The repressor of over much blaming of the clergy.

ALSO in this mater of the clergies endewing bi vnmovable godis it is to wite, that in sum tyme [sumtyme, MS.] and in summe cuntreis, namelich in the eeldist tyme of such now seid endewing, vnmouable godis weren ȝouun to the bischop and his clergie and to her suc|cessouris in comoun to gidere, euen as lijk ȝeuyng hath be mad sithen to an abbot and his couent and her successouris. For in the oold tyme the bischop and hise preestis with hise othere clerkis helden residence in the modir chirche, and alle othere chirchis of the diocise weren chapellis oonli therto; and thanne alle tho godis and alle othere movable godis of thilk chirche or comounte weren reulid and ex|pendid bi the hondis or namelich bi the ouer siȝt [bi ouer siȝt, MS. (first hand).] and wil and disposicioun of the bischop. Neuerthe|les, soone aftir such endewing receyued in this seid maner bi greete plente of ricches, the bischop and his hool chirche of the clergie accordiden to gidere not bi boond but bi freenes of deuocioun forto contynue oonli so long as to hem it schulde like, that her seid so greet and large endewing, whilis it abode in so greet sufficience, schulde be departid into iiij. parties; of which the oon the bischop schulde haue forto supporte his honour and hise chargis of gistis and suche othere; an other parti the preestis and othere clerkis schulden haue for her fynding and sustenta|cioun; and the iije. schulde be bisett vpon reparacion and sustentacion of the bodili chirche and of liȝtis and ournamentis and of suche othere thingis; and the iiije. partie schulde be delid to poor men into almes;