An introduction to a deuoute life composed in Frenche by the R. Father in God Francis Sales, Bishop of Geneua. And translated into Englisg [sic], by I.Y.

A word or two to Virgins. CHAPTER 40.

1. OVIRGINS, I haue only these three wordes to say vnto you, for the rest that is requisit, you shall find else where. If you intend, and thinke vpon temporall mariage, be sure to keepe your first loue, inuio∣lably for your first husband. In my iudgement, it is egregious cosenage and deceit, to present in steed of an entyre, and sound hart, a worne, bru∣sed, and loue vanquisht hart. But if thy happie lot haue ordayned thee, for thy chast spirituall Spouse, for whom thou meanest to preserue perpetually thy virginitie, good God, how pre∣ciselie, carefully, and tenderlie, ough∣test thou to preserue thy first loue

for him, who being puritie it selfe, is delighted with nothing so much as with puritie, to whom are due the first fruites of all thinges, but prin∣cipally of our loue? Reade Saint Hie∣roms Epistles, there thou shalt finde sufficient precepts and rules, tou∣ching this matter. And seeing that thine estate and condition of life, hath made thee subiect to obedience, choose a guide and master, vnder whose con∣duct and direction, thou maist with greatest sanctitie and integritie, de∣dicate thy body and soule, to the worship and seruice of almightie God.