Augustine of Hippo, on Luke 1:48

“Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.”

“(Pseudo-Aug. Serm. de Assumpt 208.) O true lowliness, which hath borne God to men, hath given life to mortals, made new heavens and a pure earth, opened the gates of Paradise, and set free the souls of men. The lowliness of Mary was made the heavenly ladder, by which God descended upon earth. For what does regarded mean but “approved?” For many seem in my sight to be lowly, but their lowliness is not regarded by the Lord. For if they were truly lowly, their spirit would rejoice not in the world, but in God.”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.