maad for the lasse loue to the receyuer, than schulde be if he ȝaf it immediatli. Wherfore sithen we ben sure that God loueth his chirche as his spouse, and dooth no thing to it for defaut of [of is interlineated by a later hand.] loue, (and name|lich not for that he loueth his chirche lasse than eny man loueth it, as it is open Isaie xlixe. capitulum., where God seide to his oolde chirche thus; Whethir a womman mai forȝete her ȝong child, that sche haue not merci on the sone of hir wombe? Thouȝ sche forȝetith, y schal not forȝete thee:) it is to be feelid therof folew|ingli, that this doing of God bi which he dooth to his chirche hise ȝiftis, puruiauncis, and benefetis medi|atli is so maad of him for oon of the [these, MS. (first hand).] ij. causis now rehercid, or for sum other lijk resonabili to be allowid cause, and therfore not for that he loueth his chirche lasse than eny creaturris louen or loueden or schulen loue it. And herbi it is to be feelid and seid, that in this wirching of Crist, bi which he wrouȝt medi|atli into the endewing of his clergie, was as greet or gretter schewyng of his loue toward his clergie, thanne was the schewing of loue which peple mad to his clergie bi that that thei wrouȝten immediatli into the same endewing. And this is answere good ynouȝ at this tyme to the secunde semyng skile.
x. CHAPITER.
To the iije. semyng skile y answere thus: I graunte that Ierom seide tho wordis, Sithen the chirche wexid in dignitees or in possessiouns, he decrecid in ver|tues: as thouȝ his meenyng had be this, "Euer and alwey sithen the chirche wexid in possessiouns, he decrecid in vertues." But what here of, thouȝ he
