n they have framed of their
merits. The high eulogiums bestowed on Mary by the angel she answers no
otherwise than by a profound silence, by a saintly trouble of mind,
which, with a modest blush, appears in her countenance. The angel, to
calm her disquiets, says to her: _Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found
favor before God_. He then informs her that she is to conceive and bring
forth a son whose name shall be Jesus, who shall be great, and the son
of the Most High, and possessed of the throne of David, her illustrious
ancestor. Mary, who, according to St. Austin,[11] had consecrated her
virginity to God by vow, is not at all weakened by the prospect of such
a dignity, in her resolution of living a virgin: but, on the contrary,
out of a just concern to know how she may comply with the will of God
without prejudice to her vow, neither moved by curiosity, nor doubting
of the miracle or its possibility, she inquires, _How shall this be_?
Nor does she give her consent till the heavenly messenger acquaints her
that it is to be a work of the Holy Ghost, who, in making her fruitful,
will not intrench in the least upon her virginal purity, but cause her
to be a mother, still remaining, as she desires, a pure virgin.

Moreover, had not Mary been deep-rooted in humility, what impression
must not these great promises have made in her heart, at a time
especially when the first transports are so apt to overflow the soul on
the sudden news of an unexpected glory. The world knows, from too
frequent experience, how strongly the promise and expectation of new
dignities raise the spirits, and alter the words, the looks, and the
whole carriage of proud men. But Mary is still the same, or rather much
more lowly and meek in spirit upon the accession of this unparalleled
dignity. She sees no cause to pride herself in her virtues, graces, and
privileges, knowing that the glory of all these are due only to the
divine Author and Bestower of them. In submission, therefore, to God's
will, without any further inquiries, she expresses her assent in these
humble but powerful words: _Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done
to me according to thy word_. What faith and confidence does her answer
express! What profound humility and perfect obedience! She was saluted
mother of God, yet uses no word of dignity, but styles herself nothing
more than his handmaid, to be commanded and employed by him as he shall
think fittest. The world, as heaven had decre