The repressor of over much blaming of the clergy.

To the firste of these ij. obiecciouns y answere thus: It is ful profitable to mankinde that he haue of seable treuthis sure knowing, and that bi siȝt of iȝen; and ȝit what othere iȝen or seing power hath God ȝouen to mankinde forto therwith se, than which at sumtyme wolen faile and erre? It is also ful profitable to mankinde that he haue sure knowing of heereable treuthis, and that bi heering of eeris; and ȝit what othere eeris or power of heering hath God ȝoue to man, than which at sumtyme schulen faile and erre in deemyng? Is it not profitable to man|kinde forto move fro oon place into an other place redili and riȝtli and sureli with leggis and feet? And ȝit what othere feet or leggis hath God ȝoue to man, than whiche schulen at sumtyme slide and at sumtyme stumble fro the riȝt going and moving? And if this be trewe, certis thouȝ it be ful profitable to mankinde forto knowe with and bi the power of resoun resonable trouthis, (that is to seie suche as mowe not be knowe bi seing or heering or eny out|ward sensitijf wit,) and also tho [the, MS. (first hand).] same treuthis whiche outward sensityue wittis knowen, it is not merveil, thouȝ God ȝeue noon other power of resoun to man forto bi it knowe these treuthis, than whiche power of resoun schal [schat, MS.] at sumtyme and ofte faile in his re|sonyng and iuging. And, namelich, herfore it is the lasse merveil. For bi cause that God hath ȝouen to vs noon othere iȝen and power of seing than whiche wolen at sumtime erre, and noon other power of heer|ing than whiche wolen at sumtime erre, and noon othere feet than whiche wolen ofte slide and stumble; therfore if we do oure diligence and bisynes forto kepe as weel as we mowen and kunnen oure power of seing that he erre not, oure power of heering that