¶ An exhortation made to religious sisters in the time of their consecration by the Reverend father in god johan Alcok bishop of Ely.  
¶ I ask the banes betwixt the high and most mighty prince king of all kings son of almighty god and the virgin Mary in humanity christ jesus of Nazareth of the one party. And. A.B. of the tother party/ that if any man or woman can show any lawful impediment other by any precontract made or corruption of body or soul of the said. A.B. that she ought not to be married this day unto the said mighty prince jesus that they would according unto the law show it.  
GOod sister we are here gathered before almighty god and all his saints in heaven in his church here militant to solemn this noble spousage between the said son of almighty god and you/ which spousage must be of your party desired with all your hole heart and free will/ not compelled by none of your friends/ nor for cause of worldly worship nor ease of your body/ but only for the love & service ye own to the said mighty prince/ to serve him & obey him & keep his commandments/ and all other men & worldly worship renounce and forsake and him to love above all thing/ & his precepts to perform and all other thing to do that pertaineth to a good wife. How moche be ye bound unto him that will consent that ye be married unto him so great a prince & almighty/ & ye a wretch his creature & of a poor lineage. For the common usage is kings to marry together. Dukes and Earls together/ and poor people together/ and seldom seen the rich and the poor mary together/ and yet this most mighty prince lord of heaven & of earth for the love he heareth unto you to make you his queen his fair of heaven to be your father his mother to be yours/ & so by this marriage all your kindred shall be of cousinage by affinity to the father of heaven/ our lady all the angels with all the hole genealogy of Cryst/ to which honour and excellence no carnal spousage could exalt you. Therefore if ye continue his faithful & true spouse committing your mind your will & all your works to observe his commandments/ your reward shall be as in your jointer & dowry exceed all rewards that can be thought and may be given unto man.  
first sister if ye will be spoused to this noble prince & so be determined in your mind. I say these words to you of the holy ghost. (Audi filia et vide & inclina aurem tuam et obliviscere populum tuum et domum patris tui) That is to say/ daughter here see and give humble attendance/ if ye will be spoused to this mighty prince/ ye must forget and relinquish joy and felicity of this world/ and the house of all your generation/ your father and mother and all your carnal friends/ and ye must follow him in conditions/ and leave your old name and conditions and to be called after his name/ his name is jesus Nazarenus. And so ye must be called Nazarena. It is written (Nazarei candidores nive interpretantur virgulti vel floridi sive custodientes aut separati a mundo vel uncti sive sancti aut consecrati) That is to say. Ye must be as a young green branch and as a flower and as a keeper of the treasure of your husband and severed from the world as anointed holy and consecrate queen/ for these properties among other hath your spouse. first ye must be as a young green branch/ the which loseth his fair beauty when he is severed from the rote. The rote of all religion is jesus of Nazareth that is charity (Quia deus caritas est) And who so ever is not in charity he departeth himself from almighty god. So ye must love your spouse jesus above all thing/ he must be in your mind/ in your soul/ in your heart/ and in all your works. And of him specially ye must speak/ for if ye have any pleasure for to speak of any other things of the world or of any other man/ than will he be wroth. For as Saint Gregory saith (Prouidendum ergo nobis est quia intueri non debet quod non licet concupisci. Et johannes) christ saith (Qui stndet eligantes faci es inspicere. ipse fornacem passionis accendit) For he will that ye keep only and entirely unto him your five wits/ to have no pleasure for to look upon man or woman/ nor to here of no worldly things/ nor speak of no concupisbence/ nor handle no courageous things/ but only that shall be to his pleasure and service. For as saint jerom saith. There was never man so jealous of his wife and taketh heed of his works and deeds as our lord your spouse will take heed of you For ye can think no thought but he knoweth it/ nor speak no word but he heareth it/ nor be in no place but he is there present/ nor no thing can deceive him/ therefore ye must love him above all thing and be in perfit charity with all your sisters and his people and servants. Also christ jesus is called (Flos campi) The flower of Nazareth/ the beauty of this exceedeth all other virtues & it is so noble a treasure that it can not be praised/ and therefore virginity is honoured in almighty god. And christ the heed and the leader thereof and the first thing that he died in earth when he became man he set up his household of virgins & men of chastity for to serve him and his church here in earth/ as he was by virgins/ the angels served in heaven/ his mother was and is perpetual virgin. johan evangelist his secretary a virgin. johan the baptist a virgin. jeremy the prophet a virgin/ and angels in heaven virgins & Innumerable there singing and following the lamb of god the second person/ and never new songs of joy and glory. The angels of heaven honoureth virgins as their brethren & systern. And as it is written (Apocal. xix) The angel of god would not suffer saint johan Evangelist to worship him for love he was a virgin as he was and angel & man of the earth And therefore Saint bernard saith. What is more full of beauty than is chastity (Quid castitate decorius. Que mundum de immundo conceptum semine de hoste domesticum de homine angelum facit) The angels worshipped saint Agnes and clad her in a garment of chastity/ crowned saint Cecylye/ saint Agas showed her holiness/ saint Katherine buried/ & delivered from death Susanne. And as it is written Numery xxxi (Omnes feminas virgines reseruare alias onnes iubentur interfici) That is to say. That where all the people should be destroyed and slain for sin/ yet god almighty commanded to spare virgins. And therefore saith saint Ancelme (Non est salus nisi quem tu virgo peperisti) Saint Margarete had the devil under her feet and bound him/ and he cried & said/ leave ye young maid ye destroy me. And in like wise Saint julyan bet him and put him to great rebuke/ and therefore the devil worshipped virginity as it is read in Thobye the sixth chapter. For right as the devil hath power of all unclean livers/ right so he honoureth virgins and feereth them because of the angels. And therefore Saint johan Crysostomus saith (Castitas est res angelica ꝑ quam solum singulariter homines angelis assimulantur) And that angels have in heaven by felicity. A man or a woman being their in virginity have by grace and by great labour. virginity by grace hath diverse privileges. first it replenisheth paradise (tricesimasecunda questione prima ca Nupcie) The second that virginity is a virtue that man only may please god with faith (in aut. de levo. s. Scimus colla three the three) It is the beginning of other virtues (In aut. quomon op. epi. s. neque autem sacras. the four) That only among women a virgin is to be consecrate xxv di. Sicucius. the .v.) virgins martyrs and there other/ and hath (Aureolam tricesimasecunda questione quinta. Si paulus) For as matrimony replenished the earth with children/ right so a virgin replenished paradise (tricesimasecunda questione i Nupcie) Moders of children of the world hath great business and sorrow for to bring forth their children/ a virgin is in quietness and bringeth forth her children in great joy as it is written (Mathei xxij Que parate erant intraverunt cum eo ad nupcias) And as it is written (Canticorum secundo. Sicut lilium inter spinas sic amica mea inter filias) virginity is likened unto a lily the leaves of the lily that conserved the beauty thereof is soberness of meet and drink/ the contrary thereof is showed in Loath being drunken filed his own daughters (Genesis decimonono. xu.q.i. Inebriaverunt) jeronimus (Uirgo vinum fugiat pro veneno) As who saith/ a virgin should hate wine as venom.  

¶ Custos.  
ALso ye must be a custos/ a keeper of all such things as this day shall be delivered unto you in the name of your spouse & follow him therein. For and ye keep not all things in their being as he hath made them/ they should forthwith be destroyed/ and thereof david saith (Nisi dominus custodierit civitatem etc.) So ye must keep the treasure of your spouse christ pertaining to his faith & to have in your remembrance & will to keep the four things that shall be delivered unto you this day/ your veil & your mantel both being of black & a ring with a light of wax bearing in your hand/ and in keeping of these it shallbe showed as ye love your husband. This veil and mantel remembered right well the virgin saint Agnes when she said (Posuit signum in faciem meam et nullum amatorem preter eum admittan) That is to say. He hath covered my soul Inward and mine heed with a veil/ that and if I will love any man better than him I shall go to the colour of my veil and that is everlasting death. In like wise she showed that her spouse christ jesus had Endued her with a garment all set with precious stones/ that is to say/ with charity/ faith hope/ humility/ obedience/ abstinence/ & prayer/ & Inbroudred all these fair virtues in the black garment of her body and soul here knit together/ which may every virtuous person daily use and increase to his reward by grace and free will that be given unto him if he will seek therefore. And therefore the said saint Agnes song & said to all virgins (Induit me dns ciclade auro detexta) (Anulun) Also I have by the authority given unto me by christ jesus to deliver unto you this day a ring in token of marriage Indyssolyble to be made betwixt you & him. For as saint Poule saith Ye must hereafter remember no thing but that is godly/ & therefore the said saint Agnes cried with a great voice against the devil & him that tempted her to uncleanly desires saying (Discite a me pabulum mortis. quia ab alium amatore preventa sum) And showed unto him and unto all the people with a merry voice (Anulo suo subornavit me dominus noster Jesus christus et tanquam sponsam decoravit me corona) That is to say. All the pleasures and temptations of the world depart from me/ for our lord jesus christ with his ring hath wed me and hath crowned me with a crown of everlasting joy if I keep truly my love & spousage unto him.   

¶ Lumen.  
ALso remember the light that ye bring with you/ that signifieth christ jesus. That is (Uera lux que illuminat omnem hominem venien tem in hunc mundum) whose faith by his church taught you ye must entirely keep & see your light go not out but be brenning in your soul and in your mind by the blessed incarnation/ passion/ resurrection/ and the most blessed life of our saviour christ Iesu/ and that ye fall in none earthly sin/ heresy nor errors by any man's teaching nor dispute not the rules of your religion/ but with all reverence and obedience that ye may do ye take them/ obey them/ & observe them. And whatsoever your abbess or the rulers of your religion command you to do/ believe it is for the health of your soul and according to your religion/ and honour and love them as your father and mother ye must be patient among your sisters & suffer them/ ye must be meek ye must eat and drink such meats and drinks as ye be commanded/ and when ye have not half slept enough ye must rise/ ye must sing in your course and order with your sisters/ and take no heed though your voice be not most sweetest and clear/ so ye have a sweet devotion/ ye must serve your sisters and wash their feet/ for christ jesus to whom ye shall be spoused unto was obedient to his father and suffered death/ and he god and man washed also the feet of his disciples poor fishers.   

¶ Nazarena.  
ALso ye must be Nazarena/ that is to say/ desevered from the world/ as jesus Nazarenus saith himself (Regnum meum non est in hoc mundo) But though your body be here in this world corporally/ your mind & your soul to be with christ jesus/ and so take the world in all thing therein and say with Saint Poule. The world is to me a pain/ and I to the world/ my joy is only in christ crucified. So sister your pleasure and conversation must only be in the cross of christ/ that is penance/ in fasting/ prayer/ and mortification of your enemy the flesh and let it not have his will/ keep you within your monastery and depart not therefro (. xvi.q.i. placuit. n.) For right as a fish dieth that is without water Right so a man or woman of religion being without their cloister is deed in their souls. Remember the story of the bybell that Dena jacobs' daughter she would not keep her within/ not close as she was commanded/ but would go forth among young people and so was corrupt and ravished/ and thereof followed infinity manslaughter & murder. Moses' being in monte of religion he spoke with god/ without he spoke but with man (. xxxvi.di.c. Si) A woman of religion or a man being in their cloister in prayer they speak with god/ without they speak with the devil/ & therefore an holy father said/ right as an hen that hath eggs leaveth her eggs shall of them never come chickens So shall none be good religious man or woman that leaveth the place of religion. And as it is rad in (Vitis patrum) There was a monk by long space tempted by the devil & he resisted him sore/ at the last he brought the monk to the door where he should depart from the place of religion/ he made there a cross and cried to the devil/ thou hast pulled me hither/ pull me now farther & thou canst but it shall never lie in thy power.   

¶ Uncta.  
ALso remember ye be anointed in your baptism & confirmation and now to be made perfit Nazarena Christ's wife of Nazareth ye shall be sanctified & consecrate & so your name to be put in the great calendar among the virgins & spouses of Cryst jesus in heaven (jesus nazarenus was unctus oleo leticie pre oibus partibus suis) And that given unto his manhood to anoint with virtue & grace in this present life/ & with everlasting joy his lovers & servants/ & therefore saint john baptist saith (Nos omnes recipimus  in plenitudine eius) No thing we have sufficient of ourself but all cometh of his grace/ & therefore if ye will be anointed with this noble oil of mercy & grace in this present life & to come to be anointed in everlasting joy. Ye must do that was commanded in the gospel by the wise maidens that should be spoused unto Cryst saying (Ite et emite oleum) Go & seek unto ye may by & have this oil of grace/ & therefore the noble lady said to all her gentylwymmen as it is written in the book of all songs (In odour unguentorum tuorum currimus) That is to say/ right as an hound that hath found blood or piercing of a best stricken & seeketh & ceaseth not till he find it. So our saviour christ jesus was wounded & lost blood & pierced of his blessed life in this world/ to every man to taste & follow it till he find him. Ye shall not sister need to seek far till ye find pierced & savour/ as david saith (Sicut ceruus ad fontes aquarum) Of this sweet ointment of christ/ for he saith by his prophet david (Prope est dns oibus invocantibus eum) He is ready to every body when he is called upon. Example thereof. Marry magdaleyne she brought with her ointment of devotion & sought him & therefore soon she found him. So it is your duty to seek christ jesus to whom ye shall wed neither at Nazareth Bethlehem nor jerusalem/ but ye shall find him here within your own church the same god and man christ jesus and for your very love & contemplation go to an altar within your church/ or to an image of our lady where Gabryell saluted her. Remember the mercy & the love that the father of heaven bare to all mankind sent his angel to a young maid. and of her clean blood of virgynyte god and man was joined together. Than go to an other altar or place that showeth the nativity of christ/ and how that he lieth in great poverty in hay & betwixt two beasts & had no comfort but this young maid his mother to be fed of her breast. And so for to go to other places within your church for your devotion & remembrance of his passion. And specially one/ twice/ or thrice of the day that ye seek him in your mind devoutly at the mount of Caluarye. That is that ye shall kneel before the crucyfixe where his image is made remembering how he god & man that never had offended but took mannes nature here for the great love & redemption thereof & put unto so painful and shameful death in the mids of the world his mother being present/ his hands & his feet nailed unto the tree. his heart stricken through/ and yet in all this pain his charity was so moche that he prayed unto his father of heaven to forgive all them that so violently & so wrongfully put him to death/ and desired of his father that all mankind should be forgiven of their trespasses/ for the offence of our first form father Adam & the gates of heaven to be opened to all them that would believe in him. And in like wise to remember some devout place of his resurrection & blessed ascension/ & how he shall come to make an end of this present world & dame it. (Per ignem) And call you & all mankind to account of their demeaunce concerning his faith. & of you how ye have kept your spousage & promise made unto him. And if ye sister well & justly & truly observe your name that ye shall be called by after your husband/ as Nazarena/ that is to say (virgulti) fair branches full of fruits of virtue in your religion & flowers of virginity & keeper of commandments of your spouse/ despising pleasures & pomp of the world/ leaving it unto the foolish maidens of the world/ & anoint your soul by holy living/ & so be (Sancta) as Cryst is (Sanctus) & consecrate your soul to almighty god/ saying unto him with the holy maid & martyr saint Agnes and saint Awdry (Nichil in terris desidero preter te) I desire nothing in this present life but the jesus to be my keeper & defender/ & to have the principally in my mind & thought/ and than doubt ye no thing sisters/ but it shall be said unto you & everichone of you. (Unguentum effusum nomen tuum ideo adolescentile dilexerunt te nimis) The angels of heaven being these fair young maidens & gentylwymmen. For ye bear the name of Nazareth that is their maker & lord will make infinity mirth & defend & keep your person & not depart from till they sing this song most blessed that may be said unto you (Ueni sponsa xpi accipe coronam quam tibi pmparavit ineternum) That is to say come maid Nezarene Christ's spouse to present & receive for thy reward the special crown of glory called (Auriola) that I will not give nor reward with/ but my special lovers martyrs virgins & preachers/ & that ye may so do here that ye may receive this noble crown I beseech almighty god for his great mercy Amen.    

¶ Here endeth an exhortation made to religious sisters in the time of their consecration by the Reverend father in god johan Alcok bishop of Ely. ¶ imprinted at westmynstre by winken de word   

 depiction of crucifixion