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This is the first canticles, or song of praise, recorded in the New Testament, composted by the blessed virgin with unspeakable joy, for designing her to be the instrument of the conception and birth of the Saviour of the world.
Where observe, 1. The manner of her praise; the soul and spirit bear their part in the work of thanksgiving, My soul doth magnify, my spirit hath rejoiced. As the sweetest music is made in the belly of the instrument, so the most delightful praise arises from the bottom of the heart.
Observe, 2. The object of her praise; she doth not magnify herself, but the Lord; yea, she doth not rejoice so much in her son, as in her Saviour.
Where note, 1. That she doth implicitly own and confess herself a sinner; for none need a Saviour, but a sinner; and,
2. By rejoicing in Christ as her Saviour, she declares how she values herself, rather by her spiritual relation to Christ as his member, than by her natural relation to him as his mother; according to that of St. Austin, Beatior fuit Maria percipiendo Christi fidem, quam concipiendo carnem; she might have been miserable, notwithstanding she bore him as her son, had she not believed in him as her Saviour: therefore she sings, My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Observe, 3. How she admires and magnifies God's peculiar favour towards herself, in casting an eye upon her poverty and low condition; that she, a poor, obscure maid, unknown to the world, should be looked upon with and eye of regard by him that dwells in the highest heavens.
Where note, that as God magnified her, she magnified him, ascribing all honour and glory to him that had thus dignified and exalted her. He that is mighty hath done for me great things, and glorified be his name.
Observe, 4. She thankfully takes notice, that it was not only a high honour, but a lasting honour, which was conferred upon her. All generations shall call me blessed. She beholds an infinite, a lasting honour prepared for her, as being the mother of an universal and everlasting blessing, which all former ages had desired, and all succeeding ages should rejoice in, and proclaim her happy, for being the instrument of.
5. How the holy virgin passes from the consideration of her personal privileges, to the universal goodness of God; shewing us, that the mercies and favours of God, were not confined and limited to herself, But his mercy is on all them that fear him, throughout all generations. She declares the general providence of God towards all persons, his mercy to the pious, his mercy is on all them that fear him; his justice on the proud, he hath put down the mighty from their seats, and scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts; his bounty to the poor, he fills the hungry with good things.
Learn hence, the excellency and advantageous usefulness of the grace of humility; how good it is to be meek and lowly in heart. this will render us lovely in God's eye, and though the world may trample upon us, he will exalt us to the admiration of ourselves, and the envy of our despisers.
Observe lastly, how she magnifies the special grace of God in our redemption; He hath holpen his servant Israel; that is, blessed them with a Saviour, who lived in the faith, hope, and expectation, of the promised Messiah, and this blessing, she declares, was
1. The result of great mercy, He remembering his mercy, hath holpen his servant Israel.
2. The effect of his truth and faithfulness in his promises, as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.
Learn hence, that the appearance of the promised Messiah, in the fulness of time, in order to the redemption and salvation of a lost world, it was the fruit of God's tender love, and the effect of his faithfulness in the promises made of old, to his church and children: He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spake to our forefathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.