[728]
Agayns this horrible synne of Accidie. and the branches of the same. ther is a vertu / that is called fortitudo. or strengthe / that is an affeccion / thurgh which / a man despiseth anoyouse thinges [729] ¶ This vertu is so myghty and so vigerous. that it dar withstonde myghtily and wisely kepen hym self fro perils that been wikked. and wrastle agayn the assautes of the deuel. [730] for it enhaunceth and enforceth the soule right as Accidie abateth it and maketh it fieble. / ffor this fortitudo may endure by long suffrance / the trauailles that been couenable
[731] ¶ This vertu / hath manye speces. and the firste / is cleped Magnificence. that is to seyn greet corage. [¶ Of Magnanim|itee] for certes ther bihoueth greet corage agains Accidie / lest that it ne swolwe the soule by the synne of sorwe / or destroye it by wanhope [732] ¶ This vertu maketh folk / to vndertake harde thynges and greuouse thynges / by hir owene wil / wesely and resonably ‖. [733] And for as muchel / as the deuel fighteth agayns a man. moore by queyntise and by sleighte. than by strengthe. therfore men shal withstonden hym by wit and by reson and by dis|crecion [734] Thanne arn ther the vertues of ffeith and [¶ Of the vertues of feith and hope] hope in god and in hise seintes to acheue and acomplice the goode werkes / in the whiche / he purposeth fermely to continue [735] Thanne comth seuretee / or sikernesse. and that is. whan a man / ne douteth no trauaille in tyme comynge / of the goode werkes / that a man hath bigonne [736] Thanne comth Magnificence / that is to seyn / whan [¶ Of Magnificence] a man dooth and perfourneth grete werkes of goodnesse and that is the ende / why that men sholde do goode werkes. for in the acomplissynge of grete goode werkes / lith the grete gerdon [737] Thanne is ther Constance. that is stablenesse of corage. and this sholde [¶ Of Constaunce] been in herte / by stedefast feith. and in mouth / and in
