ÞE LANTERNE OF LIȜT

Take ȝe of oure graciouse God.̉ þis litil tretise þat here is [folio 1a] offrid/ þe which is clepid a lanterne of liȝt.̉ for ȝe schal se þise þingis þerbi ‖

• Capitulum .I. Of a prolog ‖
• Capitulum .II. Of a peticioun ‖
• Capitulum .III. What is anticrist in general.̉ wiþ sixe condiciouns‖
• Capitulum .IV. What is anticrist in special.̉ wiþ hise þre parties ‖
• Capitulum .V. What is anticrist in special.̉ wiþ .V. condiciouns ‖
• Capitulum .VI. What is þe chirche oonli proprid to God.̉ wiþ hir names licknessis & condiciouns ‖
• Capitulum .VII. What is þe material chirche.̉ wiþ hir ournmentis‖
• Capilulum .VIII. Of good & yuel.̉ comyng to þis material chirche ‖
• Capitulum .IX. Of discrescioun to knowe.̉ þe good from þe yuel ‖
• Capitulum .X. How þe good of þe secounde chirche.̉ acorden wiþ þe good of þe firste chirche ‖
• Capitulum .XI. Of ioie in tribulacioun ‖
• Capitulum .XII. Of þe fendis cautels. bi whiche he pursueþ in hise membris.̉ þe kepers of Goddis heestis ‖
• Capitulum .XIII. What is þe fendis chirche.̉ wiþ hir [folio 1b] propurtes ‖

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PROLOG

Þis is þe prolog. Capitulum .I^m..

God þat is good in him silf. faire in hise aungelis. merveilouse in hise seintis. and merciful vpon synners.̉ haue merci on vs now & euer/ and ȝyue vs grace to holde þe weye of truþe.̉ in þise daies of greet tribulacioun ‖ For now manye þat semeden to haue be stable in vertu.̉ fallen from her holi purpose. dredyng losse of worldli goodis & bodili peyne as Crist seiþ. Mat. xxiv^o. 'Quoniam habundabit iniquitas.̉ refrigescet caritas multorum'*. [Vulg. Matt. xxiv. 12./ þat is to seie. þe greet plente and habundaunce of wickidnesse.̉ schal kele or make coolde. þe charite of many. For now þe deuel haþ marrid þis world.̉ bi his leeftenaunt anticrist þat men ben born aboute in diuerse douȝtis.̉ as wawis of þe see/ wrechidli diuidid] [folio 2a] in wonderful opyniouns.̉ iche neiȝbore wiþ oþir ‖ But Seint Poul sett oon acorde.̉ in al cristendom & seiþ. Eph. iv^o. 'Vnus dominus vna fides vnum baptisma' ‖ þat is to seie. þer is but oo lord.̉ þat alle men schulden drede & loue/ oo feiþ.̉ þat alle men schulden bileue wiþouten chaungyng/ oo baptem or cristendom.̉ þat alle men schulden kepe wiþouten defouling ‖ Alas hou is þis oonhed or vnite broken. þat men vnrulid walken aftir her lustis. as beestis in þe corne? certis þe wickid man þat Crist spekiþ of.̉ haþ done þis dede/ Mat. xiii^o. 'Inimicus homo superseminauit zizaunia'*. [Vulg. Matt. xiii. 25 'Inimicus eius superseminavit zizania'; but v. 28 'Inimicus homo hoc fecit.'] ‖ Þat is to seie. þe enemy of God haþ sowen taaris.̉ vpon þe seed of Iesu Crist*. [W. V. 'His enemy cam and sew above dernel (or cokil) in the midil of whete.' 1388, 'His enemy cam and sewe above taris,' etc.] ‖ Þis wickid man is anticrist.̉ þat clowtiþ his lawis as roten raggis. to þe clene cloþ of Cristis gospel/ & wakiþ in malise as Iudas childe.̉ whilis Symon slepiþ & takiþ noon hede ‖ O þou wickid man. is þer ony oþir þat may sauePage  3 soulis þan Crist Iesu? God seiþ bi þe mouþe of Moyses. Deuto. xxxii^o. 'percuciam & ego sanabo & non est qui de manu mea [folio 2b] possit eruere'*. [Vulg. Deut. xxxii. 39.] ‖ þat is to seie. I schal smyt & I schal heele.̉ & þer is non þat mai skape fro myn hand*. [W. V. 'I schal smyte & I schal heel, & there is not that fro myn hoond may delyver.' 1388, 'I schale smyte, and I schal make hool; and noon is that may delivere fro myn hond.'] ‖ Who haþ þe keies of Dauiþ to opyn heuene ȝatis.̉ & þanne noon oþir closiþ to close.̉ & þanne noon oþir opyneþ? Seint Jon seiþ, Apoc. iii^o. 'Sanctus & verus habet clauem dauid qui aperit & nemo claudit. claudit & nemo aperit'*. [Vulg. Apoc. iii. 7 'Haec dicit Sanctus & Verus qui habet,' etc.] ‖ Þat is to seie. Holi & trewe Crist Iesu haþ þe keie of Dauiþ þe whiche opineþ & noon oþir closiþ/ closiþ.̉ & þanne noon oþir opineþ.̉/ who dingeþ doun and þanne no man reriþ/ who reriþ.̉ & þanne no man dingeþ doun. Iob seiþ. xii^o. 'Si destruxerit nemo est qui edificet.̉ si incluserit hominem nullus est qui apariat'*. [Vulg. Job xii. 14.] ‖ Þat is to seie. whanne þe Lord God haþ distroied.̉ þer may noon oþir bijlde/ & whanne þe Lord God stressiþ a man in þe prisoun.̉ þer mai noon oþir delyuer him. ne quite him from hise boondis*. [W. V. 'If he destroȝe, no man is that bilde up; if he inclose a man, no man is that opene.' 1388, 'If he destrieth, no man is that bildith, if he schitteth in a man, noon is that openeth.'] ‖ And þerfore in þe vertu of þis name Iesu.̉ stondiþ al mannes saluacioun/ as it is writen. Actus iv^o. 'Nec enim aliud nomen est sub celo datum hominibus vnde oporteat nos saluos fieri'*. [Vulg. Act. iv. 12 'Nec enim aliud nomen est ... in quo,' etc.] ‖ Seint Petir seiþ. þer is noon oþir name vndir heuene ȝyuen to men.̉ [folio 3a] but þis name Iesu. in þe whiche it bihoueþ vs to be made saaf/ for oonli in vertu of þis name.̉ comeþ remyssioun of synnes/ as it is writen Luc. xxiiii^o. 'Oportebat predicari in nomine eius penitenciam & remissionem peccatorum in omnes gentes'*. [Vulg. Luc. xxiv. 47.] ‖ þat is to seie. It bihoued to be prechid among alle folkis.̉ penaunce & remissioun of synnes in þe name of Iesu ‖ Art not þou þanne a wickid man. a foultid schepard, a cruel beest. þe sone of perdicioun & anticrist him silf. þat pretendist in þee & in þi membris to bynde & lose. to blesse & curse. biside þis name Iesu? Peple wiþouten noumbre. folowyng þee & þi diuided lawis.̉ ben diuidid from Crist Iesu/ & gon wiþ þee blyndlingis.̉ to helle for euere-more/Page  4 And þis is greetli to sorow. so ferforþe.̉ þat Crist makiþ mornyng þervpon & seiþ. Ion v^o. 'Ego veni in nomine patris mei & non accepistis me.̉ si alius venerit in nomine eius illum [folio 3b] accipietis'*. [Vulg. Joh. v. 43.] ‖ þat is to seie. I haue comen in þe name of my fadir.̉ & ȝe haue not taken me/ whanne anoþir comeþ in his owene name.̉ him ȝe schal take/*. [W. V. 'I cam in the name of my fadir, & ȝe token not me. If another schal come in his owne name, ȝe schulen receyve him.'] And þis is anticrist as seint Ion Crisostum seiþ vpon þis gospel.*. [S. Ioan. Chrysostomus, Homilia XXVII in cap. Matt. xi (Opera, ed. 1547, tom. ii, col. 913).] Mat. xi^o. 'Tu es qui venturus es an alium expectamus'*. [Vulg. Matt. xi. 3.] ‖ For who þat wole not resceyue Crist.̉ in peyne of synne he is compellid & constreyned to resceyue anticrist ‖ Þerfore in þis tyme of hidouse derknes somme seeken þe lanterne of liȝt. of þe whiche spekiþ þe prophete. Ps. cxviii. 'Lucerna pedibus meis verbum tuum'*. [Vulg. Ps. cxviii. 105.] ‖ þat is to seie. Lord þi word is a lanterne to my feet.*. [W. V. 'Lanterne to my feet thi woord.' 1388, 'Thi word is a lanterne to my feet.']/ For as fer as þe liȝt of þis lanterne schineþ.̉ so fer derkness of synne & cloudis of þe fendis temptaciouns vanischen awey & moun not abide/ And algatis whanne þe lanterne liȝtneþ into þe hert.̉ it purgeþ & clensiþ from corrupcioun/ it swagiþ & heeliþ goostli soris/ As þe wise man seiþ. Sap. xvi^o. 'Neque herba neque malagma sanauit illos.̉ [folio 4a] sed omnipotens sermo tuus domine qui sanat vniuersa'*. [Vulg. Sap. xvi. 12 'Neque herba neque malagma sanavit eos, sed tuus, Domine, sermo qui sanat omnia.'] ‖ þat is to seie. Neiþir herbe ne plaistir haþ helid hem.̉ but Lord þi miȝti word þat heeliþ alle þingis/*. [W. V. 'Forsothe neither erbe, ne plastre helde them; but thi word, Lord that heleth all thingus.'] For Lord whanne þou diedist vpon þe cros.̉ þou puttidist in þi word þe spirit of lijf/ & ȝauest to it power of quickenyng.̉ bi þin owene preciouse blood. as þou þi silf seist. Ion. vi^o. 'verba que ego locutus sum vobis spiritus & vita sunt'*. [Vulg. Joh. vi. 64.] ‖ þat is to seie. þe wordis þat I speke to ȝow.̉ þei ben spirit & lijf ‖

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Of a peticioun. ‖ Capitulum .II^m.. ‖

Dere frendis helpe me wiþ ȝoure preiere.̉ anentis almiȝti God/ For seint Iame seiþ/ v^o. 'Multum valet deprecacio iusti assidua.'*. [Vulg. Jac. v. 16.] ‖ Þat is to seie. þe bisi preier of þe riȝtwise.̉ is miche worþe*. [W. V. 'The contynuel preyer of a just man is miche worth.'] ‖ þis ȝoure axing & ȝoure desire.̉ is ful chargouse to me/ but anentis God.̉ no þing is vnpossible. as Crist seiþ/ Mat. xix^o. Mar. x^o. Luc. xviii^o*. [Vulg. Matt. xix. 26, Marc. x. 27, Luc. xviii. 27; W. V. 'Anentis God alle þingis ben possible.']/ And in þis feiþ Isaie seid. xxvi^o. 'Deus ipse operatur omnia opera nostra in nobis'*. [Vulg. Isaias xxvi. 12 'Domine, dabis pacem nobis: omnia enim opera nostra operatus es nobis.'] ‖ þat is to seie. þe Lord God him silf worchiþ alle oure werkis in vs*. [W. V. 'Alle forsothe oure werkis thou wroȝtist in us.'] ‖ Faile we not God [folio 4b] þanne in good lyuyng.̉ & he mai not faile to ȝyue vs suche wisdam as is nedful to vs/ & also to stere yne oure toung. & ȝyue vs trewe organ of redi eloquens to edifiyng of oure neiȝbour as Crist seiþ Mat. x^o. 'Non enim vos estis qui loquimini.̉ sed spiritus patris vestri qui loquitur in vobis'*. [Vulg. Matt. x. 20.] ‖ þat is to seie. Forsoþe it arne not ȝe þat speken but þe spirit of ȝoure fadir þat spekiþ in ȝou/ For þe apostlis of Crist & oþir seintis.̉ weren not graduat men in scolis/ but þe Holi Goost sodenli enspirid hem.̉ & maden hem plenteuous of heuenli loore. & þei þat han traueilid in deedli lettirs.̉ mekid hem silf as symple ydiotis as seint Ierom seiþ/ 'Predicatores illiterati mittuntur ad predicandum vt fides credencium. non virtute humana sed eloquencia & virtute dei fieri putaretur'/ Hec Ieromus super Mat. li^o. Io/*. [S. Hieronymus, Comment. in Evan. Matt., Lib. I, cap. iv, v. 19, 20 (Migne, tom. 26, col. 33).] Þat is to seie. prechours vnlettrid.̉ ben sent for to preche þat þe feiþ of trewe bileuars.̉ schulde be hopid to be brouȝt in/ not bi mannes vertu.̉ [folio 5a] but bi speche & doctrine of God/ And so seiþ seint Austin writing to Symplician ‖ 'Quid patimur? quid audimus? surgunt indocti & celum rapiunt.̉ & nos cum doctrinis nostris in infernum dimergimur ‖*. [Augustinus, Confessiones, Lib. VIII, cap. viii (Migne, tom. 32. col. 757).] Þat is to seie. what suffren we? what heeren we?/ vntauȝt men risen & cacchen heuene. & we wiþ oure clergie benPage  6 drowned to helle ‖ And seint Gregor in hise morals.̉ affermeþ þis sentence & seiþ/ Sicut incarnata veritas in predicacione sua pauperes symplices & ydiotas elegit.̉ sicut e contra antichristus ad predicandum falsitatem suam astutos & dupplices & huius mundi sapienciam habentes electurus est*. [Gregorius Magnus, Moralium Lib. XIII, cap. x. 13 (Migne, tom. 75, col. 1023).] ‖ þat is to seie. riȝt as trouþe incarnat. þat is Crist in manhood chase pore symple & ydiotis to his prechyng/ so aȝenwarde anticrist is for to chese.̉ sturdi & duble men/ & hauyng þe wisedom of þis world.̉ for to preche his falshede/ Haue we þanne ful feiþ.̉ in þis Lord Iesu wiþ perfite [folio 5b] lyuyng/ & þis Lord þoruȝ ȝoure preiour.̉ schal lede þis werke aftir his owene plesaunce/ & bring it to a perfite ende to his owene worschip.̉ & profite of hise seruauntis ‖

What is anticrist in general wiþ .VI. condiciouns/

Capitulum .III^m..

To speke in general.̉ þat is in moost in comune/ anticrist is euery man.̉ þat lyueþ aȝen Crist/ as seint Ion seiþ. Ion. ii^o. 'Nunc autem sunt multi antichristi'*. [Vulg. 1 Joh. ii. 18 'Nunc antichristi multi facti sunt.']/ þat is to seie. forsoþe now ben manye anticristis*. [W V. 'Now many antecristes ben made.']/ And þerfore seiþ seint Austin. who þat lyueþ contrarie to Crist.̉ he is an anticrist/ be þou wiþynne be þou wiþoute.̉ & þou lyue contrarie to Crist. þou arte but chaff*. [Augustinus, Ep. Ioan., Tract. III. 89 (Migne, tom. 35, col. 2001, 2002).]/ of þe whiche chaff Crist. Mat. iii^o. 'Paleas autem conburet igni inextinguibli'*. [Vulg. Matt. iii. 12.]/ þat is to seie. Forsoþe þe chaff schal brenne.̉ wiþ fire þat mai not be quenchid*. [W. V. 'But chaffis he schal brenne with fyr unquenchable.' 1388, 'But the chaffe he schal brenne with fier that mai not be quenchid.']/ for it schal brenne & neuer quenche/ & þe soule þat is chaff.̉ schal euere suffre & neuer die. as þe prophete seiþ. Isaie. ix^o. 'Omnis violenta predacio [folio 6a] cum tumultu & omne vestimentum commix- -tum sanguine erit in combustionem & cibus ignis'*. [Vulg. Isaias ix. 5 'Quia omnis violenta praedatio cum tumultu et vestimentum mistum sanguine,' etc.] ‖ Þat is to seie. euery proud soule. þat risiþ in swelling aȝens his God/ & euery bodi þat is defoulid.̉ in glotenye & in leccherie/ schal be in to sweyling.̉ &Page  7 mete of þe fire*. [W. V. 'For eche violent reuyng with noise, & clothing mengd with blod shal be in to brennyng, & mete of fyr.']/ As if he schulde seie. þe bodi & þe soule dampned.̉ schullen feed and norische þe fire/ þe whiche schal euere brenne hem wiþ moost greuous peyne.

Sixe synnes þer ben.̉ aȝen þe Holi Goost/ þat turnen þe wrecchid soule.̉ in to þis chaff/ But þe philosophur seiþ. 'Nullum malum vitatur nisi cognitum'/ þat is to seie. þer is non yuel fled.̉ but if it be knowen/ & þerfore we schullen name hem.̉ in þis litil tretise/ for þe more lernyng.̉ of smale vndirstondars‖

Þe firste of þise synnes is presumpcioun. þat is hiȝe bolnyng of þe spirit.̉ wiþouten drede of Goddis riȝtwisenesse/ and of þis synne al manere malice & wickidnes cacchiþ roote.̉ þat regneþ among mankynde in lewid or in lerned. for þe wise man seiþ [folio 6b] Ecc. i. 'Qui non timet non poterit iustificari'*. [Vulg. Ecclesiasticus i. 28 'Nam qui sine timore est, non poterit iustificari.'] ‖ He þat drediþ not.̉ he mai not be made riȝtwise*. [W. V. 'For who withoute drede is, shal not moun be iustified.' 1388, 'He that is without drede, mai not be iustified.']/ Forsoþe in whom so þat þis synne of presumpcioun haþ noo lordschipe.̉ in him þe deuel is ouercomen. for it is writen. Ecc. xv^o. 'Qui timet deum faciet bona'*. [Vulg. Ecclesiasticus xv. 1.] ‖ He þat drediþ þe Lord.̉ schal do good þingis/ & þerfore seiþ þe Holi Goost*. [MS. holgoost.] Ecc. xxvii^o. 'Si non in timore domini tenueris te instanter. cito subuertetur domus tua'*. [Vulg. Ecclesiasticus xxvii. 4.]/ ‖ Þat is to seie. but if þou holde þe bisili in þe drede of þe Lord.̉ þin hous schal soone be turned vpsodoun/ þat is. þi bodi & þi soule schullen be turned from God: into þe fendis seruice ‖

Þe secounde synne is desperacioun oþir wanhope. þat is ouere litil triste on þe merci of God ‖ Seint Austin seiþ. 'Amare & timere sunt due ianue vite' ‖ Drede of Goddis riȝtwisenesse. & hope of Goddis merci.̉ ben twoo ȝatis of lijf/ for bi hem we entren here in to grace.̉ and aftir in to blisse. as þe prophet seiþ. Ps. cxlvi. 'Bene placitum est Domino super timentes eum.̉ & in eis qui ‖sperant super misericordia eius'*. [Vulg. Ps. cxlvi. 11.] ‖ It is wel plesid vnto þe Lord [folio 7a] vpon hem þat dreden him: & in hem þat tristen on his mercy*. [W. V. 'Wel plesid thing is to the Lord upon men dredende hym; and in hem that hopen on his mercy.' 1388, 'It is wel plesaunt to the Lord on men that dreden him; and in hem that hopen on his mercy.'] ‖ And aȝenwarde. presumpcioun & disperacioun.̉ ben twoo ȝatis ofPage  8 deeþ/ bi þe whiche men entrien.̉ in to synne & cumbraunce/ & aftir in to þe peyne of helle.̉ wiþouten ende/ Seint Ion techiþ vs loore aȝen þis synne.̉ & seiþ. Ion ii^o. 'Filioli mei hec scribo vobis vt non peccetis. sed & si quis peccauerit aduocatum habemus apud patrem Iesum Christum iustum & ipse est propiciacio pro peccatis nostris. non pro nostris tantum sed pro tocius mundi'*. [Vulg. 1 Joh. ii. 1.] ‖ Mi litil sones. þise þingis I write vnto ȝou.̉ þat ȝe synne not in þe synne of dispeire/ but if it be so.̉ þat ony of vs haue synned/ we haue avoket anenst þe fadir.̉ Iesu Crist oure iust lord. & he is þe mercy-asker for oure synnes/ not oonli for oure synnes.̉ but also for þe synnes of al þe world*. [W. V. 'My litil sones, I wryte to ȝou these thinges, that ȝe synne not. But and if ony man shal synne, we han avoket anentis the fadir, Jhesu Crist iust, & he is helpyng for oure synnes; sotheli not onely for oure but also for of al the world.' 1388, 'My litil sones ... we han an advocat anentis the fadir, Jhesu Crist, and he is the forȝyuenes for oure synnes.'] ‖ Iesu is for to seie. a sauiour in oure tung.̉ for he haþ plente of medicyn. to saue all mankynde if þei wolde take þis medicyn.̉ & be saaf/ for Gregor seiþ/ Se [folio 7b] ipsum in- -terimit qui precepta medici obseruare non vult. He sleeþ him silf: þat wole not kepe þe biddingis of his leche ‖

Þe þridde synne is obstinacioun or hardnes of herte/ þe whiche wole not be contrit. for conpunccioun.̉ neiþir be made softe wiþ pite/ ne mevid wiþ preiours ne þretingis/ & settiþ nouȝt bi betingis/ It is vnkynde aȝen good dedis/ vnfeiþful to counseils/ feeris & wood in doomes/ vnschamefast in foule þingis/ neiþir feerful in perelis/ neiþir manful in manhod/ foolhardi aȝens God/ forȝetil of tyme þat is passid/ necligent in tyme þat is present/ not purueiyng for tyme þat is to cum/ And schortli for to seie. þis is þat synne.̉ þat neiþir drediþ God ne schameþ man ‖ Þus seiþ seint Bernard .V. distinccioun iiii^o/ A medicyn for þis hard herte.̉ techiþ Lincoln where he seiþ. diccio CVI. 'Cor durum debet conteri in mortarialo petrino graui pila. mortarialum sunt vulnera christi. pila ex timore pene peccati' ‖ An harde herte wolde be braied in a morter wiþ [folio 8a] an hevi pes- -tel/ þis morter is þe bodi of Crist: hoolid or woundid in his passioun/ þis pestel is þe drede of dampnacioun/ þat folowiþ aftir þis synne ‖ Þanne þus þou obstinat man. þou endurid man in synne. þou hard hertid wrecche.̉ neiȝe þou to þe bodi of Crist/ & for drede of dampnacioun.̉ conforme þee to Cristis passioun ‖

Page  9Þe fourþe synne is fynali inrepentaunt.̉ þat is he þat wole neuer do verri penaunce/ but contynueli lediþ his lijf.̉ aftir þe desiris of his fleische/ ouercomen wiþ þe fende.̉ & þe fals world ‖ For no man doþ verry penaunce to God. but he þat fulli leueþ þat synne.̉ for þe whiche he suffriþ penaunce/ þus seiþ seint Austin/ But for þei holden it miche worschipe.̉ to write her names in þe erþe/ þei maken a feyned schrifte to a prest: & taken part of sacramentis/ þei bilden chirches wiþ oþer ournmentis.̉ & fynden prestis to rede & syng/ þei releuen þe pore nedi.̉ & menden placis þat ben perilous/ but stille þei lien harde congelid as [folio 8b] froost.̉ in oolde custum of synne ‖ To þise vnrepentaunt men.̉ spekiþ Gregor moost scharpli in hise pastorals. vpon þis tixte. Mat. vi^o. 'Nonne anima plus est quam esca.̉ & corpus plus quam vestimentum'*. [Vulg. Matt. vi. 25.] ‖ wheþir is not þe lijf more þan mete.̉ & þe bodi more þan cloþe? Vpon þis seiþ þis doctour 'Qui cibum vel vestem pauperibus largitur & anime vel corporis iniquitate polluitur quod magis est contulit culpe quod minus est contulit iusticie/ sua dedit deo.̉ se ipsum diabolo'*. [Gregorius Magnus, Regulae Pastoralis Liber xliv (Migne, tom. 77, col. 85).]/ He þat ȝyueþ mete or cloþe.̉ to þe pore nedi/ & is pollutid or defoulid.̉ in wickidenesse of bodi & of soule/ þat þing þat is moost he ȝyueþ to synne/ þat þing þat is leest he ȝyueþ to riȝtwisenesse/ hise goodis he ȝyueþ to God.̉ him silf to þe deuel/ for he settiþ more prijs bi worldli richesse.̉ þan he doþ bi þe bodi or þe soule/ & loueþ moost þat God loueþ leest.̉ wherfore his loue is turned to hate ‖ God haþ ȝouun to man.̉ fyue preciouse ȝiftis. þe leest of alle is worldli goodis/ [folio 9a] betir þan þise is mannes bodi.̉ þat God haþ dowid wiþ kyndeli strengþis/ & grauntid in resoun to vse þis world.̉ him silf to chastise. clooþe & feede/ Abouen þise tweyne is mannes soule.̉ þat beriþ Goddis ymage & his licknes ‖ Lord what profite were it to wynne þis world.̉ & putt peirement to þis soule? & þe bodi is a wlatful careyn.̉ whanne þe soule is goo þerfro/ But Goddis grace passiþ þise þre. for where þis failiþ. no wisdam availiþ ‖ Loke þise ben not mys dispendid.̉ neiþir worche oony þing biside þer ordir/ but þat þei strecche alle to oo ende.̉ to wynne þe fifþe.̉ þat is þe blisse of heuene for euere ‖ Þou þat chaungist þis ordirPage  10 vpsodoun.̉ seint Poul axiþ þis questioun of þe. Ro. ii^o. 'An diuicias bonitatis eius & paciencie & longanimitatis contempnis? Ignoras quoniam benignitas dei ad penitenciam te adducit/ secundum [folio 9b] autem duriciam tuam & cor impenitens thesaurizas tibi iram in die ire & reuelacionis iusti iudicii dei qui reddet vnicuique secundum opera eius'*. [Vulg. Rom. ii. 4, 5.] ‖ Wheþir dispisist þou þe richessis of þe goodnes & pacience & longabiding of þi God? knowist þou not þat þe goodnes of God.̉ lediþ oþir dryueþ þee to penaunce? forsoþe aftir þin hardnes & þin vnrepentaunt herte. þou tresourist to þee wraþþe.̉ in þe dai of wraþþe/ & schewing of riȝtwise iugement of God. þat schal ȝelde iche man.̉ aftir hise werkis*. [W. V. 'Wher thou dispisest the richessis of his goodnesse & pacience & longe abidyng? Unknowest thou, for the benygnyte (or good wille) of God ledith thee to penaunce? Forsothe aftir thi hardnesse & unrepentaunt herte, thou tresourist to thee wraþþe in to the day of wraththe & of schewynge of the riȝtful dom of God, that schal ȝelde to ech man up his workis.' 1388, 'Whether dispisist thou the richessis of his goodnesse, and the pacience, and the long abidyng? Knowist thou not, that the benygnyte of God ledith thee to forthenkyng? But aftir thin hardnesse and unrepentaunt herte, thou tresorist to thee wraththe in the dai of wraththe and of schewyng of the riȝtful doom of God, that schal ȝelde to ech man aftir his werkis.'] ‖

Þe fifþe synne is envie.̉ of þi broþeris grace/ as whanne þi neiȝbour is wise. wel gouerned. preisid or born vp. riche. welþi. strong. faire. or vertuouse in greet habundaunce of grace. þanne þis enviouse man. sclaundriþ. vpbreidiþ. reproueþ. dispisiþ. hatiþ. & hyndriþ. scorneþ. & pursueþ. to defoule & waast his broþeris goodis þat ben goostli gracis.̉ as miche as he mai.̉ as þe wise man seiþ ‖ Prou. xiiii^o. 'Ambulans recto itinere & timens deum. despicitur ab eo qui infami graditur via'*. [Vulg. Prov. xiv. 2.] ‖ [folio 10a] A man walking in þe hiȝe weie & dreding God.̉ is dispisid of him þat walkiþ in þe wrong weye/*. [W. V. 'The goende in riȝt weie, & dredende God is dispised of hym that goth in the evel losid weie.' 1388, 'A man goynge in riȝtful weie and dredinge God, is dispisid of hym that goith in a weie of yuel fame.'] whanne Iesu Crist kest out a deuel.̉ from a man þat was doumb. as it is writen. Mat. xii^o. Marc. iii^o. Luc. xi^o.*. [Vulg. Matt. xii. 22; Marc. iii. 11, 12; Luc. xi. 14.] anoon þis man bigan to speke: to puplische þis miracle among þe peple/ Þanne scribis & pharises enviouse sectis.̉ þat weren a fals priuat religioun/ sclaundrid þat Crist wrouȝt þis miracle.̉ in Belsabub þat was prince of deuelis ‖Page  11 Belsabub is to seie a god of fliȝes.̉ or ellis a god þat makiþ discorde/ Lord siþen þise sectis dursten seie.̉ þus to Crist heed of mannis soule/ hou miche werre schullen þey moun dore seie.̉ to hise hous-meyne? Þus prelatis & freris in þise daies.̉ ben traueilid wiþ þis synne aȝen þe Holi Goost/ & schamfulli sclaundren her symple briþeren.̉ þat casten yuel maners from her soule/ or prechen þe gospel to Cristis entent.̉ to turne þe peple to vertuouse lyuyng ‖ Þei seien þis man haþ eten a fliȝe.̉ þat ȝyueþ him lore [folio 10b] of Goddis lawe/ þis is more foule to eete a flie.̉ þan to be a god & chare þise fliȝes/ Þus han þey brouȝt her malice aboute.̉ to sclaundir for Lollardis þat speken of God/ & dryuen þe peple from þe feiþ.̉ þat durne not worche ne speke for sclaundir/ but certis þey ben not worþi Crist.̉ þat stonyén for barkyng of þise houndis/ for noon is worþi to be wiþ þis Lord.̉ þat schameþ his seruyse in wel or in woo/ & suche men schewen hem traitours to God.̉ þat wiþ her sclaundris hindren her briþeren/ & seyn þe fende mai & wil.̉ make wise hise membris þat seruen him in synne/ but so wole not Crist hise loued seruauntis.̉ þat lyuen in clennes to serue him in vertu ‖ O I preie ȝou.̉ who hard euer a fouler blasfemye? certis þis dispit strecchiþ vnto þe godhed.̉ to be punyschid in þe dai of iugement/ for Goddis lawe techiþ. Prou. iii^o. 'Noli prohibere benefacere qui potest si vales & ipse benefac'*. [Prov. iii. 27 'Noli prohibere benefacere eum qui potest,' etc.] ‖ Forbede him not þat mai wel do.̉ but if þou mai do [folio 11a] wel þi silf*. [W. V. 'Wile thou not forfenden hym that mai wel don, if thou maist, and thiself wel do.' 1388, 'Nil thou forbede to do wel him that mai: if thou maist, and do thou wel.'] ‖ Þat a prest schulde not be lettid.̉ to preche þe trouþe/ ne Goddis peple to speke of her bileue.̉ is opunli tauȝt in þe book of Numeri xi^o.*. [Vulg. Num. xi. 24-30.] ‖ Þere it is rad.̉ þat Heldad & Medad prophecied albeit þat þei weren not lisensid bi Moises ‖ Iosue þe mynyster of Moises. and chosen of manye.̉ grucchiden aȝens þise men. & mad his pleynt to Moises/ & Moises seide. whi art þou enviouse for me? who mai werne þat alle þe peple prophecie. & God graunt his spirit to hem? þis is confermed in þe gospel of oure Lord Iesu Crist.̉ boþe in Mark ix^o & in Luc. ix^o. 'Magister vidimus quemdam in nomine tuo demonia eicientem qui non sequitur nos & prohibuimus eum/ Iesu autem ait/ Nolite prohiberePage  12 eum*. [Vulg. Marc. ix. 37, 38.]'‖ Seint Ion euaungelist seide vnto Crist. Maister we han sen a man casting out deuelis in þi name. þat sweþ not vs.̉ & we han forboden him/ forsoþe Iesu seide. Nile ȝe werne him or forbeede him*. [W. V. 'Maister, we syȝen sum oon for to caste out fendis in thi name, the which sueth not us, and we han forbedun him. Sothli Jhesus seith to him, Nile ȝe forbede him.'] ‖ Alas howe dorne oure bischopis for [folio 11b] schame.̉ offende aȝens þise boþe Goddis lawes/ & docke her prestis on euery side. to ȝyue hem a charge.̉ & priue hem þer office ‖ What is to be sett biforne þe bodi of Crist þat prestis sacren? And siþen þei treten Cristis bodi. miche raþer seiþ Ierom þei schullen preche & blesse Þe peple. Hec dist. 99*. [Gratian, Decreti Pars Prima, dist. xcv, cap. v (Migne, tom. 187, col. 449).]. But here þe enemyes of truþe obiectun & leyn for hem Poul.̉ where he seiþ Ro. x^o. 'Quomodo predicabunt nisi mittantur'*. [Vulg. Rom. x. 15 'Quomodo vero praedicabunt,' etc.] ‖ How schullen þei preche but if þei be sent? wiþ þis þei blynden mani folk.̉ kutting þe sentence from þe wordis/ for Poul meneþ þat prestis schulde preche.̉ for þei ben sent/ boþe of God & of þe bischop.̉ for to do þat office ‖ And þe maister of sentence in his fourþe book & þe XXIIII. dist. seiþ/ It is þe office of a deken.̉ to preche þe gospel*. [Petrus Lombardus, Sententiarum Libri IV, Lib. IV, dist. xxiv. 8 (Migne, tom. 191, col. 903).]/ þanne bi more strenger resoun.̉ it perteyneþ to a prest/ For seint Ierom & seint Beede acorden togider & seyn/ Sicut in forma apostolorum est forma episcoporum.̉ ita in septuaginta duobus discipulis est forma presbiterorum/ Riȝt as in þe apostlis is þe forme of bischopis.̉ so in þre score & twelue disciplis. [folio 12a] is þe forme of prestis/ But Crist ȝaue charge boþe to þise bischopis & also to þise prestis.̉ & seide/ Mat. x^o. 'Ecce ego mitto vos'*. [Vulg. Matt. x. 16.]/ & Luc. x^o. 'Designauit Iesus alios septuaginta duos & misit illos &c.;'*. [Vulg. Luc. x. 1.] ‖ Loo I sende ȝou as schepe among wolues ‖ And efte Iesu asigned þrescore & twelue.̉ & sent hem to preche ‖ How schal þise bischopis maynten þer constituciouns.̉ aȝens þer God & holi seintis/ It schal be more suffurable to Sodom & Gomor.̉ þan to þis peple þat disturblen Goddis ordinaunce ‖

Page  13Þe sixt synne is fiȝting aȝens þe truþe.̉ þat a man knowiþ/ þat is. whanne þe truþe is tolde to þe gilti.̉ þe whiche disposiþ him not to be amendid/ þanne he makiþ blynde vngroundid resouns. wiþ sotil argumentis & foltid sophisticacioun/ & dampneþ þe truþe aȝens his conscience.̉ wiþ a boold forheed þat can not schame.̉ as Þe prophet Ieromye seiþ. iii^o. 'Frons mulieris meretricis facta est tibi.̉ & noluisti erubescere'*. [Vulg. Jer. iii. 3.] ‖ A stroumpetis forhed is made vnto þee.̉ & þou woldist not be aschamed/ But as Poul [folio 12b] seiþ. Thimo. iii^o. 'Quemadmodum Iambres & Mambres resistiterunt Moisi.̉ ita & hij resistent veritati'*. [Vulg. 2 Tim. iii. 8.] ‖ Riȝt as Iambres & Mambres aȝen-stooden Moises in þe siȝt of Pharo.̉ so þise aȝen-stonden þe truþe corruptid men in þer mynde ‖ And if þou wilt knowe what þise men ben.̉ axe seint Peter & he wole telle þee/ for he clepiþ hem bi þer name in his epistil.̉ where seiþ ‖ II. Petir ii^o. 'Magistri mendaces qui introducent sectas perdicionis'*. [Vulg. 2 Pet. ii. 1.] ‖ Seint Petir seiþ. þise ben maistir liears. þat schullen bring in among þe peple.̉ sectis of perdicioun. þat is of losse & deeþ ‖ þouȝ ȝe rise wiþ Lucifer.̉ & make ȝoure nestis among þe sterris/ from þens ȝe schullen be drawen.̉ & þrowen to þe grounde ‖ Whanne wole ȝe marke þe wordis of Crist.̉ þat cursiþ ȝou for ȝoure apostasie/ & for ȝe pullen as foxis to her hoolis.̉ children from fadris. Crist seiþ to ȝou. Mat. xxiii^o. 'Ve vobis scribe et pharisei qui cir- -cuitis terram [folio 13a] & mare &c.;'*. [Vulg. Matt. xxiii. 15 'Vae vobis scribae et pharisaei hypocritae: quia circuitis mare et aridam,' etc.] ‖ Woo to ȝou scribis & pharises ypocritis. þat cumpassen aboute þe see & þe lond to make ȝou a novise/ & whanne ȝe han founden him. ȝe maken him helle broond.̉ double þan ȝoure silf/ As þe vnkunnyngnes of Pharoos philosophurs was made knowen.̉ so þe fals impunyng of þe truþe. of þise sotil ypocritis schal hastli be made open. ‖ Alle men take hede to þise sixe synnes. for þei ben cause of batailes. discenciouns. hounger. pestelence. veniaunce. & of al maner of mischef/ & at þe laste þise synnes ben cause whi soules ben chaff.̉ as we seide toforne ‖

What is anticrist in special wiþ hise þre parties.

Capitulum .IIII^m..

But of þe greet cheef anticrist. þat passingli & in special maner bringiþ forþ fals lawes aȝens Iesu Crist & pretendiþ him silf moostPage  14 hooli.̉ þus techiþ þe Lord God bi þe prophete Isaie ix^o. 'Longeuus & venerabilis ipse est caput. propheta docens mendacium. ipse est [folio 13b] cauda'*. [Vulg. Isaias ix. 15 'Longaevus & honorabilis ipse est caput,' etc.] ‖ A man of greet agee & worschipful holden to þe world.̉ he is heed and cheef anticrist/ a prophete or a prechour techyng lesing.̉ he is þe taile of þis anticrist*. [W. V. 'The longe lyvende and the w(o)rschepefull, he is the hed, and the profete techende lesyng, he is the tail.' 1388, 'An elde man and onourable, he is the heed, and a profete techynge a leesyng, he is the tail.'] ‖ Of þis taile spekiþ seint Petir more pleynli & seiþ. II. Pe. ii^o. 'Fictis verbis in auaricia de vobis negociabuntur'*. [Vulg. 2 Pet. ii. 3.] ‖ Þat is to seie. Þise ben goostli marchauntis þat schal chaffare wiþ þe peple.̉ in feyned wordis*. [W. V. 'And thei shulen marchaundise of ȝou in coueitise bi feynyd wordis.' 1388, 'And thei schulen make marchaundie of ȝou in coueytise bi feyned wordis.']/ & wiþ her sweet likerouse speche.̉ þei bigilen þe hertis of innocentis. for Iude seiþ. ii^o. 'Mirantes personas hominum questus causa'*. [Vulg. Jud. 16 'Mirantes personas questus causa.']/ Þat is to seie. þei schal worschip þe persoones of men.̉ bicause of wynnyng ‖ Þis taile of anticrist schal not preche freeli Thomas Alquin seiþ. li^o. Vii^o. ca. viii^o but for 'mammona iniquitatis'/ þat is for coueitise. so ferforþe crueli aȝenstonding þe prechours of trouþe. þat þei schul be holden in þer daies as cursid of þe peple ‖ And seint Ion euaungelist seiþ. Apoc. xiii^o. 'Quod nemo emet neque vendet nisi habuerit carecterem bestie'*. [Vulg. Apoc. xiii. 17 'Et ne quis possit emere aut vendere nisi qui habet characterem bestiae.'] ‖ þer schal no man in [folio 14a] þat tyme bie ne selle be he boond be he free. but if he haue þe mark of þe beest. eiþer in his forhed or in his riȝt hond or ellis in noumbre/*. [W. V. 'No man mai bye, or sille, no but thei that han the caracter, (or lettre) or the name, or the noumbre of his name.' 1388, 'No man may bie, ethir sille, but thei han the caracter, ether the name of the beest, ether the noumbre of his name.'] þat is to seie. þer schal no man preche Goddis word in þoo daies neiþer heere it. but if he haue a special lettir of lisence þat is clepid þe mark of þis beest anticrist/ or ellis þat þei maynten bi word or bi dede. or in boþe. þat his lawe & his ordinaunce is good & trewe/ & worþi to be holden of þe peple ‖ But it is ferful þat folowiþ aftir. Apoc. xiiii^o. 'Si quis acceperit carecterem bestie &c.;'*. [Vulg. Apoc. xiv. 9.] ‖ Seynt Ion seiþ. who þat euer worschipiþ þis beestPage  15 anticrist. & takiþ þis forseid mark.̉ he schal drink a drauȝt of þe wyn of Goddis wraþþe/ & he schal be turmentid in fire & brymston.̉ in þe siȝt of holi aungelis & in þe siȝt of þe lombe/ & þe smoke of her turmentrie. schal stiȝe vp in to þe world of worldis.̉ þat is wiþouten ende*. [W. V. 'If ony man shal worschipe the beest, and the image of it, and take the tokne in his forhed, or in his hand, & þis shal drinke of the wijn of Goddis wrath ... and shal be tourmentid with fijr and brunston, in the siȝt of holy aungelis, and before the siȝt of the lomb. And the smoke of her tourmentis shal stiȝe up in to worldlis of worldlis.'] ‖

Of þis anticrist God seiþ to þe prophete Zachare xi^o. 'Sume [folio 14b] tibi vasa pastoris stulti'*. [Vulg. Zach. xi. 15.] ‖ þat is to seie. take þou to þee. þe vessellis of a foltid schepard/ for loo. I schal suffre anticrist to be rerid vp in lond. þe which schal not visite hem þat ben forsaken. neiþir he schal seke hem þat ben scatrid. neiþir he schal hele hem þat ben sore*. [W. V. 'Ȝit take to thee vessels of a foltishe sheperd; for loo! I shal reyse a sheperd in erthe whiche shal not visite forsaken thingus, ... and shal not heele the broken togydre.' 1388, 'Ȝit take to thee vessels of a fonned scheepherde; for lo! I shal reise a scheepherde in erthe,' etc.] ‖ O. þou foltid schepard anticrist. God seiþ þou art an ydole hauyng a bischopis habit. but neiþir vertu ne spirit. lijf ne dede. þat longiþ to a bischop ‖ for Poul seiþ. Rom. viii^o. 'Qui non habet spiritum Christi nec est eius'*. [Vulg. Rom. viii. 9 'Si quis autem spiritum Christi non habet, hic non est eius.']/ He þat haþ not þe spirit of Crist.̉ he is not his seruaunt.*. [W. V. 'If ony hath not the spirit of Crist, this is not his.'] albeit þat he haue þe outward tookenes/ & þerfore seiþ seint Ion. Apoc. xvi^o. 'Quintus angelus effudit phiolam suam super sedem bestie &c.;'*. [Vulg. Apoc. xvi. 10.]/ Þe fifþe aungel pourid his cruet vpon þe seete of þe beest.̉ & his rewme is made derke/ & þei eeten her toungis togidir for sorow. & þei blasfemeden God of heuen for her sorowis & her woundis. & þei diden no penaunce of her dedis*. [W. V. 'The fyvethe aungel shedde out his viole on the seete of the beest, and his kingdom is maad derk, and thei eeten togydere her tunges for sorowe, and thei blasfemedem God of heven, for sorowis and her woundis; and thei diden not penaunce of her werkis.']/ Þat is to mene Archbischopis [folio 15a] & bischopis. ben þe seet of þe beest anticrist.̉ for in hem he sittiþ & regneþ ouer oþir peple. in þe derknes of his heresie & in þis þei deliten hem. magnifiyng wiþ her tungis her fals ordinaunce.̉ þePage  16 whiche is sorow to men of trewe vndirstonding/ & þus þei putten abak Goddis holi lawe. for prechyng of Cristis gospel.̉ þe whiche ben sorowis to hem. gendring synnes in her sowlis. þat wounden hem to þe deeþ/ And þei þus woundid schullen neuer do medeful penaunce of dedis.̉ for þe whiche þei schal be dampned ‖ Lyncoln seiþ. I quake I drede & vgli I am aferde.̉ but I dare not be stille/ leste perauenture þat sentence falle on me. þat þe prophete seiþ. Isaie. vi^o. 'Ve mihi quia tacui'*. [Vulg. Isaias vi. 5.]/ wo to me.̉ for I haue stilled*. [W. V. 'Wo to me, for I heeld my pees.' 1388, 'Wo to me, for I was stille.'] ‖ Þe welle þe bigynnyng & þe cause of al ruyn & myschef. is þe court of Rome*. ['Sermo Roberti Lincolniensis Episcopi propositus coram Papa & Cardinalibus in Consilio Lugdunensi' (Fasciculus Rerum expetendarum, etc., Brown, 1690, vol. ii, p. 252).] ‖ Now bi þe autorite of God. & oone acordaunce of hise holi seintis.̉ sueþ an open conclucioun. sadli groundid in [folio 15b] trewe bileue/ þat in þe court of Rome.̉ is þe heed of anticrist/ And in archebischopis & bischopis.̉ is þe bodi of anticrist ‖ But in þise cloutid sectis. as mounkis chanouns. & freris.̉ is þe venymous taile of anticrist ‖ Þise þre parties ben waried of þe apostle seint Iude.̉ seiyng in þis forme. ca.^o 1^o. 'Ve qui in via Caym abierunt. & in errore Balaam mercede effuci sunt.̉ & in contradiccione Chore perierunt'*. [Vulg. Jud. i. 11 'Vae illis quia in via,' etc.] þat is to seie. woo to hem þat walken in þe weye of Caym.̉ þise ben fals possessioners.̉ And woo to hem þat ben schadde out for mede in þe errour of Balaam.̉ þise ben miȝti nedles mendiners ‖ And woo to hem þat han perischide in þe aȝenseiyng of Chore*. [W. V. 'Wo to hem that wenten the weye of Caym; and bi errour of Balaam for meede ben shed out, and perschiden in the aȝen seiynge of Chore.'].̉ þise ben proude sturdi maynteners ‖

How þis anticrist schal be destroied. God him silf techiþ bi þe prophete Daniel. & seiþ. ca.^o viii^o. 'Sine manu conteretur'*. [Vulg. Dan. viii. 25.] ‖ þat is to seie. þis anticrist schal be destried wiþouten hand.̉*. [W. V. 'Withouten hond he shal be broken togydre.' 1388, 'Withouten hond he shal be al to-brokun.'] þat is wiþouten power of man ‖ For Poul seiþ. II. Thess. ii^o. 'Antichristum deus interficiet spiritu oris sui & destruet illustracionePage  17 aduentus sui'*. [Vulg. 2 Thess. ii. 8 'Ille iniquus, quem Dominus Iesus interficiet spiritu oris sui & destruet illustratione adventus sui eum.'] ‖ Þat is to seie. Crist schal slee anticrist.̉ wiþ þe [folio 16a] spirit of his mouþe. þat is wiþ þe holi word of his lawe ‖ And þe lord schal destrie him wiþ schynnyng of his comyng.*. [W. V. 'And thanne the ilke wickid man schal be schewid, whom the Lord Jhesu schal sle with the spirit of his mouth, and schal distroye with the illumynyng (or schynyng), of his coming.' 1388, 'And thanne thilke wickid man, etc. ... and schal distrie with liȝtnyng of his comyng.'] þat is wiþ turnyng of mennes hertis bi his grace to his lawe. a litil aforne his doome ‖ But God tauȝt more pleynli þis loore to Ioob.̉ and seide/ Iob xl. ca^o.. 'Ecce spes eius frustrabitur eum & videntibus cuntis precipitabitur'*. [Vulg. Job xl. 28; A. V. Job xli. 9.] ‖ Loo seiþ God þat hope þat anticrist haþ in richessis & in worldli fauour schal bring him to nouȝt/ & alle men seing.̉ he schal be þrowen doun heedlingis*. [W. V. 'Lo! the hope of hym shal maken hym veyn; and alle men seende he shal ben kast doun.' 1388, 'Lo! his hope schal disseyve hym; and in the siȝt of alle men he schal be cast doun.']/ so þat alle þe peple schal take a weiling vpon him wi greet lamentacioun. wariyng him & dampnyng him. wiþ alle hise fals ordinauncis ‖

What is anticrist in special.̉ wiþ fyue condiciouns ‖

Capitulum .V^m. ‖

But now at þe last we schullen bring to mynde & to witnesse.̉ holi Dauiþ þe kyng/ þat hadde ȝouun to him.̉ þe ful spirit of prophecie/ & he seing þe comyng of anticrist.̉ his lyuyng & his fal/ markiþ fyue hidouse sauȝtis.̉ þe whiche he schal haunt aȝen ‖þe seruauntis of God. Ps. foure score & ten/ [folio 16b]

þe firste sauȝt of anticrist is constitucioun as þe prophete seiþ ‖ 'Constitue domine legis latorem super eos'*. [Vulg. Ps. ix. 21 (A. V. Ps. ix. 20).] ‖ Lord suffre þou to ordeyne a lawemaker vpon þe peple.̉*. [W. V. 'Sett, Lord a lawe ȝivere upon hem.' 1388, 'Lord, ordeine thou a lawe makere on hem.'] in peyne of her synne. for þei wole not consent to þe trouþe ‖ Þat is þus to mene. Anticrist vseþ fals lucratif or wynnyng lawis as ben absoluciouns. indulgence. pardouns. priuelegis. & alle oþir heuenli tresour. þat is brouȝt in to sale for to spoile þe peple of her worldli goodis/ & principali þise newe constituciouns. bi whos strengþe anticrist enterditiþ chirchis. soumneþ prechours. suspendiþ resceyuours. & priueþ hem þer bennefice. cursiþ heerars. & takiþ awey þe goodis of hem.Page  18 þat forþeren þe precheing of a prest.̉ ȝhe þouȝ it were an aungel of heuene. but if þat prest schewe þe mark of þe beest. þe whiche is turned in to a newe name. & clepid a special lettir of lisence.̉ for þe more blyndyng of þe lewid peple ‖

Þe secounde sauȝt of anticrist.̉ is tribulacioun as þe prophet [folio 17a] seiþ. 'Despicis in oportunitatibus in tribulacione'*. [Vulg. Ps. x. 1.] ‖ þat is to seie. Anticrist vexiþ þe peple ouer miȝt.̉ in hunting hem on mawmentrie & doyng of ydolatrie/ but euer anticrist makeþ hem to wene.̉ þat þei gon on pilgrimage/ & þerfor he is waried of God. þat seiþ bi þe prophete Isaye. v^o. 'Ve qui dicitis bonum malum uel malum bonum. ponentes tenebras lucem & lucem tenebras ponentes amarum in dulce & dulce in amarum'*. [Vulg. Isaias v. 20 'Vae qui dicitis malum bonum & bonum malum,' etc.] ‖ Þat is to seie. woo to ȝou þat seyn.̉ good is yuel & yuel is good/ putting liȝt in to derknes.̉ & derknes in to liȝt/ turnyng sweet in to bittir.̉ & bittir in to sweet*. [W. V. 'Wo that seyn euel good, and good euel, puttende derknesses liȝt and liȝt derknesses; puttende bitter into swete and sweete into bittir.' 1388, 'Wo to ȝou that seien yuel good, and good yuel; and putten derknessis liȝt, and liȝt derknessis; and putten bittir thing into swete, and swete thing in to bittir.'] ‖ And þus doþ anticrist whanne he transposiþ vertues in to vicis.̉ & vicis in to vertues/ as pilgrimage in to outrage.̉ & outrage in to pilgrimage/ And for þis weywarde entent. God dispisiþ anticrist.̉ wiþ alle hise blindfelt peple/ & wlatiþ alle her mysdispendid goodis.̉ in her moost tribulaciouns ‖

Þe þridde sauȝt of anticrist.̉ is Inquisiscioun. as þe prophet seiþ 'Secundum multitudinem ire sue non queret'*. [Vulg. Ps. x. 5 (A. V. x. 4).]/ þat is to seie. [folio 17b] Anticrist enqueriþ sechiþ & herkneþ. where he mai fynde ony man or womman. þat writiþ. rediþ. lerneþ. or studieþ Goddis lawe in her modir tung.̉ to lede her lijf aftir þe plesing wille of God/ and soone he caccheþ hem in hise sensuris.̉ & aftir smytiþ as he mai moost greuousli hirten hem ‖ But he schal not make þis inquisisioun.̉ aftir þe multitude or greetnes of his wraþþe/ for God schal refreyne & abregge.̉ þe powere of his malice/ so þat he schal no more do.̉ þan God wole suffre him. þat knowiþ þe mesure of hise dedis/ to proue hise seruauntis bi þe furneise of penaunce acceptable.̉ & anticrist wiþ hise meyne. þus hardid in malice. inexcusable‖

Page  19Þe fourþe sauȝt of anticrist.̉ is persecucioun as þe prophet seiþ 'Insidiatur ut rapiat pauperem'*. [Vulg. Ps. x. 9.] ‖ Þat is to seie. Anticrist sittiþ & sottiþ in pees of þis world.̉ wiþ riche men in her dennes/ but þe pore meke symple and loweli.̉ hem he aspiseþ & pursueþ/ hem he ouer-lepiþ & ouer-renneþ. raveisching hem boþe bodili & goostli/ for God seid vnto Iob. xl^o. 'Habet fudiciam quod influat [folio 18a] Iordanis in os eius'*. [Vulg. Job xl. 18 (A. V. xl. 23).]/ Anticrist haþ a triste & a trowing.̉ þat Iordan mai flowe in to his mouþe*. [W. V. 'He hath trost, that Jordan flowe in to the mouth of hym.']/ & þerfor he makiþ his dwelling place.̉ in þe herte of þe see. as God seiþ bi þe prophete Ezechiel. xxviii^o. 'In cathedra*. [MS. chathidera.] dei sedi in corde maris.̉ cum sis homo & non deus'*. [Vulg. Ezech. xxviii. 2.]/ Anticrist makiþ his boost & seiþ/ I haue sitten in þe chaier of God.̉ in þe herte of þe see/ whane þou art but a man.̉ & not God/ but euer in wlank countre. fat & habunding of worldli goodis.̉ þere anticrist wiþ hise clerkis. bilden her nestis/ And if þou loke vttirli aboute þee. þou schalt fynde hem among woodis & watris. as seint Ion seiþ. Apoc. xvi^o. 'Vidi de ore draconis & de ore bestie. & de ore pseudoprophete spiritus tres immundos exisse in modum ranarum'*. [Vulg. Apoc. xvi. 13, 'exisse' omitted.] ‖ I saw seiþ seint Ion. out of þe mouþe of þe dragoun.̉ þat is þe heed of anticrist/ & out of þe mouþe of þe beest.̉ þat is þe bodi of anticrist/ & out of þe mouþe of þe pseudo-prophete or fals precheour.̉ þat is þe taile of anticrist/ þre vnclene spiritis to haue passid out.̉ in þe maner of froggis ‖ Froggis sitting in hoolis bi þe watir-brink.̉ purchassen of þe ground. [folio 18b] abouen hem. & on eiþer siȝde hem/ But þat þat is vndirneþen hem.̉ þei wole not her þankis. neiþer leesen it ne loosen it ‖ So þise þre spiritis croking in coueitis. glotenie & leccherie. bitokenen anticrist. in hise þre partise/ For þei purchassen of lordis.̉ þat ben abouen hem/ miche parte of her good.̉ wiþ þe tung of flatering & feyned ypocrisie/ And of þe comunes abouten hem. þei whiȝlen in to her handis.̉ miche parte of her catel/ But þat þat þei han wonnen. þei holden fast.̉ aȝen þe autorite. of boþe Goddis lawes/ & wiþ þise richessis þei nurischen wilde. sturdi. & laweles hiȝnen. þat pursuen hem þat wollen ouȝt seie aȝens þis cursid synne ‖ But God in þis persecucioun. þoruȝ his prophete counfortiþ hise seruauntis.̉Page  20 & seiþ Ps. xlv. 'Deus noster refugium & virtus adiutor in tribulacionibus que inuenerunt nos nimis propterea non timebimus dum turbabitur terra.̉ & transferentur montes in cor maris'*. [Vulg. Ps. xlv. 2, 3.] ‖ Þat is to seie. Oure God is refute & vertu. oure God is help in tribulaciouns. þe whiche haþ founden vs passingli ‖ [folio 19a] Wherefore we schal not drede. whilis þat men lyuyng aftir þis world schullen be troublid. & hillis schullen be born ouer in to þe hert of þe see*. [W. V. 'Oure God refut, and vertue: helpere in tribulaciouns, that founden us ful myche. Therefore wee shul not drede, whil the erthe shal be disturbid; and hillis shul be born ouer in to the herte of the se.' 1388, 'Oure God, thou art refuyt, and vertu; helpere in tribulaciouns that han founde us greetly. Therfore we schullen not drede, while the erthe schal be troblid; and the hillis schulen be borun ouer in to the herte of the see.'] ‖ þat is. trewe men schal not be abaschid.̉ þouȝ proud fleischeli men be confedrid to anticrist.̉ & helpe him in his persecucioun ‖

Þe fifþe sauȝt of anticrist is execucioun. as þe prophet seiþ. 'rapere pauperem dum atrahit eum'*. [Vulg. Ps, x. 9.] ‖ þat is to seie. whanne anticrist seþ þat he availiþ not in þise forseid turmentis.̉ þanne he executiþ his malice aȝens Cristis chosen ‖ To þis acordiþ seint Ion in his Apoc. xiii^o. 'Faciat ut quicunque non adorauerint ymagynem bestie occidantur'*. [Vulg. Apoc. xiii. 15.] ‖ þat is to seie. þe beest of þe erþe.̉ schal ȝyue power to þe beest of þe see/ for in þis tyme of execucioun. þe viciouse parte of þe laite. fro þe hiȝest vnto þe lowest. schullen consent to execute þe wickidnes of þis viciouse part of þe clergie/ þanne schal þis prophecie be fulfillid. Ps. lxxviii. 'Effuderunt sanguinem eorum tanquam aquam & non erat qui sepeliret posuerunt [folio 19b] morticina seruorum tuorum escas volatilibus celi.̉ carnes sanctorum tuorum bestijs terre'*. [Vulg. Ps. lxxviii. 3, 2 'Effuderunt sanguinem eorum tanquam aquam in circuitu Ierusalem,' etc.] ‖ Þei schal scheed out innocent blood.̉ & þer schal no man dore birie þer bodies/ for þei schal cast þer fleische to foulis of þe heire.̉ & her careynes to beestis of þe erþe.*. [W. V. 'Thei shadden out the blod of hem, as water in the envyroun of Jerusalem; and ther was not that shulde birie. Thei putte the smyten to deth of thi servauntis, metis to the foulis of hevene; fleish of thi seintis to the bestis of erthe.' 1388, 'Thei schedden out the blod of hem, as watir in the cumpas of Jerusalem; and noon was that biriede. Thei settiden the slayn bodies of thi servauntis meetis to the volatilis of hevenes; the fleischis of thi seyntis to the beestes of the erthe.'] þanne seiþ þe prophete. 'Cadet cum dominatus fueritPage  21 pauperum'*. [Vulg. Ps. x. 10.] ‖ þat is to seie. as seynt Austin declariþ/ whanne anticrist weneþ þat he haþ lordschip.̉ ouere alle þe seruauntis of God/ rering vpon hem.̉ diuerse gynnes of turmentrie/ þanne schal he falle to open reprofe.̉ for euermore ‖

Þe ful tyme of anticrist duriþ.̉ þre ȝeer & an half/ but þat þe gospel makeþ remyssioun.̉ & elles schulde not alle fleische be saaf‖ Þis tyme was figurid vnder Helie þe prophete & kyng Acab þat wickid man/ þere telliþ þe stori þat reyn was stoppid. III. Reg. xvii^o. þre ȝeere & sixe moneþes. þat no drope fel on þe erthe/ Seint Iame beriþ witnes of þis þing.̉ in his epistil canonysid/*. [Vulg. Jac. v. 17, 18.] Þe fleeyng of Dauid from kyng Saule.̉ markiþ þis þing. who so takiþ hede. I. Reg. xviii^o. & rede þat book to þe last ende/ Also [folio 20a] þe bisecheing of Ierusalem.̉ makeþ knowen þis tyme as Iosophus telliþ. Daniel tauȝt þis noumbre also.̉ in tyme & tymes & half a tyme. Dan. vii^o*. [Vulg. Dan. vii. 25.] & þis is þre ȝeere & an half.̉ as seint Ierom declariþ in his book of seyntis‖ Þe miȝti Machabeies.̉ vndir þis noumbre made clene her temple/ wherfore seint Ion in his Apocalyps feele siþis rehersiþ þis noumbre. whanne he spekiþ of anticrist/ And Crist kept þis noumbre.̉ for tyme of his precheing/ outake þat leest. bi vertu of his passioun ‖ Seint Ion Crisostum vpon Mat. Om. lvii^o. seiþ þus. 'In tribus annis & sex mensibus. hoc sacrificium christianorum tollendum*. [MS. tellendum.] est ab antichristo fugientibus christianis per loca deserta/ non erit qui aut in ecclesiam intret aut oblacionem offerat deo'*. [S. Ioan. Chrysostomus, Homilia XLIX (Opera, ed. 1547, tom. ii, col. 1086).] ‖ Þat is to seie. bi þre ȝeere & sixe moneþis. þe sacrifice of Goddis preising. þat schulde be in mannes mouþe/ þe sacrifice of riȝtwisenesse.̉ þat schulde be in mannes werkis/ & þe sacrifice of pees.̉ þat schulde be in treting [folio 20b] of Cristis bodi/ schal be taken awey from all feiþful.̉ þoruȝ strong woodnes of anticrist/ þanne schalle alle trewe cristen.̉ flee þe face of anticrist/ so þat noon schullen mowen entre in to þe chirche to do dewe seruyce to her God ‖ Aftir þis. peple schal turne hem.̉ wiþ al her herte/ boþe cristen & Iewis. to þe keping of GoddisPage  22 lawe. and doing of verry penaunce.̉ as Poul seiþ. Ro. xi^o. 'Cecitas ex parte contigit in Israel donec plenitudo gencium intraret.̉ & sic omnis Israel saluus fieret'*. [Vulg. Rom. xi. 25, 26.] ‖ þat is to seie. Blyndnes fel partie in Israel. vntil þe tyme þat plente of heþen men.̉ schulde entre in to cristendom/ & þanne in þe ende of þe world. þat is after þe distruccioun of anticrist. al Israel schulde be mad saaf*. [W. V. 'Blyndnesse hath felde of party in Israel, til the plente of hethen men entriden, and so all Israel schulde be maad saaf.']/ No man loke aftir Ennok & Hely in persoone.̉ for þanne he mai liȝtli be bigilid/ but in spirit & in vertu.̉ now þei ben comen/ to make mennes hertis redi.̉ aforn Cristis doome/ to whom be glori now & euere. Amen ‖

What is þe chirche oonli proprid to God.̉ wiþ hir names

[folio 21a]

licknes- -sis and condiciouns. ‖ Capitulum .VI^m.. ‖

To speke of holi chirche. firste we taken ground of þe gospel.̉ where Crist seiþ. Mat. xvi^o. 'Porte inferi non preualebunt aduersus eam'*. [Vulg. Matt. xvi. 18.]/ ȝatis of helle schullen not mow haue miȝt aȝen holi chirche*. [W. V. 'Ȝatis of helle shulen not han miȝt, (or strengthe) aȝeins it.']/ vpon þis tixte seiþ Lire þus 'Ecclesia non consistit in hominibus ratione potestatis vel dignitatis ecclesiastice uel secularis. quia multi principes & summi pontifices inventi sunt apostatasse a fide. propterea quod ecclesia consistit in illis personis in quibus est noticia & vera confessio fidei & veritatis'/*. [Nicolai de Lyra, Biblia Sacra cum glossis on St. Matt. xvi. 18.] Þe chirche is not in men bi weye of powere or dignite spiritual or temperal/ for manye princis & hiȝe bischopis & oþir of lowere degree. state or dignite.̉ are founden to be apostataas. or haue gon abak from þe bileue/ wherfore þe chirch stondiþ in þoo persoones.̉ in whom is knowyng & verri confessioun of feiþ & trouþe ‖ But for þe more cleere declaring of þis mater. and avoiding of obiecciouns þat mai be putt forþe.̉ we schullen vndirstonde þat þer ben þre chirchis/ of þe [folio 21b] whiche Goddis lawe.̉ often makiþ mencioun/ and miche þei diuersen iche from oþir.̉ to hem þat taken good hede ‖ But witles foolis ben marrid here. þat wil not lerne to knowe iche atwynne/

Þe firste is clepid a litil flok as Crist seiþ in Luc. xii^o. 'NolitePage  23 timere pusillus grex'*. [Vulg. Luc. xii. 32.] ‖ Nile ȝe drede my litil flok.̉ it plesiþ ȝoure fadir to ȝyue ȝou a kyngdom.

And þis chirche is clepid þe chosun noumbre of hem þat schullen be saued. as it is writen. Ecci. iii^o. 'Filii sapientie ecclesia iustorum & nacio illorum obediencia & dileccio'*. [Vulg. Ecclesiasticus iii. 1.] ‖ Þe sones of wisdam ben þe chirche of riȝtwise men. & þe nacioun of hem.̉ is buxumnesse to God. & loue to her euenecristen*. [W. V. 'The sonns of wisdam the chirche of riȝtwis men, and the nacioun of hem obeisaunce and loovyng.' 1388, 'The sones of wisdom ben the chirche of iust men, and the nacioun of hem is obedience and love.'] ‖

Þe þridde tyme þis chirche is clepid a clene chaast maiden.̉ as Poul seiþ. Ephe. v^o. 'Christus elegit sibi gloriosam ecclesiam non habentem maculam aut rugam aut aliquid huiusmodi ut sit sancta & immaculata'*. [Vulg. Eph. v. 25, 27, 'Christus dilexit ecclesiam ... ut exhiberet ipse sibi gloriosam ecclesiam,' etc.] ‖ Crist haþ chosun him a gloriouse chirche. neiþir hauyng spott ne bleyne. or ony suche oþir þing.̉ but þat þis chirche mai be holi and vndefoulid*. [W. V. 'Crist louede the chirche ... that he shulde ȝyue the chirche glorious to himsilf, not havyng wem (or spot) or ryuelyng, or ony such thing, but that it be hooli and undefoulid.']/ To þis acordiþ Lincoln dictio CXXXV. & seiþ/ 'Ecclesia dei catholica est virgo casta [folio 22a] sponsa christi gloriosa sine macula & ruga' ‖ þe holi chirche of God. is a chaast virgyn Cristis gloriouse spouse. wiþouten spott or bleyne ‖

þe fourþe tyme. þis chirche is clepid Cristis spouse.̉ & of þis mariage Poul beriþ witnes & seiþ. II Cor. x^o/ 'Despondi vos vni viro virginem castam exhibere christo'*. [Vulg. 2 Cor. xi. 2.]/ I haue maried ȝou to oo man.̉ þis is not to a wowtrere. but to a laweful man Crist Iesu/ þat I mai present ȝou to God. a clene chaast maiden.̉ at þe daie of doom*. [W. V. 'Sothly I haue bihiȝt, (or become borwe) for to ȝyue ȝou a chast virgyne to a man Crist.' 1388, 'I have spousid ȝou to oon hosebonde, to ȝelde a chast virgyn to Crist.'] ‖ And þus we seyn in þe dedicacioun of þe chirche ‖ 'Qua sponso sponsa iuncta est ecclesia'/ þis dai holi chirche a gloriouse spouse.̉ is maried to Crist her souereyn ‖

Þis chirche is lickned to a womman wiþ childe.̉ & þus seiþ Crist in þe gospel of Ion xvi^o. 'mulier cum parit tristiciam habet'*. [Vulg. Joh. xvi. 21.]/Page  24 A womman whanne sche traueiliþ.̉ sche haþ peynes*. [W. V. 'A womman whanne sche berith child, hath sorowe.' 1388, 'A womman whanne sche berith child, hath heuynesse.'] ‖ þis chirche is lickned to a womman.̉ clad in þe sunne. as seint Ion seiþ in his apocalyps xii^o. 'mulier amicta sole'*. [Vulg. Apoc. xii. 1.]/ I sauȝ a woundirful [folio 22b] siȝt.̉ & þat was a womman cladde in þe sunne*. [W. V. 'A womman coverid, or clothid, with the sunne.']

Þis chirche is lickned to Petris litile boot. þe whiche was in myddis of þe see as it is writen in þe gospel. Mat. xiiii^o. Mark vi^o. Luk. viii^o. 'Nauicula autem in medio mari iactabatur fluctibus'*. [Vulg. Matt. xiv. 24, Marc. vi. 47, Luc. viii. 22, 23.] ‖ Forsoþe þe litil boot was cast aboute in middis of þe see.̉ wiþ þe wawis*. [W. V. 'Sothely the boot in the mydil see was throwen with wawis.' 1388, 'And the boot in the myddel of the see was schoggid with wawis.']/ þis boot boþe sank & swam.̉ but drowne myȝt it neuere/ so holi chirche suffriþ many periles. & sumtyme bodili deeþ. bi purswet of enemyes.̉ but it schal neuer be dampned/

Þis chirche is lickned to paradise.̉ & þus seiþ þe prophete Ezechiel xxx^o. 'Cedri non fuerunt altiores eo in paradiso dei'*. [Vulg. Ezech. xxxi. 8 'Cedri non fuerunt altiores illo in paradiso dei.']/ Cedre-trees weren not hiȝer þan he.̉ in þe paradise of God/ vpon þis seiþ seint Austin. de. ci. dei. li^o. xiii^o. 'Paradisus est ecclesia. quattuor flumina quattuor euangelia. ligna fructifera sunt sancti. fructus opera eorum. lignum vite. sanctus sanctorum christus. lignum scientie boni et mali proprium voluntatis arbitrium'*. [Augustinus, De civitate Dei, Lib. XIII. 21 (Migne, tom. 41, col. 395).] ‖ Paradis is holi chirche. þe foure floodis ben þe foure gospeleris/ & þise [folio 23a] weren writen of Mathwe. Mark. Luk. & Ioon/ þe whiche weren figurid in licknesse of foure beestis.̉ a man. a lioun. a calf. & an egle/ for þei prechiden Crist. þe whiche is man. kniȝt. prest. & God/ & bi þise foure we ben tauȝt in stori. what is don in allegori.̉ what we schal bileue/ in moral.̉ what we shall do/ in anagogy.̉ what we schal hope/ Þe trees þat beren fruyt.̉ ben good hooli lyuars here in erþe/ Þe fruytis of þise trees.̉ ben þe werkis of holi seintis. Þe tree of lijf.̉ is þe seint passing alle seyntis. oure Lord Iesu Crist ‖ Þe tree of knowyng good & yuel.̉ is þe free choise of mannes wille ‖ Þis is þe holi chirche oonli proprid vnto God.̉ þat seruen him in vertu nyȝt & dai ‖Page  25

But how euere we speken in diuerse names. or licknessis of þis holi chirche.̉ þei techen nouȝt ellis but þis oo name. þat is to seie þe congregacioun or gedering togidir of feiþful soulis/ þat lastingli kepen feiþ & trouþe.̉ in word & in dede to God & to man/ & reisen her lijf in siker hope of mercy & grace & blisse at her ende/ and ouer- -coueren or hillen þis bilding in perfite charite. þat schal [folio 23b] not faile in wele ne in woo ‖ Of þis spak seint Poul to þe Corinthis.̉ & in hem to alle oþir seiyng. Cor. iii^o. 'Templum enim dei sanctum est quod estis vos'*. [Vulg. 1 Cor. iii. 17.] ‖ Þe temple of God is holi.̉ & þat ben ȝe/ & bi þis we vndirstand. þat þe soule of a riȝtwise man. is þe seet of God ‖ Wel auȝt suche a man to be waker & wise. þat haþ þe greet God Lord of Israel.̉ dwelling in hise soule. & so seiþ seint Austin. in li^o. de doctrina christiana/ 'O anima christiana euigila. & si que in te sit virtus caritatis que omnia sustinet.̉ domini tui imitari vestigia/ Considera quot milia martirum tritam tibi fecerunt viam/ transierunt virgines. transierunt pueri & puelle. & adhuc times/ ducet te qui est via veritas & vita. via non errans. veritas non fallens. vita non deficiens. via in exemplo veritas in promisso. & vita in premio'‖ O. þou cristen soule awake. & if þer be in þee ony vertu of charite þat susteyneþ alle þingis.̉ folow þou þe steppis of þis Lord/ take hede how mani þousand of martris. han made a smeþ pleyne weye to þee/ [folio 24a] þer han passid bifore þee virgynes. þer han passid bifore children & ȝong damysellis.̉ & ȝit þou dredist/ arise þou soule. for he schal lede þee. þat is weye. trouþe. & lijf/ weye. not erring/ trouþe. not bigiling/ & lijf. not failing ‖ weye. in ensaumple/ trouþe in promissioun/ & lijf in mede/ And to þis entent Crist*. [MS. Cristis.] lickned manis soule.̉ to a womman wiþ childe/ For a womman whanne sche traueiliþ.̉ sche haþ strong peynes/ but whanne þer is a man born in to þe world.̉ sche haþ no mynde of hir peyne. for ioye of þis childe ‖ Þus wandriþ holi chirche in erþe.̉ in preiers. fastingis. & in wakingis/ in abstinence. tribulaciouns. & in angwische/ in persecutiouns. in miche nede. & in prisouns/ in boondis. in coolde. & in greet heuynes/ in þrist. in hounger. & in blamyngis/ in reprouyngis. in sclaundris. & in pacience/ in longabiding. in symplenes. and in weeping/ in forȝyuyng. in soburnes. & in chastite/ in spedines. in largenes. and in charite ‖Page  26 [folio 24b] Þise ben groonyngis of mannes soule.̉ þat longiþ in loue. aftir Crist hir spouse til sche haue brouȝt hir silf a childe of God.̉ in to blisse wiþouten ende/ And þanne for greetnesse of Goddis rewarde.̉ þe more sche suffrid. þe more is hir ioye. for so seiþ seint Poul. Ro. viii^o. 'Non sunt condigne passiones huius temporis ad futuram gloriam que reuelabitur in nobis'*. [Vulg. Rom. viii. 18.] ‖ Þe passiouns of þis tyme. þat we suffren in þis deedli lijf. ben as noo passiouns. in comparisoun to þe glorie þat is to come. þat schal be schewid in vs/*. [W. V. 'The passions of this tyme ben not euene worthi to the glorie to comynge, that schal be schewid in us.' 1388, 'The passiouns of this time ben not worthi to the glorie to comynge, that schal be schewid in us.'] for þanne we schal be dowid.̉ wiþ foure dowers in oure bodi/ of þe whiche spekiþ seint Poul. I. Cor. xv^o. 'Seminatur in corrupcione.̉ surget in incorrupcione/ seminatur in ignobilitate.̉ surget in gloria/ seminatur in infirmitate.̉ surget in virtute/ seminatur corpus animale.̉ surget corpus spirituale'*. [Vulg. 1 Cor. xv. 42-4.] ‖ Þat bodi þat is sowen in corrupcioun.̉ schal rise wiþouten corrupcioun/ in þis chosen chirche.̉ at þe dai of doome/ and þis dowery is clepid [folio 25a] inmortalite.̉ or vndeedlines/ Þat bodi þat is sowen vn- -worþi.̉ schal rise in glorie/ & þis dowery is clepid.̉ clerte/ þat bodi þat is sowen in infirmite or in vnstablenes.̉ schal rise in vertu/ & þis is clepid agilite.̉ or swiftnes/ Þat bodi þat is sowen beestial.̉ schal rise spiritual/ & þis dowery is clepid sotilte/ But þer ben oþir foure doweris.̉ of substancial mede/ wiþ þe whiche we schal be dowid.̉ in oure soule‖ Þe firste doweri is impassibilite/ þe secounde dowery is tuicioun‖ þe þridde perpetual charite/ and þe fourþe is fruycioun ‖ or ellis þus in more pleyn speche ‖ Þe firste is knowing.̉ wiþouten errour ‖ þe secounde mynde.̉ wiþouten forȝeting‖ þe þridde wille.̉ wiþouten aȝenseiyng ‖ And þe fourþe fruycioun. or vse of þe godhed.̉ & loue of God euerlasting ‖ O. a woundirful ioye is þis. where þe soule schal be fedde/ wiþ þe siȝt of þe godhed/ cladde in þe liȝt of þe godhed/ And euere occupied in þe worschip of þe godhed/ And certis þis is ioye.̉ wiþouten wrecchidnes/ þis is rest.̉ wiþouten ony chargeouse bisines ‖ þis is mirþe. wiþouten heuynes ‖ þis is swerte endles.̉ [folio 25b] of al discorde loþles ‖ Þis is counfort in gladnes.̉ of ony maner þouȝt or purviaunce carles ‖ Þis witnesiþ þe prophet Isaie. lxiiii^o.*. [Vulg. Isaias lxiv. 4 'A saeculo non audierunt, neque auribus perceþerunt: oculus non vidit, Deus, absque te, quae praeparasti expectantibus te.']Page  27 & seint Poul in his epistile. I. Cor. ii^o. 'Oculus non vidit nec auris audiuit nec in cor hominis ascendit que preparauit deus hijs qui diligunt illum vel diligentibus illum'*. [Vulg. 1 Cor. ii. 9.] ‖ Bodili iȝe haþ neuir sen. neiþir eere haþ hard. neiþir it stiȝed in mannes hert. þoo þingis þat God haþ ordeyned to hem þat louen him*. [W. V. 'Yȝe syȝ not, ne eere herde, nether it stiȝede in to herte of man, what thingis God made redy bifore to hem that louen him.' 1388, 'Iȝe say not, ne eere herde, nether it stiede in to herte of man, what thingis God arrayede to hem that louen him.'] ‖ Lord who schulde not remewen hise feble wittis. to þenk on þat amiable quere. þat preisiþ in heuene þe goodnes of þis inserchable godhed.̉ Fadir & Sone & Holigost ‖ To bigynne at Mary Cristis modir quene of heuene. ladi of erþe. & emparise of helle. nyne ordris of aungelis in gloriouse wise.̉ þere dwellen in her heuenli sellis/ to do þe plesing wille of God.̉ in heuene & in erþe as her ordir axeþ/ And patriarchis oure elder fadris.̉ þat streiȝtli kept þe biddingis of God ‖ þere þei resten of al her traueile.̉ in lond of lijf wiþ double mede ‖ Þere ben prophetis þat siȝen in spirit.̉ þe misterie of [folio 26a] Cristis incarnacioun/ þei tolden þe comyng of þis Lord.̉ in hope abiding mannes saluacioun ‖ Euaungelistis ben þere hiȝe in blisse.̉ þat walkiden wiþ Crist & writen hise wordis/ Apostlis sent in to al þe world.̉ & Cristis disciplis to preche þe gospel/ turnyng Iewis & heþen men to Cristis lawe.̉ þere sitten in seetis vpon XII. troones/ and schullen iugge wiþ Crist in doome.̉ þe XII. tribis of Israel. Mat. xix^o. 'Sedebitis super sedes XII. iudicantes XII. tribus Israel'*. [Vulg. Matt. xix. 28.] ‖ Þere ben martris þat schedden her blood.̉ & suffrid peynes to large her ioye/ & for þei passid bi fire & watir.̉ þei han founden refresching to her soulis ‖ Also þere ben confessours.̉ þat opened Cristis lawe in þis world/ & noþir for vileny ne for schame.̉ wolde neuere deneye þat blessid lore ‖ Þere ben virgines in bodi & in soule/ þat kepten her clennes from lust of fleische/ & to þis blisse ben taken boþe lerid & lewid.̉ þat done her vttirest wille to holde Goddis heestis ‖ No tung mai telle þe soþe as it is.̉ but þus we seyn to mende oure deuocioun þat we [folio 26b] miȝt haue þis blis in mynde.̉ & take a parte amonge þise seyntis ‖

But seint Ion whanne he was ledde in spirit.̉ sawe in heuenePage  28 a wonderful token/ & for to chere mankynde in erþe.̉ he left it writen in his book/ Ap. xxii^o. 'mulier amicta sole & luna sub pedibus eius & corona in capite eius stellarum XIIcim'*. [Vulg. Apoc. xii. 1.]/ Seint Ion sauȝ a womman cladde in þe sunne. & þe moone vndir hir feet/ & a croune vpon hir heed.̉ of þe XII. sterres ‖*. [W. V. 'And a greet token apperide in heuene; a womman couerid (or clothid) with the sunne, and the moone undir hir feet, and in the heed of hir a coroun of twelve sterris.'] Þis womman bitokeneþ mannes soule.̉ as we took witnesse of Crist aforne/ & certis þis was a blissful siȝt.̉ to se þe chirche in hir wedding cloþis ‖ Þe sunne þat þis chirche is cladde ynne.̉ is þat moost worschipful garment oure saluacioun/ þat excellent & moost comendable liuere.̉ oure redempcioun/ þat hooli & moost preciouse cloþ.̉ oure cristendom & oure religioun/ for þis Crist bitook vs. whanne we were baptised.̉ as seint Poul seiþ. Gala. iii^o. 'Quicunque baptizati estis.̉ christum induistis'*. [Vulg. Gal. iii. 27 'Quicumque enim in Christo baptizati estis, Christum induistis.'] ‖ Alle ȝe þat ben baptized.̉ ȝe ben [folio 27a] cladde Crist Iesu*. [W. V. 'Forsothe who euere ȝe ben baptysid in Crist, ȝe han clothid Crist.' 1388, 'For alle ȝe that ben baptisid, ben clothid with Crist.'] ‖ Þe sunne beriþ licknes of oure Baptyme.̉ for certeyn propurtees þat it haþ/ of þe sunne oþir liȝtis borowen her schynnyng.̉ boþe moone & sterris. in her due course/ & ellis þei ben ouerledde wiþ derknes.̉ þat may not counfort to niȝt ne dai ‖ So alle mennes werke in worde or dede.̉ borowén her liȝt at Crist Iesu/ for he is þe sunne of riȝtwisenes.̉ as Mardoche seide in þe spirit of God. viii^o. 'lux & sol ortus est & humiles*. [MS. humilis.] exaltati sunt'*. [Vulg. Esther xi. 11.] ‖ Liȝt & sunne is vp spronngen.̉ & meke loweli ben vphaunsid.*. [W. V. 'Liȝt and the sunne is sprungen; and meke men ben enhauncid.' 1388, 'The liȝt and the sunne roos; and meke men weren enhaunsid.'] Dauiþ þe prophet declariþ what þis liȝt meneþ.̉ & seiþ. Ps. cxi. 'Exortum est in tenebris lumen rectis misericors & miserator dominus'*. [Vulg. Ps. cxi. 4 'Exortum est in tenebris lumen rectis: misericors, et miserator, et iustus' but cf. Ps. cx 4 'Memoriam fecit mirabilium suorum, misericors et miserator Dominus.'] ‖ liȝt is vp spronngen to þe riȝtwise.̉ þat wandiriþ in derknes of þis lijf/ & þis is oure Lord Iesu Crist.̉ þat of his owene mercy haþe saued hise peple ‖ And þus we reden ofPage  29 trewe bileue.̉ in stori of oure blessid ladi ‖ 'Solem iusticie virgo paritura supremum'*. [MS. suppremium.]/ Mari a virgyn. haþ borne þe souereyn sunne of riȝtwisenes. þat is Goddis sone of heuene Crist Iesu boþe God and man ‖ What euere þat ony man doiþ þat failiþ þis liȝt.̉ it lediþ blyndlingis to þe dungun of helle/ And whanne þis [folio 27b] sunne schynnyþ in hise werkis.̉ he growiþ bi heete of Goddis grace/ & ripeþ in vertu as doþ þe corne.̉ to be repid in his tyme to Goddis berne/ O. wiþ how miche diligence schulde þis Lord be serued for þis lyuerey of þis greet prijs? Certis Moises seid. Deuto. iiii^o. 'Non est aliqua nacio tam grandis que habeat deos appropinquantes sibi sicut adest nobis deus noster'*. [Vulg. Deut. iv. 7 'Nec est alia natio ... sicut Deus noster adest.'] ‖ Þer is no nacioun vndir heuene þat haþ her goddis neiȝyng to hem.̉ as oure God is til vs'*. [W. V. 'Ne there is other nation so greet, that hath goddis neiȝynge to hem, as oure God is nyȝ to alle oure holi preiers.' 1388, 'Noon other nacioun is so greet, that hath goddis neiȝynge to it silf, as oure God is redi to alle oure bisechyngis.']/ For Crist seiþ. Mat. xxviii^o. 'Ecce ego vobiscum sum omnibus diebus vsque ad consummacionem seculi.'*. [Vulg. Matt. xxviii. 20.] Loo I am wiþ ȝou alle þe daies of ȝoure lijf.̉ in to þe ende of þe world*. [W. V. 'Lo! I am with ȝou in alle dayes, til the endyng of the world.' 1388, 'Lo! I am with ȝou in alle daies, in to the ende of the world.'] ‖

Þe moone vndir þis wommanes feet.̉ is þis world putt vndir þe affecciouns of mannes soule/ þe whiche ben foure as seint Austin seiþ.̉ in a book þat he made. de spiritu et anima/ 'Gaudium spes. tristicia & dolor/ gaudium de presentibus. spes de futuris. tristicia de presentibus. dolor de futuris'*. [Augustinus, De Spiritu et Anima, Lib. I, cap. iv (Migne, tom. 40, col. 782).] ‖ Ioye & hope.̉ drede & sorowe/ Ioye of þingis þat ben present.̉ & hope of þingis for to come/ drede of þingis þat ben present.̉ & sorow of þingis for [folio 28a] to come ‖ Þise forsoþe foure affecciouns of þe soule.̉ ben þe bigynnyng of alle vicis & vertues/ aftir þei ben rulid þoruȝ mannes powere.̉ to good or to yuel. as her eend declareþ ‖ Wherfore. whanne loue & hate ben orderid prudentli. modiratli. strongli. & iustli.̉ þanne þei risen in to vertues/ þat is to seie. in to prudence. riȝtwisenes. temperaunce or mesure. & goostli strengþe ‖Page  30 And if þise affectuousli & vertuousli. be disposid in mannes soule. bi þe hate of þe world & of him silf. he profitiþ in to þe loue of God & of his neiȝbore/ And bi þe dispising of temporal & passinge þingis.̉ he encresiþ & growiþ in to þe desire of euerlasting & heuenli þingis ‖ Þe world is lickned to þe moone.̉ þat is to seie. vanisching or defauȝt/ for in peyne of Adames syne.̉ in þis world we suffre defauȝt/ but þe sunne of Cristis gospel.̉ turneþ worldis goodis to oure mede/ for þe wit of Crist is so clere liȝt.̉ þat in hise wordis þer may no man erre/ he takiþ þe persoone of pore nedi.̉ & spekiþ in poore men as in him silf. Mat. xxv^o. 'Venite [folio 28b] benedicti patris mei. percipite & pos- -sidete paratum vobis regnum a constitucione mundi/ Esuriui enim & dedistis michi manducare &c.;'*. [Vulg. Matt. xxv. 34, 35 'Venite, benedicti patris mei, possidete,' etc.] ‖ Cum ȝe blessid of my fadir. take ye. & haue ȝe in possessioun.̉ a rewme mad redi to ȝou. fro þe bigynnyng of þe world/ Forsoþe I haue hungrid. & ȝe han ȝouun me to eet*. [W. V. 'Come ȝee, the blesid of my fadir, welde ȝe (or take ȝee in possessioun) the kyngdam maad redy to ȝou fro the bygynnynge (or makynge) of the world. Forsothe I was hungry, and ȝe ȝaven to me for to ete' 1388, 'Come ȝe, the blesid of my fadir, take ȝe in possessioun the kyngdoom maad redi to ȝou fro the makyng of the world. For I hungride, and ȝe ȝauen me to ete.'] ‖ Þis is not þe glotun & þe wastur. neiþir þis is not he. þat hiȝdeþ hise owene goodis.̉ & greedili gadriþ oþir mennes ‖ I haue þristid. & ȝe haue ȝouun me to drink/ Firste he seiþ. I haue.̉ to teche þat þe pore nedi schulde swe him in lyuyng/ Þe secounde tyme he seiþ. I hungrid.̉ to exclude excesse & drounklewnesse ‖ I haue ben housles.̉ & ȝe han herborowid me/*. [W. V. 'I was herberlesse, and ȝee gederiden (or herberden) me.' 1388, 'I was herboreles, and ȝe herboriden me.'] þis is not þoo þat haue greete housing of her owene.̉ wiþ miche wast and costiouse bilding ‖ I haue be nakid.̉ & ȝe haue clad me*. [W. V. 'I was nakid, and ȝee heliden me.']/ þis is not þos. þat weren wide and siȝde cloþis.̉ & swymmen in cloþis of greete prijs ‖ I was sijk. & ȝe visitid me/ þis is not he.̉ þat haþ no nede to þi visitacioun ‖ I was in þrisoun.̉ & ȝe camen to me/ to teche þee þat þe vngilti man.̉ schulde [folio 29a] be holpen out of prisoun/ & suffre þe gilti man wel to be punyschid.̉ in mending of his trespas ‖ Þus is þis womman treweli tauȝt. bi þe liȝt of Cristis gospel/ to wynne hir mede in þis world.̉ þat is putt vndir hir feet ‖

Page  31Þe crowne vpon þis wommannes heed is stedfast bileue.̉ vpon þe principal vertu of mannes soule ‖ Þe .XII. sterres þat schynnen in þis crowne.̉ ben .XII. articlis of þe comune crede ‖

Þe firste article is þis.̉ I bileue in to God fadir almiȝti maker of heuene & of erþe ‖ Þe secounde is þis.̉ And in to Iesu Crist his oonli son oure Lord ‖ Þe þridde is þis.̉ whiche was conseyued of þe Holi Goost. born of þe virgyn Mari ‖ Þe fourþe is þis.̉ he suffrid vndir Pilat of Pounce. don vpon þe cros. deed & biried ‖ Þe fifþe is þis.̉ he went doun to hellis.̉ þe þridde dai he roos fro deeþ ‖ Þe sixte is þis.̉ he stiȝed vnto heuenes he sittiþ on þe riȝt half of God þe fadir almiȝti ‖ Þe seuenþe is þis.̉ From þenns he is to come to deeme þe quik & þe deed ‖ Þe eiȝtiþe is þis.̉ I bileue in to þe Holi Gost ‖ Þe nynþe is þis.̉ al holi chirche þe comunyng of seintis ‖ Þe tenþe is þis.̉ Forȝyuenesse of synnes ‖ Þe eleuenþe [folio 29b] is þis.̉ vprising of fleische ‖ Þe XII. is þis.̉ and euerlasting*. [MS. everlast.] lijf amen ‖

Þus schal þat soule be araied.̉ þat is chosen to be Cristis spouse/ & worþili is holi chirche.̉ lickned to a womman/ for sche beriþ hoþe sones & douȝtris.̉ of hir wombe.̉ but not wiþouten þe helpe of mannes seed/ & so oure modir holi chirch beriþ in hir wombe. soulis to be born to þe blisse.̉ but neuere wiþouten þe helpe & þe grace of oure Lord Iesu Crist. as þe gospel witnessiþ. Ion. xv^o. 'Sine me nichil potestis facere'*. [Vulg. Joh. xv. 5.]/ wiþouten me seiþ Crist.̉ ȝe mai no þing do/ þat is to seie. medfulli or þank-worþi ‖ Here summe obiectun þat þe gospel is not of autorite.̉ but in as miche as þe chirche haþ autorised it & cannonisid it/ for þei sein þat no man knowiþ suche wordis to be þe gospel.̉ but as þe chirche haþ determyned in her determynacioun ‖ Þis conclucioun semeþ to smak heresie. bi þe witnesse of seint Austin.̉ seiyng on þis wise/ 'Heresis est dogma falsum sacre scripture contrarium pertinaciter [folio 30a] defensatum maxime causa honoris & temporalis comodi' ‖ Heresie is a false teching contrarie to holi writ. fool-hardili defendid.̉ moost bicause of worschip & worldli wynnyng.̉ and siþen alle þise ben founden. in þe forseid obieccioun.̉ it is ful suspect of heresie/ for it is writen fro þe bigynnyng. Ge. ii^o. þat God ordeyned man.̉ to heed & lord ouir þe womman/ & aȝenward þe womman to be vndirloute & suget.̉ vnto þis man ‖ But Poul seiþ. Eph. v^o.Page  32 'Hoc magnum dico sacramentum in christo & in ecclesia'*. [Vulg. Eph. v. 32 'Sacramentum hoc magnum est, ego autem dico in Christo et in Ecclesia.'] ‖ Þis greet sacrament of kniȝtting togidir a man & his wijf.̉ bitokeneþ þe knitting togidir of Crist & his chirche ‖ Schal not þanne mannes soule vndirloute to Crist in worde & dede in þis spiritual mariage.̉ more perfiȝtlier þan þis womman can or mai in þe sacrament of fleische? Seint Iames distrieþ þise obiecciouns.̉ & seiþ. Iac. i^o. 'voluntarie enim genuit nos verbo veritatis vt simus inicium aliquod creature eius'*. [Vulg. Jac. i. 18.] ‖ God haþ wilfulli & of his [folio 30b] owene free wille gotun us þoruȝ þe worde of trouþe.̉ þat we mai be summe bigynnyng of his creature*. [W. V. 'Forsothe wilfully he gendride us with the word of treuthe, that we be sum bigynnyng of the creature of him.' 1388, 'For wilfulli he bigat us bi the word of treuthe, that we be a bigynnyng of his creature.']/ & þis creature is oo passing creature holi chirche.̉ þat was chosen in þe tyme of grace. bi þe watir of clensing. bi Cristis blood of aȝen-biyng.̉ & bi vertu of þe Hooli Goost halowyng ‖ Were it not þanne aȝens resoun & open heresie. to maynten þat þe worde of God. þat haþ gotun þis creature holi chirche.̉ schulde not be of autorite. wiþouten autorysing of þis creature holi chirche?‖ Wherefore þis conclucioun approued. we graunten of bileue. þat þe chirche is vndirloutid to Crist & his gospel.̉ on foure maners ‖ Firste as þe moone to þe sunne.̉ of whom it is liȝtned. Cant. vi^o. 'Pulcra vt luna'*. [Vulg. Cant. vi. 10.] ‖ þat is to seie. þe chirche is faire.̉ as þe moone/ Þe secounde tyme as þe erþe to þe firmament.̉ of whom it is mad plenteuouse or watrid. Is. lv^o. 'Quomodo ymber & nix desendit de celo & illuc vltra non reuertitur. sed inebriat terram &c.;'*. [Vulg. Isaias lv. 10.] ‖ As dew comeþ doun from þe firmament. & turneþ not þider aȝen. but watriþ þe erþe [folio 31a] & makiþ it plen- -teuouse of fruytis.̉ so þe word of God norischeþ holichirche. & makiþ it to bring forþe good vertues*. [W. V. 'And what maner cometh doun weder and snoȝ fro heuene, and thider no mor is turned aȝeen, but drunkneth the erthe, and heeldeth in to it and to burioune maketh it, and ȝyueth sed to the sowere, and bred to the etere, so shal be my wrd, that shal gon out of my mouth.' 1388, 'And as reyn and snow cometh doun fro heuene, and turneth no more aȝen thidur, but it fillith the erthe, and bischedith it, and makith it to buriowne, and ȝyueth seed to hym that sowith, and breed to him that etith, so schal be my word, that schal go out of my mouth.'] ‖ Þe þridde tyme as þe fleische to þe spirit.̉ of whom it is quickned. Ion. vi^o.Page  33 'Spiritus est qui viuificat'*. [Vulg. Joh. vi. 64.] ‖ It is þe spirit þat quickneþ ‖ Þe fourþe tyme. as þe bodi is to þe heed of whom it is gouerned. Eph. i^o. 'Ipsum dedit caput*. [MS. capud.] ecclesie'*. [Vulg. Eph. i. 22 'Ipsum dedit caput supra omnem ecclesiam.'] ‖ God þe fadir haþ made his son Crist.̉ heed of þe chirche/*. [W. V. '(God) ȝaf him heed upon al the chirche.' 1388, '(God) ȝaf hym to be heed over al the chirche.'] Coll. i^o. 'Christus est caput*. [MS. capud.] corporis ecclesie'*. [Vulg. Col. i. 18.] ‖ Crist is heed of þe bodi of þe chirche ‖ And euery chosen man & womman.̉ is clepid a sone or a douȝtir of þis chirche. but al togidir ben þe ful bodi of þis chirche/ as Poul seiþ. Ro. xii^o. 'Multi sumus vnum corpus in christo. singuli autem alter alterius membra'*. [Vulg. Rom. xii. 5.] ‖ we mani ben oo bodi in Crist.̉ forsoþe iche of vs ben oþir membris*. [W. V. 'We ben manye oo body in Crist, ech forsothe membris the tother of an other.' 1388, 'We many ben o bodi in Crist, and eche ben membris oon of anothir.'] ‖

But summe children of þis womman.̉ ben symple labureris/ & for þat þei parten her trewe traueile.̉ þerfore þei representen þe good loue of þe Hooli Goost/ And þise dreden þe Lord. & walken in þe weye of hise comaundementis. as þe prophet seiþ. Ps. cxxvii. 'Beati omnes qui timent dominum.̉ qui ambulant in viis eius ‖ [folio 31b] labores manuum*. [MS. mauū.] tuarum quia manducabis.̉ beatus es & bene tibi erit.'*. [Vulg. Ps. cxxvii. 1, 2.] ‖ Blessed be alle labureris þat dreden þe Lord.̉ & walken in hise weies/ for þou schalt lyue bi þe labur of þin handis.̉ þou art blessid & wel schal be to þee/*. [W. V. 'Blisful alle that dreden the Lord: that gon in his weies. The trauailis of thin hondis for thou shalt ete; blisful thou art, and wel shal be to thee.' 1388, 'Blessid ben alle men that dreden the Lord; that gon in hise weies. For thou schalt ete the travels of thin hondis; thou art blessid, and it schal be wel to thee.'] & þis is þe lowest astaat.̉ þat we clepen comunes ‖

Summe of þise womanes children.̉ taken þe material swerid/ & ben made mynystris.̉ of Cristis godhed/ hauyng powere & drede.̉ in to wraþþe & veniaunce of hem þat don yuel/ and preising of hem.̉ þat don wel/ And so bi þe autorite of seint Ion Baptist in þePage  34 gospel of Crist. Luc. iii^o.*. [Vulg. Luc. iii. 14 'Interrogabant autem eum et milites, dicentes: Quid faciemus et nos? Et ait illis: Neminem concutiatis, neque calumniam faciatis.'] and of seint Petir I. Pet. ii^o*. [Vulg. 1 Pet. ii. 13, 14 'Subiecti igitur estote omni humanae creaturae propter Deum: sive regi quasi praecellenti: sive ducibus tamquam ab eo missis ad vindictam malefactorum, laudem vero bonorum.'] and of seint Poul. Ro. xiii^o.*. [Vulg. Rom. xiii. 'Dei enim minister est: vindex in iram ei qui malum agit.'] and bi þe decre of seint Isodore. XXIII. quest. V. Principes.̉*. [Gratian, Decreti Pars Secunda, causa xxiii, quaest. v, cap. xx (Migne, tom. 187, col. 1223).] it parteyneþ to þe ordir of knyȝthod. to defende Goddis lawe. to maynten4 good lyuars & to iustifie or soore punysche mysdoars/ And þis is clepid þe secounde astate in hooli chirche ‖

But summe children of þis womman. stiȝen in to þe hiȝe ordir [folio 32a] of presthood.̉ & ben made mynystris of Cristis manhed/ and þise han witt & wisdam. to open to þe peple þe weye of trouþe. & þis astate representiþ. þe secounde persoone in trinite. þat is þe wisdam of þe fadir.̉ oure Lord Iesu Crist ‖ For þus seiþ seint Austin in de quest. veteris & nove legis. ca^o.. xxxv^o. & ca^o.. iiii^xxxi 'rex est vicarius deitatis. & sacerdos est vicarius christi humanitatis' *. [Augustinus, Quaestiones Veteris et Novi Testamenti, XXXV, XCI (Migne, tom. 35, cols. 2234, 2284).] ‖ knyȝthod representing þe myȝt & þe powere of þe fadir.̉ is þe viker of þe godhed/ and presthod representing þe wisedam of þe sone.̉ is þe viker of Cristis manhod ‖ And þise knyȝtis techen til vs.̉ þe drede of Goddis riȝtwisenes/ þat punyscheþ obstinat synnars.̉ turnyng from his lawe. in schrewidnes of her hertis/ & prestis techen vs bi weie of office.̉ þe loue þat God haþ to his peple.̉ þat forȝyueth hem alle her synnes.̉ whanne þei comen to him & don verry penaunce/ þanne helpen prestis wiþ sacramentis.̉ to plese God & wynne his loue ‖

Poul monestiþ þe prest Thimothie.̉ & in him alle oþir prestis/ [folio 32b] to take good tent to fyue þingis.̉ in whiche fulli her office standiþ/ Thimo. iiii^o. 'Tu vero vigila in omnibus labora/ opus fac euangeliste/ ministerium tuum imple. sobrius esto'*. [Vulg. 2 Tim. iv. 5.]/ sicut si diceret vigila orationibus continuis/ labora in omnibus leccionibusPage  35 sacre scripture/ opus fac euangeliste. predicando euangelium vere/ ministerium tuum imple. ministrando .VII. sacramentalia libere. sobrius esto verbo & exemplo' ‖ Awake þou prest in bisi preier.̉ preiyng for þe peple deuoutli ‖ þe secounde is þis. traueile þou prest in þe lessouns of holi writ.̉ studiyng Goddis lawe oonli ‖ Þe þridde is þis. do þou þe werk of þe gospel.̉ precheing Goddis word trueli ‖ Þe fourþe is þis. Fulfille þou þi mynysterie.̉ mynystring þe seuene sacramentis freeli/ Þe fifþe is þis. be þou sobur in worde & dede. doing & suffring lastingli ‖

Vpon þise þre astatis.̉ standiþ þe chirche þat is apropurid to God/ & bi þe vertu of Cristis incarnacioun.̉ it growiþ in mede to cum to blis/ as Odo seiþ. þat Crist Iesu tooke fleische & blood.̉ in þe maydens wombe/ & was borne boþe God & man.̉ to anfest [folio 33a] oure kynde to his godheed/ for whanne he took oure manhed.̉ he grauntid vs his godhed/ & in þis tyme in special manere.̉ he firste ȝaue haruest to þis chirche/ Aftir þis was Iesu Crist.̉ baptisid in watir of Flom Iordan/ & temptid þrise of þe fende.̉ to lerne vs mekeli suffre temptacioun/ & tooke þe deeþ vpon a crose.̉ bi þe cruel iuggement of þe Iewis/ & þanne þe chirche was trouþpliȝt to Crist.̉ clepid bi name his faire clene spouse/ And as sche hadde grace bi deuocioun of feiþ.̉ so haþ sche worþines of þis name ‖ But whanne þis chirche is brouȝt to heuene.̉ & restiþ in blisse wiþ Crist hir spouse/ þanne is þis mariage fulli sacrid.̉ wiþ deyntes of euerlasting delites/ Whilis þis lijf duriþ in erþe.̉ þis chirche is clepid. militaunt/ & whanne it slepiþ in purgatory.̉ þanne is sche clepid þe chirche slepand/ But whanne sche haþ rest of al hir traueile.̉ þanne is sche clepid þe chirche triumphaunt Or ellis [folio 33b] þus more pleynli ‖ A trewe soule here in þis lijf.̉ fiȝtiþ aȝens þe wawis of þe see ‖ to sleke þe sauȝtis of þise feeris enemys.̉ þe fende. þe world. & þe wantoune fleische ‖ In purgatori sche clensiþ hir silf.̉ from rust and corrupcioun of synne/ but in heuene sche holdiþ þe toure.̉ & victorie of alle hir enemyes/ & haþ wonne þe croune of lijf.̉ þat God haþ grauntid to hise louears ‖

What is þe material chirche wiþ hir honourmentis/

Capitulum .VII^m..

The secounde chirche dyuerse from þis.̉ is comyng togiddir of good & yuel/ in a place þat is halowid.̉ fer from worldi occupaciounPage  36 / for þere sacramentis schullen be tretid.̉ & Goddis lawe boþe radde & prechid/ Of þis chirche spekiþ þe prophet Dauiþ.̉ & seiþ. Ps. lxvii. 'In ecclesijs benedicite deo domino'*. [Vulg. Ps. lxvii. 27.] ‖ In chirchis blesse ȝe to þe Lord God*. [W. V. 'In chirchis blissith to God.' 1388, 'In chirchis blesse ȝe God.'] ‖ In þis place oure graciouse God.̉ heeriþ oure preiers in special manere/ & bowiþ his eere to hise seruauntis.̉ in forme as he grauntid Salamon. III. Re. ix^o*. [Vulg. 3 Reg. ix. 3 'Sanctificavi domum banc, quam aedificasti, ut ponerem nomen meum ibi in sempiternum, et erunt oculi mei et cor meum ibi cunctis diebus.']/ ii^o Paral. vii^o. [folio 34a] 'Oculi quoque mei erunt aperti & aures mee erecte ad orationem eius qui in loco isto orauerit'*. [Vulg. 2 Par. vii. 15.]/ myn iȝen seiþ God schullen be open. & myn eeris schullen be lefte vp.̉ to þe preiour of him þat haþ iustli preid in þis place*. [W. V. 'Also myn eeȝen schul ben opened, and my eeris rerid up to the horisoun of hym, that in this place schal preie.' 1388, 'Myn iȝen schulen be openyd, & myn eeren schulen be reisid to the preiere of hym, that preieth in this place.']/ & þis is clepid a material place.̉ for it is made bi mannes crafte/ of lyme of tymbre & of stoon.̉ wiþ oþir necessarijs þat longen þerto/

For mannes profite þis place is made.̉ but not so man for þe place/ as Crist markiþ in his gospel.̉ for man schulde not be bigilid. Mat. xii^o. Mar. ii^o. Luk. vi^o. 'sabbatum propter hominem factum est & non homo propter sabbatum'*. [Vulg. Matt. xii. 1-8, Marc. ii. 27, Luc. vi. 1-5.] ‖ Þe sabot is made for þe man.̉ & not þe man for þe sabot/ Man bi vertu of Goddis word halowiþ þis place.̉ but þis place mai not halowe man. but if man be firste in cause/ as Ierom seiþ. 'locus non sanctificat hominem.̉ sed homo locum'*. [S. Ioan. Chrysostomus, Hom. XLIII, c. 23.] ‖ Þe place halowiþ not þe man.̉ but þe man halowiþ þe place/ Alas what woodnes is þis.̉ to boost of hooli placis/ & we oure silf to be.̉ suche viciouse foolis ‖ Lucifer was in heuene.̉ & [folio 34b] þat is moost hooli place/ but for his synne he fel to helle.̉ þe place myȝt not holde him/ Adam was in paradise.̉ þe moost miriest place/ & for his synne he was dryuen out.̉ þe place miȝt not defende him ‖ þou þat art neiþir in heuene ne in paradise.̉ but in þis wrecchid world/ where wenest þou to fynde a place toPage  37 halowe þee.̉ þat leuest not þi synne? be þou siker as God is in heuene.̉ þat it wole not be/ for God is in no place faire serued.̉ but þere as his lawe is faire kept of þe peple ‖ Seint Ambrose seiþ. Adam þat was þe more worþi. was made wiþouten paradise. in þe vnworþier place/ Eve þat was lesse worþi.̉ was made wiþynne paradise in þe worþier place*. [Ambrosius, Liber de Paradiso, C. 4; Gratian, Decreti Pars Prima, dist. xl, c. ix (Migne, tom. 187, col. 216).] ‖

Miche peple demen it a medeful werke.̉ to iape mennes iȝen wiþ curiouse bilding/ & manye veyn staring siȝtis in her chirchis.̉ but Ierom forbediþ þis þing to be don/ & dampneþ it vttirli for greete synne.̉ now in þis tyme of Cristis gospel. Ieromus xii^o. quest. ii^o. 'Multi edificant parietes & columpnas ecclesie subtrahunt marmora nitent auro splendent laquearia gemmis alteria distinguntur & [folio 35a] ministrorum christi nulla est eleccio . neque enim michi aliquis opponat dicens in iudea templum mensas lucernas thuribula*. [MS. thuriblera.] patellas ciphos mortariala &c ex auro fabricata tum hec probantur a domino quum sacerdotes hostias immolabant & sanguis pecudum erat remissio peccatorum quamquam hec omnia precesserint in figuram scripta sunt autem propter nos in quos fines seculorum deuenerunt/ nunc vero cum paupertatem domus sue pauper dominus dedicauit/ portemus crucem. & diuicias lutum putemus'*. [S. Hieronymus, Ad Nepotianum de vita clericorum; Gratian, Decreti Pars Secunda, c. xii, q. 2, c. 71 (Migne, tom. 187, col. 926).]/ Super quo Willumis de Sancto Amore sic ait 'huiusmodi homines edificia taliter fabricantes/ videntur*. [MS. videnter.] conuertere panes in lapides . videlicet panes pauperum in congeries lapidum & ideo videntur diabolo esse crudeliores. qui petiit lapides in panes conuerti' ‖ hec ille/ Manye bilden wowis & pilars of þe chirche . þei vndirputten schynyng marbel stoones. þe beemes glistiren al in gold . þe auters ben dyuerseli araied wiþ preciouse stoones . but of þe mynystris of God þer is [folio 35b] no choise/ no riche man leie to me þe temple in Iurie. boordis. lanterns. sencers. pannes. cuppis. mortars. & suche oþir made of gold/ for þanne þise þingis.̉ weren proued of þe Lord/ whanne prestis offriden oostis & blood of beestis was remyssioun of synnes.̉ þouȝ alle þise þingis wenten aforne in figure. neþeles þei ben writen for vs. in to whom þe endis of þe worldis be comen ‖ NowPage  38 forsoþe Crist oure pore Lord.̉ haþ halowid þe hous or þe chirche of oure pouerte/ Bere we þe cros of Crist.̉ & richesse acounte we as cley. Vpon þis seiþ William de Seint Amor/ 'suche men semen to turne.̉ þe breed of pore men in to stoones/ & in þis þei ben more cruelar þan þe deuel.̉ þat axid stoones to be turned in to bred'/ To þis acordiþ seint Bernard & seiþ/ 'O. vanitas vanitatum & non vanior quam insanior.̉ fulget ecclesia in parietibus & eget in pauperibus. suos lapides. auro induit.̉ & suos filios nudos deserit/ de sumptibus egenorum seruitur oculis diuitum'/ Hec Bernardus [folio 36a] in apolo*. [St. Bernardus Claravallensis, Apologia ad Guillelmum S. Theoderici Abbatem, cap. xii (Divi Bernardi Opera Omnia, ed. 1552, p. 1649).]/ O. vanite among alle vanites. & no more vanite.̉ þan as miche woden drem/ þe chirche schynneþ in wowis.̉ & sche nediþ in þe pore/ sche wlappiþ hir stoones in gold.̉ & hir owene sones sche forsakiþ nakid/ of þe spensis of nedi is mad a veyn seruise.̉ to riche mennes iȝen ‖

But oure newe feyned sectis.̉ in þis ben moost to blame/ þat maken greet bildingis.̉ þere leest nede were. as mounkis. chanouns. & freris/ for peple schulde drawe to parische chirchis.̉ & here her seruice þere/ as Goddis lawe haþ lymytid.̉ & ellis þei ben to blame/ Lord! what meneþ þise waast placis.̉ of þise hidde ypocritis/ but to telle men bi her synagogis.̉ where Satanas seet is? Þere lurken togiddir.̉ manye raueisching wolues/ þat spoilen þe peple.̉ wiþ many fals signes ‖ . ‖

Foure resouns of holi writ.̉ declarid of doctours/ schal teche ȝou of þis greet fauȝt.̉ if þat ȝe wil amende/ But here me drediþ as Poul seiþ. ii^o Cor. iiii^o.*. [Vulg. 2 Cor. iv. 4 'In quibus Deus huius saeculi excaecavit mentes infidelium, ut non fulgeat illis illuminatio Evangelii gloriae Christi, qui est imago Dei.']/ þat þe god of þis world.̉ þat is clepid [folio 36b] mammon/ haþ cast his poudir a- -fore ȝoure iȝen.̉ & blent ȝoure goostli siȝt/ þat ȝe mai not knowe þe gospel.̉ to þe trewe vndirstanding/ & þat in peyne of ȝoure greet synne.̉ til þis sentence be fulfillid. Ecci. xiiii^o. 'Omne opus corruptible in fine deficiet/ & qui fecit illud peribit cum illo'*. [Vulg. Ecclesiasticus xiv. 20 'Omne opus corruptibile in fine deficiet: et qui operatur illud, ibit cum illo.']/ Iche corruptible werke. or iche werke þat is rotun in þe roote.̉ schal faile in þe ende/ & hePage  39 þat is foundir of suche vngroundid werk.̉ schal faile & worþe to nouȝt þerwiþ. in þe last daies*. [W. V. 'Eche corruptible werc in the ende shal faile; and he that wercheth it, shal go with it.'] ‖ God plauntid neuere þise newe sectis.̉ in neiþir of hise lawis/ neiþir aproued suche manere of lijf.̉ for Crist in his lyuyng/ pullid hem vp bi þe rootis.̉ þat weren in hise daies/ as Essees. Saduceis. & Pharises.̉ & dampned her ordinaunce/ & seide whanne þei grewe aȝen.̉ in mounkis. chanouns & freris/ þat þei schulde be drawen vp.̉ to þis þe gospel grauntiþ. Mat. xv^o. 'Omnis plantacio quam non plantauit pater meus celestis eradicabitur'*. [Vulg. Matt. xv. 13.] ‖ Iche plaunt/ seiþ Crist.̉ þe whiche my fadir of heuene haþ not plauntid/ schal be rent vp vttirli.̉ þe rootis & al*. [W. V. 'Euery plantynge, the which my fadir of heuen hath not plantid, shal be drawen up by the roote.'] ‖ For al synful fynding.̉ in man or in [folio 37a] place/ þat is sett amonge þe peple.̉ of whiche God is not autor/ þouȝ it growe fast for a tyme.̉ it schal be destried/

Þe firste resoun þat we schal make.̉ is schewid in þis maner/ Þise sectis ben deed from þis world.̉ as þei seyn in word/ If þis be soþe.̉ þanne schal þei haue pore cootis of mornyng/ to telle in dede þis deeþ is trewe.̉ in hem & alle her werkis/ & flee þe maner of þis world.̉ in suche staring vanites/ as seynt Poul techiþ in his epistile.̉ vnto þe Colosencis/ Colosen. iii^o. 'Mortui enim estis & vita uestra abscondita est cum christo in deo. & sequentia. mortificate ergo membra uestra que sunt super terram. fornicacionem. immundiciam. lubidinem. concupicienciam malam & auariciam que est ydolorum seruitus . propter que venit ira dei in filios incredulitatis'*. [Vulg. Col. iii. 3, 5, 6 'Mortui enim estis . . . quae est simulacrorum servitus, propter quae venit ira Dei super filios incredulitatis.']‖ ȝe þat ben deed.̉ fro maneris of þis world/ ȝonre lijf is hidde.̉ wiþ Crist in God/ & þerfore mortifie or make ȝe deed.̉ ȝoure membris þat ben vpon erþe/ þe whiche ben fornicacioun of ȝoure membris.̉ & vnclennes of foule desiris/ wiþ corrupt lyking ‖of fleischeli lustis.̉ & foule coueitises of ȝoure herte/ & auarise of [folio 37b] gredi gedring.̉ þat is foule seruyse þat longiþ to ydols/ for of þise comeþ þe wraþþe of God.̉ vpon þe sones of mysbileue*. [W. V. 'Forsoth ȝe ben deede, and ȝoure lyf is hid with Crist in God. Therefore sle ȝe ȝoure membris, the whiche ben on the erthe, fornycacioun, unclennesse, leccherie, yvel couetise, and avarice, the which is seruage of *symylacris: for whiche thingis the wraththe of God cam upon the sones of unbileue.' 1388, *mawmetis.] ‖ If ȝePage  40 sectis forsaken þis lore.̉ þe wraþþe of God schal soone asaile ȝou ‖

Þe secounde resoun þat we make.̉ aȝen suche bilding is seid þus/ Bisines aboute suche costious bilding.̉ wiþ manyfold worldli occupacioun/ to reparailen hem whanne þei peyren.̉ & holde hem vp in þis same forme/ bringeþ in necligence of goostli*. [MS coostli.] maners.̉ quenching vertues & good þewis/ as Bernard seiþ þat holi mounk.̉ þat swed þe steppis of Iesu Crist/ & wolde not vary from þe gospel.̉ to blame þise sectis þat gon awey 'Video quod non sine magno dolore debet videri. quosdam post egressam christi militiam rursus terrenis cupiditatibus inmergi. secularibus implicari negociis. cum magna cura erigere muros & necligere mores'*. [S. Bernardus, De Beata Virgine, Homilia quarta (Divi Bernardi Opera, ed. 1552, p. 47).]/ 'Quid tibi prodest habere templa alta & parietes quasi deauratas. vbi desit [folio 38a] spiritus/ In eis enim non delectatur deus. sed vult templa uestra id est animas ornari virtutibus & bonis operibus'/ I see seiþ Bernard þat mai not be seyn.̉ wiþouten greet sorow/ summe aftir þei ben entrid.̉ in to þe knyȝthod of Crist/ þat is to forsake þis world.̉ & wilfulli suffre peynful lyuyng ‖ eft þei drowenen hem in erþeli couetise.̉ & ben ymplied wiþ worldli nedis.̉ wiþ greet bisiness þei reren vp wowis.̉ but þei ben necligent in good þewis/ What profite is it to haue hiȝe templis.̉ & her wowis as gilted wiþ gold. where þat þe spirit of God wantiþ? Forsoþe God haþ no delite.̉ in suche wrecchid synful sectis/ but God wole þat ȝoure templis.̉ þe whiche ben ȝoure owene soulis/ to be honourid wiþ hooli vertues.̉ & laste to þe ende in good werkis ‖

Þe þridde resoun is myȝti & stronge.̉ þat springeþ wiþ oþir in Goddis lawe/ þat suche as parten hem bi hem silf.̉ from comune lijf of oþir men/ schulden be algatis in þis weye.̉ as straungers þat ben fer from home/ & pilgrimes in her pilgrimage.̉ as Poul spekiþ [folio 38b] vnto þe Hebrewis. Heb. xiii^o. 'Non enim habemus hic manentem ciuitatem.̉ sed futuram inquirimus'*. [Vulg. Heb. xiii. 14.] ‖ we han here no dwelling citee or place.̉ but we seeken þat is to come*. [W. V. 'Sothli we han not here a citee dwellinge, but we seken a citee to comynge.'] ‖ Lord how dorenPage  41 þise sectis for schame.̉ wiþ pore mennes goodis & pilage of lordis/ defende þis foule apostasie.̉ aȝens her God & holi seintis/ & telle þe peple þat is lewid.̉ bi wordis of ypocrisie/ þat þus þei don to Goddis worschip/ & þis is duble wickidnesse ‖ For Bernard seiþ. 'In peregrinacione sumus seculi non edificemus nobis domos ad inhabitandum.̉ sed habitacula ad deserendum ut pote cito euocandi & migraturi in patriam celestem/ In castris enim sumus in alieno militamus. in alieno laboramus' ‖ we þat ben in pilgrimage of þis world.̉ as abiect & oute caste/ we schulden make no waast housis for to dwelle ynne.̉ as lordis of þe world/ but litil cootis to serue ynne/ as soone to leeue hem & go to blisse/ we seruen in a straunge countre.̉ we traueilen in a straunge countre ‖ Þus seiþ Bernard ‖

Þe fourþe resoun & þe laste.̉ is ful cleere seide & on þis [folio 39a] manere/ Goddis lawe chargiþ on alwise.̉ to loue þi neiȝbor as þi silf/ But þis loue is beest made knowen.̉ bi good ensaumple in worde & dede ‖ In what þing mowen þise sectis profite.̉ þat reuersen here Cristis rule/ & ȝyuen yuel ensaumple to her neiȝbore.̉ in pride & false couetise/ & schewen hem richest & moost worldli.̉ in mete in clooþe in curiouse bilding/ But þis forebediþ þe doctour Bernard.̉ whom we han often aforn rehersid ‖ 'Humiles enim domus & pauperes aliis refrenant concupiscentiam & mirari debemus pocius in aspectu celi.̉ quam tecti/ & pocius mirari opera dei quam hominum' ‖ Forsoþe loweli housis & pore.̉ refreynen þe coueitise of oþir/ & we owen raþir to mervaile in þe siȝt of heuene.̉ þan in þe siȝt of bilding of mannes handiwerk/ & miche more schulde we mervaile.̉ þe greet werkis of God/ þan þe werkis of deedli men.̉ þat duren but a while ‖

Alle holi seyntis.̉ acorden in þis/ þat oure chirche material.̉ þat is ordeyned for parischynes. where þei comen togidir/ schal [folio 39b] be made wiþ vertuouse meenes.̉ & in an honest mesure/ But on alwise it must be fled.̉ þat in þis chirche þer schewe no pride/ neiþir outtrage passingli.̉ ouer þe boundis of pouert/ neiþir in stoon. tymber or leed.̉ neiþir in glasse. lyme or plaistir/ neiþir in belle laump or liȝt.̉ neiþir in chalise booke or vestment/ neiþir in stepile seetis or peynting.̉ or oþir hournementis þat longen to þis chirche/ & diligentli þis must be markid.̉ þat þei bowe to pouerte/ to eschewe veyn glory of þis world.̉ & glorifie þe cros of God/ But þis word of Cristis cros.̉ is foli to hem þat schal be dampned/ þat tenten to signes as comune hooris.̉ & leesen þePage  42 vertu of her soule ‖ Poul comendiþ þe coming of Crist.̉ & þe lowe meking in his manhed/ ii^o Cor. viii^o. 'Scitis enim gratiam domini nostri Iesu Christi quoniam propter vos egenus factus est cum esset diues in omnibus vt illius inopia vos diuites essetis'*. [Vulg. 2 Cor. viii. 9 'Scitis enim gratiam domini nostri Iesu Christi quoniam propter vos egenus factus est, cum esset dives, ut illius inopia vos divites essetis.'] ‖ Forsoþe ȝe owen for to knowe.̉ þe grace of oure Lord Iesu Crist/ for whanne he was riche in alle þingis.̉ he was made pore in man for ȝou/ [folio 40a] þat ȝe schulden be riche in goostli þing.̉ þoruȝ þis vertuouse nede in Crist*. [W. V. 'Sothli ȝe witen the grace of oure Lorde Jhesu Christ, forwhi he was made nedy for us, whanne he was ryche, that ȝe schulden be maad ryche by his myseste (or nedynesse).'] ‖ Crist þat blameþ alle viciouse meenes.̉ in þe seruyce of hise peple/ wil not autorise it to him silf.̉ ne defend it in his owene hous/ as seint Mathew seiþ. þe xxiiii^o. Mar. xiii^o. & Luk. xxi^o*. [Matt. xxiv. 1, 2; Marc. xiii. 1, 2; Luc. xxi. 5, 6.]/ 'Egressus Iesu de templo ibat & accesserunt ad eum discipuli eius ut ostenderent ei edificaciones templi. ipse autem respondens dixit eis. videtis hec omnia/ amen dico vobis. non relinquitur hic lapis super lapidem. qui non destruatur' ‖ Mathew Mark & seint Luk. acorden togidir in þis oo sentence/ þat whanne Iesu went out of þe temple.̉ þer neiȝed to him hise disciplis/ for to schewe him þe bildyng þerof.̉ & þe curiouse werk in stoones/ wenyng þus to plese her maistir.̉ in seing of so faire a temple ‖ But Crist þat had an ynward siȝt.̉ how þe dwellars þerynne brooken his lawe/ went awey wiþ doulful chere.̉ & tauȝt hise disciplis of þingis to come/ hou þis temple schulde be destried.̉ [folio 40b] & bad hem bi war þat no man bigile hem/ And soore Crist wept vpon þis citee.̉ for mannes bilding stood ful strong/ but bodi & soule þat he made.̉ to be his owene dwelling place/ were fallen from keping of his lawe.̉ in to þe sowel of stinking synne/ But scribis & pharisees weren in cause.̉ of þis greet mischef. as Mathew seiþ/ wherefore Crist waried hem as hise greetest enemyes.̉ & alle her folowars to þe worldis ende/ Mat. xxiii^o. 'Ve vobis scribe & pharisei qui mundatis quod deforis est.̉ intus autem estis pleni rapina & immunditia'*. [Vulg. Matt. xxiii. 25 'Vae vobis Scribae et Pharisaei hypocritae, quia mundatis quod deforis est calicis et paropsidis: intus autem pleni estis rapina et immunditia.'] ‖ Crist seiþ. woo to ȝouPage  43 scribis & pharises.̉ þat clensen clene. al þat is outward/ but certis wiþynne ȝe ben replete.̉ wiþ miche raveyn & vnclennes*. [W. V. 'Woo to ȝou, scribis and Pharisees, ipocritis, that maken clene that thing of the cuppe and plater, that is without forth; forsothe with ynne ȝe ben ful of raueyne and unclennesse.' 1388, 'Woo to ȝou, scribis and Farisees, ypocritis, that clensen the cuppe and the plater with outforth; but with ynne ȝe ben ful of raueyne and unclennesse.']/ ȝe bilden þe toumbes of holi prophetis. & wondirfulli honouren her graues/ but ȝe swen ȝoure fadris steppis.̉ in purswyng of riȝtwise blood/ & þise sectis don þe same.̉ but wiþ more malice. in worde & dede/ O. ȝe eddris venymus welpis.̉ hou schullen ȝe flee þe iugement of helle/ þus seiþ oure Lord Iesu Crist/ Wherto make ȝe schry- -nes to seyntis.̉ & ȝit ȝe drawen. hangen & brennen [folio 41a] hem þat holden þe weie of Crist.̉ and wandren aftir hise holi seyntis/ & þouȝ þis schewe not in ȝoure outwarde dede.̉ ȝe don þis slawȝtir in worde & wille/ As pharises wiþ bischopis in þe þridde oure.̉ foriuggid oure Lord wiþ her toungis/ & aftirward kniȝtis at þe sixte our.̉ hangid his bodi vpon þe cros ‖ So þise sectis goon biforn.̉ to smyte þe peple wiþ her tung/ & aftir knyȝtis of Herowdis hous.̉ ben ful redi to make an ende ‖ But þe cause of þis pursute.̉ ben two viciouse extremytees/ Oone is temperal possessioun.̉ þat wrongfulli standiþ in prestis handis/ þe secounde is synful begry of miȝti men.̉ wiþ hoge bildyng of many waast placis/ and nedis þei must be mendid.̉ for charite of God to saue her soulis ‖ For þoo þat maynten þise twoo outstraies.̉ ben ful of many foule disclandris/ bi teching of þe deuel of helle.̉ leest hise retenwe forsake him/ For þanne we schal fynde pees in erþe.̉ whanne we kepen [folio 41b] Cristis ordinaunce/ & stynt þou not þouȝ þou be sclaundrid.̉ so if þou lyue iust lijf.̉ to mende þis mys put to þin hond. & þenk on Cristis rewarde. Mar. viii^o. 'Qui perdiderit animam suam propter me & euangelium.̉ saluam eam faciet'*. [Vulg. Marc. viii. 35.]/ þat is to seie. who þat haþ loost his lijf.̉ for me & for þe gospel/ he schal make his soule saaf.̉ in to þe blisse of heuene*. [W. V. 'He that schal leese his soule (that is, his lyf) for me, and the gospel, schal make it saf.'] ‖

Of good and yuel comyng to þis material chirche.

Capitulum .VIII^m.. ‖

Aftir þis we schal speke.̉ of twoo dyuerse partise/ þat comenPage  44 togidir to þis chirche.̉ boþe of good & yuel/ Firste we taken for oure grounde.̉ Cristis holi gospel/ where he spekiþ in parable.̉ to hise owene disciplis. Mat. xiii^o. 'Simile est regnum celorum sagene misse in mare. & ex omni genere piscium congreganti quam cum impleta esset educentes & secus litus sedentes. elegerunt bonos in vasa sua malos autem foras miserunt'*. [Vulg. Matt. xiii. 47.] ‖ Þe rewme of heuenes is lijk*. [MS. lijf.] to a nett.̉ þat is sent in to þe see/ & gadriþ to-gidre in [folio 42a] to his cloos.̉ of alle þe kynde of diuerse fisches/ & whanne þis nett was ful of fisches.̉ þe fischers drowen it to þe lond/ & þei sitting biside þe see-brynk.̉ chosen þe good in to her vessellis/ þe yuel forsoþe þei sentten oute.̉ & kesten hem aȝen in to þe see*. [W. V. 'The kingdom of heuenes is lic to a nette sent in to the see, and of alle kynd of fishis gedrynge; the whiche whan it was fulfillid, men ledynge out, and sittinge bysidis the brynke, cheesiden the good into her vessels, but thei senten out the yuel.' 1388, 'The kyngdom of heuenes is lijk to a nette cast into the see, and that gaderith to gidere of al kynde of fisschis; which whanne it was ful, thei drowen up, and seten bi the brenke, and chesen the goode in to her vessels, but the yuel thei kesten out.'] ‖

Þis parable þus to mene.̉ aftir þe witt of Crist Iesu ‖ Þe secounde chirche here in erþe.̉ is lijke to a nett sent into þe see/ for as þe see ebbiþ & flowiþ.̉ so þis chirche now riseþ & falliþ/ to preise & lake as wawis of þe see.̉ þat risen feel siþes ouir menes miȝt. As þe tempestis of þe see.̉ ben hidouse & perilouse for þe nett/ So pride þat wawiþ in þis world.̉ is ful noiouse to Cristis chirche/ of beaute of fortune of goodis of grace.̉ al dai men bollen in hiȝenes of herte ‖

Þe see watir is al bittir.̉ & ful sowrische in þe tasting/ & þis world is ful of envie.̉ þat is ful bittir for to taast wiþ haate as bittir as þe soot.̉ þat noon vnneþ can corde wiþ oþir ‖

On þe see comeþ grevouse stormes.̉ wiþ pirwittis þat greuen soore/ & in þis world riseþ wraþþe.̉ wiþ hanger of herte þat doiþ miche tene/ [folio 42b]

In þe see no grasse mai growe.̉ neiþir as fer as it mai flowe/ but it wastiþ al þe grounde.̉ & makiþ it nakid wiþouten fruyte/ And in þis world is viciouse slouþe.̉ þat stroieþ vertues in bodi & soule/ & makiþ man foltid in hise wittis.̉ in euery parte where euere he strecche ‖

Þe see euer purchasiþ wiþ hise wawis.̉ & wynneþ of ground þat he neiȝeþ/ & is not paied of þe termes.̉ þat God haþ sett ifPage  45 it miȝt scape/ And in þis world is couetise.̉ of hem þat purchasen wiþ wrong/ her neiȝboris ground & her catel.̉ wiþ sliȝ cautels of mannes lawe ‖ Þus þei wynnyn more & more.̉ & wil not wiseli spende her owene/ neiþir þank God in dewe forme.̉ til þei be cauȝt*. [MS. cauȝ] in þe fendis snare/

Þe see belchiþ miche filþe.̉ & castiþ from him foule corrupcioun.̉ & þat is ful abhominable.̉ & vgli for man to loke vpon/ And in þis world is leccherie.̉ þat defouleþ bodi & soule/ it turneþ þe preciouse temple of God.̉ in to þe logge of griseli delues/ Þe peple þat haunten þis wrecchid synne.̉ ben mad as beestis wiþouten lawe/ & in þis bestial con- -dicioun.̉ þei fiȝten as beestis wiþouten [folio 43a] resoun/ and þus þei welken & dwynen awey.̉ al wlatsumli to God & man ‖

Þe see feel siþis wiþ hir greet tempestis.̉ þat sodenli riseþ to greet harm/ drowneþ man & also vessells.̉ & leesiþ hem or þei come to lond/ And in þis world is glotenye.̉ þat drowneþ þe wittis of þe peple/ til þat þei be vnresonable & kunnen not knowe whanne þei han wrong ‖ Certis excesse of mete & drink.̉ sleeþ many moo þan doiþ þe swerid/ for in diuerse metis & drynkis.̉ greedili taken at a mele/ is noo heele þe wiseman seiþ.̉ but sijknes boþe to bodi & soule ‖

We must aspiee to flee þise perellis.̉ þat ben in þis greuouse see/ & drawe þis nett in watir of wisdam.̉ bi vertuouse lyuyng to þe hauen of helþe/ wiþ cordis þat ben of verry mekenesse.̉ wiþ pacience & wiþ longabiding/ seiling wiþ loue & charite.̉ in hooli spede & good occupacioun/ larging oure handis in dedis of mercy.̉ þat pore nedi mai be oure bedemen/ leeding oure lijf in discret mesure.̉ in what þat we schal take or leeve/ cladde in clennes [folio 43b] & chastite.̉ & þanne schal Crist be al oure counfort/ wheþer euere we be bi lond or watir.̉ as he haþ grauntid bi his gospel/ Mat. xxviii^o. 'Ego ero vobiscum vsque ad consummacionem seculi'*. [Vulg. Matt. xxviii. 20 'Ego vobiscum sum omnibus diebus, usque ad consummationem saeculi.'] ‖ I schal be wiþ ȝou in wel & woo.̉ til þis world be brouȝt to an ende*. [W. V. 'I am with ȝou in alle dayes til the endyng of the world.' 1388, 'I am with ȝou in alle daies, in to the ende of the world.'] ‖

Þe fisches þat swymmen in þis see.̉ ben alle þe peple þat lyuenPage  46 in þis world/ boþe good & yuel of euery degree.̉ of iche staate temperel or spirituel/ But as þe greet fisches eeten þe smale.̉ so miȝti riche men of þis world/ deuouren þe pore to her bare boon.̉ eeting þe moselles þat hem beest likeþ/ as þe wise man seiþ. Ecci. xiii^o. 'Venacio leonis onager in heremo.̉ sic pascua diuitum sunt pauperes'*. [Vulg. Ecclesiasticus xiii. 23.] ‖ Þe hounting or þe pray of þe lioun.̉ is þe feelde-asse in wildirnes/ so feding of þe riche men.̉ ben pore nedi men/ And whanne þe sunne schynneþ warme.̉ & in a mylde wedir/ þe greet fisches drawen nyȝ þe eire.̉ & driuen doune þe smale/ and if þer come an aile-storm.̉ or a coolde cesoun/ þise greet fisches falle to þe grounde.̉ & putt abouen þe smale/ So [folio 44a] whanne riche men sen a vauntage.̉ or ony worldis wynnyng/ þei risen abouen þe cloudis.̉ in vaunting of her richessis/ & al tolaken þe symple comvnes.̉ & seyn 'þei mai not paie/ wherof don þei entirmetenen hem.̉ þei ben but verry beggers'/ But whanne þer comeþ a charge to þe countre.̉ as taxis. loones. or ony oþir payment/ þanne þe riche men fallen doun.̉ & feynen hem silf nedi/ & magnifien þe pore man.̉ þat wonneþ bisiȝde him/ & seiþ he is a pryue man.̉ & hidiþ miche richesse ‖ And þus seiþ almiȝti God.̉ bi þe prophete Abacuk. i^o. 'Facies homines quasi pisces maris & quasi reptilia non habentia ducem/ Et factum est iudicium & contradictio potencior/ propter hoc lacerata est lex.̉ & non peruenit usque ad finem iudicium/ quia impius preualet iustum propterea egreditur iudicium peruersum'*. [Vulg. Hab. i. 14, 3, 4 'Facies homines quasi pisces maris et quasi reptile non habens principem . . . quia impius praevalet adversus iustum, propterea egreditur iudicium perversum.'] ‖ Þe prophet seing in his spirit.̉ how riche men wasten þe pore nedi/ he takiþ his vois of greet moone.̉ & makiþ his moornyng to his God ‖ Lord schalt þou suffre men*. [MS. me.] to be mad.̉ as fisches þat swymmen in þe see/ & as if þei were creping beestis.̉ þat han no leeder [folio 44b] here in erþe/ & iugement is mad þe cruelar.̉ & aȝenseiyng þe miȝtiar/ wherfor þe lawe is al to-torn.̉ & iugement comeþ to no perfiȝte ende/ for now haþ þe wickid wreche.̉ miȝt to ouerecome þe riȝtwise man/ þerfore passiþ forþe among mankynde.̉ weiward iugment þat stroieþ pees*. [W. V. 'And thou shalt make men as fishis of the se, and as crepyngge thingis not hauinge duyk, and dom is maad, and aȝeinsayinge more miȝty. For this thing law is to-broken, and dom cummeth not unto the eende: for unpitous man hath miȝt aȝeinus the iust, therfore weywerd dom shal go out.' 1388, 'And thou schalt make men as fischis of the see, and as crepynge thingis not hauynge a ledere; and doom is maad, and aȝenseiyng is more miȝti. For this law is to-broken, and doom cometh not til to the ende; for the unpitouse man hath miȝt aȝens the iust, therfor weiward doom schal go out.'] ‖

Page  47But for þat fisches ben riȝt quiuer.̉ & quik. in plente of þe watir/ & dreden not þe hidouse wawis.̉ wheþir þei risen hiȝe or fallen lowe/ In þis place þei schal bitoken.̉ trewe bileue of mannes herte/ & to þis witt spekiþ Crist.̉ in þe gospel & stiriþ vs to preie/ Luk. xi^o. 'Quis autem ex vobis patrem petit piscem.̉ numquid pro pisce serpentem dabit illi?'*. [Vulg. Luc. xi. 11.] Forsoþe seiþ Crist. whiche of ȝou axe mi fadir a fishe.̉ wheþir schal he ȝyue him for þis fische an addre?*. [W. V. 'Who of you axith the fadir fysch, wher he schal ȝyue to him a serpent for the fysch?'] naye pleynly ‖ Crisostum seiþ vpon þis tixt.̉ þat þis fische is mannes feiþ/ & aftir þis we schulden preie.̉ to oure fadir þat is in heuene/ þat he wole stable vs in trewe bileue.̉ & in þe articlis þat longen þerto/ for þanne we schal be wel disposid.̉ in þe watir of tribulacioun/ to do & suffre as plesiþ God.̉ lyueli ioieyng for þis bileue/ & þouȝ þer seeme perel of deeþ.̉ oure [folio 45a] conscience schal no þing abasche/ for socour is kept for alle feiþful.̉ in þe tresour of Cristis passioun ‖

Þe fischers þat drawen þis forseid nett.̉ ben aungelis sent aforn þe doome/ þat schal whiȝtli do Goddis message.̉ and bring alle folkis in a stounde/ beforn þe face of God almiȝti.̉ in to þe vale of Iosophat. Ioelis. iii^o. 'Congregabo omnes gentes & deducam eas in vallem Iosephat & disceptabo ibi cum eis super populo meo & hereditate mea Israel'*. [Vulg. Joel iii. 2.] ‖ Þe Lord God seiþ þat he schal gaddir togidir alle folkis.̉ & he schal leede hem in to þe vale of Iosophat/ & þere he schal make wiþ hem.̉ a riȝtwise reckenyng/ vpon hise peple Israel.̉ þat is his owene heritage/ and þanne schal Crist wiþ hise seintis.̉ departe þe yuel from þe good/ Crist chesiþ þe good of his chirche.̉ in to þe vessel of blisse/ but þe yuel þei casten out.̉ in to þe chymney of fire/ þere schal be weeping for bittirnesse of smook.̉ and gnasting of teeþ for quaking of coold ‖ [folio 45b]

Page  48

Of discrecioun to knowe þe good from þe yuel/

Capitulum IX^o/

Noon may discryue þise twoo parties.̉ verrili iche from oþir/ wandiryng in þis secounde chirche.̉ for licknessis þat þei vsen/ and also þei han in comune mani heuenli þingis ‖ For oure Lord haþ in his chirche.̉ laburers aboute his vintre/ boþe fastars. preiars.̉ & also wakears ‖ Almisdoars ben in þis chirche.̉ wiþ prechours. & redars of lessouns/ & singars traueilen here also.̉ wiþ minastrars of sacramentis/ wiþ studiars in Goddis lawe.̉ & men þat maken louedaies ‖ And like seruauntis haþ þe fende.̉ in þe þridde chirche/ but þei don her seruyse.̉ in a straunge manere/ Neþeles þei ben hard to knowe.̉ þerfore we schal marke hem/ hou wondirfulli þei varien.̉ in þise forseide condiciouns/

Certis Fastars in Cristis chirche.̉ abstynen hem from lustis/ for to tempir þe coragenes.̉ of þe reble fleishe/ & kepe her bodi clene chast.̉ & suget to her soule/ for seint Austin in his book.̉ [folio 46a] techiþ þis loore ‖ 'Caro tua viuit de anima tua. anima tua de tuo deo/ vnaquamque eorum secundum vitam suam viuunt/ tunc enim caro tua recte secundum animam tuam viuit.̉ si anima viuat secundum deum ‖ Deus est summe bonum. & anima est magnum bonum viuens inter summum bonum & paruum bonum/ quia caro paruum bonum est.̉ quia creatura dei est ‖ Anima enim debetrix non est carni ut secundum carnem viuat. sed e contra mortificanda est caro. & illi dum consentis mortificas cum ceperit omnino non delectari mortificasti/ Hec est accio nostra. hec est milicia nostra'/ Hec Augustinus de verbis apostoli sermone iiixx. xviii.*. [S. Augustinus, Sermo CLVI, cc. vi-ix (Migne, tom. 38. col. 853-855).] Þi bodi lyueþ of þi soule.̉ þe soule haþ hir lyuyng of God/ þe bodi lyueþ riȝt lijf aftir þe soule.̉ whanne þe soule lyueþ aftir God/ God is oure hiȝe souereyn good.̉ & þe soule a greet good/ þat lyueþ bitwixe þe souereyn good.̉ & þe bodi a litil good/ for it is Goddis creature.̉ þerfore it is clepid a litil good/ Forsoþe þe soule is not debitrice.̉ to folowe þe lijf aftir þe fleische/ but euene on contrari wise.̉ þe fleische mut nede be mortified/ and whanne þou leeuest [folio 46b] foule desiris.̉ þanne is þi fleische mortified/ þis is þe dede þat we schal do.̉ þis is þe office of oure knyȝthod/ þus seiþ Austin ‖

But fastars in þe fendis chirche.̉ fasten for vngroundid cause/Page  49 summe fasten for ypocrisie.̉ & schewen hem ruful to þe peple/ suche Crist blameþ in his gospel.̉ & clepiþ hem sorowful ypocritis. Mat. vi^o. 'Cum ieiunatis nolite fieri sicut ypocrite tristes'*. [Vulg. Matt. vi. 16.]/ for of þe veyn preising of mannes mouþe.̉ þei han resceyued al her mede/ Summe wiþdrawen from her wombe.̉ boþe mete & drink to spare her purse/ and Gregor seiþ þat þis fasting.̉ is for her sachel & not for God/ and þis is a carful fasting.̉ to peyne oure fleische & leese oure mede/ as þe wise man seiþ. Ecc1. vi^o. 'Est & aliud malum quod vidi sub sole & quidem frequens apud homines vir cui deus dedit diuicias substantiam et honorem. & nihil deest anime sue ex omnibus que desiderat . nec tribuet ei potestatem deus ut comedat ex eo. sed homo extraneus vorabit illud/ sed hoc vanitas & magna miseria'‖*. [Vulg. Eccles. vi. 1, 2 'Est et aliud malum quod vidi sub sole . . . vir cui dedit deus divitias et substantiam et honorem .̉ sed homo extraneus vorabit illud. Hoc vanitas et magna miseria est.'] Þer is also þe wise man seiþ.̉ þat he sauȝ vndir þe sunne/ anoþir yuel þat is ful rijf.̉ & comune amonge þe [folio 47a] peple/ a man þat God haþ ȝyuen richesse.̉ wiþ catel & miche worschip/ & no þing failiþ to his lijf.̉ of al þat he desiriþ/ but him wantiþ grace & powere.̉ to eete or take his parte þerof/ But a man þat is a straungere.̉ schal deuoure it aftir his dai/ but þis a sorowful vanite.̉ & a greete wrecchidnes*. [W. V. 'There is and an other euel, that I saȝ under the sunne: and forsothe ofte anentis men. A man to whom God ȝaf richessis, and substaunce, and worshepe; and no thing lacketh to his soule of alle thingis that he desireth; and God ȝyueth not power to hym, that he ete of it, but a straunge man shal deuouren it. This is vanyte, and gret wrecchidnesse.' 1388, 'Also another yuel is, which Y siȝ undur the sunne; and certis it is oft usid anentis men. A man is, to whom God ȝaf richessis and catel, and onour; and no thing faileth to his soule of alle thingis which he desirith; and God ȝyueth not power to him, that he ete therof, but a straunge man shal deuoure it. This is vanyte, and a greet wretchidnesse.'] ‖ Summe fasten for a medicyn.̉ for to gete hem bodili heele/ neiþir for God ne for þe soule.̉ but for to clense her beaute/ seint Ierom blameþ þis fasting.̉ & þat on a ful blessid maner ‖ 'Tunc preclara est apud deum abstinentia corporis.̉ cum animus intus ieiunat a viciis/ Quid prodest corpus tenuare inedia.̉ cum animus intus tumescit superbia/ Hec Ieromus super Amos ‖ Þat is to seie. þanne abstinence of bodi is clere to God.̉ whanne þe mynde fastiþ from vicis/ what profiteþ it to tere þe bodi wiþ hounger.̉ whanne mynde wiþynne swelliþ wiþ pride ‖ what fasting is þis to wiþdrawe lijflodPage  50 from þe beli.̉ & to be wood in envie or foule hastite? God seiþ bi [folio 47b] þe prophete Isaie. lviii^o. 'Ecce ad lites & contenciones ieiunatis etcetera'*. [Vulg. Isaias lviii. 4.] idem Zaca. viii^o.*. [Vulg. Zech. vii. 5, 6.] 'Loo whanne ȝe fasten ȝe maken strijf.̉ & debatis among ȝoure silf'*. [W. V. 'Lo! to ples and to striues ȝee fasten.' 1388, 'Lo! ȝe fasten to chidyngis and stryuyngis.']/ þis is not þe fasting þat I cheese.̉ seiþ þe Lord God/ And siþen þe fende neiþir eetiþ ne drinkiþ.̉ neiþir is wlappid in precious cloþis/ ȝit he schal be euir in peyne.̉ for him lackiþ charite ‖ þanne is þis an evidence.̉ þat alle suche recheles fastars/ ben membris in þe fendis chirche.̉ in folowyng her fadir ‖

Preiers þat ben in Cristis chirche.̉ priien wiþ deuocioun/ wiþ al þe strengþe of her herte.̉ & her mouþe acording/ knocking wiþ a perfite dede.̉ aftir helpe of God/ of mercy & forȝyuenes.̉ of tymes mys dispendid/ & aftir grace & gouerneaunce.̉ for tyme þat is present/ and for good contynuaunce.̉ for tyme þat is to come/ Frecheli bringyng to her mynde.̉ þe kyndenes of God/ hou he haþ rulid hem in þis lijf.̉ & kept hem fro mischef/ as þouȝ he had noo moo but oon.̉ so he saueþ alle þat loueþ him/ þanne þei þenken on foule synnes.̉ & feele þat þei haue don/ boþe witingli & wilfulli [folio 48a] aȝens Goddis wille/ Þei han ben recheles in his seruice.̉ & þat hem rwiþ soore/ and whanne þei þenken on þis world.̉ how it passiþ sodenli & of þe turmentrie in helle.̉ þat dampned soulis schullen suffre/ & on þe blisse þat God haþ ordeyned.̉ for hise trewe seruauntis ‖ Anoon þei finden a waschinge welle.̉ þat springiþ fro þe herte/ & renneþ forþe from her iȝen.̉ bi manye warme streemes ‖ as Gregor seiþ. 'Diuisiones aquarum ducimus cum pro singulis peccatis lacrimas fundimus' ‖ þanne we fynden rendels of watris.̉ whanne we wepen for al oure synnes/ to wasche clene boþe bodi & soule.̉ & clense hem of corrupcioun ‖

But preiars in þe fendis chirche.̉ maken miche noise/ mumling wiþ her lippis.̉ þei reche neuir what/ so þat men preise fast. her feyned occupacioun/ as Crist seiþ in his gospel. Mat. xv^o ‖ 'Populus hic labijs me honorat.̉ cor autem eorum longe est a me'*. [Vulg. Matt. xv. 8.]‖ Þis peple worschipiþ me wiþ her lippis.̉ but her herte is feer fro [folio 48b] me*. [W. V. 'This peple honoureth me with lippis, forsothe her herte is fer fro me.']/ Lord! whanne þi body is in þe chirche and þi herte in þePage  51 world/ or cumbrid wiþ vnclene þouȝtis.̉ & wiþ veyn fantasies/ & þi tounge in minstralsie.̉ or on lewid iangling/ & þi wittis oueresett.̉ wiþ seculere nedis/ art þou not þanne wrechidli diuidid in þi silf*. [MS. in þi þi silf.]? Seint Iame seiþ. i^o. 'Non estimet homo ille quod accipiat aliquid a domino'*. [Vulg. Jac i. 7.]/ suppose not þis veyn man.̉ þat he mai take ony þing of þe Lord*. [W. V. 'Therfore gesse not the ilke man, that he shal take ony thing of the Lord.']/ he mai in nowise be herde in preiour.̉ þat suffreþ his herte to sleepe in synne ‖ And efte God seiþ bi Isaie.̉ in general wordis to wickid lyuars. i^o. 'Cum multiplicaueritis orationes uestras. ego non exaudiam. quia manus uestre plene sanguinum sunt'*. [Vulg. Isaias i. 15 'Cum multiplicaveritis orationem, non exaudiam: manus enim vestrae sanguine plenae sunt.'] ‖ whanne ȝe han multiplied ȝoure preiours.̉ I schal not heere ȝou graciouseli/ & þe cause whi is þis.̉ for ȝoure handis ben ful of blood*. [W. V. 'Whan zee shul multeplien orisoun, I shal not heren; forsothe ȝoure hondis ben ful of blod.' 1388, 'Whanne ȝe multiplien preyer, Y schal not here; for whi ȝoure hondis ben ful of blood.']/ þat is. ȝoure werkis ben ful of synne.̉ þat parten ȝou & me atwynne/ Þus seiþ þe Lord God ‖ But wite ȝe wel ȝe viciouse preestis.̉ þat gon from Crist in viciouse lyuyng/ and wil not swe hise holi steppis.̉ but terren him from dai to dai/ þerfore ȝoure [folio 49a] preiours ben dispisid.̉ as Crist seiþ þat mai not lie. Mat. xxiii^o. 've vobis scribe & pharisei ypocrite qui comeditis domos viduarum orationes longas orantes. propter hoc accipietis iudicium amplius'*. [Vulg. Matt. xxiii. 14.] ‖ Woo to ȝou scribis & pharisees ypocritis/ þat eeten þe housis of widowis.̉ bi ȝoure long preiers/ for þis þing ȝe schal take.̉ þe largear iugement*. [W. V. 'Woo to ȝou, scribis and Pharisees, ypocritis, that eten the housis of widues, in longe preier preyinge: for this thing ȝe schulen take the more dom.' 1388, 'Wo to ȝou, scribis and Farisees, ipocritis, that eten the housis of widowis, and preien bi longe prier; for this thing ȝe schulen take more doom.'] ‖ vpon þis seiþ Crisostom. om. xliiii. 'Inposturas ypocritarum mulieres non possunt facile cognoscere &c'*. [S. Ioan. Chrysostomus, Homilia XLIV (Opera, ed. 1547, tom. ii, col. 1052).]/ Þe sleiȝtis or þe whilis of ypocritis.̉ wommen mai not liȝtli knowe/ & bicause of her religioun.̉ þei wile soone bowe to hem/ for þatPage  52 þei be neische.̉ & wanen aboute as þe wynde ‖ Þis doctour markiþ twoo special causis.̉ whi þei drawen to widowis housis/ Oone is for wommen þat ben weddid.̉ & vndir þe power of mannes daunger/ dore not ȝyue þise worldli goodis.̉ wiþouten counseile of her housbond ‖ Anoþir. widowes ben ful of pite. to ȝyue whanne þei [folio 49b] ben pitousli axid/ and han no man to werne þis dede.̉ for her good is at her wille/ & for þis ende þise flatiryng gloosars.̉ moost raþest haunten widowis housis/ Crist whischeþ hem woo & warneþ oure prestis.̉ þat þei forsake þis synful manere/ for it is to cursid a dede.̉ to hide synne vndir peyntid religioun/ & cloþe wickidnes in ypocrisie.̉ til it þe trowid for verry pite/ & in þe armour of Iesu Crist.̉ þei don þe fendis werkis of helle/ whanne þei largen her long preiars.̉ as nettis þat ben spradde abrood/ & wiþ þis craft þei cacchen awey.̉ þe goodis of þise celi widowis/ Þise widowis we schullen vndirstonde.̉ boþe for men & for wymmen/ þat wanten wisdam of Iesu Crist.̉ þe whiche is spouse of mannes soule/ for Iesu Crist no where delitiþ.̉ but in hem þat louen his lawe ‖

Wakars þat ben in Cristis chirche.̉ waken in vertu & deuoute preiour/ & avoiden al disynes.̉ for þei wol not be necligent/ But holden waken her ynward iȝe.̉ þat feiþfulli seeþ þe werkis of God/ [folio 50a] & þanne riseþ vp as seint Poul seiþ.̉ a newe man formed aftir God/ & serueþ him in þise þre vertues.̉ riȝtwisenesse. truþe. & hoolynes/ Þis is wakyng to Goddis worschip.̉ & her owene saluacioun/ & profitiþ to her euene-cristen.̉ for þus meneþ Poul in his þre wordis ‖ Þis wecche chasiþ so þe fende.̉ þat he fleeþ from alle such wakars/ & haþ no myȝt for to noye.̉ bodi ne soule as þe wise man seiþ/ Ecci. xxxi^o. 'vigila honestatis tabefaciet carnes & cogitatus illius auferet sompnum ‖ Cogitatus prescientie auertit sensum.̉ & infirmitas grauis sobriam facit animam'*. [Vulg. Ecclesiasticus xxxi. 1, 2.]/ Þat is to seie. þe holsum wacche of honeste.̉ schal make þe flesche*. [MS. þe þe flesche.] to melte fro synne/ & bisy þouȝt in þis faire wacche.̉ schal dryue awey vnleeful dreemes/ Certis þe þouȝt of þe forknowyng.̉ turneþ awey þe witt from syne/ & a greet infirmyte.̉ makiþ a sobre soule*. [W. V. 'The waking of honeste shal dwyne the flesh; and the thenking of it shal don awei slep. The thenking of bifor kunnyng turneth awei wit; and heuy infirmyte sobre maketh the soule.' 1388, 'Wakyng of oneste schal make fleischis to faile; and thouȝt therof schal take awei sleep. Thouȝt of bifore knowyng turneth awey wit: and greuouse siknesse maketh sobre the soule.'] ‖

Page  53But wakars in þe fendis chirche.̉ vsen a foule flescheli wacche/ for euere þei ben sloumbring.̉ whanne ony good dede is don/ ouercomen wiþ þe deed sleep.̉ þat bringeþ hem to mischeef/ for [folio 50b] þe wise man seiþ. Prou. vi^o. 'vsquequo piger dormis? Quando consurges e sompno tuo? paululum dormies paululum dormitabis paululum conseres manus vt dormias & veniet tibi quasi viator egestas & pauperies quasi vir armatus'*. [Vulg. Prov. vi. 9-11.]/ Þat is to seie. How long schalt þou sleep þou slouȝ man? whanne schalt þou rise from þi sleep? þou schalt nappe a litil while. þou schalt sloumbre a litil while/ þou schalt knytt þi hondis togidir.̉ til þou falle in to þe deed sleep/ & þanne schal sodenli com to þee.̉ nede as a weyefering man/ & pouert schal steele to þee.̉ as an armyed man*. [W. V. 'Hou longe, thou slowe, shalt thou slepe? whanne shalt thou rise fro thi slep? A litil while thou shalt slepe, a litil while thou shalt nappe; a litil while thou shalt leyn togidere thin hondis, that thou slepe. And ther shal come to thee as a weiegoere, nede; and porenesse, as a man armed.' 1388, 'Hou long schalt thou, slow man, slepe? whanne schalt thou rise fro thi slepe? A litil thou schalt slepe, a litil thou schalt nappe; a litil thou schalt ioyne togidere thin hondis, that thou slepe. And nedynesse, as a weigoere, schal come to thee: and pouert as an armed man.'] ‖ Napping. sloumbring & deed sleep.̉ ben þe fendis officeris/ þanne men nappen whanne men consenten.̉ to do þe fendis stering/ & whanne þei worchen opunli.̉ þat þe fende desiriþ/ in þe siȝt of þe world.̉ þanne þei ben in sloumbring ‖ But whanne þei mayntynen booldili.̉ what euer þei don amys/ þanne þei ben in deed sleep.̉ & waken in her synnes/ chaungyng þe nyȝt in to þe [folio 51a] dai.̉ as hooris & þeues/ traueiling fro place to place.̉ to reuel & to rouȝt/ assaiyng where þat þei may leeve.̉ tookenes of her synne/

Almysdoars in Cristis chirche.̉ releuen in dwe tyme/ wiþ þe plente of her catel.̉ hem þat suffren nede/ as seint Poul seiþ. II Cor. viii^o. 'vestra habundancia illorum inopiam supleat'*. [Vulg. 2 Cor. viii. 14.] ‖ Þat is to seie. looke þat ȝoure habundaunce.̉ fulfille þe nede of oþir*. [W. V. 'Ȝoure haboundaunce fulfille the myseste of hem.'] ‖ For ȝe þus doing schullen resceyue.̉ þe blessing of God/ as þe prophet seiþ. Ps. xl. 'Beatus qui intelligit super egenum & pauperem'*. [Vulg. Ps. xl. 1.] ‖ Blessid be he þat takiþ hede.̉ on þe nedi &Page  54 pore*. [W. V. 'Blisful that understant up on the nedi and pore.' 1388, 'Blessid is he that undurstondith on a nedi man and pore.']/ vppon þis seiþ Bernard þus ‖ 'Non super cupidum & elatum.̉ sed super egenum & pauperem illum inquam pauperem qui inuitus petit & verecondia accipit & accipiens gratias deo reddit.' Hec Bernardus ad regem Cecilie*. [S. Bernardus, Ep. CCVII, Ad Rogerium Regem Sicilie (D. Bernardi Opera Omnia, ed. 1552, p. 1400).]/ þat is to seie. Not vppon þe coueitouse man & þe proude.̉ but vpon þe nedi.̉ & þe poore/ him forsoþe pore nedi.̉ þat axiþ constreyned wiþ nede/ & he taking þis [folio 51b] almes wiþ scha- -me.̉ doþ þankingis to God/ & lyueþ poreli þerbi ‖ In foure þingis Goddis seruauntis.̉ medfulli don her almes ‖

Firste þei seken Goddis wille.̉ & done it to his worschip ‖ þe secounde of trewe gooten good.̉ cleerli in her conscience/ þe þridde þat þei knowe her broþir.̉ lyue a graciouse lijf ‖ Þe fourþe þat he suffriþ nede.̉ wiþouten ony feynyng ‖ For if ony of þise faile.̉ þei leese boþe good & mede ‖

But almysdoars in þe fendis chirche.̉ feeden many wrecchis/ as strong staff-beggers.̉ & strikars ouere þe lond/ & gronars wiþouten cause.̉ þat neden not her good ‖ ȝhe to mynstrals to iogullers.̉ & oþir veyn iapars/ þei delen largeli her good.̉ & clepen it an almes/ But trewe men seyn al amys.̉ goodis þus dispendid/ For it draweþ hem toward heuene.̉ as bocket in to welle/ And if þei do ony þing.̉ þere as nede is/ anoon þei seeken veyne glorie.̉ & leesen al [folio 52a] her mede/ for seint Ysodir seiþ. 'Dum causa iactancie pauper pascitur etiam opus misericordie in peccatum conuertitur' ‖ Þat is to seie. Whanne þe pore man is fedde.̉ bi cause of veyn glorie/ þanne is þe werke of mercy.̉ turned in to synne/ And Crist seiþ/ 'Si oculus tuus fuerit nequam totum corpus tuum tenebrosum erit'*. [Vulg. Matt. vi. 23.]/ And þin iȝe be weiward.̉ al þi bodi schal be derke ‖ Þin iȝe is þin entent.̉ þat schulde rule þi conscience/ & þis bodi is þi werke.̉ of entent þat takiþ his liȝt/ þanne is þis þus to mene/ whanne þin entent is not wel rulid.̉ þou getist no mede what euere þou do ‖

Prechars þat ben in Cristis chirche.̉ comen freeli among þe peple/ as Crist cam fro þe toour of heuene.̉ & ȝaue þis charge to hise disciplis. Mat. x^o. 'Gratis accepistis gratis date'*. [Vulg. Matt. x. 8.] ‖ Freeli ȝe han taken ȝoure wisdam.̉ freeli ȝyueþ it ȝe aȝen ‖ Poule chasePage  55 raþir to be deed.̉ þan ony man schulde avoide his glorie/ for mede ‖þat miȝt be ȝouun or taken.̉ aȝen þe gospel of Iesu Crist. I. Cor. ix^o. [folio 52b] 'Ego nullo horum vsus sum. bonum est mihi magis mori quam ut gloriam meam quis euacuet'*. [Vulg. 1 Cor. ix. 15.] ‖ And þise prechours prechen treweli.̉ to edifie þe peple in vertu/ as Crist comaundid on hooli þursdai.̉ to hise disciplis aforn his stiȝyng ‖ Mar. vltimo ‖ 'Euntes in mundum vniuersum predicate euangelium omni creature'*. [Vulg. Marc. xvi. 15.] hoc est omni homini qui quodammodo est omnis creatura ‖ Þat is to seie. ȝe goyng forþe in to al þe world.̉ preche ȝe þe gospel to iche creature/ þat is to iche man.̉ þat cheueli is iche creature/ and þei lyuen vertuousli.̉ hem silf aftir her preching/ for to strengþe her hooli wordis.̉ wiþ þe spirit of lijf/ whanne þei ȝyuen a trewe ensaumple.̉ in dede aftir her seiyng/ & þis is þe teching of Iesu Crist.̉ in þe gospel of seint Mathew. Mat. vi^o. 'Sic luceat lux vestra coram hominibus. vt vidiant opera vestra bona & glorificent patrem vestrum qui in celis est*. [Vulg. Matt. v. 16.] ‖ Þat is to seie. looke ȝoure liȝt schyne so.̉ aforn men of þis world/ þat þei may se ȝoure good werkis.̉ & gloriefie not ȝou/ but ȝoure fadir þat is in [folio 53a] heuene.̉ of whom comeþ al ȝoure grace/*. [W. V. 'So shynne ȝoure liȝt before men, that thei see ȝoure good werkis, and glorifie ȝoure fadir that is in heuens.']

But prechours in þe fendis chirche.̉ prechen vndir colour for to take ȝiftis.̉ but Gregor reproueþ hem/ Gregor om. xviii/ 'Quisquis ideo predicat. vt hic vel laudis vel muneris mercedem accipiat procul dubio eterna remuneracione se priuat'*. [Gregorius Magnus, XL Homiliae in Evangelia, Hom. XVII (Migne, tom. 76, col. 1142).]/ Who euere preche Gregor seiþ.̉ for goodis of þis world/ or to make a gadiryng.̉ for suche an heuenli office/ wiþouten ony doute.̉ þei priuen hem silf/ of þe mede þat is to come.̉ of euerlasting rewarde/ & þei prechen cronyclis.̉ wiþ poyses & dremyngis/ & manye oþir helples talis.̉ þat riȝt nouȝt availen ‖ Þei clouten falsehed to þe trouþe.̉ wiþ miche vngroundid mater/ tariyng þe peple from trewe bileue.̉ þat þei may not knowe it/ And þise prechours waveren aboute; in many fleischeli lnstis. as Iude seiþ. Iude. ii^o. 'Hij sunt macule conuiuantes sine timore semetipsos pascentes mirantes personas hominum questusPage  56 [folio 53b] causa'*. [Vulg. Jud. ii. 12, 16 (A. V. Jude i. 12, 16) 'Hi sunt in epulis suis maculae convivantes sine timore semetipsos pascentes: . . . mirantes personas quaestus causa.'] ‖ Þise ben spottis in her metis.̉ feestyng & feeding hem silf wiþouten ony drede/ worschiping þe persones of men.̉ for þei wolde haue wynyng*. [W. V. 'Thes ben in her metys filthes (or defoulinges), feestinge togydere, with outen dreede fedynge hemsilf; wondringe, (or worschipinge) persones, bi cause of wynnynge.' 1388, 'These ben in her metis, feestynge togidere to filthe, with out drede fedinge hemsilf, worschipinge persoones, bi cause of wynnyng.'] ‖

Redars in Cristis chirche.̉ reeden hooli lessouns/ & tenten to her reding.̉ wiþ myndeful deuocioun/ as Ierom seiþ. 'Sic lege sanctam scripturam. vt semper memineris ea esse dei verba/ qui non solum legem suam sciri. sed etiam adimpleri iubet. quid enim prodest scienda didisce.̉ & non facere tamquam speculum vite. habenda est leccio sacre scripture/ ut bona meliorentur & mala corrigantur/ Hec Ieromus ‖ So reede þou hooli writ.̉ þat euere þou haue mynde/ þat þoo wordis þat þou redist.̉ ben Goddis blessid lawe/ þat comaundid it.̉ not oonli to be radde/ but also þat þe reedars.̉ schulde kepe it in her werkis ‖ what profit is it to rede þingis to be don.̉ & not fulfille hem in dede? as a clene mirour of lijf.̉ þe lessoun of hooli writ is to be had/ þat al þat is [folio 54a] good.̉ mai be mad betir/ & þat þat is yeuel.̉ may be amendid/ and þise redars reden diligentli.̉ þat þat is tretable & opunli in scripture/ wiþouten interrupcioun.̉ or ony fonned intermyssioun/ wiþouten corrupting or ouere-hipping.̉ of lettir word or sillable/ & þei schal coorde in charite.̉ & do alle þingis in ordre ‖

But redars in þe fendis chirche.̉ ianglen her lessouns/ as iaies chatiren in þe cage.̉ & wot not what þei menen/ striueyng feel siþis for nouȝt.̉ iche aȝens oþir/ for rulis of her ordinal.̉ & manye veyne questiouns/ And if þei vndirstande þe lessoun.̉ whanne þat it is radde/ or ony part of Goddis lawe.̉ whanne it is declarid/ soone þei treden it vndir foot.̉ & haaten it in her werkis/ as Ierom seiþ þe prophete.̉ in witnessing aȝen alle suche. Iere. viii^o. 'Quomodo dicitis sapientes sumus & lex dei nobiscum est? vere mendacium operatus est stilus mendax scribarum confusi sunt sapientes perteriti & capti sunt verbum enim domini proiecerunt & sapientia nulla est in eis'*. [Jer. viii. 8 'Quomodo dicitis: Sapientes nos sumus et lex Domini,' etc.]/ How may ȝe seie. forsoþe we benPage  57 wijse.̉ and þe lawe of þe Lord is among vs? Certis þe fals [folio 54b] poyntel of þe scribis.̉ haþ wrouȝt open lesyng/ & ȝoure wijse men ben confoundid.̉ afeerde & cauȝt in her owene snare/ þei han þrowen abak þe worde of þe Lord.̉ þer is no wisdam lefte among hem*. [W. V. 'Hou sey ȝee, Wise men wee ben, and the lawe of the Lord is with us? Verely lesing wroȝte the lyende poyntil of the scribis. confoundid ben the wise men, gast and caȝt thei ben. The wrd forsothe of the Lord thei casten aferr, and no wisdam is in hem.' 1388, 'Hou seien ȝe, We ben wise men and the lawe of the Lord is with us? Verili the fals writyng of scribis wrouȝte leesyng. Wise men, ben schent, ben maad aferd and taken. For thei castiden awei the word of the Lord, and no wisdam is in hem.']/ And eft God seiþ bi Ieremye.̉ to þise veyn redars/ Iere. xlviii^o./ 'Maleditus qui opus dei agit fraudilenter'*. [Vulg. Jer. xlviii. 10 'Maledictus qui facit opus Domini fraudulenter.']/ Cursid be he.̉ þat doþ þe werk of God fraudilentli*. [W. V. 'Cursid that doth the werc of God gilendeli.' 1388, 'He is cursid, that doith the werk of God gilefuli.']/ þat is to seie. falseli or disceyuabli/ and here seiþ Gregor./ 'Solus in dei opere fraudem non facit qui in studio bone accionis inuigilat nec ad corporalis rei premia nec ad laudis verba nec ad humani iudicii gratiam anhelat*. [MS. Anelat.]'*. [Gregorius Magnus, Moralium Liber IX, cap. xxxiv. 53 (Migne, tom. 75, col. 889).]/ Oonli in Goddis seruice.̉ þat man doþ no fraude/ þat wakiþ ful bisili.̉ in studie of good dede/ & no þer bowiþ to medis.̉ of bodili þing/ neiþir sekiþ þe worde.̉ of mannis lewid preisyng/ neiþir lookiþ aftir fauour.̉ of foli iugement ‖

Syngars ben in Cristis chirche.̉ þat syngen heuenli songis/ and [folio 55a] wiþ her swet melodie.̉ plesen God at fulle/ as Poul seiþ in his pistil.̉ to þe Colosencis/ Colo. iii^o. 'verbum christi habitet in vobis habundanter in omni sapientia docentes & commonentes vosmetipsos in psalmis & ympnis & canticis spiritualibus in gratia cantantes in cordibus vestris deo ‖ Omne quodcumque facitis in verbo aut in opere. in nomine domini nostri iesu christi facite. gratias agentes deo & patri per ipsum'*. [Vulg. Col. iii. 16, 17 'Verbum Christi habitet ... commonentes vosmetipsos psalmis ... Omne quodcumque facitis in verbo aut in opere, omnia in nomine Domini Iesu Christi, gratias agentes Deo et Patri per ipsum.']/ þat is to seie. Suffre ȝe þe worde of God.̉ to dwelle plentiuousli among ȝou/ in al manere heuenli wisdam.̉ encresing ȝou in vertu/ teching & monesting ȝoure silf.̉ in psalmesPage  58 & ympnys & goostli songis/ singyng in grace wiþ feruent deuocioun.̉ in ȝoure hertis to ȝoure God/ and what euer ȝe schal do.̉ in word or in werk/ do ȝe þat þing perfiȝtli.̉ in þe name of oure Lord Iesu Crist/ ȝelding þankingis to þe fadir.̉ bi þat same Iesu Crist*. [W. V. 'The word of Crist dwelle in ȝou plenteuously, in al wysdam, techinge and monestinge ȝou silf in salmes, and ymnes, and spiritual songis, in grace syngynge in ȝoure hertis to the Lord. Al thing, what euere thing ȝe don, in word or in dede, alle thingis in the name of the Lord Jhesu Crist, doynge thankyngis to God the fadir by hym.'] ‖ And siþen he is boþe God & Lord.̉ & kyng of al þis world/ þe prophete Dauiþ counseiliþ vs.̉ þat we schulde sing [folio 55b] wijseli/ for he þat is occupied.̉ in heuenli desiris/ þouȝ his tung be stille.̉ & make no noyse/ he singe a song seynt Austin seiþ.̉ þat God likeþ beest ‖ 'Qui desiderat & si lingua taceat corde cantat'/ Hec Augustinus*. [Augustinus, Enarratio in Psalmum LXXXVI i (Migne, tom. 36, col. 1101).] ‖ Ananye & Azarie & Mysael also/ soungen blessing to þe Lord.̉ in suche manere song/ whanne þei weren in Babiloyne.̉ in þe brennyng furneise. Dan. iii^o.*. [Vulg. Dan. iii. 24-90 (not in A.V.).] ‖

But syngars in þe fendis chirche.̉ breken curiouse nootis.̉ & þat is but a puff of wynde.̉ as seiþ Seint Bernard wijsli/ to plese þe peple wiþ likerouse voice.̉ & fylle her eeris wiþ veyn dyn ‖ But se what seint Gregor seiþ. acording wiþ seint Bernard/ 'Dum blanda*. [MS. bland.] vox queritur.̉ perfecta vita deseritur'*. [Gratian, Decreti Pars Prima, dist. xcii, ch. ii (Migne, tom. 187, col. 430).] ‖ Þat is to seie. whanne faging & glosing vois is souȝt.̉ perfijt lijf is forsaken/ & þe peple is ledde in to synne.̉ as God seiþ bi his prophet Eze. xxxiii^o. 'sedent coram te populus meus & audiunt sermones tuos & non faciunt eos.̉ quia in canticum oris sui vertunt illos & auariciam suam sequitur cor eorum/ & es eis quasi carmen musicum quod [folio 56a] suaui dulcique sono canitur & audiunt verba tua & non faciunt ea'*. [Vulg. Ezech. xxxiii. 31, 32.] ‖ Þat is to seie. Mi peple sitten bifore þee.̉ & heeren þi wordis/ but þei don not aftir hem.̉ whanne her bak is turned/ for þe prestis turnen hem.̉ in song of her mouþe/ & þe herte of þe peple.̉ folowiþ her prestis auarice/ & it is to hem.̉ as a song of musik/ þat is soungen myrili.̉ wiþ a lusti sounde/ & þei heerenPage  59 þi sermouns. but þei kepe hem not seiþ þe Lord God*. [W. V. 'Mi peple sitten bifore thee, and heeren thi wordis, and don not hem; for thei turnen hem in to a songe of her mouthe, and the hert of hem sueth her auerise; and it is to hem as a songe of musyke, whiche is sungen by soft and sweet soun.']/ And efte God seiþ aȝen.̉ bi þe prophete Amos. v^o. 'Aufer a me tumultum carminum tuorum. & cantica lire tue non audiam'*. [Vulg. Amos v. 23.] ‖ Þat is to seie. Do þou awey fro me.̉ þe pride of þi chauntyng/ & I schal not also heere.̉ þe songis of þin harpe*. [W. V. 'Do awey from me the noyse of thi songis, (or ditees), and Y shal not heere the songis of thin harpe.'] ‖ Lord what may þis bimene.̉ þat prestis in þe chirchis/ ȝyuen hem þus miche to song.̉ & so litil to preching & in fewe placis or ellis in noone.̉ of þe newe testament/ schullen we grounde þis maner of song.̉ neiþir among oure doctours ‖ but often þei ben chargid to preche. ȝhe vndir greet peyne/ & algatis þat þei haue good wille.̉ to do þat þei may/ þat þe peple [folio 56b] were treweli tauȝt.̉ to lede a sobre lijf/ þerfore Gregor in his decre.̉ 92. smyteþ hem wiþ a curse/ þat bisien hem in þe courte of Rome.̉ aboute suche feyned syngyng/ wherþoruȝ schulde be taried.̉ þe office of preching*. [Gratian, Decreti Pars Prima, dist. cii, cap. ii (Migne, tom. 187, col. 430).] ‖

Mynystrars of sacramentis.̉ þat ben in Cristis chirch/ biþenken hem ful wittirli.̉ of þe greet worþines/ hou þise sacramentis comen of Crist.̉ & of his holi passioun/ taken of his blessid bodi.̉ for tresour of his chirche/ & þei ben salue & medicyn.̉ for alle þoo sijke membris/ þat wil schewe her greet sooris.̉ to Goddis prestis of wise discrecioun/ & vse þise sacramentis in her kynde.̉ as seint Poul techiþ/ I. Cor. v^o./ 'Pascha nostrum immolatus est christus. itaque epulemur . Non in fermento malicie & nequicie.̉ sed in azimis sinceritatis & veritatis'*. [Vulg. 1 Cor. v. 7, 8.]/ Þat is to seie. Crist is offrid oure pask.̉ þat norischeþ vs wiþ hise sacramentis/ & þerfore make we vs myry.̉ in þis goostli food/ not in angir & in tene.̉ of malise & of wickidnes/ But in þe faire pure paast.̉ of clennes & of [folio 57a] trouþe*. [W. V. 'Crist is offrid oure pask. And so ete we, not in old sourdouȝ, nether in sourdouȝ of malice and weywardnesse, but in therf thingis of clennesse and treuthe.']/ Þise twoo vertues techen vs.̉ to clense bodi & soule/ wheþir þat we schal ȝyue or take.̉ þise seuene sacramentis/ Baptem confermyng & penaunce.̉ ordir Cristis bodi matrimonye. & þe lastPage  60 anoyntyng ‖ Þise helpen vs in þis fiȝting chirche.̉ aȝen seuene deedli synnes/ þat ben seuen cruel deuelis.̉ Þe firste is Lucifer/ þat regneþ in his malice.̉ ouer þe children of pride/ Þe secounde is clepid Belzebub.̉ þat lordiþ ouer envious/ Þe þridde deuel is Sathanas.̉ & wraþþe is his lordschip/ Þe fourþe is clepid Abadon.̉ þe slowȝ ben hise retenwe/ Þe fifþe deuel is Mammon.̉ & haþ wiþ him þe auarouse/ and also oone þat is his feere.̉ a foule synne couetise/ Þe sixte is clepid Belphegor.̉ þat is þe god of glotouns ‖ Þe seuenþ deuel is Asmodeus.̉ þat leediþ wiþ him þe leccherouse ‖ But þe seuene sacramentis.̉ casten out þise deuelis/ from þe saruauntis of God.̉ þat resceyuen meedfulli/ & stablen hem in [folio 57b] seuene ȝiftis.̉ þat ben clepid of þe Hooli Goost/

But mynystrars of sacramentis.̉ þat ben in þe fendis chirche/ mynystren þise sacramentis.̉ & treeten hem vnworþili/ & alle suche boþe lerned & lewid.̉ ben Iudas goostly children/ for he took þe sacrament.̉ at Cristis hooli sooper/ where Crist dalt his bodi in breed.̉ as oþir apostlis diden/ & drank wiþ hem his blood in wyn.̉ but wiþ a viciouse conscience/ wherfore þe deuel entrid in him.̉ & he bitraied his Lord/ Þus it is wiþ þe fendis children.̉ whanne þei resceyue þe sacramentis/ þei gon to hem vnworþili.̉ & so to her dampnacioun ‖ Summe wiþ polutid handis.̉ & wiþ a stinking careyn/ as Parisieus seiþ.̉ & rehersiþ Austin/ 'Nocte amator veneris.̉ cras consecrator filii virginis/ Deus auertit*. [MS. avertiþ.] aurem suam.̉ ab oratione talium' ‖ Þat is to seie. He þat is on þe nyȝt.̉ þe louer of leccherie/ & in þe morne a sacrar.̉ of þe maidens sone/ God turneþ awey hise eeris.̉ from suche mennes preiours ‖ Manye feiþful doctours.̉ forbeden ful streiȝtli/ for to take ony sacramentis.̉ [folio 58a] of suche preestis handis/ But now it is & euer schal be.̉ vnto þe worldis ende/ foolis fynden conventiclis.̉ þat haasten hem to helle/ Summe þer ben as Symoundis eiris.̉ þat sellen þise sacramentis/ & summe ben redi wiþ her money.̉ as chapmen in a feire/ to bie of þise marchauntis marchaundise.̉ merite as þei wenen/ but boþe þe biggers & þe sellers.̉ disceruen endeles peyne/ Summe seien 'haue here my moneye.̉ for cristenyng of my childe'/ summe seyn 'haue here þis money.̉ & soyle me of my synnes'/ summe seyn 'haue here þis money.̉ & sing for me a messe' ‖ Summe seyn 'haue þis money.̉ & graunt me þi pardon'/ summe seyn 'haue þis money.̉ for þou hast made þis mariage'/ summe seyn 'haue þis money &Page  61 sacre me to presthod'/ summe seyn 'haue þis money.̉ for þou hast often visitid me'/ summe seyn 'haue here þis money.̉ & good sire preie for me' ‖ Summe maken lettris.̉ for sotiler ypocrisie/ to selle alle her suffragis.̉ where euere þei fynden þe chapman/ þat wole paie lar- -geli þerfore.̉ þanne is þe bargayn made/ Lord hou reden [folio 58b] þise fendis lymes.̉ þe decre saluator*. [Gratian, Decreti Pars Secunda, causa i, quaest. iii, c. viii (Migne, tom. 187, col. 549, 550).]/ or studien Goddis lawe.̉ in Dedis of þe Apostlis/ where suche marchaundise is dampned.̉ for þus it is seide of cursid Symound/ Actus viii^o./ 'Cum vidisset autem symon quia per imposicionem manus daretur spiritus sanctus.̉ optulit eis peccuniam dicens ‖ Date & mihi hanc potestatem vt cuicumque*. [MS. circumque.] imposuero manus accipiat spiritum sanctum/ Petrus autem dixit ad eum. Pecunia tua tecum sit in perdicionem.̉ quoniam donum dei existimasti peccunia possideri/ Non est tibi pars neque sors. in sermone isto'*. [Vulg. Act. viii. 18-21.]/ Þat is to seie. Forsoþe whanne Symon magus had seyn.̉ þat bi touching of þe apostlis handis/ þe Holi Goost was ȝouun to þe peple.̉ he profrid hem money & seide to hem/ ȝyue ȝe to me also þis powere.̉ þat whom so euere I touche wiþ handis/ may resceyue þe hooli goost.̉ forsoþe þanne Petir seide to him/ þi money be wiþ þee for vs.̉ take it þi silf to þi dampnacioun/ for þou trowist þe ȝift of God.̉ to be hadde in sale for [folio 59a] moneye/ þer is no parte neiþir lott.̉ to þee in þis sermon of God*. [W. V. 'Forsoth whanne Symound hadde seyn, for the Hooli Gost was ȝouun by puttyng on of the hond of apostlis, he offride to hem money, seyinge, ȝyue ȝe to me and this power, that to whom euere I schal putte on hondis, he receyue the Hooly Gost. Forsoth Petre seide to him, Thi money be with thee into perdicioun, for thou gessidist the ȝifte of God for to be had, (or weeldid), by money. Part is not to thee, nethir sort, in this word.' 1388, 'And whanne Symount hadde seyn, that the Hooly Goost was ȝouun bi leiyng on of the hoondis of the apostlis, and he proferide to hem money, and seide, ȝyue ȝe also to me this power, that whom euere Y schal leye on my hoondis, that he resseyue the Hooli Goost. But Petir seide to hym, Thi money be with thee into perdicioun, for thou gessidist the ȝifte of God schulde be had for monei. There is no part, ne sort to thee, in this word.'] ‖ Þanne þise þat we han markid aforn.̉ in þis ben verrey Symoundis eiris/ for þei wenen whanne þei han money.̉ to graunt þe peple þise goostli ȝiftis/ and Symon is dampned & alle hise folowars.̉ hou miche more raþer þise cursid takars/ For if seint Petir haddePage  62 taken þis money.̉ he hadde ȝouun leue to vse symonye/ but Petir forsook it & blamed þis man.̉ & ȝaue a rule þat euer schal last/ þat cursiþ & dampneþ boþe þe ȝyuars & takars.̉ for boþe partijs ben symonyentis/ O. Iudas made a couenaunt.̉ wiþ þe Iewis for þritti platis/ and soold his maistir Iesu Crist.̉ bitraiyng his bodi in to her hondis/ whanne he cam cheueli for to die.̉ & his deeþ is oure redempcioun/ þerfore his name is cursid Iudas.̉ & worþili for his [folio 59b] fals trayne/ But hise children don myche warre.̉ in selling þe sacramentis & for lesse prijs/ þat ben vndeedli & moun not suffre.̉ neiþir ony profite comeþ of suche sale/ But veniaunce here & ellis where.̉ alas whanne wole þise wrecchis be war ‖

Studiars in Cristis chirche.̉ studien dai & nyȝt/ in þe lawe of þe Lord.̉ as þe prophet seiþ. Ps. i^o. 'In lege domini fuit voluntas eius.̉ & in lege eius meditabitur die ac nocte'/ &c*. [Vulg. Ps. i. 2 'In lege domini voluntas eius,' etc.] ‖ Þat is to seie. Blessid be þat man.̉ þat haþ his wille in þe lawe of þe Lord/ & schal þink in his lawe.̉ boþe nyȝt & day/ for he schal be as a tree.̉ þat is wijsli plauntid/ biside þe rendels of watris.̉ þat schal ȝyue his fruyte. in his due tyme/ and his leef þat is his vertu.̉ schal not falle awey/ but alle þingis þat he schal do.̉ in grace schullen be welþi*. [W. V. 'In the lawe of the Lord his wil; and in the lawe of hym he shal sweteli thenke dai and nyȝt. And he shal ben as a tree, that is plauntid biside the doun rennyngis of watris: that his frut shal ȝive in his time. And the lef of hym shal not fade; and alle thingus what euere he shal don shul waxe welsum.' 1388, 'His wille is in the lawe of the Lord; and he schal bithenke in the lawe of hym dai and nyȝt. And he schal be as a tree, which is plauntid bisidis the rennyngis of watris; which tre schal ȝyue his fruyt in his tyme. And his leef schal not falle doun; and alle thingis which euere he schal do schulen haue prosperite.']/ wel is him þat so may studie.̉ to fynde þise preciouse fruytis/ to make faire her owne soule.̉ wiþ flouris of holi writ/ þanne Crist wole take his resting place.̉ in þe chaumbre of her conscience/ for þe [folio 60a] wijs man seiþ. Ecci. xxxiiii^o. 'Flores mei fructus honoris & honestatis'*. [Vulg. Ecclesiasticus xxiv. 23.]/ þat is to seie. mi flouris be fruytis.̉ of worschip & honeste*. [W. V. 'My floures frutes of honour, and of honeste.']/ and þerfore seint Ierom counseiliþ.̉ in his prolog vpon þe bible. prologo I^o. ca. viii^o. 'Oro te frater karissime inter hec viuere ista meditari nil aliud noscere nichilque aliud querere'/ I preie þee broþir seiþ Ierom.̉ þat þou haue þi studie/ & þi mynde among þe lessouns.̉ þat ben in holi writ/ bisie þee no þing ellis to knowe.̉Page  63 bisi þee no þing ellis to seeke ‖ Sett þin herte in holi studie.̉ & purswe aftir wiþ al þi strengþe/ & þou schalt fynde it in schort while.̉ more swetter þan þe honycombe/ as þe wijs man seiþ. Ecci. vi^o. 'Cogitatum*. [MS. cagitatum.] habe in preceptis dei & in mandatis illius maxime assiduus esto. & ipse dabit tibi cor & concupiscencia*. [MS. concupiscenciā.] sapientie dabitur tibi'*. [Vulg. Ecclesiasticus vi. 37 'Cogitatum tuum habe,' etc.] ‖ Haue þou þi þouȝt in Goddis heestis.̉ & in hise comaundementis be þou moost bisy/ & he schal graunt an hert to þee.̉ & lust of wisdam schal be ȝouun to þee*. [W. V. 'Thenking haue thou in the hestes of God, and in the maundemens of hym most bisi be thou; and he shal ȝyue to thee herte, and coueitise of wisdam schal be ȝouun to thee.'] ‖

But studiars in þe fendis chirche.̉ studien in her maddid lawis/ al for richesse and for pride.̉ & for her worldli worschip/ ȝhe so [folio 60b] ferforþe. þat vnneþ.̉ ony man is founden/ þat abidiþ wiþ Goddis lawe.̉ cleere wiþouten medlyng/ but drawiþ him to mannes lawe.̉ for þat smacchiþ wynnyng/ & þere þei studien sadli & soore.̉ but at her laste ende/ þis schal be her payment.̉ as God seiþ bi þe prophete. Iere. xvii^o. 'Maledictus homo qui confidit in homine et ponit carnem brachium suum & a domino recedit cor eius'*. [Vulg. Jer. xvii. 5.]/ Cursid mot þat man þe.̉ þat settiþ his feiþ in man/ & puttiþ his trist & his strengþe.̉ in mannes maddid ordinaunce/ & suffriþ his herte to wade awey.̉ from his Lord God/ Certis þis man schal be as a broom.̉ þat growiþ in wildirnes/ & he schal not see in inward siȝt.̉ whanne þat good of soule haþ comen/ but he schal dwelle in drynes.̉ in þe lond of wildirnes*. [W. V. 'Cursid the man that trostith in man, and putteth flesh his arm, and fro the Lord his herte goth awei. Forsothe it shal ben as iencian trees in desert, and he shal not see, whan shal come good; but he shal dwelle in droȝte in desert.' 1388, 'Cursid is the man that trestith in man, and settith fleisch his arm, and his herte goith awei fro the Lord. For he schal be as bromes in desert, & he schal not se, whanne good schal come; but he schal dwelle in drynesse in desert.']/ Þus seiþ þe Lord God ‖ Suche men sclaundren Crist.̉ þat is boþe God & man/ & haþ halowid his boþe lawes.̉ wiþ his preciouse deeþ/ & putt in hem þe spirit of lijf.̉ bi quicknyng of his blood/ to rere soulis from þe deeþ.̉ & bring hem aȝen to [folio 61a] lijf/ as þe gospel witnessiþ. Ion. xi^o. 'Qui credit in me etiamsi mortuus fuerit viuet'*. [Vulg. Joh. xi. 25.]/ Crist seiþ. who þat euere bileueþ in me.̉Page  64 ȝhe þouȝ þat he be deed/ neþeles he schal lyue aȝen.̉ boþe in grace & glorie*. [W. V. 'He that bileueth in me, ȝhe, if he schal be deed, schal lyve.' 1388, 'He that bileueth in me, ȝhe, thouȝ he be deed, he schal lyve.'] ‖ But þis is not in mannes lawe.̉ þat may ȝyue þis powere/ Þanne is þis foule sclaundir.̉ of þise weiward foolis/ þat þus studien in mannes lawe.̉ as if it were þe betir/ & þerfore suche froward þouȝtis.̉ departen her soule from God/ Of alle þise spekiþ Ieremye.̉ & seiþ of hem ful scharpli/ Iere. vi^o. 'A minore quippe vsque ad maiorem omnes auaricie student/ A propheta vsque ad sacerdotem cuncti faciunt dolum/ Quamobrem cadent inter ruentes. in tempore visitacionis corruent dicit dominus'*. [Jer. vi. 13, 15.] ‖ From þe leest vnto þe moost.̉ alle studien coueitise/ þat is vndirstandid.̉ of hem oonli þat ben in þe fendis chirche/ from þe prechour vnto [folio 61b] þe prest.̉ alle wirchen gile/ þerfore þei schal falle.̉ amonge hem þat fallen/ þei schal falle in tyme of visitacioun.̉ seiþ þe Lord God/*. [W. V. 'Fro the lasse forsothe unto the more, alle to auarice studien; and fro the profete unto the prest, alle don treccherie. Wherfore thei shul falle among the men fallende; in tyme of ther visitacioun thei shul falle togidere, seith the Lord.' 1388, 'Fro the lesse til to the grettere, alle studien to auerise; and alle doon gile, fro the profete til to the preest. Wherfor thei schulen falle doun, among hem that schulen falle doun; thei schulen falle doun in the tyme of her visitacioun, seith the Lord.'] God rehersiþ þis sentence aȝen.̉ for we schulde take good hede þerto/ but for þei wole not amende her studies.̉ & turne þe þouȝt to Goddis lawe/ þerfore God wischiþ hem woo.̉ & seiþ þus bi þe prophete. Miche. ii^o. 've qui cogitatis invtile.̉ & operamini malum in cubilibus vestris'*. [Vulg. Mich. ii. 1.] ‖ Woo to ȝou þat þenken.̉ þing þat is vnprofitable/ and wirchen yuel in ȝoure studies.̉ in þe morowe liȝt ‖

Pees-makars in Cristis chirche.̉ moven men to reest/ þat Crist bihiȝt to hise disciplis.̉ whanne he was here amonge hem/ Ion. xiiii^o. 'Pacem meam do vobis pacem meam relinquo vobis'*. [Vulg. Joh. xiv. 27 'Pacem relinquo vobis, pacem meam do vobis.'] ‖ Þat is to seie. Mi pees I ȝiue to ȝou.̉ my pees I bileue to ȝou/ his pees he bilefte wiþ vs.̉ whanne he went to heuene/ his pees he schal ȝyue to vs.̉ in þe worldis ende/ his pees he bitook to vs.̉ to helpe vs in þis world/ his pees he schal graunt to vs.̉ [folio 62a] to solace vs in blisse ‖ He haþ lefte vs his pees.̉ to be oure tristi cloþing/ for if we be cladde þerynne.̉ we schal ouercome oure enemyes/ He schal graunt vs his pees.̉ & þanne we schal bePage  65 siker/ to regne world wiþouten ende.̉ wiþoute ony enemyes/ He haþ leeft vs his pees.̉ þat we deme not falsli/ of oure neiȝbore biside vs.̉ of þingis þat ben vncerteyne/ He schal ȝyue to vs pees.̉ whanne he schal make knowen/ þe priuetees of mannes herte.̉ & þanne schal be preising/ to euery man of his god.̉ aftir he haþ discerued ‖ Crist haþ leeft among vs pees.̉ þat we schulde loue togidir/ hatyng synne & louyng vertu.̉ for þus he loued vs/ for þer is no charite.̉ but if synne be hatid/ & rendid vp bi þe rootis.̉ in vs & in alle oþir ‖ Þanne Crist schal ȝyue vs ful pees.̉ where we may neuere discorde/ þus seiþ seynt Austin.̉ vppon þis same gospel/ þat is aforne rehersid.̉ now grounde we it in oure mynde ‖

Þise peesmakars for þei wolde haue.̉ þis verrey pees among [folio 62b] hem.̉ stonden armed at alle peesis.̉ for drede of her enemyes/ in þe armour of Iesu Crist.̉ þat seint Poul techiþ/ Ephe. vi^o/ 'Accipite armaturam dei'*. [Vulg. Eph. vi. 13.] ‖ Sixe armours þe apostle rehersiþ.̉ þat armyn þe soule/ fyue for to defende wiþ.̉ þe sixte for to assaile/

Þe firste is a girdil of chastite.̉ & þerbi mai we knowe/ þat Poule vsiþ þe witt of þe soule.̉ & leeueþ bodili armour ‖ Þis girdile girdiþ vp her lendis.̉ & saueþ*. [MS. saue.] chastite/ and pees of bodi from leccherie.̉ in þise þre degrees/ In maidens it kepiþ virginite.̉ in weddid trewe matrimonye/ & in widowis continence.̉ þat is from al vnclennes/ Take vp þis girdile in Goddis name.̉ þat ȝe moun stonde perfijte/ in þe pees of ȝoure soule.̉ aȝen alle fleischeli steryngis ‖

An haburioune of riȝtwisenesse.̉ is þe secounde armour/ þat is þicli mailid.̉ for falsheed schulde not entre/ for to greue God or man.̉ or sturble þis trewe pees/

Þe þridde armour is leggeharnes.̉ & schoyng of affecciouns/ [folio 63a] in þe gospel of Iesu Crist.̉ & þanne þei ben disposid/ to make pees among men.̉ not as þe world axiþ/ But þat þei stonde perfiȝtli.̉ in al aduersite/ wiþ Crist & his gospel.̉ to þe deeþ dai ‖

A schilde of feiþ is þe fourþe.̉ in whiche þei schal quenche/ alle þe fendis brennyng daitis.̉ þat ben hise temptaciouns/ Certis þer may no deedli dynt.̉ steele in þat man/ þat haþ þe schelde of trewe bileve.̉ hanging on his herte/ þerfore he lediþ his lijf in pees & quart.̉ from al goostly sijknes ‖

Page  66Þe fifþe armour of þe soule.̉ is an helme of helþe/ þat is clepid tristi hope.̉ for it beriþ of strookis ‖ Þe fende þrowiþ at mannes soule.̉ wiþ twoo dispitouse gynnes/ þe toone is obstinacioun.̉ or hardenes of herte/ þe toþir is desperacioun.̉ or ellis wanhope/ But who þat haþ þe helme of hope.̉ þouȝ strookis liȝten on him/ þei schal on nowise breest þis palet.̉ ne synk vnto þe soule/ þerfore he lyueþ peesibly.̉ in hoope of Goddis mercy ‖ [folio 63b]

Þe sixte armour of Goddis knyȝtis.̉ wiþ whiche þei done assaile/ is þe swerid of þe spirit.̉ þat is Goddis worde/ wiþ þis swerid Iudith þe widowe.̉ smot Holofernes/ & kitt his heed from his bodi.̉ in sauyng of hir peple. Iudith. xiii^o*. [Vulg. Judith xiii. 7-9.]/ And in þis swerid Iesu Crist.̉ assailed þe fende of helle/ whanne Crist seide 'goo Satanas'.̉ anoon he fledde awey/ Mar. iiii^o*. [Vulg. Matt. iv. 10.]/ For þis swerid is ful scharpe.̉ and bitiþ on boþe sidis/ for it departeþ at a strook.̉ þe soule from þe bodi/ & it departiþ in þis lijf.̉ vertu fro synne/ & it schal departe at domesdai.̉ þe good from þe yuel ‖ In þis swerid kyng Salamon.̉ ȝaue a trewe iugement/ & diuidid wiþ þis swerid.̉ truþe from þe falshede ‖ III. Re. iii^o*. [Vulg. 3 Reg. iii. 16-28.] ‖ God ȝyue vs grace to take þis swerid.̉ & þenk on kyng Salamon/ wiþ Iudith & wiþ Iesu Crist.̉ & þanne is þer no doute/ For alle þat taken vp þis swerid.̉ & stonden in þis armour/ Crist oure capteyn blessiþ hem.̉ & clepiþ hem his children/ Mat. v^o. 'Beati pacifici.̉ quoniam filii [folio 64a] dei vocabuntur'*. [Vulg. Matt. v. 9.] ‖ þat is to seie. Blessid be alle þise pees- -makars.̉ for þei schal be clepid þe sones of God*. [W. V. 'Blessid be pesible men, for thei shuln be clepid the sonys of God.' 1388, 'Blessid ben pesible men, for thei schulen be clepid Goddis children.']/ And efte Crist seiþ. 'Diligite inimicos vestros. benefacite hijs qui oderunt vos. & orate pro persequentibus & calumpniantibus vos vt sitis filii patris vestri qui in celis est'*. [Vulg. Matt. v. 44, 45.] ‖ Loue ȝe ȝoure enemyes seiþ Crist. do ȝe wel to hem þat haten ȝou/ & preie ȝe for ȝoure purswars & ȝoure sclaunderars. þat ȝe mai be þe sones of ȝoure fadir þat is in heuenes*. [W. V. 'Loue ȝee ȝoure enmyes, do ȝee wel to hem that haten ȝou, and preye ȝee for men pursuynge, and falsly chalengynge ȝou; that ȝee be the sonys of ȝoure fadir that is in hevenes.' 1388, 'Love ȝe ȝoure enemyes, do ȝe wel to hem that hatiden ȝou, and preye ȝe for hem that pursuen, and sclaundren ȝou; that ȝe be the sones of ȝour fadir that is in heuenes.'] ‖

Page  67But pees-makars in þe fendis chirche.̉ confidren hem togidir in a fals pees/ aftir þe maner of þis world.̉ þat Cristis gospel dampneþ/ Mat. x^o. & Luk. xii^o. 'Non veni pacem mittere.̉ sed gladium'*. [Vulg. Matt. x. 34; Luc. xii. 51.] ‖ I haue not comen seiþ Crist.̉ to maynten viciouse pees/ but to sende a scharpe sweride*. [W. V. 'I cam not to sende pees in to erthe, but swerd.'].̉ to smyte synne from mannes soule/ & þis þise synful wrechid foolis.̉ þrowen vndir foot/ Feiþ. trouþe. & riȝtwisenesse.̉ þei counten at no prijs/ for þei ouereleden þe countre.̉ aftir her owene lust/ þerfore þe prophete Dauiþ.̉ sorowiþ on þis mischef/ Ps. lxxii/ 'Zelaui super iniquos. pacem peccatorum videns'*. [Vulg. Ps. lxxii. 3.]/ I haue sorowid on wickid men.̉ seyng [folio 64b] þe pees of synnars*. [W. V. 'For I enuyde up on wicke men; seande the pes of synners.' 1388, 'For I louede feruentli on wickid men; seynge the pees of synneris.'] ‖

But prestis & knyȝtis.̉ of þis synne ben moost to blame/ Prestis þat schulden be goostli lechis.̉ and recounseile þe peple/ bi good counseile to her God.̉ & heele hem wiþ his lawe/ what wiþ pride & coueitise.̉ & many fleischeli lustis/ þise prestis ben so blyndid.̉ þat þei knowe no wisdam/ for Iob seiþ. xxviii^o. 'vbi invenitur sapientia.̉ non enim in terra suauiter viuencium'*. [Vulg. Job xxviii. 12, 13 'Sapientia vero ubi invenitur? ... nec invenitus in terra suaviter viventium.']/ Iob axiþ þis questioun.̉ where wisdam mai be founden/ anoon he answeriþ wiþ þe spirit of God.̉ not in þe lond of lusti lyuars*. [W. V. 'Wisdam forsothe, wher is it founde? ... ne it is founde in the lond of sweteli lyuende men.']/ And vpon þis seiþ Gregor in hise morals.̉ þise wordis of greet sorow. to hem þat ben gilti/ 'Quisquis presentis vite voluptatibus pascitur procul dubio eterne sapientie intellectu separatur'*. [Gregorius Magnus, Moralium Lib. XVIII, cap. xli. 66 (Migne, tom. 76, col. 75).] ‖ Þat is to seie. who þat is fedde.̉ wiþ lustis of þis present lijf/ wiþouten ony doute.̉ þat man is departid/ fro þe vndirstanding.̉ of euerlasting wisdam ‖ And siþen þise prestis.̉ ben moost ȝouun/ to þise fleischeli lustis.̉ þei failen goostli siȝt/ and wisdam to ransake.̉ ony goostli [folio 65a] sijknes/ or to serche al aboute.̉ þe perel of a wounde/ & ȝit þei ben presumptuouse.̉ to profre fals medicyn/ & vndirtake greet curis.̉Page  68 for to make hem hool/ But þei hirten myche sorer.̉ þan þei were aforn/ as þe Lord moneþ him.̉ bi þe prophet Ieremye. Iere. viii^o. 'Sanabant contricionem populi mei ad ignominiam dicentes. Pax. pax. cum non esset pax/ Confusi sunt qui abhominacionem fecerunt/ Quinimo confusione*. [MS. confucōe.] non sunt confusi.̉ & erubescere nescierunt'*. [Vulg. Jer. viii. 11, 12 'Sanabant contritionem filiae populi,' etc.] ‖ Þise prestis*. [MS. perstis.] heliden þe contricioun of my peple.̉ wiþ schenschip or wiþ schame/ þat is wiþ foule symonye.̉ as we rehersid aforn/ and þei seyn pees pes.̉ whanne þer was no pees/ þei ben worþi to be schent.̉ þat han done abhominacioun/ miche raþer in þis confucioun.̉ þei be not confoundid/ for þei can not be aschamed.̉ of her owene vilenye*. [W. V. '(Thei) heleden the tobrosing of the doȝter of my puple to shenshipe, seiende, Pes, pes, whan ther was not pes. Confoundid thei ben, for abhomynacioun thei diden; but myche more by confusioun thei ben not confoundid, and shamen thei kouthen not.' 1388, 'Thei heeliden the sorowe of the douȝtir of my puple to schenschipe, seiynge, Pees, pees, whanne no pees was. Thei ben schent, for thei diden abhomynacioun; ȝhe, rather thei weren not schent bi schenschipe, and kouden not be aschamed.']/ Þus seiþ þe Lord God/ and efte he seiþ ca^o.. xxiii^o. 'A prophetis enim Ierusalem egressa est pollucio super [folio 65b] omnem terram. hec dicit dominus. Nolite audire verba prophetarum qui prophetant vobis & decipiunt vos/ visionem cordis sui locuntur.̉ non de ore domini/ Dicunt hijs qui blasfemant me. locutus est dominus pax erit vobis & omni qui ambulant in prauitatem cordis sui dixerunt. non veniat super uos malum'*. [Vulg. Jer. xxiii. 15, 16 'A prophetis enim ... haec dicit dominus exercituum,' etc.] ‖ From þe prechours of þe chirche.̉ comeþ defoiling vppon al þe erþe/ þise þingis seiþ þe Lord/ Nile ȝe heere þe wordis of þise precheours.̉ þat prechen & disceyuen ȝou þei speken þe visioun of her herte.̉ but not of þe Lordis mouþe/ Þei seyn to þoo þat blasfemen me.̉ þe Lord spekiþ þat pees schal be to ȝou/ & þei han seide to iche a man.̉ þat walkiþ in schrewidnes of his herte. þer schal non yuel cum vpon ȝou*. [W. V. 'Fro the profetus forsothe of Jerusalem is gon out defouling upon al erthe. These thingus seith the Lord of ostus, Wileth not heren the wrdus of the profetes, that profecien to ȝou, and desceyven ȝou; the viseoun of ther herte thei speken, not of the mouth of the Lord. They seyn to them that blasfemen me, The Lord spac, Pes shal be to ȝou; and to eche that goth in the shreudnesse of his herte thei seiden, Ther shal not come up on ȝou euel.'] ‖ And Gregor seiþ. 'Causa ruine populi.̉ sunt sacerdotesPage  69 mali'*. [Gregorius Magnus, Homiliae in Evangelia, Lib. II, Hom. xxxix. 2 (Migne, tom. 75, col. 1295).]/ yuel prestis ben cause of ruyn or mischef of þe peple/ and no wondir. for whanne þat liȝt is quenchid . þat schulde schyne in prestis/ þanne is þer miche stink.̉ wiþ wickid sauour/ & [folio 66a] blyndnes þat combriþ.̉ þe leder & þe folowar/ in to þe derckness of helle.̉ þe gospel beriþ witnes/ Mat. xv^o. Luk. vi^o. 'Cecus autem si ceco ducatum prestet.̉ nonne ambo in fouiam cadunt'*. [Vulg. Matt. xv. 14 'Caecus autem si caeco ducatum praestet, ambo in foveam cadunt.' Luke vi. 39 'Numquid potest caecus caecum ducere, nonne ambo in foveam cadunt?']‖ Whanne þe blynde lediþ þe blynde. falle þei not þanne boþe in to þe lake?*. [W. V. 'Ȝif a blynd man ȝeue ledynge to a blynd man, bothe fallen doun in to the diche.'] ȝhis pleynli ‖ Þe former blynde is þe preest/ þat wantiþ vndirstonding/ for þouȝ he haue lettrure.̉ & faile in good lyuyng/ þanne he is a blynde prest.̉ of whom Crist spekiþ/ as þe comune gloose seiþ. 'Frustra iactat legis noticiam.̉ qui operibus destruit doctrinam'/ Aboute nouȝt he boostiþ.̉ þe knowing of Goddis lawe/ þat distrieþ þe loore.̉ wiþ his wickid werkis/ Þe toþir blynde is man & womman.̉ þat tristen in suche prestis.̉ to lede hem in þe weie of lijf.̉ & bringe hem to saluacioun ‖ But Crist haþ iuggid þise boþe parties.̉ to falle in to þe doungun/ Of suche prestis comeþ debate.̉ in al þis brood world/ þat distur- -bliþ verry pees.̉ [folio 66b] & crieþ open veniaunce/ And þise prechours ben no prechours.̉ but oonli in name/ as a luschborue is clepid a peny.̉ þat is riȝt nouȝt worþe ‖

Knyȝtis also ben to blame.̉ þat mysvsen her powere/ and wole not reede in Goddis lawe.̉ neiþir lerne her office/ & perfore þe wise man.̉ blameþ hem & seiþ/ Sap. vi^o. 'Audite reges & intelligite & sequentia. quoniam data est a domino potestas & virtus ab altissimo qui interrogabit opera uestra & cogitaciones scrutabitur/ Quoniam cum essetis ministri regni illius. non recte iudicastis neque custodistis legem iusticie neque secundum dei voluntatem ambulastis'*. [Vulg. Sap. vi. 2, 4, 5 'Audite ergo reges ... quoniam data est a domino potestas vobis,' etc.]/ Heere ȝe kyngis.̉ & vndirstonde ȝe knyȝtis/ for power is oonli of þe Lord.̉ & strengþe comeþ of him þat is hiȝest/ þat schal aske reckenyng.̉ of alle ȝoure werkis/ & schal serche fulli.̉ þe inward of ȝoure þouȝtis/ For whanne þat ȝe were mynystris.̉ ofPage  70 Goddis rewme/ neiþir ȝe demed riȝtwiseli.̉ neiþir ȝe kept his lawe/ [folio 67a] neiþir ȝe walkid in þe weye.̉ aftir Goddis wille*. [W. V. 'Hereth thanne, ȝee kingis, and undirstondith; for ther is ȝouen of the Lord power to ȝou, and vertue of the heiȝeste, that shal aske ȝoure werkis, and thoȝtis serchen. For whan ȝee weren mynestres of his reume, not riȝtli ȝee demeden, ne kepten the lawe of riȝtwisenesse, ne aftir the will of God ȝee wenten.' 1388, 'Therfor, ȝe kingis, here, and understonde; for whi power is ȝouun of the Lord to ȝou, and vertu is ȝouun of the hiȝeste, ... and schal serche thouȝtis. For whanne ȝe weren mynystris of his rewme, ȝe demeden not riȝtfuli, nether ȝe kepten the lawe of riȝtfulnesse nether ȝe ȝeden bi the wille of God.']/ but ȝe straied al awey.̉ as if it were wilde syouns/ In often takyng of miche mete.̉ þat steriþ ȝou to miche drinking ‖ Þanne ȝe liggen longe in couchis.̉ þat drawiþ ȝou to leccherie/ as sumtyme to spousebreche.̉ & oþir foule vnclennes/ & of þis comeþ stryuyng; & fiȝtynge euer anoon/ þat bringiþ ȝou to enemyte.̉ & hate of iche oþir/ How schulde ȝe knyȝtis maynten pees.̉ whanne ȝe forsake it in ȝoure silf? for wiþ ȝoure greuouse tirauntrie.̉ oppressioun & extorcioun/ ȝoure awe is lawe. who dar seie naye.̉ but as ȝe wole ȝoure silf/ But wite ȝe wel þis is þe vois.̉ of hem þat schal be dampned/ as þe wiseman seiþ. Sap. ii^o./ 'Sit fortitudo nostra lex iusticie'*. [Vulg. Sap. ii. 11.] ‖ Oure strengþe or oure powere.̉ be it to us þe lawe of riȝtwisenesse*. [W. V. 'Be forsothe oure strengthe the lawe of unriȝtwisenesse.' 1388, 'But oure strengthe be the lawe of riȝtfulnesse.']/ Heere ȝe þerfore.̉ hou dredfulli it folowiþ/ of þe sentence seide aforn.̉ if þat ȝe wole amende ȝou/ Sap. vi^o./ 'Horrende & cito apparebit vobis quoniam iudicium durissimum in hijs qui presunt fiet/ exiguo conceditur [folio 67b] misericordia potentes potenter tormenta pacientur/ Non enim personam subtrahet cuiusquam dominus qui est omni dominator. nec verebitur magnitudinem cuiusquam. quoniam pusillum & magnum ipse fecit.& equaliter cura est illi de omnibus forcioribus autem forcior instat cruciacio'*. [Vulg. Sap. vi. 6-9 'Horrende et cito apparebit vobis quoniam iudicium durissimum his qui praesunt fiet. Exiguo enim conceditur misericordia; potentes autem potenter ... Non enim subtrahet personam cuiusquam Deus, nec verebitur ... cruciatio.'] ‖ Ferfulli & soone.̉ it schal schewe to ȝou/ þat moost hardest iugement.̉ schal be to hem þat lorden/ or þat holden lordschip.̉ ouer her pore briþeren/ mercy is grauntid.̉ to hem þat ben lowe in herte/ myȝti men myȝtili.̉ schullen suffre turmentrie/ forsoþe þe Lord schal not wiþdrawe.̉ þe persoone of ony man/Page  71 neiþir he schal be aschamed.̉ of ony mannes greetnes/ for he haþ made boþe smale & greet.̉ & chargiþ neiþir oon ne oþir/ forsoþe to þe strenger.̉ is ordeyned strenger cruciacioun & peyne*. [W. V. 'Orribleli and soone he shal apere to ȝou; for most hard dom shal ben don in hem, that ben biforn. Forsothe to the litle is grauntid mercy; myȝty men forsothe myȝtili tormentis shul suffre. Forsothe he shal not withdrawe the persone of any man, the Lord, that is lordshipere of alle thingus, and he shal not drede the mykilnesse of any man; for litil and gret he made, and euenli cure is to hym of alle. To the strengere forsothe strengere stant in tormenting.' 1388, 'Hidousli and soone he schal appere to ȝou forwhi hardeste doom schal be maad in hem, that ben souereyns. Forsothe merci is grauntid to a litil man; but miȝti men schulen suffre turmentis miȝtili. For the Lord, which is lord of alle thingis, schal not withdrawe the persoone of ony man, nether he schal drede the greetnesse of ony man; for he made the litil man and the greet man, and charge is to hym evenli of alle men. But strongere turment neiȝeth to strongere men.'] ‖ Þise forseide prestis & knyȝtis.̉ þoruȝ suche vicious dedis/ leden þe comunes on her ryng.̉ and boolden hem in synne/ þat al þis worlde is sett in rore.̉ in bataile & in werre ‖ But now ben comen to þe proof.̉ þe wordis þat God haþ seide/ bi þe prophete Ieremye.̉ to teche hise chosen seruantis/ Iere. ix^o. 'Omnes adulteri sunt & [folio 68a] cetus preuaricatorum extenderunt linguam suam quasi arcum mendacii & non veritatis/ confortati sunt in terra quia de malo ad malum egressi sunt. & me non cognouerunt dicit dominus vnusquisque a proximo suo se custodiat. & in omni fratre suo non habeat fiduciam/ quia omnis frater supplantans supplantabit/ & omnis amicus fraudilenter incedet/ & vir fratrem suum deridebit & veritatem non loquetur'*. [Vulg. Jer. ix. 2-5.] ‖ Alle þise ben avowtreris.̉ & a cumpany þat breken þe lawe/ þei han strecchid forþe her tung.̉ as a bent bowe/ to schete lesyng & no trouþe.̉ iche man at oþir/ þei ben counfortid in þe erþe.̉ for þei goon from yuel to yuel/ & þei han not knowen me.̉ seiþ þe Lord God/Iche man from his neiȝbore.̉ kepe he him ful wiseli/ & in his owene broþir.̉ he mai haue no trist/ for iche a broþir in disceyte.̉ schal bigile oþir/ & iche a frende falseli.̉ schal goo awei from oþir/ & þe man schal scorne his broþir.̉ & þei schal not speke trouþe/ forsoþe þei han tauȝt her tung.̉ for to speke lesing.̉ and for þei wolde do wickidli.̉ þei [folio 68b] han soore traueiled/ þei han forsaken in treccherie. to knowe me seiþ þe Lord God ‖ Wherfore þise þingis.̉ seiþ þe Lord of oostis/ Loo I schal welle hem togidir.̉ & I schal proue hem ‖ what schalPage  72 I ellis do.̉ fro þe face of my peple? an arow wounding is her tung.̉ for it spekiþ gile/ & he spekiþ wiþ his frende.̉ pees wiþ his mouþe/ but priueli he leieþ for him.̉ spies to disceyue him. No wheþir schal I not visite vpon þise þingis.̉ seiþ þe Lord God/ or schal not my wille be vengid.̉ vpon suche a folk?

^* W. V. 'For alle auoutreris thei ben, and cumpanye of lawe brekeres: and thei benten out ther tung as ther bowe of lesyng, and not of treuthe. Thei ben coumfortid in erthe, for fro euel to euel thei wenten out and me thei knewe not, seith the Lord. Eche kepe hymself fro his neȝhebore, and in eche brother of hym have he not trost: for eche brother supplauntende shal supplaunte, and eche frend gilendely shal go. And a man his brother shal scorne and treuthe shal not speke; thei taȝten forsothe ther tunge to speke lesing; that wickely thei schulden don, thei traveileden. Thi dwelling in the myddel of treccherie; in treccherie thei forsoke me to knowen, seith the Lord. Therfore these thingus seith the Lord of ostus. Lo! I shall ȝeete and preve them; what forsothe other thing shal Y do fro the face of the sone of my puple? An arwe woundende the tunge of hem, treccherie it spak; in his mouth pes with his friend he speketh, and priveli he putteth to hym aspies. Whether up on these thingus I shal not visite, seith the Lord, or in to such a maner folc shal not be vengid my soule?'

1388, 'Forwhi alle ben auowteris, and the cumpenyes of trespassouris aȝens the lawe; and thei helden forth her tunge as a bouwe of leesyng, and not of treuthe. Thei ben coumfortid in erthe, for thei ȝeden out fro yuel to yuel, and thei knewen not me, seith the Lord. Ech man kepe hym from his neiȝbore, and haue no trist in ony brother of hym; for whi ech brother disseyvyng schal disseyve, and ech frend schal go gilefuli. And a man schal scorne his brother, and schal not speke treuthe; for thei tauȝten her tunge to speke leesyng; thei traueliden to do wickidli. Thi dwellyng is in the myddis of gile; in gile thei forsoken to knowe me, seith the Lord, Therfor the Lord of oostis seith these thingis, Lo! Y schal welle togidere; and Y schal preue hem; for whi what other thing schal Y do fro the face of the douȝter of my puple? The tunge of hem is an arowe woundynge and spak gile; in his mouth he spekith pees with his frend, and priueli he settith tresouns to hym. Whether Y schal not visite on these thingis, seith the Lord, ether schal not my soule take veniaunce on siche a folc?'

As if he wolde seie.̉ I schal be vengid/ for as her wille is to go fro me. so my wille is to be vengid vpon hem.̉ whanne I se my tyme ‖ But happeli here summe wole seie. God wole not take veniaunce.̉ vpon hise cristen peple/ God wole not leese þat he deere bouȝt.̉ wiþ his preciouse blood/ To þe firste we answeren.̉ bi þe mouþe of God/ Iere. xvi^o. 'Deriliquerunt me patres vestri ait dominus & abierunt [folio 69a] post deos alienos & ser- -uierunt eis & adorauerunt eos & me deriliquerunt & legem meam non custodierunt/ sed & vos peius operati estis quam patres vestri/ Ecce enim ambulat vnusquisquePage  73 post prauitatem cordis sui mali. & me non audiat ‖ Et eiciam vos de terra hac in terram quam ignoratis vos & patres vestri & seruietis ibi dijs alienis die ac nocte qui non dabunt vobis requiem'*. [Vulg. Jer. xvi. 11-13.] ‖ Þe Lord seiþ. ȝoure fadris han forsaken me.̉ & gon aftir straunge goddis/ for to do hem seruyce.̉ & worschipe hem also/ but þei han forsaken me.̉ & not kept my lawe ‖ But & ȝe do miche werre.̉ þan euere wrouȝt ȝoure fadris/ Loo iche of ȝou walkiþ.̉ aftir þe schrewidnes of his yuel herte/ þat he heere not me.̉ seiþ þe Lord God/ & I schal kast ȝou awey.̉ oute of þis erþe/ in to a lond þat is vnknowen.̉ to ȝou & to ȝoure fadris/ & þere ȝe schal do seruice.̉ to alien goddis/ þat schullen ȝyue no rest to ȝou.̉ neiþir dai ne nyȝt*. [W. V. 'For forsoken me ȝoure fadris, seith the Lord, and ȝiden awei aftir aliene goddis, and serueden to them, and honoureden hem, and me forsoken, and my lawe kepten not. But and ȝee wers wroȝten than ȝoure fadris; lo! forsothe eche goth after the shreudenesse of his euel herte, that me he here not. And Y shal caste ȝou out fro this lond, in to the lond that ȝee and ȝoure fadris knowe not; and ȝee shul serue there to alien goddis dai and nyȝt, that shul not ȝiue to ȝou rest.' 1388, 'For ȝoure fadris forsoken me, seith the Lord, and ȝeden aftir alien goddis, and seruyden hem, and worschipiden hem, and thei forsoken me, and kepten not my lawe. But also ȝe wrouȝten worse than ȝoure fadris; for lo! ech man goith aftir the shrewidnesse of his yuel herte, that he here not me. And Y shal caste ȝou out of this lond, in to the lond which ȝe and ȝoure fadris knowen not; and ȝe schulen serue there to alien goddis dai and nyȝt, whiche schulen not ȝive reste to you.']/ And to þe secounde we answeren.̉ as Crist seiþ in his gospel/ Mat. xxii^o. 'Amice quomodo huc intrasti non habens [folio 69b] vestem nupcialem at ille obmutuit/ Tunc rex ait ministris. ligatis manibus eius & pedibus mittite eum in tenebras exteriores. ibi erit fletus & stridor dencium'*. [Vulg. Matt. xxii. 12, 13 'Amice, quomodo ... Tunc dixit rex ministris,' etc.] ‖ Frende hou entridist þou hidir.̉ not hauyng þe bridal clooþ? & he wex doombe/ þanne þis kyng Iesu Crist.̉ seide to hise mynystris/ þis wrecche bounden hand & foot.̉ sende him in to þe vttirar dercknes/ þere schal be weping.̉ & gneching of teeþ/*. [W. V. 'Frend, hou entridist thou hidir, not hauynge brijd clothe? And he was doumbe. Thanne the kyng seide to the mynystris, His hondis and feet bounden, sende ȝee hym into uttermore derknessis: there shal be weepyng and betyng to gidre of teeth.' 1388, 'Freend, hou entridist thou hidir without bride clothes? And he was doumbe. Thanne the kyng bad hise mynystris, Bynde hym bothe hondis and feet, and sende ȝe him in to utmer derknessis: there schal be wepyng and grentyng of teeth.'] vndirstande bi þis frende.̉ boþe man &Page  74 womman/ þat haþ taken cristendom.̉ & holden þe name/ but þei wanten in her lyuyng.̉ werkis of trewe bileue/ þerfore Crist wardiþ hem.̉ in to þe peyne of helle ‖

How þe good of þe secounde chirche acorden wiþ þe firste chirche. Cap^m .X^m. ‖

Here schullen we telle.̉ hou þe good of þe secounde chirche/ acordiþ wiþ þe firste chirche.̉ appropurid to God/ Feiþ. hope. & charite.̉ as we han seid aforn/ knytten God & man togidir.̉ in [folio 70a] oonhed of þis chirche/ þis knott is knitt so sikerli.̉ þat it schal neuer more faile/ neiþir here ne ellis-where.̉ as þe wise man seiþ/ Eccles. iiii^o. 'Triplex funiculus difficile rumpitur'*. [Vulg. Eccles. iv. 12.] ‖ A þrefolde corde.̉ ful looþe is brostun*. [W. V. 'A thre fold corde hard is to-broken.' 1388, 'A threfolde corde is brokun of hard.'] ‖ For to make þis þrefolde corde.̉ we must haue þre lynkis/ & eeke hem forþe perfiȝtli.̉ til þis corde be wrouȝt.̉ bi whiche þis chirche schal be drawen.̉ vnto þe holi trinite/ Þise ben þe firste þre.̉ a chaast bodi. a clene soule. & goodis treweli disposid/ þanne it schal be eekid. wiþ good worde. holi þouȝt. & a perfiȝte dede/ moreouere we must large forþe.̉ schrifte of mouþe. sorow of herte. & amendis makyng/ Aftir þis it axiþ.̉ preiour. fasting. & almes dede/ Aftir þis we must putt to. noumbre. weiȝt. & mesure/ Also we must eeke þis corde.̉ wiþ mynde. wille. & resoun/ & helpe forþe to þe eende.̉ wiþ feiþ. hope. & charite/ Þanne we schal neiȝ to oure God.̉ þoruȝ grace. mercy. & riȝtwisenes/ til we se God in trinite.̉ Fadir & Sone & Holi Goost/ [folio 70b]

Euery membre of þis chirche.̉ helpiþ þat it may/ for to worche a parte of þis corde.̉ for þe comune profite/ as seint Austin seiþ. 'Ecclesia est quedam forma forma iusticie. id est commune ius omnium. in communi orat. in communi operatur. sine ecclesie catholice societate nec baptismus alicui prodesse potest. nec opera misericordie . nisi forte vt minus torqueatur' ‖ Holi chirche is a forme.̉ of al riȝtwisenes/ þat is to seie a comune acorde.̉ of alle good þingis/ & þis chirche preieþ in comune.̉ and worchiþ hir werkis in comune.̉ for wiþouten felaschip.̉ of þis general chirche/ baptem may not profiȝte.̉ ne þe dedis of mercy/ but if it be þat þe peyne.̉ be þe lesse in helle ‖

Alle þe membris of a man.̉ traueilen in her ordir/ iche for to socour oþir.̉ & noon for to hindir/ but for to do her comunePage  75 helpe.̉ to profite of þe bodi ‖ Þus it is of þe membris.̉ þat ben in Cristis chirche/ for it is a goostli bodi.̉ þat growiþ wiþ hir membris/ þere oone failiþ anoþir helpiþ.̉ til þis corde be made ‖ Summe haue myche of wisdam.̉ to knowe holi writ/ summe haue faire eloquence.̉ to preche it to þe peple/ summe han myche of ‖goostli strengþe.̉ to suffre tribulacioun/ summe han pite & releuen.̉ [folio 71a] her pore nedi neiȝboris/ summe tenten vertuouseli to mynystir þe sacramentis/ summe stiȝen hiȝeli.̉ to rest in heuenli likyngis/ But alle suche þingis ben in comune.̉ to hem þat schal be saued/ as þe prophet seiþ. Ps. cxv./ 'Particeps ego sum omnium timencium te.̉ & custodiencium mandata tua'*. [Vulg. Ps. cxviii. 63.]/ Þe prophete spekiþ in þe persoone.̉ of þe general chirche/ Lord I am partenere.̉ of alle þat dreden þee/ & of alle þat kepen.̉ þi hooli comaundementis*. [W. V. 'Parcener I am of all men dredende thee: and of kepende thin hestis.' 1388, 'I am parcener of alle that dreden thee; and kepen thin heestis.']/ Þis techeþ also þe comune crede.̉ of þe .xii. apostlis/ In an article of oure feiþ.̉ þat must nede be grauntid/ 'Sanctorum communionem.' comunyng of seintis/ For what þat euer be done in Rome.̉ or in ony oþir placis.̉ if þat þing be couenable.̉ in þe siȝt of God/ þanne is it comune to alle þise membris.̉ þat seruen God in vertu/ to helpe hem to her endeles ioye.̉ as we han seide aforn/ Herto acordiþ seint Ierom.̉ vpon þis tixte of Cristis gospel/ Mat. xvi^o. 'Tibi dabo claues regni celorum'*. [Vulg. Matt. xvi. 19.]/ Crist seid to Petir.̉ & in him to alle his folowars/ to þee and alle suche as þou art.̉ [folio 71b] I schal ȝyue þe keyes of þe rewme of heuenes*. [W. V. 'To thee I shal ȝeue the keies of the kyngdam of heuenes.'] ‖ Þise twoo keies. þe tone is kunnyng of worde.̉ þe toþir is power of presthood/ Þe rewme of heuenes.̉ is þe chirche here in erþe/ Ierom seiþ.̉ & þe maistir of sentence rehersiþ him/ li^o. IIii^o. dist. xix. 'Habent inquit eandem iudiciariam potestatem omnes ecclesie ministri in episcopis & presbiteris sicut petrus. sed ideo petrus eam specialiter accepit vt omnes intelligant quod quicumque ab vnitate fidei & societate ecclesie se separauerit. nec a peccatis solui. nec celum potest ingredi'*. [Petrus Lombardus, Sententiarum Libri quatuor, IV, dist. xix (Migne, tom. 191, col. 890).] ‖ Alle þe mynystris of þe chirch.̉ in bischopisPage  76 & in prestis/ han þe same iudiciarij powere.̉ as seint Petir hadde/ But þerfore Petir speciali.̉ tooke of God þis power/ þat alle men moun vndirstand.̉ þat who euer depart him/ fro vnite of stedfast feiþ.̉ & felaschip of þis chirche/ he mai neiþir be asoyled.̉ from bondis of hise synnes/ neiþir he mai entre.̉ in to þe blisse of heuene ‖

Se now þanne boþe lewid & lerned.̉ hou preiars ben in comune/ [folio 72a] and alle oþir suffragis.̉ to þis go- -ostli chirche ‖ Whennes comeþ þanne þis outcry.̉ þat is sette on broche/ saale keene in euery chirche.̉ to selle þise goostli þingis/ wiþ suffragis & soilmentis.̉ & manye ȝeeris of pardoun/ & a plener indulgence.̉ 'a pena & a culpa'/ But miche raþir it schulde be seide 'a gloria & peccunia'/ Certis þei comen fro beneiþe.̉ of þe fendis tempting/ & ben borne al aboute.̉ of hise cursid membris/ to poysen þe peple in mysbileue.̉ as seint Ierom seiþ/ & parte hem from Goddis felaschip.̉ bi witnesse of seint Austin/ & dryue hem to her eendeles peyne.̉ as we han seide aforn ‖

Of Ioye in tribulacioun/ Cap^m .XI^m.. ‖

But for þat we reproue þise synnes.̉ þis yuel parti grucchiþ/ and pursueþ wiþ strong hand.̉ to prisoun & to slee/ þerfore must we lerne þe loore.̉ of Cristis hooli gospel/ Mat. v^o. 'Beati estis cum maledixerint vobis homines & persecuti vos fuerint & dixerint omne malum aduersum vos mencientes propter me &c'*. [Vulg. Matt. v. 11 'Beati estis cum maledixerint vobis et persecuti,' etc.]/ ȝe ben blessid whanne men han oursid ȝou. & han pursued ȝou. & seid al [folio 72b] yuel aȝens ȝou lying for me.̉ Ioye & be myry. for ȝoure mede is miche in heuenes*. [W. V. 'Ȝee shulen be blessid, when men shulen curse ȝou, and shulen pursue ȝou, and shulen say al yuel aȝeins ȝou leeȝing for me. Joye ȝee with yn forth, and glade ȝee with out forth, for ȝoure meede is plenteuouse in heuenes.']/ And also seint Petir seiþ. I. Pe. iii^o. 'Siquid patimini propter iusticiam.̉ beati'*. [Vulg. 1 Pet. iii. 14.] ‖ Whanne þat ȝe suffren ony þing for riȝtwisenesse.̉ blessid mut ȝe be*. [W. V. 'But if ȝe suffren ony thing for riȝtwisenesse, ȝe ben blessid.'] ‖ Seint Poul affermeþ þis sentence.̉ þat Goddis trewe seruauntis/ schullen haue peyne in þis lijf.̉ to kepe hem in vertu/ II. Thimo. iii^o. 'Omnes qui pie volunt viuere in christo iesu.̉ persecucionem pacientur'*. [Vulg. 2 Tim. iii. 12.] ‖ AllePage  77 þat euer wole lyue mekeli in Crist Iesu.̉ schal suffre persecucioun*. [W. V. 'Alle men that wolen lyue piteuously in Crist Jhesu, schulen suffre persecucioun.' 1388, 'Alle men that wolen lyue feithfull in Crist Jhesu schulen suffre persecucioun.'] ‖ And seint Luk seiþ of þe wordis of Poul.̉ in dedis of þe apostlis. Actus xiiii^o. 'Per multas tribulaciones oportet nos intrare in regnum dei'*. [Vulg. Acts xiv. 21.] ‖ Bi manye tribulaciouns. it bihoueþ vs to entre.̉ in to þe rewme of God*. [W. V. 'By manye tribulaciouns it behoueth us for to entre into the kingdom of heuenes.']/ And þus seiþ þe prophete. Ps. xxxiii. 'Multe tribulaciones iustorum.̉ et de omnibus hijs liberabit*. [MS. biberauit.] eos dominus'*. [Vulg. Ps. xxxiii. 19.]/ many be þe tribulaciouns.̉ þat fallen to þe riȝtwise/ and from hem alle whanne tyme comeþ.̉ God schal delyuer hem*. [W. V. 'Manye tribulaciouns of the riȝtwise; and of alle these schal delyuere them the Lord.' 1388, 'Many tribulaciouns ben of iust men; and the Lord schal delyuere hem fro alle these.'] ‖ Crist bihiȝt þis maner of lijf.̉ to hise owene disciplis/ and ȝaue hem in counfort þat [folio 73a] þei schal haue.̉ a graciouse delyueraunce/ for þanne schal blisse be miche þe swetter.̉ whanne þei comen þerto/ Ion. xvi^o./ 'Amen amen dico vobis. quia plorabitis & flebitis vos mundus autem gaudebit vos autem contristabimini. sed tristicia uestra vertetur in gaudium & gaudium vestrum. nemo tollet a vobis'*. [Vulg. John xvi. 20, 22.] ‖ Treweli I seie to ȝou þe trouþe.̉ ȝe schal greete & weepe/ forsoþe þis world schal ioye.̉ & ȝe schal be ful heuy/ and aftir þis ȝoure heuynes.̉ schal be turned in to ioie/ & ȝoure ioye schal be so siker.̉ þat no man schal take it fro ȝou*. [W. V. 'Treuli treuli, I seye to ȝou, for ȝe schulen morne and wepe. forsothe the world schal enioye; forsoþe ȝe schulen be sorwful, but ȝoure sorwe schal turne into ioye, and no man schal take fro ȝou ȝoure ioye.']/ And for þis ioie schulde sauour wel.̉ to hem þat ben hise louears/ he sendeþ hem tribulacioun.̉ as seint Gregor seiþ/ 'Deus electis suis iter ostendit asperum.̉ ne si delectentur in via obliuiscantur eorum que sunt in patria'*. [Gregorius Magnus, Moralium Lib. XXIII, cap. xxiv. 47 (Migne, tom. 76, cols. 279, 280).]/ & iterum/ 'tribulaciones que in hoc mundo nos premunt. nos ad deum ire compellunt'/ Iterum. 'Oculos quos culpa claudit.̉Page  78 pena aperit'*. [Gregorius Magnus, Moralium Lib. XV, cap. li. 58 (Migne, tom. 75, col. 1111).] ‖ God schewiþ to hise chosen.̉ scharpnes in þis [folio 73b] iourney/ lest bihap if þei delited hem.̉ in þis deedli weye/ þei myȝt forȝete þe þingis.̉ þat ben in heuenli countre/ Tribulaciouns þat brisen vs doun.̉ in þis wrecchid world/ þei constreynen vs to go to God.̉ þat liȝtli myȝt be dampned/ for þoo iȝen þat synne closiþ.̉ peyne makiþ hem open/ and many a man þat hauntiþ þeeft.̉ wiþ manye oþir synnes/ if þei were lame. blynde. or crokid.̉ of Goddis visitacioun/ þei schulden cese & serue her God.̉ & do penaunce ful treweli/ as Crisostom seiþ. om. iii. 'Anima spiritus est & spirituales penas timet. carnales non timet. verum & sancti penas huius seculi contempnunt & futurum iudicium timent vbi spiritus cruciantur ‖ Caro autem spirituales penas non timet. carnales autem timet. ideo mali non cessant peccare nisi eos iudicia carnalia & terrena conpescant propterea mittet dominus super seruos suos carnales temptaciones ut conbusta caro non concupiscat malum'*. [S. Ioan. Chrysostomus, (Homilia III, Opera, ed. 1547, tom. ii, col. 763).] ‖ Þe soule is a spirit.̉ & drediþ spiritual peynes/ but it [folio 74a] wole not drede.̉ þe peynes of þe fleische/ & þerfore seyntis dispisiden.̉ peynes of þis world/ & dreden þe last iugement.̉ where spiritis ben turmentid/ Forsoþe þe fleische cannot drede.̉ goostli peynes to cum/ but he drediþ in þis lijf.̉ to suffre ony peynes/ þerfore þe yuel cessen not.̉ for to do synne/ but if iugement of þe fleische.̉ constreynen hem to be stille/ & for þis cause þe Lord schal sende.̉ vpon hise seruauntis/ sore punysching to her fleische.̉ & oþir tribulaciouns/ þat lust of þe fleische mai be sweilid.̉ from coueiting of yuel. We must nede breke þe nutt.̉ if we wole haue þe kirnel/ we must nedis suffre traueile.̉ if we desiren rest/ So must we nede suffre peyne.̉ if we wole cum to blisse ‖

He is a fals coward knyȝt.̉ þat fleeþ & hideþ his heed/ whanne his maistir is in þe feelde.̉ beten among hise enemyes ‖ But oure Lord Iesu Crist.̉ was beten of þe Iewis/ & aftir died in þe felde.̉ [folio 74b] on þe mount of Calverie/ to paye oure raunsum he tooke his deeþ.̉ for he no þing giltid/ and his bodi whanne it was offrid.̉ made aseeþ at fulle/ in redempcioun of mankynde.̉ þerfore þe wise man seiþ Ecc1. xxix^o. 'Gratiam fideiussoris ne obliuiscaris dedit enim pro te animam suam*. [Vulg. Ecclesiasticus xxix. 20.]'/ Forȝete þou not þe kyndenes of þi borow.̉Page  79 forsoþe he haþ ȝouun for þee his lijf*. [W. V. 'The grace of the borȝ ne forgete thou; forsothe he ȝaf for thee his soule.' 1388, 'Forȝete thou not the grace of the borewe; for he ȝaf his lijf for thee.'] ‖ Þis borow is oure Lord God.̉ þat wiþouten mede/ cam from heuene in to þis world.̉ for to borow hise peple/ and in takyng fleische & blood.̉ of þe virgyn Mary/ he schewid vs grace & kyndenes.̉ boþe in worde & worchyng/ But in ȝyuyng of his lijf.̉ he leide his bodi in plege/ ȝhe to þe deeþ he wolde not spare.̉ so miche he loued hise peple ‖ If þat feiþ be trewe in vs.̉ þis mai not be forȝeten ‖

Summe forsaken synnes.̉ & swen Crist in vertu/ & þis is a greet kyndenes.̉ þouȝ þei stiȝe no hiȝer ‖ Summe done wake in abstinence.̉ & studien holi lessouns. þis is þanne a gretter kyndenes.̉ if þey flee from synne/ summe ben redi whanne þei ben clepid.̉ of þe Hooli Goost/ to suffre deeþ for Iesu Crist.̉ & witnesse of his [folio 75a] lawe/ and whanne þei haue clennes in lyuyng.̉ þis is þe greetest kyndenes/ as þe gospel schewiþ. Ion. xv^o. 'Maiorem hac dileccionem nemo habet vt animam suam ponat quis pro amicis suis'*. [Vulg. Joh. xv. 13.]/ A gretter loue or charite mai no man haue.̉ þan to leie his lijf. in sauyng of hise frendis soule*. [W. V. 'No man hath more loue than this, that ony man putte his soul (that is, lyf), for his frendis.'] ‖ we were leef & dere to God.̉ whanne we took þe baptem/ but we ben miche derworþier.̉ whanne we done þe werkis/ þat God haþ boden in his lawe.̉ wiþouten ony grucchyng ‖ And if we maynten þis bileue.̉ & wole not go þerfro/ neiþir bicum renagatis.̉ for peyne þat mai falle/ but þenk on Cristis passioun.̉ þat swagiþ al heuynes/ Þanne ben we moost derworþiest.̉ and worþi hiȝest merit/ & þerfore seiþ seint Poul vnto þe Galatheis/ Gala. vi^o. 'Michi autem absit gloriari nisi in cruce domini nostri Iesu Christi per quem mihi mundus crucifixus est & ego mundo'*. [Vulg. Gal. vi. 14.]/ Fer be it to me seiþ seint Poul.̉ to make ony glory/ but in þe cros.̉ þat is þe passioun.̉ of oure Lord Iesu [folio 75b] Crist/ bi whom þis world is crucified to me.̉ & I am crucified to þe world*. [W. V. 'Be it ferr to me to glorie, no but in the cross of oure Lord Jhesu Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world.' 1388, 'But fer be it fro me to haue glorie, no but in the crosse of oure Lord Jhesu Crist, bi whom the world is crucified to me, and Y to the world.'] ‖ For þis world dispisid Poul.̉ & he dispised þe world/ Summe be not crucified to þe world.̉ but þe world is crucified toPage  80 hem/ for þei dispisen þis world.̉ but þis world dispiseþ not hem/ Summ ben crucified to þe world.̉ but not so þe world to hem/ for þouȝ þe world dispise hem.̉ þei dispisen it not aȝen ‖ Summe ben noþir crucified to þe world.̉ ne þe world to hem/ for neiþir þei dispise þe world.̉ ne þe world hem/ In þe firste degre.̉ weren þe apostlis/ and in þe secounde degre.̉ ben oþir good lyuars ‖ But in þe þridde & þe fourþe degree.̉ ben þoo þat schal be dampned/ And þerfore we schal vndirstande.̉ þat summe suffren peyne/ for to saue þe peple.̉ & so dide Iesu Crist/ whanne þei myȝt not saue hem silf.̉ & schewid his greet kyndenes ‖ Summe suffren peyne.̉ & largen her mede/ as dide Cristis apostles.̉ & manye oþir martris/ Summe suffren peyne.̉ to purge hem of her synne/ þat þei han [folio 76a] done in tyme bifore.̉ & crien God of mercy/ Summe suffren peyne.̉ to kepe hem from synne/ þat þei schulde be acumbrid wiþ.̉ if ne peyne were/ But summe suffren peyne.̉ for þei haunten synne/ & for þei make non ende þerof.̉ þe peyne schal laste wiþouten ende ‖ Ioyne we þanne þe cros of God.̉ vnto oure bare fleische/ þat oure part mai be founden.̉ among þise hooli seyntis/ þat wilfulli forsoke hem silf.̉ & ioyed in tribulacioun/ as seint Iames seiþ. Iaco. i^o. 'Omne gaudium existimaste fratres mei cum in temptaciones varias incideritis. scientes quod probacio fidei vestre operatur pacienciam. paciencia autem opus perfectum habet'*. [Vulg. Jac. i. 2.] ‖ Mi briþeren hope ȝe al ioye.̉ whanne ȝe han sliden in among diuerse temptaciouns/ witing þat þe prouyng of ȝoure feiþ.̉ worchiþ pacience/ forsoþe pacience haþ a perfiȝt werk.̉ þat ȝe moun be perfiȝt in soule/ & hool in bodi.̉ & in no þing failing*. [W. V. 'My britheren, gesse ȝe, (or deme), al ioye, whan ȝe shulen falle in to diuerse temptaciouns, (or tribulaciouns), witynge, that the prouyng of ȝoure feith werchith pacience; sotheli pacience hath parfijt werk, that ȝe be parfijt and hool, in no thing faylinge.' 1388, 'My britheren, deme ȝe al joye, whanne ȝe fallen in to diuerse temptaciouns, witynge, that the preuyng of ȝoure feith worchith pacience; and pacience hath a perfit werk, that ȝe be perfit and hole, and faile in no thing.'] ‖

Of þe fendis cautels bi whiche he pursueþ in hise membris.̉ þe kepers of Goddis heestis ‖ Capitulum .XII^m.. ‖

What is þe fendis chirche.̉ wiþ hir propurtees/

Capitulum .XIII^m.. ‖

To speke of þe þridde chirche.̉ enproprid to þe deuel/ þe [folio 119b] whiche is þe noumbre.̉ of hem þat ben encombrid/ to serue him aftir his tising.̉ aȝen Goddis heestis ‖ Firste we schullen take oure grounde.̉ in wordis of þe prophete/ Ps. xxv. 'Odiui ecclesiam malingnancium'*. [Vulg. Ps. xxv. 5.] ‖ I haue haatid þe chirche of maliciouse lyuars*. [W. V. 'I hatide the chirche of wariende men.' 1388, 'I hatide the chirche of yuele men.'] ‖ Þise ben þoo þat straien awey.̉ aftir hir owene desiris/ walkyng in þe large weye.̉ þat lediþ hem to helle/ neiþir þei wil be gouerned.̉ bi lawe ne bi grace/ neiþir þei wole for drede ne loue.̉ cese & go fro synne/ bi cause þis world is ful of lustis.̉ & profriþ hise louears. a ioye soone passing ‖ But þei þat traueilen aftir blisse.̉ here þei suffren peyne/ þerfore foolis wiþouten noumbre.̉ ioyen wiþ þis world/ as Crist seiþ in his gospel. Mat. vii^o./Page  128 'Intrate per angustiam portam. quia lata porta & spaciosa est via que ducit ad perdicionem et multi sunt qui intrant per eam ‖ O quam angusta porta est & arta via que ducit ad vitam & pauci [folio 120a] sunt qui inveniunt eam'*. [Vulg. Matt. vii. 13, 14.] ‖ Þat is to seie. Entre ȝe bi þe strayt ȝate. for large is þe ȝate & brood is þe weye þat lediþ to dampnacioun.̉ & manye þer ben þat entren bi it ‖ O, How peynful is þe ȝate & how streiȝt is þe weye þat lediþ to þe lijf.̉ & fewe þer ben þat fynden it*. [W. V. 'Entre ȝe bi the streyt ȝate; for the gate that ledith to perdicioun, or dampnacioun, is brode, and the weye large, and ther ben many that entren bi it. Hou streyt is the ȝate, and narewe the weye, that ledith to lijf, and ther fewe that fynden it.']/ for seint Ion seiþ. v^o. 'Mundus totus in maligno positus est'*. [Vulg. 1 Joh. v. 19.]/ Al þis world. þat is. alle þoo men & wymmen þat ben ouercomen wiþ þis world.̉ ben sett in malice.*. [W. V. 'Al the world is put in wickid.' 1388, 'Al the world is set in yuel.'] þat is brennyng in þe fire of foule couetise/ For al þing þat is in þis world. eiþir it is þe couetise of iȝen. or ellis it is couetise of þe fleische. or ellis it is þe pride of þis lijf/ and þerfor þis chirche is groundid vpon þe deuel.̉ in þe grauel of false couetise/ as Poul seiþ. Thimo. vi^o. ‖ 'Radix enim omnium malorum est cupiditas quam quidam appetentes errauerunt a fide'*. [Vulg. 1 Tim. vi. 10.] ‖ Forsoþe þe roote of alle yuelis is couetise/ þe whiche summe desiryng.̉ haue errid from trewe bileue/ & han ioyned hemsilf.̉ to many sorowis*. [W. V. 'Sothly the roote of alle yuels is couetyse, the which sum men coueitynge, or desyringe, erreden fro the feith, and bisettiden hem with many sorwis.'] ‖

Þe rering vp of þis chirche.̉ is in glotenye & leccherie/ as þe [folio 120b] wisman seiþ. rehersing þe wordis of hem þat schal be dampned/ Sap. ii^o. 'vino precioso & vnguento nos impleamus/ & non preteriat nos flos temporis. Coronemus nos rosis antequam marescant/ Nullum pratum sit. quod non pertransiat luxuria nostra ‖ Nemo nostrum exsors sit luxurie nostre vbique relinquamus/ signa leticie'*. [Vulg. Sap. ii. 7-9 'Vino pretioso et unguentis,' etc.]/ Þat is to seie. Þise fendis lymes seyn. go we fille vs wiþ preciouse wyn and an oyntment/ & suffre we not þe flour of oure faire beaute.̉ to passe awey from vs/ croune we vs wiþ roosis of iolite.̉ or þat þei welken awey/ þer may be no medowe.̉ but ifPage  129 oure leccherie passe þerbi/ Noon of vs mai be lootles of his leccherie.̉ euery where leeue we. þe tookens of oure gladnes*. [W. V. 'With precyous win and oynemens fille wee us; and passe not us the flour of tyme. Crowne wee us with roses, er thei welewen; no medwe be, that oure leccherie passe not thurȝ. Noon of us be withoute lot of oure leccherie; ouer al lefe wee signes of gladnesse.']/

And þe hilling of þis chirche.̉ is pride & hiȝenes of lijf/ as þe prophete seiþ. Ps. xxxvi^o. 'vidi impium superexaltatum.̉ & eleuatum sicut cedros libani'*. [Vulg. Ps. xxxvi. 35.] ‖ þat is to seie. I haue sen þe vnpitiuouse & þe wickid enhaunsid & vplifted as þe cedre trees of Liban.*. [W. V. 'I saȝ the unpitouse aboue hauncid; and rerid up as cedris of Liban.' 1388, 'I siȝ a wickid man enhaunsid aboue; and reisid up as the cedris of Liban.'] & þei ben þe hiȝest trees of þis world/ But as smoke riseþ sodenli. & soone vanischeþ to nouȝt.̉ so þe proude ben preisid for a tyme.̉ [folio 121a] & anoon þei fallen awey/ & we witen not.̉ where þei bicomen ‖

Off þe bisines and occupacioun. þat dwellars of þis chirche vsen.̉ spekiþ þe prophete. Ps. liiii. 'Die ac nocte circumdabit eam super muros eius iniquitas & labor in medio eius & iniusticia'*. [Vulg. Ps. liv. 11, 12.]/ þat is to seie. Niȝt & day. wickidnesse schal cumpasse aboute þis chirche vpon hir wallis.̉ & traueile in middis of it & vnriȝtwisnesse/ & okir-julling and treccherie.̉ haþ not stintid in þe weies of hir*. [W. V. 'Dai and nyȝt wickidnesse shal enuyroune it upon the wallis of it; and travaile in the myddes of it, and unriȝtwisnesse. And ther failede not fro the stretis of it usure and treccherie.' 1388, 'Bi dai and nyȝt wickidnesse schal cumpasse it on the wallis therof, and trauel and unriȝfulnesse ben in the myddis therof. And usure and gile failide not fro the stretis therof.'] ‖ Of þis chirche wiþ þis maner of bilding spekiþ Crist in his gospel. Mat. vii^o. Luk. vi^o.*. [Vulg. Matt. vii. 26, 27; Luc. vi. 49.] 'Omnis qui audit verba mea & non facit ea similis est viro stulto qui edificauit domum suam super arenam/ pro primo. & descendit pluuia/ pro 2^o.& flauerunt venti/ pro 3^o. inruerunt in domum illam/ pro. 4^o.& fuit ruina eius magna'*. [Vulg. Matt. vii. 26, 27 'Omnis qui audit verba mea haec, et non facit ea, similis erit viro stulto, qui aedificavit domum suam super arenam; et descendit pluvia, et venerunt flumina, et flaverunt venti, et irruerunt in domum illam, et cecidit, et fuit ruina illius magna.']/ Þat is to seie. who þat heeriþ my wordis & doiþ hem not. schal bilijke a foltid man þat haþ bildid his hous.̉ vpon þe grauel of coueitise & mysbileue/ & reyne of glotenye & leccherie.̉ cam dounPage  130 [folio 121b] on þis chirche/ and þe wyndis of pride.̉ blewen vpon þis chirche/ and feersli þise forseid synnes fellen in to þis chirche.̉ & dryuen it doun/ & þe fal of hir was greet/ for sche fel from grace & glorie.̉ to peyne & myschef wiþouten eend/ as seint Austin seiþ ‖ 'Non enim corpus domini est quod cum illo non erit in eternum quia ypocrite non cum illo dicendi sunt quamuis in eius vidiantur esse ecclesia/ Est enim diabolus caput impiorum qui sunt eius quodammodo corpus ituri cum illo in supplicium ignis eterni'*. [Augustinus, De Doctrina Christiana, Liber III, cap. xxxvii (Migne, tom. 34, cols. 82, 88).]‖ Þat is to seie. Forsoþe þat is not þe bodi of þe Lord.̉ þat schal not be wiþ him wiþouten eend/ for ypocritis ben not seid to be wiþ him.̉ þouȝ þei be seyn to be in his chirche/ Certis þe deuel is heed of alle þe wickid.̉ þe whiche ben on sum maner his bodi/ to goo wiþ him.̉ in to þe turment of euerlasting fier ‖ For whanne þei tooken baptem.̉ þei hiȝten feiþ & trouþe/ to kepe Goddis heestis.̉ as þe prophete seiþ/ spekyng in þe persoone.̉ of al þe general chirche/ Ps. cxviii ‖ 'Iuraui & statui custodire iudicia iustitie tue'*. [Vulg. Ps. cxviii. 106.]/ Lord I haue sworn & ordeyned.̉ to kepe þy comaundementis*. [W. V. 'I swoor and sette to kepe the domes of thi riȝtwisnesse.' 1388. 'I swoor, and purposide stidefastli; to kepe the domes of thi riȝtfulnesse.']/ and vpon þis couenaunt.̉ Crist tooke hem to [folio 122a] his mariage/ wiþ þe ryng of stedfast feiþ.̉ he sacrid þis holi spousaile/ But now þei leeue þis chast loue.̉ oure Lord Iesu Crist/ in breking of þis couenaunt.̉ & han chosen an hoore maister/ þe fend þat is a spouse-breker & ligiþ in avowtrie.̉ wiþ her sijke soules/ for seint Ion Crisostom seiþ. 'Omnis autem anima aut est sponsa Christi aut diaboli adultera est'/ Hec Crisostomus om. xlix. Forsoþe euery soule. eiþir it is Cristis spouse.̉ or ellis it is avowtresse of þe deuel/ for Crist & þe deuel may in no wise rest togidir.̉ in þe bedde of mannes soule/ for þei ben so contrarie. þat what euer þe toon biddiþ.̉ þe toþir forbediþ ‖ Crist sekiþ saluacioun.̉ þe fende dampnacioun ‖ Crist loueþ vertu.̉ þe fende loueþ synne ‖ Crist gadriþ togiddir.̉ þe fende scatiriþ abrood ‖ as Poul seiþ. II. Cor. vi^o./ 'Que enim participacio iustitie cum iniquitate? aut*. [MS. ad.] que societas lucis ad tenebras ‖ Que autem comunicacio Christi ad Belial? aut que pars fidelis cumPage  131 infideli ‖ Quis autem consensus templi dei cum ydolis'*. [Vulg. 2 Cor. vi. 14-16 'Quae enim participatio ... quae autem conventio Christi ad Belial aut quae pars fideli cum infideli? Qui autem consensus templo Dei cum idolis?']‖ Þat is to seie. what participacioun of riȝtwise- -nesse wiþ wickidnesse? [folio 122b] what felaschip is of liȝt to dercknesse? what comunicacioun of Crist to Belial? or what part is of a feiþful man. to an vnfeiþful man? or what consent of þe temple of God to ydols?*. [W. V. 'Sothli what partynge, or comunynge, of riȝtwysnesse with wickidnesse? or what felowschip of liȝt to derknessis? sothli what acordinge of Crist to Belial? or what part of a feithful or cristen man, with unfeithful, or hethene? but what consent to the temple of God with ydols? 1388, '... and what consent to the temple of God with mawmetis?'] certis noon.̉ for iche of þise aȝenseyn oþir. aftir her owene worching ‖

Now schullen we telle what þei be.̉ þat dwellen wiþ þe fende/ for to serue him in his chirche.̉ þat is þe temple of ydols ‖ warars. cursars. schidars. sclaundirars & blasfemars/ for Poul seiþ. I. Cor. vi^o. 'Neque malidici regnum dei possidebunt'*. [Vulg. 1 Cor. vi. 10.]/ Þere ben vilen spekars. liears. glosears. bacbitears. motrars. swerars. & forswerars. as seint Ion seiþ. Ap. xxi^o. 'Omnibus mendacibus pars illorum erit in stagno*. [MS. stang^o.] ardenti igne & sulphure quod est mors secunda'*. [Vulg. Apoc. xxi. 8.]/ Þere ben michars. robbars. and extorcioneris. tyrauntis. & oppressours. for þe prophete seiþ. Zac. v^o. 'Omnis fur sicut ibi scriptum est iudicabitur'*. [Vulg. Zach. v. 3.]‖ Þere ben vntrewe tilliars. vnfeiþful seruantis. recheles hired men. & reble disciplis. & vnprofitable labureris For [folio 123a] Crist seiþ. Mat. xxv^o. 'Seruum invtilem pericite in tenebras exteriores'*. [Vulg. Matt. xxv. 30 'Inutilem servum eiicite in tenebras exteriores.'] ‖ Þere ben lecchours. fornicareris. avowtreris. incestours. þat is defoulears of her owene kyn. & alle vnclene men & wymmen þat ben wiþynne ordir or professioun/ for seint Ion seiþ. Ap. vltimo. 'Foris canes & venifici & impudici & homicide & ydolis seruientes. & omnis qui amat & facit mendacium'*. [Apoc. xxii. 15.]/ Þere ben ypocritis. sodomitis. sacrilegers, & sellars of sacramentis ‖ for Crist seiþ. Mat. xxiiii^o. & Luk. xii^o.*. [Vulg. Matt. xxiv. 51; Luc. xii. 46.]/ 'Diuidet eum partemque eius ponet cum ypocritis ibi erit fletus & stridor dencium' ‖ Þere ben alle þat preien. seruen or ȝyuen ȝiftis for chirche or spiritualPage  132 benefice. alle false possessioneris. alle myȝti wilful mendineris. & alle her sturdi maynteners/ for seint Iude seiþ. i^o. ca^o../ 'Ve qui in via caym abierunt. pro primo. et in errore Balaam mercede effusi sunt. pro secundo. & in contradiccione chore perierunt.*. [Vulg. Jude i. 11.] pro tertio'*. [Vulg. Jude i. 11.]/ 'Ve' secundum magistrum historiarum notat eternam*. [MS. eterna.] dampnacionem/ Þere ben þoo men þat boosen her bristis. pinchin [folio 123b] her belies. parten her hosis. cracowen her schoos. & alle disgisears of garmentis/ for God seiþ bi þe prophete Sopho. i^o. ca^o../ 'visitabo super omnes qui induti sunt veste peregrina'*. [Vulg. Sophon. i. 8.]‖ Þere ben þoo. þat steerchen or poppen her facis. þat bridilen her heedis wiþ gigge haltiris. þat setten aboue honycombis. wiþ miche oþir tatiryng. to make hemsilf salle-kene to synne & setten abrood her pappis to cacche men wiþ her lymȝerdes/ for God seiþ bi þe prophete. Ysa. iii^o. 'Pro eo quod eleuate sunt filie syon et ambulauerunt collo extento. &c.;/ decaluabit dominus verticem filiarum syon'*. [Vulg. Isaias iii. 16, 17.] ‖ Þer ben false lawe makars. Goddis lawe haatars. fyndars of custumes. distriears of vertues. autours of synnes ‖ for Poul seiþ. Rom. ii^o./ 'In quo enim iudicas alterum te ipsum contempnas'*. [Vulg. Rom. ii. 1.] ‖ In þis chirche ben mawmetrers. heretikis. ydolatreris. sortilogeris. enchauntours. arioleris. charmours. & rerars of þe deuel. & alle þoo þat trowen þat helþe may cum. of vsing Goddis word. þat we [folio 124a] clepen writtes oonli hangid or born on man. or þat þei ben medcinable to bodi or to soule.̉ so hangid or so born/ for Gregor seiþ. 26. q. 5/ 'Si quis ariolas aruspices incantatores obseruauerit aut philaterijs vsus fuerit anathema sit'*. [Gratian, Decreti Pars Secunda, causa xxvi, q. v (Migne, tom. 187, col. 1346).]/ Idem Leuitici. 20. 'Anima que declinauerit &c.;'*. [Vulg. Lev. xx. 6.] ‖ Þere ben marchauntis. chappemen. vitileris. vintineris. tauerneris. chaungeris. biggeris. sellers. þat vsen disceit in wheiȝt. noumbre. or mesure/ for Poul seiþ. I. Thess. iiii^o./ 'vindex est dominus de omnibus hijs'*. [Vulg. 1 Thess. iv. 6.] ‖ In þis chirche ben vsureris. okureris. iourours. iullars. questmongars. & alle false witnesse berars. for þe prophete seiþ. Ps. xiiii./ 'Qui peccuniam suam non dedit ad vsuram et munera super innocentem non accepit'*. [Vulg. Ps. xiv. 5.] ‖ In þis chirche ben pleetars. lawiars. sequestreris.Page  133 comissarijs. officials. denes. sumnouris. & allen þat sellen trouþe or synne to take money/ for þe prophete seiþ. Ps. xxv. 'In quorum manibus iniquitates sunt dextera eorum repleta est muneribus'*. [Vulg. Ps. xxv. 10.] ‖ In þis chirche ben auditours. resceyuours. tresoureris. procatours. iuggis. & alle þat accepten persoones for a cause inpertinent ‖ [folio 124b] for seint Iames seiþ. ii^o./ 'Si enim personas accipitis peccatum operamini redarguti a lege quasi transgressores'*. [Vulg. Jac. ii. 9.] ‖

Þis chirche whanne it is beten. it wexiþ þe hardir/ whanne it is blamed.̉ it wexiþ þe dullidar/ whanne it is tauȝt.̉ it is þe lewidar/ whanne it is done wel to.̉ it is þe schrewidar/ and þanne it falliþ doun & comeþ to noȝt. whanne it semeþ in mannes iȝe.̉ moost strongli to stonde ‖ Seynt Austyn seiþ. Cristis chirche pursweþ yuel lyuars in charite.̉ bi weye of amendement ‖ But þe fendis chirche. pursueþ Cristis chirche in malice.̉ bi weye of sclaundir & sleeyng/ and þus Caym. þat false enviouse cursid man.̉ slow his broþir Abel. þat blessid symple ynnocent man/ as þe fyue expositours seyn.̉ in a prolog on þis spalme. 'Quid gloriaris'.*. [Vulg. Ps. li (A. V. lii).] þat Caym was þe bigynnyng of Babiloyn/ and anticrist schal be þe endar/ And Abel was þe bigynner of Ierusalem.̉ & Crist þe endar ‖ Forsoþe Ismael pursued Ysac.̉ but not so [folio 125a] Ysac Ismael/ Esau pursued his broþir Iacob.̉ but not so blessid Iacob cursid Esau/ for bi þe counseile of his modir.̉ he fledde in to Mesopatony/ from þe wraþþe of his broþir.̉ til þat it was swagid ‖ Þus oure modir holi chirche.̉ counseiliþ hir children/ to flee þe malice of þe fendis chirche.̉ til þat it be slakid/ Mat. x^o. 'Cum autem persequentur vos in ciuitate ista. fugite in aliam'*. [Vulg. Matt. x. 23.] ‖ Forsoþe whanne þe fendis chirche schal purswe ȝou in þis cite.̉ flee ȝe til anoþir/ But þis must be don bi discrecioun.̉ for hirting of oure broþiris conscience ‖ Crist pursued not þe Iewis.̉ but þe Iewis Iesu Crist ‖ Heeþen men slowen þe apostlis.̉ but not þe apostlis heeþen men/ Se now þe frowardnes of þis world.̉ þat haþ ben vsid fro þe bigynnyng/ whanne Isaie þe holi prophete prophecied.̉ & prechid vnto þe peple/ þei wolde not heere hise wordis.̉ ne suffre him on lyue/ But peple þat risen aftir his deeþ.̉ radden hise bookis & seiden/ 'If we hadde lyued in hise daies.̉ he schulde not haue be deed'/ & ȝit þei slowen Ieremye.̉ þat wiþ þe spirit [folio 125b] of God/ toold þingis þat were to come.̉ & tauȝt hem verry trouþe/Page  134 Hise successouris tooken hise bookis.̉ & radde hem in her temple/ & weiliden him for an holi man.̉ þat he was so slayn amonges hem/ But þei slowen Ezechiel.̉ & many oþir moo ‖ Þanne þe Iewis maden faire.̉ þe toumbis of þise prophetis ‖ as were scribis & pharisees.̉ & seiden in ypocrisie/ If þei hadden ben in her daies.̉ þey schulden not haue be slayn/ but þei ȝyuen þe counseile.̉ þat Crist schulde be dede/ heed of alle seyntis.̉ wiþ moost dispitouse deeþ ‖ Þe fendis chirche in þise daies.̉ preesen aboue clowdis/ Crist & hise hooli seyntis.̉ wiþ wordis & wiþ signes/ But þei pursuen to þe deeþ.̉ þe louars of his lawe/ and þus seiþ Crist in his gospel. Luk. vi^o. 'Secundum enim hec faciebant prophetis patres eorum'*. [Vulg. Luc. vi. 23.]/ Þat is to seie. riȝt as ȝe don now.̉ so dide ȝoure fadris to her prophetis in her daies/ And þerfore woo to ȝow helle-houndis. for Crist seiþ. In þis world ȝe ben riche. faat [folio 126a] fed. lauȝyng & preisid iche of oþir.̉ weepe ȝe & make ȝe sorow for ȝoure peyne is myche in helle ‖ O. þise schal haue a dredeful dai.̉ whanne þei ben reynd at þe barre of iugement/ & Crist haþ rerid vp his croos.̉ þe banere of his passioun ‖ Of þis dai spekiþ þe prophete Sopho. i^o. 'Iuxta est dies domini magnus & velox nimis/ vox diei domini amara tribulabitur ibi fortis/ dies illa dies ire. dies tribulacionis & angustie dies calamitatis & miserie. dies tenebrarum & caliginis. dies nebule & turbinis dies tube & clangoris'*. [Vulg. Sophon. i. 14-16.] ‖ Þe greet dai of þe Lord.̉ is nyȝ & fast biside/ & hiȝeþ toward wondir swiþe.̉ it schal not long tarie/ In þat dai schal be trublid.̉ he þat is strong & myȝti ‖ for þe voice of þe Lord.̉ is bittir to þe dampned/ þat dai is a dai of wraþþe.̉ a dai of tribulacioun/ þat is a dai of angir & tene.̉ of schenschip & of wrecchidnes/ þat is a dai of dercknes.̉ & of þick smok/ þat is a dai of cloude.̉ & of þe wood whirlwynde/ þat is þe dai of tromp.̉ & of hidouse noise/ [folio 126b] for þanne þei schal see.̉ her iuge abouen hem. stirid to wraþþe ‖ Þanne schal þei see.̉ helle open bineþ hem/ and aungelis on her riȝt siȝde.̉ hasting hem to helle/ fendis on her lift siȝde.̉ drawyng hem to helle/ Seyntis approuyng Goddis doome.̉ & al þe world accusing/ and her owene conscience.̉ as open as a book/ in þe whiche þei schal rede.̉ her owene dampnacioun ‖ Þise wrecchis biholding.̉ þe greet glorie of hem/ þat þei dispisid in þis world.̉ þanne schal þei seie þise wordis. Sap. v^o. 'Hij sunt quos aliquando habuimus in derisum & in similitudinem improperij. Nos insensatiPage  135 vitam illorum estimabamus insaniam. & finem illorum sine honore/ Quomodo ergo conputati sunt inter filios dei & inter sanctos sors illorum est/ Ergo errauimus a via veritatis & iustitie lumen non luxit*. [MS. Luxiþ.] nobis/ Quid nobis profuit superbia aut diuiciarum iactancia quid contulit nobis/ transierunt omnia illa tanquam vmbra'*. [Vulg. Sap. v. 3-6, 8, 9.] ‖ Þise it ben þat we sumtyme hadde in scorne.̉ & in to licknesse of vpbreyding ‖ we witlesse dampned helle-brondis.̉ trowiden her lijf hadde be woodnes & madnesse/ & we gessiden þat her eende.̉ [folio 127a] had ben wiþouten worschip/ how now for þei ben countid.̉ among þe sones of God ‖ & þei taken her loot.̉ among hise seintis/þerfore we han errid.̉ from þe weie of trouþe/ & þe liȝt of riȝtwisenesse.̉ liȝtned not to vs/ we ben wery of þe weye of wickidnesse & dampnacioun/ what profite haþ oure pride don to vs? or greet avaunt. or boost of richessis? what haþ it ȝyuen til us? alle þo þingis ben passid from vs.̉ as þe schadowe*. [W. V. 'Thes ben whom we hadden sum tyme in to scorn, and in to licnesse of repref. Wee unwise eymeden the lif of hem wodnesse, and the ende of them without wrshipe; hou thanne ben thei countid among the sonus of God, and among seyntis the lot of hem is? Therfore wee erreden fro the weie of treuthe, and the liȝt of riȝtwisnesse liȝtede not to us, and the sunne off understanding is not sprunge to us. Weri wee ben in the weie of wickidnesse, and of perdicioun; and wee han gon harde weies. The wei forsothe of the Lord wee knewen not: what profitede to us pride, or bost of richessis, what ȝaf it to us? Alle tho thingus passeden as shadewe.' 1388, 'We woode men gessiden her lijf woodnesse, and the ende of hem with oute onour; hou therfor ben thei reckened among the sones of God, and her part is among seyntis? Therfor we erriden fro the weie of treuthe, and the liȝt of riȝtfulnesse schynede not to us, and the sunne of undurstondyng roos not up to us. We weren maad weri in the wei of wickidnesse and of perdicioun; and we ȝeden hard weies. But we knewen not the weie of the Lord; what profitide pride to us, ether what brouȝte the boost of richessis to us? All tho thingis passiden as schadewe.']/ Þanne schal þe iuge seie.̉ to hem wiþ stirne cheere/ Mat. xxv^o./ 'Discedite a me maledicti in ignem eternum qui preparatus est diabolo & angelis eius'*. [Vulg. Matt. xxv. 41.] ‖ Go awey fro me ȝe cursid lymes.̉ in to þe fire of helle euerlastyng/ þat is ordeyned to þe deuel & hise aungels/*. [W. V. 'Depart fro me, ȝee cursid in to everlastynge fijr, the whiche is maad redy to the deuyl and his angelis.'] Þanne may þe soule seie to þe bodi þise wordis/ 'Cum on þou cursid careyn.̉ cum & goo wiþ me/ for I am compellid.̉ to cum aȝen toPage  136 þee/ þat we mowe go togidir.̉ eiþir to oþir schame/ to take oure iewesse as we han disserued.̉ peyne for euermore/ þat þing þat we loued.̉ now it is gon from vs/ & al þat we haatid.̉ is turned [folio 127b] vp- -on vs. Now is oure ioye turned in to sorow.̉ and oure myrþe in to wepyng/ Now is oure lawȝtir. turned in to mornyng.̉ & al oure game into weiling/ No þing abidiþ to vs.̉ but fire hoot brennyng/ watir coold chelling/ wormes as addris/ toodis & snakis euer gnawyng/ euer diyng & neuer deed/ dercknesse palpable. þat is so þick. þat it may be gropid/ wanting þe siȝt of ony counfort/ seyng al þat may discounforte/ Feer intollerable. drede vntellable/ quakyng of þe fendis felaschip/ alwey discorde wiþouten frenschip/ & ful dispeyre of ony eende' ‖

Neþeles assay in þis lijf.̉ if ȝe may leeue þe fendis chirche/ & brynge ȝoure silf boþe bodi & soule.̉ in to þe chirch of Iesu Crist/ while grace & mercy may be grauntid.̉ axe of him þat offrid him silf/ vpon a cros wiþ wilful cheere.̉ to saue vs alle whanne we were loost/ For þus it is writen of þe wordis of God.̉ þat he spekiþ to a synful soule/ Cant. vi^o. 'Reuertere reuertere. sunamitis'*. [Vulg. Cant. vi. 12.]/ [folio 128a] turne þee aȝen turne þee aȝen þou synful soule.̉ turne þee aȝen. turne þee aȝen. þat we may biholde þee/ for God knowiþ þi mys-gouernaunce.̉ & wil not forsake þee/ if þou wilt turne aȝen.̉ as he seiþ bi þe prophete. Iere. iii^o. 'Tu autem fornicata es cum amatoribus multis. tamen reuertere ad me dicit dominus & ego suscipiam te'*. [Vulg. Jer. iii. 1.] ‖ Þat is to seie. Forsoþe þou hast don fornicacioun.̉ wiþ many louears/ neþeles turne þee to me seiþ þe Lord.̉ & I schal resceyue þee/ & take þee to grace/ vpon þis seiþ seynt Gregory 'Quantum nos diligit ostendit cum a nobis relinquitur? nos non relinquit' ‖ In þis God schewiþ. how miche he loueþ vs/ for whanne we forsaken him.̉ he forsakeþ not vs/ as seiþ seynt Austin. 'O. homo. non diffidas de dei misericordia. quia maior est eius misericordia quam tua miseria' ‖ A. man mystrist þou not on þe merci of God.̉ for more is his mercy. þan þi wrecchidnes/ And þus seid kyng Dauiþ to Abner/ II. Re. iii^o. 'Misit ergo Abner nuncios ad Dauiþ pro se dicentes/ Cuius est terra. Et vt loquerentur/ Fac mecum amicicias & erit manus mea tecum [folio 128b] et reducam ad te vniuersum Israel/ Qui ait/ Optime ego faciam tecum amicicias.̉ sed*. [MS. set.] vnam rem peto a te dicens/ Non videbisPage  137 faciem meam antequam adduxeris Michol et sic veniens videbis me'*. [Vulg. 2 Reg. iii. 12, 13.] ‖ Þis is þus schortli to seie. ȝe þat wil haue kyng Dauiþ.̉ a merciful lord to ȝou/ ȝe must bryng wiþ ȝou.̉ þis womman Michol/ if ȝe wole se.̉ his gracious face/ for Dauiþ loued myche þis womman.̉ as þis stoory telliþ here. Dauiþ þe kyng in þis place.̉ beriþ þe figure of Iesu Crist/ And Michol whanne it is declarid.̉ is to seie þe watir of al ‖ Þanne is þis þus to mene/ ȝe þat desiren in al ȝoure myȝt.̉ to fynde & haue þe mercy of God/ & se his graciouse face in blisse.̉ ȝe must haue watir of verry penaunce/ from ȝoure herte wiþ ful contricioun.̉ of wille neuere to turne to synne/ and if þat ȝe wil be trewe.̉ & no more breeke þis couenaunt/ God wole not þat ȝe be deed.̉ but þat ȝe haue euerelastyng lijf.