<P_1>

<heading>

IN DIE INNOCENCIUM SERMO PRO EPISCOPO PUERORUM . LAUDATE PUERI DOMINUM
. PSALMO CENTESIMO XII=O= ET PRO HUJUS COLLACIONIS FUNDAMENTO .
(CMINNOCE,1.3)

</heading>

" Prayse ye childerne almyghty God , " as the Phylosophre sayth in
dyverse places . (CMINNOCE,1.5)

All those thynges that have the habyte of parfyght cognycyon may move
themself and conveye themself to theyr ende , as a beest havynge
sensyble knowlege , (CMINNOCE,1.6)

and man more parfyghter , bothe sensyble and intellygyble , may move
themself whether they wyll , (CMINNOCE,1.7)

and so conveye al theyr accyons and dedes to theyr naturall ende ;
(CMINNOCE,1.8)

but carencia cognicione , those thynges that lacke cognycyon , have no
mocyon of themself , (CMINNOCE,1.9)

nother be dyrected to theyr ende without the helpe of an other . As an
arowe of hymself can not be movyd ne dyrected unto the prycke without
the redy conveyaunce of hym that shoteth , thrugh whom dyrectly he
attayneth his ende and is shotte to the prycke . (CMINNOCE,1.10)

In as moche thenne as mankynde is ordeyned unto an ende ferre excedynge
the lymytes of nature , as it is wryten by the Holy Ghost in Ysay
lxiiij=o= , Oculus non vidit , Deus , absque te quae preparasti
exspectantibus te ; et prima ad Corintheos secundo - Oculus non vidit ,
nec aures audivit , nec in cor hominis ascendit quae preparavit Deus
diligentibus illum . " The eye of a man hath not seen , nother his
eeres herde , nother it can not be thought in his herte , thende that
Almyghty God hath ordened for them that lovyth hym . " To this ende man
, havynge the use of reason and parfyte knowlege , is dyrected <P_2> by
his free wyll as by a pryncypall in hymself to move hym to God . And
also by fayth as a pryncypall above naturall knowlege , without the
whiche it is impossyble to plese God and attayne to the ende of grace
in this present lyf and glory in heven , as it is wreten ,
(CMINNOCE,2.11)

Sine fide impossibile est placere Deo . (CMINNOCE,2.12)

Whyle it is so that man endowed with use of reason , havynge naturall
knowlege and free , maye not suffycyently dyrect hymself to the ende
that God hath ordeyned to without the helpe of fayth , as it is wryten
, Jheremiae iiij=o= , Non est enim hominis vincere , neque viri est ut
ambuleter et dirigat gressus ejus . It is not in mannes power for to
overcome vyce of hymself , nother for to walke parfyghtly and dyrecte
his gooynge in the lawe of God , but by his grace assystente .
(CMINNOCE,2.13)

Moche more those that bene chylderne for tendernesse of age and lacke
of knowlege can not dyrect theyr dedes convenyentely to that ende
without specyall helpe of God . (CMINNOCE,2.14)

In token herof childerne newely sette to scole , lackynge the use of
reason and the habyte of cognycyon , have a recourse to Goddes
dyreccyon , fyrste lernynge this <paren> <font> Cristis Crosse be my
spede </font> </paren> , (CMINNOCE,2.15)

and so begynnyth the A. B. C . (CMINNOCE,2.16)

In wytnesse of defawte of this perfeccion in knowlege , Pyctagoras , to
the dyreccyon of Chylderne , he founde fyrste this letter in the A. B.
C. Y , the whyche as Ysider sayth Ethimologis is formyd and made after
the symylytude of mannes lyfe , (CMINNOCE,2.17)

for this letter Y is made of two lynes ; (CMINNOCE,2.18)

one is a right lyne , (CMINNOCE,2.19)

the other is half ryght and half crokyd . (CMINNOCE,2.20)

And soo verely the Infant age of a childe is ryght neyther-1 dysposed
to vertue neyther to vyce , as the Phylosophre sayth , (CMINNOCE,2.21)

Tanquam tabula nuda in qua nichil depingitur . (CMINNOCE,2.22)

But the seconde age is called Adolescencia , (CMINNOCE,2.23)

and hath two lynes , a ryght and a crokyd , sygnefyenge the dysposycion
that he hath thenne to vyce and thenne to vertue . In the whiche age is
the brekynge of every chylde to goodnes or to lewdenes .
(CMINNOCE,2.24)

Therfore that age is moost uncertayn in knowlege , as Salomon sayth ,
(CMINNOCE,2.25)

Proverbior . xxx=o= , Tria sunt michi difficilia ad cognoscendum , et
quartum penitus ignoro . Viam navis in medio maris , et viam viri in
adolescencia . (CMINNOCE,2.26)

" Thre thynges <paren> sayth Salomon </paren> bene <P_3> harde to me to
knowe , (CMINNOCE,3.27)

and the fourth utterly I knowe not . (CMINNOCE,3.28)

The flyghte of the egle in the ayer ; (CMINNOCE,3.29)

The waye of the serpent on the erthe ; (CMINNOCE,3.30)

The sayllyng of a shyppe in the see ; (CMINNOCE,3.31)

But the fourth and moost hardest is to understande the waye of a man in
his growynge age . " (CMINNOCE,3.32)

Tho children thenne the whiche lacke dyscrecyon , use of reason , and
parfyght cognycyon , and yet attayne to the ende that is prepared for
mannes blysse , as thyse blessyd Innocentes whoos solempnyte we halowe
this daye <paren> Qui non loquendo sed moriendo confessi sunt </paren>
may moost in a specyall laude that gloryous Lorde <paren> sequentes
Agnum quocumque ierit , </paren> to whom by our Moder Holy Chirche in
tytle of tryumphe may contynually be applyed the wordes of my tyme
<paren> Laudate , pueri , Dominum </paren> , (CMINNOCE,3.33)

ye chosen chylderne of God , lackynge the use of cognycyon and yet
gloryfyed by your passyon in lyfe everlastynge , prayse ye God .
(CMINNOCE,3.34)

In the begynnynge thenne of this symple exhortacyon , that I a chylde ,
wantynge the habyte of connynge , maye be dyrected by hym that gave to
that childe Danyell Sermonem rectum et Spiritum Deorum , somwhat to say
to his laude and praysynge , and to alle pure chylderne that bene here
present edifyenge , we shall atte this tyme devoutly make our prayers .
In the whiche prayers I recommende unto your devocyons the welfare of
all Chrysts chirche ; our holy fader the Pope with alle the Clergye ,
my Lorde of Caunterbury , and the ryghte reverende fader and
worshypfull lorde my broder Bysshopp of London your dyocesan , also for
my worshypfull broder $the Deane of this cathedrall chirche , wyth all
resydensaryes and prebendaryes of the same . (CMINNOCE,3.35)

And moost intyerly I praye you to have myself in your specyal devocyon
, so that I may contynue in this degree that I now stande , and never
more herafter to be vexed with Jerom 's vysyon , the whiche is wryten
Jeremiae primo : (CMINNOCE,3.36)

whan the good Lorde askyd of Jeremye , Quid tu vides , Jeremia ? he
answered and sayd Virgam vigilantem ego video , (CMINNOCE,3.37)

" A waken rodde I see , " sayd Jeremye . (CMINNOCE,3.38)

Truely thys waken rodde oftentymes hath troubled me in my childehode ,
that lumbi mei impleti <P_4> sunt illusionibus , et non est sanitas in
carne mea ; afflictus sum et humiliatus sum nimis . (CMINNOCE,4.39)

And therfor , though I be now in hye dygnyte , yet whan I see other
here my mayster that was thenne , operuit confusio faciem meam ; a voce
contremuerunt labia mea . (CMINNOCE,4.40)

As Nero the Emperour wold to his mayster Seneca , the same wysshe I
wold to my mayster I love soo well . (CMINNOCE,4.41)

And for theyr true dylygence that all my maysters the whiche taughte me
ony connynge in my youthe gave to me , I wolde they were promytted to
be perpetuall felowes and collegeners of that famouse college of the
Kynges foundacyon in Southwerke that men calle the Kynges Benche .
(CMINNOCE,4.42)

Gretter worshypp I cannot wysshe than for to sytte in the Kynges owne
Benche . (CMINNOCE,4.43)

And for by cause charyte is parfyght yf it be extendyd as well to the
ende of the lyf as it is the lyf self , I wolde they sholde ende ther
lyf in that holy waye the whyche often tymes I radde whan that I was
Querester , in the Marteloge of Poules , where many holy bodyes deyed ,
callyd in Latyn Via Tiburtina : in Englysshe asmoche to saye as the
highe waye to Tyburne . (CMINNOCE,4.44)

In this behalf ye shall praye specyally for all prelates that cometh to
theyr dygnytee as I dyde ; (CMINNOCE,4.45)

for , thanked be God , wythout conspyracy , lordshyp , or symony I was
sette in thys degree ; (CMINNOCE,4.46)

for verely promocyon in ony realme hadde per demonum Simonem et
principem hath and shall brynge Crystys chirche in confusionem
dampnabilem . (CMINNOCE,4.47)

In the seconde partye ye shall praye for the wele and peas of all
Crysten reames , specyally for the reame of Englonde , Our soverayne
lorde the Kyng , Our soverayne lady the Quene , My lorde the Prynce ,
My lady the Kynges Moder , My lorde her Husbonde , with all the Lordes
of the Realme ; The welfare of this Cyte , for my ryght worshypful
broder and lover of the Mayer , with all the Aldermen and Shyrefs .
(CMINNOCE,4.48)

In the thyrde partye , all the soules lyenge in the paynes of Purgatory
; specyally for the soule of the reverende fader my <P_5> lorde Thomas
Kempe late Bysshop , and for the soules of all Benefactours of thys
chirche of Poules , wyth all Crysten soules , for the whiche and for
the entent premysed I praye you devoutly saye a Pater Noster and an Ave
. (CMINNOCE,5.49)

Laudate Pueri Dominum <paren> ut supra </paren> . (CMINNOCE,5.50)

In as moche as Cryste sayth in the Gospell , Sinite parvulos venire ad
me , quia talium est regnum Celorum <paren> Mathei xix=o= . </paren> "
Suffre ye childerne to come to me , for of suche the kyngdom of heven
is fulfylled , " by whom , after saynt Austyn <paren> in originali ,
ubi thema </paren> , it is not oonly understonde those that bene
chylderne of age , but those that bene chylderne pure in clennesse from
synne and malyce . (CMINNOCE,5.51)

As the holy appostle saynt Poule sayth , Nolite effici pueri sensibus ,
malicia autem parvuli estote <paren> prima ad Corintheos xiiij=o=
</paren> " Be ye not chylderne in your wyttes ; (CMINNOCE,5.52)

but from all synne and malyce be ye chylderne in clennesse . "
(CMINNOCE,5.53)

And in this fourme alle maner of people and al maner of ages in
clennesse of lyf ought to be pure as childerne , to whom generally may
I saye Laudate , pueri , Dominum ; Laudate , pueri , Dominum in
infantia ; laudate Dominum in adolescentia ; laudate Dominum in
perseverante etate humana , - " Prayse , ye childerne , your God in
your infant age ; (CMINNOCE,5.54)

Prayse ye hym in your growynge age ; (CMINNOCE,5.55)

And prayse ye hym perseverauntly <paren> usque in senectum et senium
</paren> in your mannes age . " (CMINNOCE,5.56)

And in thyse thre praysynge of thre ages shall stande the processe of
this symple Collacyon . (CMINNOCE,5.57)

Thyse thre ages after the consceyte of the appostle <paren> ad Galathas
and ad Romanos </paren> is lykened to the thre lawes , - that is to
saye - to the Lawe of Kynde , the Lawe Wryten , and the Lawe of Grace .
(CMINNOCE,5.58)

The first age is likenyd unto the Lawe of Kynde . (CMINNOCE,5.59)

A childe fyrste whan he is in his infant age is not constreyned unto no
lawes ; (CMINNOCE,5.60)

he is not corrected nother beten ; (CMINNOCE,5.61)

and there is no defaute layde unto hym , (CMINNOCE,5.62)

but utterly he is lefte unto the lawe of kynde . (CMINNOCE,5.63)

Do he what somever he wyll , no man doth blame hym . (CMINNOCE,5.64)

Morally the state of man inmedyatly after synne was verely the state of
childehode <P_6> and infans havinge no nouryce . (CMINNOCE,6.65)

Whan that man was utterly left without ony expressyd lawe , havynge no
mayster , to his owne naturall inclynacyon as to his lawe , there was
no lawe of God newe put to hym . (CMINNOCE,6.66)

Many defawtes dyde he , (CMINNOCE,6.67)

and to many inconvenyences he ranne . (CMINNOCE,6.68)

Correccyon was there none , but utter destruccyon , as Noes floode ,
destroyenge all infantes of mankynde save viij. persones
(CMINNOCE,6.69)

<paren> Genesis vij=o= . </paren> (CMINNOCE,6.70)

The destruccyon of Sodome and of Gomor with other cytees
(CMINNOCE,6.71)

<paren> Genesis xix=o= . </paren> (CMINNOCE,6.72)

And lyke wyse as a childe , havynge noo nouryce nor guyder deputed to
hym , may as well renne in to the fyre or water as to go besyde , soo
verely in the fyrste age of man , in the lawe of kynde , a man beynge
wythout a nouryce or guyder , lefte to hys naturall guydynge , mysusyd
soo ferre hymselfe , that he ranne to water where he was utterly
destroyed as I sayde before , save Noes housholde , and also to the
fyre , where a grete parte was destroyed . (CMINNOCE,6.73)

And verely , Maysters , yf we clerely consydre our lyf and state that
we stande in now in thyse dayes , I fere me we shall fynde ourself soo
ferre guyded by our sensuall nature , that we shall nede to be purefyed
to our streyte correccyon wyth a streyte afflyccyon , as the water or
the fyre . (CMINNOCE,6.74)

And all for lacke of our maysters and nouryces all wrapped in
neclygence taketh none attendaunce to us . (CMINNOCE,6.75)

Our maysters and nouryces spyrytuall , Querentes quae sua sunt et non
quae Jhesu Christi , sunt canes muti non valentes latrare
(CMINNOCE,6.76)

<paren> Ysaye lvi=o= . </paren> (CMINNOCE,6.77)

Our temporall rulers Infideles , socii furum , diligunt munera ,
sequuntur retribuciones ; pupillo non judicant , causa viduae non
ingreditur ad eos . (CMINNOCE,6.78)

<paren> Ysaye i=o= . </paren> (CMINNOCE,6.79)

This neclygence in our nouryces spyrytuall and temporall causeth in the
Chirche insolent lyf , seculer conversacyon <paren> In habitu interiori
et exteriori , ut qualis populus talis sit et sacerdos . </paren>
(CMINNOCE,6.80)

In the temporalte it causeth that manslaughter is not sette by ;
(CMINNOCE,6.81)

lechery is pleysure ; (CMINNOCE,6.82)

robbery and dysceyte is called chevesaunce ; extorcyon lordshyp , power
; falshede , a fete of wytte ; usury counted no synne . (CMINNOCE,6.83)

Quomodo facta est meretrix civitas fidelis , plena judicii . Justicia
habitavit in ea , nunc autem homicidae . Argentum tuum versum est in
scoriam . Vinum tuum mixtum est aqua . (CMINNOCE,6.84)

<paren> Ysaye i=o= . </paren> (CMINNOCE,6.85)

A merveyllous chaunge ! (CMINNOCE,6.86)

somtyme our reame was prosperous , (CMINNOCE,6.87)

<P_7>

now it is in mysery ; (CMINNOCE,7.89)

somtyme Ryghtwysnesse was the cheyf ruler , (CMINNOCE,7.90)

now Falshede is quarter-mayster ; (CMINNOCE,7.91)

somtyme was inhabytaunt Peas , Love , and Charyte , now Wrathe and
Manslaughter and false Dyssymulacyon ; (CMINNOCE,7.92)

somtyme Trouth was mayster of our marchauntes , <paren> nunc vero usura
et dolus </paren> . (CMINNOCE,7.93)

And somtyme Trouth stode upryght , (CMINNOCE,7.94)

now he is fallen . (CMINNOCE,7.95)

Good men have inserchyd the strete where he felle ; (CMINNOCE,7.96)

some sayde he fell in Lombarde Strete , some sayde in Buklarsbury .
(CMINNOCE,7.97)

And whan it was utterly knowe he was fallen in every strete <paren>
Veritas corruit in plateis </paren> , (CMINNOCE,7.98)

the cause is none other but we lacke our maysters and guyders that
sholde streytly attende in this Infant age of condycyon that we bene in
. (CMINNOCE,7.99)

Whan that infant age is ended , the fader provydeth for hys childe for
a mayster , the whyche gyveth instruccyon in small doctrynes , as in
hys Donate , Partes of reason , and suche other , the whiche mayster
comunely is called Pedagogus in Latyne . (CMINNOCE,7.100)

This mayster gevyth commaundementes to the childe in his growynge age .
(CMINNOCE,7.101)

And he breke them he is sharpely correctyd . (CMINNOCE,7.102)

There is no fawte that he doth but he is punysshed . (CMINNOCE,7.103)

Somtyme he wryngeth hym by the eeres . (CMINNOCE,7.104)

Sometyme he geveth hym a strype on the honde wyth the ferell .
(CMINNOCE,7.105)

Some tyme beteth hym sharpely with the rodde . (CMINNOCE,7.106)

And so with commaundementes and sharpe correccyon he geveth hym full
instruccyon in the lawer scyence . (CMINNOCE,7.107)

So in lyke manere after the lawe of kynde . (CMINNOCE,7.108)

As mankynde grewe in age almyghty God provyded to man an enfourmer that
was called Moyses , the whiche sholde teche man his pryncypalles and
small and rude doctrynes . (CMINNOCE,7.109)

And so the olde lawe taught to man his Donate and Partes of reason .
(CMINNOCE,7.110)

Also he taught hym how he sholde gyve to God his partes : the whyche
were sacrefyces , oblacyons and tythes justely and truely to be gyven
to God - as it is wryten (CMINNOCE,7.111)

<paren> Ecclesiasticis xxxv=o= . </paren> (CMINNOCE,7.112)

Da Altissimo secundum Donatum ejus . (CMINNOCE,7.113)

That what thou sholdest gyve <P_8> also to thy neyghbour and broder his
partes , that is to saye , almes dedes frely wythout grutchynge ,
lenynge of thy good without ony trust or hope of usury , and forgevynge
thy neyghbour yf he be in necessyte without trouble for Goddes sake ;
(CMINNOCE,8.114)

and lyke wyse as the people under Moyses growynge in childehode , thyse
thynges were taught by the whiche specyally Goddes lawe and praysynge
was encreaced , so in our growyng age in vertue that gode Lorde <paren>
cujus laus est in ecclesia sanctorum </paren> canne not be better
praysed , than yf we gyve unto hym justly and truely his Donat , to hym
oblacyons , sacrefyces , and tythes . (CMINNOCE,8.115)

To our neyghbour mercyfully geve oure almesse , (CMINNOCE,8.116)

and pyteuously forgyve offences and dettes to theym that bene nedy and
maye not paye . (CMINNOCE,8.117)

Thyse bene the thynges that longeth to Goddes praysynge in mankyndes
childehode , as is wryten of Thoby (CMINNOCE,8.118)

<paren> Thobie primo , </paren> (CMINNOCE,8.119)

Haec et his similia puerulus secundum legem observabat .
(CMINNOCE,8.120)

In Moyses tyme streyte commaundementes were gyven to Man , streyte
punysshmentes and sharpe correccyons ; (CMINNOCE,8.121)

they were taken by the eere streytly , whan it commaunded in the Lawe
aurem pro aure , dentem pro dente , without ony mercy .
(CMINNOCE,8.122)

He that gadred styckes on the Sabot daye was stoned unto the dethe .
(CMINNOCE,8.123)

And for one grutched ayenst theyr mayster Moyses , the whiche was but
Pedagogus , the chosen woman moost accepte , Maria , Aaron 's sister ,
was smytten of God with the infyrmyte of leprehode . (CMINNOCE,8.124)

How ofte tymes breke we our holy daye ! (CMINNOCE,8.125)

How oft tymes grutche we ayenst our maysters , not holdynge us content
with noo kynge , nother prynce , archebysshopp , nor bysshopp ; beynge
as varyaunt as the mone ! (CMINNOCE,8.126)

And yet the good Lorde spareth us . (CMINNOCE,8.127)

The old lawe was harde to observe ; in the whiche tyme God entreatyd
mankynde after his wrath and punysshement . Wherfore he was callyd Deus
ulcionum , for whoos delyver mercy cryed to almyghty God to sende
mankinde a newe mayster that sholde entreate hym and teche more
curtously ; (CMINNOCE,8.128)

and it lyked hym , Non ex operibus justiciae quae fecimus nos , sed
secundum suam misericordiam , <paren> Ad Titum iij=o=. </paren> to come
downe hymself (CMINNOCE,8.129)

and toke on hym oure mortallyte , (CMINNOCE,8.130)

gave us a newe lawe , (CMINNOCE,8.131)

<P_9>

wold suffre none but hymselfe to be oure mayster ; where with all love
and benygnyte , without sharpnesse , he taught us noo rude nother grose
erthly doctrynes , as they were taughte in the olde lawe ;
(CMINNOCE,9.133)

but he taughte us subtyll thynges , hevenly dyvynytee , oure glory and
oure blysse <paren> Docebat eos de regno Dei </paren> .
(CMINNOCE,9.134)

And as longe as we bene in the scole of mercyfull benygnytee and
gentylnesse , though we doo fawtes , purposynge to amende , soo longe
he abydeth us pacyently , holdynge hymself content . (CMINNOCE,9.135)

For by cause we bene now in mannes state and parfyght age with oure
owne correccyon <paren> Propterea expectat Deus ut misereatur vestri
</paren> (CMINNOCE,9.136)

<paren> Ysaye tricesimo . </paren> (CMINNOCE,9.137)

And yf we dyfferre and wyll not correcte our selfe here in the scole of
mercy , full grevously and moost sharply shall we abyde the swerde of
correccyon of his ryghtwysnesse , as dayly by experyence we maye fele .
(CMINNOCE,9.138)

Therfore , in the thre ages of oure lyfe lette us besye ourselfe to
prayse God wyth pure childerne , amendynge our lyfe by dedes of
penaunce and vertuouse dedes usynge , exhortynge you with the wordes of
my tyme - (CMINNOCE,9.139)

Laudate , pueri , Dominum . (CMINNOCE,9.140)

The fourme and the maner how that we sholde worshyp and love almyghty
God in the thre Ages , that is to saye , in Childehode , Yongthe , and
Manhode , is shewed to us by a prety conceyte of oure comyn Kalender in
every boke of servyce . (CMINNOCE,9.141)

Ye shall understande that every moneth noted in the Kalender is dyvyded
in thre partyes , that is to say Kalendas , Nonas , and Ydus .
(CMINNOCE,9.142)

The fyrst daye of every moneth is called and named Kalendas ;
(CMINNOCE,9.143)

the seconde is namyd , not Kalendas , but quarto , quinto , or sexto
Nonas , and soo tyll ye come to Nonas ; (CMINNOCE,9.144)

and after Nonas , the dayes bene namyd Ydus tyll ye come to the myddell
, and thenne all the moneth after named Kalendas after certen nombres ;
as the myddes of the monthe is namyd <font> xix. </font> other <font>
xviii. </font> Kalendas , countynge lesse tyll ye come to the ende .
(CMINNOCE,9.145)

Morally by these thre , Kalendas , Nonas , and Ydus , is understande
the thre Ages of Man . (CMINNOCE,9.146)

By Kalendas is understande Childhode ; (CMINNOCE,9.147)

Kalendae is as moche to saye quasi colendo , (CMINNOCE,9.148)

for the consuetude of the <P_10> Romaynes was , the fyrste daye of the
moneth that is called Kalendas falleth , to solempnyse to ther goddes
Hely , Juno et Jupyter . (CMINNOCE,10.149)

So verely the childehode of man is dedycate to devocyon .
(CMINNOCE,10.150)

Thenne sette the faders the childerne to scole ; (CMINNOCE,10.151)

and thenne be they taughte to serve God , to saye grace , to helpe the
preest to synge ; for to be meke , gentyll , and lowely .
(CMINNOCE,10.152)

Thenne saye they our Lady matens , and bene ryght devoute . Of whom may
be verefyed that is wryten by Davyd - (CMINNOCE,10.153)

Haec est generacio quaerencium Dominum , (CMINNOCE,10.154)

that is the generacyon that besyly by devocyon seke almyghty God .
(CMINNOCE,10.155)

By the seconde daye that is callyd Nonas I understande the seconde age
, that is callyd Juventus , Youthe . (CMINNOCE,10.156)

Nonae dicuntur quasi nullae , (CMINNOCE,10.157)

for in that daye the Romayns worshypt no Goddes , (CMINNOCE,10.158)

nother in that season was noo festyvall dayes ; (CMINNOCE,10.159)

or elles nonae dicuntur quasi nundinae , as moche to saye as a fayer ,
(CMINNOCE,10.160)

for in that tyme they occupied themself in fayers and marchaundyses .
(CMINNOCE,10.161)

And herto convenyently may be the Youthe of man applyed ,
(CMINNOCE,10.162)

that is in specyall from xiiij. yeres unto xviij. , in the whiche he is
ful of undevocyon , (CMINNOCE,10.163)

and all moost forgetith to worshyp his God or ony saynt .
(CMINNOCE,10.164)

And yf he do it with his mouthe , his herte is ful ferre from God
aboute worldly vanytees . (CMINNOCE,10.165)

As it is wryten , Populus hic labiis me honorat , cor autem eorum longe
est a me (CMINNOCE,10.166)

<paren> Ysay . xxix=o= . </paren> (CMINNOCE,10.167)

Congruently also Youthe maye be namyd Nonae i. nundinae - a fayer or
market , (CMINNOCE,10.168)

for in this age is the marchaundyse of the devyll . (CMINNOCE,10.169)

The worlde habundauntly bought . (CMINNOCE,10.170)

Here the yonge man byeth a strompettes body for his body and soule .
(CMINNOCE,10.171)

Here all vayne marchaundyses of the worlde bene bought , to the whiche
is very prone and redy oure youthe of Englonde , as we may see dayly .
(CMINNOCE,10.172)

There is no vanyte in no partye of the worlde but we bene redy to bye
it : longe heres and shorte collers of Almayns ; evyll fasshenyd
garmentes and devyllisshe shoone and slyppers of Frensmen ; powches and
paynted gyrdylles of Spaynardes ; newe founde hattes of Romayns ;
(CMINNOCE,10.173)

and so is fulfylled the wordes of oure Lord wryten in holy scrypture
(CMINNOCE,10.174)

<paren> Jeremiae xi=o= . </paren> , (CMINNOCE,10.175)

Elongaverunt a me , et ambulaverunt post vanitatem , et vani facti sunt
. (CMINNOCE,10.176)

" This Youthe <paren> sayth our Lorde , </paren> hath ferre put
hymselfe fro me , (CMINNOCE,10.177)

and they have <P_11> walked after theyr owne vanytees ,
(CMINNOCE,11.178)

and by theyr invencyons they bene all vayne and undoubtyd . "
(CMINNOCE,11.179)

This alterable vanytees in garmentes is a true argument and a faythfull
conclusyon to all wyse straungers that Englysshemen bee as chaungable
in theyr maners and wyttes as they be in outwarde garmentes .
(CMINNOCE,11.180)

And yf this vayne marchaundyse were oonly in youth of the reame it were
more tollerable , (CMINNOCE,11.181)

but inveterati dierum malorum , boyes of fyfty yere of age are as newe
fangled as ony yonge men be . The whiche by reasons holde torne theyr
face from the worlde , consideryng the ende of theyr lyfe .
(CMINNOCE,11.182)

But lytell that is consydered ; (CMINNOCE,11.183)

ye , rather in theyr vanytees they bene praysed . (CMINNOCE,11.184)

Quoniam laudatur peccator in desideriis animae suae , et iniquus
benedicitur . (CMINNOCE,11.185)

<paren> Psalmo , etc . </paren> (CMINNOCE,11.186)

And the thyrde daye is callyd Ydus , the whiche is asmoche to saye as
divisio , a departynge . By whom I understande the latter age of man ,
in the whiche man is dyvyded from the worlde by dethe , to the ende for
to receyve good or evyll as he hath deserved in this present lyfe .
(CMINNOCE,11.187)

Lyke wyse thenne , as in the fyrst part of the moneth there is but one
daye that is callyd Kalendae , the whiche is the fyrste daye of all ,
but in the later ende there be many dayes that bene named of the worde
Kalendas , so , in comparyson of the fyrst daye of thy lyfe , that is
to say of thy childehode , in the whiche thou wert well disposyd in
devocyon , multeplye thy good lyf and holy dysposycyon in thy latter
dayes , that thou mayest deserve oure Lordes mercy , sayenge with the
Prophete in the sawter , Et senectus mea in misericordia uberi .
(CMINNOCE,11.188)

And how be it thou hast often before in thy yonge age and myddell age
dyvydyd thy lyfe somtyme to vertue , somtyme to vyce , ye as now in thy
latter age kepe thy lyfe holy in vertue . (CMINNOCE,11.189)

Dyvyde it no more tyll dethe dyvyde it , after the counsell of the
Gospelles , (CMINNOCE,11.190)

Joh'is xix=o= : (CMINNOCE,11.191)

Non scindamus eam , sed sorciamur de ea cujus sit - (CMINNOCE,11.192)

" Lete us not cutte it , (CMINNOCE,11.193)

but lete us draw lottes whose it shall be . " (CMINNOCE,11.194)

How be it this texte after the letter is understonde of Crystys cote
without seme , yet convenyently it may be understonde of every mannys
lyfe or soule - (CMINNOCE,11.195)

Tunica dicitur quasi tua <P_12> unica . (CMINNOCE,12.196)

Whether is more surer thyne owne than thy soule , for the whiche
prayeth the Prophete , sayeng , Erue a framea , Deus , animam meam , et
de manu canis unicam meam . (CMINNOCE,12.197)

And whyle it is so that man lyveth here in two lyves , one lyvynge
after the pleasur of the worlde , the tother lyvynge here in vertue by
grace to come to blysse , tho that woll geve one partye of theyr lyfe
to vyces and another to vertue , and specially in theyr age , thyse
maner of men dyvyde theyr cote , (CMINNOCE,12.198)

and they , nother all the tayllers in the worlde , shall never make it
hole ayen ; (CMINNOCE,12.199)

for , as saynt Jerome sayth in a pystle , Difficile , ymmo impossibile
est , ut quis in praesenti et in futuro fruatur gaudiis , ut hic
ventrem et ibi mentem , et de deliciis transiat - " It is harde ,
(CMINNOCE,12.200)

ye it is impossyble , that a man may have alle joye in this worlde and
also in heven - here to fylle his body and there to fylle his mynde ; "
(CMINNOCE,12.201)

for truly the delytes of this worlde and the joyes of heven can never
be togyder in one cote of thy soule . Wherfore yf thy cote of thy soule
be ones hoole in vertue , without ony seme of vice , departe it never ,
but lete it retorne in sortem Domini , and contynewe thy lyfe in
goodnesse without ony interrupcyon . (CMINNOCE,12.202)

And lyke wyse as in thy childehode thou begannest vertue oonly , where
thrugh in that age thou prayseste almyghty God , so in thy myddell age
, all wanton vanytees layed apart , encresse thy vertu as tho dyde of
whom it is wryten , Ibunt de virtute in virtutem quousque videatur Deus
. (CMINNOCE,12.203)

And that the ende may be conformable to his pryncyple without dyvysion
, followynge the wayes of Innocency with thyse holy Innocents , in
whose commendacions syngeth our moder holy chirche , Novit Dominus viam
Innocentum qui non steterunt in viis peccatorum . (CMINNOCE,12.204)

And yf we be in synne to repare ourselfe to the state of grace without
wyll to falle agayn . (CMINNOCE,12.205)

And in recognysaunce of this gracyous benefyte of remyssyon we may
lovyngly prayse God as I exhortyd you <P_13> before , sayeng , Laudate
, Pueri , Dominum , graunt us all , Cryste Jhesus Splendor Patris ,
corona Innocencium . (CMINNOCE,13.206)

Amen . (CMINNOCE,13.207)

Explicit sermo ista . (CMINNOCE,13.208)