Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	good_a	great_a	time_n	5,928	5	3.4202	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

shame_n and_o immodesty_n &_o in_o a_o moment_n it_o be_v past_a and_o afterward_o reward_v with_o innumerable_a discommodity_n for_o present_o after_o conception_n there_o follow_v a_o kind_n of_o irksomeness_n idle_a dream_n giddiness_n unsetlednes_n of_o the_o head_n melancholy_a convulsion_n of_o the_o hartstringe_n absurd_a long_n after_o meat_n and_o a_o general_a perturbation_n of_o nature_n then_o follow_v the_o pain_n of_o childbearing_n which_o be_v both_o violent_a to_o the_o sense_n &_o oftentimes_o endure_v long_o and_o to_o many_o bring_v death_n also_o and_o then_o the_o child_n be_v bear_v with_o what_o great_a care_n and_o solicitude_n must_v it_o be_v bring_v up_o until_o it_o come_v to_o be_v of_o some_o strength_n and_o perfection_n of_o nature_n how_o many_o time_n a_o day_n must_v it_o be_v make_v clean_o feed_v make_v up_o apparel_v lay_v to_o sleep_n rock_v in_o the_o cradle_n take_v out_o again_o to_o give_v it_o suck_v and_o be_v hold_v out_o how_o many_o time_n must_v it_o be_v flatter_v and_o entreat_v with_o fair_a speech_n &_o with_o a_o thousand_o pretty_a hypocrisy_n and_o flatter_n to_o make_v it_o leave_v cry_v or_o to_o sleep_v these_o be_v the_o contynuall_a exercise_n of_o such_o as_o be_v mother_n and_o in_o such_o they_o be_v employ_v not_o on_o lie_v all_o day_n long_o but_o also_o most_o part_n of_o the_o night_n so_o that_o they_o can_v scarce_o take_v any_o rest_n but_o with_o often_o interruption_n i_o omit_v the_o sluttishnes_n the_o ill_a savour_n the_o weep_a crying_z &_o brawl_a which_o they_o be_v constrain_v daily_o to_o suffer_v i_o omit_v also_o the_o care_n and_o trouble_n which_o they_o have_v when_o their_o child_n begin_v to_o grow_v big_a &_o to_o be_v expose_v to_o diverse_a chance_n of_o the_o world_n what_o great_a grief_n they_o have_v if_o it_o chance_v they_o shall_v miscarry_v and_o die_v if_o by_o evil_a company_n they_o shall_v be_v allure_v to_o villainy_n and_o dishonesty_n if_o they_o shall_v prove_v stubborn_a and_o disobedient_a against_o their_o parent_n if_o they_o shall_v spend_v &_o waste_v their_o parent_n good_n at_o play_n drink_v or_o at_o any_o other_o unlawful_a game_n if_o without_o their_o parent_n consent_v they_o shall_v marry_v to_o these_o affliction_n the_o whole_a life_n of_o all_o such_o as_o be_v mother_n be_v always_o subject_a for_o albeit_o the_o parent_n be_v very_o devout_a and_o religious_a yet_o it_o happen_v oftentimes_o that_o the_o child_n be_v wicked_a and_o lewd_a and_o with_o their_o misdemeanour_n and_o ill_a live_n torment_v their_o parent_n as_o we_o have_v example_n in_o adam_n and_o cain_n in_o noë_n and_o cham_n in_o abraham_n and_o ishmael_n in_o isaac_n and_o esau_n in_o jacob_n and_o many_o of_o his_o son_n in_o david_n amon_n and_o absolom_n with_o infinite_a other_o therefore_o since_o sacred_a virginity_n deliver_v from_o all_o this_o it_o be_v deserve_o to_o be_v number_v among_o the_o great_a benefit_n that_o be_v another_o commodity_n of_o virginity_n and_o single_a life_n be_v that_o it_o free_v the_o mind_n from_o all_o care_n of_o govern_v a_o family_n of_o increase_v the_o stock_n and_o wealth_n of_o their_o estate_n of_o marry_v their_o child_n &_o of_o leave_v they_o ample_a patrimony_n for_o of_o these_o four_o thing_n all_o parent_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n most_o careful_a &_o solicitous_a yea_o common_o their_o mind_n be_v so_o whole_o addict_v and_o give_v to_o such_o business_n as_o they_o can_v scarce_o ever_o think_v serious_o on_o god_n or_o thing_n belong_v to_o the_o good_a of_o their_o soul_n these_o thing_n they_o keep_v always_o in_o mind_n in_o these_o thing_n they_o spend_v all_o their_o thought_n and_o affection_n these_o thing_n so_o waste_v and_o wear_v out_o all_o the_o ability_n &_o power_n of_o their_o mind_n as_o they_o have_v no_o strength_n leave_v to_o consider_v or_o think_v upon_o thing_n that_o be_v eternal_a great_o therefore_o be_v the_o misery_n of_o this_o estate_n to_o be_v pity_v for_o the_o bondage_n of_o the_o mind_n be_v more_o hurtful_a a_o great_a deal_n then_o that_o of_o the_o body_n and_o the_o loss_n of_o good_a thought_n be_v a_o great_a damage_n than_o the_o loss_n of_o money_n the_o three_o commodity_n of_o virginity_n and_o single_a life_n be_v that_o it_o make_v the_o mind_n be_v free_v from_o the_o care_n and_o trouble_n of_o marriage_n more_o fit_a &_o prepare_v to_o serve_v almighty_a god_n and_o procure_v its_o own_o safety_n and_o this_o be_v the_o great_a good_a of_o this_o life_n for_o which_o cause_n it_o be_v commend_v special_o by_o the_o apostle_n the_o 1._o cor._n 7._o where_o he_o say_v mulier_fw-la innupta_fw-la etc._n etc._n a_o woman_n unmarried_a and_o a_o virgin_n think_v on_o what_o belong_v unto_o god_n that_o she_o may_v be_v holy_a both_o in_o body_n and_o mind_n there_o be_v nothing_o better_a nor_o more_o healthful_a unto_o our_o soul_n they_o to_o serve_v god_n and_o to_o endeavour_v the_o obtain_v of_o our_o soul_n welfare_n to_o this_o purpose_n be_v we_o make_v &_o adorn_v with_o these_o noble_a faculty_n of_o our_o soul_n understanding_n memory_n and_o will._n we_o have_v not_o receive_v these_o to_o employ_v they_o about_o transitory_a and_o servile_a matter_n without_o any_o fruit_n at_o all_o but_o to_o address_v they_o to_o eternal_a and_o celestial_a thing_n for_o our_o great_a benefit_n and_o advantage_n all_o earthly_a thing_n be_v to_o base_a &_o contemptible_a for_o our_o mind_n which_o be_v above_o all_o visible_a thing_n to_o fix_v and_o exercise_v itself_o there_o about_o the_o shortness_n itself_o of_o our_o life_n together_o with_o the_o uncertinty_a &_o necessity_n of_o die_v may_v just_o recall_v we_o from_o the_o care_n of_o temporal_a matter_n &_o address_v our_o thought_n to_o the_o solicitude_n of_o thing_n eternal_a whereupon_o the_o apostle_n 1._o cor._n 7._o say_v tempus_fw-la breve_fw-la est_fw-la etc._n etc._n time_n be_v short_a it_o remain_v that_o such_o as_o have_v wife_n be_v as_o those_o who_o have_v they_o not_o and_o those_o who_o mourn_n like_o those_o who_o mourn_v not_o &_o those_o who_o rejoice_v like_o those_o who_o rejoice_v not_o and_o those_o who_o buy_v like_o those_o who_o possess_v not_o and_o those_o who_o use_v this_o world_n like_o those_o who_o use_v it_o not_o for_o the_o fashion_n of_o this_o world_n pass_v away_o etc._n etc._n by_o which_o word_n he_o teach_v we_o that_o we_o shall_v be_v no_o more_o affect_v and_o addict_v to_o transitory_a thing_n then_o as_o if_o they_o do_v not_o belong_v unto_o us._n we_o ought_v to_o have_v care_n of_o nothing_o so_o much_o as_o to_o avoid_v eternal_a punishment_n and_o attain_v to_o everlasting_a joy_n for_o in_o comparison_n of_o these_o all_o the_o good_a or_o ill_a of_o this_o world_n aught_o to_o be_v of_o no_o account_v so_o that_o if_o there_o be_v nothing_o but_o madness_n practise_v in_o the_o world_n this_o will_v be_v the_o great_a to_o neglect_v the_o high_a and_o everlasting_a thing_n &_o to_o follow_v that_o which_o be_v base_a and_o transitory_a with_o so_o great_a hazard_n of_o eternal_a damnation_n therefore_o as_o that_o manner_n of_o life_n be_v miserable_a and_o to_o be_v avoid_v by_o all_o wise_a man_n which_o entangle_v the_o mind_n with_o care_n of_o base_a &_o earthly_a thing_n howsoever_o glorious_a and_o honourable_a they_o seem_v so_o on_o the_o contrary_a be_v that_o state_n happy_a &_o most_o desirous_o to_o be_v embrace_v which_o free_v the_o mind_n from_o all_o these_o care_n &_o trouble_n and_o affoard_v it_o commodity_n to_o meditate_v on_o heavenly_a thing_n and_o to_o apply_v itself_o to_o the_o obtain_n of_o its_o own_o welfare_n and_o such_o be_v single_a life_n as_o it_o have_v be_v show_v neither_o in_o woman_n only_o but_o also_o in_o man_n single_a life_n have_v all_o these_o effect_n for_o most_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o we_o have_v say_v before_o of_o woman_n have_v place_n also_o in_o man_n yet_o man_n in_o marriage_n be_v most_o common_o expose_v to_o more_o discommodity_n and_o inconvenience_n than_o woman_n because_o the_o whole_a care_n of_o maintain_v the_o household_n and_o of_o the_o great_a business_n lie_v upon_o he_o and_o infinite_a disdain_n of_o the_o wife_n offence_n jealousy_n suspicion_n complaint_n and_o forwardness_n be_v to_o be_v endure_v as_o s._n hierome_n prosecute_v it_o very_o elegant_o out_o of_o theophrastus_n the_o philosopher_n in_o his_o first_o book_n against_o jovinianus_n who_o word_n it_o seem_v here_o good_a to_o set_v down_o fertur_fw-la inquit_fw-la aureolus_n etc._n etc._n heer_n be_v bring_v quoth_v he_o a_o little_a golden_a book_n of_o theophrastus_n write_v concern_v marriage_n in_o which_o he_o ask_v this_o question_n whether_o a_o wise_a man_n shall_v marry_v a_o wife_n or_o no_o and_o

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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devout_a widow_n of_o our_o country_n in_o former_a time_n and_o now_o a_o day_n very_o many_o also_o but_o yet_o not_o comparable_a to_o the_o former_a exercise_v for_o the_o love_n of_o god_n take_v a_o true_a delight_n therein_o in_o their_o most_o chaste_a widowhood_n to_o serve_v their_o spouse_n christ_n jesus_n who_o they_o have_v choose_v instead_o of_o their_o decease_a husband_n how_o many_o of_o prime_a nobility_n have_v we_o have_v in_o our_o country_n that_o have_v contemn_v second_o marriage_n and_o if_o we_o shall_v recount_v all_o we_o shall_v perhaps_o surpass_v the_o great_a part_n of_o christendom_n basides_fw-la in_o that_o kind_n some_o enter_v into_o religion_n and_o become_a nun_n yea_o great_a saint_n also_o &_o other_o exercise_v work_n of_o mercy_n at_o home_n among_o the_o poor_a to_o the_o great_a comfort_n of_o the_o distress_a and_o to_o begin_v with_o queen_n how_o many_o i_o pray_v you_o have_v we_o have_v in_o our_o little_a island_n that_o after_o 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