and neighbours ( as Salomon saith of the bretheren of the poore ) do hate him , if not reuile him , as Iobs friends did him . This is a complainte more fitte for another place , Prou. 19.7 . yet not amisse here , for that by the churlishnes , and vnnaturalnes of men in these daies , the loue of these Neighbours & Kinsfolkes may the better appeare . For how euer men in these daies , malice and grudge , they reioyced and were glad at the great blessing of the Lord bestowed vpon Zacharias and Elizabeth , and would no doubt , if occasion had béen , haue also comforted them , as manie of the Iewes did comfort Marie & Martha for the death of their brother Lazarus . Ioh. 11.19 .

But as men faile in this dutie , so doe they no lesse in that other , which is , to reioyce for the good which generallie befalleth the Church of God , for so careles are they of such spirituall things , that for the most part , they see them not , or seeing them , they regard them not , for though an hundreth Ihon Baptists were borne , that is , though an hundreth , or a thousand such , who were able to preach vnto vs the Gospell of Christ , for the remission of sinnes , were sent foorth by the Lord of the haruest to furnish our own Churches , & such other as want their ministerie : yet farre would many bee from reioycing thereat , and from praysing and blessing the Lord for so visiting of his people , which also they would be , as they are in respect of sundrie other good blessings , as for the blessing of good Magistrats , of peace , of plentie , &c. whereby the Church of God is made to flourish . For though these thinges done , they doe well like , and chiefelie desire : yet it is onelie in respect of their owns priuate commoditie , and for the bodie sake , for that they thereby also receaue benefite and pleasure : for otherwise , they would not respect them , in regard of the good that commeth thereby , eyther to their owne soules , or to the Church of GOD , for whose cause yet , and not for their owne , they doe inioye them .

This their corruption appeareth manifestly hereby , for that though they heare of neuer so great distresse of the Church of God beyonde the Seas , they are thereby no more affected to weepe quam si dura silex , aut stet marpesia mutis : than is the hardest flint , nor though they heare of neuer so good the successe thereof , are they at all more affected to reioyce , than was Timon of Athens : whereby they shew them selues not to be of the communion of Saints , nor members of the mystical bodie of Christ : betwixt whom is the like or greater Sympathie , than is betwixt the members of this our naturall bodie , wherein if one member suffer , all suffer with it , and if one member be had in honor , 1. Cor. 1 26. all the other members reioyce with it . This fellow feeling of the good of the church of God in general , by the birth of Iohn Baptist , had these neighbours and Cousins of Elizabeth , for which cause at her deliuerance of him , they reioyced . And the like haue all they that are in deede of the communion of Saints , neyther can any truely say , that hee is a member of the bodie of Christ , vntill in some measure , he be partaker of the same : And this may suffice for the parties that reioyced .

The manner of their reioycing followeth to be considered , which though heere it be not expressed : yet in what sorte , the Godlie haue vsed to reioyce , we cannot be ignorant , since else-where it is often and at large declared . Simeon reioyced in singing , Luke . 2.29 Lord now lettest thou thy seruant depart in peace . Marie in singing , My soule doth magnifie the Lord . Luk. 1.46 This Zacharias in singing , Luk. 1.64 . Blessed be the Lord God of Israel that hath visited and redeemed his people . And the women that were at Ruths labour in saying , Ruth . 4.14 . Blessed bee God , which hath not left thee this day without a kinseman . By these and sundrie others , as by that song of Anna , 1. Sam. 2 , 1 , 2. &c. we may gather , 1. Sa. 2.1.2 &c. that the spirituall manner of reioycing either for this , or any other benefit , is , in yeelding thankes vnto the Lord , and praise vnto his name . For this the Lord requireth of vs , and this the Godlie hath bound themselues , ( as it were by solemne promise ) to performe vnto him . Psa. 116.12 13 What shal I render vnto the Lord ( saith the Prophet Dauid , ) for all his benefites towards me ? 〈◊〉 . 118. I will take the Cup of saluation and call vpon or praise the name of the Lord . And againe , Open ye vnto me the gates of righteousnesse , that I may enter in and prayse the Lord . And why ? because though he hath chastened me sore , ( as iustlie I haue deserued ) yet hath he not deliuered me to death ( as in iustice hee might . ) Lea , when she had conceaued , & borne her fourth sonne , she saide , Now will I praise the Lord : And that she might the better bee put in minde of her promise in this behalfe , she called his name Iudah , that is in English , 〈◊〉 . 29.35 . praise . Thus to alleadge no moe examples , wee see how our manner of reioycing , as for other benefites , so namely for this great blessing of God , in giuing vnto vs an happie encrease of Children , consisteth in rendring praise and thankes vnto him . This if it goeth before , not in hipocrisie for a fashion and shew , but in the sinceritie of heart , and simplicitie of minde , then may other reioycinges follow after , Gen. 21.8 then may we wich Abraham make a feast , and vse such other semblances of ioye which the Godlie in the feare of God haue vsed , for by that , these are sanctified and made holie vnto vs , and without that , these are very prophane and heathenish , howe glittering a shew soeuer they make in the eyes of the world . Our first care therefore must be , if wee be true neighbours and kindred , to giue thankes vnto the Lord , to blesse his name , to yeelde praises vnto him for his benefites and blessings bestowed vpon him , or them , by whom we dwell , and with whom we are alied , for in such sorte no doubt , as all the Godlie haue vsed to doe , so the Godlie neighbours , & Cousins of Elizabeth reioyced , and were glad ; wherein they shewed themselues rightly religious towards God ; and hartie ( not fained neighbours and friends ) to their good neighbour and Cousin Elizabeth . But not onely they , as I should haue noted in the former part , reioyced , but she also : for it is heere saide , that they reioyced with her . Elizabeth her selfe , as shee was the chiefe vpon whom this mercie was bestowed , so was she the chiefe , and as it were the ring leader , in giuing of thankes ; for she both stirred vp her selfe in thankefulnesse to reioyce , and also vsed meanes to declare vnto her neighbours , & her Cousins , what the Lord had done for her , that they also for it , with her might reioyce . For thus much doe these words declare , wherein it is saide , that her neighbours and Cousins heard tell , how the Lord had shewed his great mercie vpon her . For by whome shold they heare it , ( especially her husband being dumb ) but by her , or her meanes , who had receaued it , and therefore could best tell how to expresse it : For not onelie outwardlie as others , but inwardlie also did she see , ca●● and feele , this great mercie of the Lord bestowed vp●● her . According therefore to that which in euerie respect , more than others she knew , could she , ( as no doubt shee did ) expresse each thing more fullie to the glorie of God .