<P_26>

<heading>

Informacio Alredi , abbatis monasterij de Rieualle , ad sororem suam
inclusam , translata de latino in anglicum per Thomam N .
(CMAELR3,26.3)

</heading>

Nou let heere here and vnderstonde ententyflyche myne wordes , what
euere heo be +tat ha+t fursake +tis wordle and ychose solytarye lyf ,
desyryngge to ben yhud and not yseye , and wyllyngge , as a deed body
to +tis wordle , wy+t Crist to be buryed in a caue . (CMAELR3,26.5)

And in +te bygynnyng , why +tu schalt preferre solitarye lyf beforn
lyvynge in felaschepe of men , bysilyche tak hede . (CMAELR3,26.6)

+Te apostel sei+t : Virgo prudens cogitat que domini sunt , etcetera -
(CMAELR3,26.7)

' A wys mayden stude+t and +tenke+t on +tynges +tat be+t to Godward ,
hou +tat heo may plese God , +tat heo be holi in body and in soule . '
(CMAELR3,26.8)

+Tys vertu , +tat is to seye of maydenhood or chastite , hit is a
wylful sacryfyse and an offryngge to God vre and liberal , to +te
whyche no lawe dryf+t , no nyede constreyne+t , non heste bynt ;
(CMAELR3,26.9)

and +terfore Crist sei+t in +te gospel : Qui potest capere , capiat -
(CMAELR3,26.10)

' Who +tat may take +tys vertu ' , he sei+t , ' let hym take . '
(CMAELR3,26.11)

Lord , who may ? (CMAELR3,26.12)

Certayn , he alone to whom $he ha+t inspired schuch a wil and y+gyue
power to performe . (CMAELR3,26.13)

+Terfore +tu , mayde , toforn alle +tyng wy+t alle +te deuocioun of
+tyn herte comende +ty gode purpos to hym +tat ha+t enspired hit to +te
, wyt most tenty preyere besechyngge +tat +tat whuche is inpossible to
+te be kynde , be maad ly+gt to $+te +torou his grace . (CMAELR3,26.14)

Be-+tenk +te hou precious a tresoor in hou freel a vessel +tu berst
aboute , and what mede , what blysse , what coroune chastyte , duelyche
ikept , ministre+t ; and also vur+termore , what peyne , what
confusioun , what dampnacioun hit brenk+t +gif hit be lost .
(CMAELR3,26.15)

And what may be moor precious +tanne +tis tresoor , wi+t +te whuche
heuene is ibou+gt , angeles be+t delyted , of +te whuche Crist is
coueytous , and by +te whyche God is idrawe to loue - and also forto
+geue : (CMAELR3,26.16)

what +gyfte ? (CMAELR3,26.17)

I dar seye baldeliche : hym-self , and al +tat euere is his . Wherfore
+te swetnesse of +ty maydenhood , al vp to heuene smytyngge is swete
sauour , mak+t +tat vre verrey kyng ha+t coueytise of +ty fayrnesse :
(CMAELR3,26.18)

and +tat is +tyn owne Lord , almyti God . (CMAELR3,26.19)

Behold now whuche a spouse +tu hast ychose , whyche a vrend +tu hast
ygete . (CMAELR3,26.20)

Iwys , he is fair in schap before alle +tat euere were born , fayrere
+ten +te sunne , and passyngge wit-outen mesure al fayrnesse of +te
sterres . (CMAELR3,26.21)

His bre+t is swettere +tan eny hony , (CMAELR3,26.22)

and his heritage is aboue hony and al swetnesse . (CMAELR3,26.23)

Longitudo dierum in dextera eius , et in sinistra eius diuicie <P_27>
et gloria - (CMAELR3,27.24)

' Leng+te of euere-lastyngge dayes in his ry+gt hand , and in his left
hand al rychesse and blisse . ' (CMAELR3,27.25)

He ha+t ichose +te to his wyf , (CMAELR3,27.26)

but he nel not corounne +te er +tu be asaid . (CMAELR3,27.27)

+Te boc sey+t : Qui non est temptatus , non est probatus -
(CMAELR3,27.28)

' He +tat is not itempted , he nys not asaid . ' (CMAELR3,27.29)

Now maydenhood is gold , (CMAELR3,27.30)

+ty celle is a furnays , (CMAELR3,27.31)

+te blowere to melte +tys gold is +te deuel , (CMAELR3,27.32)

fuyr is temptacioun ; (CMAELR3,27.33)

a maydenes flesche is as hit where a vessel off ir+te , wherin gold is
iput to ben asayd ; wherfore , +gif +tis vessel to-berste +torou gret
fuyr of temptacioun , +te gold is ischad out , and schal neuere +tis
vessel of no crafty man be maad a+geyn as hit was . (CMAELR3,27.34)

<heading>

Capitulum secundum (CMAELR3,27.36)

</heading>

+Tyse be+tenkyngge , an holy womman loke hy kepe wit al diligence and
drede +tilke precious tresour of maydenhood , which so profitable is
ihad , and ilost wit-oute recouerer . (CMAELR3,27.38)

Be-+tenke heo heore continuelly to whos chaumbre heo is imaad | gay ,
to whos cleppyngge heo is agrey+ted ; (CMAELR3,27.39)

pote heo toforn heore e+gen +te lomb +tat heo scholde folwen whydur
euere he walke - +tat is Crist . (CMAELR3,27.40)

Loke +tat sche be-hoolde blessede Marie wit +te tympane of chastete ,
ledyng as hit were +te daunce of holy virgynys , and syngyngge +tat
swete song +tat noon may synge bote clene maydenes , as wel men as
wymmen , off whom hit is iwryte : Hii sunt qui cum mulieribus non sunt
coinquinati , et secuntur agnum quocumque ierit - (CMAELR3,27.41)

' +Tise hit be+t +tat be+t not defoyled wit wymmen ; (CMAELR3,27.42)

+tyse be+t clene maydenes . ' (CMAELR3,27.43)

Bote I say not +tis +tat +tu schuldest wene +tat a man may not be
defoyled wit-owte a wymman , ne a wumman wit-oute a man ;
(CMAELR3,27.44)

vor in o+ter wyse , moor cursed and abhominable , which schal not be
sayd now ne ynemned , bo+te-3 in man and womman ofte chastete is lost .
(CMAELR3,27.45)

And ofte witowte flehslich doingge maydenhood is corupt ,
(CMAELR3,27.46)

and chastete is defoyled , whan hit so is +tat greet brennyngge
temptacioun drawe+t to hym fuul wyl , ant rauesce+t menbres to vuel
asent . Wherfore hit behoue+t gretliche +tat an holy mayde be-+tenke
heore +tat alle heore menbres be+t halwed to God , incorporat to Crist
and dedyed to +te Holy Gost . (CMAELR3,27.47)

And ywys , hit is vnsemly , +tat +tat is Cristes , to taken hit to +te
deuel ; wherfore heo schulde haue greet schame to graunte forto defoyle
heore maydenlych body in eny maner wyse . (CMAELR3,27.48)

So +terfore let heore strecche al heore herte to saue clennesse and
chastete , (CMAELR3,27.49)

and +ter-aboute spende al here +tou+gt , +tat sche , as it were beyngge
anhungred aftur +te parfeccioun of +tis vertu , take hunger as gret
delys , and pouerte as most rychesse . (CMAELR3,27.50)

In mete and drynk , in slep , in spekyngge , eueremoor sche moot drede
apeyrryngge of here chastete , an-aunter +tat +gyf sche +gyue moor +tan
is due to heore flehs , sche +gyue streng+te to heore aduersarie , and
nursche here enemy pryuely in here bosum . (CMAELR3,27.51)

<P_28>

Syttyngge at +te mete , loke sche turne aboute in here herte +te
clennesse of here chastete , (CMAELR3,28.53)

and inwardliche si+g+gyngge to +te parfeccioun of +tat vertu , let here
saade here mete , and o+tur-while haue scorn of here drynke ;
(CMAELR3,28.54)

ant +tat +tat neode dryf+t forto take , loke sche take hit now wit
sorwe , now wit schame , and o+ter-wyle wit bitter terys .
(CMAELR3,28.55)

In caas sche schulle speke wit eny man , +tat sche be alwey in drede to
here eny-+ting or to speke +tat my+gte make derke +te brytnesse of here
clennesse . (CMAELR3,28.56)

For sche may drede +tat here may be benomen special grace , +gif sche
put for+t a word +tat be a+gens clennesse and honestete .
(CMAELR3,28.57)

<heading>

Capitulum tercium (CMAELR3,28.59)

</heading>

Whan +tu lyst doun in +ty bed , commende and bytak +ty clennesse to +ty
God , (CMAELR3,28.61)

and +tanne , y-armed wit +te signe of +te cros , be+tenk +te hertyliche
how +tu hast ileued +tat day . (CMAELR3,28.62)

And +gif in word or dede or +tou+gt +tu hast offended +te si+gte of +ty
God , cry mercy , (CMAELR3,28.63)

si+g+ge (CMAELR3,28.64)

and smyt +ty brest . (CMAELR3,28.65)

+Gif +tu hast be moor idel , mor necligent +tan +tu shuldest be , +gif
also in mete or drynke +tu hast ipassed +te boundes of due neode : +gif
+tu art gulty in eny of +tis , +tu most preye mercy of +ty God ;
(CMAELR3,28.66)

and soo wit +tis euen-sacrifise let slep fynde +te reconsiled to +ty
spouse . (CMAELR3,28.67)

And in caas +tat whan +tu wakest sodeynliche , whe+tur it be of to
muche slep , or elles of queyntyse of +te temptour , +te hete of +ty
flehs be styred , and +tyn cruel enemy | wolde drawe +te in-to nyce
fantacye , to asayle +te reste of +ty chastete and clennesse ; +gif he
styre +te to delites , and wolde make +te agast of hardere lyf : anon
let come in-to +ty +tou+gt +te blessede vyrgines +tat sum-tyme where .
(CMAELR3,28.68)

+Tenk how +tilke blessede Agnete gold and seluer , precious closes and
vertuous stones , and al +te pompe off wordliche blisse despysede as
styngynge dunge . (CMAELR3,28.69)

Whan sche was cleped to doom , sche voydede not ; (CMAELR3,28.70)

+te tyraunt glosede here , (CMAELR3,28.71)

sche defyede hit ; (CMAELR3,28.72)

he +tretnede here , (CMAELR3,28.73)

sche low hym to skorn , more dredyngge +tat he wolde sparen here , +tan
+tat he wolde slen here for here loues sake . (CMAELR3,28.74)

A blessed mayden , +tat turnde an hoore-hows in-to an oratorie , wit
wham an angel , entryngge in-to prysoun , turnede derknesse in-to li+gt
, and slow wit sodeyn de+t here pursuour of here maydenhood .
(CMAELR3,28.75)

And +terfore , and +tu wyl preye and lefte vp +te armes of bitere terys
a+gens +te temptour of lecherie , wit-owte doute holy angeles nole
nou+gt be fer fro +ty chaste bed , which +tat entrede wit Agnete in-to
an hoore-hows . (CMAELR3,28.76)

And for-so+te , it was ful skylful +tat material fuir my+gte not brenne
+tis holy mayde , in wham +te leem of lecherie was iqueynt , and +te
fuir of charite hadde iset afuyre . (CMAELR3,28.77)

As ofte as eny brennyngge temptacioun come+t vp-on +te , as ofte as +te
wyckede spyryt put to +te vnlifful lustes , wite it wel +tat he is
present +tat ascherche+t entrayles of <P_29> +tyn herte ,
(CMAELR3,29.78)

and what so euere +tu do or +tenke , hit is open biforn his e+gen .
(CMAELR3,29.79)

Haue also reuerence of +te gode angel , whic +tu schalt not doute +tat
is iput to +te , (CMAELR3,29.80)

and to +ty temptour answere in +tis wyse : (CMAELR3,29.81)

' I haue to my louyere +te angel of God , +tat wit gret ielouste kept
my body . ' (CMAELR3,29.82)

And +gif such temptacioun dure , let helpe +ty partye streytere
abstinence ; (CMAELR3,29.83)

for +ter +tat is muche abstinence idoo to +te flehs , noon or lyte may
be flehsliche delectacioun . (CMAELR3,29.84)

<heading>

Capitulum quartum (CMAELR3,29.86)

</heading>

Noman glose hym-selfe , (CMAELR3,29.88)

no man ne womman chape hym-self (CMAELR3,29.89)

ne by-gyle hymself ; (CMAELR3,29.90)

for trewely , wit-oute gret contricioun of herte and penaunce bodily ne
may not chastete be gete ne kept , and namely in +gungge , which +tat
ofte in syke and oolde is greuously iperisched . (CMAELR3,29.91)

For al+tou+g castete be a special +gift of God , and no-body may be
continent of his owne merytis , bote onlyche of +te liberal +gyft of
+te grace of God , na+teles almyty God halt hem vnwor+ty +tis +gifte
+tat nulle not bysylyche trauayle to come +ter-to , willyngge and
wenyngge forto be chast among delices , continent among delauey festes
, to dwellen among nyce wommen and nou+gt be tempted , in glotonye and
drunkeschipe be ful of stynkynde humours and nou+gt be defoyled , to
bere leyt of fuir in here bosum and nou+gt be brend . (CMAELR3,29.92)

Suster , +tis is ryth hard ; (CMAELR3,29.93)

who+ter it be inpossible or noon , avise +te ! (CMAELR3,29.94)

<heading>

Narracio valde deuota contra $temptacionem (CMAELR3,29.96)

</heading>

I knew sum-tyme a monke , whic in +te bygynnyngge of his conuersioun ,
what +torou+g steryngge of naturel complexioun , what for violence of
vicious vs and custum , what also +torou+g suggestioun of +te wyckede
temptour , he , dredyngge his clennesse be persced and spild , areysede
hym-self a+gens hym-self , and , $conceyuyngge a wondur gret hate
a+gens his owne flehs , he coueytede no-+tyng more +tan +tat +tat
my+gte do his body turment and disese . (CMAELR3,29.98)

And +terfore wit mysese he made his body lene , in so muche +tat forto
refreyne vnlyfful mociouns of | flehs , swyche +tynges as were ry+gtful
and lyfful to +te body , o+ter-wyle he witdrow hem . (CMAELR3,29.99)

But afterward , whan gret feblenesse compellede hym to take more hede
of his body , anoon +te flehs gan wexe proud , (CMAELR3,29.100)

and gan to fi+gte a+gens +te reste +tat he hadde had a whyle in
clannesse . (CMAELR3,29.101)

And what dude he +tanne bote sum-tyme caste hym-self in cold fresyngge
water , (CMAELR3,29.102)

and so cheueryngge he cryde and preyde a+gens his temptaciouns ;
(CMAELR3,29.103)

and o+terwyle he frotede his nakede body wit brymme brennyngge netlys ,
for +tat he wolde wit on maner <P_30> bren-nyngge haue ouer-come +te
brennyngge off flehslich mocioun to vnclennesse . (CMAELR3,30.104)

But whan al +tis no suffiscede not , and neuere +te lattere +te spirit
of lecherie asaylede hym - certes , +to cowde he noon o+tur refut ,
bote ful doun longstrei+gt by-fore +te feet of Ihesu Crist , preyingge
, wepyngge , sy+g+gyngge , coniuryngge , besechyngge +tat he wolde hele
hym , or elles slen hym . (CMAELR3,30.105)

Pitously and ofte he cryde , as +te booc seyd : Non te dimittam nisi
benedixeris michi - (CMAELR3,30.106)

' I nel neuere go hennys , (CMAELR3,30.107)

I nel neuere haue reste , (CMAELR3,30.108)

I nel neuere lete +te er +tu haue i+geue me +ty $blessyngge . '
(CMAELR3,30.109)

And +tanne o+ter-wyle as for a tyme he hadde lysse ; (CMAELR3,30.110)

bote soerte was deveyed hym . (CMAELR3,30.111)

A , swete God , what sorwe suffrede +tylke wrecche , (CMAELR3,30.112)

what turment hadde he , alwhat +ter was igraunted hym so gret
delytyngge in chastete +tat alle +te lustes +tat mowe be +tou+gt or
spoken ne scholde not haue moved hym . (CMAELR3,30.113)

Bote +git whanne +tys wrecche hadde so gret temptacioun , he was bo+te
syk and hoold ; (CMAELR3,30.114)

and na+teles he was vynsyker . (CMAELR3,30.115)

<heading>

Capitulum sextum (CMAELR3,30.117)

</heading>

+Terfore hit is gret schame of manye mannes woodschype , $whyce +tat
whanne +tey haue lyued al here lyf in $stynkynde ful+te , +git in here
oolde age +tey nulle+t not wit-drawe hem fro +te companye of suspekt
persones , bote seyn +tat +tey ben siker ynow of hem-self , for +tat
+tey vele+t here body sumdel akeled ; (CMAELR3,30.119)

ant +terfore +tey spare not to taken hem ny+gt and day to occasiones of
sunne . (CMAELR3,30.120)

Bote among alle resonable creatures +tise be+t foles and acursed
wrecches , in +te whyche , al+tou+g +tat my+gt lacke , +git wyl and
lust dure+t in hem of stench of synne ; (CMAELR3,30.121)

and so fowl desir ne reste+t not in hem , +tey feblenesse of age denye
power of dede , as +tey seyn . (CMAELR3,30.122)

Bote auyse hem , what so +tey euere be , whe+ter +tey seye soo+t , or
elles here falsnesse lye openly in here face . (CMAELR3,30.123)

For trywely o+terwyle , +to +tat be+t ycome in-to here laste age , in
so muche +tat here bodyes be+t half ded and half alyue , +git swhiche
men sumtyme be+t yskorned in here slep of +te deuel by fantasies of
fowl lust , and bodyly disesed . (CMAELR3,30.124)

And +terfore , suster , I nel neuere be no wey +tat +tu be to siker of
+ty-self , (CMAELR3,30.125)

bote euere be in drede , (CMAELR3,30.126)

and hold +ty freelte suspekt , (CMAELR3,30.127)

and , as a dredful douve , haunte ryueres of cler water , wher +tu
mi+gt isee +te ymage of +te raueynous hauke +tat flikt aboue +te ,
(CMAELR3,30.128)

and be war . (CMAELR3,30.129)

+Tyse ryueres be+t holy scriptures , +tat welle+t out fro +te welle of
wysdom , +tat is Crist , +te whyche wyl schewe +te +te schadue of +te
deueles suggestioun , (CMAELR3,30.130)

and wyt and consayl to eschewen hem . (CMAELR3,30.131)

For +ter is no+tyng +tat so put awey wyckede and vnclene +tou+gtes as
doo+t good <P_31> ocupa-cioun in holy scripture , to +te whyche a good
womman , and specially a mayde , schulde so vse al here herte and wit
+tat , +tei+g sche wolde , sche mowe | not +tenke bote on Godes lawe .
(CMAELR3,31.132)

Let slep fynden here +tenkynde on holi scripture ; (CMAELR3,31.133)

whan sche awake+t of here slep , let renne to here mende sum clause of
holy techyngge ; (CMAELR3,31.134)

and whil +te slep is on here , let cleue to here ribbes sum sentence of
holy wrytyngges , (CMAELR3,31.135)

+tat mowe moor surliche kepe here menbrys , and also bo+te body and
soule in here slep . (CMAELR3,31.136)

<heading>

Capitulum vij (CMAELR3,31.138)

</heading>

Bote +te more sorwe is , +ter be+t manye +tat be+t refreyned fro gostly
ocupacioun bi a maner fals drede - +tat is to seyn , +tat +tey falle
not in-to gret syknesse for gret wakyngge in Godes seruise , or for
gret abstinence ; (CMAELR3,31.140)

for +tanne +tey drede+t +tat +tey scholde be in charge to o+tere men ,
and hem-self in sorwe . (CMAELR3,31.141)

Bote certes , +tis is oure synful excusacioun ; (CMAELR3,31.142)

for Lord , how fewe be+t +ter now-aday +tat habbe+t +to gret feruour of
holynesse . (CMAELR3,31.143)

We halde+t vs alle wyse , alle discret , alle auyse ; (CMAELR3,31.144)

we smelle+t aver a faynt batayle , (CMAELR3,31.145)

and certes , we drede+t so muche syknesse of body +tat we drede+t
to-comyngge , (CMAELR3,31.146)

+tat siknesse of soule +tat we fele+t present we take noon hede of ; as
+tey it were more bettere to suffre brennyngge of lecherie +tan a litul
grucchynge of stomac ; as +tey+g it nere not bettere be syknesse of +te
body eschewe vnclene wildenesse of +te flehs , +tan be hool in body ,
and ouercome , as a +tral , of flehsliche lustes . (CMAELR3,31.147)

Lord , what fors is it who+ter be abstinence o+ter be syknesse +te
proude carayne be halde a-doun and chastete be kept ? (CMAELR3,31.148)

Bute vp-an ap +tu seist +tat a man mot be war +tat he take not to litel
hede of his body , an-aunter +tat after chier and delicat kepyngge in
syknesse which he my+gte falle into of to muche abstinence , he be take
wit foule lustes . (CMAELR3,31.149)

I answere +tat certeynly , +gif +te flesh be mornyngge , syk and feble
, +gif +te stomac be vnsauery and drye , alle +te delites +tat +tu
my+gt schewen hym be+t ra+tere to heuynesse of hym +tan to fowl lustes
. (CMAELR3,31.150)

<heading>

Narracio bona Capitulum viij (CMAELR3,31.152)

</heading>

I saw ones a man which +tat by euel roted custum $ibounden and
ouercomen in his +gou+te , myte not conteyne and be chaast ;
(CMAELR3,31.154)

na+teles at +te laste he took hede of his owne perilous stat ,
(CMAELR3,31.155)

and wax al rebuked and aschamed of hym-self , in so muche +tat in
+tenkyngge of his foule synful lyf , his herte gan brenne wyt-ynne hym
as eny fuyr . (CMAELR3,31.156)

And aftur-ward , beyngge ynlyche wro+t wit hym-self , he ful on to
smyte most greuous batayl a+gens his owne body ; so greuous +tat +te
+tyng +tat <P_32> semede necessarie to +te body , he witdrow hem .
(CMAELR3,32.157)

+Ter +tat he hadde be toforhand ly+gt and nyce , he wax sad ;
(CMAELR3,32.158)

+ter he hadde ibe blaberynge and chaterynge , he took hym to silence .
(CMAELR3,32.159)

Noman say hym after chape ne le+g+ge , (CMAELR3,32.160)

no-man saw hym pleye , (CMAELR3,32.161)

noman herde eny ydel or nyce word of his mou+t ; (CMAELR3,32.162)

of alle wordliche solaces and delites in sleep , in mete , in drynke ,
+tat my+gte seme swete to +te flehs , he hadde skorn and dispyt .
(CMAELR3,32.163)

Of +te +tou+gtes of his herte , to refreyne hem , he was so busy and so
curious +tat it wolde haue semed to manye +tat he hadde ipassed mesure
. (CMAELR3,32.164)

Wy+t so euy chiere , wi+t +te e+gen icast adoun , he saat , he wente
and stood , +tat tremlyngge and quakyngge hit semede +tat he stood
to-forn his dredful domesman at +te day of dome . (CMAELR3,32.165)

And what ? (CMAELR3,32.166)

Certes , wit swyche armes he gat hym glorious victorie of his enemys
gostliche , and of his wickede tiraunt , his flehs . (CMAELR3,32.167)

For witinne a while he ful in a gret and greuous siknesse of his stomac
, (CMAELR3,32.168)

and after long siknesse , whan +te houre cam of his laste slep , +tat
he schulde be deed , wit gret spirit he sayde +teose wordes :
(CMAELR3,32.169)

' Suffre a while , (CMAELR3,32.170)

suffre ; (CMAELR3,32.171)

loo wher Ihesus come+t ' - Sine , inquid , ecce Ihesus venit .
(CMAELR3,32.172)

Na+teles , I say not +tis to wit-seie good discrecioun , whic is moder
and nursche of vertus , bote +tat we schulde resteyne or elles doon
awey +te matyres of synne ; +tat is to seyn , glotonye , slep , to
muche reste , to muche communyngge wit wommen or nyce men of here body
; (CMAELR3,32.173)

for wel ofte by a fals name of discrecioun we coloure+t to excuse owre
foule lustes . (CMAELR3,32.174)

Hit is a noble and a verrey discrecioun to putte +te soule tofore +te
body ; (CMAELR3,32.175)

and +ter +tat +tey be+t bo+te in peril , and wit-oute greuaunce of +tat
on , +tat o+ter may not be saued , hit is ful skilful +tat for profit
of +te soule , +te body be put by-hynde . (CMAELR3,32.176)

+Tyse +tynges I sey to +te , suster , +tat +tu schuldest take ententyly
heede how gret bysynesse +tu most haue to kepe +te chast and clene ;
+te whic vertu of chastete maydenly , al+tou+g it be ornament and flour
of vertues , +git witowte meknesse it wext al faad . (CMAELR3,32.177)

<heading>

CAPITULUM NONUM (CMAELR3,32.179)

</heading>

+Tis vertu of meknesse is a sur fundement of alle maner vertues ,
whit-oute which fundement , what so euere +tu wylt gostly reyse vp ,
hit falle+t doun . (CMAELR3,32.181)

Inicium omnis peccati superbia : (CMAELR3,32.182)

' Bygynnyngge of alle synne is proude ' , which cast owt an angel out
of heuene , and man out of paradys . (CMAELR3,32.183)

And of +tis cursede rote , al+tou+g +ter spryngge out manye venenous
braunches , alle na+teles ben departed in-to two spices : in-to gostly
, and bodyly . (CMAELR3,32.184)

Bodyly pruyde is to be proud of bodyly +gynges ; (CMAELR3,32.185)

gostly pruyde is to be pruyd of gostly +gyftes . (CMAELR3,32.186)

And fur+termor , bodyly pruyde is departed in tweyen ; +tat is to sayn
, in-to bost , and vanite . (CMAELR3,32.187)

Vanite is as ofte as +te hand-mayden of Crist ha+t a veyn-glorie in
here herte +tat sche is ycomen of gret blood and noble , and +terwit
ha+t a <P_33> flehsly delytyngge +tat sche ha+t forsake richesse of +te
wordle and nobleye and take here to pouerte , or elles +tat sche holde
here-self wondurliche holy and to be commende+t +tat sche ha+t forsake
grete and ryche mariages off wor+ty mennes sones +tat sche my+gte han
be maried to - (CMAELR3,33.188)

al +tis is vanite . (CMAELR3,33.189)

Also hit is a spice of vanite +gif +tu coueyte to muche bodyly
fairnesse , or +tat +tu delite +te to muche in gaynesse of +ty celle ,
in diuerse peyntyngges or celures , or swyche o+tere tryfles ;
(CMAELR3,33.190)

alle +tyse iapes +tu most flen as contrarie to +ty professioun .
(CMAELR3,33.191)

Whit what vorheed my+gt +tu haue veyn-glorie of rychesse or of noble
blood , +tat coueytest to be iseye his spouse +tat for vs was mad ri+gt
pouere , al+tou+g he were verreyly ryche - +tat is Crist .
(CMAELR3,33.192)

A pore moder , a pouere $mayne , a pouere hows he chees hym ; +te
streytnesse of an oxe-stalle . (CMAELR3,33.193)

And Lord , whe+ter it seme a gret woundour to +te , in +te whiche +tu
schuldest haue a veyn-glorie , +tat +tu hast forsake to wedde a monnes
sone for +te loue +tat +tu hast to be Cristes spouse ? (CMAELR3,33.194)

Is hit a gret woundour +tat +tu hast forsake styngyngge lust of body
for +te swete sauour of maydenhood ? (CMAELR3,33.195)

Seme+t hit a wundur +tat +tu hast ychaunged matere of stench and of
corupcioun for euer-lastynge delices and rychesse of heuene ?
(CMAELR3,33.196)

Schuldest +tu haue a veyn-glorie , al-+tey +tu haue idoo +tus ?
(CMAELR3,33.197)

Holy scripture seyt : Si gloriaris , in domino glorieris -
(CMAELR3,33.198)

Suster , +gif +tu be glad for +tise +tyngges , loke +ty ioye be in God
, (CMAELR3,33.199)

and serue hym in parfit drede . (CMAELR3,33.200)

And vur+termor , I nel not be no wey +tat , as it where vndur colour of
deuocioun and holynesse , $+tu delite +te in veyne peyntyngges ,
kyttyngges and in grauyngges in +ty celle , no+ter in clo+tys gaylyche
yweue , ne steyned wit bryddes or bestes , or diuerse trees or floures
, to o+ter babounrye . (CMAELR3,33.201)

Let hem haue swych aray +tat , noon or litul ioye hauyngge wit-ynne ,
sechy+t al here ioye wit-oute . (CMAELR3,33.202)

<heading>

CAPITULUM DECIMUM (CMAELR3,33.204)

</heading>

Omnis gloria filie Regis abintus . (CMAELR3,33.206)

As holy wryt sei+t , alle +te ioie of a kynges douter schulde be
wit-ynne . (CMAELR3,33.207)

+Terfore , +gif +tu be +te kynges douter of heuene , for as muche as
+tu hast ywedded his sone Criste , loke +tu hiere +te veys of +ty Fader
, which sei+t to +te +tat al +ty ioye schulde be wyt-ynne +te .
(CMAELR3,33.208)

Loke +terfore +tat al +ty gladnesse come of clene wytnesse of a good
conscience wit-ynne . (CMAELR3,33.209)

Let +ter be fair peynture and grauyngge of diuerse vertues ;
(CMAELR3,33.210)

let +ter fressche coloures of goode +tewes wit curious knottes be knet
to-gydere , +tat +te fayrnesse of o vertu , and o+ter {TEXT:and-o+ter}
wel icoupled to hym , mowe make +te mor brit in schynyngge .
(CMAELR3,33.211)

Let meknesse be ioyned to chastete , (CMAELR3,33.212)

and no+tyng schal be bry+gtere ; (CMAELR3,33.213)

let also simplenesse be associod to good inward wysdom ,
(CMAELR3,33.214)

and no+tyng schal be <P_34> clierere ; (CMAELR3,34.215)

let mercy be coupled wit ry+gtwisnesse , (CMAELR3,34.216)

and no+tyng is mor swete ; (CMAELR3,34.217)

and to alle +tyse +tanne put good temprure and good discrecioun ,
(CMAELR3,34.218)

and mor profitable peynture schalt +tu noon fynde . (CMAELR3,34.219)

In swich curiosite ocupye +tyn e+gen of +tyn herte , (CMAELR3,34.220)

swich vertuous diuersete fourme in +ty soule wit al +ty wit ,
(CMAELR3,34.221)

and +terwit let enbroude +ty spiritual clo+tynge . (CMAELR3,34.222)

In fimbrijs aureis etcetera . (CMAELR3,34.223)

+Gif +tu wylt , as +te book sei+t , adden goldene hemmys , certes ,
+tenne +tu hast a garnement wel iweue adoun to +ti foot , in whiche
+tyn husbounde Crist wil haue gret lykyngge to fynde +te iclo+ted in .
(CMAELR3,34.224)

An hemme , as +tu wost wel , is +te laste ende of a clo+t ;
(CMAELR3,34.225)

and +te ende wherto drawe+t al +te parfeccioun of Godes lawe is charyte
, as +te apostel sei+t : (CMAELR3,34.226)

Finis precepti est caritas . (CMAELR3,34.227)

+Tis charyte most +tu nyede haue , louyngge God and +tyn euene-cristene
of clene herte , wit good conscience , and wit fey not feyned ne
fayllynge . (CMAELR3,34.228)

<heading>

CAPITULUM XJ (CMAELR3,34.230)

</heading>

In swich ray , suster , haue likyngge and gladnesse , wit-ynne , and
not wit-oute ; (CMAELR3,34.232)

in verrey vertus and in verrey peyntures put +ty lust .
(CMAELR3,34.233)

Let faire lynnene towayles ligge vppon +tyn awter , +gif +tu hast eny ;
+te whiche for here whitnesse and clennesse mowe signefie and schewe to
+te +te whitnesse of chastete and simplenesse . (CMAELR3,34.234)

Be+tenk +te wit ow muche trauayl and betyngge lynne or flex is ibrou+gt
out of +te ir+tene colour +tat it grew in , er hit were so wyth as hit
is whan it make+t fair +tyn awter , and Cristes body is wrapped +ter-in
. (CMAELR3,34.235)

Ferst flex is brou+gt for+t wit ir+tene colour ; (CMAELR3,34.236)

and so be $we ybrout for+t wit wickednesse and synne : (CMAELR3,34.237)

Quoniam ego in iniquitatibus conceptus sum , et in peccatis concepit me
mater mea . (CMAELR3,34.238)

Afterward , whan flew is itake out of +te ir+te , hit is icast in-to
water ; (CMAELR3,34.239)

and ry+gt so , whan we ben take out of owre oune moder wombe , we be+t
icast in-to +te water of bapteme , (CMAELR3,34.240)

and +ter we be+t ibyryed wit Crist . (CMAELR3,34.241)

And +ter , al+tou+g synne be put awey , +git syknesse of synne dure+t .
(CMAELR3,34.242)

+Ter we take+t sumwhat off whitnesse in +te wasschyngge awey of +te
viel+te of synne , (CMAELR3,34.243)

bote , certes , al parfytly clene and whith be we not imaad , for +te
enclinaunce +tat we habbe+t , as longe as we be+t in +tis wordle , to
synne and to wrecchednesse . (CMAELR3,34.244)

Vur+termor flex , after water , it is dryed ; (CMAELR3,34.245)

and so we , after +tat we be+t icristned , it be-houe+t +tat oure body
by abstinence be ymaad drye fro stynkynde humores of vnclennesse .
(CMAELR3,34.246)

And ri+gt as after-ward flew is ibete wit a betyl , to be +te mor suple
to werk ; rith so oure flehs is ibete and bouyd wit temptacioun many
and diuers , to be +te more obedient to +te spirit . (CMAELR3,34.247)

+Git ouermor , +tat lynne of flex is ipurged wit grete yrene kombes ,
to putte awey +te grete superfluites ; (CMAELR3,34.248)

and so mote we wit +te scharpe +gerd of discipline putte awey alle
superfluites , and holde +tat is streyt nyede to vs . (CMAELR3,34.249)

And ry+gt as afterward +tis is iput to flex : a comb of <P_35> smallere
pryckes , to clense it more curiously - ry+gt so we , whan we haue
ouercome , wit gret trauayle , grete and wickede temptaciouns and
passiouns of +te flehs , we schul be aboute to make vs clene of
cotidian defautes by meke schryfte and due satisfaccioun .
(CMAELR3,35.250)

Ouermor , after +tis flex is ispunne a-long ; (CMAELR3,35.251)

and so we by long perseueraunce mote dure in oure goode purpos .
(CMAELR3,35.252)

And at +te laste , schortly , ri+gt as to lynnene , er it be parfytly
fair and whit , is iput bo+te water and fuir ; ri+gt so we mote
+torou+g vier of tribulacioun and water of scharp contricioun , er we
come fully to +te refreschyngge of chastete and clennesse .
(CMAELR3,35.253)

Swyche +tynges let brynge to +tyn myende +te ornamentes of +tyn
oratorye , and not fulfylle +tyn e+gen wit vnlyfsum iaperyes $and
vanites . (CMAELR3,35.254)

<heading>

DE YMAGINIBUS . (CMAELR3,35.256)

</heading>

And as touchyngge holy ymages , haue in +tyn awter +te ymage of +te
crucifix hangynge on +te cros , which represente to +te +te passioun of
Crist , which +tu schalt folwe . (CMAELR3,35.258)

Al-to-gydere he is ysprad abrood to bykleppe +te in his armes , in
which +tu schalt haue gret delectacioun ; (CMAELR3,35.259)

and hys tetys be+t al naked ischewd to +te to +gyue +te melk of
spiritual delectacioun and confortacioun . (CMAELR3,35.260)

And , +gif it be lykynde to +te , to commende +te grete excellence of
virginite , let +tilke blessede mayden and moder in o syde , and +tilke
diere deciple Ihon , a mayde also , in +tat o+ter syde of +te cros be
ihad in here ymages , +tat +tu mowe +tenke her-by hou plesaunt to God
is chastete bo+te-5 of man and womman , which he halewode so preciously
in his moder and his lieue deciple , seynt Ihon ; (CMAELR3,35.261)

and +terfore he couplede hem so tendrely to-gydere , hangynge on +te
roode , whan he bytook to his moder +te deciple to kepe , and a+genward
+te maydenly deciple to haue warde of +te moder and mayde .
(CMAELR3,35.262)

And a blessed testament was +tis to seynt Ihon , to whom +te fayrnesse
of alle mankynde , hope of al +te wordle , ioye of heuene , refut of
wrecchen , solas of +to +tat be+t in sorwe , cumfort of pouere , and at
+te laste , lady of al +te wordle , queen of heuene wit so gret
auctorite was take to kepe . (CMAELR3,35.263)

Suster , let +tyse +tynges styre +te to feruour of parfit charite , and
to noo spectacle of vanite ; (CMAELR3,35.264)

for +torou+g +tyse alle it is necessarie +tat +tu stee vp oon , alone -
(CMAELR3,35.265)

for +tilke on is only necessarie : (CMAELR3,35.266)

Porro vnum est necessarium . (CMAELR3,35.267)

+Tis is +tilke on +tat is not yfounde bote in oon , at oon and wit oon
, in whom is noon vnstabilite ne chaungyngge ; (CMAELR3,35.268)

and +tat cleue+t to +tylke oon , he is oon in spirit wit hym . alwey
goynge in-to +tilke oon +tat is eueremoore oon wit-outen eny mutacioun
, and whos +geres ne tyme neuere ne fayle+t - (CMAELR3,35.269)

Tu semper idem ipse es , et anni non deficient . (CMAELR3,35.270)

+Tis cleuyngge to +tis oon is charite , whic , as I seyde , is as it
were a goldene hem , finally to make fair +ty weddyng-coote .
(CMAELR3,35.271)

<P_36>

<heading>

DE CARITATE . CAPITULUM DUODECIMUM (CMAELR3,36.274)

</heading>

+Tis weddyng-garnement , suttylly yveue wit diuers vertus , it bihoue+t
+tat it be be-goon aboute wit swiche goldene hemmes +tat is to seyn wit
+te bri+gtnesse of charite , +te wyche mowen conteyne and bynde alle
vertus in oon and make oon of manye , departyngge to alle here
clernesse , and so cleuyngge to alle vertus +tat as it were +tey alle
bete not manye , bote oon . (CMAELR3,36.276)

<heading>

DIUISIO CARITATIS . (CMAELR3,36.278)

</heading>

+Tis charite is departyd in two : in-to +te loue of God , and in-to +te
loue of +tyn emcristene . (CMAELR3,36.280)

And vur+termor , +te loue of +tyn emcristene is departyd in two : in-to
innocence and beneficience . +Tat is to seyn , +tat +tu greue ne harme
noman , bote do good and profyt to as manye as +tu my+gt -
(CMAELR3,36.281)

for +tis is lawe of kynde . (CMAELR3,36.282)

Quod tibi non vis fieri , alij ne feceris - (CMAELR3,36.283)

and +tis is innocence . (CMAELR3,36.284)

And God seyd in +te gospel : Omnia quecumque vultis vt faciant vobis
etcetera - alle +tynges +tat +ge woolde +tat men dede to +gou+g , do
+ge to hem a+genward : (CMAELR3,36.285)

and +tis is benificience . (CMAELR3,36.286)

Now tak good heede , suster , how +tise two parteyne+t to +te .
(CMAELR3,36.287)

+Te ferste is +tat +tu schost greue no-man ; (CMAELR3,36.288)

and certayn , +tat howte be li+gt inou+g to +te , (CMAELR3,36.289)

for +tu my+gt greue no-body , +tey +te woldest , bote +gif +tu smyte
hym wit +ty tounge . (CMAELR3,36.290)

And for-so+te , +te secunde scal be li+gt inou+g to +te , +gif +tu take
good heede to +ti purpos , and loue +te nakede and bare pouerte +tat
+tu hast take +te to . (CMAELR3,36.291)

For +ter may be no matere of euel wil a+gens no-man wher reigne+t no
coueytyse , (CMAELR3,36.292)

ne no+tyng is iloued +tat may be doon awey . (CMAELR3,36.293)

+Terfore wylne wel to alle men , (CMAELR3,36.294)

and do good to as manye as +tu mi+gt . (CMAELR3,36.295)

Bote hier +tu askest of me in what +tyng +tu mi+gt do good to eny mon ,
so+t+te +tu hast forsake alle wordliche godys , and hast no maner
+tynge to +gyue to +te neody . (CMAELR3,36.296)

<heading>

CAPITULUM XIIJ (CMAELR3,36.298)

</heading>

Suster , know wel +te condicioun of +ty lyf . (CMAELR3,36.300)

+Ter were two sustren , Marthe and Marye : (CMAELR3,36.301)

+tat oon trauaylede , (CMAELR3,36.302)

+tat o+ter restyde ; (CMAELR3,36.303)

+tat oon +gaf , (CMAELR3,36.304)

+tat o+ter askede and baad ; (CMAELR3,36.305)

Marthe +gaf outward seruise , (CMAELR3,36.306)

Marie nurschede ynward loue . (CMAELR3,36.307)

Marie ne ran not hyder and +tyder , bisy to vnderfonge gystes ;
(CMAELR3,36.308)

Marie was not distracte aboute husbondrye ; (CMAELR3,36.309)

Maria was not entendaunt to pore mennes cryyngge ; (CMAELR3,36.310)

bote sche saat meekely at Ihesu feet (CMAELR3,36.311)

and herde deuoutly his word and his lore . (CMAELR3,36.312)

My diere sister , +tis is +ty party : (CMAELR3,36.313)

+tu +tat art deed to +te wordle and ybyried , +tu schalt be deef to
hiere eny-+tyng of +te wordle , and dump forto speke it ;
(CMAELR3,36.314)

ne +tu schalt not be bysy ne distract aboute wordly ocupaciouns .
(CMAELR3,36.315)

Let Marthe alone wit +tat partye , whos partye , al+tou+g it be nou+gt
deneyed good , Maries partye na+teles is yseyd +te bettere .
(CMAELR3,36.316)

Lord , whe+ter Marie hadde eny enuye of Marthe ? (CMAELR3,36.317)

Nay , dredeles ; (CMAELR3,36.318)

<P_37>

bote ra+ter Marthe hadde enuye as it were of Maryes deel .
(CMAELR3,37.320)

And in +te same manere let hem +tat be+t beste wommen i +te wordle ,
let hem , I seie , haue a spiritual enuye to folwe +ty lyuyngge ; bote
not so +tu to hemward . (CMAELR3,37.321)

To hem +tat be+t in +te wordle longe+t to +gyuen almesse , wiche +tat
haue+t wordliche possessioun , and also to men of holy churche to whom
is itake +te dispensacioun of +te godys of holy churche .
(CMAELR3,37.322)

For +teo +tynges +tat be+t y+giue to holy chirche bysschopes , prestes
and clerkes , after +tat +tey haue itake +trof here nyede +tey scholde
parte to +te pore ; (CMAELR3,37.323)

for here godys be+t pouere menne godys , and wydue godes , and faderles
and moderles children godes , and also minystres of holy churche goodis
- (CMAELR3,37.324)

for +tey +tat ministre+t +te awter , it is skyleful +tat +tey lyue of
+te awter . (CMAELR3,37.325)

To +tyse , +too +tat be+t benefysed in holi churche schulde in tyme of
nyede dele here godes , and not coueytously close hem $vp in here
cofres . (CMAELR3,37.326)

And also +too goodes +tat be+t y+gyue to holy monasteries in-to +te vs
of Cristes seruauns , hit is resoun +tat +tey $be ministred by certayn
persones +tat be+t y-ordeyned +ter-to , so +tat +tat +tat is more +tan
here bre+tryn han nyede to , be goodly y+giue to gystes , to pilgrymes
and pore men , and not auarously iput vp in here purses .
(CMAELR3,37.327)

Bote suster , +tis partyne+t to hem to whom is itake Marthes office ,
not to hem +tat reste+t hem in holynesse of contemplacioun , as +tu art
. (CMAELR3,37.328)

For +too +tat be+t in cloystre schulde not bysi hem to vnderfonge
gystes , (CMAELR3,37.329)

ne +tey schulde not be distract to ministre to +te pouere men ;
(CMAELR3,37.330)

for +tey be+t +tilke +tat schulde make no purvyaunce fro o day to
ano+ter , ne haue no +tou+gt ne care of mete ne of drynke ;
(CMAELR3,37.331)

certayn , +tey schulle be okepied in swettere +tyngges , and be fulfeld
more profitably of spiritual delices . (CMAELR3,37.332)

Let hem +tat be+t more contemptible and rude to spiritualte , let hem
bysie hem wit +te wordle , (CMAELR3,37.333)

let hem cleppe to hem carayne and dung ; (CMAELR3,37.334)

for +tey be+t +tilke oxen +tat +te book speke+t of : Quorum piger
stercoribus lapidetur - Among +te whiche he +tat is slow schal be
stened to de+te wit stynkynde dung . (CMAELR3,37.335)

Bote +ter be+t manye +tat be+t slow and vnlusty aboute spiritual
+tyngges , as were +tilke slow+g and synneful poeple in desert +tat
hadde skorn and abhominacioun of angeles mete : (CMAELR3,37.336)

Anima nostra nauseat super cibo etcetera . (CMAELR3,37.337)

For swyche nyce foolys , whan +tey be+t ydulled in here life , and +tey
see o+tere y-ocupied in +te wordle aboute temperal godys , anoon +tey
haue+t envye , (CMAELR3,37.338)

and grucche+t , (CMAELR3,37.339)

and bagbyte+t here bre+teryn ; (CMAELR3,37.340)

and so for a lytul stynkynde viel+te , in +te whiche o+tre be+t
defoyled in +te wordle , +tey hem-self be+t ismyte wit pryckes of enuye
and biternesse ; of +te whiche , in caas +tey falle a+gen to +te wordle
, to antermete of wordly +tyngges , certes , it may be sayd : Qui
nutriebantur in croceis , amplexati sunt stercora . (CMAELR3,37.341)

And +terfor , suster , se+t+te +tat +tey +tat be+t in holy monasteries
ne <P_38> schulle not ocupien hem wit +te wordle , bote +tilke +tat
be+t assigned +ter-to , and to whom is itaken Marthes bisynesse , muche
more +tu , +tat hast forsake +te wordle , ne+ter schalt haue worldly
goodes in dispensacioun , ne+ter see ne hiere matires of +te wordle .
(CMAELR3,38.342)

+Tu +tat hast al forsake , wher-of schuldest +tu +gyue almesse ?
(CMAELR3,38.343)

$Na+teles {TEXT:napeles} , +gif +tu hast a wy+gt of +tyn owne trauayle
more +tan +tu dispendist +ty-self , +gif almesse a Godes alf , and +git
not by +tyn owne hand , bote by sum o+ter . (CMAELR3,38.344)

So+t+te +ty lifnoode come+t bote of o+tere folk , wherto schalt +tu
care to +gyue almesse of o+tere menne godes , a namely se+t+te +tu
schalt not vsurpe to +te bote +ty neode ? (CMAELR3,38.345)

What +tanne almesse or good schalt +tu doo to +tyn emcristen , as I
sayde byforn , whan I spake of beneficience ? (CMAELR3,38.346)

Suster , an holy seynt sei+t : ' +Ter is no+tynge rychere +tan a good
wyl ' - (CMAELR3,38.347)

+tat +gif ! (CMAELR3,38.348)

What is more profitable +tan deuout preyere ? (CMAELR3,38.349)

+Tat +gif ! (CMAELR3,38.350)

What is more ful of manhoode +tan pite ? (CMAELR3,38.351)

+Tat spreed aboute ! (CMAELR3,38.352)

And in +tis wise , suster , bynd al +tis wordle to-gydere in +ty bosum
wit o bond of pyte and of loue ; (CMAELR3,38.353)

and +ter by-hald alle +teo +tat ben goode , (CMAELR3,38.354)

and +tanke God +ter-of (CMAELR3,38.355)

and be glaad ; (CMAELR3,38.356)

behald o +tat o+ter side alle +too +tat ben wickede and in dedly synne
, (CMAELR3,38.357)

and wyep vp-on hem (CMAELR3,38.358)

and be sory ! (CMAELR3,38.359)

+Ter tak heede of hem +tat be+t oppressed +toru+g greet meschyef ,
(CMAELR3,38.360)

and haue conpassioun of hem ; (CMAELR3,38.361)

let renne +ter in +ty myende +te misese of +te pouere , +te whepyngge
of fadurles and modurles children , +te desolacions of wydues , +te
bitere si+g+gyngge and weylyngge of $+to +tat be+t ouercome by greet
sorwe , +te niede of pilgrymes , +te periles of hem +tat be+t in +te
see , +te he+ge vowes of holy virgynes , +te temptacions of holy men ,
+te bysynesse of prelatys , +te trauayle of hem +tat be+t in wherre ,
o+ter in o+ter maner ry+gtful trauayle . (CMAELR3,38.362)

To alle +tyse opene +ty brest , (CMAELR3,38.363)

to +tyse +gif +tyn almesse , (CMAELR3,38.364)

to +tyse departe +ty bitere terys , (CMAELR3,38.365)

for +tyse sched out +ty clene preyeres . (CMAELR3,38.366)

For-so+te , suster , +tis almesse is more plesaunt to God , more
acceptyd of Crist , more competent to +ty professioun , more fructuous
to hem +tat +tu +gifst hit to , +tan eny o+ter bodyly +gifte .
(CMAELR3,38.367)

Swych maner +gifte , +tat is to seye gostly almesse , spiritual
beneficience , helpe+t +ty purpoos (CMAELR3,38.368)

and not hyndre+t it , (CMAELR3,38.369)

also hit encrese+t +te loue of +tyn emcristene (CMAELR3,38.370)

and not amenuse+t it . (CMAELR3,38.371)

Hit kept +te quite of +tyn herte , (CMAELR3,38.372)

and let hit nouth . (CMAELR3,38.373)

And what schal I say more ? (CMAELR3,38.374)

Certayn , as seynt Gregory say+gt : ' Summetyme holy men , for +te more
parfeccioun , for +te loue of God and of here emcristene +te wolde
no-+tyng of wordly richesse haue in +te wordle , ne no+tyng coueyte
forte haue . ' (CMAELR3,38.375)

Bote manye and to manye +ter be+t +tat do+t euen +te contrarie ,
(CMAELR3,38.376)

for +tey trauayled ny+gt and day to haue wordly good , (CMAELR3,38.377)

and +tey seyn to doo charite and almesse , (CMAELR3,38.378)

for +tey wolde <P_39> haue what for-to +gyue . (CMAELR3,39.379)

Bote certayn , +tyse wel ofte fayled of +te he+ge parfeccioun off
charite . (CMAELR3,39.380)

<heading>

Capitulum quartumdecimum (CMAELR3,39.382)

</heading>

After +tat I haue itold sumwhat of +te loue of +tyn emcristene , now
schortly I wyl telle +te sum party of +te loue of $God .
(CMAELR3,39.384)

For al+tou+gt +too sustren +tat I haue spoken of louede , bo+te hem ,
God and here emcristene , +git more specially Marthe was okepyed aboute
+te seruyse of here emcristene +tan Marie , which +tat halyde to here
continually holy affeccioun of +te euerlastyngge welle of loue .
(CMAELR3,39.385)

To +tyse loue of God parteyne+t two +tyngges : clene affeccioun of
herte , and effecte of good deede . (CMAELR3,39.386)

+Te affeccioun moot be in taste of gostly swetnesse , (CMAELR3,39.387)

ant +te effecte of good deede moot be in excercise of vertus - +te
which excercise of vertus is in a certayn god maner of lyuyngge , in
fastyngge , in wakyngge , in trauayl , in redyngge , in preyeris , in
pouerte , and swych o+tere . (CMAELR3,39.388)

And as to speken of affeccioun , gostly and bodyly , +tu most nursche
hit wit holy and hoolsum meditacioun . (CMAELR3,39.389)

<heading>

De meditacione . (CMAELR3,39.391)

</heading>

Wherfore , dire suster , +tat +te swete affeccioun of loue of swete
Ihesu mowe wexe in +tyn herte , +tu most haue +tre maner meditacioun :
+tat is to seyn of +tyngges +tat ben apassed , of +tingges +tat be+t
present , of +tyngges +tat be+t comyngge . (CMAELR3,39.393)

And +terfore , suster , when +tyn herte is iclensed fro al viel+te and
$stenc of foule +gou+gtes by +te excercise of holy vertus , cast +ti
cliere e+gen abake to +tyngges +tat be+t apassyd , of +te whiche is
imaad miende in +te trewe gospel . (CMAELR3,39.394)

And ferst goo in-to +ty pryue chaumbre wit oure lady Marie , wher schee
abood +te angel message , (CMAELR3,39.395)

and +ter , suster , abyd +te angel comyngge , +tat +tu mowe isee whanne
he come+t in , and hou graciously he grette +tilke gracious mayde ;
(CMAELR3,39.396)

and soo +tu , as it were irauesched of al +ty wittes , whanne +te angel
begyn+t is salutacioun $to +tilke blessede mayde and modur , cry +tu as
lowde | as +tu my+gt grede to +ty lady (CMAELR3,39.397)

and sey : Aue maria , gratia plena , dominus tecum ; benedicta tu in
mulieribus et benedictus fructus ventris tui Ihesus , amen .
(CMAELR3,39.398)

And +tis rehersyngge ofte and many tyme be-+tenke +te how muche was
+tilke fulsumnesse of grace in Marie , of whom al +tis wordle borwede
and beggede grace , whanne Godys sone was maad man , ful of grace and
soo+tfastnesse . (CMAELR3,39.399)

+Tanne , suster , wundre gretly in +tyn herte how +tilke lord , +tat
fulfel+t bo+te euene and er+te , was iclosed wit-ynne +te bowelys of a
smal gentil mayden , whom God +te Fader halwede , God +te Sone brou+gte
wit childe , God +te Holy Gost fulfelde of grace . (CMAELR3,39.400)

A , swete blessyd lady , <P_40> wit how muche swetnesse were +tu
ivisited , (CMAELR3,40.401)

wit how hoot brennyngge vier of loue were +tu iset aviere , whanne +tu
vieledest in +tyn herte and in +ty wombe +te presence of so greet a
maieste , whanne +tat Crist took flehs of +ty flehs , whanne of +ty
clene maydenly blood he made hym blood , whanne of +ty menbres he made
hym menbres , in +te whyche was +te fulle godhede bodyly .
(CMAELR3,40.402)

And certayn , suster , al +tis for +te , +tat art a mayde , be-cause
+tat +tu schuldest take good heede of +tis mayde +tat +tu scholdest
folwe , and of +tis maydenes sone Crist , to whom +tu art iweddid .
(CMAELR3,40.403)

Now after +tis stee vp wit +ty lady to +te hul wher +tat Eli+gabeth and
blessede Marye wit $swete kleppyngge and kissyngge mette togydere ;
(CMAELR3,40.404)

and hir take heede , suster , of +te maner of gretyngge in +te whiche
Ihon Baptiste in his moder wombe , hoppyngge for ioye , knew and
saluede as a seruaunt his lord , as a criour his verray iustyse , as a
kni+gt is verrey kynge . (CMAELR3,40.405)

And blessyd were and be+t +too wombes to-fore alle o+tre , of +te wiche
sprang oute hele of alle +te wordle , and was iprofecyed mer+te and
ioye , a+gens derknesse of wo and sorwe +tat longe to-fore hadde
reygned . (CMAELR3,40.406)

What dost +tu , suster ? (CMAELR3,40.407)

I prey +te , (CMAELR3,40.408)

ren forth wit alle hast , (CMAELR3,40.409)

and among so muche ioye antermete +te sumwhat , (CMAELR3,40.410)

val adoun by-foore +te feet of +tyse blessyd wymmen , (CMAELR3,40.411)

and in +tat onys wombe honoure +tyn husbonde Criste , (CMAELR3,40.412)

and in +tat o+trys wirschipe his frend , sein Ihon . (CMAELR3,40.413)

And after +tis , wayte whan Marie go+t to Bethleem , (CMAELR3,40.414)

and ren after wit meek deuocioun ; (CMAELR3,40.415)

and whan sche turned in-to +tilke pouere ostage to bern here child ,
pote +te for+t (CMAELR3,40.416)

and doo what seruise +tat +tu canst ; (CMAELR3,40.417)

and whanne +tilke faire baby is ilappyd in an oxe-stalle , berst out
in-to a voys of gladnesse wit Ysaie (CMAELR3,40.418)

and sey : Paruulus natus est nobis , filius datus est nobis .
(CMAELR3,40.419)

And +tanne wit alle reuerence beklep sum party of +tilke swete stalle
+ter +ty +gunge husbonde ly+t in , (CMAELR3,40.420)

and after let loue ouercome schame and driwe awey drede ,
(CMAELR3,40.421)

and baldely go for+t (CMAELR3,40.422)

and +trast +ti lippen to +tilke tendre feet of Crist , kissyngge hem
wit al +tyn herte ofte-tyme er +tu reste . (CMAELR3,40.423)

And whan +tis is doon , taak heede enterly in +ty sowle +te walkyngge
of +te scherperdys , (CMAELR3,40.424)

behold +te oostes of angeles syngynge and wurschepynge ,
(CMAELR3,40.425)

and to here melodye auntre +te to pote for+t +ti voys (CMAELR3,40.426)

and sey : Gloria in excelsis Deo , et in terra pax hominibus bone
voluntatis . (CMAELR3,40.427)

<heading>

Capitulum quintumdecimum (CMAELR3,40.429)

</heading>

And in +ty meditacioun +tu schalt nou+gt for+gite +te offryngge of +tre
kynges ; (CMAELR3,40.431)

and also whan vre lady for drede of Herowd fle+t in-to Egypte <P_41>
wit here child in here lappe , let here not goon alone ,
(CMAELR3,41.432)

bot go for+t wit here , (CMAELR3,41.433)

and haue on opinion +tat +tis is so+t +tat I schal now telle to +te .
(CMAELR3,41.434)

<heading>

Narracio bona . (CMAELR3,41.436)

</heading>

Whanne hure lady wente to Egiptewarde , she was $itake of +teues .
(CMAELR3,41.438)

And among hem +te maister-+tef hadde a sone , whic sterte to vre lady
and vndyde here lappe , (CMAELR3,41.439)

and +ter he fand here swete child liggynge . (CMAELR3,41.440)

And +ter come swhiche lemes of li+gt and britnesse out of his blessede
fas , +tat +tis +tef wyste wel in his herte +tat +tis child was of
grettere mageste +tan an-o+tur pur man ; (CMAELR3,41.441)

and for greet loue he kleppede hym in his armes (CMAELR3,41.442)

and kyst hym , seyinge deuoutly in +tis wyse : (CMAELR3,41.443)

' O +tu most blessede babe among alle +tat euere were ; heraftur whanne
+tu cumst to +ty grete lordschipe , in caas +tu see me euere at eny
myscheef , help me (CMAELR3,41.444)

and haue myende of +tis tyme , (CMAELR3,41.445)

for I wyl kepe +te and +ty moder harmles . ' (CMAELR3,41.446)

Suster , it is iseyd +tat +tis was +tilke +tef +tat hynge on Cristes
ri+gt syde , wiche vndernam +tat o+ter +tat hynge on his left syde ,
seyingge to hym , as it is iwryten in +te gospel , in +tis wyse :
(CMAELR3,41.447)

Neque tu times Deum , quad in eadem dampnacione es ? Et nos quidem
iuste , nam digna factis recepimus ; hic vero nichil mali gessit
etcetera . (CMAELR3,41.448)

And +too wit gret meknesse and contricioun he $turnyde hym to Criste ,
(CMAELR3,41.449)

and seingge +te same schynyngge and bri+gtnesse +tat he hadde longe
by-fore iseye in his face in his moder lappe , wit alle +te veynes of
his herte he cryede : Memento mei , Domine , dum veneris in regnum tuum
- +tat is to seyn : ' Lord , haue myende of me whan +tu comest in-to
+ty kyndom ! ' (CMAELR3,41.450)

And forso+te , Crist for+gat not is couenaunt , (CMAELR3,41.451)

for he answerede anoon (CMAELR3,41.452)

and seyde : Amen dice tibi , hodie mecum eris in paradyso .
(CMAELR3,41.453)

Suster , to stire +te to more tendrenesse of loue , haue an opinioun
+tat +tis tale is so+t . (CMAELR3,41.454)

And hit schal be non harm to +te al+tou+g +tu be-+tenke +te how +ty
+gunge husbonde Crist , while he was child , childly and myryli pleyde
hym among o+ter children at Nazareth , and o+ter-whyle hou seruisable
he was to his moder , and ano+ter tyme how swete and gracious he was to
his nursche . (CMAELR3,41.455)

<heading>

Capitulum sextumdecimum (CMAELR3,41.457)

</heading>

And , suster , wanne after +tat he is twelf +ger old , and go+t to
Ierusalem in-to +te temple wit his fadur and his moder and , hem
vnwytyngge , leue+t in +te citee +tre dayes be-hynde , as +te gospel
sey+t ; +gif +tu wilt bysyly seke hym +tyse +tre dayes , gode suster ,
what sorwe schalt +tu haue ? (CMAELR3,41.459)

How manye bitere teres schulle renne out of +tyn e+gen , whanne +tu
$by+genkest $te {TEXT:by+genkeste} of +te sorwe of his moder Marie ,
whanne sche hadde iloste so dire a child ? (CMAELR3,41.460)

And after , whan she hadde ifounde hym syttyngge among +te doctoures in
+te temple , how pytously sche smot <P_42> hym , as hit were , wit +tis
mornful vndernymyngge : Fili , quid fecisti nobis sic ? Ecce pater tuus
et ego dolentes querebamus te . (CMAELR3,42.461)

And $vur+termore , +gif +tu folwe +tis blessed mayde whider +tat euer
sche go+t , +tu mi+gth ascherche mor hey+gere priuitees ;
(CMAELR3,42.462)

and +tanne in flem Iordan +tu mi+gt hiere +te Fadur in voys , +te Sone
in verray flehs , and see +te Holy Goste in liknesse of a douve .
(CMAELR3,42.463)

And +ter , suster , at +tylke gostly breedale +tu mi+gt $vnderfonge
+tyn husbounde i+gyue of +te Fader , purgacioun of +te Sone , and
receyue +te bond of loue of +te Holy Goste . (CMAELR3,42.464)

Aftur +tis many day +ty spouse Crist go+t in-to desert , +gyuyngge +te
ensaumple to fle blast and bost of +te wordle ; (CMAELR3,42.465)

+ter he fastyde fourty dayes , (CMAELR3,42.466)

and was tempted of +te deuel , techyngge vs wrecchen what conflit we
mote haue and batayle a+gens vre gostly enemy . (CMAELR3,42.467)

How +tat +tyse +tyngges were ido to +te and for +te I prey +te tak good
heede , +tat +tu mowe do +ter-after . (CMAELR3,42.468)

Let renne also to +ty myende +tilke wrecchede $wymman +tat was itake in
avoutrye , as +te gospel telle+t , (CMAELR3,42.469)

and be+tenk +te | entierly what Ihesus dude and wat he seyde whanne he
was prey+gid to +gyue +to doom a+gens here . (CMAELR3,42.470)

Furst he wroot in +te ir+te - (CMAELR3,42.471)

and in +tat he schewede +tat +tey where ir+tely +tat hadde acused heore
; (CMAELR3,42.472)

and +tanne he seyde : Qui sine peccato est vestrum , primus in illam
lapidem mittat . (CMAELR3,42.473)

Whan +tis sentence hadde agast hem alle , and dryuen hem out of +te
temple , be+tenke +te how pytous and how godly e+gen Crist cast vpon
here , wit how softe and swete voys he asoylede here . (CMAELR3,42.474)

Trowst +tu not +tat he si+g+gyde , (CMAELR3,42.475)

trowst +tu not +tat he wiep wit is blessede e+gen whan he seyde : Nemo
te condempnauit , mulier ? Nec ego te condempnabo . (CMAELR3,42.476)

And +gif I schal seye hit , iblessyd was +tis wumman +tat was +tus
founden in swhich avoutrye , +te which was asoyled of Crist of sennes
+tat where apassed , and ymaad syker of tyme to-comyngge .
(CMAELR3,42.477)

Gode Ihesu , whanne +tu seyst ' I nel not dampne ' , ho is it +tat may
dampne ? (CMAELR3,42.478)

Whan God iustefye+t , ho may acuse ? (CMAELR3,42.479)

Bote na+teles , +tat noman be to bold herfore , let +te voys of Crist
be herd , +tat come+t after - (CMAELR3,42.480)

what is +tat ? (CMAELR3,42.481)

Vade , et iam amplius noli peccare - (CMAELR3,42.482)

' Go , (CMAELR3,42.483)

and loke +tu neuere haue wyl to doo no synne . ' (CMAELR3,42.484)

+Tanne after +tis go for+t in-to Symons hows +te pharise ,
(CMAELR3,42.485)

and auyse +te wel how godly Crist syt +ter ate mete ; (CMAELR3,42.486)

and pryuely stele for+t wit +tilke blessede synnere , Marie Magdeleyn ,
(CMAELR3,42.487)

and whasch Cristes feet wit hote terys , (CMAELR3,42.488)

wype hem wit +te herys of +tyn heed , (CMAELR3,42.489)

ley to softly +tyn e+gen , (CMAELR3,42.490)

and at +te laste anoynte hem wit spiritual oynement . (CMAELR3,42.491)

Lord , suster , who+ter +tu haue no gostly smel in +ty sowle of +tis
precious liquour ? (CMAELR3,42.492)

Bote in caas for +tyn vnwur+tynesse +tyn husbonde Crist traw+t awey his
feet , and fouche+t not saaf +tat +tu kysse hem ; stand stille ,
na+teles , stedefastly (CMAELR3,42.493)

and pray mekly , (CMAELR3,42.494)

sete +tyn e+gen on hym al for-smoteryd wyt <P_43> terys ,
(CMAELR3,43.495)

and wit depe si+g+gyngges and pytous cryingge cacche of hym +tat +tu
coueytest . (CMAELR3,43.496)

Wrastle irnestly wit +ty God as Iacob dede , (CMAELR3,43.497)

for fey+tfully he wil be glaad +tat +tu ouercome hym . (CMAELR3,43.498)

For happyly it schal seme +te at sum tyme +tat he cast awey is e+gen
fro +te , +tat he close+t is heren and wil not hiere +te , +tat he
hedi+t his feet for +tu schuldest not kysse hem ; (CMAELR3,43.499)

bote for al +tis loke +tu abyde stille , (CMAELR3,43.500)

and gredyly cry to hym wit-owte cessyngge : Vsquequo auertis faciem
tuam a me ? Vsquequo clamabo , et non exaudies ? Redde michi , bone
Ihesu , leticiam salutaris tui , quia tibi dixit cor meum : Quesiui
faciem tuam , faciem tuam , Domine , requiram . (CMAELR3,43.501)

And hardely I dar boldely seyn +tat he wyl not denye his feet to +te ,
+tat art a mayde , wan he grauntede hem to be kyst of a synful womman .
(CMAELR3,43.502)

Loke also +tat +tu for+gyte not +tilke hows +ter +tilke man ysmete wit
+te palsye was lete adoun +torou+g +te teylys to-fore +te feet of Ihesu
, where pyte and power mette to-gydere . (CMAELR3,43.503)

Fili , inquid , remittuntur tibi peccata . (CMAELR3,43.504)

' Sone ' , sey+t Crist , ' +ty synnes be+t for+gyue +te .
(CMAELR3,43.505)

' A , Ihesu , +ty wundurful pyte , +ty mercy +tat may not be told !
(CMAELR3,43.506)

+Tis synful wrecche hadde remissioun of his synnes , +te whiche
outwardly he ne askede nou+gt , ne duely ne hadde not deseruyd ;
(CMAELR3,43.507)

he askede hele of body , (CMAELR3,43.508)

and mercyful Criste grauntede hym hele bo+te-1 of body and sowle .
(CMAELR3,43.509)

Now iwis , good God , lyf $and de+t is in +ty hondes ; (CMAELR3,43.510)

+gif +ty wil be to saue me , may no-man forbede hit ; (CMAELR3,43.511)

+gif +tu wilt fynally dampne me , no-man may be so bold to aske +te : '
Why dust +tu so ? ' (CMAELR3,43.512)

+Gif +te envyous pharyse grucche+t +tat Crist is so merciable to
for+gyue a synful man his synnes , | anoon Crist hym-self smyt hym in
+te face (CMAELR3,43.513)

and sey+t : An oculus tuus nequam est , quia ego bonus sum ?
(CMAELR3,43.514)

For certes , Crist wyl haue mercy of whom +tat is wille is , maugre +te
pharises face . (CMAELR3,43.515)

And +terfore , +tat Cristes wyl be forto save vs and haue mercy vppon
vs , let vs wepen , cryen and preyen . (CMAELR3,43.516)

And +tat oure preyere mowe be +te vattere , let it be vnderset wy+t
gode dedys , (CMAELR3,43.517)

and in +tat wyse let oure deuocioun be acresyd , and brennyngge loue
isteryd to Godwarde . (CMAELR3,43.518)

In oure preyeres let vs lefte vp vre clene handys , +te wyche no blood
of synne haad defoyled , noon vnclene touchyngge haad a-steynt , noon
auarice haad wit-drawe . (CMAELR3,43.519)

Let also vre herte be left vp wit-oute wra+t+te , wit-oute stryf , +tat
tranquillite ha+t put in reste , pees haad imaad fair , clennesse of
conscience haad yquyked . (CMAELR3,43.520)

Bote noon of alle +tyse rede we +tat +tis man hadde +tat was in +te
palsye , +tat I spak of byfore ; (CMAELR3,43.521)

and neuere +te lattere he gaat pleyn remissioun of his synnes .
(CMAELR3,43.522)

And certes , +tis is +te wondurful vertu of +te grete mercy of God ; to
+te whiche mercy , as it is a biter blasphemye to wi+t-seyn , so it is
a woodschipe to haue to gret $hope +terof . (CMAELR3,43.523)

For it is no doute , (CMAELR3,43.524)

God may seye to whom hym euere lest +te same +tat he seyde to +tis
paltyk man : (CMAELR3,43.525)

' Sone , +ty synnes be+t for+gyue +te . ' (CMAELR3,43.526)

Bote who +tat euere abyde+t +tat +tis be iseyd to <P_44> hym ,
wit-outen his grete trauayle , wit-oute verrey contricioun , wit-oute
open confessioun and clene preyere - wit-oute fayle his synnes schulle
neuere be for+gyue hym . (CMAELR3,44.527)

<heading>

Capitulum xvij (CMAELR3,44.529)

</heading>

Bote , suster , let vs now gon hennys and gawe to Bethanye , to +tilke
blessyde feste of Ihesu and Marthe , Marie and La+gar , wher blessyde
bondes of loue and frendschipe be +te auctorite of Crist were ysacryd .
(CMAELR3,44.531)

+Te gospel sey+t : Diligebat Ihesus Martham , etcetera -
(CMAELR3,44.532)

' Ihesus louede Marthe , Marie and La+gar ' ; (CMAELR3,44.533)

and +tat +tis ne was iseyd for a greet priuilegie of special loue ,
noman is +tat doute+t . (CMAELR3,44.534)

For ywis , Ihesu louede hem feruently ; (CMAELR3,44.535)

+tat witnessede wel +tilke swete and tendre terys +tat he wepte wit hem
for La+gar , whanne +tat he was deed - +te wyche terys al +te poeple
vnderstood wel +tat it was a gret signe of gret loue , whanne +tey
seyde : Ecce quomodo amabat eum , etcetera . (CMAELR3,44.536)

Bote now , forto speke of +tis feste +tat +tyse +tre , as +te gospel
sei+t , made to Ihesu : Marthe seruyde , (CMAELR3,44.537)

La+gar was oon of hem +tat saat , (CMAELR3,44.538)

Marie Magdeleyne tooke an alabaustre box of precious oynement
(CMAELR3,44.539)

and alto-barst +te box (CMAELR3,44.540)

and helde +te oynement on Ihesu heed . (CMAELR3,44.541)

Suster , be glad wit al +tyn herte to be at +tis feste ,
(CMAELR3,44.542)

and tak good hied , I preye +te , of euery mannes offys ;
(CMAELR3,44.543)

for Marthe ministre+t , (CMAELR3,44.544)

La+gar syt , (CMAELR3,44.545)

Marie anoynte+t . (CMAELR3,44.546)

Suster , +tis laste is +tyn offys ; (CMAELR3,44.547)

and +terfore brek +te alabastre box of +tyn herte , and al +tat euere
+tu hast or my+gt haue of deuocioun , of loue , off affeccioun , of
gostly desir , of eny maner spiritual swetnesse , (CMAELR3,44.548)

al-to-gydere scheed hit on +ty spouses heed , wurschepyngge verrey man
in God , and verrey God in man . (CMAELR3,44.549)

And +tey+g Iudas +te treytour grynte wit his te+t and al+tou+g he
grucche , +tou+g he be enuyous and skorne +te and seye +tat +tis
oynement of spiritual deuocioun is not bote ilost , haue +tu neuere
fors . (CMAELR3,44.550)

Vt quid , ait Iudas , perdicio hec ? Posset hoc vnguentum venumdari
multo , et dari pauperibus . (CMAELR3,44.551)

And +tis is +te voys of manye men now-aday . (CMAELR3,44.552)

Bote what ? (CMAELR3,44.553)

+Te pharyse grucchede , hauynge enuye of Marye , verrey penaunt ;
(CMAELR3,44.554)

Iudas grucche+t , | hauyngge enuye of +te precious oynement ;
(CMAELR3,44.555)

na+teles , trewely , he +tat was ry+gtful and mercyful iugge , he
acceptede not +tis accusacioun ; (CMAELR3,44.556)

bote here +tat was accused , +tat was Marie Magdeleyne , he asoylede
and excusyde . (CMAELR3,44.557)

Sine , inquit , illam ; opus enim bonum operata est in me -
(CMAELR3,44.558)

' Suffre here doo ' , sey+t Crist , (CMAELR3,44.559)

' for sche had ydoo a good dede in me ' . (CMAELR3,44.560)

Let Marthe +terfore trauayle owtwardly and mynystre in owtward
ocupacioun , (CMAELR3,44.561)

let here receuye pilgrymes , +gyue +te hungry meete , +te +tursty
drynke , clo+tyngge to +te nakede , and so for+t of o+tre ;
(CMAELR3,44.562)

bote let Maryes partye suffise to me , (CMAELR3,44.563)

and I wil be entendaunt to here . (CMAELR3,44.564)

Who+ter <P_45> eny man woolde conseyle me forsake +tilke feet of Ihesu
, +tat Marie so swetly kyssede ; or +tat I schulde turne awey myn e+gen
fro +tat blessyde face so fair and frehs , +tat Marye so entierly
be-halde+t ; or elles +tat I schulde turne awey myn erys fro +tylke
sauery talkyngge of Criste , of +te whiche so fulsumly Marie is ived ?
(CMAELR3,45.565)

I suppose , nay . (CMAELR3,45.566)

Bote now , suster , let vs aryse and walke ennys . (CMAELR3,45.567)

' Whidur ? ' , seyst +tu ? (CMAELR3,45.568)

Certes , +tat +tu mowe folwe +ty meke husbonde , hym +tat is Lord of
heuene and ir+te , sittyngge so homly vp an asse ; (CMAELR3,45.569)

and beyngge as hit were astonyed of +te grete honour and reuerence +tat
is idoo to hym in which aray , amang +te worschipyngge of +tilke
deuoute children of Ebru pote for+t +tat +tu canst doo , and cry :
Osanna filio Dauid , benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini .
(CMAELR3,45.570)

And +tanne walke for+t in-to +tat faire large halle $frehsly istrowed
and adi+gt for Cristes soper a Schere+tursday , (CMAELR3,45.571)

ant +tonke +ty God +tat +tu mowe come to swych a feste .
(CMAELR3,45.572)

Let loue ouercome schome , (CMAELR3,45.573)

let stedefast affeccioun exclude al drede (CMAELR3,45.574)

and preye +tat +tu mowe sum almesse of +too crummes +tat ben o +tat
blessyde boord . (CMAELR3,45.575)

Or elles , suster , stond avier , (CMAELR3,45.576)

and as a pore wrecche poryngge on a gret lord , pote for+t +tyn hand ,
+tat +tu mowe sumwhat gete , (CMAELR3,45.577)

and let biter terys move +tilke pytous lord to haue pyte of +tyn hungur
. (CMAELR3,45.578)

And whanne Crist aryst fro +te soper , gurdyngge hymself aboute wit a
lynnene clo+t , and put water into a basyn , be+tenk how wondurful was
+tat mageste of God , +tat wyste and also wypede so ententily synneful
mennes feet , and how gret a benignyte it was to handlen wit his holy
handys +te feet of Iudas , his cursede traytour . (CMAELR3,45.579)

Abid hirvpon , suster , (CMAELR3,45.580)

and be+tenk +te wel , (CMAELR3,45.581)

and ate laste of alle pote for+t deuoutly +tyn oune feet , to be
whasschen as o+tre ben - (CMAELR3,45.582)

for , certes , he +tat is not iwhasschen and ymaad clene of hym , he
schal haue no partye wit hym in blisse . (CMAELR3,45.583)

Suster , hast +tu eny haste to hye hens-ward ? (CMAELR3,45.584)

Abid a while , I prey +te , (CMAELR3,45.585)

and taak good kep ho it is +tat lene+t hym so boldely to Cristes brest
and slep+t so sauerly in his lappe . (CMAELR3,45.586)

Iblessyd is +tat man , what euere he bee . (CMAELR3,45.587)

A , now I haue aspyed ; (CMAELR3,45.588)

certayn and wit-owte doute , Ihon is is name . (CMAELR3,45.589)

Now , goode seynt Ihon , what swetnesse , what grace , what li+gt ,
what deuocion , what goodnesse +tu drawst vp of +tat euere-wellyngge
welle Criste , I prey +te tel me , +gif hit be +ty wylle .
(CMAELR3,45.590)

Certayn , +ter be+t alle +te tresores off whit and of wysdom ,
(CMAELR3,45.591)

+ter is welle of mercy , hows of pyte , hony of euere-lastyngge
swetnesse . (CMAELR3,45.592)

A , a , swete and diere disciple , wher hast +tu geten al +tis ?
(CMAELR3,45.593)

Art +tu he+g+gere +tan Petre ; holiere +tan Andrew ; more accepted +tan
alle +te apostles ? (CMAELR3,45.594)

Trewely , +te grete pryuylegie of +ty chastete ha+t | igete al +tis
dignite , (CMAELR3,45.595)

for +tu were ichose a mayde of God , (CMAELR3,45.596)

and +terfore among alle o+tre +tu art most iloued . (CMAELR3,45.597)

Now , suster , +tu art clene mayde , (CMAELR3,45.598)

be glad (CMAELR3,45.599)

and reuerently go nyer (CMAELR3,45.600)

and chalange sum partye of alle +tis swete wur+tynesse .
(CMAELR3,45.601)

And +gif +tu darst <P_46> auntre +te no fur+tere , let +tilke pryue
disciple Ihon slepe stille at Cristes brest , (CMAELR3,46.602)

and let hym drynke +te precious wyn of ioye in knowyngge of +te grete
godheede ; (CMAELR3,46.603)

and ren +tu , suster , to +te pappys of his manhede , (CMAELR3,46.604)

and +terof suk out melke , +tat +tu mowe gostly be fed in +tenkyngge
what he dude for vs in vre flehs . (CMAELR3,46.605)

And amang al +tis , whan Crist by-fore his passioun commendede his
disciples to +te fader in +tat holy orisoun , whan he sey+t : Pater ,
serua eos in nomine tuo ; mekely enclyne +tyn heed , +tat +tu mowe
hiere +te same oryson yseyd to +te fader for +te . (CMAELR3,46.606)

I trowe hit were ryth myrye for +te to abyde hir stille ;
(CMAELR3,46.607)

bote certayn , suster , +gith +tu most for+tere . (CMAELR3,46.608)

And +terfore , whan Crist go+t to-fore to +te mount of Olyuet in blody
anguyssche , to maken his preyere , folwe after , (CMAELR3,46.609)

and +tou+g he take no mo wit hym bote Petre , Iames and Ihon , and wit
hem go+t in-to a pryue place , +git at +te hardeste behald aver how
goode God took vp-on hym vre wrecchidnesse ; (CMAELR3,46.610)

tak heede how he +tat is Lord of alle bygyn+t , after +te manhoode , to
be agast , and sey+t : Tristis est anima mea vsque ad mortem .
(CMAELR3,46.611)

My goode lord God , what is +tis ? (CMAELR3,46.612)

Hit seme+t +tat +tu hast so greet conpassioun of me , +tat +tu louest
me so muche , by-comyngge man for me , +tat as hit were +tu hast
for+gyte +tat +tu art verrey God . (CMAELR3,46.613)

+Tu falst adoun long-streyt in +ty face (CMAELR3,46.614)

and preyest for me , (CMAELR3,46.615)

and also for anguyssche +tu swast so grevously +tat it seme+t dropes of
blood rennyngge doun on +te ir+te . (CMAELR3,46.616)

Wher-aboute standest +tu , suster ? (CMAELR3,46.617)

Ren to , for Godys sake , (CMAELR3,46.618)

and suk of +te swete blessyde dropes , +tat +tey be not spild ,
(CMAELR3,46.619)

and wy+t +ty tounge likke awey +te dust of hijs feet . (CMAELR3,46.620)

+Gif +tu canst do nomore , loke +tu slepe not , as Petre dede ,
anaunter +tat +tu hiere +tilke mornful vndernymyngge +tat Crist putte
to Petre : (CMAELR3,46.621)

Sic non potuisti vna hora vigilare mecum ? - (CMAELR3,46.622)

' Mi+gtest +tu not wake on houre wit me ? ' , sei+t Criste .
(CMAELR3,46.623)

And anoon after +tis behald how Iudas +te traytour ge+t before , and
which acursyd compaynye of Iewes come+t after ; (CMAELR3,46.624)

and +ter at +te gylous cus of +tis treccherous traytour tak heede how
+tey sette+t handes on +ty Lord , and how fersly +tey to-tery+t hym and
drawy+t hym for+t as a +tef , how cruelly +tey streyne+t and bynde+t
wit coordes +too swete tendre handes . (CMAELR3,46.625)

Alas , ho may suffre +tis ? (CMAELR3,46.626)

Suster , I whot wel +tat pyte okepyed now al +tyn herte ,
(CMAELR3,46.627)

sorwe and conpassioun ha+t set alle +ty boweles aviere .
(CMAELR3,46.628)

Bote na+teles , suster , +git suffre a while , (CMAELR3,46.629)

and let hym dey+ge for +te , +tat +tus wyl deye . (CMAELR3,46.630)

Draw ne+ter staf ne swerd , (CMAELR3,46.631)

haue noon vnwys indignacioun . (CMAELR3,46.632)

For al+tou+g +tu woldest , as Petre dede , kitte of eny mannes hiere ,
+tou+g +tu smyte of arm or lege , certes , Crist wil restore al +tise ,
as he dede Malkes were ; (CMAELR3,46.633)

+ge , and +tou+g +tu woldest , forto avenge +tyn husbonde , slen eny
man , wit-oute dou+gte he wil areyse hym fro de+t to lyf .
(CMAELR3,46.634)

<P_47>

Let be al +tis +terfore , suster , (CMAELR3,47.636)

and folwe hym for+t to +te prince of prestys halle +tat he was ydemed
in ; (CMAELR3,47.637)

and +tat fayrest face +tat euere was , +te whiche +te cursede Iewes
defoyle+t wit here foule spatelyngge , +tu whash hit wit terys of +tyn
e+gen . (CMAELR3,47.638)

Be-+tenk +te wit how pytous e+gen and how goodly , how mercyfully he
lokede vp-on | Petre whanne he hadde forsaken hym ; (CMAELR3,47.639)

and anon turnede a+gen to hym-self (CMAELR3,47.640)

and wepte biterly for his sunne . (CMAELR3,47.641)

<heading>

Oracio conpilatoris . (CMAELR3,47.643)

</heading>

Gode Ihesu , fowche saaf +tat +ty swete e+ge moote ones loke mercifully
on me , +tat ofte in a maner haue forsake +te +torou+g my cursyde
+towtys and wickede dedys ate cryingge of +te wickede seruaunt , my
flehs . (CMAELR3,47.645)

Bote now , suster , for+termore on +te morwe +ty spouse Crist is itake
tretourusly to Pilat . (CMAELR3,47.646)

+Ter he is accuseed , (CMAELR3,47.647)

and he halt his pees , (CMAELR3,47.648)

and as a schep +tat is ilad to his de+t , or as a $lomb +tat is on
scheryngge , ri+gt so he ne openede not is mou+t . (CMAELR3,47.649)

Avyse +te inwardly (CMAELR3,47.650)

and tak tent how bonerly he stant by-fore +te jugge , wit is heed
enclined , wit his e+gen icast adoun , wit good chiere and fiewe wurdes
, al redy for +ti sake to dispysyngge , al redy to harde betyngge .
(CMAELR3,47.651)

I am siker , suster , (CMAELR3,47.652)

+tu mi+gt not longe suffre +tis , (CMAELR3,47.653)

+tu mi+gt not suffre his comely ryg be so to-torn wit schurges , his
gracious face to be bouyd wit bofattes , his wurschipful heed to be
corouned wit scharpe thornes to +te brayn , his ri+gt hand , +tat made
heuen and ir+te , be $dishonested wit a ryed ; (CMAELR3,47.654)

I wot wel +tu mi+gt not longe dure to see +tis wit +tyn e+gen .
(CMAELR3,47.655)

Bote +git na+teles behald , (CMAELR3,47.656)

after al +tis he is ibrout out al forbled and beten , beryngge a
coroune of +tornes on his heed , and a purpre garnement on his body ;
(CMAELR3,47.657)

and +tanne seyt Pilat to +te Iewes : Ecce homo - (CMAELR3,47.658)

' Lo , hir is +te man . ' (CMAELR3,47.659)

Iwis , wrecche , a man he is ; (CMAELR3,47.660)

who doute+t hit ? (CMAELR3,47.661)

+Te harde betyngge of +gou+gre scharpe +gerdes , +te wannesse of +te
woundes , +te fel+te of +gou+gre stynkynde spatelynge witnesse+t wel
+tat he is a man . (CMAELR3,47.662)

Bote par caas +tu seist to me : (CMAELR3,47.663)

' I am syker he is a man ; (CMAELR3,47.664)

how may it be , na+teles , +tat in alle his injuries he nis not wro+t
as a man , he tak+t not vengaunce of his turmentours as a man ? '
(CMAELR3,47.665)

Wit-oute fayle , he is more +tanne a man ; (CMAELR3,47.666)

he is iproued now a man , suffryngge fals dom of curside schrewes ,
(CMAELR3,47.667)

bote whanne he schal come hym-self to +gyue ri+gtful dom ate day of
dome , +tanne he schal be knowe a verrey my+gtful God .
(CMAELR3,47.668)

Now , na+teles , +te false iugge Pilat sit sollennely in +te jugge-sege
, (CMAELR3,47.669)

Ihesu stant pouerly to-fore hym , (CMAELR3,47.670)

and +te sentence of de+t is +gyue a+gens hym ; (CMAELR3,47.671)

and so , beryngge pitously his owne galewes , he is ilad to +te de+t .
(CMAELR3,47.672)

A wundurful spectacle ! (CMAELR3,47.673)

Sykst +tu not ? (CMAELR3,47.674)

By-hold , suster , wat a signe of princehood and wurschipe +tyn
husbounde Crist ber+t vp his schuldre - as +te book seyt :
(CMAELR3,47.675)

Ecce principatus super humerum eius . (CMAELR3,47.676)

And certeyn , +tat was +te +gerd off +ty ri+gtwisnesse and +te sceptre
of his <P_48> kyngdom , as holy scripture also speke+t of :
(CMAELR3,48.677)

Virga equitatis , virga regni tui . (CMAELR3,48.678)

+Tey caste+t hym out of his garnemens , (CMAELR3,48.679)

and among knytes +tey be+t departyd , saue his precious cote +tat vre
lady hadde iwrou+gt wit-oute seem - (CMAELR3,48.680)

+tat was nou+gt to-kit , (CMAELR3,48.681)

bote by lot it fel to oon al hool . (CMAELR3,48.682)

+Tanne among +tieves he was sprad abrood on +te cros , (CMAELR3,48.683)

and his swete handes and feet were +tirlyd +tou+gr wit nayles ;
(CMAELR3,48.684)

+ter profri+t hym drynke corrupt wyn ymedlyd wit galle ,
(CMAELR3,48.685)

and manye o+tre dispite+g do+t hym . (CMAELR3,48.686)

And so he , +tat mediatour bytwyxe God and man , hyng in +te myddul
bytwene heuene and ir+te , bryngyngge as hit were heuene and ir+te
to-gydere . (CMAELR3,48.687)

Heuene is agast , (CMAELR3,48.688)

+te ir+te wundry+t - (CMAELR3,48.689)

and what +tu , suster ? (CMAELR3,48.690)

Certayn , it is no wunder +gif +tu be sory , se+t+te | +te sunne +tat
is vnresonable is sory . (CMAELR3,48.691)

+Gif +te ir+te tremble and quake , what wundur +tey +tu tremble ?
(CMAELR3,48.692)

+Gyf harde flyntes alto-cleue+t , wat woundur +tou+g +tyn herte
to-burste ? (CMAELR3,48.693)

Se+t+te straunge wummen stonde+t bysyde +te cras and wepe+t , what
merueyl +tey +tu wepe for sorwe of so pytous de+t ? (CMAELR3,48.694)

Bote among alle +tyse +tyngges haue good consideracioun of +tilke mylde
herte of Crist - what pacience , what benignite , what pyte it kepte
alwey in his torment . (CMAELR3,48.695)

He tak+t non heede of his iniurie , (CMAELR3,48.696)

he mak+t no fors of his bitere peynes , (CMAELR3,48.697)

he ne charge+t not +te vilanyes and +te dispyt +tat be+t doo to hym .
(CMAELR3,48.698)

He tak+t no reward of al +tis , (CMAELR3,48.699)

bote he ha+t pite and conpassioun of hem +tat do+t hym to hys passioun
, (CMAELR3,48.700)

he agrey+te+t salue for hem +tat +gyuen hym smarte woundes ,
(CMAELR3,48.701)

and had procured hem lyfe +tat be+t abou+gte to revyn hym +te lyf and
putte hym to +te de+t . (CMAELR3,48.702)

Wit how swetnesse of herte , trowest +tu , wy+t wat mildenesse of alle
his spirit , wit how gret fulsumnesse of charyte crie+t he to +te fadur
and sei+t : Pater , ignosce illis - (CMAELR3,48.703)

' Fader , for+gif hem . ' (CMAELR3,48.704)

<heading>

Oratio conpilatoris . (CMAELR3,48.706)

</heading>

Benigne Ihesu , lo me hir , a symple and deuout wurschipere of +ty
maieste and not sleere of +ty body , adorour of +ti spytous de+t and
not skornere of +ty passioun , a stedefast knowelechere of +ty grete
mercy and not despisere of +tyn infirmite +tat +tu hast itake of
mankynde ; (CMAELR3,48.708)

and +terfore I prey +te +tat +ty swete blessyd manhoode mote preye for
me , and +tat +ty wunderful pite mote commende me to +ty fader .
(CMAELR3,48.709)

Swete Ihesu , sey for me , +tat wy+t mek herte wurschipe +ty passioun
and +ty de+t , +tat +tu seydest for hem +tat putte +te to +ty de+t .
(CMAELR3,48.710)

Merciful Lord , sey ones for me to +ty fader : Pater , ignosce illi .
(CMAELR3,48.711)

And +tu , mayde , +tat schuldest haue mor ful trest on +tis maydenes
sone Crist , wy+tdraw +te fro +too wummen +tat stonde+t aver , as +te
gospel say+t , and wit Marie , moder and mayde , and seynt Jhon , also
a clene mayde , so sadlyche to Cristes cros (CMAELR3,48.712)

and byhold avysily how +tilke face , +tat angeles haue+t delyt to loke
in , is bycome al dym and paal . (CMAELR3,48.713)

Cast also +tyn e+ge asyde to Maries cher , (CMAELR3,48.714)

and loke how here fresche <P_49> maydenly visage is al to-bollen and
forsmoteryd wit terys . (CMAELR3,49.715)

Lord , suster , who+ter +tu schulle stonde by-syde wit drie e+gen ,
whanne +tu sikst so manye salte teris lassche adoun so vnmesurably ouer
here rodye chekes ? (CMAELR3,49.716)

Mi+gt +tu be wit-owte sobbyngge and whepyngge , whanne +tu sikst a
swerd of so scharp sorwe renne +torou+g here tendre herte ?
(CMAELR3,49.717)

Mi+gt +tu heere wit-oute gret pite how straungely Crist $sei+t of seynt
Jhon to his moder : ' Wumman , lo +ter +ty sone ' - Mulier , ecce
filius tuus ; as hoo seyt : ' Tak to +te ano+ter sone ,
(CMAELR3,49.718)

for I go fro +te ' ? (CMAELR3,49.719)

And +tanne he seyde to seynt Jhon : Ecce mater tua . (CMAELR3,49.720)

Was not +tis a mornful +tyng to Marie , whan he bitooke so passauntly
here +tat was his moder to +te disciple , and beheet a +tyef +te blisse
of paradys , +tat he schulde be wit hym +tryn +te same day .
(CMAELR3,49.721)

After al +tis , oon of +te knytes wit a spere persyde his syde to his
tendre herte ; (CMAELR3,49.722)

and +tanne , as +te gospel sey+t , +ter cam out blood and water .
(CMAELR3,49.723)

Hye +te , suster , (CMAELR3,49.724)

hye +te (CMAELR3,49.725)

and tarye +te not , (CMAELR3,49.726)

foonde forto gete +te sum of +tyse precious liquours , (CMAELR3,49.727)

for blood is yturned to +te in-to wyn , to do +te confort , and water
in-to melke , to nursche +te gostly . (CMAELR3,49.728)

+Ter be+t ymaad to +te fayre fressche rennyngge ryueres in a stoon ,
(CMAELR3,49.729)

and +tat be+t Cristes reede woundes in his bodyly menbris ;
(CMAELR3,49.730)

and ri+gt as in culverhows be+t ymaad holys in +te wal forto warsche
+te culvren in , ry+gt so in +te wal of Cristes flehs be+t ymaad nestes
al hoot of blood , +tat +tu schuldest lotye in and bryngge for+t gostly
bryddes . | (CMAELR3,49.731)

Of +tis blood , suster , +tu scholdest +tenke and speke so muche +tat
+ty lippen schulde be as blood reed , as hit were a reed liste ,
(CMAELR3,49.732)

and +tanne schulde +ty talkyngge be sauery and swete to euery man +tat
spake wit +te , as +te book sey+t : (CMAELR3,49.733)

Eloquium tuum dulce . (CMAELR3,49.734)

Bote now abid what +tilke noble kny+gt come , Ioseph ab-Arimathie , and
vnlace+t Cristes handes and feet , softly drawyngge out +te nayles .
(CMAELR3,49.735)

Byhald hou he byklippe+t wi+t his blessyde armes +te swete body of
Crist , and hou faste he streyne+t it to is breste . (CMAELR3,49.736)

For-so+te , +to mi+gte +tis blessid man wel seye +tat +tat is iwryte in
holy wryt : Fasciculus mirre dilectus mea michi inter vbera mea
commorabitur . (CMAELR3,49.737)

Go for+t after +tis holy man , suster , (CMAELR3,49.738)

and folewe +tilke precious tresour of heuene and ir+te ,
(CMAELR3,49.739)

and ber vp hand , leg or foot , +tat +tey hange not doun so pitously ,
(CMAELR3,49.740)

or elles gadere to-gydere wit al suttilte +tilke holsum dropys of blood
+tat droppe+t doun of his wondes , (CMAELR3,49.741)

and suke +te dust of his blessyd feet . (CMAELR3,49.742)

Behald fur+teremor how swetly and diligently +tilke holy man Nichodeme
treti+t wit his gentil fyngres +te sacrede menbres of Crist and
anoynte+t hem wit swete oynemens , and wit holy Ioseph how he lappe+t
Cristes body in a clene clo+t and lei+t hit in +te sepulcre .
(CMAELR3,49.743)

And after +tis , loke +tu forsake not +te felaschipe of Marie Magdeleyn
, (CMAELR3,49.744)

bote whan sche go+t to Cristes sepulcre wit here swete smyllyngge
baaumes to anoynte Cristes menbrys , loke +tu go after .
(CMAELR3,49.745)

A <P_50> Lord , suster , +gif +tu my+gtest be wur+ty to see wit +ty
gostly e+ge +tat Marie sey+g wy+g here bodyly - (CMAELR3,50.746)

now +te stoon yturned awey fro +te dore of +tat blessyd sepulcre ,
(CMAELR3,50.747)

and +ter-vppon an angel sittyngge ; (CMAELR3,50.748)

now wi+t-inne +te sepulcre oon angel at +te heed , ano+ter ate feet ,
syngyngge and wurschippyngge +te joye and blisse of Cristes
resurrexioun , (CMAELR3,50.749)

now Ihesu lokyngge wit a gladly e+ge vp-on Marye Magdeleyne , +tat was
sory and wepyngge for Cristes de+t , (CMAELR3,50.750)

and how swete a uoys it was to Marie Magdeleyne whanne he clepede here
wit here name , as +te gospel seyt , and seyde to here : ' Maria . '
(CMAELR3,50.751)

A , what was swettere +tan +tis voys ? (CMAELR3,50.752)

What was mor ioyeful or mor blisful ? (CMAELR3,50.753)

' Maria . ' (CMAELR3,50.754)

Now , Marie , let +ty water-veynes of +tyn heed altoberste and terys
renne a-doun , (CMAELR3,50.755)

draw+g vp sobbyngge and si+g+gyngge fro +te deppeste ende of +ty
bowelys , whanne Crist clepi+t : ' Maria . ' (CMAELR3,50.756)

O blessyde Marie , what herte haddest +tu , what spirit , what
strenk+te , whanne +tu vylle adoun longstreit to-fore Crist and
grettest hym wepynggely and seydest : ' Raby ! ' I pray +te ,
(CMAELR3,50.757)

wit wat affeccioun , wit what desir , wit what brennyngge of +tyn herte
, wit hou gret deuocioun of al +ti soule crydest +tu whan +tu
answeredest +ty Lord , and seydest : ' Rabi , Maister ! '
(CMAELR3,50.758)

For mor my+gtest +tu not speke for sobbyngge and for wepyngge ;
(CMAELR3,50.759)

+ty grete loue +tat +tu haddest to Ihesu hadde raueschid alle +ty
wittes , bo+te of body and of soule . (CMAELR3,50.760)

Bote +tu , derewurthe lord , why puttest +tu awey fro +te $swhich on as
louede +te so muche and so brennyngly , +tat sche most not come so
ney+g +te to kisse +tyn holy and blisful feet ? (CMAELR3,50.761)

Noli , inquit , me tangere - (CMAELR3,50.762)

' Touche me not , (CMAELR3,50.763)

com not nei+g me ! ' , sei+t Crist . (CMAELR3,50.764)

A , an hard word , an vnsuffrable word , a word +tat wolde to-breke
+tey it were a stony herte : (CMAELR3,50.765)

Noli me tangere - (CMAELR3,50.766)

' Touche not ! ' (CMAELR3,50.767)

Why so , blisful lord ? (CMAELR3,50.768)

Whi schal I not ney+g+ge +te ? (CMAELR3,50.769)

Why may I not touche +tilke desiderable feet +tat where i+tirled for me
wit nayles on +te cros , +tat where al by-schad for me wit blood ?
(CMAELR3,50.770)

Why mot I not handle hem , (CMAELR3,50.771)

whi mot I not kysse hem ? (CMAELR3,50.772)

Gode Ihesu , art +tu bycome straunge and mor enemy , for +ti body is
mor glorious ? (CMAELR3,50.773)

Now for-so+te , I nel not lete +te , (CMAELR3,50.774)

I nel not | go fro +te , (CMAELR3,50.775)

I schal neuere cesse fro wepyngge , (CMAELR3,50.776)

my brest and herte schulle alto-breke for sobbyngge and sikyngge ,
(CMAELR3,50.777)

bote I mote onys touche +ty swete feet . (CMAELR3,50.778)

And +tanne sey+t merciful Ihesu : Noli timere - (CMAELR3,50.779)

' Ne be +tu not agast (CMAELR3,50.780)

ne disconforte +te nou+gt , (CMAELR3,50.781)

for +tat +tat +tu askest is not bynome +te , (CMAELR3,50.782)

bote it is iput in delay . (CMAELR3,50.783)

Only doo as I say +te : (CMAELR3,50.784)

goo (CMAELR3,50.785)

and tel my bre+tryn +tat I ham ryse fro de+t to lyve . '
(CMAELR3,50.786)

+Tanne ren+t Marie for+t , (CMAELR3,50.787)

and certeyn , sche ren+t wel +te fastere for +tat sche wolde sone come
a+geyn . (CMAELR3,50.788)

And whanne sche come+t a+gen , sche com+t not alone , bote wy+t o+tre
wummen , a+gens +te whyche Ihesus hym-self ge+t (CMAELR3,50.789)

and wit benigne and glad gretyngge he conforte+t hem , +tat where
ouercome wi+t so biter sorwe of his dee+t . (CMAELR3,50.790)

Suster , I pray +te <P_51> tak good heede ; (CMAELR3,51.791)

for +too it was fully igraunted to Marie Magdeleyn and here felawes
+tat arst was put in delacioun . (CMAELR3,51.792)

Accesserunt namque et tenuerunt pedes eius . (CMAELR3,51.793)

As +te gospel sey+t , +to +tey wente to (CMAELR3,51.794)

and klepte Ihesu aboute his feet . (CMAELR3,51.795)

In +tyse and swyche o+tere , suster , abid , (CMAELR3,51.796)

and of +tyse haue studefast meditacioun ; (CMAELR3,51.797)

in swyche +tyngges haue +ty delyt , +te whyche no sleep ne smyte of
noon outward boostes ne ocupacioun lette . (CMAELR3,51.798)

Bote for as muche as in +tis wrecchede lyf is no+tyng stable , no+tyng
certaynly is abydyngge , (CMAELR3,51.799)

and a man dwelle+t not ne dure+t noon whyle in oon stat ;
(CMAELR3,51.800)

+terfore it is nyedful +tat oure soule be ved wit a maner diuersyte of
chaungyngge . Wherfore we schulle goo fro +tyngges +tat be+t apassed ,
to be+tenke vs on +tyngges +tat be+t present , of +te whiche we mowe be
steryd +te mor parfytly to louen vre God . (CMAELR3,51.801)

<heading>

De presencium meditacione . Capitulum xviij (CMAELR3,51.803)

</heading>

I ne halde it not a litel +gyfte of God +gif +tu vse wel and take good
consideracioun of men +tat haue+t ibe tofore vs , and hou we be+t ikept
of manye myscheues +tat +tey were in ; how God made vs of +te same
matere +tat he maade hem , (CMAELR3,51.805)

and +git he ha+t departid vs fro hem ; (CMAELR3,51.806)

somme +tat were ycast out of here moder wombe al deed , and somme +tat
in here moder wombe were astrangled , +te whiche , as it seme+t , were
ra+ter ybore to peyne +tanne to lyf . (CMAELR3,51.807)

And what +gif we be+tenke vs hou God had ymad vs hole menbres and
sounde , and not ysuffred vs be bore in meselrye or palsye or elles
croked or lame , or so for+t of o+tre , +tat we schulde haue ibe in
sorwe to vs-self , and to o+tre to dispyt and schame . (CMAELR3,51.808)

Bote of hou gret goodnesse of God was it , and is , +tat he ordeynede
so for vs +tat we be+t ibore among swyche folk , be +te whiche we mowe
come to +te knowyngge of God and to vre byleue . (CMAELR3,51.809)

For +tis +gifte to many a +tousand he+t be denyed , which +tat rytfully
be+t ydampned for euere ; (CMAELR3,51.810)

and +tis +gifte is frely y+geue to vs , +tat only of his goodnesse be+t
ichose +torou+g his grace ; (CMAELR3,51.811)

and +git na+teles alle we were of on condicioun and of on mankende .
(CMAELR3,51.812)

Gowe fur+tere , (CMAELR3,51.813)

and let vs behoolde what a benefys it is of God +tat we were ynursched
, whanne whe cowde no mor good +tan a best , of oure fader and moder ,
and ikept so +tat whe nere not ybrend in +te fuyr , as many ano+ter
ha+t ibe , not idreynt in water , not wood and trauayled of +te deuel ,
not ysmyte ne venymed of no foul wurm , not yfalle and broke vre necke
; +tat we be+t to couenable age itau+gt in hool fey , and in sacramens
of holy churche . (CMAELR3,51.814)

Suster , of +tyse let vs be+tenke vs ry+gt wel , (CMAELR3,51.815)

for in alle +tis benefys we be+t parteners ilyke , as we be+t of oon
condicioun , of oon fader begete and oon moder wombe cast out <P_52>
in-to +tis wordle ; (CMAELR3,52.816)

and +tyse benefis God ha+t doo to vs as to +te body . |
(CMAELR3,52.817)

Bote auyse +te inwardly what God ha+t ido to +te graciously to +ty
soule - (CMAELR3,52.818)

for in +tat partye ha+t departyd betwixe +te and me as muche as is
bytwyxe li+gt and derknesse ; (CMAELR3,52.819)

+te ha+t ikept to hym euere in clennesse , (CMAELR3,52.820)

bote me ha+t ilete alone to my-self . (CMAELR3,52.821)

My mercyful God , wher am I bycome ? (CMAELR3,52.822)

Whider am I went ? (CMAELR3,52.823)

Whider was I aschaped ? (CMAELR3,52.824)

Wyder was I runne awey fro +ty face ? (CMAELR3,52.825)

I was icast out fro +ty blessede chiere as Caym was ; (CMAELR3,52.826)

I made my dwellyngge vppon +te ir+te , +tat is to seyn , caste myn
vnclene loue on ir+tely +tyngges ; (CMAELR3,52.827)

I was wandryngge aboute wit Caym acursed : (CMAELR3,52.828)

Et quicumque inuenerit me , occidet me - (CMAELR3,52.829)

And who +tat euere mete wit me , haad power to sle me .
(CMAELR3,52.830)

And no wonder ; (CMAELR3,52.831)

for what scholde a wrecche creature doo , forsaken of his creatour ?
(CMAELR3,52.832)

Whedur schulde an erraunt scheep gon , (CMAELR3,52.833)

or were scholde he lotye , whan he is destitut of his scheperde ?
(CMAELR3,52.834)

A , suster , haue pite of me , (CMAELR3,52.835)

for : Fera pessima deuorauit fratrem tuum - +te most wickede best of
alle +tat is +te deuel ha+t deuoured +ty bro+ter . (CMAELR3,52.836)

And +terfore , suster , in me behald how muche +ty God ha+t do for +te
, +tat ha+t kept and saued +te fro +tat wickede best . (CMAELR3,52.837)

How wrecched was I +too , whanne I foylede me-self and loste my
clennesse ! How blessyd were +tu , whos clennesse and chastete only +te
grace of God defendede and kepte ! (CMAELR3,52.838)

How ofte asayled , itempted and steryd was +ty maydenhood and clennesse
kept and saued of God , whan I wilfully fil in-to many and greuous
synnes , and gadryde to me on an heep matere of fuyr $by +te whiche I
scholde be brend , matyre of stench +torou+g +te wyche I scholde be
deed , matere of wormes of +te wyche I scholde be $gnawen in helle ,
nere +te mercy of God . (CMAELR3,52.839)

Gode suster , by+tenk +te of +te viel+tys for +te <em> whiche +tu </em>
weptest vppon me sumtyme and vndernome me whan +tu were bote a +gung
mayde ; (CMAELR3,52.840)

bote certes , holy wryt fayle+t not +tat seyt : Nemo potest corrigere
quem Deus despexit - (CMAELR3,52.841)

No-man may $amende +tat God ha+t despised - +tat is to seye , wit-owte
gret repentaunce of man and special grace of God . (CMAELR3,52.842)

A , how muche outest +tu loue +ty gode God , +te wyche , whan he
despisede me , a-drow +te to hym ; (CMAELR3,52.843)

and a+gens we were of on fader and moder ybore , +git me he hatede
(CMAELR3,52.844)

and +te he louede . (CMAELR3,52.845)

Be-+tenk +te , as I seyde , of my foule corupcions , whanne +te cloudes
of vnclennesse smokede vp in me of +te ir+ti and stynkynde
concupiscence of flehs and of owtrage styrynge of childhood ,
(CMAELR3,52.846)

and no-man was to defende me ne saue me of suche myscheues .
(CMAELR3,52.847)

Spekyngge and styryngge of wycked companye hadde hard ywrout vppon me ,
+te wyche in swete drynke of flehsly loue +gaue me puysoun of fowl
vnclennesse ; (CMAELR3,52.848)

and so metyngge to-gydere biter swetnesse of charnel <P_53> affeccioun
and vnclennesse of flehsly concupiscence , +tey rauysschede me syke and
feble age of childhood in-to manye foule vices , (CMAELR3,53.849)

and dreynte my wrecchede soule in +te stynkynde flood of synne .
(CMAELR3,53.850)

My mercyable God , +tyn indignacioun and +ty wra+t+te was fallen vppon
me (CMAELR3,53.851)

and I felyd it nou+gt ; (CMAELR3,53.852)

I was flowe fer awey fro +te and al +tu suffredest ; (CMAELR3,53.853)

I was cast and possyd in-to alle maner ful+te , (CMAELR3,53.854)

ant +tu lete me alone . (CMAELR3,53.855)

Lo , suster , lo , diligently I prey +te tak heede ; (CMAELR3,53.856)

for in-to alle suche ful+tes and $abhominaciouns +tat my cursede wyl
caste me in , wite it wel +tat +tu mi+gtest haue falle in +te same ,
nadde +te mercy of Crist ikepte . (CMAELR3,53.857)

Bote I seye nat +tis grucchynge a+gens God , as +tey he nadde do me no
gret goodnesse - (CMAELR3,53.858)

for wit-oute alle +te benefis +tat I rehersede beforn whiche were
i+geue to vs in commune , as wel to me as to +te , +te pacience and +te
benignite of God | was wundurfully yschewed to me in +tat , +tat whil I
was in dedly synnes , +te eor+te openede not and swolewode me in .
(CMAELR3,53.859)

I am $bounde hugely to my God +tat +te heuene smot me not adoun wit
+tounder or wit lytnyngge , +tat I was not dreynt in +te water , or
deed sodeynly on o+ter orrible dee+t ; (CMAELR3,53.860)

for ow scholde eny creature suffre +te hydouse wrong +tat I hadde doon
to here creatour , bote he hadde refreyned hem +tat made hem alle of
nou+gt , +te wyche whyle ne coueyty+t not +te dee+t or dampnacioun of a
synneful wrecche , bote +tat he turne hym fro his wickednesse and liue
in lyf of grace . (CMAELR3,53.861)

And of ow gret grace , mercy and goodnesse of my God was it +tat wan I
ran awey fro hym , he pursuede after to drawe me a+gen ;
(CMAELR3,53.862)

+ter +tat I was agast of euere-lastyng dampnacioun , he confortede me
(CMAELR3,53.863)

and byheet me lyf ; (CMAELR3,53.864)

whan I was cast adoun in-to dispeyr , he areysede me vp a+gen in-to
parfyt hoope ; (CMAELR3,53.865)

whanne I was most vnkynde , he auaunsede me wit his gret benefys to
styre me to turne a+gen to hym ; (CMAELR3,53.866)

and +ter I was custummablely alto-gydere y-vsed to vnclennesse , he
drow me awey +tens +torou+g sauour and tast of inwarde gostly swetnesse
, (CMAELR3,53.867)

and to-barst +te harde chaynes and bondes of cursede custum .
(CMAELR3,53.868)

And also after , whan I was drawen out of +te wordl , benignely he
receyuede me to his grace . (CMAELR3,53.869)

I halde my pees of many wundurful and grete benefys of his mercy ,
an-aunter +tat eny partye of wurschipe +tat is alto-gydere his , I were
yseye take to me-ward . (CMAELR3,53.870)

For after mannes estimacioun ful ofte +te grace and +te goodnesse of
+te +gyvere and +te prosperite of +te receyuour cleve+t so ney+g
to-gydere , +tat he is not only worschiped +tat only ou+gte to be
worschiped and preysed , not only to hym +tat +gift al is i+goue blisse
and +tank , bote to hym +tat receyve+t ; (CMAELR3,53.871)

and +tat is wronge . (CMAELR3,53.872)

What ha+t eny wrecche of eny goodnesse bote +tat +tat he ha+t receyued
of God ? (CMAELR3,53.873)

+Gif he ha+t freoly , he ha+t it of Godes +gifte ; (CMAELR3,53.874)

why +tanne scholde he be wurschiped as +tei+g it were of his owne
merytes ? (CMAELR3,53.875)

And +terfore , my <P_54> deoreworthe lord , my blisful lord , to +te
alone be blisse , (CMAELR3,54.876)

to +te be ioye , (CMAELR3,54.877)

to +te be worschipe , (CMAELR3,54.878)

to +te be +tankyngge of al oure herte ; to me , synful wrecche ,
no+tyng bote confusioun of my face , which +tat haue idoo wyckenesses ,
and so manye goodnesses haue receyued . (CMAELR3,54.879)

Bote +tu askest me , par caas , what I haue lasse +tan +tu of Godes
+giftes . (CMAELR3,54.880)

A , suster , where is he mor fortunat +tat wit esy and softe wedur
brynkt his schip saaf and sound to +te hauene , ful of marchaundise and
of richesse , or elles he +tat in wylde wawes and in greet tempest
alto-breket his vessel , and vnne+te naked and quakynge asschape+t to
lond alyve ? (CMAELR3,54.881)

Suster , +tu my+gt be glad and bli+te for +te grete gostly rychesses
+tat +te grace of God ha+t ikept to +te wy+t-oute tempest of dedly
temptacioun ; (CMAELR3,54.882)

bote certes , to me byhoue+t gret bysynesse and eke trauayle forto make
hool +tat was to-broke , forto gete a+gen +tat I hadde ilost , forto
cloute a+gen +tat was in tempest of temptacioun al-to-rend .
(CMAELR3,54.883)

And na+teles , soo+tly , suster , wite it wel +tat hit ou+gte be a
maner schame to +te +gif +tat I , after so manye abhominable
vnclennesses , be yfounde euene wit +te in lyf +tat is to comen !
(CMAELR3,54.884)

And +git wel ofte hit falle+t so +tat manye diuerse vices benemy+t +te
meryt and +te blysse of maydenhood ; (CMAELR3,54.885)

and on +tat o+ter syde , +tat chaungynge of euele maneres , and vertues
comyngge in after vices , wipe+t awey +te vilanows schame of oold
vnclene conuersacioun . (CMAELR3,54.886)

Bote now , suster , behald entierly +te grete +gyftes of +te goodnesse
of God , +tat +tu wost wel +tu hast receyued ; (CMAELR3,54.887)

wi+t how murye chiere he +gyde a+gens +te , as it were , whanne +tu
forsoke +te wordl and | come to hym ; (CMAELR3,54.888)

wit how delices he vedde +te whanne +tu were anhungred aftur hym ;
(CMAELR3,54.889)

what richesse of his mercy he profrede , (CMAELR3,54.890)

what holy desires he inspirede , of how swete drynke of charyte he +gaf
+te drynke . (CMAELR3,54.891)

For +gif God , only of his gret mercyful benignite , ha+t not ylete me
al wy+touten experience of his wundurful and gostly confortes , wych ne
am bote a fugitif and a rebel wrecche , what swetnesse may $I trowe
+tat he +gyue to +te +tat art and euere were a clene mayde .
(CMAELR3,54.892)

For +gif +tu hast be in temptacioun , he ha+t defended +te ;
(CMAELR3,54.893)

+gif +tu hast be in peryl , he ha+t kept $+te saaf ; (CMAELR3,54.894)

+gif +tu hast be in sorwe , he ha+t conforted +te ; (CMAELR3,54.895)

+gif +tu were dowtyngge or flecchyngge , he ha+t confermed +te in good
purpos . (CMAELR3,54.896)

How ofte , suster , whan +tu hast be asadded and dul or wery of +ty
lyfe , ha+t he be a pytous confortour to +te ; +gif +tu $were longynge
in brennyngge loue after hym , ha+t ilept in-to +tyn herte ; +gif +tu
hast yrad or ystotid on holy scripture , ha+t yli+gted +ty soule wit
li+gt of spiritual vnderstondynge ? (CMAELR3,54.897)

How ofte , whanne +tu hast be in +ty preyeres , ha+t he yrauyssched +te
in-to so hei+g desir +tat +tu canst not telle hit ? (CMAELR3,54.898)

How ofte ha+t he wit-drawe +tyn herte fro wordly +tynges to delices of
heuene and to +te mur+tes of paradys ? (CMAELR3,54.899)

Alle +tyse be+tenk +te of inwardly in +tyn <P_55> herte , +tat al +tyn
affeccioun and al +ty loue mowe be turned to hym alone .
(CMAELR3,55.900)

Haue bote skorn of al +te wordl , (CMAELR3,55.901)

let al flehsly loue seme $stynkynde to +te ; (CMAELR3,55.902)

and +tu +tat hast iset al +ty purpos on God and on +too +tat be+t in
euene and lyue+t +tere wit God , +tenk as +tei+g +tu nere not in +te
wordle . (CMAELR3,55.903)

Vbi est thesaurus tuus , ibi et cor tuum erit - (CMAELR3,55.904)

' +Ter +tat is +ty tresour , let +ter be +tyn herte ' .
(CMAELR3,55.905)

And loke +tat +tu schette not +ty soule in no fowl bagge or purs ful of
seluer or gold or wordliche rychesse , (CMAELR3,55.906)

for trewely +ty soule may neuere , wi+t +te heuy peys of +te peny ,
flen vp li+gt to +te blisse of heuene . (CMAELR3,55.907)

Suppose euery day +tat +tu scholdest be deed , (CMAELR3,55.908)

and certayn , +tu schalt not care ne bysye +te for +te morwen .
(CMAELR3,55.909)

Let no wordly aduersite of tyme +tat is to comene make +te agast ;
(CMAELR3,55.910)

let no drede of hungour +tat is to comene disese +tyn herte ,
(CMAELR3,55.911)

bote on hym let al +ty trust and al +ty stedefaste hope hangen , +tat
fede+t +te bryddes on +te eyr and clo+te+t +te lylyes and floures in
+te feld fayrere +tan euere was Salomon in al his blisse .
(CMAELR3,55.912)

Let hym be +ty stoorhous , (CMAELR3,55.913)

let hym be +ty tresour-hows , (CMAELR3,55.914)

let hym be +ty gold purs , (CMAELR3,55.915)

let hym $be +ty rychesse and al +ty delys , (CMAELR3,55.916)

let hym be to +te alle +tyng in alle maner nyede , (CMAELR3,55.917)

qui sit benedictus in secula seculorum . Amen . Et hec de meditacione
presencium ad presens sufficiant . (CMAELR3,55.918)

<heading>

De meditacione futurorum . Capitulum xix (CMAELR3,55.920)

</heading>

He +tat graunte+t so gret benefys to his seruauns in wordle +tat now is
, hou grete +giftes kep+t he for hem in lyf +tat is to comene .
(CMAELR3,55.922)

+Te principle and +te bykynnyng of +tynges +tat be+t to comene , and
+te final ende of +tynges +tat now be+t present , +tat is deed . Of +te
whyche deed , wat nature is hit +tat ha+t not horrour +trof ? What
herte is hit +tat drede+t hit nou+gt ? (CMAELR3,55.923)

For bestes and bryddes wit rennyngge and lotyngge and many an-o+ter
+tousand maner slek+te eschewe+t dee+t (CMAELR3,55.924)

and defende+t here lyf . (CMAELR3,55.925)

Bote +git , suster , ententyfly auyse +te in +tyn owne herte wat +tyn
owne conscience answer+t to +te in +tis matere ; what +ty feyt is bold
on , and what +ty parfyt hope byhoot +te and +ty desyr coueyte+t .
(CMAELR3,55.926)

For certayn , and +ty lyf be to heuynesse ; and +tu be saad and haue
despyt of +te wordle ; and +tyn owne flehs be to +te to sorwe - certes
, +tanne coueytest +tu dee+t wit gret desyr . | (CMAELR3,55.927)

For dee+t put awey heuynesse of +tys lyf , (CMAELR3,55.928)

and make+t an ende of saadnesse of +tis wordle , (CMAELR3,55.929)

and deliuere+t +te body out of muche sorwe . (CMAELR3,55.930)

And fey+tfully , I schal sey +te on +tyng +tat is mor worthy +tan alle
+te delis , al +te rychesse and al +to wurschipe of +tis wordle -
(CMAELR3,55.931)

and +tat +tyng is , +gif +tat +tu for gret clennesse of conscience ,
for parfyt stedefastnesse of feyt and for clier sourtee of verrey hope
, ne drede not bodyly dee+t . (CMAELR3,55.932)

<P_56>

And +tis poynt +torow +te +giftes of God he may at sum tyme haue
experience of , +tat after sykyngge and mornynge for wrecched seruitute
of +tis wordle , is so ileft vp in-to hei+g clennesse of conscience and
holy contemplacioun +tat he ha+t in a maner for+gyten al +tis wordle .
(CMAELR3,56.934)

And iwis , suster , +tise be+t +te holsum erris and +te ioyeful
begynnyngges of euerelastynge blisse +tat is to comene ,
(CMAELR3,56.935)

whanne at +te comyngge and at +te asaylyngge of dee+t , parfyt feyt
ouercome his natural horrour , hope tempre hit , (CMAELR3,56.936)

and surtee of clene conscience put awey al drede . (CMAELR3,56.937)

Loke now , suster , how dee+t is bygynnyngge of reste and of blisse ,
ende of trauayl , and sleere of vices and of wrecchidnesse ; as +te
book sey+t : (CMAELR3,56.938)

Beati mortui qui in domino moriuntur ; amodo iam dicit spiritus ut
requiescant a laboribus suis . (CMAELR3,56.939)

Wherfore +te prophete , discryvyngge +te dee+t of Godes derlyngges fro
+te dee+t of +too +tat be+t acursed and schulle be dampned , sei+t on
+tis wyse : (CMAELR3,56.940)

Omnes reges dormierunt in gloria - (CMAELR3,56.941)

' Alle ' , he sey+t , ' gloriouse kyngges haue+t be deed in ioye . '
(CMAELR3,56.942)

For +tey deye+t in gret ioye and gladnesse , whos dee+t commende+t
parfyt and clene conscience ; +te whiche dee+t is ful precious i +te
si+gte of God , as +te book sey+t : (CMAELR3,56.943)

Preciosa est in conspectu domini mors sanctorum eius . (CMAELR3,56.944)

And certes , he is a glorious kyng and deye+t in ioye , what so euere
he be , to whos dee+t be+t angeles present , to whos laste slep holy
halwen hi+get+t to and , +gyvyngge help as to here cyteseyn of heuene
and mynystryngge hertly confort , fi+gte+t for hym a+gens his enemys ,
caste+t adoun his wi+tstonderes and scharply conuicte+t his accousours
, bryngyngge his soule euene to Abrahames bosum and to +te si+gt of God
, +ter +tat he schal abyden in reste , pees and li+gt .
(CMAELR3,56.945)

Bote non sic impij , non sic - No+tyng so of Godys curslynges ;
(CMAELR3,56.946)

for of ech of hem sei+t +te same prophete in +te same place +tat I
seyde nekst : (CMAELR3,56.947)

Tu autem proiectus es de sepulcro tuo quasi stirps inutilis pollutus ,
etcetera - (CMAELR3,56.948)

' +Tu ' , he sei+t , ' art icast out of +ty sepulcre - +tat is +ty
foule body - (CMAELR3,56.949)

+tu art icast out , I seye , as a foul and vn+tryfty drye stycke +tat
is not wur+t bote to +te fuyr . ' (CMAELR3,56.950)

Fur iwis , Godys curslyngges in heere dee+t bee+t idrawe of wickede
spirites out of here body as out of a stynkynde put , al defoyled wit
lecherye , al iwrapped aboute wy+t cursede coueytise , (CMAELR3,56.951)

and so wi+t instrumens of helle +tey be+t idrawe to be brend in fuyr ,
itake to be gnawe of wurmes and iput to be astrangled of euerlastyngge
stench . (CMAELR3,56.952)

Now so+tly and trewely it is seyd : Expectacio iustorum leticia , spes
autem impiorum peribit - (CMAELR3,56.953)

' +Te abydynge and +te hope of rytful men is ioye and blisse ,
(CMAELR3,56.954)

+te hope of wickede men schal perysche and fayle . ' (CMAELR3,56.955)

Bote for-so+te , what reste , what pees , what mur+te and li+gt is
be-hoote and is abide of +te blessede spirites +tat now reste+t in
Abrahames bosum , (CMAELR3,56.956)

for experience ha+t not +git itau+gt vs , (CMAELR3,56.957)

+terfore noon of <P_57> vre penne or poyntel may owtly wryten it as it
is . (CMAELR3,57.958)

Bote +tey abide+t in blisse , alwhat +te noumbre of here bre+tryn be
fulfeld ; (CMAELR3,57.959)

and +tat schal ben at +te day of +te laste resurrexioun , at +te day of
dome , whanne | +tey be+t clo+ted in duble stole , +tat is to seyn in
ioye of body and soule to-gydere in euere-lastyng blisse .
(CMAELR3,57.960)

Of +tis day of dome , suster , I preye +te +tat +tu byholde +te horrour
and +te drede , whanne +te angelles of heuene schulle ben as it were
a-stonyed , (CMAELR3,57.961)

+te elemens schul ben dissolued for heete of fuyr , (CMAELR3,57.962)

helle+gates schulle ben al open , (CMAELR3,57.963)

and al +tat is now priue and hud schal ben openly knowen .
(CMAELR3,57.964)

From aboue schal come +te jugge fers and wro+t ; (CMAELR3,57.965)

his wra+t+te schal brenne as eny fuyr , his chaar +tat be terrible as
eny tempest forto take veniaunce in gret ire , and to destruye his
enemys in leytyngge fuyr . (CMAELR3,57.966)

Now certes , Beatus qui paratus est occurrere illi (CMAELR3,57.967)

' Yblessed is he +tat is redy to meete wit hym at +tat our . '
(CMAELR3,57.968)

What sorwe schal be +tanne to cursede wrecchen whom now lecherye
defoyled , cursede coueytise al disturbe+t , Luciferes pruyde areyse+t
an hei+g . Angeles schulle gon and departe +te wickede fro +te goode ,
puttyngge ri+gtful men on Godes ri+gt syde , and on his left syde +too
+tat schulle be dampned . (CMAELR3,57.969)

Suster , by+tenk +te now in +tyn owne herte as +tey +tu were euene
by-twyx +tyse tweye companyes to-fore +te jugge-sege of God , and not
iputte outerly to on party no to o+ter ; (CMAELR3,57.970)

cast +tanne +tyn e+gen asyde to +te left syde of +tis ri+gtful jugge
Crist , (CMAELR3,57.971)

and byhald +tat cursed , wrecchid and weepful companye .
(CMAELR3,57.972)

A , suster , wat stench is $ter +ter , (CMAELR3,57.973)

what horrour , what drede , what sorwe ! (CMAELR3,57.974)

A-cursede coniones stande+t +ter gryntyngge wit tee+t , al naked to
here bare brest orrible in si+gt , deformed in face , al irebuked in
confusioun and schame for nakednesse and fowlnesse of here body .
(CMAELR3,57.975)

+Tey wolde fayn lotye and huyden hem , (CMAELR3,57.976)

bote +tey schul not mowe ; (CMAELR3,57.977)

+tey wolde renne a-way , (CMAELR3,57.978)

bote +tey schulle not be suffred . (CMAELR3,57.979)

+Gif +tey lyfte vp here e+gen , +te wra+t+te of here domesman is above
here heed ; (CMAELR3,57.980)

+gif +tey loke+t dounward , +te orrour of +te put of helle is a+gens
here face . (CMAELR3,57.981)

+Tey schulle fynde noon excusacioun of her synne , (CMAELR3,57.982)

ne +tey schulle not apele fro eny vnrytful dom ; (CMAELR3,57.983)

for what euere schal +tanne be demyd , here owne conscience schal
knowen it and deme it so+t . (CMAELR3,57.984)

Be+tenk +te now , suster , how muche +tu owest to louen hym of al +ty
my+gt , +tat ha+t departyd +te fro +tilke grete vnsauery multitude +tat
schal be dampned , and yclepyd +te to his grace and ipurgyd +te and
iustefyed +te to his blisse . (CMAELR3,57.985)

And +terfore cast +tyn e+gen to +te ry+gt syde , (CMAELR3,57.986)

and byhold to how blisful a cumpanye $he ha+t coupled +te .
(CMAELR3,57.987)

A , Ihesu , what fayrnesse is in hem , (CMAELR3,57.988)

what honour , what felicite , what ioye , what surtee !
(CMAELR3,57.989)

Summe be+t put an hei+g to be domesmen wit Crist , (CMAELR3,57.990)

summe be+t al bri+gt schynynge wit coroune of martirdom ,
(CMAELR3,57.991)

summe be+t whyt as +te lylye of virginite , (CMAELR3,57.992)

summe ben fructuous +torou+g +gyuyngge of <P_58> almesse ,
(CMAELR3,58.993)

summe ben clier and excellent +torou+g holsum doctrine of Godes lawe ;
(CMAELR3,58.994)

and alle +tyse be+t knet and coupled to-gydere in o bond of blisful
loue and euere-lastyngge charyte . (CMAELR3,58.995)

+Te swete face of Ihesu schyne+t to hem , not terrible and gastly as it
do+t to Cristes curslynges , but ful amyable and blisful , not biter
bote ful swete , not gastyngge bate gladyngge and confortyngge .
(CMAELR3,58.996)

Now , suster , +gif +tu woldest stonde in +te myddul of +tyse two
companyes , not wetyngge as it were to wyche partye +te sentence of +te
domesman wyle put +te too , lord , how hard schulde +tis abydyng be to
+te ! (CMAELR3,58.997)

+Tanne forso+te my+gtest +tu wel say : Timor et tremor venerunt super
me et contexerunt me tenebre . (CMAELR3,58.998)

For +gyf he putte +te on +te lyft syde , +tu schalt not mowe | seye
+tat he is vnri+gtful ; (CMAELR3,58.999)

+gif he ha ordeyne+t +te o +te ri+gt syde , it is only of his grace ,
and not to be put to +tyn owne merytes . (CMAELR3,58.1000)

Now iwis , lord God , lif and dee+t is in +ty wyl and in +ty power
alone . (CMAELR3,58.1001)

Sykst +tu now , suster , how muche al +tyn herte and +ty soule schulde
be set only in his loue , +te wyche , al+tou+g ha my+gte ry+gtfully
turne +te same sentence of dee+t to +te +tat he smyt on hem +tat
schulle be dampned , $+git of his goodnesse ha+t leuere to putte +te on
his ri+gt syde and associe +te to his blisful derlyng .
(CMAELR3,58.1002)

And +terfore now a Godes half ymagyne as +tey +tu were ioyned to +tat
ioyful and holy felauschip , heryngge +tilke precious decree of his
swete voys : (CMAELR3,58.1003)

Venite benedicti patris mei , percipite regnum quod vobis paratum est
ab origine mundi - (CMAELR3,58.1004)

' Come+t +ge , iblessid of my fadur , (CMAELR3,58.1005)

receyue+t +te kyngdoom +tat was agrey+ted to +gow er +te bygynnyngge of
+te world . ' (CMAELR3,58.1006)

And +tanne schulle +tilke wyepful wrecchyn heere +tilke harde and
vnsuffrable word ful of wra+t+te , ful of sorwe , ful of indignacioun :
(CMAELR3,58.1007)

Discedite a me , maledicti , in ignem eternuum - (CMAELR3,58.1008)

' Departe+t fro me , +ge curslyngges , in-to euerlastyngge fuyr . '
(CMAELR3,58.1009)

And +tanne schul +te goon into perpetual turment , and ri+gtwyse men
into blisse $wi+touten eende . (CMAELR3,58.1010)

A , a , an hard departyngge , a wrecchyd and wiepful condicioun to
+tilke acursede caytyfs ! (CMAELR3,58.1011)

And whan +tey be+t itake awey and departid otterlyche fro +te blisse of
God , and ri+gtwyse men after heere degree and heere meryt be+t iput in
among +te ordres of holy angeles ; +tanne +tannys let +tilke gloriouse
processioun go for+t in-to +te he+ge Ierusalem , +te cite euerlastyngge
of heuene , Crist hym-self as oure verrey heed goynge to-fore , and
alle his blisful menbres folwynge after . (CMAELR3,58.1012)

+Tanne schal +tilke glorious kyng regne in hem , and +tey in hym ,
vndurfonggyngge to here heritage +tilke real kyngdom of blisse +tat was
ordeyned for hem er +te wordle were . (CMAELR3,58.1013)

+Te staat of +tat realme may not hiere be fully +tou+gt , and muche
more no+ter seyd ne wryten in book . (CMAELR3,58.1014)

Bote +tis wot I wel , (CMAELR3,58.1015)

and daar booldely sayn , +tat +tu schalt lakke no+tynge +tat +tu
woldest haue , (CMAELR3,58.1016)

ne +tu schalt <P_59> haue no+tyng +tat +tu woldest lacke .
(CMAELR3,59.1017)

+Ter schal be no wepynge ne weylyngge , no sorwe , no drede , no
discord , noon envye , no tribulacioun ne temptacioun , no chaungynge
of +te eyr , no corrupcioun ne wicked suspecioun , non ambicioun , non
adulacioun , no detraccioun , no siknesse of old age , no de+t , no
pouerte , no derknesse , noon hungur ne +turste , no nyede ne werynesse
ne no maner faylyngge . (CMAELR3,59.1018)

+Ter +tat noon of alle +tyse +tynges be+t , what may +ter be bote
parfyt ioye , parfit mur+te , parfit tranquillite , parfit surtee ,
most parfit loue and charite , parfit rychesse , parfit fayrnesse ,
parfit reste , parfit strencthe , parfit hele , and parfit si+gt of +te
face of God ; and in +tyse , euere-lastyngge , abydyngge and
euere-durynge lyf . (CMAELR3,59.1019)

What wolde +ge more , whanne oure creatour God $schal be clierly yseyen
, iknowen and iloued ? (CMAELR3,59.1020)

He schal be seyen in hym-self blisful , (CMAELR3,59.1021)

he schal be seyen in his creatures , gouernyngge alle +tyng wit-oute
trauayl or bisynesse , susteynyngge alle +tyng $wit-outen eny werynesse
, +gyuynge hym-self to alle creatures after here capacite wit-oute eny
laskyngge or diuisioun of his godhede . (CMAELR3,59.1022)

+Tanne schal be seyn +tilke swete , amyable and desiderable face of God
+tat angeles coueyten to loke in ; of whos fayrnasse , of whos
cliernesse , of whos swetnesse hoo may au+gt seyn worthyly ?
(CMAELR3,59.1023)

+Ter schal be seye +tanne +te Fader in +te Sone , +te Sone in +te Fader
, and +te Holy Gost in hem bo+te . (CMAELR3,59.1024)

+Ter God vre creatour schal be seye not in a myrour or in derknesse ,
bote face to face , as +te | gospel sey+t . (CMAELR3,59.1025)

+Ter God schal be seye as he is , whanne +tat byheste schal be fulfeld
+tat hym-self sai+t in +te gospel : (CMAELR3,59.1026)

Qui diligit me , diligetur a patre mea , et ego diligam eum , et
manifestabo ei meipsum - (CMAELR3,59.1027)

' Who +tat loue+t me ' , sei+t Crist , ' he schal be loued of my Fader
, (CMAELR3,59.1028)

and I schal louen hym and schewen hym myn owne self . '
(CMAELR3,59.1029)

Of +tis cliere si+gt come+t +tat blisful knowynge +tat Crist hym-self
spek+t of in +te gospel : (CMAELR3,59.1030)

Hec est vita eterna vt cognoscant te vnum et verum Deum , et quem
misisti Ihesum Cristum . (CMAELR3,59.1031)

Of +tyse sprynkt out so muche loue , is igendred so greet feruour of
blisful desir , so muche plentevousnesse of lykyngge , so muche
swetnesse of charite +tat non o+ter fulsumnesse of blisse byneme+t +te
blisful desir and appetit , (CMAELR3,59.1032)

no+ter +tat blisful desir fayle+t of parfit and plentevous fulsumnesse
. (CMAELR3,59.1033)

And wat is al +tis , forto seyn hit in fiewe wordes ? (CMAELR3,59.1034)

Certes , suster : Quod oculus non vidit , nec auris audiuit , que
preparauit Deus diligentibus se . (CMAELR3,59.1035)

<heading>

Recapitulacio . (CMAELR3,59.1037)

</heading>

Now , suster , I haue wryte to +te in schorte wordes of +te $moynde of
Cristes benefices +tat ben apassed , of +te experience of +to +tat be+t
<P_60> present , and of +te abydyngge hope of $+to +tat be+t to comene
- of +te whiche mor plentevous fruyt of +te loue of God mowe sprynge
out of +tyn herte - so +tat +tis +tre maner meditacioun mowe styrye +ty
gostly affeccioun , (CMAELR3,60.1039)

and +tyn affeccioun mowe gendre brennyngge desir , (CMAELR3,60.1040)

and +ty desir mowe brynge +te in-to mornyngge and eke in-to wepyngge
after +te loue of +ti husbounde Crist , alwhat +tu be brou+gt in-to his
owne si+gt and be iklept in his blessede armes ; so +tat +tu mowe seye
to +ty singuler loue , +tat +tu hast ichose byfore alle o+tre , +tat
+tat is iwryte in +te book of loue in holy wryt : (CMAELR3,60.1041)

Dilectus meus michi et ego illi . (CMAELR3,60.1042)

And now hast +tu , suster , +tat +tu coueytist and +tat +tu askedist ;
(CMAELR3,60.1043)

for +tu hast bodyly informaciouns , after +te whiche +tu schalt rule
and gouerne +te owtward man ; (CMAELR3,60.1044)

and also I haue itake +te a maner forme by +te whiche +tu mi+gt purge
+te inward man fro vices , and maken hym fayr in vertu .
(CMAELR3,60.1045)

+Tu hast in +tre maner of meditacioun how +tu schalt nursche +te , and
feruently excite +te in-to +te loue of God . (CMAELR3,60.1046)

And in caas +tat eny deuout creature profite in +te redynge of +tis
litul booke in eny gostly profit , I preye hym +tat he wyl +gyue me
+tis to my meede : +tat to my savyour +tat I abide , and to my domesman
+tat I drede , (CMAELR3,60.1047)

he wylle deuoutly preye for my mysdedes , +tat he and I mowe come to
+tat blisse +tat I vnwor+tyly haue spoken of . (CMAELR3,60.1048)

Quod nobis misericorditer concedat , qui viuit et regnat in secula
seculorum . (CMAELR3,60.1049)

Amen . (CMAELR3,60.1050)

