CAP. XXIX.
Freris also ben stronglier weddid wiþ hor roten habite, ageyns [Their inordi∣nate and superstitious regard for the habit of their Order.] þo fredome of þo gospel, þen þo housbande is wiþ his wif by ordynaunce of God. Ffor þo housbande may lawefully be absente fro his wif by a moneth, an half ȝeer, and sumtyme seven ȝeer, and, by comyn asent of hom bothe, by al hor lyve. Bot if a frere be oute of his roten habite, ȝhe, an hour, he is apostata, þof he love more God and serve hym better, and pro∣fite more to Cristen men. And þus þei putten more holynesse in hor roten habite þen evere did Crist or his apostils in hor cloþis, ffor Crist was thries on a day oute of his clothis, and ȝitt he was not apostata. Bot þei chargen so myche þis roten habite, for herby þo puple wenes þat þei ben holy, and gyven hom more dritt þen is nedeful or profitable. And herfore iche partye drawes oþer to helle,—þo freris, for hor fals takyng of almes when no nede is, ne þei have leeve of Gods lawe þerto,—þo blynde puple, for þei drawen hor almes fro hor pore and nedy neghtboris, where þei schulden do hit by þo heest of God, and mayntenen freris in hor fals beggyng, ypocrisie, and oþer synnes mony.