silent, began at last to speak in defence of her virginity, which she would not forfeit even to become the mother of God. O, admirable purity! In this virtue she was truly singular and without example. Learn from her> i, both to speak and to be silent at proper times and on proper occasions. 2, not to be withdrawn from your good purposes or obligations, on any account or pretext without carefully examining as she did " how this may be done." 3, to be cautious in point of chastity, and to avoid every danger in regard to that delicate virtue, for "we have this treasure in earthen vessels." (2 Cor. iv. 7.)
II, "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee." (Luke i. 35.) Ponder the excellency of Virginity, of which Christ was so great a lover, that, whilst He took upon Himself all our other miseries, yet He would not be conceived and born but of a Virgin. And because the Virgin herself was devotedly attached to this virtue, the Divine Spirit of purity Himself, effected that her son, who as God was born only of the Father, as man was born only of herself. Beseech the Lord to visit you with His holy grace, and " to overshadow you with His shoulders," especially "in the day of battle," when you have to fight against the concupiscence of the flesh. (Ps. xc. 4, and cxxxix. 8.)
III. " Behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age." (Luke i. 36.) She that was barren has become fruitful, in order that you may discover that nothing is impossible to God. Therefore although you have hitherto been fruitless in good works, yet by the divine grace and your own concurrence, you may produce many, not only in yourself, but also in your neighbors, according to your condition and state of life. Therefore, begin now to co-operate with God's grace;
