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Observe here, 1. The visit made by the Virgin Mary to her cousin Elizabeth. The holy virgin had understood by the angel, that Elizabeth was no less akin to her in condition than in relation, being both fruitful in conception; she hastens into the hill country to visit that holy matron: the two wonders of the world were now met under one roof, to congratulate their mutual happiness; only the meeting of the saints in heaven, can parallel the meeting of these two saints on earth.
Observe, 2. The design and intention of this visit, which was partly to communicate their joys to each other, and partly to strengthen the faith of each other: such a soul as has Christ spiritually conceived in it, is restless and cannot be quiet till it has imparted its joy.
Observe, 3. The effect of the virgin's salutation; she had no sooner saluted Elizabeth, but the babe in Elizabeth's womb leaped for joy, doing homage, and paying adoration, to his Lord, who was then in presence. If Elizabeth and her holy babe thus rejoiced, when Christ came under their roof, how should our hearts leap with in us, when the Son of God vouchsafes to come into the secret of our souls, not to visit us for an hour, but to dwell with us, yea, to dwell in us, and that for ever.
Observe, 4. How Elizabeth, by an extraordinary spirit of prophecy, confirms what the angel before had told the holy virgin: Blessed, says she, art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb; and what an honour is this, that the mother of my Lord, should come unto me!
Where note, how Elizabeth acknowledged the incarnation of Christ, and the union of the divine and human nature in the person of the Mediator. She acknowledges Christ to be her Lord, and Mary to be the mother of the Son of God.
Observe, lastly, how the virgin is pronounced blessed, not so much for carrying Christ in her womb by sense, as for bearing him in her heart by faith; Blessed is she that believed. Mary was not so blessed in the bringing forth Christ, as believing in him: yet the believing here mentioned, I take to be, her firm assent to the message brought her by the angel; as if Elizabeth had said, "Dumbness was inflicted on my husband for his unbelief of what the angel said, but, Blessed art thou that didst believe the angel." My husband, a man, an aged man, a learned and eminent man, a priest of the most high God; and the message to him of more appearing possibility; yet he disbelieved; but thou a woman, a mean, unlearned woman, of a private condition, and the message brought most incredible both to nature and reason, and yet it is believed by thee! Blessed therefore is she that believed; and know, that as a reward for thy faith; all things shall certainly be performed that were foretold thee from the Lord.
Learn hence, 1. That it is the property of God to do great and wonderful things. Our faith must be great, and our expectation great; great expectations from God, honour the greatness of God.
2. That if our faith be great, God's performances will be gracious and full. Blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a performance of those things which were told here from the Lord.