Orologium sapientiae or the seven poyntes of trewe wisdom, aus ms. Douce 114 / [ed. K. Horstmann].

Cap. VI. ¶ Off þe souerayne loue of oure lorde ihesu in þe holy sacramente of his blessid body, & þat longiþ þere-to.

(Disciple:) 'O souereyn and euerlastynge wisdam, for as miche as the grete profyte of þy doctrine hath stired me with a feruente desyre forto [ 25] go to þe scoles of vertue and to ȝeue myn hole entente to hem in þe whiche I haue sufficientlye leryd how I schalle booþ lyue and dye; sooþly, in þe excersise and fulfillynge of hem in dede I knowlech of myn owne infirmite me vnmyȝty and ofte-syþe cast downe: wherfore I flee to þe, alle∣myghty, & to þy souereyne myghte, and aske of þe þat þou vouche-saufe [ 30] of thy grete pite to schew me þe remedyes þat I schal haue recours to in aduersites þat fallen.'

¶ Wisdame: ¶ 'þe seuen sacramentis of holy chirche ben VII remedyes, þorow þe whiche a man is in manere new-boren into a sprituel creature and norysched & kepyd & þorowe grace broȝte vp to þe souerey(n) [ 35] degre of perfeccyone. Amonge the whiche sacramentis in a specyalle excellente manere springith oute of þe sacramente of the awter þe schin∣ynge of goddes loue and a maner ryver of heuenly grace, blessidly brenn∣ynge devoute sowlles and swetly makynge dronken in goostly loue, as hit sooþly is knowen. ¶ ffor riȝte as drye stickis ȝeuen kynde mater to [ 40] bodily fyre forto brenne more feruently and maken þe flawmes þere-of to sprynge vp and sprede alle-aboute, ¶ so, forsoþ, þis worschepful sacra∣mente, þat is noryschynge of goostly hete, ȝeuith grete encrese to þe fyre of goddes loue and norischith hit, whan hit is devoutely receyved. ffor amonge alle þe tokens of loue þere is no-thinge þat so raueschith [ 45]

alle-holy to hym þe wille of the lover as is þe desyred presence of hym þat is loved, for þat passith alle oþere thinges. Wherfore in my laste soper I ȝaf my-selfe to my disciples in sacramente, and to hem and alle oþere mynistirs of this sacrafyce ¶ I haue lefte þat grete powere in þe vertue of my wordes þat þey maye haue me presente bodily þe whiche [ 5] am presente euerywhere be my godhede goostly.'

Disciple: 'I beseche þe, my lorde, þat þy seruaunte may speke a worde in thyne eres and þat þou be not wrothe to þy seruaunte—ffor, sooþly, þou arte my lorde and I thy seruaunte . for I haue wel vndir∣stande þou hast seyde þat þou arte in this sacramente not figurally, but [ 10] really and bodily: ¶ And if hit be so, I preye the mekely to be tauȝte, for þat schulde ȝeue grete mater to loue the feruently.'

¶ Wisdame: ¶ 'In most certeynte and soþfastly and with-oute eny doute I am conteyned in þis sacramente god and man, with body and soule, flesche and blode, as I wente oute of my moder wombe & hanged [ 15] on the crosse and sette on þe fader riȝhte hande.'

¶ Disciple: ¶ 'I beseche the, my lorde, be not displesid ȝif I speke: for this þat I schalle seye, commith not of þe rote of mysbyleue, but of ful grete merveyle . for ȝif I dare seye, hit semith ful grete won∣der how þat schappely body of my lorde with alle his membrys and me∣sures [ 20] in alle-maner perfeccyone maye be conteyned vndur þat litil forme þat wee seen of þe sacramente, as to proporcyone vnlike in mesure.'

¶ Wisdame: ¶ 'How þat my body is contyned in þe sacramente, þere maye no tunge telle ne witte vndirstande ne mannes resone maye comprehende: ¶ But oonly by feith it is conueniente to knowe þis, in as [ 25] myche as hit is þe grete worchynge of goddes vertue onely. ¶ And þerfore hith longith to þe forto byleue þis soþfastly and to by-warre of presumptuous serchynge in this mater curiously. ¶ Neuer-þe-les I coueitynge forto profet to þy deuoute sympilnesse, forto excyte thi fer∣uoure more þanne to þe schewynge of þat thinge þat is oonly knowen [ 30] to god, ¶ I schalle answere to thy sympil wordes, takynge þe weye of an∣swere of þoo þinges þat ben knowen in her owne kynde and ȝitte vn∣knowen to þe, to þoo thinges þat passen þe knowynge of alle deedly creatours. ¶ Telle me þerfore, if thou canste, how þat a litil pupille of the eye maye be siȝte close in hit alle þe grete circumferens þat hit seeith [ 35] of þe firmamente, or in what maner ¶ a broken glasse maye receyue a parfite Image in euery broke parte þere-of, seþen these thinges ben not euen in proporcyone. And þouȝh hit so be þat þese symple ensaumples be(re) raþere vnliknesse, as euery thinge of kynde in þis purpos hath more vnliknesse þanne liknesse, neuerþeles of these thinges maye be taken [ 40] this convenyent skille, þat, seþen nature may worche so many and grete merueyles kyndely, ¶ why maye not þe vertue of þe auctour and maker of kynde strecche hym to gretter merueiles manyfolde in his worch∣ynge? ¶ Also, if hit seme possibil þat þe maker of the worlde seyde and alle thinges were made of noȝte, why schulde hee not turne one thinge [ 45]

in to an oþere þorow his priuey power? ¶ And þerfore, riȝhte as alle thinge þat hee wolde he made, riȝhte so þere is no thinge to hym in∣possibil þat hee wole haue done. Wherof þanne haste þow wonder? ¶ fferþermore þou byleueste þat dyuyne wisdame fedde fyve þousande menne with fyve loues: & I aske of þe what mater þat was þat serued [ 5] þenne to his alle-myȝhte?'

¶ Disciple: ¶ 'To þese þinges I kanne noon answere of my sym∣plicite, but þat I opunly knowleche þat þe worchynges of god ben ful meruelous.'

¶ Wisdame: ¶ 'Ȝit I putte to þy symplenesse this questyone [ 10] here-to accordynge: sey me wheþere þou byleve þat þou haste a sowle, or þat þere ben any thinges invisibil?'

¶ Disciple: ¶ 'I beleve not þat I haue a sowle, but I knowe hit wel, in as miche as I haue the knowynge here-of be my mevynge and of my witte & felynge and seche oþer. ¶ Also resone techith þat þere [ 15] ben many thinges in her kynde þe whiche mow not be comprehendit by the siȝte ne by oþere bodily wittys, and perauenture þere ben moo of þe werkes of god vnsene þanne þoo þat mannes witte maye compre∣hende, as a besy sechere maye fynde in þe ordre of alle thinge.'

¶ Wisdame: ¶ 'Of þe byforeseide wordes gedir to þy purpos [ 20] þat þe vndirstandynge of euery blessed spirite passeth miche more þe vndirstandynge of euery wise man (þan þe vndirstandynge of a wise man passeth) þe vndirstandynge of an ydiot; and neuerþeles experiens techith þat many vnlettird men halden as impossibile many thinges of þe whiche clerkes hauen certeyn kunnynge and knowynge, as hit pre∣uith [ 25] principally in gemetrye and astronomye. Soo to oure purpos: þogh this mater passe þe kunnynge and knowynge of erthely men þe whiche hauen but as a blynde vndirstondynge ȝitte of þoo þinges þat ben most opun in kynde, neuerþeles þey þat haue þe kunnynge of hem þat ben in blisse, seen thees thinges parfitely in god. ¶ heere what seiþ here-of [ 30] þe wise man in holy writte by þese wordes, ¶ þere as he seiþ: 'summe man þat besyeþ hym daye and nyghte and brekith his slepe forto know alle thinge, & I haue vndirstonde þat þere maye no man fynde resone of alle þe werkes of god þat ben done vndur sone, & þe more he trauelith to fynde, þe lesse hee schalle fynde'. ¶ Loo also a grete philosophir þat [ 35] sotelly and bisely ȝaf hym to knowe a certeyne naturelle mater and myghte not come þere-to by his witte, atte þe laste hee seyde: ¶ 'Leve wee þese thinges to hem þat ben strenger', þat is to sey more kunnynge. ¶ Seþen þanne hit is so of these thinges þat ben of kynde and opunly in erthe seen, þoo thinges þat ben heuenly and mowe not be seen, but [ 40] passen alle nature, who schalle mowe knowe? ¶ Þerfore seyde oure lorde to Nichodeme: ¶ 'If I haue spoken and tolde ȝow erþely thinges & ȝee leue not: and I wolde speke to ȝow heuenly thynges, how schulde ȝee mow leue hem?' Alle suche wittys and conceytes in errour of þoo þinges þat touchen þe feith, ryseþ ofte-syþes of þat grounde þat a man [ 45]

ymaginith and demith of goodly thinges as hee wolde of manly thinges, and of þoo þinges þat ben aboue kynde as of þoo þat ben in kynde. ¶ But so schulde hee not do, and namely in þis purpos hym byhoueþ to be warre. ¶ ffor, in soþ, goddes body is not in þat maner in þe sacra∣mente as a body in a place þat is mesurid þere-after, but hit is þere in [ 5] a maner þat is sprituel; and if thou aske me what manere þat is, I sey þe þat it is suche a manere as is propirly longynge to this sacramente, þe whiche forto know þyne ymagynacyone maye not atteyne to. ¶ Wher∣fore thyne vndirstondynge as blynde moste be constreyned & brouȝte in to þe bondage of criste, forto haue alweye byfore thyne eyen how [ 10] miche of myghte is þat vertue with-oute ende, to þe whiche alle-maner mater obeychith and seruith atte wille, þouȝ a man maye not see þis be defaute of þe myghte in seiynge of þe inner eye. A comune ensaumple ynowȝ þou haste here-of by a childe boren in prisoune & longe-tyme norysched þere-inne, þe whiche wolde halde it a grete meruaile who-so [ 15] wolde telle hym many thinges of þe cowrs of sterres and þe disposicyone of this worlde, þat wee knowen & seen and merveile not þere-of. ¶ Wher∣fore þe wisdome of god, condescendynge to mannes ignoraunce, þe for∣seide thinges hath lefte to men oonly forto byleve, in as miche as þey passen þe myghte of mannes witte. ¶ To þe whiche byleve trewe men [ 20] leeuynge as to a sadde foundemente, hauen more certeynte þere-of þenne if they schulde leeue to her owne vndirstondynge or oþere mennes in thinges knowen and proporcyoned be kynde.'

¶ Disciple: ¶ 'Sooþly, with most euydente persuasiones and re∣sounes þou preuist to me þe feith of þis sacramente and takest a-wey [ 25] from myn herte noyous wonderynges and dreedful thoghtes þat greven and disesen a seeke soule. ¶ ffor of these þat þou haste seyde I per∣ceyve welle þat it is a fonned witte þat sechith thinges þat ben im∣possibil and coueitith to knowe þe wonderful werkes of god allone, and neuerþeles ȝitte hee faylith in knowynge of werkes of þe selfe kynde. [ 30] What nede is to me to seche or knowe more? ¶ I woot welle and saddely by-leue þat þou arte souereyn and endles myghte þat maye do alle thinges, and souereyne & euerlastynge wisdame þat knowest and seest alle thinge, and pleyne and vnchaungeabil sooþenesse þat maiste not lye or deceyue. Wherfore þou arte þe ende of my byleue & þe [ 35] anker of myne hope, now and euermore, knowynge þat blessid is þat manne þat tristeþ and hopith in þe. ¶ Wherfore now ȝee alle, þe in∣warde affeccyouns of my soule, beth gladde and blythe, ffor I haue foun∣den þat I haue soȝte, and þat I haue longe-tyme desyred now I haue goten! Why arte thou, my soule, sorye, and why disturblest me? Þou [ 40] haste souȝte ihesu ¶ and þou haste founden Jhesu. Ofte-syþes into þis tyme þou hast complayned þat þy loued Jhesus was awey fro the, and what-tyme þou seye an oþere man gladde of the presence of hym þat hee loued, þou haste envy in þy herte and madeste sorow, for as myche as thou fondist not hym presente þat þou louedist, and in this maner [ 45] seydest: ¶ 'O wolde god þat hee my beloued were siche one þat wolde

ofte-sythes, if hee wolde not alwey, be with me and lyue with me, soo þat I maye haue ioye and likynge of his presence and oþere-while com∣forte in my tribulacyouns and diseses.' ¶ But now this voys of sorowe is turned into þe voyce of gladnesse, ffor now I fynde hym presente for whome I made sorowe as absente. ¶ Wherfore now alle ȝee þat louen [ 5] god, beþ gladde with me, ffor I haue founden my beloued, not oonly after þe godhede wherby he is to alle men presente, but also after þe manhede sacramently to me presente. ¶ And þerfore hit is a wonder þat I maye henne-forwarde be drawen aweye fro þe chirche and þat I dwelle not þere daye and nyghte, where I haue my lorde presente, not [ 10] oonly goostly, but also bodely, and not oonly as god allemyghty, but also as my broþere and beloued frende. ¶ O lorde, how blisful hadde I sumtyme ben, if I myȝte haue receyued into my mouth at þe leste one drope of þat precyous blode rennynge oute of the opun woundes of my lorde, my beloued: ¶ But now with my bisy diligent consideracyone I [ 15] begynne to take hede þat not onely I receyue one drope or tweyne of þat precyous blode rennynge oute of þe handes or of þe fete or fro þe herte of hym, but also I receyve alle his blode holy, and his body is ioyned to my body. ¶ O lorde, how worthily schulde þis presence of so grete a ȝifte meve þe affeccyone of mannes herte! What maye be [ 20] schowid more of loue þanne þe homly knittynge to-gedir of hym þat is loued to hym þat loueþ? And þouȝ it be þat hee maye not be sene here in þe sacramente so opunly as in heuene, neuerþeles þe feruente affeccyone of man levynge to þe foundemente of feith, sholde be so saddely stablyd, þat þe presence of this sacramente schulde ouercome [ 25] alle erthely thinge and affeccyone in herte. Wherfore þis sacramente maye welbe clepyd þe sacrament of loue, in as myche as hit knittith to∣gedir þe loved with the lover. ¶ Now, my sowle, be þou coumfortid: for þat þou haste souȝte, þou hast founden; and þerfore receyue and take criste in sooþnes and in presence as þat Symeon ¶ Riȝtwis & dreedful [ 30] receyued hym in his bodily presence. ffor þouȝ þat Symeone receyved hym visebily, neuerþeles þou receyuest hym as (in) feithfulnesse in sooþ∣nes as fully. ffor riȝte as my bodily eye maye not see now in þe sacra∣mente þine humanyte þat is þere presente, so þe forseyde Symeone be∣rynge þee in his armes myȝhte not see þe godhede but oonly with þe [ 35] eyen of byleve, as I see now presente. But what is þat to me of bodily siȝte, syþen þoo eyen ben affermed blessed þat seen not after þe flesche, as þe scrybes & þe pharyses bodily, but as they chosen disciples gostely? ¶ What wolte þou, my soule, desyre more to knowe of thy beloued? certeynly & with-oute eny doute, þou haste hym in þe sacramente pre∣sently, [ 40] þouȝh hee be invisibile. ¶ But now take hede to goddes ordy∣nacyone and see þat þis mysterye is done and made miche more con∣uenientlye vndir an oþere liknesse of his propir persone. ¶ ffor whoo myghte be so fers or harde þat wolde presume to take hym and ete hym in þe forme of flesche and blode? ¶ Wherfore þe dyuyne wisdame, dispo∣synge [ 45] alle thinges in þe best manere, ordeyned þat þe flesche and blode

beynge vndir þe liknesse of brede and wyne, þe whiche seruen communly to mannes refeccyone, ¶ þis sacramente schulde be taken. ¶ What myȝhte be founde more semely, more couenabely or more liȝhte, þat schulde so accorde to vs & ȝit leve not þe soþfastnesse of hit-selfe? Wherfore, o euerlastynge wisdame, what-tyme þat I consyder (&) byholde these and [ 5] seche oþere þyne grete werkes and merueyles so passyngly disposed and ordeyned, ffor wonderynge I fayle in my-selfe, criynge inwardlye and seiynge: '(O) þe hye worthynes of þe ricchesse of wisdam and cunnynge of god! what arte þou in þyne olde beynge, þat arte so grete & so worthy in so vertuos worchynge of creatours made of the?' [¶ hec pertinent [ 10] ad sacerdotem specialiter.] ¶ Wherfore now, my kynge and my god, þat vouchedist-safe to chese me vnto þe offyce of preste, noȝte of myne deserte, & woldest make me mynistir of so grete mysteryes, þat I maye euery daye receyue & offre þe, þat lambe with-oute wemme, I aske of the þat þou teche me how þat I schalle worthily receyue the, so þat hit be [ 15] to thy lowvynge and hele of my soule, knowynge for certeyne þat þere was neuer kynge so grete and so gloryous þat was so worschipfully and so reuerently receyved of any cite, ne none moste dere frende, com∣mynge fro fer contre, so gladdely & effectuosly salwed and grete of his specyalle frende, ¶ Ne no loved spouse so amorously and hertely re∣ceyued [ 20] of his spouse and so reuerently tretid, as my soule this daye de∣syreth forto receyue þe, my worthiest Emperoure, swettist frende and derrest-loued geste and most likynge spouse, and forto brynge þee into my goostly hous and into þe preueist chaumber of my herte, and þere forto do to þe alle-maner reuerence and loue and forto ȝelde to þe alle [ 25] þe worschepis þat is possibil to be ȝolden of a pore creature to his god and to his maker.'

¶ Wisdame: ¶ '(Whanne) þou comest vp to the worschepful awter: byholde with thy ynner eye of byleue þat holy bodye in flesche and blode of thy god, þat is to seye, in this manere, þat most certeynly and with-oute [ 30] eny doute þou beleue wiþ alle þy herte & knowleche with thy mowþe þat þat hoost is verrey goddes sone, borne of þe virgyn Marye and þat was dede and rysen fro deth to lyue, domesman of alle booþ quycke and dede; and after þis with dewe reuerence and souereyn worschyp with thy lorde god haue mervaile inwardly with a meke deuocyone þat so grete [ 35] a lorde to so litil vnworthy seruaunte, and so hye a nobley to siche a wrecchid worme, and so worthy a mageste to so vile a meselle voucheþ∣safe to come; and þenne sey with drede & reuerence: ¶ 'Lorde, y am not worthy þat þou entre into myne hous, but tristynge of thy grete pite & mercy I come so sieke to þe leche of lyfe, tristinge to þe welle of mercy, [ 40] nedy to þe lorde of heuene and erthe, þe schepe to his hirde-man, þe creatour to his makere, mournynge and desolate to þe my pitevous coum∣forter and myghtyest delyuerere'. ¶ Afterwarde with most ardente desyre and wiþ þe inwarde luste of herte receyue thy worthy spouse, hauynge souereyn delite of his blessid & swettist presence. And þat one thinge is [ 45] inspecialle þat schulde passynge alle oþere thinges stire & meve an ama∣rows

soule: þat is to seye, whanne hee thinketh þat hee hath presente his dere-loved spowse and frende, for whos loue hee dyeþ euery daye as to þis worlde and despisith alle erthely loue. Loo þese fonned lovers of this worlde, what-daye þey seen þe how(s) where þey haue in mynde þat her loued amyke or spouse dwellith, alle þat daye þey ben þe more [ 5] gladde and mery. ¶ Take heed þanne heereby how worthily he schulde be gladde and souereynly reioyce hym þat receyueþ vndir this visibil fourme not a foule creatoure but þe maker of alle thinge, not a close filthe but þe wisdome of god becomen man. hyt is wondir þat an ama∣rows sowle maye be þat daye sorye for any temporalle thinge in þe [ 10] whiche he hath receyued his byloued makere god: ffor with-oute doute, hee haþ þenne in hym-selfe so grete mater of ioye, þat worthily it schulde devoure & putte to noȝte alle chaunce of heuynesse & sorowe, Riȝte as þe grete see wolde a drope of Eyselle or vynegyre caste þere-inne. ¶ fferþermore, if þou desirest to knowe in experience þe swete sauoure [ 15] of þis sacramente whiche is ȝitte vnknowen to the: be besye aboute firste forto witdrawe þy sowle fro seculere nedys and fro vices and fleschely lustes, so þat byfore þe receyvynge þere-of þou haue profounde contri∣cyone & clere and opun confessyone, and þat þou be drawe þere-to by inwarde deuocyone more þanne by vsed custome; with most ardaunte [ 20] affecciouns & most holy meditacyouns as with rede roses and white ly∣lyes þou schalte arraye aȝens hym the geste-chaumbre of thy herte and make hit redye to so worthy a spowse by inwarde pees. And what∣tyme þou feliste hym presente, clippe hym bytwix þe armes of þy herte þorowe þe oute-castynge of alle ert(h)ely loue and þe inwarde closinge of [ 25] þat heuenly spowse. Afterwarde a devoute soule schalle make me to here his voyce, syngynge to me with þe songes of Syone, where-of þe melody made of þree-maner proporcyouns ȝeldith allþer-swettest sowne: þat is to saye, of parfite forȝettynge of erthely thinges, & feruente affec∣cyone of euerlastynge thinges, and a maner bigynnynge of lovynge of [ 30] þe blyssed spirits. Wele is hym þat maye perceyue & fele these thinges with inwarde taste & þat maye knowe hem by soþfaste experience more þanne by wordes or writynges!'

¶ Disciple: ¶ 'O þe wondirful hardnesse & blyndnesse of my herte, wherfore I maye wel be sorye! ffor in þe moste habundaunce of goostly [ 35] rycchesses so longe-tyme I haue dwellid moost pore, and in þe copye of grete delytes I haue be a wrecche, and in þe grete passynge mesure of þe ȝiftes of grace I haue be voyde and drye. ¶ Oo my god, to þee I make my playnte with inwarde sorowe of herte, þat I haue ben so longe fro the and þou hast be so nye to me; þou were with me and I was [ 40] not with þe. ¶ ffor medelynge and settynge my-selfe in worldely besy∣nesses and oþere superflue vanites, I toke litil fors of the; ffor ofte-syþes I haue hadde my-selfe so tedyously to þe, as þey þou, my god, haddest not be presente to me. ¶ But now puttynge awey alle-manere dis∣simulacyone, as þouȝ I were waked fro slepe, I haue opuned myn eyen, [ 45] clippynge thy presence with moste affeccyone and desyre of body and soule. ¶ ffor als ofte as I thenke & haue in mynde þy blessed presence,

my spirite bigynneþ to gladde for ioye, as hee þat receyueþ a good mes∣sage commynge fro fer contre. ¶ And þerfore it is now conueniente þat, as þou hast fedde me with thy blessid presence as with þe brede of lyfe and vndirstandynge, so þou enforme me ferþermore, ȝeuynge me drynke of þe water of heelful wisdam, answerynge me, þy seruaunte, to þoo [ 5] þinges þat I schalle aske the: what good þou ȝeuest be þy presence to þe man þat devoutely receyueþ thee in þe sacramente?'

¶ Wisdame: ¶ 'I prey þe, fro whenne commith þis questyone? Wheþer arte þou a lover or a marchaunt? ¶ Trowest þou þat þis questyone is conueniente to an amarows herte? ¶ hee þat loueþ in∣wardly, [ 10] ¶ soo þat hee haue þat þinge þat hee loueþ, takith not myche fors of oþere þinges. ¶ What thinge haue I better or more precyous þanne my-selfe? And hee þat haþ þat louiþ, what schalle hee desire more? hee þat ȝeuith alle hym-selfe to his frende, what, I praye þe, kepiþ hee fro hym? ¶ Loo, in þe sacramente I ȝif my-selfe to þe and [ 15] I take aweye thy-selfe fro the and I turne þee into me; ¶ ffor in soþ þou schalte not turne me in to þe as þe mete of thy flesche, but þou schalte be chaunged and turned into me. But perauenture þou arte not ȝitte parfite in loue, wherfore þou coueytest not oonly loue, but also summe rewarde þere-of. ¶ And þerfore I schalle now answere by a [ 20] questyone, like to thyne askynge: telle me what helpith or profetith to þe eyre þe schinynge of þe sonne, what-tyme þat hit schyneþ hoot with alle his vertue and with-oute clowde atte myddaye-tyme? ¶ Or elles what profeten þe briȝte sterres and specially þat fayre sterre ¶ Lucifer to a derke nyghte? Or ellis what fayrehede bryngeþ þe hote sommer∣tyde [ 25] to the erthe þat is byfore clongen with þe colde froste of wynter?'

¶ Disciple: ¶ 'Sooþly, alle þese, hit is no doute, bryngen with hem grete fruyte & grete bewte.'

¶ Wisdame: ¶ 'Alle þese semen to þe grete and gloryous, for as myche as þey ben knowen communlye and comprehendid by syȝte. But [ 30] for soþe, þe sprituel ȝiftes þat ben ȝeuen in þe sacramente in her maner ben miche more: ffor þe leste grace makynge a man gracyous þat hee receyueþ in þe sacremente þe whiche (he) deuoutely takith, hit schalle more clarefye þe soule here-after with his sprituel liȝtenynge þanne any sunne maye liȝten the clene eyre, ¶ ffor as myche as sprituel thinges [ 35] with-oute comparysone passen bodily thinges; and so forthe þou mayȝhte conceyue of oþere liknesses. Also my body gloryfied þat is receyued here in þe sacramente trewly with grace, schalle more liȝten & worschepen with his liȝte alle þe courte of heuene and euery chosen soules ¶ þanne the cours of sterres and the varyaunce of tymes mowen help or forþer [ 40] in any maner þis erthe. ¶ And also my soule þat is contenyd in þe sacramente, is of more liȝte in hir maner þanne ben alle the daye sterres—and alle þese schulbe ȝeuen here-after to a trewe sowle by vertue of þis sacramente, with-oute oþere graces and profetes þat fallen euery daye grete & with-oute noumbir, þat ben ofte-syþes rehersed and spoken of.' [ 45]

¶ Disciple: ¶ 'I am astonyed in þat I heere so many worthy merueyles and worchynges of this gloryous sacramente. ¶ But I prey þe þat þou dispise not oon doute þat I putte and opun to the: Seþen hit is so þat þou, alle-myghty god, vouchedist-safe to magnifye þis wor∣schepful sacramente ¶ wit so many gloryous myracles and profetys [ 5] with-oute noumbre, not oonly for the tyme to come, but also in this tyme presente, why is alle þis so hidde and abstracte, þat vnneþes is hit perceyued of any man, and, if I dare seye, þe vertue þere-of is not seen forto apere to trewe belevynge menne? ¶ What is done aboute oþer menne, I woot not, in as myche as I am not (a) curyous sercher of [ 10] oþere mennes conscyens, but þus am I experte of in my-selfe ¶ oþere∣while þat, what-tyme I schulde come to þat holy sacramente wher-of I haue herde so many goodes spoken, I haue founden my-selfe, boþe in goynge þere-to & goynge þere-fro, in so grete hardnesse of herte & a maner dulnesse of sperite, þat of alle þe goostly liȝteyngis and goodly [ 15] graces þat come fro þat sacramente to my dome, I haue be lefte so voyde, þat I myȝte not fele in my-selfe the swete taste þere-of in any manere, but I was lefte so desolate, withe-oute fruyte, as þey þat sacra∣mente hadde noon effecte in hit-selfe. ¶ O þe wonderful counseile of almyghty god, wheþer þy seruaunte fonned & vnwise dorste be so bolde [ 20] forto reprehende & vndirnime in þis party his lorde, þat alþer-wisest and with-oute reprehencyone alle thinge in þe beste manere disposynge? I praye the, why haste þou so hidde so many and grete goodes? were hit not better þat thou haddest ordeyned þe feith of so grete mysterijs with more opun signes & more euydente experymentȝ?' [ 25]

¶ Wisdame: ¶ 'Knowest þou not þat, while þou arte heere, þou walkeste forþ by feith & not be kyndely felynge? ¶ ffor þat thinge þat bodily witte schewiþ and experience proueþ, how maye feith receyue? Naye, fayth moste nedis fayle where þat opun schewynge of resone hath place; & so folowith þat þe worþy merite of feith schulde perysche, [ 30] ¶ ffor, as þe wiseman seiþ: 'ffeyþ haþ no meryte to þe whiche manis reson ȝeuith experience'. ¶ And þerfore, if þou wolte committe to expe∣rience þe misterye of this sacramente, nedith feith, and þe meritis of feith most perysche and fayle. And what, if hit so falle þat a chosen soule felith rennynge þouȝtes þat ben dreedful? ¶ Sooþly, if he feghte [ 35] aȝens hem lawfully by his wille, hee schalbe crowned þerfore. ¶ Opun, I praye the, the boke of thy herte and see with how opun knowynge þe mysterye of this sacramente is ȝeuen of god to be knowen in þe hertes of summe chosen, þe whiche, þouȝ hit be not alweye, Neþeles sumtyme of grace and specyal priuilege in a maner vnspekabil perceyuen [ 40] and felen the sooþnesse of this sacramente, In so myche, þat, if hit be pos∣sibil forto be any knowynge more certeyne þanne the knowynge of feith, by þat knowynge hit is ȝeuen to hem of god forto fele and knowe þe moste soþfaste beynge of þis sacrament. ¶ Wherfore of these thinges þat ben seide opunly, gadir to thy mynde þat þis sacramente is neuer þe lasse soth by∣cause [ 45]

þat þe sprituel effecte þere-of is invisibil or not perceyued with bodily wit. ffor þe goodly liȝte is þere noȝt siche-maner liȝte þat maye be com∣prehended or seen with bodily eye or þat spredith hit-selfe to outewarde thinges, but þat maye be seen of þe goodly vndirstondynge onely, or ellis of þat siȝte þat is in blisse and þat is propurly liȝte in his owne beynge.' [ 5]

¶ Disciple: ¶ 'O lorde, how few ben þere in this worlde þat with diligent besynesse taken hede & chargen þe moste precyous vertue and profite of this worthy sacramente! ffor summe ben þat goon to þis sacramente comunlye as by custume, folowynge þe manere of þe comu∣nate hyinge hem forto go þere-to, but raþere goo þer-fro, and not of in∣warde [ 10] deuocyone, but of lakke of sprituel feruoure. ¶ And þerfore as they comen voyde þere-to, soo þey goon voyde and with-oute grace þere∣fro, as vnclene beestes, þat weren reproued in þe olde lawe; for they thenke not bisily nor taken hede what þey receyue ne how myche good or how miche ille on the tone parte and þe toþere þere-off folowen to [ 15] hem þat welle or yuel receyuen hit; and if hit so be þat hit come to her mynde paraunter schortly and passyngly, anoon as a litil smale sparcle in her herte hit is sodeynly I-qwenched & apperith no more.'

¶ Wisdame: ¶ 'Þere ben þree maner of menne þat receyue me in þe sacramente: summe ben alle-vndisposed, as þoo þat ben combred [ 20] with deedly synne; summe ben welle disposed, as þey þat ben passynge lyvers; ¶ summe þere ben in a mene manere disposed, as þey þat ben vndeuoute. ¶ Þe firste man deseruen euerlastynge deth and temporal malysone; ¶ þe secounde euerlastynge lyfe and sprituel goostly beny∣sone; ¶ þe thridde etynge drye brede and vnsauery mete to hem, fele [ 25] not þe swetnesse þere-offe.'

¶ Disciple: ¶ 'What, and a frele manne haue paraunter done somme pryue synnes, and in his goynge to þat sacramente is contrite and doth þat hee maye after þe ordynaunces of holy chirche: wheþer dare þis synneful man goo þere-to, tristynge of thy grace?' [ 30]

¶ Wisdame: ¶ 'Sooþly, if hee be contrite and doþ after þe coun∣seyle of goostly leches, þanne, propurly to speke, hee is not a synner. ¶ ffor Marie Maudeleyne, ¶ what-tyme þat sche was compuncte or con∣tryte in herte and came to þe fete of oure lorde and wasche hem with her teerys, sche hadde þe name of a synful womman, neuerþeles after þat [ 35] tyme sche was not a synner, ffor criste hadde forȝeuen her synnes.'

¶ Disciple: ¶ 'Euery man is habundaunte in his owne witte. ¶ But, sooþly, in þis purpos I trowe feithfully þat þe goodly mysteryes of þis sacramente passen alle-maner vertue of manne and ben aboue alle þe merueiles werkes of god in þis worlde. ¶ ffor who is þat lyueþ in þis [ 40] worlde so clene and so innocently þat (he) is a worþy mynistre or recey∣uoure of þis sacramente, or who maye presume of hym-selfe to receyue hym whome Petir, þe prynce of apostles, putte fro hym, seiynge þus: 'Go fro me, lorde, for I am (a) synneful man'; and hee whos feiþ Jhesus com∣mendith

syngulerly in Israel, ¶ seyde þus to hym: ¶ 'Lorde, y am not worthy þat þou schuldist entre into myne hous'—¶ who is þanne boren of womman þat maye make hym and ordeyne hym worthily to so grete mysteryes?'

¶ Wisdame: ¶ 'Amonge alle þat euer were boren of womman, [ 5] þere rose neuer one þat myghte of his vertue oonly or of þe riȝhtwis∣nesse of his werkes sufficiently ordeyne hym þere-to as of worthynesse, þouȝh it were so þat oon man hadde alle þe naturelle clennesse of alle aungellis or alle þe cleernesse of seyntes gloryfyed or alle þe meritis of holy lyuers in erthe by streiȝtnesse of liuynge: Of alle these withoute þe [ 10] grace of god hee were not able to receyue so hye and grete mysteryes.'

¶ Disciple: ¶ 'Oo euerlastynge godde, how dreedful is hit to me and siche as I am synners forto here this! ¶ Allas, allas, lorde god, syþen aungelles be not clere in thy siȝte and menne of grete worch∣ynges ben not worthy of her owne riȝhtwisnes forto receyue the, ¶ what [ 15] schalle falle of vs þat ben walwed euery daye in þe claye of synnes, þe which hauen litil or noȝte of deuocyone ne be not, as hit nedid, com∣puncte of oure owne necgligences? ¶ with what drede is to vs forto come worthily to þat sacramente and skilfully to drede lest þat þat schulde be to vs into forȝevynge, turne in to soroweful lassynge?' [ 20]

¶ Wisdam: ¶ 'Take hede bisily þat þis sacrament of pite is ordeyned into remedy aȝens synne. Wherfore, what-tyme a man doth what hee maye in ablynge hym to grace, hit sufficiþ, ffor god askith not of man þat hee seeþ impossibile to hym; and þerfore, what-tyme hee þat receyueþ þe sacramente doþ þat hee maye, þe pite of god fulfillith by [ 25] grace þat þat a man maye not come to with-oute grace. Wherfore, if alle oþere thinges ben like, a man schalle raþere go to þat sacramente vpon triste of þe pite of god, þanne hee schall absteyne þere-fro by conside∣racyone of his owne freelte, þowȝ hit be so þat þe toon and þe toþere for þe place and for þe tyme is commendabil. ¶ Whoo is hee þat so [ 30] vnwisely dare sey þat þey þat ben goostly sieke schulde not come to hym þat toke fro vs oure sieknesse and infirmytes? Wherefore hit maye con∣ueniently be seyde, þat, as his commynge into mankynde was into sal∣uacyone of synful menne, ¶ soo þis heelful hoost is ordeyned to trewe cristen menne into remedy of synnes. ¶ ffor hee, þe wisdame of god, [ 35] atte his laste soper in þe ordynaunce of this heelful sacramente seyde thus: 'þis is my body, þat (I) schalle ȝeve for ȝow', and 'þis is my blode, þat schalle be schadde for ȝowe in þe remyssyone of synnes'. ¶ Wherfore, what-tyme þou hast done þat is in þe, go þere-to tristely wiþ-oute ouer∣grete drede, In ffeith and charite, no-þinge doutynge of his endles pite.' [ 40]

¶ Disciple: ¶ 'O þis gracyous and loveraden worde, þat I wrec∣chid synner hauynge conscyence of myne own wickednesse dare neyȝh & come to þe lorde of mageste! ¶ But now ȝitte I praye thee þat þou wolte telle me wheþere hit be better to go ofte-syþes to þis heelful sacramente or selden.' [ 45]

¶ Wisdame: ¶ To þis questyone take þe commune and knowen sentence of þat worthy doctour Austyne, ¶ þe whiche seiþ þat boþ ben commendabyle as for þe place & þe tyme—þat is to seye, þat for reue∣rence oþere-while hit be lafte, and for deuocyone hit be taken. ¶ But sooþly, to hem þe whiche felen her deuocyone encresed with reuerens [ 5] of þe sacramente in ofte receyuynge þere-of, to hem hit is profitabil ofte goynge þere-to.'

¶ Disciple: 'But what seyste of hem þe whiche semen alle-wey dwellynge as in one-manere affeccyone, in as myche as þey fele not ne conne perceyuen þere by hem-selfe myche profyte on þe toon halfe nor [ 10] myche notabil fayle on þe toþer halfe; ¶ and ȝit also þey felen hem∣selfe ofte-syþes ouercome with a maner harde herte and dreynesse of deuocyon, and þoȝh it so be þat þey seyen euery daye psalmes and preyers þat þey haue in custome to seye, and ofte-syþes maken hem clene by confessyone, ȝitte dwelle þey alwey as in an harde herte & [ 15] drye of deuocyone and fele not any taste of sprituel grace. ¶ And also ȝitte I schalle reherse more-ouere one þinge þat is ful pyneful to de∣voute soulles, and sorowful, as they ofte-syþes here-of kunne playne: þat is to sey, þat oþere-while atte þe tyme of receyuynge of þe sacramente grace semith withdrawe more notabely þanne hit was wonte to be, ¶ In [ 20] so miche þat hit semith as þey hit forsoke hym þat was after hym cri∣ynge. ¶ Soþly, þis semith to me an harde thinge and also a sorowful.'

¶ Wisdame: ¶ 'Manye causes þere ben and many maneres by þe whiche þis hardnesse is wonte to turble a devoute soule, as þey seyen þat ben experte. Þe whiche alle now ouere-passynge, take þis onely in [ 25] sikernesse: þat what-tyme by diligent serchynge of þy conscyence þou hast no mynde þat þou hast ȝeven any cawse þere-to, but þat þou haste done þat in þe is: if it so falle by suffraunce of god, þe whiche is wonte in a thousande maners forto turble and preve his chosen peple, þat suche an hardnesse of herte falle, lette not þis thinge falle ne breke [ 30] downe nor herefore notabily withdrawe þe fro (t)his heelful sacramente, knowynge þat þe pite of god worcheþ þe hele of soule oftesyþes in moste siker ¶ what-tyme þat þe soule onely loueþ vpon þe foundemente of feith, with-oute any specyalle goostly swetnesse as myche as they it hadde habundaunce in felynge of goostly graces and comfortes and par∣aunter [ 35] þenne hee wolde not kepe hym in hem wisely and warly as hit nedid. ¶ And þerfore suche graces oþere-while ben profitabil withdrawen, þat, whanne þey ben withdrawen, þey schulde be þe more bisily souȝte after, and whanne þey comen, þe more wisely be kepte, soo þat þere-by the loued soule be putte to excercise of vertue in þe scole of meeknes. [ 40] ¶ And one thinge is in þis matier notable and þat þou schalte bisily take hede to: þat is to saye, þat þis goostly sauoure and inwarde taste of de∣uocyone is not þe dewe effecte of feith, þat longith to þis tyme here in þis worlde, but hit is propurly longynge to þe blysse þat is to come here-after. ¶ And þerfore, whanne hit is ȝeuene in þe sacramente or [ 45] ellis, ȝiue thonkeynges to god þe ȝiver, and what-tyme it is not ȝiven, suffre pacyentlye, knowynge þat it is not in thy powere, but in þe soue∣reyne

& moste benigne ȝiuer þere-of, þe whiche wille not ȝive hit as þou wolte or whanne þou wolte, but whanne hit likith hym, after þat hee demith to his lovynge and thy profet. ¶ Also þou schalte vndirstonde þat þat souerayne god is so plentivous wiþ-oute ende, þat, þe more hit be taken, þe more he þat takith hit is made able to receyue hit. ¶ Wher∣fore [ 5] hith fallith oftsyþes touchynge þis sacramente, þat, þe more þat a man withdrawith hym þere-fro be inordynate drede, þe more þorouȝh his dif∣ferrynge fro daye to daye hee schalbe vndisposed. Wherfore it is better, alle thinge consyderyd, forto go þere-to by stirynge of drede, and better it is to go þere-to euery weke or euery daye with trewe meekenes & [ 10] knowynge of his owne imperfeccyone, þanne ones in þe ȝeere by pre∣sumpcyone of his owne riȝhtwisnesse.'

¶ Disciple: ¶ 'Telle me, I praye þe, what tyme is or what oure þe whiche hee þat goþ þere-to schalle principaly take hede to and with alle his myȝhte dispose hym and ordeyne hym to his grace.' [ 15]

¶ Wisdame: ¶ 'Þat is þe tyme of holy receyuynge & goostly etynge þere-of: ffor þanne heuene is in manere opuned & þe loued sone of þe fadir is sente in to þat soule þat is wel disposed, and þere-to bodily is oonyd—and þerfore is it clepid in latyne ¶ Missa, þat is: of þe fader sendynge.'

¶ Disciple: ¶ 'How is it of hem þat with souereyn desyre coueyten [ 20] forto receyve þee in þe sacramente and ȝitte þey mowe not haue þat þey desyren? for þey seen byfore hem þe preste stondynge and þe receivynge and þey with desyre of herte coueyten forto receyue þe, & þere is noon þat wole ȝif þee to hem and fille her hungry soule with thy desyred pre∣sence; and þou wotist welle þat hit is ful pyneful to a desirynge sowle [ 25] forto see coueytid mete & not mowe taste þere-of.'

¶ Wisdame: ¶ 'Þere beþ summe þatte in this borde receyue me sacramently and neuerþeles gone þere-fro fastynge, ¶ and þere beþ summe þat come not to þis borde and neuerþeles of þe plente þere-of þey ben habundauntly and goostly drunken; ffor þe (laste) men felen and [ 30] receyuen onely þe sacramente goostly and þe vertue þere-of effectuoslye'.

¶ Disciple: 'Ȝitte ben þere lefte tweyne dowtes to me touchynge þis mater: oon is, wheþere hee þat etith þe booþ bodily & goostly, hath more vertue of the thanne hee þat oonly receyueþ þee goostly, towch∣ynge þe effecte of þe sacramente; and the cause of þe doute is: ¶ ffor [ 35] þou knowest whoo it is þat seiþ þus: ¶ Crede & manducasti: þat is to seye, 'beleve and þou haste eten'. ¶ Þe secound dowte is: how longe abi∣dith this worschepful sacramente, after hit is receyued of man.'

¶ (Wisdam:) 'Soþly, touchynge þe firste: hee hath more mater of devocyone & grace þat receyveþ booþ to-gedir þanne hee þat takith but [ 40] þe tone; for hee hath both to-gedir þe ȝiver with þe ȝifte, & þe cause with þe effecte. ¶ And of þe secounde dowte: þou haste Inowȝ þe sen∣tences of faders, þat is to seye, þat so longe-tyme dwellith goddis body as ben hole þe spices of þe sacramente.

And for an ende þis schalte þou praye to þat holy sacramente: [ 45]

Heyle, moost holye goddes bodye in þis sacramente soþely conteyned, I knowlech þee with my lippes, I loue þe with alle my herte, I desyre the with alle myne inwarde affeccyons. I beseche þee þat þou vouche-saufe, so benignely & gracyously þis daye to viset my seke soule coveitynge forto receyue þe, heelful sacrafyce and welle of alle graces, [ 5] þat I maye be ioyfull to haue founden hele in body and sowle be þy gracyous presence. ¶ Lorde, byholde not to my wickednesse and many∣maner necgligences, but to þyne endles mercyfulle ȝiftes: ¶ ffor in soþe, þou arte þat vndefouled lambe þat þis daye arte offeryd to thy euer∣lastynge fader for þe redempcyone of alle þe worlde. ¶ Oo þou manna, [ 10] aungellis mete, Oo þou alþere-swettist drynke, brynge in to myne in∣warde mouþe þe hony-swete taste of thy heelful presence, kyndel in me thy charite, caste oute vyces, ¶ hylde in me vertues, encrese graces and ȝif me hele of body and soule! ¶ Bowe, I beseche the, þyne heuene & come downe to me, soo þat I be knitte and oned to þe, be made one [ 15] spirite wiþ þe! ¶ O þou worschepful sacramente, I beseche þe þat þorouȝ þee alle myne enmyes bee putte fro me and synnes forȝeve and alle yuels be þy presence be excluded. ¶ Gode purpos þou ȝeue me, myn maneris þou amende, and alle my dedys þou dispose in thy wille. ¶ Myne vndirstandynge by þe, swete Jhesu, be here liȝtenyd with a newe liȝte, [ 20] myne affeccyone be flawmed and kyndelyd, my hope be strengthed; so þat my lyfe in amendemente euer profet in better likynge, and atte laste I mowe haue a blessed hennes-passynge to lyfe euer-lastynge.' AMEN.

Notes

• 24 a. r.: Discipulus.
• 34 ms. now st. new.
• 36 ms. and st. in
• 43 l. noryscher
• 1 ms. desyred þe p.
• 5 ms. þat þe whiche
• 7 a. r.: Discipulus.
• 13 a. r.: Sap.
• 16 l. sitte
• 17 a. r.: Discip.
• 23 a. r.: Sap.
• 29 ms. the st. thi
• 35 ms. circumcumferens. ms. semith.
• 39 ms. be
• 7 a. r.: Discipulus.
• 10 a. r.: Sap.; ms. þe þy
• 20 a. r.: Sap.
• 21 ms. passed
• 30 a. r.: Eccici.
• 45 ms. reseyueþ st. ryseþ
• 11 ms. þat vertue þat
• 24 a. r.: Disc.; ms. euydence
• 28 ms. þat þat it
• 44 l. haddeste
• 3 ms. his st. my
• 11 ms. of st. as
• 22 ms. sone be st. be sene
• 38 ms. closen
• 43 l. þan of
• 4 ms. hit st. ȝit
• 10 ms. of of; ms. hic
• 19 l. affectuosly.
• 28 a. r.: Sapiencia. Whanne f.
• 34 ms. with st. of
• 45 ms. presente
• 34 a. r.: Discipulus.
• 8 a. r.: Sap.
• 27 a. r.: Discipulus.
• 29 a. r.: Sap.; ms. seuen.
• 34 ms. listenynge
• 1 a. r.: Discipulus.
• 11 ms. þus st. þis
• 25 ms. euydence
• 26 a. r.: Sap.
• 27 ms. wakkeste
• 31 ms. maner st. manis
• 33 l. nedis?
• 6 a. r.: Discipulus.
• 16 ms. wille
• 19 a. r.: Sap.
• 23 l. men; ms. de∣syren
• 27 a. r.: Discip.
• 31 a. r.: Sap.
• 34 l. wesche
• 37 Discip.
• 44 ms. who seiþ st. whos feiþ
• 5 a. r.: Sap.
• 14 l. worthynes?
• 20 l. lastynge = blame?
• 21 a. r.: Sap.
• 34 ms. þat hee
• 42 ms. wicked wickednesse
• 44 ms. heuenful
• 10 ms. parfyte
• 32 in st. &?
• 40 l. louing
• 13 a. r.: Discip.
• 20 a. r.: Discip.
• 27 a. r.: Sap.
• 28 ms. and neuer and neuerþeles
• 30 ms. firste
• 32 a. r.: Discip.
• 43 tilge is to
• 45 a. r.: Oracio deuota.
• 1 ff. in rot.
• 6 ms. ioyfully
• 20 Jhū (?) ausgewischt.