The Cambridge ms (University library, Gg. 4.27) of Chaucer's Canterbury tales / edited by Frederick J. Furnivall.

Ier. 6^o. State super vias & videte & interogate de semitis antiquis que sit via bona & ambulate in ea & inuenietis refrigerium animabis vestris.

[75] Our swete lord god of heuyn þat no man woll perische, but will þat we comen alle to þe knoweliche of hym. & to the blisfull lif þat is perdurable. [76] Amonyscheth vs bi þ^e prophet Ieromie. þat seith in this wise. [77] ¶ Stondith vp on þ^e weies & seeth & axeþ of olde pathees. þat is to seyn of olde sentences whiche is þ^e good weie. [78] & walkiþ in þat weie & ye scholen fynde refreschyng for your soulis. & cetera. [79] ¶ Manye ben þe weies espirituels þat ledyn folk to our lord ihesu crist & to the Regne of glorie. [80] Of whiche weies ther is a full noble weie & a full couenable whiche maie noght faile to man ne to woman that thorogh synne hath mys goon fro the right weie of Hierusalem celestiall. [81] And this weie is clepid [[Nota de peni|tencia. ‖]] penytence. of whiche men schuldyn gladly herkyn & enquere with all his hert [82] to wite what his pen|aunce & whens it is clepid penytence. & in how mony maneres ben the accions of worchyng of penytence [83] & how manye spices ther ben of penytences & whiche thynges a-pertenyn & bi-houyn to penytence. [Harl. 1758 folio 205b] Whiche thynges distourben penytence.

[6-text p 594]

[84] Seynt Ambrose seith that penytence is the [¶ What is peny|tence] playnyng of man for the gilt that he hath doon. & no more to doon ony thyng for whiche hym ought to pleyne. [85] ¶ And som doctour seith. Penytence is the weyment|yng of man that sorwith for his synne & pyneth hym self for he hath mys doon. [86] Penytence with certeyn circumstaunces is very repentaunce of man that holdeþ hym self in sorow & other peyne for his giltes. [87] & for he schall be verye penytent. he schall first be-weilen the synnes that he hath doon. And stidfastly purposid in his herte to haue schrift of mouthe. & to don satisfaccion [88] & neuyr to do thyng. ffor whiche hym oughte more to be-weile or to compleyne & to con|tynue in good werkis or ellis his repentaunce maie noght a-vaile. [89] ¶ ffor as seith seynt Isidre. He is a iaper & [¶ Isiderus.] a gabber & no very repentaunt man that efte sone doth thyng for whiche hym ought to repent [90] wepyng & noght for to stynte to do synne may noght a-vaile. [91] ¶ But natheles men schulen hope that at euery tyme that man falleth be it neuyr so ofte that he may arise thorogh peny|tence if he haue grace. ¶ But certeynly hit is gret doute. [92] for as seith seynt Gregorie. vnnethes ariseth he out [¶ Gregorius.] of his synne that is charged with the charge of yuell vsage. [93] ¶ And therfore repentaunt folk that stynte for to synne & for to lete synne er that synne for-lete hym. holi|chirche holdith hem siker of her sauacion. [94] And he that synneth & verrily repentith hym in his last ende. Holi chirche yet hopith his sauacion bi the gret mercy of our lord ihesu crist for his repentaunce but take the sikerer weie. & þ^e more certeyn.

[95] ¶ And now sethyns I haue declarid you what thyng is penytence. Now schulen ye vndirstonde that ther [¶ Tres sunt ac|ciones peni|tencie] ben thre accions of penytence. [96] ¶ The first is that if a man be baptiste after that he hath [1^a. accion of penytence.] synned. [97] seynt Austyn seith. but he be penytence [¶ Augustinus.] for his olde synfull lif he may not be-gynne the newe

[6-text p 595] clene lif. [98] ffor certis if he be baptised with out penytence of his olde gilt. he receyueþ þ^e mark of baptisme. but not the grace ne the remysson of his synnes till he haue verraye repentaunce. [99] ¶ Another defaute is this that men doon deedly synne after that [¶ .2. accion.] thei haue receyued baptisme. [100] The þrid defaute [¶ .3. accion.] is that men fallen in venyall synnes aftir her baptisme. fro daie to daye. [101] Ther of seith seynt Austyn. [¶ Augustinus] that penytence of good & humble folk is the penytence of euery daie.

[102] ¶ The spices of penaunce ben thre; that oon [¶ The spices of penytence.] of hem is solempne. Another is comune. & the .3. is pryue. [103] ¶ Thilk penaunce that is so|lempne [¶ of penaunce solempne.] is in two maneres. as is to be put out of holy chirche in lente for slaughter of childryn & suche maner thyng. [104] ¶ Another is when a man [¶ Of open penaunce.] hath synned openly of whiche synne the fame is openly spoken in the contre. ¶ And then holy chirche bi Iuge|ment distreyneth hym for to do penaunce opene. [105] Som penaunce is that preestis enioynen [[Harl. 1758 extract ends]] ] [Cambr. begin] [folio 401a] men in certeyn cas / As for to goon parauenture nakid in pilgrymage or barefot. [106] ¶ Pryue penaunce is thilke that men doon alday for certeyn synnys that been priue / of whiche we schryue vs pryuely / & receyue priue penaunce

[107] ¶ Now schalt thow vndyrstonde what is behofly & necessarie to verray perfit penytence & this stant on thre thyngis. [108] Contrycioun of herte / Con|fessioun of mouthe / & Satisfaccioun / [109] For whiche seyth seynt Iohn Crisostomus ¶ Penytence constrynyth a man to accepte benyngnely euery peyne that is enioyned hym. with contricioun of herte & schrifte of mouthe. with Satis|faccioun. And in werkynge of alle manere humylite / [110] And this is freutful penytence a-geyn .iij. thyngis. in wheche we wrethe oure lord Ihesu cryst / [111] this is to seynne / by delyt in thynkynge / by recheles-nesse in spekynge And be wikkede synful werkynge / [112] And a-geyn these

[6-text p 596] wekede giltis is penytence that may be likkenyd vntil a tree

[113] ¶ The rote of this tre is contricioun / that hydith hym in the herte that is verray repentaunt / righ as the rote of a tre; hydyth hym in the erthe. [114] ¶ Of the rote of contricioun spryngith a stalke that berith braunchis & leuys of Confessioun & freut of satisfaccioun [115] ¶ for whiche Crist seyth in his gospel / Doth digne freut of penytence / for by this freut may men knowe this tree / & not by the rote that is hid in the herte of man ne bi the braunchis ne by the leuys of Confessioun. [116] And therfore oure lord Ihesu Crist seyth thus by the freut of hem; schul ȝe knowyn hem. [117] ¶ Of this roote ek spryngith a seed of grace the whiche seed; is modir of sekyrnesse / & this seed is egre & hoot / [118] the grace of this seed spryngith of god thourw re|membraunce of the day of doome / & on the peynys of helle [119] ¶ Of this mateere seyth Salomon that in drede of god / man forletyth his synne / [120] the heete of this seed is the loue of god / & desyrynge of the Ioye perdurable / [121] this heete drawith the herte of man to god / & doth hym hate his synne / [122] For sothly there is nothyng that saurith so weel to a child as the mylk of his noryce / ne no thyng is [folio 401b] to hyre selvyn; [[e selvyn; corrected]] more abomynabele / . . . . . [no gap in the MS.] [125] for sothly the lawe of god; is the loue of god / For whiche Dauid the prophete seyth / I have lowyd thyn lawe / & hatid wekedenesse And [[nd corrected]] he that louyth god; kepith his lawe & his word / [126] This tre saw the prophete danyel / in spiryt vp-on the auysioun of Nabugodonosor whanne he con|seyled / hym to do penytence [127] Penaunce is the tre of lyf / to hem that it resceyuyn / And he that holdyth hym

[6-text p 597] in verray penytence is blyssid aftyr the centence of Salomon /

[128] ¶ In this penitence / or contricoun / man schal vn|dyrstondyn .iiij. thyngis That is to seyne what is contricioun / & whiche been the causis that meuyn a man / to Con|tricioun / & how he schulde been contryte / & what Con|tr[i]cioun avaylyth to the Soule / [129] ¶ Thanne is it thus / that contricioun is the verray sorwe that a man resceyuyth in his herte for hise synnys with sad purpos / to schryue hym & to do penaunce & neuere moore to do synne / [130] And this sorwe schal been in this maneere / as seith seynt bernard / . It schal ben heuy & greuous / & ful scharp & poygnaunt in herte. [131] ¶ ffyrst for man hath a-gilt his lord / & his Creature / & more scharp & poynaunt for he hath . . . . .[132] . . . . . [no gap in the MS.] wrathid / & agilt hym that bought hym / that with his precious blod hath delyuered vs from the bond of synne / & from the crewelte of the deuyl And from the peynys of helle

[133] ¶ The causys that oughtyn to meue a man to con|trycioun; been sexe / ¶ ffyrst a man schal remembre hym of hise synnys / [134] but loke that thilke remem|braunce / be to hym no delyt / be no weye / but gret schame & sorwe for hise synnys / ffor Iob seith synful men don werkys worthy of Confescioun / [135] & therefore seith esechie ¶ I wele remembre me alle the ȝerys of myn lyf in the bittirnesse of myn herte / [136] ¶ And god seith in the apocalipse ¶ Remembre ȝow from whene ȝe been falle / for by-fore that tyme that ȝe synned; ȝe were the childeren of god / & lemys of the regne of god / [137] but for ȝoure synne ȝe been wexen thral. & foul & menbris of the deuyl / hate of aungell / Sclaundere of holy cherche And foode of the false serpent / perpetuel mater of the fer of helle [138] / & ȝit moore foul & abom|ynable for the trespa [folio 402a] syn so ofte tyme as doth an hound / that retornyth to ete his spewynge / [139] And ȝit

[6-text p 598] been ȝe more foulere; for ȝoure longe contynuynge therin / & ȝoure synful vsage / for whiche ȝe been rotyn in ȝoure synne; as beste in his dunge [140] Sweche manere of thoughtis makyn a man to haue schame of hise synnys / & no delit / As god seyth by the prophete Eȝechiel / [141] ȝe schal remembre ȝow of ȝoure weiis / And thi schul displese ȝow sothly / Synnys been the weyis that ledyn folk to helle [142]

THe secunde cause that oughte to meue a man to haue disdeyn of synne; is this / as seith seint Petyr / who so that doth synne is thral of synne / & synne puttyth a man in gret thraldam / [143] And ther|fore seyth the prophete Eȝechiel / I wente sorweful in disdeyn of myn self ¶ Certis weel ouȝte a man / haue disdayn of synne & withdrawyn hym from that thraldam & vilenye / [144] And lo what seyth Seneca / in this matere he seith thus ¶ Thow I wiste that / neythir god ne man ne schulde neuere knowe it / ȝit wolde I haue disdayn for to do synne / [145] And the same Seneca also seyth / I am born to grettere thyngis / than to ben thral to myn body . or than for to makyn of myn body a thral / [146] ne a foulere thral may no man maken of his body; than for to ȝeuyn his body to synne / [147] Al were it the fouleste cherl or the fouleste woman / that leuyth & lest of valew / ȝit is he thanne more foul & moore in seruitute / [148] euere from the heyere degre that man fallyth; the more is he thral / & the moore to god & to the world vile & abomyn|nable / [149] ¶ O goode god wel oughte man haue greet disdeyn of synne / sythe that thorw synne / there he was fre / now is he makid bonde / [150] And therfore seyth seynt Augustyn ¶ If thow haue disdayn of thyn seruaun[t] / ȝif he haue gilt or synne Haue thow thanne disdayn / that thow thyn self schuldyst doon synne / [151] take reward of thyn value / that thow ne be to foul to thyn self // [152] Also weel auȝte they thanne haue disdayn / to been

[6-text p 599] seruauntys & thralles to synne & soore been aschamyd / of hem self / [153] that [folio 402b] god of his endeles goodnesse / hat set hem in high estat or ȝeuyn hem wit strenthe / hele of body / beute prosperite / [154] & boughte hem from the deth with his herte blood that they so onkendely aȝens his gentilesse / quytyn hym so vileynly to slauthere of here owene soules. [155] O goode god / the wemen that been of greet beute. remembrith ȝow of the prouerbe of salomon / he seyth [156] & likkenyth a fayr woman þat is a fol of hire body; lik to a ryng of gold / þat were in the groyn of a sowe / [157] ffor rygh as a Sowe wrothith in eueryche ordure; so wrotith sche hire beute / in stynkynge ordure of synne [158]

THe thredde cause þat oughte to meue a man to contrycioun; is drede of the day of dome & of the horrible peynys of helle / [159] ffor as seynt Ierom seith At euery tyme that me remembrith of the day of dome; I quake. [160] for whan I ete or drynke or what so euere I do / euere semyth me that the trumpe sounyth in myn ere. [161] Ryseth ȝe vp that been dede & comyth to the Iugement. [162] O goode god meche ouȝte a man to drede / swich a Iugement/ there as we schul been alle as seynt poule seyth by fore the cete of oure lord Ihesu Cryst / [163] where as he schal makyn a general con|gregacioun / where as no man may Been absent / [164] for certis there auaylith non essoyne ne excusacioun / [165] And not only that oure fautis schuln ben Iugit. but that alle oure werkis schuln opynly been knowe / [166] And as seyth seynt Bernard / There ne schal no pledynge auayle ne no slyȝte / we schul ȝeue rekenynge / of euery Idele wod [167] there schul we han a Iuge / þat may not ben disseyued ne corupt / And why / ffor certis al oure thouȝtis been discryued as to hym / ne for preyer ne for mede he schan not ben corupt / [168] And therefore seyth salomon / the wrethe of god . . . . . [no gap in the MS.]

[6-text p 600] ne wele not spare no wight / for preyere ne for ȝifte / And therfore at the day of dome / there is non hope to escape / [169] wherefore as seyth seynt Anselm ¶ Ful gret angwisch schul the synful soulis haue at that tyme [170] there schal the sterne & wrothe Iuge / sitte a-boue / & vndyr hym the horryble pit of helle / opyn to di|stroyen hem that mot beknowyn here synnys / whiche synnys opynly ben [folio 403a] schewid by-foryn god / & beforyn euery cryature / [171] And on the left syde / mo deuyllis than herte may bethynke / For to harye & drawe / the synful soulys to the pit of helle / [172] And with|inne the hertis of folk. schal be the bytynge concience And withoute folk; schal be the world / al brennynge / [173] whedyr schal thanne the wrechede synful man fle to hidyn hym certys he may not hidyn hym / he muste come forth & schewyn hym / [174] For certis as seyth seynt Ierom / the erthe schal caste hym out of hym / & the se also / & the eyr also / that schal ben ful of thundyr clappis / & lyghtenyngis [175] ¶ Now sothly ho so wele remembre hym / of these thyngis / I gesse that his synne schal not turne hym in-to delyt / but to greet sorwe for drede of the peyne of helle / [176] And ther|fore seyth Iob to god ¶ Suffere lord that I may a while bewayle / & wepe or I go / wit oute returnynge to the derke lond / keuerred with the derrkenesse of deth / [177] to the lond of mysese & of derkenesse / where as there is the schadewe of deth / where as there is non ordere of ordynaunce / but gresely drede that euere schal laste / [178] Lo heere may ȝe seen / that Iob preyede of respit / a while /. to bewepe & wayle his trespacis / For certis on day of respit; is betere than al the trespas of this world [179] And for as meche as a man may aquyte hym self byfore god / by penytence in this world & not by tresore / therfore schulde he preye to god to ȝeue hym respit / a while to be-wepe & wayle hise synnys. [180] ffor certis alle the sorwe that a man myȝte make from the begynnynge

[6-text p 601] of this world. nys but a lyte thyng at regard at the sorwe of helle [181] ¶ The cause why that Iob clepith helle the lond of derknesse [182] Vndyrstonde that he clepith it lond or erthe for it is stabeled / & neuere schal fayle /. derk; for he that is in helle schal fayle lyȝt material /. [183] for certis the derke lygh[t] that schal come out of the fyr that euere schal brenne / schal turne hem al to peyne that is in helle / for it schewith hym to the horrible deuillys / that hym turnementyn / [184] couerid with the derkenesse of deth / that is to seyyne / he that is in helle; schal haue defaute of the syȝte of god / ffor certis the sigh[t]e of god / is the lyf perdurabele / [185] The derke|nesse of [folio 403b] deth; ben the synys that the wrechede hath don. whiche that disturbyn hym to seen the sase of god. ryght as the derke cloude / by-twixen vs & the sunne [186] ¶ Lond of mysese / by cause that there been .iij. maneris of defautis a-ȝen .iij. thyngis / that folk of this world han in this present lyf / that is to seyne. honouris. delycis. and richessis / [187] ¶ A-geyns honour haue þey in helle schame & confusyoun / [188] for wel ȝe wote that men clepyn honour the reuerence that men doth to man / but in helle is non honour ne reuerence / for certis no more reuerence schal be doon / there to a kyng; than to a knawe / [189] for wich god seith by the prophete Ieromye / Thilke folk that me dispysyn / schul been in dispit. [190] ¶ Honour is ek clepid gret lord|schepe / there schal no man seruyn othir but of harm & turnement / Honour is ek clepid gret dignetee / & hegh|nesse; but in helle schul they ben al fortrodyn with deuyllis / [191] As god seyth / the horyble deuyllys schul gon & comyn vp on the hondis / of dampnede folk And this is for as meche / as the heyere that they were in this present lyf. the more schul they been abatyd and defouled in helle / [192] ¶ A-geyns the richesse of this world schul they han myseyse / of pouerte / & that schal been in foure / [193] In defaute of tresore / of whiche

[6-text p 602] that dauyth seyth. The riche folk that enbrasedyn / & onedyn al here herte / to tresore of this world / schul slepyn in the slepynge of deth And no thyng ne schal they fynde / in here handis of al here tresore / [194] ¶ And more ouyr the mysese of helle schal been in defaute of mete / & drynk / [195] for god seyth thus be Moyses / They schul been wastid / with hungyr And the bryddis of helle schul deuoure hem with bittere deth / And the galle of the Dragoun / schal been here drynk / And the venyn of the dragoun schal ben here morsellys [196] ¶ And ferthere ouyr / here mysese schal been in defaute / of clothynge / for they schul ben nakyd in body as of clotyng saue the fyre in whiche they brenne & othere feltys / [197] And nakede schul they been of soule of alle manere vertuis / whiche that is the clothynge of soule / Where ben thanne the gaye robis / & the softe [folio 404a] schetis / & the smale schertis / [198] ¶ Lo what seyth god of hem / bi the Prophete Isaye / that vndyr hem schul be strowede mothis / An here couertouris schul been of wermys / of helle / [199] ¶ And ferthere ouyr / here mysese schal ben in defaute of frendis / for he is nat pore that hath goode frendis / but there ne is no frend / [200] for neythir god ne no cryature schal been here frend / and eueriche of hem schal hatyn othir with dedly hate / [201] the sonys & the douȝteryn schul rebellyn a-geyns fadyr & modyr / and kenrede a-geyns kenrede / And chydyn & dispysyn euerich a-geyn othir bothe day & nyght / as god seyth by the prophete Michias / [202] & the louynge childeryn that whilom louedyn / so fleschly eueryche of hem othir; woldyn euerich of hem etyn othir / ȝif they myȝte / [203] for how schulde they louyn hem to-gedere in the peyne of helle / whan they hatid euerich of hem othyr in the prosperite of this lyf /[204] for troste wel her fleschely loue was dedly hate. as seith the prophete Dauid. Who so that louyth wikkede|nesse he hatyth his soule [205] And ho so hatyth his owene soule / certis he may louyn non othir wiȝt

[6-text p 603] in no manere [206] And therfore in helle is no solas / ne no frenschepe / but euere the more flesly kenredis that been in helle / the more cursedenesse / the more chyd|yngis / & the more dedly hate there is / amongis hem [207] ¶ And ferthere ouyr / they schul haue defaute of alle manere delycis / for sertis delycis been aftyr the apetitis of the fyue wittis As Sighte. Herynge. Smellynge / Sauour|inge / & touchynge / [208] but in helle here syghte schal ben ful of derknesse / & of smok & therfore ful of terys / And here Herynge ful of waymentynge / & of grochynge of teth as seyth Ihesu Crist. [209] Here nose|therlys schul be ful of stynkynge. ¶ And as seith Isaye the prophete here sauouringe schal been ful of bittere galle / [210] And touchynge of al here body / I-keuerede with fyr / that neuere schāl quenche / & wit wermys that neuere schal deyen. As god seyt by the mouth of Isaye [211] And for as meche / as they schul nat wene / that they may deye for peyne / And by here deth fle from peyne. / That may they vndyrstonde in the word of Iob that seyth. there [folio 404b] as is the schadewe of deth / [212] Certis a schadewe hat the liknesse of the thyng of whiche it is schadewid / but shadewe is not the same thyng / of whiche it is shadewe [213] riȝt so faryth the peyne of helle / it is lyk deth for the horrible anguysch / And / why for it peynyth hem euere As thow men schulde deye a-non / but certis þey schul not deye / [214] For as seyth seynt Gregory / To wreche caityuys / schal been deth with-oute deth & ende with-outyn ende / & defaute with-oute faylynge / [215] for here deth schal alwey lyuyn / & here ende schal euere more begynne / And here defaute schal nat fayle / [216] And therfore seyth seynt Iohn the Euaungelist // They schul folwe deth And they schul not fyndyn hym / And þey schul desyre to deye & deth schal fle from hem / [217] And ek Iob seyth there is non ordere of rewele / [218] And al be it so that god hath creat/ alle thyngis in ryȝt ordere & no thyng with|outyn

[6-text p 604] ordere / but alle thynge been ordeyned / & noum|bered but ȝit natheles / þey that been dampned / ben no thyng in ordere / ne holdyn non ordere / [219] for the erthe ne schal bere hem no freut / [220] For as the prophete Dauid seith god schal distroye the freut of the erthe as fro hem ne the watyr schal ȝeue hem no moysture / ne the ayr no refreschynge / ne fer no lyght [221] ffor as seith seynt Basilie / the brennynge of the fuyr of this world / schal god ȝeuyn in helle to hem that been dampnyd / [222] but the lyȝt & the clernesse schal be ȝeuyn in heuene / to hise childeryn / righ as the goode men ȝeuyn flesch to here childeryn / & bonys to here houndis / [223] And for they schul haue non hope to escape / seyth seynt Iob at the laste. there schal horrour And gresely drede dwelle / with-outyn ende [224] ¶ Horrour is al wey drede of harm / that is to come / And þis drede schal euere dwelle / in the hertis of hem that been dampned / & therfore han they lore al here hope for .vij causis / [225] ¶ fferst for god that seyth / here Iuge schal ben with-oute mercy to hem / & they may not plesyn hym / ne none of hise halwis / ne they ne may ȝeue no thyng for here raunsum / [226] ne they schul [ [Cambr. leaf405 is cut out; sup|plied from Harl. MS. 1758, on leaf 208, back] haue no vois to speke to hym. Ne thei may noght fle fro peyne. Ne thei haue no goodnes in hem that thei may schewe to delyuer hem fro peyne. [227] ¶ And therfore seith Salamon. The wicked man [¶ Salamon.] dyeth & when he is deed he schall haue non hope to escape fro peyne. [228] Who so aschamed is well wolde vn|dirstonde these peynes & bi-thynke hym well that he hath deseruyd thilk peynes for his synnes. Certis he schulde haue more talent to sike & to wepe; then for to syngen & to pleie. [229] ¶ ffor as seith Salamon [¶ Salamon.] who so that hadde the science for to knowe the peynes that ben establisched & ordeyned for synne he wolde make sorow. [230] Thilke science as seith seynt Austyn [¶ Augustinus.] maketh a man to weymentyn in his herte.

[231] ¶ The fourþe poynt that ought make a man [.4. causa.]

[6-text p 605] haue contricion is the sorowfull remembraunce of the gode that he hath lost to don here in erthe & eke the gode that he hath lorn. [232] ¶ Sothly the gode werkis that he hath loste. either thei ben the gode werkis that he wroght er .he fell in to deedly synne. Or ellis the gode werkis that he wroght while he laye in synne. [233] ¶ Sothly the gode werkis that he dide bi-forn that he fell in synne ben alle mortefied & astonyed & dullid bi the ofte synnyng. [234] ¶ That other gode werkis that he wroght whiles he laye in synne thei ben outerly deed as to the lif perdurable in heuyn. [235] then thilke gode werkis that ben mortified by ofte synnyng whiche gode werkis he did whiles he was in charite. ne mowen neuyr quyken a-yen with-outyn verrye penytence. [236] ¶ And þer-of seith god bi the mouthe of Ezechiell þat is the rightfull man re|turne [¶ Ezechielle.] a-yen from his rightwisnes & to werke wicked|nes schall he lyue [237] nay . for alle the gode werkis that he haþ wroȝt ne schulen neuyr be in remembraunce for he schall dye in his synne. [238] And vp on thilke Chapitre seth seynt Gregorye thus. þat we schulde vndir|stonden [¶ Gregorius] this pryncipally. [239] That when we doon deedly synne. hit is for noght than to reherce or drawe in to memorie the gode werkis that we han wroght bi-forne. [240] ffor certis in the werkyng of deedly synne ther is no triste to no good werke þat we han doon to-forn. that is to seyne as for to haue ther-by the lif per|durable in heuyn [241] . . . . . [no gap in the MS.] whan we han contricion. [242] ¶ But sothly the gode werkis that men doon whiles that thei ben in deedly synne. for as meche as thei weryn doon in deedly synne thei may neuyr quyken a-yen. [243] ¶ ffor certis thyng that neuyr had lif may neuyr quyken. ¶ And natheles all be hit that thei ne a-vaile noght to han the lif perdurable. yet a-vailen

[6-text p 606] thei to a-breggen of the peyne of helle or ellis to getyn temperall richesse. [244] Or ellis that god woll the rather enlumyn & lightne the herte of the synfull man to han repentaunce [245] & eke thei a-vailen for to vsen a man to doon good werke that the fende haue the lasse power of his soule. [246] ¶ And thus the curteis lord ihesu crist ne woll that no good werke be loste. for in som what it schall a-vaile. [247] but for as meche [as] the gode werkis that [Harl. 1758 folio 209a] men doon whiles thei ben in good lif ben alle mortefied be synne folwyng ¶ And eke sethyns alle the gode werkis that men doon whiles thei ben in dedly synne ben outerly deede as for to haue the lif perdurable. [248] Well may that man that no gode werke ne doth. syng thilke fresche song. Iay tout perdu moun temps & moun labor. [249] ¶ ffor certis synne bireuyth a mannys goodnesse & nature & eke the goodnesse of grace. [250] ¶ fforsothe the grace of the holy gost fareth as fyre that may noght ben ydell. for fire faileth a-non as hit for-lesith his wirch|yng . . . . . [no gap in the MS.] [251] then lesith the synfull man the goodnes of glorie. That only is be-hight to good men that labouren & werken [252] well may he be sorye then. that owith all his lif to god as long as he lyueth hath lyved & eke as long as he schall lyue that no goodnes ne hath to paie with his dette [[Harl. extract ends.]] ] [folio 406a] to god / to whom he owith al his lyf. [253] for truste wel he schal ȝeue a-countys as seyth seynt Bernard. of alle the godis that han be ȝeuyn hym in this present lyf and how he hath hem dispendit [254] not so meche that here ⁴schal not periche & here of is heed⁴ [[^4_4 Rubd out, but still visible.]] ne a moment of an oure / ne schal not perissche that he schal ȝeue of it a rekenynge. [255]

THe fyfte thyng that oughte to meue a man to [V^a] Contrycioun is remembraunce of the passioun that oure lord Ihesu crist sufferede for oure synys / [256] ffor as seyth sey[n]t Bernard / whil that I leue I schal han remem|braunce

[6-text p 607] / of the trauaylis / that oure lord crist sufferede in prechynge [257] his werynesse in trauaylynge / hise tempt|aciounys whan he fastide / Hise longe wakynge whan he preyede / Hise teris whan that he wepte for pete of good peple [258] ¶ the wo & the schame / & the filthe that men seydyn to hym / of the foule spittynge that men spittyn in his face / of the buffetys that men ȝeue hym / of the foule mowis that men ȝeue hym / & of the foule re|preuys that men to hym sede / [259] of the naylys with the whiche he was nayled to the cros / and of al the remenaunt of his passioun / that he sufferede for myne synnys & no thyng for hyse gilt / [260] ¶ And ȝe schul vndyr|stonde / than in manys synne / is euery manere ordere / or ordenaunce turned / vp so doun / [261] for it is soth that god & resoun / & sensualytee / & the body of man been ordeyned that euerych of these foure thyngis schulde haue lor[d]schepe ouer that othir [262] As thus / god schulde haue lordschepe ouer resoun / & resoun ouyr sensualite / & sensualite ouyr the body of man [263] ¶ But sothly whan man synnyth / Al this ordere & ordenaunce is turned vpsodoun / [264] And therfore thanne for as meche / as the resoun of man ne wele nouȝt been subiect ne obeysaunt to god that is his lord by ryȝt there|fore leseth it the lo[r]dschepe that it schulde haue ouyr sensualite / & ek ouer the body of man / [265] And why for sensualite rebellyth / thanne a-geyns resoun [folio 406b] And by that weye leseth resoun the lordschepe / ouer sensualite / & ouyr the body. [266] for ryȝt as resoun is rebel to god / rygh so is sensualite / rebel to resoun and the body also / [267] And certis this disordenaunce & this rebellioun oure lo[r]d Ihesu crist abouȝte vp-on his precious body / Ful deere And herkenyth in which wise /. [268] for as meche / thanne as resoun is rebel to god / ther|fore is man worthi to han sorwe / & to be ded / [269] This sufferede oure lord Ihesu cryst for man Aftyr that he hadde be betrayed of his disciple And distreyned / and

[6-text p 608] boundyn so that his blod brast out at euery nayl / of hise handis as seyth seynt Augustyn [270] ¶ And ferthere ouyr for as meche as resoun of man wele / not doute sensu|alite whan it may therfore is man worthy / to haue schame. And this sufferede oure lord Ihesu cryst for man whan they spitte in his visage [271] ¶ And ferthere ouyr / for as meche as the caytyf body of man is rebel bote to resoun / & to sensualite / therfore is it worthy the deth / [272] And this sufferede oure lord Ihesu Crist vp-on the cros / where as was no part of his body fre / with-oute gret pyne / & bittyr passioun / [273] And al this sufferede Ihesu crist that neuere forfetid // And therfore resonabely may be seyd of Ihesu in this manere ¶ To meche am I pynyd for the thyngis that I neuere deseruyd / And to meche defouled / for schenschepe that man is worthy to haue / [274] And ther|fore may the synful man / weel seye / as seyth seynt Bernard / acused be the bittyrnesse of myn synne / for whiche there muste been suffered so meche bittyrnesse / [275] ffor certis aftyr the dyuerce discordaunce / of oure wekedenesse; was the pascioun of Ihesu cryst ordeyned / in dyuerse thyngis/ [276] ¶ As thus /. Certis synful manys soule; is betraysed of the deuyl be coueytyse of temperel prosperite / & skornyd be disseid whan that he cheseth fleschely delycis / And ȝit is it turmentid by inpacience / of aduersite & be [folio 407a] spit be seruage & subieccioun of synne / & at the laste it is slayn fynally / [277] for þis disordenaunce of synful man; was Ihesu crist fyrst betrayed / and aftyr that was he bounde that cam for to onbynde us of synne & of pyne [278] ¶ Thanne was he bescorned / that only schulde a ben honoured / in alle thyngis . . [no gap in the MS.] [279] ¶ Thanne was his visage / that ouȝte be desyred of alle mankynde / in whiche visage aungellis / desire to loke; vileynly be-spit [280] ¶ Thanne was he scorgit that no thyng hadde a-gilt / And fynally thanne was he Crucified / & slayn / [281] thanne was accompleced / the

[6-text p 609] word of ysaye ¶ He was woundit for oure mysdedis / & defoulid by oure felonyes [282] ¶ Now sithe that Ihesu crist tok vp on hym self / the peyne of al oure wekkedenesse; Meche ouȝte synful man wepyn / & be-waylyn that for hise synnys; goddis sone of heuene schulde al this peyne endure [283] THe .vj. [.vj.^a] thyng that schulde meue a man to contricioun; is the hope of .iij. thyngis that is to seyne forȝeuenesse of synne / And the ȝifte of grace weel for to do And the glorie of heuene / with whiche god schal gerdounnyn man / For hise goode dedis / [284] And for as meche as Ihesu crist ȝeuyth vs these ȝiftis of hise largenesse & of his souereyn bountee. therfore is he clepid Iesus [[MS. Ihc]] nazarenus rex iudiorum [285] Ihesu is to seyne sauyour / or sal|uacioun on whom men schul han forȝeuenesse as they schul hope of here synnys / whichiche that is properly saluacioun of synnys [286] And therfore seyde the aungel to Ioseph // Thow schalt clepe his name Ihesus that schal saue his peple / of here synnys / [287] and here of seyth seynt petir Theere is non othir name vndir heuene that is ȝeue to ony man / by whiche a man may be sauyd / but only Ihesus. [288] Nazarenus / is as meche for to seyne as flouryschynge in whiche a man schal hope that he that ȝeuyth hym remyssioun of synnys schal ȝeue hym ek grace / weel to do ¶ ffor in the [folio 407b] flour is hope of freut tyme comynge / And in the forȝeuenesse of synne / hope of grace weel to do [289] I was at the dore of thyn herte seyth Ihesus / & clepede for to entere / he that openyth to me schal haue forȝeuenesse / of synne / [290] I wele entere in to hym be myn grace / And soupe with hym by the goode werkis that he schal doon / whiche werkis been the fode / of which / & he schal soupe with me by the greete Ioye / that I schal ȝeue hym / [291] ¶ Thus man schal hope / for hise werkis of penaunce / that god schal ȝeue hym his regne / as he behetyth hym in his gospel

[292] NOw schal a man vndyrstonde in which

[6-text p 610] manere schal ben his contricioun / ¶ I seye that it schal be vnyuersel / & total A man schal be / uerray repentaunt for alle hise synnys / that he hath doon / in delit of his theut for delit is ful parlious / [293] For there ben two maneris of consentynges / . that on of hem is / clepid consentynge of affeccioun / whan a man is moeuyd to do synne / & thanne delytith hym longe for to thynkyn on that synne / [294] & his resoun aperseyuyth it weel / that it is synne ageyns the lawe of god / and ȝit his resoun refreynyth not his foule delit / or talent. thow he se wel apertely that it is synne / & ageyns the reuerence of god. Althow his resoun ne consente not to don that synne in dede; [295] ȝit seyn some doctourys / that swich delyt that dwellith longe / it is ful parlious al be it neuere so lite / [296] And also a man schulde sorwe namely for al that he hath desyred a-geyn the lawe of god / with parfit consentyng of his resoun / for therof is no doute / that it is dedly synne / . . . . .[297] . . . . . [no gap in the MS.] that it is ferst in manys thouȝt / And aftyr that in his delyt & so forth in to consentynge & in to dede [298] ¶ Wherfore I feere that manye man / ne repentyn hem neuere of sweche thoughtys & delycys / ne neuere schryuyn [folio 408a] hem of it / but only of the dede of greete synnys outward / [299] wherfore I seye that sweche wekede thouȝtis & wekkede delitis / been subtyle begilouris of hem that schul been dampned / [300] Moore ouer a man ouȝte to sorwe / for hese wekede wordys / as wel as hise wikkede dedis / For certis the repentaunce of a sengeler synne & not repentaunt for alle hise othere synnys / or ellis repente hym of alle hise othere synnys & not of a senguleer synne may not auayle / [301] for certis god almyȝti is al good & therfore / othyr he forȝeuyth al or ellis ryȝt noght [302] And herof seyth seynt augustyn / . I wot certeynly [303] that god is enemy to euery synnere / & how thanne he that observit on synne / schal he han forȝeuenesse of the

[6-text p 611] othere synnys; Nay [304] ¶ And ferthere ouyr / Contricioun schal been wondyr sorweful And an|guyssous / & therfore ȝeuyth hym god pleynly his mercy / And therfore whan myn soule was angwissous / with-inne me / I hadde remembraunce of god / that myn preyere myȝte come to hym [305] ¶ fferthere ouyr / Contricioun muste be contynewel / & that man haue stede|fast purpos to schryue hym & to amende hym of his lyf / [306] For sothly whil contricioun lastith man may euere haue hope of forȝeuenesse / & of this comyth hate of synne that distroyeth synne bothe in hym self & ek in othere folk / as his power [307] ¶ ffor whiche seyth dauyd / he that louyn god hatyn wekkedenesse / for trustith weel / for to loue god; is for to loue that he louyth / & hate that he hatith /

[308] ¶ The laste thyng that we schal vndyrstonde; is this / whereof auaylith contricioun / I seye that sumtyme Contricioun delyueret man from synne / [309] of whiche that dauid seyth / I seye quod Dauid / that is to seyn. I purpose it fermely / to schryue me / And thow lord relesedyst myn synne / [310] And rygh so as contricioun auaileth nouȝt with-oute sad purpos of schrifte / If man haue oportunyte / rygh so lite worth is schrifte [folio 408b] or satisfaccioun with-outyn contricioun [311] ¶ And more ouer Contricioun distroyet the prysoun of helle / & makyth week & feble alle the strenthis of the deuyllis / and restorith the ȝiftys of the holy gost / & of alle goode werkys / [312] & it clenseth the soule of synne / & delyuerith the soule from the pit of helle / & from the cumpayny of the deuyl / & from the seruage of synne / & restorith it to alle godis spiritueles & to the cumpayny & communioun of holy cherche / [313] And ferthere it makith hym that whilhom was sone of yre / to be sone of grace / And alle these thyngis been prouyd by holy writ [314] ¶ And therfore he that wolde settyn his entent to teche thyngis he were ful

[6-text p 612] wis // ffor sothe he schulde not thanne in al his lyf haue corage to synne / but ȝeue his body & al his herte to the seruyse of Ihesu crist / & therof don hym homage [315] For sothly oure swete lord / Ihesu Crist hath spared vs so debonerly in oure folyis / that ȝif he ne hadde pete of manys soule / a sory song we myghte alle synge /

Explicit prima pars penitencie Et sequitur / secunda pars eiusdem.