<P_240>

<poetry>

Heer biginne+t a good tretis +tat seint Edmound +te Bisschop made ,
I-wis : | (CMEDVERN,240.3)

+te Mirour of seint Edmound I-cleped hit is , | +tat teche+t Mon to
heuene Blis . | (CMEDVERN,240.4)

</poetry>

+TIs is +te Bok sikerly +tat teche+t to liuen parfytliche :
(CMEDVERN,240.6)

hit is clept +te Mirour of seynt Edmound +te Confessour .
(CMEDVERN,240.7)

<COM:chapter_numbers_omitted>

Furst how Mon schal loken his stat . (CMEDVERN,240.9)

What is to lyuen parfytliche , and what is Godes wille .
(CMEDVERN,240.10)

What +ting make+t Mon holi & w+guche-maner mon schal comen to +te
knowyng of him-self in bodi and in soule . (CMEDVERN,240.11)

+Te goodes dedes of vr lord . (CMEDVERN,240.12)

How Mon schal spenden his tyme . (CMEDVERN,240.13)

Whuche-maner Mon schal seon God in eueri creature . (CMEDVERN,240.14)

Whuche-maner Mon schal seo Godes wille in holy writ . (CMEDVERN,240.15)

Of +te seuene dedly synnes and of heore Braunches . (CMEDVERN,240.16)

Of +te seuene blessynges of +te gospel . (CMEDVERN,240.17)

Of +te seuene +giftes of +te holigost and of heore folsumnesse .
(CMEDVERN,240.18)

Of +te Ten Commaundemens . (CMEDVERN,240.19)

Of +te seuene vertues +te w+guche ben +teos : Be-leeue , Hope , Loue ,
Qweyntyse , Riht , Methsumnesse , Streng+te . (CMEDVERN,240.20)

Of +te twelue articles of +te be-leeue , and of +te seuen sacramens .
(CMEDVERN,240.21)

Of seuene dedes of Merci . (CMEDVERN,240.22)

+Te seuen prei+geres of +te Pater noster . (CMEDVERN,240.23)

Of seuene druryes of bodi and seuene in soule , and of peynes of helle
. (CMEDVERN,240.24)

Of contemplacion of God in his Monhede , onsweryng to seuen houres of
holy chirche . (CMEDVERN,240.25)

Of Contemplacion of God in his Godhede . (CMEDVERN,240.26)

Of +te large +giftes of God in moni maners . (CMEDVERN,240.27)

Contemplacion of +te swetnesse , of +te bounte , and of +te feyrnesse
of God . (CMEDVERN,240.28)

What is to liuen Honurabliche , Loueredenliche , and Mekeliche .
(CMEDVERN,240.29)

<heading>

HOW MON SCHAL LOKEN HIS STAAT . (CMEDVERN,240.31)

CAPITULUM PRIMUM . (CMEDVERN,240.32)

</heading>

+TE word of +te Apostele ffalle+t to Men of Religion and to alle gode
cristene men : (CMEDVERN,240.34)

" Seo+t +te stat wherto +ge beo+t clept " . (CMEDVERN,240.35)

+Tis he sei+t , ffor to drawe us to perfeccion . (CMEDVERN,240.36)

And +terfore , what-time I +tenke on my-self , bi day or bi niht , on
on half I haue gret Ioye , and on a no+tur half gret Serwe .
(CMEDVERN,240.37)

Ioye , for +te gret Religion and godnesse +tat he ha+t schewed to me
and to Monkynde ; (CMEDVERN,240.38)

Serwe , for +te wikked liuinge in me , and feble conuersacion .
(CMEDVERN,240.39)

For whi ? (CMEDVERN,240.40)

+tus sei+t seint Eusebie in a Sarmoun : " Cum to Religion , is a
sourereyn perfeccion ; (CMEDVERN,240.41)

not parfytliche liuen is a souereyn $dampnacion " . (CMEDVERN,240.42)

+Terfore +te beste +ting is whose liue+t in Religion , drawe he to +te
lyf of perfeccion as he wilne+t his sauacion , (CMEDVERN,240.43)

and leue al +tat is in +te world and al +tat +ter-to falle+t ,
(CMEDVERN,240.44)

and +giue al his power to liue parfyt lyf . (CMEDVERN,240.45)

<heading>

WHAT IS TO LIUEN PARFYT LYF . (CMEDVERN,240.47)

CAPITULUM SECUNDUM . (CMEDVERN,240.48)

</heading>

Parfytliche liuen , as seint Bernard sei+t , is to liuen Honorabliche ,
Loueredenliche , and Mekeliche . (CMEDVERN,240.50)

Honurabliche as to God , +tat +tou +giue +tin entent to don his wille ,
+tat is to siggen to don alle +te dedes +tat +tou schalt don wi+t
honden , +tenken wi+t herte , or speken wi+t Mou+t , to honour of God ,
and nou+gt a+geyn his wille don wi+t eny of +ti fiue wittes , as wi+t
Si+g of e+gen , Herynge of Eren , Swolewynge of Tonge , Smellynge of
Neose , Touchynge of honden , Gon or stonden , Liggen or sitten .
(CMEDVERN,240.51)

+Tenk at +te biginnyng of euerich +ting , +gif hit beo godes wille or
hit beo not . (CMEDVERN,240.52)

+Gif hit beo his wille , do hit wi+t al +ti mi+gt . (CMEDVERN,240.53)

+Gif hit beo nou+gt , do hit not ffor to suffre de+t .
(CMEDVERN,240.54)

But now wol men aske : " What is godes wille ? " (CMEDVERN,240.55)

His wille nis no o+tur +ting bote vre holynesse ; (CMEDVERN,240.56)

and +tat sei+t +te Apostle : (CMEDVERN,240.57)

Hec est voluntas dei : sanctificacio vestra , +tat is to seyen : "
Godus wille is +tat we ben holi " . (CMEDVERN,240.58)

<heading>

WHAT +TING MAKE+T MON HOLI . (CMEDVERN,240.60)

CAPITULUM III . (CMEDVERN,240.61)

</heading>

Two +tinges wi+t-outen mo make+t mon holi , +tat is to witen Knowynge
and Loue . Knowynge of so+tnesse , and Loue of godnesse .
(CMEDVERN,240.63)

But to knowyng of God +tat is so+tnesse , ne mai+gt +tou not comen but
+torw knowynge of +ti-self ; (CMEDVERN,240.64)

no to +te loue of God +tat is goodnesse , ne mai+gt +tou not comen bot
+torw loue of +ti nei+gebore . (CMEDVERN,240.65)

To +te knowyng of +ty-self mai+gt +tou comen wi+t ofte +tenkynge ; to
+te knowyng of God : wi+t clen contemplacion . (CMEDVERN,240.66)

To +te knowynge of +ti-self +tou mai+gt comen in +tis Manere :
(CMEDVERN,240.67)

+Tenk inwardliche and ofte what +tou art , what +tou were , and what
+tou schalt ben . Furst as to +ti bodi , after as to +ti soule .
(CMEDVERN,240.68)

<P_242>

As to +ti bodi : +tou art vilore +ten a dongehul . (CMEDVERN,242.70)

+Tou were geten in so gret ful+te +tat hit is schome to seye , and
wlatful to +tenken . (CMEDVERN,242.71)

+Tou $schalt be mete to fyle todes and wormes . (CMEDVERN,242.72)

What +tou hast ben and what +tou art , nou take god hede as to +ti
soule - (CMEDVERN,242.73)

what +tou schalt ben , ne mai+gt +tou not +tenken . (CMEDVERN,242.74)

+Tenk +tat +tow hast don gret wikkednesses and monye , and leued mony
godnesses and grete . (CMEDVERN,242.75)

+Tenk hou long +tou hast liued , and how mony goodnesses +tou hast
receyed , and hou +tou hast hem spendet ; (CMEDVERN,242.76)

ffor whi ? (CMEDVERN,242.77)

eueri houre +tat +tou hast not +tou+gt on god , +tou hast forloren .
(CMEDVERN,242.78)

+Tou schalt +gelde reson of eueri idel word and eueri Idel +touht and
eueri Idel dede ; (CMEDVERN,242.79)

and also +ter nis not an her on +tin hed +tat ne schal ben glorifyed
+gif hit be so +tat +tou be saaf , (CMEDVERN,242.80)

also +ter ne schal a-skapen non houre +tat ne schal be rikned to +te .
(CMEDVERN,242.81)

A , Ihesu , Merci ! (CMEDVERN,242.82)

+Gif al +te world weore ful of smale pouder , who mi+gte ben so slei+g
+tat mi+tte departen vche $mot bi him-self and taken from o+ter ?
(CMEDVERN,242.83)

Certes , non . (CMEDVERN,242.84)

And +te soule of Mon is grettore +ten al +te world , +tei+g hit were a
+tousend so gret ; (CMEDVERN,242.85)

and is al ful of diuerse +tou+gtes , willes and desyres ;
(CMEDVERN,242.86)

and who mi+gte +tenne so sechen his herte +tat $he mi+gte knowen al
+tat he ha+t don and +tou+gt ? (CMEDVERN,242.87)

Se now , goode Bro+ter , +tat +tou hast gret mester to knowyng of
+ti-self . (CMEDVERN,242.88)

Aftur tac good hede what +tou art now as to +ti soule .
(CMEDVERN,242.89)

+Tou hast luitel good in +te , luitel wit , or streng+te :
(CMEDVERN,242.90)

for whi ? (CMEDVERN,242.91)

+tou desyrest al day +tat +te helpe+t nou+gt , and seldene or no tyme
+tat +te may helpen . (CMEDVERN,242.92)

+Tou art often deceyued , now +torw $to grete serwe , now +torw veyne
glorie ; (CMEDVERN,242.93)

now art +tou trauayled of fere , (CMEDVERN,242.94)

now art tou houen an hei+g +torw fals hope . (CMEDVERN,242.95)

On o+ter half +tou art so chaungeable , (CMEDVERN,242.96)

+tis +tat +tou wolt to-day +tou wolt not to-morwe . (CMEDVERN,242.97)

And also +tenk what-maner +tou art bisi and turmented aboute mony
+tinges +gif +tou hem ne haue ; (CMEDVERN,242.98)

and whonne +tou hem hast , +ten art tou anuyed and ful of hem .
(CMEDVERN,242.99)

+Tenk +gif on o+tur maner +tat +tou art liht to tempten , and feble
forte +geynstonden , and redi to concenten . (CMEDVERN,242.100)

Of all +teose wikkednesses +te ha+t delyuered +ti swete lord ,
(CMEDVERN,242.101)

& schal delyueren eueri day more and more , +gif +tou hit not fordo .
(CMEDVERN,242.102)

<heading>

OF +TE GODNESSE OF VRE LORD , & HOU MON SCHAL SPENDEN HIS TYME
(CMEDVERN,242.104)

CAP. IIII . (CMEDVERN,242.105)

</heading>

Whonne +tou were nought , +tenne he made +te , in soule after his owne
liknesse , and +ti bodi of foul roten and stinkinde fom , +tat is
abhominacion to +tenken . (CMEDVERN,242.107)

He made +ti wittes and +ti Membres so noble and so feire +tat no mon
may deuysen . (CMEDVERN,242.108)

+Tenk +git inwardliche , +tou +tat louest +ti fader and +ti Moder so
tenderliche , and whi +tou louest hem so derwor+tlich .
(CMEDVERN,242.109)

+Gif +tou sigge +tat +tou louest +ti ffader and +ti Moder for +tou art
geten of heore flesch and of heore blood : also ben +te wormes +tat
waxen of hem eueri day . (CMEDVERN,242.110)

On o+tur halue +tou hast of hem nei+ter bodi ne soule , but of god
+torw hem ; (CMEDVERN,242.111)

for whi ? (CMEDVERN,242.112)

what were +tou & +tou heddest dwelled in +tat +tat +tou hast of hem ,
whon +tou weore geten in ful+te and in synne ? (CMEDVERN,242.113)

On o+tur half , +gif +tou louest Bro+tur or Suster or kin for +tei ben
of +te selue flesch or blod +tat +tou art : $wi+t +te selue skile
scholdest +tou louen a pece of +te flesch of ffader or Moder +gif hit
were awei coruen ; (CMEDVERN,242.114)

and +tat were a gret wodnesse out of mesure ! (CMEDVERN,242.115)

+Gif +tow sigge +tat +tou louest hem for +tei han +te flesch formed in
liknesse of mon , and for +tei han soule as hast +tou : +tenne is +ti
fleschlyche bro+tur no nerre +ten a no+ter , but in as muche as +tou
and he han of on fleschlich fader +te biginnyng of +goure flesch , +tat
is , a luytel stunch and ful+te . (CMEDVERN,242.116)

<P_243>

Loue him +tenne ffrom whom alle goodes comen ; (CMEDVERN,243.118)

and loue alle men gostliche , (CMEDVERN,243.119)

and stunte herbi-forward to louen fleschliche . (CMEDVERN,243.120)

+Gif +tou +tenke inwardliche of +te goodnes +tat he ha+t do +te , and
schal do +gif +tou wolt loue him enterliche , hit schal sture +te him
to loue +te more hertiliche . (CMEDVERN,243.121)

For whi ? (CMEDVERN,243.122)

as I haue i-seid bifore , whon +tou ne were , he made +te of nou+gt :
(CMEDVERN,243.123)

and whonne +tou were loren , he sou+gte +te ; (CMEDVERN,243.124)

whon +tou weore sold to synne , he bou+gte +te ; (CMEDVERN,243.125)

whon +tou weore dampned , he sauede +te . (CMEDVERN,243.126)

Whon +tou were boren in synne , he cristnede +te ; (CMEDVERN,243.127)

and afturward whon +tou sungedest so ofte and so foule , +tenne he
suffrede +te so freoli (CMEDVERN,243.128)

& abod longe , (CMEDVERN,243.129)

and receyuede +te to his merci , (CMEDVERN,243.130)

and +te putte +torw his grace in to his swete couent .
(CMEDVERN,243.131)

And eueri day , whon +tou dost mis , he snibbe+t +te ;
(CMEDVERN,243.132)

whon +tou sungest , he for+giue+t hit +te ; (CMEDVERN,243.133)

whon +tou doutest , +ten he teche+t +te ; (CMEDVERN,243.134)

whon +tou errest , he a-Mende+t +te . (CMEDVERN,243.135)

Whon +tou hungrest , he fede+t +te ; (CMEDVERN,243.136)

whon +tou art cold , he hete+t +te ; (CMEDVERN,243.137)

whon +tou hast hete , he kele+t +te . (CMEDVERN,243.138)

Whon +tow wakest , he saue+t +te ; (CMEDVERN,243.139)

won +tou slepest , he loke+t +te ; (CMEDVERN,243.140)

whon +tou risest , he susteyne+t +te ; (CMEDVERN,243.141)

won +tou wost fallen , he redresse+t +te ; (CMEDVERN,243.142)

whon +tou sittest , he abyde+t +te ; (CMEDVERN,243.143)

won +tou gost , he lede+t +te ; (CMEDVERN,243.144)

whon +tou turnest , he went +te . (CMEDVERN,243.145)

Whon +teu gost mis , he a+geyn-calle+t +te ; (CMEDVERN,243.146)

and euere whon +tou art vuel at ese , he com-forte+t +te .
(CMEDVERN,243.147)

+Teose godes , and mony mo , vre swete lord ha+t don to +te . Wher-fore
in swetnesse of +tin herte +tou schalt euere on him +tenke , of him
speke , him +tonken , him preisen , niht and day , +gif +tow const ouht
of loue . (CMEDVERN,243.148)

<heading>

HOW +TAT MON SCHAL SPENDEN HIS TYME . (CMEDVERN,243.150)

CAPITULUM QUINTUM . (CMEDVERN,243.151)

</heading>

Furst , whon +tou risest of +ti bed in Morwe-tyde and at Mid-niht ,
+tenk hou mony +tousand Men han ben perisch +tat niht in bodi and soule
, summe in fuir and summe in water , $summe in $o+ter diuerse manere as
in se`e` and in lond ; summe Robbede and summe I-wounde , summe slayn ,
summe dede sodeynliche wi+t-outen schrift , wherfore +tei be fallen in
to peyne wi+t-outen ende . (CMEDVERN,243.153)

+Tenk also how mony +tousend men ben fallen +tat niht in to peril of
soule , +tat is to siggen in to dedly synne , as in Lecherie ,
Coutetyse , and in o+tur mony-maner folyes . (CMEDVERN,243.154)

Of alle +teose wikkednesses +te ha+t dilyuered vre swete lord ,
wi+t-outen +ti diseruyng . (CMEDVERN,243.155)

For whi ? (CMEDVERN,243.156)

what seruise hast tou do to him wherfore he ha+t so loked +te , & mony
o+ture forsaken & laft ? (CMEDVERN,243.157)

+Gif +tou take good hede hou gret good god ha+t don to +te on alle
halue , +tou schalt fynden him ocupyed abouten +te as +tei he dude non
o+tur +ting but were tendynge onliche to +te and to +tin hele ;
(CMEDVERN,243.158)

and +tou schalt seon him , for to loken +te , al so tentyf and bisi as
he hedde for+geten al +te world for to taken kepe onliche to +te .
(CMEDVERN,243.159)

And whonne +tou hast +touht +tus , tak vp +tin hond (CMEDVERN,243.160)

and +tonke +ti lord of +tis and of alle o+tur goodnesse , in +tis
manere : (CMEDVERN,243.161)

Gracias tibi ago , domine Ihesu Christe , qui me miserum peccatorem in
hac nocte $custodisti , protexisti , visitasti , sanum , saluum , et
$incolumem ad hanc horam per-uenire fecisti , et pro vniuersis alijs
beneficijs tuis , que michi tua sola bonitate con - tulisti . Qui cum
patre & s. s. u. & regnas deus : (CMEDVERN,243.162)

" +TOnkynge I make to +te , my lord Ihesu Crist , +tat me synful
wrecche euer to +tis tyme lokedest , defendest , visytest , hol , saue
and vnbroken to +tis tyme madest comen , and for alle +tine o+ture gode
dedes +tat to me +torw +tin onliche godnesse has wrou+gt ; +tat wi+t
+te ffader and +te holy gost liuest and regnest god euermore wi+t-outen
ende . (CMEDVERN,243.163)

A. M. E. N. . (CMEDVERN,243.164)

Amen . " (CMEDVERN,243.165)

In +te selue manere schalt tou seyen whon +tou ristest in Morwetyde ,
and whon +tou gost to bedde a-niht . (CMEDVERN,243.166)

At Mid-niht , +tou schal seyen ad hanc horam " to +tis houre " ,
(CMEDVERN,243.167)

but in Morwe-tyde +tou schalt seyen ad principium huius diei " to +te
begynnynge of +tis dai " , and at niht ad finem huius diei " to +te
endynge of +tis dai " . (CMEDVERN,243.168)

And whon +tou hast don +tus , +tou schalt +tenken inwardliche hou +tou
hast dispendet +te tyme from morwe-tyde +tat +tou ros til +tou go to
bedde a-niht ; and also from +te liggynge to +ti rysynge : and preye
god Merci of +te wikkednesses +tat +tou hast don , and of +te godes
+tat +tou hast leued +tat dai , or +tat niht ; and do no +ting to +tis
lyf , til +tou haue bitaken +ti-self and +ti frendes , quike and dede
in to +te hondes of vre swete lord Ihesu Crist , (CMEDVERN,243.169)

& sei +tus : In manus tuas , domine , et sanctorum angelorum tuorum
comendo in hac die animam meam & corpus meum , parentes , fratres
sorores , cognatos , amicos , familiares , benefactores meos , et omnem
populum chatholicum , custodi nos in hac die , per Merita & inter -
cessionem beate Marie & omnium sanctorum , a vicijs & concupiscencijs
prauis , temptacionibus diaboli , a subitanea & inprouisa morte , & a
penis inferni , illumina cor meum de spiritu sancto et de tua sancta
cracia , fac me tuis semper obedire mandatis , et a te nunquam separari
permittas . Qui viuis & regnas deus per omnia s seculorum . Amen .
(CMEDVERN,243.170)

" IN to +tin hond , lord , and of +tyn holy Angeles I beo-take in +tis
dai my soule and my bodi , ffader and Moder , Bre+teren Sustren , Sibbe
and frende , and alle myne gode-doeres , and alle cristene folk .
(CMEDVERN,243.171)

Loke vs to-day , +torw +te meede and +te preyeres of blessed Marie and
of alle halewes , from vices and wikkede couetises , fondynges of +te
deuel , and from sodeyn and vn-war de+t , and from +te peynes of helle
. (CMEDVERN,243.172)

Lihte myn herte of +te holigost and of +tin holi grace ,
(CMEDVERN,243.173)

make me euer-more Boxum to +ti commaundemens , (CMEDVERN,243.174)

and neuere suffre me be parted from +te ; +tat liuest and regnest god
wi+t-outen ende . (CMEDVERN,243.175)

Amen . " (CMEDVERN,243.176)

And whon +tou gost to bedde at niht , +ter as +tou seist in +te
Morwetide In hac die " in +tis day " , sei +tenne In hac note " in +tis
ni+gt " . (CMEDVERN,243.177)

+Gif +tou do in +tis manere , +tenne schalt tou hauen trewe knowying of
+ti-self . (CMEDVERN,243.178)

For whi ? (CMEDVERN,243.179)

+tus sei+t +te holi $writ " +gif +tou affye +te o +ti-self , +tou
schalt be delyered to +ti-self ; (CMEDVERN,243.180)

+gif +tou affye +te in god , +tou schalt be taken to god " .
(CMEDVERN,243.181)

+Tis Manere of consideracion of +ti-self , and in +tis +tenkyng schalt
+tow come to +te knowying of God . (CMEDVERN,243.182)

<heading>

WHUCHE-MANERE MON SCHAL KNOWE GOD IN EUERI CREATURE .
(CMEDVERN,243.184)

CAP. SEXTUM . (CMEDVERN,243.185)

</heading>

+Treo Maners ben of Contemplacion : (CMEDVERN,243.187)

+te ffurste is in Creatures , +te seconde in Holy writ , +te +tridde in
God self and in his kuynde . (CMEDVERN,243.188)

Contemplacion nis non o+ter +ting but siht of +te godnesse of god .
(CMEDVERN,243.189)

+Te goodnesse of god in his creatures , +tou mai+gt se in +tis Manere .
(CMEDVERN,243.190)

+Treo +tinges ben in god : Miht , Wisdam , and Godnesse .
(CMEDVERN,243.191)

Miht is turned to god +te Fader , Wisdam to god +te Sone , Goodnesse to
god +te Holigost . (CMEDVERN,243.192)

+Torw his Miht , ben alle +tinges formed , (CMEDVERN,243.193)

+torw his Wisdam ben wonderliche ordeynet , (CMEDVERN,243.194)

+torw his Goodnesse ben eueri day Multiplyede . (CMEDVERN,243.195)

His miht maiht tou seon +torw heore gretnesse and +torw heore formyng ,
(CMEDVERN,243.196)

his Wisdam mai+gt +tou sen +torw heore feirnesse and +torw heore
ordynaunce , his Godnesse +torw heore vertues and +torw heore
multipliing . (CMEDVERN,243.197)

His Mihte +torw heore gretnesse mai+gt +tou seon in heore foure
departynges , +tat is to witene , +torw heore hei+gnesse , <P_245> and
heore depnesse , and +toru heore brodenesse , and heore longenesse .
(CMEDVERN,245.198)

His Wisdam mai+gt +tow sen +gif +tou take good heede how he ha+t +giuen
to eueri creature beoing : To summe , beoing wi+t-oute more , as to
stones ; to summe beoing and liuing , as to treon ; to summe beoing ,
liuing , and felyng , as to beestes ; to summe being , liuing , felyng
, and vnderstonding , as to Angeles and to Mon . (CMEDVERN,245.199)

$Stones hauen beoing , (CMEDVERN,245.200)

but +tei ne+ter liuen , felen , ne vnderstonden . (CMEDVERN,245.201)

Herbes hauen beoing & liuing (CMEDVERN,245.202)

but +tei felen not . (CMEDVERN,245.203)

Beeestes ben , liuen , and felen , (CMEDVERN,245.204)

but $+tei haue no resoun . (CMEDVERN,245.205)

Men haue beoinge wi+t stones , Liuynge wi+t herbes , ffelynge wi+t
Beestes , Resoun wi+t Angeles . (CMEDVERN,245.206)

+Tus +tou maiht seon +te dignite of Monkuynde - (CMEDVERN,245.207)

and +terfore sei+t seint Austin : " I wolde not haue +te godnesse , of
Angel , and I mihte haue +te goodnesse +tat is ordeyned to Mon " .
(CMEDVERN,245.208)

+Tenk also +tat Mon is wor+ti gret confusion +tat wol not liuen as his
condicion aske+t in his degre . (CMEDVERN,245.209)

For whi ? (CMEDVERN,245.210)

alle +te creatures of +tis world ben maad onliche for Mon , ffor +treo
enchesons : ffor to helpen vs of trauayle , ffor to clo+ten vs , ffor
to feeden vs . (CMEDVERN,245.211)

+Te nuyaunt Creatures , as wikkede herbes and venimouse beestes , ben
maad for +treo +tinges : ffor vre chastyng , ffor vre amendyng , ffor
vre teching . (CMEDVERN,245.212)

We ben punissched and chastised whon we ben hurt : (CMEDVERN,245.213)

and +tat is a gret Merci <em> of god </em> , +tat he wole chastisen vs
now in bodi , +tat we beo not wi+t-outen ende punissched in soule .
(CMEDVERN,245.214)

We ben amendet whon we +tenken +tat al +tis is comen vs +torw vre sunne
; (CMEDVERN,245.215)

ffor whi ? (CMEDVERN,245.216)

whon we sen +tat so luitel creatures mowen vs greuen , +tenne we
+tenken on vre feblesse , (CMEDVERN,245.217)

& ben meke . (CMEDVERN,245.218)

We ben tau+gt in +tat +tat we seon in suche creatures +te wonder werkes
of vre Creatour ; (CMEDVERN,245.219)

ffor more edificacion to vs is +te trauayle of +te nuy+gere +ten +te
streng+te of +te Beore or of +te Lyoun . (CMEDVERN,245.220)

Also as is seid of Beestes , also vndurstond of herbes ;
(CMEDVERN,245.221)

and whon +tou hast +tou+gt of +teose Creatures , hef vp +tin herte to
+ti creatour , (CMEDVERN,245.222)

and +tenk +tat hit is gret power to maken such +tinges of nou+gt , and
gret wisdam to ordeynen hem , and gret goodnesse to encresen hem eueri
day in to so gret noumbre . (CMEDVERN,245.223)

Sei to +ti lord +terfore in +tin herte : " For +tou art , +terfore +tei
ben ; (CMEDVERN,245.224)

ffor +tou art feir , +terfore are +tei feir ; (CMEDVERN,245.225)

ffor +tou art good , +terfore are +tei goode . (CMEDVERN,245.226)

Wi+t good riht +te honouren alle creatures , (CMEDVERN,245.227)

+tei herien , (CMEDVERN,245.228)

+tei glorifyen for $heore prow , blessed God in Trinite ! Of whom ben
alle +tinges +torw his pouwer maade , and gouernede +torw his wisdam ,
& +torw his bounte multipliede . (CMEDVERN,245.229)

Ipsi honor & gloria in secula s . amen . " (CMEDVERN,245.230)

<heading>

HOW MON MAI SEO GODES WILLE IN HOLI WRIT . (CMEDVERN,245.232)

</heading>

+TE secounde degre of Contemplacion is in Holi writ .
(CMEDVERN,245.234)

But nou schalt +tou asken +tat art of luitel lettrure : " On what
manere mi+gt I euere comen to contemplacion of holi writ ? "
(CMEDVERN,245.235)

Now vnderstond (CMEDVERN,245.236)

and I schal teel +te . (CMEDVERN,245.237)

+Gif +tou konst not vndurstonde +tat is writen : here ble+teliche +te
gode +tat mon sei+t . (CMEDVERN,245.238)

Whon +tou herest out of holi writ , in a comuyne prechinge or in priue
seyinge : tak hede anon +gif +tou herest ou+gt +tat mai auayle +te to
edificacion , to hate synne and loue vertues , and doute peyne and
desiren ioye , to dispisen +tis world , touward +te to+tur hi+gen ,
what +tou schalt don and what +tou schal leuen , and al +tat mai lihten
+tin vnderstondynge , in knowynge of so+tnesse , and al +tat warme+t
+ti wille $& affeccion , in hete of charite ; (CMEDVERN,245.239)

ffor whi ? (CMEDVERN,245.240)

of +teose two goodes ben al +tat is writen in holi writ , priueli
<P_246> or aperteli . (CMEDVERN,246.241)

Out of holiwrit +tou schalt witen and knowen w+guche ben +te seuene
dedliche synnes , & heore Braunches ; +te seuene blessynges of +te
Ewangelie ; +te seuene +giftus of +te holigost ; Godes ten
Commaundemens ; +te seuene vertues : Be-leeue , Hope , Loue wyntise ,
Riht , Atemprenesse , and Streng+te ; +te twelue articles of +te
be-leeue ; +te seuene Sacramens ; seuene dedes of Merci ; seuens
preieres of +te Pater noster ; +te seuene druweries in bodi , & seuene
in soule ; +te seuene peynes of helle , and Ioyes of heuene .
(CMEDVERN,246.242)

<heading>

OF +TE SEUENE DEDLY SYNNES . (CMEDVERN,246.244)

</heading>

+TE seuene dedli synnes ben +teose : Pruide , Wra+t+te , Envye ,
Accidie , Couetise , Glotonis , and Lecherie . (CMEDVERN,246.246)

Pruide is loue of oune hei+gnesse ; (CMEDVERN,246.247)

of him waxen +teose seuene Braunches : Vnbuxumnesse a+geyn God and
a+geyne Souereyn , +tat is to siggen : leuen +tat is comaundet , or don
+tat is defendent . (CMEDVERN,246.248)

+Te secunde is Auaun-tynge ; whon a Mon a-vaunte+t him of good +tat he
ha+t of a no+ter , or of an vuel +tat he ha+t of him-self .
(CMEDVERN,246.249)

+Te +tridde is Ypocrisye : whon mon make+t him hauen good +tat he ha+t
nouht , and hut +te wikkednesse +tat he ha+t . (CMEDVERN,246.250)

+Te ffeor+te is Despit : whon a mon blame+t a no+teres godnesse , for
him-self scholde seme +te betere . (CMEDVERN,246.251)

+Te .v. is Arrogauns : whon mon make+t comparison bitwene his
wikked-nesse and an o+tures , so +tat his may seman +te lasse .
(CMEDVERN,246.252)

+Te .vi. is Boldnesse : whon he ha+t no schome of open synne .
(CMEDVERN,246.253)

+Te seuen+te is Elacion : whon Mon Ioye+t of his wikkednesse .
(CMEDVERN,246.254)

+treo +tinges ben wer-of mon ha+t pruide : of godes +tat he ha+t of
kuynde , as ffeirnesse , streng+te , god wit , cunrade .
(CMEDVERN,246.255)

+Te secounde , of godes +tat he ha+t of purchas , as science , vertues
, good loos , grace , or dignite . (CMEDVERN,246.256)

+Te +tridde is , of worldliche godes , as clo+ting , housying , Rentes
, Meyne , horsyng and o+ter hauyng . - (CMEDVERN,246.257)

Off Envye $waxen : ben glad of o+tures harm , and sori of o+tures goode
; (CMEDVERN,246.258)

and +tat mai ben in herte +torw wille , or in Mou+te +torw detraccion ,
or in dede +torw wi+t-drawyng of gode or procurying of vuel .
(CMEDVERN,246.259)

Off Ire waxen : manaces , vileyne wordes , scornynges , & Blasfemies .
(CMEDVERN,246.260)

Off Accidie waxen : heuinesse , Ma-lice , Whonhope , Necligence aboute
godes comaundemens , bisi +touht aboute +tinges defendet .
(CMEDVERN,246.261)

Off Cousetyse wexen ; tresouns , ffals o+tes , feble reste , and hard
herte for to don dedes of Merci . (CMEDVERN,246.262)

Off Glotenie waxen : veyn gladnesse , Lecherie , ful+te , much speche ,
and feble vnderstondyng . (CMEDVERN,246.263)

Off Lecherie woxen : Blyndnesse of herte , in preyeres vnstudefastnes ,
folhastinesse , loue of him-self , hate of god , loue of +tis world ,
fere and wonhope of +te world +tat is to comen . (CMEDVERN,246.264)

+Teose ben +te dedly synnes seuene ; (CMEDVERN,246.265)

and wel ben I-callet dedly , (CMEDVERN,246.266)

ffor whi ? (CMEDVERN,246.267)

+te +treo furst despoylen +te synful wrecche , (CMEDVERN,246.268)

and +te feor+te falle+t him doun , (CMEDVERN,246.269)

+te fyf+te caste+t him out , (CMEDVERN,246.270)

+te sixte deceyue+t him , (CMEDVERN,246.271)

+te seue+te puite+t him in to vuel seruage . (CMEDVERN,246.272)

For whi ? (CMEDVERN,246.273)

Pruide dispolyle+t mon of God , Envye of his bro+ter , Ire of
him-seluen ; (CMEDVERN,246.274)

Accidie him falle+t , (CMEDVERN,246.275)

Auarice +trowe+t him out , (CMEDVERN,246.276)

Glotonye desyue+t him , (CMEDVERN,246.277)

Lecherie put him in to +traldam . (CMEDVERN,246.278)

<heading>

OF SEUEN BLESSYNGES OF +TE EWANGELYE . (CMEDVERN,246.280)

</heading>

REmedies a+geyn +te seune dedly synnes lei+t vr lord Blessynges seuene
in +te Ewangelie , (CMEDVERN,246.282)

and sei+t +tus : " Blessed be +te meke of spirit , (CMEDVERN,246.283)

for heoren is +te ioye of heuene " : (CMEDVERN,246.284)

+tat is a+geyn Pruide , +tat dispoyle+t mon of god . (CMEDVERN,246.285)

" Blessed be +te <P_247> deboners , to his bro+ter , (CMEDVERN,247.286)

for +tei schulen haue blessed er+te euerlastand " : (CMEDVERN,247.287)

+tat is a+geyn Envye , +tat reue+t from mon his bro+tther .
(CMEDVERN,247.288)

" Blesset beo +tei +tat wepen , (CMEDVERN,247.289)

for +tei schulen be cumforted : (CMEDVERN,247.290)

+tat is a+geyn Wra+t+te , +tat bi-reue+t mon him-self .
(CMEDVERN,247.291)

" Blesset beo +te Merciful , +tat han Merci of o+ture ,
(CMEDVERN,247.292)

for God wole haue Merci of hem " : (CMEDVERN,247.293)

+tat is a+geyn Couetyse , +tat ha+t of no mon Merci ne pite .
(CMEDVERN,247.294)

" Blesset ben +tei +tat han hunger aftur rihtfulnesse ,
(CMEDVERN,247.295)

for +tei schulen be fed " : (CMEDVERN,247.296)

+tat is a+gein Slou+te and negligence . (CMEDVERN,247.297)

" Blesset ben +tei +tat han clannesse of herte , (CMEDVERN,247.298)

for +tei schullen seo +te face of god " : (CMEDVERN,247.299)

+tat is a+geyn Glotonye , +tat +tenke+t al-wey of ffleschliche lustes .
(CMEDVERN,247.300)

" Blessed ben +te peisybles , (CMEDVERN,247.301)

for +tei schulen be cald godes children " : (CMEDVERN,247.302)

+tat is a+geyn Lecherie , (CMEDVERN,247.303)

for whi ? (CMEDVERN,247.304)

lechour mai not han rest nor pees of here . (CMEDVERN,247.305)

A+gein Prude , Mon schal han in his herte and in his mou+t and in his
dedes , studefast mekenes . A+geyn Envye , Ioye in herte of o+tur
mennes wel-fare , and serwe of o+tures harm , and loue to alle men .
A+geyn Wra+t+te , suffring and symplenes . A+gein Sleu+te , li+gt herte
in godes seruise and in alle good dedes . A+geyn Couetyse , +giuynge
wi+t gode herte to pore men . A+geyn Lecherie , Chastite of bodi , of
herte , of tonge , of ei+ge . A+geyn Glotonye , Mesure of him-seluen ,
in Mete and drinke , nomeliche of drinke , (CMEDVERN,247.306)

ffor +torw to muche drink mony mon ha+t losen his lyf , and mony Maiden
hire Maidenhod ; (CMEDVERN,247.307)

of hit come+t mony o+tur wikkednesses . (CMEDVERN,247.308)

<heading>

OF +TE SEUENE +GIFTES OF +TE HOLIGOST . (CMEDVERN,247.310)

</heading>

NOw +tou hast seuene Manere seknesses , and heore medecynes , .
(CMEDVERN,247.312)

<em>

After come+t +te souereyn leche (CMEDVERN,247.314)

and take+t his medecynes </em> , +tat sauen mon from +te seune vices
and confermen him in $+te seuene vertues , +torw +te $+giftes of +te
holigost , +tat ben +teose : +Te spirit of wit and of vnderstondynge ,
+Te spirit of counseil , and of streng+te , +Te spirit of connynge ,
and of pite , +Te spirit of drede of god . (CMEDVERN,247.315)

+Torw +teose seuene +giftes teche+t vre lord what mon ha+t mester $of
to +te lyf bodilyche and to +te lyf gostliche . (CMEDVERN,247.316)

And seo in what manere . (CMEDVERN,247.317)

Furst mon moot leue wikkednesse : and +tat vs teche+t +te spirit of
drede of god ; and do +te goode : (CMEDVERN,247.318)

+tat vs teche+t +te spirit of pite . (CMEDVERN,247.319)

And for tweyne +tinges ben +tat lette+t mon to don good , +tat is to
witen Weole and Wo of +tis world - Weole wi+t-halt him wi+t faytinge ,
Wo , wi+t hardnes : +terfore , +tou schalt dispisen +te weole of +tis
world , +tat +tou be not disseyued : (CMEDVERN,247.320)

and +tat +te teche+t +te spirit of cunnynge ; (CMEDVERN,247.321)

and +tou schalt suffren hardnesse , +tat +tou be not ouercomen :
(CMEDVERN,247.322)

and +tat +te teche+t +te spirit of streng+te . (CMEDVERN,247.323)

+Teose foure suffisen to +te lyf bodiliche . (CMEDVERN,247.324)

+Te o+ture fallen to +te lyf gostliche . (CMEDVERN,247.325)

For whi ? (CMEDVERN,247.326)

+treo Maners ben of contemplacion : (CMEDVERN,247.327)

on in Creatures , (CMEDVERN,247.328)

and +tat teche+t +te spirit of vnderstondyng ; (CMEDVERN,247.329)

ano+tur in Holi writ , where +tou mai+gt seo what is to don & what +tou
schalt not don : (CMEDVERN,247.330)

and +tat +te teche+t +te spirit of counseil ; (CMEDVERN,247.331)

and +te +tridde maner is in God self : (CMEDVERN,247.332)

+tat +te teche+t +te spirit of wit . (CMEDVERN,247.333)

<heading>

OF +TE TEN COMAUNDEMENS AND OF HEORE SUFFICIENCE . (CMEDVERN,247.335)

</heading>

+TE $ffurste Comaundement is : +tat mon schal wi+t gret Mekenes seruen
and honouren God ouer alle +ting . (CMEDVERN,247.337)

+Te secunde is : +tat mon schal not taken Godes nome in veyn , in Idel
o+tes ; (CMEDVERN,247.338)

Monnes speche schal ben to o+tur " Hit Is , (CMEDVERN,247.339)

Hit Is ; (CMEDVERN,247.340)

Hit nis , (CMEDVERN,247.341)

Hit nis : (CMEDVERN,247.342)

+Ge , +Ge , Nai Nay " . (CMEDVERN,247.343)

+Te +tridde Comaundement is : +tat mon schal halewe his hali-day , wi+t
holy werkes : heren deuoutliche wi+t-outen Iangeling <P_248> Masse and
Matins and o+ter houres , and not leuen to rysen , for no colde ne for
no sleep ne for no swot - (CMEDVERN,248.344)

ffor +te more gref +tat mon ha+t to risen , +te more schal ben his
meede +gif he rise ; (CMEDVERN,248.345)

and whon +tou art at +ti mete , of such goodes as God ha+t +te lent
+gif ble+teliche +terof to +te pore , (CMEDVERN,248.346)

and after Mete +tonke God of alle his gode +giftes ; (CMEDVERN,248.347)

and afturward not gon to tauerne nor to wrastelynges nor to Carolynges
, nor to o+tur veyn pleyes of vanite - (CMEDVERN,248.348)

ffor of such pleyes comen ofte mis-happes and dedly synnes .
(CMEDVERN,248.349)

+Teose +treo Comaundemens ordeyne+t mon and teche+t hou he schal hauen
him a-nontes god in trinite , to whos liknesse he is formed in soule .
(CMEDVERN,248.350)

+Te to+ture seuene ordeyne+t mon and teche+t hou he schal hauen him
anentes his bro+tur . (CMEDVERN,248.351)

+Te ffurste is : " +tou schalt honouren Fader and Moder " ffleschliche
and gostliche , In twei maneres : (CMEDVERN,248.352)

+tou schalt bouwe to heom & don hem reuerence , and helpen hem in alle
+tinges aftur +ti pouwer +gif +tei han mester ; " +tat +tou beo of long
lyf " , +tat is to seyen , wi+t-outen ende liuinde - (CMEDVERN,248.353)

+tat is riht , +gif +tow wolt haue long liuynge , +tat +tou honoure hem
of whom +tow heddest biginnynge to liuen . (CMEDVERN,248.354)

+Te secounde Comanundement is : " +tow schalt sle no mon " .
(CMEDVERN,248.355)

+Treo Maners ben of Slauht : (CMEDVERN,248.356)

+ter is slauht of hond , whon a mon sle+t a no+tur , or putte+t him in
stude of sleinge , as in prison , or in o+ter stude where for to ben
slayn . (CMEDVERN,248.357)

Slauht of tonge ; +tat is in two maners : be comaunding , or of tysinge
. (CMEDVERN,248.358)

Slauht of herte mai ben also in two maners : as whonne he disyre+t or
coueyte+t a no+tures de+t or whon he suffre+t a mon dyen and wol not
helpen him and delyueren him +gif he haue pouwer . (CMEDVERN,248.359)

+Te +tridde Comaundement is : " +tou schalt do no lecherie " .
(CMEDVERN,248.360)

And +tat is riht , whose wole hauen heuene +tat is wi+t-outen rotyng or
stynk , +tat he loke his soule beo not roten nor stynkinde .
(CMEDVERN,248.361)

+Te ffeor+te Comaundement is : " +tou schal do no +tef+te , nor falshed
" . (CMEDVERN,248.362)

And +tat is riht , whose loue+t a no+ter , +tat he bi-reue him nou+gt
+tat he loue+t or scholde him seruen . (CMEDVERN,248.363)

+Te ffyf+te Comaundement is : " +tou schalt not beren fals witnesse to
harm of +ti bro+tur " . (CMEDVERN,248.364)

And +tat is ri+gt ; (CMEDVERN,248.365)

whose wol not falsliche greuen his bro+ter him-self , he schal not
concenten to ano+ter +tat wole him greuen , nor helpen , nor counseil
+giuen . (CMEDVERN,248.366)

+Te sixte Comaundement is : " +tou $schalt not coueyten +ti bro+ter wyf
" , nor his seruanunt ; nor no mon , +tou +tat art wommon , nor non
o+ter wommon +tou +tat art mon . (CMEDVERN,248.367)

+Te swuen+te Comaundement is : " +tou schalt not coueyten +ti bro+tures
+ting " . (CMEDVERN,248.368)

+Teose tweyne comaundemens acorden to tweyne biforen : " +tou schalt
don no lecherye " , " ne +tou schalt don no +tef+te " ;
(CMEDVERN,248.369)

ffor whi ? (CMEDVERN,248.370)

hose ha+t an vuel wille and coueyte+t faste in herte , he mai not longe
holden him from wikkede dede in wikkede occasions ; (CMEDVERN,248.371)

and +terfore +tou +tat wolt not don no lecherie , loke +tou haue +terof
no couetyse ; (CMEDVERN,248.372)

and +tou +tat wolt not Robben nor stelen , coueyte not in herte non
o+ter monnes +ting . (CMEDVERN,248.373)

+Teos ben +te ten Comaundemens +tat god +gaf Moyses .
(CMEDVERN,248.374)

+Te +treo ffurste fallen to +te loue of God , +te $o+ture seuene to +te
loue of +ti bro+ter . (CMEDVERN,248.375)

<heading>

OF SEUENE VERTUES AND OF HEORE SUFFICIENCE . (CMEDVERN,248.377)

</heading>

Afftur anon most +tou knowen +te seuene vertues : Be-leeue , Hope ,
Loue , Qweynise , Riht , Streng+te , and A-temprenesse .
(CMEDVERN,248.379)

+Te +treo furste , +tat is to witen Be-leeue , Hope , and Loue ,
ordeyne+t +te hou +tou schalt lyuen as anentes God . (CMEDVERN,248.380)

+Te o+ter foure ben cleped vertues Cardinals : to ordeynen +ti-self hou
+tou schalt <P_249> lyuen here ffor to comen to <em> +te ioye </em>
wi+t-outen ende . (CMEDVERN,249.381)

+Tow wost wel , we ben maad for +tis ende , +tat is to witen : to
knowen god , hauen him , and louen him . (CMEDVERN,249.382)

But +treo +tinges ben nedful to comen to $+tis ende : +tat is to witen
: Connynge whoder +tou schalt gon , and wille to $cumen , and hope for
to $cumen . (CMEDVERN,249.383)

On o+ter halue , hose wole wel don a +ting , him bi-houe+t +treo
+tinges : Connynge , Pouwer , and Wille ; +tat is to sei+gen : +tat he
con don hit , and mowe , and wole . (CMEDVERN,249.384)

But for we han not of vre-self connynge , pouwer , no wille , +terfore
God ha+t +giuen vs Be-leeue , ffor to fulfillen +te de-faute of vre
vncunnyngnesse ; Hope , fforte fulfullen +te defaute of vre feblenesse
; Loue , for to ordeynen vre wille to +tat on or to +tat o+tter .
(CMEDVERN,249.385)

Be-leeue ordeyne+t vs to God +te Sone , to whom is a-titlet cunnynge ;
Hope to God +te Fader , to whom is a-tytlet streng+te ; Loue to God +te
Holygost , to whom is a-tytlet godnesse . (CMEDVERN,249.386)

And +terfore , Be-leeue make+t vs haue knowyng of God ;
(CMEDVERN,249.387)

and +tat knowinge sei+t to vs +tat he is wonderliche corteis +tat in
such manere and so largeliche +giue+t vs of his godes :
(CMEDVERN,249.388)

and of +tat be-leeue come+t Hope ; (CMEDVERN,249.389)

and of +tat knowynge +tat he is $good , come+t +te +tridde vertue ,
+tat is Loue , (CMEDVERN,249.390)

ffor whi ? (CMEDVERN,249.391)

eueri +ting loue+t kyndeliche +te goode . - (CMEDVERN,249.392)

Wi+t +te foure o+ture vertues , +tat ben vertues cardinals , is al a
Monnes lyf gouerned in +tis world ; (CMEDVERN,249.393)

+tat ben : Qweyntise , Riht , Streng+te , and A-temprenesse .
(CMEDVERN,249.394)

OF +teose foure sei+t +te holi gost in +te Book of wisdam , +tat +ter
nis no +ting more profitable to mon in eor+te . (CMEDVERN,249.395)

Heere now , wherfore . (CMEDVERN,249.396)

Whose wole wel don , ffurst hit beo-houe+t +tat he cunne chesun +te
gode from +te wikke , and of tweye goode +te betere to chesun .
(CMEDVERN,249.397)

+Te gode fro +te wikke , teche+t vs Riht . (CMEDVERN,249.398)

Leuen +te lasse goode for +te more , vs teche+t Qweyntise .
(CMEDVERN,249.399)

And for twey +tinges letten mon to don wel , +tat is to seyen , worldus
weole , +tat deceyue+t mon wi+t fals swetnesse , and aduersite +tat
ouurcome+t mon wi+t grete and mony hardnesses or wi+t grete burstus :
(CMEDVERN,249.400)

a+genyn weole +tou schalt haue Mesure , +tat +tou beo not to muche
houen an hei+g and deceyued wi+t fals swetnesse , (CMEDVERN,249.401)

and +tat vertu is clept A-temprenesse ; (CMEDVERN,249.402)

a+gein aduersite schalt +tou houe hardynesse of corage , +tat +tou be
not feld wi+t +tis hardnesse , (CMEDVERN,249.403)

and +tis vertu is cald Streng+te . (CMEDVERN,249.404)

<heading>

OF +TE TWELUE ARTICLES OF +TE FEI . (CMEDVERN,249.406)

</heading>

+Te ffurste poynt of holy be-leeue is : Fader and Sone and Holy gost ,
+teose +treo persones ben on God , wi+t-outen begynnynge and wi+touten
endynge , +tat made heuene and eor+te of nou+gt . (CMEDVERN,249.408)

+Te secunde point of be-leeue is : +tat Godes sone tok flesch and blod
of +te Mayden Marie , (CMEDVERN,249.409)

and of hire was boren Ihesu Crist , verrey God and verrey mon .
(CMEDVERN,249.410)

+Te +tridde poynt is : +tat god and +te virgynes sone Marie was pyned
and crucifyed and suffrede de+t on +te crois , (CMEDVERN,249.411)

and in sepulcre was leyd , (CMEDVERN,249.412)

in to helle his soule descended wi+t his godhede (CMEDVERN,249.413)

and tok out +te soules +tat hedden in heore lyf don his wille .
(CMEDVERN,249.414)

+Tis passion he suffrede wi+t his oune wille , ffor to diliueren from
helle alle +tat heere done his wille . (CMEDVERN,249.415)

+Te ffeor+te poynt is : +tat Ihesu Crist in +te +tridde day verrei god
and verrei mon Ros from de+t to liue in flesch and bodi glorifyed ;
schewynge him ofte to Marie Maudeleyn and to his disciples ,
(CMEDVERN,249.416)

and spac wi+t heom ; (CMEDVERN,249.417)

and +torw +tat Resurrexion , wi+t +tis bodi +tat we han in +tis world
we schullen risen fro de+t to lyue . (CMEDVERN,249.418)

+Te ffyf+te point is : +tat vre lord Ihesu Crist , God and mon , stei+g
in to heuene , and +torw him schulen we , <em> if we </em> <P_250> be
not cumbered wi+t no dedly synne whon we passen henne .
(CMEDVERN,250.419)

From +tenne he sende +te holigost to hise apostles ; (CMEDVERN,250.420)

and fro +tenne at +te day of doom in his monhed schal comen to Iuggen
wi+t his apostles eueri mon aftur his werkes . (CMEDVERN,250.421)

+TE seuene +tat comen after , ben +te seuene sacramens of holichurche ,
+tat ben remedie to mon of alle-manere synne . (CMEDVERN,250.422)

+Te furst is Cristendom , +tat make+t mon clene of +te synne +tat he
drau+g+t of ffader and moder . (CMEDVERN,250.423)

+Te secunde is Confirmacion , +tat conferme+t +te holygost in mon or
wommon +tat is cristned . (CMEDVERN,250.424)

+Te +tridde is Penaunce , +tat do+t awei eueri maner of synne .
(CMEDVERN,250.425)

+Te ffeor+te is +te sacrement of +te Auter , +tat conferme+t +te
penaunt and +giue+t him streng+te +tat he ne +gen-falle , and
reconsyle+t him . (CMEDVERN,250.426)

+Te ffyf+te is Order , +tat +giue+t pouwer to $ordeyned to don heore
Offys and make +te sacrement . (CMEDVERN,250.427)

+Te sixte is Matrimoyne , +tat defende+t dedli synne in waxing of
generacion . (CMEDVERN,250.428)

+Te seuen+te is Vnccion , +tat is don to +te seke in remedie of bodi
and soule . (CMEDVERN,250.429)

<heading>

OF +TE SEUENE DEDES OF MERCI . (CMEDVERN,250.431)

</heading>

Affter +tow most witen w+guche ben +te dedes of Merci .
(CMEDVERN,250.433)

+Te ffurste is : +giuen +te hungri mete . +Te secunde , +giue drynke to
+te +trustfol . (CMEDVERN,250.434)

+Te +tridde is clo+ten +te nakede . (CMEDVERN,250.435)

+Te ffeor+te is , herborwe +te housles . +Te ffyf+te , visyten +te
$prisonede {TEXT:prison_neode} . (CMEDVERN,250.436)

+Te sixte is , cumforte +te seke . (CMEDVERN,250.437)

+Te seuen+te is , to burie +te dede . (CMEDVERN,250.438)

+Teose ben +te dedes of Merci +tat fallen to monnes bodi .
(CMEDVERN,250.439)

But now mai+gt +tou sei+gen +tat art in Religion : " I haue no power to
+giue mete nor drinke nor clo+tinge nor herborwe , nor visyten nor
cumforten +te prison nor +te seke , (CMEDVERN,250.440)

ffor I am al in o+tures pouwer and not in myn oune . (CMEDVERN,250.441)

+Terfore hit weore bettre I weore at myne owne wille , and don +tis
dedes of Merci , +ten ben in Religion . " (CMEDVERN,250.442)

Ne be not deceyued . (CMEDVERN,250.443)

hit is bettre haue compassion and pite in herte of him +tat is Meseyse
, +ten +tat +tou heddest al +te world to +giuen for charitie ,
(CMEDVERN,250.444)

ffor better is +giuen holliche compassion of +ti-self , +ten of +tyn
god . (CMEDVERN,250.445)

+Gef +ti-seluen , (CMEDVERN,250.446)

and +tou +geuest more +ten al +te world . (CMEDVERN,250.447)

But nou +tou wolt seien : " So+t hit is +tat hit is bettre +gift to
+giuen +ti-seluen +ten +tyn : (CMEDVERN,250.448)

But bo+te were bettre +ten on ; (CMEDVERN,250.449)

ffor on good is lasse +ten tweyne . " (CMEDVERN,250.450)

Hit is not so ; (CMEDVERN,250.451)

ffor whi ? (CMEDVERN,250.452)

Whe+tere is better be called god , or ben called his seuaunt ?
(CMEDVERN,250.453)

To ben called god . (CMEDVERN,250.454)

And +to +tat suffren Cold , hunger and defaute and o+tur meseises here
, he calle+t heom him-self ; (CMEDVERN,250.455)

ffor he sei+t in +te Ewangelie : " Al +tat +ge don to +te leeste of
myne , +ge don hit to me . " (CMEDVERN,250.456)

On o+tur halue ; whe+ter is beter to Iuggen or ben I-Iugget ?
(CMEDVERN,250.457)

Certes , Iuggen . (CMEDVERN,250.458)

And +tat schullen +te pore : (CMEDVERN,250.459)

+tei schullen Iugge +te riche ; (CMEDVERN,250.460)

also Ihesu sei+t in +te Ewangelie : " +Ge +tat han alle +tingus forsake
for +te loue of me : at +te day of dome whon I sitte in +te see of my
Mageste , +tenne schul +ge sitten vppon +te xii tronos and Iuggen $+te
.xii. linages of Israel " . (CMEDVERN,250.461)

On o+ter halue : whe+ter is bettere han +te Ioye of heuene in
possescion , or in be-hotyng ? (CMEDVERN,250.462)

Certes , in possession . (CMEDVERN,250.463)

And +tat haue +te pore of spirit , (CMEDVERN,250.464)

ffor , as Ihesu sei+t in +te Ewangelie , " heoren is +te Ioye of heuen
" . (CMEDVERN,250.465)

He se+t not " here schal ben " , but " here is " ; +tat is to
vnderstonden : also siker mouwe +te pore ben of +te Ioye of heuene , as
mon is of +te +ting +tat is in his hondes . (CMEDVERN,250.466)

And +terfore sei+t seint Bernard : " +Te pore han nou+gt in eor+te ,
(CMEDVERN,250.467)

ne +te riche han nou+gt in heuene " ; (CMEDVERN,250.468)

and +terfore , +gif +te riche wolen hit haue , +tei moten hit bugge at
+te pore . (CMEDVERN,250.469)

Now I wot wel +tow disyrest muche to witen w+guche <P_251> ben verrey
pore , and w+guche nou+gt . (CMEDVERN,251.470)

Now here wi+t deuocion . (CMEDVERN,251.471)

Summe ben +tat han richesse , and louen hit : (CMEDVERN,251.472)

+to ben +te Couetouse of +tis world ; (CMEDVERN,251.473)

and summe ben +tat hauen hem not , (CMEDVERN,251.474)

but +tei louen hem (CMEDVERN,251.475)

and wolde gladliche hauen hem : (CMEDVERN,251.476)

+to ben +te wrecces of +te world , and +te false religious ,
(CMEDVERN,251.477)

and $+tei ben also riche as +te o+tere or ricchore , <em> in wil </em>
. (CMEDVERN,251.478)

And +tei ben $+to of whom Ihesu sei+t in +te Ewangelie +tat " hit weore
lihtore to chamaile gon +torw +te ei+ge of an nedele , +ten +te riche
entre in to +te ioye of heuen " . (CMEDVERN,251.479)

Summe $han $riches , (CMEDVERN,251.480)

but +tei louen hit not , al-+tau+g +tei <em> wol wele </em> $hit han :
(CMEDVERN,251.481)

+to ben +te gode men of +tis world +tat dispenden +tat +tei han wel ;
(CMEDVERN,251.482)

and o+ture +ter ben +tat han nou+gt of richesse , nor louen hit , nor
+tei sechen not to hauen hit : (CMEDVERN,251.483)

+to ben +te holy men of Religion ; (CMEDVERN,251.484)

and +tei ben verreiliche pore , (CMEDVERN,251.485)

and heoren is +te Ioye of heuene . (CMEDVERN,251.486)

+Tat is +te blessyng of pore . (CMEDVERN,251.487)

+Tenne bihoue+t hit +tat +te riche haue +te contrarie of +te blessynge
. (CMEDVERN,251.488)

And +terfore I mai siggen : " Blessed ben +te pore , (CMEDVERN,251.489)

for heoren is +te Ioye of heuene " , (CMEDVERN,251.490)

+tenne may I siggen : " Waried ben +te riche , (CMEDVERN,251.491)

for heoren is +te peyne of helle . " (CMEDVERN,251.492)

Riche ben +tat han richesse and louen hit , <em> or +tat han hit not
but louen hit and coueyten hit </em> . (CMEDVERN,251.493)

Pore ben +tat han pouerte and louen hit and coueyten hit , or +tat han
richesse and louen al-wei pouert . (CMEDVERN,251.494)

<heading>

OF +TE SEUENE PREYERES OF +TE PATER NOSTER . (CMEDVERN,251.496)

CAP. XV . (CMEDVERN,251.497)

</heading>

Aftur +tou most knowen w+guche ben +te seuene preyeres of +te Pater
noster , +tat fordon alle wikkednesses and bringen alle godnesses ;
+tat vre lord Ihesu Crist tau+gte his disciples how +tei scholden
pre+ge god +te fadur , & seide hem +tus : Pater noster quie es in celis
: (CMEDVERN,251.499)

Fader vre +tat art in heuene . (CMEDVERN,251.500)

Sanctificetur nomen tuum : (CMEDVERN,251.501)

Halewed be +ti none . (CMEDVERN,251.502)

Adueniat regnum tuum : (CMEDVERN,251.503)

Come +ti regne . (CMEDVERN,251.504)

Fiat voluntas tua , sicut in celo et in terra : (CMEDVERN,251.505)

+Ti wille be don in eor+te as in heuene . (CMEDVERN,251.506)

Panem nostrum cotidianum da nobis hodie : (CMEDVERN,251.507)

Vre eueridayes bred +gif vs +tis day . (CMEDVERN,251.508)

Et dimitte nobis debita nostra , sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus
nostris : (CMEDVERN,251.509)

For-+gif vs vre dettes , as we for+giuen vre dettoures .
(CMEDVERN,251.510)

Et ne nos inducas in tempta - cionem : (CMEDVERN,251.511)

And do us not in to fondynge . (CMEDVERN,251.512)

Set libera nos a malo : (CMEDVERN,251.513)

But diliuere vs of wikkednesse . (CMEDVERN,251.514)

Amen : (CMEDVERN,251.515)

So beo hit . (CMEDVERN,251.516)

+Tis orison sourmounte+t alle o+ture orisouns , in dignite and in
profyt . (CMEDVERN,251.517)

In Dignite : for God him-self made hit ; (CMEDVERN,251.518)

and +terfore he do+t gret schome and gret vnreuerrence to god +tat
take+t him to Rymede wordes & queynte , and leue+t +te wordes and +te
preyere +tat he vs tauhte , +tat wot al +te wille of god +te fader ,
and w+guch orison him best paye+t , and of w+guche +tinges we wrecches
han most neode and mester to preyen - (CMEDVERN,251.519)

ffor whi ? (CMEDVERN,251.520)

as I haue i-seyd , he wot onliche al godes wille and al vre nedfulnesse
. (CMEDVERN,251.521)

And +terfore ben an hundred +tousend men deceyuet +torw multiplicacion
of orisouns ; (CMEDVERN,251.522)

ffor whon +tei wene han deucion , +tey han a foul fleschliche wille ,
(CMEDVERN,251.523)

ffor eueri fleschliche corage delyte+t him kuyndeliche in turned
langage and rymed . (CMEDVERN,251.524)

And +terfore beo war ! (CMEDVERN,251.525)

ffor I seye +te forso+te , hit is a foul lecherye to delyten in such
Rymynge . (CMEDVERN,251.526)

On o+ter halfe seynt Austin and seint Gregori and o+tur seyntes preiden
after her affeccion . (CMEDVERN,251.527)

$I blame not heore orisons ; (CMEDVERN,251.528)

bote I blame hem +tat leuen +te preyere +tat god him-self maade and
tau+gte , and holden hem to +te orisoun of a symple seint , wher-so he
ha+t founden hit writen . (CMEDVERN,251.529)

For-+ti , bad God in +te Ewangelie : " Whon +ge preyen , ne preye+t not
in mony wordes , (CMEDVERN,251.530)

bote sei+t +tus , Pater <P_252> noster . (CMEDVERN,252.531)

On o+ter halue , +tis Orisoun passe+t alle o+ture orisouns in
$sufficience : (CMEDVERN,252.532)

ffor +ter-Inne is contenet al +tat we han mester $of to +tis lyf or to
+tat o+ter ; (CMEDVERN,252.533)

ffor we preyen God +te ffader +tat he delyuere vs of alle wikkednesse ,
and +tat he +geue vs alle goode , and +tat he make vs suche +tat we
mowen neuer don vuel nor faylen of goode . (CMEDVERN,252.534)

And seo what manere . (CMEDVERN,252.535)

Al +te wikkednesse +tat vs greue+t , +tat is to siggen , ou+ter-5 hit
is wikkednesse +tat is passet , ou+ter +tat is to comen , or +tat is
present now . (CMEDVERN,252.536)

OF +tat is passet , we preyen vr lord +tat he vs delyuere whon we
siggen Dimitte nobis debita nostra , sicut et nos dimittimus
debitoribus nostris . OF +tat is to comen : Et ne nos inducas in
temptacionem . OF +tat we suffre now , whon we siggen Set libera nos a
malo . (CMEDVERN,252.537)

On o+ter halue , what good so hit be , ou+ter-2 hit is Bodili goode ,
or gostly goode , <em> or good </em> wi+t-outen ende .
(CMEDVERN,252.538)

Bodily goode preye we whon we siggen Panem nostrum cotidianum da nobis
hodie . Gostly good , whon we seyen Fiat voluntas tua , sicut in celo &
in terra . Good wi+t-outen ende , whon we seyen Adueniat regnum tuum .
Confirmacion of al +tis , whon we siggen Sanctificetur nomen tuum .
(CMEDVERN,252.539)

+Teose ben +te seuene preyeres of +te Ewangelye +tat Ihesu tauhte his
disciples . (CMEDVERN,252.540)

And +tou schalt wel witen +tat +te foure wordes +tat comen beforen ,
+tat is to witen Pater noster qui es in celis , techen vs hou we
schullen preyen , and w+guche we schulen ben in preyere .
(CMEDVERN,252.541)

For whi ? (CMEDVERN,252.542)

we schul hauen foure +tinges in orison , +tat is to witen : Parfyt loue
anentes him +tat we prei+ge+t to , and certeyn hope to hauen +tat we
asken , and studefast be-leeue in whom +tat we hopen , and so+tfast
mekenes , of +tat we no good han of vre-self and fer ben from his
hei+gnesse +tat we leeuen and louen and hopen . (CMEDVERN,252.543)

Parfyt loue is conteynet in +tis word , Pater : (CMEDVERN,252.544)

ffor whi ? (CMEDVERN,252.545)

eueri Creature loue+t kuyndeliche his ffader . (CMEDVERN,252.546)

Certeyn hope is vnderstonden in +tis word Noster : (CMEDVERN,252.547)

ffor whi ? (CMEDVERN,252.548)

+gif he beo vre , +ten mowe we homeliche seyen and hopen +tat he is
holden to vs . (CMEDVERN,252.549)

Studefast bi-leeue is vnderstonden in +tis word Qui es :
(CMEDVERN,252.550)

ffor whi ? (CMEDVERN,252.551)

whon we seyen Qui es , we leeuen +tat god is , whom we neuer se+gen ;
(CMEDVERN,252.552)

and +tat is ri+gt beleeue , (CMEDVERN,252.553)

ffor fei+t is non o+ter +tyng but leeuyng of +ting +tat may not been
se+gen . (CMEDVERN,252.554)

So+t Mekenesse is vnderstonden in +tis word In celis :
(CMEDVERN,252.555)

ffor whi ? (CMEDVERN,252.556)

whon we +tenken +tat he is hei+g , and +tat we ben lowe , +tenne beo we
meke . (CMEDVERN,252.557)

Whonne we han +tese foure +tinges studefastliche in vre herte , +ten
mowe we hardiliche preyen and siggen wi+t gret wille : " Sanctificetur
nomen tuum , (CMEDVERN,252.558)

Halewed beo +ti nome ; +tat is to siggen : A-ferme +ti nome , +tat art
fader , in vs , +tat we mowen ben in such manere +ti children , +tat we
don euere +ti will , and +tat no +ting beo in vs o+ter +ten beo al to
+ti paye . (CMEDVERN,252.559)

And for we mowe not don +tis parfytli while we ben in +tis wrecchede
world , +terfore we preyen , Adueniat regnum tuum : (CMEDVERN,252.560)

Come to vs +ti regne , +tat +tou regne in vs in +tis lyf +torw grace ,
and <em> we in +te </em> in heuene wi+t Ioye . (CMEDVERN,252.561)

And +te selue we preyen for hem +tat ben in purgatorie .
(CMEDVERN,252.562)

And for we mowen neuer han +te Ioye of heuene but we don +ti wille in
eor+te , we seyen , Fiat voluntas tua sicut in celo et in terra ; +tat
is to siggen , +Gif vs grace to don al +tat +tou comaundest , and leuen
al +tat +tou defendest ; and +tat in er+te as in heuene , +tat is to
siggen : As Michael , Gabriel , Raphael , Angeles and Archangeles ,
Prophetes , Apostles , Martires , Confessours , Virgines don +ti wille
in heuene , also mote don +te Ordres +tat ben in eor+te , +tat is to
witen +te Pope , +te Cardinals , Bisschopes , Abbotes , Priores , and
alle heore <P_253> sogettes , Erchedeknes , Officials , Denes ,
Parsouns , Vikers , Prestes , and alle Ordres ; +te Kynges , +te
Princes , Duykes , Erles , Barouns , Riche Pore , Lettrede and
Vnlettrede , and $al +tei +tat +tou hast bouht in eueriche $regne , in
eueriche Ordre , and in eueriche Lynage , and Age . (CMEDVERN,253.563)

And for we mowe not don +ti wille nor liuen in +tis Bodi , but +gif +ge
vs susteyne , we seyen , Panem nostrum cotidianum da nobis hodie ; +tat
is to seyen , +Gif vs streng+te of bodi and of soule , and hele of
bo+te ; +tat is to witen , +treo maner of bred : bodiliche , as mete
and clop , gostliche as holy writ , and +te bred Eukarist , to
cumforten +te ton and +te to+tur kynde . (CMEDVERN,253.564)

And for we be wor+ti no good while we beo+t in synne , we seyen , Et
dimitte nobis debita nostra , sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus
nostris ; +tat is to siggen , For-+gif vs <em> vre misdedes , as we
for+giuen vren ; +tat is to siggen </em> , al +tat we han synget wi+t
word , wi+t dede , wi+t +tou+gt ; as we for+giuen to hem +tat han
mistaken a+geynes vs . (CMEDVERN,253.565)

And for hit is luitel wor+t for to han for+giuenesse , but +gif we
mowen aftur loken vs from synne , we sigen , Et ne nos inducas in
temptacionem ; +tat is to siggen , Ne soffre not +tat we ben ouer-comen
wi+t fondynge of +te feend , of +te fflesch , ne of +te world .
(CMEDVERN,253.566)

<em> Ac +tou schalt not preyen +tat +tou be not tempted , but +tat +tou
beo not ouuercomen in temptacion . </em> (CMEDVERN,253.567)

Set libera nos a malo : (CMEDVERN,253.568)

And not only of temptacion , bote delyuere vs of vuel , of bodi and of
soule , of seknesse of synne and of pyne , +tat nou is or +tat is to
come . (CMEDVERN,253.569)

Amen . " (CMEDVERN,253.570)

And for god sei+t in +te Ewangelie : " Al +tat +ge preyen my ffader in
my nome , +tat he schal don " ; +terfore we seyen at +te ende of eueri
orison in holi chirche , Per dominum nostrum Iesum Cristum , filum tuum
, Qui tecum uiuit et regnat deus , per omnia secula seculorum amen ,
+tat is to siggen : " +Torw vre lord Ihesu Crist , +ti sone , +tat wi+t
+te liue+t & regne+t god , world wi+touten ende , be hit so " .
(CMEDVERN,253.571)

Vnderstonde +tat +tou schalt not seyen wi+t mou+te al +tat I haue heer
writen : (CMEDVERN,253.572)

but sey onliche +te bare lettre <em> wi+t mou+te </em> ,
(CMEDVERN,253.573)

and +tenk in +tin herte of +tat I haue put here vppon eueri word bi
him-self . (CMEDVERN,253.574)

And make no fors ffor to multeplyen mony Pater noster :
(CMEDVERN,253.575)

ffor whi ? (CMEDVERN,253.576)

on is more wor+t wi+t deuocion and entendement , +ten a +tousand
wi+touten entendement ; (CMEDVERN,253.577)

and seint Poul sei+t " $I hedde leuere siggen fyue wordes wi+t deuocion
in myn herte wi+t entendement , +ten fyue +tousend wi+touten
entendement " . (CMEDVERN,253.578)

IN +te selue manere +tow schalt don +tin offys in Qweor ;
(CMEDVERN,253.579)

ffor whi ? (CMEDVERN,253.580)

+tus se+t +te prophete : Psallite sapienter , (CMEDVERN,253.581)

" Singe and versele Godes seruise wysliche " . (CMEDVERN,253.582)

Wysliche syngen and reden , is forte $+tinken wi+t herte +tat mon sei+t
wi+t mou+te . (CMEDVERN,253.583)

For whi ? (CMEDVERN,253.584)

+gif +ti bodi is in qweor of chirche and +ti lippes in +te sauter , and
+tyn herte in +te chepyng , +tow art wrecchedliche departed .
(CMEDVERN,253.585)

And $for God sei+t : " Seeche+t furst Godes Reyne , and +tat +ge han
mester of +te world schal be send +gowe " : +terfore +tou schalt witen
what +tou schalt han in +te Ioie of heuen . (CMEDVERN,253.586)

<heading>

OF +TE SEUENE DRUERIES IN BODI , AND SEUENE IN +TE SOULE .
(CMEDVERN,253.588)

</heading>

+TOw schalt han seuene druryes in bodi , and seuene in soule .
(CMEDVERN,253.590)

+Tow schalt han in bodi : Feirnesse wi+touten fuilyng , Streng+te
wi+touten feblenesse , Freonesse wi+touten +traldam , Lihtnesse
wi+t-outen heuynesse , Wille wi+t-outen wernyng or a+geyn-standyng ,
Hele wi+touten seknesse , Long lyf wi+t-outen ende . (CMEDVERN,253.591)

+Tow schalt haue in soule ; Wisdam wi+touten vnconnyng , Sikernesse
wi+t-outen feyntnes , <P_254> Ioye wi+t-outen serwe , Loue wi+t-outen
hate , Acord wi+t-outen discord , Honour wi+touten dispisyng .
(CMEDVERN,254.592)

BOte wreeches in helle schulen han +te reuers , in bodi and in soule ;
+tat is : Foulnesse wi+tpouten feirnesse , Feblenesse wi+t-outen
streng+te , and so of al o+ture . (CMEDVERN,254.593)

And +terfore +tou schalt don al +ti power to han +tat Ioye .
(CMEDVERN,254.594)

For whi ? (CMEDVERN,254.595)

hit is so gret Ioye and so gret swetnesse +tat +gif +tou mi+gtest liuen
ffrom +te begynnynge of +te world to +te endynge , and han alle +te
desyres +tat +tou cou+test de-vysen , be good skil +tou schuldest wi+t
good wille leten al +tat , to ben o day in +te Ioye of heune .
(CMEDVERN,254.596)

+Tus ende+t +te secunde degre of Contemplacion , in Holi writ ; wherof
and +tou take good hede , hit schal ben liht for +te to holden eueri
sarmoun . (CMEDVERN,254.597)

On o+tur halue , +tou hast $matere of spekyng to Clerkes ben +tey
neuere so wyse , and to lewede , ben +tei neuere so boystes .
(CMEDVERN,254.598)

Whon +tou spekest to wyse , meue summe of +teose materes , and aske .
(CMEDVERN,254.599)

And whon +tow spekest to symple , teche hem ble+teliche and sweteliche
. (CMEDVERN,254.600)

For whi ? (CMEDVERN,254.601)

+tou has inou+g wherof to speken , and hou +tou schalt +tin owne lyf
leden & o+ture amenden . (CMEDVERN,254.602)

<heading>

CONTEMPLACION OF GOD . (CMEDVERN,254.604)

</heading>

+TE +tridde degre of Contemplacion is in God self ; (CMEDVERN,254.606)

and may beo in two Maners : Wi+t-outen , in his Monhede , and
wi+t-Innen in his hei+ge Godhede . (CMEDVERN,254.607)

For whi ? (CMEDVERN,254.608)

+tus sei+t sein Austin : " +Terfore bicom God mon , to maken mon seon
God in his nature ; (CMEDVERN,254.609)

ffor whi ? (CMEDVERN,254.610)

where mon go+t Inne or oute , alle dayes and alle tymes he may fynden
fedyng of God , inward +torw Contemplacion of his Godhede , outward
+torw Consyderacion of his Monhede " . (CMEDVERN,254.611)

Off his Monhede , +tou schalt +tenke +treo +tinges : +Te Mekenesse of
his Incarnacion , and +te swetnesses of his Conueracion , and +te
charite of his Passion . (CMEDVERN,254.612)

But +tou mai+gt not don +tis at ones : (CMEDVERN,254.613)

+terfore I haue distynktet hem bi $+te houres of +te day +tat +tou
syngest at Chirche ; +tat non houre +te passe +tat +tou ne haue +tin
herte ocupyed . (CMEDVERN,254.614)

+Tat to don , +tou schalt witen +tat eueri houre ha+t double +tenkyng :
on of +te Passion , ano+ter of o+ter seson . (CMEDVERN,254.615)

<heading>

CONTEMPLACION BEFORE MATYNES . (CMEDVERN,254.617)

</heading>

Bi-fforen Matynes , +tow schalt +tenken enterliche +te tyme , +te stude
, and +te houre whonne god was born . (CMEDVERN,254.619)

+Te tyme was in $mid-wynter , whon hit was caldest . (CMEDVERN,254.620)

+Te houre was at midniht , +te hardeste houre +tat is .
(CMEDVERN,254.621)

+Te stude was in-middes +te wey ; in an house wi+t-outen walles
I-wounden in cloutes and bounden wi+t a lyste , (CMEDVERN,254.622)

bi-foren an Oxe and an Asse was $he leid in a Cracche ,
(CMEDVERN,254.623)

for +tei hedde non o+ter place . (CMEDVERN,254.624)

+Tou schalt +tenken of +te bisynesse +tat Marie hedde of hire child ;
(CMEDVERN,254.625)

of Ioseph , hire spouse , +tou schalt +tenken , hou +tat he hedde gret
Ioye . (CMEDVERN,254.626)

+Tenk of +te schepherdes deuocion , and of +te swete cumpaygnye of +te
Angeles : (CMEDVERN,254.627)

and hef vp +tin herte (CMEDVERN,254.628)

and synge wi+t heom Gloria in excelsis deo . (CMEDVERN,254.629)

OF +te passion , +tou schalt +tenken how +tat tyme of +te niht he was
bi-trayet of his disciple , and taken as a traytor , and bounden as a
+tef , and lad as a feloun . (CMEDVERN,254.630)

And +tenk how he proferede him-self to his enemys , and custe him +tat
trayede him , and callede him his frende ; and how he defendede his
disciples to drawen eny wepne , and how he helede +te Ere of his enemy
. And how his disciples flowen for fere and laften him one wi+t his
enemys . And hou +tei bounden him and ladden him bifore Anne ,
(CMEDVERN,254.631)

and +tere he was examynet & boffeted ; (CMEDVERN,254.632)

and for he <P_255> onswerde not after heore wille , he was lad bi-foren
Caiphas ; (CMEDVERN,255.633)

and +ter forsok seynt Peter him +trie . (CMEDVERN,255.634)

<heading>

CONTEMPLACION BE-FORE PRIME . (CMEDVERN,255.636)

</heading>

BI-ffore Prime , +tou schalt +tenken of +te Passion and of +te
Resurrexion . (CMEDVERN,255.638)

OF +te passion , +tou schalt +tenken hou +te Iewes ladden him to heore
counseil , and how +tei fals witnesse beeren him an honde , and
Blasfemie , and hou +tat he hedde reneyed +te peple of Galyle to
Ierusalem : and scorned him in diuerse maners , and spitten in his face
; and hudden his face , and smiten him , and beden him propheten and
tellen who him smot . (CMEDVERN,255.639)

Bute for al +tat swete Ihesu suffrede , he seide neuere , " whi do +ge
so ? " (CMEDVERN,255.640)

bote as a lomb +tat is lad to slen , also he bar hym (CMEDVERN,255.641)

and spac not a+geyn . (CMEDVERN,255.642)

O+tur monye dispites +tei duden him , whuche weore longe to telle .
(CMEDVERN,255.643)

OF +te Resurrexion , +tou schalt +tenken +tat such tyme ros Ihesu Crist
from de+te to lyue , aftur +tat he hedde distruied helle & delyuered
+te soules +tat weren hise from +te pouwer of +te feend .
(CMEDVERN,255.644)

And +tou schalt +tenken also of his swete schewynges : how he aperede
+tat day fyue tymes and fif tymes afterward . (CMEDVERN,255.645)

Furst to Marie Magdaleyn , whon heo wende he hedde I-beon a gardyner .
(CMEDVERN,255.646)

+Te secunde tyme to hire and to o+ter wimmen in +te way , whon he
grette hem and seide Auete , +tat is to siggen " God loke +gou " .
(CMEDVERN,255.647)

+Te +tridde tyme to seint Peter - (CMEDVERN,255.648)

but we haue not +te maner . (CMEDVERN,255.649)

+Te ffeor+te tyme to tweyne disciples touward +te Castel of Emaus ,
whon +tei wenden he hedde ben a pilgrym , and whonne +tei knewen him in
brekynge of bred . (CMEDVERN,255.650)

+Te ffyf+te tyme to ten o+ture disciples whon seynt Thomas was absent :
whon he stod a-middes hem and seide Pax vobis , and schewede hem his
hondes and feet . (CMEDVERN,255.651)

for +tei wenden +tei hedden seyen a spirit . (CMEDVERN,255.652)

+Te sixte tyme , whon seynt Thomas was wi+t hem : and bad him putten
his hond in his syde . (CMEDVERN,255.653)

+Te seu+te tyme he aperede to seint Peter and to seint Ion and to seint
Iake & to Natanael whon +tei fisscheden in +te se`e` +tat is cald
Tiberiadis , and eet wi+t hem & askede seint Peter wher he louede him
more +ten +te o+tere . (CMEDVERN,255.654)

+te eihte+te tyme on +te Mount of Galilee , whon he comaundede hem gon
+torw +te world and Bapti+gen +te peple In +te Fader nome and Sone and
Holygost . (CMEDVERN,255.655)

+Te Ny+te tyme he apeerede to his disciples +te day +tat he steih in to
heuene , whon +tei weren at +te mete , (CMEDVERN,255.656)

and snibbede heom for heore misbileeue and hardnesse of herte .
(CMEDVERN,255.657)

+Te Ten+te tyme to heom +te selue day , whonne he ladde heom out of +te
Cite`e` in to +te Mount of Olyuete , and Comaundede hem +tat +tei
dwelleden in +te Cite til +tei weoren clo+ted of +te vertu of god , and
+gaf hem his sweete blessynge , and departed from hem in to heuen , and
sit on +te riht half of his Fader . (CMEDVERN,255.658)

<heading>

CONTEMPLACION BIFOREN TERCE . (CMEDVERN,255.660)

</heading>

BI-ffore terce , +tou schalt +tenken of +te Passion and of +te Comynge
of +te holigost . (CMEDVERN,255.662)

OF +te passion : hou Ihesus was such tyme dispoylet al naked and
bounden to a piler in Pilatus hous , and beoten +tat from his hed to
his feet was not laft on hol stude . (CMEDVERN,255.663)

+Tenk also hou Pilat sende him to Heroudes , (CMEDVERN,255.664)

and he forleet him (CMEDVERN,255.665)

and clo+ted him in whit , in signe +tat he heold him a fool ,
(CMEDVERN,255.666)

and sende him a+geyn to Pilat . (CMEDVERN,255.667)

And Pilat wolde haue lete him gon , (CMEDVERN,255.668)

but furst he wolde <P_256> chastisen him in +te Manere +tat +tei duden
+teues +tat scholden be leten gon : (CMEDVERN,256.669)

and his knihtes token him , (CMEDVERN,256.670)

and gedereden to-gedere +te peple for to be-holden him ,
(CMEDVERN,256.671)

and duden on him a Mantel of red , (CMEDVERN,256.672)

& $+geuen him a staf in stude of Ceptre , and a Coroune of +tornes on
his hed , (CMEDVERN,256.673)

and kneleden biforen him (CMEDVERN,256.674)

and gretten him . (CMEDVERN,256.675)

Bot for al +tis , wolde not +te Iewes leten him beo quyt ,
(CMEDVERN,256.676)

but Pilat , for to payen hem , dilyuerede hem <em> a +teff </em>
(CMEDVERN,256.677)

and tok hem Ihesus to crucifyen wi+touten gult . (CMEDVERN,256.678)

+Tou schalt also +tenken +tat such tyme of +te day sende vre lord +te
holygost to his disciples in liknesse of ffuir , +tat fulde hem of
wordes and langages , and loue . (CMEDVERN,256.679)

And +tat was +te rihte ordinaunce of God ; (CMEDVERN,256.680)

ffor whi ? (CMEDVERN,256.681)

in two Maners deceyuede +te wikkede gost ffurst mon in Paradys , wi+t
tonge , & wi+t coldnesse of his venym , (CMEDVERN,256.682)

and +terfore com +te holigost In tonge a+geyn entisement of +te deuel ,
In fuir for to destruy+gen +te coldnesse of his venyn .
(CMEDVERN,256.683)

<heading>

CONTEMPLACION BIFOREN MIDDAY . (CMEDVERN,256.685)

</heading>

BI-fforen Midday , +tow schalt +tenken of +te Annunciacion and of +te
Passion . (CMEDVERN,256.687)

OF +te Annunciacion , +tou schalt +tenken $of +te Merci of vr lord ,
+tat he wolde bi-come mon , and suffre de+t in his Monhede for vs ,
while +tat he mihte in o+tur manere han deyuered vs .
(CMEDVERN,256.688)

Bute al he dude +tis to vs for to drawen +te loue of vs .
(CMEDVERN,256.689)

For whi ? (CMEDVERN,256.690)

+gif on hedde iben vre Creatour , and ano+ter vre Saueour , +tenne we
mihten more han loued vre buggere +ten vre $makere ; (CMEDVERN,256.691)

and +terfore wolde vre Creatour ben vre Saueour , and suffren in his
bodi alle vre serwes , for to buggen al vre loue . (CMEDVERN,256.692)

Off +te Passion +tou schalt +tenken +tat such tyme he was don on +te
crois , bi-twene twey +teues , as +tou+g he hedde ben heore Mayster .
(CMEDVERN,256.693)

And +terfore I not w+gat I may siggen : (CMEDVERN,256.694)

ffor +tei+g alle +te seknesses and alle +te serwes of +tis world weore
in Monnes bodi , and +tat mon mihte receiuen also mony anguissches and
also muche serwe in his bodi as alle +te men of +tis world , hit were
not but luytel or as nou+gt to regard of +te serwe +tat he suffrede for
vs in on houre of +te day . (CMEDVERN,256.695)

For whi ? (CMEDVERN,256.696)

+gif I mi+gte liuen an hundred $+tousend +ger and dyen eueri day a
+tousend tymes for him of +te selue de+t +tat he di+gede for me , +git
hit scholde not amounten to +te serwe +tat he suffrede in his bodi .
(CMEDVERN,256.697)

+Tenne may sum mon seyen +tat +te serwe +tat he suffrede for vs on +te
Crois was grettore +ten +te peyne of helle is , in so luytel tyme :
(CMEDVERN,256.698)

ffor w+gi ? (CMEDVERN,256.699)

no Creature mi+gte so muche soffren as Ihesu , (CMEDVERN,256.700)

for +ter hedde non so gret vertu in him ; (CMEDVERN,256.701)

but sum creature may suffren +te peines of helle : (CMEDVERN,256.702)

+tenne is +te peyne of helle lasse for +te tyme +ten +te peyne of Ihesu
. (CMEDVERN,256.703)

I sei not +tis certeynliche , for sum mennes concience .
(CMEDVERN,256.704)

And +terefore he seide in Ieremie : " Alle +ge +tat passen bi +te weye
, take+t kepe to me (CMEDVERN,256.705)

and seo+t wher +ter be eny serwe lyk my serwe " . (CMEDVERN,256.706)

Certes nay , (CMEDVERN,256.707)

+ter was neuer serwe to +te serwe of vre swete lord Ihesu Crist .
(CMEDVERN,256.708)

And also +tou schalt +tenken of vre swete ladi seynte Marie , what
anguissche heo hedde whon heo stod bi his ri+gt syde , and receyuede
+te disciple for +te Maister , and +te seruaunt for +te lord , Ion
+Gebedeus sone ffor Ihesu Godes sone . (CMEDVERN,256.709)

And +terfore heo may sei+gen of hire-self so as Noemi seide :
(CMEDVERN,256.710)

" ne calle+t me not swete luitel or eni del , (CMEDVERN,256.711)

but calle+t me bitter herbi-for+tward , (CMEDVERN,256.712)

for whi ? (CMEDVERN,256.713)

of bitternesse me $ha+t fult and of gret serwe god +tat is al mi+gtful
" . (CMEDVERN,256.714)

+Te selue heo seide in hire song of loue : (CMEDVERN,256.715)

" Ne haue no merueile +tat i am blo , (CMEDVERN,256.716)

for +te sonne ha+t discolurd <P_257> me so " . (CMEDVERN,257.717)

+Terfore sei+t on Englisch +tis in Maner of pite : (CMEDVERN,257.718)

<poetry>

" Nou go+t +te sonne bi +te wode , (CMEDVERN,257.720)

me rewe+t Marie +ti feire rode ; (CMEDVERN,257.721)

Nou go+t +te sonne vnder tre , (CMEDVERN,257.722)

me rewe+t Marie +ti sone and +te . (CMEDVERN,257.723)

</poetry>

Nou +tou hast , Mayden , feled +te scharpe poynt of +tat swered +tat
+te prophete Symeon made to +te mencion $of , +te day of purificacion ;
(CMEDVERN,257.725)

nou +tou hast receyued +tat +te bi-hete Anne +te prophetesse " .
(CMEDVERN,257.726)

<heading>

CONTEMPLACION BIFORE NON . (CMEDVERN,257.728)

</heading>

Bi-fore Noon , +tou schalt +tenken of +te Passion & of +te Ascencion .
(CMEDVERN,257.730)

OF +te passion , +tou schalt +tenken +tat such tyme of +te day di+gede
+te makere of lyf , for +ti loue . (CMEDVERN,257.731)

+Tenne +tou schalt +tenken of +te wordes +tat he spac on +te Crois ,
and of ffoure signes +tat fellen in his dy+ging . (CMEDVERN,257.732)

+Te ffurste spekyng was +tis : (CMEDVERN,257.733)

" Fader , for+gif hem heore trepas , (CMEDVERN,257.734)

for +tei wite not what +tei don " . (CMEDVERN,257.735)

+Te secunde was +tat he seide to +te goode +tef : " Forso+te I sigge
+te , +tou schalt in to paradys +tis day wi+t me " . (CMEDVERN,257.736)

+Te +tridde was +tat he spac of his Moder to seint Ion : " Seo +ter +ti
Moder " , and to his Moder of his disciple : " Seo +tere +ti sone " .
(CMEDVERN,257.737)

+Te ffor+te was : " I haue +turst " . +Te ffyf+te : Eloi , Eloi ,
lama+gabatany , +tat is to siggen : " Mi God , mi God , whi hast +tou
laft me ? " (CMEDVERN,257.738)

+Te sixte was : Consummatum est , +tat is to siggen : " Now hit is
fulfild " . (CMEDVERN,257.739)

+Te seuen+te was : " Fader , into +tin hoden I betake my spirit " .
(CMEDVERN,257.740)

Foure signes +ter weren : +tat al +te eor+te bi-gon to quaken : +te
Veil of +te Temple clef a-two , and +te stones ; +te graues openede ,
and +te dede arisen to lyue ; +te sonne wi+t-drow his liht from +te
world , from Midday til Noon . (CMEDVERN,257.741)

OF +te Ascencion +tou schalt +tenken +tat such tyme vre lord on +te
Mount of Olyuete beforen his Moder and his disciples stei+g in to
heuene . (CMEDVERN,257.742)

And +tei turned in to +te Cite , (CMEDVERN,257.743)

& were dwellyng +ter-Inne in fastinge and in preyeres , til +tei weore
fuld of +te holigost , as ur lord hedde comaunded hem .
(CMEDVERN,257.744)

<heading>

CONTEMPLACION BI-FOREN EUENSONG . (CMEDVERN,257.746)

</heading>

Bi-fforen Euen-song , +tou schalt +tenken of +te Soper and of +te
Passion . (CMEDVERN,257.748)

OF +te Passion +tou schalt +tenken hou Ioseph of Aramathie eode to
Pouns Pilat and preiede him to +giuen him +te bodi of vre lord Ihesu
Crist , (CMEDVERN,257.749)

and he +gaf hit him . (CMEDVERN,257.750)

And +tenne +te Iewes comen to +te crois (CMEDVERN,257.751)

and broken +te hupes of +te twei +teoues ; (CMEDVERN,257.752)

and on of +te knihtes tok a spere (CMEDVERN,257.753)

and smot Ihesu to +te herte : (CMEDVERN,257.754)

and anon com out blod & watur . (CMEDVERN,257.755)

And Ioseph tok +te bodi (CMEDVERN,257.756)

& buriede hit . (CMEDVERN,257.757)

And +te Iewes setten +te knihtes to waken hit , ffor his disciples
schulde not stelen hit and seyen falsli to +te people +tat he weore
risen from de+t to lyue . (CMEDVERN,257.758)

OF +te Ceene +tou schalt +tenken hou vre lord +gaf his flesch and his
blod +tat time in liknesse of bred & wyn , in confirmacion of vre fei+t
. (CMEDVERN,257.759)

For we seon & leeuen gostliche , +tat we mouwe not seon bodiliche .
(CMEDVERN,257.760)

And +terfore , whon +tou schalt receyue +tat bodi , tak hit also as
+tou receiuedest hit out of Ihesu Cristes syde . (CMEDVERN,257.761)

<em> And +tat tyme he wusch his disciples feet , </em>
(CMEDVERN,257.762)

<em> and Comaundede hem to louen vchon o+tur , and taken ensaumple of
him mekeliche $to seruen vchone o+ter . </em> (CMEDVERN,257.763)

<heading>

CONTEMPLACION BI-FOREN CUMPLYN . (CMEDVERN,257.765)

</heading>

BI-fforen Cumplin , +tou schalt +tenken hou Ioseph & Nichodemus wounden
Ihesu bodi in feire schetes and enoyneden hit wi+t precious oynemes .
(CMEDVERN,257.767)

+Te secounde +ting +tat +tou schalt +tenken on , is +tis : +tat +ti
swete lord Ihesu Crist +te day of <P_258> +te Ceene , whon he hedde
I-souped wi+t his disciples , he eode from hem wi+t Peter and Iacob and
Ion , and eode wi+t heom in to a cortelage , and +tere from heom he
eode a stones cast and leide him to preye , +tat +te swot of him ferde
as dropes of blod rennynde to +te eor+te . (CMEDVERN,258.768)

<heading>

CONTEMPLACION OF GOD AND OF HIS DEITE . (CMEDVERN,258.770)

</heading>

NOw +tou hast +te Manere to +tenken on god in his Monhede .
(CMEDVERN,258.772)

$Now , +tou schalt witen hou +tou schalt +tenken on him in his he+ge
godhede . (CMEDVERN,258.773)

And +tou schalt vnderstonden +tat God Mesurede so his knowynge $fro +te
biginnynge of mankynde , +tat he nou+tur al schewed him , nor al hud
him ; (CMEDVERN,258.774)

ffor whi ? (CMEDVERN,258.775)

+gif he hedde al schewed him , +tenne hedde +te bileeue serued of
nought . (CMEDVERN,258.776)

For ffei+t is not but of +ting +tat mai not ben se+gen ;
(CMEDVERN,258.777)

+tenne , +tat I leeue and seo , nis not fei+t . (CMEDVERN,258.778)

And +gif he hedde al hud him , +tenne hedde fei+t ben but misbeleeue .
(CMEDVERN,258.779)

And +terfore he wolde sum schewen & sum huyden . (CMEDVERN,258.780)

In ffoure Maners he ordeynde to schewen him : Two Maners inward , and
two outward . (CMEDVERN,258.781)

Inward : +torw gostly schewyng & +torw reson . (CMEDVERN,258.782)

Outward : wi+t holy writ & +torw creatures . (CMEDVERN,258.783)

+Torw gostly schewyng , whon god schewede him to mon +torw inspiracion
of +te holygost , or +torw Miracle . (CMEDVERN,258.784)

+Torw reson schewede god him to mon in +tis manere : (CMEDVERN,258.785)

Eueri mon mai wel sen in him-self +tat he is , +tat is to vnderstonden
+tat he ha+t $being , and +tat he ha+t not ben euere ;
(CMEDVERN,258.786)

and vppe +tat he may witen +tat he begon sum tyme to ben .
(CMEDVERN,258.787)

+Tenne sum tyme was , +tat he was not ; (CMEDVERN,258.788)

+tenne he mi+gte in none manere maken him-self , (CMEDVERN,258.789)

+tenne hit bihoue+t nede +tat eueri mon come of o+tur +ten of him-self
. (CMEDVERN,258.790)

+Te selue may mon seon in vche creature , (CMEDVERN,258.791)

ffor he mai seon eueri day summe comen and summe gon .
(CMEDVERN,258.792)

And +terfore , for alle +tinges ben , and ben not of hem-self ,
+terfore behoue+t hit nede +tat o +ting beo +tat +giue+t to alle
+tinges for to ben : +tat is to seien , of whom alle +tinges ben .
(CMEDVERN,258.793)

+Tenne behou+t hit neede +tat he +torw whom alle +tinges ben , be
wi+toute bi-ginnyng . (CMEDVERN,258.794)

For whi ? (CMEDVERN,258.795)

+gif he hedde biginnyng , hit bihouede +tat he hedde hit of ano+ter
(CMEDVERN,258.796)

and +tenne weore he not +te biginnere nor +te makere of alle +tinges ,
(CMEDVERN,258.797)

and +terfore hit bihoue+t nede +tat he of whom alle +tinges ben , be
biforen alle +tinges , and no +ting biforen hym ; (CMEDVERN,258.798)

and +gif no +ting weore biforen him , +tenne come+t he not of ano+ter ;
(CMEDVERN,258.799)

+tenne hedde he neuer bigynnying : (CMEDVERN,258.800)

ffor whi ? (CMEDVERN,258.801)

eueri +ting +tat ha+t biginnyng ha+t hit of ano+ter , ffor whi +ting
+tat is not may not +giuen beoing to him-self for to ben .
(CMEDVERN,258.802)

And +terfore hit bihoue+t on alle maners +tat o +ting be +tat neuere
hedde biginnyng . (CMEDVERN,258.803)

And whon Reson of mon seo+t +tat hit may not o+ter wyse ben +tenne he
bigynne+t to leeuen studefastliche +tat on +ting is wi+touten bigynnyng
, +tat is makere , ordeynere , and gouernere of alle +tings +tat han
ben or ben or schul ben . (CMEDVERN,258.804)

And +tat +ting is cald god ; ffor +tis resun : (CMEDVERN,258.805)

ffor +tis <em> word god </em> come+t of a word of Gru +tat hi+gte theym
and is as muche to siggen as " formen " or " norisschen " ,
(CMEDVERN,258.806)

and +terfore he is called god for he norissche+t alle +ting and formed
alle +ting . (CMEDVERN,258.807)

After +tis come+t Reson of mon (CMEDVERN,258.808)

and sei+t +tat hit behoue+t nede +tat on god beo and no mo :
(CMEDVERN,258.809)

ffor whi ? (CMEDVERN,258.810)

+gif two goddes weoren , hit bi-houe+t nede ben to muchel in bo+te ,
and to luitel , al at ones ; (CMEDVERN,258.811)

+terfore hit bihoue+t +tat +ter be not but on god . (CMEDVERN,258.812)

On o+tur halue : no good may God wonten , (CMEDVERN,258.813)

and +terfore , for noble +ting and good is +te cumfort of cumpanye ,
+tenne may not god ben wi+t-outen +te goodnesse of cumpanye :
(CMEDVERN,258.814)

+tenne hit behoue+t nede +tat persones <P_259> ben in god .
(CMEDVERN,259.815)

And for cumpanye may not ben in lasse +ten of twyne , +terfore hit
bihoue+t nede +tat +ter ben in god at +te leste tweyne persones .
(CMEDVERN,259.816)

And for cumpaynye is luitel wor+t +ter is not +te byndynge of loue ,
+terfore hit bihoue+t +tat +te +tridde persone beo in god , +tat be +te
linage of +te o+ter tweyne . (CMEDVERN,259.817)

And for $unite is $good and cumpaynie also , +terfore hit behoue+g nede
+tat bo+te be in god almihti . (CMEDVERN,259.818)

$For-+ti he is +treo persones and o god . (CMEDVERN,259.819)

+Te selue may eueri mon sen in him-self : (CMEDVERN,259.820)

For whi ? (CMEDVERN,259.821)

he may seo wel , at his furste begynnyng he hedde in him-self pouwer ,
aftur pouwer cunnynge , (CMEDVERN,259.822)

and aftur he bigon to louen +tat cunnynge . (CMEDVERN,259.823)

In +tis Manere may mon seon aperteliche +tat he hedde in soule miht ,
(CMEDVERN,259.824)

and of +te mi+gt come+t connynge , (CMEDVERN,259.825)

and of hem bo+te come+t loue . (CMEDVERN,259.826)

And whonne mon se+t +tat hit is so in him-self , he may wel leeuen +tat
hit is so in God almihti +tat is muche abouen him ; +tat is to seyen :
+tat in God is miht , (CMEDVERN,259.827)

and of +tat come+t his connynge and wisdam , (CMEDVERN,259.828)

and of hem bo+te come+t loue . (CMEDVERN,259.829)

And for +te secunde persone come+t of +te furste , and of hem bo+te +te
+tridde , +terfore is +te forme icald God +te Fader , +te secunde God
+te Sone , +te +tridde God +te Holi-gost . (CMEDVERN,259.830)

And for hit is $so among vs +tat +te ffader is feblere +ten +te sone
for elde , and +te sone not so wys as +te ffader for +gou+te : ffor men
scholde not +te selue trouwen of God almihti , +terfore $is pouwer
$apropred to God +te Fader , wisdam to God +te Sone ;
(CMEDVERN,259.831)

and for +te nome of +te +tridde $soune+t $gastli , +terfore is apropred
to him loue and swetnesse . (CMEDVERN,259.832)

In +tis Manere com mon furst to +te knowyng of his creatour , how he is
wi+t-outen begynnynge , and whi he is called god , on in substaunce and
+treo $in persones , and whi +te ffurste is called Fader , +te secunde
+te Sone , +te +tridde +te Holigost . (CMEDVERN,259.833)

In +tis manere +tou schalt knowen +ti god . (CMEDVERN,259.834)

Such manere of knowyng is foundement of Contemplacion .
(CMEDVERN,259.835)

And +terfore , whon +tou hast in +tis Manere stablished +tin herte in
ri+gt fei+t and studefast hope , and parfyt loue , +ten +tou schalt
heuen vp +tin herte in hei+g contemplacion of +ti Creatour .
(CMEDVERN,259.836)

+Te soule wolde fayn sen god +torw Contemplacion in his owne nature ,
(CMEDVERN,259.837)

but hit may not : (CMEDVERN,259.838)

and +tenne hit turne+t to his oune degres bi w+guche hit may mounten to
+te Contemplacion of God , +tat hit may furst seon and knowen his oune
nature , and after +te nature +tat is abouen hit . (CMEDVERN,259.839)

But +gif +ti +tou+gt be +torw worldlich +tou+gtes sprad wyde , hit may
neuere him-self nor his kuynde wel seken , (CMEDVERN,259.840)

ffor whi ? (CMEDVERN,259.841)

as fele $foule +tou+gtes as he is lad wi+t , $wi+t so fele stoppynges
he is blent . (CMEDVERN,259.842)

+Te ffurste degre of +tis-manere contemplacion is +tat +te soule turne
to him-self and gedere him al wi+t-Inne him-self . (CMEDVERN,259.843)

+Te secunde degre is +tat he seo what he is whon he is so gedered
to-gedere . (CMEDVERN,259.844)

+Te +tridde degre is +tat he heue hire-self abouen hire-self and
enforce hire to sen god hire creatour in his oune kynde .
(CMEDVERN,259.845)

But to hire-self ne mai he neuer-more comen til +tat he haue lerned
forte +geinstonden and wi+tolden alle Manere of ymaginacions bodili or
worldli or heuenely ; (CMEDVERN,259.846)

al +tat come+t to his herte $of siht , or heringe , or touchinge , or
smellynge , or of eny bodiliche wit , refusen or defoulen , +tat he seo
hire-self such w+guch +tat he is al wi+touten +te bodi .
(CMEDVERN,259.847)

Tac +terfore good heede +tat $+te soule is wonderful in hire-self : hou
hee is on in hire kuynde , and do+t diuerse +tinges ,
(CMEDVERN,259.848)

ffor whi ? (CMEDVERN,259.849)

+te selue he seo+t at +te E+gen , (CMEDVERN,259.850)

here+t at +te Eren , (CMEDVERN,259.851)

touche+t wi+t honden , (CMEDVERN,259.852)

swolewe+t wi+t Mou+t , (CMEDVERN,259.853)

smelle+t wi+t neose . (CMEDVERN,259.854)

+Tenk also +tat heo is gret , +tat of o +tou+gt mai <P_260> comprehende
$heuen and eor+te and al +tat +ter-inne is , +tei+g $+tei were a
+tousend grettore +ten +tei mouwe ben . (CMEDVERN,260.855)

+Gif monnes $soule beo so gret and so noble +tat no creature may
attenden hit parfytliche : hou gret and hou noble is he +tat so noble
+ting made of nou+gt ! (CMEDVERN,260.856)

So gret : he is abouen alle +tinge , beneo+ten alle +tinge ; and
wi+t-Inne alle +tinge , and wi+t-outen alle +tinge . (CMEDVERN,260.857)

He is abouen alle +tynge : gouernynde ; bine+ten alle +tinge vp-berynde
; wi+t-Inne alle +tyng , fulfillynde ; wi+t-outen alle +tynge ,
vironynde . (CMEDVERN,260.858)

Such Maner of contemplacion $gendere+t in mon studefast bileeue & siker
deuocion . (CMEDVERN,260.859)

<heading>

OF +TE LARGESSE OF GOD . (CMEDVERN,260.861)

</heading>

Affter +tou schalt +tenken +tat he is $large ; (CMEDVERN,260.863)

and +tat +tou mai+gt sen in mony maners . (CMEDVERN,260.864)

Loke at +te ffurste +tat he is large of worldly goodes , +tat +giue+t
his goodes also to wikke as to goode , of alle-manere +tinges +tat ben
in eor+te . (CMEDVERN,260.865)

After +tenk hou he is large for to +giuen ; (CMEDVERN,260.866)

ffor whi ? (CMEDVERN,260.867)

+gif a mon hedde I-don also monie wikkednesses as al +te men in +te
world , +git he wolde beo rediore forte for+giuen be +te hundreddel ,
+ten we scholden be to aske for+giuenesse . (CMEDVERN,260.868)

Also +tou $schalt +tenken +tat he is large of gostlich goodes , +tat is
to seyen of his vertues : (CMEDVERN,260.869)

ffor whi ? (CMEDVERN,260.870)

who ha+t on , he ha+t alle . (CMEDVERN,260.871)

+Te ffeor+te , +tou schalt +tenken +tat he is large of his goodes
pardurables , to alle +tat wollen ri+gtfolliche asken $hem .
(CMEDVERN,260.872)

For w+guche-manere mi+gt he don from vs +tat +tat he a-moneste+t vs to
asken ? (CMEDVERN,260.873)

on o+ter halue he wole +giuen vs gret mede so +tat we wolen asken him ;
(CMEDVERN,260.874)

ffor he sei+t : " Pre+ge+t me +giuen ow +te Ioye of heuene
(CMEDVERN,260.875)

and I schal +giuen ou alle worldliche +tinges wi+t-outen askynge " .
(CMEDVERN,260.876)

+Tis Contemplacion of his largesse make+t in mon certein hope .
(CMEDVERN,260.877)

<heading>

OF +TE SWETNESSE OF GOD . (CMEDVERN,260.879)

</heading>

Affter +tou schalt +tenken of his swetnesse , of his bounte , and of
his ffeirnesse . (CMEDVERN,260.881)

For to don +tis , +tou schalt taken good hede of +te grete swetnesse ,
of gret bounte , and of gret feirnesse +tat is in bodiliche creature .
(CMEDVERN,260.882)

Se+t+te +tenne +tat such +tingus ben +tat delyten bodilyche si+gt for
heore feirnesse , and +te swolewynge for heore goodnesse , and +te
smellynge for heore swetnesse , and so alle o+ture monnes wittes : hou
gret beute , swetnesse , and bounte mot be in gostly creature +tat
neuer schal haue ende , if such bounte , swetnesse , & beute be in such
+ting +tat to-dai is and to-morewe is nout . (CMEDVERN,260.883)

On o+tur halue , +gif gret beute , swetnes , and bounte be in Creature
, hou muche beute , swetnesse , and bounte mot ben in vre Creatour !
(CMEDVERN,260.884)

+Tis Manere of Contemplacion make+t in mon to louen his Creatour .
(CMEDVERN,260.885)

After , whon +tou hast in +tis Manere se+gen +ti Creatour in si+gt of
his creatures , put out of +tin herte vche bodilyche ymaginacion ,
(CMEDVERN,260.886)

and lift +tin on entendement a-bouen alle resun of mon :
(CMEDVERN,260.887)

$& +ter +tou schalt fynden so gret swetnesse , and so gret priuite ,
+tat non may felen but he +tat hit ha+t preued . (CMEDVERN,260.888)

And +gif +tou wolt witen hit wi+t teching , go to him +tat ha+t proued
hit be assaying . (CMEDVERN,260.889)

And +tei+g I wrecche hedde I-proued hit , I mi+gte not telle wi+t mou+t
, (CMEDVERN,260.890)

no I miht not +tenken wi+t herte ; (CMEDVERN,260.891)

+te +ting is so priue +tat hit passe+t al-maner +touht .
(CMEDVERN,260.892)

And +terfore I holde my speche , (CMEDVERN,260.893)

and riht is +tat I do : (CMEDVERN,260.894)

ffor whi ? (CMEDVERN,260.895)

+tis teche+t not tonge , bute onliche grace . (CMEDVERN,260.896)

<heading>

TO LYUEN HONORABLICHE , LOUEREDENLICHE , AND MEOKELICHE .
(CMEDVERN,260.898)

</heading>

NOw +tou hast +treo Maners of Contemplacion : (CMEDVERN,260.900)

on is in creatures , a no+tur in holi writ , +te +tridde in God self
and in bo+te his natures . (CMEDVERN,260.901)

+Gif +tou liue aftur +tis <P_261> teching , +tenne schalt tou liuen
honurabliche - (CMEDVERN,261.902)

$& +tat is +te furste parti of vre sarmoun +tat we toucheden at +te
biginnyng . (CMEDVERN,261.903)

After +tis , +tou schalt studien to liuen Amiabliche , as a-nenetes +ti
bro+tur . (CMEDVERN,261.904)

And +tat to don , +tou schalt +giuen al +tin entente and al +ti
streng+te forte louen and to be loued . (CMEDVERN,261.905)

+Tou schalt louen alle men in god , +tat is to seyen onliche for bounte
, not for feirnesse of bodi ne for good synginge or for such-maner
+tinges , (CMEDVERN,261.906)

ffor whi ? (CMEDVERN,261.907)

feirnesse of bodi , or streng+te , or o+tur-maner vertues bodiliche ,
mouwen be loueed wi+t-outen God . (CMEDVERN,261.908)

And +terfore , louen mon in god , nis not elles but louen him for sum
+ting +tat may not be loued wi+t-outen God , as for bounte , or for
riht , or for so+tnes : (CMEDVERN,261.909)

ffor whi ? (CMEDVERN,261.910)

ffor +teose +tinges mai+gt +tou not louen mon , but +gif +tou loue god
. (CMEDVERN,261.911)

And +terfore whon +tou louest mon for bounte or for rihtfulnesse or for
so+tnesse , +tenne +tou louest him in god , (CMEDVERN,261.912)

ffor whi ? (CMEDVERN,261.913)

God is bounte , riht , and so+tnesse . (CMEDVERN,261.914)

+Gif we ben goode , we haue no loue but God , and non Enemy but synne :
(CMEDVERN,261.915)

and +terfore we schulen loue +te goode for +tei ben goode , and +te
wikke for +tey mowen be goode . (CMEDVERN,261.916)

In +tis manere louest tou not but bounte , si+ten +tow louest alle men
for bounte . (CMEDVERN,261.917)

+Gif +tow wolt beon loued , schew +te amyable : (CMEDVERN,261.918)

and +gif +tou wolt ben louereden , hold +teos +treo wordes :
(CMEDVERN,261.919)

Do +tat me bidde+t +te , smartliche ; (CMEDVERN,261.920)

Tac +tat me +giue+t +te , wi+t-outen grucchinge gladliche ;
(CMEDVERN,261.921)

Soffre +tat men sei+t to +te , Mekeliche . (CMEDVERN,261.922)

+Gif +tow lyue +tus louyndeliche , +tenne liuest +tow amyableliche .
(CMEDVERN,261.923)

After +tow schalt fynden to lyuen Mekeliche . (CMEDVERN,261.924)

+tow schalt vnderstonden and witen +tat +ter beon twey Maners of
Mekynge : (CMEDVERN,261.925)

On come+t of So+tnesse , ano+ter of Charite . (CMEDVERN,261.926)

+Te ffurste +tou may+gt han +torw knowynge of +ti-self :
(CMEDVERN,261.927)

ffor +tow mai+gt not seon +ti-self so+tliche w+guch +tow art , +tat
+tou ne schald be Meked . (CMEDVERN,261.928)

+Te secounde Maner +tou mai+gt seon and han , +gif +tow +tenke ofte of
+te Mekenesse of Iesu Crist , how he Meked him +tat neuer synne dude ;
(CMEDVERN,261.929)

and +tis Mekyng come+t clanliche of Charite . (CMEDVERN,261.930)

Now +tou wost what is to liuen Honurabliche , Amyabliche , and
Mekeliche ; (CMEDVERN,261.931)

and +tat is , liuen Parfytliche . (CMEDVERN,261.932)

Vre lord Ihesu Cryst graunte vs God so honouren , vre Bre+teren louen ,
and Vre-self Meken , +tat we mouwen for vre honouring ben honoured ,
ffor vre loue ben loued , and for vre Meokyng beon hei+ged , in +te
Ioye of heuene +tat is ordeyned to vs . (CMEDVERN,261.933)

AMen . (CMEDVERN,261.934)

Ihesus graunt hit vs , (CMEDVERN,261.935)

amen . (CMEDVERN,261.936)

