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| Item | Displays as: | Encoded as: | TEI equiv. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expanded abbrev. | italic print | <I>...</I> | <EXPAN> |
| MS punctus | Blue dot: · | <FONT COLOR="#0000FF">·</FONT> | (character) |
| MS capitulum | Blue ¶ | <FONT COLOR="#0000FF">¶</FONT> | (character) |
| MS virgule | Blue ¬ | <FONT COLOR="#0000FF">¬</FONT> | (character) |
| yogh | 3 | number 3 | (character) |
| Line break | Red bar: | | <FONT COLOR="#FF0000">|</FONT> | <LB> |
| Page break | Linked bracketed fol. ref: [fol 115r] | <A HREF="lifesoul.html#f115r" NAME="f115r">[fol 115r]</A> | <MILESTONE TYPE="folio" N="115r"> |
| Dubious (illeg.) reading | ~...~ | ~...~ | <UNCLEAR> |
| Editorial changes | [...] | [...] | <SUPPLIED> or recast as <CORR SIC= ... > |
| Editorial deletions | Grayed-out text | <FONT COLOR="#CCCCCC">...</FONT> | <SIC CORR=""> |
| Editorial relocations | Moved text in bold; orig. location with « or » pointing toward new location |
<B>...</B> « or » |
?recast as <SIC CORR=""> (for orig.location) and <SUPPLIED> (for new location) |
| Scribal additions | Underlined text | <U>...</U> | <ADD> |
| Scribal deletions or erasures | <S>...</S> | <DEL> |
[fol 114r]
Frend in crist as seynt poule seiþ· We ne hauen
| here no cyte· þat is dwelling· but we sechen
| on þat is to come here after· And þerfore me
| þinkeþ þat we schulden ben longyng þiderward
| alle þe tyme of oure lyf· wiþ al oure power· Siþ
| we han no rest ne non abydyng but þere· But
| more harme is I knowe no3t a ri3t þe weye þe
| weye toward þis place· & þerfore I preye þe þat þou
| telle me þe weye toward þis place· Dere frend
| oure lord & oure mayster iesu crist seyde to his
| disciples þat he hym siluen is the weye toward
| heuene & he is truþe þat ledeþ vs sykurly in
| oure weye & he is sykurly lyf þat makeþ vs
| lyue in soule whyles we ben in þis world· & after
| þat lyf he wil bringe vs to ablisful lif þat
| schal lasten withouten ende boþe in body & in soule·
| frend or þan þou passe ferþer I preye þe what is
| þat lyf of soule & telle wheþir alle men han
| þis lif· ¶Sire aman is made to þre manere of
| liues ¶ þe first lif is þe lif of þe body· & þis
| lif han boþe goodemen & schrewis·¬¬¶þe secun|de lif is of þe soule· & þat is to lyuen out
| of synne ¶Of þis lif crist spekeþ in þe gospel
| þer as he seiþ but aman be born eft sones he
| ne may not entren in to þe kyngdom· of heue|ne·¬¬¶þe first bering of aman is·· whan he is
| I born in to a bodyliche lyuyng of his moder
| wombe· But he is borun eft sones of water
[fol 114v]
&of þe holygost into a lyf of soule· And þat be|ryng is whan a child or a man is I fulled·· & vn|derfongeþ cristene mennes be leue· & for sakeþ þe
| deuel & his werkes þat ben synnes ¬¬¶And þis
| lif of soule mankynde hadde no3t from þe tyme
| þat adam hadde I synned in paradys in to þe comyng
| of crist· for as seynt poule seiþ· Deth regnede
| from adam to moyses· & synne regnede from
| moyses in to þe tyme of grace þat was I 3eue be
| crist· ¶Ne al þe ri3twisnes of alle þe olde lawe
| ne sacrifices þat weren I doon for mannes synne
| ne prechyng ne preeyer of prophetes ne of prestes ne
| mi3t not make man kynde clene of his synne
| ¶And þerfore oure fadur of heuene sente his ow|ne sone adoun in to þe erþe to fulfille þe lawe
| & þe prophetes & so he dide· for þer as a man ne
| myhte noþer be þe lawe ne be þe prophetes ben
| I iustified of his synne· he of his grace & no3t
| of oure ri3twisnes· ne of oure disseruyng·
| for 3af alle þilk men her synnes þat bi leue|den in hym & brou3te hem from deþ of syn|ne in to lif of soule· for as crist seiþ who þat
| be leueþ in me þof he be ded he schal lyue &
| who þat lyueþ & be leueþ in me·· he schal ne|uere dye & who þat haþ þis lif of soule· whyles
| he is in þis world· he schal come after þat
| he is ded to an endeles lif of blis boþe in bo|dy & in soule· and seynt poule seiþ¬ alle disee|ses þat we mown suffre in þe tyme þat now
| is· ne be not worþi to þe blisse þat is to comen
| here aftur & schal be schewed in vs¬ & þerfore
| he seiþ nouþer deþ ne lyf ne angeres [?augeres; ?read: angeles] ne
[fol 115r]
tribulaciouns ¬ ne no þing þat now is ¬ ne þat is gonne· ne
| þat is to comen her after·· may departen vs from
| þe charite þat is in iesu crist· ¶frend as me þinkeþ
| þis lif of soule þis lif of soule þat is for sakyng
| of synne·· is þe ri3t weye to heuene· but we ben
| ful vnstabul & ful vnconyng to go þis weye· & we
| han strong temptaciouns & strong enemyes· as þe de|uel & þe world & oure owne fleshe þat euere more temp|teþ vs to synne· ¶And þer fore we moten putte vs
| fulliche in þe mercy of god· & þof we lyue not so per|fytliche as he tau3t vs·· & as he lyuede hym silf
| we hopen to ben saued· for he seiþ hym self who
| þat be leueþ & is cristened schal be sauid ¶Sir in
| summe þinges 3e seye ful soþe¬bot it is not al soþe
| as 3e hopen in 3owre seying· Soþe it is þat þe ri3t
| weye to heuene is for sakyng of synne· & þer
| comeþ no man to heuene·· but he go þis wey· and
| forsakynge of synne· is no more but þe kepyng
| of goddis hestis & of his wordis & leuyng alle
| þilk þinges þat god forbedeþ ¶And soth it is þat
| þis is an hard wey & a streyt· for as crist seiþ
| it is a streyt weye þat ledeþ a man to heuene lif
| & fewe þer ben þat fynden þat weye & a brode
| wey it is þat ledeþ aman to perdicioun & to deth &
| ful many þer ben þat fynden þilk weye ful soþe
| it is also þat we ben vnstable & vncunnyng &
| þat we han strong enemyes & strong temptaciouns
| also ¶But it is certeyn 3if we desire wisdome
| of god & stabulnes to a3enstonde synne· god wil
| 3euen vs þat we axen· so þat we axen trustiliche
| ¶ffor crist seiþ ¬ 3e þat ben wicked & yuul wollen 3euen
| 3oure childeren good þinges whan þei axen 3ow gode·
| & myche more wille 3oure heuenliche fadur 3euen
[fol 115v]
hem a goode spiri3t þat axen hit of heim & þerfore
| he seiþ secheþ & 3e schullen ifynde· axeth & 3e schul|len vnderfongen· knockeþ at þe dore & I schal open
| hit to 3ow· And seynt Jame seiþ who þat nedeþ wis|dome· axe hit of god þat 3eueþ al men plenteuosly|che· & oben obreideþ no man of þat he schal 3euen
| hym· but axe he trustiliche & haue no dou3te· for he
| þat dou3teþ in his axyng is lyche þe flood of þe see
| þat is meued & I born abou3te wiþ þe wynd & þere|fore suche aman ne trowe he nou3t þat he schal vn|derfongen any þing of god· And he seiþ þat man is
| I blessed þat abydeþ temptacioun· for whan he is I pre|uid he schal vndurfong acroune of lif þat god
| hath be hote to þilk þat louen hym ne no man
| whan he is I tempted seye þat louen he is I tempted
| of god· for he ne is no temptour of yuul ne he temp|teþ no man·· but eueryche man is tempted of his
| owne coueytyng· & whan coueytyng þat hath con|ceyued¬hit bryngeþ forth synne & whan þe synne
| is brou3t to þe ende hit engendereþ deþ· Of þes wor|des sire þou mi3t þen mi3t I seen þat hit ne is but
| oure defau3te þat we he ne han cunnyng & stabul|nes to a3eyn stonde oure temptaciouns· and þof we han
| strong enemyes & grete temptaciouns hit ne is but
| oure owne vnkyndenes & wickednesse þat we fal|len in to synne· for god suffereþ no man to ben i-|tempted passyng his mi3t· and alle þe deuels in
| helle ne alle þe might of þe world ne of mannes
| flesche ne mown not maken aman ¬ ne a womman
| breken godis hestys a3ens his wille· for god haþ
| I 3euen aman afre wil¬& haþ I sette be forun hym
| boþe good & yuul lif & deth· blessyng· & cursyng·
[fol 116r]
& aman may chese wheþer of þes he wil take· And 3if
| aman is buxum to his god & kepiþ his hestis· þanne
| he cheseþ good lif & blessyng· and 3if he for sakeþ
| þe hestis of god þan he cheseþ yuul & deth· & þe cur|syng of god· as moyses seiþ in þe first boke of olde
| lawe ¶And dauiþ seiþ in þe sauter· alle þes ben a|cursed þat bowen a wey from þi hestis· þanne it is
| bot oure owne folye & oure owne vnkyndenes þat we fal|len in to synne· Soth it is also þat we moten alle put|ten vs in þe mercy of god· & not axen heuene þoru ry3t|fulnes· iustifying oure self before god· for dauid
| seiþ in þe sauter· Eueriche lyuyng man schal
| not ben iustified in þi si3t· But naþereles no man
| hop to come to heuene but if he leue synne· noþer
| for þe be leue þat he haþ in crist· ne for þe grete mercy
| of god· for as seynt jame seiþ deueles in helle be-|leuen & dreden· & he seiþ ri3t as a body is ded wiþ-|outen spiri3t· ri3t feiþ & beleue is ded wiþ outen
| good werkes· And seynt jon seiþ· who þat seiþ þat seiþ
| þat he knoweþ god & kepiþ not his hestes· he
| is a lyere· & crist seiþ wharto clepe 3e me lord lord
| & doþ no3t þilke þinges þat I sey3e and he seiþ also
| al þilke þat sey3en to me lord lord ne schul not
| entren in to þe kyngdome of heuene· but he þat
| doþ þe wille of my fader þat is in heuene· he schal
| entren in to þe kyngdom of heuene¬and he seiþ
| also in þat day many schul come & seyn lord ha|ue we no3t I caste fendes ou3t of men in þi name·
| & ne haue we no¶t iprophecyed in þi name & i-doon many tokenes in þi name· And crist
| seiþ þat he wil þanne seye to hem· I ne knew
| 3ow neuere· goþ awey from me alle þat wurchen
| wickednes· & crist seiþ also þat mannes sone wil
[fol 116v]
come & deme eueriche man aftir his werkis· & þi|lk þat han wil I lyued schullen comen to þe blis
| of heuene· & þe oþer þat han continued her lif in
| synne schul gon to þe euere lastynge peynes of
| helle þat ben I ordeyned for þe deuel & his seruaun|tes· And gode sire what schal cristes passioun or
| þe schedyng of his blood in þe whyche blood þou art
| i cristened & I clensed of þi synne stonde þe to profi3t
| but þou leue þi synne & kepe goddis hestes· In
| certeyn seynt petre seiþ· it were better for aman
| þat he knew not þe wey of trewthe· þan after
| his knewing turnen a3eyn to synne· for as he seiþ
| such men ben I lyche swyne þat whan þei ben cle|ne gon in to a slowe & maken hem fouler þanne þei
| weren & he seiþ also þat þei ben liche houndes· þat
| kasteþ vp þe mete þat þei han eete & sithen tur|nen hem a3en· & eten þat þei casten· ¶And for þes
| foule maners of swyn & of houndes crist seyde to his
| disciples· Ne 3eue 3e not holy þinges to houndes ne
| cast 3e not margeri perles be fore swyn· last þei de|foulen hem wiþ here feet & þe houndes turnen hem
| & al to tere 3ow· frend now I se þat þe ri3t weye to
| heuene is lif of soule in forsakyng synne· & ke|ping goddes hestes· & I see wil þat eueryche man
| may leuen synne if he wole him seluen· & I see
| wele þa no man schal be saued but he leue his syn|ne· Noþer for þe grete mercy of god· ne for þe be le|ue þat a man haþ in god· ne for his cristenyng
| but if he haue goode werkes· But frende how
| schullen 3ung childeren ben I saued þat ben i-|cristened· & siþe dyen or þan þei ben of age to
| knowe godes hestes ¶Sire 3e wyteþ wil þat whan
[fol 117r]
a child is I cristened· he receyueþ his byleue by mene
| persones· for þat tyme noþer he haþ knowyng whyche
| his be leue is ¬ ne mi3t forto speke whyche is his
| be leue· & ri3t as [he] vndirfongeþ his be leue by me|ne persones· ri3t so be þo same mene he forsakiþ þe de|uel & his werkes & by hoteþ to ben buxum to god
| & to kepen his hestes & so þe child is saued þoru
| þe be leue· þat he vnderfongeþ & þoru þe forward
| þat he makeþ bi þes mene persones· But in certeyn
| a man or a womman of ful age ne schal not ben
| i-sauyd: but he doþ þe werkes of his be leue
| þat is to seyn þat he kepe goddis hestis & leue syn|ne· for as seynt poule seiþ alle we ben þat [read: þat ben] i-bap|tized in iesu crist· ben i-baptized in his deþ· & we ben
| i-birried wiþ hym in to deth· þat ri3t as crist roos
| fron [read: from] deth to lyue þoru þe blisse of his fader·
| ri3t so walk we in a newe manere of lif· ¶And þer|fore he seiþ knowe 3e wil þat oure olde man is i-|crucified· þat þe body of synne he[?read: be] distryed· þat
| we seruen no more to synne & þerfore he seiþ· Trowe
| 3e þat 3e ben dede to synne But 3e ben lyuyng to
| god in oure lord iesu crist· And þerfore ne regne no synne
| in 3oure dedly body· þat 3e be not buxum to his couey|tynges and ne 3eue 3e nou3t 3oure membris to ben
| armure of wickednes to synne but makeþ hem
| armure of ri3tfulnesse to god· for synne schal
| no lengere haue lordschipe of 3ow ¶And seynt
| petre seiþ riþt as in noees tyme a fewe soules as
| eyghte weren i-saued by water ri3t so baptem
| makeþ vs now saue ¬ nou3t þe doyng a wey of þe
| filþe of oure flesch· but as sechyng of a goode
| conscience in god· by þe rysyng a3eyn from deth
| to lif of oure lord iesu crist & þerfore he seiþ· Siþe
[fol 117v]
crist haþ i-suffered in flesch· be 3e armed in þe same
| þou3t· for he þat suffered in flesch laft synne þat
| þe remenant þat lyueþ after ward in flesch ne
| lyuen not to þe desires of men· but to þe wil|le of god for þe tyme þat is i-passed sufficeþ to
| maken an ende of mysbeleuid mennes willes
| þat han i-walked in her licheries & in etynges &
| in drynkynges ou3t of mesure & in vnleful he|ryinges of mawmetis· ¶And whan seynt ion
| baptized men· he seyde I baptyse 3ow in to watur &
| in to penaunce· but he þat comeþ after me is strenger
| þen am I· & I am not worþi to beren his schone
| he schal baptize 3ow in þe holy gost & in fuyr· &
| in þis baptem crist baptised his disciples when he
| sent þe holy gost among hem to ben her counfortour
| and þo þei casten so brennyng aloue to god· þat it
| was a solas & a mirþe to hem to suffre tribu|lacioun & persecucioun for loue of here god ¶And þis
| luf is a fuyr to preue whyche ben goddis trewe
| childere· of þis fuyr crist seiþ I come to senden
| a fuyr in to þe erþe· & what wil I but þat it be
| tend· ¶Here sire þou mi3t i-sen two baptemes þat
| cristen men han· ¶On is in water of bi leue þat
| þei be leuen in þe fader & in þe sone & in þe holy
| gost þe whyche beleue wascheþ oure soule of
| oure vnclennesse of synne ri3t as bodiliche
| watur wascheþ oure body of bodily vnclennesse
| ¶þe oþer baptem is in þe holy gost & in fuyr whan
| a man casteht [sup·ras·] so brennynge a loue to god þat
| he nil for no þing displesen hym· but wil gla|deliche sufferen a gret disese to fulfillen his wil|le and in mynde of þese two baptemes childe|ren ben i-cristened in water & siþen confermed of
[fol 118r]
þe bischop & more harm is men taken more kepe
| to þes ou3tward doynges þan to þe baptemes
| of here soules ¶But þei mown ben ful certeyn
| but þei ben ful sadde in soule in here bileue & si|che han [?read: han siche] a brennyng loue to god þat þei nillen
| for no þing doon werkes of synne for alle here
| ou3tward bodyliche doyng· þei schullen not co|me to heuene· if þei come to ful age to knowe
| boþe good & yuul· & how mow we seyn þat we
| dwellen in crist & þat we ben braunches þat spryn|gen ou3t of hym þat is a verrey vyne· but we
| leuen synne & kepen goddis hestis· Se[i]nt ion seiþ
| who þat seiþ þat he dwelliþ in crist· he mut walken
| as he walked· & þanne he is a good braunche þat
| bereþ meche good fru3t of good werkes & þanne
| he schal haue heuene for his mede· and 3if we
| beren no good fru3t· þe fader of heuene wil kit|ten vs a wey from þe vyne· And þanne we sch|ullen be drye & ben i-cast in to þe fir for to bren|ne ¶frend now I se þat þer ne is non oþer wey to he|uene bot lif of soule & for sakyng of synne & in
| kepyng goddis hestis· But frend as we wy|ten wele eueryche lyuyng þing haþ summe liflode
| as mete & drynke þat makeþ hem for to lyue &
| siþe we han lif of soule· I preye þe whyche is
| þe mete & whyche is þe drynke þat makeþ oure
| soule to lyue ¶Sire now 3e axeþ a gret þing &
| fayn I wolde telle 3ow þat 3e axeþ if god wulde
| 3eue me grace & I hopede þat 3e wolden drawe 3ow
| to þat lyuyng whanne 3e knewen boþe hit & his liflode
| But sire more harme is I se ful fewe doon after
| cristes techyng & his wordis þof þei seen hem i-|wryten ouþer heren hem i-spoken· & neuerþeles
[fol 118v]
in his wordes is þe lyf of oure soule· for as he seiþ
| þe wordes þat I haue of spoken· ben spiri3t & lif
| & he seiþ also he þat kepiþ my word· schal neuer dye
| And he seiþ eft sones· I speke & I worche· as I haue
| an hest and a comaundement of my fader· & I
| wot wele þat his comaundement is an euere lastyng
| lyf & but a man or a womman wil doon aftur cristes
| wordes· whanne he knewe hem· It were bettere
| for hym þat he knewe hem not· for as crist seiþ
| þat seruaunt þat knoweþ not his lordes wille· & doþ
| þer a 3en schal haue a fewe strokes· but he þat knoweþ
| þe wille of his lord & doþ þer a3en schal haue ma|ny strokes & betynges· ¶He seyde also »
| to þe iewes in a tyme þat he had i-mad a blynd man seen
| 3if 3e weren blynde 3e ne hadden no synne· But
| for 3e seyn þat 3e seen 3oure synne dwelleþ stille in 3ow· and
| he seiþ also if I had not i-come· & I ne hadde i-spo|ken not to hem· þei ne hadden i-hadde no synne
| but now þei han non excusacioun of here synne· &
| he seiþ eft sones þe more þat is i-taken to a man
| þe more schal ben i-axed of hym ¶And þerfore syre
| But if 3e wulden fulfille cristes techynges in 3ou|re lyuyng· whan 3e knewen whyche it were· it
| wh were litil profy3t for me to wryte more opun|lyche· vn to 3ow of þe lyf of soule & of his lyflode
| þan I doon· & a gret harm it were to 3ow & encres
| of 3owre peyne in tyme þat is to come & a sclaun|dre to 3oure breþeren 3if þei seien þat 3e knowen cristes
| techyng & lyuede not þerafter· And crist seiþ a ful
| hard word wo to þat man be whom comeþ sclaun|dre· It hadde ben good for hym þat he ne hadde be bore
| & what euere he be þat sclaundereþ oon of þes smale
| childeren þat be leueþ in me· it were spedeful to
[fol 119r]
| hym þat þer were hangyd a querne ston a bou3te his
| necke & þat he were i-dreynt in þe depnesse of þe see·
| ¶And þerfore he seiþ loke 3e þat 3e dispise non of þes
| smale childeren· for I sey 3ow in certeyn here aun|gels in heuene seen euere more þe visage of my fader
| & in certeyn þe most perylous sclaundre is to 3e|uen 3ung innocentes ensaumple of synne & þe
| more good þat aman kan & his in lyf be synful
| þe more perilouse is his sclaundre & in certeyn it we|re better to aman· for to lesen any membre of his
| body· þan to sclaundre þus his breþeren or hym
| selue þoru synne ¶for as crist seiþ 3if þi foot or
| þi hond sclaundre þe kyt it a wey & þrow hit a-|wey from þe for þe is bettere to entre in to lyf
| febul or halt· þan haue two feet or two hondes
| & ben i-cast in to þe fyr of helle & 3if þi eye sclaun|dre þe put hit ou3t & þrow hit a wey from þe·
| for þe is bettere wiþ oon eye to entren to þe lif
| þen haue two eyen & ben i-send in to þe fyr of hel|le· And here fore sire knowit 3owre be leue in ou|re lord & in oure god iesu crist & doþ as he haþ beden
| 3ow doon & leueþ synne & þan 3e han þe lyuyng
| of soule & his liflode· for þe beleue in crist is boþe
| bred & fleysch to oure soule· & þe kepyng of his
| techyng is þe drynke of oure soule for it is boþe
| water & brede [?read: ?wyne, ?blode]· ¶frend þi answere þat þou 3e|uest in my axyng· is ful schort & ful derk al|so for me· And þerfore I preye þe 3if me a more
| open answere· & myn hope is þat whan I know
| cristes techyng· I wil lyf þerafter· for ellis I ne
| kept not to wyten whyche it were· And frend
| þenk how crist seiþ who þat 3eueþ a disciple [?read: dischful] of
| cold water to oon of þes le~s~t onliche in þe name
[fol 119v]
of a discyple he schal not lese his mede· ¶And frend
| I praye þe in cristis owne name þat þou 3eue me sum water
| of cristis wisdom to kele þe þrist of my soule þat þou
| mow haue mede for þi 3ifte & profi3t also & þof þou
| owene nou3t of þis mede· þenk þat crist seiþ· þe
| vnprofytable seruaunt· þat lyuede in slowþe schal be þro|wen in to derkenes þere as schal be wepyng & gren|tyng of teþ· for as myche as he hadde his lordis
| tresour in his kepyng & hid hit vndur þe erþe & nol|de not chafferen to encresen his lordis goodis¬ þenk
| also how crist seiþ who þat seiþ axeþ ou3t of þe 3eue
| hym· & ne turne þou no3t awey from hym þat wil
| borewe of þe· þenk also how he wil in þe day of dome
| deme þilke men to helle wiþ outen ende þat han
| not i-don to hym þe werkes of loue & of mercy· þat
| is to seyn þilk men þat feden hym not· whan
| he was an hongred· ne 3yf ~neuere~ hym non drynken whan he was a þirst· ne cloþed hym not whan þei sy3e him
| naked ne herborewed hym nou3t whan him lacked
| an hows & visite hym not whan he was syke· & in
| prisoun & siþe my soule is anhungered after mete
| & a þirst aftur drynk· & naked for defaut of uertues &
| [I] ne haue no strong hous to kepe me from stormes
| of þe develes temp[t]aciouns & am sike & in prisone for
| synne þat I haue doon her~e~ by foren I preye þe þat
| þou write to me more opunliche of þe liflode of my
| soule· to kele þe hungur and þe þrist of my soule
| & telle me opunlyche þe vertues þat crist techiþ to
| cloþe wiþ my soule þat I be not naked in þe comyng
| of my lord but be wil i-cloþed in my weddyng cloþ
| & tel me opunliche wordes þat I mow fulfillen
| hem in dede þat I bylde me an hows on a hows
| on a fondement of ston to a3eyn stonde wyndes
| & reynes· & oþer stormes of þe deueles temptaciouns
[fol 120r]
& wryte to me opunliche þe techyng of crist· þat I mowe
| ben i-heled þer by· of þe sekenes of my soule· & þat I
| mowe ben i-counforted þer by whyles I am in prysoun
| of þis world & in a strange lond as a pylgrym far
| fro myn owene cuntre· & siþe my soule is derk
| þoru vncunnyng for I knowe not perfi3tliche þe li3t
| of cristes wordes· I preye þe þat þou write hem opun|liche & ne hyde hem not from me· for þere ne is
| no man þat tendeþ a candel and setteþ hit vndur
| a buschel but vp on a chaundeler þat hit 3eueþ
| li3t to alle hem þat ben in þe house & goddis word
| is a li3t to oure feet & to þe paþes þat we gon
| inne as seiþ dauit in þe sau3ter & þerfore ne hyde
| hit not from me but telle openliche þat I axed
| raþer· whyche is þe lyflode of oure soule· Sir
| crist seiþ fader I knowleche to þe þat þou hast i-hy|de þes þinges from wyse men & redy men & hast i-schewid
| hem to smale childeren· & here fore crist seyde
| to his disciples· It is i-graunted to 3ow to know
| þe priueytees of þe kyngdom of heuene· but to
| oþere men it is [nou3t] i-graunted· for to hym þat haþ men
| schul 3euen· And þilk þat haþ nou3t þat men
| semeþ þat he haþ· schal ben taken a wey from
| hym & þerfore I speke to oþere men in parables þat
| ben derke speches for þei seyn & seiþ nou3t &
| hereþ nou3t ne vnderstondeþ nou3t þat þe prophecy
| of ysaye be fulfild þat seiþ þus 3e schullen here with eere
| heryng· & 3e schul not vndurstounde [?read: vndurstonden] & 3e schulen ~i-seen and not i-seen~ for þe herte of þis peple is
| i-mad fat & þei han i-herd euellyche wiþ here
| eren & þei han i-closed here ey3en last þei seen
| wiþ here ey3en & heren wiþ heres· & i-vnderston|den wiþ here hert· þat þei ben i-turned & þat I ma|keþ hem hol of her sykenes· but 3oure ey3en ben
[fol 120v]
ben i-blissid þat seen· & 3oure eres þat heren· for soþeliche
| I sey3e 3ow þer han i-ben many prophetes & ri3tful men
| þat han desyred to see þillk þinges þat 3e seen &
| þei syen hem nou3t & to heren þat 3e heren & þei
| herden hem nou3t· and sire siþe good of his good|nesse haþ 3eue sum knowyng of his wordis· prey|eth hym tristyliche þat he 3eue 3ow more know|yng· and I wil do my trauayle þoru þe grace of
| god· to make 3ow knowen þat 3e axeden raþer
| ¶3e schul vnderstonde sire þat crist is in two ma|neres þe liflode of oure soule þoru oure beleue
| þat we byleueþ in hym· he is in on manere a bred
| of heuene to þe sustinaunce of oure soule for as
| he seyde to þe iewes· moyses ne 3af 3ow no bred
| of heuene· but my fader 3eueþ 3ow verray bred of
| heuene· for þat is verrey bred of god· þat comen
| doun from heuene· & 3ifeþ lyf to þe world and aftur-|ward he seyd to hem soþeliche I sey3e 3ow· who
| þat byleueþ in me· haþ an euere lastyng lif· I am
| bred of lif· 3owre faderes eten aungels mete in
| wildernes & þei ben dede· þis is a bred þat com
| doun from heuene þat who euere eteþ þis bred· ne
| dieth neuere aftur· I am a lyuynge bred þat
| com a doun from heuene who þat eteþ of þis bred
| schal lyuen euere more· ¶ In þis manere crist is
| bred of heuene· & þe liflode of oure soule tou|chyng his godhede· for in þat he is bred þat com
| doun fro heuene· he scheweþ þat he is verrey god
| & þis is a principal poynt of oure byleue· & who
| þat be leueþ þis he eteþ þis bred of heuene to
| þe sustinaunce of his soule· And as touchyng
| þe godhede of crist þat com a doun from heuene þer
| ben oþer poyntes þat euereche cristen man mote nede[fol 121r]lyche beleue· ¶On is we moten byleuen in his fader
| þat sendem hym a doun from heuene to erþe· þoru þe
| assent of þe holy gost· þat is þe þridde persone of þe
| godhede· & we moten be leue þat þese þre persones of
| þe blessed trinite· fader & sone & holygost ben oo god
| and not manye goddis· but 3it neuere on of hem is
| oþer for þe fader is not þe sone ne þe holy gost· Ne
| þe sone is not þe fader· ne þe holy gost· Ne þe holy
| gost is not þe fader ne þe sone· We moten be leuen
| also þat þes þre persones ben endeles mi3ty· & alle
| on my3t· & endeles god & alle on goodnes· & ende|les trewe & endeles witty & endeles fayr & endeles
| louyng & endeles ri3tful & endeles mercyful & al
| þei ben on trewþe & oon wysdome on fayrnesse on
| loue on ri3tfulnesse & on mercy ¶And þes þre perso|nes weren wiþ outen be gynnyng er þan þei maden
| þe world of nou3t· And er þe world was i-mad· þei
| weren in an endeles blisse· & in þat blisse þei ben now
| & schullen ben in þe same blisse hereaftir world wiþ outen ende
| al þis we moten be leue towchyng þe godhede of
| oure lord iesu crist þat is verray bred of heuene· &
| þe liflode of oure soule þat by leueþ in hym ¶And in
| a noþer maner he is þe liflode of oure soule in þat
| he is man· for he seiþ þat bred þat I will 3euen is myn
| owne flesche· for þe lif of þe world· & he seyde to þe
| iewes· Soþeliche I seye 3ow but 3e eten þe flesche of
| man sone & drynken his blode 3e ne schul not haue
| lif in 3ow & who þat etiþ my flesch & drynkeþ myn
| blood· he schal haue an euere lastyng lif· And I
| will areren hym vp from deþ to lif in þe last day· for
| my flesche is verrayliche mete· & my blood is ver|rayliche drynk· & who þat etiþ my flesche & drynkeþ
| my blood· dwelliþ in me & I in hym· and ri3t as my
[fol 121v]
fader þat lyueþ sent me & I lyue for hym· ri3t so who
| etiþ me schal lyue for me· þis is bred þat comme doun
| from heuene· nou3t as 3oure fadres þat eten aungels
| mete in wildernes & ben dede· who þat etiþ of þis bred
| schal lyuen euere more In þis manere crist is flesch & fedeþ
| oure soule þat bileueþ þat [he] is verrey man· and touchyng
| his manhede· we moten bileue many þinges· ¶Oon
| is þat he was conceyued of þe holy gost· & not of
| mannes seed· & þat he was i-borne of þe mayde marye
| wiþ oute lesyng of here maydenhed· we moten by
| leue also þat he suffered his passioun vnder pilat
| of pounce & was i-hangid on a cros· & was ded &
| biryed & wente adoun to helle & þe þridde day aros
| from deþ to lyue· And we moten be leue þat he stey
| vp to heuene· & þere he settiþ on þe ri3t hond of his
| fader & from þenne he schal come to deme boþe qwyk
| & dede aftir her werkis ¶And we schullen be leue
| also þat crist þoru his deþ gat vs of his fader for-|3euenes of oure synnes & he hym self for 3af vs
| oure synnes· ¶And we moten be leue þat we schul
| rysen vp fro deþ to life boþe in body & in soule· & if
| we han wil i-lyued· we schul come to an euerelastyng
| lif of blisse boþe in body & in soule· & þer oure sou|le schal haue his blisse in þe godhede of crist· & oure
| body in his manhede & þus is crist þat is verrey god
| & verrey man boþe bred & flesche to þe sustinaunce
| of oure soule þat be leuiþ þus in hym & for we schul|den haue mynde & not for3eten þis lyuynge of
| oure soule ne his liflode a scher þorsday at ny3t
| er þan he schulde passe ou3t of þis world to his
| fader as he & his disciples seten at þe soper he toke
| bred & blessid hit· & brake hit & seyde· tak þis & eteþ
| þis· þis is my body þat schal be take for 3ow makeþ
[fol 122r]
þis in mynde of me· ¶And þus syre eueryche cristen man
| þat be leueþ þat crist is verrey god· etiþ eueryche day bred
| of heuene· & in þat he beleueþ þat crist is verray man
| he eteþ eueryche day his fleische & his body· And þis bred
| & þis flesche is þe mete of oure soule· But oure [soule
| lyueth] not onlyche in þis bred· for as crist seiþ·
| a man ne lyueþ not in bred alone¬ but in eueryche
| word þat passeþ ou3t of goddis mouthe· & þat wor|de· is þe drynk of oure soule· & what maner drynk·
| in certeyn clere water of heuenelyche wysdom·
| ¶Of þis water crist spak on atyme to þe womman
| of samarye· for he seyde to þat womman· 3if þou knewe
| þe 3ift of god & who he is þat seiþ to þe 3if me dryn|ke· Peraunter þou woldest an axid of hym & he wol|de haue 3eue þe lyuyng water· & þoo þe womman seyde no|þer þou hast a uessel to drawe vp water & þe pitte is depe
| from whennes þanne hast þou lyuyng watir· wheþer þou
| be gretter þanne iacob oure fader þat dranke here of & his
| childeren & his bestes & crist seyde eueryche man þat drin|keþ of þis water schal ben a þirst eft sones ¶But who
| þat drinkeþ of þat water þat I wil 3euen he schal neuere ben
| a þirst· for þat water þat I wil 3euen hym· schal ben
| made a well in hym þat schal be lepyng in to an euere|lastyng lif· ¶Of þis ilke water drynken alle þilke
| men· þat kepen cristes wordes as he tau3te to hem· &
| þes wordes ben two wordes of loue· þat enclosen alle þe
| ten hestis· ¶þe first word of þes is þe first & þe grettest
| comaundement of goddis lawe· & þat is þou schalt
| loue þi lord god· abouen alle oþer þinges· for crist
| seiþ who þat loueþ fader or moder broþer or syster wif
| or child· abouen hym he ne is not worþi to hym
| & who þat hatiþ not his owne lif for me he ne is not
| worþi to me ¶And who þat loueþ god in þis wyse·
[fol 122v]
he kepiþ þre þe first of þe ten hestis· for he nil þanne he|ryen no god bot oon & he wil halewen his halyday
| for euereyche day he wil lyuen holyliche· ou3t of synne
| & so he haleweþ not oonlyche þe seuenþe day· but
| eueriche day of þe wyke· & in certeyn eueryche day þat
| aman lyueþ in synne· is þe deueles werke day· for þat
| day þat a man doþ þe deueles werkes· þanne he
| seruiþ þe deuele¬ & not god· þof he synge or rede holy
| wordes· for þer may no man serue two goddis at lordes
| at ones & goddis seruise is doyng of goode werkes·
| & leuyng of synne· & þis is holy day lyuyng·
| þat eueriche cristen man haþ þat loueþ god abouen alle oþer
| þinges ¶And he kepeþ also þe þridde heste of þe ten
| þat is þou schalt not take þi lordes name in veyn·
| for he þat loueþ god abouen alle oþer þinges nyl
| do no þing þat god for bedeþ· ne þat is desplesyng
| to god· & þanne he nyl not take goddis name in veyn
| In two maners aman may take goddis name in veyn
| ¶On is whan a man swereþ be þe name of god þere
| as it is no nede· ¶In anoþer manere a man takeþ
| goddis name in veyn· whan he clepiþ god his lord
| & 3it ne drediþ hym not as a seruaunt schulde· ne
| is not buxum to his hestis· oþer whan a man clepiþ
| god his fader¬ & ne loueþ hym nou3t as a good
| child schulde· ne is not buxum to his wille but
| he þat loueþ god a bouen alle oþer þinges he nil
| not take goddis name in veyn in noon of þes maners
| & so who þat kepiþ þis comaundement of loue· he
| kepiþ þre þe first of þes ten hestis· þis loue had
| oure lord iesu crist to his fader of heuene to 3euen
| vs ensample how we schulden loue oure lord fa|der of heuene abouen alle oþer þinges· & in two þin|ges he schewed his loue· On þing was þat in al
[fol 123r]
his techyng & worchyng he soughte þe worschipe
| of his fader & for sok many worschipes & lykyn|ges for he nolde not displesen his fader· & breken
| his heste· for whan he was transfigured in an hille
| bi foren his disciples· & his face was bri3t as þe
| sonne an [?read: and] his cloþes weren whyghte as þe snow &
| moyses & helye aperid to hym petir seyde sire it
| is good to dwelle here 3if þou wilt make we here
| þre tabernacles· oon to þe oon to moyses· & oon to
| helye· & a voys cam from heuene þat... seyde þis is
| my leeue sone in whom I am plesed ¶here 3e him·
| al þis lykynges crist lefte to goon in to þe disese of þe
| world to ful fille þe wille of his fader· And whan
| þe peple wolde han i-hadde hym to here kyng· he fleþ
| a wey fro hem in to þe wildernes· for he wolde not dis|plesen his fader· And whan þe deuel temptid hym &
| schewid hym al þe kyngdoms of þe world & þe blisse
| of hem he seyde to crist al þis I wil 3eue þe 3if þou
| willt falle a doun & heryen me· & crist seyde· Go a wey sa|tanas it is wryten þou schalt heryen þi lord god·
| & seruen hym al alone· In þes doynges & in many
| oþere crist for soke his owne wurschipes & lykynges
| to fulfillen þe wil of his fader & in þat he scheweþ þat he louede hys fader abouen al oþere
| þinges ¶In a noþer þing also he schewiþ þis same
| loue for he suffered wilfullyche what disese men
| wolden do to hym boþe of word & of stroke & of
| deþ· for he wolde not ben vnbuxum to his fader
| ne doon a3eyns his wille· for in þe ny3t be forn his
| passioun he seyde þe spiryt is redy· but þe flesche
| is seke [?read: weke] & whan he come to þe place· þere as he wol|de make his preyere & knew ful wele how gret
| a penaunce him was toward· he seyde fader If it mow
| be· late þis cuppe passe a wey from me· But neuereþeles
[fol 123v]
nou3t as I wole· but as þou wilt· and he seyde also
| fadir 3if þis cuppe ne mowe not passe a wey fro me
| but I drynke hym þi wille be fulfillid· And þus
| crist was buxum to his fader of heuene· to þe deþ ¬ techyng vs to be boxom to our fader & to louen hym in
| þe same wyse· And 3if we louen so myche oure god
| þat we wulden for his loue sufferen þe deþ· þan
| ne drynk we cristes blood to sauacioun of oure sou|le & of þe same cuppe þat crist drank· & for we schul|den haue mynde· how crist schede his blood· for loue
| of his fader & help of his breþeren· a schire þorsday
| at ni3t at þe soper· he toke a cuppe wiþ wyn & bles|side it & seyde to his disciples drynkeþ here of euere|ychon· þis is my blood of a newe testament þat schal ben
| « scheed in for 3euenes of synnes· And who þat loueþ
| god a bouen alle oþere þinges· & by leueþ in cristes pas|sioun· he drynkeþ cristes blood to sauacioun of his sou|le· & but he haue þis loue· he schal not ben i-saued·
| þof he be leue alle þe poyntes of oure be leue·
| for seynt poule seiþ· þof I speke wiþ mannes tun|ges or wiþ aungels· & I ne haue no charite· I am
| i-mad as bras þat souneþ· or a cymbale þat ~tyn~|geþ & þof I haue eueryche prophecye & kunnynge & I
| knowe priueytes & þof I haue eueryche by leue In
| so muche þat I mowe meue hulles from here pla|ce· & I ne haue not charite· I ne am nou3t & þof
| I dele al my good to fede poore men· & 3eue my
| body to brenne in þe fyre· & I ne haue not chari|te· it profyteþ me no þing ¶þus syre & vs lacke
| charite nouþer be leue ne non oþer þing schal
| stonde vs to profy3t & in certeyn þe first & þe most prin|cypally party of charite it is to loue god a bouen
| alle oþer þingges· & þer comeþ no man to heuene
| but he haue þis loue & so drynke of cristes cuppe
[fol 124r]
for crist bad alle hys disciples drynken of his cuppe &
| so þei diden but not alle in oon wyse· for iudas drank of
| þe bodyly cuppe· as þe oþere bodily disciples diden·
| ¶But for he ne loued not god as þei diden· but
| was fals in his herte & a bou3te to be trayen his lord
| & his mayster þerfore he drank of þe cuppe of god|dis wraþe & of his indignacioun & hangyd hym sel|uen for sorowe of his synne ¶But þe oþere discy|ples þat loueden god a bouen alle oþer þinges· &
| weren redy for his loue to suffre þe deþ þei drun|ken of cristis cuppe & of his blood to þe sauacioun
| of here soules· & afterward þei drunken a cuppe
| of clere wyne wiþ crist in þe kyngdom of heuene þat ma|de here hertes glade· for wyne gladeþ mannes hertes &
| no wyne so myche as þat wyne þat comeþ of hym· þat
| is a verrey vyne & of þis wyne schal no man dryn|ke· but 3if he drynke of þe cuppe þat I spake of rather
| for whan cristis cosyne preyde him þat oon of hire so|nes mi3t sitten on his ry3t syde & þat oþere on his left
| syde in his kyngdom crist seyde· 3e witteþ not what
| 3e axen· mow 3e drynke þe cuppe þat I schal drynke
| & þei seyden we mowne· ¶And crist seyde my cuppe
| 3e schul drynke but to sitte on my ri3t syde· or on
| my left syde· it is not myn to graunte 3ow but to
| þilk þat is i-ordeyned of my fader ¶And sire who þat
| haþ þis for sayde loue to god· he drynkeþ cristes blo|od· & of his cuppe as I seyde raþer to þe sauacioun of his
| soule he offereþ also to god· þe most plesyng offeryng
| & sacrifice þat he may offere to hym· for þoru þis loue
| he offereþ hym seluen to god· And as god seiþ be da|uit in þe sautere· A sacrifice of herying schal wurschipe
| me & þer is no wey in þe whyche I schal schewen hym
| my hele & my blisse· And among alle þe heryinges
[fol 124v]
of god· þe grettest herying is þis loue· for feiþ hope &
| charite· ben þre heryinges to god· but þe grettest hery|ing of god is charite· as seynt poule seiþ· & charite is
| cristes lawe in þis world· & bryngeþ aman to þe blisse
| of heuene· þe whyche blisse is likyng of soule loue
| þat creatures han to her god· & euerychon to oþer· And of
| þis herying of loue· þer comeþ a noþer gret herying
| to god of þe whyche heriyng dauid seyde in þe sauter
| a sacrifice to god is a spiry3t· þat is i-trubeled· & ano|yed for his synne· And god þou ne wilt not dispisen
| an herte þat is contrit & ~humulied~ to þe· it is cer|teyn þat 3if aman loueþ god wiþ al his herte· & a-|bouen alle oþer þinges· whan he knoweþ how he haþ
| displesyd god þoru synne he wil make miche sorowe
| in his herte for his synne· & humylien hym seluen
| ful lowe to god to haue for 3euenes of his trespas·
| ¶And in þis wyse mary maudeleyne hadde for 3eue|nes of hire synnes· for crist seiþ many synnes were
| for 3euen hire· for scho loued myche· & but aman
| loue god with al his herte· & wiþ al his herte for
| þinkyng his synne elles be he certeyn þat he ge|teþ not of god for 3euenesse of his synne· alle þes
| prophetes þat I haue i-told· folewen siche men þat lo|uen god a bouen alle oþere þinges· And crist seiþ þe
| secunde grettest comaundement is i-lyche to þis þou
| schalt loue þi broþer as þi seluen & in þes two co|maundementis hangeþ alle þe lawe & þe prophetes·
| for who þat kepiþ þe first comaundement he doþ
| alle manere þinges þat he oweþ to do to god· & he
| kepiþ þre þe firstes of þe ten hestes· ¶And who þat
| kepiþ þe secunde comaundement· he doþ alle þinges
| þat he oweþ doon to his broþer· & kepiþ þe [toþer] seuene
| hestes of þe ten· for he wurschipeþ his aldren & not
[fol 125r]
& not onliche hem· but also his breþeren & he nyl
| not sleen his broþer ne defoulen his sister þoru his
| lust of stynkyng lecherye· Ne ~he nil be no~ þef to
| robben his breþeren· ne he nyl ~bere no fals~ wit|nes a3eyns his broþer· Ne he nyl not coueyten his broþer wyf
| ne his seruaunt ne non oþer good þat he oweþ· her ben
| seuene hestes i-kept· of þe ten þat god bad summe
| tyme· In þis on heste þou schalt loue þi broþer as
| þi seluen· & so alle þe ten hestes ben i-kept in þes
| two wordes of loue & þerfore seynt poule seiþ· who þat
| loueþ fulfilleþ þe lawe· ¶Also he þat kepiþ þes two
| hestis of loue· he leueþ þe seuene dedly synnes· for
| he nil not ben proud· for pride or hit is an vnskil|ful heighnes þoru þe whyche aman is vnbuxum
| to god & to his hestes· Oþer it is an vnskilful heigh|nes þat aman heigheþ hym seluen vnskilfulliche
| abouen his breþeren & dispiseþ hem· but who þat
| loueþ god· ne haþ not þe first pride & he þat loueþ
| his broþere as hym seluen ne haþ nou3t þe secunde
| ¶Also he þat haþ þis loue leueþ coueytise for he þat
| loueþ god nyl desyren no þing þat is a3eyns his
| ordenaunce· & god is so mesurable in 3euyng þat he
| haþ þat he fayleþ no man· in þat þing þat hym ne|deþ ne granteþ no man more þan hym nedeþ· but co|ueytouse men þat louen here goodis more þan god·
| for defaute of loue desireþ more þan hem nedeþ a3eyn
| goddis wille· And for þei louen not here breþeren as
| hem seluen· þerfore þei desyren here breþeren goo|dis to maken hem seluen ryche· and of þilk goodis
| þat þei han· þei nyl not departen wiþ here nedy bre|þeren· & he þat haþ þis loue nyl not lyuen in slou|þe· for he wil ben a bou3te wiþ al his mi3t to ser|uen his god in kepyng his hestis· And after þat
[fol 125v]
grace þat he haþ vndurfongen of god· he wil forsaken his
| owne lif & putten him self to disese & to trauaile for
| help of his breþeren· And who þat haþ þis loue· he nyl
| haue no dedly wraþe to his broþer ne desire no ven|geaunce on hym· þof he haue i-trespased ful gret|liche a3eyns hym· & he þat haþ þis loue· nil haue
| non enuye to his broþer· for nowþer he wil be glad
| of his harme· ne sory of his weele· as enuyous men
| ben· Ne he wyl not bacbiten him· ne speke no þing
| biforen hym· for his harm· ¶And he þat haþ þis lo|ue wyle nou3t breke þe heste of god ne for his ow|ne lykyng bryngen his broþer ne his sister in to
| grete mischef & sorowe· as þes foule lechoures doon
| þat for here stynkyng lustes bryngen here breþeren &
| here sisteren in to þe deueles seruise & his þraldom
| from þe seruise of god· & after ward in to þe endeles
| peyne of helle þat is a sorowe wiþ outen mirþe·
| And he þat haþ þis luf· wile not take his mete ne
| his drynke but in mesure as hym nediþ· for who
| þat doþ glotonye & takeþ his mete & drynk a3eyn
| þe wille of [?read: and] ordinaunce of god· & siche a glotoun & a
| wastoure deuoureþ many mennes lif lode· boþe to
| his owne harm & to harm of his breþeren for de|faute of loue· þus aman leueþ þe seuene dedly syn|nes þat kepiþ þe two comaundementes of loue
| And who þat haþ þis luf· he doþ þe werkes of
| mercy· for 3if he seeþ his broþerre an hungred· he
| wil 3eue hym mete· and if he is a þirst· he wil 3eue
| hym drynke· & if he be naked he wil 3euen hym
| cloþes· & if he lacke herborewe· he wil leenen hym
| an hous & 3if he be seke oþere in prisone he wole visi|ten hym & conforten hym· And if he be ded· he by|ryeþ his body in þe erþe· þes ben þe werkes of loue
[fol 126r]
& of mercy· þat men wolen doon· þat kepen þe two for-|seyde comaundementes of loue· & þis loue is cristes
| lawe þat alle cristen men schulden kepe· for as crist
| seiþ alle þinges þat 3e wollen þat oþer men doon to
| 3ow· do 3e þe same to hem for þat is þe lawe & þe
| prophetis· And in certeyn alle þinges þat crist biddeþ
| doon to oure breþeren or it is loue or it comeþ ou3t
| of loue· or it norischeþ loue crist seyde to his disciples
| þis is my comaundement þat 3e louen to gedere as
| I haue loued 3ow & in þis men schul knowe· þat 3e
| ben my disciples· 3if 3e louen to gedere· & what ma
| manere of loue 3e schul haue to 3oure breþeren· crist
| techiþ in þat word· Do 3e to oþere men· as 3e wil þat o
| þere men do to 3ow· ¶he seiþ also it was i-seyde summe
| tyme þou schalt loue þi frend· & hate þi enemy·
| But I seye 3ow loueþ 3oure enemyes· and doþ wele
| to hem þat han i-hated 3ow· Blesseþ hem þat cur|sen 3ow· & preyeþ for hem þat purswen 3ow· & þat
| desclaundren 3ow· þat 3e ben 3oure fadres childeren
| þat is in heuene þat makeþ his sone risen vp on
| good men & vp on yuul men· & reyghneþ vp on ri3t|ful men & vp on vnri3tful men· for if 3e loueþ onli|che þilk þat louen 3ow· what mede schul 3e haue
| so doon puplicanes· & if 3e gretteþ oonliche 3owre
| owne breþeren· what schul 3e doon more· so doon he|þen men· wherfore be 3e perfy3t· as 3oure heuene|ly fadre is perfi3t And many tyme whan crist bad a
| pharyse þat he schulde loue his nexte broþer as
| hym seluen & seyde þat hit was oon of þe gret|test comaundementis of goddis lawe· þe pharise
| axid hym who was his broþere nexte· And crist told
| hym a taale & seyde þer was a man þat wente from
| ierusalem in to ierico & fel among þeues & þei robbeden
[fol 126v]
hym & wondiden hym· and bonden hym fast & wen|ten here wey & leften [hym] liggyng vnnethes half
| lyuyng· & as he lay þer cam be hym a prest & had|de no reuþe of hym· but passed forþe his wey &
| lete hym ligge stille A dekene also went þe same
| wey & dide in þe same wyse· but a samaritan þat
| com þe same wey· seiþ þe man & had reuþe of hym
| & vnbonde þis man & wysche his woundis wiþ wyn
| & wiþ oyle & knytte vp his woundis· & siþ cast hym
| vp on his asse & ledde hym to towne & brou3t
| hym to an hostiler & preyde hym þat he wolde
| take kepe to þis man & he wolde make hym go|ode his trauaile & for his costes· & he toke him two
| pens to spende· & what euere he spende more he
| seyde he wolde make hym good· And whan crist
| hadde told þis tale he axide þis pharise whyche
| of þes was nexte ney3bore to hym· þat fel a-|mong þe þeues· & he seyd þilke þat had mercy of
| hym· and crist seyde go & do þou in þe same wy|se· In þis tale crist techeþ vs to loue oure enemy|es þat was i-woundid as oure seluen· for þe sa|maritan & þe iew þat was i-woundid weren enemys· & 3it he had|de reuþe of hym & dide to hym as he wolde þat
| men diden to hym & so euery cristen man schul|de louen his enemy as hym seluen· ¶And þer fore
| seynt poule seiþ· 3if þin enemy is an hungred
| 3if him mete· & if he is a þirst 3eue hym drynk
| & 3if þou dost so· þou schalt gedere to hepe coles
| of fuyr vp on is hede· And ne be þou not ouer
| comen of yuul· but in good ouer come þou yuul
| þis loue & charite is cristes lawe· & for we
| schulden not lesen þis charite crist chargeþ
| vs wiþ six vertues· þat comen out of loue· and
[fol 127r]
[norischen loue· Oon of þes is myldnesse· seynt poule seiþ 3eldeth]
no man yuul for yuul· but doþ· & ordeyneþ goode
| þinges· not oonliche before god· but also be foren
| alle goode men & 3if hit mow be þat in 3ow is· haue
| 3e pees wiþ alle men· & ne defendeþ not 3oure seluen
| but 3eueþ place to wraþe· for it is i-write ¬ to me
| vengeaunce ¬ & I wil 3elden a3eyn seiþ god & 3if þin
| enemy be an hungered· fede hym & 3if he be a þirst
| 3ife hym drynke & doyng þes þinges þou schalt
| gedere to hepe coles of fuyr vp on his heed· & be
| þou not ouer come of yuul· and ri3t as in þe oolde
| testament men fou3ten for here lawe· & for here
| ri3tfulnes ri3t so men schulden in þis new testa|ment· sufferen & nou3t fy3ten for ri3tfulnesse
| & so crist dide þat was 3euer & maker of þis newe
| testament· & whan on of his seruauntes smot for
| his loue· crist bad hym putten his swerd in his
| scheþe· & seyde who þat smyteþ wiþ a swerd with
| a swerd he schal perische· And in þe apocalips hit
| is i-wryten· who þat sleeþ wiþ a swerd· he mut
| be slayn wiþ a swerd· And herefore crist seiþ· i-bles|sed be pesyble men· for þei schullen ben i-clepid god|dis childeren· and he seiþ also þei ben i-blessed þat
| suffered persecucioun for ri3tfulnesse· for þe kyngdo|om of heuene is heris· and for þis sufferyng þat
| crist techeþ men to kepe· & to norische loue among
| hem seluen· he is i-cleped prince & kyng of pees
| boþe of ysaye & of zacharye þe prophetes· ¶for Iseye
| Isaye seiþ þer schal ben in þe last dayes an hul i-or|deyned goddis hous in þe coop [?read: toop] of hulles & he schal
| ben arerede vp a bouen alle hylles & alle folk schul|len come to hym & myche peple schullen come
| & sey3en ~C~om we & steye we to goddis hyl & to þe
| hous of god of iacob· & he wil teche vs his weyes
[fol 127v]
& we schullen walken in his paþes· for ou3t of syon
| schal come þe lawe & goddis word ou3t of ierusalem· & he
| schal deme myche folk· And vndurnyme myche pepul
| and men schullen blowe to gydere here swerdes in to
| scharres & here speres in to sikeles· & on peple ne
| schal not heuen vp his swerd a3eyn anoþer peple
| ne þei schul not ben i-hauntid after þat tyme to
| batayle· ¶And zacarye þe prophete seiþ· be þou ful glad
| þou douter of syon & make myche mirþe þou dou|t~e~r of ierusalem· for lo þi kyng comeþ to þe· þat is ri3t|ful & sauyour· & he is pore & he lepeþ vp on an asse
| & vp on an asse colt & he wil destrye þe char of effra|ym & þe hors of ierusalem· & þe lawe of batayle schal
| be distryed· & he schal speke pees to þe peple & his
| power schal be from see to see· & from þe floodes to
| þe endis of þe erþe· And siþ cristis lawe is charite·
| & pacience is a condicioun of charite· Nedeliche who
| þat wil kepe goddis lawe mut be pacient & suf|ferynge & certeyn elles he foleweþ nou3t crist· & sore
| a drade mowe þes proud men ben þat seyen þat þei
| mowe not sufferen for schame of þe world· It is cer|teyn þat he þat is aschamed to sufferen· is a schamed
| to knowleche þat he is cristis seruaunt þat suffered
| ful myche· ¶And crist seiþ who þat is aschamed to kno|wleche me & my wordes be fore men· I wil ben a-|schamed to knowleche hym be fore my fader in heue|ne· and þan as þe apocalips seiþ· kynges of þe er|þe & princes & riche men· & strong men· & bond & fre
| schullen hyden hem in dennes & roches of hilles· &
| þei schullen seyn to hylles & stonnes falle 3e doun
| vp on vs & hydeþ vs from þe face of hym þat sitteþ
| on þe trone· & from þe wraþe of þe lomb· for þe
| grete day of his wraþe is comen· & who is he þat
[fol 128r]
may stonde· ¶Of mekenesse þat is a noþer vertu þat comeþ
| ou3t of loue & norischeþ loue· also. crist seiþ· i-blessed be meke men for þei
| schullen i-see god· and of alle þinges þat crist haþ tau3|te his disciples· oon of þe moost was þat þei schul|den ben humble & meke· In a tyme þer was a stryuyng
| be twyne þe disciples whyche of hem were grettest·
| And crist seyde kynges of mys beleued men hauen
| lordschipe of hem· & þilk þat han power vp on hem
| ben i-cleped wel doeres· but it schal not be so a mong
| 3ow· but he þat is grettest of 3ow· schal ben as þe 3on|geste· And he þat is a forgoere be he as a seruaunt·
| for wheþer is he þat sitteþ at þe mete· grettere ¬ þen
| he þat serueþ· ne is he not þat sitteþ at þe mete· but
| I among 3ow as he þat serueþ· & in anoþer place as
| he tau3te hem þis mekenes & seiþ mannes sone cum|me nou3t to ben i-serued· but for to seruen & to 3ifen
| his lif for biggyng of many men & for he wolde te|chen hem mekenes in dede as wil as in word· ¶þe
| ny3t be foren his passioun· he wysch his disciples
| feet & seyde to hem wyte 3e what I doon haue· 3e
| clepeþ me mayster & lord· & 3e siggeþ wil· for so I am
| & þerfore 3if [I] haue wasche 3oure feet· þat am boþe
| mayster & lord· euerychone of 3ow schal wasche oþere
| feet· for I haue 3eue 3ow ensample þat 3e doon as
| I haue doon to 3ow· ¶And whan his disciples axi|den hym· who was þe grettest in þe kyngdom of he|uene· Crist clepid to hym a litul child & sette hym
| in þe myddel of hem and seyde ¶Soþeliche I saye
| 3ow but 3e ben I turned & ben i-made as smale chil|dren· 3e ne schul not entren in to þe kyngdom of
| heuene· & þerfore who þat humbleþ hym as þis child
| doþ· he is grettest in þe kyngdom of heuene· and as
| a noþere tyme crist seyde· suffereþ smale childeren come
[fol 128v]
to me· for þe kyngdome of heuene is of siche· and
| þo he seyde· Soþeliche I seye 3ow· who þat vndurfon|geþ not þe kyngdom of heuene as a litul child· he
| ne schal not come þerinne two poyntes of mekenes
| crist techiþ vs to haue· One is þat we dispise not
| oure breþeren þat ben in cas not so worþi as we ben
| ne þat we hyghe nou3t oure seluen for oure goo|de werkes abouen oure breþeren þat perauntre ne
| do nou3t so goode werkis· for as crist seiþ· þer wen|ten two men in to þe temple to maken her preyeres
| þe one was a pharise & þe oþer was a puplican·
| and þe pharise seyde· lord I þanke þe· for I am not
| as oþere men ben· þat ben robberes & vnry3tful·
| & spousebrekeres & coueytous ne as þis publi|can I faste twyes in þe wyke & I 3if þe tiþinges
| of alle þe goodes þat I haue· but þe publican ne
| heued not vp his yen but smote his brest & seyde
| lord haue mercy on me þat am a synful man· and
| crist seiþ· þees went hom i-iustified of þe oþer·
| for who þat hygheþ hym self schal ben i-hum|blid & who þat humbliþ hym self schal ben i-hyg|hed ¶And crist seiþ in an oþer place· It whas i-sey|de sumtyme· who þat sleeþ is gylty of þe dome·
| but I seyghe 3ow who þat is wroþe wiþ his
| broþer· is gilty to þe dome· & who þat sayth to his broþer fy is gylty to counseyl· & who þat seiþ
| to his broþer fool is gylty to þe fuyr of helle· In
| þis maner a cristen man schulde be meke· for me|kenes nurscheþ loue ri3t as vnskilful hygh|nesse destrieþ loue ¶An oþere poynt of mekenesse
| crist techeþ & þat is þat we sechen nou3t þe wur|schipe of þe world· ne þat we doon nou3t oure
| goode werkes to haue wurschipes for hem· of
| þe peple· for he seiþ vp on moyses chayer þer han
[fol 129r]
i-setten scribes & pharisens· & what þei bidden 3ow
| doon kepiþ it & doþ hit· but doþ not after her wer|kes· for þei seyn & doon not hem seluen & þei bid|den heuy berþenes· þat mown not ben i-born & leg|gen hem on menne schulderes· but wiþ here owe|ne fyngeres· þei nullyn not mouen hem· & alle
| her werkes þei doon to be i-seyn of men· for þei
| drawen a brod her philatories & magnifyen þe
| hemmes of her cloþes· And þei louen þe first syt|tynges at þe soperes· & gretynges in chepynges
| & þe most wurschipful chayeres in synagoges
| & to ben i-clepyd maystres of men· But ne wy|le 3e not to be i-clepid maystres for oon is 3oure
| maystre· & alle 3e ben breþeren· And ne clepe 3e
| not to 3ow no fadir on erþe· for oon is 3oure fa|der þat is in heuene· Ne be 3e not i-cleped mayst|res· for oon is 3oure maystre crist who þat is gret|test of 3ow schal be 3oure seruaunt· for who
| þat humbliþ hym self schal ben i-hyed & who
| þat heith hym seluen schal ben humblid· Crist
| techiþ vs also· þat whan we doon almes dede or
| fasteþ or preyed we schullen doon hit priueliche
| & nou3t for to ben holden holy men of þe peple·
| for he seiþ whan þou dost almes ne blowe hit not
| wiþ a trumpe as ypocrites doon in synagoges & in
| stretes· to ben wurschiped of men· soþeliche þei han receyued her mede but whan þou|dost almes· ne wyte not þi lift hond what þi ri3t
| hond doþ· þat þin almes be in hydles· & þi fader
| þat seeþ in hydles· wil 3elde þe þi mede· ¶And whan
| 3e preyen 3e schul not ben as ypocrites dreri þat lo|uen to pray stondyng in sinagoges· & in corneres
| of stretes to ben i-seen of men· Soþeliche I sey3e
| 3ow þei han receyued here mede· But whan þou
[fol 129v]
preyest· go in to þi chaumbre & spere þi dore & preye
| þi fader in hydles & þi fadre þat seiþ in hydles wil
| 3elde þe þi mede· & whan 3e preyen ne spekeþ not
| myche as mysbeleued men· doon· for þei wenen þat
| þei ben i-herd þoru here myche speche· & þerfore ne be
| 3e not i-liche hem· for 3oure fadir wot what 3ow
| nedeþ· or þan 3e axen hym any þing· And þus 3e
| schullen preye· ¶Oure fadir þat art in heuene·
| i-halewed be þi name þi kyngdom come to vs· þi
| wyl be hit doon in erþe· as hit is in heuene· 3if vs
| to day oure euerydayes bred· & for 3eue vs oure det|tes· as we for 3euen oure dettours· & ne lede vs not
| in to temptacioun but delyuere vs from euele· Amen··
| And 3if 3e for3eueþ oþere men here trespaces 3oure fader
| heuenliche wil for 3eue 3ow 3oure synnes· & if
| 3e for 3eueþ not oþere men 3oure heueneliche fader
| wole not for 3eue 3ow 3oure synnes· & whan 3e fas|teþ ne be 3e not as ypocrites drery· for þei defacen
| hem seluen to seme fastyng to men· Soþeliche
| I seye 3ow þei han receyued here mede· But whan
| þat þou fastest anoynte þin hed & wasche þi face þat
| þou seme not fastyng to men· But to þi fader in
| hydles & þi fadre þat seþ it in hydles wil 3eue þe
| þi mede· ¶In þis wyse sire crist techeþ vs to doon
| oure werkes in mekenes· for elles we mowen lesen
| oure mede· Of porenesse in spiri3t crist spekeþ &
| seiþ i-blessed ben pore men in spyri3t· for þe kyng|dom of heuene is heres· & woo to riche men·
| for þei han here counfort in þis world· Suche men
| ben pore in spiri3t þat wilne not to ben riche but
| desiren þat hem nedeþ & no more· And so þilk
| þat han litul good· 3if þei desiren to be riche þei
| ben not pore in spiri3t· but þei ben coueytous
[fol 130r]
for defau3t of loue· & coueytise distrieþ loue· ri3t
| so porenesse in spiri3t comeþ ou3t of loue· & norische
| iþ loue· Also & þer is no trewe cristen man· but 3if
| he haue þis porenesse in spiri3t· ¶In a noþer place also
| crist techiþ vs to ben pore in spiry3t· & to leuen co|ueytise· for þer com a man to crist & preyde hym
| to departen his heritage be twix his broþer & hym
| & crist seyde man who made me domes man on
| 3ow & þoo he seyde to his disciples· be 3e war of e|ueriche coueytise· for no mannes lyuyng is in þe ha|bundaunce of his goodis þat he haþ· ¶ Of þe why|che wordes it wil folewe þat it is coueytise· for
| aman to wilne more þan hym nedeþ to his ly|uyng· and herefore crist bad his disciples þat þei
| schulde not maken here tresoure in erþe þer as rust
| & mowtis mowe destrye hit & þere as þeues mo|wen digge þerto & stelen hit a wey· but he seyde
| makeþ 3owre tresoure in heuene þer as is nowþer
| rust ne mowte & þer þeues ne mowe not comen
| þer to ne stelen it a wey· for þer as þi tresour is· þer
| is þin herte ¶ And afterward he seyde þer may no
| man seruen two lordes· for or he mut haten þe
| toon & loue þat oþere· Oþere susteyne þat oon
| & dispise þat oþer 3e mowe not serue god & 3oure
| richesses & þerfore I sey 3ow· ne be 3e not besy to 3oure
| soule what 3e eeten· ne to 3oure body how 3e ben
| cloþed· for þe soule is more worþi þan mete &
| þe body more worþi þan cloþing· be holdeþ þe brid|des of heuene þat nouþer sowen ne repen ne
| gaderen nou3t in to bernes & 3oure heuenly
| fader fediþ hem· And ne be 3e not more worþi
| þan þei ben· And whyche of 3ow þinking may
| throwen a cubyte to his stature ¶And of cloþing
[fol 130v]
ware to be 3e bisy· be holdeþ þe lilies of þe feld how
| þei growen ¬ þei nouþer trauelen ne spynnen· & I
| sey 3ow þat salomon in alle his blisse ne was not
| i-cloþed as on of þes· And 3if god cloþe so þe he|ygh of þe feld· þat groweþ to day or to morewe
| is cast in to þe houene· myche more he wil cloþe
| 3ow of litul feiþ· ¶And þerfore be 3e not besy sey|ing what schul we ete· or what schulle we dri|nk or how schullen we ben cloþed· for alle þes þin|ges mysbeleued men enqueren· & þerfore secheþ first
| þe kyngdom of heuene & þe ri3tfulnesse þer of &
| al þese þinges schul ben i-cast to 3ow· Of þis
| men mown i-se þat siþen a cristen man ne sch|ulde not ben bisy in his þou3t a boute his ~mete ne aboute his~ drynk
| ne aboute his cloþing & 3it hym nedeþ al þis to
| his lyuyng· for no þing he ne schulde not be be|sy to gete myche richesse for þat nedeþ not to a man|nes lyuyng· And siþ god doþ al þat he doþ in me|sure· & is so mesurable in 3euyng· þat he ne 3eueþ
| no man more þen hym nedeþ· ~ne fayleth no man in þat þing þat him nedit~ A gret synne it is
| to wilne more þan a man nediþ· for it is couey|tise· & he þat holdeþ goddis goodes in his kepyng
| to spende hem for is owne lust· þer as it is no ne|de· It is certeyn þat he holdeþ þilk goodis a3eyns
| goddis wille & þanne he is a þef þat robbeþ god
| of his goodis· & not oonliche god· but oþere pore
| men also þat neden siche goodis· for god ne 3eueþ
| nou3t to oo man more richesse þan to a noþer
| oonliche for hym seluen· but for he schulde
| departen it among his nedy breþeren· & but a
| man do þus he nis not in charite· for as seynt
| Joon seiþ· who þat ha~þ~ substaunce of þe world & seeþ
| his broþer haue nede· 3if he close his herte from
[fol 131r]
his broþere· how dwelliþ þe charite of god wiþ|Inne hym· And þerfore he seiþ ne loue we not in word
| ne in tunge but in dede & in treuþe· ¶And a ful hard
| word seyþ seynt Jame to riche men of þe world· for he
| seiþ wepe 3e riche men· & make 3e sorewe· for þe wrec|hednes þat schal come to 3ow her aftur· 3oure ri|ches is for rotid· & 3owre cloþes ben i-eten wiþ mo|wtes· 3owre gold & 3ower siluer is i-rustid· & 3owr~e~
| rust schal ben in wittenissyng to 3ow· & schal ete
| 3oure flesch as fuyr· 3e tresoreþ to 3ow þe wraþe
| of god in þe last dayes· wolde god þat þese riche men
| wolden take kepe to seynt poules wordes as he
| seiþ· we browten no þing in to þis world· & it is
| no doute þat we mowen bere no þing hennes &
| þerfore haue [we] liflode & helyng be we apayed· for þilk
| þat wilneþ to ben i-maad riche þei fallen in to temp|tacioun· & in to þe deuels grene & in to many vn|profytable desires & noyful þat drenchen men in-|to deþ & in to perdicioun· for þe rote of al yuel is co|ueytise· þe whyche sum men han desired & han i-er|red from her feiþ & han i-brou3t hem seluen in-|to myche sor~e~we ¶ And he biddeþ riche men of þe
| world þat þei hope not in þe victorie of richesses but
| in god þat lyueþ· þat 3eueþ vs alle þinges plente|uosliche to vsen hem & to do wil wiþ hem· & to
| ben i-made riche in goode werkes in 3euynge li3t|liche & in comunyng here goodes to hem· þat ben
| nedy to maken hem tresour & a good fundement
| here after þat þei mowen hauen þat lyf þat
| wil lasten wiþ outen ende· ¶ And herfore sire be 3e
| pore in spiri3t· & leueþ couetise ¬ 3if 3e þinken co|me to heuene· for coueytise is a seruice of fals
| goddis as seynt poule seiþ· & siche schul not haue
[fol 131v]
þe kyngdome of heuene as he seiþ in certen· ¶ Treu|þe is a noþer uertu· þat comeþ ou3t of loue· & norischeþ
| loue also· for who þat loueþ god· he wole loue trew|þe & be trewe boþe in werk & in word· for god hym self
| is treuþe & endeles trewe· as he seiþ in þe gospel þe de|uel was mansleere from þe be gynnyng· & ne haþ
| not stonden in treuþe· for treuþe is not in hym and
| whanne he spekeþ ~lesing he spekyt~ of his owene· for he is alyere & fa|der of lesynges ¶And siþ crist come to bringe vs ou3t
| of þe deueles seruice to ben goddis childeren & his
| seruauntes also· Nedeliche we moten leue alle ma|nere lesynges for crist seiþ who þat doþ synne· is seruant
| of synne· and þanne who þat makeþ lesyng he is
| seruaunt of lesyng· & of þe deuel þat is fader of le
| synges· But a cristen man þat is goddis child &
| loueþ hym a bouen alle oþere þinges nil do no þinges þat may de-|parten hym from his fader of heuene· & þanne
| mout he leuen alle manere lesynges & alle ma|nere falsenesses ¶ And for crist wolde þat his ser|uauntes weren perfy3t boþe in loue & in treuþe·
| ri3t as he made an ende of alle maner vntreuþe
| ri3t so in his cummyng· he made an ende of oþes
| þat neuere weren i-ordeyned· but for defaute of
| treuþe· for among trewe men nedeþ noon oþes
| & herfore crist seiþ· It was seyd sumtyme· þou sch|alt not for swere þe but þou schalt 3elde to god
| þin oþes· but I sey 3ow þat 3e sweren for no þing
| not bi heuene· for hit is goddis trone· ne be
| erþe for hit is þe stool of his feet· ne bi Ierusa|lem· for hit is a greet kynges citee· Ne swere
| þou not be þin heued for þou mi3t [nou3t] make oon whit
| here ne blak· but [3]oure word be 3e·3e·nay·nay· &
| þat þat is more þan þis is of yuul ¶ And seynt
[fol 132r]
Iame seiþ· bi foren alle þinges my dere breþeren
| ne swere 3e not bi heuene ne by erþe ne be non
| oþere oþe· but be 3oure word· 3e 3e· nay nay· þat
| 3e fallen not vndur doom· ¶Chastite is þe sixte
| vertu þat comeþ ou3t of loue· & noryscheþ loue·
| ¶Also for he þat loueþ god nyl not take no
| lust þat is displesyng to god· ne þat his har|meful to his broþer ne to his sister ¶ And crist ~seyth ... ~
| seyde summe tyme þou schalt doon no lecherie
| but I seye 3ow who þat seþ a womman· for to couey|ten hire· he haþ doon lecherye in his herte· wiþ þat
| womman ¶ And þerfore 3if þi ri3t eye sclaundre þe
| pul hym ou3t· & þrow hym a wey from þe for
| hit is spedeful to þe þat on of þi membris per|ysche· þan al þi body go in to þe fuyr of helle &
| 3if þi ri3t hond sclaundre þe kytte hym of & þro|we hym a wey fro þe· for it is spedful to þe þat
| oon of þin membris perische þan al þi body go
| in to þe fuyr of helle· Crist seiþ also it was sey|de summe tyme· who þat leueþ his wif· 3eue he hi|re a libel of hire puttyng a wey· but I seye 3ow
| he þat leueþ his wyf· but it be for cause of for|nicacioun he makeþ hire do lecherie· & he þat wed|deþ a womman þat is left of hire housbonde bre|keþ spousehed· ¶ And in a tyme þe pharisees axe|den crist wheþer it where lefful to leuen to a man
| his wif for any enchesoun· & he seyde ne haue 3e
| not rad þat he þat ... þat made man from þe be|gynnyng made & womman & seyde· herfore aman
| schal leuen fadir & modir and drawen hym to
| his wyf· And þei schulde be two in oon flesch·
| But now þei ben not two but oon fleysch· &
| þerefore þat god haþ ioyned no man departe·
[fol 132v]
And þoo þei seyden what is þis þanne· þat moyses
| bad þat þere schulde be 3euen a libel of puttyng awey
| And so aman schulde leuen his wyf· And crist sey|de· for moyses sufferid þow haue 3owre wyfes after
| þe hardenesse of 3owre hertes· But from þe by|gynnyng hit was not so And I sey 3ow who
| þat weddeþ leueþ his wyf· but hit be for forni|cacioun & weddeþ a noþer he doþ fornicacioun· And
| who þat weddiþ a womman þat is lefte of hire
| housbonde· doþ fornicacioun lecherie & þoo seyden
| his disciples· 3if it be so be twene aman & his
| wyf· It is not spedeful to be wedded· And crist
| seyde alle men ne take not þis word· but þilk
| þat it is graunted to· for þer ben men i-geldid
| þat ben i-born of her moder wombe· And þer ben
| summe þat ben i-geldid of men· & þer ben summe
| men þat gelden hem seluen· for þe kyngdome of
| heuene· Who þat may take þis take he in þis
| wyse· Sire in þes two comaundementes of loue
| is al goodnesse fulfild· & al euel eschewed· &
| so þe lyuynge of oure soule & þe ri3t weye to
| heuene is to be leuyn stedefastliche in crist & to
| kepe þes two comaundementes of loue...
Copyright © 1998-1999 Paul F. Schaffner
Revised 15 March 1999. See the conditions of use at the head of this document.