<S_SAMPLE_1>

<P_13>

<heading>

HERE BIGINNE+T +TE FIRST CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,13.4)

</heading>

Goostly freende in God , +tou schalt wel vnderstonde +tat I fynde , in
my boistous beholdyng , foure degrees and fourmes of Cristen mens
leuyng ; and ben +teese : Comoun , Special , Singuler , and Parfite .
(CMCLOUD,13.6)

+Tre of +teese mow be bigonnen and eendid in +tis liif ; (CMCLOUD,13.7)

and +te fer+te may bi grace be bigonnen here , (CMCLOUD,13.8)

bot it schal euer laste wi+t-outen eende in +te blis of heuen .
(CMCLOUD,13.9)

And ri+gt as +tou seest how +tei ben set here in ordre , ilch one after
o+ter , first Comoun , +tan Special , after Syngulere , and last
Parfite : ri+gt so me +tinke+t +tat , in +te same ordre and in +te same
cours , oure Lorde ha+t of his grete mercy clepid +tee and ledde +tee
unto him bi +te desire of +tin herte . (CMCLOUD,13.10)

For first +tou wote wel +tat when +tou were leuyng in +te comoun degree
of Cristen mens leuyng in companie of +ti wordely freendes , it seme+t
to me +tat +te euerlasting loue of his Godheed , +torow +te whiche he
mad +tee and wrou+gt +tee when +tou were nou+gt , and si+ten <P_14>
bou+gt +tee wi+t +te prise of his precious blood when +tou were loste
in Adam , mi+gt not suffre +tee be so fer fro him in forme and degree
of leuyng . (CMCLOUD,14.11)

And +terfore he kyndelid +ti desire ful graciously , (CMCLOUD,14.12)

and fastnid bi it a lyame of longing , (CMCLOUD,14.13)

and led +tee bi it in-to a more special state and forme of leuyng , to
be a seruaunt of +te special seruauntes of his ; where +tou mi+gtest
lerne to liue more specialy and more goostly in his seruise +tan +tou
dedist , or mi+gtest do , in +te comoun degree of leuyng bifore .
(CMCLOUD,14.14)

And what more ? (CMCLOUD,14.15)

+Git it seme+t +tat he wolde not leue +tee +tus li+gtly , for loue of
his herte , +te whiche he ha+t euermore had vnto +tee si+t +tou were
ou+gtes . (CMCLOUD,14.16)

Bot what did he ? (CMCLOUD,14.17)

Seest +tou nou+gt how lystly and how graciously he ha+t pulled +tee to
+te +trid degre and maner of leuing , +te whiche hi+gt Synguleer ? In
+te whiche solitari forme and maner of leuyng +tou maist lerne to lift
up +te fote of +ti loue , and step towardes +tat state and degre of
leuyng +tat is parfite , and +te laste state of alle . (CMCLOUD,14.18)

<heading>

HERE BIGINNE+T +THE SECOUND CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,14.20)

</heading>

Look up now , weike wreche , (CMCLOUD,14.22)

and see what +tou arte . (CMCLOUD,14.23)

What arte +tou , (CMCLOUD,14.24)

and what hast +tou deserued , +tus to be clepid of oure Lorde ?
(CMCLOUD,14.25)

What weri wrechid herte and sleping in sleu+te is +tat , +te whiche is
not waknid wi+t +te draw+gt of +tis loue and +te voise of +tis cleping
? (CMCLOUD,14.26)

Bewar now , wreche , in +tis while wi+t +tin enemye ; (CMCLOUD,14.27)

and holde +tee neuer +te holier ne +te beter for +te wor+tines of +tis
cleping and for <P_15> +te singuler fourme of leuyng +tat +tou arte in
; bot +te more wrechid and $werid , bot +gif +tou do +tat in +tee is
goodly , bi grace and bi counsel to lyue after +ti cleping .
(CMCLOUD,15.28)

And in-so-mochel +tou schuldest be more meek and louyng to +ti goostly
spouse , +tat he , +tat is +te Almi+gty God , Kyng of kynges and Lorde
of lordes , wolde meek hym so lowe vnto +tee , and , amonges alle +te
flok of his scheep , so graciously wolde chese +tee to be one of his
speciales , and si+ten set +tee in +te stede of pasture , where +tou
maist be fed wi+t +te swetnes of his loue , in erles of +tin heritage ,
+te kingdome of heuen . (CMCLOUD,15.29)

Do on +tan , I preie +tee , fast . (CMCLOUD,15.30)

Look now forwardes , (CMCLOUD,15.31)

and lat be bacwardes . (CMCLOUD,15.32)

And see what +tee faile+t , and not what +tou haste : (CMCLOUD,15.33)

for +tat is +te rediest getyng and keping of meeknes . (CMCLOUD,15.34)

Alle +ti liif now behoue+t algates to stonde in desire , +gif +tou
schalt profite in degre of perfeccion . (CMCLOUD,15.35)

+Tis desire behoue+t algates be wrou+gt in +ti wille , bi +te honde of
Almi+gti God and +ti consent . (CMCLOUD,15.36)

Bot oo +ting I telle +tee : (CMCLOUD,15.37)

he is a gelous louer (CMCLOUD,15.38)

and suffre+t no felawschip , (CMCLOUD,15.39)

and him list not worche in +ti wille bot +gif he be only wi+t +tee bi
hym-self . (CMCLOUD,15.40)

He aske+t none helpe , bot only +ti-self . (CMCLOUD,15.41)

He wil +tou do bot loke on hym and late him alone . (CMCLOUD,15.42)

And kepe +tou +te windowes and +te dore for flies and enemies assailyng
. (CMCLOUD,15.43)

And +gif +tou be willy to do +tis , +tee +tar bot meekly put apon him
wi+t preier , (CMCLOUD,15.44)

and sone wil he help +tee . (CMCLOUD,15.45)

Put on +tan : (CMCLOUD,15.46)

lat see <P_16> how +tou berest +tee . (CMCLOUD,16.47)

He is ful redy , (CMCLOUD,16.48)

and do+t bot abide+t +tee . (CMCLOUD,16.49)

Bot what schalt +tou do , (CMCLOUD,16.50)

and how schalt +tou put ? (CMCLOUD,16.51)

<heading>

HERE BIGINNE+T +TE +TRID CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,16.53)

</heading>

Lift up +tin herte vnto God wi+t a meek steryng of loue ;
(CMCLOUD,16.55)

and mene him-self , and none of his goodes . (CMCLOUD,16.56)

And +terto loke +tee lo+te to +tenk on ou+gt bot on hym-self , so +tat
nou+gt worche in +ti witte ne in +ti wille bot only him-self .
(CMCLOUD,16.57)

& do +tat in +tee is to for+gete alle +te $creatures +tat euer God maad
& +te werkes of hem , so +tat +ti +tou+gt ne +ti desire be not directe
ne streche to any of hem , nei+ter in general ne in special .
(CMCLOUD,16.58)

Bot lat hem be , (CMCLOUD,16.59)

and take no kepe to hem . (CMCLOUD,16.60)

+Tis is +te werk of +te soule +tat moste plesi+t God . (CMCLOUD,16.61)

Alle seintes and aungelles han ioie of +tis werk , (CMCLOUD,16.62)

and hasten hem to helpe it in al here mi+gt . (CMCLOUD,16.63)

Alle feendes ben wood whan +tou +tus doste , (CMCLOUD,16.64)

and prouen for to felle it in alle +tat +tei kun . (CMCLOUD,16.65)

Alle men leuyng in er+te ben wonderfuli holpen of +tis werk ,
(CMCLOUD,16.66)

+tou wost not how . (CMCLOUD,16.67)

+Ge , +te soules in purgatori ben esed of +teire peine by vertewe of
+tis werk . (CMCLOUD,16.68)

+Ti-self arte clensid and maad vertewos by no werk so mochel .
(CMCLOUD,16.69)

And +git it is +te li+gtest werk of alle , when a soule is holpen wi+t
grace in sensible liste , and sonnest done . (CMCLOUD,16.70)

Bot elles it is hard and wonderful to +tee for to do . (CMCLOUD,16.71)

Lette not +terfore , (CMCLOUD,16.72)

bot trauayle +ter-in tyl +tou fele lyst . (CMCLOUD,16.73)

For at +te first tyme when +tou dost it , +tou fyndest bot a derknes ,
and as <P_17> it were a cloude of vnknowyng , (CMCLOUD,17.74)

+tou wost neuer what , sauyng +tat +tou felist in +ti wille a nakid
entent vnto God . (CMCLOUD,17.75)

+Tis derknes and +tis cloude is , how-so-euer +tou dost , bitwix +tee
and +ti God , (CMCLOUD,17.76)

and lette+t +tee +tat +tou maist not see him cleerly by li+gt of
vnderstonding in +ti reson , ne fele him in swetnes of loue in +tin
affeccion . (CMCLOUD,17.77)

And +terfore schap +tee to bide in +tis derknes as longe as +tou maist
, euermore criing after him +tat tou louest ; (CMCLOUD,17.78)

for +gif euer schalt +tou fele him or see him , as it may be here , it
behoue+t alweis be in +tis cloude & in +tis derknes . (CMCLOUD,17.79)

And +gif +tou wilte besily trauayle as I bid +tee , I triste in his
mercy +tat +tou schalt come +ter-to . (CMCLOUD,17.80)

<heading>

HERE BIGINNE+T +TE FEER+TE CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,17.82)

</heading>

But for+ti +tat +tou schalt not erre in +tis worching , and wene +tat
it be o+terwise +ten it is , I schal telle +tee a lityl more +ter-of ,
as me +tinke+t . (CMCLOUD,17.84)

+Tis werk aske+t no longe tyme er it be ones treulich done , as sum men
wenen ; (CMCLOUD,17.85)

for it is +te schortest werke of alle +tat man may ymagyn .
(CMCLOUD,17.86)

It is nei+ter lenger no schorter +ten is an athomus ; +te whiche
athomus , by +te diffinicion of trewe philisophres in +te sciens of
astronomye , is +te leest partie of tyme . (CMCLOUD,17.87)

And it is so litil +tat , for +te littilnes of it , it is undepartable
and nei+ghonde incomprehensible . (CMCLOUD,17.88)

+Tis is +tat tyme of +te whiche it is wretyn : Alle <P_18> tyme +tat is
+gouen to +tee , it schal be askid of +tee how +tou haste dispendid it
. (CMCLOUD,18.89)

And skilful +ting it is +tat +tou +geue acompte of it ; (CMCLOUD,18.90)

for it is nei+ter lenger ne schorter , bot euen acording to one only
steryng +tat is wi+t-inne +te principal worching mi+gt of +ti soule ,
+te whiche is +ti wille . (CMCLOUD,18.91)

For euen so many willinges or desiringes - and no mo ne no fewer - may
be and aren in one oure in +ti wille , as aren athomus in one oure .
(CMCLOUD,18.92)

And +gif +tou were reformid bi grace to +te first state of mans soule ,
as it was bifore sinne , +tan +tou schuldest euer-more , bi help of
+tat grace , be lorde of +tat stering or of +too sterynges ; so +tat
none +gede forby , bot alle +tei schulde streche in-to +te souerein
desirable and into +te hei+gest wilnable +ting , +te whiche is God .
(CMCLOUD,18.93)

For he is euen mete to oure soule by mesuring of his Godheed ; and oure
soule euen mete unto him bi wor+tines of oure creacion to his ymage and
to his licnes . (CMCLOUD,18.94)

And he by him-self wi+t-outen moo , and none bot he , is sufficient at
+te fulle , and mochel more , to fulfille +te wille and +te desire of
oure soule . (CMCLOUD,18.95)

And oure soule , bi vertewe of +tis reformyng grace , is mad sufficient
at +te fulle to comprehende al him by loue , +te whiche is
incomprehensible to alle create knowable mi+gt , as is aungel and mans
soule . (CMCLOUD,18.96)

<paren> I mene by +teire knowyng and not by +teire louyng ,
(CMCLOUD,18.97)

and +terfore I clepe hem in +tis caas knowable mi+gtes </paren> .
(CMCLOUD,18.98)

Bot si+t alle resonable creatures , aungel and man , ha+t in hem ,
ilchone <P_19> by hem-self , o principal worching mi+gt , +te whiche is
clepid a knowable mi+gt , and a-no+ter principal worching mi+gt , +te
whiche is clepid a louyng mi+gt : of +te whiche two mi+gtes , to +te
first , +te whiche is a knowyng mi+gt , God , +tat is +te maker of hem
, is euermore incomprehensible ; and to +te secound , +te whiche is +te
louyng my+gt , in ilch one diuersly he is al comprehensible at +te
fulle , insomochel +tat o louyng soule only in it-self , by vertewe of
loue , schuld comprehende in it hym +tat is sufficient at +te fulle -
and mochel more , wi+t-oute comparison - to fille alle +te soules and
aungelles +tat euer may be . (CMCLOUD,19.99)

And +tis is +te eendles merueilous miracle of loue , +te whiche schal
neuer take eende ; (CMCLOUD,19.100)

for euer schal he do it , (CMCLOUD,19.101)

and neuer schal he seese for to do it . (CMCLOUD,19.102)

See , who bi grace see may , (CMCLOUD,19.103)

for +te felyng of +tis is eendles blisse ; (CMCLOUD,19.104)

and +te contrary is eendles pyne . (CMCLOUD,19.105)

And +terfore who-so were refourmyd by grace +tus to continow in keping
of +te sterynges of +te wille , schuld neuer be in +tis liif - as he
may not be wi+t-outen +tees sterynges in kynde - wi+t-outen som taast
of +te eendles swetnes ; and in +te blisse of heuen with-outen +te
fulle food . (CMCLOUD,19.106)

And +terfore haue no wonder +tof I stere +tee to +tis werk .
(CMCLOUD,19.107)

For +tis is +te werk , as +tou schalt here after , in +te whiche man
schuld haue contynowed +gif he neuer had synned , and to +te whiche
worching man was maad , and alle +ting for man , to help him and
for+ter him +terto , and by +te whiche a man schal be reparailed <P_20>
a+gein . (CMCLOUD,20.108)

And for +te defaylyng in +tis worching a man falle+t depper & depper in
synne , and fer+ter & fer+ter fro God . (CMCLOUD,20.109)

And by kepyng and contynowel worching in +tis werk only , wi+t-outen mo
, a man euer-more rise+t hier and hier fro synne , and nerer and nerer
vnto God . (CMCLOUD,20.110)

And +terfore take good keep into tyme , how +tat +tou dispendist it .
(CMCLOUD,20.111)

For no+ting is more precious +tan tyme . (CMCLOUD,20.112)

In oo litel tyme , as litel as it is , may heuen be wonne and lost .
(CMCLOUD,20.113)

A token it is +tat time is precious : (CMCLOUD,20.114)

for God , +tat is +geuer of tyme , +geue+t neuer two tymes to-geder ,
bot ich one after o+ter . (CMCLOUD,20.115)

And +tis he do+t for he wil not reuerse +te ordre or +te ordinel cours
in +te cause of his creacion . (CMCLOUD,20.116)

For tyme is maad for man , and not man for tyme . (CMCLOUD,20.117)

And +terfore God , +tat is +te rewler of kynde , wil not in +te +geuyng
of tyme go before +te steryng of kynde in a mans soule ; +te whiche is
euen acordyng to o tyme only . So +tat man schal haue none excusacion
a+gens God in +te dome and at +te +geuyng of acompte of dispendyng of
tyme , seiing : ' +Tou +geuest two tymes at ones , (CMCLOUD,20.118)

and I haue bot o steryng at ones . ' (CMCLOUD,20.119)

Bot soroufuly +tou seist now : ' How schal I do ? (CMCLOUD,20.120)

and si+t +tis is so+t +tat +tou seist , how schal I +geue acompte of
iche $tyme diuersly ; I +tat in-to +tis day , now of foure and twenty
+gere age , neuer toke hede of tyme ? (CMCLOUD,20.121)

+Gif I wolde now amende it , +tou wost wel , bi verrey <P_21> reson of
+ti wordes wretyn before , it may not be after +te cours of kynde ne of
comoun grace , +tat I schuld mowe kepe or elles make asee+t to any mo
tymes +tan to +too +tat ben for to come . (CMCLOUD,21.122)

+Ge , and more-ouer wel I wote , bi verrey proef , +tat of +too +tat
ben to come I schal on no wise , for habundaunce of freelte & slownes
of sperite , mowe kepe one of an hondred ; so +tat I am verrely
conclude in +teese resons . (CMCLOUD,21.123)

Help me now , for +te loue of Ihesu ! (CMCLOUD,21.124)

' Ri+gt wel hast +tou seide ' for +te loue of Ihesu ' .
(CMCLOUD,21.125)

For in +te loue of Ihesu +tere schal be +tin help . (CMCLOUD,21.126)

Loue is soche a mi+gt +tat it maki+t alle +ting comoun .
(CMCLOUD,21.127)

Loue +terfore Ihesu , (CMCLOUD,21.128)

and alle +ting +tat he ha+t it is +tin . (CMCLOUD,21.129)

He by his Godheed is maker and +geuer of tyme . (CMCLOUD,21.130)

He bi his Manheed is +te verrey keper of tyme . (CMCLOUD,21.131)

And he , bi his Godheed & his Manheed to-geders , is +te trewist
domesman and +te asker of acompte of dispending of tyme .
(CMCLOUD,21.132)

Knyt +tee +terfore bi him by loue and by beleue ; (CMCLOUD,21.133)

and +tan by vertewe of +tat knot +tou schalt be comoun parcener wi+t
him and wi+t alle +tat by loue so ben knittyd vnto him ; +tat is to sey
, wi+t oure Lady Seinte Mary , +tat ful was of alle grace in kepyng of
tyme , wi+t alle +te aungelles of heuen +tat neuer may lese tyme , and
with alle +te seintes in heuen and in er+te , +tat by +te grace of
Ihesu kepen tyme ful iustly in vertewe of loue . (CMCLOUD,21.134)

Loo ! here li+t counforte ; (CMCLOUD,21.135)

construe +tou cleerly (CMCLOUD,21.136)

and pike +tee sum profite . (CMCLOUD,21.137)

Bot of oo +ting I warne amonges alle o+ter : (CMCLOUD,21.138)

I cannot see who may trewliche chalenge comunite +tus wi+t Ihesu and
his iust <P_22> Moder , his hi+ge aungelles and also wi+t his seyntes ,
bot +gif it be soche one +tat do+t +tat in hym is , wi+t helping of
grace , in kepyng of tyme ; so +tat he be seen to be a profiter on his
partye , so litil as is , vnto +te comunite , as ich one of hem do+t on
his . (CMCLOUD,22.139)

And +terfore take kepe to +tis werk and to +te merueylous maner of it
wi+t-inne in +ti soule . (CMCLOUD,22.140)

For +gif it be trewlich conceyued , it is bot a sodeyn steryng , and as
it were vnauisid , speedly springing unto God as sparcle fro +te cole .
(CMCLOUD,22.141)

And it is merueylous to noumbre +te sterynges +tat may be in one oure
wrou+gt in a soule +tat is disposid to +tis werk . (CMCLOUD,22.142)

And +git , in o steryng of alle +teese , he may haue sodenly and
parfitely for+geten alle create +ting . (CMCLOUD,22.143)

Bot fast after iche steryng , for corupcion of +te flesche , it falle+t
doune a+gein to som +tou+gt or to some done or vndone dede .
(CMCLOUD,22.144)

Bot what +ter-of ? (CMCLOUD,22.145)

For fast after , it rise+t a+gen as sodenly as it did bifore .
(CMCLOUD,22.146)

And here mowe men schortly conceyue +te maner of +tis worching , and
cleerly knowe +tat it is fer fro any fantasie , or any fals ymaginacion
, or queynte opinion ; +te whiche ben brou+gt in , not by soche a
deuoute and a meek blynde stering of loue , bot by a proude , coryous
and an ymaginatiif witte . (CMCLOUD,22.147)

Soche a proude , corious witte behoue+t algates be born doun and stifly
troden doun vnder fote , +gif +tis werke schal trewly be conceyuid in
purete of spirite . (CMCLOUD,22.148)

For who-so heri+t +tis werke ou+ter-2 be red or spoken , and wene+t
+tat it may or schuld be comen to by trauayle in +teire wittes <paren>
and +terfore +tei sitte and sechin in +teire wittes how +tat it may be
, and in +tis <P_23> coriouste +tei trauayle +teire ymaginacion
parauenture a+gens cours of kynde , and +tei feyne a maner of worching
, +te whiche is nei+ter bodily ne goostly </paren> : trewly +tis man ,
what-so-euer he be , is perilously disseyuid ; in-so-mochel +tat , bot
+gif God of his grete goodnes schewe his mercyful myracle and make hym
sone to leue werk and meek hym to counsel of prouid worchers , he schal
falle ou+ter into frenesies , or elles into o+ter grete mischeues of
goostly sinnes and deuels disseites ; +torow +te whiche he may li+gtly
be lorne , bo+te liif and soule , wi+t-outen any eende .
(CMCLOUD,23.149)

And +terfore for Goddes loue beware in +tis werk , (CMCLOUD,23.150)

and trauayle not in +ti wittes ne in +tin ymaginacion on no wise .
(CMCLOUD,23.151)

For I telle +tee trewly , it may not be comen to by trauaile in +teim ;
(CMCLOUD,23.152)

and +terfore leue +teim (CMCLOUD,23.153)

& worche not wi+t +teim . (CMCLOUD,23.154)

And wene not , for I clepe it a derknes or a cloude , +tat it be any
cloude congelid of +te humours +tat fleen in +te ayre , ne +git any
derknes soche as is in +tin house on ni+gtes , when +ti candel is oute
. (CMCLOUD,23.155)

For soche a derkens and soche a cloude maist +tou ymagin wi+t coriouste
of witte , for to bere before +tin i+gen in +te li+gtest day of somer ;
(CMCLOUD,23.156)

and also a+genswarde in +te derkist ni+gt of wynter +tou mayst ymagin a
clere schinyng li+gt . (CMCLOUD,23.157)

Lat be soche falsheed ; (CMCLOUD,23.158)

I mene not +tus . (CMCLOUD,23.159)

For when I sey derknes , I mene a lackyng of knowyng ; as alle +tat
+ting +tat +tou knowest not , or elles +tat +tou hast for+getyn , it is
derk to +tee , (CMCLOUD,23.160)

for +tou seest it not wi+t +ti goostly i+ge . (CMCLOUD,23.161)

And for +tis skile it is not clepid a cloude of +te eire , bot a cloude
of vnknowyng , +tat is bitwix +tee and +ti God . (CMCLOUD,23.162)

<P_24>

<heading>

HERE BIGINNE+T +TE FIF+TE CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,24.165)

</heading>

And +gif euer +tou schalt come to +tis cloude and wone and worche
+ter-in as I bid +tee , +tee byhoue+t , as +tis cloude of vnknowyng is
abouen +tee , bitwix +tee and +ti God , ri+gt so put a cloude of
for+getyng bine+t +tee , bitwix +tee and alle +te cretures +tat euer
ben maad . (CMCLOUD,24.167)

+Tee +tinke+t , parauenture , +tat +tou arte ful fer fro God , for+ti
+tat +tis cloude of vnknowing is bitwix +tee and +ti God ;
(CMCLOUD,24.168)

bot sekirly , and it be wel conseyued , +tou arte wel fer+ter fro hym
when +tou hast no cloude of for+getyng bitwix +tee and alle +te
creatures +tat euer ben maad . (CMCLOUD,24.169)

As ofte as I sey ' alle +te creatures +tat euer ben maad ' , as ofte I
mene , not only +te self creatures , bot also alle +te werkes and +te
condicions of +te same creatures . (CMCLOUD,24.170)

I oute-take not o creature , whe+ter +tei ben bodily creatures or
goostly , ne +git any condicion or werk of any creature , whe+ter +tei
be good or iuel ; (CMCLOUD,24.171)

bot schortly to sey , alle schuld be hid vnder +te cloude of for+getyng
in +tis caas . (CMCLOUD,24.172)

For +tof al it be ful profitable sumtyme to +tink of certeyne
condicions and dedes of sum certein special creatures , neuer+teles
+git in +tis werke it profite+t lityl or nou+gt . For why mynde or
+tinkyng of any creature +tat euer God maad , or of any of +teire dedes
ou+ter , it is a maner of goostly li+gt ; (CMCLOUD,24.173)

for +te i+ge of +ti soule is openid on it & euen ficchid +ter-apon , as
+te i+ge of a schoter is apon +te prik +tat he schote+t to .
(CMCLOUD,24.174)

And o +ting I telle +tee , +tat alle +ting +tat +tou +tinkest <P_25>
apon it is abouen +tee for +te tyme , and bitwix +tee and +ti God .
(CMCLOUD,25.175)

And in so mochel +tou arte +te fer+ter fro God , +tat ou+gt is in +ti
mynde bot only God . (CMCLOUD,25.176)

+Ge , and +gif it be cortesye and semely to sey , in +tis werk it
profite+t litil or nou+gt to +tink of +te kyndenes or +te wor+tines of
God , ne on oure Lady , ne on +te seintes or aungelles in heuen , ne
+git on +te ioies in heuen : +tat is to say , wi+t a special beholding
to hem , as +tou woldest bi +tat beholding fede and encrees +ti purpos
. (CMCLOUD,25.177)

I trowe +tat on no wise it schuld be so in +tis caas and in +tis werk .
(CMCLOUD,25.178)

For +tof al it be good to +tink $apon +te kindenes of God , and to loue
hym & preise him for hem : +git it is fer betyr to +tink apon +te nakid
beyng of him , and to loue him and preise him for him-self .
(CMCLOUD,25.179)

<heading>

HERE BIGINNI+T +TE SIX+TE CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,25.181)

</heading>

But now +tou askest me (CMCLOUD,25.183)

and seiest : ' How schal I +tink on him-self , (CMCLOUD,25.184)

& what is hee ? ' (CMCLOUD,25.185)

And to +tis I cannot answere +tee bot +tus : (CMCLOUD,25.186)

' I wote neuer . ' (CMCLOUD,25.187)

For +tou hast brou+gt me wi+t +ti question into +tat same derknes , and
into +tat same cloude of unknowyng +tat I wolde +tou were in +ti-self .
(CMCLOUD,25.188)

For of alle o+ter creatures and +teire werkes - +ge , and of +te werkes
of God self - may a man +torou grace haue fulheed of <P_26> knowing ,
and wel to kon +tinke on hem ; (CMCLOUD,26.189)

bot of God him-self can no man +tinke . (CMCLOUD,26.190)

And +terfore I wole leue al +tat +ting +tat I can +tink , and chese to
my loue +tat +ting +tat I can-not +tink . For whi he may wel be loued ,
bot not +tou+gt . (CMCLOUD,26.191)

By loue may he be getyn and holden ; bot bi +tou+gt nei+ter .
(CMCLOUD,26.192)

And +terfore , +tof al it be good sumtyme to +tink of +te kyndnes & +te
wor+tines of God in special , and +tof al it be a li+gt and a party of
comtemplacion : neuer+teles in +tis werk it schal be casten down and
keuerid wi+t a cloude of for+getyng . (CMCLOUD,26.193)

And +tou schalt step abouen it stalwor+tly , bot listely , wi+t a
deuoute and a plesing stering of loue , and fonde for to peerse +tat
derknes abouen +tee . (CMCLOUD,26.194)

And smyte apon +tat +ticke cloude of vnknowyng wi+t a scharp darte of
longing loue , (CMCLOUD,26.195)

and go not +tens for +ting +tat befalle+t . (CMCLOUD,26.196)

<heading>

HERE BIGINNI+T +TE SEUEN+T CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,26.198)

</heading>

And +gif any +tou+gt rise and wil prees algates abouen +tee , bitwix
+tee and +tat derknes , and asche +tee seiing : ' What sekist +tou ,
(CMCLOUD,26.200)

and what woldest +tou haue ? ' (CMCLOUD,26.201)

sey +tou +tat it is God +tat +tou woldest haue . (CMCLOUD,26.202)

' Him I coueite , (CMCLOUD,26.203)

him I seche , and no+gt bot him . ' (CMCLOUD,26.204)

and +gif he ascke +tee what is +tat God , sey +tou +tat it is God +tat
maad +tee and bou+gt +tee , and +tat graciously ha+t clepid +tee to his
loue . (CMCLOUD,26.205)

And in him sei +tou kanst no skile . (CMCLOUD,26.206)

And +terfore sey : ' Go +tou down a+gein . ' (CMCLOUD,26.207)

And treed him <P_27> fast doun wi+t a steryng of loue +tof he seme to
+tee ri+gt holy , and seme to +tee as he wolde help +tee to seke hym .
(CMCLOUD,27.208)

For parauenture he wil bryng to +ti minde diuerse ful feire & wonderful
pointes of his kyndnes , and sey +tat he is ful swete and ful louyng ,
ful gracious and ful mercyful . (CMCLOUD,27.209)

And +gif +tou wilt here him , he coueite+t no beter ; (CMCLOUD,27.210)

for at +te last he wil +tus jangle euer more and more til he bring +tee
lower to +te mynde of his Passion . (CMCLOUD,27.211)

And +tere wol he lat +te see +te wonderful kyndnes of God ;
(CMCLOUD,27.212)

and if +tou here him , he kepe+t no beter . (CMCLOUD,27.213)

For sone after he wil lat +tee see +tin olde wrechid leuing ;
(CMCLOUD,27.214)

and parauenture , in seing and +tinkyng +ter-of , he wil bryng to +ti
mynde som place +tat +tou hast wonid in before +tis tyme . So +tat at
+te last , er euer wite +tou , +tou schalt be scaterid +tou wost neuer
where . (CMCLOUD,27.215)

+Te cause of +tis scateryng is +tat +tou herddist him first wilfuly ,
(CMCLOUD,27.216)

answeredist him , (CMCLOUD,27.217)

resceiuedist him (CMCLOUD,27.218)

and letest him allone . (CMCLOUD,27.219)

And +git , neuer+teles , +te +ting +tat he seide was bo+te good and
holy ; (CMCLOUD,27.220)

+ge , and so holy , +tat what man or womman +tat weni+t to come to
contemplacion wi+t-outyn many soche swete meditacions of +teire owne
wrechidnes , +te Passion , +te kyndenes and +te grete goodnes and +te
wor+tines of God comyng before , sekirly he schal erre and faile of his
purpos . (CMCLOUD,27.221)

And +git , neuer+teles , it behoue+t a man or a womman , +tat ha+t
longe tyme ben usid in +teese meditacions , algates leue hem , & put
hem and holde hem fer doun vnder +te cloude of for+getyng , <P_28> +gif
euer schal he peerse +te cloude of vnknowyng bitwix him and his God .
(CMCLOUD,28.222)

+Terfore , what tyme +tat +tou purposest +tee to +tis werk , and felest
bi grace +tat +tou arte clepid of God , lift +tan up +tin herte vnto
God wi+t a meek steryng of loue . (CMCLOUD,28.223)

And mene God +tat maad +tee , and bou+gt +tee , and +tat graciousli
ha+t clepid +tee to +tis werk : (CMCLOUD,28.224)

and resseiue none o+ter +tou+gt of God . And +git not alle +teese , bot
+tee list ; (CMCLOUD,28.225)

for it suffise+t inou+g a naked entent directe vnto God , wi+t-outen
any o+ter cause +ten him-self . (CMCLOUD,28.226)

And +gif +tee list haue +tis entent lappid and foulden in o worde , for
+tou schuldest haue betir holde +ter-apon , take +tee bot a litil worde
of o silable ; (CMCLOUD,28.227)

for so it is betir +ten of two , (CMCLOUD,28.228)

for euer +te schorter it is , +te betir it acorde+t wi+t +te werk of
+te spirite . (CMCLOUD,28.229)

And soche a worde is +tis worde GOD or +tis worde LOUE .
(CMCLOUD,28.230)

Cheese +tee whe+ter +tou wilt , or ano+ter as +te list : whiche +tat
+tee like+t best of o silable . (CMCLOUD,28.231)

And fasten +tis worde to +tin herte , so +tat it neuer go +tens for
+ting +tat bifalle+t . (CMCLOUD,28.232)

+Tis worde schal be +ti scheeld and +ti spere , whe+ter +tou ridest on
pees or on werre . (CMCLOUD,28.233)

Wi+t +tis worde +tou schalt bete on +tis cloude and +tis derknes abouen
+tee . (CMCLOUD,28.234)

Wi+t +tis worde +tou schalt smite doun al maner +tou+gt vnder +te
cloude of for+geting ; inso-mochel +tat +gif any +tou+gt prees apon
+tee to aske +tee what +tou woldest haue , <P_29> answere him wi+t no
mo wordes bot wi+t +tis o worde . (CMCLOUD,29.235)

And +gif he profre +tee of his grete clergie to expoune +tee +tat worde
and to telle +tee +te condicions of +tat worde , sey him +tat +tou wilt
haue it al hole , and not broken ne vndon . (CMCLOUD,29.236)

And +gif +tow wilt holde +tee fast on +tis purpos , sekir be +tou he
wil no while abide . (CMCLOUD,29.237)

And whi ? (CMCLOUD,29.238)

For +tou wilt not late him fede him on soche swete meditacions touchid
before . (CMCLOUD,29.239)

<S_SAMPLE_2>

<P_71>

<heading>

HERE BYGINNI+T +TE FIUE AND +TRITTY CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,71.243)

</heading>

Neuer+teles menes +ter ben in +te whiche a contemplatiif prentys schuld
be ocupyed , +te whiche ben +teese ; Lesson , Meditacion , and Oryson .
(CMCLOUD,71.245)

Or elles to +tin vnderstondyng +tei mowe be clepid : Redyng , +Tinkyng
and Preiing . (CMCLOUD,71.246)

Of +teese +tre +tou schalt fynde wretyn in ano+ter book of ano+ter mans
werk moche betyr +ten I can telle +tee ; (CMCLOUD,71.247)

and +terfore it nede+t not here to telle +tee of +te qualitees of hem .
(CMCLOUD,71.248)

Bot +tis may I telle +tee : (CMCLOUD,71.249)

+teese +tre ben so couplid to-gedir , +tat vnto hem +tat ben biginners
& profiters - bot not to hem +tat be parfite , +ge , as it may be here
- +tinkyng may not goodly be getyn wi+t-outyn reding or heryng comyng
before . (CMCLOUD,71.250)

Alle is one in maner , redyng and heryng ; (CMCLOUD,71.251)

clerkes redyn on bookes , (CMCLOUD,71.252)

and lewid men redyn on clerkes , whan +tei here hem preche +te worde of
God . (CMCLOUD,71.253)

Ne <P_72> preier may not goodly be getyn in bigynners & profiters
wi+toutyn +tinkyng comyng bifore . (CMCLOUD,72.254)

See by +te preof in +tis same cours . (CMCLOUD,72.255)

Goddes worde , ou+ter wretyn or spokyn , is licnid to a mirour .
(CMCLOUD,72.256)

Goostly , +te i+ge of +ti soule is +ti reson ; (CMCLOUD,72.257)

+ti concience is +ti visage goostly . (CMCLOUD,72.258)

And ri+gt as +tou seest +tat +gif a foule spot be in +ti bodily visage
, +te i+ge of +te same visage may not see +tat spotte , ne wite wher it
is , wi+t-outyn a myrour or a teching of ano+ter +tan it-self : ri+gt
so it is goostly . (CMCLOUD,72.259)

Wit-outen redyng or heryng of Godes worde , it is inpossible to mans
vnderstondyng +tat a soule +tat is bleendid in custom of synne schuld
see +te foule spot in his concyence . (CMCLOUD,72.260)

And so folowyng , whan a man see+t in a bodily or goostly myrour , or
wote by o+ter mens techyng , wher-aneintes +te foule spot is on his
visage , ou+ter bodily or goostly : +tan at erst , and none er , he
renni+t to +te welle to wasche hym . (CMCLOUD,72.261)

+Gif +tis spot be any specyal synne , +tan is +tis welle Holy Chirche ,
and +tis water confession , with +te circumstaunces . (CMCLOUD,72.262)

+Gif it be bot a blynde rote and a steryng of synne , +tan is +tis
welle mercyful God , and +tis water preyer , wi+t +te circumstaunces .
(CMCLOUD,72.263)

And +tus maist +tou se +tat no +tinkyng may goodly be getyn in
byginners and profiters wi+t-outyn redyng or heryng comyng before , ne
preyng wi+t-outen +tinkyng . (CMCLOUD,72.264)

<heading>

HERE BYGYNNI+T +TE SIX AND +TRITTY CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,72.266)

</heading>

But it is not so wi+t hem +tat contynuely worchen in +te werk of <P_73>
+tis book . (CMCLOUD,73.268)

For +teire meditacions ben as +tei were sodein conceites and blynde
felynges of +teire owne wrechidnes , or of +te goodnes of God ,
wi+t-outyn any menes of redyng or heryng comyng before , and wi+t-outyn
any specyal beholdyng of any +ting vnder God . (CMCLOUD,73.269)

+Tees sodeyn conseytes & +tees blynde felynges ben sonner lernyd of God
+ten of man . (CMCLOUD,73.270)

I maad no force , +tof +tou haddest now-on-dayes none o+ter meditacions
of +tin owne wrechidnes , ne of +te goodnes of God - I mene +gif +tou
fele +tee +tus steryd by grace and by counseyl - bot soche as +tou
mayst haue in +tis worde SYNNE and in +tis worde GOD , or in soche
o+ter , whiche as +te list ; not brekyng ne expounyng +tees wordes with
coryouste of witte , in beholdyng after +te qualitees of +tees wordes ,
as +tou woldest by +tat beholdyng encrees +ti deuocion .
(CMCLOUD,73.271)

I trowe it schuld neuer be so in +tis caas and in +tis werk .
(CMCLOUD,73.272)

Bot holde hem alle hole +teese wordes ; (CMCLOUD,73.273)

and mene synne a lump , +tou wost neuer what , none o+ter +ting bot
+ti-self . (CMCLOUD,73.274)

Me +tink +tat in +tis blynde beholdyng of synne , +tus conielyd in a
lumpe <paren> none o+ter +ting +tan +ti-self </paren> it schuld be no
nede to bynde a woder +ting +ten +tou schuldest be +tis tyme .
(CMCLOUD,73.275)

And +git , parauenture , who-so lokid apon +tee schuld +tink +tee ful
sobirly disposid in body , with-outyn any chaunging of contenaunce ;
bot sittyng , or going , or liggyng , or lenyng , or stondyng , or
knelyng , whe+ter +tou were in a ful sad restfulnes . (CMCLOUD,73.276)

<heading>

HERE BIGINNY+T +TE SEUEN AND +TRITTY CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,73.278)

</heading>

And ri+gt as +te meditacions of hem +tat contynouely worchen in +tis
grace & in +tis werk risen sodenly wi+t-outyn any menes , ri+gt <P_74>
so don +teire preiers . (CMCLOUD,74.280)

I mene of +teire specyal preiers , not of +too preiers +tat ben
ordeynid of Holy Chirche . (CMCLOUD,74.281)

For +tei +tat ben trewe worchers in +tis werk , +tei worschip no preier
so moche ; (CMCLOUD,74.282)

and +terfore +tei do hem in +te fourme and in +te statute +tat +tei ben
ordeynd of holy faders before us . (CMCLOUD,74.283)

Bot +teire specyal preiers risen euermore sodenly vnto God , wi+t-outyn
any meenes or any premeditacion in special comyng before , or going
+ter-wi+t . (CMCLOUD,74.284)

And +gif +tei ben in wordes , as +tei ben bot seldom , +tan ben +tei
bot in ful fewe wordes ; (CMCLOUD,74.285)

+ge , and in euer +te fewer +te betir . (CMCLOUD,74.286)

+Ge , and +gif it be bot a lityl worde of o silable , me +tink it betir
+ten of to , and more acordyng to +te werk of +te spiryte ;
(CMCLOUD,74.287)

si+ten it so is +tat a goostly worcher in +tis werk schulde euermore be
in +te hi+gest and +te souereynest pointe of +te $spirit .
(CMCLOUD,74.288)

+Tat +tis be so+t , se by ensaumple in +te cours of kynde .
(CMCLOUD,74.289)

A man or a womman , affraied wi+t any sodeyn chaunce of fiir , or of
mans dee+t , or what elles +tat it be , sodenly in +te hei+gt of his
speryt he is dreuyn upon hast & upon nede for to crie or for to prey
after help . (CMCLOUD,74.290)

+Ge , how ? (CMCLOUD,74.291)

Sekirly not in many woordes , ne +git in o woorde of two silabes .
(CMCLOUD,74.292)

And whi is +tat ? (CMCLOUD,74.293)

For hym +tinke+t to longe tariing , for to declare +te nede and +te
werk of his spirit . (CMCLOUD,74.294)

And +terfore he bresti+t up hidously wi+t a grete spirit ,
(CMCLOUD,74.295)

& crye+t bot a litil worde of o silable , as is +tis worde FIIR or +tis
worde OUTE . (CMCLOUD,74.296)

And ri+gt as +tis lityl worde FIIR steri+t ra+ter and peerse+t more
hastely +te eren of +te herers , so do+t a lityl worde of o sylable ,
whan it is <P_75> not only spoken or +tou+gt , bot priuely ment in +te
depnes of spirit , +te whiche is +te hei+gt (CMCLOUD,75.297)

<paren> for in goostlynes alle is one , hei+gt and depnes , leng+te and
brede </paren> . (CMCLOUD,75.298)

And ra+ter it peersi+t +te eres of Almy+gty God +tan do+t any longe
sauter vnmyndfuly mumlyd in +te tee+t . (CMCLOUD,75.299)

And herfore it is wretyn +tat schort preier peersi+t heuen .
(CMCLOUD,75.300)

<heading>

HERE BIGINNY+T +TE EI+GT AND +TRITTY CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,75.302)

</heading>

And whi peersi+t it heuen , +tis lityl schort preier of o litil silable
? (CMCLOUD,75.304)

Sikirly for it is preyed wi+t a fulle spirite , in +te hei+gt and in
+te depnes , in +te leng+te & in +te breed of his spirit +tat preie+t
it . (CMCLOUD,75.305)

In +te hei+gt it is , for it is wi+t al +te my+gt of +te spirit .
(CMCLOUD,75.306)

In +te depnes it is , for in +tis lityl silable ben contyned alle +te
wittis of +te spirit . (CMCLOUD,75.307)

In +te leng+te it is , for mi+gt it euer fele as it feli+t ,
(CMCLOUD,75.308)

euer wolde it crie as it crie+t . (CMCLOUD,75.309)

In +te brede it is , for it wilni+t +te same to alle o+ter +tat it
wilni+t to it-self . (CMCLOUD,75.310)

In +tis tyme it is +tat a soule ha+t comprehendid , after +te lesson of
Seynte Poule , wi+t alle seyntes - not fully , bot in maner and in
partye , as it is acordyng vnto +tis werk - whiche is +te leng+te and
+te breed , +te hei+gt and +te depnes of Euerlastyng & Allouely ,
Almi+gty & Alle-witty God . (CMCLOUD,75.311)

+Te euerlastyngnes of God is his leng+te ; (CMCLOUD,75.312)

his loue is his breed ; (CMCLOUD,75.313)

his mi+gt is his hei+gt ; (CMCLOUD,75.314)

and his wisdam is his depnes . (CMCLOUD,75.315)

No wonder +tof a soule , +tat is +tus ni+g confourmyd bi grace to +te
ymage & +te licnes of God , his maker , be sone herde of God .
(CMCLOUD,75.316)

+Ge , +tof it be a ful synful soule - +te whiche is to God as it were
an enmye - and it mi+gt +torow grace com to for to crye soche <P_76> a
lityl silable in +te hei+gt & +te depnes , +te leng+te and +te breed of
his spirit , +git he scholde for +te hidous noise of +tis crye be
alweis herde and holpen of God . (CMCLOUD,76.317)

Se by ensaumple . (CMCLOUD,76.318)

He +tat is +ti deedly enmye , and +tou here him so afraied +tat he crye
in +te hei+gt of his spirit +tis lityl worde FIIR , or +tis worde OUTE
: +git , wi+t-outyn any beholdyng to hym for he is +tin enmye , bot for
pure pite in +tin herte stirid and reisid wi+t +te doelfulnes of +tis
crie , +tou risist up - +ge ! +tof it be aboute midwintirs ni+gt -
(CMCLOUD,76.319)

& helpist hym to slecke his fiir , or for to stylle hym and rest hym in
hys disese . (CMCLOUD,76.320)

A , Lorde ! si+ten a man may be maad so mercyful in grace , to haue so
moche mercy & so moche pite of his enmye , not a+genstonding his enmite
, what pite and what mercy schal God haue +tan of a goostly crye in
soule , maad & wrou+gt in +te hei+gt and +te depnes , +te leng+te and
+te breed of his spirit , +te whiche ha+t al by kynde , +tat man ha+t
by grace , and moche more ? (CMCLOUD,76.321)

Sekirly wi+t-outyn comparison moche more mercy wil he haue ;
(CMCLOUD,76.322)

si+ten so is +tat +tat +ting +tat is so had by kynde is nerer to iche a
+ting +ten +tat +te whiche is had by grace . (CMCLOUD,76.323)

<heading>

HERE BIGYNNY+T +TE NINE AND +TRITTY CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,76.325)

</heading>

And +terfore it is to preie in +te hei+gt and +te depnes , +te leng+te
& +te brede of oure spirit . And +tat not in many wordes , bot in a
lityl worde of o silable . (CMCLOUD,76.327)

And what schal +tis worde be ? (CMCLOUD,76.328)

Sekyrlyche soche a worde as is best acordyng vnto +te propirte of
preier . (CMCLOUD,76.329)

And what worde is +tat ? (CMCLOUD,76.330)

<P_77>

Lat us first see what preier is propirly in it-self , (CMCLOUD,77.332)

and +ter-after we mowe cleerlier knowe what worde wil best acorde to
+te propirte of preier . (CMCLOUD,77.333)

Preyer in it-self propirly is not elles bot a deuoute entent directe
vnto God , for getyng of goodes & remowyng of yuelles .
(CMCLOUD,77.334)

And +tan , si+ten it so is +tat alle yuelles ben comprehendid in synne
, ou+ter by cause or by beyng , lat us +terfore , whan we wyl
ententifly preie for remowyng of yuelles , ou+ter sey or +tink or mene
nou+gt elles , ne no mo wordes , bot +tis lityl worde SYNNE .
(CMCLOUD,77.335)

And +gif we wil ententifly preie for getyng of goodes , lat us crie ,
ou+ter wi+t worde or wi+t +tou+gt or wi+t desire , nou+gt elles , ne no
mo wordes , bot +tis worde GOD . For whi in God ben alle goodes , bo+te
by cause and by beyng . (CMCLOUD,77.336)

Haue no merueile whi I sette +tees wordes forby alle o+ter .
(CMCLOUD,77.337)

For and I cou+te any schorter wordes , so fully comprehendyng in hem
alle goodes & alle yuelles , as +tees two wordes don , or +gif I had be
lernyd of God to take any o+ter wordes ou+ter , I wolde +tan haue taken
hem and lefte +tees ; (CMCLOUD,77.338)

and so I rede +tat +tou do . (CMCLOUD,77.339)

Stody +tou not for no wordes , (CMCLOUD,77.340)

for so schuldest +tou neuer come to +ti purpos ne to +tis werk ,
(CMCLOUD,77.341)

for it is neuer getyn by stody , bot al only by grace .
(CMCLOUD,77.342)

and +terfore take +tou none o+ter wordes to preie in - al-+tof I sette
+tees here - bot soche as +tou arte sterid of God for to take .
(CMCLOUD,77.343)

Neuer+teles , +gif God stire +tee to take +tees , I rede not +tat +tou
leue hem - I mene +gif +tou schalt preie in wordes , and elles not ;
for whi +tei ben ful schorte wordes . (CMCLOUD,77.344)

<P_78>

Bot al-+tof +te schortnes of preier be greetly comendid here ,
neuer+teles +te oftnes of preier is neuer +te ra+ter refreynid .
(CMCLOUD,78.346)

For as it is seide before , it is preied in +te leng+te of +te spirite
; so +tat it schuld neuer sees tyl +te tyme were +tat it had fully
getyn +tat +tat it longid after . (CMCLOUD,78.347)

Ensaumple of +tis haue we in a man or a womman affraied in +te maner
before-seide . (CMCLOUD,78.348)

For we see wel +tat +tei seese neuer criing on +tis litil worde OUTE ,
or +tis lityl worde FIIR , er +te tyme be +tat +tei haue in greet party
getyn help of +teire angre . (CMCLOUD,78.349)

<heading>

HERE BIGYNNI+T +TE FOURTY CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,78.351)

</heading>

Do +tou , on +te same maner , fille +ti spirit wi+t +te goostly
bemenyng of +tis worde SYNNE , and wi+t-outyn any specyal beholdyng
vnto any kynde of synne , whe+ter it be venial or deedly :
(CMCLOUD,78.353)

pryde , wra+t+te or enuye , couetyse , slew+t , glotenie or lecherye .
(CMCLOUD,78.354)

What +tar reche in contemplatiues what synne +tat it be , or how mochel
a synne +tat it be ? (CMCLOUD,78.355)

For alle synne hem +tinky+t - I mene for +te tyme of +tis werk - iliche
greet in hem-self , when +te leest synne departe+t hem fro God , and
lette+t hem of here goostly pees . (CMCLOUD,78.356)

And fele synne a lumpe , +tou wost neuer what , bot none o+ter +ting
+tan +ti-self . (CMCLOUD,78.357)

And crye +tan goostly euer upon one : ' Synne , synne , synne ; oute ,
oute , oute ! ' (CMCLOUD,78.358)

+Tis goostly crie is betyr lernid of God by +te proef +ten of any man
by worde . (CMCLOUD,78.359)

For it is best whan it is in pure spirit , wi+t-outyn specyal +tou+gt
or any pronounsyng of worde ; bot +gif it be any seeldom tyme , when
for habundaunce of spiryt it bresti+t up into worde , so +tat +te body
and +te soule ben bo+te fillid wi+t sorow and kumbryng of synne .
(CMCLOUD,78.360)

On +te same maner schalt +tou do wi+t +tis lityl worde GOD .
(CMCLOUD,78.361)

Fille <P_79> +ti spirit wi+t +te goostly bemenyng of it wi+t-outyn any
specyal beholdyng to any of his werkes - whe+ter +tei be good , betir ,
or al+ter best , bodily or goostly - or to any vertewe +tat may be
wrou+gt in mans soule by any grace , not lokyng after whe+ter it be
meeknes or charite , pacyence or abstynence , hope , fei+t , or
sobirnes , chastite or wilful pouerte . (CMCLOUD,79.362)

What +tar reche in contemplatyues ? (CMCLOUD,79.363)

For alle vertewes +tei fynden and felyn in God ; (CMCLOUD,79.364)

for in hym is alle +ting , bo+te by cause and by beyng .
(CMCLOUD,79.365)

For hem +tink , & +tei had God , +tei had alle good ; (CMCLOUD,79.366)

and +terfore +tei coueyte no+ting wi+t specyal beholdyng , bot only
good God . (CMCLOUD,79.367)

Do +tou on +te same maner , as for+t as +tou maist by grace ;
(CMCLOUD,79.368)

and mene God al , and al God , so +tat nou+gt worche in +ti witte & in
+ti wile , bot only God . (CMCLOUD,79.369)

And for+ti +tat euer +te whiles +tou leuyst in +tis wrechid liif , +tee
behoue+t alweys fele in som partye +tis foule stynkyng lump of synne ,
as it were onyd & congelid with +te substaunce of +ti beyng , +terfore
schalt +tou chaungabely mene +tees two wordes - SYNNE and GOD ; wi+t
+tis general knowyng : +tat and +tou haddest God , +ten schuldest +tou
lacke synne , and mi+gtest +tou lacke synne , +ten schuldest +tou haue
God . (CMCLOUD,79.370)

<heading>

HERE BIGYNNY+T ON AND FOURTY CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,79.372)

</heading>

And for+termore , +gif +tou aske me what discrecion +tou schalt haue in
+tis werk , +tan I answere +tee (CMCLOUD,79.374)

and sey : ' Ry+gt none ! ' (CMCLOUD,79.375)

For in alle +tin o+ter doynges +tou schalt haue discrecion , as in
etyng & in drynkyng , & in slepyng , & in kepyng of +ti body fro
outrageous <P_80> colde or hete , & in longe preiing or redyng , or in
comounyng in speche wi+t +tin euen Crysten . (CMCLOUD,80.376)

In alle +tees schalt +tou kepe discrecion , +tat +tei be nou+ter to
mochel ne to lityl . (CMCLOUD,80.377)

Bot in +tis werk schalt +tou holde no mesure ; (CMCLOUD,80.378)

for I wolde +tat +tou schuldest neuer seese of +tis werk +te whiles
+tou leuyst . (CMCLOUD,80.379)

I sey not +tat +tou schalt mowe euer contynow +ter-in iliche fresche ;
(CMCLOUD,80.380)

for +tat may not be . (CMCLOUD,80.381)

For sumtyme seeknes and o+ter vnordeind disposicions in body and in
soule , wi+t many o+ter needfulnes to kynde , wol let +tee ful mochel ,
and oft-tymes drawe +tee doun fro +te hei+gt of +tis worching .
(CMCLOUD,80.382)

Bot I sey +tat +tou schuldest euermore haue it ou+ter in ernest or in
game ; +tat is to sey , ou+ter in werk or in wille . (CMCLOUD,80.383)

And +terfore for Godes loue beware wi+t seeknes as moche as +tou maist
goodly , so +tat +tou be not +te cause of +ti febilnes , as for+t as
+tou maist . (CMCLOUD,80.384)

For I telle +tee trewly +tat +tis werk aske+t a ful greet restfulnes ,
and a ful hole and a clene disposicion , as wele in body as in soule .
(CMCLOUD,80.385)

And +terfore for Godes loue gouerne +tee discreetly in body & in soule
, (CMCLOUD,80.386)

& gete +tee +tin hele as mochel as +tou mayst . (CMCLOUD,80.387)

And +gif seeknes come a+gens +ti power , haue pacyence (CMCLOUD,80.388)

& abide meekly Goddes mercy ; (CMCLOUD,80.389)

and al is +tan good inow+g . (CMCLOUD,80.390)

For I telle +tee trewly +tat oftymes pacyence in seeknes , and in o+ter
diuerse tribulacions , plesi+t God moche more +ten any likyng deuocyon
+tat +tou mayst haue in +ti hele . (CMCLOUD,80.391)

<heading>

HERE BIGINNI+T +TE TWO AND FOURTY CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,80.393)

</heading>

But parauenture +tou askest me how +tou schalt gouerne +tee <P_81>
discreetly in mete , and in slepe , & in alle +tees o+ter .
(CMCLOUD,81.395)

And herto I +tink to answere +tee ri+gt schortli : (CMCLOUD,81.396)

' Gete +tat +tou gete mayst . ' (CMCLOUD,81.397)

Do +tis werk euermore wi+t-outyn cesyng & wi+t-outyn discrecion ,
(CMCLOUD,81.398)

and +tou schalt wel kun beginne & ceese in alle +tin o+ter werkes wi+t
a grete discrecion . (CMCLOUD,81.399)

For I may not trowe +tat a soule contynowyng in +tis werk ni+gt and day
wi+t-outyn discrecion schuld mowe erre in any of +tees outward doinges
; (CMCLOUD,81.400)

and elles me +tink +tat he schuld alweis erre . (CMCLOUD,81.401)

And +terfore and I mi+gt gete a wakyng and a besi beholdyng to +tis
goostly werk wi+t-inne in my soule , I wolde +tan haue a rechelesnes in
etyng and in drynkyng , in sleping & in spekyng and in alle myn outward
doynges . (CMCLOUD,81.402)

For sekirly I trowe I schuld ra+ter com to discrecion in hem by soche a
rechelesnes +tan by any besy beholding to +te same +tinges , as I wolde
bi +tat beholdyng set a $merke & a mesure by hem . (CMCLOUD,81.403)

Trewly I schuld neuer bryng it so aboute for ou+gt +tat I cou+t do or
sey . (CMCLOUD,81.404)

Sey what men seye wil , (CMCLOUD,81.405)

& lat +te preof witnes . (CMCLOUD,81.406)

And +terfore lift up +tin hert with a blynde steryng of loue ;
(CMCLOUD,81.407)

and mene now synne , and now God . (CMCLOUD,81.408)

God woldest +tou haue , (CMCLOUD,81.409)

and synne woldest +tou lacke . (CMCLOUD,81.410)

God wante+t +tee ; (CMCLOUD,81.411)

and synne arte +tou sekir of . (CMCLOUD,81.412)

Now good God help +tee , (CMCLOUD,81.413)

for now hast +tou need ! (CMCLOUD,81.414)

<heading>

HERE BIGINNI+T +TE +TRE AND FOURTY CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,81.416)

</heading>

Look +tat nou+gt worche in +ti wit ne in +ti wil bot only God .
(CMCLOUD,81.418)

And <P_82> $fonde for to felle alle wetyng & felyng of ou+gt vnder God
, (CMCLOUD,82.419)

and treed alle doun ful fer vnder +te cloude of for+getyng .
(CMCLOUD,82.420)

And +tou schalt vnderstonde +tat +tou schalt not only in +tis werk
for+gete alle o+ter creatures +ten +ti-self , or +teire dedes or +tine
, bot also +tou schalt in +tis werk for+gete bo+te +ti-self and also
+ti dedes for God , as wel as alle o+ter creatures and +teire dedes .
(CMCLOUD,82.421)

For it is +te condicion of a parfite louer , not only to loue +tat
+ting +tat he loue+t more +ten him-self ; bot also in maner for to hate
him-self for +tat +ting +tat he loui+t . (CMCLOUD,82.422)

+Tus schalt +tou do wi+t +ti-self : (CMCLOUD,82.423)

+tou schalt lo+te and be wery wi+t alle +tat +ting +tat worche+t in +ti
witte & in +ti wil , bot +gif it be only God . For whi sekirly elles ,
what-so-euer +tat it be , it is bitwix +tee and +ti God .
(CMCLOUD,82.424)

And no wonder +tof +tou lo+te and hate for to +tink on +ti-self , when
+tou schalt alweis fele synne a foule stynkyng lumpe , +tou wost neuer
what , bitwix +tee & +ti God : +te whiche lumpe is none o+ter +ting
+tan +ti-self . (CMCLOUD,82.425)

For +tee schal +tink it onyd & congelid wi+t +te substaunce of +ti
beyng , +ge , as it were wi+t-outyn departyng . (CMCLOUD,82.426)

And +terfore breek doun alle wetyng & felyng of alle maner of creatures
; bot most besily of +ti-self . (CMCLOUD,82.427)

For on +te wetyng and +te felyng of +ti-self hangi+t wetyng and felyng
of alle o+ter creatures ; (CMCLOUD,82.428)

for in rewarde of it , alle o+ter creatures ben li+gtly for+getyn .
(CMCLOUD,82.429)

For , and +tou wilt besily set +tee to +te preof , +tou schalt fynde ,
when +tou <P_83> hast for+geten alle o+ter creatures & alle +teire
werkes , +ge , and +terto alle +tin owne werkes , +tat +ter schal leue
+git after , bitwix +tee and +ti God , a nakid weting and a felyng of
+tin owne beyng : +te whiche wetyng and felyng behoui+t alweis be
distroied , er +te tyme be +tat +tou fele so+tfastly +te perfeccyon of
+tis werk . (CMCLOUD,83.430)

<heading>

HERE BIGINNI+T +TE FOURE AND FOURTY CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,83.432)

</heading>

Bot now +tou askist me how +tou maist distroie +tis nakid wetyng and
felyng of +tin owen beyng . (CMCLOUD,83.434)

For parauenture +tee +tink +tat and it were distroied , alle o+ter
lettynges were distroied : (CMCLOUD,83.435)

and +gif +tou +tinkist +tus , +tou +tinkist ri+gt trewly .
(CMCLOUD,83.436)

Bot to +tis I answere +tee , (CMCLOUD,83.437)

and I sey +tat wi+t-outyn a ful specyal grace ful frely +gouen of God ,
and +terto a ful acordyng abilnes to resseyue +tis grace on +ti partye
, +tis nakid wetyng and felyng of +ti beyng may on no wise be distroyed
. (CMCLOUD,83.438)

And +tis abilnes is not elles bot a stronge and a deep goostly sorow .
(CMCLOUD,83.439)

Bot in +tis sorow nede+t +tee to haue discrecion on +tis maner :
(CMCLOUD,83.440)

+tou schalt be ware in +te tyme of +tis sorow +tat +tou nei+ter-2 to
rudely streyne +ti body ne +ti spirit , bot sit sul stylle , as it were
in a slepyng slei+gt , al forsobbid and for-sonken in sorow .
(CMCLOUD,83.441)

+Tis is trewe sorow ; (CMCLOUD,83.442)

+tis is parfite sorow ; (CMCLOUD,83.443)

and wel were hym +tat mi+gt wynne to +tis sorow . (CMCLOUD,83.444)

Alle men han mater of sorow , (CMCLOUD,83.445)

bot most specyaly he feli+t mater of sorow +tat wote and feli+t +tat he
is . (CMCLOUD,83.446)

Alle o+ter sorowes ben vnto +tis in comparison bot as it were gamen to
ernest . (CMCLOUD,83.447)

For he may make sorow ernestly +tat wote & feli+t not onli what he is ,
bot +tat <P_84> he is . (CMCLOUD,84.448)

And who-so felid neuer +tis sorow , he may make sorow , for whi he
felid +git neuer parfite sorow . (CMCLOUD,84.449)

+Tis sorow , when it is had , clensi+t +te soule , not only of synne ,
bot also of peyne +tat he ha+t deseruid for synne . (CMCLOUD,84.450)

And +terto it maki+t a soule abil to resseiue +tat ioye , +te whiche
reui+t fro a man alle wetyng and felyng of his beyng . (CMCLOUD,84.451)

+Tis sorow , +gif it be trewly conseyuid , is ful of holy desire ;
(CMCLOUD,84.452)

and elles mi+gt neuer man in +tis liif abide it ne bere it .
(CMCLOUD,84.453)

For ne were it +tat a soule were sumwhat fed with a maner of counforte
of his ri+gt worching , elles schuld he not mow bere +te pyne +tat he
ha+t of +te wetyng and felyng of his beyng . (CMCLOUD,84.454)

For as ofte as he wolde haue a trewe wetyng and a felyng of his God in
purtee of spirit , as it may be here , and si+ten feli+t +tat he may
not - for he finde+t euermore his wetyng and his felyng as it were
ocupied and fillyd wi+t a foule stinkyng lumpe of him-self , +te whiche
behoue+t alweis be hatid and be dispisid and forsaken , if he schal be
Goddes parfite dissiple , lernid of hym-self in +te mount of perfeccion
- as ofte he go+t ni wood for sorow ; in so mochel , +tat he wepi+t and
weili+t , striui+t , cursi+t and banne+t , and , schortly to sey , hym
+tinki+t +tat he beri+t so heuy a bir+ten of hym-self +tat he rechi+t
neuer what wor+t of hym , so +tat God were plesid . (CMCLOUD,84.455)

And +git in al +tis sorow he desire+t not to vnbe , (CMCLOUD,84.456)

for +tat were deuelles woodnes & despite vnto God . (CMCLOUD,84.457)

Bot hym listi+t ri+gt wel be ; (CMCLOUD,84.458)

and he meni+t ful hertly +tankyng to God , for +te wor+tines and +te
+gift of his beyng , <P_85> +tof al +tat he desire vnsesingly for to
lakke +te wetyng and +te felyng of his beyng . (CMCLOUD,85.459)

+Tis sorow and +tis desire behoui+t iche a soule haue and fele in
it-self , ou+ter in +tis maner or in ano+ter , as God vouche+t $saaf
for to lerne to his goostly disciples , after his weel wyllyng & +teire
acordyng abylnes in body & in soule , in degre and compleccion , er +te
tyme be +tat +tei mowe parfitely be onid vnto God in parfite charite -
soche as may be had here +gif God vouche+t saaf . (CMCLOUD,85.460)

<heading>

HERE BIGINNI+T +TE FIUE AND FOURTY CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,85.462)

</heading>

Bot o +ting I telle +tee : +tat in +tis werk may a +gong disciple ,
+tat ha+t not +git ben wel vsed & prouid in goostly worching , ful
li+gtly be disceyuid , and , bot he be sone war & haue grace to leue of
and meek hym to counsel , parauenture be distroied in his bodily
mi+gtes , and falle into fantasie in his goostly wittes .
(CMCLOUD,85.464)

And alle +tis is longe of pride & of fleschlynes and coriouste of witte
. (CMCLOUD,85.465)

And on +tis maner may +tis disceite befalle . (CMCLOUD,85.466)

A +gong man or a womman , newe set to +te scole of deuocion , here+t
+tis sorow and +tis desire be red & spokyn , how +tat a man schal lift
up his herte vnto God , and vnseesingly desire for to fele +te loue of
here God . (CMCLOUD,85.467)

And as fast in a curiouste of witte +tei conceyue +tees wordes not
goostly , as +tei ben ment , bot fleschly & bodily , (CMCLOUD,85.468)

and trauaylen +teire fleschly hertes outrageously in +teire brestes .
(CMCLOUD,85.469)

And what for lackyng of grace , +tat +tei deseruen , & pride and
curiouste in hem-self , +tei streyne here veynes and here bodily
mi+gtes so beestly & so rudely , <P_86> +tat with-inne schort tyme +tei
fallen ou+ter-2 into werynes and a maner of vnlisty febilnes in body
and in soule , +te whiche maki+t hem to wende oute of hem-self & seke
sum fals & sum veyne fleschly and bodily counforte wi+t-outyn , as it
were for recreacion of body and of spirite . (CMCLOUD,86.470)

Or elles , +gif +tei falle not in +tis , elles +tei deserue - for
goostly blyndnes & for fleschly chaufyng of +teire compleccion in
+teire bodily brestis in +te tyme of +tis feinid beestly and not
goostly worchyng - for to haue +teire brestes ou+ter enflaumid wi+t an
vnkyndely hete of compleccion , causid of misrewlyng of +teire bodies
or of +tis feinid worching , (CMCLOUD,86.471)

or elles +tei conceyue a fals hete wrou+gt by +te feende , +teire
goostly enmye , causid of +teire pride & of +teire fleschlines & +teire
coriouste of wit . (CMCLOUD,86.472)

And +git , parauenture , +tei wene it be +te fiir of loue , getyn and
kyndelid by +te grace & +te goodnes of +te Holy Goost .
(CMCLOUD,86.473)

Treuly of +tis disceite , and of +te braunces +ter-of , spryngyn many
mescheues : moche ypocrisie , moche heresye , and moche errour .
(CMCLOUD,86.474)

For as fast after soche a fals felyng come+t a fals knowyng in +te
feendes scole , ri+gt as after a trewe feling come+t a trewe knowing in
Gods scole . (CMCLOUD,86.475)

For I telle +tee trewly +tat +te deuil ha+t his contemplatyues , as God
ha+t his . (CMCLOUD,86.476)

+Tis disseite of fals felyng , & of fals knowyng folowyng +ter-on ,
ha+t diuerse and wonderful variacions , after +te dyuerste of states &
+te sotyl condicions of hem +tat ben disceyuid ; as ha+t +te trewe
felyng and knowyng of hem +tat ben sauid . (CMCLOUD,86.477)

Bot I sette no mo disceites here bot +too wi+t +te whiche I trowe +tou
schalt be assailid , +gif euer +tou purpose +tee to worche in +tis werk
. (CMCLOUD,86.478)

For what schuld it profite to +tee to wite hou +tees greet clerkis , &
men & wommen of o+ter degrees +ten +tou arte , ben <P_87> disceyuid ?
(CMCLOUD,87.479)

Sikirly ri+gt nou+gt . (CMCLOUD,87.480)

And +terfore I telle +tee no mo , bot +too +tat fallyn unto +tee , +gif
+tou trauayle in +tis werk . (CMCLOUD,87.481)

And for+ti I telle +tee +tis , +tat +tou schalt bewar +ter-wi+t in +ti
worching , +gif +tou be assailyd +ter-wi+t . (CMCLOUD,87.482)

<heading>

HERE BIGINNI+T +TE SIX AND FOURTY CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,87.484)

</heading>

And +terfore for Goddes loue bewar in +tis werk , (CMCLOUD,87.486)

and streyne not +tin hert in +ti brest ouer-rudely , ne oure of mesure
; (CMCLOUD,87.487)

bot wirche more wi+t a list +ten wi+t any li+ter streng+te .
(CMCLOUD,87.488)

For euer +te more listly , +te more meekly and goostly ;
(CMCLOUD,87.489)

and euer +te more rudely , +te more bodely & beestly . (CMCLOUD,87.490)

And +terfore bewar . (CMCLOUD,87.491)

For sekirly what beestly herte +tat presumi+t for to touche +te hi+ge
mounte of +tis werke , it schalt be betyn awey wi+t stones .
(CMCLOUD,87.492)

Stones ben harde & drie in her kynde , (CMCLOUD,87.493)

and +tei hurte ful sore where +tei hit . (CMCLOUD,87.494)

And sekirly soche rude streynynges ben ful harde fastnid in fleschlines
of bodely felyng , and ful drie fro any wetyng of grace ;
(CMCLOUD,87.495)

and +tei hurte ful sore +te sely soule , (CMCLOUD,87.496)

and make it feestre in fantasie feinid of feendes . (CMCLOUD,87.497)

And +terfore bewar wi+t +tis beestly ruednes , (CMCLOUD,87.498)

& leerne +tee to loue listely wi+t a softe & a demure contenaunce , as
wel in body as in soule . (CMCLOUD,87.499)

And abide curtesly and meekly +te wil of oure Lorde , (CMCLOUD,87.500)

and lache not ouer hastely , as it were a gredy grehounde ,
(CMCLOUD,87.501)

hungre +tee neuer so sore . (CMCLOUD,87.502)

& gamenly be it seyde , I rede +tat +tu do +tat in +tee is , refreynyng
+te rude and +te grete steryng of +ti spirite ; ry+gt as +tou on no
wyse woldest lat hym wite hou fayne +tou woldest see hym and haue hym
or fele hym . (CMCLOUD,87.503)

<P_88>

+Tis is childly and pleyingly spoken , +tee +tink , parauenture .
(CMCLOUD,88.505)

Bot I trowe who-so had grace to do and fele as I sey , he schuld fele
good gamesumli pley wi+t hym , as +te fadir do+t wi+t +te childe ,
kyissyng and clippyng , +tat weel were him so . (CMCLOUD,88.506)

<heading>

HERE BIGYNNI+T +TE SEUEN AND FOURTY CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,88.508)

</heading>

Loke +tou haue no wonder whi +tat I speke +tus childly , & as it were
folily and lackyng kyndly discrecion ; (CMCLOUD,88.510)

for I do it for certeyn skyles , & as me +tinke+t +tat I haue ben
sterid many day bo+te to fele +tus & +tink +tus & sey +tus , as weel to
som o+ter of my specyal freendes in God , as I am now vnto +tee .
(CMCLOUD,88.511)

And o skyle is +tis , whi +tat I bid +tee hide it fro God , +te desire
of +tine herte : (CMCLOUD,88.512)

for I hope it schuld more cleerly com to his knowyng , to +ti profite &
in fulfyllyng of +ti desire , by soche an hidyng , +tan it scholde by
any o+ter maner of schewyng +tat I trowe +tou coudest +git schewe .
(CMCLOUD,88.513)

And ano+ter skyle is : for I wolde by soche a hid schewyng bryng +tee
oute of +te boistouste of bodely felyng into +te purete and depnes of
goostly felyng ; and so for+termore at +te last to help +tee to knit
+te goostly knot of brennyng loue bitwix +tee and +ti God , in goostly
onheed and acordyng of wille . (CMCLOUD,88.514)

+Tou wost wel +tis , +tat God is a spirit ; (CMCLOUD,88.515)

and who-so schuld be onid vnto hym , it behoui+t to be in so+tfastnes
and deepnes of spirit , ful fer fro any feynid bodely +ting .
(CMCLOUD,88.516)

So+t it is +tat alle +ting is knowen <P_89> of God , (CMCLOUD,89.517)

and no+ting may be hid fro his wetyng , nei+ter bodily +ting ne goostly
. (CMCLOUD,89.518)

Bot more aperte is +tat +ting knowyn and schewid vnto him , +te whiche
is hid in depnes of spirit , si+t it so is +tat he is a spirit , +tan
is any +ting is medelid wi+t any maner of bodelines . (CMCLOUD,89.519)

For alle bodely +ting is fer+ter fro God bi +te cours of kynde +ten any
goostly +ting . (CMCLOUD,89.520)

By +tis skile it semi+t +tat +te whiles oure desire is medelid wi+t any
maner of bodelines - as it is whan we stresse and streyne us in spirit
& in body to-geders - as longe it is fer+ter fro God +ten it schuld be
, and it were done more deuoutly & more listely in sobirnes and in
puretee & in depnes of spirite . (CMCLOUD,89.521)

And here maist +tou see sumwhat and in party +te skil whi +tat I bid
+tee so childly hele & hyde +te steryng of +ti desire fro God .
(CMCLOUD,89.522)

And +git I bid +tee not pleynly hyde it , (CMCLOUD,89.523)

for +tat were +te biddyng of a fole , (CMCLOUD,89.524)

for to bid +tee pleynly do +tat on no wise may be done .
(CMCLOUD,89.525)

Bot I bid +tee do +tat in +tee is to hide it . (CMCLOUD,89.526)

And whi bid I +tus ? (CMCLOUD,89.527)

Sekirly for I wolde +tat +tou castedest it into depnes of spirite , fer
fro any rude medelyng of any bodelines , +te whiche wolde make it lesse
goostly , and fer+ter fro God in as moche ; and for I wote wel +tat
euer +te more +tat +ti spirit ha+t of goostlines , +te lesse it ha+t of
bodelines and +te nerer it is God , and +te betyr it plesi+t hym , &
+te more cleerly it may be seen of hym . (CMCLOUD,89.528)

Not +tat his si+gt may be any tyme , or in any +ting , more cleer +ten
in ano+ter , for it is euermore vnchaungable ; (CMCLOUD,89.529)

bot for+ti it is more liche vnto hym , when it is in puretee of spirit
, for he is a spirit . (CMCLOUD,89.530)

<P_90>

Ano+ter skyl +ter is whi +tat I bid +tee do +tat in +tee is to late hym
not wite : (CMCLOUD,90.532)

for +tou & I , and many soche as we ben , we ben so abyl to conceyue a
+ting bodily , +te whiche is seyde goostly , +tat parauenture , and I
had boden +tee schewe vnto God +te steryng of +tin herte , +tou
schuldest haue maad a bodily schewyng vnto hym , ou+ter in contenaunce
, or in voyce , or in worde , or in som o+ter rude bodely streynyng ,
as it is when +tou schalt schewe a +ting +tat is hid in +tin hert to a
bodely man ; (CMCLOUD,90.533)

& in as moche +ti werk schuld haue ben inpure . (CMCLOUD,90.534)

For on o maner schal a +ting be schewid to man , & on an-o+ter maner
vnto God . (CMCLOUD,90.535)

<S_SAMPLE_3>

<P_112>

<heading>

HERE BIGINNI+T +TE ON AND SIXTI CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,112.539)

</heading>

Neuer+teles it is needful to lifte up oure i+gen and oure hondes bodely
, as it were vnto +gone bodely heuen , in +te whiche +te <P_113>
elementes ben fastnid . (CMCLOUD,113.541)

I mene +gif we ben sterid of +te werk of oure spirit , and elles nou+gt
. (CMCLOUD,113.542)

For alle bodely +ting is sogette vnto goostly +ting (CMCLOUD,113.543)

and is reulid +terafter , and not a+gensward . (CMCLOUD,113.544)

Ensaumple herof may be seen by +te assencion of oure Lorde ;
(CMCLOUD,113.545)

for whan +te tyme statute was icomen +tat him likyd to weende to his
Fader bodely in his Manheed - +te whiche was neuer , ne neuer may be ,
absent in his Godheed - +tan mi+gtely , by +te vertewe of +te Spirit
God , +te Manheed wi+t +te body folowed in onheed of Persone .
(CMCLOUD,113.546)

+Te visibilite of +tis was moste seemly and most acordyng to be upward
. (CMCLOUD,113.547)

+Tis same subieccion of +te body to +te spirit may be in maner verrely
conceiued in +te preof of +tis goostly werk of +tis book by hem +tat
worchen +terin . (CMCLOUD,113.548)

For what tyme +tat a soule dispose+t him effectuely to +tis werk , +tan
as fast sodenly - vnwetyng him-self +tat worche+t - +te body , +tat
parauenture bifore er he bygan was sumwhat heeldyng donwardes on o syde
or on o+ter for ese of +te flesche , by vertewe of +te spirit schal set
it vpri+gt , folowyng in maner & in licnes bodely +te werk of +te
spirit +tat is maad goostly . (CMCLOUD,113.549)

and +tus it is moste semely to be . (CMCLOUD,113.550)

And for +tis seemlines it is +tat a man , +te whiche is +te seemliest
creature in body +tat euer God maad , is not maad crokid to +te
er+tewardes , as ben alle o+ter beestes , bot upri+gte to heuenwardes ;
for whi +tat it schulde figure in licnes bodely +te werke of +te soule
goostly , +te whiche falle+t to be upri+gt goostly and not crokid
goostly . (CMCLOUD,113.551)

Take kepe +tat I sey upri+gt goostly , and not bodely .
(CMCLOUD,113.552)

For how <P_114> schulde a soule , +te whiche in his kynde ha+t no maner
+ting of bodelines , be streinid upri+gt bodely ? (CMCLOUD,114.553)

Nay , it may not be . (CMCLOUD,114.554)

And +terfore beware +tat +tou conceyue not bodely +tat +tat is mente
goostly , +tof al it be spokyn in bodely wordes , as ben +tees :
(CMCLOUD,114.555)

UP_RP or DOUN , IN or OUTE , BEHINDE or BEFORE , ON O SIDE or ON O+TER
. (CMCLOUD,114.556)

For +tof al +tat a +ting be neuer so goostly in it-self , neuer+teles
+git +gif it schal be spoken of , si+ten it so is +tat speche is a
bodely werk wrou+gt wi+t +te tonge , +te whiche is an instrument of +te
body , it behoue+t alweis be spoken in bodely wordes .
(CMCLOUD,114.557)

Bot what +terof ? (CMCLOUD,114.558)

Schal it +terfore be taken and conceyuid bodely ? (CMCLOUD,114.559)

Nay , it bot goostly . (CMCLOUD,114.560)

<heading>

HERE BIGINNI+T +TE TWO AND SIXTY CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,114.562)

</heading>

And for+ti +tat +tou schalt kun betir wite how +tei schul be conceyued
goostly , +tees wordes +tat ben spoken bodely , +terfore I +tink to
declare to +tee +te goostly bemenyng of somme wordes +tat fallyn to
goostly worching ; so +tat +tou mayst wite cleerly wi+t-outen errour
when +ti goostly werke is bene+te +tee & wi+t-outyn +tee , & when it is
wi+t-in +tee & euen wi+t +tee , and when it is abouen +tee & vnder +ti
God . (CMCLOUD,114.564)

Alle maner of bodely +ting is wi+touten +ti soule & bene+te it in kynde
. (CMCLOUD,114.565)

+Ge , +te sonne & +te mone and alle +te sterres , +tof al +tei be
abouen +ti body , neuer+teles +git +tei ben bene+te +ti soule .
(CMCLOUD,114.566)

Alle aungelles and alle soules , +tof al +tei be conformed & anowrnid
wi+t grace & wi+t vertewes , for +te whiche +tei ben abouen +tee in
clennes , neuer+teles +git +tei ben bot euen +tee in kynde .
(CMCLOUD,114.567)

Wi+t-inne in +ti-self in kynde ben +te mi+gtes of +ti soule , +te
whiche <P_115> ben +tees +tre principal : minde , reson , & wille ; and
secundary , ymaginacion and sensualite . (CMCLOUD,115.568)

Abouen +ti-self in kynde is no maner of +ting bot only God .
(CMCLOUD,115.569)

Euermore where +tou fyndest wreten +ti-self in goostlines , +tan it is
vnderstonden +ti soule , & not +ti body . (CMCLOUD,115.570)

And +ten , al after +tat +ting is on +te whiche +te mi+gtes of +ti
soule worchyn , +terafter schal +te wor+tines and +te condicion of +te
werke be demid ; whe+ter it be bine+te +tee , wi+t-inne +tee , or
abouen +tee . (CMCLOUD,115.571)

<heading>

HERE BIGYNNI+T +TE +TRE AND SIXTY CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,115.573)

</heading>

Mynde is soche a mi+gte in it-self , +tat properly to speke and in
maner it worche+t not it-self . (CMCLOUD,115.575)

Bot reson & wille , +tei ben two worching mi+gtes , (CMCLOUD,115.576)

and so is ymaginacion & sensualite also . (CMCLOUD,115.577)

And alle +tees foure mi+gtes & +teire werkes mynde contene+t &
comprehende+t in it-self . (CMCLOUD,115.578)

and on none o+ter wise it is seide +tat +te mynde worche+t , bot +gif
soche a comprehencion be a werke . (CMCLOUD,115.579)

And herfore it is +tat I clepe +te mi+gtes of a soule , som principal ,
& som secundary . (CMCLOUD,115.580)

Not for a soule is departable , for +tat may not be ; bot for alle +too
+tinges in +te whiche +tei worchen ben departable , and somme principal
, as ben alle goostly +tinges , and som secundary , as ben alle bodily
+tinges . (CMCLOUD,115.581)

+Te two principal worching my+gtes , reson and wille , worchen purely
in hem-self in alle goostly +tinges , wi+t-outen help of +te o+ter two
secundary mi+gtes . (CMCLOUD,115.582)

Ymaginacion & sensualite worchin beestly in alle bodely +tinges ,
whe+ter +tei be present or absente in +te body , & wi+t +te bodely
wittes . (CMCLOUD,115.583)

Bot by hem , wi+t-outen helpe of reson & of wille , may a soule neuer
come <P_116> to for to knowe +te vertewe & +te condicions of bodely
creatures , ne +te cause of +teire beynges and +teire makynges .
(CMCLOUD,116.584)

And for +tis skyle is reson and wille clepid principal mi+gtes , for
+tei worchen in pure spirit wi+t-outen any maner of bodelines ; and
ymaginacion & sensualite secondary , for +tei worchen in +te body wi+t
bodely instrumentes , +te whiche ben oure fiue wittes .
(CMCLOUD,116.585)

Minde is clepid a principal my+gte , for it contene+t in it goostly not
only alle +te o+ter mi+gtes , bot +terto alle +to +tinges in +te whiche
+tei worchen . (CMCLOUD,116.586)

Se by +te profe . (CMCLOUD,116.587)

<heading>

HERE BIGINNI+T +TE FOURE AND SIXTY CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,116.589)

</heading>

Reson is a my+gt +torou +te whiche we departe +te iuel fro +te good ,
+te iuel fro +te worse , +te good fro +te betir , +te worse fro +te
worste , +te betir fro +te best . (CMCLOUD,116.591)

Before er man synned , mi+gt reson haue done al +tis by kynde .
(CMCLOUD,116.592)

Bot now it is so blendid wi+t +te original synne +tat it may not kon
worche +tis werk bot +git it be illuminid by grace . (CMCLOUD,116.593)

And bo+te +te self reson , & +te +ting +tat it worche+t in , ben
comprehendid & contened in +te mynde . (CMCLOUD,116.594)

Wille is a my+gt +torou +te whiche we chese good , after +tat it be
determinid wi+t reson ; & +torow +te whiche we loue God , we desire God
, and resten us wi+t ful likyng & consent eendli in God .
(CMCLOUD,116.595)

Before er man synnid , mi+gt not wille be disceyuid in his chesyng , in
his louyng , ne in none of his werkes ; for whi it had +tan by kynde to
<P_117> sauour iche +ting as it was . (CMCLOUD,117.596)

Bot now it may not do so , bot +gif it be anointed wi+t grace .
(CMCLOUD,117.597)

For oftymes , bicause of infeccion of +te original synne , it sauore+t
a +ting for good +tat is ful yuel , and +tat ha+t bot +te licnes of
goode . (CMCLOUD,117.598)

And bo+te +te wille & +te +ting +tat it wilni+t +te mynde contene+t &
comprehendi+t in it . (CMCLOUD,117.599)

<heading>

HERE BIGINNI+T +TE FIUE AND SIXTY CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,117.601)

</heading>

Imagynacion is a mi+gt +torow +te whiche we portray alle ymages of
absent & present +tinges . (CMCLOUD,117.603)

And bo+te it , & +te +ting +tat it worche+t in , ben contened in +te
mynde . (CMCLOUD,117.604)

Byfore er man synned , was ymaginacion so obedyent vnto +te reson - to
+te whiche it is as it were seruaunt - +tat it mynystrid neuer to it
any vnordeynde ymage of any bodely creature , or any fantasy of any
goostly creature . (CMCLOUD,117.605)

Bot now it is not so . (CMCLOUD,117.606)

For bot +gif it be refreynid by +te li+gt of grace in +te reson , elles
it wil neuer sese , sleping or wakyng , for to portray dyuerse
vnordeynd ymages of bodely creatures ; or elles sum fantasye , +te
whiche is nou+gt elles bot a bodely conseyte of a goostly +ting , or
elles a goostly conseyte of a bodely +ting . (CMCLOUD,117.607)

And +tis is euermore feynid & fals , & aneste vnto errour .
(CMCLOUD,117.608)

+Tis inobedyence of +te ymaginacion may clerly be conseyuid in hem +tat
ben newlynges tornid fro +te woreld vnto deuocion in +te tyme of here
preier . (CMCLOUD,117.609)

For before +te tyme be +tat +te ymaginacion be in grete partye
refreynid by +te li+gt of grace in +te reson - as it is in <P_118>
contynowel meditacion of goostly +tinges , as ben +teire wrechidnes ,
+te Passion & +te kyndenes of oure Lorde God , wi+t many soche o+ter -
+tei mowe in no wise put awey +te wonderful & +te diuerse +tou+gtes ,
fantasies and ymages , +te whiche ben mynystred and preentid in +teire
mynde by +te li+gte and +te corioustee of ymaginacyon .
(CMCLOUD,118.610)

and alle +tis inobedyence is +te pyne of +te original synne .
(CMCLOUD,118.611)

<heading>

HERE BIGINNI+T +TE SIX AND SIXTY CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,118.613)

</heading>

Sensualite is a mi+gte of oure soule , rechyng & regnyng in +te bodely
wittes , +torow +te whiche we haue bodely knowyng & felyng of alle
bodely creatures , whe+ter +tei be likyng or gruchyng .
(CMCLOUD,118.615)

And it ha+t two partyes : one +torow +te whiche it beholde+t to +te
needfulnes of oure body , ano+ter +torou +te whiche it serue+t to +te
lustis of +te bodely wittys . (CMCLOUD,118.616)

For +tis same mi+gt is it +tat gruchi+t when +te body lacky+t +te
needful +tinges vnto it , (CMCLOUD,118.617)

and +tat in +te takyng of +te nede stere+t us to take more +tan nedi+t
in fedyng and for+teryng of oure lustys . (CMCLOUD,118.618)

It grochi+t in lackyng of likyng creatures , (CMCLOUD,118.619)

& lustely is delited in +teire presence . (CMCLOUD,118.620)

It grochi+t in presence of mislikyng creatures , (CMCLOUD,118.621)

& it is lustely plesid in +teire absence . (CMCLOUD,118.622)

Bo+te +tis mi+gt & +te +ting +tat it worche+t in ben contened in +te
mynde . (CMCLOUD,118.623)

Before er man synnid was +te sensualite so obedyent vnto +te wille -
vnto +te whiche it is as it were seruaunt - +tat it ministred neuer
vnto it any vnordeinde likyng or groching in any bodely <P_119>
creature , or any goostly feynyng of likyng or mislikyng maad by any
goostly enmye in +te bodely wittes . (CMCLOUD,119.624)

Bot now it is not so ; (CMCLOUD,119.625)

for bot +gif it be reulyd by grace in +te wille , for to suffre meekly
& in mesure +te pyne of +te original synne - +te whiche it feli+t in
absence of needful likyng and in presence of speedful groching - and
+terto also for to streyne it fro luste in presence of needful lykyng ,
and fro lusty plesaunce in absence of speedful groching , elles wil it
wrechidly and wantounly weltre , as a swine in +te myre , in +te
wel+tes of +tis woreld & +te foule flessche so mochel , +tat alle oure
leuyng schal be more beestly and fleschly +ten ou+ter manly or goostly
. (CMCLOUD,119.626)

<heading>

HERE BEGINNI+T +TE SEUEN AND SIXTY CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,119.628)

</heading>

Loo , goostly freende ! to soche wrechidnes as +tou here mayst see ben
we fallen for synne . (CMCLOUD,119.630)

And +terfore what wonder is it +tou+g we be blyndely and li+gtly
disseyuid in vnderstondyng of goostly wordes & of goostly worchyng ,
and namely +too +te whiche knowyn not +git +te my+gtes of +teire soules
and +te maners of +teire worchyng ? (CMCLOUD,119.631)

For euer whan +te mynde is ocupied wi+t any bodely +ting , be it taken
to neuer so good an eende , +git +tou arte bine+te +ti-self in +tis
worching , & with-outen +ti soule . (CMCLOUD,119.632)

And euer whan +tou felist +ti mynde ocupied wi+t +te sotil condicions
of +te my+gtes of +ti soule & +teire worchynges in goostly +tinges , as
ben vices or vertewes of +ti-self or of any creature +tat is goostly &
euen wi+t +tee in kynde , to +tat eende +tat +tou mi+gtest by +tis
werke lerne to knowe +ti-self in for+tring <P_120> of perfeccion : +ten
+tou arte wi+t-inne +ti-self and euen wi+t +ti-self . (CMCLOUD,120.633)

Bot euer when +tou felist +ti mynde ocupyed wi+t no maner of +tyng +tat
is bodely or goostly , bot only wi+t +te self substaunce of God , as it
is & may be in +te preof of +te werk of +tis book : +ten +tou arte
abouen +ti-self & vnder +ti God . (CMCLOUD,120.634)

Abouen +ti-self +tou arte : for whi +tou atteynest to come +tedir by
grace , whe+ter +tou mayst not come by kynde ; +tat is to sey , to be
onyd to God in spirit & in loue and in acordaunce of wille .
(CMCLOUD,120.635)

Byne+te +ti God +tou arte : for whi +tof al it may be seide in maner
+tat in +tis tyme God & +tou ben not two bot one in spirit - in so
moche +tat +tou or ano+ter for soche onheed +tat fele+t +te perfeccion
of +tis werk may so+tfastly , bi witnes of Scripture , be clepid a God
- neuer+teles +git +tou arte bine+te hym . For whi he is God by kynde
wi+t-outen biginnyng ; (CMCLOUD,120.636)

and +tou +tat sumtyme were nou+gt in substaunce & +terto after when
+tou were by his mi+gt & his loue maad ou+gt , wilfuly wi+t synne
madest +ti-self wors +ten nou+gt : only bi his mercy wi+t-outen +ti
desert arte maad a God in grace , onyd wi+t him in spirit wi+t-outen
departyng , bo+te here and in blis of heuen wi+t-outen any eende . So
+tat , +tou+g +tou be al one wi+t hym in grace , +git +tou arte ful fer
bine+te hym in kynde . (CMCLOUD,120.637)

Loo , goostly freende ! herby maist +tou see sumwhat in partye +tat
who-so knowi+t not +te my+gtes of +teire owne soule , and +te maner of
+teire worchyng , may ful li+gtly be disseyued in vnderstondyng of
wordes +tat ben wretyn to goostly entent . (CMCLOUD,120.638)

And herfore maist +tou <P_121> see sumwhat +te cause whi +tat I durst
not pleynly bid +tee schewe +ti desire vnto God ; (CMCLOUD,121.639)

bot I bad +tee childly do +tat in +tee is to hyde it and hele it .
(CMCLOUD,121.640)

And +tis I do for feerde lest +tou schuldest conseyue bodily +tat +tat
is mente goostly . (CMCLOUD,121.641)

<heading>

HERE BIGINNI+T +TE EI+GT AND SIXTY CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,121.643)

</heading>

And on +te same maner , wher ano+ter man wolde bid +tee gader +ti
mi+gtes & +ti wittes holiche wi+t-inne +ti-self , & worschip God +tere
- +tof al he sey ful wel & ful trewly , +ge ! & no man trewlier & he be
wel conseiuid - +git for feerde of disseite & bodely conceyuyng of his
wordes , me list not byd +tee do so . (CMCLOUD,121.645)

Bot +tus wil I bid +tee . (CMCLOUD,121.646)

Loke on no wyse +tat +tou be wi+t-inne +ti-self . (CMCLOUD,121.647)

And schortly wi+t-outyn +ti-self wil I not +tat +tou be , ne +git
abouen , ne be-hynde , ne on o side , ne on o+ter . (CMCLOUD,121.648)

' Wher +tan , ' seist +tou , ' schal I be ? (CMCLOUD,121.649)

No+gwhere , by +ti tale ! ' (CMCLOUD,121.650)

Now trewly +tou seist wel ; (CMCLOUD,121.651)

for +tere wolde I haue +tee . For whi no+gwhere bodely is euerywhere
goostly . (CMCLOUD,121.652)

Loke +tan besily +tat +ti goostly werk be no+gwhere bodely ;
(CMCLOUD,121.653)

and +tan wher-so-euer +tat +tat +ting is , on +te whiche +tou wilfuly
worchest in +ti mynde in substaunce , sekerly +ter art +tou in spirit ,
as verrely as +ti body is in +tat place +tat +tou arte bodely .
(CMCLOUD,121.654)

And +tof al +ti bodely wittes kon fynde +ter no+ting to fede hem on ,
for hem +tink it nou+gt +tat +tou doste , +ge ! do on +tan +tis nou+gt
, elles +tat +tou do it for Goddes loue . (CMCLOUD,121.655)

And lete nou+gt , +terfore , (CMCLOUD,121.656)

<P_122>

bot trauayle besily in +tat nou+gt with a wakyng desire to wilne to
haue God , +tat no man may knowe . (CMCLOUD,122.658)

For I telle +tee trewly +tat I had leuer be so nowhere bodely ,
wrastlyng wi+t +tat blynde nou+gt , +tan to be so grete a lorde +tat I
mi+gt when I wolde be euerywhere bodely , merily pleiing wi+t al +tis
ou+gt as a lorde wi+t his owne . (CMCLOUD,122.659)

Lat be +tis eueriwhere & +tis ou+gt , in comparison of +tis <em>
no+gwhere and +tis </em> nou+gt . (CMCLOUD,122.660)

Reche +tee neuer +gif +ti wittys kon no skyle of +tis nou+gt : for whi
I loue it moche +te betir . (CMCLOUD,122.661)

It is so wor+ti a +ting in it-self +tat +tei kon no skyle +ter-apon .
(CMCLOUD,122.662)

+Tis nou+gt may betir be felt +ten seen ; (CMCLOUD,122.663)

for it is ful blynde & ful derk to hem +tat han bot lityl while lokid
+ter-apon . (CMCLOUD,122.664)

Neuer+teles , +gif I schal so+tlier sey , a soule is more bleendid in
felyng of it for habundaunce of goostly li+gt , +ten for any derknes or
wantyng of bodely li+gtte . (CMCLOUD,122.665)

What is he +tat clepi+t it nou+gt ? (CMCLOUD,122.666)

Sekirly it is oure vtter man , and not oure inner . (CMCLOUD,122.667)

Oure inner man clepi+t it Al ; (CMCLOUD,122.668)

for of it he is wel lernid to kon skyle of alle +tinges , bodely or
goostly , wi+t-outen any specyal beholdyng to any o +ting by it-self .
(CMCLOUD,122.669)

<heading>

HERE BIGINNI+T +TE NINE AND SIXTY CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,122.671)

</heading>

Wonderfuly is a mans affeccion varied in goostly felyng of +tis nou+gt
when it is nou+gwhere wrou+gt . (CMCLOUD,122.673)

For at +te first tyme +tat a soule loki+t +ter-apon , it schal fynde
alle +te specyal dedes of sinne +tat euer he did si+ten he was borne ,
bodely or goostly , priuely or derkly , peyntid +ter-apon .
(CMCLOUD,122.674)

And how-so-euer +tat he torni+t it aboute , euermore +tei wil apere
before his i+gen ; vnto +te tyme be +tat wi+t <P_123> moche harde
trauayle , many sore si+ginges , & many bitter wepynges he haue in
grete party rubbid hem awey . (CMCLOUD,123.675)

Somtyme in +tis trauayle him +tink +tat it is to loke +ter-apon as on
helle ; (CMCLOUD,123.676)

for him +tink +tat he despeiri+t to wynne to perfeccion of goostly rest
oute of +tat pyne . (CMCLOUD,123.677)

+Tus fer inwardes comyn many ; (CMCLOUD,123.678)

bot for greetnes of pyne +tat +tei fele and for lackyng of counforte
+tei go bak in beholdyng of bodely +tinges , sekyng fleschly counfortes
wi+t-outen , for lackyng of goostly +tat +tei haue not +git deseruyd ,
as +tei schuld +gif +tei had abeden . (CMCLOUD,123.679)

For he +tat abidi+t feli+t somtyme som coumforte , (CMCLOUD,123.680)

and ha+t som hope of perfeccion ; (CMCLOUD,123.681)

for he feli+t & see+t +tat many of his fordone specyal synnes ben in
grete partye by help of grace rubbid awey . (CMCLOUD,123.682)

Neuer+teles +git eueramonge he feli+t pyne ; (CMCLOUD,123.683)

bot he +tinki+t +tat it schal haue an ende , (CMCLOUD,123.684)

for it wexi+t euer les & les . (CMCLOUD,123.685)

& +terfore he clepi+t it nou+gt helle bot purgatory . (CMCLOUD,123.686)

Somtyme he kan fynde no specyal synne wretyn +ter-apon ,
(CMCLOUD,123.687)

bot +git hym +tink +tat it is synne a lumpe , he wote neuer what , none
o+ter +ting +tan hym-self ; (CMCLOUD,123.688)

and +tan it may be clepid +te sta+til and +te pyne of +te original
synne . (CMCLOUD,123.689)

Somtyme hym +tink +tat it is paradis or heuen , for diuerse wonderful
swetnes and counfortes , ioyes & blessid vertewes +tat he fynde+t
+ter-in . (CMCLOUD,123.690)

Somtyme hym +tink it God , for pees & rest +tat he finde+t +ter-in .
(CMCLOUD,123.691)

+Ge ! +tink what he +tink wil ; (CMCLOUD,123.692)

for euermore he schal fynde it a cloude of vnknowyng +tat is bitwix hym
and his God . (CMCLOUD,123.693)

<P_124> <heading>

HERE BIGINNY+T +TE SEUENTY CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,124.695)

</heading>

And +terfore trauayle fast in +tis nou+gt & +tis nou+gwhere ,
(CMCLOUD,124.697)

& leue +tin outward bodely wittes ; (CMCLOUD,124.698)

for I telle +tee trewly +tat +tis werk may not be conceyuid by hem .
(CMCLOUD,124.699)

For by +tin i+gen +tou maist not conceyue of any +ting , bot +gif it be
by +te leng+te & +te breed , +te smalnes & +te gretnes , +te roundnes
and +te swarenes , +te fernes & +te neernes , and +te colour of it .
And bi +tin eren , not bot noise or sum maner of soun . By +tin nose ,
not bot ei+ter stynche or sauour . And by +ti taast , not bot ei+ter
soure or swete , salt or fresche , bittyr or likyng . And bi +ti feling
, not bot ou+ter hote or colde , hard or tendre , soft or scharpe .
(CMCLOUD,124.700)

And trewly nei+ter ha+t God ne goostly +tinges none of +tees qualitees
ne quantitees . (CMCLOUD,124.701)

And +terfore leue +tin outward wittes , (CMCLOUD,124.702)

& worche not wi+t hem , nei+ter wi+t-inne ne wi+t-outen .
(CMCLOUD,124.703)

For alle +too +tat setten hem to be goostly worchers wi+t-inne , &
wenen +tat +tei scholen ou+ter here , smel , or see , taast or fele
goostly +tinges , ou+ter wi+t-inne hem or wi+t-outen , sekerly +tei ben
deceyued (CMCLOUD,124.704)

& worchen wronge a+gens +te cours of kynde . (CMCLOUD,124.705)

For kyndely +tei ben ordeynid +tat with hem men schuld haue knowyng of
alle outward bodely +tinges , and on no wise by hem com to +te knowing
of gostely +tinges . (CMCLOUD,124.706)

I mene bi +teire werkes . (CMCLOUD,124.707)

By +teire failinges we may , as +tus : (CMCLOUD,124.708)

when we rede or here speke of sum certeyn +tinges , & +terto conceyue
+tat oure outward wittys <P_125> kon not telle us bi no qualitee what
+too +tinges ben , +tan we mowe be verely certefied +tat +too +tinges
ben goostly +tinges , & not bodely +tinges . (CMCLOUD,125.709)

On +tis same maner goostly it fari+t in oure goostly wittys , when we
trauailen aboute +te knowyng of God him-self . (CMCLOUD,125.710)

For haue a man neuer so moche goostly vnderstondyng in knowyng of alle
maad goostly +tinges , +git may he neuer bi +te werk of his
vnderstondyng com to +te knowyng of an vnmaad goostly +ting , +te
whiche is nou+gt bot God . (CMCLOUD,125.711)

Bot by +te failyng it may ; for whi +tat +ting +tat it faili+t in is
no+ting elles bot only God . (CMCLOUD,125.712)

And herfore it was +tat Seynte Denis seyde : ' +Te moste goodly knowyng
of God is +tat , +te whiche is knowyn bi vnknowyng . '
(CMCLOUD,125.713)

And trewly , who-so wil loke Denis bookes , he schal fynde +tat his
wordes wilen cleerly aferme al +tat I haue seyde or schal sey , fro +te
biginnyng of +tis tretis to +te ende . (CMCLOUD,125.714)

On none o+terwise +ten +tus list me not alegge hem , ne none o+ter
doctour for me at +tis tyme . (CMCLOUD,125.715)

For somtyme men +tou+gt it meeknes to sey nou+gt of +teire owne hedes ,
bot +gif +tei afermid it by Scripture & doctours wordes ;
(CMCLOUD,125.716)

& now it is turnid into corioustee & schewyng of kunnyng .
(CMCLOUD,125.717)

To +tee it nedi+t not , (CMCLOUD,125.718)

& +terfore I do it nou+gt . (CMCLOUD,125.719)

For who-so ha+t eren , lat hem here , (CMCLOUD,125.720)

& who-so is sterid for to trowe , lat hem trowe ; (CMCLOUD,125.721)

for elles scholen +tei not . (CMCLOUD,125.722)

<heading>

HERE BIGINNI+T +TE ON AND SEUENTY CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,125.724)

</heading>

Somme +tink +tis mater so harde and so feerdful +tat +tei sey it may
<P_126> not be comen to wi+t-outen moche stronge trauayle comyng before
, ne conceiuid bot seeldom , & +tat in +te tyme of rauisching .
(CMCLOUD,126.726)

and to +tees men wol I answere as febely as I kan , & sey +tat it is
alle at +te ordynaunce & +te disposicion of God , after +teire abilnes
in soule +tat +tis grace of contemplacion & of goostly worching is
+gouen to . (CMCLOUD,126.727)

For som +ter ben +tat wi+t-outyn moche & longe goostly excersise mowe
not com +terto ; (CMCLOUD,126.728)

& +git it schal be bot ful seeldom , & in special callyng of oure Lorde
, +tat +tei schul fele +te perfeccion of +tis werk : +te whiche callyng
is clepid rauisching . (CMCLOUD,126.729)

And som +ter ben +tat ben so sotyl in grace & in spirit , & so homely
wi+t God in +tis grace of contemplacion , +tat +tei mowe haue it when
+tei wolen in +te comoun state of mans soule : as in sittyng , goyng ,
stondyng , or knelyng . (CMCLOUD,126.730)

and +git in +tis tyme +tei haue fulle deliberacion of alle +teire
wittis , bodely or goostly , (CMCLOUD,126.731)

& mowe vse hem +gif hem list : not wi+t-outen som lettyng , bot
withouten gret lettyng . (CMCLOUD,126.732)

Ensaumple of +te first we haue by Moises , and of +tis o+ter by Aaron ,
+te preest of +te temple . For whi +tis grace of contemplacion is
figurid by +te Arke of +te Testament in +te Olde Lawe , and +te
worchers in +tis grace ben figurid by hem +tat most medelid hem aboute
+tis arke , as +te story wol witnes . (CMCLOUD,126.733)

And weel is +tis grace and +tis werk licnid to +tat arke .
(CMCLOUD,126.734)

For ri+gt as in +tat arke were contenid alle +te juelles & +te relikis
of +te temple , ri+gt so in +tis lityl loue put ben contenid alle +te
vertewes of mans soule , +te whiche is +te goostly temple of God .
(CMCLOUD,126.735)

Moyses , er he mi+gt come to se +tis arke , & for to wite how it schuld
be maad , wi+t grete longe trauayle he clombe up to +te top of +te
mounteyne (CMCLOUD,126.736)

& wonid +tere (CMCLOUD,126.737)

& wrou+gt in a cloude six daies : <P_127> abidyng vnto +te seuen+t day
, +tat oure Lorde wolde vouche saaf for to schewe vnto hem +te maner of
+tis arke-makyng . (CMCLOUD,127.738)

By Moises longe trauaile and his late schewyng ben vnderstonden +too
+tat mowe not come to +te perfeccion of +tis goostly werk wi+t-outen
longe trauayle comyng before , & +git bot ful seeldom , and when God
wil vouche saaf to schewe it . (CMCLOUD,127.739)

Bot +tat +tat Moises mi+gt not come to se bot seeldom , & +tat not
wi+t-outyn grete longe trauayle , Aaron had in his power , bicause of
his office , for to se it in +te temple with-inne +te veyle as ofte as
him likid for to entre . (CMCLOUD,127.740)

And bi +tis Aaron ben vnderstonden alle +too +te whiche I spak of
abouen , +te whiche by +teire goostly slei+gtes , bi help of grace ,
mowen propre vnto hem +te perfeccion of +tis werk as oft as hem liki+t
. (CMCLOUD,127.741)

<heading>

HERE BIGINNI+T +TE TWO AND SEUENTI CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,127.743)

</heading>

Lo ! herby maist +tou see +tat he +tat may not com to for to see & fele
+te perfeccion of +tis werk , bot wi+t grete trauayle , & +git is it
bot seeldom , & may li+gtly be disceyuid +gif he speke , +tink & deme
o+ter men as he feli+t in him-self : +tat +tei mowe not com to it bot
seeldom , and +tat not wi+t-outen greet trauaile . (CMCLOUD,127.745)

And on +te same maner may he be deceyuid +tat may haue it whan he wil ,
+gif he deme alle o+ter +ter-after , seiing +tat +tei mowe haue it when
+tei wile . (CMCLOUD,127.746)

Lat be +tis ; (CMCLOUD,127.747)

nay , sekirly he may not +tink +tus . (CMCLOUD,127.748)

For parauenture , whan it liki+t vnto God , +too +tat mowe not at +te
first tyme haue it <P_128> bot seeldom & +tat not wi+t-outen grete
trauayle , si+ten after +tei schulen haue it whan +tei wile , as ofte
as hem liki+t . (CMCLOUD,128.749)

Ensaumple of +tis we haue of Moyses , +tat first bot seeldome , &
nou+gt wi+t-outen grete trauayle in +te mounte , mi+gt not see +te
maner of +te arke ; and si+ten after , as ofte as hym likid , sawe it
in +te vaale . (CMCLOUD,128.750)

<heading>

HERE BIGINNI+T +TE +TRE AND SEUENTY CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,128.752)

</heading>

+Tre men +ter weren +tat most principaly medelid hem wi+t +tis arke of
+te Olde Testament : Moyses , Be+geleel , Aaron . (CMCLOUD,128.754)

Moyses lernid in +te mounte of oure Lorde how it schuld be maad .
(CMCLOUD,128.755)

Be+geleel wrou+gt it (CMCLOUD,128.756)

& maad it in +te vaale , after +te ensaumple +tat was schewid in +te
mounteyne . (CMCLOUD,128.757)

And Aaron had it in kepyng in +te temple , to fele it & see it as ofte
as hym likid . (CMCLOUD,128.758)

At +te licnes of +tees +tre , we profite on +tre maners in +tis grace
of contemplacion . (CMCLOUD,128.759)

Somtyme we profite only by grace , (CMCLOUD,128.760)

and +tan we ben licnid vnto Moises , +tat for alle +te clymbyng & +te
trauaile +tat he had into +te mounte , mi+gt not com to se it bot
seeldom ; (CMCLOUD,128.761)

and +git was +tat si+gt only by +te schewyng of oure Lorde whan hym
likid to schewe it , and not for any deseert of hie trauayle .
(CMCLOUD,128.762)

Somtyme we profite in +tis grace by oure owne goostly slei+gt , holpyn
wi+t grace , (CMCLOUD,128.763)

and +tan ben we licnid to Be+geleel , +te whiche mi+gt not se +te arke
er +te tyme +tat he had mad it by his owne trauayle , holpen wi+t +te
ensaumple +tat was schewid vnto Moises in +te mounte .
(CMCLOUD,128.764)

And somtyme we profite in +tis grace by o+ter mens teching .
(CMCLOUD,128.765)

& +tan <P_129> ben we licnid to Aaron , +te whiche had it in keping and
in costume to see & fele +te arke when hym list , +tat Be+geleel had
wrou+gt & maad redy before to his handes . (CMCLOUD,129.766)

Lo ! goostly freende , in +tis werk , +tof it be childly & lewdely
spoken , I bere , +tof I be a wreche vnwor+ti to teche any creature ,
+te ofice of Be+geleel , makyng & declaryng in maner to +tin handes +te
maner of +tis goostly arke . (CMCLOUD,129.767)

Bot fer betir and more wor+tely +ten I do , +tou maist worche +gif +tou
wilt be Aaron ; +tat is to sey , contynuely worching +ter-in for +tee &
for me . (CMCLOUD,129.768)

Do +ten so , I prey +tee , for +te loue of God Almi+gty .
(CMCLOUD,129.769)

And si+ten we ben bo+te clepid of God to worche in +tis werk ,
(CMCLOUD,129.770)

I beseche +tee for Goddes loue fulfille in +ti partye +tat lacki+t of
myne . (CMCLOUD,129.771)

<heading>

HERE BIGINNI+T +TE FOURE AND SEUENTI CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,129.773)

</heading>

And +gif +tee +tink +tat +tis maner of worching be not acordyng to +ti
disposicion in body & in soule , +tou maist leue it , & take ano+ter
sauely wi+t good goostly counseile wi+t-outyn blame . (CMCLOUD,129.775)

And +tan I beseche +tee +tat +tou wilt haue me excusid ;
(CMCLOUD,129.776)

for trewly I wolde haue profitid vnto +tee <em> in +tis writyng </em>
at my simple kunnyng , (CMCLOUD,129.777)

& +tat was myn entent . (CMCLOUD,129.778)

And +terfore rede ouer twyes or +tries ; (CMCLOUD,129.779)

& euer +te ofter +te betir , & +te more +tou schalt conceyue +ter-of ;
in so moche , parauenture , +tat sum clause +tat was ful harde to +tee
at +te first or +te secound redyng , si+ten after +tee schal +tink it
ful li+gt . (CMCLOUD,129.780)

+Ge ! and it semi+t inpossible to myn vnderstonding +tat any soule +tat
is disposid to +tis werk schuld rede it , or speke it , or elles here
it red or spoken , bot +gif +tat same soule schuld fele for +tat tyme a
verrey acordaunce to +te effecte of +tis werk . (CMCLOUD,129.781)

And +tan , +gif +tee <P_130> +tink it do+t +tee good , +tank God hertly
, (CMCLOUD,130.782)

& for Goddes loue prey for me . (CMCLOUD,130.783)

Do +tan so . (CMCLOUD,130.784)

And I prey +tee for Godes loue +tat +tou late none see +tis book , bot
if it be soche one +tat +tee +tink is liche to +te book ; after +tat
+tou fyndest wreten in +te book before , where it telli+t what men &
when +tei schuld worche in +tis werk . (CMCLOUD,130.785)

And +gif +tou schalt late any soche men see it , +ten I preie +tee +tat
+tou bid hem take hem tyme to loke it al ouer . (CMCLOUD,130.786)

For parauenture +ter is som mater +ter-inne , in +te beginnyng or in
+te middes , +te whiche is hanging & not fully declarid +tere as it
stonde+t . (CMCLOUD,130.787)

Bot +gif it be not +tere , it is sone after , or elles in +te eende .
(CMCLOUD,130.788)

And +tus +gif a man sawe o partye and not ano+ter , parauenture he
schuld li+gtly be led into errour . (CMCLOUD,130.789)

& +terfore I preye +tee do as I sey +tee . (CMCLOUD,130.790)

And +gif +tee +tenk +tat +ter be any mater +ter-in +tat +tou woldest
haue more openid +tan it is , late me wetyn whiche it is & +ti conceyte
+ter-apon ; (CMCLOUD,130.791)

and at my simple kunnyng it schal be amendid +gif I kan .
(CMCLOUD,130.792)

Fleschly iangelers , glosers & blamers , roukers & rouners , & alle
maner of pynchers , kept I neuer +tat +tei sawe +tis book ;
(CMCLOUD,130.793)

for myn entent was neuer to write soche +ting to hem .
(CMCLOUD,130.794)

& +terfore I wolde not +tat +tei herde it , nei+ter +tei ne none of
+tees corious lettrid ne lewid men , +ge ! al-+tof +tei be ful good men
in actyue leuyng ; (CMCLOUD,130.795)

for it acorde+t not to hem . (CMCLOUD,130.796)

<heading>

HERE BIGINNI+T +TE FIUE AND SEUENTY CHAPITRE . (CMCLOUD,130.798)

</heading>

Alle +too +tat redyn or heren +te mater of +tis book be red or <P_131>
spokin , & in +tis redyng or hering +tink it good & likyng +ting , ben
neuer +te ra+ter clepid of God to worche in +tis werk , only for +tis
likyng steryng +tat +tei fele in +te tyme of +tis redyng .
(CMCLOUD,131.800)

For parauenture +tis steryng come+t more of a kyndely coriouste of
witte +ten of any clepyng of grace . (CMCLOUD,131.801)

Bot +gif +tei wil proue whens +tis steryng come+t , +tei mowe proue
+tus , +gif hem liky+t . (CMCLOUD,131.802)

First lat hem loke +gif +tei haue done +tat in hem is before , ablyng
hem +terto in clensyng of +teire concyence , at +te dome of Holi
Chirche , +teire counseil acordyng . (CMCLOUD,131.803)

+Gif it be +tus , weel is in as moche . (CMCLOUD,131.804)

Bot +gif +tei wil wetyn more nere , lat hem loke +gif it be euermore
presing in +teire mynde more costumabely +ten is any o+ter of goostly
excersise . (CMCLOUD,131.805)

And +gif hem +tink +tat +ter is any maner of +ting +tat +tei do ,
bodely or goostly , +tat is sufficiently done wi+t witnes of +teire
concyence , bot +gif +tis priue litil loue put be in maner goostly +te
cheef of alle +teire werk : and +gif +tei +tus fele - +ten it is a
token +tat +tei ben clepid of God to +tis werk . & sekirly elles not .
(CMCLOUD,131.806)

I say not +tat it schal euer laste & dwelle in alle +teire myndes
contynowely +tat ben clepid to worche in +tis werk . (CMCLOUD,131.807)

Nay , so is it nou+gt . (CMCLOUD,131.808)

For from a +gong goostly prentys in +tis werk +te actueel felyng
+ter-of is oft-tymes wi+tdrawen for diuers skyles ; (CMCLOUD,131.809)

somtyme for he schal not take ouer homely +ter-apon & wene +tat it be
in grete party in his owne power , to haue it when him list & as him
list . (CMCLOUD,131.810)

& soche a wenyng were pride . (CMCLOUD,131.811)

And euermore whan +te felyng of grace is wi+tdrawen , pride is +te
cause : (CMCLOUD,131.812)

not euer pride +tat is , bot <P_132> pride +tat schuld be , ne were
+tat +tis feling of grace were wi+tdrawen . (CMCLOUD,132.813)

and +tus wenyn oft-tymes som +gong foles +tat God is +teire enemye ;
when he is +teire ful freende . (CMCLOUD,132.814)

Somtyme it is wi+tdrawen for +teire rechelesnes ; (CMCLOUD,132.815)

and when it is +tus , +tei fele sone after a ful bitter pyne +tat
beti+t hem ful sore . (CMCLOUD,132.816)

Somtyme oure Lorde wil delaye it be a cauteel , (CMCLOUD,132.817)

for he wol bi soche a delaiing make it growe & be had more in deintee ,
when it is newe founden & felt a+gein , +tat longe had be lost .
(CMCLOUD,132.818)

And +tis is one of +te rediest & souereynist tokin +tat a soule may
haue to wite bi , whe+ter he be clepid or not to worche in +tis werk :
(CMCLOUD,132.819)

+gif he fele after soche a delaying & a longe lackyng of +tis werk ,
+tat when it come+t sodenly as it do+t , vnpurchasid wi+t any mene ,
+tat he ha+t +tan a gretter feruour of desire & gretter loue-longing to
worche in +tis werk , +tan euer he had any before , in so mochel , +tat
oftymes I trowe he ha+t more ioie of +te fynding +ter-of , +ten euer he
had sorow of +te lesing . And +gif it be +tus , sekirly it is a tokin
verrey wi+t-outyn errour +tat he is clepid of God to worche in +tis
werk , what-so-euer +tat he be or ha+t ben . (CMCLOUD,132.820)

For not what +tou arte , ne what +tou hast ben , beholde+t God wi+t his
mercyful i+ge ; bot +tat +tou woldest be . (CMCLOUD,132.821)

And Seinte Gregory to witnes +tat ' alle holy desires growen bi delaies
; and +gif +tei $wanyn bi delaies , +ten were +tei neuer holy desires '
. (CMCLOUD,132.822)

For he +tat feli+t euer les ioye and les in newe fyndinges & sodeyn
presentacions of his olde purposid desires , +tof al +tei mowe be
clepid kyndely desires to +te <P_133> goode , neuer+teles holy desires
weren +tei neuer . (CMCLOUD,133.823)

Of +tis holy desire speki+t Seint Austyne and sei+t +tat ' al +te liif
of a good Cristen man is not elles bot holi desire ' .
(CMCLOUD,133.824)

Farewel , goostly freende , in Goddes blessing & myne !
(CMCLOUD,133.825)

And I beseche Almi+gti God +tat trewe pees , hole counseil , & goostly
coumforte in God wi+t habundaunce of grace , euirmore be wi+t +tee and
alle Goddes louers in eer+te . (CMCLOUD,133.826)

Amen . (CMCLOUD,133.827)