Alphabet of tales : an English 15th century translation of the Alphabetum narrationum of Etienne de Besançon, from Additional MS. 25,719 of the British Museum / by Etienne de Besançon

DCXXXII.
Preceptum. Preceptum eciam indiscretum nocet subdito inobedienti.

Cesarius tellis how þer was a monk̘ som tyme of Ceustus ordur þat dyed̛ and he apperid vnto a bruther of his and requirid̛ hym̛

of his estate. And þe dead monk ansswerd̛ agayn̛ & sayd̛; "I trowed̛ neuer God had bene so strayte, ffor He thynkis of þe leste thyng. Bod God," he said̛, "for-giff our̛ prelattis, for þai make vs oftsithis to vnder-go great paynys, & many. And He byndys hugelie þe preceptis of þaim when̛ þai commawnd̛ anythyng vndiscretelie, & þer subgettis giffis little hede þerto, or els sett it at noght; & so it is reservid̛ vnto þe laste iugementt."

• ...Precepto conveniunt que dicuntur supra de obediencia.