<P_1>

<heading>

DE INSTITUTIONE INCLUSARUM (CMAELR4,1.3)

</heading>

Here begynneth a tretys that is a rule and a forme of lyuynge
perteynyng to a recluse . (CMAELR4,1.5)

<heading>

Capitulum primum (CMAELR4,1.7)

Why suche solitary lyf was ordeyned of fadirs in the olde tyme
(CMAELR4,1.8)

</heading>

Suster , thou hast ofte axed of me a forme of lyuyng accordyng to thyn
estat , inasmuche as thou art enclosed . (CMAELR4,1.10)

That wolde Iesu thou haddist axid it of suche oon as coude haue
fulfilled thyn desire . (CMAELR4,1.11)

Natheles after that simple felynge that God hath youen me , I shal
write to the a forme gadert out of holy fadirs tradiciouns afore-tymes
. (CMAELR4,1.12)

First the behoueth to knowe why that suche a solitary lyf was ordeyned
. (CMAELR4,1.13)

Somme ther wern to whom it was ful perilous to lyue among many .
(CMAELR4,1.14)

Ther were also somme <em> to whom </em> , although it were not perilous
to lyue amonge many , natheles it was ful greuous . (CMAELR4,1.15)

And many ther wern whiche dradden noon of thes too but chosen this lyf
as a lyf moost fruytful to helthe of soule . So that either thei
fledden perel whiche might haue falle , or muche harme whiche might
betyde thurgh her presence , or ellis that thei mighten by suche leiser
more frely syghe and snobbe after the loue of Iesu with longyng desire
. (CMAELR4,1.16)

Many of these that fledden fro perel and harm whiche might falle wanne
her liflode in wildirnes with gret laboure . (CMAELR4,1.17)

In that othir syde , thei that fledden for fredom of spirit chosen to
be closed in an house out of alle mennes sight , whiche part hast thou
chosen and avowed the to . (CMAELR4,1.18)

But many ther ben that knowe not ne charge not the profit of solitary
liuyng , supposyng that it be ynow , oonly to shutte her body bitwene
too walles , whan not only the thoughte rennith aboute besynes of the
worlde , but also the tunge is occupied alday , either aboute tidynges
, curiously enquering and sechinge after hem , or elles of her
neighbores yuel name , by way of bakbityng , so that vnnethes
now-a-dayes $shalt $tow {TEXT:shaltow} finde a solitary recluse , that
either tofore the wyndowe shal sitte an olde womman fedynge hir with
tales , or elles a new iangeler and teller of tidynges of that monke ,
or of that clerke , or of widowes dissolucion , or of maidens wantownes
, of the whiche arisith lawghyng , scornynge and vnclene / thoughtes
slepynge or wakynge , so that atte last the recluse is fulfilled with
lust and likynge , bakbitynge , sclaundre and hatrede and the tother
with mete and drinke . (CMAELR4,1.19)

<P_2>

Alle thes causen gret lettyng to Goddes seruauntes bothe wakyng and
slepynge , in meditacion and praier and contemplacion . (CMAELR4,2.21)

What happith herof , trowist thou ? (CMAELR4,2.22)

Certeyn suche lusty tales gendren leccherous ymaginatyf thou+gtes ,
neuere cessynge vnto the tyme she consente to falle , sekynge by whom ,
where and whan she might fulfille in dede that the whiche hath so longe
be vnclenly thoughte . (CMAELR4,2.23)

This wrecchidnes hath often be seen of hem that han ben enclosed , by
the whiche the wyndowe hath be maad moor , that euereyther might come
in or out to other , soo that atte last of a recluse or of an ancresse
selle is maad a bordel hous . (CMAELR4,2.24)

<heading>

Capitulum ij (CMAELR4,2.26)

That a recluse shal fle couetise and besynesse of getyng of worldly
godes (CMAELR4,2.27)

</heading>

Somme also ther ben which ben busy in gadrynge of worldly good , in
bestaille , in wolle , in $multiplieng of peny to peny and shilyng , so
+tat thei oughten rather to be called housewyues than recluses .
(CMAELR4,2.29)

They ordeyne mete for her bestes , herdes for her catell (CMAELR4,2.30)

and atte yeres ende they loke after the nomber or after the price .
(CMAELR4,2.31)

After this folewith byinge and sellynge , of the whiche cometh couetise
and auarice . (CMAELR4,2.32)

Suche ben ofte deceyued by the fende counsailynge hem to gadre money
forto departe it in almes , by releuynge of fadirles and modirles
children , or for her frendes , or for gystnynge of poure religious men
or wommen and suche othir ; (CMAELR4,2.33)

and al this is but a disceyt . (CMAELR4,2.34)

Al this longith not to the , but rathir to be poure and with pore peple
to resceyue thy liflode . (CMAELR4,2.35)

It is a token of gret mistrust if a recluse care bisely for hir lyflode
, sithen oure lord Iesu Crist seith : Primum querite regnum dei et
iusticiam eius et hec omnia adicientur vobis . (CMAELR4,2.36)

' First , ' he seith , ' sekith the kyngdom of heuen and the
rightwisnesse of him , (CMAELR4,2.37)

and al that ye neden shal be cast to yow . ' (CMAELR4,2.38)

Therfore take good heed (CMAELR4,2.39)

and be wel war that thou haue not to do with gret besynesse of worldly
good (CMAELR4,2.40)

but rather , if it may be , lyue with laboure and bysenesse of thin
hondes with som honest trauail with-in thiself , (CMAELR4,2.41)

for that is the moor syker way to parfeccyon-warde . (CMAELR4,2.42)

Natheles , if thy compleccion be feblyd and might not trauaile , than
er thou haddist ben | enclosed , thou shuldist haue enquered the suche
frendes where thou mightist resceyue thy liflode with othir pore peple
, that thou mightist haue noo cause to gadir worldly good .
(CMAELR4,2.43)

Ther shuld no poure peple crye after worldly good aboute thy selle .
(CMAELR4,2.44)

Perauenture thou saist , ' Hoo might lette that ? ' (CMAELR4,2.45)

I say not this (CMAELR4,2.46)

for I wolde thou lettist it , (CMAELR4,2.47)

bot I wolde that pitously thou sattist stil and <P_3> suffredist it
(CMAELR4,3.48)

and yf they knewen that thei shuld no thinge resceyue , thei wolden
sone voide . (CMAELR4,3.49)

Than $saist $tow {TEXT:saistow} , ' This were a gret vnkyndenes ' ;
(CMAELR4,3.50)

yhe , (CMAELR4,3.51)

and I say , ' If thou haue moor than mete and drinke and vesture , thou
art neither good mynchen ne recluse . ' (CMAELR4,3.52)

Natheles , what that thou mightist gete with laboure of thyn hondes
ouer that the nedith , I wolde it were deled to pore peple by other
menes than thiself . (CMAELR4,3.53)

Be wel war that no messanger , waiter of vnclennesse , bringer of
letters fro monke or from clerke rowne venym in thyn ere of veyn lust
or of likynge , (CMAELR4,3.54)

for therof ariseth perels ; (CMAELR4,3.55)

therfore for no thynge resceyue neither lettre ne rownyng without
audience of hym that is thy gostly fader , or som other honest persone
. (CMAELR4,3.56)

<heading>

Captulum ii (CMAELR4,3.58)

That a recluse shuld not haue to do of hospitalyte anempst religiouse
gystes , for it longith not to hir (CMAELR4,3.59)

</heading>

Firthermore I wolde thou were war of resceiuynge of yistes by way of
hospitalite anempst wommen of deuocyon , religious or other ,
(CMAELR4,3.61)

for ofte-sithes amonge gode ben medled badde ; (CMAELR4,3.62)

al-though her communicacion atte begynnynge be of sadnes and vertuous
lyuynge , er than thei departe worldly daliaunce shal be shewed furthe
, and otherwhile wordes of flesshly loue . (CMAELR4,3.63)

Of suche be war , lest thou be compelled to here that thaw shuldist not
and to speke that thou woldist not . (CMAELR4,3.64)

By this perauenture thou dredist shame , that neither thou maist
comforte pore folke in yeuynge of almes ne resceyue religious gystes :
(CMAELR4,3.65)

yhe , (CMAELR4,3.66)

and I say , drede not this , (CMAELR4,3.67)

for whan they knowen thy naked purpos , thanne haue thei no cause to
repreue the , neither for pore folke ne for noo religious gystes .
(CMAELR4,3.68)

I nolde thou were a mony-maker : (CMAELR4,3.69)

sithen than I nolde , as I seyde before , that thou were a mony-maker
for noo suche causes , muche moor than for noo gret meyne in housholde
. (CMAELR4,3.70)

Se now what meyne thou shuldist haue . (CMAELR4,3.71)

First chese an honest anxient womman in lyuynge , no iangler ne
royler-aboute , noo chider , noo tidynges-teller , but such oon that
may haue witnesse of hir good conuersacyon , and honest .
(CMAELR4,3.72)

Hir charge / shal be to kepe thyn houshold and thy lyflod , to close
thy dores and to resceyue that shuld be resceyued and to voide that
shuld be auoided . (CMAELR4,3.73)

Vnder hir gouernaile shuld she haue a yonger womman of age to bere
gretter charges , in fettynge of wode and water and sethynge and
greithynge of mete and drynke . (CMAELR4,3.74)

And that she be ouerloked vnder gret awe , lest thurgh hir wantownes
and dissolucyon thyn holy temple be defouled and sclaundred .
(CMAELR4,3.75)

Be war also that thou be not occupyed in techynge of children .
(CMAELR4,3.76)

For somme recluses ther ben that thorugh techinge of children turnen
her celle in-to a scole-house : (CMAELR4,3.77)

<P_4>

doo not so , (CMAELR4,4.79)

but holde the apayde , bothe-1 to thy communicacyon and thy seruice ,
of these too wommen afore-saide . (CMAELR4,4.80)

<heading>

Capitulum 4 (CMAELR4,4.82)

Hou a recluse shulde kepe hir in sylence (CMAELR4,4.83)

</heading>

I shal now telle the of sylence , (CMAELR4,4.85)

for there-in lyeth moor reste and muche fruyt : (CMAELR4,4.86)

do as the prophete saith : (CMAELR4,4.87)

Dixi , custodiam vias meas , vt non delinquam in lingua mea .
(CMAELR4,4.88)

' I haue saide , ' seith the prophete , ' I shal kepe my waies , that I
offende not in my tonge . ' (CMAELR4,4.89)

A recluse shuld euere drede hir lest she offended by hir tonge ,
(CMAELR4,4.90)

for as Seint Iame saith , ' It is a membre that no man may tame ' ;
(CMAELR4,4.91)

therfore kepe wel thy tunge by silence (CMAELR4,4.92)

and sitte alone from worldly noyce (CMAELR4,4.93)

and be styl , that thou may deserue to speke with him whiche list not
to speke but with suche that ben allone . (CMAELR4,4.94)

And yf thou shalt speke , speke selde , as certeyn tymes and houres in
the day ; (CMAELR4,4.95)

and that thou speke suche as is needful to body and to soule and that
mekely and esily with noon hye voice , ne sharply ne glosyngly ne with
noon hye chere . (CMAELR4,4.96)

And sith this longith to eche honest recluse , gode sustir , and thou
wilt be Goddys owne derlynge , fle the homly communicacyoun of alle men
but if it be suche that ben assigned to the . (CMAELR4,4.97)

Me semith she was a blessed womman and wel sette , that dradde hir to
speke with Seint Martyn (CMAELR4,4.98)

and alle other neither wolde she se ne speke with . (CMAELR4,4.99)

But for-asmuche as thou maist not kepe this straight liuynge to speke
with no man , se now with whom thou shuldist speke . (CMAELR4,4.100)

Chese the a confessour , the whiche is an auncyant man of gode fame and
of gode oppinyon , of whom thou shalt resceyue comfort in al manere
doutes and sorwes . (CMAELR4,4.101)

And in eny wyse bewar that thou kisse not hys honde ne he thyne , as it
were for | deuocyon , (CMAELR4,4.102)

for that makith deed folke , be thei neuere so olde , prone and redy to
synne . (CMAELR4,4.103)

Al this say I not oonly for the but for other that in tyme comynge mowe
atteyne to suche a forme of lyuynge . (CMAELR4,4.104)

If eny worthy persone , abbot or priour , wolde speke with the , in
presence of som honest persone thou sholdist speke with hem .
(CMAELR4,4.105)

In noo wyse be not to famulier in suche visitacions , (CMAELR4,4.106)

for bothe thy good name and thy conscience shulden so be blemysshed ,
were thei neuere so good . (CMAELR4,4.107)

For as ofte as thou seest him and herist him , so ofte in his absence
his ymage shal be enpressed in thy mynde and lette the fro many gode
meritory occupacions that thou art bounde to . (CMAELR4,4.108)

Therfor shuldest thou speke with no man but with a veyl afore thy
visage , that neuer neither of you might se other . (CMAELR4,4.109)

For I doute it not , (CMAELR4,4.110)

it is ful dredful and right perylous ofte-sithes to admitte the voyce
of a man . (CMAELR4,4.111)

Fle in eny wise the communicacyoun of yonge folke and suspecte persones
(CMAELR4,4.112)

and speke not with hem but in presence of hym that is thy <P_5> gostly
fader , (CMAELR4,5.113)

and yhit loke that gret nede cause it . (CMAELR4,5.114)

Suche silence makith muche rest in conscience . (CMAELR4,5.115)

Gete by grace the vertu of shamfastnesse , (CMAELR4,5.116)

for that arayeth a clene soule in vertuous maners and vertuous speche ;
(CMAELR4,5.117)

it gouernith the tonge , (CMAELR4,5.118)

it swagith wratthe (CMAELR4,5.119)

and auoidith chidynge . (CMAELR4,5.120)

For if a chaste soule be a-shamed honestly to speke honest thinges ,
hou shamfast shuld she be to speke vnshamful thynges or forto grucche
with wronges or forto speke with a spiryt of ire . (CMAELR4,5.121)

A recluse shuld not aunswere to a chider ne edwite hir bakbiter , but
mekely to suffre alle wronges , bothe pryue and apert , ne charge it
not as for hirself , seieng as Seint Poule seith : Michi autem pro
minimo est vt a vobis iudicer . That is to saye , ' It is to me but
litel charge al-though I be demed of you . ' (CMAELR4,5.122)

Trauaile therfor to gete reste and pees in herte (CMAELR4,5.123)

and bisely kepe it (CMAELR4,5.124)

and foryete suche outwarde thynges , hauynge hym in mynde that is
$liuyer euerlastynge , of whom the prophete seieth thus : In pace
factus est locus eius . (CMAELR4,5.125)

' His dwellynge-place is in reste and pees of conscience . '
(CMAELR4,5.126)

Oure lorde Iesu spekith by the prophete (CMAELR4,5.127)

and seieth : Super quem requiescit spiritus meus nisi super humilem et
quietem et contritum spiritu et timentem sermones meos ?
(CMAELR4,5.128)

' Vpon whom shal my spirit reste , but vpon the quiet and meke and
contrite of spirit and dredynge my wordes ? ' (CMAELR4,5.129)

Al | this I saye for that I wolde thou louedist silence and litel
speche . (CMAELR4,5.130)

<heading>

Capitulum v (CMAELR4,5.132)

Also hou a recluse shuld speke and whanne (CMAELR4,5.133)

</heading>

Now sith I haue tolde the of silence , I shal also shewe the of speche
, whan thou shalt speke . (CMAELR4,5.135)

From Exaltacyon of the Crosse vnto Estern , after tyme complyn is seyde
vnto pryme be do a-morwe , to speke with noon saaf after pryme with the
mynistres that seruen the , yit vnder fewe wordes of suche thynges as
the nedith ; (CMAELR4,5.136)

and fro that tyme tyl thou haue ete , kepe the in silence , in deuoute
praiers and holy meditacions . (CMAELR4,5.137)

And than vse communicacioun tyl euensonge-tyme (CMAELR4,5.138)

and be wel war of dissolute speche , lest oure Lorde blame the and seie
: Sedit populus manducare et bibere et surrexerunt ludere :
(CMAELR4,5.139)

' After the peple had ete and dronke , they rysen and pleyden . '
(CMAELR4,5.140)

After euensonge is do , to speke with thy mynistres of thynges that the
bihoueth , til tyme of collacioun , (CMAELR4,5.141)

and so kepe silence for al that nyght . (CMAELR4,5.142)

From Estern til the Exaltacion of the Crosse come ayen , after tyme
that complyn is seide til the sonne arise a-morwe , to kepe silence and
than to speke with thy mynistres . (CMAELR4,5.143)

After tyme pryme is seide tyl the thridde houre , to comune with othir
that comen , honestly and vnder fewe wordes . (CMAELR4,5.144)

In the saam wise shalt thou do bitwene the houre of <P_6> noon , after
thou hast ete , tyl euensonge-tyme ; (CMAELR4,6.145)

and after euensong is doon , than to speke with thy mynistres tyl the
tyme of collacyon . (CMAELR4,6.146)

But in Lente kepe silence that thou speke with noon saaf with thy
confessour and thy mynistres , or ellys but it be som body that cometh
from fer contre . (CMAELR4,6.147)

<heading>

Capitulum vj

Hou a recluse shuld be occupyed (CMAELR4,6.150)

</heading>

For-asmuche as ydelnesse is a deedly enemy to mannys soule , whiche may
be cleped moder of alle vices , wurcher of alle lustes , norsher of
veyn thoughtes , former of vnclene affeccions , sturer of vnclene
desires , greither of heuynesse , I wolde thou were not vnoccupyed ,
but with dyuerse honeste occupacions to voide this foule vice of
ydelnesse . (CMAELR4,6.152)

After tyme thou hast saide diuyne seruice , thow shalt occupie the with
som honest labour of thyn hondes (CMAELR4,6.153)

and than shalt thow renne to som pryuat prayer , as for a gret refute
and / helpe of thyn holy purpos that thou stondist inne , and vse it
now lenger , now shorter , after that thou art stured by grace :
(CMAELR4,6.154)

be wel war of multitude of psalmes in thy pryuat prayer ;
(CMAELR4,6.155)

put it in noo certeyn , (CMAELR4,6.156)

but as longe as thou delitist ther-inne , so longe vse hem .
(CMAELR4,6.157)

And whan thou begynnest to waxe heuy of hem or wery , than take a boke
(CMAELR4,6.158)

and rede , (CMAELR4,6.159)

or do som labour with thyn hondes , soo that thorugh suche diuersite of
besinesse thou might putte away slouthe and ydelnesse . (CMAELR4,6.160)

Thus shalt thou be occupied bitwene euery diuyne houre of the nyght and
of the day , from the kalendes of Nouembre vnto Lente ; so that a litel
tofore complyn thou be occupied with redynge of holy faders priuely by
thiself in stede of thy collacyon , that thou mightest by grace gete
the som compunccyon of teres and feruour of deuocion in saienge of thy
complyn . (CMAELR4,6.161)

And whan thou art thus replet and fedde with deuocion , reste the
(CMAELR4,6.162)

and go to to thy bed , restynge the there vnto the tyme that it be
passed mydnyght ; (CMAELR4,6.163)

here than thou begynne thy matyns , (CMAELR4,6.164)

for thou shalt slepe no more of al day . (CMAELR4,6.165)

This same rule shalt thou kepe from Estern vnto the kalendes of
Nouember , saaf that thou shalt slepe after mete afore the houre of
noon . (CMAELR4,6.166)

Loke also that thou be in bed after complyn , by than the sonne goo to
reste . (CMAELR4,6.167)

Take heed of oo thynge , that thou slepe not whan thou shuldest wake .
(CMAELR4,6.168)

<P_7>

<heading>

Capitalum vij (CMAELR4,7.171)

Hou deuoutly a recluse shulde behaue hyr in Lent-tyme (CMAELR4,7.172)

</heading>

Amonge al the fastynge in the yere , the fastyng in Lente excelleth and
passith al othir in dignite , the whiche not oonly religiouse peple but
also euery cristen man is bounde to kepe . (CMAELR4,7.174)

That this fastynge in Lente excellith alle othir we han witnes bothe of
the lawe , of prophetes and of the euangelistes . (CMAELR4,7.175)

Moyses fasted fourty daies and fourty nyghtes , that he might deserue
to resceyue the lawe ; (CMAELR4,7.176)

Helye the prophete fastid fourty daies and fourty nyght , that he might
deserue to here the voyce of God ; (CMAELR4,7.177)

oure lorde and oure sauyour Iesu Crist , whan he had faste fourty daies
and fourty nyght , he ouercome the fende (CMAELR4,7.178)

and anoon aungels mynistred to him . (CMAELR4,7.179)

By this myght thou se that fastynge is ayenst al temptacion a myghty /
shelde and in al tribulacion a profitable refute and to deuoute praier
a souereyn fode . (CMAELR4,7.180)

The vertu of fastynge oure Lord Iesu taughte his disciples whan he
saide that ther was o kynde of deuels might not be caste oute but by
praier and fastynge ; (CMAELR4,7.181)

al-though fastynge be the duke and the leder of al religion , without
whom chastite may not sikerly be kepte , yit the fastinge of Lente
mightily passeth al other . (CMAELR4,7.182)

Here now why : (CMAELR4,7.183)

the first place of oure duellynge was paradise . (CMAELR4,7.184)

The seconde is this worlde ful of wrecchednes . (CMAELR4,7.185)

The thridde shal be in heuen with blessed spirites and aungels , if we
wel do . (CMAELR4,7.186)

Al the tyme that we lyue in this lyf betokeneth no more than fourty
days , (CMAELR4,7.187)

for fro the tyme that Adam was put oute of paradyse vnto the last day
that we shul be delyuered oute of this worlde we lyuen in laboure ,
sorwe and drede , cast out of the sight of God , excluded from the ioye
of paradyse and fastynge from heuenly swetnes . (CMAELR4,7.188)

Thys shuldest thou euere considre and beholde in al thy werkes ,
thorugh weilynge of thy wrecchednesse , that thou art but a straunger
and a pilgrime in this wrecched worlde ; (CMAELR4,7.189)

but for we ben freel and mowe not contynuely with-oute cessynge vse
this weilynge and wepynge , holichirche by worchinge of the Holigost
hath ordeyned a certayn tyme of contynuel wailynge , the whiche is
called the tyme of Lente , for to reduce to oure mynde that we ben
putte away out of paradyse . (CMAELR4,7.190)

In the begynnynge of Lente it is saide thus : Memento quad cinis es et
in cinerem reuerteris . That is , ' Haue mynde that thou art asshes and
in-to asshes thou shalt be turned . ' (CMAELR4,7.191)

To reduce to oure mynde that we ben letted from heuenly desire , ther
is hanged bitwene vs and Crist , his flesshe and his blood , the
sacrament of the autere , a veyl . (CMAELR4,7.192)

To reduce to oure mynde that we ben fer fro that holy companye , the
whiche dwellen in blisse for euere , we leuen vnsongen in Lente a songe
and a worde of melodye that is called <P_8> Alleluia . (CMAELR4,8.193)

To reduce to oure mynde that we be not fulfilled of heuenly suetnesse ,
we coarte oure flesshe with fastynge in tyme of Lente , moor than
a-nothir tyme . (CMAELR4,8.194)

In that tyme shuld euery cristen man adde somwhat moor to his fastynge
, as in besy keping his hert from veyn thoughtes , his mouthe from veyn
speche , moor than in a-nother tyme ; (CMAELR4,8.195)

muche moor thou , that / art a recluse and shuldest passe alle othir in
lyuynge , oughtist to plese hym passingly , $vowynge thiself to his
seruice , despisyng lustes and likinges , fleynge communicacion and
daliaunce , holdynge these days weddynge days , sighynge and sorwyng ,
wepyng and wailyng , knelyng and praienge after thy lorde , thy maker ,
thyn ayenbier , thy loue and thy louyer , thy spouse and thy domesman ,
Iesu Crist . (CMAELR4,8.196)

The manere of +ti slepynge in this tyme a-fore mydnyght shal be lasse
than in a-nothir tyme , so that thou may night and day for +te moor
partie deuoutly be occupied with praier , meditacion and redyng .
(CMAELR4,8.197)

<heading>

Capitulum viij (CMAELR4,8.199)

Hou she shuld be dyeted and what shuld be hir array (CMAELR4,8.200)

</heading>

Now shal I shewe the , suster , a certeyn forme and rule of etynge and
$drynkynge and also what shal be thyn array and vesture of thy body .
(CMAELR4,8.202)

I write not this forme of lyuynge of etynge and drynkyng only to the ,
that hast euir holde thiself lowe thorugh scarsete of liflode , but to
othir whiche konnen not rule hem , that outher-4 wiln take to muche ,
either to litel . (CMAELR4,8.203)

Fro al manere of mete and drynke that the semeth shulde enflaume thy
compleccyon and make the prone and redy to synne , <em> abstyne the
</em> , but if thou be syke or feble . (CMAELR4,8.204)

Abstyne the also from mete and drinke , as thou woldist vse a medicyn .
(CMAELR4,8.205)

Al-though Seint Benet in his reule ordeyned to monkes a certeyn weight
of brede and a certeyn mesure of drynke in the day , yit natheles to
yonge folke and mighty of complexion , it is alday denyed ;
(CMAELR4,8.206)

to feble , to syke , to tendir folke of complexion , it is suffred .
(CMAELR4,8.207)

Fle delicat metes and doucet drinkes al the while thou art not syke ;
(CMAELR4,8.208)

fle hem as venym and poyson , contrary to thy clene and chast purpose .
(CMAELR4,8.209)

Serue so thy nede by etynge and drinkynge , that hunger be put away and
thyn appetyt be not fulfilled , with oo manere of potage , of wortes or
of peses or of benys , or elles of <em> formente potage </em> medled
with mylke or with oyle , to put away or a-voyde the bitternes ; and
with o kynde of fysshe , with apples or with herbes . (CMAELR4,8.210)

And vpon the Wednesday , Friday and Saturday , to vse but Lent metes .
(CMAELR4,8.211)

<P_9>

In Lente o manere of potage euery day , but siknesse it make ;
(CMAELR4,9.213)

euery Friday brede and water . (CMAELR4,9.214)

And the tyme of thy meles shal be euery day at / hye none and in
Lente-tyme after euensonge . (CMAELR4,9.215)

From Estern to Whitsontyde , outake rogacion days and $Whitsone Eue ,
thou shalt ete at mydday and sithen at euen . (CMAELR4,9.216)

This rule $shalt $tow {TEXT:shaltow} kepe al the somer-tyme , outake
Wednesday and Friday and othir solempne vigils . (CMAELR4,9.217)

Also thou maist , and thou wilt , euery fastynge day in the somer ceson
, by cause thou hast noo meridyan after noon , to slepe bitwene matyns
and pryme . (CMAELR4,9.218)

Thy vesture that thou shalt vse ben these : a warme pylche for wynter
and oo kirtel and oo cote for somer , with a blak habite aboue hem ;
and euereither tyme ij stamyns . (CMAELR4,9.219)

Also loke the veyle of thyn heed be of noo precyouse clothe but of a
mene blak , lest preciosite or dyuersite of array and of precious
coloure defoule thy soule withynne . (CMAELR4,9.220)

Be also wel war that thou haue no moor than the nedeth to $hosen and to
shoon and of other thynge that longeth to thy feet , (CMAELR4,9.221)

but rather desire pouerte (CMAELR4,9.222)

and kepe it . (CMAELR4,9.223)

Loo , sustir , (CMAELR4,9.224)

now I haue write the a forme of lyuynge touchinge thy conuersacion
after thin outwarde lyuinge . (CMAELR4,9.225)

Now shal I write the a forme of lyuynge touchinge thin ynner
conuersacion , bi the helpe of Iesu and thy deuoute prayers .
(CMAELR4,9.226)

<heading>

Capitulum ix (CMAELR4,9.228)

A short commendacyon of maydenhood and of chastite (CMAELR4,9.229)

</heading>

First take heed why thou shalt preferre solitary lyuynge aboue the
conuersacion of the worlde . (CMAELR4,9.231)

Virgo , inquit apostolus , cogitat que dei sunt , quomodo placeat deo
vt sit sancta corpore et spiritu . I=a=Cor. 7. f. That is , ' A mayde ,
' saith the apostel , ' remembrith tho thinges that ben of God and in
what wise she might plese him , by the whiche she might be holy in body
and soule . ' (CMAELR4,9.232)

This is a wilful sacrifice and a fre oblacyon , of whiche oure Lord
saith : Qui potest capere , capiat . That is , ' Whos may take , take
he ' : (CMAELR4,9.233)

as ho saith , hoo may atteyne to come to the vertu of chastite , take
he it (CMAELR4,9.234)

and forsake it not . (CMAELR4,9.235)

Hoo is he that may ? (CMAELR4,9.236)

Certys , he that oure Lorde enspirith with good wille : (CMAELR4,9.237)

therfore comaunde thyn holy purpos with al the deuocion of thin hert to
him that hath thus enspired it (CMAELR4,9.238)

and biseche him in thy praier that thou may fele , by grace , the
whiche is impossible by nature . (CMAELR4,9.239)

Thinke what mede what ioye maydenhood shal resceyue if it be contynued
; also what confusion fallith to / hem that losen it . (CMAELR4,9.240)

What is a moor preciouse tresoure than thilk that heuen is bought with
, aungels deliten in , the whiche Crist coueitith to loue and to yeue -
(CMAELR4,9.241)

what , trowist thou ? (CMAELR4,9.242)

<P_10>

Certeyn , I dar wel say , him-self and hise , (CMAELR4,10.244)

for the sweet odoure of maydenhood sauoreth mightily in the blys of
heuen . (CMAELR4,10.245)

Se now what spouse thou hast chose to the , what frende thou hast take
to the : (CMAELR4,10.246)

he passith in semlynesse the shap of eny man moor firther than the
sonne , excedynge the brightnes of the sterres , swatter than hony .
(CMAELR4,10.247)

He it is that desireth thi bewte . (CMAELR4,10.248)

In his righthonde lengthe of days , (CMAELR4,10.249)

in his lifte honde riches and ioye ; (CMAELR4,10.250)

he it is that hath chose the to his loue and wil crowne noon but such
as ben preued , (CMAELR4,10.251)

for he that is not tempted is not proued . (CMAELR4,10.252)

Thy maydenhood is golde , (CMAELR4,10.253)

thy selle is an ouen , (CMAELR4,10.254)

the fyre of this ouen is temptacyon , (CMAELR4,10.255)

the vessel that thou berist is a vessel of cley , in the whiche thy
maydenhood is hid to be preued inne . (CMAELR4,10.256)

If the fyre of temptacyon haue the maistrie , than is thy golden
maydenhood lost (CMAELR4,10.257)

and thy vessel may neuere be reparailed ayen in-to the same estat .
(CMAELR4,10.258)

These thinges shuld a mayde bisely kepe with gret drede and besinesse ,
that so lightly may be lost and so profitably be kept .
(CMAELR4,10.259)

She shuld thenke on that blessed lombe , whider-so-euere he goo ; and
on oure blessed Lady goynge afore the queer of maydens , syngynge a
songe that noon othir may synge but suche as ben vndefouled .
(CMAELR4,10.260)

Trowist thou not that thou maist lese thy maydenhod but thorugh
felouship of man : (CMAELR4,10.261)

yhis certeyn , ful foule and $abhomynably ; (CMAELR4,10.262)

be war of that . (CMAELR4,10.263)

A mayde shulde therfore thenke that alle hyr lymes ben halowed ,
incorporat to the Holy Gost ; (CMAELR4,10.264)

God forbede than that suche holy lymes shuld be youe to the fende .
(CMAELR4,10.265)

Strecche out therfor al thy wille in kepynge this maydenhode
(CMAELR4,10.266)

and atteyne , if thou maist come to that vertu , that thou may holde
honger , delices ; pouerte , rychesse ; dredful of mete and drynke , of
sleep , of worde , lest thou excede and passe the bondes of nede ,
wenynge that thou susteynest thy flesshe and thou norshist thyn enemy
and thyn aduersary . (CMAELR4,10.267)

Whan thow sittist at thy mete , than shuldest thou chewe vpon chastite
and clennes , desirynge that Iesu Crist thy spouse shuld make it parfyt
in the , with syghinge and snobbynge , wepynge and / wailynge ;
(CMAELR4,10.268)

and if thou do thus , than $shalt $tow {TEXT:shaltow} litel lust haue
of mete or of drynke but as nede axith , and vnnethes that .
(CMAELR4,10.269)

<heading>

Capitulum x (CMAELR4,10.271)

Hou a recluse or an ankeras shuld comende hir chastite to God .
(CMAELR4,10.272)

</heading>

Therfore , suster , whan thou gost to reste atte euen , commende thy
clennes in-to his hondes that loueth clene and chaste soules ,
remembrynge the hou thou hast mysspended the day , in thought , in
worde and in dede , by lightnes , ydelnes and negligence passynge the
bondes of honest gladnes and by dissolucyon of chere . (CMAELR4,10.274)

If eny of these comen <P_11> to thy mynde , wayle hem (CMAELR4,11.275)

and wepe hem (CMAELR4,11.276)

and smyte the on the brest , that thou might the sonner by grace be
reconcyled to thy lord Iesu Crist . (CMAELR4,11.277)

If thy body be stured with an vnclene heet of flesshly lust thorugh
entysynge of the fende , slepynge or wakynge , anoon remembre the of
these holy maydens , as Agnes , Cecile , Lucye and other moo , the
whiche ouercomen her enemyes and hadden the victory in tendir age ,
(CMAELR4,11.278)

for they yaf no more , forsothe , of gold and siluer , riche array and
precyous stones , than they wolden by the foulist fen in the felde .
(CMAELR4,11.279)

They chargeden no more the flaterynge of the domesman than the
thretnynge , but rather dredynge the sparynge of him than his
punysshynge . (CMAELR4,11.280)

And somme ther were , as Seint Agnes , the whiche thorugh her prayer
turned a bordel hous in-to an oratory ; (CMAELR4,11.281)

and the aungel of God was nyhe to auenge hir of hir enemy .
(CMAELR4,11.282)

So if thou praye with teres of contricion whan thou art traueiled with
vnchastite , trust right wel that an aungel , keper of thy chastite ,
shal be ful nye . (CMAELR4,11.283)

We rede also of othir maydens , whan thei were put in the fyre to be
brent , the fire vanysshed and did hem no harme . (CMAELR4,11.284)

Why ? (CMAELR4,11.285)

Certeyn for the leyt of flesshly lust was quenched in hem ; and also
for the fyre of charite , the whiche brenned withinne , ouercame the
fire that brent with-oute . (CMAELR4,11.286)

As ofte , therfore , as thou art stured to vnclennes , haue mynde on
oure Lorde that beholdith the and what thou thenkest , he wote .
(CMAELR4,11.287)

Also yelde reuerence to the aungel the $whiche <em> cherisshith the
</em> day and nyght , (CMAELR4,11.288)

and say to thyn enemy , ' I haue an aungel to my loue , that bisely
kepith me day and nyght . ' (CMAELR4,11.289)

If it need be , adde therto abstynence and other manere turmentynge of
thy flesshe , (CMAELR4,11.290)

for truste it wel , (CMAELR4,11.291)

where moche turmentynge is by affliccyon in flesshe , there is / litel
flesshly delectacyon or noon . (CMAELR4,11.292)

For if I shulde not flatere the but say the sothe , chastite may not
wel be kepte in yonge folke withoute gret affliccion of the body , sith
it so is that in olde folke and syke it stondith in gret perel .
(CMAELR4,11.293)

Natheles , though chastite be a yifte of God and may not be gote ne had
with-out him , be we yit neuere so vertuous , whan we han it we shulden
kepe it as vertuously as we konne with affliccyon of oure flesshe , or
by othir vertuouse menes . (CMAELR4,11.294)

It is ful harde to be amonge occasyon and not to be stured either by
etynge of deliciouse metes , or drinkynge of deliciouse drinkes , or
amongst conuersacion of children . (CMAELR4,11.295)

I knewe a man that passingly was traueiled in the begynnynge of his
conuersion with many vnclene thoughtes , by the whiche he dredde hym to
falle . (CMAELR4,11.296)

Atte last sodenly he roes ayen himself , no thinge hatynge so moche as
himself , vnto the tyme that he had brought hym so lowe <P_12> by
turmentynge of his flesshe that almost he failed for defaute .
(CMAELR4,12.297)

After that he say himself feble and wayke , (CMAELR4,12.298)

needfully he began to strengthe himself ayen litel and litel .
(CMAELR4,12.299)

Thanne eftesone the saam temptacyon was as breem vpon hym after as it
was before , or moor : (CMAELR4,12.300)

he praide , (CMAELR4,12.301)

he wepte , (CMAELR4,12.302)

he snobbed , (CMAELR4,12.303)

he wailed , (CMAELR4,12.304)

he bathed him in colde watir (CMAELR4,12.305)

and rubbed his body with netlys , that the tone hete shuld ouercome the
tother ; (CMAELR4,12.306)

not-withstondynge al this , the spirit of vnclennes lefte him not ,
(CMAELR4,12.307)

but trauailed him mightily . (CMAELR4,12.308)

Than he fel down atte fete of oure lord Iesu , besechinge him either to
delyuere hym out of this present lyf , if it plesed him , either hele
him of these vnclene thoughtes . (CMAELR4,12.309)

And euere he saide with stedfaste abidynge , ' Lord , I shal not cesse
cryenge , (CMAELR4,12.310)

I shal not go fro the , (CMAELR4,12.311)

I shal not leeue the tyl thou graunte me that I aske . '
(CMAELR4,12.312)

Sone after this he fonde rest for a tyme , (CMAELR4,12.313)

but sikernesse might he noon gete (CMAELR4,12.314)

and this passion lefte him neuere , yonge ne olde , (CMAELR4,12.315)

but euere in sondry tymes began vpon him fresshe and fresshe .
(CMAELR4,12.316)

Sithen oure Lord suffred thus a chosen soule be traueiled that mightily
withstood it , what shulden we say of hem that holden hem so seker that
, though they hadden oportunyte , leyser , tyme or space , thei witen
wel thei shold not falle ? (CMAELR4,12.317)

Certeyn I dar wel seie , thay ben deceyued , / (CMAELR4,12.318)

for though the hete be quenched in somme , the wille and the desire is
not so . (CMAELR4,12.319)

Therfor , suster , haue noo sikernesse of thiself (CMAELR4,12.320)

but alway be dredful , hauynge thiself suspect , (CMAELR4,12.321)

and doo as the culuer doth , that seeth in ryuers al a-fer the ensaute
and the pursute of hir enemy . (CMAELR4,12.322)

So do thou : (CMAELR4,12.323)

beholde in the ryuers of holy wryt hou besy thyn enemy is to ouercome
the (CMAELR4,12.324)

and fle hym , (CMAELR4,12.325)

for ther is no thinge that ouercometh so sone the fende as doth redynge
of deuoute thinge and prayer and meditacyon of Cristys passyon .
(CMAELR4,12.326)

A mayde shuld so be occupied vpon oon of these thre , prayer ,
meditacion , or redynge , that though she were stured to do vnlauful
thinges , she shuld not be suffred for remors of conscience .
(CMAELR4,12.327)

Vse wel this remedye , that whether thou slepe or wake , thy mynde be
euere vpon sum sentence of holy writ or vpon som seyntes lyf ,
(CMAELR4,12.328)

for it is a souerayne remedy ayenst temptacyon . (CMAELR4,12.329)

<heading>

Capitulum xj (CMAELR4,12.331)

How somme dreden hem to doo wilful bodily penaunce for drede of
infirmyte . (CMAELR4,12.332)

</heading>

Somme ther ben that wil not vse bodily affliccion by wakynge , by
abstinence , by liggynge , by weryng and such othir , for drede of
bodily infirmyte , lest thei shulde herby be chargeous to her frendes .
(CMAELR4,12.334)

This is an excusacion of synne , (CMAELR4,12.335)

for fewe ther ben the whiche han this feruour to chastise her body so .
(CMAELR4,12.336)

Alle men ben witty and wyse and discret now-a-days , (CMAELR4,12.337)

for for the drede of bodily siknes thei ben negligent aboute the helthe
of her <P_13> soule , as though thei myghten bettir suffre , and were
moor tolerable , temptacion than honger of the wombe : (CMAELR4,13.338)

treuly thei ben to fauorable to hemself . (CMAELR4,13.339)

Be war of that wyle , that for encheson of bodily infirmyte thou falle
in-to vnleeful thoughtes of flesshly lustes . (CMAELR4,13.340)

For certeyn if it happe thou be syke or weyke , or thy stomak waxe drye
for abstynence , than shal al maner likynges and flesshly delectacions
be to the rather peynful than delitable or lustful . (CMAELR4,13.341)

I knewe a man whiche might not kepe hym chaste , for cause he was
$custumably vsed to vnclennes in tendir age . (CMAELR4,13.342)

Atte last he turned to himself (CMAELR4,13.343)

and byhelde hou he had mysspended his lyf ; (CMAELR4,13.344)

he waxe therby hugely ashamed (CMAELR4,13.345)

and began with hymself a myghty batayl / of abstinence , that vnnethes
wolde he suffre the body to resceyue that it neded , (CMAELR4,13.346)

but ofte withdrowe it ; (CMAELR4,13.347)

he waxe sad , (CMAELR4,13.348)

he spak litel , (CMAELR4,13.349)

ther was noo creature after that tyme sawe him iape ne lawghe ne herde
him speke an ydel worde ; (CMAELR4,13.350)

he auoyded so al manere comforte of bodily thinges , that neither-2 he
fonde eese in etynge ne drinkynge ne slepinge ; (CMAELR4,13.351)

he was euere so scrupulous in conscience of mysspendynge of his
thoughtes , that he had euere ynow to do in amendynge of his lyf by
confession . (CMAELR4,13.352)

Stood he , (CMAELR4,13.353)

sate he , (CMAELR4,13.354)

wente he , (CMAELR4,13.355)

wroughte he (CMAELR4,13.356)

and what-so-euere he dide , him thoughte he stood and was presented
afore the dredful doom ; (CMAELR4,13.357)

he was so aferde that he dorst neuere lifte vp his eyen from the erthe
. (CMAELR4,13.358)

Trowist thou not that alle these thinges dide him not gret eese ?
(CMAELR4,13.359)

Yhis certeyn , he wanne herby the victory of his enemy :
(CMAELR4,13.360)

after this he fel in gret passyng siknesse by an entishynge of his
stomak (CMAELR4,13.361)

and yit not-withstondinge whan he shuld take his rest and ese of his
body for febilnes and wolde slepe , than wolde he say thus to himself ,
' Abyde now a litel while , (CMAELR4,13.362)

for Iesu Crist cometh anoon to the doom . ' (CMAELR4,13.363)

I say not this for that I wolde destroie thy discrecyon , but for I
wolde thou fleddist the matier of vices , as of glotonye , slouthe ,
lechery , rest of body , familiarite and suche other ; (CMAELR4,13.364)

for often-tymes vnder colour of false discrecyon we hyden flesshly lust
. (CMAELR4,13.365)

If it be discrecyon to put the soule aboue the body in reuerence , than
is it discrecion to put the body bynethe the soule by subieccyon
(CMAELR4,13.366)

and that may not be if thou suffre the body haue his wille .
(CMAELR4,13.367)

Alle this I say for thou shuldest knowe what besynesse is in the
kepynge of the vertu of chastite . (CMAELR4,13.368)

<heading>

CAPITULUM XIJ (CMAELR4,13.370)

HOU CHASTITE WITH-OUTE MEKENES IS AS A DRYE FLOURE . (CMAELR4,13.371)

</heading>

Al-though chastite be the flour of alle vertues , yit with-oute
mekenesse she waxith drye (CMAELR4,13.373)

and fadith his colour . (CMAELR4,13.374)

Therfor I shal telle the somwhat of mekenes : (CMAELR4,13.375)

ther is noon so syker a grounde and stable <P_14> foundement anemst
alle vertues as is mekenesse , with-oute whom alle gostly begynnynges
ben ful ruynous . (CMAELR4,14.376)

Right as mekenesse is the grounde of alle vertues , as I haue saide
bifore , so is pride the grounde and the moder of alle vices , the
whiche caste Lucifer out of heuen and Adam oute of paradys .
(CMAELR4,14.377)

Of this wrecched rote springen many $braunches : (CMAELR4,14.378)

natheles alle mown be diuyded in-to too spices , that is in-to bodily
pride and gostly pride . (CMAELR4,14.379)

Bodily pride stondith in bostynge and veyn-glory of outwarde bodily
thinges . (CMAELR4,14.380)

Gostly pride stondith in bostynge and veyn-glory of inwarde gostly
thynges . (CMAELR4,14.381)

Than if thou that shuldist be Cristys mayde haue eny veyn-glory with-in
thiself of eny array , of nobleye , of $tyre , of beute , of shap of
body , of semelyheed or of dyuerse ornamentes of thy selle , of clothes
, of peyntures or of ymages and suche othir , thou offendist thy lorde
and thy special louyer in pride of outward thinges . (CMAELR4,14.382)

If thou haue eny veyn-glory of thy poure array for Goddis sake , of
deuocyons , of gostly felynges , of diuerse preseruacions day or nyght
, not thonkynge Iesu Crist therfore bot wenynge that it cometh of
thiself , than thou offendist thy lord and thy special louyer in pride
of inward thinges . (CMAELR4,14.383)

Oure Lord whom thou louest so specialy , whan he cam in-to this worlde
, he made hym poure to make the riche (CMAELR4,14.384)

and he chees a poure moder , a pore house , a poure meyne and a cracche
to lye inne , in stede of a ryal bedde . (CMAELR4,14.385)

Loue him therfor wel (CMAELR4,14.386)

and thanke him that he hath so enspired the to chese rather chastite
and clennes than flesshly lust and likynge , (CMAELR4,14.387)

for certeyn thou hast chosen the best part ; (CMAELR4,14.388)

kepe it if thou may (CMAELR4,14.389)

and if thou be ioyful , be thou ioyful in God with-in-forthe ,
(CMAELR4,14.390)

for +te prophete saith thus : Omnis gloria filie regis abintus in
fimbreis aureis circumamicta varietatibus . (CMAELR4,14.391)

' Al the ioye of the kinges doughter ' , he saith , ' he shuld be
with-in-forthe , in golden hemmes vmbigon with diuersitees of vertues ,
' (CMAELR4,14.392)

and there may she here his fader speke to hir and say , as the prophete
saith : Audi filia et vide et inclina aurem tuam et obliuiscere populum
tuum et domum patris tui quia concupiscet rex decorem tuum . That is to
say , ' Here , doughter , and se and bowe down thyn eere . '
(CMAELR4,14.393)

Why ? (CMAELR4,14.394)

To listne what he saith (CMAELR4,14.395)

' Foryete the peple of veyn thoughtes and thy fadirs hous , that is to
say of worldly vanitees , (CMAELR4,14.396)

for the kynge my sone hath desired thy beute . ' (CMAELR4,14.397)

This is a blessed wower , that wowith for his sone . (CMAELR4,14.398)

Here therfore (CMAELR4,14.399)

and se , (CMAELR4,14.400)

al this shuld be thyn in ioye ; (CMAELR4,14.401)

this ioye shuld be witnes of thy conscience , (CMAELR4,14.402)

this ioye shuld be thy gardeyn , thyn orcharde and thy disport .
(CMAELR4,14.403)

Ther maist thow beholde and se hou dyuerse vertues swetely semblen hem
togidir : (CMAELR4,14.404)

euery of hem encressith other vertues and fairnes , (CMAELR4,14.405)

for she that is fair ynowgh in hir owen kynde , is fairir for hir
<P_15> felowe . (CMAELR4,15.406)

Se now how : (CMAELR4,15.407)

couple mekenes to chastite (CMAELR4,15.408)

and ther is no thynge brighter ; (CMAELR4,15.409)

couple mercy to rightwesnes (CMAELR4,15.410)

and ther is noo thynge swetter ; (CMAELR4,15.411)

couple symplenes to prudence (CMAELR4,15.412)

and ther is no thynge lighter ; (CMAELR4,15.413)

couple myldenes to strengthe (CMAELR4,15.414)

and ther is no thynge profitabler . (CMAELR4,15.415)

In this dyuersite of vertues occupie thy gostly eye in thy disport
(CMAELR4,15.416)

and forme hem in thiself ; (CMAELR4,15.417)

and if thou annexe hem to the gilden hemmes , than art thou rialy
arrayed with a mottely cote , the whiche thy lord Iesu hath ordeyned
for +te . (CMAELR4,15.418)

An hemme is the lower partie and , as were , the ende of a cote .
(CMAELR4,15.419)

By this hemme I vnderstonde charite , whiche is the ende and the hemme
of al the lawe , in a clene herte , a good conscience and a trewe feith
. (CMAELR4,15.420)

In these thinges sette al thy ioye inwardly , and not in outwarde
thinges . (CMAELR4,15.421)

<heading>

CAPITULUM XIIJ (CMAELR4,15.423)

HOW THE AWTIER OF A RECLUSE ORATORYE SHULD BE ARRAYED (CMAELR4,15.424)

</heading>

Now shal I shewe the how thou shalt arraye thyn oratory .
(CMAELR4,15.426)

Arraye thyn autier with white lynnen clothe , the whiche bitokeneth
bothe chastite and symplenesse , (CMAELR4,15.427)

Thenke first hou flexe cometh oute of the erthe and with gret labour is
maad white , as with dyuerse wasshinges and purginges , and than dryed
(CMAELR4,15.428)

and $at $te {TEXT:atte} last , to make it moor whyte , it nedeth to
haue both fire and water . (CMAELR4,15.429)

By this flexe I vnderstonde al mankynde that cam oute of the erthe ,
the whiche mankynde is by grace maad white by baptem , where that
wickednes is put a-way , but not infirmyte , (CMAELR4,15.430)

for in partie we resceyue clennes in baptem but not fully , for cause
of corrupcyon of nature that aboundith in vs . (CMAELR4,15.431)

After this baptem mankynde nedeth to be dryed by abstinence and other
bodely affliccyons from vnclene an vnleeful humours (CMAELR4,15.432)

and than nedith mankynde to be brused with yren hamours , that is with
dyuerse temptacions and so be rent with dyuerse hokes of disciplynes
and confessions to auoyde the foule rust of synne of quotidyan defautes
the whiche thei beren aboute . (CMAELR4,15.433)

And firthermore , if thei wil ascende to an hyer grace of moor clennes
, that is chastite , than mosten +tei passe by fire of tribulacion and
water of compunccyon . (CMAELR4,15.434)

Thus shalt thou arraye thyn autier of thyn oratorye . (CMAELR4,15.435)

In this autere sette an ymage of Cristis passion , that thou may haue
mynde and se hou he sette and spredde his armes a-brood to resceyue the
and al mankynde to mercy , if thai wil axe it . (CMAELR4,15.436)

And if it plese the , sette on that oo syde an ymage of oure Lady and
a-nother on that other syde of Seint Iohn , for commendacyon of moor
chastite , in token that oure Lord is wel plesed with chastite , bothe
of man and of womman , the whiche he $halowed in oure Lady and Seint
Iohn . (CMAELR4,15.437)

Beholde the ymage of oure Lady (CMAELR4,15.438)

and thenke that she is helper of mankynde , ioye of <P_16> heuen ,
refute of wrecches , solace and comfort of disperate , lady of the
worlde , queen of heuen . (CMAELR4,16.439)

And than renne to Cristys passyon , sekynge therin oo thynge , that is
oure Lorde himself , (CMAELR4,16.440)

for who-so cleueth to him , he is oo spiryt with hym , passynge in-to
hym , the whiche is alway the same , whos yeres faylen neuere .
(CMAELR4,16.441)

This cleuynge to Iesu is no thynge elles but charite , whiche is the
hemme and the ende of al the lawe , as I haue saide before .
(CMAELR4,16.442)

Now haue I shewed the a motley cote , a weddynge cote , a cote with
golden hemmes , the whiche shuld be a maydens cote , vmbigoon with
diuersitees of vertues , annexed to the $whiche the hemme of charite ,
the whiche charite is dyuyded in-to tweyne , loue of God and loue of
thy neighboure ; (CMAELR4,16.443)

the loue of thy neighbore stondith in good wille and in innocence .
(CMAELR4,16.444)

Good wille wolde that al that thou woldist men diden to the , thou
shuldest do to hem . (CMAELR4,16.445)

Innocence wolde that thou sholdest not do to a-no+ter , the whiche thou
woldist not were doon to the . (CMAELR4,16.446)

The first the semeth is harde , sith thy profession wolde that thou
sholdist noo temperal good haue ; (CMAELR4,16.447)

nay , is it not so . (CMAELR4,16.448)

The seconde the semeth is light ynowgh , (CMAELR4,16.449)

for thou maist hurte no man but with thy tonge . (CMAELR4,16.450)

Certeyn the first is as light as thys , (CMAELR4,16.451)

for ther may no matere be of yuel wille wher no couetise is ;
(CMAELR4,16.452)

therfore wilne wel to alle folke (CMAELR4,16.453)

and do the profyt that thou maist . (CMAELR4,16.454)

Perauenture thou saist , ' What profyt shal I doo , sith I may be
suffred to haue no thynge forto yeue to pore folke ? ' (CMAELR4,16.455)

Thou seist wel , good suster ; (CMAELR4,16.456)

knowe what staat thou standist in . (CMAELR4,16.457)

Ther wern too sustirs : that one Martha and that o+tir Maria , as the
gospel tellith ; (CMAELR4,16.458)

that oon labored , (CMAELR4,16.459)

and that other was as she were ydel ; (CMAELR4,16.460)

that one yaf , (CMAELR4,16.461)

the tothir asked ; (CMAELR4,16.462)

the tone serued , (CMAELR4,16.463)

the tothir norisshed hir affeccyon , not rennynge aboute hyder and
tyder in resceyuynge of pore gestes ne distrayt of gouernayl of
housholde , (CMAELR4,16.464)

but she saat at Iesus feet , herynge deuoutly what he saide .
(CMAELR4,16.465)

This is thy part , suster , (CMAELR4,16.466)

in this stondist thou , dere sustir , (CMAELR4,16.467)

for thou art deed and buryed to the worlde . (CMAELR4,16.468)

Martha was commended as for good occupacion , (CMAELR4,16.469)

but Marye was commended of oure Lorde as for the better partye .
(CMAELR4,16.470)

Trowist thow that Marye grucched of Martha ? (CMAELR4,16.471)

Nay , but rather Martha of Marye . (CMAELR4,16.472)

<P_17>

<heading>

Capitulum xiiij (CMAELR4,17.475)

Hou a recleuse shuld encresse the loue of Iesu in hir soule by
meditacion of +tinges whiche ben passed . Also of the meditacion of
+tinges that ben present . Also by meditacion of thinges whiche ben to
come (CMAELR4,17.476)

</heading>

Thus moche haue I seyde of the loue of neighbore ; (CMAELR4,17.478)

now shal I telle the of the loue of God , hou thou shalt loue him .
(CMAELR4,17.479)

To the loue of God longeth too thinges , desire of the soule and
worchinge of the body . (CMAELR4,17.480)

Desire of the soule lyethe in +te swetnes of gostly loue ;
(CMAELR4,17.481)

vertuous worchinge of the body stondith in a maner of lyuynge , the
whiche is in fastinge , in wakynge , in laboure , in prayenge , in
redynge , in silence , in pouert and suche other . (CMAELR4,17.482)

The desire of thy soule is norsshed with holy meditacions .
(CMAELR4,17.483)

Than if the loue of Iesu shuld growe and encresse in thy desire , thre
thinges the nedeth to haue in mynde . That is , thinges <P_18> the
whiche ben passed , thinges that ben present and thinges whiche ben to
come . (CMAELR4,18.484)

As touchinge to the first , whan thy soule is purged clerly from alle
vnclene thoughtes , than entre in-to that pryue chambre where oure
blessed Lady praide deuoutly vnto the tyme the aungel grette hir ,
beholdyng bisely hou she was occupied with redynge of suche prophecies
in the whiche weren profecyed / Cristis comynge thorugh a maydens
birthe . (CMAELR4,18.485)

Abyde there awhile (CMAELR4,18.486)

and thou shalt se hou the aungel cometh and gretith hir , seieng thus :
Aue Maria gracia plena , dominus tecum . (CMAELR4,18.487)

Al-though thow be astonyed of this seconde comynge , natheles dresse
the vpward (CMAELR4,18.488)

and grete oure Lady with the aungel (CMAELR4,18.489)

and saye , Aue Maria gracia etcetera ; (CMAELR4,18.490)

reherse and efte reherse the saam , merueilynge what fulnes of grace
this might be , of the whiche al the worlde is fulfilled .
(CMAELR4,18.491)

Also beholde and meruaile the with deuocyon , what lord this myght be ,
the whiche vouchith-saaf to ben enclosed in a maydens wombe ;
(CMAELR4,18.492)

than speke to hir (CMAELR4,18.493)

and say , ' O blessed lady , what swetnesse myght that be that thou
were fulfilled with ? (CMAELR4,18.494)

What fire might that be , that thou were enflaumed with , whan a
blessed lord chees a bodily substaunce , verray blode and flesshe of
thy body , and whan thou felist the presence of his gostly maieste in
thy blessed wombe ? ' . (CMAELR4,18.495)

This shuld be a maydens meditacion . (CMAELR4,18.496)

Than goo furth with hir in-to the mountaynes and beholde the gretynge
bitwene hir and Elizabeth , where also the seruaunt knewe his lorde and
with passynge ioye dide him reuerence , enclosed yit in the moder wombe
. (CMAELR4,18.497)

Mayde , what dost thou now ? (CMAELR4,18.498)

I praie +te , renne furth (CMAELR4,18.499)

and annexe the to that ioye ; (CMAELR4,18.500)

falle dovn to euereither feet (CMAELR4,18.501)

and in the maydens wombe wurshipe thy lorde and thyn husbonde
(CMAELR4,18.502)

and in the wombe of the tother beholde louely thy frende .
(CMAELR4,18.503)

Yit the nedeth to folewe hir firther in-to Bethleem with gret deuocyon
and whan thou comest there , be to hir obsequyous atte birthe of hir
childe and than breke oute and say with the prophete : Paruulus natus
est nobis et filius datus est nobis . That is to say , ' A litel
blessed childe is born to vs and a graciouse sone is youen to vs . '
(CMAELR4,18.504)

Leeue not for no shame , (CMAELR4,18.505)

but that thou kisse the cracche the whiche he lay in , putte a-way
drede with affeccyon and shame with loue ; (CMAELR4,18.506)

after this occupye thy mynde vpon +te shepherdes wakyng wacche and vpon
the songe of aungels ; (CMAELR4,18.507)

to that blessed melody put the boldely in prees , bothe-1 with hert and
mouthe syngynge : Gloria in excelsis deo et in terra pax hominibus bone
voluntatis . (CMAELR4,18.508)

Foryete not in thy meditacion the offrynge of thre kinges ,
(CMAELR4,18.509)

ne forsake not his company whan he fledde in-to Egipte ,
(CMAELR4,18.510)

but folewe him with as gret deuocyon as he can yeue the .
(CMAELR4,18.511)

<P_19>

Were it not , trowist thou , a faire meditacyon to beholde / hym , hou
he obeyed to his moder , helpyng his norisshe Ioseph ? What and thou
soughtist him in Ierusalem with his moder , sittynge in the temple
amonge doctours , techynge and axinge questions ? (CMAELR4,19.513)

O what abundaunce of teres schuldist thou than haue , whan thou herdist
the moder mekely rebuke the childe , seyeng thus : Fili , quid fecisti
nobis sic ? Pater tuus et ego dolentes querebamus te . That is to say ,
' Sone , why $hast $tow {TEXT:hastow} do to vs so ? (CMAELR4,19.514)

Thy fader and I with gret sorwe haue sought the . ' (CMAELR4,19.515)

Wilt thov yit se pryuyer thynges ? (CMAELR4,19.516)

Go furthe to the place wher he was baptised (CMAELR4,19.517)

and there shalt thou here the Fader in a voyce , the Sone in the
flesshe , the Holy Gost in liknes of a culuer . (CMAELR4,19.518)

Folewe yit this mayde vnto the feste of Architriclyne (CMAELR4,19.519)

and there beholde a gostly weddynge and water turned in-to wyne ;
(CMAELR4,19.520)

preye than thy gostly spouse Iesu that thy water of teres mown be
turned in-to delicyous wyne of brennynge loue . (CMAELR4,19.521)

Yit passe further (CMAELR4,19.522)

and beholde what Iesu saide to the womman the whiche was accused of
auoutrye ; (CMAELR4,19.523)

ymagyne here hou mercifully , hou pitously , hou louely , how
graciously he lyfte vp his eyen and hou swetly he assoiled hir whan he
had a-shamed hir accusours and seyde : Nemo condempnauit te , mulier ,
nec ego te condempnabo . Vade et iam amplius noli peccare . That is to
say , ' Womman , noo body hath condempned the ne I condempne the not ;
(CMAELR4,19.524)

go now (CMAELR4,19.525)

and be in wille to synne no more . ' (CMAELR4,19.526)

Praye him here that thou mowe disserue to here his blessed voys ,
though thou be vnworthy . (CMAELR4,19.527)

Who is he , trowist thou , wil condempne , if he say , ' I wil not
condempne ' ? (CMAELR4,19.528)

Certeyn noon . (CMAELR4,19.529)

Wilt thou se moor ? (CMAELR4,19.530)

Go forthe in-to the pharisees hous (CMAELR4,19.531)

and se hou thy lorde is sette atte mete . (CMAELR4,19.532)

Seest thou not hov Mary Magdalen , that blessed synner , wassh Iesus
feet with teres and dried hem with her heres and swetly kissed hem ?
(CMAELR4,19.533)

At last she anoynted hem with an holy oynement ; (CMAELR4,19.534)

go furthe (CMAELR4,19.535)

and do the saam (CMAELR4,19.536)

and if he wil denye it the , lette not therfore , (CMAELR4,19.537)

but go , (CMAELR4,19.538)

procede furth contynuely with besy praier ; (CMAELR4,19.539)

beholdynge hym with thy soor wepynge and weylinge , axe hym that thou
desirest . (CMAELR4,19.540)

Wrastle with him as Iacob dide , that he may be ioyful to be ouercome
of the . (CMAELR4,19.541)

It semeth other-while that Iesu turneth away from the and , as it were
, hydeth hys feet from the , (CMAELR4,19.542)

yit natheles praye and crye to hym with an vnpacyent loue .
(CMAELR4,19.543)

Certeyn , if thou crye so , he wil not / denye his feet fro the to be
moysted with thy teres , that vouched-saaf to suffre hem be kyssed of a
synner . (CMAELR4,19.544)

Bythenke the firthermoor (CMAELR4,19.545)

and se now hov a man that had the palseye was leyde at Iesus feet ,
axinge help of body and no thynge elles , (CMAELR4,19.546)

and yit our Lorde by his merueilous mekenes and vnspecable mercy
graunted hym that he axed (CMAELR4,19.547)

and yaf him therto helthe of soule , sayinge thus : Remittuntur tibi ,
fili , peccata tua ; that is , ' Sone , thy <P_20> synnes ben foryeue ;
ryse and goo . ' (CMAELR4,20.548)

Now lyfte vp thin $hondes (CMAELR4,20.549)

and pray to hym with snobbynge teres , that he vouche-saaf to foryeue
the thy synnes . (CMAELR4,20.550)

And thou wolt do wel , (CMAELR4,20.551)

yit go further in-to Bethanye , where the blessed bondes of loue and
frendship were knytte for euere bitwene oure Lorde and Mary Magdalen
and Martha and Lazarus . (CMAELR4,20.552)

Truste right wel , (CMAELR4,20.553)

he loued wel Lazar , wytnes of the blessed teres that he wepte for hym
. (CMAELR4,20.554)

Beholde now what was doon to oure Lord when he was sette atte soper :
(CMAELR4,20.555)

Martha serued , (CMAELR4,20.556)

Lazarus saat with him atte soper (CMAELR4,20.557)

and Mary anoynted hym . (CMAELR4,20.558)

Art thou not wel apayde to se thys ? (CMAELR4,20.559)

Truste right wel , (CMAELR4,20.560)

this last office longith to the . (CMAELR4,20.561)

Therfore breke the harde alebastir boxe of thyn hert (CMAELR4,20.562)

and that that is with-in of deuocyon , of loue , of desire or of
affeccyon , helde it on Iesu thy spouses heed , wurshipynge God in man
and man in God . (CMAELR4,20.563)

Though the pharise grucche with the as he dyde with Mary , charge it
not , (CMAELR4,20.564)

for Iesu will excuse the . (CMAELR4,20.565)

Leeue not this blessed idelnes for Marthays besynesse ,
(CMAELR4,20.566)

for treuly thou hast chose the best partye . (CMAELR4,20.567)

Arise now (CMAELR4,20.568)

and lete vs go hens ; (CMAELR4,20.569)

whider , trowist thou ? (CMAELR4,20.570)

Certayn to folowe hym in-to Ierusalem , beholdynge hym hou he rideth on
an asse towarde hys passyon . (CMAELR4,20.571)

Leeue hym not now (CMAELR4,20.572)

but go with him in-to the hous where he made a soper to his disciples .
(CMAELR4,20.573)

Be not ashamed , al-though thou be a womman , to come amonge men ;
(CMAELR4,20.574)

let loue put away shame , (CMAELR4,20.575)

or elles stonde a-fer as a pore womman (CMAELR4,20.576)

and axe sum almes with wepyng teres . (CMAELR4,20.577)

Loke vp now , I praye the , (CMAELR4,20.578)

seest thou not who is he that leieth his heed so homly in Cristys lappe
? (CMAELR4,20.579)

He is a blessed man , what-so-euere he be . (CMAELR4,20.580)

I praye the , what hatte he ? (CMAELR4,20.581)

Certes his name is Iohn . (CMAELR4,20.582)

O Iohn , what grace , what swetnes , what deuocion foundist thou there
, I praye +te telle me ? (CMAELR4,20.583)

Certeyn ther-yn is al the tresour , / I trowe , of wisdom and konnynge
hyd , (CMAELR4,20.584)

for it is a welle of mercy , an hous of pyte and an honycombe of
euerlastynge swetnes . (CMAELR4,20.585)

Blessed Iohn , hou disseruedist thou to come to this grace ?
(CMAELR4,20.586)

Whethir thou be hyer than Petir and holyer than Andrew , worthier than
Iames ? (CMAELR4,20.587)

This , woot I wel , is a specyal priuilege , certeyn , I trowe ,
(CMAELR4,20.588)

for thou art a mayde chosen of oure Lord ; (CMAELR4,20.589)

go to the mayde now (CMAELR4,20.590)

and axe hym som part of this swetnesse to norisshe with thy deuocion .
(CMAELR4,20.591)

Herkne now , (CMAELR4,20.592)

herkne , (CMAELR4,20.593)

herist thow not what oure Lord saith to his Fader for his disciples ?
Pater , serua eos in nomine meo ; that is , ' Fader , kepe my disciples
in my name , for I wil that where I am , they ben with me . '
(CMAELR4,20.594)

Bowe down thyn heed , that thou be oon of thou . (CMAELR4,20.595)

O here is good abidynge , ho-so myght tarye , (CMAELR4,20.596)

bot thou must yit go ferther and folewe hym , as it were al a-fer ,
vnto the Mounte of Olyuete and forsake him not . (CMAELR4,20.597)

Al-though he toke with hym Petir and Iohn and Iames to <P_21> trete
wi+t hem of the counceyle of his passyon , yit he forbiddith the not ,
and thou wilt come . (CMAELR4,21.598)

Seest thou not now hov he fallith dovn and praieth and how he swetith
blood for anguisshe of his passyon ? (CMAELR4,21.599)

Why stondist thou stille ? (CMAELR4,21.600)

Go furthe and gadere vp clene these swete dropes , (CMAELR4,21.601)

for certeyn they ben ful preciouse ; (CMAELR4,21.602)

slepe not now as Petir dide . (CMAELR4,21.603)

Beholde where Iudas that traytour cometh with a companye of peple to
take oure Lord : (CMAELR4,21.604)

he kisseth ; (CMAELR4,21.605)

they bynden his blessed hondes togiders (CMAELR4,21.606)

and streyned hem ful soor . (CMAELR4,21.607)

Maist thou suffre this ? (CMAELR4,21.608)

I trowe , nay . (CMAELR4,21.609)

I woot now hov it stondeth with the : (CMAELR4,21.610)

thyn hert is fulfilled with pyte . (CMAELR4,21.611)

I holde it no wonder , (CMAELR4,21.612)

yit suffir a while (CMAELR4,21.613)

and thou shalt se moor . (CMAELR4,21.614)

Folewe him in-to the paleys (CMAELR4,21.615)

and beholde hou vnkyndely they ferden with him . (CMAELR4,21.616)

Se now how pitously , hou mercifully , hov graciously he beholdeth
Petir that thryes denyed hym atte voys of a womman , wepynge bitterly
for sorwe , (CMAELR4,21.617)

and pray him that he vouche-saaf to beholde the with his merciful eye ,
that so ofte hast forsake him atte voys of a womman , the whiche is
thyn owne flesh , with wicked werkes and vnleful affeccyons .
(CMAELR4,21.618)

Beholde now (CMAELR4,21.619)

and se hou he stondeth as a meke lombe before the iuge , bowynge down
his heed and his eyen , spekynge fewe , redy to suffre repreues and
betynge . (CMAELR4,21.620)

Se than hou his face is buffeted , (CMAELR4,21.621)

his heed is crowned with thornes and his hondes despitously bounden
with bondes . (CMAELR4,21.622)

I woot wel thou maist not suffre this , (CMAELR4,21.623)

natheles yit loke vp / with thyn wepynge eyen (CMAELR4,21.624)

and beholde hou he berith his cros to his passyon with a clothe of
purpure arrayed , cleuynge ful sore to his forbeten woundes .
(CMAELR4,21.625)

Now is he nayled to the cros and youen eysel medled with galle to
drynke , hangynge bytwene too theues . (CMAELR4,21.626)

Heuen and erthe han meruaile ; (CMAELR4,21.627)

hast thov no meruaile ? (CMAELR4,21.628)

I trowe , yhis , (CMAELR4,21.629)

for if heuen and erthe ben sory , thou must nedes be sory .
(CMAELR4,21.630)

If stones breke , thyn hert must nedys breke . (CMAELR4,21.631)

If wommen wepten beside his passyon , thou must nedes wepe .
(CMAELR4,21.632)

And amonge alle thinges , haue mynde on his blessed pacience , hov he
shewed pyte for wronge : (CMAELR4,21.633)

he heled hem that wounded him , (CMAELR4,21.634)

he gate hem lyf that slowe him ; (CMAELR4,21.635)

with what swetnes , what charite , trowist thou , he saide +tese wordes
: (CMAELR4,21.636)

Pater , ignosce illis quia nesciunt quid faciunt . That is to say , '
Fader , foryeue hem for they wyte not what they doon . '
(CMAELR4,21.637)

Falle down to his feet (CMAELR4,21.638)

and beseche him that his blessed passyon mote commende the to his Fader
, seyenge thus , ' Fader , foryeue hem her trespas . ' (CMAELR4,21.639)

Seest thou not how oure Lady wepith ? (CMAELR4,21.640)

What eyleth the that thou maist not wepe ? (CMAELR4,21.641)

Why ben thyn eyen so drye , (CMAELR4,21.642)

and thorugh the soule of oure Lady wente a swerde of sorwe ?
(CMAELR4,21.643)

Hou $maist $tow {TEXT:maistow} here him speke to his moder , ' Womman ,
lo thy sone ' , wi+t-oute snobbynge ? (CMAELR4,21.644)

An harde <P_22> hert is that , +te whiche may not wepe now .
(CMAELR4,22.645)

Crepe in-to that blessed syde where that blood and water cam forthe ,
(CMAELR4,22.646)

and hyde the ther as a culuer in the stoon , wel likynge the dropes of
his blood , til that thy lippes be maad like to a reed scarlet hood .
(CMAELR4,22.647)

Abyde a-while ; (CMAELR4,22.648)

seest thou not al a-fer , wher an auncyent man cometh , Ioseph of
Armathye ? (CMAELR4,22.649)

Stonde styl (CMAELR4,22.650)

and se what that blessed man wil do . (CMAELR4,22.651)

Als sone as he cometh , he vndoth the nayles of his hondes and feet
(CMAELR4,22.652)

and byclippeth that swete body with his blessed armes for-to burye it ;
(CMAELR4,22.653)

certeyn he myght wel say than , as I fynde in a boke of loue :
Fasciculus mirre dilectus meus mihi , that is to say , ' My welbeloued
Iesu is to me a boundel of myrre . ' (CMAELR4,22.654)

Folewe this precious tresoure and helpe to bere vp eyther feet or
hondes (CMAELR4,22.655)

or elles go behynde (CMAELR4,22.656)

and gadre vp the smale dropes of blood that fallen by the way .
(CMAELR4,22.657)

Se nov hou softly , hou swetly , thay anoynteden that blessed body with
bawme and wyndeth it in $sendel and so burieth it . (CMAELR4,22.658)

$Wilt $tow {TEXT:Wiltow} now do wel ? (CMAELR4,22.659)

Go nowe furthe with Mary Magdalen (CMAELR4,22.660)

and ordeyne for oynementes / ayenst the day of his resurreccyon
(CMAELR4,22.661)

and than shalt thou se and here hou oure Lord spekith to Mary ,
clepynge hir by hir name , ' Mary . ' (CMAELR4,22.662)

O this was a swete voyce , a softe voyce and a iocunde ;
(CMAELR4,22.663)

at thys voyce alle the veynes of hir body dissolued (CMAELR4,22.664)

and stilled oute teres of swete deuocyon . (CMAELR4,22.665)

O blessed Mary , what deuocion , what affeccyon , what desire , what
brennynge of loue was ther , whan thou aunswerdist , ' Raby , ' that is
to say , ' Maister . ' (CMAELR4,22.666)

Treuly I trowe thy plenteuous wepynge wolde suffre the say no moor ,
(CMAELR4,22.667)

for thou were stopped with desire of loue . (CMAELR4,22.668)

Bot that was an harde worde and an vntolerable whan he seyde to the :
Noli me tangere ; that is , ' Mary , touche me not . ' (CMAELR4,22.669)

Certys yit woldist thou not leeue therfore , (CMAELR4,22.670)

for treuly I trowe thyn herte wold brest for wepynge but if thou
haddist touched hym . (CMAELR4,22.671)

Gode suster , do thou the saam , al-though the seme that he withdraweth
and wil not suffre the , that thou touche him by swetnes of deuocyon ;
(CMAELR4,22.672)

lette not therfore (CMAELR4,22.673)

but abide awhile (CMAELR4,22.674)

and it shal be right wel . (CMAELR4,22.675)

Here now hou he comforted Mary ayen , after that he had seyde +tis
worde , ' (CMAELR4,22.676)

Touche me not ' . (CMAELR4,22.677)

' Mary , drede the not , (CMAELR4,22.678)

for though I deferre hem now , I wil not withdrawe hem fro the ;
(CMAELR4,22.679)

go now first (CMAELR4,22.680)

and telle my brethren that I am rysen (CMAELR4,22.681)

and than come ayen . ' (CMAELR4,22.682)

Now renne thov fast with Mary , if thou wilt sone come ayen ;
(CMAELR4,22.683)

hir erande was sone doo . (CMAELR4,22.684)

Than cam she not alone but with other wommen (CMAELR4,22.685)

and oure Lorde of his curtesy mette hem in the way (CMAELR4,22.686)

and grette hem . (CMAELR4,22.687)

What moor ? (CMAELR4,22.688)

Than he yaf hem leeue to touche his feet : (CMAELR4,22.689)

Accesserunt et tenuerunt eum . (CMAELR4,22.690)

' And thay nyeden nye (CMAELR4,22.691)

and touched him . ' (CMAELR4,22.692)

Gode sustir , abide here as longe as thou maist (CMAELR4,22.693)

and fede thy soule with these delicious meditacions . (CMAELR4,22.694)

<P_23>

The seconde meditacion the whiche the nedith to haue is of thynges that
ben present , as to se how oure Lord hath suffred somme ben forshape or
deed in the moder wombe ; (CMAELR4,23.696)

the and suche other that ben clene and hool in lymes , he hath kepte
and reserued from alle suche meschefs . (CMAELR4,23.697)

Whethir this be not a gret matere to loue God ? (CMAELR4,23.698)

Another that he voucheth-saaf to haue vs bore in suche place and amonge
suche , where we ben fed alday with the sacramentes of holy chirche .
(CMAELR4,23.699)

Many ther ben whiche haue not this grace : (CMAELR4,23.700)

why , trowist thou ? (CMAELR4,23.701)

Certeyn for thai ben forsake by rightwesnes and we ben take and called
by grace and mercy . (CMAELR4,23.702)

Se yit what oure Lord hath do moor . (CMAELR4,23.703)

After tyme / we were brought in-to this werld , he kepith vs from
dyuerse perels in-to this day , norshyng vs in good wille and feith of
holy chirche . (CMAELR4,23.704)

And ouer this paciently suffrith oure wickednes vnto the tyme we wil
amende vs . (CMAELR4,23.705)

Thenke ofte her-vpon (CMAELR4,23.706)

and than shal al affeccyon of flesshe and worldly loue stynke vpon the
; (CMAELR4,23.707)

sette thyn hert ther wher thy tresoure is and not in a bagge of golde
and seluer , (CMAELR4,23.708)

for thou maist not fle to heuen with a bagge of money .
(CMAELR4,23.709)

Thynke also euery day that thou shalt dye or eue ; (CMAELR4,23.710)

than litel shal thy thought be , hov thou shalt fare on the morwe .
(CMAELR4,23.711)

Be not aferde (CMAELR4,23.712)

ne care for honger ne colde , (CMAELR4,23.713)

but caste al thy trust in hym whiche fedith birdes and clotheth lilyes
. (CMAELR4,23.714)

He wil be thy berne and thy richesse , thy whicche and thy purse , thy
wurship and thy delytes and al that thou nedyst . (CMAELR4,23.715)

<heading>

Capitulum xvj (CMAELR4,23.717)

</heading>

The thridde meditacion the whiche +te nedith to thenke vpon , is of
thinges whiche ben to come : that is of thy deth , hou thou shalt dye .
(CMAELR4,23.719)

For a blessed deth is the begynnyng of lyf , rest and ende of al
trauayl and deth of al vices . (CMAELR4,23.720)

Beati mortui qui in domino moriuntur , amodo iam dicit spiritus vt
$requiescant a laboribus suis ; that is to say , ' Tho ben blessed
folke the whiche dyen in God , (CMAELR4,23.721)

for fro this tyme forwarde , saith oure Lorde , thei shuln reste from
al her trauaile . ' (CMAELR4,23.722)

This I say , disseuerynge the deeth of chosen soules fro the deeth of
repreued soules , (CMAELR4,23.723)

for chosen soules dyen in $ioye of conscience . (CMAELR4,23.724)

Why , trowist thou ? (CMAELR4,23.725)

For the deeth of holy peple is precious in the sight of God .
(CMAELR4,23.726)

They dyen also in ioye of conscience , at whos departyng aungels ben
nye . (CMAELR4,23.727)

Rightwyse men ben obsequyous by prayer vnto the tyme the soule be in
Abrahams bosom . (CMAELR4,23.728)

Certeyn +ter can no tonge telle the ioye and the reste whiche is in
<P_24> Abrahams $bosom , (CMAELR4,24.729)

for ther shul chosen soules abide , tyl the nombre of other chosen
soules be fulfilled . (CMAELR4,24.730)

Wiche folke dyen not thus , but in $foule fleshly luste and passynge
couetise of the world and suche other abhominable synnes , by the
whiche thei deseruen place of derknes for her mede . (CMAELR4,24.731)

Considre now the dredful day of doom , in whiche day shal appere euery
thynge naked as it is in his owne kynd ; (CMAELR4,24.732)

he is a blessed man that in that day is founde cleer to appere in the
sight of God . (CMAELR4,24.733)

Ymagyne now in thyself hov thou apperist / and stondist in the doom
bitwene chosen soules and repreued soules , not yit departed to the
toon syde ne to that othir . (CMAELR4,24.734)

Beholde stondynge on the lift syde a wrecched companye with gret
stenche , gret drede and gret sorwe , gnastyng with her teeth ,
horrible in sight ; (CMAELR4,24.735)

hyde hem they wolden (CMAELR4,24.736)

and thai note whider . (CMAELR4,24.737)

If they loke vp , they seen a dredful iuge ; (CMAELR4,24.738)

if thy loke dovn , thei seen the horrible place of euerlastynge derknes
gapynge after hem ; (CMAELR4,24.739)

the rightwyse domesman mown they neither plete ne accuse ,
(CMAELR4,24.740)

for he is rightwys in his domes . (CMAELR4,24.741)

Now turne we thens (CMAELR4,24.742)

and beholde hem the whiche stonden on the rightsyde , to the whiche
company and feloushep Crist Iesu , thy loue and thy spouse , as thou
hopist hath chosen the to , (CMAELR4,24.743)

for ther maist thou se som sittyng in doom , somme crouned with a
diademe of martirdom , somme white with virginite and chastite , somme
rewarded passyngly for almes-dede , somme for her trewe doctrine and
techynge (CMAELR4,24.744)

and alle these ben annexed to oo bonde of chastite and charite
(CMAELR4,24.745)

and oure Lorde beholdeth eche of hem ful amyable . (CMAELR4,24.746)

Stonde now stylle , as it were in an vncerteyn whethir thou shalt be
sette to that oo syde or to that other . (CMAELR4,24.747)

O that shal be an harde abidynge . (CMAELR4,24.748)

If he sette the on the lyfte syde , what drede $shalt $tow
{TEXT:shaltow} than haue ? (CMAELR4,24.749)

If he sette the on the right syde , what ioye $shalt $tow
{TEXT:shaltow} than haue ? (CMAELR4,24.750)

Whan the sentence is youen vpon the dampned soules , lyfte vp than thy
gostly eye (CMAELR4,24.751)

and se what a fair processyon of chosen soules goon to the blessed
court of heuen , euery in her degre , after her meryt resceyuynge her
heritage , the whiche was ordeyned for hem atte begynnynge of the
worlde , whiche ioye may no tonge telle ne hert thenke .
(CMAELR4,24.752)

But this knowe wel , (CMAELR4,24.753)

ther shal no thynge lak that thou woldest were there present , ne no
thynge be present that thou woldist were absent ; (CMAELR4,24.754)

and in specyal ther shal be and is oo thinge whiche passith al good ,
that is sight and knoulache and loue of oure Lord Iesu .
(CMAELR4,24.755)

He shal be seen , in hymself and in alle creatures , gouernynge al
thyng without besynes , susteynyng alle thynge without trauail , yeuyng
himself to euery chosen soule as they neden with-oute diuysion and
<P_25> departyng ; (CMAELR4,25.756)

he shal than be seen , not as it were in a myrrour , but as he is ,
face to face . (CMAELR4,25.757)

And than shal he fulfille hys promys whiche he behighte :
(CMAELR4,25.758)

Qui diligit me , diligetur a patre meo et ego manifestabo ei / meipsum
. That is to say , ' He that loueth me shal be loued of my fadir and I
shal loue him and shewe him myself as I am . ' (CMAELR4,25.759)

Of this loue springeth out an excellent knowlache , of whiche knoulache
+tus I fynde write : Hec est vita eterna vt cognoscant te vnum deum et
quem misisti , Iesum Christum . That is to say , ' This is lyf
euerlastyng , that thy chosen soules mowe knowe the o God and hym that
thou sentyst in-to the erthe , Iesu Crist . ' (CMAELR4,25.760)

Of thes too thinges , knouleche and loue , riseth suche swetnes and
charite and suche abundaunce in vsynge therof , that neither plente
lesith the desire ne the desire lesith plente . (CMAELR4,25.761)

What this might be , can noon hert thenke ne tonge telle . To the
whiche ioye brynge vs he that boughte vs vpon the rode tre ,
(CMAELR4,25.762)

amen . (CMAELR4,25.763)

Here endith the Reule of a Recluse that Seynt Alrede wrote to his
suster . (CMAELR4,25.764)

And here folewen the chapiters of +te same . (CMAELR4,25.765)

