The Annuntiation of Marie

OUr hearts, oh blessed GOD, encline,
Thy true affection to embrace;
And that humility of thine,
Which for our sakes vouchsafed was,
Thy Goodnesse teach vs to put on,
As with our Nature thou wert clad;
And so to minde what thou hast done,
That we may praise thee, and be glad.

For, thou not only held'st it meet,
To send an Angell from aboue,
An humble Mayd on earth to greet,
And bring the Message of thy Loue:
But laying (as it were) aside,
Those Glories none can comprehend,
(Nor any mortall eyes abide)
Into her wombe thou didst descend.

Bestow thou also thy respect
On our despis'de and lowe degree;
And LORD, oh, doe not vs neglect,
Though worthy of contempt we be:
But through thy Messengers prepare,
And hallow so our hearts we pray,
That thou conceaued being there,
The fruits of faith bring forth we may.