The Angel and Zachary .

WHEN things are at worst , then God begins a change . The state of the Jewish Church was extreamly corrupted , immediately before the news of the Gospel ; yet , as bad as it was , not only the Priesthood , but the courses of attendance continued , even from Davids time till Christs . It is a desperately depraved condition of a Church , where no good orders are left . Judea passed many troubles , many alterations , yet this orderly combination endured about an eleven hundred years . A setled good will not easily be defeated , but in the change of persons will remain unchanged , and if it be forced to give way , leaves memorable footsteps behinde it . If David fore-saw the perpetuation of this holy Ordinance , how much did he rejoice in the knowledge of it ? who would not be glad to doe good , on condition , that it may so long out-live him ?

The successive turnes of the Legal ministration held on in a Line never interrupted . Even in a forlorn and miserable Church , there may be a personall succession . How little were the Jewes better for this , when they had lost the Urim and Thummim , sincerity of Doctrine and Manners ? This stayed with them even whiles they and their Sons crucified Christ . What is more ordinary , then wicked Sons of holy Parents ? It is the succession of Truth and Holiness that makes or institutes a Church , whatever become of the persons . Never times were so barren , as not to yeeld some good ; The greatest dearth affords some few good Eares to the Gleaners . Christ would not have come into the world , but he would have some faithful to entertain him : He , that had the disposing of all times and men , would cast some holy ones into his own times : There had been no equality , that all should either over-run , or follow him , and none attend him . Zachary and Elizabeth are just , both of Aarons blood , and John Baptist of theirs : whence should an holy seed spring if not of the Loyns of Levi ? It is not in the power of Parents to traduce Holinesse to their Children : it is the blessing of God , that feoffes them in the Vertues of their Parents , as they feoffe them in their sinnes . There is no certainty , but there is likelihood , of an holy Generation , when the Parents are such . Elizabeth was just , as well as Zachary , that the fore-runner of a Saviour might be holy on both sides . If the stock and the griffe be not both good , there is much danger of the fruit . It is an happy match , when the Husband and the Wife are one , not onely in themselves , but in God , not more in flesh , then in the spirit . Grace makes no difference of sexes , rather the weaker carries away the more honour , because it hath had lesse helps . It is easie to observe , that the New Testament affordeth more store of good women then the old . Elizabeth led the ring of this mercy , whose barrenness ended in a miraculous fruit both of her body and of her time .

This religious pair made no lesse progress in vertue then in age , and yet their vertue could not make their best age fruitfull : Elizabeth was barren . A just soul and a barren womb may well agree together . Amongst the Jews barrenness was not a defect only , but a reproach : yet while this good woman was fruitful of holy obedience , she was barren of children . As John , which was miraculously conceived by man , was a fit fore-runner of him that was conceived by the Holy Ghost ; so a barren Matron was meet to make way for a Virgin .

None but a son of Aaron might offer incense to God in the Temple , and not every son of Aaron , and not any one at all seasons : God is a God of order , and hates confusion no lesse then irreligion . Albeit he hath not so streightned himself under the Gospel as to tie his service to persons or places , yet his choice is now no lesse curious because it is more large . He allows none but the authorised : he authoriseth none but the worthy . The incense doth ever smell of the hand that offers it . I doubt not but that perfume was sweeter which ascended up from the hand of a just Zacharie . The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination to God . There were courses of ministration in the Legal services : God never purposed to burthen any of his creatures with devotion . How vain is the ambition of any soul that would load it self with the universal charge of all men ? How thankless is their labour that do wilfully overspend themselves in their ordinary vocations ? As Zacharie had a course in Gods house , so he carefully observed it : the favour of these respites doubled his diligence . The more high and sacred our calling is , the more dangerous is neglect . It is our honour that we may be allowed to wait upon the God of heaven in these immediate services . Woe be to us if we flacken those duties wherein God honours us more then we can honour him .

Many sons of Aaron , yea of the same family , served at once in the Temple according to the variety of imployments . To avoid all difference , they agreed by lot to assign themselves to the several offices of each day : the lot of this day called Zacharie to offer Incense in the outer Temple . I doe not finde any prescription they had from God of this particular manner of designment . Matters of good order in holy affairs may be ruled by the wise institution of men according to reason and expediencie .

It fell out well that Zacharie was chosen by lot to this ministration , that Gods immediate hand might be seen in all the passages that concerned his great Prophet ; that as the person , so the occasion might be of Gods own chusing . In lots and their seeming casual disposition , God can give a reason , though we can give none . Morning and Evening , twice a day , their Law called them to offer Incense to God , that both parts of the day might be consecrate to the maker of time . The outer Temple was the figure of the whole Church upon earth , like as the Holy of holiest represented Heaven . Nothing can better resemble our faithful prayers then sweet perfume : these God looks that we should ( all his Church over ) send up unto him Morning and Evening . The elevations of our hearts should be perpetual : but if twice in the day we do not present God with our solemn invocations , we make the Gospel lesse officious then the Law .

That the resemblance of prayers and incense might be apparent , whiles the Priest sends up his incense within the Temple , the people must send up their prayers without . Their breath and that incense , though remote in the first rising , met ere they went up to heaven . The people might no more goe into the Holy place to offer up the incense of prayers unto God , then Zacharie might goe into the Holy of holies . Whiles the partition wall stood betwixt Jews and Gentiles , there were also partitions betwixt the Jews and themselves . Now every man is a Priest unto God , every man ( since the veil was rent ) prayes within the Temple . What are we the better for our greater freedome of accesse to God under the Gospel , if we doe not make use of our priviledge ?

Whiles they were praying to God , he sees an Angel of GOD : as Gideon's Angel went up in the smoak of the sacrifice , so did Zacharie's Angel ( as it were ) come down in the fragrant smoak of his incense . It was ever great news to see an Angel of God ; but now more , because God had long withdrawn from them all the means of his supernaturall revelations . As this wicked people were strangers to their God in their conversation , so was God grown a stranger to them in his apparitions : yet now that the season of the Gospel approached , he visited them with his Angels ; before he visited them by his Son . He sends his Angel to men in the form of man , before he sends his Son to take humane form . The presence of Angels is no novelty , but their apparition ; they are alwaies with us , but rarely seen , that we may awfully respect their messages when they are seen . In the mean time our faith may see them , though our senses doe not ; their assumed shapes doe not make them more present , but visible .

There is an order in that heavenly Hierarchie , though we know it not . This Angel that appeared to Zacharie was not with him in the ordinary course of his attendances , but was purposely sent from God with this message . Why was an Angel sent ? and why this Angel ? It had been easie for him to have raised up the prophetical spirit of some Simeon to this prediction . The same Holy Ghost which revealed to that just man , that he should not see death ere he had seen the Messias , might have as easily revealed unto him the birth of the forerunner of Christ , and by him to Zacharie : but God would have this voice , which should goe before his Son , come with a noise . He would have it appear to the world , that the harbinger of the Messiah should be conceived by the marvellous power of that God whose coming he proclaimed . It was fit the first Herald of the Gospel should begin in wonder . The same Angel that came to the Blessed Virgin with the news of Christs conception , came to Zacharie with the news of John's , for the honour of him that was the greatest of them which were born of women , and for his better resemblance to him which was the seed of the woman . Both had the Gospel for their errand , one as the messenger of it , the other as the Author ; both are foretold by the same mouth .

When could it be more fit for the Angel to appear unto Zacharie , then when prayers and incense were offered by him ? Where could he more fitly appear then in the Temple ? In what part of the Temple more fitly then at the Altar of Incense ? and whereabout rather then on the right side of the Altar ? Those glorious spirits as they are alwaies with us , so most in our devotions ; and as in all places , so most of all in Gods house . They rejoice to be with us whiles we are with God ; as contrarily they turn their faces from us when we goe about our sins .

He that had wont to live and serve in the presence of the master , was now astonished at the presence of the servant . So much difference there is betwixt our faith and our senses , that the apprehension of the presence of the God of spirits by faith goes down sweetly with us , whereas the sensible apprehension of an Angel dismayes us . Holy Zacharie , that had wont to live by faith , thought he should dye when his sense began to be set on work . It was the weaknesse of him that served at the Altar without horror , to be daunted with the face of his fellow-servant . In vain doe we look for such Ministers of God as are without infirmities , when just Zacharie was troubled in his devotions with that wherewith he should have been comforted . It was partly the suddenness , and partly the glory of the apparition , that affrighted him . The good Angel was both apprehensive and compassionate of Zacharie's weakness , and presently incourages him with a cheerful excitation , ( Fear not , Zacharias . ) . The blessed spirits , though they doe not often vocally expresse it , doe pity our humane frailties , and secretly suggest comfort unto us when we perceive it not . Good and evil Angels , as they are contrary in estate , so also in disposition . The good desire to take away fear , the evil to bring it . It is a fruit of that deadly enmity which is betwixt Satan and us , that he would , if he might , kill us with terror ; whereas the good spirits affecting our relief and happinesse , take no pleasure in terrifying us , but labour altogether for our tranquillity and chearfulnesse .

There was not more fear in the face then comfort in the speech ; Thy prayer is heard . No Angel could have told him better newes . Our desires are uttered in our praiers . What can we wish but to have what we would ? Many good suits had Zachary made , and amongst the rest for a Son . Doubtlesse it was now some space of years since he made that request . For he was now stricken in age , and had ceased to hope : yet had God laid it up all the while ; and when he thinks not of it , brings it forth to effect . Thus doth the mercy of our God deale with his patient and faithfull suppliants . In the fervour of their expectation he many times holds them off ; and when they least think of it , and have forgotten their own suits , he graciously condescends . Delay of effect may not discourage our faith . It may be God hath long granted ere we shall know of his grant . Many a father repents him of his fruitfulnesse , and hath such sons as he wishes unborn : but to have so gracious and happy a son as the Angel foretold , could not be lesse comfort then honor to the age of Zacharie . The proof of children makes them either the blessings or crosses of their parents . To heare what his son should be before he was , to heare that he should have such a son , a son whose birth should concern the joy of many , a son that should be great in the sight of the Lord , a son that should be sacred to God , filled with God , beneficial to man , an harbinger to him that was God and man , was news enough to prevent the Angel , and to take away that tongue with amazement , which was after lost with incredulity .

The speech was so good , that it found not a sudden belief . This good news surprised Zachary . If the intelligence had taken leisure , that his thoughts might have had time to debate the matter , he had easily apprehended the infinite power of him that had promised ; the pattern of Abraham and Sara ; and would soon have concluded the appearance of the Angel more miraculous then his prediction . Whereas now , like a man masked with the strangenesse of that he saw and heard , he misdoubts the message , and asks , How shall I know ? Nature was on his side , and alledged the impossibility of the event both from age and barrennesse . Supernaturall tidings at the first hearing astonish the heart , and are entertained with doubts by those which upon further acquaintance give them the best welcome .

The weak apprehensions of our imperfect faith are not so much to be censured as pittied . It is a sure way for the heart , to be prevented with the assurance of the omnipotent power of God , to whom nothing is impossible : so shall the hardest point of faith goe down easily with us . If the eye of our minde look upward , it shall meet with nothing to avert or interrupt it : but if right forward , or downward , or round about , every thing is a block in our way .

There is a difference betwixt desire of assurance and unbelief . We cannot be too carefull to raise up our selves arguments to settle our faith ; although it should be no faith , if it had no feet to stand upon , but discursive . In matters of faith , if reasons may be brought for the conviction of the gain-sayers , it is well ; if they be helps , they cannot be grounds of our belief . In the most faithful heart there are some sparks of infidelity : so to believe , that we should have no doubt at all , is scarce incident unto flesh and blood . It is a great perfection if we have attained to overcome our doubts . What did mislead Zacharie , but that which uses to guide others , Reason ? ( I am old , and my wife is of great age . ) As if years and drie loines could be any let to him which is able of very stones to raise up children unto Abraham . Faith and reason have their limits : where reason ends , faith begins : and if reason will be encroaching upon the bounds of faith , she is straight taken captive by infidelity . We are not fit to follow Christ , if we have not denied our selves ; and the chief piece of our selves is our reason . We must yield God able to doe that which we cannot comprehend , and we must comprehend that by our faith which is disclaimed by reason . Hagar must be driven out of doors , that Sara may rule alone .

The authority of the reporter makes way for belief in things which are otherwise hard to passe ; although in the matters of God we should not so much care who speaks , as what is spoken , and from whom . The Angel tells his name , place , office , unasked , that Zacharie might not think any news impossible that was brought him by an heavenly messenger . Even where there is no use of language , the spirits are distinguished by names , and each knows his own appellation and others . He that gave leave unto man his Image , to give names unto all his visible and inferiour creatures , did himself put names unto the spiritual : and as their name is , so are they mighty and glorious . But lest Zacharie should no lesse doubt of the stile of the messenger , then of the errand it self , he is at once both confirmed , and punished with dumbness . That tongue which moved the doubt , must be tyed up : He shall ask no more questions for forty weeks , because he asked this one distrustfully .

Neither did Zacharie lose his tongue for the time , but his ears also ; he was not onely mute , but deaf : For otherwise , when they came to ask his allowance for the name of his Son , they needed not to have demanded it by signs , but by words . God will not passe over slight offences , and those which may plead the most colourable pretences in his best children , without a sensible check : it is not our holy entireness with God that can bear us out in the least sin ; yea rather the more acquaintance we have with his Majesty , the more sure we are of correction when we offend . This may procure us more favour in our well-doing , not lesse justice in evil .

Zacharie staied , and the people waited : whether some longer discourse betwixt the Angel and him then needed to be recorded , or whether astonishment at the apparition and news , withheld him , I inquire not ; the multitude thought him long , yet though they could but see afar off , they would not depart till he returned to blesse them . Their patient attendance without , shames us that are hardly perswaded to attend within , whiles both our senses are imploied in our divine services , and we are admitted to be co-agents with our Ministers .

At last Zacharie comes out speechlesse , and more amazes them with his presence then with his delay . The eyes of the multitude that were not worthy to see his vision , yet see the signs of his vision , that the world might be put into the exspectation of some extraordinary sequell . GOD makes way for his voice by silence . His speech could not have said so much as his dumbness . Zacharie would fain have spoken , and could not with us too many are dumb , and need not . Negligence , Fear , Partiality stop the mouthes of many , which shall once say , Woe to me , because I held my peace . His hand speaks that which he cannot with his tongue , and he makes them by signs to understand that which they might read in his face . Those powers we have , we must use . But though he have ceased to speak , yet he ceased not to minister . He takes not this dumbness for a dismission , but stayes out the eight daies of his course , as one that knew the eyes and hands and heart would be accepted of that God which had bereaved him of his tongue . We may not straight take occasions of withdrawing our selves from the publick services of our God , much lesse under the Gospel . The Law , which stood much upon bodily perfection , dispensed with age for attendance . The Gospel , which is all for the Soul , regards those inward powers , which whiles they are vigorous , exclude all excuses of our ministration .

The Annunciation of CHRIST .

THE Spirit of GOD was never so accurate in any description as that which concerns the Incarnation of GOD. It was fit no circumstance should be omitted in that Story , whereon the faith & salvation of all the World dependeth . We cannot so much as doubt of this truth , and be saved ; no not the number of the moneth , not the name of the Angel is concealed : Every particle imports not more certainty then excellence . The time is the sixth moneth after John's Conception , the prime of the Spring . Christ was conceived in the Spring , born in the Solstice . He in whom the World received a new life , receives life in the same season wherein the World received his first life from him ; and he which stretches out the dayes of his Church , and lengthens them to Eternitie , appeares after all the short and dimme light of the Law , and enlightens the World with his glory . The Messenger is an Angel . A man was too mean to carry the news of the Conception of God . Never any businesse was conceived in Heaven , that did so much concerne the earth as the Conception of the GOD of Heaven in Womb of earth : No lesse then an Arch-Angel was worthy to bear this tydings , and never any Angel received a greater honour then of this Embassage .

It was fit our reparation should answer our fall . An evil Angel was the first motioner of the one to Eve a Virgin , then espoused to Adam , in the Garden of Eden : a good Angell is the first reporter of the other to Mary , a Virgin espoused to Joseph , in that place which ( as the Garden of Galilee , ) had a name from flourishing . No good Angel could be the Author of our restauration , as that evil Angel was of our ruine . But that which those glorious Spirits could not doe themselves , they are glad to report as done by the God of Spirits . Good news rejoices the bearer . With what joy did this holy Angel bring the news of that Saviour , in whom we are redeemed to life , himself established in life and glory ? The first Preacher of the Gospel was an Angel . That office must needs be glorious that derives it self from such a Predecessor . God appointed his Angel to be the first Preacher , and hath since called his Preachers Angels . The message is well suited . An Angel comes to a Virgin , Gabriel to Mary ; He that was by signification the strength of God , to her that was by signification exalted by God , to the conceiving of him that was the God of strength : to a Maid , but espoused ; a Maid for the honour of Virginity , espoused for the honour of Marriage . The marriage was in a sort made , not consummate , through the instinct of him that meant to make her not an example , but a miracle of women . In this whole work God would have nothing ordinary . It was fit that she should be a married Virgin , which should be a Virgin mother . He that meant to take mans nature without mans corruption , would be the Son of man without mans seed , would be the seed of the woman without man ; and amongst all women , of a pure Virgin ; but amongst Virgins , of one espoused , that there might be at once a Witness and a Guardian of her fruitful Virginity . If the same God had not been the authour of Virginity and Marriage , he had never countenanced Virginity by Marriage .

Whether doth this glorious Angel come to finde the Mother of him that was GOD , but to obscure Galilee ? A part which even the Jewes themselves despised , as forsaken of their priviledges , ( Out of Galilee ariseth no Prophet . ) Behold , an Angel comes to that Galilee , out of which no Prophet comes , and the God of Prophets and Angels descends to be conceived in that Galilee , out of which no Prophet ariseth . He that filleth all places , makes no difference of places . It is the person which gives honour and priviledge to the place , not the place to the person ; as the presence of God makes the Heaven , the Heaven doth not make the honour glorious . No blinde corner of Nazareth can hide the blessed Virgin from the Angel . The favours of God will finde out his children wheresoever they are withdrawn .

It is the fashion of God to seek out the most despised , on whom to bestow his honours . We cannot run away as from the judgements , so not from the mercies of our God . The cottages of Galilee are preferred by God to the famous Palaces of Jerusalem : he cares not how homely he converse with his own . Why should we be transported with the outward glory of places , whiles our God regards it not ? We are not of the Angels diet , if we had not rather be with the blessed Virgin at Nazareth , then with the proud Dames in the Court of Jerusalem . It is a great vanity to respect any thing above goodness , and to disesteem goodness for any want . The Angel salutes the Virgin , he prayes not to her ; he salutes her as a Saint , he prayes not to her as a Goddess . For us to salute her as he did , were grosse presumption ; for neither are we as he was , neither is she as she was . If he that was a Spirit saluted her that was flesh and blood here on earth , it is not for us that are flesh and blood to salute her which is a glorious Spirit in Heaven . For us to pray to her in the Angels salutation , were to abuse the Virgin , the Angel , the salutation .

But how gladly doe we second the Angel in the praise of her , which was more ours then his ? How justly doe we blesse her , whom the Angel pronounceth blessed ? How worthily is she honoured of men , whom the Angel proclaimeth beloved of God ? O blessed Mary , he cannot blesse thee , he cannot honour thee too much , that deifies thee not . That which the Angel said of thee , thou hast prophesied of thy self : we believe the Angel , and thee . All Generations shall call thee blessed , by the fruit of whose womb all Generations are blessed . If Zachary were amazed with the sight of this Angel , much more the Virgin : That very Sex had more disadvantage of fear . If it had been but a man that had come to her in that secrecie and suddenness , she could not but have been troubled ; how much more , when the shining glory of the person doubled the astonishment ?

The troubles of holy mindes end ever in comfort : Joy was the errand of the Angel , and not terrour . Fear ( as all passions ) disquiets the heart , and makes it for the time unfit to receive the messages of God . Soon hath the Angel cleared these troublesome mists of passions , and sent out the beams of heavenly consolation in the remotest corner of her soul by the glad news of her Saviour . How can joy but enter into her heart out of whose womb shall come salvation ? What room can fear finde in that breast that is assured of favour ? Fear not , Mary , for thou hast found favour with God . Let those fear who know they are in displeasure , or know not they are gracious . Thine happy estate calls for confidence , and that confidence for joy . What should , what can they fear , who are favoured of him at whom the Devils tremble ? Not the presence of the good Angels , but the temptations of the evil , strike many terrors into our weaknesse : we could not be dismaied with them , if we did not forget our condition . We have not received the spirit of bondage to fear again , but the spirit of Adoption , whereby we cry , Abba , Father . If that Spirit ( O God ) witnesse with our spirits that we are thine , how can we fear any of those spirituall wickednesses ? Give us assurance of thy favour , and let the powers of Hell doe their worst .

It was no ordinary favour that the Virgin found in Heaven : No mortall Creature was ever thus graced , that he should take part of her nature that was the God of Nature ; that he which made all things , should make his humane body of hers ; that her womb should yield that flesh which was personally united to the Godhead ; that she should bear him that upholds the world : Loe , thou shalt conceive and bear a Son , and shalt call his name Jesus . It is a question , whether there be more wonder in the Conception or in the Fruit ; the Conception of the Virgin , or Jesus conceived . Both are marvellous , but the former doth not more exceed all other wonders then the latter exceedeth it . For the childe of a Virgin is the reimprovement of that power which created the world : but that God should be incarnate of a Virgin , was an abasement of his Majestie , and an exaltation of the creature beyond all example . Well was that Child worthy to make the mother blessed . Here was a double Conception , one in the wombe of her body , the other of the soul . If that were more miraculous , this was more beneficiall ; that was her priviledge , this was her happinesse : If that were singular to her , this is common to all his chosen . There is no renewed heart wherein thou , O Saviour , art not formed again . Blessed be thou that hast herein made us blessed . For what womb can conceive thee , and not partake of thee ? Who can partake of thee , and not be happy ?

Doubtlesse the Virgin understood the Angel , as he meant , of a present Conception , which made her so much more inquisitive into the manner and means of this event : How shall this be , since I know not a man ? That she should conceive a Son by the knowledge of man after her Marriage consummate , could have been no wonder : But how then should that Son of hers be the Son of God ? This demand was higher . How her present Virginity should be instantly fruitfull might be well worthy of admiration , of inquiry . Here was desire of information , not doubts of infidelitie ; yea rather this question argues Faith : it takes for granted that which an unbelieving heart would have stuck at . She sayes not , Who and whence art thou ? what Kingdome is this ? where and when shall it be erected ? but smoothly supposing all those strange things would be done , she insists onely on that which did necessarily require a further intimation , and doth not distrust , but demand . Neither doth she say , This cannot be , nor , How can this be ? but , How shall this be ? So doth the Angel answer , as one that knew he needed not to satisfie curiositie , but to informe judgement , and uphold faith . He doth not therefore tell her of the manner , but of the Author of this act ; The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee , and the power of the most High shall over-shadow thee . It is enough to know who is the undertaker , and what he wil doe . O God , what doe we seek a clear light , where thou wilt have a shadow ? No Mother knows the manner of her naturall Conception : what presumption shall it be for flesh and blood , to search how the Son of God took flesh and blood of his Creature ? It is for none but the Almighty to know those works which he doth immediatly concerning himself ; those that concern us , he hath revealed : Secrets to God , things revealed to us .

The answer was not so full , but that a thousand difficulties might arise out of the particularities of so strange a message ; yet after the Angels Solution , we hear of no more Objections , no more Interrogations . The faithfull heart , when it once understands the good pleasure of God , argues no more ; but sweetly rests it self in a quiet expectation : Behold the Servant of the Lord , be it to me according to thy Word . There is not a more noble proof of our Faith , then to captivate all the powers of our understanding and will to our Creator , and without all sciscitations to goe blind-fold whither he will lead us . All disputations with God ( after his will known ) arise from infidelity . Great is the Mysterie of godlinesse , and if we will give Nature leave to cavil , we cannot be Christians . O God , thou art faithfull , thou art powerfull : It is enough , that thou hast said it : In the humilitie of our obedience we resign our selves over to thee . Behold the Servants of the Lord , be it unto us according to thy Word .

How fit was her womb to conceive the flesh of the Son of God by the power of the Spirit of God , whose breast had so soon by the power of the same Spirit conceived an assent to the will of God ? and now of an Hand-maid of God , she is advanced to the Mother of God . No sooner hath she said ( be it done ) then it is done , the Holy Ghost over-shadows her and forms her Saviour in her own body . This very Angel that talks with the Blessed Virgin ; could scarce have been able to express the joy of her heart in the sense of this Divine burden . Never any mortall creature had so much cause of exultation . How could she that was full of God be other then full of joy in that God ? Grief grows greater by concealing ; Joy by expression . The holy Virgin had understood by the Angel , how her Cousin Elizabeth was no lesse of kin to her in condition ; the fruitfulnesse of whose age did somewhat suit the fruitfulnesse of her Virginitie . Happinesse communicated doubles it self . Here is no straining of courtesie . The blessed Maid whom vigor of age had more fitted for the way , hastens her journey into the Hill-country to visit that gracios Matron whom God had made a sign of her miraculous Conception . Onely the meeting of Saints in Heaven can parallel the meeting of these two Cousins : the two wonders of the World are met under one roof , and congratulate their mutual happinesse . When we have Christ spiritually conceived in us , we cannot be quiet till we have imparted our joy . Elizabeth that holy Matron did no sooner welcome her blessed Cousin , then her Babe welcomes his Saviour . Both in the retired Closets of their Mothers Womb are sensible of each others presence ; the one by his omniscience , the other by instinct . He did not more fore-run Christ then over-run Nature . How should our hearts leap within us , when the Son of God vouchsafes to come into the secret of our Souls , not to visit us , but to dwell with us , to dwell in us !