his_o noble_n his_o servant_n though_o you_o have_v not_o yet_o i_o hope_v you_o have_v fancy_n to_o conceive_v it_o and_o without_o all_o doubt_n we_o shall_v account_v he_o the_o most_o honourable_a among_o his_o prince_n who_o we_o behold_v the_o near_a to_o the_o person_n of_o the_o king_n and_o who_o the_o king_n peradventure_o admit_v to_o go_v in_o rank_n with_o himself_o now_o all_o the_o father_n the_o patriarch_n and_o prophet_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n do_v walk_v before_o christ_n our_o great_a and_o eternal_a king_n who_o come_v in_o solemn_a procession_n into_o the_o world_n a_o spectacle_n to_o man_n and_o angel_n and_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o court_n of_o his_o train_n who_o have_v live_v since_o his_o incarnation_n have_v follow_v after_o he_o and_o therefore_o of_o abraham_n who_o be_v one_o of_o the_o pracurfores_n of_o the_o forerunner_n of_o christ_n say_v the_o lord_n in_o the_o 17._o 17.7_o gen._n 17.7_o of_o gen._n 1._o i_o be_o god_n all-sufficient_a walk_v before_o i_o and_o be_v upright_o and_o hezekiah_n pray_v unto_o the_o lord_n 38.3_o isay_n 38.3_o and_o say_v in_o the_o 38._o of_o isay_n ver_fw-la 3._o remember_v i_o beseech_v thou_o how_o i_o have_v walk_v before_o thou_o in_o truth_n but_o concern_v those_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n we_o shall_v find_v the_o phrase_n alter_v sequimini_fw-la i_o follow_v i_o to_o peter_n and_o andrew_n in_o the_o 4._o of_o st._n matthew_n follow_v i_o and_o i_o will_v make_v â—ee_n fisher_n of_o man_n to_o matthew_n sit_v at_o the_o receipt_n of_o custom_n in_o the_o 9_o of_o his_o gospel_n follow_v i_o and_o he_o arise_v and_o follow_v he_o and_o to_o we_o all_o in_o the_o 9_o of_o st._n luke_n ver_fw-la 23._o if_o any_o man_n will_v come_v after_o i_o let_v he_o deny_v himself_o and_o take_v up_o his_o cross_n and_o follow_v i_o but_o the_o holy_a baptist_n be_v neither_o of_o the_o company_n that_o go_v before_o nor_o that_o follow_v he_o be_v the_o end_n of_o the_o old_a law_n and_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o new_a all_o the_o prophecy_n of_o christ_n before_o his_o come_n run_v in_o this_o strain_n veniet_fw-la rex_fw-la ecce_fw-la dominus_fw-la veniet_fw-la the_o king_n will_v come_v behold_v the_o lord_n will_v come_v so_o isay_n david_n and_o the_o rest_n all_o they_o who_o have_v write_v of_o he_o since_o say_v venit_fw-la rex_fw-la misit_fw-la deus_fw-la filium_fw-la suum_fw-la the_o king_n be_v already_o come_v god_n have_v send_v his_o son_n into_o the_o world_n but_o st._n john_n the_o baptist_n who_o be_v a_o latere_fw-la regio_fw-la wait_v upon_o the_o body_n of_o his_o prince_n and_o be_v never_o find_v far_o distant_a from_o he_o to_o show_v the_o greatness_n and_o the_o honour_n which_o christ_n vouchsafe_v he_o in_o permit_v that_o nearness_n to_o his_o own_o person_n his_o voice_n be_v neither_o with_o the_o prophet_n he_o will_v come_v nor_o with_o the_o apostle_n he_o be_v already_o come_v but_o like_o the_o index_n in_o the_o margin_n of_o a_o book_n hold_v out_o his_o finger_n he_o point_v to_o he_o and_o say_v ecce_fw-la agnus_fw-la dei_fw-la qui_fw-la tollit_fw-la peccata_fw-la mundi_fw-la behold_v the_o lamb_n of_o god_n which_o take_v away_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o world_n great_a he_o be_v also_o in_o his_o death_n be_v a_o martyr_n die_v for_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o after_o all_o these_o greatness_n on_o earth_n for_o never_o be_v there_o man_n who_o have_v so_o many_o and_o so_o great_a testimony_n give_v he_o we_o can_v choose_v sure_o but_o believe_v that_o he_o must_v needs_o be_v great_a also_o in_o his_o glory_n but_o i_o find_v some_o small_a difference_n among_o expositor_n concern_v this_o greatness_n of_o saint_n john_n which_o they_o will_v have_v to_o be_v not_o a_o greatness_n or_o rather_o majority_n of_o prophecy_n or_o revelation_n but_o of_o holiness_n and_o it_o be_v occasion_v by_o the_o doubtfulness_n of_o the_o exposition_n of_o those_o word_n of_o our_o saviour_n in_o the_o 11._o of_o st._n matthew_n name_v to_o you_o before_o 11.11_o mat._n 11.11_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o that_o among_o they_o who_o be_v beget_v of_o woman_n arise_v there_o not_o a_o great_a than_o john_n the_o baptist_n the_o quarrel_n although_o it_o be_v of_o no_o great_a moment_n be_v betwixt_o no_o mean_a author_n no_o less_o then_o st._n jerome_n and_o st._n chrysostome_n both_o ancient_a learned_a and_o religious_a father_n and_o it_o be_v this_o st._n jerome_n by_o these_o word_n there_o have_v not_o arise_v a_o great_a than_o john_n will_v by_o no_o mean_n have_v it_o to_o follow_v that_o therefore_o john_n be_v great_a than_o all_o the_o son_n of_o man_n but_o that_o which_o natural_o follow_v from_o hence_o say_v he_o be_v that_o none_o of_o the_o son_n of_o man_n be_v great_a than_o john_n and_o so_o by_o his_o rule_n although_o none_o arise_v great_a than_o john_n yet_o there_o may_v be_v some_o who_o be_v his_o equal_n but_o saint_n chrysostome_n in_o his_o 27._o homily_n in_o that_o which_o be_v call_v his_o imperfect_a work_n upon_o saint_n matthew_n contend_v and_o i_o think_v very_o subtle_o and_o strong_o to_o prove_v from_o hence_o that_o by_o natural_a consequence_n st._n john_n the_o baptist_n must_v needs_o be_v great_a than_o all_o that_o be_v beget_v of_o woman_n to_o give_v you_o his_o own_o word_n cum_fw-la tanta_fw-la sit_fw-la justitiae_fw-la altitudo_fw-la ut_fw-la in_o illa_fw-la nemo_fw-la possit_fw-la esse_fw-la perfectus_fw-la nisi_fw-la solus_fw-la deus_fw-la etc._n etc._n see_v that_o so_o great_a be_v the_o height_n of_o justice_n or_o righteousness_n that_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n impossible_a for_o any_o but_o god_n to_o be_v perfect_a in_o it_o i_o think_v say_v our_o father_n that_o although_o according_a to_o the_o purblind_a judgement_n of_o man_n we_o may_v guess_v at_o a_o equality_n in_o the_o sanctity_n of_o several_a saint_n yet_o in_o the_o all-discerning_a eye_n of_o god_n in_o the_o divine_a scrutiny_n and_o this_o be_v god_n censure_n of_o john_n and_o not_o the_o opinion_n of_o man_n it_o be_v impossible_a but_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o difference_n in_o degree_n of_o sanctity_n and_o righteousness_n from_o whence_o it_o follow_v say_v saint_n chrysostome_n that_o if_o none_o arise_v among_o the_o son_n of_o man_n who_o be_v great_a than_o john_n than_o john_n must_v necessary_o be_v the_o great_a of_o all_o the_o son_n of_o man_n for_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v of_o the_o way_n to_o heaven_n as_o of_o a_o narrow_a passage_n cut_v in_o the_o side_n of_o some_o steep_a and_o rigid_a mountain_n to_o the_o top_n of_o which_o we_o be_v to_o travail_v which_o passage_n be_v so_o straight_o gospel_n sâ—â—n_a â—n_z hâ—_n gospel_n that_o it_o will_v not_o admit_v two_o a_o breast_n and_o therefore_o there_o can_v be_v no_o equality_n in_o rank_n or_o line_n narrow_a be_v the_o way_n that_o lead_v to_o life_n and_o few_o there_o be_v that_o find_v it_o say_v then_o of_o any_o one_o that_o travail_v that_o strait_a way_n that_o there_o be_v none_o before_o he_o and_o this_o speech_n necessary_o imply_v that_o he_o be_v before_o all_o and_o all_o behind_o he_o and_o the_o reason_n be_v non_fw-la datur_fw-la alia_fw-la linea_fw-la nisi_fw-la sursum_fw-la &_o deorsum_fw-la because_o there_o be_v no_o right_a hand_n or_o left_a hand_n line_v give_v here_o but_o only_o the_o line_n of_o upward_o and_o downward_o as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o face_n of_o man_n thou_o may_v travail_v the_o whole_a world_n over_o ere_o thou_o find_v two_o face_n which_o answer_v one_o another_o direct_o in_o all_o part_n i_o will_v not_o deny_v but_o thou_o may_v pick_v out_o one_o who_o may_v have_v a_o lip_n or_o a_o eye_n or_o a_o cheek_n or_o some_o particular_a grace_n of_o carriage_n like_v to_o a_o other_o but_o that_o two_o shall_v agree_v so_o in_o all_o part_n that_o a_o judicious_a eye_n shall_v not_o distinguish_v be_v never_o yet_o hear_v of_o so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n they_o may_v in_o some_o grace_n in_o some_o piece_n of_o sanctity_n seem_v to_o go_v hand_n in_o hand_n but_o it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v be_v equal_a in_o all_o thing_n and_o where_o there_o be_v a_o difference_n there_o must_v needs_o be_v degree_n majority_n and_o minority_n and_o this_o be_v the_o ordinary_a excuse_n which_o they_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v make_v for_o that_o chorus_n which_o they_o common_o sing_v in_o their_o private_a mass_n to_o any_o of_o their_o saint_n non_fw-la est_fw-la inventus_fw-la similis_fw-la illi_fw-la qui_fw-la conservaret_fw-la legem_fw-la excelsi_fw-la his_o like_a be_v not_o find_v who_o keep_v the_o law_n of_o the_o most_o high_a and_o this_o they_o sing_v to_o any_o of_o their_o mean_a saint_n i_o will_v give_v
rather_o where_o we_o may_v have_v lyen_fw-we for_o ever_o have_v god_n not_o be_v as_o merciful_a as_o he_o be_v just_a but_o present_o christ_n adventure_n after_o we_o for_o although_o he_o be_v not_o exhibit_v until_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n yet_o the_o virtue_n of_o his_o conception_n nativity_n passion_n and_o resurrection_n be_v in_o efficacy_n to_o believe_a adam_n he_o who_o be_v immortal_a become_v mortal_a he_o who_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o think_v it_o no_o robbery_n to_o be_v call_v equal_a with_o the_o father_n become_v the_o son_n of_o man_n take_v upon_o he_o the_o form_n of_o a_o servant_n that_o we_o who_o be_v the_o son_n of_o man_n may_v be_v make_v the_o son_n of_o god_n 2._o our_o next_o leap_n be_v into_o the_o manger_n we_o become_v beast_n man_n be_v in_o honour_n say_v the_o text_n that_o be_v in_o the_o state_n of_o innocence_n have_v no_o understanding_n but_o be_v liken_v unto_o the_o beast_n that_o perish_v jumenta_fw-la puto_fw-la dicerent_fw-la si_fw-la loqui_fw-la fas_fw-la esset_fw-la say_v saint_n bernard_n ecce_fw-la adam_n factus_fw-la est_fw-la quasi_fw-la unus_fw-la ex_fw-la nobis_fw-la certain_o say_v that_o father_n the_o very_a beast_n themselves_o have_v god_n be_v please_v to_o have_v bestow_v upon_o they_o a_o articulate_a language_n as_o he_o do_v once_o upon_o balaams_n ass_n will_v have_v speak_v those_o word_n simple_o &_o without_o a_o figure_n which_o god_n do_v at_o that_o time_n figurative_o and_o in_o a_o sarcasme_n behold_v man_n be_v become_v like_o one_o of_o we_o for_o indeed_o what_o be_v he_o else_o but_o beast_n then_o have_v lose_v his_o excellence_n lose_v his_o understanding_n lose_v his_o immortality_n and_o in_o one_o word_n turn_v his_o glory_n the_o image_n of_o god_n wherein_o he_o be_v create_v into_o the_o similitude_n of_o a_o calf_n that_o eat_v hay_n but_o do_v christ_n leave_v we_o here_o no._n his_o mercy_n follow_v we_o hither_o too_o ind_n est_fw-fr say_v the_o same_o father_n quod_fw-la panis_fw-la angelorum_fw-la factum_fw-la est_fw-la faenum_fw-la positum_fw-la in_o praesepio_fw-la appositum_fw-la nobis_fw-la tanquam_fw-la jumentis_fw-la and_o therefore_o he_o that_o be_v the_o bread_n of_o angel_n be_v make_v grass_n become_v hay_n for_o the_o word_n be_v make_v flesh_n john_n 1_o and_o isay_n shall_v tell_v we_o in_o the_o four_o chapter_n what_o all_o flesh_n be_v and_o yet_o not_o isay_n neither_o but_o the_o spirit_n for_o a_o voice_n say_v cry_v and_o he_o say_v what_o shall_v i_o cry_v all_o flesh_n be_v grass_n and_o the_o grace_n thereof_o as_o the_o flower_n of_o the_o field_n he_o be_v lay_v in_o a_o manger_n to_o become_v food_n for_o we_o who_o have_v through_o our_o own_o disobedience_n make_v ourselves_o beast_n and_o therefore_o how_o well_o may_v we_o take_v up_o that_o holy_a rapture_n of_o st._n bernard_n immediate_o follow_v heu_fw-la tristis_fw-la &_o lachrymosa_fw-la mutatio_fw-la ut_fw-la homo_fw-la paradise_n accola_fw-la terrae_fw-la dominus_fw-la coeli_fw-la civis_fw-la domesticus_fw-la domini_fw-la sabaoth_n etc._n etc._n o_o sorrowful_a and_o lamentable_a change_n that_o man_n the_o inhabiter_n of_o paradise_n the_o lord_n of_o the_o earth_n a_o citizen_n of_o heaven_n a_o houshold-servant_n of_o the_o lord_n of_o host_n brother_n to_o the_o bless_a angel_n and_o coheir_n with_o the_o celestial_a power_n upon_o the_o sudden_a shall_v find_v himself_o for_o his_o infirmity_n lie_v in_o a_o stable_a for_o the_o likeness_n that_o he_o hold_v with_o the_o beast_n stand_v in_o need_n of_o fodder_n of_o grass_n but_o much_o better_a and_o with_o a_o far_o great_a reason_n may_v we_o turn_v the_o stream_n of_o this_o ecstasy_n and_o cry_n o_o grata_fw-la stupenda_fw-la &_o lata_fw-la mutatio_fw-la ut_fw-la paradisi_fw-la dominus_fw-la coeli_fw-la &_o terrae_fw-la conditor_fw-la dominus_fw-la sabaoth_n rex_fw-la angelorum_fw-la etc._n etc._n o_o happy_a change_n bless_a and_o ever_o to_o be_v wonder_v at_o that_o the_o governor_n and_o maker_n of_o paradise_n the_o creator_n of_o all_o the_o world_n the_o lord_n of_o host_n the_o king_n of_o angel_n god_n bless_v for_o ever_o shall_v lay_v aside_o his_o majesty_n come_v down_o from_o heaven_n leave_v the_o innumerable_a company_n of_o holy_a angel_n and_o be_v content_a to_o become_v a_o poor_a naked_a and_o distress_a infant_n who_o best_a room_n at_o his_o nativity_n be_v a_o stable_a a_o manger_n his_o cradle_n o_o the_o height_n and_o depth_n of_o the_o wisdom_n and_o mercy_n of_o god_n he_o who_o be_v lord_n of_o all_o the_o world_n choose_v no_o better_a room_n than_o a_o stable_a non_fw-la quia_fw-la non_fw-la potuit_fw-la sed_fw-la quia_fw-la homo_fw-la noluit_fw-la not_o because_o he_o be_v not_o able_a but_o because_o man_n will_v not_o suffer_v he_o a_o paradox_n will_v not_o man_n suffer_v he_o how_o then_o be_v he_o god_n understand_v aright_o the_o sin_n of_o man_n and_o his_o own_o mercy_n will_v not_o suffer_v he_o the_o end_n of_o his_o come_n be_v to_o seek_v and_o to_o save_v that_o which_o be_v lose_v mankind_n and_o where_o shall_v he_o seek_v for_o he_o but_o where_o he_o be_v et_fw-la ecce_fw-la nunc_fw-la de_fw-la grege_fw-la facta_fw-la est_fw-la egregia_fw-la creatura_fw-la for_o behold_v now_o man_n who_o be_v once_o a_o glorious_a creature_n have_v take_v up_o his_o habitation_n with_o the_o beast_n our_o three_o leap_n but_o stay_v we_o shall_v be_v worse_o than_o beast_n if_o we_o shall_v thus_o light_o skip_v over_o this_o bless_a leap_n of_o our_o saviour_n this_o time_n of_o preparation_n for_o that_o great_a approach_a feast_n institute_v by_o the_o church_n seem_v to_o invite_v we_o to_o a_o further_a honourable_a mention_n o_o dies_fw-la plena_fw-la miraculorum_fw-la say_v st._n augustine_n creator_n fit_a creatura_fw-la qui_fw-la immensus_fw-la est_fw-la capitur_fw-la incorporeus_fw-la carne_fw-la vestitur_fw-la videtur_fw-la invisibilis_fw-la etc._n etc._n o_o day_n full_a of_o wonder_n the_o creator_n be_v become_v a_o creature_n he_o who_o the_o heaven_n and_o the_o heaven_n of_o heaven_n can_v contain_v be_v this_o day_n comprehend_v he_o who_o be_v incorporeal_a be_v clothe_v with_o flesh_n he_o be_v handle_v now_o who_o can_v be_v touch_v he_o who_o be_v the_o ancient_n of_o day_n be_v this_o day_n become_v a_o infant_n or_o if_o you_o will_v have_v all_o in_o one_o word_n nascitur_fw-la deus_fw-la god_n himself_o be_v bear_v qui_fw-la natus_fw-la est_fw-la primò_fw-la sine_fw-la matre_fw-la in_o coelis_fw-la body_n natus_fw-la est_fw-la sine_fw-la patre_fw-la in_o terris_fw-la he_o who_o be_v bear_v in_o the_o heaven_n from_o all_o eternity_n without_o a_o mother_n be_v this_o day_n bear_v on_o earth_n without_o a_o father_n barbara_n pyramidum_fw-la sileat_fw-la miracula_fw-la memphis_n let_v egypt_n now_o cease_v to_o talk_v of_o her_o molehill_n of_o brick_n the_o ephesian_n of_o their_o temple_n babylon_n of_o her_o wall_n rhodes_n of_o his_o colosse_n vnum_fw-la pro_fw-la cunâ—is_fw-la fama_fw-la loquatur_fw-la opus_fw-la and_o let_v this_o fill_v the_o mouth_n of_o all_o the_o world_n nor_o be_v this_o all_o for_o than_o we_o may_v indeed_o wonder_v but_o without_o any_o comfort_n to_o ourselves_o now_o let_v we_o add_v joy_n unto_o our_o wonder_n for_o natus_fw-la est_fw-la nobis_fw-la pver_fw-la there_o be_v bear_v to_o we_o a_o child_n bear_v to_o we_o a_o saviour_n this_o be_v that_o day_n to_o see_v which_o the_o holy_a patriarch_n and_o prophet_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n so_o thirst_v after_o let_v he_o kiss_v i_o with_o the_o kiss_n of_o his_o mouth_n for_o thy_o love_n be_v better_a than_o wine_n cant._n chap._n 1._o abraham_n see_v this_o day_n and_o that_o but_o in_o landscape_n a_o far_o off_o and_o yet_o for_o all_o that_o say_v our_o saviour_n he_o rejoice_v and_o well_o be_v it_o call_v a_o day_n for_o then_o the_o sun_n of_o righteousness_n do_v rise_v to_o the_o world_n which_o before_o lay_v steep_v in_o darkness_n bless_a be_v the_o eye_n say_v christ_n to_o his_o disciple_n luke_n 10.23_o which_o see_v those_o thing_n which_o you_o see_v for_o i_o tell_v you_o that_o many_o king_n and_o prophet_n have_v desire_v to_o see_v the_o thing_n that_o you_o see_v and_o have_v not_o see_v they_o upon_o which_o word_n st._n bernard_n descant_v thus_o quare_fw-la nisi_fw-la quia_fw-la nox_fw-la erat_fw-la &_o nondum_fw-la venerat_fw-la illud_fw-la expectatum_fw-la mane_n cvi_fw-la fuerat_fw-la repromissa_fw-la misericordia_fw-la why_o say_v he_o can_v they_o not_o see_v these_o thing_n because_o it_o be_v night_n as_o yet_o and_o that_o long_v for_o morning_n be_v not_o break_v which_o david_n so_o earnest_o pray_v for_o in_o his_o 143._o psalm_n let_v i_o hear_v thy_o love_a kindness_n in_o the_o morning_n for_o in_o thou_o be_v my_o trust_n how_o true_o may_v we_o call_v john_n the_o baptist_n the_o morningstar_n for_o as_o that_o usher_n out_o the_o beautiful_a sun_n so_o do_v he_o
there_o be_v many_o who_o be_v provide_v to_o make_v a_o answer_n to_o it_o if_o â—ee_n ask_v the_o child_n himself_o stay_v but_o a_o while_n until_o he_o have_v learn_v to_o speak_v and_o he_o shall_v quote_v you_o a_o prophet_n concern_v himself_o and_o tell_v you_o that_o he_o be_v the_o voice_n of_o a_o crtâ—r_n in_o the_o wilderness_n say_v prepare_v the_o way_n of_o the_o lord_n make_v his_o path_n straight_o if_o you_o ask_v his_o father_n if_o we_o will_v have_v but_o patience_n until_o the_o lord_n have_v give_v he_o his_o speech_n again_o which_o be_v take_v from_o he_o for_o his_o unbelief_n or_o if_o you_o will_v not_o stay_v so_o long_o give_v he_o but_o table_n and_o he_o shall_v write_v it_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v call_v the_o prophet_n of_o the_o high_a and_o thou_o child_n shall_v be_v call_v the_o prophet_n of_o the_o high_a for_o thou_o shall_v go_v before_o the_o face_n of_o the_o lord_n to_o prepare_v his_o way_n if_o you_o ask_v david_n this_o question_n behold_v he_o stand_v ready_a to_o give_v you_o a_o answer_n in_o the_o 85._o psalm_n and_o call_v he_o by_o a_o high_a name_n indeed_o no_o less_o than_o justice_n or_o righteousness_n in_o the_o last_o verse_n of_o that_o psalm_n justitia_fw-la ante_fw-la eum_fw-la ambulabit_fw-la justice_n or_o righteousness_n shall_v walk_v before_o he_o or_o ask_v the_o prophet_n malachy_n what_o manner_n of_o child_n this_o shall_v be_v and_o in_o his_o 3._o chapter_n he_o shall_v tell_v you_o of_o a_o angel_n behold_v i_o will_v send_v my_o angel_n or_o my_o messenger_n before_o my_o face_n or_o if_o you_o will_v not_o content_v yourselves_o with_o the_o answer_n of_o man_n inquire_v of_o the_o angel_n gabriel_n and_o he_o will_v instruct_v you_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v great_a before_o god_n or_o if_o you_o will_v go_v to_o the_o oracle_n itself_o ask_v our_o saviour_n and_o hear_v what_o a_o account_n he_o give_v of_o he_o in_o the_o 11._o chapter_n of_o st._n matthew_n 11._o verse_n very_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o among_o they_o that_o be_v beget_v of_o woman_n arise_v there_o not_o a_o great_a than_o john_n the_o baptist_n if_o you_o move_v a_o second_o question_n and_o ask_v wherein_o john_n be_v great_a you_o shall_v give_v i_o leave_v to_o spring_v a_o three_o and_o to_o ask_v wherein_o he_o be_v not_o great_a great_a he_o be_v in_o his_o conception_n great_a in_o his_o nativity_n great_a in_o his_o life_n in_o his_o doctrine_n great_a in_o his_o office_n great_a great_a in_o his_o sanctity_n in_o his_o dignity_n and_o authority_n great_a great_a in_o his_o death_n and_o great_a in_o his_o glory_n in_o these_o so_o great_a that_o there_o be_v a_o doubt_n among_o the_o jew_n whether_o he_o be_v not_o the_o messiah_n or_o no_o john_n 1_o certain_o a_o great_a majesty_n a_o great_a beauty_n a_o great_a holiness_n do_v appear_v in_o this_o man_n when_o it_o be_v make_v a_o question_n and_o that_o among_o the_o great_a and_o learnede_a of_o the_o jew_n whether_o he_o be_v not_o the_o messiah_n and_o consequent_o the_o son_n of_o god_n or_o no._n but_o this_o greatness_n yet_o be_v nothing_o alas_o it_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n to_o be_v great_a in_o the_o eye_n of_o man_n but_o hear_v what_o the_o angel_n tell_v old_a zachary_n in_o the_o 15._o verse_n of_o this_o chapter_n magnus_fw-la erit_fw-la coram_fw-la domino_fw-la he_o shall_v be_v great_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n this_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o greatness_n which_o shall_v strike_v we_o all_o with_o admiration_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v great_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o he_o before_o who_o all_o the_o creature_n of_o the_o world_n all_o king_n and_o emperor_n of_o the_o earth_n be_v nothing_o as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o book_n of_o wisdom_n 11.19_o for_o as_o the_o dust_n of_o the_o balance_n so_o be_v the_o world_n before_o thou_o and_o as_o a_o drop_n of_o the_o morning_n dew_n which_o fall_v down_o upon_o the_o earth_n and_o as_o the_o prophet_n esay_n chap._n 40._o ver_fw-la 17._o all_o nation_n before_o he_o be_v nothing_o and_o they_o be_v count_v to_o he_o less_o than_o nothing_o but_o vanity_n what_o can_v be_v less_o than_o nothing_o but_o vanity_n and_o what_o can_v be_v great_a in_o our_o sight_n than_o all_o nation_n yet_o in_o god_n esteem_v these_o two_o be_v lay_v in_o the_o balance_n one_o against_o the_o other_o and_o all_o nation_n prove_v the_o light_a how_o come_v it_o then_o to_o pass_v that_o one_o particular_a man_n shall_v be_v so_o great_a in_o his_o account_n when_o all_o nation_n be_v nothing_o we_o must_v know_v then_o that_o st._n john_n be_v not_o great_a by_o nature_n but_o by_o estimation_n not_o by_o nature_n for_o he_o be_v of_o the_o same_o composition_n cast_v in_o the_o same_o mould_n with_o we_o but_o it_o please_v god_n to_o set_v a_o price_n upon_o he_o he_o be_v of_o the_o same_o matter_n and_o composition_n with_o we_o subject_n to_o the_o same_o infirmity_n obnoxious_a natural_o to_o the_o same_o sin_n and_o therefore_o observe_v that_o form_n of_o word_n well_o which_o our_o saviour_n speak_v concern_v he_o in_o the_o 11._o of_o st._n matthew_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d very_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o that_o among_o they_o who_o be_v beget_v of_o woman_n a_o great_a than_o john_n the_o baptist_n have_v not_o arise_v by_o which_o word_n our_o saviour_n do_v intimate_v unto_o we_o the_o natural_a corrupt_a estate_n in_o which_o st._n john_n himself_o be_v bear_v resurrectio_fw-la enim_fw-la praesupponit_fw-la casum_fw-la for_o to_o arise_v do_v presuppose_v a_o fall_n as_o if_o christ_n have_v say_v plain_o among_o all_o the_o son_n of_o man_n which_o be_v conceive_v in_o original_a sin_n and_o fall_v with_o adam_n a_o great_a than_o john_n the_o baptist_n have_v not_o arise_v from_o that_o fall_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v plain_a by_o this_o that_o christ_n be_v great_a than_o he_o although_o he_o come_v of_o a_o woman_n too_o for_o we_o can_v say_v proper_o that_o christ_n do_v arise_v because_o christ_n never_o fall_v with_o adam_n be_v free_a both_o from_o original_n and_o actual_a sin_n and_o see_v what_o haste_n this_o bless_v more_o than_o prophet_n do_v make_v to_o arise_v from_o his_o corrupt_a estate_n of_o sin_n he_o do_v arise_v even_o before_o he_o be_v bear_v the_o holy_a ghost_n do_v baptize_v he_o do_v sanctify_v he_o while_o he_o be_v in_o the_o womb_n of_o his_o mother_n as_o you_o read_v in_o the_o 15_o verse_n of_o this_o chapter_n he_o shall_v be_v fill_v with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n even_o from_o his_o mother_n womb_n and_o so_o he_o be_v great_a in_o his_o conception_n and_o nativity_n next_o he_o be_v great_a in_o his_o life_n and_o doctrine_n so_o great_a that_o we_o find_v st._n john_n the_o evangelist_n in_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o his_o gospel_n have_v like_o a_o eagle_n the_o hieroglyphic_n of_o st._n john_n for_o a_o while_o soar_v aloft_o among_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o trinity_n discourse_v of_o the_o divinity_n the_o original_n the_o nativity_n of_o the_o word_n and_o have_v finish_v that_o high_a flight_n and_o stoop_v for_o the_o earth_n the_o very_a first_o thing_n he_o light_v upon_o be_v upon_o the_o head_n of_o st._n john_n the_o baptist_n tanquam_fw-la in_o sublimiori_fw-la vertice_fw-la &_o cacumine_fw-la totius_fw-la mundi_fw-la as_o upon_o the_o very_a top_n or_o cape_n of_o all_o the_o low_a world_n in_o the_o beginning_n be_v the_o word_n and_o the_o word_n be_v with_o god_n and_o that_o word_n be_v god_n and_o so_o he_o go_v forward_o until_o he_o have_v wrought_v himself_o out_o of_o our_o sight_n whence_o descend_v towards_o we_o again_o the_o first_o thing_n you_o see_v that_o he_o perch_v upon_o be_v upon_o the_o man_n john_n 5._o and_o 6._o verse_n â—_o 〈…〉_o 5_o â—_o and_o the_o light_n shine_v in_o the_o darkness_n and_o the_o darkness_n comprehend_v it_o not_o there_o be_v a_o man_n send_v from_o god_n who_o name_n be_v john_n the_o same_o come_v to_o bear_v witness_n of_o the_o light_n etc._n etc._n and_o certain_o have_v not_o the_o holy_a baptist_n be_v a_o great_a and_o eminent_a person_n the_o eye_n of_o the_o evangelist_n which_o can_v not_o choose_v but_o be_v dazzle_v by_o look_v so_o long_o and_o so_o earnest_o upon_o that_o bright_a sun_n of_o christ_n divinity_n turn_v his_o face_n downward_o towards_o the_o earth_n can_v not_o so_o sudden_o have_v discern_v he_o great_a he_o be_v also_o in_o regard_n of_o his_o dignity_n authority_n and_o office_n which_o may_v be_v thus_o illustrate_v by_o a_o similitude_n have_v any_o of_o you_o see_v a_o great_a king_n or_o a_o emperor_n go_v upon_o a_o solemn_a procession_n accompany_v and_o wait_v upon_o by_o his_o prince_n