YOVR DEVOVT myndes good virgyns doo ofte tymes prouoke me , with youre delycate and swete presentes , that I shoulde by somme maner of writynge , not onely celebrate and laude your most precyouse treasure , but also extolle and commende vnto you , your intent and purpose . In the tone ye be ledde by a certayne relygious desyre , sekynge nothynge els but the glorye of god , the whyche in his sayntis is very glorious : In In the tother I perceyue ye seke for spiritualle gayne , with your pleasaunt and swete gyftes , delytynge the mouthe , diligently labourynge to opteyne of me those thynges , that fede the sowle : this is a very deuout captation , a holy desyre , a ryght wyse and gaynfull chaunge , and mooste comely and seemely for wyse virgins : yf I were the man that coude bring forthe any thynge oute of the secrete coffers of holy Scripture , that might in like maner refreshe your myndes , as your giftes and presentes do refresshe my bodye . You erre not in youre affeccyon , but you faylle in youre election : you loue that that is beste , but you chose not him , that can satisfie your holy desyres . And yet bicause you shal not thynke me vtterly vnkynde , I do not a lyttell reioyce , to see in you ( chosen virgyns of god ) this good mynde , that is , thyrstynge nothynge els but the glory of your spouse . For it is an euident and a sure token of a chast wyfe , to recken her husbandes glory her owne . For truly he , vnto whom you are specyally spoused , is aboue al the children of men the moste goodlyest , and in all his actes and dedes he is the moste glorious : Though oone wolde contemplate and beholde on euery syde the wonderfull frame of this world , yet shall he fynde hym more gloryouse in the redemynge of the worlde , than in makynge therof . Gen. 1. He made the worlde , and the hole company of aungelles with tournynge of an hande : but with his precyouse bloudde he redemed that that he made . The same wisedome , whiche is Christe Iesus , and whiche also is the wonderfull werkman of this worke , to th entent to make a thynge more meruayllous , by dyuine crafte he edified a howse eternall , and a temple worthy for god , that is the Churche , whiche he as a kynge moste ryche , dydde freshly garnishe and ornate with all maner of spiritual ornamentis . For what is golde , syluer , yuory , what is the smaragde , the Topase , the beryll , or the variable shynynge of precious stones , cōparring them to the rich giftis of the holye ghooste , whiche are prophecy , the gyfte of tongues , the vertue of working myracles , and the curynge of infyrmities , peace , puritie , charitie , and sufferance ? This holle Edifice , made of lyuely stones , with a wonderfull agrement couched together , ryseth vp to heuen , Act. 4. Christ beinge the very corner stone , knyttethe fast to gyther al the hole frame , that it can neither fall in ruyn nor decay . These stones are the dyuers orders of saynctis . Pro. 3. In this Temple he reioyceth to dwell , lyke as he saythe in an other place : My delectacyons are to be with the sonnes of men . He this magnyfycent Salomon glorifieth hym selfe in these rychesses : he is noo where more meruayllous , noo where more glorious , than in his saynctis : to whom he hath vouchesafed this honoure , to make them his own membres : and acceptynge them as his bretherne , to make theym heires with hym of the heuenly kyngedome . He dyed for al : but yet his most glorye and pleasure is in the bendis of Martyrs , and in the companyes of vyrgyns . These are the most precious Iewels , of which the churche of Christe dothe soo stately auaunce her selfe of , the whiche woteth nat wherof to glorye , but in the onely gyftes of her spowse . For what so euer thynge is glorious in saynctis , the same is the gyfte of Christe . O good virgins , the delectations and ornamentis of your spouse , are dyuerse and variable . whan he goth forth , he is beset about with sondrye precious vertues , and with innumerable kyndes of flowers : but the rosis of martyrs , and lylyes of virgins , do mooste specially please and delyte hym . And no meruayl , though he loue that that he is hym selfe , ye wherof he is the very fountayne to al other . I am ( sayth he ) Flos campi , Cant. 2. the flower of the felde , and the lylie of the valeyes . He is the prynce of martyrs , for throughe hym martyrs are myghty and stronge . He is the chiefe capitain of virgins , for by him virgins do subdue the flesshe , and the desyres thereof . After that he descended downe to the erthe , and hadde spredde abrode the fyre of charitie , wynter passed away , and these freshe flowers sprouted vp euery where in our countreye . Howe scarse was virginitie before ? But after that Christe had ones consecrate virginitie , howe many thousandes of yong men and women sprang vp sodaynly through out all the worlde , whiche wyllyngly gaue them selfes to pure chastitie for the kyngdom of god ? After that he , suffringe dethe on the crosse , hadde taughte , that they were very happye , that wolde dye for goddis sake , howe many swarmes of men & women came forth , that wyllyngely yea and gladly suffered deathe for the glorye of Christe ? Doutlesse for this cause it is , that your spouse glorieth in the Cantycles , where he saythe thus , Ryse vp , haaste you my swete loue and my fayre dooue , and come . For nowe wynter is paste , the shoure is goone , oure grounde is couered with fresshe floures .

¶ Howe barrayne shoulde our erth haue ben , if he the same heuenly sonne had not kendled our hartis with the hete his Charytie ? if he had not watred our mindes with the showre of his grace ?

But what flourisheth fayrer then the Euangelicall veer ? What is more plentyfulle ? what is more louely ? The rosis ruddy hewe abydeth not longe , the beautie of the lilye fadeth soone , wheron a certayne Pagane writeth thus : Neyther smallage is lyuely , Nor yet the shorte Lylie . But those fresshe flowers , with which the Churche is plentifully furnyshed , do neuer wyther away . For Christe is the immortal lylie , & gyueth immortall grace to his lylyes . He is the Rose immortall , whose fresshe and fayre colour dothe neuer fade , and the same perpetuitie he gyueth vnto his . He is called Flos campi , that is the flower of the felde , bycause of the Iewes . Fieldes be apte and mete for tillage . Amonge the Iewes he was dyed with his owne precious bloude , the whiche Iewes Moyses and other prophettes dydde eare and tylle , yet they coude neuer cause them to bryng forth suche fruites as they loked fore . He was the lylie of the Ualleis amonge the thorny and vntylled gentiles , to whom it is perswaded , that he became man , and was borne of the Uirgin Marie without spotte of synne . Surely he was the euangelicall lilie , that god the father so clothed , as neuer Salomon was arrayed in al his great glory . For why , neither Salomon , nor yet none other , was euer borne of a pure virgin , defyled with no spotte of the fyrst parent . Who so euer couple them selfe by feyth to this lilie , bycause they are made one fleshe and one spirite with hym , they are pourged from fylthy synnes , they receyue the fayre white garment of innocency , and be also made Lylies . For so in the same place folowynge saythe the spowse , Cant. 2. that nameth hym self a lilie : Lyke as the lylie is amonge thornes , so is my loue amonge the doughters . what thyng els is the lily amonge thornes ? but a virgyne amonge wyues .

¶ Matrymonye is an honeste thynge , but it is besette aboute with briers and thornes . For suche as be maried , saythe Paule , 1. Cor. 7. shall haue trybulacyons of the fleshe . If any man doubte , whether matrimonye haue thornes , lette hym enquere of maried women , what greate grefes she endureth , that hath to her husbande a frowarde felowe , a drunkarde , a dycer , an aduoutrer , a waster , what dysplesures growe of kinsfolke , and what of wycked chyldren , and than ( if he thinke it best ) lette hym denye a virgyn to be a lylie amonge thornes ? A virgyn being free from the cares of this worlde , myndeth those thynges that perteyne to our lorde , howe she maye please hym : She that is maried , as it were hyther and thyther haled and plucked with dyuers and sondry cares , setteth her mynde on many thynges .

Surely all they that haue taken on theym to folowe Christe , are lylies , but specially virgyns . Amonge them he the marueylous spouse fedeth and taketh his delyte , whyche is not enterteyned with euery body . Cant. 2. He is my deere derlyng and I his , which fedeth amonge the lilies , vntyll the day breake , and tyll the shadowes be gone . Suche flowers he gathereth , that he may make of them a garlande that neuer wythereth away in heuen : lyke as it is said in an nother place : Cant. 2. My loue is goone downe into his gardeyne , vnto the swete smellinge beddes , that he may refresshe him selfe in the gardayns , and gather lilies . Trewely of those lylies speaketh the wyse man sayenge , Eccl. 39. Florisshe you flowers as doth the lilie , and gyue sweete sauour , and spredde out your bowes in grace , singe a songe of prayse , and blesse you oure lorde in his workes . The spouse beynge a vyrgyn , delyteth in virgins songes . This is the newe songe , that the Synagoge knewe not , in the which she was cursed , that brought forthe no children . But there are in the gospell innumerable , that synge a newe songe , whiche were redemed from the erthe , and called in to the felowshyp of aungels , bycause that they neyther mary nor defyle theym selfe with women , Apoc. 14. but folowe the lambe , whither so euer he gothe , and are withoute spotte before the throne of god .

There be many withoute spot in the syghte of men , but happy are they that appere suche before the throne of god : happye are they , which to the laude of theyr newe spouse , doo synge a newe songe , inwardly reioysyng , and to them selfe demeanyng great gladnes , that they being pure and chaste , do singe pure and cleane balades in honour of their pure and clene spowse . And ofte tymes your quier to their spouse singeth this melodious songe :

¶ O IESV the Crowne of vyrgins , whom she thy mother conceyued , whiche alone a virgyne dyd beare , accept o moste mekest these our vowes .

¶ O what greatte purytie is in this virgin , he the prince of virgins , and spowse and crowne of virgins , was conceyued of the heuenly spirite , and borne of a vyrgin , the glorious beautie of vyrgynite not broken . Of wyues the husbonde is the glory , but of virgins Chryste is the glorye : The whiche dothe fede among lilyes , compassed aboute with crownes of virgyns , hyghtynge and adournynge his spowses with glorie , and yeldynge to them rewardes . Your spowse is a sheparde , which gaue his life for his shepe , and is yet stylle carefulle for his flocke . For daily he saueth them , dayly he calleth theym hoome ageyne that straye abrode , dayely he cureth , and dayely he feedeth theym . He hathe also his delectations , in whiche he taketh plesure , he hathe his neere felowes , whome he calleth husbandes , he hath his playfeeres yonge maydens , whome he calleth wyues .

In spiritual thynges there is no difference of sexes , but they are named and called after theyr age and merites . Christ hath but one spouse , whiche is the churche , she hath many to accompanye her , & euery one of them maye be called a spouse . The spouse selfe is but one , and yet hath he somme , that he derely loueth , to whom he commytteth his wyues , soo that they also in maner may be called husbandes . For if byshoppes mowe rightously be called shepherdes , sythe there is but one shepeherde our lorde Iesus , what shall than lette them to be called husbandes . The wyues of this worlde , are stately and proude of the gyftes and dignitie of their husbandes , they shewe and booste their gaye garmentes and fresshe araye , for such as haue no husbandes seme as persones forsaken and destytute . But the spowse Iesus , for the despised ornamentes of this worlde , doth gaily hight and adourne his spowses with doweries of the sowle : for the glorie of the fleshe , whiche so soone vanysheth away , he gyueth them immortall glorie . Trewely to those spouses , whiche folowynge the example of the high shepeherde , and lyke valyant champyons in defence of his flocke , doo not refuse to dye , he gyueth rewardes . what rewardes ? not a garlande of oken leaues , or of laurell , not an image , or a title , or some other lyke rewarde , that the worlde for dedes worthily done is wont to gyue in recompence : but a garlande euermore freshe and flourysshynge in heuen , and a name wryten in the booke of lyfe , that neuer shall be blotted out by noo age . This delitious and plesant spouse , delyteth most specially in this company , which for all that , lotheth no wel disposed person , be he neuer so poore .

¶ There foloweth in the forsaid hymne . Whyther soo euer thou goest , virgins do folowe the , and with laudes syngynge runne styl after the , and with theyr sweete songes make pleasant noyse . Concernyng the fashion of the world it is an vncomely thinge , to see a virgyn wyllyngely rounne after her spowse . But it were a fowler syght , to see many virgins folow one spouse . In thingis touching the soule , it is otherwise , for there is nothyng more goodly , then to se many many virgins , that nere accompany one spouse Iesu. Nor it is noo meruayle , if they runne after hym , as they were woode , for loue of their spouse . For he allurethe theym to hym by secrete intycementes , whose louelynesse passeth all humayne loue . Psal. 44. He is the feyrest among the children of men , flowynge full of grace are his lyppes , the whose vysage to beholde angels esteme most high felycytie . He breatheth with his swete smellyng sauors on whom he wolle , and they on whome he breatheth say : Cant. 1. Drawe me after the , and we shall renne in the odour of thy swete smelling oyntmentes . They can not renne , excepte they be drawen : they canne not loue , excepte they be fyrste loued : And they that be alredy drawen , desyre to be more plentifully drawen : they that runne , couer to runne so fast , that they may approche yet more nere to hym that they loue . Trewely they felte and perceyued his lyppes to flowe full of grace , the whiche saye : Ioan. 6. O lorde whither shall we goo ? thou haste the wordes of euerlastynge lyfe . Al they that professe the name of Christe , folowe theyr sheparde Iesus : but they al onely his vnseperable feres , do folowe whyther so euer he woll goo : they folow hym euen to the very beatinges , they folowe him euen to the very persecution .

¶ Our lorde Iesus , what tyme he was in this world , ofte tymes ledde after hym greate and huge multitudes of al sortis of people : but whan he shulde go to Hierusalem to be slayn , fewe dyd accompanye hym , but yet fewer , whan he bearynge his Crosse , went towarde the Mount of Caluerey . But they which be the very felowes of the spouse , whiche be true virgins , coude not at this poynt be plucked frome theyr spowse . When he hang vpon the crosse , Peter , whiche was thoughte to haue a wyfe , coulde no where be founde , but the vyrgyns , Mary the mother of Iesu and Iohn , abode faste by the crosse , the other women stoode afarre of , and behelde what was doone . They folow then , ye and that gladly and wyllyngly : nor they folowe hym not as dumme persons , but syngynge balades , and makynge swete melody .

¶ They that be mennes wyues haue no leysure to be in the dances , they haue no leysure , no many tymes they haue noo luste to synge : they muste please theyr husbandes , they must chyde and braule with theyr maides and seruantes , & chastise theyr children . Our virgins , being free from all care and thought of this worlde , do nothynge els , but in spiritual quiers , synge swete hymmes to theyr spouse . For they ascribe nothynge to them selfe , but gyue al the glory of theyr felicitie to him , to whom onely they owe al thynges . He this louer deliteth in suche maner songes , he wol , he wol his gyftes to be songe : he hateth the phariseis songis , I fast twise in the Saboth , I gyue the .x. of my goodes to the pore , I am not as other men be . The more chast that a virgin is , the more shamefaste she is . Here the voyce of a very virgin : Luc. 1. Beholde the handmayde of our lorde . And he hath sene the humilitie of his handemayde . In the cantycles he calleth his spouse a douue . He desirethe to beholde her shappe , and coueteth to here her voyce : Cant. 2. Come sayth he , my douue out of the caues of the rockes , out of the holes of the walle : O lette me see thy vysage , and here thy voyce , for swete is thy voyce , and fayre is thy face . The soule hath his face . The face is moste specially estemed and iudged by the eies : with the eies we shewe & declare our intent : also with the eies with out voyce we signifie the inward affections of our myndes . The eie of a vyrgin is symple , she enuyeth not , she lyeth not in awayt to disceyue , she suspectethe none yuell , she myndeth not yll . The face of suche oone delytethe the spouse , Can. 2. which a lyttell after sayth thus : Howe fayre arte thou my loue , howe fayre art thou ? Thou haste douues eies .

¶ Here some wyll saye , What swetenes is in the complaynyng and mourning voyce of a douue , to delyte and please a man with ? The nyghtyngales voyce shulde rather be called to this parable and similitude . The rare and vehemente loue maketh contynualle complayntes , but yet pleasant and moste acceptable to the spouse . Here a lamentyng douue : I desyre to be lowsed , Phil. 1. and to be with Christ . Rom. 7. And ageyne : O wretched man that I am , who shall delyuer me from the body of this deathe ? Harken what an other douue saythe , Wo is me , Psal 119. that I dwel so long in this world . Psal. 136. And , By the waters of Babylon we sate downe and wepte , whan we remembred the Syon .

¶ These lamentable voices and ful of sighynges , are most acceptable in the eares of the spouse , in such maner of songes he moch delyteth .

¶ And bycause they sayd , O mercyfull lorde accepte our vowes , it is tyme , that they nowe expresse and declare , what they wold opteyn of theyr spouse : Is it richesses , is it honours , is it pleasures , is it a kyngdome , is it long lyfe ? For those thinges care haue they none , for the vehement loue of their spouse hath vtterly broughte them to despise those thinges . What is it than ? we praye the , encreace our myndes yet more largely , & graunt , that we mowe vtterly be ignorant of all corruption . They aknowlege howe great a tresure vyrgynitie is , that is , A cleane mynde in a bodye vncorrupte . They also aknowlege , that what so euer he hath gyuen theym , he wol vouchsafe to encreace it , and to heape benefyte vpon benefyte . Noo vyrgyn is soo pure , whiche hath not , wherby she may yet profite . For you shall scasely find any virgin , whiche to th ende the body maye be vndefyled , offendeth not otherwhile in thought . Nor trewe virginitie resteth not only in the gyft of chastitie , but all vyce of the mynde is the corruption of this virginitie . Who soo euer swarueth from the true feyth catholyke , his virginitie is defiled . 2. Cor. 11. Of this purenesse speaketh Paule , writynge to the Corinthees : I haue maried you vnto one man , to bring a chaste virgine vnto Christe : But I feare , leste as the serpente begiled Eue with his wylynesse , euen so your wyttes shulde be corrupted from the simplenes , which is in Christ Iesu.

¶ A vyrgin defyled with enuye , backbityng , arrogancie , is wounded with corruption : Therfore they pray , that theyr most munificent spouse woll vouchesafe to augment the gyftes that he hath gyuen theym , and that he wolle graunte them to be vtterly ignoraunt of all woundes of corruption . why saye they vtterly ? That is nother in mynde nor in body . what is to say of all ? what soo euer the humayne affection doth moue and styre vs to . This vowe or request might seme vnreasonable , ne were it that the spowse is almyghty , and mooste faythfull of his promyse . He wol not that his shal be only lyke vnto hym , but also he woll them to be the selfe same . But let vs admytte , that no manne in this lyfe can atteine to that , that the quier of vyrgins dothe desyre , yet the request of this moste thankefull quire shall not be made in vayn . For that that they here throughe fauour of their spowse are mindfulle of , shall in the resurrection chance them fully through theyr spouses augmentynge .

There are degrees in the Churche milytant , and soo there be in the churche triumphant . I wote not whether I haue taryed you longer than I shulde haue done in declarynge this hymne : Truly I repent me not , syth it is saynte Ambroses . For besyde all other argumentis , the word of thre syllables in the ende of euery dimeter , sheweth who is the authour . wherin I suppose that man had not so moche pleasure in the concent of the meter , as he delyted in the symbole of of the holye Trinitie . The churche the spouse of Christe hath many hymnes , but I wote nat whether there be any that sing with more ioy and gladnes of al persons , than they , whiche celebrate the spouse in the victories of Martirs , or triumphes of virgins .

¶ But nowe to retourne againe to those two flowers , farre passynge all other most fragant , the Rose and the Lilie . Lyke as the deathe of Christe with his swete odour drew many to the contempt and despysynge of this lyfe : soo the virginitie of Christe allured many a one to the loue of chastitie . They that ar drawen of him , beinge nowe theym selues made flowers , haue drawen other .

Christe sayde to Peter : Folowe me . Ioan. 21. Howe manye haue folowed Peter ? Who denyeth , but that we be moche bounde to the holy doctours , the whiche ( euery thynge beynge in peace and reste ) haue taught vs the way of our lorde ? But how many mo hath the fragraunt swetenes of the martyrs , drawen to the professyon of the gospell ? Yea howe many mo the example of virgins ? It is a gret thynge , boldely and connyngely to dispute of the gospelle : But the greattest poynte is , gladly to dye for the gospell . It is a great thynge , to despise and set nought by the glorye and ryches of this worlde , but it is farre greatter to mortifie and slee the fleshe with the concupiscencis thereof . And the churche knoweth to whome she is bounde . The churche ( next Christ ) hath had none in more honour , than they , which wyllyngly and gladly offred theyr bodies to be cruelly turmented , for the glorie of their spouse , and for sauation of the flocke , for the whiche he hym selfe vouchesafed to dye . They secondarily were had in honour , whiche wyllyngly for the kyngdome of god gaue them selfe holly to lyue chaste . what a great ioye and gladnes was it to all the Churche , whan a martyr constantly suffred dethe for Christis sake ? And howe great sorow and lamentation , if any shranke backe . Agayne , Howe greattely dyd the churche reioyce , if a virgin , that myght haue been maried to a man , wold rather put on the holy vaile of chastite , and couple her selfe to her spowse Chryste ? And how great sorowe was there made , if any suche dydde caste of her vayle , and wolde be maryed to a man ? Undoubted the losse of a thynge , that is most dere , is very greuous . with what feruente loue dydde christen men in tyme paste runne to the ashes of Martyrs ? Howe holy was the memorie of them amonge all chrysten men , whan dayly olde men , yong men , honest matrones , and virgins , runne thycke and threfolde to the prysones , as it were vnto places consecrate to god : whan they wold kys the cheynes , with whiche they were bounde : whan the swerde , with which they were martered , was reserued and kept amonge the holy relykes ? What memorie is more ioyfull , & more hye and holy to the churche , than of Martyrs ? Whan do menne synge with greatter gladnesse , than in their yerely feastis ? The whose afflictions and peynes the churche calleth vyctoryes , theyr turmentes triumphes , theyr deathes byrthes : nor in theyr celebrations is no maner mournyng , but all thynges full of ioye , fulle of gratulation , full of preysing , full of myrth and sporte . Nor the eloquence of excellent lerned men hath ben more shewed or set forth in any argument , than in celebrating the laude and prayse of martyrs and virgins . Herein Prudentius , in the kynd of verses called Liricum carmen , exceded the greate eloquence of Pindarus , he passed the elegancy of Horace , not possisyble to be folowed . Herein the trumpe bothe of the grekes and latyns , soundeth out I wote not what farre greatter and more diuine than verse heroical . In this argumente , Chrysostomus , Cyprianus , Ambrosius , Hieronymus , and many mo then can be nombred , excell Ciceros aboundaunt and flowynge style . What thynge maye we coniecte to be the cause ? Truly the magnitude of the martyrs dyd minister abundance of eloquence , the feruentnes of theyr myndes added strengthe to theyr wordes , and deuotion alacritie . Of what matter so euer they write , theyr style is plentiful and flowyng , But as oft as they take in hande to endyte of martyrs and virgins , now as it were by diuine inspiration , they sowne out , I wote not what thing farre passynge mans capacitie . Those thynges are not doone by mans studye , but they are broughte to passe by inspiration of the holye goste , the whiche woll his saynctes to be so glorified , in the whiche he desyrously gothe about to be seen most glorious . We wold graunt those thynges to be done by man , ne were it that god ( whiche inspireth the mindes of good men ) doth ornate the monumentes of martyrs and virgins with so manifold myracles . For where are wycked spirytes more tourmented ? where are moo cured of greuous sycknesses and diseases that no phisitions coude heale ?

What emperour , what kynge is he , with settynge vp of any images , titles , steples , churches , collegis , commandyng diuine worshyppes , dyd opteyne so greatte honour ye in this world ? Doubtlesse thus god dothe honour his martyrs , the whiche semed here poore abiectes and wretched caytyues . Thus he honourethe his vyrgyns , the whiche beynge as deed to the worlde , sette surely al theyr holle hope in theyr spowse Iesu. And they also aknowlege , that what so euer they haue , cometh all of the lyberall gyfte of theyr spouse . But the glorye of martyrs doth not lyghtly glytter and shyne but after the deathe :

where as virginitie euen in this lyfe is ful gay and glorious . For who is so barbarous , that wyll not fauour a virgin ? In the very myddes of the ruffelynge warres the fierce and cruell ennemy forbeareth virginitie . And if we beleue histories , the dumme beastis , ye the hugest , the wyldest , & most cruell of them all , beare reuerence vnto vyrgynitie . Howe greatly dydde the Romaynes in olde tyme honour the relygious virgyns , called virgines vestales ? what a naturall worshyppe and glorie of virginitie is that , whiche ydolaters do aknowlege , whiche the barbarous ennemy dothe reuerence , which the dumme beastis doo perceyue , and to whiche the wylde beastis obeye ? If soo great honour be done to the vyrgins of this worlde , howe moche more honorable is the virgin of Christe ? O good vyrgyne , take on the this holy pride , and repute what so euer pleasures or honors this world braggeth of , to be far vnder thy dignitie . It is a holye thyng to pride in your spowse , & a deuout thyng to glorie in him , to whome you owe all thynges .

It is also a sure thynge , trusting faythfully in hym , to rise and rebelle agaynst the worlde , whiche braggyngly shewethe forthe his delectable pleasures . My mynd is not at this tyme to write , what so euer may be sayde in the laude and praise of martirs or virgins . You haue the bokes of Cyprian , you haue the bokes of Ambrose , of Tertullian and Hierome , of which the two last , were wel nere ouermoch in admiration of virginitie . For the excellency of virginitie wolde not soo be extolled , that the preyse therof shoulde be an iniurie to chaste matrimonie . I recyte those thinges moste noble vyrgins for this intente , that you maye perceyue howe happy and fortunate your College is , the whose chaunce is to possesse bothe those thynges , whiche she the rich spouse of Christ the churche holdeth moste speciall in this worlde . For you haue in kepyng those mooste fragrant and swete roses , of the .vii. brethern of the Machabees , and of theyr mother , the whose fecunditie brought forth no children to her husband but to god , she fortunately redoubed the losse of her virginitie , with the martyrdome of so many sonnes vyrgyns . She being a virgin brought forth no frute , for that of al women was giuen but to one , but yet she brought forthe bothe virgins and martirs . Of her self she coude gyue none example of virginitie , but she perfourmed and dyd as moch as laye in her to do . She taughte her chyldren to be virgins , she exhorted them to martyrdome , and wolde haue suffred martyrdome before theym , saue that she feared their constancye , by reason of their tender youthe . And soo the glorie of vyrginitie chanced not to the mother alyke with the chyldern , but touchyng the martyrdome , the laude of the mother is soo moche the more , in that she beholdynge the cruelle turmentes , suffred in eche of her lyttel chyldren , what soo euer the cruell tourmentours coude do to the bodies of them . This is more stronger , then by turmentyng at ones to be rydde from all peyne . For the parentes are more cruelly tourmented in the persecutynge of their chylderne than in theym selfe . And that knowethe ryghte well the wytty crueltie of tyrantes , which wreste out by turmentyng of the chyldren in theyr parentes sighte , that they coude by no maner of turmentes gette of the parentes . Howe oft sawe she beynge a woman and a mother , her owne fleshe and bowels torrē and rente to pieces ? where was nowe the feble freiltie of that kynd ? where was the tender loue and pitie that is wont to be more vehement in mothers then in men ? Surely her deuout affection to godwarde , ouercame al humain pitie , and her feruent feythe ouercame the feblenes of womanhed . All hayle mooste happy virago , whiche haste gyuen exaumple of fortitude to all menne . All hayle moste fayre lyttell floures of the churche , whiche as rype delycacyes before your tyme , you haue preuented the springe tyde of the gospell , and haue made a shewe of euangelycal vertue , before the gospell was shewed or knowen to the worlde . For as yet this voyce of hym , which being a virgin , is borne of a virgin , was not harde , Mat. 19. Blessed be they , that haue gyuen them selfe to lyue in chastitie for the kyngedome of god , And yet the same prayse you by preuention haue opteyned afore hande . Mar. 16. Nor this was not as yet harde , Mar. 8. who so wil be my disciple , lette hym take vp his crosse and folowe me , but you as fore runners , dydde adumbrate Christis passion . And nowe your sowles in heuen doo folowe the lambe , whither so euer he goeth : But as for your vndefiled bodies ( whiche were partners of your tourmentes and peynes , so in tyme to come you shall receyue theym to the felowshyp of euerlastyng felicitie ) there was noo place more comely nor more conueniente to kepe them in , than in a holy college of virgins .

¶ Nowe to you good vyrgyns , that be the kepers of this so gret a treasure , my wordes do theym adresse . You haue in these yonge children both an example of chastite , which you ought to folow , & a crowne of martyrdome , that you shoulde extolle , gloryfienge your spouse , which stroue in them , whiche in them gote the victorie , whiche in them dothe triumphe . He hath in one self basket Lylies myngled with roses . The bryght beautie of the tone stryueth with the tother , nor yet the tone is not dusked or defaced of the tother : but the tone by reason the tother is with him , doth the more gaily glitter and shyne , lyke as whan yuory ( as one sayd ) is myngled with purpull , or whan a shynyng precyous stone is set in yolow gold . The stryfe is so doubtefull , whether is more glorious a martir or a virgin , that if the matter shuld be called in contention , I dare not boldly say , whiche of theym shoulde be preferred the tone before the tother . Bothe the tone and the tother are consecrate in Christ : but yet we ar more bounde to his crosse and passion , than to his virginite . He giueth to them the honorable title of blessednes , whiche for the kyngdome of god gyue them selfe to lyue in chastitie : but yet he requirethe the folowynge of the crosse . It semeth a greatter thyng , that whan he requireth it not , yet it maketh him blessed , that wyllyngly wyll perfourme it . And in the tyme of persecution it is a right gret thinge , for the glorye of god to haue the mynde alwey prompte and redy to suffre all kyndes of deathes .

But tymes haue like as the See hath , his tranquillities and quiete caumes . And other while one maye lefully escape the persecuters handes . But if one be dryuen to the last extremitie , the deathe of the body is the ende of greuous tourmentes , and the beginnynge of felicitie . A virgin hath a longe and a parpetuall stryfe with her housholde ennemie , the whiche she can neyther laufullye slee , nor escape by flyghte . This housholde fooe is the fleshe , the whiche whether we woll or woll not , we muste carie about , nowe and then rebellynge agaynst the spirite . And that it shal not seme easye to any man to subdue this ennemie , we haue redde of those that were ouercome with wanton entycementes of the flesshe , the whiche coude not be vanquyshed with the verye terrour and drede of dethe .

¶ Hytherto our collation hathe pondered , whether of those two shulde be more stronger : but me semeth that virginitie in this , is the happier , that ( as I by occasyon sayde afore ) the floure of martirdome , doth not freshely sprede & florishe , but after deathe : where as virginitie hathe her bryghte beautie , her fayre fragrancy , her grace and dignitie in this world . Uirgynytie is the flower of the sowle and mynde , but in the vysage , in the eyes , and in all the holle state of the body , there shyneth a certayne angelicall purenesse , and a flourysshynge clerenesse , not acqueynted with olde age , here as it were myndynge & thynkynge to be , that all we loke fore after this lyfe , whyche lyue deuoutely and godly in Chryste Iesu. The mynde holle and vncorrupte sparpleth abrode in the bodye her vigour and strengthe , lyke as the mynde infecte with vices sheweth in maner a glimerynge lighte , or rather maketh a grisely shewe in the selfe shappe of the body . For carnall pleasure is a fowle blemyshe to a mannes owne body . Why doo not the bodyes of good blessed menne waxe olde in the resurrection ? bycause nowe the soule shall rule theym , which woteth not what olde age meaneth . As deathe commeth of synne , so doth syckenes and age . Take synne away , and age shall seme the lesse : and if age chaunce to come , it shal chaunce more florishinge . And therfore a virgyn receyuethe nowe in this worlde some parte of her felicitie , exhybytynge in this mortall bodye a certayne spece or fachion of the immortalitie to come . The princis of this worlde are noo moore careful for theyr souldiours , than they be for the thynge that they come of , of the which whan nede requireth , they gather yong souldyours , the whyche thynge if it shulde fayle , howe shoulde they furnysshe an armye ? And nowe for a certayne yeres there hathe ben noo suche persecution vnder christen princis , as was vsed in tyme paste vnder Nero , Domitian , Iulian , and Maxentius .

But whether the Christen feythe be in better caase vnder these or noo , it lyeth not in me to define , surely by them it was drawen into a narrowe poynt . But how so euer it be , if there shulde ageyne chaunce persecution , the whyche wolde require a martyr , where is it more lykely that such a company shulde be gathered , than of them the whiche despisynge al the fals flatering vanities of this world , haue consecrate theym selfes holly to Iesu the celestiall spouse , the which wyllyngly haue crucified their fleshe to gether with the vicis and concupiscencis thereof , and for the loue of theyr spouse , haue contempned and sette atte noughte that same pleasure , for the fauour of whiche only many mortall menne desiren euermore here to lyue . A true virgyn doth differre very lyttell from a martyr . A martir suffreth the executioner to mangle his fleshe : a virgin dayly dothe with good wyll mortifie her fleshe , she beinge in maner a turmentour of her selfe . It is somewhat more maystry to tame an ennemye taken , than to kyl him . A martyr deliuereth his body to be persecuted : A virgin kepethe her body in lowe subiection , and maketh it obedient vnto the spirite . wherfore shall the virgin of Christ tremble and feare the handlyng of the executioner ? Shall she require rychesses , delycacies , worldly pompe , worldly welthe , or worldly pleasures , whiche causen other to be verye lothe to leaue this lyfe ? All these thinges she hath now cleane forsaken . Shall nat she , whiche loueth nothing in this world , whiche is deed to the worlde , whose lyfe is onely Christe , which dayly maketh her turtyls mournynges , couetynge to be nerer ioyned to her dere beloued spouse , & to be imbraced & clypped of hym , wil she not ( I say ) gladly deꝑt out of this wretched body , in the whiche she woteth wel she trauayleth as a pilgrim farre from her lord ? what men haue suffred the tourmentes of martyrdom more meruailously and strongly than virgine Martyrs , Agnes , Cecilia , Agatha , and other theyr felowes innumerable ? And therfore whan a virgin is delyuered to the executioner , she dothe not begynne her martyrdome , but makethe an ende of that that she beganne longe before . If those thynges seeme to any manne ouer harde hyghe and difficile , lette hym remembre , that the professyon of a virgin is aboue the powers of man , and egall with the dignite of angels . But al they that weare blacke vayles , are not virgins . For lyke as they ( accordynge to saynte Paules doctryne ) whiche are true wydowes in dede , 1. Timo. 5. be discerned frome those , whiche by a wronge name are called wydowes : and as that widowe , whych lyueth in delytes of this worlde , is sayde to be deade : ryght soo a virgin , whiche loueth any other thynge in this worlde thanne her spouse , is not a virgin . There ar in the gospel wyse vyrgins , Mat. 25. whiche by manifolde workes of mercy and pitie , haue so prouided for them selfe , that oyle in theyr lampes shall not fayle : there are in like maner folysshe virgins . And Hieremie bewayleth such vnwise virgins : Tren. 1. for the dignitie of this name is nothing mete and agreable for her , the which although her body hath not ben touched of man , yet her mynde hath ben defiled and spotted with filthy and vncleane thoughtes . She that lyueth syngle agaynste her wyll , is maried : and she that wolde be corrupted , if she might lefully , is alredy corrupted . It is a thinge of greattest difficultie , to represse and kepe downe all cogitations and inwarde thynkynges of a wauering mynd : and yet ageinst them assaylynge , there muste be defence made with prayers , redynge of holy bokes , fastynges , deuoute and godly occupations : for why to assent to them is very poyson . Eua the fyrste virgin , dyd commune and talke with the serpente , and therof sprange all yuels : her eies were not chast , the which the wanton intycement of the flatterynge apple dyd adulterate and defyle . The gaye costly apparaylle , the peynted face , the pleasant and mery enditynges of yonge men , the propre knackes and gyftes sente to and fro , are playne tokens and sygnes that virginitie dieth . For whose pleasure doth a virgin ones dedicate to Christ , ornate and trimme her selfe ? Why dothe she coueyte the companye of yonge men , the whiche toke on her the veyle of relygion bycause the worlde shoulde not se and beholde that that was consecrate to the spouse Christe .