virgin_n see_v that_o point_n concern_v i_o more_o near_o in_o regard_n of_o my_o already_o begin_v course_n and_o it_o also_o will_v give_v i_o think_v better_a satisfaction_n to_o my_o sister_n cosmophila_n for_o what_o you_o have_v above_o say_v of_o the_o first_o institution_n of_o a_o religious_a life_n may_v perhaps_o by_o she_o not_o be_v extend_v to_o woman_n but_o to_o strain_a only_o to_o man_n confessarius_fw-la i_o will_v condescend_v to_o your_o word_n first_o than_o we_o find_v that_o s._n ignatius_n the_o martyr_n who_o be_v the_o apostle_n scholar_n affirm_v college_n of_o virgin_n and_o salute_v they_o in_o his_o f_o philip_n epistle_n yea_o some_o of_o our_o adversary_n the_o protestant_n do_v thus_o confess_v of_o this_o point_n in_o the_o flower_n of_o the_o church_n mean_v in_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n there_o be_v g_o theologlcae_n virgin_n that_o profess_v perpetual_a chastity_n and_o which_o be_v more_o our_o learned_a adversary_n the_o century_n writer_n i_o mean_v all_o be_v eminent_a protestant_n even_o out_o of_o the_o rack_n of_o truth_n confess_v that_o in_o constantine_n time_n be_v the_o first_o christian_a emperor_n there_o be_v monastery_n h_o virginum_fw-la of_o virgin_n that_o there_o i_o 1â—5_n then_o be_v a_o woman_n governess_n of_o profess_a virgin_n and_o furthermore_o the_o say_a protestant_n make_v particular_a mention_n of_o the_o veil_n k_o 468._o of_o the_o virgin_n of_o their_o religious_a l_o 874._o habit_n and_o particular_o of_o their_o consecration_n m_o 869_o and_o all_o this_o in_o the_o time_n of_o constantine_n who_o live_v three_o hundred_o year_n after_o christ_n to_o conclude_v this_o point_n the_o antiquity_n of_o virgin_n nun_n be_v much_o celebrate_v by_o joninian_n the_o three_o emperor_n after_o constantine_n and_o he_o have_v they_o in_o such_o honour_n as_o that_o he_o publish_v a_o edict_n that_o who_o n_o 3._o shall_v seek_v not_o only_o to_o violate_v but_o even_o to_o marry_v a_o profess_a nun_n shall_v lose_v his_o life_n thus_o much_o of_o this_o point_n caelia_n i_o thank_v you_o good_a father_n for_o thus_o your_o discourse_n for_o i_o take_v great_a pleasure_n to_o hear_v that_o this_o religious_a course_n by_o i_o begin_v be_v warrant_v with_o such_o great_a antiquity_n and_o particular_o in_o we_o woman_n and_o now_o sister_n cosmophila_n you_o may_v see_v that_o this_o my_o choose_a course_n of_o life_n be_v no_o late_a innovation_n or_o out_o a_o human_a invention_n as_o some_o enemy_n thereto_o be_v not_o ashamed_a to_o affirm_v cosmophila_n i_o agree_v with_o you_o good_a sister_n in_o judgement_n herein_o but_o reverend_a good_a sir_n see_v this_o religious_a course_n of_o life_n have_v continue_v so_o many_o hundred_o year_n as_o that_o no_o more_o touch_v this_o point_n can_v be_v expect_v i_o will_v glad_o know_v what_o kind_n of_o man_n and_o especial_o of_o woman_n have_v embrace_v this_o course_n whether_o they_o have_v be_v but_o of_o the_o mean_a sort_n only_o or_o of_o more_o noble_a and_o worthy_a person_n since_o this_o late_a degree_n of_o person_n if_o so_o you_o can_v prove_v it_o will_v give_v a_o great_a lustre_n and_o glory_n to_o a_o religious_a life_n for_o i_o observe_v that_o diverse_a of_o high_a place_n and_o rank_n in_o these_o day_n do_v even_o contemn_v that_o course_n hold_v it_o as_o sort_v only_o to_o the_o meanor_n condition_n and_o sorâ—_n of_o man_n of_o woman_n abbess_n you_o shall_v give_v i_o leave_v good_a cosmophila_n to_o take_v this_o task_n touch_v this_o your_o lose_a question_n or_o demand_v from_o father_n confessarius_fw-la with_o his_o good_a leave_n and_o to_o impose_v it_o upon_o myself_o and_o to_o relate_v what_o i_o have_v read_v as_o concerning_o this_o point_n in_o spiritual_a book_n write_v of_o this_o subject_n in_o our_o own_o tongue_n i_o be_o the_o more_o bold_a herein_o because_o many_o great_a example_n not_o only_o of_o man_n out_o even_o of_o woman_n embrace_v this_o state_n of_o life_n may_v be_v here_o allege_v and_o there_o example_n of_o woman_n do_v more_o near_o concern_v vâ—_z woman_n and_o therefore_o may_v with_o good_a show_n of_o reason_n be_v deliver_v by_o a_o woman_n therefore_o i_o will_v most_o brief_o begin_v with_o man_n but_o will_v chief_o rest_v in_o the_o precedent_n of_o woman_n first_o than_o we_o find_v to_o insist_v somewhat_o in_o fortaine_a prince_n lothaerius_n a_o western_a emperor_n about_o the_o year_n 800._o anastasius_n a_o grecian_a emperor_n in_o the_o year_n 750._o beside_o some_o other_o emperor_n hugo_n king_n of_o provence_n and_o emperor_n in_o the_o year_n 920_o pipin_n king_n of_o italy_n and_o elder_a son_n to_o charles_n the_o great_a king_n of_o france_n in_o the_o year_n 800._o bamba_n king_n of_o spain_n about_o the_o year_n 670._o to_o have_v undergo_v a_o religious_a and_o monastical_a life_n i_o will_v conclude_v omit_v many_o other_o foreign_a king_n and_o prince_n with_o charlemagne_n who_o be_v king_n of_o austrasia_n and_o suevia_n and_o who_o receive_v the_o habit_n of_o a_o monk_n at_o pope_n zachary_n his_o hand_n but_o to_o look_v a_o little_a into_o our_o own_o country_n of_o england_n we_o shall_v find_v it_o to_o have_v be_v most_o fertile_a herein_o while_o the_o land_n of_o england_n be_v divide_v into_o many_o kingdom_n according_a hereto_o we_o may_v reckon_v sigebert_n king_n of_o the_o northumber_n anno_fw-la 640._o ethelred_n king_n of_o the_o mercian_n anno_fw-la 704._o offa_n king_n of_o the_o east_n saxon_n some_o small_a time_n after_o kenred_n final_o inas_fw-la king_n of_o the_o same_o west_n saxon_n all_o which_o do_v forsake_v the_o world_n and_o become_v religious_a monk_n thus_o far_o of_o man_n omit_v to_o speak_v of_o many_o other_o prince_n lord_n and_o noble_a man_n embrace_v the_o same_o religious_a course_n but_o now_o to_o come_v to_o woman_n of_o worth_n and_o dignity_n as_o be_v more_o peculiar_a to_o our_o drift_n and_o intention_n i_o will_v restrain_v myself_o to_o empress_n and_o queen_n who_o have_v forsake_v all_o regal_a dignity_n or_o sovereignty_n and_o after_o the_o death_n of_o their_o husband_n enter_v into_o a_o monastical_a life_n and_o become_v nun_n as_o we_o be_v at_o this_o preâ—ent_a first_o then_o theodora_n the_o empress_n about_o the_o year_n 880._o embrace_v this_o course_n of_o life_n â—ugusta_fw-la another_o empress_n anno_fw-la 1190._o richarâ—is_fw-mi wife_n to_o the_o emperor_n charles_n le_fw-fr grosse_n do_v build_v a_o monastery_n into_o the_o which_o she_o after_o enter_v and_o therein_o die_v anno_fw-la 890._o cunegundes_n wife_n to_o henry_n the_o emperor_n agnes_n wife_n to_o the_o emperor_n henry_n the_o three_o govern_v some_o year_n the_o empire_n after_o her_o husband_n death_n but_o in_o the_o end_n she_o surrender_v up_o the_o empire_n and_o choose_v to_o live_v in_o the_o humility_n of_o a_o monastical_a life_n anno_fw-la 1150._o elizabeth_n wife_n to_o the_o emperor_n albertus_n the_o first_o and_o archduke_n of_o austria_n do_v build_v a_o monastery_n in_o the_o year_n 1290._o and_o in_o that_o monastery_n take_v the_o monastical_a habit_n of_o a_o nun_n most_o happy_o end_v her_o day_n this_o elizabeth_n have_v two_o daughter_n who_o follow_v her_o example_n the_o one_o of_o they_o be_v marry_v to_o the_o king_n of_o hungary_n the_o other_o to_o the_o count_n of_o otâ—ighen_n in_o like_o sort_n the_o say_a elizabeth_n have_v two_o grand_a child_n to_o wit_n the_o queen_n of_o polonia_n and_o her_o daughter_n who_o both_o enter_v into_o a_o religious_a life_n of_o nun_n although_o her_o say_a daughter_n be_v in_o some_o sort_n assure_v in_o marriage_n to_o the_o duke_n of_o vratistaw_fw-mi to_o come_v to_o particular_a queen_n and_o first_o tesia_n wife_n to_o rachisius_n king_n of_o italy_n with_o her_o daughter_n retruda_n end_v their_o day_n in_o a_o monastery_n spend_v their_o time_n in_o great_a sanctity_n in_o france_n radegundis_fw-la who_o be_v marry_v to_o king_n clotaire_n get_v his_o consent_n to_o depart_v from_o he_o and_o enter_v into_o a_o monastery_n at_o poitiers_n live_v and_o die_v there_o with_o great_a show_n of_o piety_n and_o devotion_n in_fw-la anno_fw-la 520._o within_o some_o few_o year_n after_o adocra_n wife_n to_o chilperick_n king_n of_o france_n together_o with_o her_o daughter_n childerade_n betake_v themselves_o to_o this_o heavenly_a profession_n balda_n about_o the_o year_n 650._o wife_n to_o king_n clovis_n king_n of_o france_n after_o the_o decease_n of_o her_o husband_n go_v to_o cell_n where_o she_o enlarge_v a_o monastery_n afore_o build_v and_o till_o death_n profess_v therein_o a_o nun_n life_n it_o we_o cast_v our_o eye_n into_o spain_n we_o shall_v find_v the_o like_a example_n of_o devotion_n for_o we_o read_v that_o nunez_n wife_n to_o veremond_n king_n of_o some_o province_n of_o spain_n and_o teresa_n wife_n to_o
god_n not_o to_o kill_v one_o another_o much_o more_o be_v we_o command_v not_o to_o kill_v ourselves_o since_o true_a it_o be_v that_o a_o homicide_n who_o deprive_v another_o man_n of_o his_o life_n be_v most_o hateful_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n how_o execrable_a then_o be_v he_o in_o god_n eye_n who_o become_v his_o own_o butcher_n but_o many_o such_o person_n there_o be_v say_v he_o who_o through_o enter_v into_o a_o most_o strict_a and_o severe_a order_n of_o a_o votary_n life_n do_v often_o by_o their_o great_a fast_n little_a sleep_n immoderate_a discipline_n and_o by_o other_o unaccustomed_a rigidne_n if_o not_o immediate_o kill_v yet_o at_o least_o shorten_v their_o own_o day_n and_o draw_v the_o period_n of_o their_o life_n to_o a_o far_o narrow_a compass_n and_o number_n of_o year_n than_o god_n otherwise_o have_v ordain_v to_o they_o thus_o good_a sir_n you_o see_v that_o it_o may_v be_v aver_v at_o least_o with_o some_o show_n of_o probability_n that_o a_o religious_a life_n so_o much_o advance_v by_o you_o and_o entertain_v by_o my_o sister_n may_v seem_v to_o be_v prohibit_v and_o forbid_v by_o god_n own_o hand-writting_n confessarius_fw-la o_o how_o wanton_a and_o bold_a be_v man_n nature_n to_o wrest_v and_o misconstrue_v god_n holy_a word_n for_o the_o impugn_n of_o that_o course_n of_o life_n which_o god_n himself_o first_o institute_v for_o how_o can_v it_o be_v that_o the_o ten_o commandment_n give_v by_o god_n to_o the_o jew_n shall_v forbid_v that_o state_n of_o life_n which_o god_n after_o ordain_v among_o the_o jew_n but_o here_o i_o must_v make_v bold_a to_o charge_v your_o father_n with_o want_n of_o read_v for_o it_o seem_v he_o be_v ignorant_a that_o among_o the_o jew_n god_n choose_a people_n there_o be_v certain_a religious_a man_n call_v essene_n of_o who_o josephus_n the_o learned_a jew_n thus_o discourse_v q_o 2._o the_o righteousness_n of_o the_o essene_n be_v marvellous_a they_o enjoy_v their_o riches_n in_o common_a and_o in_o this_o course_n above_o four_o thousand_o man_n do_v live_v have_v neither_o wife_n nor_o servant_n and_o further_o of_o they_o in_o another_o place_n they_o be_v jew_n by_o nature_n r_o 7._o and_o do_v observe_v continency_n avoid_v marriage_n be_v comemner_n of_o riches_n with_o who_o accord_v the_o learned_a philo._n a_o jew_n s_o contemplativa_fw-la who_o speak_v much_o of_o the_o same_o essene_n of_o their_o monastery_n and_o of_o their_o wonderful_a fast_n from_o meat_n say_v of_o they_o vix_fw-la semel_fw-la triduo_fw-la cibi_fw-la recordantur_fw-la they_o scarce_o taste_v once_o of_o meat_n in_o the_o compass_n of_o three_o day_n but_o to_o answer_v this_o your_o father_n reason_n more_o particular_o first_o i_o say_v that_o worldly_a people_n who_o be_v not_o reprehend_v for_o so_o do_v do_v undertake_v as_o great_a or_o great_a severity_n even_o for_o temporal_a respect_n as_o religious_a woman_n do_v for_o the_o gain_n of_o heaven_n how_o many_o tradesman_n be_v there_o who_o watch_v most_o part_n of_o the_o night_n in_o labour_n and_o spare_a diet_n for_o get_v of_o mean_n to_o maintain_v themselves_o and_o their_o charge_n with_o poor_a meat_n and_o mean_a clothes_n how_o many_o sailor_n and_o seaman_n beat_v with_o cold_a thunder_n and_o storm_n spend_v few_o hour_n in_o sleep_n then_o religious_a person_n do_v and_o all_o for_o a_o little_a dross_n and_o gain_v brief_o how_o many_o lawyer_n be_v there_o in_o england_n who_o live_v far_o from_o london_n do_v consume_v a_o good_a part_n of_o the_o year_n only_o in_o travel_v up_o and_o down_o from_o their_o own_o house_n to_o the_o term_n not_o regard_v like_o to_o ordinary_a carry_v any_o weather_n or_o foulness_n of_o the_o way_n whatsoever_o and_o when_o they_o come_v to_o the_o term_n all_o the_o forenoon_n they_o bestow_v in_o go_v to_o westminster_n plead_v it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v sometime_o a_o unjust_a cause_n and_o all_o the_o afternoon_n they_o do_v shut_v themselves_o up_o in_o a_o little_a closet_n for_o their_o client_n to_o resort_v unto_o they_o which_o sit_v course_n for_o so_o many_o hour_n will_v be_v most_o painful_a to_o other_o man_n and_o all_o this_o vassalage_n they_o undergo_v for_o scrape_v together_o a_o little_a gold_n and_o silver_n if_o then_o temporal_a man_n forbear_v not_o such_o infinite_a drudgery_n which_o in_o a_o common_a eye_n may_v seem_v to_o shorten_v their_o day_n and_o yet_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v charge_v for_o hasten_v of_o their_o death_n why_o then_o shall_v religious_a woman_n for_o undertake_v lesser_a austerity_n for_o god_n sake_n and_o desire_n of_o gain_v of_o heaven_n be_v repute_v killer_n of_o themselves_o or_o guilty_a of_o their_o death_n in_o this_o last_o place_n i_o say_v that_o it_o be_v experimental_o most_o certain_a that_o worldly_a man_n who_o live_v in_o all_o affluency_n and_o abundance_n of_o riches_n and_o pleasure_n do_v common_o live_v few_o year_n then_o religious_a person_n do_v for_o such_o temporal_a man_n through_o epicurism_n and_o delicacy_n of_o fare_n or_o through_o intemperance_n in_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o flesh_n do_v fill_v their_o body_n with_o crudity_n raw_a humour_n and_o diverse_a disease_n attend_v the_o same_o whereby_o their_o life_n be_v sometime_o shorten_v whereas_o religious_a person_n through_o their_o spare_a diet_n moderate_a labour_n and_o daily_a meditation_n of_o heavenly_a matter_n have_v produce_v their_o life_n to_o many_o year_n according_a hereto_o to_o insist_v in_o two_o or_o three_o particular_n we_o read_v that_o s._n antony_n the_o hermit_n live_v a_o hundred_o and_o five_o year_n s._n jerome_n who_o spend_v much_o of_o his_o time_n in_o the_o wilderness_n live_v a_o hundred_o year_n and_o s._n romualdus_n also_o arrive_v to_o more_o than_o to_o a_o hundred_o year_n so_o little_a reason_n there_o be_v to_o charge_v a_o religious_a course_n with_o shorten_v the_o life_n of_o its_o professor_n abbess_n i_o pray_v you_o father_n confossarius_n and_o you_o cosmophila_n give_v i_o leave_v to_o urge_v one_o reason_n as_o more_o fit_v to_o be_v deliver_v by_o a_o woman_n to_o prove_v that_o religious_a woman_n be_v less_o subject_a to_o shorten_v their_o life_n than_o other_o woman_n who_o live_v in_o the_o world_n and_o this_o be_v childbirth_n how_o many_o woman_n be_v there_o in_o the_o world_n though_o otherwise_o of_o most_o strong_a and_o healthful_a constitution_n of_o body_n who_o have_v in_o the_o compass_n of_o a_o day_n or_o two_o in_o the_o deliverance_n of_o their_o child_n lose_v their_o life_n this_o point_n be_v so_o evident_a and_o daily_o subject_a to_o our_o hear_n that_o it_o were-lost_a labour_n to_o spend_v more_o word_n therein_o now_o religious_a woman_n who_o ever_o remain_v shut_v up_o in_o their_o monastery_n from_o the_o sight_n of_o man_n be_v thereby_o exempt_v from_o this_o danger_n by_o the_o which_o lay-woman_n do_v oftentimes_o come_v to_o a_o sudden_a and_o unexpected_a death_n and_o it_o may_v be_v perhaps_o your_o fortune_n cosmophila_n after_o your_o marriage_n to_o shorten_v your_o life_n by_o this_o mean_n whereas_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o your_o sister_n caelia_n continue_v in_o her_o present_a resolution_n shall_v thereby_o abridge_v her_o day_n but_o you_o may_v proceed_v cosmophila_n in_o your_o other_o difficulty_n and_o pretence_n against_o religious_a woman_n cosmophila_n i_o partly_o acknowledge_v the_o weakness_n of_o this_o my_o object_a reason_n for_o i_o discover_v it_o for_o such_o through_o the_o several_a answer_n above_o give_v thereto_o but_o to_o prosecute_v my_o father_n discourse_n of_o the_o former_a subject_n he_o more_o than_o once_o will_v say_v that_o one_o by_o embrace_v a_o votary_n or_o monastical_a life_n do_v thereupon_o even_o shake_v hand_n with_o the_o world_n give_v it_o its_o last_o adieu_n since_o he_o deprive_v himself_o of_o all_o the_o pleasure_n which_o the_o world_n afford_v and_o thus_o such_o a_o man_n or_o woman_n cease_v to_o be_v themselves_o forbear_v the_o end_n for_o which_o in_o some_o sort_n they_o be_v create_v for_o they_o disclaim_v from_o all_o riches_n honour_n marriage_n corporal_a pleasure_n and_o other_o consolation_n and_o comfort_n whatsoever_o which_o the_o world_n daily_o affoard_v to_o other_o and_o this_o indeed_o i_o hold_v to_o be_v the_o great_a hindrance_n of_o all_o other_o for_o enter_v into_o that_o retire_a course_n of_o life_n whereunto_o you_o reverend_a sir_n do_v so_o much_o persuade_v confessarius_fw-la i_o be_o of_o your_o mind_n cosmophila_n that_o this_o be_v the_o main_a obstacle_n of_o all_o other_o in_o this_o kind_n yet_o i_o think_v it_o may_v be_v remove_v and_o take_v away_o with_o as_o much_o facility_n or_o more_o than_o any_o other_o of_o your_o object_a reason_n and_o first_o i_o discover_v the_o weakness_n thereof_o by_o lay_v down_o the_o frequent_a testimony_n of_o
a_o greediness_n will_v many_o of_o you_o read_v it_o condemn_v then_o your_o own_o want_n of_o spiritual_a fervour_n in_o such_o of_o you_o as_o but_o only_o vouchsafe_v to_o cast_v a_o curious_a eye_n here_o and_o there_o upon_o these_o leaf_n and_o yet_o it_o may_v be_v in_o part_n say_v that_o this_o book_n in_o general_a discourse_v of_o the_o same_o subject_n of_o which_o the_o areadia_n do_v to_o wit_n of_o love_n but_o the_o arcadia_n of_o sensual_a and_o vaynâ—_z love_n attend_v on_o with_o sin_n and_o repentance_n this_o of_o chaste_a and_o holy_a love_n whereby_o a_o soul_n by_o solemn_a vow_n espouse_v herself_o to_o christ_n her_o bridegroom_n so_o verify_v those_o word_n of_o the_o a_o present_v b_o 11._o you_o a_o chaste_a virgin_n vreâ—â—_z christ_n i_o only_o wish_v that_o what_o cosmophila_n a_o feign_a young_a gentlewoman_n in_o this_o dialogue_n be_v suppose_v to_o do_v you_o real_o and_o true_o will_v act_v her_o scene_n in_o your_o proceed_n so_o may_v you_o by_o a_o mortify_a life_n not_o only_o avoid_v all_o spiritual_a danger_n both_o of_o foul_a and_o body_n but_o infallible_o purchafe_v to_o yourselves_o a_o eternal_a crown_n of_o glory_n if_o any_o of_o you_o reap_v such_o profit_n by_o this_o my_o labour_n as_o by_o the_o â—eading_n hereof_o to_o shake_v hand_n for_o ever_o with_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o world_n and_o happy_o to_o cloister_n yourselves_o in_o some_o devout_a monastery_n how_o full_o shall_v i_o think_v â—ny_n pain_n to_o be_v recompense_v herein_o and_o with_o this_o i_o cease_v inreat_v your_o remembrance_n of_o he_o only_o for_o my_o intention_n at_o east_n and_o endeavour_v of_o aduane_v your_o spiritual_a good_a at_o the_o best_a time_n of_o your_o devotion_n you_o in_o all_o christian_a charity_n n._n n._n the_o explication_n of_o certain_a greek_a namâ—â—â—used_a in_o this_o treatise_n caelia_n a_o woman_n exercise_v a_o heavenâ—â—â—_n life_n cosmophila_n a_o woman_n that_o love_v 〈◊〉_d world_n christophila_n a_o woman_n devote_v her_o lâ—â—â—_n to_o christ_n monadelphus_n one_o only_a brother_n orthodoxus_fw-la a_o man_n profess_v the_o 〈◊〉_d faith_n gynoecia_n womanhood_n belgiopolis_n a_o city_n in_o belgium_n or_o 〈◊〉_d low-countries_n the_o argument_n or_o subject_n of_o the_o ensue_a dialogue_n orthodoxus_fw-la a_o imaginary_a catholic_a knight_n in_o england_n and_o of_o a_o great_a state_n have_v three_o child_n by_o his_o lady_n gynoecia_n two_o daughter_n and_o one_o son_n the_o elder_a daughter_n be_v call_v caelia_n the_o young_a cosmophila_n his_o son_n monadelphus_n calia_n be_v permit_v with_o consent_n of_o her_o parent_n to_o become_v religious_a and_o according_o be_v send_v over_o unto_o a_o english_a monastery_n of_o nun_n in_o belgiopolis_n while_o she_o be_v in_o her_o noviceship_n or_o year_n of_o probation_n her_o brother_n monadelphus_n die_v hereupon_o orthodoxus_fw-la write_v to_o caelia_n since_o as_o yet_o she_o be_v not_o profess_v to_o return_v back_o because_o for_o want_n of_o heyres-male_n he_o be_v determine_v to_o dispose_v of_o both_o his_o daughter_n in_o marriage_n and_o to_o divide_v after_o his_o death_n his_o state_n between_o they_o he_o receive_v no_o answer_n from_o calia_n in_o the_o end_n orthodoxus_fw-la be_v force_v to_o send_v his_o young_a daughter_n cosmophila_n to_o caelia_n to_o persuade_v her_o return_n cosmophila_n as_o be_v full_o instruct_v by_o her_o father_n who_o furnish_v she_o with_o diverse_a objection_n common_o make_v against_o a_o religious_a life_n be_v most_o earnest_a with_o her_o sister_n to_o satisfy_v their_o parent_n desire_v and_o this_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o confessarius_fw-la and_o abbess_n of_o that_o monastery_n caelia_n remain_v constant_a and_o immovable_a in_o her_o pious_a resolution_n the_o confessarius_fw-la learned_o display_v the_o weakness_n and_o insufficiency_n of_o all_o those_o reason_n and_o argument_n which_o cosmophila_n bring_v that_o do_v he_o begin_v to_o discourse_v in_o a_o most_o full_a manner_n of_o the_o dignity_n worth_n excellency_n privilege_n and_o benefit_n of_o a_o monastical_a life_n his_o speech_n by_o little_a and_o little_a do_v so_o strong_o work_v with_o cosmophila_n as_o that_o she_o full_o repent_v she_o of_o former_a persuasion_n to_o her_o sister_n whole_o alter_v her_o judgement_n be_v resolve_v to_o lead_v the_o same_o religious_a life_n with_o caelia_n take_v the_o habit_n of_o the_o monastery_n begin_v her_o noviceship_n and_o change_v her_o former_a name_n into_o christophila_n the_o two_o daughter_n write_v a_o joint_a letter_n to_o their_o parent_n acquaint_v they_o with_o what_o have_v fall_v out_o they_o withal_o entreat_v the_o confessarius_fw-la to_o write_v with_o they_o his_o own_o letter_n to_o orthodoxus_fw-la and_o his_o lady_n he_o agree_v to_o their_o request_n their_o parent_n receive_v these_o letter_n be_v at_o the_o first_o much_o aggrieve_v but_o within_o some_o small_a time_n after_o partly_o by_o force_n of_o the_o say_a letter_n but_o chief_o see_v they_o see_v it_o be_v god_n will_n and_o ordination_n that_o their_o only_a son_n shall_v die_v both_o their_o daughter_n shall_v become_v religious_a and_o that_o they_o shall_v as_o be_v hopeless_a of_o more_o issue_n leave_v no_o heir_n male_n of_o their_o own_o body_n behind_o they_o they_o humble_o submit_v themselves_o to_o god_n good_a pleasure_n therein_o they_o do_v so_o repent_o acknowledge_v their_o former_a error_n in_o dehort_v of_o caelia_n as_o that_o both_o be_v well_o strike_v in_o year_n they_o resolve_v for_o satisfaction_n of_o that_o fault_n to_o live_v no_o long_o together_o as_o man_n and_o wife_n but_o to_o spend_v the_o rest_n of_o their_o life_n in_o a_o religious_a course_n hereupon_o orthodoxus_fw-la acquaint_v the_o confessarius_fw-la by_o letter_n that_o he_o intend_v to_o enter_v into_o some_o religious_a house_n of_o the_o capuchin_n and_o gynoecia_n into_o the_o monastery_n where_o her_o two_o daughter_n do_v remain_v the_o dialogue_n cosmophila_n be_v send_v over_o into_o the_o low-countries_n by_o her_o father_n orthodoxus_fw-la as_o be_v before_o declare_v with_o instruction_n and_o order_n to_o bring_v back_o her_o sister_n caelia_n into_o england_n and_o now_o safe_o arrive_v at_o belgiopolis_n meet_v with_o a_o reverend_a man_n â—n_v the_o street_n courteous_o salute_v he_o in_o this_o manner_n cosmophila_n reverend_a sir_n god_n save_v you_o it_o seem_v by_o your_o habit_n that_o you_o be_v a_o clergyman_n and_o so_o in_o likely_a hood_n the_o better_a able_a to_o satisfy_v my_o demand_n i_o be_o a_o stranger_n and_o a_o english_a woman_n and_o but_o at_o this_o very_a hour_n arrive_v with_o my_o servant_n to_o this_o noble_a city_n of_o belgiopolis_n my_o desire_n be_v that_o you_o will_v be_v please_v to_o direct_v i_o unto_o the_o monastery_n of_o the_o english_a nun_n in_o this_o town_n the_o confessarius_fw-la gentlewoman_n and_o it_o shall_v appear_v by_o youâ—_z attendance_n of_o worthy_a state_n and_o condition_n i_o will_v not_o only_o satisfy_v your_o request_n but_o wiâ—â—_n myself_o conduct_v you_o to_o the_o monastery_n for_o be_o the_o confessarius_fw-la to_o the_o religious_a and_o virtuous_a woman_n of_o that_o house_n therefore_o if_o 〈◊〉_d please_v you_o let_v we_o go_v together_o for_o it_o be_v cloâ—â—_z by_o this_o be_v the_o monastery_n come_v in_o and_o reâ—â—_z yourself_o a_o while_n in_o this_o room_n till_o i_o shaâ—â—_z send_v for_o the_o lady_n abbess_n unto_o the_o grate_n tâ—_z speak_v with_o you_o and_o entertain_v you_o according_a to_o your_o worth_n and_o lo_o where_o she_o approach_v the_o abbess_n be_v there_o any_o one_o here_o who_o will_v speak_v with_o i_o confessarius_fw-la yes_o madam_n for_o as_o i_o be_v pass_v through_o the_o street_n i_o overtake_v this_o worthy_a gentlewoman_n a_o stranger_n and_o english_a as_o she_o say_v by_o birth_n she_o desire_v i_o to_o show_v she_o this_o religious_a house_n but_o what_o the_o cause_n of_o her_o come_n hither_o be_v or_o why_o she_o be_v desirous_a to_o see_v this_o house_n i_o know_v not_o no_o doubt_n she_o will_v acquaint_v your_o ladyship_n with_o her_o motive_n thereof_o abbess_n gentlewoman_n be_v you_o the_o party_n that_o will_v speak_v with_o i_o if_o it_o please_v you_o then_o you_o may_v relate_v your_o business_n cosmophila_n i_o be_o and_o herewith_o i_o be_o to_o make_v know_v unto_o you_o that_o i_o have_v a_o sister_n in_o this_o your_o house_n call_v caelia_n who_o i_o will_v glad_o see_v and_o to_o she_o i_o shall_v impart_v all_o the_o particular_n of_o my_o long_a and_o tedious_a journey_n abbess_n i_o will_v send_v for_o she_o to_o come_v unto_o you_o present_o and_o here_o she_o come_v sister_n caelia_n â—now_v you_o this_o english_a gentlewoman_n who_o you_o â—ee_v on_o the_o other_o side_n of_o the_o grate_n she_o say_v â—e_z know_v you_o caelia_n o_o god_n it_o be_v my_o sister_n cosmophila_n for_o we_o â—oth_fw-mi
have_v one_o father_n and_o mother_n dear_a sister_n â—ow_n do_v you_o how_o do_v our_o parent_n be_v they_o health_n cosmophyla_n most_o loving_a sister_n how_o glad_a be_o i_o to_o see_v you_o our_o parent_n be_v in_o good_a health_n of_o body_n but_o our_o only_a good_a brother_n monadelphus_n for_o you_o know_v we_o have_v but_o one_o and_o therefore_o we_o be_v usual_o for_o many_o year_n accustom_v so_o to_o call_v he_o since_o your_o departure_n out_o of_o england_n be_v dead_a to_o the_o inconsolable_a grief_n of_o my_o father_n and_o mother_n though_o i_o trust_v he_o live_v with_o christ_n jesus_n in_o heaven_n and_o his_o death_n be_v the_o only_a occasion_n why_o my_o father_n have_v send_v i_o unto_o you_o with_o the_o cause_n whereof_o see_v this_o religious_a lady_n be_v in_o the_o end_n to_o be_v acquaint_v i_o think_v it_o convenient_a to_o declare_v it_o in_o her_o presence_n though_o from_o other_o i_o will_v have_v the_o matter_n conceal_v but_o must_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n this_o unkind_a or_o rather_o envious_a irongrate_a through_o which_o i_o only_o yet_o but_o see_v you_o must_v it_o i_o say_v bar_v we_o from_o mutual_o embrace_v one_o another_o now_o after_o my_o wearisome_a journey_n of_o so_o many_o mile_n both_o by_o sea_n and_o land_n abbess_n mistress_n it_o shall_v not_o you_o shall_v have_v free_a access_n to_o come_v in_o to_o speak_v and_o converse_v with_o your_o sister_n our_o house_n be_v not_o of_o that_o severe_a disposition_n as_o to_o forbid_v that_o familiar_a consolation_n of_o sister_n which_o even_o nature_n and_o all_o moral_a civility_n warrant_v nevertheless_o you_o do_v prudent_o to_o acquaint_v i_o with_o any_o private_a business_n which_o may_v pass_v between_o you_o and_o your_o sister_n for_o it_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o our_o house_n as_o also_o of_o other_o monastery_n that_o no_o particular_a discourse_n of_o moment_n shall_v pass_v between_o any_o of_o our_o sister_n and_o stranger_n how_o near_o soever_o they_o be_v in_o kindred_n without_o the_o privity_n of_o the_o abbess_n or_o of_o some_o other_o appoint_v by_o her_o order_n therefore_o come_v with_o i_o i_o will_v take_v you_o into_o a_o retire_a place_n where_o not_o any_o shall_v be_v present_a but_o this_o our_o reverend_a father_n confessarius_fw-la to_o who_o be_v ordinary_o make_v know_v the_o great_a business_n of_o our_o house_n myself_o you_o and_o your_o sister_n caelia_n well_o now_o here_o you_o be_v you_o may_v free_o impart_v the_o occasion_n of_o your_o come_n to_o your_o sister_n and_o so_o to_o we_o both_o cosmophila_n well_o then_o good_a sister_n let_v i_o first_o salute_v and_o embrace_v you_o now_o touch_v the_o business_n this_o it_o be_v take_v notice_n that_o as_o i_o have_v abous_a tell_v you_o our_o only_a brother_n be_v dead_a in_o regard_n hereof_o my_o father_n hear_v that_o as_o yet_o you_o have_v not_o make_v any_o vow_n of_o a_o religious_a life_n nor_o yet_o in_o conscience_n stand_v oblige_v to_o any_o such_o spiritual_a course_n you_o be_v only_o in_o your_o noviceship_n he_o be_v desirous_a therefore_o that_o you_o return_v present_o into_o england_n with_o i_o for_o his_o meaning_n be_v through_o want_n of_o heyres-male_n to_o devyde_v his_o live_n between_o we_o which_o to_o speak_v spare_o be_v two_o thousand_o pound_n yearly_a himself_o as_o you_o know_v well_o be_v a_o knight_n if_o so_o i_o may_v deliver_v it_o with_o modesty_n of_o good_a place_n and_o rank_n he_o write_v to_o you_o some_o month_n since_o about_o this_o business_n but_o it_o seem_v his_o letter_n do_v miscarry_v and_o therefore_o he_o be_v the_o more_o willing_a to_o send_v i_o unto_o you_o to_o persuade_v you_o to_o satisfy_v herein_o his_o just_a desire_n therefore_o see_v we_o be_v sister_n in_o nature_n i_o hope_v you_o will_v bear_v to_o my_o speech_n a_o sisterly_a and_o list_v ear_n and_o since_o you_o be_v the_o elder_a sister_n my_o father_n command_v i_o to_o tell_v you_o that_o upon_o your_o marriage_n he_o will_v bequeathe_v to_o you_o at_o his_o death_n the_o better_a part_n or_o moiety_n of_o his_o state_n and_o live_a this_o be_v the_o tenor_n of_o my_o message_n and_o it_o be_v warrant_v with_o such_o strong_a reason_n and_o motive_n as_o that_o i_o can_v be_v persuade_v but_o that_o you_o will_v conform_v yourself_o to_o our_o father_n herein_o with_o all_o promptitude_n and_o readiness_n of_o resolution_n and_o that_o you_o will_v within_o few_o day_n prepare_v yourself_o for_o your_o return_n with_o i_o into_o england_n caelia_n o_o dear_a sister_n you_o can_v not_o have_v bring_v i_o a_o more_o distasteful_a and_o unpleasing_a message_n than_o this_o i_o be_o most_o sorry_a that_o our_o brother_n be_v dead_a and_o yet_o we_o all_o must_v once_o die_v but_o that_o his_o death_n shall_v be_v the_o occasion_n of_o my_o forsake_v my_o intend_a and_o now_o enter_v into_o course_n of_o life_n i_o infinite_o loath_a therefore_o o_o most_o merciful_a redeemer_n jesus_n christ_n to_o who_o i_o be_o already_o devote_a in_o soul_n never_o to_o espouse_v any_o but_o thyself_o here_o upon_o my_o knee_n i_o most_o humble_o beseech_v thou_o even_o by_o the_o force_n of_o thy_o bitter_a passion_n so_o to_o strengthen_v and_o fortify_v the_o weakness_n of_o my_o sex_n with_o thy_o alovercom_a grace_n as_o that_o neither_o the_o ghostly_a enemy_n of_o man_n soul_n nor_o any_o temporary_a or_o vain_a allective_n or_o motive_n may_v be_v of_o strength_n to_o work_v so_o upon_o my_o judgement_n as_o ever_o to_o bear_v i_o from_o the_o station_n of_o my_o present_a resolution_n to_o embrace_v a_o monastical_a and_o votary_n life_n o_o good_a god_n of_o who_o it_o be_v say_v that_o thou_o a_o psal._n choose_v the_o weak_a to_o confound_v the_o strong_a arm_v my_o imbecility_n with_o thy_o succurrency_n and_o help_n to_o subdue_v all_o assault_n which_o either_o the_o enemy_n or_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o plant_v against_o i_o abbess_n rise_v up_o dear_a sister_n caelia_n you_o have_v speak_v well_o and_o i_o assure_v myself_o god_n will_v not_o be_v want_v with_o his_o grace_n towards_o you_o for_o he_o never_o forsake_v that_o party_n who_o put_v his_o trust_n in_o he_o for_o we_o read_v b_o 60._o god_n be_v a_o tower_n of_o strength_n from_o the_o face_n of_o the_o enemy_n cosmophila_n what_o sister_n must_v this_o be_v the_o message_n the_o which_o i_o must_v return_v from_o you_o to_o your_o father_n where_o then_o be_v your_o obedience_n to_o your_o parent_n it_o seem_v it_o be_v want_v and_o yet_o i_o have_v hear_v learned_a clark_n say_v that_o *_o 15._o obedience_n be_v better_a than_o sacrifice_n can_v it_o be_v a_o effect_n of_o a_o religious_a life_n to_o cast_v of_o that_o duty_n to_o our_o parent_n which_o the_o religion_n of_o god_n command_v we_o ever_o to_o bear_v be_v it_o not_o one_o of_o the_o precept_n impose_v upon_o we_o by_o god_n himself_o honour_n *_o 20._o thy_o father_n and_o mother_n that_o thy_o day_n may_v be_v long_o upon_o earth_n therefore_o good_a sister_n recall_v yourself_o and_o cast_v a_o eye_n of_o introversion_n upon_o your_o own_o action_n and_o let_v both_o you_o and_o i_o even_o meditate_v according_a to_o our_o father_n desire_n of_o husband_n of_o husband_n i_o say_v the_o very_a sound_n of_o which_o word_n be_v so_o grateful_a to_o our_o sex_n and_o let_v we_o both_o remember_v that_o since_o we_o be_v bear_v to_o live_v in_o this_o world_n we_o be_v for_o the_o time_n to_o be_v lover_n of_o the_o world_n and_o to_o be_v partaker_n of_o the_o honour_n thereof_o as_o to_o have_v our_o coach_n our_o attendance_n brave_a and_o rich_a apparel_n to_o live_v at_o london_n and_o the_o like_a caelia_n o_o how_o do_v your_o word_n wound_v my_o poor_a heart_n with_o grief_n and_o why_o do_v you_o cast_v a_o aspersion_n of_o disobedience_n upon_o i_o i_o honour_v my_o father_n and_o mother_n yet_o i_o honour_v my_o sweet_a jesus_n more_o my_o father_n give_v a_o being_n to_o my_o body_n in_o this_o world_n god_n be_v the_o supreme_a agent_n give_v a_o creation_n both_o of_o my_o soul_n and_o body_n my_o father_n entreat_v but_o god_n out_o of_o his_o irresistible_a power_n command_n my_o father_n promise_v temporal_a land_n and_o preferment_n god_n promise_v i_o a_o eternal_a and_o heavenly_a kingdom_n brief_o my_o father_n have_v maintain_v i_o be_v once_o bear_v with_o necessary_n to_o my_o life_n god_n be_v bear_v have_v redeem_v i_o be_v bear_v with_o the_o effusion_n of_o his_o most_o precious_a blood_n and_o ever_o since_o have_v feed_v and_o nourish_v my_o soul_n with_o the_o celestial_a juice_n of_o his_o grace-bringing_a sacrament_n why_o then_o shall_v my_o soul_n be_v so_o traitorous_a to_o his_o divine_a majesty_n and_o
abdadas_n king_n of_o toledo_n become_v before_o their_o death_n two_o religious_a and_o cloister_v nun_n i_o will_v come_v to_o our_o own_o country_n of_o england_n where_o we_o find_v great_a store_n of_o such_o example_n and_o first_o eldrede_n wife_n to_o the_o king_n of_o the_o northumber_n in_o the_o year_n 670._o ethelburg_n spouse_n to_o inas_fw-la king_n of_o the_o east_n saxon_n do_v both_o undertake_v a_o votary_n life_n in_o like_a sort_n etheldred_n who_o be_v wife_n to_o two_o english_a king_n keep_v her_o virginity_n with_o they_o both_o and_o obtain_v of_o the_o late_a husband_n which_o be_v grant_v she_o that_o she_o may_v enter_v into_o a_o monastery_n of_o virgin_n o_o how_o high_o to_o the_o disgrace_n of_o many_o who_o now_o live_v in_o the_o world_n do_v this_o queen_n conceive_v of_o a_o religious_a and_o cloister_v profession_n but_o to_o proceed_v further_o sexburg_n sister_n to_o etheldred_n be_v queen_n of_o kent_n after_o the_o death_n of_o her_o husband_n follow_v her_o sister_n in_o her_o religious_a course_n final_o alfrede_v queen_n of_o the_o mercian_n and_o northumber_n do_v lead_v a_o most_o austere_a life_n in_o a_o monastery_n which_o herself_o have_v build_v upon_o her_o own_o charge_n about_o the_o year_n 970._o here_o now_o i_o make_v a_o end_n in_o relate_v what_o worthy_a emperor_n and_o king_n have_v leave_v their_o diadem_n to_o profess_v in_o monastery_n religion_n and_o devotion_n as_o also_o as_o more_o fit_v for_o i_o to_o allege_v iâ—_z regard_n of_o their_o sex_n what_o true_o noble_a empress_n and_o queen_n have_v shake_v for_o ever_o hand_n with_o the_o world_n to_o lead_v a_o votary_n monastical_a and_o retire_a life_n most_o happy_a emperor_n and_o king_n and_o most_o happy_a empress_n and_o queen_n you_o be_v who_o voluntary_o relinquish_v your_o terrestriaâ—_n crown_n for_o your_o gain_n of_o a_o celestial_a crown_n which_o at_o this_o day_n all_o you_o do_v enjoy_v and_o shall_v enjoy_v without_o any_o change_n for_o alâ—_z eternity_n and_o now_o here_o cosmophila_n you_o may_v conjecture_v by_o that_o which_o be_v above_o deliver_v that_o your_o sister_n caeliae_fw-la by_o continue_v in_o her_o much_o desire_a state_n of_o a_o religious_a life_n after_o her_o dissolution_n of_o body_n shall_v have_v whole_a troop_n of_o most_o bless_a empress_n and_o queen_n for_o her_o companion_n and_o fellow_n in_o heaven_n for_o see_v both_o they_o do_v and_o she_o will_v end_v their_o day_n in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o religious_a course_n of_o life_n therefore_o all_o of_o they_o be_v to_o enjoy_v one_o and_o the_o same_o heavenly_a reward_n and_o community_n of_o saint_n cosmophyla_n most_o religious_a lady_n this_o your_o discourse_n have_v give_v i_o great_a contentment_n and_o indeed_o it_o be_v most_o sortable_a to_o your_o state_n that_o you_o as_o be_v a_o woman_n and_o governess_n of_o many_o religious_a woman_n shall_v be_v conversant_a in_o the_o life_n of_o those_o woman_n whether_o empress_n or_o queen_n who_o leave_v all_o sovereignty_n and_o royal_a dignity_n do_v make_v choice_n to_o live_v and_o die_v in_o your_o own_o course_n and_o order_n of_o life_n but_o now_o r._n father_n confessarius_fw-la to_o turn_v my_o speech_n again_o to_o you_o i_o will_v entreat_v you_o to_o enter_v into_o a_o further_a ocean_n or_o main_n sea_n in_o discover_v the_o great_a dignity_n and_o worth_n ever_o attend_v upon_o a_o religious_a course_n confessarius_fw-la i_o be_o as_o willing_a thereto_o as_o you_o cosmophila_n be_v so_o fruitful_o shall_v i_o esteem_v my_o speech_n to_o be_v bestow_v if_o so_o they_o can_v be_v of_o force_n to_o draw_v you_o to_o acknowledge_v all_o that_o honour_n and_o worth_n which_o be_v find_v to_o be_v in_o a_o religious_a life_n therefore_o in_o this_o place_n i_o will_v show_v that_o a_o rellgious_a life_n be_v as_o it_o be_v a_o compound_n make_v of_o the_o mixture_n of_o most_o other_o virtue_n now_o if_o this_o can_v be_v prove_v as_o hereafter_o i_o will_v prove_v how_o worthy_a and_o how_o much_o be_v to_o be_v admire_v the_o state_n of_o religion_n for_o see_v virtue_n be_v the_o only_a true_a wealth_n as_o i_o may_v term_v it_o of_o a_o christian_a it_o must_v necessary_o follow_v that_o who_o have_v more_o virtue_n be_v more_o spiritual_o rich_a well_o then_o to_o pass_v over_o as_o above_o be_v both_o prove_v and_o grant_v that_o the_o three_o virtue_n of_o chastity_n poverty_n and_o obedience_n do_v essential_o concur_v to_o the_o true_a profession_n of_o religion_n i_o will_v descend_v to_o other_o virtue_n ever_o accompany_v that_o state_n and_o to_o begin_v with_o the_o three_o theological_a virtue_n as_o they_o be_v common_o call_v i_o mean_v faith_n hope_n and_o charity_n and_o first_o touch_v fayth_n faith_n the_o basis_n or_o foundation_n of_o all_o christianity_n most_o clear_a it_o be_v that_o a_o religious_a state_n can_v be_v without_o a_o assure_a and_o eminent_a faith_n the_o reason_n whereof_o be_v this_o that_o man_n or_o woman_n who_o enter_v into_o religion_n forsake_v all_o present_a and_o temporal_a benefit_n and_o pleasure_n for_o benefit_n and_o pleasure_n which_o be_v unseen_a and_o future_a and_o so_o future_a as_o that_o they_o be_v not_o to_o come_v but_o after_o a_o long_a distance_n of_o time_n this_o man_n or_o woman_n rely_v herein_o only_o upon_o the_o sole_a promise_n and_o word_n of_o god_n but_o this_o no_o man_n will_v do_v but_o he_o that_o be_v full_o persuade_v that_o the_o future_a be_v much_o more_o certain_a and_o assure_a then_o that_o which_o be_v present_a and_o this_o be_v the_o great_a act_n of_o faith_n which_o a_o christian_n can_v perform_v what_o shall_v we_o say_v of_o hope_n hope_n consist_v in_o two_o point_n first_o and_o principal_o in_o hope_v hope_n for_o the_o glory_n of_o heaven_n which_o though_o it_o be_v to_o come_v yet_o religion_n give_v such_o full_a pledge_n thereof_o as_o that_o it_o cause_v a_o man_n to_o undergo_v all_o difficulty_n whatsoever_o in_o a_o religious_a life_n for_o his_o infallible_a hope_n of_o the_o say_a glory_n of_o heaven_n the_o second_o point_n wherein_o hope_n rest_v be_v to_o extend_v and_o stretch_v itself_o out_o to_o the_o necessary_a help_n of_o this_o present_a life_n but_o this_o kind_n of_o hope_n be_v most_o full_o and_o actual_o practise_v in_o religion_n since_o what_o man_n be_v there_o who_o repose_v more_o confidence_n in_o the_o goodness_n and_o providence_n of_o god_n for_o his_o enjoy_n of_o sufficiency_n of_o necessary_n in_o this_o life_n than_o a_o religious_a man_n who_o voluntary_o deprive_v himself_o of_o all_o thing_n which_o afore_o he_o do_v enjoy_v or_o may_v have_v need_n of_o whole_o cast_v himself_o through_o a_o most_o erect_a hope_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n goodness_n care_n and_o benignity_n for_o his_o provision_n or_o necessary_n to_o descend_v to_o charity_n charity_n branch_v it_o charity_n self_n into_o three_o part_n one_o extend_v itself_o towards_o god_n the_o second_o branch_n to_o those_o person_n who_o be_v of_o the_o same_o institute_n the_o last_o to_o all_o man_n whatsoever_o now_o touch_v that_o charity_n which_o be_v bear_v to_o god_n this_o most_o creare_o shine_v in_o a_o religious_a life_n since_o it_o be_v the_o only_a charity_n which_o a_o man_n bear_v to_o god_n which_o force_v he_o to_o abandon_v the_o world_n for_o the_o more_o strict_a and_o severe_a serve_n of_o god_n therefore_o the_o force_n of_o that_o charity_n must_v be_v extraordinary_a great_a which_o surpass_v all_o the_o love_n which_o we_o bear_v to_o our_o patent_n brethren_n kindred_n riches_n and_o all_o worldly_a temporality_n and_o final_o the_o love_n to_o ourselves_o for_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o one_o shall_v abandon_v and_o forsake_v all_o these_o thing_n for_o god_n if_o he_o love_v not_o god_n more_o than_o all_o thing_n touch_v the_o second_o branch_n of_o charity_n we_o be_v to_o conceive_v that_o the_o stream_n of_o charity_n towards_o our_o neighbour_n be_v derive_v from_o the_o love_n of_o god_n as_o from_o its_o source_n and_o fountain_n and_o thus_o these_o stream_n run_v first_o towards_o they_o who_o god_n have_v link_v and_o tie_v together_o in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o community_n or_o institute_n of_o life_n who_o by_o reason_n of_o this_o proximity_n and_o nearness_n have_v ever_o be_v accustom_v to_o call_v one_o another_o by_o the_o sweet_a and_o love_a â—ome_n of_o brethren_n now_o the_o ground_n whereupon_o religious_a people_n do_v agree_v and_o unite_v themselves_o together_o be_v neither_o nearness_n in_o hloud_n nor_o nâ—y_v civil_a contract_n but_o only_o supernatural_a love_n which_o be_v charity_n which_o charity_n do_v first_o breed_v this_o strict_a association_n and_o after_o do_v maintain_v and_o continue_v it_o for_o without_o charity_n it_o will_v instant_o
the_o other_o both_o in_o mind_n and_o outward_a work_n we_o may_v add_v hereto_o what_o s._n jerome_n speak_v to_o wit_n x_o â—7_n not_o only_o the_o shed_n of_o blood_n be_v to_o be_v account_v martyrdom_n but_o the_o unspotted_a behaviour_n of_o a_o devout_a mind_n be_v a_o daily_a martyrdom_n so_o far_o s._n jerome_n now_o to_o compare_v a_o religious_a life_n with_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o body_n it_o be_v then_o to_o be_v observe_v that_o as_o in_o many_o thing_n martyrdom_n surmount_v a_o religious_a life_n so_o also_o a_o religious_a life_n in_o some_o some_o thing_n even_o excel_v martyrdom_n to_o instance_n this_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o body_n surpass_v a_o religious_a life_n in_o that_o it_o undergo_v far_o great_a pain_n and_o torment_n yet_o the_o great_a the_o torment_n be_v they_o must_v therein_o be_v the_o short_a and_o soon_o bring_v the_o torment_a party_n to_o heaven_n but_o in_o religion_n though_o the_o pain_n be_v not_o so_o violent_a yet_o they_o be_v of_o great_a and_o long_a endurance_n again_o martyrdom_n be_v to_o be_v prefer_v in_o that_o by_o mean_n thereof_o a_o man_n lay_v down_o his_o own_o life_n which_o be_v the_o dear_a pledge_n that_o one_o can_v perform_v for_o another_o religion_n though_o want_v this_o glory_n yet_o it_o have_v the_o continuance_n of_o a_o most_o holy_a life_n and_o store_n of_o merit_n and_o this_o for_o many_o year_n which_o do_v advance_v a_o man_n very_o high_o in_o the_o favour_n of_o the_o divine_a majesty_n and_o reward_v he_o with_o many_o degree_n of_o glory_n and_o eternal_a happiness_n in_o the_o heavenly_a jerusalem_n and_o according_a hereto_o we_o may_v safe_o affirm_v that_o many_o year_n spend_v in_o holy_a conversation_n and_o retiredness_n of_o life_n will_v be_v attend_v with_o a_o great_a increase_n of_o reward_n than_o the_o lose_n of_o one_o life_n by_o only_o one_o short_a act_n of_o martyrdom_n shall_v procure_v now_o this_o advantage_n religion_n have_v above_o martyrdom_n to_o wit_n that_o a_o religious_a course_n be_v a_o more_o safe_a way_n to_o gain_v heaven_n than_o the_o expectation_n thereof_o by_o martyrdom_n and_o the_o reason_n hereof_o be_v in_o that_o many_o christian_n at_o the_o time_n when_o they_o shall_v suffer_v martyrdom_n for_o the_o profession_n of_o their_o religion_n have_v shameful_o fall_v from_o their_o faith_n for_o the_o avoid_n of_o their_o torment_n and_o this_o be_v evident_a out_o of_o the_o writing_n of_o s._n cyprian_n y_o lapsis_fw-la who_o relate_v the_o miserable_a fall_n of_o several_a hundred_o who_o as_o he_o say_v be_v overcome_v before_o the_o battle_n and_o overthrow_v before_o the_o encounter_n now_o religion_n lie_v not_o open_a to_o this_o danger_n since_o a_o religious_a life_n more_o sor_z to_o a_o man_n disposition_n than_o martyrdom_n do_v and_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n in_o it_o which_o as_o above_o be_v show_v assuage_v the_o hardness_n of_o that_o course_n another_o privilege_n which_o a_o true_a religious_a life_n have_v above_o martyrdom_n be_v that_o where_o as_o religion_n be_v ever_o at_o hand_n and_o ready_a to_o be_v embrace_v at_o all_o time_n martyrdom_n seldom_o happen_v since_o martyrdom_n be_v not_o in_o our_o power_n for_o neither_o aught_o we_o to_o kill_v ourselves_o nor_o to_o provoke_v other_o to_o kill_v we_o for_o either_o of_o these_o be_v a_o act_n of_o great_a presumption_n and_o most_o displease_v to_o god_n now_o i_o will_v conclude_v the_o resemblance_n between_o martyrdom_n and_o a_o religious_a life_n with_o this_o ensue_a observation_n that_o as_o without_o death_n there_o be_v no_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o body_n so_o a_o religious_a life_n may_v be_v say_v to_o suffer_v a_o certain_a kind_n of_o death_n for_o see_v death_n deprive_v we_o of_o our_o wealth_n of_o our_o friend_n and_o of_o all_o manner_n of_o thing_n in_o this_o world_n we_o in_o like_o manner_n find_v that_o a_o religious_a cause_n do_v deprive_v a_o man_n of_o all_o the_o same_o thing_n and_o this_o so_o whole_o that_o a_o religious_a man_n can_v no_o more_o enjoy_v these_o thing_n then_o if_o he_o be_v true_o and_o real_o dead_a yet_o here_o be_v a_o disparity_n which_o make_v in_o behalf_n of_o religion_n which_o be_v that_o when_o by_o martyrdom_n we_o die_v our_o bodily_a death_n it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o want_v all_o these_o worldly_a thing_n because_o we_o then_o go_v to_o a_o better_a life_n shall_v have_v no_o need_n of_o they_o whereas_o see_v in_o this_o life_n we_o have_v need_n of_o they_o we_o forbear_v the_o fruition_n and_o enjoy_n of_o they_o with_o great_a difficulty_n and_o resistance_n of_o nature_n therefore_o impasse_n no_o further_o in_o this_o subject_a i_o conclude_v in_o respect_n of_o all_o that_o above_o say_v that_o by_o martyrdom_n a_o man_n diet_n to_o his_o body_n by_o religion_n he_o die_v to_o himself_o here_o now_o cosmophila_n you_o may_v behold_v the_o splendour_n and_o worth_n of_o a_o religious_a life_n which_o as_o it_o be_v surpass_v in_o some_o respect_n by_o martyrdom_n so_o in_o other_o it_o exceed_v it_o i_o say_v it_o exceed_v martyrdom_n the_o suffering_n whereof_o even_o our_o saviour_n himself_o so_o much_o celebrate_v in_o these_o word_n greater_a z_o 15._o love_n than_o this_o no_o man_n have_v that_o a_o man_n yield_v his_o life_n for_o his_o friend_n caelia_n o_o good_a father_n you_o much_o strengthen_v my_o resolution_n with_o the_o sweetness_n of_o these_o your_o discourse_n but_o now_o it_o come_v to_o my_o mind_n that_o you_o one_o day_n in_o discourse_v to_o our_o religious_a sister_n of_o the_o dignity_n of_o a_o religious_a state_n do_v call_v it_o a_o sacrifice_n to_o god_n your_o meaning_n therein_o i_o do_v not_o i_o confess_v nor_o yet_o do_v perfect_o understand_v i_o will_v desire_v your_o reverence_n to_o express_v yourself_o more_o plain_o that_o so_o my_o sister_n cosmophila_n and_o myself_o may_v be_v the_o better_o instruct_v therein_o confessarius_fw-la well_o then_o to_o come_v to_o that_o point_n i_o do_v then_o say_v nothing_o but_o what_o i_o will_v prove_v at_o this_o present_a and_o first_o in_o warrant_n of_o that_o my_o assertion_n that_o religious_a person_n be_v a_o continual_a sacrifice_n to_o god_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o oblation_n which_o they_o make_v of_o themselves_o to_o god_n i_o do_v produce_v s._n austin_n thus_o teach_v a_o 6._o a_o man_n consecrate_v and_o vow_v to_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n be_v a_o sacrifice_n in_o regard_n that_o he_o die_v to_o the_o world_n that_o he_o may_v live_v to_o god_n when_o we_o chastise_v our_o body_n by_o temperance_n if_o we_o do_v it_o for_o god_n as_o we_o ought_v to_o do_v to_o the_o end_n not_o to_o yield_v our_o member_n weapon_n of_o iniquity_n but_o weapon_n of_o justice_n to_o god_n it_o be_v a_o sacrifice_n if_o therefore_o our_o body_n which_o be_v but_o as_o it_o be_v a_o servant_n and_o instrument_n of_o our_o soul_n be_v a_o sacrifice_n if_o the_o good_a and_o pious_a use_n thereof_o he_o direct_v to_o god_n how_o much_o more_o than_o shall_v a_o soul_n be_v a_o sacrifice_n when_o it_o devote_v itself_o to_o god_n to_o the_o end_n that_o be_v inflame_v with_o the_o fire_n of_o his_o love_n it_o may_v destroy_v in_o itself_o the_o form_n and_o impression_n of_o all_o worldly_a concupiscence_n and_o be_v reform_v according_a to_o his_o unchangeable_a likeness_n subject_a unto_o he_o and_o this_o sacrifice_n shall_v be_v so_o much_o the_o more_o grateful_a by_o how_o much_o it_o partake_v of_o his_o beauty_n thus_o far_o do_v s._n austin_n discourse_n of_o this_o point_n with_o who_o agree_v s._n gregory_n thus_o speak_v b_o 3._o we_o offer_v ourselves_o in_o sacrifice_n to_o god_n when_o we_o dedicate_v our_o life_n to_o his_o divine_a service_n thus_o these_o father_n to_o who_o i_o can_v allege_v the_o like_a authority_n of_o many_o other_o of_o they_o and_o now_o from_o hence_o i_o may_v infer_v that_o if_o it_o be_v a_o sacrifice_n for_o we_o to_o offer_v any_o thing_n up_o to_o god_n then_o doubtless_o to_o offer_v up_o ourselves_o to_o god_n be_v true_o a_o sacrifice_n the_o true_a nature_n and_o essence_n whereof_o consist_v in_o the_o absolute_a oblation_n of_o ourselves_o i_o mean_v of_o our_o body_n and_o soul_n and_o of_o all_o the_o power_n of_o our_o soul_n and_o particular_o in_o offer_v up_o the_o power_n of_o our_o will_n especial_o in_o such_o a_o oblation_n as_o be_v once_o offer_v up_o it_o be_v not_o in_o our_o power_n to_o recall_v now_o how_o most_o acceptable_a the_o sacrifice_n of_o our_o soul_n and_o body_n be_v to_o god_n be_v prove_v by_o this_o reason_n follow_v if_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n consist_v in_o offer_v up_o to_o god_n a_o heiffer_n of_o three_o year_n old_a or_o a_o
same_o be_v be_v perform_v in_o a_o lay_a person_n and_o this_o by_o virtue_n of_o a_o religious_a state_n that_o those_o who_o be_v true_o religious_a people_n do_v ever_o the_o will_n of_o god_n that_o a_o religious_a life_n as_o above_o be_v partly_o show_v cut_v off_o and_o prevent_v all_o occasion_n of_o sin_n that_o by_o a_o religious_a state_n we_o she_o the_o world_n and_o all_o the_o danger_n thereof_o all_o these_o particular_a point_n death_n i_o say_v i_o will_v pretermit_v to_o enlarge_v myself_o upon_o and_o i_o will_v close_v this_o long_a passage_n touch_v the_o fruit_n and_o benefit_n of_o a_o religious_a life_n by_o here_o show_v that_o one_o main_a or_o chief_a fruit_n thereof_o be_v that_o it_o promise_v a_o safe_a quiet_a and_o happy_a death_n the_o greatness_n of_o which_o benefit_n what_o tongue_n can_v express_v or_o understanding_n conceive_v since_o god_n sacred_a writ_n assure_v we_o q_o 14._o bless_a be_v they_o that_o die_v in_o our_o lord_n now_o for_o the_o better_a and_o more_o full_a apprehension_n of_o this_o so_o inexplicable_a a_o benefit_n we_o be_v to_o call_v to_o mind_n that_o at_o the_o hour_n of_o our_o death_n three_o thing_n be_v accustom_v to_o afflict_v we_o the_o 〈◊〉_d death_n itself_o the_o remembrance_n where_o of_o in_o regard_n that_o thereby_o we_o be_v to_o leave_v the_o world_n and_o all_o its_o temporal_a pleasure_n beget_v even_o a_o horror_n in_o man_n nature_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v most_o true_o say_v by_o the_o wiseman_n that_o the_o remembrance_n *_o 41._o of_o death_n be_v bitter_a the_o second_o reason_n make_v death_n so_o unpleasing_a be_v that_o that_o be_v the_o time_n when_o the_o devil_n be_v most_o accustom_a to_o tempt_v a_o soul_n with_o his_o wicked_a suggestion_n the_o three_o and_o most_o dreadful_a be_v the_o astonish_a fear_n of_o the_o last_o sentence_n oâ—_z doom_n of_o a_o soul_n which_o instant_o follow_v after_o death_n now_o the_o discontent_n and_o terror_n of_o all_o these_o three_o thing_n be_v much_o more_o mitigate_v sweeten_v and_o lessen_v in_o religion_n than_o they_o be_v or_o common_o can_v be_v in_o the_o death_n of_o lay_a person_n to_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o this_o grief_n in_o the_o laity_n proceed_v that_o by_o death_n we_o be_v tâ—_z leave_v all_o worldly_a riches_n state_n honour_n yeâ—_z wife_n and_o child_n final_o that_o the_o soul_n 〈◊〉_d leave_v the_o body_n they_o two_o have_v live_v so_o lonâ—_z as_o most_o dear_a friend_n now_o most_o of_o this_o griefâ—_n be_v take_v away_o in_o one_o die_v in_o the_o state_n of_o religious_a life_n and_o the_o reason_n hereof_o be_v tâ—_z cause_n when_o a_o religious_a man_n or_o woman_n by_o their_o profess_a state_n have_v once_o forsake_v the_o world_n they_o have_v give_v then_o aforehand_o their_o last_o farewell_n to_o all_o riches_n honour_n neereneâ—_n of_o kindred_n and_o the_o like_a and_o then_o see_v theâ—_z have_v part_v with_o all_o these_o allurement_n afore_o aâ—_n their_o first_o enter_v into_o religion_n it_o can_v 〈◊〉_d any_o great_a grief_n the_o second_o time_n to_o part_v with_o they_o to_o wit_n at_o the_o time_n of_o their_o death_n now_o touch_v the_o second_o point_n which_o the_o assault_n and_o temptation_n with_o which_o 〈◊〉_d enemy_n of_o man_n soul_n be_v accustom_v to_o trouble_v each_o one_o at_o his_o death_n we_o dare_v say_v that_o if_o there_o be_v any_o kind_n of_o man_n that_o be_v not_o trouble_v at_o that_o time_n or_o but_o very_o little_a with_o his_o wicked_a suggestion_n the_o religious_a man_n be_v that_o man_n and_o this_o be_v thus_o prove_v first_o in_o that_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n will_v not_o suffer_v himself_o to_o â—eave_v and_o forsake_v that_o person_n in_o that_o last_o point_n of_o a_o most_o dangerous_a state_n upon_o which_o person_n god_n have_v in_o his_o life_n time_n heap_v so_o many_o spiritual_a grace_n and_o favour_n as_o be_v necessary_o concur_v for_o one_o enter_v into_o a_o religious_a state_n second_o i_o maintain_v that_o it_o be_v most_o sorâ—ing_v and_o agreeable_a even_o to_o the_o justice_n of_o god_n to_o protect_v and_o defend_v in_o that_o dangerous_a hour_n that_o person_n who_o with_o all_o sincerity_n and_o simplicity_n of_o heart_n have_v vow_v himself_o i_o mean_v both_o his_o body_n soul_n and_o all_o the_o power_n thereof_o to_o a_o most_o strict_a severe_a and_o religious_a course_n of_o serve_v his_o divine_a majesty_n wherefore_o no_o good_a religious_a person_n have_v just_a reason_n to_o fear_v but_o that_o god_n at_o the_o hour_n of_o his_o death_n will_v cover_v he_o under_o the_o wing_n of_o his_o protection_n and_o will_v strengthen_v his_o soul_n with_o internal_a comfort_n to_o the_o lessen_v or_o break_v of_o the_o force_n of_o the_o former_a temptation_n of_o the_o devil_n at_o the_o time_n of_o a_o religious_a man_n death_n we_o may_v add_v the_o comfort_n and_o consolation_n which_o every_o religious_a man_n at_o that_o hour_n receive_v of_o his_o brethren_n and_o every_o religious_a woman_n of_o her_o sister_n this_o i_o mean_v by_o the_o assistance_n of_o their_o brethren_n and_o sister_n which_o assistance_n consist_v in_o their_o exhortation_n counsel_n and_o continual_a prayer_n which_o always_o but_o especial_o at_o the_o instant_n of_o death_n be_v very_o powerful_a to_o animate_v we_o in_o hope_n and_o to_o repel_v the_o fierce_a attempt_n of_o the_o enemy_n concerning_o the_o three_o and_o last_o point_n which_o make_v death_n most_o terrible_a which_o be_v the_o learâ—_z of_o the_o dreadful_a doom_n which_o immediate_o follow_v the_o separation_n of_o the_o body_n from_o the_o soul_n the_o fear_n of_o which_o doom_n be_v much_o diminish_v by_o the_o hope_n of_o salvation_n which_o iâ—_z religious_a man_n may_v more_o secure_o promise_v to_o himself_o than_o any_o lay_a person_n for_o the_o moâ—â—_n part_n can_v and_o this_o hope_n be_v ground_v principal_o upon_o two_o point_n first_o that_o it_o be_v presume_v that_o a_o religious_a man_n be_v not_o guilty_a to_o himself_o of_o any_o mortal_a and_o grievous_a sin_n second_o his_o hope_n be_v confirm_v with_o the_o remembrance_n of_o the_o abundance_n of_o his_o good_a work_n during_o his_o life_n time_n neither_o of_o which_o can_v be_v want_v in_o a_o religious_a course_n and_o hereupon_o we_o read_v s._n jerome_n exhort_v juliaâ—_n to_o a_o religious_a life_n thus_o to_o write_v to_o he_o r_o 34._o happy_a be_v that_o man_n and_o worthy_a of_o all_o blessedness_n who_o old_a age_n overtake_v serve_v christ_n who_o the_o last_o day_n shall_v find_v fight_v under_o our_o saviour_n or_o to_o who_o iâ—_z shall_v be_v say_v thou_o have_v receive_v ill_a thing_n in_o thy_o life_n but_o now_o shall_v rejoice_v hitherto_o worthy_a cosmophila_n i_o have_v labour_v both_o for_o your_o own_o and_o your_o sister_n caelia_n her_o spiritual_a good_a in_o discourse_v of_o a_o religious_a state_n and_o brief_o to_o recall_v to_o our_o memory_n what_o have_v pass_v in_o our_o former_a word_n thereof_o even_o from_o the_o beginning_n of_o our_o speech_n first_o you_o may_v remember_v that_o i_o do_v discoueâ—â—_z the_o weakness_n and_o insufficiency_n of_o all_o those_o reason_n and_o objection_n insist_v upon_o by_o you_o with_o which_o your_o father_n so_o much_o laboâ—ed_a to_o impugn_v at_o least_o to_o disesteem_v and_o disâ—alew_n a_o votary_n and_o monastical_a life_n after_o that_o show_v the_o worth_n of_o that_o kind_n of_o life_n by_o set_v down_o the_o three_o essential_a vow_n i_o mean_v of_o chastity_n poverty_n and_o obedience_n whereupon_o a_o religious_a life_n be_v ground_v or_o seat_v that_o do_v i_o do_v spend_v diverse_a passage_n of_o â—each_n in_o lay_v open_o the_o excellency_n antiquity_n â—onour_n splendour_n and_o dignity_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n â—_z life_n and_o now_o in_o this_o last_o place_n i_o have_v ranâ—ed_v together_o diverse_a of_o the_o chief_a and_o most_o â—rincipall_a fruit_n and_o benefit_n ever_o necessary_o â—â—tending_v upon_o a_o religious_a state_n so_o as_o now_o i_o how_o not_o what_o more_o can_v needful_o be_v say_v â—uching_v this_o subject_a that_o your_o sister_n caelia_n have_v by_o these_o my_o word_n strengthen_v and_o fortify_v her_o pious_a resolution_n for_o embrace_v this_o course_n of_o life_n i_o â—â—st_a full_o assure_v now_o what_o operation_n my_o â—eaches_n have_v find_v in_o you_o cosmophila_n will_v â—est_n appear_v by_o your_o own_o relation_n only_o i_o â—ould_v be_v glad_a as_o through_o some_o word_n by_o you_o above_o utter_v i_o partly_o hope_v if_o so_o by_o force_n these_o my_o speech_n your_o judgement_n may_v full_o induce_v only_o to_o have_v a_o true_a and_o worâ—â—y_n conceit_n of_o a_o religious_a life_n cosmophila_n only_o to_o have_v a_o true_a and_o worthy_a conceit_n of_o a_o religious_a life_n o_o god_n if_o so_o i_o
the_o la._n â—bbesse_n herein_o so_o desirous_a i_o be_o that_o our_o monastery_n shall_v avoid_v all_o obloquy_n into_o which_o â—erhaps_o by_o reason_n of_o other_o wrongful_o misâ—â—er_fw-la prete_v our_o sincere_a intention_n it_o may_v â—unne_v therefore_o cosmophila_n though_o we_o aboluta_z leave_v the_o business_n to_o yourself_o i_o hold_v not_o amiss_o for_o you_o to_o return_v into_o england_n â—o_z the_o end_n to_o get_v the_o allowance_n and_o approbaâ—ion_n of_o your_o parent_n in_o this_o matter_n cosmophila_n both_o of_o you_o i_o see_v speak_v this_o by_o way_n of_o persuasion_n not_o by_o way_n of_o command_n therefore_o you_o both_o must_v pard_n on_o i_o if_o i_o proceed_v contrariwise_o herein_o o_o i_o fear_v neither_o of_o you_o do_v â—ully_o know_v the_o snare_n and_o temptation_n which_o â—ong_a gentlewoman_n when_o they_o once_o intend_v to_o serve_v god_n true_o and_o sincere_o and_o especial_o when_o they_o resolve_v absolute_o to_o break_v with_o the_o world_n do_v oftentimes_o to_o their_o spiritual_a damage_n find_v in_o england_n i_o be_o guilty_a of_o my_o own_o weakness_n and_o therefore_o loath_a i_o shall_v be_v by_o my_o return_n into_o england_n to_o expose_v my_o soul_n to_o all_o those_o assault_n which_o may_v be_v plant_v against_o it_o as_o the_o contrary_a command_n of_o parent_n attend_v on_o with_o tear_n and_o sigh_n the_o invitement_n rise_v from_o enjoy_v a_o very_a worthy_a temporal_a state_n and_o the_o far_o great_a in_o regard_n of_o my_o sister_n caelia_n her_o resolution_n and_o thereby_o my_o parent_n whole_a state_n to_o be_v leâ—_n to_o i_o alone_o marriage_n and_o hope_v of_o childreâ—_n thereby_o final_o the_o undermine_a battery_n oâ—_z all_o other_o worldly_a delight_n and_o honour_n know_v not_o if_o i_o shall_v return_v into_o england_n what_o strength_n all_o or_o any_o of_o these_o forcible_a motive_n may_v have_v over_o my_o soul_n therefore_o hold_v it_o most_o secure_a for_o i_o in_o this_o place_n tâ—_z stay_n and_o to_o put_v in_o present_a execution_n the_o piouâ—_z motion_n which_o his_o divine_a goodness_n have_v vouchsafe_v to_o inspire_v into_o i_o i_o will_v relate_v to_o you_o example_n of_o two_o worth_a catholic_a gentlewoman_n who_o unexpected_a event_n or_o fortune_n beget_v a_o fear_n in_o i_o for_o put_v of_o though_o it_o be_v but_o for_o a_o short_a time_n and_o delay_v the_o practise_n of_o god_n holy_a will_n touch_v the_o spiritual_a course_n of_o one_o soul_n and_o what_o be_v deliver_v of_o these_o two_o gentlewoman_n be_v true_o deliver_v i_o speak_v in_o all_o sincerity_n without_o any_o fiction_n or_o imagine_v that_o to_o happen_v to_o they_o which_o real_o do_v not_o happen_v for_o the_o relator_n hereof_o be_v well_o acquaint_v with_o they_o both_o the_o first_o be_v of_o a_o young_a gentlewoman_n to_o who_o be_v leave_v by_o her_o decease_a father_n a_o man_n of_o a_o great_a estate_n and_o of_o very_o good_a rank_n two_o thousand_o and_o five_o hundred_o pound_n for_o her_o portion_n this_o gentlewoman_n will_v oftentimes_o make_v great_a overture_n and_o show_v of_o her_o desire_n to_o enter_v into_o a_o religious_a state_n and_o many_o holy_a inspiration_n from_o god_n no_o doubt_n she_o have_v thereto_o but_o she_o go_v up_o to_o london_n out_o of_o her_o own_o country_n whether_o to_o the_o end_n of_o take_v that_o bless_a course_n or_o not_o i_o certain_o know_v not_o do_v fall_v in_o acquaintance_n with_o a_o young_a gentleman_n far_o undeseruing_a she_o or_o her_o estate_n or_o portion_n he_o she_o marry_v and_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o a_o year_n have_v a_o child_n by_o he_o and_o both_o she_o and_o the_o child_n die_v in_o childbed_n and_o so_o he_o go_v free_o away_o with_o her_o good_a portion_n the_o other_o be_v a_o gentlewoman_n descend_v from_o a_o very_a honourable_a stem_n this_o gentlewoman_n be_v marry_v her_o first_o husband_n die_v and_o do_v leave_v she_o a_o very_o fair_a jointure_n present_o upon_o the_o death_n of_o her_o husband_n nothing_o be_v with_o she_o so_o frequent_a in_o her_o speech_n as_o a_o monastery_n with_o a_o absolute_a resolution_n to_o enter_v into_o religion_n this_o gentlewoman_n also_o as_o the_o former_a make_v a_o journey_n to_o london_n a_o fit_a place_n for_o woman_n to_o get_v bad_a husband_n wrought_v mean_n to_o a_o worthy_a gentleman_n from_o who_o mouth_n i_o hear_v it_o that_o he_o will_v procure_v passage_n for_o her_o go_n over_o into_o the_o low-countries_n well_o it_o so_o unfortunate_o happen_v that_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n she_o grow_v acquaint_v with_o a_o young_a brother_n of_o good_a descent_n but_o of_o most_o small_a mean_n or_o otherwise_o of_o desert_n to_o conclude_v to_o he_o she_o espouse_v herself_o and_o now_o at_o this_o present_a day_n they_o five_o part_v with_o great_a discontent_n he_o have_v about_o the_o half_a of_o her_o yearly_a mean_n allut_v to_o he_o and_o she_o the_o rest_n she_o so_o live_v in_o no_o abundance_n if_o not_o in_o want_n o_o how_o happy_a those_o two_o gentlewoman_n have_v be_v if_o they_o have_v prosecute_v their_o good_a desire_n proceed_v from_o god_n with_o all_o promptitude_n of_o put_v they_o in_o â—â—â—cution_n and_o have_v not_o defer_v the_o time_n they_o both_o than_o may_v have_v spend_v many_o year_n in_o a_o pious_a and_o religious_a course_n further_a other_o in_o their_o monastery_n and_o therein_o their_o own_o soul_n with_o what_o be_v more_o than_o needful_a to_o their_o own_o maintenance_n now_o good_a madam_n and_o you_o reverend_a father_n who_o both_o persuade_v i_o to_o return_v into_o england_n procure_v my_o parent_n consent_n to_o this_o my_o late_a vocation_n here_o i_o demand_v of_o you_o both_o what_o great_a security_n can_v i_o promise_v to_o myself_o in_o persevere_v in_o this_o my_o intend_a course_n than_o these_o two_o former_a gentlewoman_n can_v they_o have_v temptation_n of_o marriage_n so_o i_o may_v have_v the_o same_o they_o be_v subject_a to_o the_o amorous_a passion_n of_o love_n i_o can_v say_v i_o be_o natural_o free_a from_o it_o in_o the_o end_n they_o give_v the_o bridle_n to_o their_o affection_n with_o less_o benefit_n in_o all_o likelihood_n to_o their_o own_o soul_n o_o sweet_a jesus_n give_v i_o grace_n that_o their_o example_n may_v be_v a_o fore_o warning_n and_o document_n to_o i_o that_o i_o may_v 3._o open_v the_o door_n to_o thy_o first_o call_n at_o what_o time_n thou_o may_v sup_v with_o my_o soul_n and_o that_o i_o may_v put_v in_o practice_n without_o any_o delay_n the_o good_a motion_n and_o inspiratious_a which_o thou_o have_v pour_v into_o my_o soul_n therefore_o neither_o of_o you_o both_o i_o humble_o beseech_v you_o as_o you_o prize_v the_o eternal_a welfare_n of_o my_o soul_n seek_v to_o persuade_v meâ—_n to_o go_v back_o into_o england_n though_o with_o expectation_n of_o a_o speedy_a return_n i_o grant_v i_o be_o weak_a suffer_v i_o then_o to_o overcome_v temptation_n rather_o by_o fly_v from_o they_o then_o by_o a_o positive_a resistance_n of_o they_o abbess_n well_o good_a cosmophila_n see_v you_o be_v so_o much_o avert_a from_o your_o return_n into_o england_n i_o and_o i_o presume_v that_o our_o reverend_a confessarius_fw-la will_v be_v also_o yield_n hereto_o do_v give_v our_o full_a consent_n for_o your_o stay_n here_o and_o that_o you_o shall_v not_o return_v back_o to_o your_o parent_n nevertheless_o i_o hold_v it_o most_o sort_v even_o in_o respect_n of_o your_o duty_n towards_o they_o as_o also_o in_o true_a judgement_n that_o at_o least_o by_o letter_n both_o your_o sister_n caelia_n and_o yourself_o do_v labour_n to_o give_v they_o all_o satisfaction_n possible_a to_o appease_v their_o otherwise_o afflict_a mind_n caelia_n i_o do_v hold_v this_o your_o admonition_n good_a madam_n of_o write_v to_o our_o parent_n to_o be_v most_o necessary_a for_o see_v they_o be_v our_o parent_n we_o owe_v to_o they_o all_o true_a duty_n and_o this_o without_o any_o offence_n to_o he_o who_o be_v the_o common_a parent_n of_o we_o all_o since_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o grace_n do_v not_o destroy_v nature_n cosmophyla_n i_o do_v much_o approve_v both_o your_o judgement_n herein_o and_o do_v desire_v that_o it_o may_v be_v perform_v yet_o one_o thing_n i_o can_v wish_v to_o be_v add_v hereto_o that_o be_v that_o reverend_a father_n confessarius_fw-la here_o will_v be_v please_v to_o write_v also_o to_o my_o father_n a_o move_a letter_n from_o himself_o that_o thereby_o my_o father_n and_o mother_n may_v the_o more_o easy_o and_o dispationat_o apptehend_v the_o first_o report_n of_o both_o our_o settle_a resolution_n he_o will_v be_v able_a no_o doubt_n by_o force_n both_o of_o divine_a and_o human_a authority_n even_o to_o convince_v my_o father_n and_o mother_n judgement_n touch_v the_o election_n of_o this_o our_o religious_a
have_v pass_v touch_v either_o of_o we_o since_o my_o first_o arrival_n to_o this_o place_n therefore_o i_o can_v with_o you_o as_o be_v the_o elder_a sister_n to_o indite_v and_o pen_n the_o letter_n and_o reu._n father_n confessarius_fw-la will_n as_o he_o say_v send_v with_o we_o both_o his_o own_o letter_n to_o our_o parent_n and_o a_o copy_n of_o the_o discourse_n pass_v between_o he_o and_o i_o therefore_o let_v we_o both_o go_v present_o about_o it_o which_o be_v perfect_v i_o will_v give_v the_o letter_n and_o the_o discourse_n the_o day_n after_o my_o clothing_n to_o one_o of_o my_o servant_n that_o he_o may_v present_v they_o from_o we_o to_o our_o most_o dear_a parent_n a_o letter_n write_v by_o the_o two_o sister_n caelia_n and_o cosmophila_n to_o sir_n orthodoxus_fw-la knight_n and_o his_o lady_n gynoecia_n their_o dear_a parent_n most_o dear_a and_o love_a parent_n who_o under_o god_n have_v be_v the_o â—â—le_n mean_v that_o we_o have_v any_o being_n in_o this_o world_n and_o that_o we_o breathe_v this_o common_a air_n we_o your_o two_o most_o humble_a and_o obedient_a daughter_n beseech_v you_o to_o read_v the_o content_n of_o this_o our_o mutual_a letter_n with_o all_o serenity_n of_o mind_n and_o freedom_n from_o grief_n and_o passion_n and_o that_o you_o will_v be_v please_v that_o these_o fâ—owing_a tear_n equal_o shed_v by_o we_o both_o at_o the_o writing_n hereof_o may_v not_o become_v fruitless_a and_o neglect_v in_o your_o eye_n we_o then_o in_o all_o prostration_n of_o body_n and_o mind_n hereby_o do_v make_v know_v to_o you_o that_o your_o daughter_n caelia_n can_v be_v induce_v upon_o any_o motive_n whatsoever_o to_o forsake_v her_o happy_a and_o bless_a vocation_n and_o which_o perhaps_o will_v seem_v far_o more_o strange_a in_o your_o apprehension_n that_o her_o sister_n cosmophila_n in_o place_n of_o withdraw_v her_o sister_n caelia_n from_o her_o votary_n life_n be_v full_o determine_v to_o undergo_v with_o she_o the_o same_o course_n and_o here_o to_o remain_v without_o any_o thought_n of_o ever_o see_v her_o country_n again_o yea_o indeed_o she_o have_v already_o take_v upon_o her_o the_o habit_n of_o this_o our_o monastery_n the_o more_o certain_a particular_n of_o both_o our_o resolution_n the_o letter_n send_v at_o this_o present_a from_o our_o most_o reverend_a confessarius_fw-la will_v full_o lay_v open_a to_o you_o since_o the_o unexpected_a change_n of_o cosmophila_n be_v wrought_v by_o the_o devout_a and_o learned_a discourse_n which_o he_o do_v use_v unto_o she_o now_o than_o most_o dear_a parent_n we_o know_v you_o love_v we_o sincere_o let_v your_o love_n descend_v chief_o to_o the_o love_n of_o our_o soul_n true_a it_o be_v you_o intend_v we_o great_a advancement_n but_o what_o be_v our_o soul_n better_v thereby_o you_o be_v willing_a to_o procure_v for_o we_o high_a marriage_n but_o what_o more_o noble_a spouse_n than_o christ_n you_o covet_v that_o we_o may_v live_v in_o all_o affluency_n and_o abundance_n of_o temporal_a commodity_n and_o pleasure_n o_o how_o opposite_a and_o cross_a be_v this_o way_n to_o that_o choose_a way_n of_o life_n which_o our_o saviour_n the_o apostle_n and_o other_o most_o eminent_a saint_n have_v before_o we_o tread_v brief_o you_o even_o thirst_v to_o have_v by_o we_o as_o be_v your_o next_o heir_n now_o after_o the_o death_n of_o our_o brother_n monadelphus_n the_o descent_n of_o your_o house_n and_o family_n which_o we_o know_v for_o some_o hundred_o year_n have_v already_o continue_v to_o be_v produce_v extend_v and_o draw_v out_o hereafter_o from_o time_n to_o time_n but_o be_v there_o any_o time_n so_o long_o as_o eternity_n to_o the_o which_o we_o both_o be_v your_o child_n and_o the_o branch_n of_o your_o body_n by_o embrace_v this_o our_o so_o much_o wish_v and_o desire_a life_n do_v hope_n to_o aspire_v let_v not_o then_o o_o let_v not_o temporal_a worldling_n be_v prefer_v in_o your_o judgement_n before_o our_o saviour_n let_v not_o the_o prosperous_a life_n of_o sensual_a man_n overbalance_v with_o you_o the_o most_o austere_a and_o severe_a life_n of_o christ_n himself_o of_o his_o apostle_n and_o of_o all_o other_o most_o glorious_a saint_n now_o reign_v in_o heaven_n final_o let_v not_o the_o desire_n of_o the_o continuance_n of_o your_o descent_n and_o house_n only_o for_o certain_a year_n here_o upon_o the_o earth_n and_o that_o most_o uncertain_a endanger_v to_o prevent_v the_o eternal_a continuance_n of_o your_o child_n and_o issue_n in_o heaven_n no_o no_o it_o be_v vanity_n to_o set_v our_o love_n upon_o those_o thing_n which_o speedy_o pass_v away_o and_o to_o neglect_v that_o which_o as_o the_o chief_a mean_n conduce_v to_o our_o celestial_a joy_n which_o be_v ever_o permanent_a we_o know_v you_o be_v rich_a in_o the_o world_n our_o chief_a ambition_n be_v to_o be_v rich_a in_o christ_n who_o be_v so_o poor_a as_o that_o he_o have_v no_o place_n in_o which_o to_o rest_v himself_o for_o do_v we_o not_o â—ead_v i_o 9_o the_o fox_n have_v hole_n the_o bird_n of_o the_o air_n 〈◊〉_d nest_n but_o the_o son_n of_o man_n have_v no_o whereto_o reâ—â—se_n his_o head_n give_v we_o both_o therefore_o your_o absolute_a and_o most_o voluntary_a consent_n even_o for_o his_o sake_n who_o be_v so_o poor_a and_o who_o suffer_v deatâ—_n for_o the_o save_n of_o all_o man_n soul_n that_o we_o maimitate_v in_o part_n his_o poverty_n and_o answer_v to_o hiâ—_z heavenly_a inspiration_n bestow_v upon_o we_o foâ—_z the_o save_n of_o our_o soul_n and_o although_o we_o be_v not_o scholar_n yet_o wâ—_n have_v read_v in_o devout_a spiritual_a book_n thuâ—_n much_o in_o our_o defence_n this_o we_o speak_v not_o bâ—_n way_n of_o contestation_n with_o you_o no_o god_n forbid_v but_o only_o by_o most_o huble_o exhibit_v what_o may_v be_v say_v in_o our_o behalf_n that_o what_o thing_n soever_o hold_v one_o from_o follow_v the_o inspiration_n anâ—_z motion_n of_o god_n must_v of_o necessary_a be_v a_o temptation_n but_o every_o temptation_n you_o know_v proceed_v from_o the_o enemy_n of_o man_n we_o may_v as_o perâ—nent_a to_o we_o here_o also_o allege_v the_o advice_n which_o s._n jerome_n give_v to_o furia_n a_o noble_a matron_n who_o 10._o enter_v into_o religion_n in_o these_o word_n 2_o the_o father_n be_v sorry_a mean_v for_o take_v a_o religious_a course_n but_o christ_n will_v be_v glad_a thy_o famiâ—â—_n will_v lament_v but_o the_o angel_n will_v give_v thou_o joy_n lâ—â—_n thy_o father_n do_v what_o he_o will_v with_o his_o temporal_a statâ—_n thou_o be_v not_o so_o much_o his_o who_o thou_o be_v by_o genertion_n as_o his_o who_o thou_o be_v by_o regeneration_n his_o mean_a who_o redeem_v thou_o at_o a_o dear_a price_n with_o hâ—_z own_o blood_n thus_o this_o bless_a father_n meditateâ—_z of_o this_o point_n and_o may_v not_o under_o both_o you_o correction_n these_o word_n be_v in_o some_o sort_n apply_v to_o our_o cause_n what_o answer_v to_o this_o our_o letter_n you_o wiâ—â—_n return_n we_o know_v not_o yet_o certain_o no_o anâ—_z be_v but_o one_o worthy_a yourselves_o worth_a christian_a parent_n you_o can_v return_v which_o able_a to_o case_v our_o trouble_a mind_n that_o be_v i_o aâ—_z your_o mother_n gynoecia_n do_v with_o all_o joy_n entertain_v both_o â—ur_fw-la happy_a resolution_n therefore_o we_o both_o give_v you_o â—r_v full_a and_o free_a consent_n to_o proceed_v as_o you_o have_v beâ—â—n_n since_o your_o soul_n be_v your_o own_o not_o we_o and_o â—u_o not_o â—e_z must_v answer_v for_o they_o we_o both_o therefore_o 〈◊〉_d withal_o cheerfulness_n of_o mind_n fiat_fw-la voluntas_fw-la â—ei_fw-la and_o most_o loath_a and_o unwilling_a shall_v either_o of_o we_o â—reafter_o be_v to_o resist_v god_n bless_a ordination_n herein_o how_o will_v this_o answer_n relieve_v and_o cheâ—h_v we_o dispel_v from_o our_o afflict_a heart_n all_o â—avines_n of_o mind_n no_o small_a hindrance_n to_o a_o â—ertuous_a life_n and_o thus_o in_o the_o good_a hope_n of_o this_o our_o so_o â—uch_n desire_v answer_n we_o even_o upon_o our_o â—ees_n do_v beg_v both_o your_o blessing_n and_o will_v ever_o cease_v to_o power_n out_o our_o poor_a prayer_n to_o be_v divine_a majesty_n to_o preserve_v you_o both_o in_o his_o watch_n and_o custody_n that_o so_o after_o your_o peregriation_n in_o this_o world_n be_v once_o end_v we_o all_o may_v â—eet_v together_o in_o the_o heavenly_a jerusalem_n and_o â—ay_v mutual_o and_o daily_o enjoy_v that_o most_o blesâ—ed_a sight_n of_o he_o who_o be_v our_o creator_n our_o faâ—â—er_fw-la and_o our_o redeem_v you_o true_o most_o dutiful_a and_o obedient_a daughter_n caelia_n cosmophila_n another_o letter_n of_o the_o confessarius_fw-la write_v to_o the_o worthy_a knight_n sir_n orthodoxus_fw-la and_o to_o the_o lady_n gynoecia_n his_o wife_n at_o their_o house_n in_o london_n worthy_a syr._n notwithstanding_o all_o
they_o that_o burn_v or_o what_o comfort_n be_v it_o to_o the_o damn_a to_o have_v fellow_n of_o their_o damnation_n thus_o much_o worthy_a sir_n for_o a_o taste_n of_o the_o former_a three_o holy_a father_n touch_v the_o great_a impiety_n commit_v by_o parent_n in_o seek_v to_o withdraw_v their_o child_n from_o the_o most_o bless_a course_n of_o a_o religious_a and_o votary_n life_n in_o this_o next_o passage_n i_o will_v descend_v to_o some_o few_o example_n omit_v many_o other_o for_o great_a expedition_n wherein_o god_n have_v show_v his_o revengeful_a hand_n against_o those_o who_o have_v impugn_v a_o religious_a life_n s._n jerome_n e_o lâ—ta_fw-la recount_v that_o one_o praetextata_n a_o noble_a marrone_n by_o commandment_n of_o her_o husband_n who_o be_v unâ—le_a to_o the_o virgin_n eustochium_fw-la who_o have_v devote_v herself_o to_o a_o religious_a life_n do_v change_v the_o say_a virgin_n apparel_n for_o brave_a clothes_n and_o curious_o do_v comb_v her_o hair_n after_o the_o fashion_n of_o the_o world_n and_o all_o this_o to_o withdraw_v eustoâ—hium_n from_o a_o religious_a life_n but_o behold_v say_v s._n jerome_n the_o same_o night_n after_o praetextata_n have_v do_v â—his_fw-la she_o see_v in_o her_o sheep_n a_o angel_n that_o come_v to_o she_o breathe_v with_o a_o terrible_a voice_n to_o punish_v she_o in_o these_o word_n be_v thou_o so_o bold_a as_o to_o prefer_v the_o commandment_n of_o thy_o husband_n before_o christ_n how_o dare_v thou_o handle_v the_o head_n of_o the_o virgin_n of_o god_n with_o thy_o sacriâ—egious_a hand_n which_o hand_n shall_v even_o now_o wither_v away_o that_o thou_o thus_o torment_v may_v feel_v what_o thou_o have_v do_v and_o at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o five_o month_n thou_o shall_v â—e_z carry_v to_o hell_n thus_o s._n jerome_n and_o he_o relate_v for_o certain_a that_o her_o hand_n be_v present_o then_o wither_v and_o dry_v and_o that_o at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o time_n prefix_v she_o die_v s._n ambrose_n record_v of_o a_o noble_a young_a gentlewoman_n who_o be_v then_o live_v when_o he_o write_v the_o relation_n how_o that_o fly_a to_o the_o altar_n out_o of_o a_o great_a desire_n she_o have_v to_o be_v religious_a diverse_a of_o her_o near_a friend_n be_v much_o against_o this_o her_o pious_a determination_n and_o one_o of_o they_o in_o a_o harsh_a and_o uncivil_a manner_n thus_o rebuke_v she_o f_o virginâ—â—_n if_o thy_o father_n be_v now_o live_v do_v thou_o think_v he_o will_v suffer_v thou_o to_o live_v unmarried_a to_o who_o the_o chaste_a virgin_n thus_o mild_o answer_v perhaps_o my_o father_n therefore_o die_v that_o he_o may_v not_o hinder_v i_o the_o end_n hereof_o be_v that_o this_o unkind_a friend_n of_o she_o die_v within_o a_o short_a time_n after_o he_o have_v thus_o reprehend_v the_o virgin_n the_o rest_n of_o her_o friend_n ascribe_v the_o cause_n of_o hiâ—_z unexpected_a death_n to_o his_o rough_a word_n giveâ—_n to_o she_o and_o thereupon_o all_o they_o who_o before_o be_v ready_a to_o dissuade_v she_o from_o enter_v in_o tâ—religion_n do_v after_o most_o willing_o give_v their_o aâ—sents_n thereto_o i_o will_v conclude_v this_o point_n of_o exampleâ—_n wherein_o god_n revenge_n have_v be_v manifesteâ—_z in_o punish_v of_o those_o who_o labour_v to_o impugâ—â—_z and_o resist_v his_o ordination_n of_o such_o as_o desire_v tâ—_z forsake_v the_o world_n with_o the_o example_n of_o oâ—â—_z call_v pontianus_n who_o be_v but_o a_o bond_n slaueâ—_z a_o cruel_a and_o barbarous_a master_n this_o maâ—_n through_o desire_n of_o live_v a_o saintly_o life_n flee_v unto_o a_o monastery_n but_o his_o master_n demand_v he_o with_o great_a importunity_n look_v he_o from_o thence_o but_o what_o be_v his_o punishment_n therefore_o he_o be_v instant_o strike_v stone_n blind_a and_o so_o by_o loose_v his_o sight_n he_o full_o acknowledge_v his_o former_a sin_n and_o be_v most_o willing_a that_o pontianus_n his_o slave_n shall_v return_v unto_o the_o monastery_n yet_o notwithstanding_o hiâ—_z consent_n thereto_o his_o master_n recover_v nor_o hiâ—_z sight_n till_o pontianus_n have_v touch_v his_o eye_n with_o his_o hand_n that_o so_o it_o may_v more_o evident_o appear_v that_o his_o former_a transgression_n and_o 〈◊〉_d be_v the_o cause_n of_o his_o blindness_n this_o history_n iâ—_z relay_v by_o s._n gregory_n g_o 5._o of_o tours_n a_o venerable_a and_o worthy_a author_n to_o come_v to_o the_o three_o and_o last_o point_n of_o the_o subject_n before_o mention_v that_o be_v to_o warrant_v with_o force_n of_o reason_n that_o parent_n ought_v to_o rest_v content_a and_o satisfy_v with_o their_o child_n â—oâ—_n their_o enter_n into_o a_o religious_a life_n i_o thus_o affirm_v that_o when_o parent_n do_v free_o offer_v up_o some_o of_o their_o child_n to_o the_o peculiar_a service_n of_o god_n they_o depart_v with_o nothing_o therein_o which_o be_v true_o and_o sole_o their_o own_o but_o only_o willing_o restore_v to_o god_n what_o be_v god_n before_o and_o thus_o god_n by_o demand_v they_o challenge_v but_o what_o be_v his_o right_n and_o his_o own_o and_o therefore_o that_o parent_n who_o shall_v retain_v and_o keep_v back_o any_o of_o his_o child_n from_o god_n commit_v a_o horrible_a sacrilege_n against_o his_o divine_a majesty_n since_o it_o be_v god_n not_o the_o parent_n who_o be_v but_o a_o secondary_a instrument_n under_o he_o and_o this_o only_a for_o the_o body_n who_o give_v the_o first_o fabric_n and_o make_n to_o the_o child_n and_o who_o aâ—one_n without_o any_o concurrency_n of_o the_o parent_n herein_o infuse_v the_o soul_n into_o the_o new_a beget_a body_n thus_o far_o worthy_a sir_n i_o have_v think_v good_a to_o proceed_v for_o the_o better_a animate_v and_o encourage_v of_o you_o to_o rest_v content_a or_o rather_o great_o to_o rejoice_v at_o god_n good_a pleasure_n in_o take_v your_o two_o daughter_n to_o his_o peculiar_a service_n and_o patronage_n but_o now_o good_a lady_n gynoecia_n since_o you_o be_v a_o woman_n i_o will_v produce_v for_o your_o great_a corroboration_n herein_o two_o example_n of_o woman_n show_v most_o admirable_a and_o spiritual_a fortitude_n in_o the_o loss_n and_o death_n of_o their_o child_n much_o more_o then_o ought_v you_o to_o entertain_v with_o all_o eavenue_n and_o quietness_n of_o mind_n the_o absence_n of_o your_o two_o daughter_n enter_v into_o a_o religious_a course_n the_o first_o shall_v be_v that_o noble_a woman_n who_o be_v the_o mother_n of_o the_o most_o valiant_a machabeâ—â—_z who_o see_v not_o one_o or_o two_o only_a but_o seven_o of_o her_o son_n put_v to_o most_o barbarous_a death_n even_o in_o her_o own_o presence_n because_o they_o will_v noâ—_z violate_v and_o break_v the_o law_n give_v to_o they_o from_o god_n and_o yet_o she_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v disanimate_v or_o grieve_v here_o with_o as_o that_o aâ—_n the_o scripture_n relate_v the_o h_o 7._o exhort_v stout_o every_o one_o of_o her_o son_n to_o be_v constant_a in_o his_o religious_a in_o her_o own_o country_n language_n fill_v with_o wisdom_n and_o instil_a manly_a courage_n to_o her_o womanish_a thought_n and_o here_o madam_n you_o be_v to_o take_v notize_v that_o this_o happen_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o old_a law_n which_o time_n serve_v but_o as_o a_o type_n or_o figure_n oâ—_z the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o with_o reference_n to_o the_o time_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v as_o the_o i_o 8._o apostle_n say_v establish_v in_o better_a promise_n if_o theâ—â—_z a_o woman_n in_o that_o imperfect_a time_n have_v such_o spiritual_a fortitude_n as_o to_o rejoice_v at_o she_o child_n death_n suffer_v for_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o to_o encourage_v they_o to_o persever_v to_o the_o end_n in_o endure_v their_o torment_n shall_v not_o a_o christian_a and_o catholic_a lady_n such_o as_o you_o be_v now_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o affoard_v far_o greaâ—ter_a measure_n of_o grace_n full_o be_v resolve_v with_o aâ—_n resignation_n of_o will_n and_o judgement_n to_o forbearâ—_z the_o corporal_a presence_n only_o of_o her_o daughter_n devote_v themselves_o to_o the_o more_o peculiar_a service_n of_o their_o lord_n and_o redeemer_n the_o second_o example_n which_o i_o will_v present_v to_o your_o ladyship_n be_v of_o one_o melania_n a_o most_o noble_a matron_n of_o rome_n of_o who_o s._n jerome_n thus_o write_v k_o blessillae_fw-la sancta_fw-la melania_n nostri_fw-la temporis_fw-la etc._n etc._n saine_fw-la melania_n be_v the_o true_a honour_n and_o nobility_n among_o christian_n of_o our_o time_n when_o the_o dead_a body_n of_o her_o husband_n be_v scarce_o cold_a and_o not_o hury_v do_v lose_v together_o two_o son_n i_o be_o to_o relate_v say_v s._n jerome_n a_o incredible_a thing_n but_o i_o call_v christ_n to_o witness_v a_o thing_n most_o true_a who_o will_v not_o think_v that_o this_o afflict_a lady_n will_v not_o after_o