The English works of Wyclif hitherto unprinted.Edited by F. D. Matthew.

Capitulum 15^m.

Þes possessioners bynden hem self to contradiccion & þing þat is imposible; for þei bynden hem self to be dede to þe world & forsaken it & bysynesse, & on þe toþer side þei bynden hem to obedience for to take worldli bisynesse aftir biddynge [byndynge X.] of a worldly & synful & coueitous & vnkunnynge abbot or priour, & þis þei moten do bi vertue of þis obedience, þouȝ god stire hem to be betre occupied aboute studiynge & techynge of holy writt, & þus mannus comaundement is performyd bi blyndnesse & ypocrisie & goddis comaundement & more profit of cristene soules is putte bihynde. But it semeþ þei forsaken hunger & þurst [þrest X.] & penaunce & traueile to be lordis & riche & lyue in bodyli ayse on alle sidis; & þus þe fend bi his worldly clerkis disceyueþ men by colour

of holynesse, & bryngeþ hem to worldly lyuynge whanne þei wenen to come out þer-of, & þus casteþ hem bi here owene turn.