i. CHAPITER.
THE iije. principal gouernaunce, for which many of the laife blamen vniustli the clergie, is this: Persoones of the clergie receyuen, holden, and occupien lordschip of housis and feeldis, not oonli in which thei hem silf dwellen and which thei hem silf tilien, but also which thei hem silf setten forth to be fermed of othere occupiers, and receyuen rente therfore of the same occupiers. Certis summe persoones of the lay peple beren an hond this now seid iije. principal gouernaunce to be aȝens the lawe of God, how euer litle or fewe tho vnmouable godis ben; and therfore thei beren an hond that alle tho persoones of the clergie whiche willingli contynuen the now seid iije. principal gouernaunce ben thoruȝ al thilk while in state of dampnacioun, what euere gode deedis thei doon.
That this bering an hond is vntrewe, (and that for that the seid iije. principal gouernaunce is not aȝens the lawe of God,) y schal proue bi vj. [vj e., MS.] conclusiouns; of whiche the firste is this: The seid iije. principal gouernaunce is not aȝens Holi Scripture of the Oold Testament neither of the Newe Testament.
That this conclusioun is trewe for his first parti, y proue thus: If Holi Scripture of the Oold Testament schulde forbede the seid gouernaunce, it schulde so for|bede bi summe of these processis now here anoon aftir to be rehercid; of which oon is writun, Numeri xviije. capitulum., where it is seid thus: And the Lord seid to Aaron,
