The Fourth Work Is to Exalt Those of Low Degree

And exalts them of low degree.

They of low degree are not to be taken here for those that be lowly, but such as be underlings, and of no reputation before the world. For it is even the same word that she meant, when she said: For he has looked upon the low degree of his handmaiden. Nevertheless, they that of their free will are nothing and abject of heart, not seeking high things, they are lowly indeed. Moreover this exalting is not to be understood, as that he should set them in the thrones and places of them that be put down, as he does not set them that fear him in the place of the learned that is proud, another when he shows mercy upon them: but he gives them such gifts as do far pass those, namely: that they being exalted in God spiritually, are set as judges above all thrones, powers and knowledge, both here in this world, and in the world to come: for they are better learned than all the learned and rulers. But how this comes to pass I have shown above in the first work of God, neither needs it to be rehearsed here. But it is all said to the comfort of them that suffer, and to the frightening of the tyrants, if we had so much faith as to consider it well.