Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	day_n	great_a	time_n	4,794	5	3.3956	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A05371	The treasure of vowed chastity in secular persons. Also the widdowes glasse. VVritten by the RR. Fathers Leonard Lessius, and Fuluius Androtius, both of the Society of Iesus. Translated into English by I.W. P.	Lessius, Leonardus, 1554-1623.; Androzzi, Fulvio, 1523-1575. aut; Wilson, John, ca. 1575-ca. 1645?	1621 (1621)	STC 15524; ESTC S108506	57,293	362

the_o treasure_n of_o vow_a chastity_n in_o secular_a person_n also_o the_o widow_n glass_n write_v by_o the_o rr._n father_n leonard_n lessius_fw-la and_o fuluius_n androtius_n both_o of_o the_o society_n of_o jesus_n translate_v into_o english_a by_o i._n w._n p._n permissu_fw-la superiorum_fw-la 1621._o to_o the_o honourable_a and_o right_a virtuous_a gentlewoman_n mrs_n anne_z vaux_z honourable_a and_o right_o worthy_a the_o constant_a report_n of_o your_o virtuous_a life_n in_o the_o state_n whereof_o this_o little_a book_n entreat_v have_v invite_v i_o to_o entitle_v the_o same_o unto_o your_o name_n in_o particular_a which_o be_v write_v for_o the_o profit_n of_o all_o in_o general_a who_o have_v a_o true_a desire_n to_o embrace_v the_o state_n of_o vow_a chastity_n and_o yet_o remain_v in_o the_o world_n among_o secular_a person_n if_o the_o subject_n seem_v new_a or_o strange_a to_o any_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o have_v attentive_o read_v &_o consider_v the_o several_a passage_n therein_o they_o will_v remain_v abundant_o satisfy_v for_o it_o be_v no_o part_n of_o the_o author_n intention_n who_o be_v know_v to_o be_v famous_a both_o for_o learning_n and_o piety_n thereby_o to_o derogate_v from_o other_o stats_n of_o life_n but_o rather_o by_o show_v the_o good_a &_o commodity_n which_o may_v proceed_v by_o embrace_v of_o this_o those_o that_o be_v more_o perfect_a in_o themselves_o may_v hereby_o be_v the_o more_o honour_a and_o reverence_v of_o all_o neither_o indeed_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n at_o all_o propose_v in_o this_o ensew_a discourse_n which_o have_v not_o be_v practise_v in_o the_o primitive_a church_n by_o person_n of_o both_o sex_n &_o for_o that_o cause_n so_o much_o admire_v and_o extol_v by_o the_o ancient_a father_n of_o those_o day_n howsoever_o the_o same_o may_v seem_v not_o to_o have_v be_v in_o some_o late_a age_n so_o much_o in_o use_n and_o therefore_o think_v now_o behooveful_a to_o be_v again_o renew_v to_o our_o memory_n in_o these_o time_n of_o so_o great_a necessity_n for_o the_o spiritual_a good_a of_o soul_n and_o increase_v of_o charity_n now_o half_o extinguish_v in_o the_o christian_a world_n the_o profit_n that_o may_v &_o do_v redound_v to_o such_o as_o desire_v to_o practice_v this_o state_n of_o vow_a chastity_n remain_v in_o the_o world_n will_v neither_o be_v small_a or_o uncertain_a if_o the_o same_o be_v embrace_v with_o that_o sincerity_n of_o hart_n and_o virtuous_a manner_n of_o life_n as_o it_o ought_v wherein_o i_o know_v yourself_o to_o have_v make_v good_a proof_n these_o many_o year_n by_o reap_v a_o plentiful_a harvest_n of_o the_o fruit_n and_o heap_v up_o a_o mass_n of_o treasure_n against_o the_o come_n of_o your_o heavenly_a spouse_n to_o present_v he_o withal_o to_o the_o unspeakable_a comfort_n and_o consolation_n of_o your_o soul_n eternal_a happiness_n to_o this_o little_a treatise_n i_o have_v adjoin_v the_o widow_n glass_n the_o which_o i_o humble_o entreat_v you_o to_o present_v in_o my_o name_n to_o your_o two_o most_o worthy_a sister_n who_o for_o the_o long_a constant_a &_o most_o exemplar_n profession_n of_o that_o noble_a and_o worthy_a state_n of_o chaste_a widowhood_n may_v seem_v to_o claim_v a_o just_a title_n thereunto_o but_o i_o deem_v not_o my_o labour_n in_o translate_n it_o worthy_a to_o be_v present_v to_o so_o honourable_a matron_n in_o a_o dedicatory_a a_o part_n not_o doubt_v but_o the_o same_o will_v be_v more_o grateful_a come_v through_o your_o hand_n who_o be_v so_o near_o a_o kin_n unto_o they_o both_o by_o nature_n &_o grace_n see_v virginity_n and_o widowhood_n have_v ever_o be_v account_v sister_n and_o betroth_v to_o the_o same_o eternal_a spouse_n christ_n jesus_n accept_v then_o right_a worthy_a gentlewoman_n these_o few_o sheet_n of_o paper_n by_o i_o translate_v out_o of_o latin_a as_o a_o future_a earnest_n of_o some_o better_a gift_n wherewith_o i_o intend_v to_o present_v you_o ere_o it_o be_v long_o and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n among_o the_o many_o of_o your_o pious_a and_o devout_a exercise_n forget_v he_o not_o who_o will_v ever_o remain_v your_o devote_a servant_n i._n w._n the_o good_a and_o commodity_n of_o the_o state_n of_o life_n which_o some_o profess_v live_v in_o the_o world_n and_o vow_v chastity_n there_o be_v not_o want_v in_o these_o our_o day_n among_o secular_a person_n very_o many_o as_o well_o widow_n as_o virgin_n who_o aspire_a to_o perfection_n have_v a_o desire_n as_o far_o as_o they_o may_v convenient_o to_o sequester_v themselves_o from_o the_o trouble_n and_o encumbrance_n of_o the_o world_n thereby_o to_o employ_v their_o mind_n more_o free_o and_o secur_o in_o the_o service_n of_o god_n for_o who_o notwithstanding_o to_o live_v in_o monasterye_n either_o it_o be_v not_o so_o convenient_a or_o else_o ground_v upon_o sufficient_a reason_n they_o may_v be_v otherwise_o resolve_v for_o the_o way_n &_o manner_n of_o serve_a god_n be_v diverse_a &_o those_o who_o can_v aspire_v to_o the_o high_a &_o most_o perfect_a be_v not_o therefore_o constrain_v to_o content_v themselves_o with_o the_o mean_a &_o least_o noble_a wherefore_o many_o there_o be_v who_o live_v in_o the_o world_n reject_v the_o vanity_n of_o rich_a and_o costly_a apparel_n and_o take_v a_o plain_a &_o simple_a habit_n consecrate_v their_o virginity_n to_o almighty_a god_n and_o avoid_v the_o conversation_n of_o secular_a person_n as_o much_o as_o they_o may_v do_v employ_v themselves_o whole_o in_o the_o office_n of_o charity_n and_o devotion_n yet_o nevertheless_o because_o there_o be_v not_o want_v some_o who_o i_o know_v not_o out_o of_o what_o zeal_n carp_n at_o the_o institution_n of_o such_o manner_n of_o life_n i_o be_o for_o this_o respect_n win_v at_o the_o entreaty_n of_o a_o special_a friend_n to_o declare_v out_o of_o holy_a scripture_n and_o ancient_a father_n in_o what_o degree_n such_o kind_n of_o life_n in_o the_o catholic_a church_n be_v to_o be_v esteem_v for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o who_o in_o a_o matter_n of_o such_o importance_n and_o so_o much_o pertain_v to_o the_o good_a of_o soul_n i_o have_v purpose_v to_o handle_v it_o in_o eight_o little_a chapter_n follow_v where_o in_o the_o first_o it_o be_v prove_v out_o of_o holy_a scripture_n that_o this_o kind_n of_o life_n be_v pious_a and_o laudable_a in_o the_o second_o the_o same_o be_v prove_v by_o example_n out_o of_o holy_a scripture_n and_o ecclesiastical_a history_n in_o the_o three_o the_o same_o be_v convince_v by_o the_o authoritye_n of_o holy_a father_n in_o the_o four_o the_o same_o be_v confirm_v by_o theological_a argument_n in_o the_o five_o the_o same_o be_v also_o confirm_v out_o of_o the_o good_a &_o commodity_n which_o ensue_v of_o chastity_n the_o six_o contain_v a_o solution_n to_o certain_a objection_n make_v concern_v the_o merit_n of_o marriage_n &_o chastity_n the_o seven_o set_v down_o certain_a admonition_n &_o advice_n to_o be_v exact_o follow_v in_o this_o estate_n the_o eight_o sheweth_z that_o this_o manner_n of_o life_n be_v true_o and_o proper_o call_v a_o estate_n chap._n i._n wherein_o it_o be_v prove_v out_o of_o scripture_n that_o that_o kind_n of_o life_n wherein_o some_o man_n or_o woman_n live_v in_o the_o world_n leave_v of_o costly_a apparel_n &_o use_v plain_a and_o modest_a attire_n do_v vow_v chastity_n be_v laudable_a and_o meritorious_a before_o god_n there_o be_v many_o in_o this_o age_n who_o use_v over_o much_o the_o liberty_n of_o their_o own_o judgement_n disallow_v of_o this_o kind_n of_o life_n yet_o by_o what_o reason_n or_o upon_o what_o ground_n they_o be_v move_v so_o to_o do_v beside_o those_o which_o jovinian_a the_o ancient_a heretic_n &_o those_o also_o of_o his_o coat_n even_o in_o these_o time_n have_v allege_v i_o can_v imagine_v neither_o do_v i_o think_v they_o have_v any_o other_o unless_o perhaps_o they_o consider_v the_o difficulty_n which_o this_o manner_n of_o life_n be_v subject_a unto_o &_o be_v terrify_v with_o more_o danger_n of_o live_v chaste_a in_o this_o then_o in_o the_o state_n of_o religion_n for_o which_o cause_n they_o may_v think_v it_o more_o secure_a to_o vow_v chastity_n in_o the_o one_o then_o in_o the_o other_o but_o nevertheless_o it_o be_v to_o be_v hold_v as_o a_o point_n of_o faith_n that_o this_o state_n be_v not_o only_o lawful_a but_o also_o commendable_a and_o of_o great_a merit_n before_o almighty_a god_n and_o the_o same_o practise_v not_o only_o of_o man_n and_o woman_n but_o also_o of_o youth_n itself_o this_o be_v evident_o convince_v out_o of_o holy_a scripture_n where_o our_o lord_n himself_o matth._n 9_o do_v open_o commend_v this_o institution_n for_o first_o when_o the_o apostl_n hear_v the_o speech_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n concern_v marriage_n answer_v si_fw-mi ita_fw-la est_fw-la etc._n etc._n if_o such_o be_v

apostle_n say_v that_o covetousness_n be_v the_o root_n of_o all_o evil_a our_o saviour_n also_o in_o the_o gospel_n tell_v us._n how_o hard_o a_o thing_n it_o be_v for_o those_o that_o be_v rich_a to_o enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o that_o a_o camel_n shall_v enter_v more_o easy_o through_o a_o needle_n than_o a_o richman_n into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n by_o riches_n be_v understand_v all_o earthly_a thing_n and_o good_n disordinate_o affect_v or_o seek_v after_o when_o a_o widow_n have_v do_v her_o devotion_n let_v she_o never_o be_v idle_a let_v she_o take_v in_o her_o hand_n either_o wool_n or_o flax_n let_v her_o card_n let_v she_o spin_v let_v she_o wind_v the_o yarn_n that_o other_o have_v spon_o let_v she_o twist_v it_o let_v she_o see_v there_o be_v no_o fault_n in_o the_o work_n and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o let_v she_o mend_v it_o &_o do_v what_o be_v necessary_a be_v thus_o continual_o occupy_v the_o long_a day_n will_v seem_v very_o short_a &_o pleasant_a for_o the_o soul_n that_o be_v idle_a be_v full_a of_o bad_a desire_n as_o the_o holy_a scripture_n insinuate_v and_o nothing_o can_v be_v so_o precious_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n as_o to_o give_v to_o the_o poor_a the_o labour_n of_o she_o own_o hand_n let_v a_o widow_n take_v heed_n of_o adorn_v or_o attyre_v her_o head_n with_o pearl_n jewel_n or_o precious_a carcanet_n nor_o use_v frizele_v hair_n for_o these_o be_v the_o true_a sign_n of_o hellfire_n but_o let_v she_o seek_v another_o sort_n of_o precious_a stone_n and_o wear_v they_o to_o wit_n humility_n fear_v of_o god_n and_o other_o virtue_n to_o the_o end_n she_o may_v buy_v therewith_o that_o inestimable_a pearl_n &_o margarite_n christ_n jesus_n the_o spouse_n of_o the_o soul_n final_o let_v a_o widow_n use_v discretion_n maturity_n &_o prudence_n in_o all_o her_o action_n let_v she_o consider_v who_o she_o be_v &_o who_o he_o be_v to_o who_o she_o have_v consecrate_v her_o widowhood_n to_o the_o end_n she_o may_v obtain_v his_o earthly_a benediction_n for_o herself_o and_o her_o child_n in_o this_o world_n &_o life_n eternal_a in_o the_o next_o chap._n vii_o diverse_a memorable_a example_n of_o true_a widowhood_n we_o have_v speak_v already_o of_o the_o famous_a and_o glorious_a widow_n judith_n and_o anne_n the_o prophetess_n before_o the_o come_n of_o christ._n let_v we_o now_o set_v down_o some_o other_o example_n and_o first_o of_o all_o occur_v that_o most_o noble_a and_o illustrious_a roman_a widow_n paula_n of_o who_o s._n hierome_n writeh_o that_o so_o soon_o as_o her_o husband_n be_v dead_a contemn_v the_o pomp_n &_o pleasure_n of_o the_o world_n even_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o so_o great_a wealth_n and_o abundance_n of_o riches_n choose_v the_o state_n of_o perpetual_a continency_n in_o widowhood_n blesilla_n likewise_o renown_v for_o her_o beauty_n wealth_n and_o honour_n her_o husband_n desceasing_a &_o she_o be_v leave_v a_o young_a and_o noble_a lady_n choose_v the_o holy_a state_n of_o widowhood_n by_o which_o she_o become_v renown_v to_o all_o posterity_n melania_n be_v no_o less_o praiseworthy_a who_o when_o her_o husband_n be_v dead_a &_o not_o as_o yet_o bury_v she_o cause_v the_o body_n of_o two_o of_o her_o son_n of_o very_o great_a hope_n and_o expectation_n a_o little_a before_o also_o desceased_a to_o be_v bring_v unto_o her_o husband_n body_n where_o after_o extreme_a weep_v sigh_a &_o drowninge_v of_o herself_o almost_o in_o tear_n and_o even_o loathe_v as_o it_o be_v marriage_n for_o the_o care_n trouble_n &_o torment_n that_o it_o bring_v without_o any_o long_a deliberation_n consecrate_v herself_o unto_o god_n by_o vow_v perpetual_a widowhood_n eufrasia_n likewise_o a_o roman_a lady_n be_v not_o inferior_a to_o the_o above_o name_v who_o husband_n die_v she_o be_v in_o her_o young_a &_o flourish_a age_n fair_a noble_a rich_a contemn_v a_o second_o marriage_n whereunto_o she_o be_v as_o solicit_v by_o the_o emperor_n himself_o and_o so_o dimiss_v her_o servant_n and_o retinue_n retire_v herself_o into_o thebais_n where_o she_o live_v most_o saintly_o in_o perpetual_a widowhood_n the_o same_o do_v elizabeth_n daughter_n to_o the_o king_n of_o hungary_n who_o be_v deprive_v of_o her_o lord_n and_o husband_n present_o contemn_v the_o pleasure_n of_o the_o court_n and_o vanity_n of_o the_o world_n give_v herself_o whole_o to_o the_o service_n of_o poor_a sick_a &_o needy_a people_n not_o endure_v that_o any_o man_n beside_o jesus_n christ_n shall_v be_v call_v her_o spouse_n which_o she_o true_o acknowledge_v in_o the_o poor_a the_o noble_a and_o most_o worthy_a example_n of_o constantia_n daughter_n to_o constantine_n the_o great_a emperor_n be_v admirable_a who_o while_o her_o husband_n be_v yet_o live_v deserve_v to_o receive_v the_o crown_n and_o merit_n of_o continency_n for_o that_o her_o father_n the_o emperor_n marry_v she_o to_o halicarnus_n captain_n of_o the_o roman_a army_n she_o first_o persuade_v he_o to_o be_v a_o christian_n afterward_o to_o give_v over_o the_o war_n to_o lay_v aside_o his_o purple_a and_o final_o for_o the_o love_n of_o jesus_n christ_n to_o vow_v perpetual_a chastity_n the_o same_o do_v chunegundis_n wife_n to_o henry_n the_o emperor_n who_o persuade_v he_o also_o to_o live_v in_o perpetual_a chastity_n as_o she_o have_v vow_v to_o do_v whereby_o they_o both_o become_v saint_n of_o god_n church_n renown_v to_o all_o posterity_n neither_o must_v we_o pass_v over_o in_o silence_n the_o most_o worthy_a and_o noble_a example_n of_o galla_n daughter_n to_o simmachus_n a_o consul_n of_o rome_n who_o husband_n decease_a and_o she_o leave_v a_o young_a and_o beautiful_a widow_n be_v so_o assail_v with_o infirmity_n that_o her_o body_n become_v full_a of_o botch_n and_o sore_n she_o consult_v with_o her_o doctor_n who_o all_o agree_v that_o if_o she_o will_v be_v cure_v she_o must_v marry_v again_o who_o counsel_n she_o so_o much_o dislike_v that_o she_o say_v she_o will_v rather_o endure_v the_o same_o all_o the_o day_n of_o her_o life_n yea_o death_n itself_o then_o marry_v again_o which_o purpose_n she_o true_o observe_v most_o saintly_o in_o holy_a widowhood_n to_o her_o dying-day_n ania_n also_o another_o roman_a lady_n and_o widow_n of_o great_a worth_n and_o nobility_n young_a &_o fair_a her_o husband_n be_v dead_a which_o he_o have_v enjoy_v but_o a_o small_a while_n be_v earnest_o solicit_v by_o her_o friend_n to_o a_o second_o marriage_n which_o she_o utter_o refuse_v be_v by_o they_o demand_v the_o cause_n why_o she_o say_v if_o quoth_v she_o i_o shall_v marry_v again_o &_o find_v a_o good_a huband_n like_o to_o my_o former_a i_o shall_v live_v continual_o in_o fear_n to_o loose_v he_o by_o death_n and_o lest_o i_o shall_v chance_v to_o light_v upon_o a_o bad_a husband_n i_o will_v not_o adventure_v upon_o such_o a_o disgrace_n a_o act_n and_o purpose_n sure_o wise_a and_o grave_n worthy_a to_o be_v consider_v attentive_o by_o widow_n that_o desire_n to_o live_v out_o of_o danger_n as_o noble_o and_o prudent_o do_v olimpia_n of_o constantinople_n disciple_n of_o s._n john_n chrysostome_n and_o the_o widow_n of_o nebridius_fw-la perfect_a of_o the_o army_n a_o man_n of_o most_o noble_a renown_n who_o have_v be_v marry_v but_o twenty_o month_n only_o be_v exhort_v by_o theodosius_n the_o emperor_n to_o marry_v again_o since_o she_o be_v both_o young_a fair_a noble_a rich_a learned_a and_o hold_v of_o ever_o one_o for_o a_o virgin_n she_o make_v this_o answer_n if_o my_o lord_n the_o emperor_n quoth_v she_o will_v have_v i_o to_o marry_v again_o why_o do_v he_o so_o soon_o deprive_v i_o of_o my_o husband_n for_o he_o be_v slay_v in_o the_o emperor_n war_n who_o be_v so_o agreeable_a to_o my_o nature_n and_o i_o to_o his_o but_o because_o his_o highness_n know_v i_o to_o be_v unfit_a for_o a_o marry_a estate_n it_o seem_v he_o have_v quick_o deliver_v i_o from_o that_o servitude_n and_o make_v i_o print_v in_o my_o hart_n the_o delight_n of_o continency_n in_o widowhood_n and_o let_v no_o man_n marvel_v that_o the_o continency_n of_o widowhood_n be_v so_o much_o recommend_v to_o christian_a woman_n see_v that_o among_o the_o gentill_n special_o the_o old_a roman_n the_o same_o be_v so_o great_o honour_v that_o when_o a_o widow_n die_v her_o head_n be_v adorn_v with_o a_o crown_n of_o continency_n and_o to_o carry_v in_o solemn_a triumph_n to_o her_o grave_n the_o say_v roman_n do_v also_o attribute_v another_o honour_n to_o the_o continency_n of_o widowhood_n which_o be_v that_o on_o the_o wedding_n day_n there_o be_v no_o woman_n suffer_v to_o come_v near_o much_o less_o to_o touch_v the_o bride_n but_o only_o such_o as_o have_v be_v the_o wife_n of_o one_o husband_n to_o wit_n such_o as_o have_v be_v

but_o once_o marry_v command_v all_o that_o have_v be_v twice_o marry_v yea_o though_o they_o be_v widow_n to_o keep_v aloof_o of_o as_o profane_v impure_a and_o fortel_v of_o a_o evil_a fortune_n to_o the_o happiness_n of_o marriage_n they_o do_v moreover_o account_v it_o a_o sign_n of_o great_a intemperance_n in_o any_o woman_n to_o marry_v more_o than_o once_o and_o for_o this_o cause_n one_o portia_n a_o noble_a lady_n be_v in_o company_n of_o other_o matron_n and_o dame_n upon_o a_o time_n &_o understand_v that_o one_o of_o they_o have_v be_v twice_o marry_v say_v unto_o she_o madam_n the_o happy_a and_o chaste_a woman_n never_o marry_v but_o once_o a_o say_v worthy_a of_o a_o most_o prudent_a and_o wise_a lady_n and_o conform_v to_o this_o be_v that_o most_o laudable_a fact_n of_o cornelia_n daughter_n to_o africanus_n &_o wife_n to_o tiberius_n gracchus_n who_o when_o her_o husband_n be_v desseased_a refuse_v a_o second_o marriage_n with_o king_n ptolomey_n account_v it_o a_o 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the_o death_n of_o their_o lord_n have_v set_v aside_o all_o pomp_n and_o vanity_n of_o the_o world_n utter_o refuse_v a_o second_o marriage_n and_o have_v either_o voluntary_o shut_v themselves_o up_o in_o cloister_n there_o to_o spend_v their_o day_n in_o prayer_n and_o contemplation_n with_o god_n or_o else_o have_v retire_v to_o some_o private_a place_n continual_o exercise_v themselves_o in_o devotion_n and_o meditation_n of_o heavenly_a thing_n before_o the_o conquest_n our_o island_n be_v more_o fertile_a in_o this_o kind_n as_o be_v near_o to_o their_o primitive_a fervour_n &_o that_o in_o few_o age_n them_z it_o have_v be_v ever_o since_o for_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o 500_o year_n there_o have_v be_v above_o thirty_o queen_n that_o our_o history_n do_v make_v mention_n of_o to_o have_v make_v themselves_o either_o nun_n in_o monastery_n as_o be_v above_o say_v or_o else_o have_v live_v private_o at_o home_n continue_v in_o their_o chaste_a widowhood_n to_o their_o die_a day_n of_o the_o blood_n royal_a and_o other_o noble_a family_n the_o number_n be_v far_o great_a neither_o will_v it_o be_v to_o our_o purpose_n in_o this_o place_n to_o recount_v they_o all_o only_o this_o i_o note_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o foresaid_a queen_n beside_o other_o of_o noble_a family_n be_v many_o age_n ago_o account_v saint_n &_o for_o such_o acknowledge_v throughout_o christendom_n and_o many_o church_n altar_n and_o monument_n of_o sanctity_n erect_v in_o their_o honour_n and_o their_o very_a name_n famous_a to_o all_o posterity_n for_o to_o omit_v s._n helen_n the_o empress_n a_o british_a widow_n and_o mother_n to_o constantine_n the_o great_a the_o first_o christian_a emperor_n we_o have_v s._n ermenild_a &_o s._n ermenburge_n queen_n of_o mercia_n or_o middle_a englishman_n s._n algive_v mother_n and_o s._n wilfride_n wife_n to_o king_n edgar_n the_o first_o monarch_n of_o england_n s._n edilburge_n &_o s._n ethelwide_a queen_n of_o the_o westsaxon_n 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custom_n in_o our_o island_n and_o the_o same_o continue_v in_o some_o part_n of_o germany_n until_o this_o day_n that_o in_o time_n of_o war_n plague_n famine_n or_o of_o any_o public_a necessity_n there_o be_v in_o many_o city_n and_o town_n a_o certain_a number_n of_o widow_n ordain_v to_o watch_n &_o pray_v continual_o night_n and_o day_n in_o the_o church_n by_o their_o turn_n or_o course_n one_o or_o more_o together_o because_o it_o be_v hold_v that_o their_o prayer_n be_v of_o more_o efficacy_n and_o power_n with_o almighty_a god_n to_o assuage_v his_o wrath_n than_o the_o prayer_n of_o other_o common_a people_n as_o person_n dedicate_v whole_o to_o his_o service_n by_o the_o observation_n of_o continency_n in_o their_o chaste_a and_o holy_a widowhood_n neither_o be_v the_o true_a valour_n and_o constancy_n of_o devout_a widow_n in_o our_o country_n less_a to_o be_v praise_v and_o admire_v since_o in_o that_o kind_n also_o we_o have_v go_v beyond_o many_o other_o nation_n especial_o in_o these_o late_a day_n when_o as_o their_o noble_a and_o heriocall_a example_n hereof_o have_v make_v they_o famous_a to_o posterity_n whether_o we_o respect_v their_o courage_n &_o constancy_n in_o suffer_v both_o loss_n of_o good_n &_o imprisonment_n for_o their_o faith_n and_o religion_n as_o glorious_a confessor_n or_o else_o the_o shee_n of_o their_o blood_n in_o testimony_n of_o the_o same_o as_o triumphant_a martyr_n for_o upon_o some_o of_o these_o widow_n have_v god_n bestow_v a_o invincible_a courage_n and_o fortitude_n join_v with_o a_o admirable_a patience_n in_o suffer_v for_o the_o catholic_a cause_n not_o only_a imprisonment_n of_o their_o body_n but_o loss_n also_o of_o good_n and_o fortune_n to_o their_o whole_o undo_v in_o their_o temporal_a estate_n in_o this_o world_n that_o they_o may_v receive_v a_o more_o plentiful_a reward_n and_o merit_n in_o the_o world_n to_o