of my servant Candidus.

This done I retired to the service of the goddesse in hope of greater
benefits, considering I had received a signe and token, whereby my
courage increased every day more and more to take upon me the orders and
sacraments of the temple: insomuch that I oftentimes communed with the
Priest, desiring him greatly to give me the degree of the religion,
but he which was a man of gravitie, and well renowned in the order of
priesthood, deferred my affection from day to day, with comfort and
better hope, as parents commonly bridle the desires of their children,
when they attempt or indeavour any unprofitable thing, saying, that the
day when any one should be admitted into their order is appointed by the
goddesse, the Priest which should minister the sacrifice is chosen by
her providence, and the necessary charges of the ceremonies is alotted
by her commandement, all which things he willed me to attend with
marvailous patience, and that I should beware either of too much
hastinesse, or too great slacknesse, considering that there was like
danger, if being called I should delay: or not called I should be hasty:
moreover he said that there was none of his company either of so
desperate a mind, or so rash and hardy, as to enterprise any thing
without the commandernent of the goddesse, whereby he should commit a
deadly offence, considering that it was in her power to damne and save
all persons, and if any were at the point of death, and in the way
to damnation, so that he were capable to receive the secrets of the
goddesse, it was in her power by divine providence to reduce him to the
path of health, as by a certaine kind of regeneration: Finally he said
that I must attend the celestiall precept, although it was evident and
plaine, that the goddesse had already vouchsafed to call and appoint me
to her ministery, and to will me refraine from prophane and unlawfull
meates, as those Priests which were already received, to the end I might