Frend in crist as seynt poule seiþ· We ne hauen
here no cyte· þat is dwelling· but we sechen
on þat is to come here after· [He 13.14] And þerfore me
þinkeþ þat we schulden ben longyng þiderward
alle þe tyme of oure lyf· wiþ al oure power· Siþ
we han no rest ne non abydyng but þere· But
more harme is I knowe noȝt a riȝt þe weye þe
weye toward þis place· & þerfore I preye þe þat þou
telle me þe weye toward þis place·
Dere frend
oure lord & oure mayster iesu crist seyde to his
disciples þat he hym siluen is the weye toward
heuene & he is truþe þat ledeþ vs sykurly in
oure weye & he is sykurly lyf þat makeþ vs
lyue in soule whyles we ben in þis world· [Jn 14.6] & after
þat lyf he wil bringe vs to ablisful lif þat
schal lasten withouten ende boþe in body & in soule·
frend or þan þou passe ferþer I preye þe what is þat lyf of soule & telle wheþir alle men han þis lif·
¶Sire aman is made to þre manere of liues ¶ þe first lif is þe lif of þe body· & þis lif han boþe goodemen & schrewis·//¶þe secun|de lif is of þe soule· & þat is to lyuen out of synne ¶Of þis lif crist spekeþ in þe gospel þer as he seiþ but aman be born eft sones he ne may not entren in to þe kyngdom· of heue|ne·// [Jn 3.3]
¶þe first bering of aman is·· whan he is I born in to a bodyliche lyuyng of his moder wombe· But he is borun eft sones of water [folio 114v] & of þe holygost into a lyf of soule· And þat be|ryng is whan a child or a man is I fulled·· & vn|derfongeþ cristene mennes be leue· & for sakeþ þe deuel & his werkes þat ben synnes //¶And þis lif of soule mankynde hadde noȝt from þe tyme þat adam hadde I synned in paradys in to þe comyng of crist· for as seynt poule seiþ· Deth regnede from adam to moyses· [Ro 5.14] & synne regnede from moyses in to þe tyme of grace þat was I ȝeue be crist· ¶Ne al þe riȝtwisnes of alle þe olde lawe ne sacrifices þat weren I doon for mannes synne ne prechyng ne preeyer of prophetes ne of prestes ne miȝt not make man kynde clene of his synne
¶And þerfore oure fadur of heuene sente his ow|ne sone adoun in to þe erþe to fulfille þe lawe & þe prophetes & so he dide· for þer as a man ne myhte noþer be þe lawe ne be þe prophetes ben I iustified of his synne· he of his grace & noȝt of oure riȝtwisnes· ne of oure disseruyng· for ȝaf alle þilk men her synnes þat bi leue|den in hym & brouȝte hem from deþ of syn|ne in to lif of soule·
for as crist seiþ who þat be leueþ in me þof he be ded he schal lyue & who þat lyueþ & be leueþ in me·· he schal ne|uere dye [Jn 11.25-26] & who þat haþ þis lif of soule· whyles he is in þis world· he schal come after þat he is ded to an endeles lif of blis boþe in bo|dy & in soule· and seynt poule seiþ/ alle disee|ses þat we mown suffre in þe tyme þat now is· ne be not worþi to þe blisse þat is to comen here aftur & schal be schewed in vs [Ro 8.18] / & þerfore he seiþ nouþer deþ ne lyf ne angeres ?read: angeles ne [folio 115r] tribulaciouns / ne no þing þat now is / ne þat is gonne· ne þat is to comen her after·· may departen vs from þe charite þat is in iesu crist· [Ro 8.38-39]
¶frend as me þinkeþ
þis lif of soule þis lif of soule þat is for sakyng
of synne·· is þe riȝt weye to heuene· but we ben
ful vnstabul & ful vnconyng to go þis weye· & we
han strong temptaciouns & strong enemyes· as þe de|uel & þe world & oure owne fleshe þat euere more temp|teþ vs to synne· ¶And þer fore we moten putte vs
fulliche in þe mercy of god· & þof we lyue not so per|fytliche as he tauȝt vs·· & as he lyuede hym silf
we hopen to ben saued· for he seiþ hym self who
þat be leueþ & is cristened schal be sauid [Mk 16.16]
¶Sir in
summe þinges ȝe seye ful soþe/bot it is not al soþe
as ȝe hopen in ȝowre seying· Soþe it is þat þe riȝt
weye to heuene is for sakyng of synne· & þer
comeþ no man to heuene·· but he go þis wey· and
forsakynge of synne· is no more but þe kepyng
of goddis hestis & of his wordis & leuyng alle
þilk þinges þat god forbedeþ ¶And soth it is þat
þis is an hard wey & a streyt· for as crist seiþ
it is a streyt weye þat ledeþ a man to heuene lif
& fewe þer ben þat fynden þat weye & a brode
wey it is þat ledeþ aman to perdicioun & to deth &
ful many þer ben þat fynden þilk weye [Mt 7.13-14] ful soþe
it is also þat we ben vnstable & vncunnyng &
þat we han strong enemyes & strong temptaciouns
also ¶But it is certeyn ȝif we desire wisdome
of god & stabulnes to aȝenstonde synne· god wil
ȝeuen vs þat we axen· so þat we axen trustiliche
¶ffor crist seiþ / ȝe þat ben wicked & yuul wollen ȝeuen
ȝoure childeren good þinges whan þei axen ȝow gode·
& myche more wille ȝoure heuenliche fadur ȝeuen
[folio 115v]
hem a goode spiriȝt þat axen hit of heim [Lk 1.13] & þerfore
he seiþ secheþ & ȝe schullen ifynde· axeth & ȝe schul|len vnderfongen· knockeþ at þe dore & I schal open
hit to ȝow· [Lk 1.9] And seynt Jame seiþ who þat nedeþ wis|dome· axe hit of god þat ȝeueþ al men plenteuosly|che· & oben obreideþ no man of þat he schal ȝeuen
hym· but axe he trustiliche & haue no douȝte· for he
þat douȝteþ in his axyng is lyche þe flood of þe see
þat is meued & I born abouȝte wiþ þe wynd & þere|fore suche aman ne trowe he nouȝt þat he schal vn|derfongen any þing of god· [Jas 1.5-7] And he seiþ þat man is
I blessed þat abydeþ temptacioun· for whan he is I pre|uid he schal vndurfong acroune of lif þat god
hath be hote to þilk þat louen hym ne no man
whan he is I tempted seye þat louen he is I tempted
of god· for he ne is no temptour of yuul ne he temp|teþ no man·· but eueryche man is tempted of his
owne coueytyng· & whan coueytyng þat hath con|ceyued / hit bryngeþ forth synne & whan þe synne
is brouȝt to þe ende hit engendereþ deþ· [Jas 1.12-15]
Of þes wor|des sire þou miȝt þen miȝt I seen þat hit ne is but
oure defauȝte þat we he ne han cunnyng & stabul|nes to aȝeyn stonde oure temptaciouns· and þof we han
strong enemyes & grete temptaciouns hit ne is but
oure owne vnkyndenes & wickednesse þat we fal|len in to synne· for god suffereþ no man to ben i-|tempted passyng his miȝt· and alle þe deuels in
helle ne alle þe might of þe world ne of mannes
flesche ne mown not maken aman / ne a womman
breken godis hestys aȝens his wille· for god haþ
I ȝeuen aman afre wil/ & haþ I sette be forun hym
boþe good & yuul lif & deth· blessyng· & cursyng·
[folio 116r]
& aman may chese wheþer of þes he wil take· And ȝif
aman is buxum to his god & kepiþ his hestis· þanne
he cheseþ good lif & blessyng· and ȝif he for sakeþ
þe hestis of god þan he cheseþ yuul & deth· & þe cur|syng of god· as moyses seiþ in þe first boke of olde
lawe ¶And dauiþ seiþ in þe sauter· alle þes ben a|cursed þat bowen a wey from þi hestis· þanne it is
bot oure owne folye & oure owne vnkyndenes þat we fal|len in to synne·
Soth it is also þat we moten alle put|ten vs in þe mercy of god· & not axen heuene þoru ryȝt|fulnes· iustifying oure self before god· for dauid
seiþ in þe sauter· Eueriche lyuyng man schal
not ben iustified in þi siȝt· [Ps 142.2 Vulg.] But naþereles no man
hop to come to heuene but if he leue synne· noþer
for þe be leue þat he haþ in crist· ne for þe grete mercy
of god· for as seynt jame seiþ deueles in helle be-|leuen & dreden· [Jas 2.19] & he seiþ riȝt as a body is ded wiþ|outen spiriȝt· riȝt feiþ & beleue is ded wiþ outen
good werkes· [Jas 2.26] And seynt jon seiþ· who þat seiþ þat seiþ
þat he knoweþ god & kepiþ not his hestes· he
is a lyere· [1 Jn 2.4] & crist seiþ wharto clepe ȝe me lord lord
& doþ noȝt þilke þinges þat I seyȝe [Lk 6.46] and he seiþ also
al þilke þat seyȝen to me lord lord ne schul not
entren in to þe kyngdome of heuene· but he þat
doþ þe wille of my fader þat is in heuene· he schal
entren in to þe kyngdom of heuene/and he seiþ
also in þat day many schul come & seyn lord ha|ue we noȝt I caste fendes ouȝt of men in þi name·
& ne haue we no¶t iprophecyed in þi name & i-doon many tokenes in þi name· And crist
seiþ þat he wil þanne seye to hem· I ne knew
ȝow neuere· goþ awey from me alle þat wurchen
wickednes· [Mt 7.21-23] & crist seiþ also þat mannes sone wil
[folio 116v]
come & deme eueriche man aftir his werkis· & þi|lk þat han wil I lyued schullen comen to þe blis
of heuene· & þe oþer þat han continued her lif in
synne schul gon to þe euere lastynge peynes of
helle þat ben I ordeyned for þe deuel & his seruaun|tes·
And gode sire what schal cristes passioun or þe schedyng of his blood in þe whyche blood þou art i cristened & I clensed of þi synne stonde þe to profiȝt but þou leue þi synne & kepe goddis hestes· In certeyn seynt petre seiþ· it were better for aman þat he knew not þe wey of trewthe· þan after his knewing turnen aȝeyn to synne· for as he seiþ such men ben I lyche swyne þat whan þei ben cle|ne gon in to a slowe & maken hem fouler þanne þei weren & he seiþ also þat þei ben liche houndes· þat kasteþ vp þe mete þat þei han eete & sithen tur|nen hem aȝen· & eten þat þei casten· [2 Pe 2.21-22] ¶And for þes foule maners of swyn & of houndes crist seyde to his disciples· Ne ȝeue ȝe not holy þinges to houndes ne cast ȝe not margeri perles be fore swyn· last þei de|foulen hem wiþ here feet & þe houndes turnen hem & al to tere ȝow· [Mt 7.6]
frend now I se þat þe riȝt weye to heuene is lif of soule in forsakyng synne· & ke|ping goddes hestes· & I see wil þat eueryche man may leuen synne if he wole him seluen· & I see wele þa no man schal be saued but he leue his syn|ne· Noþer for þe grete mercy of god· ne for þe be le|ue þat a man haþ in god· ne for his cristenyng but if he haue goode werkes· But frende how schullen ȝung childeren ben I saued þat ben i-|cristened· & siþe dyen or þan þei ben of age to knowe godes hestes
¶Sire ȝe wyteþ wil þat whan [folio 117r] a child is I cristened· he receyueþ his byleue by mene persones· for þat tyme noþer he haþ knowyng whyche his be leue is / ne miȝt forto speke whyche is his be leue· & riȝt as he vndirfongeþ his be leue by me|ne persones· riȝt so be þo same mene he forsakiþ þe de|uel & his werkes & by hoteþ to ben buxum to god & to kepen his hestes & so þe child is saued þoru þe be leue· þat he vnderfongeþ & þoru þe forward þat he makeþ bi þes mene persones·
But in certeyn a man or a womman of ful age ne schal not ben i-sauyd: but he doþ þe werkes of his be leue þat is to seyn þat he kepe goddis hestis & leue syn|ne· for as seynt poule seiþ alle we ben þat read: þat ben i-bap|tized in iesu crist· ben i-baptized in his deþ· & we ben i-birried wiþ hym in to deth· þat riȝt as crist roos from deth to lyue þoru þe blisse of his fader· riȝt so walk we in a newe manere of lif· [Ro 6.3-4] ¶And þer|fore he seiþ knowe ȝe wil þat oure olde man is i-|crucified· þat þe body of synne he be distryed· þat we seruen no more to synne & [Ro 6.6] þerfore he seiþ· Trowe ȝe þat ȝe ben dede to synne But ȝe ben lyuyng to god in oure lord iesu crist· And þerfore ne regne no synne in ȝoure dedly body· þat ȝe be not buxum to his couey|tynges and ne ȝeue ȝe nouȝt ȝoure membris to ben armure of wickednes to synne but makeþ hem armure of riȝtfulnesse to god· for synne schal no lengere haue lordschipe of ȝow [Ro 6.11-13]
¶And seynt
petre seiþ riþt as in noees tyme a fewe soules as
eyghte weren i-saued by water riȝt so baptem
makeþ vs now saue / nouȝt þe doyng a wey of þe
filþe of oure flesch· but as sechyng of a goode
conscience in god· by þe rysyng aȝeyn from deth
to lif of oure lord iesu crist [1 Pe 3.20-21] & þerfore he seiþ· Siþe
[folio 117v]
crist haþ i-suffered in flesch· be ȝe armed in þe same
þouȝt· for he þat suffered in flesch laft synne þat
þe remenant þat lyueþ after ward in flesch ne
lyuen not to þe desires of men· but to þe wil|le of god for þe tyme þat is i-passed sufficeþ to
maken an ende of mysbeleuid mennes willes
þat han i-walked in her licheries & in etynges &
in drynkynges ouȝt of mesure & in vnleful he|ryinges of mawmetis· [1 Pe 4.1-3] ¶And whan seynt ion
baptized men· he seyde I baptyse ȝow in to watur &
in to penaunce· but he þat comeþ after me is strenger
þen am I· & I am not worþi to beren his schone
he schal baptize ȝow in þe holy gost & in fuyr· [Mt 3.11 / Lk 3.16] &
in þis baptem crist baptised his disciples when he
sent þe holy gost among hem to ben her counfortour
and þo þei casten so brennyng aloue to god· þat it
was a solas & a mirþe to hem to suffre tribu|lacioun & persecucioun for loue of here god ¶And þis
luf is a fuyr to preue whyche ben goddis trewe
childere· of þis fuyr crist seiþ I come to senden
a fuyr in to þe erþe· & what wil I but þat it be
tend· [Lk 12.49]
¶Here sire þou miȝt i-sen two baptemes þat cristen men han· ¶On is in water of bi leue þat þei be leuen in þe fader & in þe sone & in þe holy gost þe whyche beleue wascheþ oure soule of oure vnclennesse of synne riȝt as bodiliche watur wascheþ oure body of bodily vnclennesse ¶þe oþer baptem is in þe holy gost & in fuyr whan a man casteht sup·ras· so brennynge a loue to god þat he nil for no þing displesen hym· but wil gla|deliche sufferen a gret disese to fulfillen his wil|le and in mynde of þese two baptemes childe|ren ben i-cristened in water & siþen confermed of [folio 118r] þe bischop & more harm is men taken more kepe to þes ouȝtward doynges þan to þe baptemes of here soules ¶But þei mown ben ful certeyn but þei ben ful sadde in soule in here bileue & si|che han ?read: han siche a brennyng loue to god þat þei nillen for no þing doon werkes of synne for alle here ouȝtward bodyliche doyng· þei schullen not co|me to heuene· if þei come to ful age to knowe boþe good & yuul·
& how mow we seyn þat we dwellen in crist & þat we ben braunches þat spryn|gen ouȝt of hym þat is a verrey vyne· but we leuen synne & kepen goddis hestis· [Jn 15.5, 1 Jn 2.3] Seint ion seiþ who þat seiþ þat he dwelliþ in crist· he mut walken as he walked· [1 Jn 2.6] & þanne he is a good braunche þat bereþ meche good fruȝt of good werkes & þanne he schal haue heuene for his mede· and ȝif we beren no good fruȝt· þe fader of heuene wil kit|ten vs a wey from þe vyne· And þanne we sch|ullen be drye & ben i-cast in to þe fir for to bren|ne [Jn 15.6]
¶frend now I se þat þer ne is non oþer wey to he|uene bot lif of soule & for sakyng of synne & in kepyng goddis hestis· But frend as we wy|ten wele eueryche lyuyng þing haþ summe liflode as mete & drynke þat makeþ hem for to lyue & siþe we han lif of soule· I preye þe whyche is þe mete & whyche is þe drynke þat makeþ oure soule to lyue
¶Sire now ȝe axeþ a gret þing &
fayn I wolde telle ȝow þat ȝe axeþ if god wulde
ȝeue me grace & I hopede þat ȝe wolden drawe ȝow
to þat lyuyng whanne ȝe knewen boþe hit & his liflode
But sire more harme is I se ful fewe doon after
cristes techyng & his wordis þof þei seen hem i-|wryten ouþer heren hem i-spoken· & neuerþeles
[folio 118v]
in his wordes is þe lyf of oure soule· for as he seiþ
þe wordes þat I haue of spoken· ben spiriȝt & lif [Jn 6.64 Vulg.]
& he seiþ also he þat kepiþ my word· schal neuer dye [Jn 8.51]
And he seiþ eft sones· I speke & I worche· as I haue
an hest and a comaundement of my fader· & I
wot wele þat his comaundement is an euere lastyng
lyf [Jn 12.49-50] & but a man or a womman wil doon aftur cristes
wordes· whanne he knewe hem· It were bettere
for hym þat he knewe hem not· for as crist seiþ
þat seruaunt þat knoweþ not his lordes wille· & doþ
þer a ȝen schal haue a fewe strokes· but he þat knoweþ
þe wille of his lord & doþ þer aȝen schal haue ma|ny strokes & betynges· [Lk 12.47-48] ¶He seyde also in a tyme
to þe iewes in a tyme þat he had i-mad a blynd man seen
ȝif ȝe weren blynde ȝe ne hadden no synne· But
for ȝe seyn þat ȝe seen ȝoure synne dwelleþ stille in ȝow· [Jn 9.41] and
he seiþ also if I had not i-come· & I ne hadde i-spo|ken not to hem· þei ne hadden i-hadde no synne
but now þei han non excusacioun of here synne· [Jn 15.22] &
he seiþ eft sones þe more þat is i-taken to a man
þe more schal ben i-axed of hym [Lk 12.48] ¶And þerfore syre
But if ȝe wulden fulfille cristes techynges in ȝou|re lyuyng· whan ȝe knewen whyche it were· it
wh were litil profyȝt for me to wryte more opun|lyche· vn to ȝow of þe lyf of soule & of his lyflode
þan I do on· & a gret harm it were to ȝow & encres
of ȝowre peyne in tyme þat is to come & a sclaun|dre to ȝoure breþeren ȝif þei seien þat ȝe knowen cristes
techyng & lyuede not þerafter·
And crist seiþ a ful hard word wo to þat man be whom comeþ sclaun|dre· It hadde ben good for hym þat he ne hadde be bore & what euere he be þat sclaundereþ oon of þes smale childeren þat be leueþ in me· it were spedeful to [folio 119r] hym þat þer were hangyd a querne ston a bouȝte his necke & þat he were i-dreynt in þe depnesse of þe see· [Lk 17.1-2 + Mt 18.7] ¶And þerfore he seiþ loke ȝe þat ȝe dispise non of þes smale childeren· for I sey ȝow in certeyn here aun|gels in heuene seen euere more þe visage of my fader [Mt 18.10] & in certeyn þe most perylous sclaundre is to ȝe|uen ȝung innocentes ensaumple of synne & þe more good þat aman kan & his in lyf be synful þe more perilouse is his sclaundre & in certeyn it we|re better to aman· for to lesen any membre of his body· þan to sclaundre þus his breþeren or hym selue þoru synne ¶for as crist seiþ ȝif þi foot or þi hond sclaundre þe kyt it a wey & þrow hit a-|wey from þe for þe is bettere to entre in to lyf febul or halt· þan haue two feet or two hondes & ben i-cast in to þe fyr of helle & ȝif þi eye sclaun|dre þe put hit ouȝt & þrow hit a wey from þe· for þe is bettere wiþ oon eye to entren to þe lif þen haue two eyen & ben i-send in to þe fyr of hel|le· [Mt 18.8-9]
And here fore sire knowit ȝowre be leue in ou|re lord & in oure god iesu crist & doþ as he haþ beden ȝow doon & leueþ synne & þan ȝe han þe lyuyng of soule & his liflode· for þe beleue in crist is boþe bred & fleysch to oure soule· & þe kepyng of his techyng is þe drynke of oure soule for it is boþe water & brede ?read: ?wyne, ?blode·
¶frend þi answere þat þou ȝe|uest in my axyng· is ful schort & ful derk al|so for me· And þerfore I preye þe ȝif me a more
open answere· & myn hope is þat whan I know
cristes techyng· I wil lyf þerafter· for ellis I ne
kept not to wyten whyche it were· And frend
þenk how crist seiþ who þat ȝeueþ a disciple ?read: dischful of
cold water to oon of þes lest onliche in þe name
[folio 119v]
of a discyple he schal not lese his mede· [Mt 10.42] ¶And frend
I praye þe in cristis owne name þat þou ȝeue me sum water
of cristis wisdom to kele þe þrist of my soule þat þou
mow haue mede for þi ȝifte & profiȝt also & þof þou
owene nouȝt of þis mede· þenk þat crist seiþ· þe
vnprofytable seruaunt· þat lyuede in slowþe schal be þro|wen in to derkenes þere as schal be wepyng & gren|tyng of teþ· [Mt 25.30] for as myche as he hadde his lordis
tresour in his kepyng & hid hit vndur þe erþe & nol|de not chafferen to encresen his lordis goodis/ þenk
also how crist seiþ who þat seiþ axeþ ouȝt of þe ȝeue
hym· & ne turne þou noȝt awey from hym þat wil
borewe of þe· [Mt 5.42] þenk also how he wil in þe day of dome
deme þilke men to helle wiþ outen ende þat han
not i-don to hym þe werkes of loue & of mercy· þat
is to seyn þilk men þat feden hym not· whan
he was an hongred· ne ȝyf neuere hym non drynken whan he was a þirst· ne cloþed hym not whan þei syȝe him
naked ne herborewed hym nouȝt whan him lacked
an hows & visite hym not whan he was syke· & in
prisoun & [Mt 25.41-46] siþe my soule is anhungered after mete
& a þirst aftur drynk· & naked for defaut of uertues &
I ne haue no strong hous to kepe me from stormes
of þe develes temptaciouns & am sike & in prisone for
synne þat I haue doon here by foren I preye þe þat
þou write to me more opunliche of þe liflode of my
soule· to kele þe hungur and þe þrist of my soule
& telle me opunlyche þe vertues þat crist techiþ to
cloþe wiþ my soule þat I be not naked in þe comyng
of my lord but be wil i-cloþed in my weddyng cloþ
& tel me opunliche wordes þat I mow fulfillen hem in dede þat I bylde me an hows on a hows on a fondement of ston to aȝeyn stonde wyndes & reynes· & oþer stormes of þe deueles temptaciouns [Mt 7.24-25] [folio 120r] & wryte to me opunliche þe techyng of crist· þat I mowe ben i-heled þer by· of þe sekenes of my soule· & þat I mowe ben i-counforted þer by whyles I am in prysoun of þis world & in a strange lond as a pylgrym far fro myn owene cuntre· & siþe my soule is derk þoru vncunnyng for I knowe not perfiȝtliche þe liȝt of cristes wordes· I preye þe þat þou write hem opun|liche & ne hyde hem not from me· for þere ne is no man þat tendeþ a candel and setteþ hit vndur a buschel but vp on a chaundeler þat hit ȝeueþ liȝt to alle hem þat ben in þe house [Mt 5.15] & goddis word is a liȝt to oure feet & to þe paþes þat we gon inne [Ps 118.105 Vulg.] as seiþ dauit in þe sauȝter & þerfore ne hyde hit not from me but telle openliche þat I axed raþer· whyche is þe lyflode of oure soule·
Sir crist seiþ fader I knowleche to þe þat þou hast i-hy|de þes þinges from wyse men & redy men & hast i-schewid hem to smale childeren· [Mt 11.25 / Lk 10.21] & here fore crist seyde to his disciples· It is i-graunted to ȝow to know þe priueytees of þe kyngdom of heuene· but to oþere men it is nouȝt i-graunted· for to hym þat haþ men schul ȝeuen· And þilk þat haþ nouȝt þat men semeþ þat he haþ· schal ben taken a wey from hym & þerfore I speke to oþere men in parables þat ben derke speches for þei seyn & seiþ nouȝt & hereþ nouȝt ne vnderstondeþ nouȝt þat þe prophecy of ysaye be fulfild þat seiþ þus ȝe schullen here with eere heryng· & ȝe schul not vndurstounde ?read: vndurstonden & ȝe schulen i-seen and not i-seen for þe herte of þis peple is i-mad fat & þei han i-herd euellyche wiþ here eren & þei han i-closed here eyȝen last þei seen wiþ here eyȝen & heren wiþ heres· & i-vnderston|den wiþ here hert· þat þei ben i-turned & þat I ma|keþ hem hol of her sykenes· but ȝoure eyȝen ben [folio 120v] ben i-blissid þat seen· & ȝoure eres þat heren· for soþeliche I seyȝe ȝow þer han i-ben many prophetes & riȝtful men þat han desyred to see þillk þinges þat ȝe seen & þei syen hem nouȝt & to heren þat ȝe heren & þei herden hem nouȝt· [Mt 13.11-17] and sire siþe good of his good|nesse haþ ȝeue sum knowyng of his wordis· prey|eth hym tristyliche þat he ȝeue ȝow more know|yng· and I wil do my trauayle þoru þe grace of god· to make ȝow knowen þat ȝe axeden raþer
¶ȝe schul vnderstonde sire þat crist is in two ma|neres þe liflode of oure soule þoru oure beleue
þat we byleueþ in hym· he is in on manere a bred
of heuene to þe sustinaunce of oure soule for as
he seyde to þe iewes· moyses ne ȝaf ȝow no bred
of heuene· but my fader ȝeueþ ȝow verray bred of
heuene· for þat is verrey bred of god· þat comen
doun from heuene· & ȝifeþ lyf to þe world [Jn 6.32-33] and aftur-|ward he seyd to hem soþeliche I seyȝe ȝow· who
þat byleueþ in me· haþ an euere lastyng lif· I am
bred of lif· ȝowre faderes eten aungels mete in
wildernes & þei ben dede· þis is a bred þat com
doun from heuene þat who euere eteþ þis bred· ne
dieth neuere aftur· I am a lyuynge bred þat
com a doun from heuene who þat eteþ of þis bred
schal lyuen euere more· [Jn 6.47-51]
¶ In þis manere crist is bred of heuene· & þe liflode of oure soule tou|chyng his godhede· for in þat he is bred þat com doun fro heuene· he scheweþ þat he is verrey god & þis is a principal poynt of oure byleue· & who þat be leueþ þis he eteþ þis bred of heuene to þe sustinaunce of his soule·
And as touchyng
þe godhede of crist þat com a doun from heuene þer
ben oþer poyntes þat euereche cristen man mote [folio 121r] nedelyche beleue· ¶On is we moten byleuen in his fader
þat sendem hym a doun from heuene to erþe· þoru þe
assent of þe holy gost· þat is þe þridde persone of þe
godhede· & we moten be leue þat þese þre persones of
þe blessed trinite· fader & sone & holygost ben oo god
and not manye goddis· but ȝit neuere on of hem is
oþer for þe fader is not þe sone ne þe holy gost· Ne
þe sone is not þe fader· ne þe holy gost· Ne þe holy
gost is not þe fader ne þe sone· We moten be leuen
also þat þes þre persones ben endeles miȝty· & alle
on myȝt· & endeles god & alle on goodnes· & ende|les trewe & endeles witty & endeles fayr & endeles
louyng & endeles riȝtful & endeles mercyful & al
þei ben on trewþe & oon wysdome on fayrnesse on
loue on riȝtfulnesse & on mercy ¶And þes þre perso|nes weren wiþ outen be gynnyng er þan þei maden
þe world of nouȝt· And er þe world was i-mad· þei
weren in an endeles blisse· & in þat blisse þei ben now
& schullen ben in þe same blisse hereaftir world wiþ outen ende
al þis we moten be leue towchyng þe godhede of
oure lord iesu crist þat is verray bred of heuene· &
þe liflode of oure soule þat by leueþ in hym
¶And in a noþer maner he is þe liflode of oure soule in þat he is man· for he seiþ þat bred þat I will ȝeuen is myn owne flesche· for þe lif of þe world· [Jn 6.51] & he seyde to þe iewes· Soþeliche I seye ȝow but ȝe eten þe flesche of man sone & drynken his blode ȝe ne schul not haue lif in ȝow & who þat etiþ my flesch & drynkeþ myn blood· he schal haue an euere lastyng lif· And I will areren hym vp from deþ to lif in þe last day· for my flesche is verrayliche mete· & my blood is ver|rayliche drynk· & who þat etiþ my flesche & drynkeþ my blood· dwelliþ in me & I in hym· and riȝt as my [folio 121v] fader þat lyueþ sent me & I lyue for hym· riȝt so who etiþ me schal lyue for me· þis is bred þat comme doun from heuene· nouȝt as ȝoure fadres þat eten aungels mete in wildernes & ben dede· who þat etiþ of þis bred schal lyuen euere more [Jn 6.53-58] In þis manere crist is flesch & fedeþ oure soule þat bileueþ þat he is verrey man·
and touchyng his manhede· we moten bileue many þinges· ¶Oon is þat he was conceyued of þe holy gost· & not of mannes seed· & þat he was i-borne of þe mayde marye wiþ oute lesyng of here maydenhed· we moten by leue also þat he suffered his passioun vnder pilat of pounce & was i-hangid on a cros· & was ded & biryed & wente adoun to helle & þe þridde day aros from deþ to lyue· And we moten be leue þat he stey vp to heuene· & þere he settiþ on þe riȝt hond of his fader & from þenne he schal come to deme boþe qwyk & dede aftir her werkis ¶And we schullen be leue also þat crist þoru his deþ gat vs of his fader for-|ȝeuenes of oure synnes & he hym self for ȝaf vs oure synnes· ¶And we moten be leue þat we schul rysen vp fro deþ to life boþe in body & in soule· & if we han wil i-lyued· we schul come to an euerelastyng lif of blisse boþe in body & in soule· & þer oure sou|le schal haue his blisse in þe godhede of crist· & oure body in his manhede & þus is crist þat is verrey god & verrey man boþe bred & flesche to þe sustinaunce of oure soule þat be leuiþ þus in hym & for we schul|den haue mynde & not forȝeten þis lyuynge of oure soule ne his liflode a scher þorsday at nyȝt er þan he schulde passe ouȝt of þis world to his fader as he & his disciples seten at þe soper he toke bred & blessid hit· & brake hit & seyde· tak þis & eteþ þis· þis is my body þat schal be take for ȝow makeþ [folio 122r] þis in mynde of me· [1 Cor 11.24 Vulg.]
¶And þus syre eueryche cristen man þat be leueþ þat crist is verrey god· etiþ eueryche day bred of heuene· & in þat he beleueþ þat crist is verray man he eteþ eueryche day his fleische & his body· And þis bred & þis flesche is þe mete of oure soule· But oure soule lyueth not onlyche in þis bred· for as crist seiþ· a man ne lyueþ not in bred alone / but in eueryche word þat passeþ ouȝt of goddis mouthe· [Mt 4.4] & þat wor|de· is þe drynk of oure soule· & what maner drynk· in certeyn clere water of heuenelyche wysdom· ¶Of þis water crist spak on atyme to þe womman of samarye· for he seyde to þat womman· ȝif þou knewe þe ȝift of god & who he is þat seiþ to þe ȝif me dryn|ke· Peraunter þou woldest an axid of hym & he wol|de haue ȝeue þe lyuyng water· & þoo þe womman seyde no|þer þou hast a uessel to drawe vp water & þe pitte is depe from whennes þanne hast þou lyuyng watir· wheþer þou be gretter þanne iacob oure fader þat dranke here of & his childeren & his bestes & crist seyde eueryche man þat drin|keþ of þis water schal ben a þirst eft sones ¶But who þat drinkeþ of þat water þat I wil ȝeuen he schal neuere ben a þirst· for þat water þat I wil ȝeuen hym· schal ben made a well in hym þat schal be lepyng in to an euere|lastyng lif· [Jn 4.10-14]
¶Of þis ilke water drynken alle þilke men· þat kepen cristes wordes as he tauȝte to hem· & þes wordes ben two wordes of loue· þat enclosen alle þe ten hestis· ¶þe first word of þes is þe first & þe grettest comaundement of goddis lawe· & þat is þou schalt loue þi lord god· abouen alle oþer þinges· [Cp. Mk 12.30 / Mt 22.37 / Lk 10.27] for crist seiþ who þat loueþ fader or moder broþer or syster wif or child· abouen hym he ne is not worþi to hym & who þat hatiþ not his owne lif for me he ne is not worþi to me [Lk 14.26 + Mt 10.37]
¶And who þat loueþ god in þis wyse·
[folio 122v]
he kepiþ þre þe first of þe ten hestis· for he nil þanne he|ryen no god bot oon & he wil halewen his halyday
for euereyche day he wil lyuen holyliche· ouȝt of synne
& so he haleweþ not oonlyche þe seuenþe day· but
eueriche day of þe wyke· & in certeyn eueryche day þat
aman lyueþ in synne· is þe deueles werke day· for þat
day þat a man doþ þe deueles werkes· þanne he
seruiþ þe deuele / & not god· þof he synge or rede holy
wordes· for þer may no man serue two goddis at lordes
at ones [Mt 6.24] & goddis seruise is doyng of goode werkes·
& leuyng of synne· & þis is holy day lyuyng·
þat eueriche cristen man haþ þat loueþ god abouen alle oþer
þinges
¶And he kepeþ also þe þridde heste of þe ten þat is þou schalt not take þi lordes name in veyn· for he þat loueþ god abouen alle oþer þinges nyl do no þing þat god for bedeþ· ne þat is desplesyng to god· & þanne he nyl not take goddis name in veyn In two maners aman may take goddis name in veyn ¶On is whan a man swereþ be þe name of god þere as it is no nede· ¶In anoþer manere a man takeþ goddis name in veyn· whan he clepiþ god his lord & ȝit ne drediþ hym not as a seruaunt schulde· ne is not buxum to his hestis· oþer whan a man clepiþ god his fader/ & ne loueþ hym nouȝt as a good child schulde· ne is not buxum to his wille but he þat loueþ god a bouen alle oþer þinges he nil not take goddis name in veyn in noon of þes maners & so who þat kepiþ þis comaundement of loue· he kepiþ þre þe first of þes ten hestis·
þis loue had
oure lord iesu crist to his fader of heuene to ȝeuen
vs ensample how we schulden loue oure lord fa|der of heuene abouen alle oþer þinges· & in two þin|ges he schewed his loue· On þing was þat in al
[folio 123r]
his techyng & worchyng he soughte þe worschipe
of his fader & for sok many worschipes & lykyn|ges for he nolde not displesen his fader· & breken
his heste· for whan he was transfigured in an hille
bi foren his disciples· & his face was briȝt as þe
sonne an ?read: and his cloþes weren whyghte as þe snow &
moyses & helye aperid to hym petir seyde sire it
is good to dwelle here ȝif þou wilt make we here
þre tabernacles· oon to þe oon to moyses· & oon to
helye· & a voys cam from heuene þat... seyde þis is
my leeue sone in whom I am plesed ¶here ȝe him· [Mt 17.4-5]
al þis lykynges crist lefte to goon in to þe disese of þe
world to ful fille þe wille of his fader·
And whan
þe peple wolde han i-hadde hym to here kyng· he fleþ
a wey fro hem in to þe wildernes· for he wolde not dis|plesen his fader· [Jn 6.15] And whan þe deuel temptid hym &
schewid hym al þe kyngdoms of þe world & þe blisse
of hem he seyde to crist al þis I wil ȝeue þe ȝif þou
willt falle a doun & heryen me· & crist seyde· Go a wey sa|tanas it is wryten þou schalt heryen þi lord god·
& seruen hym al alone· [Mt 4.8-10] In þes doynges & in many
oþere crist for soke his owne wurschipes & lykynges
to fulfillen þe wil of his fader & in þat he scheweþ þat he louede hys fader abouen al oþere
þinges
¶In a noþer þing also he schewiþ þis same
loue for he suffered wilfullyche what disese men
wolden do to hym boþe of word & of stroke & of
deþ· for he wolde not ben vnbuxum to his fader
ne doon aȝeyns his wille· for in þe nyȝt be forn his
passioun he seyde þe spiryt is redy· but þe flesche
is seke ?read: weke [Mt 26.41] & whan he come to þe place· þere as he wol|de make his preyere & knew ful wele how gret
a penaunce him was toward· he seyde fader If it mow
be· late þis cuppe passe a wey from me· But neuereþeles
[folio 123v]
nouȝt as I wole· but as þou wilt· [Mt 26.39] and he seyde also
fadir ȝif þis cuppe ne mowe not passe a wey fro me
but I drynke hym þi wille be fulfillid· [Mt 26.42] And þus
crist was buxum to his fader of heuene· to þe deþ / techyng vs to be boxom to our fader & to louen hym in
þe same wyse· And ȝif we louen so myche oure god
þat we wulden for his loue sufferen þe deþ· þan
ne drynk we cristes blood to sauacioun of oure sou|le & of þe same cuppe þat crist drank· & for we schul|den haue mynde· how crist schede his blood· for loue
of his fader & help of his breþeren· a schire þorsday
at niȝt at þe soper· he toke a cuppe wiþ wyn & bles|side it & seyde to his disciples drynkeþ here of euere|ychon· þis is my blood of a newe testament þat schal ben
schal scheed in for ȝeuenes of synnes· [Mt 26.27-28] And who þat loueþ
god a bouen alle oþere þinges· & by leueþ in cristes pas|sioun· he drynkeþ cristes blood to sauacioun of his sou|le· & but he haue þis loue· he schal not ben i-saued·
þof he be leue alle þe poyntes of oure be leue·
for seynt poule seiþ· þof I speke wiþ mannes tun|ges or wiþ aungels· & I ne haue no charite· I am
i-mad as bras þat souneþ· or a cymbale þat tyn|geþ & þof I haue eueryche prophecye & kunnynge & I
knowe priueytes & þof I haue eueryche by leue In
so muche þat I mowe meue hulles from here pla|ce· & I ne haue not charite· I ne am nouȝt & þof
I dele al my good to fede poore men· & ȝeue my
body to brenne in þe fyre· & I ne haue not chari|te· it profyteþ me no þing [1 Cor 13.1-3] ¶þus syre & vs lacke
charite nouþer be leue ne non oþer þing schal
stonde vs to profyȝt & in certeyn þe first & þe most prin|cypally party of charite it is to loue god a bouen
alle oþer þingges· & þer comeþ no man to heuene
but he haue þis loue & so drynke of cristes cuppe
[folio 124r]
for crist bad alle hys disciples drynken of his cuppe &
so þei diden but not alle in oon wyse· for iudas drank of
þe bodyly cuppe· as þe oþere bodily disciples diden·
¶But for he ne loued not god as þei diden· but
was fals in his herte & a bouȝte to be trayen his lord
& his mayster þerfore he drank of þe cuppe of god|dis wraþe & of his indignacioun & hangyd hym sel|uen for sorowe of his synne ¶But þe oþere discy|ples þat loueden god a bouen alle oþer þinges· &
weren redy for his loue to suffre þe deþ þei drun|ken of cristis cuppe & of his blood to þe sauacioun
of here soules· & afterward þei drunken a cuppe
of clere wyne wiþ crist in þe kyngdom of heuene [Mt 26.29] þat ma|de here hertes glade· for wyne gladeþ mannes hertes [Ps 103.15 Vulg.] &
no wyne so myche as þat wyne þat comeþ of hym· þat
is a verrey vyne [Jn 15.1] & of þis wyne schal no man dryn|ke· but ȝif he drynke of þe cuppe þat I spake of rather
for whan cristis cosyne preyde him þat oon of hire so|nes miȝt sitten on his ryȝt syde & þat oþere on his left
syde in his kyngdom crist seyde· ȝe witteþ not what
ȝe axen· mow ȝe drynke þe cuppe þat I schal drynke
& þei seyden we mowne· ¶And crist seyde my cuppe
ȝe schul drynke but to sitte on my riȝt syde· or on
my left syde· it is not myn to graunte ȝow but to
þilk þat is i-ordeyned of my fader [Mt 10.21-23] ¶And sire who þat
haþ þis for sayde loue to god· he drynkeþ cristes blo|od· & of his cuppe as I seyde raþer to þe sauacioun of his
soule he offereþ also to god· þe most plesyng offeryng
& sacrifice þat he may offere to hym· for þoru þis loue
he offereþ hym seluen to god· And as god seiþ be da|uit in þe sautere· A sacrifice of herying schal wurschipe
me & þer is no wey in þe whyche I schal schewen hym
my hele & my blisse· [Ps 49.23 Vulg.] And among alle þe heryinges
[folio 124v]
of god· þe grettest herying is þis loue· for feiþ hope &
charite· ben þre heryinges to god· but þe grettest hery|ing of god is charite· as seynt poule seiþ· [1 Cor 13.13] & charite is
cristes lawe in þis world· & bryngeþ aman to þe blisse
of heuene· þe whyche blisse is likyng of soule loue
þat creatures han to her god· & euerychon to oþer· And of
þis herying of loue· þer comeþ a noþer gret herying
to god of þe whyche heriyng dauid seyde in þe sauter
a sacrifice to god is a spiryȝt· þat is i-trubeled· & ano|yed for his synne· And god þou ne wilt not dispisen
an herte þat is contrit & humulied to þe· [Ps 50.19 Vulg.] it is cer|teyn þat ȝif aman loueþ god wiþ al his herte· & a-|bouen alle oþer þinges· whan he knoweþ how he haþ
displesyd god þoru synne he wil make miche sorowe
in his herte for his synne· & humylien hym seluen
ful lowe to god to haue for ȝeuenes of his trespas·
¶And in þis wyse mary maudeleyne hadde for ȝeue|nes of hire synnes· for crist seiþ many synnes were
for ȝeuen hire· for scho loued myche· [Lk 7.47]
& but aman loue god with al his herte· & wiþ al his herte for þinkyng his synne elles be he certeyn þat he ge|teþ not of god for ȝeuenesse of his synne· alle þes prophetes þat I haue i-told· folewen siche men þat lo|uen god a bouen alle oþere þinges·
And crist seiþ þe
secunde grettest comaundement is i-lyche to þis þou
schalt loue þi broþer as þi seluen & in þes two co|maundementis hangeþ alle þe lawe & þe prophetes· [Mt 22.39-40]
for who þat kepiþ þe first comaundement he doþ
alle manere þinges þat he oweþ to do to god· & he
kepiþ þre þe firstes of þe ten hestes· ¶And who þat
kepiþ þe secunde comaundement· he doþ alle þinges
þat he oweþ doon to his broþer· & kepiþ þe toþer seuene
hestes of þe ten· for he wurschipeþ his aldren & not
[folio 125r]
& not onliche hem· but also his breþeren & he nyl
not sleen his broþer ne defoulen his sister þoru his
lust of stynkyng lecherye· Ne he nil be no þef to
robben his breþeren· ne he nyl bere no fals wit|nes aȝeyns his broþer· Ne he nyl not coueyten his broþer wyf
ne his seruaunt ne non oþer good þat he oweþ· her ben
seuene hestes i-kept· of þe ten þat god bad summe
tyme· In þis on heste þou schalt loue þi broþer as
þi seluen· & so alle þe ten hestes ben i-kept in þes
two wordes of loue & þerfore seynt poule seiþ· who þat
loueþ fulfilleþ þe lawe· [Ro 13.8]
¶Also he þat kepiþ þes two hestis of loue· he leueþ þe seuene dedly synnes·
- for he nil not ben proud· for pride or hit is an vnskil|ful heighnes þoru þe whyche aman is vnbuxum to god & to his hestes· Oþer it is an vnskilful heigh|nes þat aman heigheþ hym seluen vnskilfulliche abouen his breþeren & dispiseþ hem· but who þat loueþ god· ne haþ not þe first pride & he þat loueþ his broþere as hym seluen ne haþ nouȝt þe secunde
- ¶Also he þat haþ þis loue leueþ coueytise for he þat loueþ god nyl desyren no þing þat is aȝeyns his ordenaunce· & god is so mesurable in ȝeuyng þat he haþ þat he fayleþ no man· in þat þing þat hym ne|deþ ne granteþ no man more þan hym nedeþ· but co|ueytouse men þat louen here goodis more þan god· for defaute of loue desireþ more þan hem nedeþ aȝeyn goddis wille· And for þei louen not here breþeren as hem seluen· þerfore þei desyren here breþeren goo|dis to maken hem seluen ryche· and of þilk goodis þat þei han· þei nyl not departen wiþ here nedy bre|þeren·
- & he þat haþ þis loue nyl not lyuen in slou|þe· for he wil ben a bouȝte wiþ al his miȝt to ser|uen his god in kepyng his hestis· And after þat [folio 125v] grace þat he haþ vndurfongen of god· he wil forsaken his owne lif & putten him self to disese & to trauaile for help of his breþeren·
- And who þat haþ þis loue· he nyl haue no dedly wraþe to his broþer ne desire no ven|geaunce on hym· þof he haue i-trespased ful gret|liche aȝeyns hym·
- & he þat haþ þis loue· nil haue non enuye to his broþer· for nowþer he wil be glad of his harme· ne sory of his weele· as enuyous men ben· Ne he wyl not bacbiten him· ne speke no þing biforen hym· for his harm·
- ¶And he þat haþ þis lo|ue wyle nouȝt breke þe heste of god ne for his ow|ne lykyng bryngen his broþer ne his sister in to grete mischef & sorowe· as þes foule lechoures doon þat for here stynkyng lustes bryngen here breþeren & here sisteren in to þe deueles seruise & his þraldom from þe seruise of god· & after ward in to þe endeles peyne of helle þat is a sorowe wiþ outen mirþe·
- And he þat haþ þis luf· wile not take his mete ne his drynke but in mesure as hym nediþ· for who þat doþ glotonye & takeþ his mete & drynk aȝeyn þe wille of ?read: and ordinaunce of god· & siche a glotoun & a wastoure deuoureþ many mennes lif lode· boþe to his owne harm & to harm of his breþeren for de|faute of loue·
And who þat haþ þis luf· he doþ þe werkes of mercy· for ȝif he seeþ his broþerre an hungred· he wil ȝeue hym mete· and if he is a þirst· he wil ȝeue hym drynke· & if he be naked he wil ȝeuen hym cloþes· & if he lacke herborewe· he wil leenen hym an hous & ȝif he be seke oþere in prisone he wole visi|ten hym & conforten hym· And if he be ded· he by|ryeþ his body in þe erþe· þes ben þe werkes of loue [folio 126r] & of mercy· þat men wolen doon· þat kepen þe two for-|seyde comaundementes of loue· & þis loue is cristes lawe þat alle cristen men schulden kepe· for as crist seiþ alle þinges þat ȝe wollen þat oþer men doon to ȝow· do ȝe þe same to hem for þat is þe lawe & þe prophetis· [Mt 7.12]
And in certeyn alle þinges þat crist biddeþ doon to oure breþeren or it is loue or it comeþ ouȝt of loue· or it norischeþ loue crist seyde to his disciples þis is my comaundement þat ȝe louen to gedere as I haue loued ȝow & in þis men schul knowe· þat ȝe ben my disciples· ȝif ȝe louen to gedere· [Jn 13.34-35] & what ma manere of loue ȝe schul haue to ȝoure breþeren· crist techiþ in þat word· Do ȝe to oþere men· as ȝe wil þat o þere men do to ȝow· [Lk 6.31] ¶he seiþ also it was i-seyde summe tyme þou schalt loue þi frend· & hate þi enemy· But I seye ȝow loueþ ȝoure enemyes· and doþ wele to hem þat han i-hated ȝow· Blesseþ hem þat cur|sen ȝow· & preyeþ for hem þat purswen ȝow· & þat desclaundren ȝow· þat ȝe ben ȝoure fadres childeren þat is in heuene þat makeþ his sone risen vp on good men & vp on yuul men· & reyghneþ vp on riȝt|ful men & vp on vnriȝtful men· for if ȝe loueþ onli|che þilk þat louen ȝow· what mede schul ȝe haue so doon puplicanes· & if ȝe gretteþ oonliche ȝowre owne breþeren· what schul ȝe doon more· so doon he|þen men· wherfore be ȝe perfyȝt· as ȝoure heuene|ly fadre is perfiȝt [Mt 5.43-47]
And many tyme whan crist bad a
pharyse þat he schulde loue his nexte broþer as
hym seluen & seyde þat hit was oon of þe gret|test comaundementis of goddis lawe· þe pharise
axid hym who was his broþere nexte· And crist told
hym a taale & seyde þer was a man þat wente from
ierusalem in to ierico & fel among þeues & þei robbeden
[folio 126v]
hym & wondiden hym· and bonden hym fast & wen|ten here wey & leften hym liggyng vnnethes half
lyuyng· & as he lay þer cam be hym a prest & had|de no reuþe of hym· but passed forþe his wey &
lete hym ligge stille A dekene also went þe same
wey & dide in þe same wyse· but a samaritan þat
com þe same wey· seiþ þe man & had reuþe of hym
& vnbonde þis man & wysche his woundis wiþ wyn
& wiþ oyle & knytte vp his woundis· & siþ cast hym
vp on his asse & ledde hym to towne & brouȝt
hym to an hostiler & preyde hym þat he wolde
take kepe to þis man & he wolde make hym go|ode his trauaile & for his costes· & he toke him two
pens to spende· & what euere he spende more he
seyde he wolde make hym good· And whan crist
hadde told þis tale he axide þis pharise whyche
of þes was nexte neyȝbore to hym· þat fel a-|mong þe þeues· [Lk 10.29-36] & he seyd þilke þat had mercy of
hym· [Lk 10.37] and crist seyde go & do þou in þe same wy|se· In þis tale crist techeþ vs to loue oure enemy|es þat was i-woundid as oure seluen· for þe sa|maritan & þe iew þat was i-woundid weren enemys· & ȝit he had|de reuþe of hym & dide to hym as he wolde þat
men diden to hym & so euery cristen man schul|de louen his enemy as hym seluen· ¶And þer fore
seynt poule seiþ· ȝif þin enemy is an hungred
ȝif him mete· & if he is a þirst ȝeue hym drynk
& ȝif þou dost so· þou schalt gedere to hepe coles
of fuyr vp on is hede·
And ne be þou not ouer
comen of yuul· but in good ouer come þou yuul [Ro 12.20-21]
þis loue & charite is cristes lawe· & for we schulden not lesen þis charite crist chargeþ vs wiþ six vertues· þat comen out of loue· and [folio 127r] norischen loue·
Oon of þes is myldnesse· seynt poule seiþ ȝeldeth no man yuul for yuul· but doþ· & ordeyneþ goode þinges· not oonliche before god· but also be foren alle goode men & ȝif hit mow be þat in ȝow is· haue ȝe pees wiþ alle men· & ne defendeþ not ȝoure seluen but ȝeueþ place to wraþe· for it is i-write / to me vengeaunce / & I wil ȝelden aȝeyn seiþ god & ȝif þin enemy be an hungered· fede hym & ȝif he be a þirst ȝife hym drynke & doyng þes þinges þou schalt gedere to hepe coles of fuyr vp on his heed· & be þou not ouer come of yuul· [Ro 12.17-21]
and riȝt as in þe oolde
testament men fouȝten for here lawe· & for here
riȝtfulnes riȝt so men schulden in þis new testa|ment· sufferen & nouȝt fyȝten for riȝtfulnesse
& so crist dide þat was ȝeuer & maker of þis newe
testament· & whan on of his seruauntes smot for
his loue· crist bad hym putten his swerd in his
scheþe· & seyde who þat smyteþ wiþ a swerd with
a swerd he schal perische· [Mt 26.52] And in þe apocalips hit
is i-wryten· who þat sleeþ wiþ a swerd· he mut
be slayn wiþ a swerd· [Re 13.10] And herefore crist seiþ· i-bles|sed be pesyble men· for þei schullen ben i-clepid god|dis childeren· [Mt 5.19] and he seiþ also þei ben i-blessed þat
suffered persecucioun for riȝtfulnesse· for þe kyngdo|om of heuene is heris· [Mt 5.10] and for þis sufferyng þat
crist techeþ men to kepe· & to norische loue among
hem seluen· he is i-cleped prince & kyng of pees
boþe of ysaye & of zacharye þe prophetes· ¶for Iseye
Isaye seiþ þer schal ben in þe last dayes an hul i-or|deyned goddis hous in þe coop ?read: toop of hulles & he schal
ben arerede vp a bouen alle hylles & alle folk schul|len come to hym & myche peple schullen come
& seyȝen Com we & steye we to goddis hyl & to þe
hous of god of iacob· & he wil teche vs his weyes
[folio 127v]
& we schullen walken in his paþes· for ouȝt of syon
schal come þe lawe & goddis word ouȝt of ierusalem· & he
schal deme myche folk· And vndurnyme myche pepul
and men schullen blowe to gydere here swerdes in to
scharres & here speres in to sikeles· & on peple ne
schal not heuen vp his swerd aȝeyn anoþer peple
ne þei schul not ben i-hauntid after þat tyme to
batayle· [Is 2.2-4]
¶And zacarye þe prophete seiþ· be þou ful glad þou douter of syon & make myche mirþe þou dou|ter of ierusalem· for lo þi kyng comeþ to þe· þat is riȝt|ful & sauyour· & he is pore & he lepeþ vp on an asse & vp on an asse colt & he wil destrye þe char of effra|ym & þe hors of ierusalem· & þe lawe of batayle schal be distryed· & he schal speke pees to þe peple & his power schal be from see to see· & from þe floodes to þe endis of þe erþe· [Zch 9.9-10]
And siþ cristis lawe is charite· & pacience is a condicioun of charite· Nedeliche who þat wil kepe goddis lawe mut be pacient & suf|ferynge & certeyn elles he foleweþ nouȝt crist· & sore a drade mowe þes proud men ben þat seyen þat þei mowe not sufferen for schame of þe world· It is cer|teyn þat he þat is aschamed to sufferen· is a schamed to knowleche þat he is cristis seruaunt þat suffered ful myche· ¶And crist seiþ who þat is aschamed to kno|wleche me & my wordes be fore men· I wil ben a-|schamed to knowleche hym be fore my fader in heue|ne· [Lk 9.26] and þan as þe apocalips seiþ· kynges of þe er|þe & princes & riche men· & strong men· & bond & fre schullen hyden hem in dennes & roches of hilles· & þei schullen seyn to hylles & stonnes falle ȝe doun vp on vs & hydeþ vs from þe face of hym þat sitteþ on þe trone· & from þe wraþe of þe lomb· for þe grete day of his wraþe is comen· & who is he þat [folio 128r] may stonde· [Re 6.15-17]
¶Of mekenesse þat is a noþer vertu þat comeþ ouȝt of loue & norischeþ loue· also. crist seiþ· i-blessed be meke men for þei schullen i-see god· [Mt 5.5 + 5.8] and of alle þinges þat crist haþ tauȝ|te his disciples· oon of þe moost was þat þei schul|den ben humble & meke· In a tyme þer was a stryuyng be twyne þe disciples whyche of hem were grettest· And crist seyde kynges of mys beleued men hauen lordschipe of hem· & þilk þat han power vp on hem ben i-cleped wel doeres· but it schal not be so a mong ȝow· but he þat is grettest of ȝow· schal ben as þe ȝon|geste· And he þat is a forgoere be he as a seruaunt· for wheþer is he þat sitteþ at þe mete· grettere / þen he þat serueþ· ne is he not þat sitteþ at þe mete· but I among ȝow as he þat serueþ· [Lk 22.24-27] & in anoþer place as he tauȝte hem þis mekenes & seiþ mannes sone cum|me nouȝt to ben i-serued· but for to seruen & to ȝifen his lif for biggyng of many men [Mt 20.28]
& for he wolde te|chen hem mekenes in dede as wil as in word· ¶þe nyȝt be foren his passioun· he wysch his disciples feet & seyde to hem wyte ȝe what I doon haue· ȝe clepeþ me mayster & lord· & ȝe siggeþ wil· for so I am & þerfore ȝif I haue wasche ȝoure feet· þat am boþe mayster & lord· euerychone of ȝow schal wasche oþere feet· for I haue ȝeue ȝow ensample þat ȝe doon as I haue doon to ȝow· [Jn 12.13-15]
¶And whan his disciples axi|den hym· who was þe grettest in þe kyngdom of he|uene· Crist clepid to hym a litul child & sette hym in þe myddel of hem and seyde ¶Soþeliche I saye ȝow but ȝe ben I turned & ben i-made as smale chil|dren· ȝe ne schul not entren in to þe kyngdom of heuene· & þerfore who þat humbleþ hym as þis child doþ· he is grettest in þe kyngdom of heuene· [Mt 18.2-4] and as a noþere tyme crist seyde· suffereþ smale childeren come [folio 128v] to me· for þe kyngdome of heuene is of siche· and þo he seyde· Soþeliche I seye ȝow· who þat vndurfon|geþ not þe kyngdom of heuene as a litul child· he ne schal not come þerinne [Lk 18.16-17]
two poyntes of mekenes crist techiþ vs to haue· One is þat we dispise not oure breþeren þat ben in cas not so worþi as we ben ne þat we hyghe nouȝt oure seluen for oure goo|de werkes abouen oure breþeren þat perauntre ne do nouȝt so goode werkis· for as crist seiþ· þer wen|ten two men in to þe temple to maken her preyeres þe one was a pharise & þe oþer was a puplican· and þe pharise seyde· lord I þanke þe· for I am not as oþere men ben· þat ben robberes & vnryȝtful· & spousebrekeres & coueytous ne as þis publi|can I faste twyes in þe wyke & I ȝif þe tiþinges of alle þe goodes þat I haue· but þe publican ne heued not vp his yen but smote his brest & seyde lord haue mercy on me þat am a synful man· and crist seiþ· þees went hom i-iustified of þe oþer· for who þat hygheþ hym self schal ben i-hum|blid & who þat humbliþ hym self schal ben i-hyg|hed [Lk 18.9-14] ¶And crist seiþ in an oþer place· It whas i-sey|de sumtyme· who þat sleeþ is gylty of þe dome· but I seyghe ȝow who þat is wroþe wiþ his broþer· is gilty to þe dome· & who þat sayth to his broþer fy is gylty to counseyl· & who þat seiþ to his broþer fool is gylty to þe fuyr of helle· [Mt 5.21-22] In þis maner a cristen man schulde be meke· for me|kenes nurscheþ loue riȝt as vnskilful hygh|nesse destrieþ loue
¶An oþere poynt of mekenesse crist techeþ & þat is þat we sechen nouȝt þe wur|schipe of þe world· ne þat we doon nouȝt oure goode werkes to haue wurschipes for hem· of þe peple· for he seiþ vp on moyses chayer þer han [folio 129r] i-setten scribes & pharisens· & what þei bidden ȝow doon kepiþ it & doþ hit· but doþ not after her wer|kes· for þei seyn & doon not hem seluen & þei bid|den heuy berþenes· þat mown not ben i-born & leg|gen hem on menne schulderes· but wiþ here owe|ne fyngeres· þei nullyn not mouen hem· & alle her werkes þei doon to be i-seyn of men· for þei drawen a brod her philatories & magnifyen þe hemmes of her cloþes· And þei louen þe first syt|tynges at þe soperes· & gretynges in chepynges & þe most wurschipful chayeres in synagoges & to ben i-clepyd maystres of men· But ne wy|le ȝe not to be i-clepid maystres for oon is ȝoure maystre· & alle ȝe ben breþeren· And ne clepe ȝe not to ȝow no fadir on erþe· for oon is ȝoure fa|der þat is in heuene· Ne be ȝe not i-cleped mayst|res· for oon is ȝoure maystre crist who þat is gret|test of ȝow schal be ȝoure seruaunt· for who þat humbliþ hym self schal ben i-hyed & who þat heith hym seluen schal ben humblid· [Mt 23.2-12] Crist techiþ vs also· þat whan we doon almes dede or fasteþ or preyed we schullen doon hit priueliche & nouȝt for to ben holden holy men of þe peple· for he seiþ whan þou dost almes ne blowe hit not wiþ a trumpe as ypocrites doon in synagoges & in stretes· to ben wurschiped of men· soþeliche þei han receyued her mede but whan þou|dost almes· ne wyte not þi lift hond what þi riȝt hond doþ· þat þin almes be in hydles· & þi fader þat seeþ in hydles· wil ȝelde þe þi mede· ¶And whan ȝe preyen ȝe schul not ben as ypocrites dreri þat lo|uen to pray stondyng in sinagoges· & in corneres of stretes to ben i-seen of men· Soþeliche I seyȝe ȝow þei han receyued here mede· But whan þou [folio 129v] preyest· go in to þi chaumbre & spere þi dore & preye þi fader in hydles & þi fadre þat seiþ in hydles wil ȝelde þe þi mede· & whan ȝe preyen ne spekeþ not myche as mysbeleued men· doon· for þei wenen þat þei ben i-herd þoru here myche speche· & þerfore ne be ȝe not i-liche hem· for ȝoure fadir wot what ȝow nedeþ· or þan ȝe axen hym any þing· And þus ȝe schullen preye· ¶Oure fadir þat art in heuene· i-halewed be þi name þi kyngdom come to vs· þi wyl be hit doon in erþe· as hit is in heuene· ȝif vs to day oure euerydayes bred· & for ȝeue vs oure det|tes· as we for ȝeuen oure dettours· & ne lede vs not in to temptacioun but delyuere vs from euele· Amen·· And ȝif ȝe forȝeueþ oþere men here trespaces ȝoure fader heuenliche wil for ȝeue ȝow ȝoure synnes· & if ȝe for ȝeueþ not oþere men ȝoure heueneliche fader wole not for ȝeue ȝow ȝoure synnes· & whan ȝe fas|teþ ne be ȝe not as ypocrites drery· for þei defacen hem seluen to seme fastyng to men· Soþeliche I seye ȝow þei han receyued here mede· But whan þat þou fastest anoynte þin hed & wasche þi face þat þou seme not fastyng to men· But to þi fader in hydles & þi fadre þat seþ it in hydles wil ȝeue þe þi mede· [Mt 6.2-18] ¶In þis wyse sire crist techeþ vs to doon oure werkes in mekenes· for elles we mowen lesen oure mede·
Of porenesse in spiriȝt crist spekeþ & seiþ i-blessed ben pore men in spyriȝt· for þe kyng|dom of heuene is heres· & woo to riche men· for þei han here counfort in þis world· [Mt 5.3 + Lk 6.20,24] Suche men ben pore in spiriȝt þat wilne not to ben riche but desiren þat hem nedeþ & no more· And so þilk þat han litul good· ȝif þei desiren to be riche þei ben not pore in spiriȝt· but þei ben coueytous [folio 130r] for defauȝt of loue· & coueytise distrieþ loue· riȝt so porenesse in spiriȝt comeþ ouȝt of loue· & norische iþ loue· Also & þer is no trewe cristen man· but ȝif he haue þis porenesse in spiriȝt·
¶In a noþer place also crist techiþ vs to ben pore in spiryȝt· & to leuen co|ueytise· for þer com a man to crist & preyde hym to departen his heritage be twix his broþer & hym & crist seyde man who made me domes man on ȝow & þoo he seyde to his disciples· be ȝe war of e|ueriche coueytise· for no mannes lyuyng is in þe ha|bundaunce of his goodis þat he haþ· [Lk 12.14-15] ¶ Of þe why|che wordes it wil folewe þat it is coueytise· for aman to wilne more þan hym nedeþ to his ly|uyng· and herefore crist bad his disciples þat þei schulde not maken here tresoure in erþe þer as rust & mowtis mowe destrye hit & þere as þeues mo|wen digge þerto & stelen hit a wey· but he seyde makeþ ȝowre tresoure in heuene þer as is nowþer rust ne mowte & þer þeues ne mowe not comen þer to ne stelen it a wey· for þer as þi tresour is· þer is þin herte [Mt 6.19-21]
¶ And afterward he seyde þer may no man seruen two lordes· for or he mut haten þe toon & loue þat oþere· Oþere susteyne þat oon & dispise þat oþer ȝe mowe not serue god & ȝoure richesses & þerfore I sey ȝow· ne be ȝe not besy to ȝoure soule what ȝe eeten· ne to ȝoure body how ȝe ben cloþed· for þe soule is more worþi þan mete & þe body more worþi þan cloþing· be holdeþ þe brid|des of heuene þat nouþer sowen ne repen ne gaderen nouȝt in to bernes & ȝoure heuenly fader fediþ hem· And ne be ȝe not more worþi þan þei ben· And whyche of ȝow þinking may throwen a cubyte to his stature ¶And of cloþing [folio 130v] ware to be ȝe bisy· be holdeþ þe lilies of þe feld how þei growen / þei nouþer trauelen ne spynnen· & I sey ȝow þat salomon in alle his blisse ne was not i-cloþed as on of þes· And ȝif god cloþe so þe he|ygh of þe feld· þat groweþ to day or to morewe is cast in to þe houene· myche more he wil cloþe ȝow of litul feiþ· ¶And þerfore be ȝe not besy sey|ing what schul we ete· or what schulle we dri|nk or how schullen we ben cloþed· for alle þes þin|ges mysbeleued men enqueren· & þerfore secheþ first þe kyngdom of heuene & þe riȝtfulnesse þer of & al þese þinges schul ben i-cast to ȝow· [Mt 6.24-33] Of þis men mown i-se þat siþen a cristen man ne sch|ulde not ben bisy in his þouȝt a boute his mete ne aboute his drynk ne aboute his cloþing & ȝit hym nedeþ al þis to his lyuyng· for no þing he ne schulde not be be|sy to gete myche richesse for þat nedeþ not to a man|nes lyuyng· And siþ god doþ al þat he doþ in me|sure· & is so mesurable in ȝeuyng· þat he ne ȝeueþ no man more þen hym nedeþ· ne fayleth no man in þat þing þat him nedit A gret synne it is to wilne more þan a man nediþ· for it is couey|tise· & he þat holdeþ goddis goodes in his kepyng to spende hem for is owne lust· þer as it is no ne|de· It is certeyn þat he holdeþ þilk goodis aȝeyns goddis wille & þanne he is a þef þat robbeþ god of his goodis· & not oonliche god· but oþere pore men also þat neden siche goodis· for god ne ȝeueþ nouȝt to oo man more richesse þan to a noþer oonliche for hym seluen· but for he schulde departen it among his nedy breþeren· & but a man do þus he nis not in charite· for as seynt Joon seiþ· who þat haþ substaunce of þe world & seeþ his broþer haue nede· ȝif he close his herte from [folio 131r] his broþere· how dwelliþ þe charite of god wiþ|Inne hym· [1 Jn 3.17] And þerfore he seiþ ne loue we not in word ne in tunge but in dede & in treuþe· [1 Jn 3.18]
¶And a ful hard word seyþ seynt Jame to riche men of þe world· for he seiþ wepe ȝe riche men· & make ȝe sorewe· for þe wrec|hednes þat schal come to ȝow her aftur· ȝoure ri|ches is for rotid· & ȝowre cloþes ben i-eten wiþ mo|wtes· ȝowre gold & ȝower siluer is i-rustid· & ȝowre rust schal ben in wittenissyng to ȝow· & schal ete ȝoure flesch as fuyr· ȝe tresoreþ to ȝow þe wraþe of god in þe last dayes· [Jas 5.1-3] wolde god þat þese riche men wolden take kepe to seynt poules wordes as he seiþ· we browten no þing in to þis world· & it is no doute þat we mowen bere no þing hennes & þerfore haue we liflode & helyng be we apayed· for þilk þat wilneþ to ben i-maad riche þei fallen in to temp|tacioun· & in to þe deuels grene & in to many vn|profytable desires & noyful þat drenchen men in-|to deþ & in to perdicioun· for þe rote of al yuel is co|ueytise· þe whyche sum men han desired & han i-er|red from her feiþ & han i-brouȝt hem seluen in-|to myche sore [1 Tm 6.7-10] we ¶ And he biddeþ riche men of þe world þat þei hope not in þe victorie of richesses but in god þat lyueþ· þat ȝeueþ vs alle þinges plente|uosliche to vsen hem & to do wil wiþ hem· & to ben i-made riche in goode werkes in ȝeuynge liȝt|liche & in comunyng here goodes to hem· þat ben nedy to maken hem tresour & a good fundement here after þat þei mowen hauen þat lyf þat wil lasten wiþ outen ende· [1 Tm 6.17-19] ¶ And herfore sire be ȝe pore in spiriȝt· & leueþ couetise / ȝif ȝe þinken co|me to heuene· for coueytise is a seruice of fals goddis as seynt poule seiþ· & siche schul not haue [folio 131v] þe kyngdome of heuene as he seiþ in certen· [Col 3.5]
¶ Treu|þe is a noþer uertu· þat comeþ ouȝt of loue· & norischeþ loue also· for who þat loueþ god· he wole loue trew|þe & be trewe boþe in werk & in word· for god hym self is treuþe & endeles trewe· as he seiþ in þe gospel þe de|uel was mansleere from þe be gynnyng· & ne haþ not stonden in treuþe· for treuþe is not in hym and whanne he spekeþ lesing he spekyt of his owene· for he is alyere & fa|der of lesynges [Jn 8.44] ¶And siþ crist come to bringe vs ouȝt of þe deueles seruice to ben goddis childeren & his seruauntes also· Nedeliche we moten leue alle ma|nere lesynges for crist seiþ who þat doþ synne· is seruant of synne· [Jn 8.34] and þanne who þat makeþ lesyng he is seruaunt of lesyng· & of þe deuel þat is fader of lesynges· But a cristen man þat is goddis child & loueþ hym a bouen alle oþere þinges nil do no þinges þat may de-|parten hym from his fader of heuene· & þanne mout he leuen alle manere lesynges & alle ma|nere falsenesses ¶ And for crist wolde þat his ser|uauntes weren perfyȝt boþe in loue & in treuþe· riȝt as he made an ende of alle maner vntreuþe riȝt so in his cummyng· he made an ende of oþes þat neuere weren i-ordeyned· but for defaute of treuþe· for among trewe men nedeþ noon oþes & herfore crist seiþ· It was seyd sumtyme· þou sch|alt not for swere þe but þou schalt ȝelde to god þin oþes· but I sey ȝow þat ȝe sweren for no þing not bi heuene· for hit is goddis trone· ne be erþe for hit is þe stool of his feet· ne bi Ierusa|lem· for hit is a greet kynges citee· Ne swere þou not be þin heued for þou miȝt nouȝt make oon whit here ne blak· but ȝoure word be ȝe·ȝe·nay·nay· & þat þat is more þan þis is of yuul [Mt 5.33-37] ¶ And seynt [folio 132r] Iame seiþ· bi foren alle þinges my dere breþeren ne swere ȝe not bi heuene ne by erþe ne be non oþere oþe· but be ȝoure word· ȝe ȝe· nay nay· þat ȝe fallen not vndur doom· [Jas 5.12]
¶Chastite is þe sixte
vertu þat comeþ ouȝt of loue· & noryscheþ loue·
¶Also for he þat loueþ god nyl not take no
lust þat is displesyng to god· ne þat his har|meful to his broþer ne to his sister ¶ And crist seyth…hyt was
seyde summe tyme þou schalt doon no lecherie
but I seye ȝow who þat seþ a womman· for to couey|ten hire· he haþ doon lecherye in his herte· wiþ þat
womman ¶ And þerfore ȝif þi riȝt eye sclaundre þe
pul hym ouȝt· & þrow hym a wey from þe for
hit is spedeful to þe þat on of þi membris per|ysche· þan al þi body go in to þe fuyr of helle &
ȝif þi riȝt hond sclaundre þe kytte hym of & þro|we hym a wey fro þe· for it is spedful to þe þat
oon of þin membris perische þan al þi body go
in to þe fuyr of helle· Crist seiþ also it was sey|de summe tyme· who þat leueþ his wif· ȝeue he hi|re a libel of hire puttyng a wey· but I seye ȝow
he þat leueþ his wyf· but it be for cause of for|nicacioun he makeþ hire do lecherie· & he þat wed|deþ a womman þat is left of hire housbonde bre|keþ spousehed· [Mt 5.27-32] ¶ And in a tyme þe pharisees axe|den crist wheþer it where lefful to leuen to a man
his wif for any enchesoun· & he seyde ne haue ȝe
not rad þat he þat… þat made man from þe be|gynnyng made & womman & seyde· herfore aman
schal leuen fadir & modir and drawen hym to
his wyf· And þei schulde be two in oon flesch·
But now þei ben not two but oon fleysch· &
þerefore þat god haþ ioyned no man departe·
[folio 132v]
And þoo þei seyden what is þis þanne· þat moyses
bad þat þere schulde be ȝeuen a libel of puttyng awey
And so aman schulde leuen his wyf· And crist sey|de· for moyses sufferid þow haue ȝowre wyfes after
þe hardenesse of ȝowre hertes· But from þe by|gynnyng hit was not so And I sey ȝow who
þat weddeþ leueþ his wyf· but hit be for forni|cacioun & weddeþ a noþer he doþ fornicacioun· And
who þat weddiþ a womman þat is lefte of hire
housbonde· doþ fornicacioun lecherie [Mt 19.3-9]
& þoo seyden his disciples· ȝif it be so be twene aman & his wyf· It is not spedeful to be wedded· And crist seyde alle men ne take not þis word· but þilk þat it is graunted to· for þer ben men i-geldid þat ben i-born of her moder wombe· And þer ben summe þat ben i-geldid of men· & þer ben summe men þat gelden hem seluen· for þe kyngdome of heuene· Who þat may take þis take he in þis wyse· [Mt 19.10-12]
Sire in þes two comaundementes of loue is al goodnesse fulfild· & al euel eschewed· & so þe lyuynge of oure soule & þe riȝt weye to heuene is to be leuyn stedefastliche in crist & to kepe þes two comaundementes of loue.