the_o world_n and_o divide_v it_o into_o four_o part_n the_o first_o age_n they_o liken_v to_o gold_n and_o call_v it_o the_o golden_a age_n the_o next_o so_o decay_v that_o they_o compare_v it_o unto_o silver_n the_o three_o abase_v to_o brass_n the_o four_o worst_a of_o all_o be_v become_v like_o iron_n of_o less_o value_n and_o price_n than_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n and_o if_o there_o be_v a_o more_o base_a metal_n we_o may_v compare_v our_o age_n to_o it_o in_o consideration_n whereof_o they_o with_o other_o writer_n in_o these_o latter_a age_n both_o divine_a and_o profane_a do_v bewail_v the_o decay_n of_o virtue_n of_o true_a faith_n of_o charity_n of_o mutual_a love_n and_o fidelity_n of_o good_a conscience_n of_o honesty_n yea_o of_o devotion_n and_o prayer_n and_o of_o the_o love_n and_o fear_n of_o god_n and_o of_o heavenly_a contemplation_n whereof_o as_o from_o his_o proper_a root_n shall_v spring_v all_o the_o rest_n for_o how_o many_o do_v we_o see_v live_v as_o though_o 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unto_o it_o by_o they_o that_o shall_v set_v forth_o obedience_n by_o word_n and_o example_n of_o life_n child_n disobey_v their_o parent_n contemn_v they_o and_o laugh_v they_o to_o scorn_v servant_n make_v small_a estimation_n of_o the_o trust_v commit_v unto_o they_o by_o their_o master_n labourer_n hunt_v after_o idleness_n artificer_n be_v deceitful_a in_o their_o word_n and_o work_n merchant_n and_o other_o in_o utter_v the_o ware_n that_o they_o sell._n no_o man_n dare_v without_o hire_n usury_n be_v never_o so_o general_a nor_o so_o extreme_a and_o if_o we_o shall_v after_o this_o sort_n run_v over_o the_o other_o estate_n of_o life_n we_o shall_v find_v all_o sort_n of_o man_n degenerate_a from_o the_o simplicity_n and_o goodness_n of_o their_o forefather_n no_o man_n seek_v after_o virtue_n nor_o labour_v to_o reform_v or_o amend_v much_o less_o to_o mortify_v himself_o so_o as_o we_o may_v never_o more_o true_o pronounce_v these_o old_a verse_n heu_fw-la vivunt_fw-la 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yea_o a_o atheist_n whereof_o â—…punubed_v it_o may_v be_v doubt_v there_o be_v over_o many_o in_o these_o day_n he_o shall_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v punish_v that_o he_o shall_v be_v rather_o of_o many_o favour_v and_o support_v &_o regard_v as_o a_o jolly_a fellow_n that_o will_v be_v command_v of_o none_o which_o encourage_v he_o to_o offend_v further_o to_o the_o evil_a example_n of_o other_o for_o wicked_a act_n and_o misdemeanour_n be_v allure_v by_o impunity_n as_o it_o be_v by_o reward_n and_o he_o hurt_v the_o good_a that_o spare_v the_o wicked_a if_o we_o hear_v of_o any_o sinful_a or_o wicked_a act_n commit_v we_o sigh_v and_o groan_v and_o look_v up_o to_o heaven_n as_o though_o it_o pierce_v our_o heart_n with_o detestation_n both_o of_o the_o man_n and_o the_o fact_n whereas_o if_o the_o like_a occasion_n be_v offer_v we_o be_v as_o ready_a every_o day_n to_o doc_fw-fr the_o same_o or_o worse_o we_o be_v notable_a censurer_n of_o other_o man_n fault_n and_o cunning_a 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and_o the_o devil_n within_o the_o iniquity_n of_o this_o time_n be_v almost_o grow_v to_o this_o that_o a_o man_n godly_a and_o honest_o give_v be_v laugh_v to_o scorn_n â—…nd_v have_v in_o contempt_n and_o the_o wicked_a be_v have_v in_o estimation_n and_o reverence_v as_o though_o it_o be_v a_o shame_n to_o do_v well_o and_o a_o commendable_a thing_n to_o live_v unhonest_o so_o as_o nothing_o be_v more_o common_a in_o these_o day_n among_o we_o than_o false_a friendship_n dissemble_a honesty_n manifest_a iniquity_n and_o counterfeit_a holiness_n and_o who_o be_v he_o if_o he_o separate_v his_o mind_n a_o while_n from_o worldly_a cogitation_n that_o he_o may_v the_o better_a look_n into_o the_o general_a wickedness_n of_o these_o day_n that_o will_v not_o say_v with_o saint_n paul_n cupio_fw-la dissolvi_fw-la &_o esse_fw-la cum_fw-la christo_fw-la i_o desire_v to_o be_v dissolve_v and_o to_o be_v with_o christ_n when_o he_o shall_v see_v in_o use_n and_o daily_o practise_v every_o 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justice_n when_o thou_o see_v i_o besiege_v and_o make_v war_n upon_o other_o man_n city_n so_o shall_v they_o be_v account_v fool_n that_o so_o far_o out_o of_o season_n in_o this_o common_a exercise_n and_o generality_n of_o all_o manner_n of_o vice_n will_v persuade_v or_o speak_v of_o virtue_n of_o godliness_n of_o honesty_n and_o reformation_n of_o manner_n they_o shall_v but_o sing_v to_o the_o dease_fw-mi as_o the_o proverb_n be_v o_o wicked_a age_n and_o ungrateful_a peopleâ—…_n have_v god_n disperse_v the_o dark_a cloud_n from_o our_o understanding_n and_o send_v we_o the_o light_n of_o his_o gospel_n to_o the_o end_n we_o shall_v run_v into_o the_o dirt_n and_o mire_n and_o soil_n ourselves_o with_o all_o manner_n of_o vice_n have_v he_o bestow_v so_o many_o benefit_n upon_o we_o and_o yet_o can_v find_v we_o thankful_a have_v
as_o i_o be_v consider_v with_o myself_o what_o to_o write_v the_o occasion_n that_o move_v i_o to_o take_v my_o penin_n hand_n min_fw-mi stre_v also_o matter_n whereof_o to_o write_v for_o medisate_v with_o myself_o upon_o the_o variable_a and_o uncertain_a state_n and_o condition_n of_o man_n call_v to_o mind_v many_o thing_n write_v thereof_o by_o divers_a author_n and_o be_v wiâ—…ing_v for_o my_o ease_n as_o a_o woman_n in_o travel_n to_o be_v deliver_v of_o the_o burdeâ—…_n wherewith_o my_o head_n be_v overload_v i_o can_v not_o find_v a_o more_o apt_a subject_n for_o my_o purpose_n than_o to_o discourse_v crassiori_fw-la minerva_n upon_o the_o felicity_n of_o man_n which_o kind_n of_o exercise_n i_o perceive_v may_v be_v profitable_a to_o i_o as_o well_o by_o the_o comfort_n i_o shall_v receive_v by_o peruse_v the_o say_n and_o opinion_n of_o wise_a and_o learned_a man_n as_o also_o by_o renew_v the_o memory_n of_o divers_a thing_n which_o i_o have_v long_o sinceread_v &_o 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enjoy_v in_o this_o life_n &_o the_o mean_n thereunto_o be_v the_o purgation_n and_o perfection_n of_o life_n by_o enter_v into_o our_o conscience_n and_o search_v our_o sin_n and_o confess_v they_o to_o god_n which_o cause_v i_o not_o a_o little_a to_o wonder_v how_o man_n by_o reason_n only_o and_o by_o instinct_n of_o nature_n can_v be_v capable_a of_o so_o divine_a knowledge_n but_o when_o i_o see_v they_o there_o to_o stay_v and_o can_v proceed_v no_o further_o and_o except_o i_o leave_v their_o company_n and_o follow_v a_o better_a guide_n they_o will_v leave_v i_o in_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o way_n for_o of_o the_o confession_n of_o our_o sin_n follow_v damnation_n except_o god_n be_v pacify_v and_o make_v merciful_a to_o 〈◊〉_d i_o take_v my_o leave_n of_o the_o philosopher_n and_o follow_v another_o path_n unknown_a to_o they_o which_o lead_v direct_o to_o felicity_n and_o beatitude_n by_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n through_o his_o son_n our_o saviour_n christ_n jesus_n i_o have_v therefore_o reject_v the_o philosopher_n opinion_n of_o who_o nevertheless_o i_o think_v reverent_o as_o not_o sufficient_o conformable_a to_o christianity_n though_o i_o have_v applid_v many_o of_o their_o say_n to_o my_o purpose_n and_o i_o have_v labour_v to_o discover_v the_o error_n of_o they_o by_o many_o example_n that_o in_o the_o course_n of_o their_o life_n seem_v to_o set_v their_o felicity_n in_o those_o thing_n that_o bring_v man_n to_o infelicity_n and_o i_o have_v enlarge_v the_o narration_n of_o some_o history_n more_o than_o the_o due_a method_n of_o writing_n require_v which_o i_o may_v with_o less_o labour_n have_v abridge_v it_o may_v serve_v nevertheless_o to_o that_o common_a end_n of_o the_o poet_n either_o to_o profit_n or_o delight_n aut_fw-la prodesse_fw-la volunt_fw-la aut_fw-la delectare_fw-la poetae_fw-la every_o man_n have_v not_o be_v bring_v up_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o tongue_n and_o it_o chance_v often_o to_o the_o reader_n as_o it_o dâ—…th_v to_o diceplayer_n that_o gain_n more_o by_o the_o bye_n than_o by_o the_o main_a it_o may_v be_v profitable_a also_o to_o see_v the_o error_n and_o passion_n of_o they_o discover_v by_o the_o disorder_a course_n of_o their_o life_n and_o extraordinary_a kind_n of_o death_n that_o have_v set_v their_o felicity_n in_o pleasure_n riches_n honour_n &_o glory_n and_o such_o like_a worldly_a vanity_n which_o to_o all_o except_o they_o be_v well_o use_v be_v hindrance_n to_o feliâ—…ty_n and_o have_v bring_v many_o to_o extreme_a misery_n i_o have_v omit_v the_o name_n of_o many_o author_n who_o aâ—…thority_n and_o say_n i_o do_v vouch_n and_o allege_v not_o with_o meaning_n to_o deck_v myself_o with_o steal_a feather_n but_o because_o many_o of_o they_o be_v fall_v out_o of_o my_o memory_n and_o to_o avoid_v a_o confusion_n of_o superfluous_a word_n by_o the_o multitude_n of_o name_n and_o yet_o divers_a be_v note_v by_o i_o in_o the_o margin_n that_o be_v leave_v out_o by_o the_o 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be_v no_o soon_o speak_v but_o they_o forthwith_o vanish_v away_o the_o fame_n of_o this_o art_n be_v blow_v abroad_o be_v the_o cause_n that_o a_o great_a many_o book_n of_o necromancy_n in_o divers_a place_n be_v burn_v this_o desire_n of_o vainglory_n through_o singularity_n of_o knowledge_n be_v not_o wrought_v in_o the_o mind_n only_o of_o cynops_n and_o other_o infidel_n by_o the_o instigation_n of_o the_o devil_n who_o help_n they_o use_v in_o aâ—…ayning_v the_o same_o but_o in_o our_o christian_a prelate_n also_o who_o use_v the_o like_a mean_n be_v overcome_v with_o the_o same_o desâ—…es_n to_o what_o peril_n of_o their_o soul_n i_o leave_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o other_o tâ—…itemius_n the_o abbot_n a_o excellent_a learned_a man_n and_o worthy_a of_o fame_n if_o by_o add_v necromancy_n to_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o learning_n he_o have_v not_o make_v himself_o infamous_a by_o his_o own_o confession_n burn_v with_o a_o execâ—…ive_a desire_n of_o vainglory_n for_o say_v he_o 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many_o thing_n be_v apparent_a the_o emperor_n maximilian_n the_o first_o marry_v with_o marie_n the_o daughter_n of_o charles_n duke_n of_o burgundy_n who_o death_n love_v she_o dear_o he_o take_v gâ—…evously_o this_o abbot_n perceive_v his_o great_a love_n towards_o she_o tell_v he_o that_o he_o will_v show_v he_o his_o wife_n again_o the_o emperor_n desirous_a to_o see_v she_o go_v with_o the_o abbot_n and_o one_o more_o into_o a_o chamber_n the_o abbot_n forbid_v they_o for_o their_o life_n to_o speak_v one_o word_n while_o the_o spirit_n be_v there_o marry_o the_o emperor_n wife_n come_v in_o and_o walk_v up_o and_o down_o by_o they_o very_o sober_o so_o much_o resemble_v she_o when_o she_o be_v alive_a in_o all_o point_n that_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n to_o be_v find_v the_o emperor_n marvel_v to_o see_v so_o lively_a a_o resemblance_n call_v to_o mind_n that_o his_o wife_n have_v a_o little_a black_a spot_n a_o mole_n some_o call_v it_o behind_o in_o her_o neck_n which_o he_o determine_v to_o observe_v the_o next_o time_n she_o pass_v by_o he_o and_o behold_v she_o very_o earnest_o he_o find_v the_o mole_n in_o the_o very_a same_o place_n of_o her_o neck_n maximilian_n be_v much_o trouble_v in_o mind_n with_o this_o strange_a sight_n wink_v upon_o the_o abbot_n that_o he_o shall_v avoid_v the_o spirit_n which_o be_v do_v he_o command_v he_o to_o show_v he_o no_o more_o of_o those_o pastime_n protest_v that_o he_o be_v hardly_o able_a to_o forbear_v speak_v which_o if_o he_o have_v do_v the_o spirit_n have_v kill_v they_o all_o the_o devil_n be_v so_o ready_a at_o the_o abbot_n commandment_n that_o as_o he_o travel_v on_o a_o time_n in_o the_o company_n of_o a_o man_n of_o account_n who_o report_v this_o story_n they_o come_v into_o a_o house_n where_o be_v neither_o good_a meat_n nor_o drink_v the_o abbot_n knock_v at_o the_o window_n &_o say_v adfer_fw-la fetch_v not_o long_o after_o there_o be_v bring_v in_o at_o the_o window_n a_o sodden_a pickerel_n in_o a_o dish_n and_o a_o bottle_n of_o wine_n the_o abbot_n fall_v to_o his_o meat_n but_o his_o companion_n cookeâ—…y_n stomach_n will_v not_o serve_v he_o to_o eat_v of_o such_o a_o caterer_n provision_n albertus_n magnus_n be_v a_o notable_a necromancer_n beside_o his_o other_o learning_n that_o have_v be_v bishop_n of_o regenspurg_n and_o after_o become_v a_o monk_n at_o collen_n at_o such_o time_n as_o william_n grave_a of_o holland_n be_v choose_v emperor_n and_o return_v from_o his_o coronation_n at_o aquisgraven_v to_o collen_n with_o many_o prince_n and_o great_a estate_n where_o in_o the_o night_n be_v make_v he_o a_o sumptuous_a banquet_n albertus_n be_v there_o also_o to_o show_v the_o emperor_n and_o the_o prince_n some_o pastime_n after_o their_o journey_n by_o his_o skill_n cause_v the_o chamber_n where_o they_o be_v in_o their_o sight_n to_o be_v like_o a_o forest_n the_o floor_n seem_v to_o be_v ground_n cover_v with_o green_a grass_n and_o beâ—…bes_n and_o flower_n plant_v with_o tree_n of_o divers_a sort_n the_o lark_n sing_v 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o air_n the_o nightingale_n and_o the_o cuckoo_n sing_v in_o the_o tree_n and_o haw-thorne_n bush_n as_o though_o it_o have_v be_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o may._n in_o the_o which_o pastime_n the_o emperor_n take_v such_o delight_n that_o he_o reward_v the_o house_n whereof_o albertus_n be_v monk_n with_o land_n &_o privilege_n think_v that_o no_o sinful_a act_n which_o be_v do_v by_o so_o famous_a and_o holy_a a_o monk_n in_o the_o presence_n also_o of_o so_o many_o prelate_n but_o what_o their_o reward_n shall_v be_v at_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n the_o lord_n only_o know_v but_o to_o excel_v in_o these_o prohibit_v science_n be_v not_o sufficient_a glory_n to_o these_o kind_n of_o man_n except_o they_o also_o leave_v their_o knowledge_n in_o writing_n to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o posterity_n which_o argue_v their_o desire_n of_o glory_n to_o be_v agreeable_a with_o that_o of_o the_o poet_n that_o say_v vade_fw-la â—…tur_fw-la felix_fw-la libre_fw-la &_o long_o ssâ—…ma_fw-la vive_fw-la tempora_fw-la quumque_fw-la meos_fw-la tellus_fw-la obduxerit_fw-la artus_fw-la tu_fw-la varios_fw-la populos_fw-la diversaq_fw-la regna_fw-la superstes_fw-la quaere_fw-la studeque_fw-la meum_fw-la late_a diffundere_fw-la nomen_fw-la go_v happy_a book_n live_v long_o and_o when_o in_o the_o dust_n my_o bone_n be_v lay_v as_o sure_a i_o be_o they_o must_v be_v thou_o still_o safe_a and_o wander_v the_o world_n round_o with_o all_o thy_o care_n my_o name_n abroad_o to_o sound_v among_o the_o rest_n pope_n gregory_n the_o seven_o a_o excellent_a necromancer_n by_o the_o report_n of_o the_o cardinal_n benno_n will_v by_o shake_v his_o sleeve_n make_v spark_n of_o fire_n leap_v out_o of_o they_o to_o the_o judgement_n of_o man_n by_o which_o strangething_n he_o seek_v to_o win_v a_o opinion_n of_o great_a holiness_n by_o these_o example_n of_o pope_n and_o prelate_n with_o the_o rest_n it_o appear_v how_o ready_a the_o devil_n be_v to_o stir_v up_o man_n mind_n where_o he_o see_v any_o inclination_n to_o the_o desire_n of_o vainglory_n who_o help_n and_o service_n they_o never_o lack_v until_o he_o have_v bring_v they_o to_o destruction_n of_o body_n or_o soul_n these_o kind_n of_o man_n be_v they_o it_o shall_v seem_v to_o who_o beelzebub_n be_v suppose_v to_o write_v a_o epistle_n report_v by_o a_o old_a author_n thus_o beelzebub_n the_o prince_n of_o devil_n and_o duke_n of_o darkness_n with_o his_o guard_n and_o all_o the_o potentate_n of_o hell_n to_o archbishop_n bishop_n abbot_n and_o other_o prelate_n &_o ruler_n of_o church_n his_o well-beloved_a friend_n now_o and_o for_o ever_o infernal_a salutation_n and_o a_o league_n of_o 〈◊〉_d inviolable_a society_n which_o can_v never_o
arrogant_a to_o take_v upon_o he_o to_o enter_v into_o the_o knowledge_n and_o secret_n of_o god_n as_o to_o prescribe_v a_o rule_n by_o which_o god_n be_v to_o be_v worship_v we_o must_v fly_v unto_o god_n for_o his_o help_n poor_a wretch_n as_o we_o be_v to_o who_o we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o go_v except_o he_o vouchsafe_v to_o come_v down_o unto_o us._n the_o sun_n can_v be_v see_v without_o the_o sun_n no_o more_o can_v god_n be_v know_v without_o his_o help_n and_o light_n no_o man_n can_v worship_n god_n except_o he_o know_v he_o and_o no_o man_n can_v know_v he_o except_o he_o discover_v himself_o to_o he_o and_o therefore_o what_o worship_n be_v meet_v for_o he_o can_v be_v know_v of_o none_o except_o he_o vouchsafe_v to_o reveal_v himself_o in_o his_o word_n and_o oracle_n for_o that_o god_n can_v be_v worship_v but_o by_o the_o prescript_n of_o his_o own_o will_n both_o the_o conscience_n of_o all_o man_n and_o god_n himself_o in_o his_o holy_a word_n do_v testify_v isaiah_n and_o matth._n in_o vain_a do_v they_o worship_v i_o who_o teach_v the_o doctrine_n and_o commandment_n of_o man_n and_o this_o therefore_o be_v the_o second_o mark_n religion_n that_o the_o religion_n teach_v the_o worship_v of_o god_n lean_v upon_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o reveal_v of_o god_n himself_o but_o this_o neither_o be_v sufficient_a that_o the_o religion_n we_o seek_v for_o teach_v we_o to_o worship_v the_o true_a god_n and_o that_o by_o god_n word_n and_o appointment_n for_o god_n give_v we_o a_o law_n out_o of_o his_o own_o mouth_n according_a to_o his_o holiness_n and_o justice_n that_o we_o may_v be_v holy_a like_o he_o but_o if_o we_o can_v of_o ourselves_o know_v god_n nor_o how_o to_o worship_v he_o how_o can_v we_o after_o he_o reveal_v himself_o to_o we_o and_o give_v we_o a_o law_n to_o worship_v he_o perform_v our_o duty_n to_o god_n and_o fulfil_v the_o law_n we_o ought_v to_o love_n god_n above_o all_o thing_n and_o for_o his_o sake_n whatsoever_o bear_v his_o image_n though_o we_o never_o know_v or_o see_v he_o before_o but_o who_o dare_v arrogate_v to_o himself_o such_o a_o perfect_a charity_n to_o love_v his_o neighbour_n as_o he_o ought_v and_o for_o his_o sake_n that_o he_o ought_v that_o be_v no_o otherwise_o than_o for_o himself_o and_o for_o god_n but_o if_o we_o examine_v our_o coldness_n in_o the_o love_n of_o god_n we_o shall_v perceive_v the_o reflection_n thereof_o to_o our_o neighbour_n to_o be_v freeze_v and_o therefore_o the_o three_o mark_n be_v that_o the_o religion_n we_o seek_v must_v help_v we_o to_o a_o mark_n mean_n whereby_o god_n justice_n must_v be_v satisfy_v without_o which_o not_o only_o all_o other_o religion_n be_v vain_a and_o of_o none_o effect_n but_o that_o also_o which_o seem_v to_o have_v the_o keep_n of_o the_o worship_v of_o god_n so_o that_o the_o heathen_n see_v by_o instinct_n of_o nature_n and_o by_o reason_n that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o that_o man_n sovereign_a good_a be_v to_o be_v join_v with_o god_n and_o that_o some_o way_n to_o the_o same_o be_v necessary_a which_o they_o think_v to_o be_v any_o religion_n which_o they_o have_v invent_v to_o worship_n and_o adore_v he_o and_o hereof_o come_v their_o magic_n and_o idolatry_n and_o superstitious_a ceremony_n of_o their_o own_o invention_n but_o the_o right_a way_n be_v beyond_o their_o reach_n and_o a_o great_a deal_n high_o than_o it_o can_v be_v find_v out_o by_o man_n for_o there_o be_v a_o great_a difference_n between_o to_o know_v that_o god_n must_v be_v worship_v and_o to_o know_v how_o he_o shall_v right_o be_v worship_v hierocles_n say_v that_o religion_n be_v the_o study_n of_o wisdom_n consist_v in_o the_o purgation_n and_o perfection_n of_o life_n by_o which_o we_o be_v join_v again_o and_o make_v like_o to_o god_n and_o the_o way_n say_v he_o to_o that_o purgation_n be_v to_o enter_v into_o our_o conscience_n to_o search_v out_o our_o sin_n and_o confess_v they_o to_o god_n but_o here_o they_o be_v all_o gravel_v and_o at_o a_o stand_n for_o of_o the_o confession_n of_o our_o sin_n follow_v death_n and_o damnation_n except_o god_n that_o be_v justice_n itself_o and_o most_o good_a and_o to_o evil_a most_o contrary_a be_v pacify_v and_o make_v merciful_a to_o we_o sinner_n but_o we_o seek_v for_o the_o true_a and_o everlasting_a life_n in_o religion_n and_o not_o immortal_a death_n see_v then_o that_o the_o end_n of_o man_n in_o this_o life_n be_v to_o return_v to_o god_n that_o he_o may_v be_v join_v with_o he_o in_o the_o other_o life_n which_o be_v his_o sovereign_a good_a and_o felicity_n or_o beatitude_n and_o that_o the_o way_n to_o return_v to_o god_n be_v religion_n and_o that_o as_o there_o be_v one_o true_a god_n so_o there_o can_v be_v but_o one_o true_a religion_n who_o mark_n be_v to_o worship_v the_o true_a god_n and_o that_o by_o the_o appointment_n of_o his_o own_o word_n and_o such_o as_o reconcile_v man_n to_o god_n let_v we_o see_v what_o religion_n have_v the_o 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