<P_1>

<heading>

OF TOKENYNGIS AND WORCHYNGIS OF LOUE . (CMHILTON,1.3)

</heading>

The firste tokene of loue is , +tat +te louier submytte fully his wille
to +te wille of him +tat he loue+t . (CMHILTON,1.5)

And +tis special loue ha+t +tre worchyngis . (CMHILTON,1.6)

The first is , if +tat he +tat is loued be symple and pore , meke and
in dispiit , +tanne he +tat loue+t , coueiti+t to be viile , pore and
meke , and to be in repref , liik to <P_2> him +tat he loue+t .
(CMHILTON,2.7)

The secunde is , +tat it maki+t man to leue al maner affeccioun or
frendschip +tat is contrarie to +tis loue , (CMHILTON,2.8)

and so it maki+t him forsake fadir and modir and alle o+tere
affecciouns , in as myche as +tei ben contrarie to +te wille of hym
+tat he loue+t . (CMHILTON,2.9)

The +tridde is , +tat +ter is no-+ting hid in +tat oones herte , +tat
he ne wole schewe it to +tat o+ter ; (CMHILTON,2.10)

and +tis is a special tokene of hi+g loue bitwene ii. persones ,
(CMHILTON,2.11)

and +tis is +te fulfillyng of +tese o+tere wirchyngis bifore-seid .
Forwhi +toru +tis schewyng of priuytees , her hertis ben openyd so ,
+tat +tei ben togidere moore perfi+gtly bounde . (CMHILTON,2.12)

<heading>

OF WITHDRAWYNGE OF DEUOCIOUN ; (CMHILTON,2.14)

HOW A MAN SCHAL DO . (CMHILTON,2.15)

</heading>

If +tou wilt contynuely styen up to perfeccioun and in +te wey of God
which +tou art entrid , euere perfi+gtly <P_3> moore and moore
encreesse fro vertu to vertu . (CMHILTON,3.17)

And +tou schalt neuere praie +te lasse , whanne grace of deuocioun is
wi+tdrawe , and temptaciouns and tribulaciouns comen upon +te , +tan
whanne +tou hast grace of deuocioun withoute temptacioun .
(CMHILTON,3.18)

But +tanne is moost acceptable and moost quaemeful to God : whanne in
wi+tdrawinge of deuocioun +tou art in tribulacioun and in discunfort ,
(CMHILTON,3.19)

and +git +tou preiest neuere +te lesse ; (CMHILTON,3.20)

neuere +te lesse wakist (CMHILTON,3.21)

and neuere +te lesse +tou doost alle o+tere gode deedis .
(CMHILTON,3.22)

+Terfore do +tou +ti-silf alle +te gode deedis wi+t-oute deuocioun ,
+te whiche +tou didist bifore with deuocioun . Wherfore , if +tere come
sumtyme temptaciouns and tribulaciouns +te whiche ben ordeyned for to
ponesche and for to clense Goddis children , and deuocioun be <P_4>
wi+tdrawe , strenk+te +tee +tanne not +te lesse for to praie , ne to
wake , ne to faste , and not +te lesse in o+tere gode werkis for to
stonde . So +tat +toru contynuaunce in praieris wi+t +te teris of +tin
i+gen unceessably excercisen +tee , +tat +tou my+gt , as it were ,
constreyne God to +geue +tee feruour and heete of holy deuocioun .
(CMHILTON,4.23)

Whoso wil be perfi+gt and lyue aftir +tis chapitil , do as Catoun sei+t
: (CMHILTON,4.24)

' Cum recte uiuas , ne cures verba malorum ' . (CMHILTON,4.25)

Do +tou +tat longi+t to +tee , (CMHILTON,4.26)

and +ti loued dere Iesu Crist schal wel do +tat perteyne+t to him .
(CMHILTON,4.27)

Preier +tat is maad with greet enforsynge , whanne +te slou+g flesch
wolde be vnlusty , is to God acceptable . For-whi it dryue+t +ti loued
Iesu for to +geelde and for to eche to +tee grace and deuocioun , and
in temptacioun greet profi+gt . (CMHILTON,4.28)

Preye +tanne contynuely if +tou wilt purchace +te <P_5> grace of
deuocioun , and for to profi+gten in +te wey of Crist . (CMHILTON,5.29)

And for no tribulacioun and for no temptacioun , leue neuere praier ,
nei+ter in wirchinge of worldli werk , ne+ter in bedde ne+ter out of
bedde , in cumpanye ne+ter solitarie . (CMHILTON,5.30)

For if +tou be in tribulacioun e+ter temptacioun and praieste lastyngly
, grace and deuocioun schal be echid . (CMHILTON,5.31)

And now cunfort schal be +gouun of Iesu Crist +ti loue vnto +tee .
(CMHILTON,5.32)

And +tou+g +te feend putte in +tin herte , +tat it is nou+gt +tat +tou
praiest , dispise and diffye hym wi+t mou+t and herte (CMHILTON,5.33)

and euere praie . (CMHILTON,5.34)

And +te moore +tat +ti tribulacioun and +tin affliccioun is , +te moore
schal be +ti cunfort whanne grace and deuocioun is +gouun to +tee .
(CMHILTON,5.35)

Praie +tanne contynuely redynge in +te book of liif , +tat is in +te
liif of Iesu Crist , +te which was pouerte , mekenes , sorowe , dispiit
, affliccioun and so+tfast obedience . (CMHILTON,5.36)

And whanne +tou art wel entrid in-to +tis wey , +tanne manye
temptacyouns and tribulaciouns of +te feend , of +te world and of +te
flesch , schal in manye a wise disese +tee , and hugely <P_6> turmente
+tee and discunforte +tee . (CMHILTON,6.37)

But if +tou wilt ouercome al , stilly praie , (CMHILTON,6.38)

and pacientli abide +ti loued Iesu Crist . (CMHILTON,6.39)

And He schal soone sende +tee help and cunfort vnspeicable , +tat no
tunge may telle how myche it is . (CMHILTON,6.40)

Whanne +tou art turmentid with tribulacioun or wi+t temptacioun , vse
also ofte wi+t +ti praier confessioun , in +te which +tou schalt schewe
, with al +te contricioun of +tin herte to +ti confessour enteerli and
pleynly , alle +te woundis of +ti conscience moore and lesse , as
ferfor+t as +tou woldist schewe hem to +tin owne aungel , if he be a
wiis and a discreet and louynge leche , to ley to +ti woundis helinge
medicyns , and ellis not . (CMHILTON,6.41)

And in +tis maner it is a souereyn medicyn to putte alle temptaciouns
and tribulaciouns awey , and for to purchace myche grace of Goddis
cunfort . For-whi +te feend +tat is ful of pride , may not suffre +te
mekenes of pure confessioun , ne +te feruour of contynuel orisoun .
+Toru whiche werkis specially , oure swete Lord Iesu Crist is , as it
were , +toru violence drawen in-to a louynge soule , and so constreyned
for to cunforte it . (CMHILTON,6.42)

Sette +tanne al <P_7> +ti studie and +ti bisynes for to make redy a
place and a priuy chaumbir to +ti Lord Iesu Crist +ti spouse in +ti
soule , by swete meditacioun , bi contynuel orisouns , and by meke
confessyouns , +tat +te leest hour of +ti tyme be not for+gete , in +te
which +tou hast offendid +ti wor+ti Lord and loued Iesu Crist .
(CMHILTON,7.43)

For +toru +tese +tre forseid werkis , meditacioun , orisoun and
confessyuon , manye a man come+t to restful clennes of conscience .
(CMHILTON,7.44)

But be-war +tat +tou +toru recheleeschip +geue no place to +tin enemyes
, contynuely bisegynge +tee , and +tat +tou doost whanne for vanyte or
for idilnes +tou leuest +ti praiers . (CMHILTON,7.45)

+Terfore +te moore +tou art temptid and trauelid , +te moore stably
dwelle in praier . (CMHILTON,7.46)

And leue it not li+gtli , but for feblenes of +ti brayn . For-whi +tat
feblenes of brayn wole sumtyme falle , of vnmesurable contynuaunce in
praier , or in wakynge , or exces in fastynge . (CMHILTON,7.47)

<P_8>

And +tanne is it good to stynte awhile . For-whi Seynt Jerom sei+t : '
He erri+t not a litil but myche , +tat preferri+t +te lesse good to +te
moore good ' ; as he doo+t +tat setti+t moore priis by fastyng +tan bi
deedis of charite ; and he +tat setti+t wakyng bifore hoolynes of brayn
, of witt and of resoun . (CMHILTON,8.49)

And he also erri+t greetli , +tat bi vnmesurable and vndiscreet seyinge
or synginge of salmes or ympnys , falli+t in-to fransye or in-to
woodnes , or in-to bittir heuynes . (CMHILTON,8.50)

+Terfore it is good +tanne for to stynte fro multitude of wordis , and
+tinke oonli in +tin herte as esily as +tou maist . (CMHILTON,8.51)

And so +toru vertu of contynuel preier vsid , what in mou+t , what in
herte , $schal $tow {TEXT:schaltow} be delyuerid and esid of +ti
temptaciouns . (CMHILTON,8.52)

By countynuaunce in preier , is li+gt of grace +goun to a soule , +te
which cleri+t +te conscience , and setti+t it groundly in a depe
so+tfast mekenes . (CMHILTON,8.53)

And +toru contynuel lokynge and redynge on +te book of liif , +tat
<P_9> is on +te blessid persoone Iesu Crist and on his liif , is +te
soule rootid and groundid in pacience and in charite . For-whi in +tat
lokyng may +tou be tau+gt and enfoormyd , of al +tat +tee nedi+t for to
knowe . (CMHILTON,9.54)

And +toru +tat +tou schalt mow haue sich pacience , +tat +tou schalt
wilne to resseyue gladli al maner tribulaciouns and dissesis as for a
greet cunfort . For-whi +toru hem +tou schalt feele and se +ti-silf ,
sumwhat liik to +ti Lord Iesu Crist him +tat +tou louest .
(CMHILTON,9.55)

+Ghe , +tou schalt holde +ti-silf so viil and so vnwor+ti in Goddis
si+gt , +tat it is no dissese to +tee what-so-euere +tou maist suffre .
For-whi wi+t-oute comparisoun , he suffride moore for +tee .
(CMHILTON,9.56)

Na+telees , +git schalt +tou triste and hope , +tat as +tou art felawe
with him in peyne and in dissese , litil if it be , so schalt +tou be
felawe with him in his ioie and in his blis . (CMHILTON,9.57)

For as +te apostil sei+t : ' If we ben felawes of Cristis passiouns ,
we schulen be felawes of hise blessid consolaciouns . ' <P_10> Wherfore
it seeme+t +tat +tere is no more dignyte ne wor+tines +tat a man mai
come to , +tan for to haue tribulacioun for Cristis loue . By +te which
a man is maad Cristis felawe here in +tis liif , and in +te blis of
heuene withouten eende . (CMHILTON,10.58)

Amen . (CMHILTON,10.59)

<heading>

OF PERELS +TAT BEN TO ESCHEWE TO A GOOSTLY MAN . (CMHILTON,10.61)

</heading>

Be-war +tat +tou +geue not +ti-silf ne +ti ful affeccioun , ne +ti ful
hoomly frendschip to no persoone , but if +tou haue resseyued first +te
+gift and +te spirit of discrecioun . Bi +te which +tou maist knowe fro
which +tou schalt fle , and which +tou schalt drawe to .
(CMHILTON,10.63)

Vnto +te tyme +tou come to +tis , kepe +tee euere playn and comown , to
ech a man half straunge , sauynge euere +te boond of charite .
(CMHILTON,10.64)

Also be-war speciali of hem +tat han swete plesynge <P_11> wordis in
her spekyngis , and haue noon holynes in vertu ne swetnes in herte ,
but a liknes of holynes oonli in +te tunge , and in +te abyte : +tese
+tat schewen of hem-silf , and auaunten hem-silf of visyouns e+ter of
reuelaciouns , or of qweynte maner feelyngis , or of synguler doingis
or wittis , or vndirstondyngis ouere o+tere men , +toru whiche +tei ben
greetli preisid and worschipid of hem +tat +tei speken to .
(CMHILTON,11.65)

For siche manere of men ben oftetymes grynes of disseitis to hem +tat
ben not wise . (CMHILTON,11.66)

First avise +tee of hem , (CMHILTON,11.67)

and loke hem (CMHILTON,11.68)

and bringe hem in +ti mynde to +te presence of Iesu Crist ; as if +tou
woldist take a +ting out of a derk place for to knowe what it is ;
(CMHILTON,11.69)

and ley it (CMHILTON,11.70)

and loke it in +te li+gt . (CMHILTON,11.71)

Ri+gt so Iesu Crist is li+gt ; (CMHILTON,11.72)

and +tere schal be no li+gt but of grace ; ne of so+tfastnes , but he
and in hym . (CMHILTON,11.73)

And +terfore <P_12> siche manere of men and alle o+tere , +ghe , and
+ti-silf with hem , bringe in-to +ti praiers and in +ti mynde to Iesu
Crist . (CMHILTON,12.74)

And +tere schulen +tei be seen what +tei ben ; (CMHILTON,12.75)

+tere schulen +tei be tryed . (CMHILTON,12.76)

+tere schalt +tou +toru biholdyng of hym and of his liif , se who is
liik to him and who is vnliik to him . (CMHILTON,12.77)

But +git be-war +tat +tou deeme not a man fully what he is aftir +ti
si+gt , but al come+t as a +ting vncerteyn in +te priuyte of Goddis
doom . (CMHILTON,12.78)

Na+telees +tou maist bi +tat si+gt of Cristis liif , folowe and rule
+tin owne conscience in +tis poynt : whom +tou schalt folowe , and whom
reffuse , and wi+t whom +tou maist ben hoomly , and with whom +tou
schalt be strange . (CMHILTON,12.79)

And +tat maner of deemynge is bihoueful to +tee . (CMHILTON,12.80)

Also bewar of feruours , as if +tou feele +te spirit of feruour greetli
fallen upon +tee , (CMHILTON,12.81)

+tinke firste (CMHILTON,12.82)

and avise +tee wel , eer +tat +tou folowe fully it in worchinge , what
is +te bigynnyng of it , and where-of it is causid , (CMHILTON,12.83)

and <P_13> +tinke on +te myddil , and also what eende wole folowe of it
. (CMHILTON,13.84)

And +tanne sue it as myche as +tou may vndirstonde it bi grace and
counceil and by Holi Writ , +tat it is accordynge to so+tfast vertu of
discrecioun , and to +te liif of Crist . (CMHILTON,13.85)

+Tou schalt make +ti myrrour , +ti rule and +ti saumpler , for to doon
aftir it . (CMHILTON,13.86)

And +tis liif of Crist $schal $tow {TEXT:schaltow} moore rewarden aftir
+te inward vertu of Crist , +tan aftir +te vttir tokenes of his techyng
. (CMHILTON,13.87)

And +git also be-war of hem +tat seyen hem-silf han gete +te spirit of
fredom , and +tat +tei han so myche grace of loue , +tat +tei may lyue
as hem lust . (CMHILTON,13.88)

+tei +tinken hem so fre and so siker , +tat +tei schulen not synne .
(CMHILTON,13.89)

+tei maken hem-silf aboue +te lawe of Holy Chirche , (CMHILTON,13.90)

and +tei seyen +tus as Seynt Poul seyde : ' Where +te spirit of God is
, +tere is fredom ' . And also +tus : ' If +ge ben lad with +te spirit
, +ge ben not vndir +te lawe ' . (CMHILTON,13.91)

But +tei meene not as Poule mente ; (CMHILTON,13.92)

+tei vndirstonde not hise wordis . (CMHILTON,13.93)

<P_14>

These men ben expresly a+geins +te lawe and liif of Crist . For-whi
Crist +tat was maad fre , made him-silf +tral for us . (CMHILTON,14.95)

And whanne he was aboue +te lawe as maker and +geuer of it , +git he
made him buxum vndir +te lawe . (CMHILTON,14.96)

Of +tese men speki+t Seynt Petir +tus : ' +Tei biheeten to o+tere men
fredom of spirit , (CMHILTON,14.97)

and +tei hem-silf ben +trallis in synne and seruauntis of fleischli
corrupcioun . (CMHILTON,14.98)

<heading>

OF DEGREES BY WHICHE A SOULE PASSI+T FOR+T IN-TO CONTEMPOLACIOUN .
(CMHILTON,14.100)

</heading>

The first degre is in teris , and in si+ghynge and in sorowe for synnes
, in compunccioun and compassioun of Cristis passyoun , and in
partie-feelynge of dissese , and of wrecchidnes of his euen Cristen ,
and in strong stryuynge a+gens al maner vicis , as a+geins alle wickide
werkis , wickide wordis and wickide willis and +tou+gtis ; wi+t <P_15>
myche peyne , wi+t soore swynche of bodi and of soule for to
a+geinstonde hem . (CMHILTON,15.102)

The secunde degre is , greet feruour and brennynge desier with
contynuaunce of praier , for to plese Iesu Crist , for to loue him with
al +tin herte and alle +ti my+gtis , and for to fele cunfort of his
gracious presence . (CMHILTON,15.103)

And +tis brennynge desier , wole clense +te conscience fro al rust of
synne ; bo+te of +tat +tat is bifore doon , and of +tat +tat he ech day
falli+t ynne . (CMHILTON,15.104)

And +tis werk is of greet trauel , and with wondirful bisynes , a litil
temprid with rest among . (CMHILTON,15.105)

The +tridde degre is a staat of wondirful swetnes and softnes , and of
gladnes , of reste and of cleernes . (CMHILTON,15.106)

For in +tat come+t +te grace of +te Holy Goost doun in-to a soule .
(CMHILTON,15.107)

And +tanne it li+gtne+t and purgi+t so +te soule , +tat it is al as
i+ge . (CMHILTON,15.108)

And it anoynti+t +te soule with oyle of <P_16> goostli gladnes ,
(CMHILTON,16.109)

and turne+t it al in-to charite of Crist ; so +tat it +tinki+t +tat
alle +te lymes of +te bodi and al +te makyng of +tis with alle +te
creaturis , is as a melody of +te harpe . (CMHILTON,16.110)

And +tanne aftir +tis , is +te soule sumdeel able to goostli clippyngis
of Iesu Crist +tat is her swete spouse . (CMHILTON,16.111)

The iiij. degre is in souereyn reste of bodi and of soule .
(CMHILTON,16.112)

And +tat is , whanne a man is deed and biried to +te world and to +te
flesch , and slepi+t in pees of conscience and resti+t with-oute
strogelynge of veyn +tou+gtis , euere contynuely in oure Lord Iesu
Crist . (CMHILTON,16.113)

+te v. degre is , whanne a man bigynne+t for to taaste so+tfastly +te
errnes of eendelees ioie ; and is reisid up to +te biholdyng of heuenli
+tingis . (CMHILTON,16.114)

And , +tanne feeli+t and perseyue+t he a glymerynge of heuenly blis .
(CMHILTON,16.115)

And +tanne see+t he sumwhat of aungels and of blessid soulis ; and how
+tat alle illumynaciouns and alle gracis of charyte and of goodnes ,
descenden out of +te blessid Trynyte vnspeccable , in-to Iesu Crist man
; and how of +te glorious <P_17> manheed of Crist , stremen out alle
gracis of li+gt and of loue in-to aungels , and in-to holi soulis , and
fro hem comen doun in-to us . (CMHILTON,17.116)

And +tanne is a man maad able to reuelaciouns and contemplaciouns of
Iesu Crist . (CMHILTON,17.117)

<heading>

OF PERELS OF HOOLY LOUE . (CMHILTON,17.119)

</heading>

A man +tat was holde an hi+g lyuer , ofte was axid for to speke of
goostli loue . (CMHILTON,17.121)

And +tane he bigan for to seye +te falseheed , +te perels and +te
disseytis , +tat oftsi+tis fallen in goostly loue . (CMHILTON,17.122)

And he seyde : ' +Ter is no +ting in al +te world , nei+ter man ne
feend , ne noon o+ter +ting , +tat I haue so myche suspect as I haue
+te affeccioun of loue ; ne +tat I am so soore a-feerd of , but if it
be wel sett . For-whi loue is so passynge a +ting and so cleuynge ,
+tat it synki+t deppir in a soule , +tan ony o+tir +ting may do .
(CMHILTON,17.123)

And +tere is no +ting +tat so fully occupie+t and byndi+t and
ouer-maistri+t a mannys herte , as doo+t loue . Wherfore , it is ful
hard , whe+ter it be good loue or badde . (CMHILTON,17.124)

<P_18>

' And +terfore but if a man or womman haue armour of discrecioun bi
which he may kepe and gouerne his loue , it wole ellis li+gtly caste
doun +te soule , and make it haue a foule fal . (CMHILTON,18.126)

I speke not of fleschly loue +tat is opinli yuel , +te which owid to be
hatid of alle Cristis louers , as a +ting moost feendly , moost
perelous , and moost contrarie to +te chastite of Cristis loue ;
(CMHILTON,18.127)

but I speke of good goostli loue , +tat is , and owid to be , bitwixe
God and man , and man and man and man and womman . ' For-whi +tat loue
+tat a soule ha+t conseyued +toru grace of Iesu Crist , but if it be
ordeyned and rulid wi+t greet mekenes and with greet discrecioun , and
+tat +te feruour be resonably ordeyned ; so+tly or it lasti+t not , but
soone faili+t and vaneschi+t awey , (CMHILTON,18.128)

or ellis it <P_19> maki+t a man to bigynne summe werkis so
ouerpassyngli , +tat he may not contynue in hem , (CMHILTON,19.129)

and so he is fayn to fle +terfro . ' (CMHILTON,19.130)

Also +te loue +tat is bitwixe man and man , and man and womman , as is
bitwixe deuoute men and deuoute wommen , +tat is in God and sett for
God ; (CMHILTON,19.131)

but if it be ri+gt wel lokid to and rulid with armeres of discrecioun ,
e+ter it turne+t in-to fleschli loue and in-to leccherie ,
(CMHILTON,19.132)

ei+tir ellis it maki+t myche of her tyme be lost and wastid , +toru
veyn speche , and in her comoun conuersacioun , bi chesoun +tat her
hertis ben vndiscreetly festnyd to-gydere in loue . (CMHILTON,19.133)

' And oftsi+tis falli+t +tat two persoones , be it men or wommen ,
louen to-gidere . (CMHILTON,19.134)

But speciali moost perelous it is , whanne man and womman louen
togidere with also good entent as +tei can hemsilf dyuysen .
(CMHILTON,19.135)

And +tei louen <P_20> hem hertly togidere in good maner and in honeste
, +tat hem +tinken +tat +tei wolden neuere departen . (CMHILTON,20.136)

And +tei haue togydere grete affecciouns synguler , for +te goodnes
+tat ech of hem see+t in o+ter . (CMHILTON,20.137)

And +tat maki+t ech of hem to doon o+tere manye seruicis , and grete
esynessis . (CMHILTON,20.138)

And what ech of hem doo+t to o+tere , it is al of loue of +te herte .
(CMHILTON,20.139)

+Ghe , ouermyche of herte . (CMHILTON,20.140)

For hem +tinken +tat +tei wolden ay be to-gydere . (CMHILTON,20.141)

And what-so +tat oon liki+t , +tat o+tir liki+t ; (CMHILTON,20.142)

and what-so myslyki+t +tat oon , mysliki+t +tat o+tir .
(CMHILTON,20.143)

+Tus loue is ful perelous , and ful myche blame-wor+ti +tou+g it seme
good ; (CMHILTON,20.144)

and so myche it is +te moore perelous , +tat +te perel is not knowe
+terof . For-whi it wole wor+te al in-to +te flesch , but if it be
rulid <P_21> and gouernyd with armours of discrecyoun . '
(CMHILTON,21.145)

<heading>

OF PERFI+GT LOUE OF CRIST , WITHOUTE WHICH AL O+TER LOUE IS SUSPECT .
(CMHILTON,21.147)

</heading>

The best loue and trewist is : whanne a soule is reisid and li+gtned
in-to knowynge of +te beynge of God in Crist ; as whanne +te soule
see+t how ech a creature ha+t his beyng , of him +tat is souereyn being
+tat is God , and it see+t +tat no +ting ha+t so+tfast beinge , but God
. (CMHILTON,21.149)

Of +tis knowyng +te soule resseyue+t a wondirful sauour and a greet
vndirstondyng , +tat what-so is of +tat souereyn beynge it is good ,
(CMHILTON,21.150)

and al +tat he doo+t is best doon . (CMHILTON,21.151)

+tis knowyng stiri+t and reisi+t up a loue in +te soule , answerynge to
+tat goostly biholdynge of +te beynge of Crist . (CMHILTON,21.152)

And +tis knowyng maki+t a man to loue alle +tat han beynge of him ,
+tat is alle creaturis , resonable and <P_22> vnresonable , for his
loue +tat +geue+t beynge to alle creaturis . (CMHILTON,22.153)

And specialli it stiri+t +te soule to loue resonable creaturis , and
moost hem +te whiche it perseyue+t moost loued of Crist .
(CMHILTON,22.154)

For as it see+t Iesu Crist enclyned to +te loue of creaturis , so is it
enclynyd . (CMHILTON,22.155)

And +tanne is +te soule tau+gt for to loue creaturis , moore or lasse
aftir +te mesure and +te qualyte of Cristis loue to hem , and of her
loue in-to him . (CMHILTON,22.156)

And +te grace of Crist kepi+t +te soule so in +tat maner , +tat it
schal not passe mesure . (CMHILTON,22.157)

And +terfore , til +tou feele +tis maner loue sadly groundid in +tin
herte +te which is had of +te goostli knowyng of +te beinge of Crist ,
holde al +ti loue suspect (CMHILTON,22.158)

and be a-feerd . (CMHILTON,22.159)

But whanne +tou maist come to +tat poynt , +tat +tou maist holde +te
si+gt of +ti soule on +tis blessid persoone Iesu Crist , and on his
souereyn beynge , stably in wele and in wo , in ese and in vnese ,
with-oute greet blenchyng <P_23> fro him ; +tanne +tat wondirful loue
+tat is causid of +tis knowyng and of +tis biholding , is sufficient
for to a+geinstonde +te venemouse dartis of alle fleschli loues , and
for to put out her malice , fro +te mynde of her soule .
(CMHILTON,23.160)

<heading>

OF TRANSFOORMYNGE OF +te SOULE IN-TO +te LOUE OF IESU CRIST .
(CMHILTON,23.162)

</heading>

Ther is +tre maner transfoormynge of +te soule . (CMHILTON,23.164)

Oon is whanne +te soule is maad meke and buxum to +te wille of God , so
+tat it schapi+t him-silf , in al +tat he may , for to be liik to him ,
folowynge hise werkis , and for to transfigure and turne and haue in
it-silf Cristis passioun , with suffrynge of alle schames and repreues
as Crist suffride , so +tat it hadde leuer be liik to Crist +toru
suffraunce of tribulacioun , +tan for to haue al +te my+gt of +te world
. (CMHILTON,23.165)

Ano+tir is for to be transfoormyd with God , (CMHILTON,23.166)

and +tat is , whanne his soule is oonyd wi+t Crist , and ri+gt hoomly
<P_24> with him . (CMHILTON,24.167)

And +te soule ha+t +tanne grete feelyngis of Cristis loue ,
(CMHILTON,24.168)

and often resseyue+t priuye swetnes of his inspiracioun , and manye
grete cunfortis and delectaciouns . (CMHILTON,24.169)

But +tei ben not +git so grete , +tat +tei ne may bi +tou+gt and bi
wordis ben schewid . (CMHILTON,24.170)

The +tridde transfoormynge is , whanne Iesu Crist and a soule ben so
parfi+gtli , so vnpartabli and so accordably oonyd and bounden togidere
, +tat Crist is in +te soule and +te soule is in him , so fully , as if
+tei bo+te weren o spirit , as Seynt Poul sei+t : (CMHILTON,24.171)

' Whoso cleue+t to God , he is o spirit wi+t him ' . (CMHILTON,24.172)

+tanne feeli+t +te soule hi+ge +tingis and pryue of Crist Iesu , and of
his Fadir and of his Holi Spirit . (CMHILTON,24.173)

And it tasti+t siche delectaciouns of Cristis charite , +tat +tei may
not fulli be conseyued with +tou+gtis of mannys resoun , ne declarid
for+t wi+t wordis of mannys tunge . (CMHILTON,24.174)

The first transfoormynge is not sufficient for to rule <P_25> and
gouerne +te affeccioun of mannys herte ; ne +te secunde nei+ter .
For-whi +te feruour of +te affeccioun , whe+tir it be sett actuely in
God or in man , is oftsi+tes my+gtier , moore egre and moore maistirful
, +tan is +te wisdom of discrecioun of +te soule . (CMHILTON,25.175)

And +terfore it is so , +tat +te loue mai snapere and stumble and erre
, ei+ter be ouer-mychil ei+ter ouer-litil . (CMHILTON,25.176)

But bi +te +tridde is helid and +goten in-to +te soule sich a wisdom
and sich a deep knowynge +toru +tat wondirful medlyng and oonynge of
Cristis li+gt li+gtnynge and of +te soule li+gtned , +tat +te soule is
knowe bi +te spirit of discrecioun how it schal rule and gouerne +te
loue +tat it ha+t in Crist , and how it schal resseyue goostli
feelyngis and priuy swetnes and delectaciouns of Crist and how it schal
ordeyne , rule and mesure +te feruours of Cristis loue and +te
visitaciouns of his gracious presence so wiseli and so priuely and so
sobirly , +tat it schal mowe laste esily <P_26> and contynuely in +te
feelingis and in +te goostli cunfortis of Cristis loue ; not
discouerynge it-silf in si+gt of o+tere men , ne+ter bi lawhynge ne bi
sobbynge , ne bi no queint tokene of berynge of +te body .
(CMHILTON,26.177)

Also bi +te same spirit of discrecioun , +te soule is knowe how wysely
, how sobirly , how chastli , how mekely and how louely it schal haue
it-silf a+gens euery Cristen man and womman ; and how gladli and
benygnely for to condescende whanne it see+t tyme , persoone and
chesoun whi and whanne it is for to condescende whanne it see+t tyme to
hem . (CMHILTON,26.178)

And whanne he see+t +tat it is not for to condescende to hem , +tanne
wole he not in no wise condescende . (CMHILTON,26.179)

But it is wondur stif , streyt and strong , as a +ting +tat my+gte not
be stirid ne chaungid , ne bowid on no syde . (CMHILTON,26.180)

And +te skil is +tis . (CMHILTON,26.181)

God is in him-silf vnchaungeable ; (CMHILTON,26.182)

and a <P_27> soule is vnchaungeable of it-silf . (CMHILTON,27.183)

But +tanne , whanne +te soule is oonyd to Crist bi loue , +te moore
+tat it is oonyd to him , +te moore vnchaungeable it is
(CMHILTON,27.184)

and +te lasse it ha+t of vnchaungeablete . For-whi +te wisdom and +te
kunnynge , +te sadnes and +te li+gt of discrecioun +tat +te soule ha+t
bi +te vertu of +tis oonheed in loue , +geue+t +te soule loue and my+gt
, +tat it may with +tese armers rule +te affeccioun of loue to God and
to his euen Cristen with-oute errour or falsheed . (CMHILTON,27.185)

And +terfore , he +tat neuere feeli+t +tis +gift of discrecioun and of
wisdom and of grace in his herte , it is speedful to him +tat he suffre
not his affeccioun fully be bounde to no creature , ne+ter man ne
womman , syngulerly ne priuely ne passyngly , for perels +tat li+gtli
may falle +terof ; but +tat he be playn and comown to alle , and not
ful hoomly wi+t noone ; til he may +toru +tis <P_28> li+gt of
discrecioun knowe bi experience , whos conuersacioun and comownynge he
schal fle , as noious to him and vnprofitable ; whos conuersacioun and
affeccioun he schal coueyte , as to him esy and confortable .
(CMHILTON,28.186)

<heading>

HOW GOOSTLY LOUE IS TURNYD IN-TO FLESCHLY LOUE . (CMHILTON,28.188)

</heading>

It falli+t oftsi+tis +tat a deuoute man loue+t a-no+ter deuoute man or
a deuoute womman in good honest loue and for God wi+t good entent .
(CMHILTON,28.190)

And aftirward +tis loue encreessi+t so myche bitwene hem , +tat ech of
hem disiri+t +te presence of o+ter vnmesurably . (CMHILTON,28.191)

So ferfor+t if +tei may not haue presence at wille , +tei wexen heuy
and siikli . (CMHILTON,28.192)

And sumtyme whanne +tei come to-gydir , her affeccioun euere wexi+t ;
so +tat +tei ben moore siikli . (CMHILTON,28.193)

And +tat byndi+t hem to-gidere in-to sich an homely aqueyntaunce of
hertis , +tat what-so +tat oon wil +tat o+ter wil , and what-so liki+t
or mysliki+t +tat oon , liki+t <P_29> or myslyki+t +tat o+ter ; be it
good , be it yuel . (CMHILTON,29.194)

And +tis is ful perelous bitwixe man and womman , whanne +tei ben bo+te
+tus deepli woundid with +te affeccioun of loue . For-whi whanne her
hertis ben +tus homely accordynge to-gider , nedis +tei mosten schewe
outward sumtyme bi o+tere tokenes +tat seme+t not myche yuel , what +te
herte mene+t . (CMHILTON,29.195)

And +tus bi wordis and bi tokenes , whanne ech of hem schewi+t to o+ter
, how wel ech of hem loue+t o+ter , +tus is +te loue moore encreessid
and moore chaungid fro goostlynes into fleschlynes . (CMHILTON,29.196)

But +git +tei ben bisy for to colouren and to huyde +te flescheli
affeccioun vndir clennes of charite , and of goostli profi+gt , and of
edificacioun of soule . (CMHILTON,29.197)

For +tus +tei seyen ech of hem to o+ter , +tat +tei meene not but good
. (CMHILTON,29.198)

And so vndir sikirnes of +tat meenyng and of +tat fals wenyng , +tei
coueiten <P_30> ech of hem to handele and fele o+ter , and kisse o+ter
. (CMHILTON,30.199)

And +tat seme+t to hem as it were deuocioun and good loue ;
(CMHILTON,30.200)

but in so+tfastnes it is sleynge of deuocioun and leccherous loue , and
greet hynderynge and harmynge to +te soule , +tat wolde and schulde
feele Cristis loue . (CMHILTON,30.201)

Na+telees in +te bigynnyng her resoun grucchi+t sumwhat a+gens it ;
(CMHILTON,30.202)

and +te conscience a+gensei+t it ofte . For-whi +te resoun is not +git
+toru customable comownynge , slayn ne stranglid al fully .
(CMHILTON,30.203)

But whanne it is ofte had in custum sich maner doynge , +tanne is
resoun blindid and stranglid and +te conscience falsly esyd . So +tat
hem +tinke+t +tat +tei may vse siche spekyngis , lokyngis , touchyngis
, handlyngis , kissyngis , and siche tokenes of fleschli loue with-oute
perel . (CMHILTON,30.204)

And sumtyme +tei seyen +tat +tei mown do +tus . (CMHILTON,30.205)

And +tou+g it be a <P_31> synne , +git it is no greet synne .
(CMHILTON,31.206)

And +tus euere bi litil and litil goostli loue falli+t and die+t ;
(CMHILTON,31.207)

and fleischeli loue wexi+t and qwikene+t . (CMHILTON,31.208)

And after +tis bi proces of tyme , +te feruour of loue wexi+t so myche
, +tat it bynyme+t away her tungis and alle +te my+gtis of her soule .
So ferfor+t , +tat nei+tir of hem wole a+geinseie o+tere , for
displesynge of e+ter o+ter in ony +ting +tat ne+ter of hem wole do ,
+tou+g it were fully deedli synne . (CMHILTON,31.209)

And whanne it is +tus ferfor+t brou+gt , +tanne may ne+ter wordis ne
touchingis , ne handlyngis , ne kissyngis , ne bodili presence , maken
a ful seeth to her loue . (CMHILTON,31.210)

And +tanne be +tei stirid fully to temptacioun of +te feend , for to
consente to +te deede of leccherye , and fulli to perfoorme it , if
+tei my+gten haue leiser . (CMHILTON,31.211)

<P_32>

And +terfore for as myche as +tis perel may li+gtli falle of mysrulinge
of loue , +terfore it is good to +te for to haue suspect and drede in
+ti-silf all maner loue , whanne it is priuely and synguleerly sett
in-to ony o persoone , man or womman . (CMHILTON,32.213)

For +tou+g it be first good and goostly , and bigynne+t in good and
goodnes , na+telees ofte it falli+t , +tat it is aftirward badde and
fleschli , and eendi+t in +te werkis of +te feend . Fro which loue and
perels of loue , +te armours of discrecioun geten bi +te woundis of
Crist in +te maner bifore-seid , saue us and alle Cristen men and
wommen . (CMHILTON,32.214)

Amen . (CMHILTON,32.215)

<font>

Here eenden +tese ei+gte chapitris necessarie for men and wommen +tat
+geuen hem to perfeccioun , which was founden in Maistir Lowys de
Fontibus book , (CMHILTON,32.217)

and Maistir Watir Hiltoun , Chanoun of Thurkartoun , <P_33> translatide
it in-to Englisch tunge , for +te comown profy+gt . (CMHILTON,33.218)