The lay folks' catechism; or the English and Latin versions of Archbishop Thoresby's Instruction for people, together with a Wycliffite adaptation of the same, and the corresponding canons of the Council of Lambeth. With introduction, noates, glossary, and index, by Thomas Frederick Simmons and Henry Edward Nolloth.

L.

MandatuM doMIni JohANNis de Thoresby. Ebo∣rum [fol. 1] Archiepiscopi Rectoribus. Vicarijs tocius [Latin heading set before the inter∣polated catechism, with a false claim to the indulgence of Archbishop Thoresby.] prouincie sue ad predicandum parochianos illorum & predictus dominus Johannis con∣cessit omnibus adiscentibus istud mandatum .xl. dies indulgencie.

Thema. Attendite popule meus Inclinate aurem vestram in verba oris mei.//

As a gret clerk tellys and schewys in his bokys. Of alle þe creaturis þat god made in heuyn [ 10] and in erthe in water and in eyre. or in ouȝt ellys. þe souerayne cause and þe skyle why he made hem Was his owne god wyl and his goo[d]nesse. thorw þe whiche godnesse. as he ys al good. he wolde þat sum creaturis of þo þat he made [ 15] were commeneris of þat blys þat euyr lastys. And for no creature miȝt come to þat blys withoute knowynge of god as þe clerk techys. he made skylful creaturis as angelys and man of wit and of wisdom to know god almyȝty. [ 20] and thorwȝ his knowynge loue hym and serue hym and so come to þat blysse / þat þey were made to. This maner of knowynge had oure former faderys in þe stat of innocence. þat þey were mad yn. þat we schuld haue had{punctel} yf þey had not synned. [ 25] But not so-mokyl as holy sowlys haue now in heuen. but mochyl more þen any man has now in erthe. For oure former faderis synned says þe prophete.

and we bere þe wykkydnesse of þair mysdedys. for knowing þat þey hadde of god almyȝthy{punctel} [ 30] þey hadde yt of goddys gyfte at þare begynnynge withowte travayl or tray or passynge of tyme. And al þe knawynge þat we haue in þis werld of hym ys of herynge and larnynge. and wyssynge of othyr. of þe lawe and þe lore þat longys at holy chyrche. [ 35] þe whyche alle creaturis þat loue god almyȝty owe to knowe and lede here lyf þeraftyr. and so come to þat blys þat neuer schal haue ende. and for þat now mekyl folk in this world. ys not wel lernyd to knowe god almyȝty. [ 40] ne loue hym ne serue hym. as þey schold do. as þayr dedys often tyme opunly schewys in gret perel of þaym to lyf and to sowle. and paraventure þe cawse may be in ham{punctel} þat han here sowlys to kepe. and schulde teche þaym. [ 45] as prelatys. persons. and vycars. and oþer prestys. þat haue take þat offyce. and ar holdyn be dette to lere þaym. And no prestts [fol. 1 b] may be excusid ffor be trew dette þey holdyng to teche þaym [Priests cannot be excused from teaching ; and the Archbishop de∣sires that all men should have the knowledge of God, according to what St Paul says of our Lord.] And þerfore oure fadyr þe archiepyschop wylle þat alle men knowe god and be saf. for Seynt Poul. seys of god{punctel} [ 50] þat iesu wylle þat alle men be saf and know god almyȝty.

and namely þe vndirlynges þat to hym longys. and þerfore he has tretyd and ordeynyd for þe comyn profyt thorowȝ þo conseyl of hys clergy þat euerych þat vndyr hym has kepyng of sowlys [ 55] opunly on englysch vpon sundays preche and teche ham{punctel} þat þey haue cure of. þe lawe and þe lore to knowe god almyȝty and hys werkys.

Pater noster. qui es in celis. [The Lord's Prayer]

We schul̄l̄ be-leue þat þis pater noster. þat crist hym self techis to alle cristyn men. [ 60] passys oþer prayers in these thre thyngis. [surpasses other prayers] In auctorite. In sotylte. and profyt to his chyrche. Hyt passis in auctorite. For crist hym self boþe god and man{punctel} [in original authority,] made yt and tauȝt hyt: for cristyn men to vse hyt. And he ys most of auctorite as oure be-leue techis vs. [ 65] And here-fore þe gospel of Mathew. seys þat crist bad vs pray thus. [M^T. 6^o.] Hyt passys also in sotylte. For we schulle vndyr∣stonde. [subtile wisdom,] þat in þese vij askyngkys are conteyned alle þe poyntys of þis world in þe whiche is ony wyt And so schortly to comprehend so moche wyt in playn wordys [ 70]

ys a sotylte of god passyng þe wyt of man. The þrydde we schulle suppose þat no prayer in þe world [and advantage in using.] is more profitable to man sythen þat crist hym self schal here al. ¶ The fyrst askynge of þis pater noster stondis in þese wordis [First Petition.] Our fadyr þat art in heuyn: halwyd be þy name. [ 75] In whyche wordys. we mow lerne þat men worthy to be herd{punctel} must be knyt in charite. and meknese of herte. sythen al þe holyte (sic) trinite ys fadyr of vs alle and holy chyrche is modyr. we schulde loue as breþern. And sethen god ys so hyȝ in heuyn a-boue al his angelys. [ 80] and we be so low in erthe. wrappid with many myscheuys./ we schulde be resoun be meke and buxum to þis lord and mekely pray to oure fadyr þatt halwyd be his name. So as his name ys halowyd nedlych in hym-self{punctel} so be hys name halwyd. and stedfast in oure sowle. [ 85] For whan oure sowle was mad to lyknesse of þe trinte: goddis hyȝ name was prentyd þeryn. The secunde askynge of þis prayer. stondys in these wordys. [The second Petition.] Thy reme come to þe, in-to þe blysse of heuyn. [fol. 2] In so as þe furste askynge. answerys to þe fadyr{punctel} [ 90] so þe secunde askynge a[n]swerys to þe sone. For he ys þat nobyl man. þat com down in-to erthe to gete hym a Reme. and aftyr to turne aȝen. The Reme of þis fadyr ys callyd Holy chyrche.

þat at þe day of dome schal go hennys in-to heuyn ¶ The thrydde askynge. seyth þus Be thy wylle don. [Third Petition.] as yt ys fully don in hevyn{punctel} so be yt don in erthe. And þis thrydde askynge. answeris to þe holy gost ffor he ys good loue of þe ffadyr. and of þe sone. And al-thaw þese askyngys most nedelynge be [ 100] fulfyllyd{punctel} natheles mannys sowle ys lyfte vp with charite with desyre heyþed with god. and þat ys a prayer Thus we seye blyssyd be god. and oþer thyngys þat nedis mot be And þese thre askyngys{punctel} arn to þe holy Trinite. And þerfore we schape oure wordys only to god. [ 105] The secunde part of þis prayer conteynes foure askyngys. [Fourth Petition.] Furst we preye oure fadyr þus Fadyr oure eche day bred gyf vs to day. [Food] And þis may be wel vndirstonde{punctel} on þre manerys. ¶ as seynt Austyn seyþ be wit of god almyȝthy. [ 110] Furst we aske oure bodely fode{punctel} for to serue oure fadyr. [for the body;] aftyr we aske þe sacrament to haue mende of oure Fadyr. [in the Eucharist;] And aftyrward we aske goddys word to fede with oure sowle. [in God's word.] And for we haue nede of alle þese yche day{punctel} þerfore crist callys hem oure eche day bred. [ 115] and for we schulde be trewe{punctel} and ete oure owne bred{punctel} [And not in wrong ete our neeghboris breed] þerfore crist techis vs to aske of hym oure bred. And for crist wolde þat oure hope were freschyd in hym{punctel} oure thogth and oure mynde. and alle oure desyre{punctel} [ 120]

þerfore he byddys vs aske þis mete of hym to day ¶ The secunde part of þis askyngge (askynge of þis part) sewyþ in þese wordys. [The fifth Petition.] For-ȝeue vs oure dettys{punctel} as we do to oure dettours. These dettys þat we owe to god{punctel} ar seruyse þat we owe to hym. And as ofte tymes as we fayle{punctel} we renne in-to dette of peyne. [ 125] and but god for-ȝeue vs þis dette of synne{punctel} we be nat worthy to haue auȝt of oure fadyr. And for god wyl þat we loue oure breþeryn. he knyttys to a condicioun vndyr whyche{punctel} we aske þis bone. þat he schulde forȝeue vs oure dettys; as we forȝeue oure dettowrys. [ 130] So þat ȝif we be vn-mercyful to men þat be oure dettours trist we to oure fadyr [fol. 2 b] þat he wyl punysche vs. And so we praye oure hyȝe iuge aȝens oure owyn hed. But vndirstonde we. þat we mowe lefully aske of oure broþern dette of erthelyche thyngys. [ 135] but þis askynge mot be in resoun and charite. And þan yt [is] for charite and loue and profyt to oure neyȝebore. and here we mot fle bothe rancour and hate. and envye to oure [neyȝbore] with oþer schrewde castys ¶ The thrydde askynge of þis part swyt in these wordys./ [ 140] Oure Fadyr lede vs nat in temptacioun.// Soþ yt ys þat crist was temptyd. and god temptys man for loue.

But hard it ys and greuous peyne to be lad in temptacioun. For whan man of his foly. in-to myre of synne fallys. Ryȝt jugement of god wol make hym synke deppyr./ [ 145] And herfore we pray hym our fadyr þat he lede vs nat in-to þis hardnesse of synne lest we come neuer owt. And herfore þe laste askynge sewyþ in þese wordis. [The seventh Petition.] But gracius fadyr delyuere vs fro euyl. [ 150] The worst þynge in þis world is wykkydnesse of synne. Sytthe a man for noþynge schulde wylle to do synne{punctel} sythen for al þis world. ne nogtȝ þer-yn schuld ony man do synne. But sythen sum synnes be moche werse þan sum{punctel} In þis last askynge we pray delyueraunce of þe werste synne. [ 155] The werst synne ys þe deuelys synne þat man deyes yn withoute repentaunce. þat euyr schal be punyschyd. and þat callys þe gospel{punctel} synne aȝenst þe holy gost. God for his grete mercy{punctel} kepe vs fro þis euyl. [ 160] And þan schulen we haue euer-lastyngge fredam.

Amen.

Aue Maria. [The Angelie Salutation to the Blessed Virgin]

Men gretyþ comunly oure lady goddys moder and we suppose þat þis gretynge sauys many a man [is laid down as being a means of salvation.] For we take as be-leue. þat sche ys blyssyd in heuyn. And crist wyl do at hyr prayynge among al oþyr seyntys. [ 165] [Christ will answer her prayers as those of other saints for men that are worthy.] And þow we trow þat noþer crist ne sche wil do for man but yt be resonable.

and men þat ben worthy to be holpyn. And so mow men triste to be holpyn fully in suche prayer. In þre partyes comunlyche þis gretynge ys dyuydyd. [ 170] [The Salutation is made up of] The furst part contenys þe wordys of Gabriel. whan he seyde to þis lady. [the greeting of the angel,] Heyl ful of grace{punctel} god is With the. The secunde part of þis gretynge [fol. 3] buth wordys þat Elysabeth spake to hyr whan sche sayde. Blyssyd be þou amonge wommen. and blyssyd be þe fruyt of þy wombe. [ 175] [the blessing of Elizabeth,] The þrydde part has two wordys clowtyd for deuocyoun. Maria. and Iesus./ [and two words tacked on.] Furst men seyn. Heyl Marie þat gabryel lefte in his gretynge [The name of Mary left out to prove the familiarity of Gabriel.] to teche vs þat he was homly and knowyn with þis lady. and þerfore wold he not nempne þis name of marie. The secunde word ys Iesvs. addyd to elyȝabethis wordys [ 180] [The name of Jesus, Saviour, left out, for Mary had no other son; and He did not die for our salva∣tion till after∣wards.] and þis word lefte þe gospel here. to teche þat marye hadde but on child. and þis child was iesus. þat is sauiour of man-kynde. But þis fyl longe [aftyr] þat oure lady was gret þus. The furste word. þat is aue. reuersys þe name of Eua [Ave read back∣wards in Eva; hence a contrast.] to teche vs þat oure lady contraryyd Eue in levynge. [ 185] For ryȝth as Adam and Eue were cause of damp∣nynge of man-kynde{punctel} [Adam and Eve brought men under condemna∣tion, from which our Lord and His mother saved them.] So iesus and Marie ben cawse of mannys saluacioun. The secunde word of þe angel seys. oure lady was ful of grace. And man may be ful of grace on thre maneris be godys lawe. [Grace of three kinds:]

Furst of hym-self. as crist was þe furst qwyk welle of grace. [In Christ as the well-spring;] for of hym spronge grace to alle men aftyr hym. Our lady was ful of grace as a stronde ful of watyr [in the Blessed Virgin as a chan∣nel to others;] [And] gaf grace plenteous boþe to oþer men and wommen. Seynt Steuyn was ful of grace þat sufficyd to his lyf for to bryng hym to blysse. [in St. Stephen sufficient unto his life's end.] and so be many oþer seyntys. and so god ys with alle creaturis. [ 195] But specialy with men þat schul be sauyd. But more specialy with þe chaumbyr of his manhed þat was oure lady marie. But bothe þe Angel and Elyzabeth seyde þat oure lady is blyssid [The words of Gabriel and Eliza∣beth both declare the blessedness of Saint Mary.] a-mong alle wommen þat be for genderyng of seche a child. And so þe be-gynnynge and þe endynge schuld be blessynge of iesu. [ 200] Þat is froyt of þe wombe of oure lady seynt Marie. The þridde part of þis gretynge addis two wordys to þe gospel [The added words good in them∣selves,] þat ben Maria and iesus and two devowt wordis. But for it ys hard to men to grounde hem leue. to adde þis. [but the addition to the written word is question∣able,] sythe godis lawe seys þat men schulde nat vp-on gret peyne. [ 205] adde to goddys word. Hit ys seyd þat þe pope gefys gret pardoun to men þat addys þese wordys. [though the Pope does grant an indulgence for it.] and be þe same skyle þat men schuld triste to eny pardoun{punctel} men schuld triste to þis pardoun. be yt four score dayes or more. And as þe pope may ȝeue þis pardoun be addyngge of þese two [fol. 3 b] wordys. [ 210] [And if this indulgence, then]

so may he adde oþer mo. and with-drawe as hym-self lykys. [he may corrupt God's word.] and so turne godys lawe{punctel} in-to lawe of antecrist. Oþer men moste graunt þis way. or say þat þis was [Either this, or there was a defect at the first.] furst [a] defawte kept to þe pope to amende. And herfore thynkys men þat þe wordys of þe gospel [ 215] were wysly set in þe gospel with-owte varyynge. And many men thynkys ouer [{punctel}] ȝif suche pardoun myȝt be grauntyd lyȝtlyche [Besides, if indulg∣ences are granted in this way, why not—it is asked ad ab∣surdum—to any extent?] with lasse travayle yt schuld be grauntyd generaly to men þat devowtly sey þese names. And so myȝt pardoun be gotun to sey yche day a lady sawter{punctel} [ 220] [ȝhe.] ten þowsand ȝer in on ȝere./ Trust we to þe wordys of þe gospel. and worschipe we Marie with al our myȝt. [The words of the gospel are enough for us; and so let us honour Mary to the most of our power.]

Amen.

Hyt ys soþ. þat beleue is ground of alle vertues. and þerfore eche cristyn man schulde be sad in beleue. [Faith is the foundation of all virtues; hence the value of the three Creeds. As to the Apos∣tle's Creed,—] Ther be þre credys in þe chirche. [ 225] Crede of þe apostelys. and Crede of þe chyrche. and Crede of attanasy. þat was a gret doctour. But of þe fyrste Crede schulde cristyn men speke. For yt is more comyn and more schortyr þan eny oþer. Ne bysy we vs nat what †þe [York MS. omits.] apostyl made. [ 230] †ne [York MS. omits.] what party of þis holy Crede. and whan þe apostelys gaderyd yt. [whichever apostle made the several parts, or when,—God ordained it all for our learn∣ing.] For oure beleue techis vs þat god ordeynyd hyt al. and bad þat men schuld cun hyt and teche yt to oþer And ȝif prelatys faylyn in þis Crist seyde þat stonys schulde crye [Failing their spiritual Supe∣riors,]

and secler lordys schuld in defawte of prelatys [temporal lords must teach the Scripture in English.] lerne and preche þe law of god in here modyr tonge. Ne study we nat how many partyes ben in þis holy crede. For soþ it is{punctel} þat alle þese partyes ben contenyd in thre. [Three chief truths in the Creed,] And herfore men seyn þrys{punctel} þat þey trow in god./ Fyrst þey trow in þe Fadyr. for he ys [þe] fyrst persone. [ 240] Aftyr þey trow in Iesu crist. be dyuers artyclys. and sytthe þey trow in þe holy gost. And eche on of þese thre partyes contenys many partyclys (artycles). But we schul wele wyte{punctel} þat þese thre thyngys ben wel sotel and diuers. [and three kinds of believing:] Trow in god. and [trow] to god. [ 245] and trow god þat ys þe leste. þat man levys in god {punctel} þat cleuys to him be charite. [faith in God by love;] and þus eche man þat ys in hed synne. is owt of his beleue. That man trowys to god. þat beleuyþ [belief in His righteousness;] þat he is trewe and ryȝtful in al þyng þat he seyþ. [ 250] And þus do vnkende men þat trow not in hym. That man trowys god {punctel} þat trowys þat he ys. [belief in His being.] and so do [fol. 4] deuelys þat trow not in hym. The fyrst part of þis Crede{punctel} conteynys þre artyculys. [God, the Father] Furst þat men schulde trow in þe fyrst person [ 255] þat ys þe fadyr of heuyn and power of god. and so schulde men trowe þat he is al-myȝty. [almighty,] So if he wyl auȝt be don{punctel} he dos hit whan hym lykys. and so þe thridde artycule stondys in þis. [maker of heaven and earth.] þat he made of noȝt boþe heuyn and erthe. [ 260] and ȝit schul men trow þat al-myȝty ys comen to þre personys. [The attribute of almightiness common to the three Persons,] Al-myȝty ys þe fadyr. Al-myȝty ys þe sone.

And al-myȝty ys þe holy gost. ȝit schul not men trowe. þat þese ben thre almyȝty goddys / but on god almyȝty./ [but these three are one God.] The secunde part of þis Crede. be-gynnys at iesu crist. [ 265] [As to Jesus Christ,] and towchis xiiij. artyculis þat stondis in ordre. Furst men schuld trow in goddys word. or his sone. [He is the Word of God, became Man, in the perfection of His Godhead.] Aftyr men schuld trow. þat he becom man stondynge his godhed þat he myȝt not lese. The thridde tyme we schuld trow. þat þe fadyr of heuyn [ 270] [He is the only begotten son of the Father, and of one sub∣stance with Him:] has but on suche sone euyn with hym in kende. and þis ys Iesus oure lord. be godhed and be manhed. sythen he made vs of noȝt. and bowȝt vs fro synne. The iiij articule of þis parte seys þat crist was conseyuyd of þe holy gost. [conceived by the Holy Ghost; not naturally ingendered;] nat as oþer men gete childryn be kynde. [ 275] Sethyn þis person ys no man{punctel} but þe holy gost./ þe whyche ys lyf [loue] be sum propyrte. and most tokyn of lyf [loue]{punctel} þat god wold schewe to man was. þat he wold take oure kende. and be-come oure broþer./ and þerfore we beleue þat oure lord iesu{punctel} [ 280] was conseyuyd of þe holy gost. with-owte mannys genderynge. The fyfte tyme we schuld be-leue. þat oure lord iesu [miraculously born of the Virgin Mary.] was born of þe virgyn Marie. as of his owne modyr. þat was euer virgine with-owte knowynge of man. al-þow crist tok of hire / matere of hys body./ [ 285] and seþyn sche norischyd hym withynne as oþer childyr ar norschid. But he went owt of here body be myracle. as he was formyd.

The vj tyme we schul trowe þat. aftyr. xxxij. ȝer{punctel} [Suffered under Pontius Pilate.] he suffrid hard passioun vndir pounce pilate. for to by man-kynd and mayntene trewthe. [ 290] and so he was don on þe cros. and aftyr ded and beryyd. [Crucified, dead, and buried.] sethen his sowle went to helle and tok owt þe sowlys [Descended into hell.] þat he ordeynyd to saue{punctel} be-fore þis world was made. and sethyn vp-on þe thrydde day his sowle com to his body [Rose again the third day.] [fol. 4 b] and qwykyd hyt as be-forn. And ros owt of þe sepulcre. [ 295] and sethyn whan he hadde efte tyme. schewyd to his disciptis his resurreccioun. he steyȝ vp to heuyn as þey saw opunly. [Ascended into heaven.] and þer he syttys now in best sete þat may acorde to man. an þat ys callyd þe ryȝt syde of god þe fadyr. [Sitteth at the right hand of the Father,] and at þe laste he schal come doun here to man. [ 300] and jugge sum to blysse. and oþer to helle [from whence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.] for euer-more to be þere withoutyn dwellynge here. The thrydde part of þis Crede be-gynnys at þe holy gost. in wham we schul trow sethyn þat he ys god. [Belief in God the Holy Ghost.] And .vj. artyculis ben knyt to þis part of þe Crede. [ 305] Furst we schul trow. þat þer ys general chirche [The Holy Catholic Church, here regarded as of angels and saints in heaven, and those men here in earth, who shall attain to eternal glory.] of angelys and seyntys in heuyn. and of alle þat schul be sauyd. and þis aftyr þe day of dom. schal be with-outen synne. with here spowse in endles ioye. and iche on haue Ioye of oþer. And noman here in erthe{punctel} ys parte of þis chirche. [ 310] but if he come to heuyn be his holy lyuynge.

and þus men lakkys knowynge. wheþer þey ben partyes of holy chirche. [Hence in this life men have no cer∣tainty whether they are part of the Church, which is only of those who should be saved.] For þey schuld nat boste of heynes in here prelacy{punctel} But þey mot leue aftyr crist{punctel} ȝyf þey schul be sauyd. For þus techis oure be-leue. how-euer antecrist werke./ [ 315] And so þis chirche. has þre statys be processe of tyme. [It has three states:] Fyrst he wandrys here in erthe. and sethen he slepys in purgatory. [Wandering (in the wilderness of this life).] and aftyr he restys in blysse of crist þat ys here spowse. [Sleeping in purgatory. Resting in heaven.] And so as sum men thynke. þese popys ne þese prelatys [Hence evil popes and prelates are not members of this Church.] ar nat part of holy chirche{punctel} but of synagoge [of sathanas] [ 320] sythen þey mot leue aftyr crist. Ȝif þey schul be sauyd./ þus techis our be-leue. how-euyr antecrist grucchis. And schul we trowe so. þat eche parte of þis chyrche{punctel} [The Communion of Saints holds of each of these states;] commovys (commonys) and helpys othir. boþe here and in heuyn. But in heuyn{punctel} þey schul yn reste haue ioye of here blysse. [ 325] And so schul we trow þat eche part of þys chirche{punctel} [and so the For∣giveness of sins,] schal haue ful remissioun of synne þat yt has don [and so arise] in body and in sowle [at þe day of doom]. [the Resurrection of the Body,] with glorye in ham bothe{punctel} and so euyr lyue in blysse. [and the Life ever∣lasting.]

Amen.

The be-houys to know þy fyue wyttys þe vttyr and þe ynnyr. [ 330] [The five senses]

and to spend hem in good vse{punctel} and in þe louynge of god./ [must be used to the praise of God;] þe fyrst ys. syȝt of eye. þe toþer. heryng of Ere. [the five outer senses:] þe þyrd. tast of Mowþ. The ferþe smellyng of nese. þe fyfte [fol. 5] handlynge or towchyng of membris./ Kepe so þy syȝt{punctel} þat þou se nothyng [ 335] [sight,] þat ys not leful to se or may harme þy sowle. and kepe þy heryng so{punctel} þat þow here no euyl speche [hearing,] or þyng þat is nat honeste ne profitable./ and kepe so þy tast. þat þou swolow no more [taste,] þan ys nede or myster to þy bodily sustynaunce. [ 340] And kepe so þy smellyng. þat yt make þe nat to ete ouer moche./ [smell,] ne delite not ouer mekyl in smellyng. ne vgge þou not with seknesse of þyn euyn-cristyn. And kepe so þy towchyng{punctel} þat þou with-draw þe fro schameful towchyng [and touch.] or handlyng bare of man. or of womman. handyl þou not vnhonestly þy self. ne noon oþer. [ 345] ne let non oþer towche þe vnhonestly. For ȝif þy flesche neghȝe ony towching vnclene{punctel} þou may not þe dede etthwe or eschewe.// These ben also þy fyue Inwyttys. [The five inner senses:] Wyl./ Resoun./ Mynd./ ymaginacioun. and thogth. [ 350] lok þat þy wyl. be good and holy. [will,] and loke þat þy Resoun rewle þe. and nat þy fleschly lust./ [reason,] and loke þat þy Mynde. be good and honest. [memory,] And lok þyn ymagynacioun be spedynge in louyng of god. [imagination,] and not be set to harm or schame. [ 355] And loke þy thowȝt be groundyd in þe ioy of heuyn{punctel} [thought.] and drede þe peyne of helle. and þynk not ouer mekyl in þe vanite of þe world.

But þynk deuowtly on þe passion of crist in wo / and in wele. and he schal helpe þe in al þy nede./ [ 360] These be þe wittys þe whiche god has geuyn vs [Our senses given us to know God and come to that joy, which] to know hym with. and to rewle vs thorwȝ wysdam./ and leue holy lyf as good seruauntys of god schuld do. and eschewe perelys of synne. and so to come to þat Ioye{punctel} þat god has ordeynyd vs to be made fore [ 365] [He has ordained for us.] to þe wiche Ioy he vs brynge{punctel} þat deyde for vs vp-on þe rode▪

amen.

And yf we wyl come þe ioye þat y (haue) spokyn of. vs be-houys to know god almyȝty. þe whyche principaly may be schewyd in þese vj thyngys In þe xiiij poyntis of þe feyþ. [ 370] In þe ten comaundementys þat god has comaundyd to vs. In þe .vij. Sacramentys þat be in holy chyrche In þe seuen dedys of mercy to oure euyn-crystyn. In þe .vij. vertues þat yche man schuld vse. and in þe seuyn dedly synnes{punctel} þat yche man schuld refuse. [ 375] And he byddys. and [fol. 5 b] comaundys in al þat he may. þat alle þat has kepyng or cure vndyr hym. schuld comaund and charge here parochenys and sogettys þat þey here and lere{punctel} þese sex thyngys.

and ofte reherce hem tyl þey cun hem. and sethen teche hem to here childyr yf þey ony haue. what tyme þey be of elde. And þat personys vicars and parysch prestys a-spye besily of here sugetys in þe lentun tyme whan þey come to schryft yf þey know and cunne þese sex thyngys. [ 385] And yf it be found þat þey cun hem not: þat þey charge hem on godys behalue and of peyne of penaunce for to cun hem. And for non schuld excuse hym of vnkūnys for to cun hem{punctel} [ 390] oure fadyr þe archebyschop haþ ordeynyd and biddis þat þey be schewid opunly on englysch tonge among þe pepyl. wher fore aȝens þe fyrste of þese sex thyngys þat is to knowe þe artyculys þat fallyþ to þe trewþe [ 395] as gret clerkys techyn. and schewyn in here bokys ¶ Ther falle to þe feyþ. xiiij poyntys. Seuen falle vn-to godys godhed. and oþer seuen vn-to cristys manhed The fyrst poynt þat we schul trowe of þe godhed. [ ·1·] [ 400] ys to trow stedfastlyche in o trew god.

and noon oþer ys to trow yn. The toþer ys þis þat þe heyȝ fadyr of heuyn [ ·2·] is stedfast and sothfast god almyȝty. The thrydde ys þat iesu crist godys sone of heuyn [ 405] [ ·3·] is sothfast god. and euyn tyl his fadyr./ The ferthe poynt ys þat þe holygost. [ ·4·] þat to-gedyr commys of hem bothe. þe fadyr and þe sone ys sothfast god. And euyn to hem bothe. and nat two goddys þe fadyr and þe sone{punctel} [ 410] ne thre goddys. þe fadyr and þe sone and þe holy gost{punctel} But þre personys. and nat but on god./ The fyfte poynt ys þat þe trinite. [ ·5·] fadyr and sone and holy gost. thre personys and on god ys maker of heuyn and erthe. and of alle þyngys þat vnder heuyn be./ [ 415] The .vj. poynt ys. þat holy chirche oure modyr [ ·6·] ys holly on thorwȝ-owt þe world þat ys comenynge and felaschype of alle cristyn folk þat comynys to-gydyr in þe sacrament and in oþer holy þyngys þat falle to holy chirche{punctel} [ 420] In forȝevynge of synnes and hele of here sowlys. For withowten holy chirche is no soule heyl.

The .vij. articule þat vs owe to trow [ ·7·] his vp-rysynge in flesch and lyf with-owtyn ende. For whan þe deþ. haþ sundryd [fol. 6] oure bodyes and oure sowlys. [ 425] Fro þat tyme vn-to þe tyme þat god schal deme þe qwyk and þe dede. þan oure sowlys schal turne aȝen to our bodyes. and we schul þe same and non oþer þan we ar now sothly ryse vp in body. and in sowle þat neuer more schal sundyr fro þat tyme forthe [ 430] boþe to-gydyr. ȝyf we weel do whyl we be here wende to god or with god in-to blysse þat euer more schal laste. And yf we ywyl do{punctel} to endles peyne.

Alij. vij. de humanitate Cristi./

These ben oþer seuen poyntys of cristys manhed þat ar nedful to trow to al þat ar criston. [ 435] The fyrste ys þat iesus crist godyssone of heuyn [ ·1·] was conseyuyd of þe maydyn marie be vertu of þe holy gost. [Christ conceived by the Holy Ghost, became Man through the power of the Father, without marring the maidenhood of the Virgin,] And tok flesch and blod. and be-com man thorwȝ myȝt and strenthe of þe fadyr of heuyn withowtyn ony marryng of hyr maydynhed. [ 440] The oþer poynt ys þat we schullen trow / [ ·2·] þat he god and man in on persone

was sothfastly born of þe mayden Marie. god getyn of his fadyr be-fore eny tyme and man born of his modyr{punctel} and browȝt forþ in tyme. [ 445] The þryd artycule. þat we schul trow ys crystys passioun [ ·3·] þat he suffryd bodyly for synful man-kende. and how he was betrayd with his owyn dyscyple. and takyn with þe iewys. betyn with scorgys{punctel} þat no skyn held hool. and naylyd hym to a cros. and crownyd hym with thornys. [ 450] and many oþer harde paynys he suffryd. and deyde at þe laste./ The ferþe artycule ys. þat whan he was ded [ ·4·] and hys body takyn doun. and woundyn and leyde on a toumbe ȝit whilys hys body lay on þe graue{punctel} þe gost with þe godhed{punctel} went in-to helle. [ 455] and harwyd hyt. and tok owt þo þat were þerynne as Adam and Eue. and oþer former fadrys þe whiche thorwȝ original synne were in þat place. and þat he{punctel} thorw his forlok wold were sauyd.// The .v. poynt ys. þat on þe thyrd day [ 460] [ ·5·] aftyr þat he deyde{punctel} he ros fro deþ to lyue{punctel} sothfast god and man in body and in sowle. For as he deyde in seknesse of our manhed{punctel} so he roos thorwe strengthe of þe godhed. And destroyd oure deþ{punctel} thorwȝ hys dyynge. [ 465] and qwyknyd vs vn-to lyf{punctel} thorowȝ hys rysynge./

The syxte poynt ys. we schul trow [ ·6·] þat þe .xl. day aftyr þat he roos. thorwȝ strengthe of hym-self{punctel} [fol. 6 b] he stey in-to heuyn. wher oure kende ys now in his blysful person [ 470] not only euyn and mete to his angelys{punctel} But hyȝ crownyd kyng a-bouyn alle angelys. þat be-for-tyme was lasse þan þe kende of angelys. The vij. poynt ys and þe laste{punctel} þat ryȝt as he dyid and aftyrward roos. and steyȝ in-to heuyn. [ 475] ryȝt so schal he come doun vp-on þe laste day. Bothe for to deme þe qwyk and þe dede For alle folk þat euer was. or ys. or schal be{punctel} schal sykyrly be schewyd. and seyn be-fore hys face. þat day. [ 480] And ylke man answere for his owne dedys. and be dampnyd or sauyd. wheþer-so þey haue seruyd. For as his ryȝtwysnesse ys now mengyd with mercy{punctel} so schal yt þan be. withowtyn mercy.// Þe secunde thynge of þe syx to know god almyȝty [ 485] ys þe ten commaundementys. þat he has geuyn to vs. of þe whiche þe thre þat arn furst. we owe to oure god./ and þe seuen oþer aftyrward we owe to oure euyn cristyne.

Primum mandatum/

Non adorabis deos alienos.

Thou schalt haue o god and no mo./ Ouyr al thynge loue hym al-so./ [ 490] And þy neghebore bothe frend e fo./

Thys ys þe fyrste of godys comaundementys./ [Those that live in sin worship false gods,] þou schalt not worschype fals goddys. Alle þo þat leue in gret synne as pryde. Couetyse./ Gloteny./ and such mo. worschepyn fals godys. [ 495] For god seys be Job þat þe fynd ys prince of alle [Job. 41.] þe childryn of pride./ And Iesu crist says in þe [St. John 12. 31.] gospel. þat þe fend ys prince of þe world þat ys of fals men. þat loue more þe pride and þe falshede of þis world{punctel} þan þe trewþe of goddys lawe herfore [ 500] [eph. 5. 1.] seyþ seynt Poul. þat Couetyse ys worschepyng of fals goddys. And so glotonys make þeyr bely here [phit. 3.] god. To þys ende seynt Austyn and seynt Ierom. wytnessyn þat what-euer a man bowys most to. [and so of what∣ever men are most inclined to.] þat thyng he makys hys god. Therfore prude men [ 505] worschepyn pride. and so þe fynd for here fals god. and so of alle oþer synnys.

¶ The two cherubynnys þat schadewyd in [The cherubims that over∣shadowed the mercy-seat were not for the wor∣ship of the Israel∣ites;] archa dei. exo / 25. c^o / were not set þer to be wor∣schypyd{punctel} But for to meve þe chyldryn of israel [ 510] to haue mende of god in heuyn. and pray to hym þat he [fol. 7] wolde sende down his Angel̄l̄ to teche hem wyt and wysdam þat ys be-toknyd be che∣rubyn. And also to meve hem to pray to god. þat he wold send to hem. angelys fro heuyn to [ 515] fyȝte aȝenst here enmys{punctel} whan þey were hard be∣stad. and so he dyde ofte as holy wryt wytnessyþ. 4 reg^m. 19 c^o./ ysay^e 37 c^o. The [n]eddyr of bras [nor the brazen serpent.] was set in þe oste{punctel} for two skyllys. þe ton was þat whan þe childryn of israel lokyd þer on{punctel} þei [ 520]

schuld haue mynde of godis godnesse. and þanke hym þat he wold hele hem of þe styngynge of þe [n]eddrys. An oþer skyle was. whan þe pepyl lokyd on þe [n]eddyr of bras{punctel} þey schuld be war{punctel} and kepe hem-self þat þey brak no more godys comaunde∣mentis [ 525] lest þat þe same vengaunce come aȝen. ¶ For to kepe þis comaundement yt ys nedful þat [What is needed is a firm belief in One God in Trinity,] þou beleve sadly{punctel} þat þer ys but O god in trinite. fadyr and sone and holy gost. thre personys and o god. This god is most myȝty þyng þat may be. [ 530] The most wytty. and most ryȝtful{punctel} and most ful of goodnesse. mercy{punctel} and charite þerfore þou most drede hym. & hys offence be-fore al oþer [and a fear of offending Him.] thyngys For he knowyþ al þyng preuy and apert And most nedys punysche al maner synne in þis [ 535] world or in purgatory. or in hełł And no creature may be a-gayn his iuste punyschynge. and for hys endles godnesse. þou most loue hym with al þyn herte. and seke his worschipe. and plese hym be fore alle oþer thyngys If þou do þis wel{punctel} þou [ 540] most stody to kepe his comaundementys and his [God's law to be obeyed rather than man's.] lawe be-fore alle oþer preceptys and lawes maad of men for ellys þou louyst not hys lawe be-fore oþer./ and so not hym-self be-fore al oþer thyngys Also þou most forsake al maner wycchecraftys. and [ 545] coniurynge of fendys. and þat þou seke nat trewthe of dede spiritys. but only of god. and his lawe as he comaundys hym-self in his lawe

Who brekys þe fyrste maundement{punctel} Prowde [Breakers of this commandment.] Men. wordly Men. and fleschly Men. Why prowde [ 550] men. For þey make þe deuyl here god. Why wordly Men. for þey make worldly godys here god. and why fleschly Men for þey make here bely here god.

Secundum Mandatum [fol. 7 b]

Non assumes nomen dei tui in vanum.

In ydyl godys name tak þou nogth swere be no þyng þat god haþ wrougt. [ 556]

The secunde comaundement ys þis. Thou schalt [Sin after baptism is breaking this commandment, for we then re∣nounce the devil and all his works.] not take þe name of þy lord þy god in vayn. Here alle men or wymmen þat turne to grete synnes aftyr here cristyndom. in þat þey taken þe [ 560] name of god in vayn. For at here cristyndom þey forsake þe fynd and alle his pompis. hys pride. and alle hys werkys of synne and of falsnesse. and bynde hem wyl-fully to goddys hestys. þan ȝif þey turne aȝen to þese synnys yt ys in vayn þat þey [ 565] take goddys name vþ-on hem. But yf þey amende hem wylfully in þis lyf. For ellys þey schal haue more payne withowte ende. as seynt Petyr seyþ [.2^a. pe. 2^o.]

Also whan men seye godys seruyse in gret hate [And so of saying our prayers when out of charity.] and envye with owte deuocioun and reuerence{punctel} [ 570] þey take godys name in vayn. for þey aske here owne dampnacioun in seyyng of þe Pater noster. Also prestys þat sey masse and oþer seruyse of þe [Priests in mortal sin saying mass or other public service for the sake of gain or display take God's name in vain.] chirche in dedly synne not for reuerence and deuocioun of god{punctel} but for couetyse and veyn [ 575] glorye takyn þe name of god in veyn. For þey resseyue þe sacrament to here dampnacioun. as [[1 Cor., xi, 29.]] Seynt Poul seys [.cor. ii.]

¶ Also in vayn sweryng and nedles. fals men take þe name of god in vayn. [ 580]

¶ Also men in gret statys. be þey spiritual be [Men in high office in Church or State, who do not rule according to the word of God, take His name in vain; for by taking these offices they] þey temperal. þat gouerne not þese statys aftyr þe lawe of god in destroyenge of synne and wrongys. and mayntenynge of ryȝtwysnesse and good lyf of þe pepyl. taken þe name of god in vayn. For in [ 585] as moche. as þey take þese offycys or statys./ in þat

þey be þe mynystris of god. to do ryȝtwisnesse and [become ministers of God.] bere down wronges and synne. and to be myrour. and ensampyl of holynesse and ryȝtwysnesse to alle men vndyr hem [ 590]

Þerfore be war þat neuer þou swere fals. ne [Swear only in the cause of truth and charity.] ydyl. ne be ony creature. but only be god in tyme of nede{punctel} for to schewe nedful trewþe and profyt∣able to þe and to oþer men. For god commandys þat oure word be{punctel} ȝe ȝe. nay nay. þat þe herte and [ 595] þe mowþ acorde togydyre. And whan we speke of þe name of god or Iesu{punctel} þat hit be don{punctel} with drede reuerence and loue.

¶ Who brekys þe secunde comaundement. veyn [fol. 8] spekeris. ydyl swererys. and fals werkerys./ why [ 600] [Breakers of the commandment.] veyne spekers. For here wordys be not medful. why ydyl swerys. For here oþys be not nedful. why wikkyd werkerys. For here werkys. Be not spedful./

Sabbata sanctifices.

Kepe þy halyday in clene lyf. with alle þy meyne. and þy wyf. [ 605]

The thyrde heste is þis. Be-thynk þe to kepe [.3^m. man∣datum.] þy halyday. Fyrst haue mende how god made heuyn and erthe and alle creaturys of noȝt [How to keep holy day: by calling to mind God's good∣ness in the creation;] nat for his nede{punctel} but only for his goodnesse. and made angelys and men to be resonable. and to [ 610] vndirstonde þe godnesse of god and to be partyners of þe blysse of heuyn./

¶ Whan man was mad in þis degre of nobley

and worthynesse he brak goddys comaundement [the love of Christ and His dying for fallen man;] in paradys. and was boundyn to bodyly deth. and [ 615] peyne of helle Tyl iesu crist{punctel} made rannsoun with his herte blod on þe cros./ þerfore haue mynde of þis charite of crist and peynful deth./

¶ Also haue mynde{punctel} how ofte þou hast brokyn [and thy sins, and be contrite, and confess thee, and make satisfaction;] godys hestys. sytthe þou haddyst dyscrecioun of [ 620] good and euyl. and of þis amende þe be verry con∣tricion schryft and satisfaccion. And if þou hast [and thank God for good works, done by His grace, and not thine own strength.] don ony good dede wele{punctel} þank god þerof. for his grace hit was. and not þou þy-self./ and pray hym ȝeue þe grace to laste and ende trewly in hys [ 625] seruyse.

¶ Þann here þou goddys seruyse with reuerence [Hear matins and mass, and say the Lord's Prayer, Hail-Mary, and Creed.] and deuocioun. and seye deuowtly þy pater noster. and þy beleue and þyn Aue maria./ and oþer deuowt prayeris yf þou can And here godys lawe [ 630] tawȝt in þy modyr tonge. For þat is bettyr to [Hear an English sermon rather than many masses, and eat and drink in moderation with thanksgiving. Afterwards make peace between neighbours, and that is better than building churches.] þe{punctel} þan to here many massys. Aftyrward ete and drynk in mesure./ and þank god of his ȝyfte.

¶ Aftyr noon gyf þe not to nyse vanytes and pley. but loke wher þy neyȝebours ben at [ 635] debat{punctel} and acord hem be meknesse and charite ȝif þu may. For it is bettyr þan to bylde many chirches.

¶ Þan visyte þy neyȝeboris þat arn bedreden. [Then comfort the sick and dis∣tressed with spiritual consol∣ation,] blynde and crokyd. and in oþer dysesys. and com∣fort [ 640] fyrst here sowlys þat þey falle not in despayre ne grucchyngge a-gayn þeyre godys visitacioun. For yf þey [fol. 8 b] do{punctel} þey shal haue more peyne in þis world. and in helle euer./ and ȝif þey take þis lytyl peyne paciently{punctel} þey schul haue remyssioun [ 645] of here synnes befor don in þe blysse of heuyn with-owten ende.

¶ Þan ȝeue hem of þy catelle to susteyne here [and thy worldly goods, as thou wouldest be done] lyf as þow woldyst{punctel} þat þey schulde helpe þe yf

þou were in þe same myschef and þey in bonchef [by in the like evil case.] as þou art now./ [ 651]

¶ But men dredys sore þat on þe haly day [Dreadful to do the works of the devil on holy days.] whan schulde most worschype god þan þey dispyse hym most be hauntynge of pryde and alle oþer synnes and make that þe deuelys worke-day. [ 655] worsse þan eny oþer day in þe weke.

¶ Who brekys þe thyrde maundement. Men [Breakers of this commandment.] þat thenk not on god hertyly. And Men þat pray not to god devoutly. And men þat do not werkys of mercy wysly. Whi men þat thenk not on god [ 660] hertly. For þey ocupy here hertys in vanites. Why men þat pray not to god devoutly For þey worschipe hym with here lyppis{punctel} and not with here hertys. Whi men þat do not þe werkys of mercy wysely. For þey don here almes more to [ 665] þe nedles{punctel} þan to þe verry nedy.

¶ Quartum. Mandatum.

Honora. Parentes.

Fadyr and modyr worschipe both.// with counseyl confort. and mete and cloþ.//

The ferthe comaundement is þis. worschipe þy fadyr and modyr. Holy wryt spekys of þre [ 670] fadyrs. The fyrst ys god þat made vs alle of noȝt. [.1^us. pater] and holy chirche ys owre modyr. And we owe to drede þis fadyr and his offense before alle oþer thyngys. and loue hym. and seke hys honour and do his wylle be-fore al oþer thyngys. For god says [ 675] be þe prophete þe sone schal honour þe fadyr. and þe scruaunt schal drede hys lord. Þerfere ȝif

y am ȝour fadyr{punctel} where is myn honour. and loue. ȝyf y be ȝour lord{punctel} where is my drede.

¶ the secund fadyr is þy gostly fadyr. þat haþ [ 680] [.2^us. pater] cure of þy sowle. and þou schalt loue hym hertely. [Follow his teach∣ing in so far as after the law of God,] and do hym reuerence in word and dede and do aftyr his techynge in þat{punctel} þat he techys þe godys [and pay thy tithes and support him in the discharge of his office.] lawe And pay hym tyþys and offryngys dewe. wilfully. redyly. and trewly. and styre hym and [ 685] confort hym to do hys offys [fol. 9] trewly in sad techynge of holy wryt. and opyn ensampyl of holy lyf. For yf he do nat his offys wel{punctel} he is a [If he fail, his fault is worse than that of not paying tithe to deserving priests.] þowsand-fold more cursyd þan suggettys wyþ∣drawyng here tythis. ȝe{punctel} whan curatys don wel [ 690] here offys./

¶ The thyrde fadyr and modyr ar þy bodily [.3^us. pater.] fadyr and modyr þat browȝt þe forþ in-to þis world and þou schalt drede hem and reuerence hem. in [Honour thy bodily parents,] wil word and dede./ and in here nede help hem [ 695] [and aid them with thy means.] with þy catel. and þy trauayle. and spende þy flesch. and þy blood{punctel} for here sustinaunse. as þey dyde for þe whan þou myȝtyst noȝt. And ȝif þou do þis wel. þou schalt haue goddys blessyng. and all hys angelys. and of alle good men and wymmen [ 700] in erthe. And if þou do nat þis worschype{punctel} þou schalt haue godys curs{punctel} and alle hys seyntys. and of alle good men and wymmen in erthe.

¶ And alwey haue mende on þe sorwe and þe [Forget not thy mother that bore thee, as thy hope is for God's bless∣ing.] trauayle þat þy modyr had with þe in beryng. and [ 705] norschyng for þe. and þerfore. loue here and do here reuerence in al þy lyf vp-on godys blessynge.

¶ Who brekys þe fourþe comaundement. vn∣kende [Breakers of this commandment.] men. Froward men. and rebel men./ Whi vnkende men. for þey helpe not. here eldrys as þey [ 710] schuld do./ Why froward men. For þey wil take no gostly techynge. Why rebel men. For þey ben vnbuxum to cryst and his chyrche./

Non Occides

Sle noman with wykkyd wyl{punctel} In word ne dede. lowde ne styl{punctel}

Þe fyfte comaundement ys þis. þou schalt not [ 715] [Quintum Mandatum] sle. vndirstonde þou wrongwysly noþer man ne womman ne child{punctel} neþer cristyn ne [Extends to hea∣thens, and the inciting of others.] heþyn. ne be fals hate. of herte. ne euyl sterynge. ne counseylynge þerto ne doynge of dede{punctel} ne mayntenynge of oþer mysdoers þerto. But loue [ 720] yche man parfytly in charite as þy self.

¶ Also þou schalt not sle þyn owne sowle be [Self-murder of the soul by mortal sin.] consent to dedly synne. ne oþer menys be opyn sklaundyr. and mayntenynge in synne. For who-so-euyr doys þus{punctel} ys cursyd of god{punctel} and alle his [ 725] seyntys.

¶ Also froward prelatys and curatys. sle [fol. 9 b] mennys sowlys and bodyes be wythdrawynge [Spiritual murder by neglect of life and doctrine.] of godys word. and ensample of holy lyf. For þey may not lyve gostly in fayþ and oþer vertuys{punctel} but [ 730] be heryng and kepynge of godys word And þey ar bounde vp-on peyne of dampnacioun to teche þus godys word þat ys fode of mannys sowle.

¶ Also bakbyters and sowers of fals lesynggys [Backbiting and lying, strife-stirring.] þat bryngge men at debat. and owt of charite [ 735] arn wykkyd men-sleers. For þey sle boþe bodys and sowlys som tym many thowsandys.

¶ Also wikkyd extorsioneris and fals oppressoris [Extortion that makes poor men blaspheme.] of pore men sle þeyr bodys wrongfully and her sowlys be grucchyngge and vnpaciens and blasfem∣ynge [ 740] of god whan þey take awey falsly þeire godis be þe whiche here bodely lyf schuld be susteynyd.

¶ Also gret lordys and prelatys þat schulde [Rulers in State and Church] withstonde þe opun mysdoers. and do nat. but

raþer meyntenys hem þer-yn ar cursyd mensleers [upholding actual offenders.] for þey fauor and mayntene al þis. seþyn þey be bowndyn to amend al þis. and may lyȝtly do hit and do hyt not.

¶ Who brekys þe fyfte maundement. Envyous [Breakers of this commandment.] men. wraþful men. and auerous men./ Why envious [ 750] men. For þey haten here breþeryn. Why wraþful men. For þey bakbytyn here breþeryn. and why auerous men. For þey help not here euyn crystyn.

Synne þou not in leccherye [Adultery,] Consent þou not to þat foly [ 755]

Þe sexte comandement ys þis. Thou schalt not do leccherye noþer in consent in hert ne [inward or out∣ward, by act or consent,] spekynge ne in countenaunce withowte-forþ. ne doyng in dede. excusynge and iustyfyynge and mayntenyng of oþer men þeryn. Noþer in doynge [ 760] [of single or mar∣ried,] of symple Fornicacioun be-twyx sengyl man{punctel} and [or vowed to chastity.] sengyl womman. Noþer in avowtry. ne in brek∣ynge of chastyte. þat ys þe moste synne of alle oþer. And ȝyt þe lest of alle þre ys dampnable. who-euer do yt with-owtyn ful repentaunce. as [ 765] seynt Powl says.

¶ Also froward ordynaries. and confessouris [Accursed sin of spiritual judges and shrift-fathers] þat norschyn men in þis synne for annvel rent. oþer worldly wynnynge. and bodyly welfare. brekyn [fol. 10] cursydly þis heste. For þey sellyn [ 770] sowlys to satanas for a lytyl worldly dryt. and [in condoning incontinence for fixed money pay∣ments or their personal interest.] ȝeue hem leue to roty forþ in þis cursyd leccherye fro ȝere to ȝere. as longe as þey wyl pay mekyl. Or help to bere hem vp in extorsiouns

¶ To kepe þe fro lecchery haue mynde how [Avoid occasions of this sin, and keep under thy body.] foul þy body schal be{punctel} whan that schal be wormys mete. and how gret peynys of helle. þou schalt suffre. but yf þou amende þe. Therfore fle ydyl∣nesse and occasions to þis synne. and Maystyr þy flesch be trauayle wakynge and prayeris./ [ 780]

¶ Who brekys þe sexte comaundement Forny∣catouris. [Breakers of this commandment.] Auowtereris. and holours./ why forny∣catours for þey defoulyn here bodyes in leccherie whylys þey ben sengyl. why avowtererys{punctel} For þey brekyn þe sacrament of wedlok./ and why holours{punctel} [ 785] For þey wastyn here bodyes in lecchery.

Stele þou not þy neyȝborys þyng [Theft.] with byinge sellynge ne wrong-getyng

THe seuynt commaundement ys þis. Thow [how committed from owners,] [ 790] schalt do no þefte. þat ys mys-vsynge of þyngys aȝen þe lordys wyl or apre∣uyng./ Than seþyn alle creaturis ar goodys. who euer mys-dispendys myȝtys of sowle or body or ony [and spiritually from God.] oþer goodis agaynst godys law{punctel} ys a strong thef be godis ryȝtful dom. what-euer þe word flaterys./ [ 795]

¶ Also alle þat vsyn to dysseyue her neyȝbors [By false measures and false oaths.] be fals mesurys. fals weyȝtys and deceytis and fals oþes{punctel} arn strong þefys and bakbyters be godys lawe and mannys./ and ar holdyn to make resty∣tucioun aftir here power and leue of boþe of þese [ 800] synnys and of oþer./

¶ Also al þo þat wast here godis in glotony [By wasting our goods,] drunkenesse. pride. and lecherie. and in oþer vanytes{punctel} be parlows theuys. for þey stele fro pore [to the wronging of the poor.] men here sustynaunse./ For þe resydue of þese [ 805] godys ouer here owne nede{punctel} ys pore mennys lyf∣lode./

and he þat defrawdys þat good{punctel} is a thef and a man-qweller as þe wys man seys./

¶ Also al þo. þat drawe riche mennys almes. [Withdrawing alms from the poor on the pre∣text of holy uses.] fro pore bedrede men and pore febyl and crokyd [ 810] and blynde vndyr colour of holynesse to hem þat haue no nede þer-to{punctel} arn strong theuys. and [fol. 10 b] man∣qwellers. for þey take þe godys agayn godys lawe. be whyche{punctel} pore men schuld be norischid. and so þey ar thefys agayn ryche men and pore, and robbe [ 815] men of feyth and good beleue.

¶ Also lordys and maystrys þat wyþholdyn [Lords and mas∣ters withholding servants' wages.] here seruaunt hyre whan þey haue trewly do here seruyse{punctel} ar strong þefys be goddis lawe./

¶ Also seruauntys þat falsly do here maystir [Servants taking their masters' wages, and not doing work truly. All that falsely do their office.] [ 820] werke and take fully here hyre arn thefys be godis dom. Also alle þat do falsly here offyce spiritual or temperal. and takyn here fulle profyt þerfore{punctel} ar thefys be godis dom.

Who brekys þe seuynt comaundement. Me∣chers [ 825] [☜] Robbers. and extorcioners. Why mechers. [Breakers of this commandment.] for þey stelyn priuyly. Whi robbers. for þey robbyn opynly. whi extorcioners. for þey spoylyn men of here good falsly.

Fals wytnesse þow noon beere [ 830] [False witness for love or hate, fear or favour, is renouncing God and going over to the devil;] þy neyȝbore wyttyngly to dere

[T]he eyȝten comaundement is þis. þou schalt not speke fals wytnesse ageyns þy neybore. And he þat for-swerys hym for hate. or for loue. drede or wynnynge{punctel} for-sakys god almyȝty and be∣takys [ 835] hym to þe fend body and sowle. and to peyne with-owt ende Namely al þo. þat constreyne men [and specially of those who force men to this sin.] to for-swere hem be here gret lordschip and power. and gretly rewardys hem þerfore.

¶ Also al þo þat lyes on crist. seyynge þat he [It is a gross breach of this commandment to assert that our Lord exercised secular lordship, like the clergy;] was wordly lord. as clerkys ar now[.] breke fowle þis heste. For crist hym-self seyþ. þat his kyng∣dom ys not of þis world. and of his kyngdom schal neuer be ende Also alle þat sey. þat cryst beggyd of men. as sum religious dos now{punctel} bere fals wyt∣nesse [ 845] [or that he begged, like the mendicant orders;] agayn crist oure best neyȝbore. For be goddis owne commaundement. among his pepyl schuld no begger be./ and ȝyt crist nedyd not to begge þus.

¶ Also alle þo þat seþe þat newe religious [ 850] [or to exalt the regular orders, monks or friars, founded by saints, above clean livers in the priesthood, instituted by Christ himself. Breakers of this commandment.] foundyd of seyntis ys better þan glene religious of priesthod þat crist made hym-self arn fals witnesse. and blasfemys god.

Who brekys þe eyȝten Maundement. lyers gloseris. and fals qwestmongeris. Whi lyeris. for [ 855] þe[y] hatyn þe trewþe. why gloseris. For þey hydyn þe trewthe And why fals qwestmongeris. For þey sellyn þe trewthe./

Thy neyȝbours wif coueyte þou noȝt{punctel} [fol. 11] with here to synne in dede ne þoȝt. [ 860]

Thy neyȝboris hows. wenche ne knaue Coueyte hem noȝt. ne his goodys to haue

T[h]e nynthe comaundement and þe tenthe ar these. Thow schalt not coueyte þy neyȝ∣borys wyf. ne his hows ne his seruaunt ne [ 865] his maydyn./ ne his oxe ne his werk-best. ne ony thyng þat ys his. For þe rote of synne and wrong couetyse stondys in þe herte./ Therfore god for∣bedys{punctel} euyl couetyse and wyl of helle. For ȝif

þat be wel kepte fro euyl desyre of oþer mennys goodys yt ys lyȝt to hold owt alle wrongis and harm and synne. And þow þe world know þe not or punysch þe not for þy trespas{punctel} ȝit leue al for drede and reuerence of god. And if þou fynde [Restore things lost.] ony thyng þat þy neyȝebore haþ lost{punctel} restore yt [ 875] agayn. For ellys it is þefte as seynt Austyn seys./ And yf þou breke þese comaundementys or ony of [Punishment for persistent breach of commandments is altogether as sure as God is God.] hem alle. also (al so) sykyr as ys god. but þou amend þe in þis lyf. þou schalt be dampnyd in helle in body and sowle withouten ende. þow þou haue a [ 880] þowsand bullys of pardoun lettris of fraternite and Chauntres aftyr þy deth. And also (al so) sekyr as god ys god. ȝif þou kepe wel þese comaundementis þou schalt haue þe blysse of heuyn in body and sowle with-owten ende. þow þou haue neuer bulle [ 885] [Endless bliss for keeping them without the pope's pardon, or being enrolled in an order, or masses sung after death.] of pardoun./ ne letter of fraternite. ne Chauntre aftyr þy deþ. Therfore kepe hem wel. and do þe werkys of Mercy. to þe nedy pore neyȝebours. and þe erytage of heuyn ys þyn be graunt of cristys gospel. aselyd with his precious blod þat may neuer [ 890] be fals{punctel} for no creature in erthe ne in heuyn.

Who brekys þese to comaundementes and [☜] þe laste./ þey þat wrongfully coveytyn ony thyng in [Breakers of the two command∣ments against coveting.] herte{punctel} þow þey don yt nat in dede. And þey þat wrongfully in herte coueytyn. and to here power [ 895] don hit in dede. And also þey þat han in herte lust and lykynge of suche wrongful coveytynge.

Contra concupiscentes domum proximi &c [☜] ysa. 5^o. deut^o. 5^o. / 19^o. / 27^o. / 3^o re[gum]. 21^o de [Latin note. Examples of covetousness.] acab. concupiscente vineam naboth./ [ 900]

[fol. 11 b] Contra adulterium. exo. 20 / deut^o 22^o. [☞] prouer. 6^o./ sapien. x^o. 2^o reg. 11./12./ Adulterium [Latin note. Examples of adultery.] dauid fuit multipliciter punitum. p[rim] ^o. puer con∣ceptus in illo adulterio fit mort[u] us propter hoc pec∣catum. [H]aman filius congnouit thamar soro∣rem [ 905] suam. et propter hoc absolon interfecit eum./ Item absolon fugauit patrem suum & regno./ et prius congnouit decem vxores dauid patris sui in ierusalem./ et deturpauit eas in conspectu populi.

These ar þe comaundementys ten [ 910] [Rhymed promise to those who keep the command∣ments.] þat god ȝaf to alle men{punctel} Mekyl ioy schal be to hem. þat kepe wel and trewly hem.

For schułł be callyd godys sonys. or his douȝtris [The joys of heaven,] and schulle regne with crist here god and here [ 915] fadyr in his mageste and so be broþerys and sus∣trys with angelys. and lyk to hem þat ar bryȝter þan þe sunne bemys./ schynyng euer in ioy with∣outen ende. Ful wo þan schul þey be þat forsake swyche a cumpany þer merthe lastys euyr. for a [ 920] schort delyt of þe flesch{punctel} and for a lyte wyl of þe herte þat he wyl not ȝeve to hys god. And aftyr∣ward for þat schort delyt brenne in helle fyre as [and pains of hell.] longe as angelis and holy seyntis make mery in heuyn with here lord god þat is euer-more. And [ 925] þan schulle þey sey eche tyl oþer thorwȝ trew dom of god. wo to vs. wo to vs{punctel} euyr brennynge in byttyr fyre. For we haue deseruyd non oþer hyre. and þerfore derknesse haþ swolwyd vs. þat we schul neuer se{punctel} þe day of amendynge. ¶ Ther∣fore [ 930] kepe we þese comaundementes of god in drede of hym{punctel} þat we for-ȝete hem not. For whan man dredys not{punctel} he sone for-getys þat he schulde do./ Therfore kepe we þese comaundementes and god schal þanke vs. For who-so kepis hem with al [ 935]

his herte{punctel} he doþ more kendenesse to god{punctel} þan ony broþer may do to anoþer And also yf he [The unkindness of not keeping the commandments of God,] kepe hem not he doþ to god more vnkendenesse þan ony broþer may do to anoþer. For more vn∣kendenesse may no man do{punctel} þan for to grucche [ 940] and set lytyl pris be þe comaundement of his lord þat is his maker. and made hym thorwe his kend∣nesse [who has shown kindness to us.] lyk to hym-self in schap. and to haue þe blysse of his godhed And yf we with-stond þat lord þat made vs for oure owne profyt{punctel} we do þe [ 945] most vnkendenesse þat may be wroȝt./ Therfore ho-so felys hym agreuyd in ony of þese{punctel} his [The remedy thereof.] medcyn most [fol. 12] be to amende hym and breke ham no more in as moche as he may and be euer sory whan he thynkys þat he has brokyn ony of hem [ 950] not only for þe peyne þat he haþ deseruyd{punctel} but for he haþ greuyd god so vnkendely. And þan þe grace of god schal lyȝt vpon hym And blyssid be suche a remedy þat þorwȝ foul wyl vnkendely{punctel} and wykkyd is wroȝt{punctel} þorwȝ ordeynynge of good [ 955] wil. ys forȝevyn. And yf þou wilt ordeyne þy wil to haue for-ȝefnesse{punctel} loke þou withstande sadly þe furst begynnynge of þe temptacoun of þe fend and not consent to hym for nothyng with þy wyl. whan þou art temptyd and þan þou schalt lyȝtly [ 960] ouercom hym and þou schalt ioye be-for god{punctel} for þat good wyl./ For as many temptaciouns as þou withstondis for godys sake{punctel} as many crownys wynnyst þou of god./ Fayn þan may þou be to thynk whan þou art temptyd. and sey to þy self. [ 965] a[!] now I may chese wheþer I wyl falle with a heuy byrden toward helle{punctel} and y consent to þe fend{punctel} Or ellys to be lyfted vp with a glorious corone toward god/ Ilke man þat haþ resun{punctel} wot wheþer ys better to chese./ And þerfore no man [ 970] may be excusyd./

¶ These ten comaundementis þat y haue reknyd. ar closyd in two of þe gospel./ The on ys þis. þat we loue god ouer al þyngis./ þat oþer is{punctel} þat we loue oure owyn evyn-cristyn as oure self./ [ 975] God vs owe to loue for hym self holly with al oure herte. with myȝt{punctel} and with al oure thoȝt with word. and with dede./ Also we owe to loue oure euyn-cristyn for god. and to coueyte. and to wille hem þe same good þat we loue oure self to. þat is{punctel} þat þey wel fare in body and sowle. [ 980] and com to þat blysse þat we þynke to come to. who-so doþ þese two{punctel} fulfillyþ al þe oþer./ Þe þrydde þyng of þe sex to know god almyȝti ys þe seuyn sacramentys / of holy chirche þat he geuys

þorwȝ prelatys. and oþer prestys þat haue power þerto./ Of whyche seuen þe fyrste fyue eche man cristyn [ 986] owe lawfully to take aftyr þat he old ys./ And tuo ly in here wil þat resseyuit hem. The fyrste sacrament of þe seuyn ys oure bapteme þat we take furst. whan we be-come cristyn. [ 990] in whiche byrthe. boþe þe fyrst syn þat we be born yn. and al maner oþer synnys ar waschyn a-way{punctel} þat we be fowlyd yn{punctel} er þat we yt take. And þe trewþe of holy chirche [fol. 12 b] ys takyn þeryn. withowtyn whiche no man þat is sinful in sowle may be sauyd. [ 995] And to þis sacrament fallyþ foure þynges yf it schal ryȝtful be take as holy chirche techys./ On ys ryȝt seyyng and scharp of wordys þat hym owys for to say þat gyfys þis sacrament þe whiche ar these. I baptize þe In þe name of þe fadyr. and þe sone. and þe holy gost./ [ 1000] Anoþer is þat yt be don only in watyr For noon oþer lycour ys lefful þerfore.

The þrydde ys. þat he þat ȝeuys þis sacrament be in wyl and wyt for to ȝeue yt. ¶ The ferthe is þat he þat takys yt [ 1005] be nyþer of leryd ne lewd baptyȝed be-fore./ And yf þe prest be in dowte of hym þat schal tak hit wheþer he be Baptyȝid or noȝt{punctel} þan schal he seye þe wordys in þese wyse./ ȝif þou be not baptiȝid {punctel} I baptyȝ þe [ 1010] in þe name of þe fadyr. and þe sone. and þe holy gost. ¶ The secunde sacrament ys confermynge [The bishop, by the grace of the Holy Ghost, which is of God's grant, gives to those who receive the sacrament to be stronger than before.] þat þe byschop ȝyuyþ to hem þat ar baptyȝid in þe whyche he ȝeuyþ þorwȝ his power to hym þat takys hyt be þe grace and þe gyftis of þe holy gost [ 1015] þat is of godis graunt to make hem more stalworþ þan þey were be-fore. to withstonde þe fende and alle dedly synnys. That sacrament owys noon to do. but þe byschop alone. þat haþ þe stat and þe stede of cristys apostyl. ¶ The þrydde sacrament is clepyd Penaunce [ 1020] þat is soþfast forthynkyng þat we haue for oure synnys

wyþ-owt wyl or þoȝt to turne agayn þerto./ And þis be-houys haue þre thyngys ȝif hit be stedfast./ On ys sorw of herte of þat þat we haue synnyd. Anoþer ys opyn schryft of oure mowþ how we haue synnyd. [ 1025] The þyrde is amendys makyng for þat we haue do. These þre with good wil for to forsake oure synnys clensys vs and weschys vs of alle maner synnys. ¶ The ferþe ys þe sacrament of þe awter cristys owne body in lyknesse of bred. [ 1030] [The Body of Christ is just as He took it of the Blessed Virgin.] ryȝt as he tok yt. of þe blyssyd Maydyn Marie whiche euery man þat ys of elde{punctel} owe to resseyue onys in þe ȝere. þat ys to seye at Paske as holy chirche vsyþ. whan þey ar clensyd clene of synn thorwȝ penaunce. [ 1035] vp[on] peyne of doyng out of holy chirche. but ȝif þey for-bere yt for ony skylful cawse. þat owyþ for to be knowyn to hym þat schal ȝeue hyt. [Those who receive worthily, receive to their salvation;] For he þat takys yt worthyly takys hit [fol. 13] to hys saluacioun. And who þat takys yt vnworþily {punctel} he takyþ hit to his da[m]pnacioun [ 1040] [and those who receive un∣worthily, to their damnation.]

¶ The fyfte sacrament ys. þe last anoyntyng. with oyle þat is halwyd and handlyd of prest to hem þat arn of skylful elde. and semyn in perel of deþ{punctel} in lyȝtnesse and aleggaunce of here seknesse [ 1045] yf god wile þat þey turne agayn to þe hele/ and also in forȝefnesse of venial synnys. and in lessyng of peyne yf þey passe hens. ¶ The sexte sacrame[n]t of holy chirche is. ordyr þat geuys power to hem þat ryȝtfully takyn hit [ 1050] for to serue in holy chirche aftyr her stat ys. and to hem þat takyn þe ordyr of prest for to synge Messis. and for to mynystre þe sacramentes of holy chirche þat to hem fallyn aftyr þe stat þat þei han and here degre askyþ. ¶ The seuent sacrament and þe last ys. Matrimony. [ 1055] þat ys a lawful fastnynge be-twyx man and womman at here bothe assent. for to lyue to-gydyr whyle here boþe lyuys wyl laste withoute eny partynge in remedy of synne and getynge of grace{punctel} yf hit be taken of good entent{punctel} and elennesse of lyfe. [ 1060]

Septem opera corporalia misericordie

The ferthe thyng of þe sex to know god almyȝthi is. þat vs be-houys to knowe þe seuen dedys of Mercy bodyly and gostly. and to fulfylle hem in al þat we may. and do hem to our euyn-cristen vp-on peyne of dampnacioun. [ 1065] For god schal reherce hem to vs at þe day of dom. and se how we haue don ham to our euyn-cristyn. as seynt Mathew seyþ in þe gospel./ Of þe whiche þe fyrst ys to fede hem þat be hu[n]gry. That oþer is. to ȝeue hem drynke þat be þursty. [ 1070] The þridde for to cloþe hem. þat ben cloþles. The ferthe is. to herberwȝe pore men. þat ben herberwȝles. The fyfte to conforte and helpe men in prisoun. The sexte is to visite and conforte hem þat be seke. The seuent is. to bery hem þat have nede. [ 1075] Al maner of men ben holdyn be godys lawe to do þese seuyn bodyly werkys of mercy. [Promises to those who do these works to the best of their power,] vp-on here power. and who-euer do þese werkys of mercy trewly be his power{punctel} he schal haue þe blysse of heuyn as crist sayþ in þe gospel. and schewis opunly. [ 1080]

Therfore sayþ Crist whan þou makyst a feste or a soper calle noon to þe ryche men. [ 1082] but pore men. Febyl. Crokyd. and blynde. [to the poor] And hit schal qwyt to þe in þy laste day. ¶ And [fol. 13 b] also be þe prophete ysaye god seyes. [ 1085] Breke þy bred to þe hungry and bryng in-to þyn hows nedy men. and þo þat haue noon hous of here owne. [and needy.] whan þou seist a nakyd man hele hym: and dispise not þy broþer. ¶ lord how cursyd be þe ypocritys. þat be fals ypocrisy. [ 1090] [The cursedness of those [friars] who snatch rich men's alms away from the poor.] ravischyn ryche mennys almes fro pore nedy men. where god byddis almes be don{punctel} and drawys yt to hem self to make nedles howsys. and grete festys to ryche men. and oþir vanitees. Hit semyþ þe fend bryngis yn suche ypocritys to disseyue þe ryche men of here almes. and of feyth. and of cristis gospel. [ 1095] For in almes wel don {punctel} stondys moche remissioun of synnys. þerfore þe fend castys be sotel ypocrisy {punctel} to for∣do þys almes.

Causa monens ad opera misericordie

A general steryng be Crystys lyf and Resun [The example of Christ and our own reason should stir us to do these works.] for to fulfylle þese werkys of mercy. ¶ Furst men schuld wilfully fede pore hungry men and þrusty. [ 1100] For in þat{punctel} þey fede iesu Crist as he hym self sayþ in þe gospel. And also Iesu crist gyfys body and sowle lyf and catel to vs for þis ende. [To this end are the gifts of nature and grace;] and fedis vs wyþ his flesch and his blod in þe sacrament of þe awter.

and gaf hys precious herte blod on þe cros to bryng vs owt of Mischef of synnys and paynys. [ 1105] ¶ þan resonnably ow we to ȝeue mete and drynke to nedy men of his owne goodis. For hys loue and reward of heuyn blysse. and more encrese of wordly goodys. [and the reward, heavenly bliss and earthly pros∣perity.] ¶ Also skylfully we owe to cloþe þe nakyd pore men [It is reason we should clothe the naked,] sethen crist gyfys gloþis to þis ende. [ 1110] and he hym self was strepid nakyd. and betyn. and suffryd moche cold for our nede. And ȝif we do þis wel he wyle cloþe oure sowlys with vertues and grace in body and sowle with þe stole of vndedlynesse and blysse of heuyn. [ 1115] And we owe wel to herberwe pore herberwȝles men for cristys loue. [and house the homeless;] sethyn crist for oure nede com doun fro heuyn and leuyd in þis world pore lyf. and had non hous of his owyn be worldly tytyl. and offrid al hys body on þe cros. [ 1120] and his herte to be pynyd and persyd with a spere. [for Christ has gained a home for us.] for to bryng vs in-to þe hows of holy chirche. and in-to þe hows of heuyn in blysse with-owtyn ende. ¶ Be gret resoun owe we to vysite seke men sethyn [fol. 14] crist for oure nede deyd on þe cros. [ 1125] to bryng vs out of seknesse and synne. and kepes vs out of bodily seknesse {punctel} [He healed our sickness,] for we schuld help oþer seke men. and be þis help deserue þe blyss of heuyn. ¶ Also we owe be gret resun to comfort men in presoun. [and visited us when fast bound in sin.] Seþen crist was þre and thyrty ȝere in gret presoun and paynful in þis world. and sparid not for no cold ne hungyr ne oþerpeynys [ 1130] to visyte vs. þat were in prisoun of synne.

ne sparid not to visite men þat were in helle for horrour of þat place. ¶ Lord whi schuld venym or stynk lette vs to visite men in presun. [Why should infection or stink keep us from jail and prisoners for the truth sake.] sythyn þey be many tymes presonyd for hate and for trewthe þat þey mayntene. and many tymys for ensampyl of vs{punctel} god suffrys hem þus to be pynyd [ 1135] for we schuld drede gretter þe peynys of helle. ¶ We owe to bery pore dede men in tyme of nede. [We should bury the dead, for Christ was willing to die for us.] sythyn crist wilfully suffryd so hard deth in þe mount of caluerye for oure synnys And þese werkys of Mercy be vndon. [ 1140] he schal dampne vs to helle with-outyn ende. And yf we do hem trewly{punctel} he wil bryng vs to heuyn with-outen ende.

Amen.

.vij. opera spiritualia misericordie

Þer be seuen werkys of gostly mercy. þat god chargis more þan þe werkys of bodily mercy. and þey be bettyr and esyer to fulfylle. [ 1145] The fyrst is to teche men þat be vncunnynge of goddys lawe. [Teaching.] ¶ The secunde is to counseyl men in dowte whiche is sekyr. wey to plese god. [Counsel.] ¶ The þridde ys to chastyse hem þat be rebel aȝenst godis comaundementys. [Reproof.] ¶ þe ferthe is to conforte men. þat be in care and disese. [Consolation.] ¶ The fyfte is to for-ȝeue rancour of herte. hate. and envye [ 1150] [Forgiveness.] ¶ The sexte is to suffre paciently. [Patience.] whan men be out of pacience, resoun and mesoure.

¶ The seuent and þe last is to pray erly and late [Prayer for enemies.] for oure enmys. as crist byddys in þe gospel. Euery man pore and riche may do alle þese{punctel} whan∣euer he wyl [Rich and poor are able to do these spiritual works, and they are better than mercy shewn to the body.] in o maner or in anoþer. and he is neuer þe porer. [ 1155] and þey bryngge sowlys out of mischefys of synne. Therfore as þe sowle is better þan þe body{punctel} So þese gostly mercyes be better þan þe bodyly mercyes. ¶ A / lord how cursyd be þey. þat may lyȝtly do þese werkys of gostly mercy [A curse on those who do them not;] and do not. [ 1160] sythen þey [fol. 14 b] be so cursyd of god þat do nat þe werkys of bodyly mercy. þat ar not so esy ne so profytable. ¶ But how moche more be þei cursyd of god{punctel} þat bynde hem-self wilfully. [and specially on those who of free will are pledged to do them,] and takyn moche mede to do þese werkys of gostly mercy. As do Curatis and prelatis. and ȝit do hem nat. [ 1165] but lettys oþer men to fulfylle hem be feynyd iurisdictioun [but hinder others, when they have neither power nor knowledge nor the will them∣selves.] whan þey hem-self may not. con not. or wyl not. for worldly bysynesse or ese of here body. ¶ hyt semyþ be many resonys. þat þey be more cursyd þan scariot or Symon Magus. and deppyr schul be dampnyd. [ 1170] but yf þey amend hem fully in þis lyf.

Septem virtutes.

The fyfte þyng of þe sex to know god almyȝty is þe .vij. vertues þat holy writ techys.

Of whiche seuen þre þe (sic) fyrste þat be souerayne vertues we owe for to haue toward god almyȝty. [ 1175] And þe oþer foure techyn vs so for to lyue {punctel} þat yt be lykynge to god and to man. ¶ The furste vertu is Feyþ. wher-by we trowe only in god þat alle þyngys made with alle þe artyclys {punctel} þat y be-fore seyde. [ 1180] And þis is nedful to alle þat tristyly lyuys. For trewthe is begynnyge of alle gode werkys./ But noþer trewthe withoute good werke/ ne good werk with-outyn trewthe may plese god almyȝty. The secund vertu is Hope. [ 1185] þat is a sikyr bydyng of gostly good þorwȝ godis goodnesse{punctel} and oure owne good dedys. For to come to þat blysse þat neuer schal haue ende. Not only in trust of goddis goodnesse {punctel} ne al only in trust of oure good dedys. [ 1190] but in trust of hem bothe {punctel} whan þey be bothe to-gydyr. For neyþer schal we falle so far in wanhope / þat we ne schal truste to haue þat blysse. yf we wel do. Ne we schal nat truste so fer in þe mercy of god: þat we leue goode dedys vn-don. [ 1195]

For with oute goode dedys{punctel} we come neuer into heuyn. and but we holde specialy þe byddyng of god [ 1197] ¶ þe þyrde vertu is Charite. þe whiche ys fulnesse of loue to god almyȝty and to oure euyn-cristyn./ To god almyȝty as for hym-self. [ 1200] and to oure euyn-cristyn for god almyȝty. For þat on may not be louyd{punctel} withoutyn þat oþer. For as Seynt Jon seyþ in his Pystyl. þat [fol. 15] comaundement we haue of god. þat who-so euer louys god{punctel} lovys his euyn cristyn. [ 1205] For ho þat louyþ nat his broþer whom he may se; how schold he loue god. whom he seys nat. ¶ The ferthe vertu ys Ryȝtwysnesse. þat is to ȝelde to alle men þat. þat we owe hem. and for to do. to eche man{punctel} þat vs owe. [ 1210] Fyrst{punctel} for to ȝeld to god seruyse þat we be-heet hym whan we tok cristyndom and to kepe his comaundementys be-fore alle oþer thyngys. And study we al oure herte{punctel} to do aftyr his counseyl. and so to plese hym. and fulfylle his wyl. in al þat euer we mowe. for to haue þank of hym. [ 1215] and to gete of hym oure mede. for þat ys souerayne ryȝtwisnesse. And aftyrward to worfchype ham þat be worthy.

þat is þo þat loue god. and leue good lyf{punctel} aftyr goddys lawe. Not worschipe men for here worldly rychesse. as þe fals world doþ{punctel} [not for riches,] for þey be mysdoers. sotel. and slyhtful dys∣seyuers. [ 1220] Ne worschipe not men for here fayre cloþes. ne for here qweynte schappis [nor for habits of an order,] þat sum men vsen. and sey þe cloþis make hem holy. ¶ And forþermore þey make sum men beleue þat who so euer deys [which dying men assume to escape hell.] in here abyte of hire ordre{punctel} þat he schal neuer go to helle. And sum men þynke þat þis is a ful parlows heresy. [A dangerous heresy] [ 1225] For to make men to trowe in fals thyngys. þat may not helpe hem to here saluacioun. For þan myȝt a man synne how-euer hym lyst. and leue so in dedly synne tyl hys endyng day. and neuer forthynk his synne. ne make satis∣faccion [ 1230] of goodys þat he haþ stole of oþer mennys. but kast on suche a cope and dye þer-yn. and þan his synnys schul be forȝeue hym{punctel} as fro þe peyne of helle But þis lernyng is aȝen ryȝtwisnesse. seþyn ryȝt∣wys god techys þe contrary. [to teach thus.] For god and alle his seyntys. and oure beleue techis vs{punctel} [ 1235] Þat who-so-euer brekys godys comandementys wilfully. [The penalty of wilful breach of God's command∣ments,] and leuyþ in pride. and in lecchery. and stelys his neyȝebours goodys{punctel}

And haþ no repentaunce for þese synnys in his laste ende{punctel} [if unrepented of,] ne makys no satisfaccion yf he may of þe stole goodys neþer in dede. ne in wyl. ne in thoȝt{punctel} [ 1240] Þat he mot verilyche go to helle./ euery (ever) with-oute ende. [is hell without end,] Þow he deyde in alle þe abytys and alle þe vesti∣mentys in cristyndom Ȝe{punctel} þow he hadde vp-on hym in his deþ{punctel} þe cloþ þat crist weryd [even though the man died in Christ's own vesture.] [fol. 15 b] here in erthe in his manhed þat be resun was neuer worldly cloþ so holy ¶ And furþer more ho-so-euer had synnyd in alle þese wyse. [ 1245] [But if he had repented of his sin] and lefte his synne with ful repentaunce and perfyt wylle neuermore to synne eft-sonys dedly with satisfaccion to his euyn-cristyn{punctel} as is trew god / he most saue hym þorwȝ his ryȝtwysnesse. and his mercy. [Christ will save him.] For on þis wyse stondys ful remyssion of synne. [ 1250] and þerfore ho-so-euer behotys eny man to come to heuyn [The promise of pardon on any other terms] thorwȝ forȝeuenesse of synne but on þis wyse he is vnryȝtwys and fals in his seyynge. [is false,] For yf he sey he schal not come in helle and he deye in here abyte of here ordre{punctel} [ 1255] [for, habit or no habit, none can forestall God's judgment.] þan most he wel wyte{punctel} þat he schuld to heuyn at þe day of dom. and holy wryt seyþ. þat noman wot whydyr he may be worþy to haue hate or loue of god.

And holy wryt may nat be fals{punctel} þan ys he fals þat þus techys{punctel} þat who-euer deyes in here abyte schal neuer go to helle. [ 1260] But trew men and meke men þynke yt were more tokyn of holynesse to dey withouten ony cloþynge{punctel} or ellys in a pore cloþynge to schew oþer ensample. whiche þey schul be. and to schew hem meknesse and porenesse to stoppe pride. [ 1265] and þat we com bare in-to þis world and bare schul we passe But yf we be cloþyd in oure sowle with vertues and holy lyuynge And þerfore ryȝtwisnesse wyl not þat we worschipe men. for here cloþynge. but only for here fayre vertues. and here clene lyf. for to helpe þat pore þat be nedy. and to amend synful men [ 1270] as þe gospel seys. to do wrong to no man. but to do þat skyl is to eche man. ¶ The v. vertu ys warnesse. and sleyȝte. in god to know þe goode fro þe yuyl. and to depart hem in two. [ 1275] and for to hate þe euyl{punctel} and loue þe goode. and of two goode þyngys to chese þe bettyr. ¶ The sexte vertu ys Strengthe not only of þe body. but also of þe herte. and of þe wyl.

Stalworthly. and tholedmodly. to suffre wo and wele. seknesse and hele. tribulacioun and temptacioun. [ 1280] mekly to suffre{punctel} wheþer so falle wo or wele. and þat oure herte be not to hyȝ. for no welfare. ne to heuy{punctel} for no euyl fare. But styfly to stond aȝen our foys bodyly and gostly. so þat no foly fondyng make vs to falle [ 1285] ne to be fals in oure feyþ aȝenst almyȝty god. [fol. 16] But hertely in godes querel to withstonde yn our Euyn-cristyn in al þat we may./ The seuent vertu. and þe laste ys Mesure. þat kepys vs fro vtrage and holhis vs in Euynhede. [ 1290] and lettys fowl lykyng. and lustys of þis flesch. and kepeþ vs in clennesse of þe body and sowle For mesure ys mede to vs in al þat we do. ȝif we lyue skylfully as goddys lawe vs teches.

Septem peccata mortalia.

The sexte þyng. and þe laste to know god almyȝty ys. [ 1295] þe seuen of hed synnys. or dedly. þat euery man ow to know to fle and forsake. For noman may fle hem{punctel} but he know hem These þey arn./ Pryde. Envye./ Wrathe./ Glotonye. Couetyse. Slewþe./ and Leccherye.

Herfore þey be clepyd{punctel} þe seuen hed synnys. For al oþer synnys. comyþ of hem. and þey be callyd dedly synnys. [ 1302] For þey sle gostly euery mannys sowle. þat is bound in ham. For þat synnys in On{punctel} synnys in alle. wherfore þis man Ecclesiastes. byddys in his boke. [ 1305] As fro þe Neddyrys face fonde to fle synne./ For as þe venym of þe neddyr{punctel} sleys mannys body{punctel} So þe venym of þe synne{punctel} sleys mannys sowle. The fyrste of þese synnes ys Pryde. þat ys alykyng (sic) of mannys herte and heynesse [ 1310] of offyeys. or of hey stat. or nobleye þat he has of kyn. kende. or of grace. or þat he wenys. he haue more þan anoþer. And of þis synne{punctel} cometh many sere spieys. Bostynge. Auaunt-makyng. vnbuxumnesse. [ 1315] despit. and ypocrisy. proud schame. and fool drede. and oþer many þat regne among prowd men. The secunde synne ys. brennynge Envye þat is a sorwe and forþynkynge of oþerys welfare. and ioy. and a lykyng of here evyl fare. [ 1320] wheþer þey be frendys or foys. And her-of comys many spycis. On ys hatred to speke or here owȝt be spokyn. þat may sowne in-to good to hem þat þey hatyn./ Anoþer is fals Iugginge. or demynge of here dedys þat þey hate. [ 1325]

and alwey to euyl{punctel} þat þey do to goode ¶ The þrydde ys bakbytynge. to sey behynd a man{punctel} þat he wyl not sey. ne avowe be fore hym. For nat only he þat spekys þe euyl{punctel} but he þat herys yt spokyn. synnyþ þer-yn. [ 1330] For were þer noon hererys{punctel} þer were noon bak∣byters [fol. 16 b] The thryd dedly synne ys. Wrath. þat is a wykkyd sterynge of boldnesse of herte. whe-þorwȝ a man coueytys to make wreche or wykkydly venge hym on his euyn-cristyn. [ 1335] And of þis comys. stryuynge. and chydynge. with men. fals othys. and many fowl wordys. slaundrys. for to for-do a mannys good fame fyȝtyng and felony and ofte manslawȝter. and many mo þan her be rekenyd [ 1340] ¶ The ferthe dedly syn ys Glotony þat is an vnskylful lykyng or loue in tast. or tastynge of mete or drynke. and her-yn men trespace on many wyse. On is to ete or drynke ouer erly or ouer late. [ 1345] Anoþer for to ete ofte or drynk but nede mak yt Anoþer for to lyue ouer delycatly. to ete or drynke ouer mokyl or ouer hastly. or to kast on what wyse we may gete delycious mete. or drynke.

for to fulfylle þe lykyng and þe lust of þe flesche/ oþer þan we may goodly lede oure lyf with. ¶ The fyfte dedly synne ys Couetyse. þat is a wrongwys ȝernynge. [ 1352] to haue ony maner good þat vs owyþ not. and þis is pryncipaly don{punctel} on two wyses. On is wrongfully to gete ony þyng [ 1355] þat oure lykynge or oure lust{punctel} lustys vp-on. as be Sacrilege or Symony. Stelyng. Falshed. or Okyr. or oþer gylery. þe whyche. þese wordly men be wonþ to vse. þat kastyn here lykynge so to couetyse{punctel} [ 1360] þat þey rekke not wheþer it be with ryȝt or with wrong. So þat þey may gete{punctel} þat here herte desirys Anoþer is. wrongfully to holde. þat is whan we wil not do to god almyȝty. ne to holy chirche. ne to oure euyn-cristyn{punctel} [ 1365] þat vs owe to do be dette. and be lawe. But only holde þat we haue to oure owne ese. Not only we synne in Couetyse but also in slewþe. and not only he þat wrongfully getys but also he þat wrongfully holdys / fallys in þat synne [ 1370] ¶ The .vi. ys. accidy./ þat is slownesse. whan a man schuld do a good dede

hastly and with good wil. for þe loue of god. drawith yt on lengthe and heuy is þer-with and ys hertles in eny gostly good þat he schuld do. [ 1375] and of þis syn. comys many sere spycis. On is latsumnesse or delyt to draw on lenthe ony maner good dede þat we schuld do þat may turne vs to helpe of oure sowlys ¶ Anoþer is ydilnesse [fol. 17] or heuynesse of herte [ 1380] þat lettyþ vs for to loue our lord god almyȝty: or eny lykyng to haue in his seruyse. Anoþer ys coldnesse of herte and ydylschip þat ouer mekyl is vsyd þat maketh vs loþ to be-gyn ony good dede. and lyȝtly maketh vs to leue of whan eny is be∣gunne. [ 1385] and þerfore we be kendly born to swynke{punctel} as þe foul is born to fle kendly. hyt holdys vs euermore in ese passynge kende. For ydylnesse is enmy to mannys sowle. stoppynge and staunchyng grace and good thewys. [ 1390] and hit is witte wyssynge and wey to al maner synnes. and vices. ¶ The vij. dedly synne and þe laste ys leccherye þat is stynkynge lykyng or lust of þe flesche. and of þis syn comyþ many sere spicys. On is fornicacioun of fleschly synne [ 1395] be-twene a sengyl man and a sengyl womman and for þat is gayn þe law. and leue and þe lore / þat holy chirche holdis{punctel} yt is dedly synne to hem þat doþ yt. Anoþer is avowtri. þat ys spowse-brekynge [ 1400] wheþer it be bodyly or gostly.

wel greuouser yt is and gretter þan þe oþer./ The þridde is Incest. þat is whan a man synnyþ fleschly with ony of hys kyn. or ony oþer þat is of his affynyte gostly or bodyly whedyr so yt be. [ 1405] Oþer spycis many may spryng of þat synne. þat ouer mekyl ys customyd. and know in þis world with hem þat lede here lyf as here flesch wyl. And al þe grettyst synne is in prestis þat leccherye vsyn. [The worst kind is when priests practise this sin,] for it passyþ þat oþer in despit þat is do to god. [ 1410] And euer gretter and gretter as þei be of degre. [and all the more in proportion to their rank and the condition of the other party.] and þe stat of þe oþer party þat þey syn with. These be þe sexe thyngys þat y haue spokyn of þat þe law of holy chirche lys most yn. þat þey be holde to know and to kunne{punctel} [ 1415] yf þey schal knowe god almyȝty and come to þe blysse of heuyn.

And for [to] ȝeue ȝow þe better wyl for to cunne ham. Our Fadyr þe archiepischop grauntys of hys grace. forty dayes of Pardoun. to alle þat cunne hem and rehercys hem. and tellys hem to oþer. [ 1420] and confirmys al þe pardoun þat oþer men ȝeuys to. So moche coueytyþ he{punctel} þe hele of oure sowlys. For yf ȝe cunnyngly knowe þese sexe thyngys; þorwȝ hem ȝe schułł knowe god almyȝty. And as seynt Ion seyþ in hys gospel. [ 1425] Kunnyngly to know god almyȝty{punctel} ys endles lyf. and lastynge blysse. He bryngge vs þerto. þat bowȝt vs With hys herte blod on þe cros Crist Iesu.

Amen.//