Here followeth the Life of S. Elizabeth, and first of her name.

Elizabeth is expounded and as much to say as: My God knoweth her, or she is said the seventh of my God, or the filling of my God. First, God knoweth her, for he knew her good will and proved it, and he gave to her knowledge of himself. Secondly, she is said seventh of God, for she had seven things in her; she had the seven works of mercy, or because she is now in the seventh age of them that rest, and to come to the eighth of the general resurrection. Or for the seven estates that were in her. She was in the estate of virginity, in the estate of marriage, in estate of widowhood, in estate of action, in estate of contemplation, in estate of religion, and she is now in estate glorious. And these seven estates be appertly contained in her legend. So that it may be said of her like as it is said of Nebuchadnezzar, that is to wit seven times be changed in her. And also she is said the filling of my God, for God hath filled and replenished her with the resplendour of truth, of sweet savour, and of the vigour of the Trinity, whereof S. Austin saith: She woke in the perdurability of God, she shone in the verity of God, and she enjoyed in the bounty of God.