Definition of "venerious"

But vnto man, and to diuers other land Creatures, the eating of much ſalt is very contagious, becauſe it maketh the bloud ſalt, and it breedes barenneſſe to mans bodie by the extreame ſiccitie thereof, and it maketh our ſeed ornature too ſharpe, but the ſame being moderatly taken, is very ſtirring in our bodies, and prouoketh them to venerious actes, whereby it helpeth to the generation of mankind.

1594, H[ugh] Plat, Diuerse New Sorts of Soyle Not Yet Brought into Any Publique Vse, for Manuring Both of Pasture and Arable Ground, with Sundrie Concepted Practises Belonging Therunto, London: […] Peter Short, page 8

Which is, hee that preſumes with his alldaring quill to put forth lewde pamphlets, amorous loue ſongs, and wanton elegies, to ſet vp a venerious ſchoole: bluring and ſtaining the pure vnſpotted name of the muſes with his impure blemiſhes of art: let him ſing a foole a maſſe, and tell me that his life is vntainted, though his lines bee lecherous: hee is a meere pandar, a baud to all villany: the veſſell beein vented and broch’t, tels the taſte what liquor iſlueth from it.

1607, T[homas] W[alkington], The Optick Glasse of Humors. Or The Touchstone of a Golden Temperature, or the Philosophers Stone to Make a Golden Temper, […], London: […] Iohn Windet for Martin Clerke, […], folios 44, verso – 45, recto

At ſuch time as the deſire of copulation wils him get the bels away quite from the fleſh, only vnto the fore-ſkin, which knowne, hee is brought afore ſome expert Mid-wiues who preſent him Virgins, one whom he likes, he chooſes, returnes and drinkes a ſomniferous potion, whoſe operation puts him in a ſleepe, during which the bell is looſed from the fleſh, and only faſtned to the prepuce, an vnguent is applyed, the cure is ready, then is he at liberty to vſe his body, but ſome in way of pride haue foure or fiue bels, which harmoniouſly reſound their melodie in the ſtreets, and preſerue them there of purpoſe, aſwell for ornament, as titulation in venerious exerciſes.

1634, T[homas] H[erbert], A Relation of Some Yeares Trauaile, Begunne Anno 1626. Into Afrique and the Greater Asia, Especially the Territories of the Persian Monarchie: and Some Parts of the Orientall Indies, and Iles Adiacent. […], London: […] William Stansby, and Iacob Bloome, page 195