¶Incipit liber qui vocatur festialis..

GOde men and wemen this day is called the first sonday in ad¦uent. wherfore holy church ma¦keth mencion of the cōmynge of criste. goddes sone into this world〈…〉 mā¦kinde oute of the deuylles bondage▪ & to bringe all well doers into the blisse that euir shall last. And also of his o∣ther cōmynge that shall be at the daye of dome whan he shall cōme to deme. all wacked doers into the peyne of hel for euir. But the firste cōmyn¦ge of •hū Criste into this worlde brou∣ght ioye and blisse with him. Therfore holy churche vsed songes of myrth as alleluya and other And for the second cōmynge of criste shall be soo cruell y^t no tonge may tell Therfore holy chur¦che seyth downe songes of melodye as Te deum. Gloria in excelsis▪ and wed¦dinge For after that daye shall 〈◊〉 be weddinge more in to〈…〉ynge of vēge¦aunce that cōmeth after Then after the the first cōmyng of crist into this worl¦de sainte Austyn sayth there been there thinges ryf in this worlde that ben 〈◊〉 the trauayll. and deth This is the testa¦mente that Adam oure forme fadre ma¦de to all his ofsprynge. after him that is to be borne in sekenesse. and for to ly¦ue in trauayll. and for to dye in drede. But criste he came to be oure socoure. of this testamente: and was borne and trauayled and deyed he was borne to bringe men oute of sekenesse into euir∣lastinge helthe. he trauayled to bryng man to euir lastinge reste: he deyed to brynge man to euirlastinge lyf. This was the cause of the firste cōmynge of criste into this worlde. wherfore h〈…〉Page  [unnumbered] wyll escape the dome that he shall cō∣me to in the secounde cōmyng he must ley downe all maner of pryde of herte and knowe him selue a wreche of erth and holde meknesse in his hert. he must trauayle his body in good werkes and gete truly his lyuelode with trauayll. of his body and putte awaye all ydel∣nesse For he that woll nat trauayl his body in good werkes▪ as sainte bein̄. sayth he shall trauayll euir with fen∣des in hel. and for drede of d•th he mu¦ste make him euir redy to god whan he woll fende for him that is to say. shry¦ue 〈◊〉•ene of all his synnes and nat 〈…〉 yere to yere but assone as he 〈…〉 ryse vp. and mekely ta∣k•〈…〉 fadre. then shall 〈…〉 come haue gret worship 〈…〉 a knight she wyth his woū•〈…〉 had in batayll in moche 〈…〉 to him Right so the synnes 〈…〉 hath doon and is shreuyn of 〈…〉 his penaunce shalbe mo∣che w••ship to him and grete cōfusion to 〈…〉 And that he hath nat shry∣u•〈◊〉•halbe shewyd openly to al the worlde in grete sham• to him This is sayd for the firste cōmynge of crist in to this worlde Vnde.

The cōmynge of criste is to the dome. And these cōmynges shalbe so cruell. that fyftene daies afore shall cōme to∣kens of grete drede So that therby the people may knowe that sone after cō∣myth the dome Secundum Ieronimū As Ierom sayth The firste day the wa¦ter shall ryse vpon the see and it shall be higher than any hyll by xl. cubytes The secounde day the see shal fal dow¦ne so lowe that vnnethe it may be se•• The thridde daye all the fysshe and be¦stes in the see shall make suche a crye: and a rorynge that no tonge may tell it but god him selue The fourthe daye the see and waters shall brenne· The v day all trees▪ and herbes. shall swete blood and al maner of foules shal cō¦me to gidder. and nother ete nor drynk for drede of the dome that is cōmynge The vi: day all grete bildinges castel sys toures steples and houses shal fal downe and brenne tyll the sonne ryse ayen The vii. day all stones and roc∣kes shall bete to gydre that eche shall breke other with an horrible noyse whi¦che shalbe herde into heuyn The eyghte day the erthe shall quake so that there may no man stonde theron: but shall fall downe The ix day the peple shal goo oute of their dennys & goo as they were myndlesse. and noone speke to o∣ther The tenth day hylles and erth shal be euyn and playn The xi. day al gra¦ues and tombes shall open and the bo¦dies shall stonde vpon them The tuel∣the day sterres shall fall from heuyn. shotynge oute brennynge bemys a dre∣defull signe to see. The xiii. day they shall deye that beren lyf The xiiii day heuyn and erthe shall brenne The xv. day heuyn and erthe shalbe made new and all people shal aryse in the age af xxx. wynter and cōme to the dome. Page  [unnumbered] ¶Thenne shall come to the dome our lord Ihesu Criste very god and man wyth his angelis And shewe his woū∣dis fresshe bledyng as tha• daye he de∣yed on the crosse wyth all the instrumē¦tes of his passion. ¶The spere croune scourges nailes hamer pynsones. and the garland of thornes to shewe what he suffred in his passion for mankynd Thenne maye they be sory and ferde y^t haue sworne by his passion or woū∣dis. or by ony membre of his body y^t shall be a grete represse to theym. But they amende theym in this worlde or they deye. Thenne wyll our lorde gre∣tely thanke theym that haue doo mer∣cy in this worlde for his sake to theyr euyn crysten. And wyll saye thus to theym. Come ye my faderis blissed children & receyue ye the kyngdom of heuen that is ordeyned to you: and soo reherse to theym the vii. werkes of mercy. whan I was hungry ye gaaf me mete. whan I was thursty ye gaue me dryn∣ke. and whan I was herberles ye her∣bered. and soo forth all the werkes off mercy For whan ye gaf ony thynge in my name it was to me. Thenne shall our lorde rebuke the riche people that wold not doo for his loue: nor forgyue noo trespasse for his sake. And saye to theym. Goo ye cursed people in to euerlastin¦ge peyne of helle. For whan I was a hungred ye gaue me noo mete &c. Thā maye they be full sory and woo that euer our lorde Ihesu Criste shall thus rebuke theym. For ther shall noman of lawe to plete nor for golde nor syl∣uer nor other yeftes to helpe: For than shall nother mayster nor lordeshyp hel¦pe but all be sette besyde. but right as a man hath done soo shall he haue. And ther shall be dyuerse accusers bo¦the aboue hym and benethe hym. and on euery syde aboue hym shall be our lord Ihesu Criste his domes man. wythout mercy to theym that dede no mercy. and so accuse theym of the ••st thought that euer was amys. On the right syde his angell telly••〈◊〉 where whan and how ofte he •yde a∣mys. On that other syde fendes chalen¦gynge hym theyres as by ryght for his wycked dedes. Vnder hym •elle redy if he be founde in synne that daye they shall be peyned and in peyn wythout ende. That daye poure people shall •••¦te wyth cryste at the dome. And done the ryche people for the grete wrong•s that they dyde to them and they mygh¦te gete none amendes tyll the daye off dome. Thenne they shall haue they• wylle of the ryche people. For whan the ryche done the pore wronge they can doo nomore But praye to god to quyte theym at the daye of dome. And soo he wyll for god sayth thus.

¶Put all to me▪ and I yelde euery man after his deseruynge. Therfore whyle ye ben here. make ye amendes Page  [unnumbered] for your wyckednesse. And ma•e them youre frendes that shal be your domes men at the day of dome And truste nat to them that shall cōme after you leste ye be begyled. And drede the payne of hell that neuir shall haue ende.

¶Narracio.

¶Saint Bede tellith howe there was an husbond man in Englond that fyl seke and ley dede from the euyn tyll on the morowe Thenne he rose and departed his godes in foure parties. & all his owne parte he gaue to pore mē and wente and was a monke in an Ab¦bey that was nigh the water syde into the whiche water he went euery nyghte w•••n neuir so colde. and stode therin longe and suffred grete penaunce And whan he was asked why he dyd so to suffre that grete penaunce. he sayde to 〈◊〉 we a greter payn that he had seen •nd he wolde e•e but barly brede & drin¦ke water all his lyf after. and tolde ii. religiouse men the peynes y^t he hadde se¦en And they were so grete that he coude nat tell them openly. He sayd that an aungell ladde him into a place there. y^t oon syde was so colde that noo tongue myght tell the peyne therof And the o∣ther was so hoote that no man myghte tell the peyne therof. And soules were caste oute of that one into that other. & that was a grete payne to them And the aungell shewyd him the fyre y^t ca∣me oute of hell that was so hoote and so ferre as him thought he mighte se it he thought it brente him. and in the lea¦••e therof he sawe soules boile vp and downe cryenge and waylinge for wo• Also he herde fendes crye: caste out ho¦te •ede and brymstone to make their pei¦nes greter. and so they tormentyd the soules in peyne Nowe lorde for thy gre¦te mercy haue mercy on vs and kepe vs fro tho peines and bryng vs to the blis of heuyn that neuir shall haue endyng Amen.

¶Dominica in septuagesima.

GOod men & wymen this daye is called in holy churche the sō¦day in septuagesme for cause that holy churche is modre of all cristen people. she taketh good hede to the children as a good modre oweth to doo. and foras¦moche as she seeth him full sory sek in synne and many of them wounded to the dethe with the swerde of synne. the whiche synne hath caughte all this ye∣re to fore. and namely this criste••asse tyme that was ordeyned in holy chur∣che for grete solempnyte For euery mā shulde be besy to serue god with al his power bicause that criste him self she∣wyd that daye swetnesse of loue to al cristen people For man he was that ty∣me and in the same flesshe and bloode as one of vs and layde in a cradyl mo¦re pourely than any of vs and was cri¦stenyd in water as one of vs And also he came to a weddynge for to clense it from synne. and to make vs holy and bretherne to him and heires to the kyng¦dome of heueyn. ¶For these cau∣ses all cristen people owen to be full Page  [unnumbered] gladde in their soules as in y^e tyme ma¦kinge solempnite and myrthe and ma¦king them bothe clene in body and sou¦le from all maner of synnes And grō¦dynge them in grete sadnesse of loue to god and to all cristen people / doynge greate almes to theym y^t haue nede:

¶But nowe the more harme is for that high and solempne feste is torned into fylthe synne and grete sekenesse to the soule. as pryde by diuerse wyse. in clothynge and in many diuerse guyse• vsynge. into grete couetyse and into le¦chery. that suythe alwaye glotony. in slewth in goddes seruyce. as •apes and vanyte syngynge rebaudrye spekynge For vanyte causeth moche slouthe. for emonge suche people: he is moost wor∣thy that mooste of harlatry can speke. Thus these solempne and hygh festys that were ordeyned to grete worshippe of god and of our lady and al the sain¦tes in ••uyn. now been torned into gre¦ate offence to god: ¶wherfore oure m•dre holy churche seynge her children in suche dispayre as a moodre full of compassion sory in he••• her for theym This day leyeth downe alleluya and o¦ther songes of myrth and melody. and taketh Tractus. y^t been songes of mor¦nynge Also for this holy sacrament of weddynge is moche defoyled by vany¦te of synne Therfore it is leyd downe. thes• daies and in aduente For many y^t been nowe wedded. yeuyth theym all to luste and lykynge of the bodyes of. flesshely luste of this worlde. And thin¦keth full lytell of the dethe that is full greuouse that cōmeth so sone after but as it is redde by greate clerkes It is mo¦re spedefull to 〈◊〉 soule to 〈…〉 an house there as is a 〈◊〉 and wepin¦ge thanne to go to an•••se there as is greate reuyll and moche •yrthe For su¦che thinges make a man to fo•yete his god and him selue bothe But there as is a sighte of a corse. maketh a man to thynke on his deth That is the spe•yall thinge to p•tte awaye synne and vani¦te of the worlde For Salamon saythe thus to his sone.

Sone haue in thy mynd ••at thou shal dye and thou shall neuir synne dedely. Thus holy churche hauynge greate cō¦passion of her children. ordeyneth thre maner of salues to helpe her ch•ldren. That ben to thynke on dethe inwarde∣ly▪ to labour besily. and to chastise the body reasonably The first• is to thy 〈◊〉 on dethe inwardly Holy churche 〈◊〉 ensāple this day in the office of the m•s¦s• w••che begynneth thus. The sekenesse of deth hath biclepyd me Thus sayth he •••hing euery good chil¦de to haue in mynde how hard he is be stadde with deth on eche syde In somo¦che that he may nat scape no waye but euir deth sueth him with a bowe dra∣wen and an arowe euir therin redye to shote him he wote neuir what tyme. This is a principall salue to euery mā that taketh it to he•e to pu•t away all maner of vanyte. and vayne myrthe: But for to vnderstonde this the bettre. I shewe this by ensample.

Page  [unnumbered]

¶Narracio.

¶I rede of a •ing that euir was in he¦uy sorowe and he wolde neuir laughe ne make mery but euir was in mornin¦ge and in heuynesse. Therfore his me∣nye and al other men were greuyd ther with they yede to the kinges broder pra¦ynge him to speke to the kinge and said he greuyd all tho that were about him with his heuy •here and coūseyled him to leue it and make lighte chere in tyme cōmynge Thenne was this kinge wise and thought to chastise his broder by a wyle and wrouthly badde him goo ho¦me and doo that he hadde to doo Then was the maner of the countree y^t whan a man shulde be doon to deth shuld cō¦me ••umpettes and trūpe afore his ga∣te Thenne saide the kinge byddyng thē goo trumpe afore his broders gate and men go with them to arreste him & brin¦••〈◊〉 bifore there king. and in the me 〈◊〉 while the king called to him seuyn m•n that he truste on and badde theym that whan his broder was cōme to dra¦we their swerdes and sette theim at his breste afore his herte So whan his bro¦der was cōme they dyd as the king bad¦de theym Thenne the king cōmaunded all men to daunce and to make reuell all that they coude and so they dyd. Thenne sayd the kynge to his broder. why arte thou so heuy of chere Heue vp thy hede and be mery for all this myr∣the is made for the Thenne aunswered he and saide Howe shulde I be mery of chere and see here seuyn swerdes sett to my herte and wote nat who shalbe my deth firste Thenne saide the kinge putt vp your swerdes & spake to his broder thus It fa••th by 〈◊〉 the seuyn •ede••• synnes be euir ready to reue me of my soule to the herte and this maketh me y^t I may neuir be mery and make glade chere but euyr am aferde of dethe. for my soule that is the lyf of my body. Thenne saide the broder I crye the mer¦cy for I knewe neuir this tyll nowe & I shall be the wyser euir after: ¶This I say boldly he that wyll ta∣ke to herte he shall haue better wyll to loure than to laughe to sigh than to be gladde to wepe thanne to synge so that he shall fynde that mynde of deth. the principall salue of all maner of syn∣ne Also principally we muste haue in mynde the paynfull deth of oure saue oure that he suffred for vs all Of the which is made mencion in the first cha¦pitre of trenys.

That other salue is to laboure besilye in this worlde Of this laboure speketh sainte poule in the epistyll of this daye and sayth thus. Renne ye so that ye maye haue the ga∣me By this rennynge ye shall vnder∣stonde that he that renneth for the ga∣me enforcyth him self with all his my¦ghte to renne faste and so muste euery seruaunte of god enforce him to labou¦re besily in that degre that god ha•• set him in and men of holy churche muste laboure in studynge and praynge and to teche the people the lawe of god Lor¦des and rentyd men muste laboure. ••

¶kepe holy churche in reste and pe∣ce•Page  [unnumbered] and other comyn people muste la∣bour to gete lyuinge to thise other de∣grees. and for hem self bothe to the sou¦le and body And for no mā shold excu¦se hym from this labour. Cryste in the gospel yeueth an ensample saing thus

And husbond men wente in to his gar¦deyn or vyne yerde at prime and ayen at vndren or myddaye. and at euynsō∣ge tyme. and he hired people to labour by all the tydes of the daye. this is to vnderstond all the grees of the world For as Iob saith a man is borne to labour and traueyle in this worlde as a byrd to flee And saynt bernard saith he that wyll not laboure here in this worlde. he shall laboure wyth fendys in helle for that is the testament of A∣dam that he left to all his ofsprynge. labour and traueyle. To this laboure he yeueth ensample and reherseth how god made adam and eue to laboure to kepe paradyse: and bad them ete of all the frutes that was in paradise. except one tree that he kepte for hym self. soo as ofte as they sawe the tre. they shold thynke on hym that made theym. and knowe hym for theyr god. ¶And for they sholde not ete therof in peyne off deth and of dampnacion. Thenne the fende sawe theym in soo moche ioye y^t they were in and hym self in so moche peyn and woo that he had grete enuy to theym. and went to Eue and asked why they e•e not of the frute off that tree. And she said. god hath forbede vs that tree in peyn of deth. Thenne sayd the fende. he wote full well that and ye ete therof. ye shold 〈…〉•no∣wyng bothe good and •••lle. ¶A••• yf ye wyll pr••e that I saye soche. Ete therof and ass•ye. Thenne to•e e∣ue of the frute and gaf adam and bad hym ete therof and assaye. And adam loue••er well and wolde not wrathe her. toke an appell and 〈◊〉. And anon therwyth eyther of them •awe others shappe. and were ashamed. And toke leues of a fygge tree and soo •yuered her membres. Than came our lorde to adam and saide.

¶why hast thou doo so. and he saide.

The woman bad me. thenne said oure lord to eue. why dydest thou thus.

The Serpente begyled me. Thenne for they myghte not deye in paradyse ne suffre no penaunce ther fore he d•of hem naked oute in to this worlde that is full wretched wepynge and way∣lynge full sore syghynge to goo gete her mete wyth 〈◊〉 laboure and tra∣uaylle and deye at the last Than p•aid adam our lorde sore wepyng be shold not take grete vengeaūce vpon theym but haue merry on theym and py•e for they were begyled by enuy and maly∣ce of the fende. and by Innocensie off theym self that they wyste not what they dyde. Thenne had our lorde •u••e on them. & for they were bothe naked he clothede theym in p•••he•. & badde theym goo laboure and traueyle for theyr lyuynge. ¶And sayd to Eue In sorowe and woo thou shalt bere thy chyldren And toke adam instrumē¦tes to laboure wyth and lefte them the¦re. ¶By this ye shall vnderstonde & take ensample to laboure besely. For and Adam and eue had laboured bese¦ly. the fende had neuer ouercome them For the fende desyreth no more whan he wolde tempte a man. but for to fyn¦de hym ydle: ¶And therfore knowe ye well that it is a riche salue agaynste synne for to laboure besyly. ¶The thirde is to chastyse the body discretely I shall castyse my body. and dresse it in seruyce of soule. for mannys flessh is so wylde and so lusty to synne that it wylle not w^t noo waye leue his luste to serue god but yf it be chastysed with penaunce. For it muste be chastysed sō¦tyme wyth peyne Thus dyde Adam & Eue in ensample that all other y^t shal come after hem shold do the same for many yeres before her dethe eyther off theym stode in water a nyghtes vp to the chyn one ferre from another to suf¦fre penaunce tyll her flesshe was as grene as grasse for colde. Thenne com the fende to eue also bryghte as an an∣gell and said that god hath sente hym from heuen and bad her goo to Adam and say that god hadde sent hym from heuyn and badde her go to Adam and saye to hym that god badde hym le∣ue his penaunce for his trespasse was for•yue. and Eue dyde soo but Adam wyst well that it come from the fende and not from god He sayd to eue whā god droue vs oute of paradyse for ou∣re synne and had compassion on vs for we wepte sore on hym. and prayed hym mekely of mercy he setted vs here to penaunce to our lyues ende and ther¦fore goo agayn for the more penaun∣ce that we doo the more shal be our me¦de. And therfore goo agayn and do pe¦naunce in goddis name. yet the fende come ayen the second tyme and said to eue. god of his grace hath take reward to your penaunce that ye suffre & hath forgyue you. ¶Thenne went eue to adam and tolde hym soo. Thenne said Adam I wote well that he that hath said so to the is our enmye. for oure pe¦naunce greueth more hym than vs. & he wolde haue vs to leue of and soo to lese oure mede. But doo we forth our penaunce to oure lyues ende. For god taketh none hede to the begynnynge of a thing. but to the endyng. yet the fend came ayen the thirde tyme to Eue and said ¶Goo thou to adam and saye to hym that he began foule and wel fou¦ler wylle ende. for fyrste he trespassed by innocencie and disceyte of the fende And nowe he synneth by good dely∣beracion and wyll Not doo as god byddeth hym. wherfore youre trespas is worthy dampnacion. ¶Thenne was eue a ferde and tolde adam soo. Thenne Adam siked sore and wepte. and sayd to her vnauysed won in god made the of one of my rybbes for to helpe me and comforte me· And no¦we by tycinge of the fende thou arte be¦sy to combre me agayn. ¶But thinke howe oure firste synne stanke in the

¶syght off Page  [unnumbered] god that all our ofspryng shall be en¦fect and haue repreef therof in to the worldis ende. wherfore though we mi¦ght doo also moche penaunce as all our ofspring myght doo· yet it were to lytill to quyte our lorde god for oure trespas But god of his special grace a¦loweth a good wylle Thenne went e∣ue ayen to her penaunce as Adam bad and than said adam god wylle sende vs the oyle of mercy whā tyme of mer¦cy is And soo adam and eue dyde their penaunce to theyr lyues ende

¶And whā Adam had lyued ix. hundred yeres And xxx. and hadde xxx. sones and xxx. doughters they deyde and were bothe buried togydere adam and eue. Thus ye may see well that adam and eue were full hoolyor they deyed and thoughte on deth full inwardly and laboured full besely & chastysed her flesshe full resonably. & soo muste we doo that come of theym that wylle come to the ioye of parady¦se in tokenyng here of this sondaye is called the sonday in septuagesme a nō¦bre of lxx. The whiche nombre begyn∣neth this daye and endeth on ester euyn soo holy chirche is mornyng from this daye tyll ester euyn. than she taketh cō¦forte ayen in partye of one alleluya. wyth a tracte. for it is not yet in fulle myghte tyll saterday in ester weke. the whiche is called.

Than she leyeth doun the tracte and grayell and syngeth double alleluya techyng all crysten men to labour and do penaunce truly tyll the saterdaye that is to a mannys lyues ende. that is tyll the soule goo to rest. yet is not the soule in full rest tyll the s•terdaye in albis. that is tyll the daye of 〈◊〉. whan the body and the soule shall co∣me togyder. and be clothed in albis y^t is in white seuen tymes whetter than the sonne and than they shalle synge double alleluya that is to say lord ma¦ke vs saaf in euerlastyng blisse. To the whiche brynge vs he that for vs al deyed on the rode tree Amen.

Dominica ¶ly.

•Ood men and wymmen th•s daye is called the sonday in se•¦agesme. that is the nombre of• lx: the whiche nombre holy chirche te∣cheth euery man and woman to thyn∣ke how short our lyf is now in our da¦yes. for somtyme people •u••d•y ••ye¦res and more. And now iii. score o• iiii. score is a longe lyff• But the grace off god and his mercy and goodnesse is so moche that yf we wyll doo our besy∣nes and dyligence to serue god and ple¦se hym. he wyll gyue vs asmoche ioye and blysse in heyen as he gaf to adam and eue that lyued soo longe. But he that wyll haue ioye and blysse muste doo thre thynges One is he muste ••¦te synne namely and suffre tribula•iō mekely And do almys dedes wylfully Than for our dayes ben sho•• we mus¦te the more trybulacion suffre mekely. And wyth paciente herte an not gr••∣chynge and disease cometh of speciall grace. For it is remedye for synnes he•

¶re in this worlde for penaunce o•Page  [unnumbered] elles for grete encreasing to his Ioye in a nother world wherfore goddis ap¦postell poull wylle that al cristen pe∣ple shal take ensample of hym. For he suffred moche trybulacion paciently y^t he reherceth in the pistell of this daye And sayd thus.

Poull saith I haue be in many grete traueyles and often tymes in pryson sore bounden wyth cheynes of yron. Fyue tymes beton wyth rodis & scour¦gis on my bare body wyth paynemes And ones beten wyth stones and thre tymes in shyp brekyng. And I was in the grounde of the see a nyghte and a daye. Many tymes in peryll of flodes. In peryll of theues and in perrell off bretherne that shewed true loue to me and were false and coūseyled other to dome dysease and troble. In hongre and in thurste. In moche fastyng. In longe wakynge. In colde and in many other mischeues and peryll that were to longe to telle. and all he suffred wyth good wyll. & euer thanked god of his swete sonde. For wel he wyst y^t al thyse tribulaciōs & disease was for sinne y^t he had do•• to fore. & to encrece his meryte & ioye y^t shold come after. wherfore al criste pe∣ple y^t wyl please god what maner dise¦ase or tribulaciō y^t come to hem be it s•¦kenes losse of catel or other goodes or deth of frendis take it pacietly & meke¦ly. & thinke it cometh for synne y^t thou hast do tofore or elles for grete increa∣ce of ioye & blisse y^t thou shal haue af∣ter for it cometh of specyal grace there as god visiteth & comyth there as god sendeth. but there as he suffreth al their wyl is no good signe y^t he loueth. & ther¦fore thanke god euer of his visitacion & beseche hym euer of his mercy. God knoweth our entēt & therfore he forye∣ueth sone to al y^t asketh mercy wyth a meke herte. Thus must a man suffre tribulaciō paciētly. he must also do al¦mes discretly whiche be figured by thy se lx. dayes. for lx. is six •ithes .x. so y^t by vi. ye shal vnderstōde the vii. wer∣kes of mercy. y^t comen out of the x. cō¦maūdemētes the whiche ben thise to ye¦ue mete & drinke cloth herborow visite prysoners cōforte the sike blinde lame & to berye them y^t ben ded thyse ben the vii: werkes of mercy. the whiche al cris¦ten peple muste do y^e wyl be saued and haue mercy of god. wherfor sexages∣me begynneth this daye and endeth the wednesday in ester weke. the whiche ho¦ly chirche speketh of thus. Come ye my faders blyssed children & take the kyngdom of heuen y^t is ordey∣ned for you These same wordes god shal saye to you at the daye of dome. & to all that hath done almes dedes dis∣cretly. And fulfylled the werkes off mercy yf they were of power. Page  [unnumbered] & that tho that ben not of power mus¦te do they good wyl & y^t shal fulfil the dede this must be doo discretely. And how god teche this daye in the gospell by ensample and sayth thus ¶A man went to sowe his sedes. and as he sew. some fell by the waye and fowles come and ete it. and some fell emonge thornes and was lost. and so∣me fel in good erthe & brought forth an C. folde encreace. to this cryste sayth. thus hym selfe. ¶I am the very ryght true lyffe and waye to heuen. Thenne falleth his se∣de besyde the waye that yeueth not his almes for cristys sake dyscretly. But for pryde pompe and vayn glory off the world. and so leseth his mede. and that I preue by ensample.

¶Narracio.

¶There was in Irlond a wonder ri∣che man and dede moche almes in his lyfe. in so moche that the peple wende he had be a saynt. But whan he was dede he appered to one y^t he loued well in his lyf as black as ony pytche with an horryble stynke. and sayd. ye wene that I be a saynt. but now I am su∣che as thou seest. thenne sayd he where be thy almes dedes. & he sayd the wyn¦de of vayn glory hath blowen theym away. For he that dooth his almes for vayn glory of the world leseth his me¦de. and the fēdes of the cyre destroyeth it. Also he leseth his mede that yeueth his almes to suche as he knowe y^t ben in dedely synne And soo to mayntene theym in ther synne. his s•de falleth a∣monge stones and weyeth d•ye. And soo lesyth his mede. his sede falleth a∣monge thornes that yeueth his good to riche people that hath noo nede therto and soo lesyth theyr mede. But his se∣de falleth in goode erthe. y^t yeueth his almes to good true people. for they be goddis erthe▪ and that sede shall yeue an hundred folde encreace in euerlas∣tynge ioye and blisse. and shall bee e∣uerlastyng fode to them that don thus her almes dyscretly. ye must also hate synne namely and flee it in al that ye may. for he that hateth and fleeth syn¦ne. loueth god and god loueth hym. For god hateth synne in soo moche y^t he toke vengeaunce on all the worlde fo synne of lechery. and in special for the synne ayenst kynde For whan god sawe this synne rennynge in alle the world soo vnworthely he said thus. Me forthynketh that euer I made mā and said to noe.

Make the a shype of planed boordes. as I shall teche the. and make cham∣bres therin. and take of al clene bestes the couple by hym self. and mete and drinke wyth them. ¶Than made noe this shyp as god taughte hym square in the botom and iii C. cubytes of l••¦ghthe. and l. cubites in brede and xxx cubytes of heyght: and this shepe was in makynge a C. yeres to shewe how merciable god is in taryeng to loke yf the people wold amende hem and how lothe he was to doo vengeaunce: But the people was euer lenger the wors. thenne by helpe of angelles all maner birdes and bestis were brought to noe Page  [unnumbered] And whan al were brought to the ship our lord bad noe and his wyfe and his iii. sones goo in to the ship by hem self And noes wyfe and her soones wyfes by hem self for the men sholde not co∣men wyth the wymmen. so whan they were alle ynne. god closed the dore to hem wythout forth. ¶Thenne it rayned xl. dayes and xl. nyghtes that the water bare the shype hygher than ony hyll by xl. cubytes. & stode styll an C. dayes and xl. And drowned all the worlde bothe people & bestes saue those that were in the shype yet iosephus said in armany ther is an hylle. and that is called Barus y^t was hygher than the water was. and therfo¦re dyuerse people haue opynyon there was moche peple saued. Soo noe was in the shyp al a yere. And thenne he put out a rauen for to bryng worde to kno¦we yf the reyne water seaced or no. & he come not ayen. Thenne he sent oute a douue and she come ayen and brought a braunche of olyue in her bylle. And therby noe knewe well that the water was seaced in some place: Thenne as god bad noe went oute & toke the vncle¦ne bestis from the clene and brente the vnclene bestis in sacryfice to god. and that plysed god soo well that he gaaff hem and all that come of hem after le¦ue to ete flesshe of all clene bestes. and for to drynke wyne there as before the flode. the peple ete and dranke nothing but water. for therthe was soo fertyll in it selfe to fore. that the people neded none other fode. but suche as come of the erthe: Thus may ye see and vnder∣stonde how grete vengeaunce god to∣ke on all the world for synne. & nowe there is asmoche synne as euere there was in thoo dayes and moche more in many degres, where I drede lest god wyll take vengeaunce on vs. and wol¦de or this tyme were not the prayers of holy chirche and good sayntes▪ and in especyall by the prayers of oure Lady and that ye shall here by ensample of saynt domynyk as he was in his pra∣yers he sawe our lord Ihesu Crist hol¦dynge thre speres in his honde redy to shote hem in to this worlde for venge∣aunce. and all for synne. Thenne com our lady knelyng before our lord. and said my dere sone what wyll ye doo. & he said my dere moder the worlde is so full of synne. of pryde couetyse leche∣ry and other synnes that I wyll shote thyse iii. speres of vengeaunce on the people. Thenne said our lady. my dere sone hauer mercy on hem. and abyde a whyle for I haue some true seruaūtes the whiche shal preche and teche the pe∣ple to tourne hem from synne. & thus by prayer of our lady god spared to ta¦ke vengeaunce. But now the world is so full of synne and cursed liuyng of false extorcion & oppression of the pou¦re peple. that they cry to god for socou¦re and helpe. wherfore it is full lyke y^t we shall be smytten full soone wyth some greuous vengeaunce. other wyth derth· other wyth dethe of pestilence. wherfore it is nedefull for vs to praye besely to our lady that she maye praye for vs to her dere sone Oure lord Ihe∣su Criste to spare vs in our dayes that we mow haue grace and mercy now & euer Anen.

Page  [unnumbered]

Do•〈…〉

GOod men & wymen •••daye is cal•〈…〉 in quiqua¦gesme. This worde quinquagesme 〈◊〉 a nombre of .•. whiche nombre betoke¦neth remission and ioye▪ For in the olde lawe euery .l. wynter o• maner of peo¦ple that were ouirsette with seruyce of bondage whan they come to y^e age they were made free in grete ioye and myr∣the to them. wherfore this nombre begī¦neth this daye and endeth on Esterday shewynge that all cristen peple that be oppressed with any tribulacion or dyse¦ase here in this wo••de shalbe made fre and haue remission at the day of dome and be heires in the kingdome of heuyn And yet in confortynge of al cristen pe¦ople euery. •. wynter the pope of Ro∣me graunteth full remission of all sin¦nes to all cristen people that cōmeth to Rome that yere And for all that may nat come thydre to haue this pardon. The pope of heuyn iesu crist of his spe¦cyall grace graunteth to all cristen peo¦ple full pardon. of all sinnes in their laste ende So that they wyll •epe thre thynges here in this worlde Confession contricion and satisfaction Holy shrif• of mouthe with contricion of hert and satisfaction in dede doyng Also he mu¦ste haue charite withoute faynynge. & stable feyth withoute flaterynge And withoute these thermay no man haue par••••e at Rome nor elles where And therfore he that wyll be assoiled of the pope of heuin and haue clene remission ne muste be contri•e. sorye for his syn∣nes. and shryue him clene. & be in pur¦pose neuir to sinne more And they that 〈…〉 all the peyne• that 〈◊〉 were ordey¦ned▪ for for him Take an ensample by p••ye that forso•• criste 〈…〉 gre¦te othes but he was after 〈◊〉 and so¦ry. Et 〈…〉. And wept ful b•t¦terly. and god that is ful of mercy for yaue him his trespas. and made better there to him after than he dyd to fore. For he sholde be in no dispayr & deede.

¶Narracio.

¶we finde of a grete riche man y^t was so wycked in his lyf that moche people demyd him dampned to hell Soo he fell seke and felyd him selue y^t he shul¦de be dede. and he ••thoughte him how wycked he hadde be in his leuyng and toke suche a contricion to hym and soo grete sorowe that he wept nyght • day euir whan his synne came to his mynd And so ley vii. daies and v•: nygh••• and shroue him clene and toke grete re¦pentaunce to him. and euir cryed god mercy So that all the peple hadde gre¦te pyte on him and than deyed▪ Thenne it hapned that ther was a mon•e •• an abbey that dyed the same tyme. & wa• made by his abbot to come •yen to tel him how he faryd▪ and so he dyd and sayd to the abbot whan he was cōme Sir I am come to kepe my promyse I praye you gyue me leue to go ayen for I goo to ioye Thenne saide the abbo• was there any moo that dyed whanne thou dydyst that went to ioye but thou And he sayd ye forsoth one & no mo•. Page  [unnumbered]〈…〉 was 〈◊〉 so•le• of suche a man 〈…〉 name Thenne saide thab¦bot▪ Nowe I knowe well thou art nat my monke but so••e send is cōme to tē¦pte me. For we knowe wele if any sou¦le be in peyne he is one of tho Thenne sayd the monke full vnworthy is any man for to knowe the preuyte of god∣des dome For that man hadde so grete contricion and repentaunce and wepte so bytterly for his synnes that the wa∣ter of his eyen percyd through all his clothes to the groūde wherfore go thy∣dre to morowe and whan thou fyndest it true that I say than byleue me: For I goo nowe to euirlastinge ioye. and blisse Then went thabbot thyder & foū¦de as it was true as the monke had sai¦de. and there knelyd thabbot downe & thankyd god and bad all the peple to be gladde that god is so mercifull and that he had y^e knowlege. Here ye may se that the grete contricioun y^t this man hadde quenchyd the grete payne y^t was ordeyned for him Thus ye may se hou grete help it is to a mannys soule to be contrite and sory for his synnes. and to drawe a man to the more contricioun▪ those L. daies the psalme in the psaul¦ter Miserere mei deus. is more rehercid these daies: than any other tyme of the yere the whiche is thus moche to saye. God for thy grete mercy haue mercye on me And whan a man is sory for his synnes and sayth thus with a soroful herte. god heryth his prayer and forye∣ueth his trespaces. soo that he be neuir in full purpose to synne more. butt to amende him and be in parfyt loue and charite withoute any feynynge. And but he haue charite withoute feynyng 〈…〉 sample.

¶Narracio.

¶There wa• a man th•• hadde 〈…〉 and hadde founde 〈◊〉 long to ••¦le and coste him moche good So on • daye he called his v sones •ifore hym▪ and saide Children I haue foūde you longe to scole and haue spent moche go¦de vpon you and I se no grete {pro}fyt the¦rof. wherfore but ye woll among you all assoyll me a question I woll doo no more coste on you ne fynde no len∣gre to scole And they askyd of their fa¦dre what the question was and it shul¦de be assoyled And he sayd I am olde and feble and may nat lyue longe and therfore I wolde wyte of you what thī¦ge wolde bring a mannes soule sonest to heuyn And anoon the eldest sone an¦sweryd and sayd. Forsothe fadre pre∣chynge and techynge wyll bryng a sou¦le sonest to heuyn of any thynge. well quod the fadre what says• thou to the secounde sone. And he answeryd and saide Feyth and true byleue bringeth a soule asso•e to heuyn. what sayst thou to the question my thyrde sone. And he saide good prayers & almes dedes brin¦geth a soule sone to heuyn. what sayst thou to the mater my fourth sone And he sayde pilgramage goynge and grea¦te penaunce suffrynge bringeth a soule soner to heuyn than any of these. what sayst thou my fyfte sone And he saide forsothe fadre ther is an other thī¦ge that bringeth a soule soner to heuyn than all these. what is that sayd the fa¦dre Forsoth fadre sayd he charyte For Page  [unnumbered]〈…〉 nat to 〈◊〉 warde For though a man pray and do ••mes dedes. goo on pylgramage. ha∣•e full feyth and beleue teche and pre¦che faste and suffre penaunce neuir soo moche: trye and wepe neuir so •o•de & •e oute of charite god heryth him natt And herto accordeth saint poule: in his epistyll and sayth thus.

Though I were so eloquēt as any mā or any aungell. Et si habuero prophe¦ciam & omnem scienciam And though I hadde all the connynge in the world and knewe the prophecy and the preuy∣te of god. And though I hadde so moche feyth y^t I myght meue hylles Et si distribuerē in cibos pauperum. And though I dea¦lyd all my good to pore peple for god¦des sake. Corpus meum vt ardeam. And my body to brenne in hote fyre. Caritatem autem non habeam nichill michi prodest. If I haue nat charite al this profyteth nat to heuyn wardes. ¶Wherfore it is nedefull and most ne¦cessary to euery soule that wyll be sa∣uyd to haue charite But though a mā say that he loueth god and loueth nat. his eyn cristen he is deceyued. For he y^t loueth god loueth his nyghboure in go¦de entente Thus muste a man be full of charite that wyll be sauyd. For charite couerith the multitude of 〈…〉 deyeth in 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 of charite shall be 〈…〉 And therfore of all 〈…〉•oost vertuous and moost •••ssarye to a manny• soule: yet we must •aue a stable feyth withoute flaterynge and to byleue sadly a• holy churche techeth and to bileue faithfully in the fadre so¦ne and holy goost. the fadre full god. the sone full god. and the hooly goste full god And thies thre persones been but oon god that made al thinge of no¦ghte This feyth was ••ste shewyd to the holy patriark Abraham in the va•e of mambre Ther he sawe thre fayr mē cōmynge towarde him. but he worshy¦ped but one yeuynge ensample to all cristen people to se in the spirite the fa∣dre the sone and the holy goost thre per¦sones and oon in godhede and worship them as one god. Also ye must byleue the incarnacion of oure lorde iesu criste that oure lady conceyued in the hooly goost withoute w••me of her body in flesshe and blood as one of vs and ve¦ry god and man. and was dede and be¦ried Tercia die resurr••n a mortius. And on the thridde day he rose from de¦the to lyue Ascend• ad •e•os And ••yed vp to heuyn on holy thoursdaye. Iude venturus est iudicare v••os • mor••∣os And shall cōme ayen at the daye of dome and deme the quycke and the dede This is figured by Isaac. the sone of Abraham that he gate on his wyf Sa¦ra through the holy goste whanne they were both passed age to bringe for the any frute For god saide to Abrahā he shuld haue frute as grete 〈◊〉 multitu¦de as were st•rres in the 〈◊〉. Page  [unnumbered] Thenne whan this child was borne he was called Isaac. and whan he was fyue and twenty yere of age god said to Abraham in this wyse take thy sone Isaac & go to suche an hyll as he she∣wyd to him and offre him in sacrifice. that was to sle him as the maner was somtyme Thenne abraham had by he¦ste of god to haue greate issue. & thou∣gh he louyd his sone neuir somoch yet he toke him anon withoute gruchinge. and went to the hyll and made his so∣ne Isaac to bere woode to brenne hym selfe with And whan they came to the hyll toppe Abraham made an auster. of wode and sette it on fyre. and then∣ne he toke his sone Isaac and wold ha¦ue slayne him and offeryd to god Thē¦ne anone spake an aungel to abraham and badde him leue of and take the she¦pe that stode therby and offer him in ste¦de of thy sone Isaac. ¶By abraham ye may vnderstonde the fadre of heuyn and by Isaac. his sone iesu criste y^t spa¦red nat for no loue that he had to him But suffred the •ewys to ley wode vp¦on his backe that was the croce that he shulde be doon on him selue and ladde him to the hyll of caluarye & there dyd him vpon the altre of woode that was the croce that was made of foure diuer¦se maner of wode That was cedre. cy∣presse olyue and palme: and theron he dyed for all mankynde Thus may cri¦ste well be called Isaac that is to vn∣derstonde laughter for many a soul he broughte oute of hell laughing y^t went thidre sore wepynge Thenne lyke as this was a figure of cristes passion lō¦ge or he was borne. Right so this daye ••iste him self in the gospel sayd 〈◊〉 to his disciples that he shulde be betray¦ed Vnde. And howe he shuld be taken and be•en with scourges. spytte vpon. and after his scourgynge doon vpon the croce. & so sle him the thridde daye shall ryse a¦yen to lyf •nd for they shulde haue the bettre byleue therto and to his wordes anoon to fore theym he made a blynde man to se that cryed and sayd: Iesu the sone of dauyd haue mercy of me Thenne said our lorde to him what woldest thou that I shulde do to the. & he sayd Domine vt videam. Lorde ye¦ue me sighte Thenne sayd oure lorde. thy feyth hath sauyd the And anone he hadde his sight and thanked god So muste euery cristen man that wyll ha¦ue pardone of god he muste haue con∣tricion full of herte with shrift of mou¦the and satisfaction in dede. being in ho¦le charite withoute feynyng and in sta¦ble feyth withoute flaterynge. And to fiere you more to the faythe I wyll tel you this ensample folowynge.

¶Narracio.

¶There was somtym a bisshop in En¦glonde that highte by name grosthede. and was busshoppe of Lincoln & was holden the greteste clerke in Englonde. Page  [unnumbered] or in the worlde. And whome he le• his deth he• there came to him a gre¦te multitude of fendes & disputed with him of the feythe Insomoche that they had nygh tornyd him oute of the byle¦ue and putte him into dispaire Thenne was oure lady redy and saide to hym. My seruaunte bileuest thou nat in ho∣ly church as it techith And anone he cri¦ed and sayd yes gracious lady I byle¦ue as holy churche techith me And ano¦ne went the fendes awaye and he gaue vp the goost to euirlasting 〈◊〉. To the whiche blisse brynge vs 〈◊〉•hat bou¦ghte vs with his precious blode Amen

¶Dominica prima quadrage¦sime

GOde men and wymen this day is called in holy churche the fir¦ste sonday in quadragesme. A nombre of .xl. for from this daye vn∣to Esterdaye been xl. daies And for bi¦cause that euery man synneth more or lesse for to make satisfaction for trespa¦se all cristen people ben bounde by the lawe of god and holy churche to faste thies xl. daies saue tho that lawe dispē¦seth with for reasonable cause Childrē that been within age. wymmen that be with childe. Olde people that been my¦ghtlesse to faste labourynge people as pilgrames and seke people. Those the law• dispenseth with vpon their consci¦ence Thenne for cause that sondaye is noo daye of penaunce. therfore ye shal begynne your fast on asshewednesday That day ye muste cōme to holy chur∣che and take asshes of the prestes hon∣des and thynke on the wordes well that he sayth ouer youre hedes▪ 〈…〉.

Haue mynde man of asshes that thou arte cōme of. and to asshes thou shall turne ayen. ¶Thenne been there diuer¦se s•ylles why ye shall faste these four¦ty daies One is as the gospell tellythe this day thus How the holy goost bad oure iesu cry∣ste goo into deserte bitwene ierusalem and •herico to be tempted▪ of the fe•de▪ and was there xl. daies fastinge and xl. nyghtes for youre sake shewy•ge▪ to all cristen people the vertue and the mede that cōmeth of fastinge. the w•i¦che been expressyd in the preface of the masse that is sayd in holy churche the xl. daies that is thus. That holy fasting thrust•th downe vi¦ces and lyfteth vp the thought of a mā to vertues and to largenesse of all go∣denesse. and geuyth grete mede in •euen that shall laste euir▪ and gete gra••••¦re in erthe For as clerkes telle the •py•e• of a fastinge man shall slee an •dd•r. bodily Thenne moche more it ••eeth the might of the olde adder that is the fend of hell that come to eue in paradise in lykenesse of an addre and tempted •et to glotony vayne glory. and couetyse. Right so the fende came to criste in sy•¦nesse of a man left he hadde be knowen and tempted criste as sayth the gospel ¶whanne criste had fasted fourty da¦yes and and fourty nyghtes. Thenne. by kynde of manhode he hungred Thē¦ne came the fende to him and shewyd him stones and sayd thus: If thou be goddes sone of heuyn make these stones brede For right as eue was rauysshed whan she sawe the apell by temptation of the fende to ete therof. The same wyse he went to haue made criste to ete of the brede. For glotony is nat only in mānys mete but in the fou¦le luste and appetite of a man Thenne saide criste anoon to him in this wyse. 〈◊〉 lyueth nat only by brede but by 〈◊〉 worde that cōmyth fro the mouth of god Thenne the fende toke him and sett him vpon the high pynacle of the tē¦ple and said If thou be goddes sonne. ••nge thy selue downe without man∣nys helpe or harme. that I may know the for goddes sone Then said our lord Thou shalt nat tempte thy lorde god. yet he came ayen the thridde tyme. He tooke him and sette him on a hyghe hyll and shewyd him all the kyngdo∣mes and the richesse of the worlde and sayd to him on this wyse. All this I shall gyue the if thou wyll falle downe and worshippe me. Than saide oure lorde god vnto him thus. Goo sathanas it is wreten thou shall worship thy lorde god and only him ser¦ue The••• he lefte him. and wente his waye 〈◊〉. Than angellys came and brought him fode For the fende is mooste besy these xl. daies to tempte peple to thre synnes to pryde couetyse and gloteny. ¶It is nedefull to haue thre remedyes ayenst them That is ayenst glotony abstinen¦ce. ayenst pryde mekenesse. and ayenst couetyse largenes. Ayenst glotony we must faste that is nat to ete bifore tyme and at mete ete nat gredely nomore thā a nother tyme and to faste bothe daye & nyghte as criste dyd But there is mo∣che people wyll sytt and drynke bothe daye and nyghte and fyll their bodyes with foule lust of gloteny Also ye mu¦ste faste from all maner of flesshe me∣te and white mete For Ierom sayth eg¦ges is almoost flesshe and mylke blod And whan ye go to youre mete take en¦sample by holy churche. whan the pre∣ste goth to masse that is goddes worde: howe he at his begynning boweth dou¦ne his knees and byddeth all other doo the same. in the myddes of the masse & at thend of the masse bowe down your Page  [unnumbered] hedes to god And therfore whan ye go to your mete so worship god with a pa¦ter noster and an Aue. that sent you y^e fode. and make a crose vpon your me¦te. and after mete an other. and thank god highly that sent you that fode att your nede to your bodily sustenaunce. Thus •urste ye faste ayenst glotony: Ayenst pryde that is but a vayne glory of the worlde ye muste putte away all suche thoughtes of pryde and highnesse in herte and be me•e and louly in herte and thynke howe a man is borne feble. seke and full poure. and how he goeth euery day a iournay toward his dethe while he lyueth in this world. and atte last cōmeth dethe and castith him dow∣ne in his bedde and lyeth there sighinge and gronynge and chaungeth bothe hy¦de and hewe Thenne stynketh his breth and his lyppes wexen blacke. his face pale and his eyen yelowe. his tonge en¦glymed. and his nose blacke. his teeth fallen away. his flesshe wydereth and turneth to erthe And then at the last wi¦the great sighinge yeueth vp the gooste and then lyeth ther as erth and put into the erthe Lito obliuisceris And so shal thou be sone forgoten. ¶Therfore take this sadly in mynd and I hope ye shall putt awaye pride Thenne ayenst couetyse ye muste haue abstinence that is for to say. ye absteyn your self from worldely couetyse and vanyties. And they that haue been hard in kepyng of goodes and euir hath gadred to aydre and faste hath kepte it But now shold ye be as redy to paye and contente y^t ye be in dette vnto bothe to god and to the worlde And also to restore ayen that ye haue taken wrongfully And yeue to p•¦re people mete and drynke and clothes. and other thinges suche as is nedefull to theym And the fete y^t hathe goon all the yere besily to gete godes of the worl¦de. nowe muste ye be also besy to go & yeue the pore people to theym that haue nede as we haue in the gospell. Da•e et dabitur vobis. yeue and god wyll yeue you For the hondes that wyll nat gyue almes. they be full vnworthy to be acceptable vnto god Also ye muste goo full besily vnto goddes seruyce & in pilgramage goynge and to all ma¦ner gode dedes of almesse. And he that hath be besy to gadre goodes now shol¦de he spare from his owne mouthe for to yeue the pore nedy that is goddes peo¦ple for that pleasith god full moche & gretly helpyth the soule. El•mos•a a morte liberat. Almesse delyuerethe the soule from deth• For right as water quenchy•• fy•e Ry¦ght so almes dede quēchith synne wher¦fore the prophete sayth thus. yeue ye and god wyll gyue to you. Forgyue and god wyll forgyue you· But nowe all is lytell enoughe to fe∣de your bodies. that no thinge ye maye gyue to pore bodies for goddes sake

¶Narracio.

Page  [unnumbered]¶we rede there was a worthy knyght a riche man of godis and a mighty mā of his h•ndes. but he cherisshed moche his body with delicate metes and deyn∣ties. But at the laste he died and was buried in a tombe of stone Than had he a sone that was a worthy man and vsed euery daye in custome to say De¦profundis for his faders •soull. by his tombe So on a day he made a grete fe¦ste to all the worthy estates in the coun¦trey aboute him. whan they sholde wa¦she and go to mete this man bithought him howe he hadde nat sayd Deprofū¦dis▪ and prayed the people to abyde tyl he saide his deuociones. and they sayd they wolde goo with him and dyd soo. Thenne there fyll suche a luste in this mannys herte that he must nedes se his faders tomb oyned or els him thought he shulde dye. and so made the peple to eyen the tombe Thenne anoon he was ••are of a grete blacke tode also blacke 〈◊〉 ony pytche with •yn brennyng lyke •y•e that had b••epyd his faders hert with her foure clawes and gnewe fast He saide O fadre moche good mete ha¦the goon in thy throte and now art strā¦gled with a foule hell hounde and an horrible foule beste And anone he lete go close the tombe ayen and so yede to mete. And whan he hadde seruyd all the people pryuely he went forth & left childe and lordship and all his godes & went to Ierusalem and lyued there e∣monge beggers with other pore people in grete pouerte all his lyf and so dey∣ed whan god wolde and wente to euir¦lastinge ioye as I hope To the whiche ioye god bringe vs all. Amen:

Dominica secūda quadrageste

gOode men and wymen this is the secounde sondaye in clene lente wherfore lyke as ye haue made al this yere bifore you honest and well be seen in good array to your body Now shulde ye be assone besy to make you a clene soule. wherfore this tyme of lente is ordeyned to clense youre canscience. from al maner of ruste and fylth of sī¦ne So that ye may on Esterdaye with clene conscience receyue the body of our lorde•esu criste. wherfore saint Poule in the epistyll of this day sayth thus.

This is goddes wyll that ye shulde be besy & holy to kepe your bodies in cle∣nesse for to please god moche & to pray to him to make his vessell clene ayenst the cōmynge of oure lorde iesu criste. Thanne shall ye vnderstonde that this vessell is mannys conscience and that is a good vessell that kepyth all good thinges that is put therin tyll the daye of dome. For that daye euery mannys vessell that is to saye euery mannis cō¦science shalbe opened. and the worlde shall se what hath been kepte therin be it bettre or worse fayre or foull Than he that bryngeth a clene vessell. bifore the high iuge shalbe well allowed. Thenne howe a man shall kepe his ve¦sell clene holy churche techith by ensā∣ple of a holy patriarke Iacob that is re¦de in songe all this weke ¶Iacob had a fadre that was called Isaac and his modre Rebecca and she hadde two chil¦dren at one byrthe. and that was firste Page  [unnumbered] borne highte Esau and the other iacob But for the story is long we shall ta•e at this tyme that is moste nedefull and leue that other Thenne hadde god gy∣ue his patriarke Isaac such grace that what blessinge he gaue his blessed chil¦dren they shulde haue it Than for Isa¦ac was olde and blynde and nyghe his dethe he sayd to his sone Esau. Goo and hunte and gete me some me∣te that I mighte ete of.

That I may gyue the my blessinge or I deye But whan Esau was gone ia¦cob the yongre by techynge of his mo∣dre gate his faders blessinge And his fadre sayd to him in this wyse.

Be thou lorde of all thy brethern and so made him his eyre and blessed all y^e blessed him Thenne whanne esau was come home and wyst this he hatyd Ia¦cob his brother and thought to sle hym Thenne iacob by counseyll of his mo¦dre went oute of the contre vnto an vn¦cle that he hadde that hight Laban and as he wente by the way in a countre of euyll people lyuynge he durst nat lon∣ge with theym abyde but leye all a ny¦ghte in the feld by the waye and leyd a stone vndre his hede and slepte. And in this slepe he thoughte he sawe a ledder that stoode of therth and •aught vp to heuyn and god ioyned to the led¦der. Vnde. And aungellys of god goyng vp and downe Thenne god spake to him and said I am god of Abraham and Isa¦ac and I wyll gyue the this londe and be thy kepar in thy waye Then awoke Iacob and sayd in this wyse Forsothe god is in this place and I wy¦ste nat and soo wente forthe to his vn∣cle and was with him xx. wynter and more his seruaunte and wedded his ii. doughters that one hight rachell and y^e other Lya And whan he hadde be there so longe he desired to goo home ageyn into his owne countre And tooke with him his wyf and his children. and all his catell and wente forthe Thenne ca¦me there to him a multitude of aungel¦lys to helpe him Thenne whan Iacob came to a forde he made all his meyne to goo bifore with his cattell and hym selue abode bihinde in his prayers and as he prayed there cāme an aungell to him in lyknesse of a man and wra•••ed with him all the nyght tyll on the mor¦ne and toke him by the grete senowe of the thighe and made him to ha••e euy• after Then sayd the aungell to Iacob what is thy name. He sayd Iacob nay saide he thou shalt no lenger hight ia∣cob but israell shalbe thy name. And blessyd him and lefte him there hastyn¦ge. and thus he went home to his ow• countrey with grete prosperyte. ¶This story is red in holy churche in this ensample to all good seruauntes that desire to gete the blissyng of the fa¦dre of heuyn and to haue the herytage: Page  [unnumbered] that is there He muste be iacob and af¦ter israell For iacob is to vnderstonde a wrasteler. & Israell a man y^t seeth god. for he that wyll see god. he muste wrastell here in erthe wyth the bad an¦gel That is the fende▪ & wyth his own flesshe. as thus whan he hath doone a gret horryble synne than the fende put¦teth to hym a grete shame in herte. soo that he dare not telle it oute. thenne he muste wrastele wyth the fende and the flesshe and ouercome hem. And telle out his synne openly▪ wyth all the cir∣cūstaunce of his synne. than wylle his flesshe be aferde and ashamed theroff but than he must wrastel wyth his fle¦she strongly and make it to telle his si¦nce and to do• penaunce after the coū¦seyll of his gostely fader. takyng then 〈…〉 woman of fer countrey that came to crist as the gospell sayth ¶How the woman of Canen•e came • Criste to gete hele for her doughter. 〈◊〉 was trobled wyth a fende & said ¶Ihesu the sone of dauid haue mercy on me Thenne our lord answerd: ¶It is not good to take brede of chil∣dren. and gyue it to houndes ¶Ies lord for why welpes eten of the cromes that fallen fro her lordes bord Thenne said our lord. ¶O woman thou hast a greate feyth wherfore as thou wylte thy doughter be saued. and soo was her doughter ho¦le. This woman and her doughter be∣tokeneth a man that his conscience tra¦ueyleth wyth a fende of dedely synne that may not bee holpen but he goo to god. And there he shryue hym to the preeste. sparynge for noo rebuke noor shame ne for drede but mekely suffre all that the confessour saith to hym. And take his penaunce mekely wyth a contryte herte. and doo it wyth good deuocion and soo he shall be delyue∣red of the fende. that hathe traueyleth his conscience for a man that hath do∣ne an horryble synne. and shall be sa∣ued he shall neuer haue rest in his con¦science. tyll he be shryuen therof. For ryght as an hounde gnaweth on a bo¦ne that is harde right so his synne gna¦weth his conscience. Shewynge by ex¦perience howe houndes of helle shall gnawe his soule euer more wythoute rest that deyth wyttingly in dely synne that he myght haue be shryuen of▪ and wolde not. Ensample of a woman.

¶Narracio.

¶There was a woman that had don an horryble synne. and wold fayn ha∣ue be shryuen ther of and durst not. Thenne came our lord to her bodely & said. my doughter why shr••est the not of thy synne. lord I maye not for sha∣me thēne said our lord take met•• hon¦de. & put her hōde in to his syde euin to his hert & said womā what felest thou and she quaked for fere & said lorde I Page  [unnumbered] fele 〈◊〉 herte Then sayd oure lord be thou noo more asshamed to shewe me thyn herte than I to let the fele myne Thenne this woman rose and with ly¦ghte sawe her honde al blody and wol¦de haue wasshe it of but it wolde natte tyll on the morowe that she was shry∣uen and thenne was her honde clene as it was to fore and she was clene of all her synnes and thus she was made cle¦ne bothe of body and soule.

Dn̄ica tercia quadragesime.

gOode men and wymen this is the thridde sonday in clene lent wherfore we rede in the gospell of this daye and saith thus

How oure lorde caste oute a fende of a dombe man and whan the fend was loppen oute. Thenne the dombe man spake By this dombe man ye shal vnderstond al tho that haue no myghte to shryue theym. with their tongues to tell theire synne: but tary as longe as they may for sha∣me of the peple. and it were nat for sha¦me of the worlde in lenten nor out of lē¦ten they wolde neuir came to shrifte. & that maketh that fende for he is in that man or woman whedyr it be that is so disposed Therfore ye that be behynde. come and shryue you and mak you cle¦ue and haue this dōbe man out of you¦re mynde and caste awaye the fende. But there be many that be nat yet shre¦uyn what shall I doo there they woll say they can nat shryue theym they wo¦•e nat wherof But I may saye to you of many an ydell worde and many •n euyll thoughte. and many a cursed de¦de. many grete othes. many an euyll worde that ye haue spoke I wote well ye can nat tell all for ye haue been so longe fro confession But I say to you that vnknewyngnesse shall nat excu∣se you at the daye of dome. For whan ye haue offendyd god in many trespa¦ces that hurteth the soule. anon ye shol¦de make you clene and kepe it in youre mynde But ye woll nat cōme tyll it be forgoten. And so yet whan ye cōme to shrifte ye be dombe for the fende is wy¦thin you For ye wene many tymes that it be no synne to speke an ydell worde▪ to make the people to laugh nor to swe¦re a grete othe it dothe no harme Bu••e saint Poule in his pystell forbedyth e∣uery man to speke any 〈…〉 sayeth in this maner. Forsothe I saye to you that ye shal gy¦ue a reknynge for euery ydyll worde y^t ye speke And none shall passe vn•uny¦sshed at the daye of dome And therfor that all ydell wordes and harlotry & re¦baudry be And if ye do y^t is worship to god and profyt to the speke• for there as harlotry is moche spoken it is in mī¦de For the tonge she with thabundaūce of the herte so firste in thought after •n speking it causeth moche synne in dede Firste euery man is tempted to synne by luste of thought theron. ¶And the luste engendereth synne. ¶And whan the synne is doone it cau¦seth damnacion. euer lastynge deth y^t is in spekynge rybawdry and harla∣try for the lust that a man hathe in spe¦kynge is grete synne.

¶Narracio.

¶we fynde of an abbesse: that was a clene woman▪ as for ony dede of syn∣•e. But she hadde great luste to speke t•erof Soo whan she was dede and beryed in the chirche. the nyghte after •ame fendes and toke vp the body. & all to bete it wyth brennynge scour∣ges from the nauell vpwarde that it 〈◊〉 blacke as ony pytc•e. But from t•e nauell doune warde it shone as bryghte as the sonne. and the fendes •yghte it doo noo harme. And euer as t•e fendes bete her she cryed pytously. that two of her susters that were sex∣s•ens were sore aferd. But eyther com¦forted other. soo that they went nere til they wyst how it was. Thenne spake the spyrite to her susteren and sayd. ye knowe well that I was a clene may∣den as for ony dede but I had greate luste to speke of synne. that partye ha∣the great peyne as ye maye see. wher∣for I praye you systerne praye for me For by youre prayers I may be holpē and beware by me in tyme commynge Here by ye may see what perell it is to speke ydle wordes and harlatry spe∣che. wherfore this same pystle sayth thus.

¶Absteyne you from Fornycacion & all synnes. and walke wyth Cryst in loue and peas. as Cryste dede. that suf¦fred for vs many scornes rebukes and dyspytes. and all he toke mekely pacy¦ently and in charyte yeuynge ensam∣ple to all crysten people to doo the sa∣me: But he that wyll lyue in rest and peas shall haue great persecucion off euyll people. But and he suffre it me∣kely. he is a martir byfore god and in confermynge of this holy chirche ma∣keth mynde and mencion as thus. ¶we rede of an holy man that was called Ioseph that suffred grete perse¦cucion. but he suffred it mekely. ther∣fore god broughte hym to greate wor∣shyp and prosperyte as ye shall here. ¶But for this story is longe therfore we shall take that is moost nedefull at this tyme. This Ioseph had a fader that hyght Iacob. and had xi: sones. bretherne to Ioseph. But his fader lo¦ued hym most specially of all thother And therfore his bretherne hated hym the more. and in especiall for a dreme that he dremed. wherby they supposed all. that he shold be lorde of them all and all they shold hem doo worshyp And anone they toke theyr coūseyl to gyder and sayd: ¶Lete vs goo therfore and slee hym But yet they durst not for dred of god and anone. ¶Vendide∣runt cum in egypto. ¶They sold hym in to Egipte to a man for xxx. Page  [unnumbered] pene as god was solde. And therfore god was wyth hym. so a man y^t was styward to the king bought him y^e hy∣ght putefar. but the fēde had gret enuy to Ioseph and tempted the Lady sore on hym. ¶Soo on a daye the lady loked on io¦seph and toke hym by the mantel and sayd come and slepe wyth me. And as¦sone as Ioseph vnderstode her mea∣nynge. anone he yede and fledde his waye and lefte his mantell there. thē∣ne this woman cried and tolde her hus¦bonde how Ioseph wolde haue leyen by her. And for he shold not saye naye she kepte his mantell Therfor the lord made to caste Ioseph in pryson. there as Pharao hadde put his butteler and his baker As they felle a slepe they dre¦med. the whiche dreme thei tolde ioseph And he sayde that the kynge wolde re∣store his botteler to his offyce agayn wythin thre dayes and the baker shold be hanged wythin thre dayes and as he sayd it was Thenne happed so that the kynge dremed hym selfe▪ but there cowde noman telle what sholde falle ther of. but by counseyll of the butte∣ler the kynge sente after Ioseph. And whā the kyng had tolde him his dreme Ioseph said that god hath sente hym a fayr warnyng to puruey hym to fore that shold come after. And he sayd the¦re shold come vii. plentuous yeres off come. and of all maner frutes and vi¦tayles. and after shold come seuen ye¦res in the whiche people shold spend• all that was goten to fore. ¶Thenne the kynge said. I knowe no man that coude purueye soo well for suche a thinge as thou cowdest wher∣fore. I make the gretest vnder me. off all my •eame. And they shall doo to the as to me at thy commaundemente

¶Thenne anone Ioseph lete make the gretest bernes that euer was seen and gadered corne faste seuen ye∣res. And soone after came seuen yeres that all thinge was scarce and dere Thenne Iacob Iosephs fader herde that there was corne to selle in Egyp∣te. And he sente thether his ten sones for to bye corne. And whan they came thyder. and sawe Ioseph▪ al fyll dow¦ne on her knees and dyd him worship∣pe lyke as his dreme was for they kne¦we not hym. But wende that he hadde bee lord of the countre but he knewe them well ynowhe: Thenne he •••ke to theym in latyne.

¶And sayd they were s•••es that we¦re come to knowe of the lond And they sayd naye they were all Bretherne and all one mannes sones and ano∣ther brother they hadde that was ••me home wyth her fader and ther was a nother and they wyste not whether he were a lyue or noo And that they met∣te by Ioseph and for to preue the trow the he made to bynde one of them that hyghte Symeon. And sayd that he shuld abyde wyth hym tyll they had fette hym that was atte home. And so he lete fylle her sackes wyth corne & Page  [unnumbered] preuyly put her mony in to her sackis vnwetynge to hem. And so whan they came home to her fader. and putte out her corne. they fonde her mony: ¶And they tolde her fader. but thenne he was sory for Symeon his sone. that was lefte behynde in pryson. And mo∣re ouer that he muste nedys. sende for Hym whiche he loneth moste and that was Beniamyn. Ioseph. hole brother For thyse other were but halfe breder∣ne to Ioseph. but whan Iacob fayled corne he must nedis sende for more. And he sente forth Beniamyn. And whan Ioseph sawe his brother Ben∣iamyn he myghte not forbere wepyng And anone delyuered hym his brother symeon: and sette hem all to mete. and fylled her sackes wyth corne. and pry∣uely put the cup that they dranke of in Beniamyns sacke. and badde hem go her waye But anone after Ioseph sen¦te after theym. and sayde they were to •lame whyle they had soo good chire 〈◊〉 bere awaye a cuppe that they drā∣ke of. Thenne they were heuy and sad¦de and sayde it was not soo. and he rā •aked hem by and by. ¶And thenne they founde it in Bēiamyns sacke. thē¦ne came they ayen to Ioseph sore we∣pynge. And whan Ioseph sawe hem all wepe and his owne broder Benia¦myn made moost sorowe. For it was founde wyth hym. ¶Thenne Ioseph bad hem all bee of good chere. For I am Ioseph your broder. And be noo thynge adred. For god hath me sente heder for youre profyte and anone sen¦te after his fader: and soo dwelled all to gyder a grete whyle in y^e londe with moche prosperyte. ¶This story is red this weke in holy chirche. For goddis children shold take ensample off olde faders. to suffre tribulacion and perse¦cucion mekely in parfyte charite. for goddis sake. As he suffred for vs. ¶For who that grucheth ayenste try∣bulacion and persecucion that god sen¦deth. must shryue hym and take his pe¦naunce. For there is some people wyll saye why dooth god thus by me what haue I trespassed agayn hym. they be in great peryll for her penaunce: For truly wordes may lette moche grace.

¶Narracio.

¶we fynde in myracles of wenefrede the virgyn that a man came to her on a nyghte vpon two crotches full off many maner syknes and so by the hel¦pe of god and this holy virgyne. ¶This man was hole and soo wente where he wolde an hole daye in the ab¦bey. and thanked hyghly god and this holy virgyne of his hele. ¶Soo at nyghte he wente to his bed∣de in good hele. And on the morowe his sykenes toke hym ayen sorer than it dyd before. and soo leye cryynge. y^t it was grete pyte to here. Thenne came a monke to hym and asked hym what he had done that his syknes was come ayen. and he sayd nothynge Thenne said the monke: were thou shriuen sith thou were hole. and he sayde nay. I had noo nede. For I stale nother oxe nor cowe. nor dyd noo gryuous synne Page  [unnumbered] Thenne the monke thoughte. thoughe a man doo noo dedely synne. he maye doo so many venyall. that they maye make a dedely synne. for ryghte as a man may wyth many smale cornes charge a stronge horse. soo maye he la¦de his soule wyth soo many smale sin¦nes that he maye falle in the pytte off helle. Thenne anone this man wente to a preeste and shroue hym. and soo was hole bothe in body and soule euer after by confessiō and preyers of this holy virgyne Amen.

¶Dominica iiii. quadragesīe.

•Ood men and wymmen this is the fourthe sonday in lenton the whiche holy chirche maketh mencion of an holy prophete that was called moyses. the whiche was a fygu¦re of our lorde Ihesu Criste many ye∣res or our Lorde was borne. Thenne as we rede in holy chirche. as Moyses was in the deserte of Synay. God spake to hym and sayd.

¶Pharao the kynge of egypte oppres¦seth soo the peple of Israel wyth bon¦dage and vnresonable werkes. And they for woo cryde to me for socoure & helpe. wherfore goo thou thyder. and brynge hem oute of her bondage. and I shall be wyth the. thenne bryng hem and offre hem to me. I wyll brynge hem in to a londe of plentuousnes off all goodis. Soo whan he had taught Moyses how he sholde doo. Moyses went thyder and gadered all tholde pe¦ple to gyder that knewe the prophecye how they shold be ladde oute of that londe. and sayde to hem. as god bad hym. thenne were they full glade and wente wyth hym olde and yonge tyll they came to the rede see. and god was euyr byfore hem in the daye in a pyler as a cloude to refresshe hem fro the he∣te of the sonne. And in the nyghte in a pyler off fyre to lyghte hem fro har¦me of venym beestis: But whan that pharao herde that moyses hadde forth this people. he toke thre hondred Char•¦ottis of his owne and thre hondred of the londe. and xl. thousande horsmen. and thre hondred thousande fote men and went after. And whan Moyses sawe this peple come. he prayed to god for helpe And god hym selfe bad hym smyte the see wyth his yerde. And whan he had smytten the see▪ he had way for hym and his people. The see cloue in two partyes. Soo that the water stode stylle on euery syde as an hyll and the grounde was d•eye sonde Thenne Moyses yede forthe and all the people after hym. Thenne wende pharao to haue passed also. and sewed after with all his ofte but whā he had his oste wythin the see the water went to gyder & drowned hym & all his oste And whan moyses sawe y^t he & his pe¦ple were peryshed thus he thanked god & was there vii. dayes after. and euery day they yede to the see thankinge god of her passage makynge great melo∣dye that our lord had done soo to them Page  [unnumbered] And yet in mynde herof. all ester we∣ke we make solempne procession to the fonte that is the rede see. ¶Thenne wente moyses forthe wyth his people in to deserte tylle he came to the hylle of Synay. and there he lefte the peple benethe.

¶And moyses stode vpon the hyll there as god was and there he was xl. dayes and xl. nyghtes wythoute mete and drynke. ¶Thenne god ga∣ue hym two tables of stone. in the whi¦che god wrote wyth his owne fyngres the ten. commaundementes and toke theym Moyses. ¶And bad hym teche hem to his people. And whan Moyses came downe to the peple his face was all bryghte as the sonne. and two spi∣tes stondyng on his hede. lyke two hor¦nes. soo that the people myght not spe∣ke wyth hym for clerenes.

¶Thenne moyses hyde his face wyth a kerchiff. thenne in that one leef were wryten the thre. cōmaundemētes that longen to god and those ben thy∣se. ¶The first thou shalt wor∣shippe thy god and loue hym aboue all thinge. For thou shall directe all maner thynge to goddis wyll byfore thyne owne. And sue his and not thyn owne wylle. ¶The seconde cō∣maundemente is this Thou shalt not take his name in veyne. that is for to saye thou shall not bee called goddis childe as crysten man. And s• fende. For thenne that name is to the but vayn. ¶Also thou shall not swere by god. Nor by noo parte off his body. not by noo thynge that he ma¦de. but in forderynge of the trouthe. And yet whan thou arte constreyned therto. ¶The thirde com∣maundemente is. thou shall kepe thy∣ne holy daye: that is for to saye thou shall be erly vp and late downe to ser¦ue god on the holy daye as thou arte on the werkedaye to thyne owne wer∣ke: as besy shall thou be on the hooly daye to serue god.

¶The fourthe commaundemente is thou shall worshippe thy fader and thi moder y^t brought the in to this worl¦de. Also thy godfader and thy godmo∣der. y^t made the a crysten man And thy fader vnder god that hath cure and charge of thy soule. ¶The fyfthe is. thou shall sle no man nother wyth tonge nor wyth thy honde nor wyth e∣uyll ensample. The sixte thou shall stele no mannes godes The vii. is thou shalt doo no le∣chery The viii: is thou shall bere noo false wytnesse The nynthe thou shall nat coueyte thy nyghboures godes. ne no thing that longeth to him that is his ayenst his wyll The tenthe thou shall nat desire thy neyghboures wyf ne coū¦seyll her in noo waye to do euyll that sholde be harme or vilonye to her hus∣bonge Thies been the x: cōmaundmen¦tes the whiche euery cristen man & wo∣man is bonde to kepe Thus was moy¦ses a figure and a token of criste Moy¦ses camme bifore and yaue the lawe. Page  [unnumbered] and Criste came after and gaaf gra∣ce and mercy ¶For in that same ma∣ner as moyses fette the people oute off Egypte thrughe the rede see forth to the hylle of Sinay. in the same wyse Crist whan he came by his prechynge and myracles doyng. He fette the peo∣ple out of dernesse of synne and of all euyl lyuyng thorugh the water of bap¦tysme to the hylle of vertuous lyuyng

¶And therfore he that wyll shryue hym clene. And leue his fowle lyuing. and kepe the commaundemen¦tis of god that he made couenaunte to kepe in his cristning thēne shal he be encreased hygher thā ony hyl in erth. y^t is in heuen: But he that wyll do thus he muste be fedde wyth fyue loues. & two fysshes ¶we rede this daye in ho∣ly chirche in the gospell. How Criste fedde fyue thousand people wyth fy∣ue looues and two fysshes The fyrste loff of the fyue. is contricion for synne The seconde is shryfte of mouth. The thirde is satisfaction for the trespasse. ¶The fourth is not to tourne ayen to his synne. For he that is ofte aferde shall doo well The fyfthe is perseue¦raunce in good lyuynge. And the two fysshes ben good orysons. and almes∣dedes. For thyse be norysshed in waters that is wepynge teres in deuocion. thy¦se two fysshes geten of god what they wylle.

¶Narracio.

¶It is wreten. that somtyme was a man that was called pyers and was a ryche man. But he was soo harde that there was noo begger that myght gete 〈◊〉 of hym. Thenne on • tyme it happed so that many beggers satte to gyder in a place. and spake off this Pyers how they myghte gete noo good of hym. ¶Thenne spake one off theym as a mayster. and sayde. what wylle ye ley wyth me that I shall not gete noo good of hym Soo they made a wager. thenne wente this man forth and came to Pyers place. and set hym doune in the porche at the halle dore. & there abode tyll pyers came: and ano∣ne as he sawe Pyers. he spake soo hor¦ryble to pyers. that for grete angre. as his seruauntes came by hym wyth a basket of brede. he toke a loof. And wyth all his myghte he caste it atte the beggers hede. and smote hym on the brest. and sayd stoppe thy mouth there wyth. that the deuylle stoppe the. And anone the begger caught the loofe and ranne his waye to his felowes and she¦wed his loof. And soo he gate his wa∣ger. ¶Thenne the next nyghte after it happed soo that this Pyers was shry∣uen and brought to his bedde▪ and soo deyed. And anone fendes came to take his soule. But thenne was our lady re¦dy. and bad them brynge the sowle to her. And soo they dyde. thenne was the¦re noo thynge to helpe the soule. But only that lof that he cast to the begger thenne sayde the fendys. he gaaf that ayenste his wylle. therfore by ryght it sholde not helpe hym. ¶Thenne wente oure Lady to her so¦ne. prayenge hym to graunte the soule to goo to the body ayent to loke yf he

¶wolde amende Page  [unnumbered]〈◊〉. Thenne our lorde badde vere the soule ayen to the body And whan the soule was wyth the body anone he sat¦te vp. and gaaf a great syghynge. and called to hym all his seruauntes. and tolde hem at how hard a dome he was at. And he had be dampned hadde not that lof be that he cast at the begger. ¶Therfore anone he made to selle his good: and deled it to poure people fore goddis sake. And whan he hadde done soo he made hym selfe an heremyte. & after was an holy man. ¶Here by ye maye well wyte how grete is almes∣dede and preyers. that made a man so preuy wyth god. and soo syker ayenst the dome ¶For all that haue done al∣mysdede for goddis sake shall bee sa∣ued. yf they be oute of dedely synne. ¶we fynde that a vowtry. that is for a man to take another mannys wyfe. or a woman another mā than her hus¦bonde. it is a greuous sinne. And that ye shall here by ensample.

¶Narracio.

There was somtyme a man that made charcoles in a wode and whan he had made a grete fyre he leye down therby all nyght. and soo aboute myd¦nyght. there came a woman rennynge afore a man on a blacke horse. as fas∣te as he myght ryde. and hunted her a∣bowte wyth a naked swerde. all abou¦te the fyre And so at last this man sle∣we this woman. and hew her all to pe¦ces and cast her in to the fyre. and rode ayen wyth all his myght. Soo whan this man sawe this done many nygh∣tes. thenne he went to his lord and told hym all this mater. Thenne was the lorde a bolde knyght. and sai• I will wyte what all this mente: and 〈…〉 thyder the nyght after and fonde it as the man had tolde. Thenne the knyght asked the spiryte why he dyde so then∣ne saide he was suche a man and told his name. that was his seruaunt a ly∣tyll to sore. and that woman was and ther knyghtes wif and he haddeley by her husbondes lyf. therfore they were bothe put to that penaunce. and sayde the horse that I ryde on is the fende y^t brenneth me a C. fold worse than ony other fyre myghte that is in erthe. And that peyne they muste so suffre tyl they had helpe of good preyers masses and almes dedes. & tolde hym many other thynges. Than this knyghte dyde alle thinges that he sayd shold be her helpe and so delyuered hem oute of this pey¦ne to euerlastyng blysse. the which god brynge vs all to Amen.

¶Dominica in passione dnī.

GOod men and wymmen this daye is called the sondaye In passion weke. this daye Oure lord Ihesu Criste began his passion. For this 〈◊〉 the iewes had suche an enuye •o• by cause he tolde her de∣fautes and ••ces of mysliuyng. And soo for this cause they repreued hym. Soo this daye they were full assen∣ted to do hym to deth. and soo they we∣re aboute ofte byfore. But they were letted by some thynge and most for fe∣re of the comen people. For they helde hym a prophete. ¶But this daye they •uytte hem togider and fully accorded Page  [unnumbered]〈◊〉 they wolde spa•• for noo thynge. but he sholde be dede. wherfore as the gospell tellith as criste prechyd in the temple the iewys rebuked him spytou¦sly and sayd.

Nowe knowe we that thou haste a fen¦de with the And all was to tempte him to haue made him speke som euyl wor¦de by the whiche they mighte haue putt him to some repreefe And for he tolde them that he was goddes sone they we¦re redy to haue stoned him to deth. But he knewe well ther malice. Iesus hyd him selue and went oute of the temple ¶Thus oure lord this day began his passion. wherfore holy chur¦che redeth this weke in the booke of Ie∣rom the prophete that firste prophyced of cristes passion and tolde howe and what maner the iewys sholde doo hym to dethe Thenne ye shall vnderstonde. wele that in the same wyse that the Ie∣wys pursuyd criste to the deth. In the same wyse I fere gretly lest there been moche false people that be cristned that pursuen criste in heuyn nowe. ¶Sainte Austyn sayth that they syn∣ne more greuously. that pursue him in heuyn that the iewys dyd that pursued him in erth Thenne if ye wol wete whi¦che be those Take hede how criste mar∣ked them and sayd thus. He that is of god. heryth the worde of god For he heryth nat the word of god that sweryth many grete othes ful fal¦sely Thi•• been tho that 〈…〉 in heuyn that been glade in their 〈◊〉 whan they haue a foule dede doon and be grounded in foule cursed lyuynge. of synne and w•ll nat amende theym for prechinge nor techynge. but euir do foull dedes and anone been redy to fy∣ghte and chyde with them that tell h•• their defautes As it is shewyd by crist For the more harme is. the condiciones of the people been suche nowe a dayes. that he shall haue many enmyes. that wyll saye trouthe And that I may pre¦ue by ensample.

¶Narracio.

¶There was somtyme a mawmente. in a cyte that wold tell where any thin¦ge was that was stole or myssed and who hadde it So it hpped on a tyme y^t a yonge man hadde stole a thinge and was aferde of this mawmente. and a∣none he went to this mawmēt and fay¦de thus. well I wote thou mayste de•me a grete shame and velonye But by god that I beleue vpon and thou disco¦uer me I wyll breke thy bede And soo went forth his waye Thenne soone af∣ter cāme they that missed this gode pra¦ynge the mawmente to tell theym who had it And whan they hadde long pray¦ed at the laste the mawment spake and sayd Tymes be chaunged the people been worse than they were who saythe the trouthe his hede shalbe broken: So he that wyll saye trouthe he shalbe sh•¦•e. and so the true man shalbe d•••ted and so plucked that he shall nat wytt to whome he shall speke nor to wh•• he may tell his counseyll in truste. Page  [unnumbered]〈◊〉 that woll sonest descryue him sō¦tyme speke mooste fareste ¶It is wre∣tyn in the boke of kynges ha• ther we¦re two knyghtes grete enmyes one to y^e other That one hight Ioab. and that o¦ther amasa and this ioab saide to ama¦sa as they mette Hayle broder and kys∣sed him. and with his other honde be∣hinde him he slewe him with his knyffe and smote him to the herte Thus it fa∣reth nowe a daies by moche peple. they freke full fayre bifore the people And behynde theym they wyl sle them wit a shrewyd knyf. that is with the euyl and cursed tongue These been they. y^t pursuyth him into heuyn & set nought 〈◊〉 goddes wo•de. For though they here it with their crys it synketh nat in their hertes where god playneth him greuou¦•ly by his prophete Iheremye and saith this. ¶what gyfte foūde your fad•rs 〈◊〉 If I haue trespassed to you in a 〈◊〉 manerthinge tell me Allas for sha¦• of youre obstinat pryde for god is 〈◊〉 the right and so he tretythe with vs. tha• ben in the wrong He proferith mer¦••o• we aske it He maketh him mercy∣full to theym that displeasyth hym. & shewyth loue there non is worthy Th{us} been their hertes harder than any stoon And thus ben we worse than iewes for we be vnkynde to him that shewyth to vs all kyndenesse And euir he cryeth to vs and sayth I haue lefte on erthe for ye sholde here my scripture Torne ayen to me and I woll resceyue the Lo myn armes ben al redy spredde to clyppe the to me And myn hede is redy bowed to kysse the My syde is all redy opnyd to shewe the myn herte. my hondes my fe¦te •leden. to shewe the what I suffryd for the and thou tornest away from me and thou be in parfyt lyf I wyll yeue the treasoure withoute nombre I sal a¦uaunce the withoute comparison & ye∣ue the reste withoute ende So that all the faute shalbe founde in the and natt in me Thus oure lorde proferith and te¦chyth vs. and there been full fewe that wyll here him but •et all these wordes passe oute of their hertes. And takethe noon hede but all their mynde is in ry∣chesse and in this worldes prosperyte in this presente lyf and take full lytel he∣de of the lyf that is cōmynge And how oure lorde iesu criste suffryd deth to brī¦ge vs to euirlastinge blisse ¶Therfore in cristes passion. maketh the prophete a grete lamentacion for the gete vnkyndnesse that he seeth in man∣kynde and sayth thus. Thou man for vanyte thou stynkest for thy rustye synne And therfore I cry and wepe for thou haste on thy hede a garlond of flo¦res and I for the haue oon of thornes.

Thou haste on thy hondes a peyrof white gloues. And I for the haue my blody woundes. Thou hast thy armes spradde to lede karolles and dan¦ces And myn armes been nayled on a tree with sharpe nailes Thou haste thy clothes pynched full smale. And my body for the is full of greate whelys. And oon thynge greuyth me mooste of all thou settyst nat by my passion y^t I suffred ful sore for thy sake But with thyn horrible swerynge. thou vp broy∣dest me with many greate othes by my hede. eyen. armes. nayles. sydes. woū¦des. feet. bones. by myn herte. and by Page  [unnumbered] my passion that thou sholdest doo wor¦shippe to thou dooste grete dispyte and repreef.

¶Narracio

¶we rede in the gestes of Romaynes y^t an emperoure sente a grete man to a lō¦de to be a Iuge And or he came ther no man in the countre coude swere an othe but ye and nay But whan this Iustice came emong them he made the peple to swere on bokes in sessiones. and gaue them charges and so the people toke en¦sample of this Iustice to swere as he & his men dyd. By oure lordes passion. sydes. armes. nayles. face. woundes. blood. herte. and so forthe and took it so in vse that the cōmen people swoore as they dyd Thenne on a day as the iu¦stice sat in his office and chargyd the pe¦ple. there cāme to fore him a fayre wo∣man clothed all in grene and brought a faire childe in her lappe all blody al to martred his hede all to prycked his face disfigured. his eyen oute. his ar∣mes broken. his hondes smyte through his nayles cutte and his fete cutte from his legges. his sydes all to rente his bo¦welles and hert drawen onte of his bo¦dy ¶Thenne sayd this woman to the iustice what are they worthy to haue y^t haue thus doo to my childe And he say¦de they were worthy to haue deth Than saide she thou and thy men with theyre horryble othes haue thus dismembred my swete sone Iesu crist that I am mo¦dre vnto. and thus ye haue taughte al your countrey. ¶wherfore thou shal haue thyn owne dome And so in sighte of all the people the erthe 〈◊〉 and the Iustice fyll downe to hell. & than the people were sore a•ast. and they lef¦te all suche othes and dyd amend ther lyues. And so lete vs leue al our othes and lyue as cristen people sholde doo. and reuerence the passion of oure lorde iesu criste that was cause of oure •••ēp¦cion by the whiche we shall cōm••• e∣uirlastinge blysshe that neuir shall ha¦ue ende.

¶Dominica palmarum

gOode frendes as ye know we¦le that this daye is called pal¦me sonday But for bicause •hat the ser¦uyse of this daye is longe I wyll tell you why it is called Palmesonday as saint Iohan sayth. Oure lorde Ihesu criste came to Betany where he saythe:

And there •e reysed Lazar from dethe to lyue that had ley iiii. daies dede and this Lazar was brother to Mary mag¦daleyne and to Martha that was a no¦ther sustre Thenne iesus wy•t that his passion was nygh. and toke Lazar w• the him and rydinge on an asse cāme to¦warde Ierusalem And whenne the people herde therof. the people went a∣gaynste him. Nat only for Iesu but for to se Lazar that was rys•n from dethe to lyue and Page  [unnumbered] also for to see criste & doo him worshyp They tooke braunches of palme and o¦ther floures and strewyd in the way a¦yenste his cōmynge And some spradde their clothes in the way and songe Blessyd be he that cōmeth in the name of oure lorde kinge of Israell ¶wher¦fore holy churche maketh this daye so∣lempne procession in mynde of the pro∣cession that was made ayenst criste and also ioye and myrthe of oure rysynge. from dethe to lyf that hath ley all this yere in dedely synne. ¶Nowe I truste to god that we be reysed to good lyuī¦ge And for aungellys of heuyn make. •oche ioye of oure resynge oute of syn¦• And thus we take palme and flou∣•〈◊〉 procession as they dyd and go in •ssion knelynge to the crosse in wor¦• and mynde of him that was doon 〈◊〉 crosse. worshipynge and welcō∣mynge him with songe into the churche 〈◊〉 the people dyde oure lorde into the cy¦tee of Ierusalem. ¶Than Iohn Byllet asketh a question and sayth. y^t oure lorde hadde the gretyst worshyppe rydynge on the asse. that euir he had in this worlde Thenne why worship wee the cros and nat the asse To this questi¦on he aunsweryth him selue and sayth that the worshippe of this worlde as sa¦lamon sayd all is but a vanyte nou∣ghte. and maketh a man to forgete his god and him selue There as is gret tri¦bulation disease and heuynesse it cau∣seth a man to thynke of god. and crye to him for socoure and help and to kno¦we him selue. And therfore all cristen people sholde putt awaye all worldly vanyties that bringeth moche people to greate myscheif. and many to euirlas∣tynge peyne. we worship the crosse for it was cause of oure redempcion & sal∣uacion. to bringe vs to euirlastinge ioy and blisse that we hope all to cōme to. Thenne anoon whan criste was cōme to the cyte of Ierusalem he went to the temple and droue oute all byers. and sel•ers that he founde therin and sayd My house is a house of prayers and ye make it a denne of theuys Thus oure lorde yaue all cristen people ensample to leue byenge and sellynge on the holy day and in especiall in the churche. ¶Another is is why it is called Pal∣me sonday For bicause that palme be∣toknyth victory wherfore all cristen pe¦ple shulde bere palme in processioun in tokenynge that he hadde foughten with the fende and hath the victory on hym. by shryfte of mouthe. satisfaction with dede. mekely doon his penaunce wythe grete cōtricion in hert And in this wyse ouircōme the goostly enmye the fende.

¶Narracio.

¶we rede in the gestys of Romaynes. that it was the maner somtyme that if there were any londe that were rebell a¦yenste the Emperoure Anoon the Em∣peroure wolde sende some worthy kny¦ghte with grete puyssaunce to that lo•¦de Page  [unnumbered] and put them downe and ma• them subgettes to the Empepoure of Rome And whan this knyghte hadde done so than sholde he be sett in a chayr arayed with clothes of gold in the beste wyse & a braunche of palme in his honde in to¦kenynge that he hadde the victory and with grete worship broughte into Ro∣me But whan he cāme into any wor∣thy cyte. thenne there sholde stonde one by him and be•e him in the mouth with a •nche of olyue saynge thus Kno∣we thy selue. That is to vnderstonde. th••u be greate nowe. and haue the •y make nat to moch of thy sel¦ue For •ay fortune a nother tyme he ra•〈◊〉•hou mayste haue the worse and 〈…〉 moche velonye more than∣ne nowe to worship. wherfore be natt now to proude of thy self ¶Thus shul¦de ye bete youre selue. in the mouthe of your soule wite the braunche of olyue. that is with the vertue of mekenesse And so holde you in loue. and meke in herte. and euirmore dredynge and fea∣rynge leste ye falle ayen to synne And so to leue the worship that ye haue now For truste this truly. mekenesse is that vertue that mooste and sonest ouircom¦meth your gostly enmye the fende and sonest gadreth a man to vertuouse ly∣uyng That we may haue this vertu of mekenesse pacience and charite to ouyr¦cōme oure gostly ennymye. nowe and euir Amen.

gOod frendes ye shall vnder∣stond that holy churche vsyth these thre daies and sayth seruice in the euyn tyde that i• mekenesse. wherfore we call it tenebres But holy church cal¦leth it tenebris Thenne why this seruy¦ce is thus doon in me•enes holy faders tell for thre causes One is the nyght bi¦fore that oure lorde Iesu criste was ta∣ke he went into the mount of olyuete & prayed thus

My fadre if it be possible that this byt¦tre passion may passe fro me if it were the faders wyll and els nat And for drede and fere of that byttre passioun. that he fylte in spyryte he swet both blo¦de and water And another cause is this that anone after mydnyghte cāme Iu∣das Scarioth with fifty knyghtes and moche other people to take criste. And for it was derke and they coude nat we¦le know him fro sainte Iames he was so lyke to criste wherfore Iudas sayd Forsoth quod he him that I shall kys it is Take ye him for saint Iames was so lyke that mooche people called hym cristes broder And thus Iudas betray∣ed his master. and thus was cryste ta¦ke in mekenesse with all the spy•• that they coude doo to him berynge him and spyttynge in his face. The th••d cause is whan criste was naked on the crosse fete and handes hangyng thre ou¦res from vndryn tyll none Thenne the sonne with drewe her lighte▪ and was derke through all the worlde. shewing that the maker of lighte was at that ty¦me p••ed to the dethe. For thies thre. Page  [unnumbered] causes the seruice in the nyght is done in derkenesse. The whiche seruyce ma¦keth mynde How Iudas betrayed cry¦ste. and howe the iewys cāme as pryue¦ly as they coud. for drede of the cōmen people wherfore to the seruice is no bel ronge. but a sounde made of tre wher∣by all cristen people may haue knowe¦lege to cōme to that seruyce pryu•ly wi¦thoute makinge of any noyse And all that the people shulde speke of cōmyng and goynge shulde sounde of tree. that is the crosse that oure lord god was do¦ne vpon and of his passion. and of the wordes that oure lorde spake hangyng on the crosse & howe he saide to his mo∣dre. woman se thy sone And how he cōmē dyd his modre to sainte Iohn the euā∣g•lyste in kepynge. and what sayd the 〈◊〉 that henge by him and sayd thus Lorde whanne thou cōmyst to thy king¦•ome haue mynde on me. And anoon 〈◊〉 lorde saide to him. This daye thou shalt be with me in pa¦radise. And howe he betoke his spiryte into his faders hondes and sayd And so he yelde vp the gooste Thus cō¦mynge and goynge to the chirche al cri¦sten people shalde comen. and leue va∣nyte and ydell talkynge and speke on∣ly of the crosse that is oure redemption A nother cause is whanne that Iudas. hadde betrayed criste and sawe by his treson that he shulde be dede. anone he fyll in dispayre and honge him self on a tree And than he displeasyd more cri¦ste for that dede than for all the trespas that he hadde doon to fore For criste is so mercyfull that and he hadde askyd mercy he sholde haue hadde mercy and foryeuenes Also at this seruyce be sette certayn candilles in the quere. after the vse in some place more than in some o¦ther as the vse is. the whiche been quen¦chyd one after a nother In toknynge. of cristes disciples how they wēt away e•he after other But whan all these cā¦d•llys been taken awaye and the lyght goon. yet one abydeth styll a whyle tyl clerkes haue song Ky••es and thies ver¦ses the whiche betokenyth the wymmē. that made lamentation at cristes sepul¦cre Thanne that candell is brought a∣yen and other lighted there. and that be¦tokenyth oure lady. For all the feythe was loste saue only our lady and of al other were enfourmyd and taughte. Also it betokneth criste him self y^t was in his manhode dede and leyde in sepul¦cre And the thridde day arose from de¦the to lyue ayen and yaue lighte by lo∣ue to all that were dede and queynt by dispayre ¶The strokes that the preest geuyth on the boke betokneth the clappes of thundre whan crist brast hel yates and dispoyled them and set oute Adam and Eue and all theym that he hadde boughte with his byttre passion.

¶Nowe haue ye herde somwhat what this seruice betokneth and thynk theruppon and be nat vnkynde to your god that suffred all this for you. For vnkyndnesse is a synne that stynketh in Page  [unnumbered] the sighte of god A• Saynt ambrose sayth that there may no man fynde a peyne grete enough to punysshe vnkin¦denesse And that ye shall here by an ensample as thus.

¶Narracio

¶I fynde that. Alisaundre Necham tellyth howe that there was somtyme a knyght that went oute of his owne countrey ferre in to a straunge londe. to seke auentures And it hapned that he came into a grete forest and ther he herde a greate noyse of a beste that se¦myd in dispayre And then he wolde wytte what it mente and went nere & sawe howe that a greate horrible ad∣der and of greate lengith. biclepyd A lyon and boūde him to a tree as he ley and slepte And whanne the Lyon wo¦ke and fonde him selue bounde & my∣ghte nat helpe him self he made a gre¦te horrible noyse desiryng helpe of the knyghte Thenne hadde this knight compassion of this Lyon. and wolde fayne haue holpen him but he dradde whan he was louse lest he wold haue fallen to him. But bicause he was a knyghte. and the Lyon was kinge of all bestes in that distresse he tooke his swerde and smote the adder asonder. Thenne the Lyon anone felte him self louse and fyll downe to the knyghtes feete. and euir after nyght and day in euery place he folowed the knyghte.

And euery nyghte. this lyon leye at this knyghtes beddes feet. and in e∣uery batayll this Lyon was redy for to help his master In somoch that the people spake to the knyghte of the Ly∣on. yet by counseyll of the people. he hadde the Lyon in suspecte. wherfore whan he wente into his owne countre ayen Priuely while the Lyon slept he toke the water and went to the shyppe and sayled forthe And whan this Ly¦on a wooke and myssed his master a noon he yaue a grete rorynge and wet after him into the see and swame af∣ter him as long as he myght. & whan¦ne his myght fayled him than was he drowned. By this knyghte ye maye vnderstonde goddes sone of heuyn y^t came oute of ferre countre. that was oute of heuyn into this worlde & was bounde for mankynde weth this olde addre the fende to a tre of inobedience wherfore with the sharpe swerde that was his passion he loused mankynde oute of his bondes and made him free to goo where he wolde. And therfore all cristen people been bounde to wor¦shippe him and thank him for his lo•¦synge and to be buxum to him all the tyme that they haue lyf and folowe & sewe the lore of holy churche & he shal passe through the water that is to lay through the peyn of dethe. and he s•al cōme to the ioye that euir shall laste. withoute ende the whiche god brynge vs all to Amen.

¶Diuerse questiones

mAny wyll aske diuerse ques¦tiones of the seruyce of thyse dayes of suche prestes as they suppose can nat make no redy aunswere But Page  [unnumbered] putt him to shame and do him velony and repreef. wherfore I haue tylled. whiche be nedefull for euery preest to knowe. and if he wyll loke on it and kepe them redely in herte he may make redy aunswere. & so shall it be to him bothe worship and profyt. ¶Firste if a man aske why Sherethursdaye is called so ye may say that in holy chur¦che it is called thus.

Oure lordes souper day For that day he souped with his discyples openlye. And after souper he yaue them his fle¦she and his blood to ete and to drynke and sayd thus. Take ye this and ete it for it is myne. owne body. and anoon after he wissh his disciples feet. shewynge what me∣kenesse that was in him. And for the grete loue that he hadde to theym It is •o in englysshe called sherethursdaye For in olde faders daies the peple wol¦de that daye shere their hedes and clyp¦pe ther berdes and poll their hedes and so make theym honest ayenst esterday For on good fryday they do theyr bo∣dies noon •ase but suffre penaunce in mynde of him. that that daye suffryd his passion for all mankynd. On es∣ter euyn it is tyme to here their seruyce and after seruyce make holy day It is wretyn in the lyf of a sainte that he that was so besy on the saturday bifo¦re noon that he made a man to shaaue him at after none Thenne was the fē¦de redy and gadred vp the herys. then this holy man sawe that and cōmaun¦ded him to tell why he dyd so Then∣ne sayd the fende. thou doost no reue∣rence to thy holy day Therfore I wyl kepe thies herys tyll the daye of dome in grete repreef to the. Thenne anon he lefte of shauynge and tooke thies he∣res from the fend and made to brenne theym in his owne honde to suffre pe∣naunce. and so abode vnshauyn tyll monday after This is sayd to al tho in repreef that worship nat the Satur¦day at after none Then as Iohn bylet sayth on shuthurday a man shuld do poll his here and clyppe his berde and a preest sholde shaue his crowne Soo that there sholde no thyng be bitwene god and him For herys cōme of super fluyte of vaynes and humours of the stomacke. and they shulde pare her nai¦les of hondes and feet that cōme of su¦perfluyte of fylthe without forth and shryue them and make them clene wy¦thin the soull as withoute. And thus make them clene bothe within and wi¦thoute The vayle that all this lent ha¦the be drawen bitwene vs and the que¦re betoknyth the passion that was hyd¦de and vnknowen tyll the daies cāme the whiche these daies be doone awaye and the auter openly shewyd to al the peple For these daies criste suffred his passion openly that he hadde hanging vpon the croce saynge. It is endyd y^t is to saye Now the pro∣phecy of my passion hath an end wher¦fore the clothes of myn autre ben take away For cristes clothes wer take fro him & so was doon naked on the croce saue oure ladye his modre wounde a kirchef about him to couer his mēbres Page  [unnumbered] The auter stone betokeneth crystis bo∣dy that was drawen on the crosse as a skyn of parchement on a harowe. soo that all his bonys myghte be tolde

¶The besomes that the aulter is wasshen with. betokeneth the scourges that they bete oure lordes body wyth. and the thornes that he was crowned wyth. The water and the wyne that it is wasshen wyth. betokeneth the blode and the water that ronne downe from his woundis that was in his syde peri¦shed wyth a spere. The wyne that is poored vpon the aulter on the fyue crosses betokeneth the blode that ran∣ne downe from his pryncypall woun¦des of his body. ¶Also this daye is noo pax gyuen at the masse. for Iudas betrayed Cryste this nyghte wyth a cosse. Thus was the prophecye of his passion this daye ended: wherfore this nyghte whan he hadde souped· he made the sacramēte of his owne body. and gaue it to his discyples to ete and drynke and began the sacramente of the masse and of the newe lawe And after souper he wys∣she his discyples fete that was a ma∣ner of the newe lawe full oute. For as he sayd to peter he that is wesshen and is clene of dedely synne: hath noo nede to be wasshen. It betokeneth thafflyction of dedely synnes. Thenne yf people aske why preestes do not masse after souper as Cryste dyde It was tourned in to more hones¦te and more saluacion to mannys sou¦le. For as haymo telleth vpon the pyst∣le of saynt Poule. That many in the begynnynge of the feyth come to chir∣che on she•thursdaye. And those that were riche brought mete and drynke wyth hem. and eten and dranke ner belyes full and thenne at night to •en her housell and sayd that criste gaue hem ensample But whan the riche ete and dranke to moche. the poure people abeydeth wythoute. tyll after the ry∣che hath doone sore an hungred: And thenne ete of the releef that they lefte. And soo after the peple toke their hou∣sell: where as the pystell of this daye telleth. ¶Saynt Poule rebuketh hem therof and tourneth that foule vse in to more honest clennes and holynesse. that is for to saye at masse fastyng all the people to take her housell fastyng. on ester euyn the pascall is made the cheef tapre in the chirche. Soo is Crist cheef aboue all the sayntes in heuene. The. pascall alsoo betokeneth the py∣lar of lyghte fyre. that wente byfore moyses and the chyldren of Israhell. whan moyses ladde theym oute of e∣gypte in to the londe of byheft. that is Iherusalem. and soo they passed sauf and founde. And soo vii. dayes after they come all vnto the see: and than∣ked god for her passage. and in mynde herof holy chirche vseth all the Ester weke to goo a procession to the fo••e. that is nowe the rede see to all cristen people that ben crystened in the fonte. For the water in the fonte betokenethe the rede see. for blode and water is the wounde that were in cristis syde in the which the power of pharao the sede of helle is drowned and al his might lost and cristen peple saued. and for the fō∣te is halowed on Ester euen and on Page  [unnumbered] wytson euyn. for in the begynnyng al children abode to be cristened vnto thy¦se two dayes. and to be crystened atte the fonte halowynge. But now for by cause that many in soo longe aby∣dyng were dede wythout crystendome therfore holy chirche ordeyned nowe to cristen all tymes of the yere. saue viii. dayes byfore thise euyns. the child shal abyde to the fonte halowyng yf it ma¦ye for perryll of deth: and ellys not. ¶Thus is the pascall halowed by lyghte wyth the newe fyre. and of it al other tapres and candellis ben lyghte for all holynesse and good techynge. & good liuing cōmeth of crist & teching of holy chirche and lighteth hem in cris¦t•s passion wyth brennynge loue and charyte. Peces of enfence ben stycked in the pascall in the maner of a crosse those betokē the fyue woundes of our lorde. As bede sayth that he suffred in his body. that shall be fresshe and swe¦•• as ony ensence tyll the daye of dom to greate repreef to all that shall bee dampned that belyue not in Crystis passion. and wyll not aske mercy and fo•yeuenesse of her synnes. In the fon¦te halowyng the prest casted water in foure partyes of the fonte for Cryste hadde his disciples goyng prechynge & techyng in foure parties of cristendom in the name of the fader and the sone & the holy goost. And after the prest bre¦theth on the water. for the holy gooste in makynge of the worlde was borne vpon waters. ¶For whan god for Adamis synne cursed therthe and the londe. he cursed not the water wherfor it is lawfull to a man to ete in lenton that that cometh of the water. After he droppeth the wex in to the water off a candell brennynge the whiche betoke∣neth the manhode of crist that was ful¦lyd in water. and putteth oyle and cre¦me in the water. For by the vertu of the sacrament those that ben in heuen and in erthe ben Ioyned to gyder. and that was preued by crystis baptisme. For there the fader of heuen spake and sayde.

This is my well beloued sone y^t wyll pleyse me and the holy ghost was seen As a whyte doue. thus was the fonte halowed two tymes in the yere. ¶Att wythsontyde. and at Ester. whan all the people is broughte oute of thral∣dom by Crystis passion fro the dange¦our of the fende. and at wytsontide. For thenne is the holy ghoste yeuen in remyssion of all synnes: ¶Thenne from the fonte the people goon to the quere syngyng the letanye prayenge all the sayntes in heuene to praye to god to gyue to all that been Crysten to kepe that sacrament to god¦dis pleysaunce. And the couenaunt y^t they haue made in her crystenyng then¦ne the preest goth to masse. for Cryste that is hede off all holy chirche is not rysen. Kyrieleyson is said for in eue∣ry prayer. in especyall in the masse. it is grete nede to aske helpe and socoure of god to kepe vs from all maner off temptacion that the fende putteth in vs and namely in goddis seruice. Page  [unnumbered] Is said for the fader of heuē hath gret ioye to be holde the peple that his sone hath boughte wyth his passion. and to see hem in reste peas and charyte. echo∣ne wyth other. The greyle is not sayd For those that ben newe cristened been not yet parfyte to walke in grace of vertues Alleluya is said. For it is gre ioye to angellis to see by crystenynge the nombre of hem restored ayen. Af∣ter alleluya a tracte is said. hyghe son¦gen for though by crystenynge they be wasshe from synne. yet muste they tra¦ueyle besely to kepe hem from combe∣raunce of the fende. that they falle not in dedely synne. The offertorye is said for the wymmen that comen wyth oy∣nementis to offre to crystis body. They fonde hym not in his tombe. Is said noo pax is gyuen. For cryste that is hede of peas is not rysen. The postcomyn is not sayde. for those that ben newe crystened shold not be hous∣led this daye but on the morowe. for in olde tyme there come to crystenynge pe¦ple of grete age. Thenne a short euyn∣songe is done. for the children that we∣re not cristned wherof gretly they were noyed wyth seknesse of colde of longe seruyce thenne is ended vnder a shorte colet. all the sacramente of cristenyng is ended in the passion of Crist. by the whiche all cristen people were restored tor euerlastyng blisse to the whiche god brynge vs all to Amen.

¶In die paraceues.

GOod frendis this daye is cal∣led good frydaye for all that Oure Lord Ihesu cryste suf∣fred this daye tourned vs to grete ioye For this daye he suffred passion vnder pounce pylate for oure sake. It is an olde sawe y^t a foule begnnnynge hathe a fowle endyng. Nowe see howe this pylate began cursedly and ended full wretchedly. For as saynt austyn saith cursed lyuyng first asketh a cursyd en¦de: after he that forgeteth hym self he∣re in his lyuyng is full lyke to forgete hym selfe in his last ende. This pylate was a knyghtes sone that was called Tyrus that he gate hym on a woman that hyghte Pyle: And this woman¦nys fader hyghte Atte. So whan this childe was borne: they sette the moders name and the grande fader after. and soo by bothe names called hym pylat ¶Thenne after whan he was thre ye∣res of age. his moder brought hym in to the kynges courte. thenne hadde the knyghte another sone nygh lyke to py∣lates age. But for this knightes sone was in all his rule more gentyler mo¦re manfully more goodly more belo∣ued that this pylate. soo for hate and for enuye therof. This pylate on a d•y slewe this knyghtes sone. thenne was the knyghte wonder sory But yet he wolde not slee Pylate and sente hym to Rome to be there in hostage: for a trybut that the knyght sholde paye to Themperour. ¶Thenne it happed that the kynge of Fraunce hadde sent his sone theder for the same cause. Thenne for by cause

¶whan Pylate sawe that Page  [unnumbered] he was more beloued and chereshed. Therfore this pylate slewe hym. Thē∣ne for he was so cursed. themperoure by counseyll of the romayns. sente py¦late in to a contree y^t was called poun¦ce. where the people of that con¦trey where so cursed that they slewe o∣ny that come to bee thyr mayster ouer hem. Soo whan this pylate come thy∣der. he applied hym to her maners. soo what wyth whyles and sotyltye he o∣uercome hem. and had the maystrye & gate his name. and was called pylate of po••ce• and had grete domynacion and power. Thenne the kynge of Ihe∣rusalem sent after him. and made him lyeuftenaunt vnder hym of the londe of Iury. And for pylate lyked well ••office preuely he sente to themperour and had his offyce confermed of hym vnwetynge to the kynge herode. Kyn∣ge that tyme. wherfore whan kynge he¦rode herde what he hadde done. he was soo wrothe that they were enmyes vn∣to the tyme that oure Lorde Ihesu crist was take. and thenne they become fren¦dis ayen and fylle bothe in to one asēt of Cristis deth. Thenne it happed af∣terward that themperour fylle syke & sent after criste for to hele hym. For it was tolde hym that cryste heled all tho that euer wolde come to hym of all maner of sykenesse what soo euer sy∣kenesse it had soo bee. But thenne had pylate done hym to deth or the messa∣ger come. Thenne whan themperoure vnderstode that. he sent for pylate and made hym come to hym. ¶And whan pylate herde this he was sore aferd & take on Cristis cote. And soo whan he come to rome to themperour all those that were in presēce made pilate good chere all the whyle that he had on cris¦tis ••te: And themperour swore byfore that he shold be ded. Thenne toke of the cote. and anone as the cote was off Themperour was sore wrothe wythe Pylate that he putte hym in to a prysō tyll he had take counseyll what dethe he shold deye on. Thenne as soone as pylate wist and vnderstod that he shol¦de be dede. he toke his owne knyfe and slewe hym self wyth all. And whan the Emperour herde therof and vnder¦stode that he had sleyn hym self. And thenne anone he made to bynde a grete stone aboute pylats necke. and to caste hym in a water that is called Tyber. Thenne whan he was cast therin. the fendes made suche a noyse there about that all the Cite of Rome was sore a∣freyd. ¶Thenne whan Emperour sawe this. he made to take hym vp a∣gayn. and thenne was he caste in to a water that was betwyx two hie hilles and soo longe tyme after there was in the water many horryble syghtes seen aboute that cursed man. Thus Oure Lorde Ihesu Cryste suffred passion and dethe for all mankynde. and fyrst whan he was take they dyde buffete hym. and stryped hym naked and bete hym wyth scourgis.

¶That from the hyest place of his hede to the sole of the fete was noo thynge lefte hole on hym but all raw.

And after made a crowne off Page  [unnumbered] thornes and set it on his hede and bete it doune wyth stauis of reede. that it perisshed his brayne: And whan they had peyned hym soo they lad hym fo•h all blody.

To the monte of caluary to thende off dethe yet wymmen of the Cyte. whan they see hym soo fowle fayre wyth: & all to lougged and all to drawe. for very pyte they wepte vpon hym. ¶Thenne sayde our lord to hem. ¶ye wymmen of Iherusalem. wepe ye not for me but vpon you and your children· For there shall dayes come in the whiche ye shall blisse the wombes that were bareyne. and the pappes that neuer gaue souke. Thus oure Lord preched byfore the vengeaunce that fil¦le after vpon Iherusalem. The which prophecye Iheremye the prophete spak of. that is redde in holy chirche thyse thre dayes at tenebras. the which was soo horryble of many dyuerse mysche¦ues and in especiall off hongre deyde in the stretes. Thenne was there a wo∣man was come of grete birthe.

Tthat for houngre toke her owne chyld that was fedde wyth her pappes and slewe it and parte it in two party¦es. and than rosted halfe. And thother halfe she kepte tyll on the morowe.

¶Thenne as the people come by the strete they had sauour of the roste. and anone they come in to haue hadde part therof. and whan they sawe the mo∣der roste her owne chylde and sone. they were heuy and foule dissmayed and wold not ete therof. But wente theyr waye forthe ayen: Thenne toke the moder of that child and ete theroff and sayd in this maner wyse: This is myn owne sone and myn owne chyld that I bare of my body. and fedde it wyth my pappes. but I wyll rather ete hit than deye for houngre. Therfore I tell you this to shewe you somwhat of the vengeaunce that fyll on Iherusalem after the dethe of oure Lord Ihesu Criste. ¶Thenne they ladde hym to the moū¦te of Caluarye. And there they strey∣ned hym soo on the Crosse: that euery bone of his body myght be knowen o∣ne from another And nayled hym hon¦de and fote to the crosse and they lyfte vp the Crosse. and the body to gyder. And wyth a grete peyce they le•e the crosse and the body falle doune to gy∣der in to the mortesse. that all the body dasshed. and his bonys craked. and his ioyntes brast and veynes and al woū¦des brake out of blode. Sydes armes legges fete and hondes soo that there was no blode in hym & yet they toke a clothe while the blod was hote: & woū¦de it a bout his body tyl the blode was cold. & thēne they drew away the cloth & pulled away the flesshe fro the bonis this was a grete pyte. And soo whan he shold deye. he began as Iohā bellet sayth. De{us} me{us} respice in me. And soo saide al the verses si••ng tyll he cāme vnto y^e verse. In te dnē spaui And soo atte this verse.

Page  [unnumbered] ¶There he gaue vp the spirite This is a grete ensample that our lorde Ihesu Crist gaue to al cristen that euery mā shold haue in mynde thise verses. And he that can hem. say and yf he say hem euery daye. he shall not deye no maner myscheuous nor vengeable deth. Thē¦ne after this passion we saye orysons and knelyng at euery oryson saue atte that oryson. that is said for the Iewes at that oryson holy chirche kneleth not for by cause iewes in scorne knelynge thre tymes to crist whan they scourged hym. Thenne thyse orysons holy chir∣che prayeth for all maner of people. For Iewes sarasyns cysmati•s here∣tykis. But not for crysten people. for whyle ony man or woman stondeth a cursed •he is damned byfore god. And dampned shall be at his deth. But he repente hym. and amende hym whyle he lyueth in this present world: ¶If I wyst for trouth that my fader were dampned in to helle. I wolde ne¦uer pray for hym. but as for the deuyl of hell for there is noo prayer of holy chirche that helpeth a dampned man. thenne after thyse orysons the crosse is broughte forth to the whiche all cristē people shold worshyp this day in wor¦ship of hym that this daye deyed on the crosse And pray our lord to forgyue vs our trespace as Criste prayde to his fader of heuen to foryeue hem y^t dyde hym on the crosse.

¶Narracio.

¶There was a knight somtyme and that was a grete lorde. and he hadde a worthy man vnto his sone. And soo it happ•• that another knyght and his man fell atte debate. and soo this kni∣ght •lewe hym. wherfore the fader off this man that was dede gadered a gre¦te multytude of people. and pursued that othere knyghte. where someuer he wente to haue slayn hym nyghte and daye. soo that he myght haue noo reste but euer he dyde flee for fere of his lyf ¶Thenne it happed on a good friday this knyght sawe all cristen people go to the chirche And he bethoughte hym that Cryste deyed that daye on the cros¦se for all mankynde. and put hym on∣ly on the mercy of almyghty god and wente to the chirche wyth other people to serue god and whan he was in the chirche anone this other knyghte hadde worde and come wyth moche peple in to the chirche and his swerde drawen in his honde for to sle hym. and whan this other knighte sawe that and wiste well that had trespaced to hym & fyll downe to the groūde wyth his armes sprad abrode as our lord Ihesu Crist spradde his armes on the crosse. & said ¶For his loue that this daye spradde his armes on the Crosse and suffred passion and deyed for the and me and all mankynde haue thou mercy on me. And forgyue me thy sones dethe. ¶Thenne this knyghte thought it had¦de be to horrible a thinge to smyte hym

¶whyle that he leye Page  [unnumbered] soo. and cryed hym mercy soo me•ely. and anone he put vp his swerde and said to him Now for his loue that this daye deyed on the crosse for the & •ne and all mankynde I foryeue the and to ve hym vp and kys•• hym and ano¦ne wente to doo worship to the Crosse knelyng. And whan this knighte wol∣de haue kyssed the fete of the crosse. the ymage loseth his armes fro the crosse And beclpped the knighte aboute the necke and kyssed hym and spake thus that all the people herde. I foryeue the as thou hast foryeuen for the loue off me. ¶And thus all cristen people shol¦de doo. & thenne they shold haue mercy and grace of god and blisse euerlastin¦ge Amen.

¶In die pa•he.

GOode frendis ye shall knowe well that this daye is called in many places goddis sondai ye knowe well that it is the maner in euery place of worship at this daye to do the fyre out of the alle: and the blac¦ke wynter brondis and all thing that is foule wyth smoke shall be doone a¦waye and there the fyre was shall bee gayly arayed wyth fayre floures and strewed wyth grene risshes all aboute shewyng a gret ensample to all crystē people. ¶Lyke as they make clene her houses to the syghte of the peple in the same wyse ye shold clense your soules d•yng awaye the fowle brennyng sin¦ne of lechery. put all thyse awaye and cast out all thy smoke dust. and strewe in your soules floures of feyth & cha∣rite and thus make youre soules 〈◊〉 to receyue your lord god at the fest of ester.

And put awaye all maly•e & all soro¦we for ryght as ye wyll suff•e no thin¦ge in your house that stynketh and sa∣uoureth euyll wherwyth ye may bee deceyued. Ryght soo Cryst whan he co¦meth in to your hous of your soules. and he fynde there ony stynke of wra∣the enuy or ony other dedely synne▪ hee wyll not abyde there. But anone he goth his waye & then cometh the fende in and bydeth there. thenne may that soule be sory that is so forsakē of god and betaken to the fend. thus it is w•th those that ben in wrathe and enuy or in ony dedely synne and wylle not for¦gyue to hem y^t hath trespassed to hem for noo prayer he shall noo forgyue∣nesse haue: for our lorde saith thus Forgyue ye & ye shall haue forgyue∣nesse And therfore euery Crysten man and woman shold serche well her con¦science. and make hem able to receyue her sauyor Ihesu crist very god & mā

¶Narracio

¶There was somtyme an holy bys∣shop that prayed ofte besely to god y^t he myght haue grace to see and knowe whiche were worthy to receyue that ho¦ly sacramente. and come to goddis bor¦de thenne on a tyme as he shold housel the people. He sawe some come wyth her faces as rede as blode. and blode droppe oute of her mouth••. And Page  [unnumbered] some her faces were as blacke as any pit•he and some were fayre and redde and lusty to be holde. and some as bri∣ghte as ony snowe. Thenne amonge all other. he sawe two comyn wym∣men came. and their faces shone and bryght as the sonne than had the bys∣shop grete merueyll of that sight. and p•eyed to god to gyue hym reuelacion. to wy•e what all this betokened: thēne ther came to hym an angel & said those that haue blody faces and blode drop¦p•th out of her mouthis be enuyous pe¦ple and wrathfull. and wyl not amē∣de hem therof. and euer they been bac∣bytyng and slaundrynge her neygh∣bours. And ben euer redy to swere o∣thes. therfore her mouthes shall drop blacke blode tyll they come to amende¦ment And those that hauen blacke fa¦ces as pytche. ben lecherous and wyll not leue her synne. and ben grete· syn∣ners in many degrees and wyll not a¦mende hem. They that haue theyr fa∣ces whyte as ony snowe. those be they that haue doon greate synne and ben shryuen therof. And ben sory for her synnes. for the weping of her eyen had wasshed her soules and made hem cle∣ne. & soo they ben in clene lyfe. and tru¦ly labour for her lyuynge. ¶And tho¦se two comyn wymmen that shyne so bryght passyng al other they were gret synners: and were sore aferde whan they came to chirche. and toke a greate repentaunce in her hertes that they ma¦de a vow to god. preyeng hym hertely to take noo vengeaunce on hem And they wolde forsake her synne. and ne∣uer doo amysse more. wherfore god of his grete grac• and 〈…〉•o•g••¦ue them her trespas and all her syn∣nes. and the sorowe of her hertes hath soo wasshen her soules that they shy∣ne bryghter than all other and thenne the angell wen•• his waye and the bis¦shop kneled downe and thanked god for his reuelacion. and therfore take en¦sample by thyse two comen wymmen and be sory for your sinnes and repen¦te you in your hertes: and purpose ne∣uyr to tourne ayen to synne and then∣ne truste vereyly ye shall haue grace mercy. and socour to euerlastyng ioye and blysse. wherfor thinke for certeyne though ye make it glosyng wyth wor∣des. for to disceyue your goostly fader. and saye that ye be in charyte and bee not ye begyle your self. and truste tru∣ly: ye shall not begyle god. that seeth euery corner af your hertes. ¶And therfore dysceyue not yo••e owne sou¦les for the loue of god. And be also be∣sy and redy to make your soules clene to the syghte of god as ye ben to make your houses to the syght of man. and as ye wolde araye you in your best clo¦thes that ye haue ayenst the comynge of your best frendis. soo sholde ye ara¦ye you now to receyue your beste fren¦de. that is your maker our Lord Ihe∣su Criste. that this tyme suffred passi¦on and dethe. to brynge vs to euerlastī¦ge lyf. ¶This daye is called also a passyng daye. and in especiall for two causes: One is for this daye all cristen people in reuerence of god sholde forgyue all theym that haue trespaced to hem. and be in par•••e loue and charyte to all Page  [unnumbered]〈…〉 sholde be amendyd with the sal•• that •••eth al so•• that is cha••e.

Charite coueryth the multitude of syn¦nes It is also a passinge day For this day shold al goddes ch•ldren passe out of euyll lyuynge into good lyuynge. oute of vyces into vertues oute of pry¦de into mekenesse. oute of couetyse. in largenesse out of slouthe into holynes oute of enuye into loue and charite ou¦•e of wrathe into mercy. oute of gloto¦ny into abstinence. oute of lechery in to chastite. out of the fendes clawes into goddes armes. and of his grete enmye make his dere frende And he y^t passeth thus is worthy to cōme to a good fes∣te the whiche oure lorde Iesu. maketh this daye to all the people It is called also goddes sonday For this day god∣dys sone rose from deth to lyue and so gladdeth all his seruauntes. with hys vp rysinge wherfore all holy churche maketh myrthe and melody. this daye and singeth thus. This is the daye that oure lorde made. ioye we and gladde we in that with al oure bertes for the fadre of heuyn with all his aungelly• maketh so grete me¦lody of the vprysynge of his sone that he ma• to daye a passinge grete fest and by•••th all cristen people thert•. aswell those that ben in heuyn. as th•¦se that been in erthe. and they shall be full welcome that cōme to this feeste. 〈…〉 that is a g•∣de clothynge that is in loue and charite And also euyll shal those be that shal cōme in the fendes leuerye. clothed in wrath• and enuye. For as the gospell telleth these shall be caste in pryson of hell. And thenne while other laughe and ma•e mery they shall wepe and be sory. and wh•le some ete and dryn• at goddes borde they shall grynne wy¦the their teeth and saye. wo. wo. wo. many derknesse been he∣re For they shall thynk that they may fele the derknesse it is so derke and the peynes of hell shalbe so hard. for wor¦mes shall gnawe them for they ete her eyen cristen here in this lif in erth with false ba•bytynge. and s•laundrynge.

¶wherfore I charge you in god¦des name that noon of you cōme thus to goddes borde but if ye be in parfyte loue and charite and be clene shreuyn. and in full purpose to leue your syn∣nes For and I wyst in certayn whiche were oute of charite and in dedely syn∣ne I must by the lawe of holy churche with a loude voyce say thus to theym. in audience of all the people I gyf the nat thy housyll to thy saluacion b•••e to thy dampnacion tyll thou cōme to a¦mendmente And therfore euery cristen man and woman sholde serche wel his conscience and make him able to re•••¦ue his sauyour Iesu criste to the he•••e of his soule y^t she may cōme after this fynall lyf to euirlustinge ioye Amen.

gOode frendes the•e thre daies that is to saye Monday. Tuysday and and wenesdaye: ye shall faste and go Page  [unnumbered] in procession man woman and seruan¦tes for al we be synners and haue nede to pray to god for helpe grace and mer¦cy. for they may nat excuse therin fro the procession that may la•fully be the¦re Than he that withdraweth him self fro the cōmaundment of holy churche wylfully he synneth full greuouslye. Firste he synneth in pryde for he is vn∣bu•um. Also he synneth in slouthe. y^t knoweth him selue in synne and wyll nat do his diligence to cōme out therof & right as he withdrawyth him fro pe¦ple y^t be gadred to serue god Right so wyll god putt him from all the com¦pany of heuyn and from all the pray¦ers that be doon in holy churche tyll he come to amendement Therfore all cri¦sten people come only to gidder & pray these thre daies to all the sayntes in he¦uyn to pray to god for vs For we ha∣ue synned many tymes in the yere ayē¦ste the cōmaundment of god And ther¦fore these thre daies we shall faste and pray to god of mercy and remission of oure synnes. and put awaye al the po¦wer of the fende. and kepe vs from al myscheuous peryl and dredys that fal this tyme of the yere more than any o∣ther tyme For in this tyme many grete thundres and lightnynge. and as Lyn¦colnyence saith Ther were fendes that fleteryn in the ayr for fere of the blast of thundrynge. whan that criste cōme to hell gates whan he dispoyled hell. And so yet whanne they here the thun∣der in the ayre they been so agast ther∣of that they fallen downe. and then go they nat vp ayen tyll they haue don so¦me cursed dedes For than they 〈…〉 tempestes in the see and drawe downe shippes and ma¦ke debate emonge the people. and ma∣ke one to slee a nother. and tende fyre. and brenne houses. and drawe downe steples and trees. and cause wymmen to ouirlye their children. and make pe¦ople to hange theym selue. and drow∣ne them self in wanhope and in dispay¦re and do many cursed dedys And for to putte awaye all suche myscheuys & the power of the fende Holy church ha¦the ordeyned that al cristen peple shal faste and goo in processioun these thre daies: and pray to god and to oure la¦dy and to all the saintes of heuyn. of helpe and socoure. ¶wherfore in these processiones belles be ronge baners be spleyed. the crosse cōmyth after. & the people suyth after. For right as a kin¦ge whanne he goth to a battayl his trō¦pettes goon to fore Thenne the baners and thenne cōmeth the king and his oft folowynge So in this processioun the bellys been goddes trompettes. the ba¦ners cōme after Thenne cōmeth the cro¦ce in cristes lyknesse as kinge of cristen people and all sewe him. and with her good prayers chace awaye the fendys that they haue noo power. And lyke a cursed tyraunt wyll be sore aferd and a dradde whan he herd the trompettes of a kynge that were his enmy and sa¦we his baners splayde in the felde with his oste cōmynge toward him. In the same wyse the fende the tyrant of hell is aferd and dredith him sore For whā¦ne the bellys rynge and the baners ben bore. and the crosse with all the people come praynge. Thenne he fleeth and Page  [unnumbered] dare not abyde and 〈…〉 power that process•••.

¶Narracio.

¶we rede at the cytee of Constantyne as the people wente in procession for a disease that the people had as they son¦ge Letany Sodenly a childe was pluc¦ked vp into the ayre and borne into he¦uyn and the aungellys taughte him to synge this songe▪

And anoon he was lete downe agayn to the erthe And thenne he song that sa¦me songe and anoon they were delyue¦red of their diseases This is to say in englysshe Holy god. holy stronge god holy and neuir shall dye. haue mercye on vs God that is holy and neuir shal dye haue mercy on vs God wylleth & and wyll that we be stronge for to fy¦ghte with the fende. with the worlde. & with the flesshe. And thanne wyll he haue mercy on vs. and brynge vs to y^e place then there as aungellys synge. Holy god holy stronge god haue mer¦cy on vs and bringe vs to his blisse.

¶Ascensio domini.

gOod frendes suche a daye ye shall haue an hygh and a so∣lempne feste in holy churche that is cal¦led thascension of oure lorde Iesu cry¦ste For that day as the feyth and byle∣ue techyth howe god is very god and man and flyed vp in to heuyn. ¶wherfore in •oknyng of this the pas¦chall that is the cheif light in holy •h•r¦che that hath stonde openly in the qui∣•e from Ester vnto this daye Now it is remeuyd awaye in tokenynge y^t cry¦ste is cheif lighte in holy churche And so oure lord• diuerse tymes openly ap∣pieryd to his disciples. and taught thē the feyth and the beleue. and this daye be styed vp into heuyn and there wyl abyde tyll the daye of dome But now ye shall here the maner of that ascensi¦on from Ester daye tyll this daye. he was nat with his disciples alway but diuerse tymes apperyd vnto theym. And he apperyd to them as they fa••e at ther mete and ete with them to shew them that he was very god and man. in flesshe and blood as they were For some of them were in doute left he had be a spirit that hadde nother flesshe •e blood And therfore to preue the trouth he ete with them in their sight and bad theym goo to the hyll of olyuete • the∣re in sight of all his disciples be blessed theym and flyed vp into heuyn And lefte the steppes of his feet th•eft dow∣ne into the harde marbyll stone. for a token of his ascension Thenne ye shal vnderstonde that the hyll of Olyuete. betokneth mercy wherfore cryste ••yed vp at the hyll of olyuet shew•nge we¦le that he is hede of mercy And he is e∣uir redy to shewe mercy to all that as∣ke mercy with meke herte Thenne in his vp flyenge as we call ascension an¦gellys made so moche melody. that no tonge may tell it so fayne they wer of his cōmynge.

Page  [unnumbered] she styed vp swyftly For as it wer• a mommente he was from erth to heuen A grete clerke a philosopher that is cal¦led Rabymoyses he sayth that it is as ferre fro heuyn to erth. as a holy man myghte lyue a thousand yere and eue∣ry daye go a thousand myle. But hee that mette this way knoweth best And this waye shalbe mette of a rightfull and a good man. Thenne in his ascē∣sion he had a greate multitude of sou∣l•s. the whiche he sette oute of hell fro the fendes bondes He s•yed also wyth his woundes rede fresshe and blody. And as bede sayth for fyue causes Fir¦ste for to verifye the feythe of his resur¦rection For he rose in very flesshe & blo¦de that dyed on the crosse for all man¦kynde The secounde to shewe his woū¦d•s to his fader in greate helpe and so∣coure to all mankynde The thridde is to shewe how rightfull they be damp∣ned that wyll nat beleue in his passi∣on and in his resurrection The fourth to shewe how mercifull he is to theym that wyll beleue and aske mercy The fyfte is that he bare with him a signe. of victory For a sikernesse of all man¦kynde For lyke as a lorde is syker that hath a true aduocate bifore a Iuge. to aunswere for him So in lyke wyse to all mankynde we fynde him oure ad∣uocate euirmore redy to aunswere for vs at nede that the fende oure goostlye enmy maketh ayēst vs. wherfore saith the holy scriptur A sykerer attournay may no man be thanne god. wherfore the modre shewyth the soone 〈…〉 and her papes. The sone shewith to the fader his sides all to beten and his woundes bleding

Howe shulde any thinge be putt awaye or denyed there as such tokenes of loue be shewyd He may nat fare a¦mysse that hath suche ii. frendes in the countrey of heuyn Also by the styenge vp into heuyn of oure lord iesu Cryst man hath goten a grete dignyte For a man to se his owne kynde and his ow¦ne flesshe and his blo•••tting on the right syde of the fad••euyn in his trone. ¶wherfore aun•••lys conside∣rynge the dignyte of man. they wolde nat suffre noo man to doo theym wor∣shyp as they dyd bifore the incarnaci∣on of crist But they worshyp man for god him selue hathe take mankynd on hym. and is nowe in heuyn bodily He∣reby may ye see how moche biholde is he to his god. what we that were boū¦•• bifore and thrall to the fende of hel and no •we ben made free of al that and oure lorde iesu criste. haue yeue to man a fredome aboue any aungellys and therfore we be bounde vnto hym. to do him seruyce reuerence & worshhip And there as aungellys kept somtyme the gates of paradise with brennynge. swerdes that no soule myght cōme in. Nowe by feyth oure lorde Iesu criste. to mankynde he hath cast vp the gates and warneth no man to •rin. y^t is of stedefaste byleue 〈◊〉•aint au¦styn saythe.

Thou haste opnyd the gates of heuyn to theym that byleue Also ye shall by¦leue Page  [unnumbered] right as a king of this world hath officers of diuerse degrees some 〈◊〉 and some lower And some more •••u•¦er than some So oure lorde •g vp at this tyme the lawer angellys for gre¦te wounder that they had in cristes as¦cension whan they sawe him in flesshe and blood styenge vp to heuen wythe so grete multitude of soules with him And also for the grete woundre y^t they hadde whan they saw the fendis of the ayre flee awaye. for drede and fere of his stronge cōmynge. that bifore were wounte sparynge no thynge assayl the soules that cāme by theim And thenne they flewe awaye for grete fere of his cōmynge Also the good aungellys cā¦me in all the haste that they myghte to doo to oure lorde Iesu criste seruyce re¦uerence and worship Thus for greate woundre that the lower aungelles had of his styenge vp They askyd the hy∣gher aungellys and sayd. what is this nowe that cōmyth oute of the world with blody clothes as he we¦re a kinge of ioye This is he that wyth deth sufferynge rede in his scourgynge seke and ded in the crosse strong in hel bodily in doynge ferfull in risynge & thus hath ouircōme all his enmyes. & nowe is kinge of glory in heuyn. Thenne oure lorde Iesu criste was sty¦ed vp into heuyn & then his disciples. stondynge with his modre for gret wō¦dre of that sight and also of the melo∣dy that they herde in the ayre. they lo∣ked vp into heuyn and sodenly ii. aū∣gelles clothed al in white stode by them and sayd to them in this wise. Men of galile what stonde ye bihold••¦ge into heuyn It is Iesus that is styed vp from you And so he shall come at the daye of dome ayen & deme al quyc∣ke and dede And therfore all cristen pe¦ople lefte vp your hertes to oure lorde Iesu criste that nowe is styed vp into heuyn and sitteth at his faders righte. honde and is redy to gyue mercy to al theym that wyl aske mercy with a me¦ke herte And therfore ther is no maner of man that may excuse him selue nor haue no maner excusacion. but if that he wyll him selue. and aske mercy to his lorde god with a meke herte and he shall haue mercy and shalbe sauyd. For though a man be neuir so synful and he wyll aske mercy wyth a meke herte he wyll yeue him mercy. A meke and a contrite herte god shall neuir dispyse For and he wyl aske mer¦cy and be sory for his synnes oure lord wyll take him to his mercy Thēne for to shewe his grete goodnesse and cōpas¦sion that oure lorde hath on mankynd I shall tell you this ensample

¶Narracio.

¶we rede in the lyf of saynte Carpe. howe a man of mysbyleue torned a cri¦sten man oute of his feyth and forsoke his bileue and his cristendome wher¦fore this holy man carpe was sore wro¦the Page  [unnumbered] that he fyll in grete sekenesse An• whan he sholde haue prayed god for amendement He prayed god nyghte & day y^t they might haue a bodily venge¦aunce Thenne it happed at mydnight as he prayed thus sodenly the house y^t he ley in cleuyd in foure parties And he loked vp and sawe one hangyd so pytously that it was grete pyte to see. And thenne he loked vp to heuyn and there he sawe oure lorde iesu crist with a greate multitude of aungellys sittin¦ge in his trone And he loked vp ayen. and thenne he sawe th•se ii. men ston∣denge bifore an hote ouen and tryml•¦ge for drede of fendes lyke adders and wo•mes cōmynge oute of the ouyn. to d•awe these men into the ouyn. wythe theym And so many other fendes com in diuerse lykenesse to helpe y^t they we∣re in to the ouyn Then was this hooly man Carpe fayne to se these two haue that vengeaunce and was wonder gla¦• therof that he loste the sight of oure ••de Iesu and his holy aungyllys for the herte was on these two mēnys ven¦geaunce. and was sory that it was so longe or they were putte vnto their pey¦ne And then he rose & went to him self and halpe all that euir he myghte and whanne they were into the ouyn thēne was he very glade therof And then he loked vp into heuyn and ther he sawe oure lord iesu and he sawe him ryse. from his trone for greate pyte and com¦passion that he hadde on the ii. men. & •āme downe to theym and took theym oute of theyr peyne and sayd thus.

Stre•he forthe thy hondes ayenste m• and sayd thus I am redy and nede we¦re to dye ayen for mankinde rather thā to lese them By this ensample ye may see howe ••y that oure lorde iesu crist is to all that wyl aske mercy and for¦yenesse and deserue mercy. that is that euery man amend and leue his synnes and be in full wyll and purpose to s•¦ne no more And thus he shall cōme to the grace and mercy of oure lorde Iesu criste that suffred for vs and all man¦kynde on good Fryday passion. & this daye styed vp to heuyn. the whiche he wyll graunte vs & bryng vs al therto Amen.

Sequitur vigilia penticostes.

gOode frendes as ye know we¦le a saturday nexte cōmynge Is wytsondaye euyn And that daye ye shall faste and cōme to the churche to here your seruice and make you cleene to resceyue the holy gooste that the fa∣der of heuyn sendith amonge mankind wherfore I counseyll you and charge you if there be any of you that fall to any syn that he cōme and amend him: therof and I wyll be redy to doo all y^t longeth to me For take this in certayn. In the same wyse as a man wyll nat goo to a place there as a stynkyng car¦reyn is but if he stoppe his nose & hye him thens Right soo the holy goost fle¦eth from the soule that is combred with dedely synne. and aungellys wyl stop¦pe their noses. For moche more fowler stinketh dedly synne in the sight of god thanne dooth any carreyne to smell to people And as the holy gooste fleeth to Page  [unnumbered] theym that bideth in gode lyf and clen• and in parfyt loue and charite And ha¦the pyte and cōpassion of al those that been in disease or tribulation▪ to suche the holy gooste visyteth a•• cōmeth to And with suche as him listeth to cōme to abyde and conforteth & techith them in all nede But as the seruyce of this feste is more praysed thenne any other tyme For at this feste holy churche cal¦leth to them and sayth.

Come holy goost specially to haue hel¦pe socoure and grace. and to haue part of the dole that he maketh at this tyme to all cristen people. that been able to resceyue his yestes But ye shall vnder¦stonde that the holy gooste maketh hys dole in other wise thanne other people. For they dele as it lyketh theym Butte the holy gooste delyth to all cristen peo¦ple that is nedefull. and spedefull to them that yefte and some more and so∣me lesse one yefte. and some another so¦me he yeueth wysdome in holy scriptu∣re to vnderstonde holy scripture. he ye¦uyth grace to haue greate luste and ly¦kynge therin That is for to saye. they be lusty to preche and teche vertue and godenesse. and enfourme the people to the helthe of their soules vnto theym y^t here it and bereth it awaye. But many hadde leueyr to here a son∣ge of Robyn hode or a tale of Rebaw∣drye wherfore goddes worde shall nat be prechyd to such And some he yeueth grace soo in vnderstondynge of diuer∣se langage as englysshe. frensshe wal she Irisshe withoute greate trauayll. in lernynge It is a greate yefte and a 〈◊〉 and a speciall grace of almi¦ghthy god that any man can vnderstō¦de or inspeking There ben v. lettres y^t make all the wordes of all the world and of all langages that ben vndre he¦uyn And withoute one of these lettrys noon may make no worde. And those been these A. E: I. O. and V. And also some he yeueth grace of counseyl for to doo after good counseyll And some he enspireth w•thin. for they that he shewyth them and maketh to know to fore what wyll cōme after and fal And giueth grace to deme the bettre fro the worse ¶wherfore they doo so wy∣sely and discretely that al the people be gladde to here them speke and to do af¦ter their counseyll And some he pruc• grace also to doo after counseyl. As our lorde Iesu cryste gaue him self counseylynge a man that wyll lyue a parfyte lyf to leue that he hath and go into religion and be there gouerned by his wardeyns counseyl and by his ow¦ne This counseyll cōmyth of god And some he gyuethe grace of sufferynge. moche bodily sekenesse. grete w•o•ges and moche disease both in body and in soule Losse of catell lorshippes mas∣tershippes frendeshippes and all y^t ye suffreth with a meke herte thankynge almyghty god of his sond that cōmeth of the grace of the holy gooste Also he gyueth some grace of lerning in diuer¦se sciences Some to lerne oon crafte & some another so by the whiche he may gete his lyuynge with trouthe So that a man wyll putt to his good •yll • and his diligence and truly to laboure Page  [unnumbered] and not to slomb•e and slepe slew••ly and soo vnthrifthly. but in dewe ty¦me to labour besely the holy ghost ha∣the gyuen euery man some knowynge to gete his lyuynge wyth trouth. Also some he gyueth grace of pyte and fyl∣leth ther hertis soo full of pite & com∣passion of her euyn crysten that ben in desease and aduersyte▪ that they gyue them of theyr goodes to helpe and so∣cour theym at her nede: and to comfor¦te theym in all that they may for cris¦tis sake. And also mercyable that they forgyue all that they trespassed to hem in ony wyse. Some he gyueth also to drede god▪ in soo moche that they ben euer a ferde to dyspleyse almyghty god. And euer thynke of gre¦te vengeaunce that god will take for synne at the daye of dome.

¶The drede of god and the horryble paynes of helle putteth awaye synne. And thus nyghte and daye. Some be euer aferde to offende god. And euer be besy to doo well in preuyte as in open syghte of people. He that hath this gyfte: he hath a specyall grace off the holy ghoste.

¶Thyse ben the seuen gyftes that the holy ghoste departed amonge al man¦kynde. and gyueth to some more than some. But there may noo man excuse hym. but that the holy ghoste assyg∣neth to hym some what of thyse in ty∣me of his cristenyng: where the bisshop 〈…〉 confirmaciō reherseth thyse w•〈◊〉 of the sacrament. I wyll telle you 〈◊〉 ensample to fere you the more to the sacrament of Cristenynge. that is founden by the 〈◊〉 of saynt Iames.

¶Narracio.

¶There was an holy bysshop that tourned Lowys the Kynge of Fraunce to cristen feyth. And soo whan the kynge come to the cristening atte the halowynge of the fonte there was grete prese of people. that the cler∣ke that bare the bysshops crysmatory: myght not brynge •t to the bysshop. ¶And soo whan the fonte was halo∣wed and come to the anoyntynge. he myght not come to his Crysmatory. Thenne the bysshop lyfte vp his eyen to good. preyenge god deuoutly for hel¦pe. And anone ther wyth. ther come a doue as white as ony milke. that was the holy ghoste. berynge in her bylle a vyoll wyth oyle and creme to the bys¦shop. And whan he opened the vyoll there come oute therof soo swete sa∣uour that all the people had wondre therof. and were gretly comforted the¦re by. and that contynued tyll the ser∣uyce was doone. Here loo ye may wel see though the preest say the wordes: the holy ghost worcheth the sacrament and dothe vertue of the wordes. Nowe that the holy ghoste may descende and lyghten vs that we may come to recey¦ue hym to oure saluacion Amen.

¶In die penticostes·

Page  [unnumbered]gOod men & wymen this 〈◊〉 is called ••sondaye▪ 〈◊〉 the holy goost broughte wytte 〈◊〉•is¦dome in to cristes disciples And •o by there prechynge after 〈◊〉 cristendo¦me Thenne may ye vnderstonde y^t ma¦ny hath wytt but nat wysedome. For there been mony that hath wytte to pre¦che wele but there be fewe y^t haue wys¦dome to doo well There be many wy¦se prechoures and techers but their ly∣uynge is no maner thynge after theyre prechinge Also ther be many y^t labour to haue wytte and connynge. but ther been fewe that trauayleth to cōme to good lyuynge For who so hath wytte and connynge to gette godes with fay¦re subtell wordes be they neuir so fals he is wyse but wyt of holynesse is nat sette by For he y^t can gette goodes with knackes and mowes he is a wyse man but he that forsaketh the wytte of thys worlde is a foole But loke what holy scripture sayth

Oure lord hath resceyued the name of the pore man for he hath proued him in his pouert and toke his name in the bo¦ke of lyf. But he lefte the riche man. for he hath nat preuyd him But though a man be neuir so riche at the laste he shall be po¦re For though he bringe with him but his good dedys & his badde. he that ly¦ueth well and techith well For a god••sample in lyuynge is good doct••ne This grace at this daye was gyuen to cristes disciples for they taughte wele. and lyued wele for they gaue good en¦fourmacion in techynge of good ensā¦ple in lyuynge for their techinge. And their lyuynge is spradde throughe oute all the worlde Thenne how they come to this grace ye shall here. After whan that oure lorde iesu cryste. was styed vp to heuyn his d•sciples. were in greate heuynesse and morning for they hadde loste their master y^t they loued full well and for hem had loste all their goods for his loue and forsa¦ke all their frēdship. And seruyd him full pore in hope that sholde be gretly holpen by him And thus they were all heuy and greatly astonyed and sore a¦ferde to be taken of the Iewys and ca∣ste into pryson. and after to be putt to dethe. This made theym sory y^• that they durste nat goo. among the pe¦ople for to gete theym mete and drynk But yet as criste badde the•• in his as¦cension they wente into the •yte of Ie∣rusalem and there they were in • hall of stage and there they satte to gyddre praynge vnto god with hole herte and one spiryte of helpe and socour and sō¦me comforte in their disese Thenne as they were thus praynge to gydder So¦denly there was a greate clowde made in the ayre lyke a blaste of thūdre▪ and euyn therwith the hooly goost come e∣monge theym all. Page  [unnumbered] ¶And lyghte come doune emong hem in lykenesse of tonges brennynge and not smertynge warmyng and not har¦myng. lyghtenyng. and not flyterynge ¶And fylled hem full of gostely wyt For as they were to fore but lewde mē of syghte. and vnlettred and very yde∣ottes. as of connyng and noo thynge cowde of clergy. Suddenly they were the wyseste men in the world. And anone they spake all maner lan¦gages vnder the sonne. And there as before her hertes weren colde for drede and fere of dethe. Thenne were they so comforted of the holy ghoste. in bren∣nyng loue. That they wente and pre∣ched and taughte the worde of god. Sparynge for noo drede. but redy to take the dethe for Cristis sake Thenne at that tyme there were in Iherusalem people of all nacions. and drewe in to the temple for grete fere of the blaste. of thondre that was in the cyre. And stodyed what it myghte be. Thenne co¦me the apostles in to the temple and pre¦ched. And all maner of nacions vnder¦stode hem And they vnderstode all ma¦ner nacions: and soo they preched the worde of god. Thenne were the people astoned whā they herde the posteles speke all man∣ner of langage. Thenne sayd some. thyse haue dronken soo moche: y^t they wote not what they doo saye. Nother what they meane. for they ben al dron¦ken. Thenne answerde Peter and said we be not dronk but this was the pro¦phecye of Iohell the prophete. ¶How the holy ghoste shold be yeuen plentuously to the people. soo that thei shold speke wyth all tonges. that is to preche to all the worlde the lawes of Ihesu criste Thenne the people tor∣ned faste. And soo wythin fewe yeres the feyth was in all the worlde. Nowe it is to wyte why the holy ghoste mo∣re apered in to lykenesse of tongis ra∣ther than in other party of mannis bo¦dy why he come to hem syttyng rather thenne stondyng. ¶As to the first this is the cause a tonge is the best membre of mannys body: whan it is in good rule. and well disposed But whan it is out of good rule it is the worste. Bytter venym is vnder the tonge that speketh euyll sayth dauid in the psal∣ter. And as saynt Iames sayth. A cur¦sed tonge is fyred wyth the fyre of hel¦le. and may not be chastysed whyle the fyre brenneth it. And also for tonges must speke wordes of fire. that is shar¦pe and sperkelyng to saye trouth. not spare in prechenge. And techyng to repreue mysdedes for as ho¦ly men in olde tyme ouercome and dro¦ue awaye the fyre of lyghtenyng with holy wordes and good prayers. wythe the brennynge loue to god. ¶Ryght for the fyre of the holy ghost shold dryue awaye and ouercome the fyre off helle. that enuy hath and euyll lyuynge that reygneth now in the ton∣gis of moche people. and in hertes. For the appostles and other prechers.

That cometh after them shold Page  [unnumbered] speke brennyng wordes. that is ney∣ther to sharpe. nother for d•ede ne for loue to saye the trouth. and to 〈◊〉 the people her defautes: and to repre•e the synne that regneth in hem. in many dy¦uerse wyse and soo to do. and saye the worde of god and to repreue synne. ¶And but they wyll leue synne they shall wythout remedy be dampned in to the fyre of helle. For though thou sholdest dey. spar not to preche the wor¦des of god. and telle the trouthe

Also god is mercyfull to hem that be sory for her sinnes and wyl leue them For though a man haue done neuer so moche synne and he wyll shryue hym and forsake his synne. mercy shall fo¦lowe hym. And he shall haue foryeue¦nesse. and soo come to the bryghte fyre euerlastynge blysse. ¶That is the precious loue of god y^t brenneth emonge the angelis and sain¦tis in the kyngdome of heuen: Also he comyth in lykenesse of tonges of fyre for it is the kynde of fire to make low that is hyghe. And to wanne that is colde to make softe that is harde And make harde that is softe And also the holy ghoste maketh hertes that ben hy∣ghe of pride and enuy. he maketh them lowe and warme in loue and charyte And also harde hertes that haue be ga¦derynge and holdynge of worldly goo¦des The holy ghoste maketh them sof∣te. and lyberall to gyue & dele almes•• dedes for the loue of almyghty god: And maketh them harde also in suf∣frynge of harde and streyte lyuyng. & in dooyng of grete penaunce for theyr synnes Thus the holy ghost is euer re¦dy to make salue for to hele all maner of synnes That other skylle is why the holy gost come to the appostles rather syttyng than stondyng. For syt•ynge betokeneth mekenesse in herte. wit•••s¦te peas and vnyte The whiche ony ma¦ner of man must nedes haue that wyl receyue the holy ghoste ¶For ryg•••s the drye wode wyll brēne clerely with oute •••ryng. Soo shold euery cryst•n man loue other wyth brennyng loue and charyte clerely wythoute 〈◊〉 of wrathe or enuye. or ony maner off malyce eche wyth other. And euery man shold be feyne of otheris wes••r And this maketh to haue a good •onge But as sone a• the brondes ben •aste a twynny by dyscencion off ma• & enuye Anone the fyre of the holy gos•e quencheth. And thenne 〈◊〉 vp smoke of grete wrathe and enuy by∣twene party and party. And also grete greuaunce and heuynesse for the soule and causeth it to fayle gr•••. that it maye haue noo consydera•yon to reason. Thenne anone the wyckid spyrytes ben redy and •••se vp smoke in the same mannis herte: That is to saye grete wrathe and en∣uye. and euyll wyll that it maye haue noo maner of rest. But euer stody•ng and thynkynge also how he may •uē¦ge hym. and doo vengeaunce vnto: Page  [unnumbered]•is ennemyes. And soo is a man euer troubled and besy euer in cursed dedes and lykely to be dampned body & sou¦le in helle to euyrlastynge peyne but if he haue socour and helpe of the hooly goost and all suche thynges that may come of cursed and wyked tonges. Therfore the holy ghoste cometh in the lyckenesse of tonges of brennynge fy∣re. to brenne oute the malyce and enuy and to anoynte hem wyth swetnes off grace. loue and charyte. And therfo¦re we shall praye to the holy ghoste to yeue vs grace so to tempre our tonges that we maye euermore speke. good. & that our hertes maye be fed wyth me∣kenesse. that we may be able to be fed wyth the holy ghoste. as saynt Grego¦ry was whan he expowned the prophe¦cye. he toke to hym his deken saynt Pe¦ter to wryte as he expowned and ma∣de drawe bytwene hem For saynt Pe¦ter shold not see how he dyde in his sto¦dyeng Thenne as saynt Gregory satt in his chayer Holdyng vp his hondys and his eyen to heuen warde The holy ghost came lyke a white doue wyth fo¦te and bylle brennyng golde and satte on Gregory ryght sholdre. and putte her bylle in Gregoryes mouth. And whan he wythdrewe it thenne he bad Peter wryte and soo contynued tyl he had made an ende. But he expowned the gospell soo boldly that Peter had merueylle therof and preuely made a hole in the cloth that was bytwene gre¦gory and hym and sawe how the holy ghoste fedde hym And anone the holy gost shewed Gregory how Peter had done thenne Gregory blamed Peter. And charged hym that he shold neuer saye noo thynge whyle he lyued: But whan gregory was dede. an herety•• wolde haue •renned his bokys. That this holy man 〈◊〉 And thenne Peter wythstode hym: and saide nay and tol¦de all how the holy ghoste had done to hym whyle he expowned the prophecy And soo saued his bokes vnbrenned that he had made by the grace of god and yefte of the holy ghoste the whiche yeue vs grace to be fedde of hym here in our lyuyng that we maye haue the blysse that neuer shall haue ende amē

¶In die sancte trinitatis.

GOod men and wymmen this daye is an hyghe and a solēp¦ne feste in holy chirche. For it is of the holy trynyte. For as holy chir¦che atte wytsontyde maketh mencion how the holy goost come to crystis dys¦ciples Now at this tyme is made men¦cion of all thre persones y^t is for to say Pater filius et spiritus sanct{us}. Fader sone and holy ghost thre perso∣nes and one god wherfore we ben boū¦de to doo al the reuerence and worship that we can or maye to this holy tryny¦te. Also ye shall vnderstond why how And what the cause is. that this feste was ordeyned. This holy fest was worshyped for the trynyte. fyrst fyn∣dyng. for heretykis confoundyng. and for the Trynyte worshypynge. Fyrste it was ordeyned for the fourme of the trynyte fyndyng. And a greate clerke Iohan belleth telleth y^t fourme. trinite Page  [unnumbered] was in the first man adam oure so•• fader that cometh of the••he one perso¦ne. and eue of adam the seconde per∣sone of them bothe cometh the thirde persone as her chylde. Thus the tryny∣te was founde in man wherfore man shold haue mynde to doo worshype to the holy trynyte For holy chirche ordey¦ned that in weddynge of a man and woman to gyder. soo that the masse of the Trynyte is songen. And atte his dethe one bell shall be ronge in wor∣shyp of the trynyte wherfore all cristē people ben bounde gretly to worshyp the holy trynyte. The second cause is y^e feste is ordeyned in confundynge of he¦retykes and of lollers for to dystroye them and her false opynyons y^t they had ayenst the holy trynyte. For ryght as heretykis in the begynnynge of the feyth wyth her swete wordes and fals opynyons were aboute to distroye the feyth of the holy trynyte. In the same wyse lollers nowe a dayes wyth her false spyce of gyle be aboute also to wythdrawe the people from the trewe byleue and feyth of the holy trynyte. & the byleue & feyth of the holy chirche Popes martirs and confessours to the deth Ryght soo now thyse lollers pur¦suen men of holy chirche & ben aboute in all maner wayes that they can and may fynde to distroye and vndo h•m soo. that they myghte haue theyr pur∣pose: And thus they shew openly that they be not goddis seruauntes. For they ben oute of charyte. and he y^t is oute of charyte: is ferre from god. But he that suffreth trybulacyon per¦secucion and disease. for the loue of al myghty god. And preyeth for his •¦es and mysdoers. And wylle doo noo vengeaunce: but put all in god almy∣ghty. and quyte hem ful well in euer∣lastynge blysse. For oure Lorde sayth thus.

Put all thynge to me. and I shal quy¦te euery man after his deseruynge. for though god suffre holy chyrche to bee pursued by suche mysse and proude he uerys. at the laste he ordeyneth suche a remedy that holy chirche is holpen and her enmyes confounded and shamed. Thus it happed on a tyme wyth them¦perour of rome that hyght Attylya▪ & he was made by heretikes as Iohan bellet telleth. the whiche emperour pur¦sued cristen peple sore and hated hem and holy chirche gretly. wherfor he ma¦de to brenne all the bokes that myght be founde of crysten feyth. But as al¦myghty god wolde▪ there was a good holy man. and that was a grete clerke and the clerke was called Alpunous that in mayntenynge of the feyth off holy chirche he made the story of the tri¦nyte▪ and the story all soo of saynt ste¦uen. and brought it vnto the pope for to haue hem songen and rede in holy chirche. But by counseyll of that gre• clerke. they toke the story of saynt ste∣uen. and lefte the story of the holy try∣nyte tyll the tyme that saynt Gregory was pope thenne for to preue hem and doo hem shame that ben suche mysby∣leuyng people. and wold not byleue in the trynyte but made after her reason many heretykes and in consyderacion

¶of hem Page  [unnumbered] ¶Saynt Gregory the pope ordeyned this feste to be halowed. and this story to be songe and redde in holy chirche in worship of the Trynite wyth all cris∣ten people. The thirde cause is for the hyghe trynyte worshypynge and for all crysten men shold knowe howe & in what maner they shold byleue in the trynyte. for as holy chirche techeth. he that byleueth in the trynyte shall be saued and they that done not shall bee dampned. ¶Thenne it is full expedy¦ent and nedefull to all crysten people to knowe how they shold lyue. ye shal vnderstonde that parfyt loue to god is the byleue. For he that byleueth parfit¦ly maketh noo questions.

¶Feyth hath noo mede ne meryte whe¦re mannys wytte yeueth experience: Thenne it is good for all crysten peple to make loue to be medyatoure to the holy ghoste prayng hym to lyghten vs wythin our soules that we may haue grace to come to his parfyte byleue. Therfore this daye was set next wyt∣sondaye. hopynge that the holy ghoste wyll be redy to all Crysten people y^t wyll calle hym. And specyally in ler∣nyng of the feyth. but yet for mannys wyttes be dulle to lerne. thēne they ma¦ye not se nor here▪ but they be brought in by grete ensample. But that people is not most comenda¦ble yf we may by ensample come the soner to the byleue. in the fader and the sone and the holy ghoste. thre persones and all one god take hede of this ensā¦ple▪ Of▪ yse. snowe. and water. howe y^• thyse thre ben dyuerse eche in substaū∣ce. and yet is all but water ye may vn¦derstonde by the water the fader. bi the yse. the sone: and by the snowe. the ho∣ly ghoste. water is an element that ha∣the grete myght and strenthe: & as the mayster Alisaunder sayth. It is abo∣ue heuen in the maner of yse side a cas¦tall and doth worship to heuen and a¦none it is vnder erthe And therthe is grounded vpon water And dauid sai¦th in the psalter it is al about the worl¦de. and in all thinge. for in harde sto∣nes and yron somtyme is swete water for this water is soo full of myghte y^t is to vnderstonde. the fader that his po¦wer is soo moche that he gouerneth al the worlde and knoweth all thynge. & all thynge is at his wylle and com∣maundement. By the sone Ihesu crist ye shall vnderstonde. yse that is water congeled harde and bretyll. that is ihe¦su cryste very god and man. that toke the substance and freilte of mankynd ¶whan he was conceyued of the holy ghoste in the virgyn Mary and borne of her body. god that suffred passion vndre ponce pylate done vpon the cros¦se deyed. and was buryed and the thir¦de daye rose from deth to lif. and after on holy thursday styed vp in to heuen and shall come ayen at the daye off do¦me. and deme the quycke and the dede. By the snowe ye shall vnderstonde the holy ghoste. for ryght as snowe is but water and yse. and lyghte in thay¦re but how noo man can telle. So co∣myth the holy ghoste from the fader & the sone. But how it is for noo man to study. for it excedith all mennys wytt to sto¦dy therupon. but sadly byleue. the fa∣der is full god almyghty and of him come the sone full god and of hem bo∣the comyth the holy ghoste full god. This trynyte was knowen in the ful∣lyng of cryste as the gospell telleth· ¶Thenne our lorde Ihesu cryste was baptised in the water of flom Iordan And all the people nye of the countree there aboute were baptysed there wyth hym and as they were in her prayers. The holy goost come downe in liknes∣se of a whyte doue. And lyghted on crystis hede: And the fader spake in heuē and said Thou arte my welbeloued sone that pleaseth me well that was the holy tri¦nyte. that spake in his persone. and the sone was bodely there in his persone. Than Iohan baptist sayd to the peple See the lambe of god. And the holy goost was seen in his persone. •s a 〈◊〉 done come downe and thise thre ben but one god in trinite. wherfo¦re it were full nedefull to all crysten people to praye besely: soo y^t we maye haue grace to haue the parfight loue to byleue in the fader the sone and holy goost thre persones and one god in Trinyte.

¶Narracio.

¶we fynde that the moder of Saynt Edmunde of pountney as he stodyed of this holy trynyte she appered vnto him. and leyed in his honde thre ringes eche with in other And in the first was wryten: Pater. The fader: In the se∣cound. Filius. The sone. In the thirde Spiritus sanctus. The holy gooste. & sayd. My dere sone. To suche fygures take hede. and lerne what thou mayst. And take good hede to this ensample. For ryght as a rynge is rounde wyth∣oute ony beginnyng and ending. right soo ben thre persones in one god But for to stody how it myghte be. it is but foly. for it excedeth ony mannys wytt to muse ther vpon. but sadly byleue ther vpon.

¶Narracio.

¶we rede of a clerke that was gretly lerned in dyuinyte. the whiche stodyeth besely to haue broughte this in a boke why god wolde be byleued one god • thre persones • soo as he walked on a day stodyeng on this mater by the see sonde. he was ware of a faire child sit¦tyng on the see sonde & had a lytyl shel¦le in his honde & therwyth he toke wa∣ter out of the see and cast it in to al•tyl pytte fast by. Thenne sayd this mayster to this chyld: Sone Page  [unnumbered]••at doost thou and he sayd. Syre I am abowte to haue all this water y^• is in the see in to this lytyll pytte. Thē¦ne said the mayster. that shalt thou ne∣uer doo it passeth ony mannys power. Syre sayd he. as soone shall I doo this as thou shall doo that thou arte aboute to doo. And anone the child vanysshed awaye. Thenne this mays∣ter thought it was not goddis wyll. & lefte his stodyenge in that mater. and thanked god hyghely. By this ensam¦ple ye may see that it is not goddis wil that we shold muse in that mater. But stedfastly belyue in the fader. the sone. and the holy ghoste.

Come by feyth and loue of this per∣fyght feyth of the trynite. Come by the werkys of mercy doing. Come to this belyue by doyng of wer¦kis of rightwysnesse and thus ye shal come to this parfyte beleue. fader sone & holy ghoste. ¶And thenne thou shat be crowned wyth a crowne of euerlastynge Ioye and blisse. to the whiche brynge vs to the holy Trinyte

¶De corpore cristi.

GOod frendis ye shall vnder∣stonde. that this daye is an hye And a solempne feste in holy chirche the feste of Corpus cristi. it is the feste of oure lordis owne body. the whiche is offred to the hye fa•er of he¦uen atte the auter in remyssion of oure synnes for all Crysten people that ly¦ue here in parfyte lyf and charyte and grete socour and help in releuyng hem that ben in peynes of purgatory. there abydyng the mercy of god. ¶ye shall vnderstonde that this feste was found by a pope that was called Vrban the v: the whiche had grete grace and de∣uocion in the sacramente of the aulter consyderyng the grete mede helpe and socour to mannys soule And to the for¦derynge of lyuyng to all crysten peo∣ple here in this present world Therfor he ordeyned this present feste to be ha∣lowed in the next thursdaye after the feste of the holy Trynyte: for all crys∣ten people that wyll be sauyd muste haue sad beleue in the holy sacramēt that is goddis owne body in fourme of brede made by the vertue of crystis wordes that the prest sayth. & by wor∣kyng of the holy ghoste. ¶Thenne for this holy pope thoughte to drawe peo∣ple to more deuocion and better wyll to this holy sacrament. and to doo ser∣uyce this daye. he graunteth to all that ben worthy. that be they that be verey contryte and shreuen of her synnes. & be in the chirche at bothe euynsonges at matyns and at masse. For eche a • dayes of pardon. and for eche hour off the day xl. daies of pardō • for euery day of the vtas a C. dayes of pardō in remission of all her synnes. for euer∣more enduryng thenne ye shall vnder¦stonde that Our lord Ihesu cryste on sherethursdaye at nyght whan he had Page  [unnumbered] souper and wyst well in the morowe• that he shold suffre his passion and de¦the and passe oute of this worlde vnto his fadre in heuyn He ordeyned a per¦petuall memory of his passion to aby¦de for euir with all cristen peple in erth He tooke brede and wine and made his owne flesshe and blode and gaue it to his disciples to ete and to drynke & said

Take ye this and ete it for it is myn ou¦ne flesshe and blood And this he dyd. for they sholde haue mynde of him. & so he yaue other prestys power to ma∣ke his body of brede and wyne Thus e¦uery preeste hath power to make the sa¦crament be he good or badde. For the sacramente may no man amende. nor payre but he that is a good man and a holy lyuer helpyth greatly them that he prayeth fore And he that doth the of¦fyce of the preest worthely and trulye. shalbe gladde and ioyfull that euir he was borne. Fo•••re lorde hath yeuyn a preest a 〈…〉 power here in erthe that he gaue neuir to aungell in heuen that is to make his owne body in four¦me of breed Therfor ye shal haue wor¦shippe more in heuyn thanne any tong can tell or herte thynke. And he that is an euyll lyuer and knoweth him selfe in dedely synne and presumeth to my∣nistre that worthy sacrament and wyl nat amende him. he may be sure of per¦petuel dampnacion with fendys of hel in euirlastinge peyne Thenne shall ye vnderstonde that he graunteth this sa∣crament to be vsed for euirmore in ho¦ly churche For foure causes that be ne¦defull to all cristen people The firste is for mannys grete helpynge The se∣counde for cristes passion myndynge. The thridde for greate loue shewynge And the fourthe for grete mede getting Saint Austyn sayth it profytteth gre¦atly all cristen peple to here masse and in especial for ix: causes • sayth thus. For that day that he heryth a masse. he shall nat fayll of noo bodily fode nor no necessary thynge that shall be lon∣gynge to. nor no lett shall haue in his iournaye where that he trauayleth. The secounde is all venyall synnes: shall be forgyue him and ydel wordes The thridde is that if aman dye it shal stonde for his housell. The fourth he shall nat that day lose his sighte The fyfte all ydell othes that day shall be foryeuyn The vi. that daye he shal 〈◊〉 no soden dethe The vii. aslonge as he heryth the masse he shall nat w•• olde The viii. all all his steppes towarde. and from warde the churche h•• goode aungyll reknyth to his saluacion. The nynthe all the while that he behol¦deth the holy sacramente. all wycked spirites flee from him and haue no po¦wer ouir him be he neuir so grete a syn¦ner This helpe and socour we haue of the holy goost and of the sacrament he¦re in erthe. and at oure laste ende al cri¦sten people woll sende after the p••este to cōme to him with goddes body▪ and Page  [unnumbered] to resceyue it knowynge wel that he be¦leuyth stedfastly that it is the same fle¦sshe and bloode that criste toke of oure lady saint mary and was born of her body very god & man. and after suf∣fred passion and deth on the crosse for mankynde. and leyde in tombe and ro¦se from deth to lyue. and now syttethe on his faders right hond in heuyn. and shall cōme ayen at the daye of dome. and deme the quycke and the dede eue∣ry man after his deseruynge So with this parfite beleue al cristen peple shal be armed and made stronge to wyth∣stonde the fendes that wyll cōme and assayle at the departynge. bitwene the body and the soull for thenne fendes. cōme besily to bringe him out of the be¦leue Thenne shall the sacrament that a man hath resc•yued in his lyf make him mighty and stronge. that he shall sette all the fendes at noughte and soo ouircōme th•ym A nother skyll. y^t the sacramente is broughte to a man to as¦ke mercy of criste and remission of his synnes. hauynge full truste and byle¦ue that criste is euir redy to forgyue al theym that wyl aske mercy with a me¦ke herte as dauid sayth. A contrite herte and a meke oure lorde shall neuir dispyse. and that we may se by ensample whanne he hange vp∣on the crosse bitwene ii. theuys that we¦re men of cursed lyuynge And therfo∣re they were ordeyned to be dede & that one asked mercy with a meke hert and sayd in this wyse Lorde quod he whanne thou cōmyste. to thy kyngdome haue mynde of me. & anoon at his firste asking he gaue him mercy & more ouir he sayd to him thus This day thou shalte be with me in pa¦radise And that other theef wolde aske no mercy in noo wyse for pryde he had in his herte and therfore he was damp¦ned to hell Thus oure lorde Iesu cry¦ste shedde his blood on the crosse in hel¦the of all mankynde So in the masse he shewyth his blood in grete socoure helpe and saluacion to all mankynde and the same flesshe and blood is she∣wed euery day in the masse for we shol¦de beleue stedfastly theron And he that beleuyth nat theron verily that it is so shall nat be sauyd at the day of dome

¶Narracio.

¶Therfore I tell you this ensample. that is in the lyf of Odo the Busshop. of Caunterbury this busshop had wy¦the him clerkes that bele•yd nat parfy¦tely in the sacrament of the auter and sayd they coude nat beleue y^t the bodye and blood of crist myght be mynistred in the masse Thenne was this busshop sory and prayed to god besily for her amendement And so on a day whanne he was at the masse and had made the fraction he sawe the blood droppe fro the oste in the chalyce Thenne he made a signe vnto theym that beleuyd natt. to cōme nere him and to see And whan they sawe his fyngers blody & the blo∣de ran from the oste into the chalyce a∣noon for grete fere they cryed & sayd. O thou blessed man y^t hast this grace Page  [unnumbered] to holde cristes body in thy hondes that droppeth blood in the chalice. we bele¦ue verily therupon and we beseche the verily to pray to him for vs: that thou haste in thy hondes that he take no ven¦geaunce on vs for oure misbileue and we cry mekely mercy And anon the ost turnyd into the fourme of brede. as it was bifore And thenne they were par∣fyte men of bileue euir after A nother skyll is that the sacrament is made in the aulter to make a man by often sy∣ght therof. the soner haue mynde on cri¦stes passion. and to haue it in mynde. for it is the beste defence ayenst the tēp¦tacion of the fende For sainte Austyne sayth the mynde of cristes passion put¦teth awaye all temptaciones & the po∣wer of all wycked spirites And for this cause rodes and ymages been sett on hye in the churches for as sone as a man cōmeth into the churche. he sholde se it and haue it in his mynde and thin¦ke on cristes passion. wherfore croces. & other ymages be ful necessary & nede¦full. what someuir these lollers saye. For and it had nat be full profytable. holy faders wold haue distroyed them many yeres a goon For right as the pe¦ople do worshippe to the kinges seall. nat for loue of the seale but for reuerē¦ce of the kinge that it cōmeth fro Soo rodes and ymages be sette for the kyn∣ges seal of heuyn and other saintes in the same wise For ymages been lewed people bokes And as Iohn Bellet say¦eth ther been many thousandes of peo- y^t can nat ymagine in their hertes howe criste was don on the crosse but as they se by ymages in the churches and in o∣ther places there as they been. And for to haue the bettre mynde of cristes pas¦sion I shall tell you this ensample.

¶Narracio.

¶There was a cristen man of Englō¦de that went into the holy londe and 〈…〉¦red an hethen man to be his guide and as he cāme vnto a faire forest and sa∣we many faire thinges▪ but this criste∣ned man maruayled gretly y^t herd no noys of birdes & therof he had gret mer¦uayll and saide to this hethen man. I meruayll moche that there is no songe of birdes in this wode Then sayd this hethen man This is the weke y^t ye call passion weke that your greate prophe∣te dyed in. wherfore on sonday y^t•a•te was that ye call palme sonday all the foules of this wode dyed for sorowe & all this weke shall lye as dede But on sonday nexte cōmynge that ye call es∣terday they quycken ayen & all the yere after they make melody. whrefore 〈◊〉 vp in to the trees and see and thenne he sawe euery bowe of the trees lye full of byrdes as flatte as they had be spre¦de on the crosse ¶Thenne sithe byrdes haue mynde of cristes passion and ma¦ke suche mornynge and sorowe Moche more cause hath mankynde. that was broughte from euirlastinge dampnaci¦on to euirlasting saluacion by his pas¦sion ¶The thridde cause is why the sa¦crament is vsed in the alter For a mā sholde by the sight therof thynke on ou¦re lorde Iesu criste fader of heuyn y^t ha¦the but one sone that he louyth passing all thynge but he spared nat to sende him downe into this worlde. to suffrer passion and deth & to shede his precious Page  [unnumbered] blode for mankynde to bye him out of the fendes bondes and to wryte a char¦ter with his owne preciouse blood of fredome for euirmore to all mankynd So that a man forfayte nat his char∣ter by dedely synne But he that louyth god wyll kepe his charter. for god as¦keth a man but loue wher he sayth th{us}

Sone gyue me thy herte and it is enou¦ghe for me Thenne take hede of this ensample.

¶Narracio.

¶There was an erle of venys y^t was called sir Ambright that louyd the sa¦crament in the Auter passinge well. & dyd it all the worshippe and reuerence that he coude and myght. So whanne he leye seke and shold be dede he might nat resceyue the sacramente for castin∣ge. thenne was he sory and made dole and thenne he lete make clene his right side and to couer it with a fayre clothe of fendyll and leyde goddes body the∣ren and sayd thus to the oste. Lorde thou knowest that I loue the with all my herte and wolde fayn resceyue the with my mouthe and I durst. And for I may nat I lay the on that place that is nexte to myn herte and so I shewe the all the loue of myn herte. that I can or maye. wherfore I besech the good lorde haue mercy on me and euyn therwith in sight of all the peple that were aboute him his syde openyd and the oste wente in there to his syde & thenne it closed ayen. and so anoon af¦ter he dyed and departyd oute of this worlde. ¶Soo lete vs loue the sacra∣mente in oure lyf and doo it reuerence▪ and worshyp and thenne at oure laste ende whanne we shall dye. and passe oute of this worlde. it woll socour vs and bringe vs to euirlastinge blisse Thus the sacramente is vsed for gre∣te mede gettynge to all that beleue ther¦in. For though it haue the lykenesse of brede and the taste. it is flesshe and se∣myth brede. it is quycke and semyth de¦de. ye must byleue verily that it is god¦des blessed body that tooke flesshe and blood of the virgyn mary and after di¦ed on the crosse and rose fro deth to ly¦ue and styed vp into heuyn. and no∣we sytteth on his faders right honde & shall cōme ayen at the day of dome to deme the quycke and the dede And he y^t resceyueth it here and beleuyth verilye theruppon shall haue euirlastinge lyf in the kyngdom of heuyn as the gospel sayth.

who so etyth of this brede shall lyue e∣uyr and neuir be dede And he that res∣ceyueth it and beleueth nat thus At the daye of dome he shall be damp¦ned into euirlastinge peyne. Saint Austyn sayth in the persone of criste Ete me but I shal nat turne and chaunge into the but thou shal turne & chaunge into me

¶we rede that ther was a iewe that wente with a cristen man. a felowe of his into a churche of cristen people and Page  [unnumbered] herde masse.

And after masse sayde the Iewe thus.

¶If I hadde eten asmoche as thou haste eten I sholde nat be a hungred. as I trowe in thre daies And then said the cristen man to the iewe.

Forsothe saide the cristen man to the ie¦we I ete no maner mete this daye Thē¦ne saide the iewe. I sawe the ete a child the which the pre¦ste helde vp at the aulter Thenne cāme there a faire man y^t had many children in his lappe And he gaue eche cristen man a childe. suche as the preest ete. yet to sharp you¦re bileue the more to this hooly sacra∣ment I shewe you this ensample. ¶we rede in sainte Gregoryes tyme. There was a woman that hight Lacy¦na and she made brede for the pope & o¦ther prestes to singe with. & for to hou¦sell with the peple Also the pope cāme to this woman with her housel & sayd take here goddes body Thenne this wo¦man smyled and laughed Thenne the pope withdrewe his honde and laid the oste vpon the Aulter and turned to this woman Lacyua and sayd to her. why smylest thou whan thou sholdest rescei¦ue cristes body And she sayd why cal¦lest thou that cristes body that I made with myn owne hondes Thenne was gregory the pope sory for her misbeleue & bad all the people pray to god to she¦we some myracle for this womannys helpe And whanne they hadde prayed longe. Gregory went to the autre ayen and founde thoste turnyd into re¦de flesshe and bloode bledynge and he shewyd it to this woman Thenne she cryed and sayd Nowe lorde I crye the mercy I byleue that thou art very god and man and goddes sone of heuyn in fourme of brede Thenne badde Grego¦ry the people to pray agayn that it shol¦de turne ayen to bredes lykenesse and it dyd and with the same ofte he housled this woman Lacyua. ¶And therfore lete vs doo all the worshyp y^t we may to the sacramēte & be nat in mysbeleue ¶Also we fynde that in Deuonshyre. beside exbridge was a woman ley se∣ke and was nygh dede and sente after a holy persone aboute mydnyght to ha¦ue her rightes Thenne this man in all haste that he myght arose and went to the churche and toke goddes body in a boxe of yuery and put it into his boso¦me and went forth toward this womā And as he went through a foreste in a fayre mede that was his next way It happed that his boxe. fell oute of his bosome to the grounde. And he wente forth and wyst it nat and cāme to this woman and herde her confession And then he asked her if she wold be housted Page  [unnumbered] & she said ye syre. thēne he put his hōde in his bosom & sought the boxe & whā he founde it not. he was full sory and sadde and sayd dame I wyl goo after goddis body and come anone ayen to you and soo went forth sore wepynge for his symplenesse and soo as he com to a welow tree he made ther of a rode & stryped hym self naked. & bete hym self that the blode ranne doune by his sydes and said thus to hym self. O thou symple man. why hast thou loste thy lord god. thy maker thy saucour & creature. And whan he had thus beten him self he dyd on his clothes and wen¦te forth And thenne he was ware of a py•ar of fyre: that lasted from erthe to ••uen and he was all astonyed therof y••he blessed hym and wente therto: & there lay the sacrament fallen oute off the boxe to the grasse and the pylour shone as bryght as ony sonne and las¦ted from goddis body to heuen. And all the •estis of the foreste were come aboute goddis body and stode in com∣passe rounde aboute it: and all kneled on iiii. knees: saue on blacke horse that kneled but on that one knee. thenne sai¦de he. yf thou be ony best that may spe¦ke. I charge the in goddis name here present in fourme of brede. tel me why thou knelest but on thy one knee Then¦ne said he. I am a fende of helle. and wyll not knele and I myghte. but I am made ayenst my wyll. For it is writon that euery knelyng of heuen & of erthe shall be to the worshyp to the lord god. why art thou lyke an horse & he said to make the people to stele me. & at suche a towne was on hāged for me & at suche a toune a nother Thenne sayd this holy person. I commaunde the by goddis flesshe and his blode y^t thou goo in to wyldernesse. and be the¦re as thou shalt neuer dysease crysten people more. And anone he wente his waye. he myght noo lenger abyde. And thēne this man went forth to this woman and dyde her ryghtes. By the whiche she was saued. and went to e∣uerlastyng saluacion. To the whiche brynge vs to. he that for vs shed his blode vpon the rode tree Amen.

De festo scī Andree appostoli.

GOod men & wymmen suche a daye ye shall haue saynt an¦drewis daye and ye shall fast the euen and come to god and to al ho¦ly chirche and worship this holy saynt that daye for iii specyall vertues. One is for his greate holynesse in his doynge. The seconde for his good ly∣uyng The thirde for his greate passy∣on suffryng. ¶He was a man of holy lyuyng. for whan he vnderstode and herde of saynt Iohan the Baptist that he was preching in deserte. Anone he lefte all his worldly occupacion. and wente to hym and was his diciple and soo after on a daye as cryst come wal¦kynge. by the way & saint iohā baptist sawe hym walking he said to his disci¦yples.

¶See the lambe of god that shal do awaye the synne of al the worl¦de. And whan Saynt Andrewe herde that. anone he leete saynt Iohan bap∣tiste and sewed Criste. Page  [unnumbered] And whanne he herde criste preche. It pleased him so well that anon he wēt and fett Petyr his broder to here cryste preche. Thenne they caste grete loue to god and sone after as they wer in the see of galile fisshinge. criste cāme and called them. and anon they left fysshī¦ge shyppe & nette and all that they had and sued crist euir after. & were wyth him tyll he styed vp to heuyn.

¶Narracio.

¶Thenne after that saint Andrewe prechyd amonge the people. then on a day as he prechyd It happed soo there was a man emong the peple that was called nycoll that hadde lyued many wynters in lechery but yet by the gra∣ce of god he thoughte to amende his ly¦ue And whanne he herde that the word of god was of so grete vertue. that it sholde putte awaye all temptaciones. of synne he lete write a gospell and ba¦re with him whersoeuir he wēt & with the vertue therof he absteyned him sel¦ue fro synne But yet on a daye by tēp¦tacion of the fende he forgate him self and went agayn to a brodellys house. as he was vsed to do bifore And whā he cāme thidre and the wymen lokyd vpon him they cryed oute on him and sayde O thou old sely man what dost thou here. go home ayen For we se soo many maruayles on the that we maye nat haue to doo with the. Thenne this nycoll bethought him that he had the gospell vpon him and anoon he went to saint Andrewe and tolde him all the caas & prayed sainte Andrewe to pray for him that his soule might be sauyd Thenne saint Andrewe wolde neuir e∣te nor drynke tyll he wyste whether ni¦coll sholde be sauyd or no Then saint Andrewe fastyd fyue daies brede and water and praied besily night and day Thenne cāme a voyce & sayd As thou haste fastyd and prayed make Nycol to do the same and thenne he shalbe sa¦ued Thēne saint Andrewe bad nycol faste fyue daies brede & water & praye besily vnto god. and so he dyd And thenne come a voyce to saint Andrewe agayn and sayd. Thy prayers and thy fastinge hath made Nycoll y^t was loste founde ayen and he shalbe saued

¶Narracio.

¶Also a nother myracle that 〈…〉 yonge man come to sainte Andrewe in a tyme and saide priuely to him Sir my modre hath be longe aboute me • I sholde lye with her. and for I wold nat doo her wyll she hath accused me to the busshop and say•• that I wolde haue doon that sinfull dede with her. wherfore I wote well that I shall be dede. and yet I hadde leuyt dye •e sclaundre my modre so foule. therfore I beseke you pray for me that I may take my deth paciētly to the saluacion of my soule Thenne sayd sainte An∣drewe go forth to thy dome and I shal go with the. and so therwith the peple come and fe•e him bifore the busshoppe And whanne his modre accused hym He saide noo thinge but helde his peas▪ Thenne saide saint Andrewe.

Page  [unnumbered] This cursed woman for lust of her bo¦dy wrongfully is aboute to dampne her own childe to deth vengeaunce wil come to the: thenne sayd she. loo syre iu¦stice euer syth that he myght not haue his wyll he hathe drawen to this man for counseyll • socour. Thenne the Iustyce commaunded to cast this yon¦ge man in to the water to drowne hym and to put saint andrewe in pryson. tyll he were aduysed what deth he shol¦de deye. Thenne saynt andrew prayed besely vnto god for helpe and socour. And thenne anone come a grete thon∣dre. and made all the people so aferde that they were feyne to fette saynt an∣drewe oute of the pryson. And euyn therwyth come a lyghtenyng of fyre & brenned the moder of the yonge man in syght of all the people. ¶And thus was this man saued and the iustice by this grete myracle tourned to the cri¦sten feyth. and moche people wyth him and euer after belyued in god & saynte andrewe. Therby ye may see that he was holy in lyuyng. Also he was gret in miracles wyrchyng. for oon day as he went by the see syde. he saw a drow¦ned man caste oute of the water thēne andrewe prayed to god to rere hym a∣yen to lyfe: and anone this man rose thenne andrew asked hym where that he was drowned. and he sayd. we we∣re x. men to gyder: and herde of an ho¦ly man that hyght andrew and we we¦re commyng to here his preching. And as we were in the see there come a gret tempest and drowned vs all to gyder. But wolde god that we had be cast to londe togyder. that we myght haue be reysed to lyfe to gyder ayen. Thenne saynt andrewe prayed god that al the bodyes myghte come togyder. and soo they dyde. and were cast vp in dyuerse contreys. Thenne saynt Andrewe ma¦de and ordeyned to gader theym all to gyder. Thenne he kneled downe and prayed god longe. for theym tyll they were reysed all to lyfe. Thenne saint andrewe made them all to knele dou∣ne. and thanked god: and preched them and taught theym the crysten feyth. & crystened theym all. And whan they were stedfaste in the feith. he sent them home to her owne countrey. wyth mo∣che ioye to theym And many other my∣racles he dyde. that were to longe to tel thus ye maye see that he was myghty in myracles werkynge. that reysed soo many men to lyfe. Also he suffred gre¦te passion for cristis sake. For whan he was in the cyte of pateas. there he tourned to the feyth the wyfe of egeas And this egeas was a grete man. and made moche people to doo sacrifyce & offryng to mawmentis. But for saint andrewe repreued hym therof. Anone he made to take hym and wol¦de haue made hym to doo sacryfyce but he wolde not and stedfastely bode ayenste hym and preued by many en∣samples by cause that he and all the people sholde worshyppe god and not the fendes of helle. Thenne was Egeas wode for wrothe And made men to take Andrewe and strype hym naked. and bete hym with scourges. y^t al his body ranne on blode

¶And thenne made to bynde hym honde and fote. and made to doo him

¶on a Crosse. For he shold Page  [unnumbered] peyne theron longe or he deyed. But whan andrewe come to the place there the cros was he kneled doune and said thus.

Holy be thou crosse that arte halowed and made holy by the precious body of our lord Ihesu criste. I desyre to clyppe the to me wherfore take me to the. For I yelde me to my mayster ihe∣su criste that dyed on the crosse. And thenne Andrewe stode vp and dyde off his clothes. and gaue them to the tour∣mentours. and bad theym doo as they were charged to doo of the Iustice. Thenne they bounde hym to the crosse honde and fote and his hede downe∣wardis. And streyned hym. Soo that the blode brast oute atte euery knot of the ropes. and soo he henge there thre dayes alyue prechyng to the people. & soo there come to the prechynge many thousandes of people· and for pyte y^t they hadde of hym they bad Egeas ta¦ke hym doune or they wolde sle hym. Thenne for fere of the people Egeas come to take hym doune Thenne saint andrew ayenst stode hym & sayd. ¶what comest thou to me Egeas. wy¦te thou well that thou shalt haue noo myght to take me doune: For on this crosse wyll I deye. and euyn therwith A grete lyghte come aboute hym that there noo man myght see hym in space of halfe an houre and more. Thenne sayd saynt andrewe. I beseke the lord haue mercy on me. • so in that lyght he gaaf vp the ghoste. And thenne whan Egeas sawe and knewe this that he was dede. he wente homward. Thenne after that dede. he wexed wode and deyed amonge al the people: And whan maximilia his wif herde herof anone she toke andrewe 〈◊〉 body. & beryed it in a tombe. and oute of the tombe welleth manna and oyle to gyder. and by that people of the co••¦tre knowe whan it sholde be dere. and whan grete plente: For whan it shall be plente it welleth plentyfully & whā it shall be derth s•arsly

¶Narracio.

It felle so there was a bisshop y^• loued wel saint andrew: & for the fende my∣ght in no wyse bryng hym oute of 〈◊〉 purpose. he come to the bisshop in lyke¦nesse of a fayr woman praynge hym y^t she myght speke wyth hym in coun∣seyl of confessiō & he graūted her ther¦to. sire she said. I am a knyghtes dou¦ghter. & haue be moche cherisshed & no∣risshed in gret tendernes & for I se it is world is but a vanyte to truste vpon. I haue auowed chas••e & now my fa¦der wold mary me to a worthy prynce & I wold not breke my vow I am co¦me preuely away in pour aray & thus I herde of your grete holynesse▪ & am •o•he to haue your coūseyl socour and helpe of you▪ wherfore I pray you or∣deyne for me. that the fende haue noo power to lete me of my purpose.

¶Thenne the bysshop comforted Page  [unnumbered] her. and bad that she shold thanke god that had sette her in suche purpose. And that he wold sende her grace ther¦wyth to contynue. and sayd to her

Be thou seker doughter this daye thou shalt dyne wyth me. & thenne we shall by good aduyse whan we haue dyned ordeyne soo for you: that ye shall doo ryght well Nay syre sayd she. lest the people wolde haue ony susspection off bad rule ye sayd the bysshop. ther off noo charge. For ther shall be soo many in compa¦nye. that there shall be noo susspectiō Thenne she thanked hym fayre. and she was sette to fore the Bysshop in a chayre at mete And euer whan the bys¦shop loked on her. he semed her so fay∣re that he was gretly tempted on her so that he had almost forgete hym self. And thenne anone there come a pylgry¦me to the gate. And bete fast on the gate that al that were wyth in the hall were sore astoned of the noy¦se▪ soo he cryed. lete in lete in. Thenne sayd the bysshop. shall this man come in thenne said she lete hym answere to some questyon first whether he be wor¦thy or none to come soo nyghe in your presence. Thenne said the bysshop. I praye you make the question. for I am not aduysed at this tyme: Thenne said she to the messenger. ¶Aske hym what was the gretest my¦racle that euer god made in a fote bro∣de of erthe. Thenne whan the pilgrym was asked this he answered. and said a manny•〈◊〉 the whiche is but a fot & but a mannis own face. For though all the men and wymmen y^• oure we∣re borne stode afor me. yet shold I kno¦we one from another. by some degre. whan he gaue this answer. He was gretly commended therfore. Thenne sayd she. I see that he is wyse. byd him gyue another answer to another questi¦on Aske hym. wheder erth is higer thā heuen. Thenne he answerd and sayd thus. There as Cristis body is there is erth. for cristis body is of oure kynde. and our kynde is erth. therfore there is cristis body is erth. Is hygher than heuen whan he hadde gyuen that answer. he was well alowed. & was byd come in. Nay sayd she. lete hym a soyle the thyrde question. Aske hym how ferre it is from heuen to helle. Thenne whan he was opposed of this he answerde the messenger. Go ageyn to her that sytteth in the chayer before the bysshop. and byd her gyue this ans¦wer For she can better telle it than I. For she is a fende that hath moten it & soo dyde I neuer. she fyll doune wyth lucyfer And whan the messenger herde this he was all heuy But he gaue this answere that all myghte here. Then∣ne this fende vanysshed awaye wyth an horryble stynke. Thenne the bysshop bethoughte hym off this temtacion. and was sory in his herte. And anone he made to sende af∣ter this pylgryme. But or that the mes¦senger come ayen to the gate he was Page  [unnumbered] gone· ¶Thenne the bysshop made all men to praye to god. 〈…〉 wyttyng what the pylgrim was that so goodly halpe hym at his nede Thenne come a voyce to hym and sayd it was Saynt andrewe that come to socour hym. for 〈…〉 and seruyce y^t he dyde to hym: And bad hym preche this myracle to the people to see and knowe how gra∣ciously he helpeth all that wyll praye hym. and therfore lete vs worship and to pray hym to be our socour and oure helpe ayenst the fende nowe & euer.

Festum sancti Nicolai.

GOod men and wymen suche a daye ye shall haue saynt ny¦colas day. the which is preysed in holy chirche. and specyally for thre causes The first for his meke lyuynge The seconde for his heuenly techynge. The thirde for his greate compassyon. hauyng. First he was made lowly.

¶It is said that his fader hyght E∣pyphanus and his moder iohanne the whiche in her yough gote saynt Ny∣colas. And whan he was borne they made her vowes bothe to kepe and to lyue in chastyte: and nomore come to gyder: but holde hem plesed of this one chylde that god had sent hem the whi∣che they made hym crysten and called hym Nycolas. that is a mannis name But he kepeth the name of the chyld. For he chose to kepe vertues mekenesse and symplenesse and wythout malyce ¶Also we rede whyle he laye in his cradell he fasted wenesday and friday Thyse dayes he wold s•e but 〈◊〉 of the daye. and therwyth he helde him pleysed: thus he lyued al his lyf in ver¦tues. wyth this childes name. ¶And therfore children done hym worshyp bi¦fore all other sayntes for he was euer meke wythout ony malyce. so y^t all the people preysed hym for his meke ly∣uynge here. ¶Also he was made bys∣shop of the Cyte of Myrre by a voys whiche come from heuen. For whan the bysshop was dede. all the bysshops of the countrey come to gyder. to ch•se another. thenne come a voys to one off them. and bad hym ryse erly on the mo¦rowe and goo to the chirche dore. and make hym bysshop that ye fynde there that is called Nycolas. And so on the morow he come to the chirche dore and there he fonde Nycolas. and thenne he sayd thus to hym.

¶what is thy name. and lowtynge wyth his hede answerde mekely & said Nycolas thenne sayd the bysshop.

Sone come wyth me. I haue to speke wyth the in counseyll. & so lad hym to thother bysshops. & said lo fires here is he that god hath ordeyned to be bys∣shop & so they made hym bysshop off myrre by heuenly chesing He had also a grete compassyon of them that were in dysese and peryl for whan his fader & his moder deyed they lefte hym word¦ly good ynough the whiche y^t be spent• on them that were pour and nedy.

¶Narracio.

¶It felle soo that there was a riche man y^t had thre fayr doughters Page  [unnumbered] yong wymmen. But by myscheue he fylle in to pouerte. soo that for greate• nede. he ordeyned his eldeste doughter for to be a comen woman. and so af∣ter the two other doughters: for he my¦ghte not fynde hem. And soo by this meane he •h to gete his lyuynge & hers bothe. For he wyst not how to ly∣ue for grete pouerte that he stode in. ¶And whan Nycolas herde therof he had grete compassion of hem all and come preuely in a nyghte to this man∣nis hous. and at a wyndowe he caste a bagge of gold in this mannys chābre and on the morowe whan this man ro¦se and fonde this golde. anon therwith he maryed his eldest doughter. Then∣ne come Nycolas and brought another soone after. And therwyth he maryed the seconde doughter. Thenne this mā had grete merueyle how this gold co∣me thyder. and walked pryuely to kno¦we therof. And the thirde tyme come Nycolas. And whan this man herde the golde falle. anone he wente oute & ouertoke Nycolas and whan he knew that it was he that had holpen hym so in his nede: he kneled downe and wold haue kyssed his fete but he wold not suffre it but prayed hym to kepe coun∣seyll whyle he lyued:

¶Narracio.

¶Also another tyme men were in the se lykly for to be drowned in a gre¦te tempest. They cryed to god & saynt Nycolas. seyng thus.

¶〈◊〉 kynge euyrlastyng sorowe 〈◊〉 wretch• and anone Nycolas •on• fayde. Lo I am presente at your 〈◊〉. And soo brought hem forth sauf• sounde the londe.

¶Narracio.

Also there was in the countre in a ty∣me grete derth of corne.

And grete houngre in soo moche that the people were almoste loste for the fawte of mete Thenne it happened the¦re come shippes of themperours fray∣ghte in to a hauen wyth whete in that countrey Thēne wente saynt Nycolas to them and prayed them y^t he myghte haue of euery shyppe C. busshelles of her whete for to releue the people wyth and he wold vndertake that they shold lacke none of her mette whan they co∣me home. thenne he had al his askyng And whan the shyppes come to them∣perour. they had her ful mesure. And lacked noo thynge of her corne y^t saynt Nycolas had thrugh his holy prayer.

¶O how meruelously by the grace of god and prayere off this holy man this whete was multyplyed and encre¦sed. for of that whete was soo grete plente. that it founde all the people to ete and drynke. and to sowe ynough for thre yeres after.

¶Narracio.

Page  [unnumbered]¶A nother myracle there were ii. kny¦ghtes that were accused of treason. to themperoure of a false mater and we∣re cōmaundyd to pryson for to haue be putte to dethe sone after Thēne they cri¦ed to god and saint Nicholas for hel∣pe and socoure so that the nyght bifore they shold be dede Saint Nicholas co¦me to the Emperoure as he laye in hys bedde and saide thus to him. why hast thou wrongfully dampned these kny¦ghtes to dethe. Arise vp anoon and de¦lyuer them oute of prison Or elles I wyll praye to god to reyse batayll vp on the in the whiche thou shalt dye and wylde bestes shall ete the Thenne said the Emperoure to him what art thou. that so boldely spekest and so thretyste me Thenne saide he I am Nycolas the busshop of myrre Thenne the Empe∣roure anoon sente after the knyghtes & saide to theym. what wytchecrafte can ye that thus hath trauayled me to ny∣ghte knowe ye any man that hight Ny¦cholas busshop of myrre Thenne asso¦ne as they herd this name they fel dou¦ne to the grounde and helde vp their hō¦des thankinge god and saint nycholas ¶whan they had tolde the Emperou¦re of his lyf & how holy he was the em¦peroure badde theym goo to him & thā¦ke him of their lyues and so they dyd. And he prayed the knyghtes to pray ni¦cholas to threten him no more but pray to god for him and for his realme. Thus ye may se that he hath great cō∣passion of them that were in disease. Thenne after whan sainte Nicholas. shold dye he praied to god to send him an aungell to sette his soule And whā he sawe this aungell saint nicolas lo•¦•ed and saide

And soo he yelde vp t〈…〉oste: And whanne he was buryed at the hede of his tombe sprange a well of oyle that dyd medicynes to all sores Thenne it happed many yeres after. that turkes distroied the cyte of myrre ther as sain¦te nycolas laye And whan the peple of the cyte of Barus herde that the cyte of myrre was distroyed xlvii. knyghtes were ordeyned to goo thydre. Thenne they arrayed shippes and went thydre and by tellynge of iiii. mōkes that we∣re there. they knewe sainte nycholas tō¦be and vndyd it anoon and there they founde sainte nycholas bones swym∣mynge in oyle Thenne they tooke them vp and brought theym to the cyte of ba¦rus with greate solempnite Thēne for miracles that were wroughte there in the cyte of myrre encreased ayen And so after that saint nycholas was dede▪ they chose an other busshop in his stede And anoon after by enuyte of the peo¦ple was put downe from his busshop∣riche and thenne anoon the oyle seased and ranne no more Thenne was the busshop called ayen to his cyte▪ thēne the oyle sprange oute agayn as it dyd bifore and dyd many myracles

¶Narracio.

¶There was a cristen man borowed a certayn sūme of money of a iewe. & the iewe saide he wolde leue noon butt if he hadde a borowe. & this cristen mā Page  [unnumbered] sayd he hadde none but saint nycolas and he graunted to take sainte Nicho¦las to borowe Then this cristen man swore vpon the alter that he shold we¦le and truly pay his money ayen and soo departyd and wente their way tyl the daye of payment cāme And whan this day of payemente was passed thē¦ne the iewe asked his money. And this cristen man saide that he payed him & the iewe saide naye he hadde nat. and y^e other saide he hadde and that he wolde doo his lawe and swere vpon a booke And so whan the daye cāme that they shulde goo to law the cristen man ma¦de him on holowe staffe. and putte the golden 〈◊〉 and so come to the lawe. And w••n 〈◊〉 swere while he wē¦te to the b•cke ••toke the• we his s•af there the g•ld was in to holde And by 〈◊〉 me•ne swo•e he hadde paide the ie¦we and whan he hadde swore he tooke his staffe of the iewe agayn and wente homwardes And as he wente by the waye he was passing slepy and he ley to shepe in the waye Thenne hapned y^t there come a carte rennynge and went ouir this man and slewe him and bra∣ke his staffe that the golde was in and the golde fyll oute Thenne people sa∣we y^t this cāme of grete vēgeaunce for the falsehode that he hadde doon And they sett the iewe and bad him take vp his money Thenne was the iewe sorye and saide he wolde nat but if they wol¦de praye saint nycholas to reyse hym a¦gayn and thenne he wolde be cristned.

Thenne this dede man was reryd frō dethe to lyue by the prayer of saint Ny¦cholas that holy man. Thenne the iew that was out of the be¦leue by the sight of this myracle. was cristened.

Narracio

Also there was a nother iewe that sa∣we the grete mighte of sainte Nicholas in myracles wyrkynge And he lete ma¦ke an ymage of saint nicholas and set in his shippe to kepe his good and char¦ged the ymage to kepe well his good. while he was absēt And whan this mā was gone there cāme theuys of the see. and robbed this man and bare awaye his goodes And whanne this iewe co∣me home ayen and sawe all good go¦ne he was full wrothe with saint ny∣colas and tooke a staaff and all to be∣te the ymage and saide.

Lo quod he I toke al my good to you¦re kepinge for grete truste And it is sto¦len awaye. ye haue disceyued me and therfore thou shalt abye euery daye tyl I haue my good ayen Thenne as the∣se theuys parted the good sainte nyco¦las cōme to theym and saide. why haue ye made me be bete thus soo sore. thenne they said Quis es tu what arte thou that spekest thus to vs Thē∣ne he sayd. I am nicholas the seruaunte of god. that ye haue made thus sore to be beten Page  [unnumbered] and shewyd theym howe sore y^t he was beten for the good that they hadde bor¦ne awaye that was taken him to kepe. And he badde theym goo and bere this goode ayen anoon. or elles goddes vē¦geaunce sholde fall vpon you▪ and ye shalbe hanged in hell euirechoon Thē¦ne they were sore a ferde and bare ayen the good that same nighte And on the morowe whan the iewe cāme and saw his good brought ayen Anoon he was cristned and after that he was an ho∣ly man And euery yere on saint nycho¦las daye for the grete loue that he had to sainte nycholas. and also of a sone that he hadde that was a clerke he ma∣de a grete feste on sainte Nicholas day Thenn• it happed on a tym vpon sain¦te nicholas day he badde many clerkes to his fest Then com the fend to the ga¦te in lykenes of a pilgrame and asked some gode for goddes sake Thenne the good man that made the feste toke his sone almesse to here the pilgrame So the childe went •o the gate. thenne was the pilgrame goon and the childe folo¦wed after the fende. and whan he was a gode waye from his faders place the fende caughte the childe and slewe it. And whanne the fader herde therof he was full sory and tooke the child and layd it in his chambre and cryed for so¦rowe and saide A saint Nicholas this is the reward and mede that I shal ha¦ue for the gret worship that I do to the And anoon the childe rose from deth to lyue Thenne this man was full glade and thanked god and saint nicholas.

¶Narracio.

¶A nother myracle: there was a man that prayed to god and to saint nicho¦las that he might haue a childe And if he hadde a childe he wolde lede it to the churche of sainte nicholas And there he wolde offre a cuppe of 〈◊〉▪ and thē∣ne sone after he had a •de And whā¦ne this child was of resonable age his fader dyd do make a cuppe of golde. And whan it was made it lyked hym so well that he lete make another and thenne he went towarde sainte Nicho∣las churche and he must passe ouir the see So whan they were in the se the fa¦dre bad the sone Take vp sone water with the cuppe. & thenne the childe wol¦de haue caughte water. the cuppe fyll oute of his honde into the see. and thē∣ne the childe wold haue caught the •up¦pe agayn and fyll after into the see & there was drowned. Thenne the fader made moche sorowe. but yet he wente forthe with y^e other cup to doo his pyl∣gramage And whan he cāme to sainte nicolas churche and offred vp his cup and sett it on the aultre. anoon it was caste from the aulter. and he ferre it a∣gayn. and it was caste further. & ye•e the thridde tyme he sett it agayne. and thenne it was caste moche fe••her Thē¦ne come the childe with that other cup∣pe in his honde. and saide to all the pe¦ple that sainte nycholas tooke him vp by the hōde whanne he fyll into the se and ladde him sauf oute Thenne was the fader glade and offred vp there bo¦the the cuppes and wente home agayn with grete ioye and myrthe.

Page  [unnumbered]

¶Narracio.

¶There was a nother riche man that by prayer of saint nycholas had a chil¦de and he made a fair chapel in the wor¦shippe of god and of sainte nycholas So it hapned on a day this child was taken with enmyes and ladde into ano¦ther straunge countre and ther he was in seruyce at the kinges courte And as it happed on saint nycholas day he be¦thoughte him of the greate myrthe and solempnite that was made that day in his faders chapel at home and he was heuy and sighed full sore Thenne the king herde therof Thenne sayd the kynge Nicholas what menyst thou to sigh so sore Be mery for thou must ne¦des abyde here with vs. and anon the∣re cāme a greate wynde and smote the house and braste it And the childe was •aughte vp with the cuppe that he bare 〈◊〉 his honde and was set bifore the ga¦•• of the chapell there as his fader ma¦de his fest Thenne was there made gre¦te ioye and mirthe of this myracle Lo thus ye maye see howe grete compassi¦on that sainte Nicholas hadde of them that were in mischeef and disease. so∣me bokes say this childe was of Nor∣mandye and was taken with a sowdā beyonde the see and ofte he was beten. And ones whāne he was beten on sain¦te nicholas daye and putte into pryson thenne he wepte sore And with that hee fyll aslepe. and whanne he awoke he was in his faders churche

¶De concepcione beate marie virginis.

gOode men and wymen suche a daye ye shall haue the Con∣cepcion of oure lady. the whiche day & feste holy churche maketh mynde & mē¦cion of the conception of oure lady for thre speciall causes The firste is for her fader holynesse The secounde for her moders godnesse And the thrid for her mekenesse She hadde a fader that was called Ioachim that was so ho∣ly a man that whan he was but xv ye¦re of age he departed all his godes in to thre partes And one parte he dealed to wydowes and to faderlesse children The secounde parte he gaue to pore. & nedy The thridde parte he kepte to him selue and to his householde And whan he was xxxii. yere of age for the grete godenesse of anne he weddyd her And whan they were wedded they were to gydder xxii. yere In the whiche tyme. anne neuir displeased him with no ma¦ner thinge nother night nor daye For she was so gentyll to him and they we¦re bothe good and holy. yet god sente theym no frute of their bodies but we∣re barr•yn. wherfore they made a vo∣we to god that if he wolde sende theim a childe they wold offre it vnto him vp to the temple for to serue god both ny¦ghte and daye ¶Thenne on a daye as Ioachim wente with his nyghboures to the temple to doo his offrynges The busshop that highte Isachar rebuked him openly bifore all the people & said Ioachym it falleth nat for the that art Page  [unnumbered] barrayne and hast no frute to do offrī¦ges with other people that god hath sē¦te frute in Ierusalem Thenne was io¦achim sore dismayde and astonyed wi¦th this rebuke Thenne he went hoome wepynge and tooke his shepeherd pre∣uely with his shepe and wente forth in to a ferre countrey amonge monteyns and hylles and purposed to haue ben there all his lyf and neuir more to cō∣me home to Anne his wyf. ¶Than whanne Ioachim was gon Anne was sory and prayed to god and said Lor¦de that me is woo I am barreyne and I may haue no frute And nowe more ouir my husbonde is gone away from me. and I know nat whether he is go¦ne Lorde haue mercy on me Thēne as she prayed thus an aungell cōme dou¦ne and comforted her and saide Anne be of good comforte for thou shalt ha¦ue a childe in thyn olde age. there was neuir noon suche ne neuir shalbe ¶Thenne was Anne aferd of this an¦gellys wordes and of the sight of hym and laye alwaye in her prayers as she hadde be dede: Thenne went the same aungell to Ioachim & saide these wor¦des and badde Ioachim take a lambe and offre it in sacrifice to god and soo he dyd & whan he had don so fro myd¦day to euensong tyme he ley on the grō¦de in his prayers thankynge god with al his hert Thēne on the morow as the aungell badde he wente homwarde to anne his wyf with his shepe. & whan he cāme nygh home the aungell cāme to anne and badde her goo to the yate. that was called the golden yate and a¦byde her husbonde there tyll he cōme. Thenne was she glad & toke 〈◊〉 may∣dynes with her and went to the gate. & there she mette with Ioachim and said Lord I thanke for I was a wedowe & now I am a wyf I was barrayn and nowe I shall bere a childe I was wo and wepinge. and nowe I shall be in ioye likynge And soone after anne con¦ceyued oure lady. and whan she was borne she was called Mary as the aū¦gell badde bifore Thanne after y^t she was wenyd she was brought to the tē¦ple and lefte there emong other virgy∣nes to serue god bothe nyght and day Thenne was she so meke emonge all other virgynes in all her lyuynge that all virgynes called her quene of vir∣gynes Soo she is mekest of al the sain¦tes that be in heuyn. and moost redyest to helpe all theym that call to her in a¦ny nede

¶Narracio.

¶we rede in holy wrytte a myracle of oure lady There was a lordes man. y^t hadde gadred moche good of his lor∣des. for he was his 〈◊〉 gadred & went to bere it to his lothe Thenne was ther theuys that sette for to robbe hym▪ by the waye in the wode there as he muste nedes goo through Soo whanne be co¦me into the wode he bethoughte hym y^t he hadde not saide our lady saulter as he was wonte to do and he knelyd dou¦ne and began to saye. Then come our lady lyke a fair mayden and set a gar¦londe on his hede. and at eche Aue ma¦ria. she sette a rose in the garlond that was soo brighte. that all the woode. Page  [unnumbered] shone therof and whan he had done he kyssed the erthe and wente his waye. Thenne come the theues and toke hym and ladde hym to her mayster the whi¦che had seen all thyse doynges. Then∣ne sayd to hym. what woman was y^t that set the garlonde on the hede. and he sayd syre for sothe I see ne woman ne garlonde thenne sayde the mayster thefe. I wote well thou arte a lordys man and hast moche good wyth the: But I wolde fayn wyte what womā that it was that come to the. and why thou knelest downe. And he sayd whā I see you I was aferde. And also I bethoughte me that I hadde not sayde oure lady faulter. and kneled doune to say it prayng our lady to helpe me at my nede. Thenne sayd he. for her loue goo thy waye and praye to her for vs And soo he went his waye sauf. and founde by helpe and socour of our de∣re lady. ¶But now ye shall here how this fest was first founde: There was a kynge in Englonde. that hyght wyl¦lyam conquerour. he sente thabbot off Ramsey to the kynge of denmarke on his message. And whan he come in to the see there come a tempest and a der∣kenesse that he and all that were wyth hym wende to haue be drowned. And euery man prayed besely vnto god & to our lady for socour and helpe. And other dyuerse sayntes. and this abbot pr•yed to god and to our lady full de∣uoutly. Thenne come to theym a fayr woman and sayd to theym. yf ye wyl haue the concepciō of our lady in wor¦shyp: that is ii. daye after saynt ny∣colas day. she wyll be redy to helpe • socour you at this tyme. And thenne this abbot sayd ye wyth good wyll. & I wyst what shold be the seruyce off of the fest. Thenne sayde she the same that is in my Natiuyte. •au• torne the natyuite in to my concepcion and thabbot said it shold be done with full good wyll. Thenne anone the tē¦peste ceased. and all was well. And they sayled forth. and thabbot dyd his message and come ayen sauf and soū¦de. and spedde well in euery degre. and whan he come home. he tolde the kyng this vision the kyng made hym preche it in all the reame aboute. And thus it was alowed in all holy chirche.

¶Narracio.

Also we fynde that there was a secu∣ler chanon. that on a tyme wente ouer a water to haue doo avowtry wyth a woman. And as he was aboute to be∣gynne to saye oure lady ma•yns. and as he was at the Inuytatory. that is Aue maria. Ther wyth the fende caste hym downe. and drowned hym & wol¦de haue had hym to helle. Thenne co∣me our lady and sayd. why hast thou take this man: the fende sayde. for we fynde hym in our seruyce goyng to do avowtry. Thenne sayd our lady he was in my seruice. and anone restored hym to lyf ayen: And bad hym do no more synne and bad hym halow her concepcion. soo he dyde & was a good man euer after all his lyf.

¶Narracio.

¶Also there was a clerke that euery day vsed to say the seruice of our lady Page  [unnumbered] Then it hapned by counseyll of hys frendes he sholde haue a wyf. & whan he shulde ben weddyd. he bethoughte him that he hadde nat saide oure lady seruyce Thenne he made all the peple to go oute of the churche while he sayd his seruyce And thēne he knelyd a dou¦ne and saide his seruyce. tyll he cāme to an antem of oure lady.

Thenne oure lady apperyd vnto hym and saide. why sayste thou that I am faire and honest why wyll thou than leue me and take a nother Thenne sai¦de he vnto oure lady what wylte thou that I shall doo Thenne saide our la∣dy If thou wylt leue thy flesshly wyf and serue my sone and me I shall be thy spouse and thou shalte haue with me a crowne of euirlastinge lyf in the kingdome of heuyn. the whiche god & his blessed modre sainte mary and all holy saintes of heuyn brynge vs al the dre nowe and euir Amen.

Sequitur sermo breuis. de sancto thoma

gOode men and wymen suche a daye ye shall haue saint tho¦mas day he was cristes appostel and ye shall faste the euyn and do him wor¦shippe specially for thre causes The fir¦ste is for the preuynge of oure byleue & and for grete woundres in his waye. and grete miracles in his day This ho¦ly appostyll preuyd so oure faythe y^t he lefte no trouble For whan the discy¦ples saide y^t our lord was rysen fro de¦the to lyue And they haue seen him and spoke with him Thomas said he wolde nat byleue it tyll he hadde pull his honde into his side into the wound that the spere hadde made Thenne viii daies after whan all the disciples we∣re to giddre and thomas with them thē¦ne oure lorde iesu criste come bodily to theym and saide Pay vobis. Peas be with you. and thanne oure lorde sayde to thomas of ynde.

Putte thy honde into my syde in to the wounde that was made with the spere that smote me to the herte. Et noli esse meredulus And be no lengre out of be¦leue but be stedfaste in the fayth Thē∣ne whan Thomas hadde doon so ano¦ne he cryed and sayd for grete wondre My lorde and my god I beleue y^t thou arte very god and man Then our lor¦de saide to him thus. Blessed be they that beleue and se nat For thou that haste seen thou byleueste But yet the taryenge of thomas brou¦ght vs to fadder beleue and to the bles¦singe of oure iesu criste. Of this spe∣keth sainte Gregory and sayth Tho∣mas of ynde thou haste holpe more to the fayth that woldest nat beleue tyll thou haddest felyd his woundes then∣ne mary mawdeleyn that dyd beleue. at the firste sighte. Thus Thomas preuyd oure feyth. & beleue. that we nede neuir to varye ne to be in doubte. ¶Also thomas dyd Page  [unnumbered] from deth to lyf. & tolde to the kynge. y^• he had seen his pal•yse in paradyse many merueylles and grete wondres. that were in his dayes.

¶Narracio.

Hit happed that a kynge of ynde sen∣de his messenger

To seke some crafty men in to the con¦trey of cesar to seke a carpēter y^t coude make hym a palays to his plesaunce Thenne our lorde Ihū criste met wyth this Abbanus. & sente wyth hym tho∣mas in to ynde. Also whan thomas & abbanus were passed the see. they com to a cyte there as the kyngis doughter was wedded the same daye. wherfore all maner of peple were commaunded to mete. So amonge al other people. thomas & abbanus come in And were set to mete. But thomas ete not for his thoughte was euere off god & had no luste to ete Thenne come a boteler to thomas & smote thomas on the cheke. and badde hym ete thenne sayd thomas to hym: I shall not ryse from this place tyll y^e honde y^t smote me be brought wyth a dogge. Thenne anone after the boteler went after water: and a lion met with hym and slew hym & dranke his blode and ete of his body. and thenne come a blacke dogge & caught that honde that smote thomas. and brought it in to the hall in the syghte of all the people. & layd it downe byfore thomas. Thenne was there a woman that vnderstode thomas wordes. & anone •neled dow•¦ne to thomas: and cryed and said tho• arte god. or elles one of his disciples. For ryght as thou wylt soo it is. Thē¦ne the kynge prayed to thomas to bles¦se his doughter and her husbande. thē∣ne thomas was glad therof. Therfore the blessed thomas began to preche. and tolde them of our lord ihe∣su crist y^t he tourned the man that was wedded the same daye from his wyff a none. and made hym bisshop of the same Cite & his wyff anon and they were martirs after for crystis sake.

Thēne wente thomas forth in to ynde. to the kynge to make hym a paleys to his plesaunce. Soo whan Thomas was come to the kyn∣ge. he was gladde.

¶And delyuered thomas a grete sōme of gold to make a palays wyth Thenne rode the king forth in the mea¦ne tyme. And whan thomas sholde ha¦ue made this paleyse. hym thought it was better to make a paleyse in heuen than in erthe. and deled his golde amō¦ge poure peple and conuerted them to the feyth. Thenne come the kynge ho∣me and went that his paleyse had be re¦dy And whan he herde how Thomas and abbanus had done. he wold haue put them to deth. But it happed that his owne brother was dede the same ti¦me. ¶And ther∣fore he putte theym bothe in to pryson in to the tyme that he had buryed his brother. ¶Thenne as god wold whan his brother had laye longe dede. he rose Page  [unnumbered] that Thomas had made for hym and prayed the kynge that he myghte haue it. and he wolde gyue hym as moche gold as he toke thomas Thēne the kin¦ge toke his coūseyl and said nay I wil haue it my self. Lete hym make the a∣nother for his broder had seen the pa∣leyce in paradyse made wyth gold and arayed wyth precyous stones. and clo¦the of golde. ¶Thenne the kynge toke crystendome and many a thousande wyth hym. and whan the bysshop saw that the kynge and soo moche other pe¦ple forsoke her lawes. and tourned to Cristendome they were sore wrothe wyth thomas the one of theym sayde he wolde venge his god. and wyth a spere smote thomas thorugh the body and slewe hym. Thenne Cristen peple buryed hym in a tombe of Crystall. And there god wrought many myra∣cles for hym For the honde that was in Crystis syde wold neuer come in to the tombe. but euer laye wythout: Also in his prechyng and techyng he taught

Also there ben many merueyles & wō¦derful thinges done on this day for on that day al the countrey cometh theder to take pardonoff that hond. that lyeth

¶oute of the Tombe in theyr vse▪ Page  [unnumbered] the bisshop of the cite that goth to mas¦se. And whan he hath said Confiteor. thenne he taketh a braunce of vyne & putteth it in to thomas honde that is oute of the tombe. and thenne he gooth forth to masse. and the brenche burge¦neth out grapes. and by that tyme that the gospell be sayd the grapes ben ry∣pe. thenne the bysshop taketh the gra∣pes and wryngeth the wyne in the cha¦ly•e. and so singeth wyth the same wy¦ne and houseleth the people. And whā ony man or womā cometh that is not worthy to receyue this housell. anone the honde closeth to gyder and wyl not open tyll he be shryuen: and thenne it wyll open Also yf ony people be in de¦bate they shall be brought to thomas tombe. and there the cause shall be re¦hersed. thenne wyll the honde torne to hym that is in the right. and so they be made at one. Thus thomas pre¦ueth oure byleue. and dyde many wō∣dres in his dayes.. ¶Also Iohan gri∣s•stomus saith. that Thomas come in to the countrey there as the thre kynges of coleyn were: and thomas cristened them. For they had worship god in his byrthe. And therfore Thomas come to theym: And taught theym the feyth & the byleue of criste. to that byleue that we maye be saued god brynge vs all.

¶De Natiuitate dn̄i nostri Ihesu cristi

GOod men and wymmen as ye here and see all holy chirche maketh mynde and menciō of the greate myrthe and melodye of the blessed birth of our lorde Ihesu criste. very god and man. that was this day borne of his moder mary in socour off all mankynde. but in especyall form causes. First to gyue peas to man off good wyll and to lyghte hem that we∣re derke in synne. And for to drawe v• wyth loue to hym. Thenne as to the first cause. he was borne to gyue men peas of good wyll I maye well pre∣ue this for whan he was borne angel∣les songe thus.

Ioye be to god in heuen & peas in erthe to mankynde of good wyl. At mydny¦ghte our lord was borne. for by kynde al thynge was in peas and rest. in she∣wyng that he was. and is Prynce of peas: & come to make peas bytwyx god and man. and bytwene the angell and mā. and betwyx man and man. And for to be tre∣we medyatour bytwyx god and man He toke nature and kynde of bothe. And was bothe very god and man & by his mediacion. he knytte the loue of god to man. Soo sadly that the fader of heuen spared not hym that is his owne sone. But sende hym in to this worlde. to bye mankinde wyth his pre¦cyous blode thrugh his gret mekenesse to ioye of paradyse. that man had lost by couetyse of vnbuxsumnesse. Thus he made peas bytwyx god and man: and man and man. For whan angel∣l•s saw her mayster wrothe with man for his vnbuxsumnesse. For it is a sin¦ne that angellis haten gretly Therfore they kepte the gates of paradyse. and wolde lete noo soule come in. tyll they sawe her lord borne of mankynde. Page  [unnumbered] ¶Thenne anone for loue of oure lord thangellis dyde mankynde worshyp & spake goodly to mankynde. as to the shepherdes that kepten her shepe in the countre by They badde hem go to the cite of Bethlem. and there they shold fynde a child borne and layd in a •rat¦che. & bad hem do hym worshyp and so they dyden. and euer syn angellis ha∣ue ben frendely to man and lowly. & haue done reuerence to mankynde. for thyncarnacion of our lord Ihesu crist Thus he made peas bitwene angellis and man. Also he made peas betwene man and man for ayenst the time that our lord wolde be borne. he made soo grete peas. that in all the world there as kyngdomes and countrees were in debate. and werred eche wyth other. Vnto the tyme of oure lordis byrth. Thenne there was so grete peas. that a man that was called Octauian Em¦perour of Rome and he had the gouer∣naunce of the world. For all the worl¦de was subget to Rome. and it dured xxx. yere in soo moche that ther was a maundement sent oute from Rome in to all the world commaundynge y^t all maner of people shold goo to the Cite that he drew lygnage of. and lay a peny vpon his hede. and soo offre it vp in knowleching. that he was sub∣get•• to the emperour of Rome. Then∣ne muste Ioseph our ladyes husboun¦de nedis goo to the Cite of bethlem for to offre wyth other people. But for he had noo money to offre: he toke an oxe wyth hym to selle at the Cite to make money to doo his dewte wyth But for he durst not leue our lady behynd him for she was nye her tyme: and therfore he sette her vpon an asse and toke her wyth hym. And soo whan they come to the Cite of Bethlem. it was so full of people. soo that Ioseph and our la∣dy myght haue no lodgyng. but tour¦ned in to a cabon that was made by∣twyxt two houses. there as the people of the countrey sette her horses and theyr asses. and other bestis whan they come in to the towne to the marked. & so there they fonde a cratche wyth hey. And there sett thoy and thasse therto. and so there they taryed all that night And whan it was a lytill byfore myd¦nyght. our lady bad Ioseph goo in to the towne. and loke for her a mydwyf For the tyme was come she shold be de¦lyuered. & so whyle Ioseph was in the towne for the mydwyf our lady was delyuered. and she lapped her sone in clothes and layd it in the crache before the axe and thasse. & anone they knew her lord and fylle downe on her kne∣es and worshypped hym. and ete noo more of the hey: Thenne anone after come Ioseph wyth two mydwyfes ze¦bell and salome: and zebel fond that oure lady was clene mayden. and cry∣ed and sayde. A mayden hath borne a child▪ thēne sa¦lome wold not byleue it. But anone wente to oure Lady and bustously handled our lady. And wolde preue hit and euyn ther∣wyth her handes dryed vp.

¶Thenne come an angell to her and bad her y^t she shold goo and touche the child. and soo she dyde. Page  [unnumbered] and anone she was hole. Thenne wen¦te Ioseph and dyde his offringe wyth other people and kepte our lady in the same cabon while she was in child bed¦de. Thus ye maye vnderstonde that criste yeueth peas to all people that be of good wylle. and calleth theym his children. And in verefyeng of this. the first masse that is songe that daye. Is songe soone after mydnyghte and be¦gynneth thus.

¶Oure lord sayth to me thou art my sone Oure Lord called hym his sone and his childe. that loueth hym in res¦•• and in peas: And whan he depar∣teth oute of this world he wyll bryn∣ge hym to euerlastynge rest and peas And he that wyll not haue here no rest nor peas. shalt goo to euerlasting pey¦ne▪ there as is neuer rest nor peas. nor neuer shall be. but euerlastynge woo. ¶Thus he gyueth peas to men of goo¦de wyll. He lyghteneth theym that ly∣keth hym. here by goode men. ye shall vnderstonde. that cryste heled not oon∣ly theym that were blynde in the soule and cumbred wyth derkenesse of syn∣full lyuyng. ¶For as saynt Austyn sayth. whan oure lord shold be borne the world was full of derkenesse and specyally of synne of lechery. and off the synne ayenst kynde. In soo moche that he had almoste lefte to haue bee borne of mankynde. wherfore all tho∣se that dyden synne ayenste kynde that tyme they deyed sodenly through oute all the worlde. in shewinge. howe hor¦ryble and abhomynable that synne is in the syghte of almyghty god. Then∣ne loked they full derke in synne that had theyr thoughtes all way in sy••• and euyll lyuyng. and had full grete nede for to be lyghtened. wherfore crist was borne at mydnighte And tourned the derkenesse of the nyghte in to the da¦ye lyghte. and lyghtened all them that euer were couered. and combred wyth derkenesse of synne: Also the same ty∣me that our lorde was borne as many doctours sayen. Crist apered in a bry∣ght ster. to the kyngis of theft. and bad theym goo to bethleem. and worship a lytyll chylde that shold be kyng of ie∣wes that was there new borne. and so they dyde. And euer the sterre shewyng before theym tyll they come thyder. Thus he lyghteneth theym that before were full derke in synne: ¶For thyse kynges were paynyms before and be∣leued in mawmetry and in fals god∣dis. And after they byleued in cryste & were holy liuers· and now ben at Co∣leyne. Thus the byrth of Oure Lord Ihesu cryste. made many a man loke full bryghte. that to fore were ful der¦ke in synne. For he is full derke in his soule: that euer setteth his herte. mynde and thoughte in the prosperyte wor∣shyp and welfare of this worlde. and that maketh them blynde that they ha¦ue noo grace of ghostely sighte. but be made blynde wyth wordely couetyse. And soo gete theyr good. and haue no desyre to the rychesse of heuen. ne to see the lyghte that is there. For suche thyn¦ges as mannys herte is moste on. that he maketh his god. For to distroye all suche mawmetry of synne. Oure lord was borne. Thenne kynge herode pur¦sued oure lord: and wolde haue slayne Page  [unnumbered] him Thenne his 〈…〉 in to 〈…〉 Ioseph and •••de thus. Take the child and his modre and flee into egipte And assone as he cāme thy¦dre all the mawmētes that were in the londe fell downe to the grounde doyn¦ge to vnderstonde that he was cōme in to the worlde that sholde caste downe. the mawmentry of all maner synn•• and euyll leuynge Pride couetyse and all maner falsehode that is vsed now a daies And therfore take hede howe y^e lorde that made all thinge of noughte and is lorde of al lordes where he was borne in a pore place and in a pore ar∣raye and of a pore mayden gyuyng en¦sample to all cristen people to sett nou¦ghte by the worshippe richesse and va∣nyte of this worlde▪ For haue a man neuir so grete worshippe, and neuir so moche richesse yet he leuyth it here And shall ber no more with him but his go¦de dedys Thus oure lorde shewyd ma¦ny thinges in his byrthe And lightnyd many one that here bifore were ful blī¦de In tokenyng herof the seconde mas¦se this daye is sayde in the dawnynge. whan the night and the daye departeth the whiche begynneth thus. Lux fulgebit. That is thus mooche to saye Lighte shall shyne to daye vp∣on vs For the fadre of heuyn sendythe the grace of the goostlye lighte to all cristen people that beleue truly that o•¦re lorde was borne very god and man▪ of his modre mary very modre & may¦•en Thus they that byleue truly in o•¦•e lorde iesu criste and in his modre ma¦ry se•• f••• lytel by the vanyte of this worlde. but 〈◊〉 all their hope and tr•¦ste in criste 〈…〉 of our lor¦de iesu criste lightnyd many one▪ that bifore ••••ed full yf Also he drewe vs to him with loue. For children drawe to theym that make moche on theym & playe with them Thus oure lorde Ie∣su criste was borne a childe the fayrest that euir was borne. to drawe mānys loue to him For while a childe is yong and withoute synne he is more amya∣ble and more louynge then whenne he is at mannys age and is paste innocen¦cye with doyng Sithen the loue is not only for his beaute but for the clenesse of his soule and also for the godenesse Eche man is bounde. for to drawe to him and to do him worship as dyd De¦lauyan the Emperoure of Rome that pleased somoche his people of his em∣pire of Rome that they wold haue wor¦shipped him as for their god But the Emporoure was wyse and wyst well y^t he was but a man as a nother was. and durste nat take that vpon him but anoon he sente after Sybyll the sage. and askyd her whedyr sholde after hī any be borne that shulde be greter thā∣ne he Thenne at mydday Sybyll lo∣ked on the sonne and there she sawe a cyrcle of golde aboute the sone. And in the myddes of the circle a fayre mayden and a childe in her a••e with a crowne of golde. ¶And whan Syble had shewyd this to the Empe¦roure she saide 〈◊〉 him▪ Page  [unnumbered] This childe shalbe greter than thou ar¦te or euir were or euir shalbe And ther¦fore do him worship and reuerēce Thē¦ne anoon the emperoure tooke ensence and dyd worshippe to him. and char∣ged all the people to doo the same and to call the childe their god and him but a man as other were Thus all cristen people may lerne to do worshippe and ••ruy•e to this childe this day And ther¦for• the thridde masse this daye is saide at myddaye in tokenyng that cristen pe¦ple shuld cōme & offre in the worshippe of this childe and his modre and shew him seruaunte and subget to him and knowlege this childe for their lord and god And eche man sholde cōme to him for loue and nat for drede And therfo∣re the office of the masse this day begyn¦neth thus Puer natus est nobis. A childe is borne to vs he sayth & nat a man for all cristen people shold be bol¦de and nat aferde to come to him to ha¦ue grace for he is full of grace and re∣dy to gyue mercy to theym that asketh it mekely with due reuerence he is euyr redy to gyue mercy and grace In toke∣nynge that same daye that criste was borne in Bethlem a well of water in Rome turned and ranne oyle all that daye shewynge that the well of grace and mercy was borne that daye y^t shol¦de gyue mercy and grace to all theym that wolde cōme to him and aske mer∣cy and grace and that ye shall here by ensample.

¶Narracio.

¶we rede of a woman y^t was defoile• in lechery and almooste fyll in dispay¦re or drede for whan she bethought her¦of the streitnesse of cristes dome & grea¦te peynes of hel that were ordeyned for suche synners as she. was sore aferde. and bethoughte her of cristes passion▪ what loue he shewyd to all cristen pe∣ple she thought she was vnkynde to hī and he suffred so sore for her And thē¦ne she bethoughte her how children be they neuir so wrothe and shewe neuyr so grete vengeaunce howe lightly they wyll sease and forgyue wherfore this woman cryed to criste prayng him for his childehode to forgyue her and to ha¦ue mercy on her. and anoon she herde a voyce on high in the ayre and sayde. thy trespasse is forgyuen the

Sequitur breuis sermo / de sancto stephano.

gOode men and wymen suche a daye ye shall haue a hye & a holy feest in the churche. of sainte ste¦vyn the marter that suffred for goddes sake after cristes ascension Thenne for to stirre your deuocion the more to this holy martyr I wyll tel you somwhat what that he suffred for cristes sake as the booke of appostels tellith.

After the ascension of oure lorde. that he was styed vp into heuyn. the appo¦stels laboure was all to preche and to teche the worde of god to cristen peple And for bicause they were to fewe. to serue the people that cōme. there come Page  [unnumbered] so many to torne to the feyth Therfore they chose vi. holy men & gode lyuers. for to helpe theym in goddes seruyce of the whiche sainte Stevyn was one of theym And the firste and the wysest. And was so full of grace and myght of the holy goost that he dyd many my¦racles and meruelous amonge the peo¦ple But though a man be neuir so ho∣ly yet he shall haue enmyes. wherfo∣re of diuerse countrees that hadde en•¦te to Stevyn and cōme ayenste him & disputed with him for to haue ouircō∣me him with disputacion And for they myght nat they brought false wytnes ayenst him and putte him to deth But whan sainte stevyn sawe. and knewe their malice anone he thoughte to sease them by one of these thre wayes Other by shamynge in disputacion. or by dre¦de of reuelacion. or by prayer of holye orysones But firste he saide by shamī¦ge in disputacion For whan they begā to dispute with him he was full of the holy gooste that they hadde no power. ne no might for to gayne say him. and so he ouircome theym in all their ma∣ters. and preuyd all their mater false that they saide ayenste And therfore he saide he was redy to take the deth in ve¦rifyenge of all that he said And so put them that were grete clerkes and knew the lawe and the prophecy to shame. & velonye But yet they wolde nat byle∣ue but alwaye ayenstode him. But he was soo full of the holy ghooste. that he preuyd that he saide by grete reason and trouthe. yet wolde they nat beleue it. for all that the holy gooste spake in him And yet for all that wolde they nat beleue in their conscience that they dyd amysse And there as they saw the cōmyte turne to the feithe for wordes & miracles that god shewyd in their sy∣ghte. yet they ayenstode him & set god∣des mir•••es at noughte by malice and enuyte of their cursed hertes and by no¦ne other reason of scriptur And so they fretyd their hertes within them selue. and gruched with their teeth for angre and thoughte howe they might ouircō∣me him with disputacion Thenne they soughte if they might haue take hym. with some worde of cristes dethe wher by they might haue made them a cause to haue putte him to deth Thenne saint Stevyn knewe their malice and lyfte vp his eyn vnto heuyn. And sawe heuyn opyn. and oure lorde Iesu criste sittyng on his faders right honde redy to helpe him And therwith his face shone as bright as it hadde be an aungell of heuyn But whan they herde him speke thenne were they fayn and stopped their crys as though they hadde herde him speke false sclaundri•¦ge wordes of god And soo anoon dre∣we him oute of the cyte to stone him to deth▪ as for a disclaundre• Then they toke two yonge men that coude best ca¦ste stones And tooke of his clothes and layde him at the feet of a yongeman y^t hight saule and after was saint poule whanne sainte. Steuyn sawe that he might nat sease their malice by reuela¦cion shewynge he turned to deuoute o∣risones praynge. and yet it wolde nat be And thenne they caste stones at him and smote oute his brayne And thenne Page  [unnumbered] he cryed to god and saide. O thou lorde take my spirite. For hee wolde praye more deuoutly for his en∣nymes than for him selue. He knelyd downe to the grounde and s•yd. Fader forgyue them for they wote nat what they doo. and anoon he slepte in god. Nowe take hede what brē¦nynge loue he hadde in his herte to god that prayed more deuoutly for his en∣myes than for him selue. In this he gaue ensample to all cristen people. to be in charite eche one with other. and to praye for his enmyes and them y^t pur∣sued him and dyd him disease. Charite hydeth euery trespasse. For he that prayeth for his enmyes that mar∣rieth him with any disease and suffre∣the paciently is a martyr bifore god For there is thre maner of martirdo∣mes The firste is by passion and wyll therto. by wyll withoute passion. by passion withoute wyll. The fir¦ste is shewyd by sainte Steuyn. that is sette next the birthe of Criste. for he suffred passion and hadde wyll therto Sainte Iohn euangeliste he had wyll but no passion The innocentes they su¦fred passion but no wyll therto but a¦yenste wyll. ¶Thus may a man. be a martyr though he shedde natt hys bloode. that is whanne he suffreth gre¦te wrong of cursed peple and thanketh god therof. and taketh it with goode wyll and prayeth for his ennemyes de¦uoutly in clene charite ¶Nowe take hede and ye shall see howe thies. thre were in parfyte loue and charitee. Sainte steuyn whan he shulde dye. he knelyd downe and prayed for his en∣nemyes Saint Iohan whanne he wēt towarde his ende he saide ofte to them that ladde him. Children loue to gyd∣dre for charite is ynough to youre sal∣uacion ¶The Innocentes for they were so yonge that they coude nat spe∣ke. yet they shewyd loue by signe For they dyd laughe and playe with theire hondes. whan they sawe the knyghtes cōme with their bright swerdes: to slee theym: Thenne for sainte stevyn was soo gloriouse a martyr. god shewyd many faire miracles for him.

¶Narracio.

¶There was an honest man that had seuyn sones and thre doughters. But in mysse happe vpon a daye. all they wratched the modre at onys And in angre she cursed them al at ones & ano¦ne there fyll greate vengeaunce vpon theym For there cāme suche a seknesse vpon their preuy mēbres that they we∣re so sore gnawen that they mighte no where abyde for woo. But walked vp and downe in the countrey lyke ma¦sed bestes that all the peple that sawe theym hadde greate pyte on them. ¶Thenne it hapnyd soo. that oone of the bredern that hight poule & a suster that hight pallida cāme into the church of sainte Steuyn and there they herde Perle tell howe deuoutly sainte steuyn prayed for his ennemyes that martred Page  [unnumbered] him anoon they knelyd downe & pray¦ed to saint Steuyn to pray to god for theym & they wold be his true seruaun¦tes and knelyd downe in the churche & prayed saint Steuen hertly of his help And anoon they fyll a slepe. in sighte of all the people and soo were hole. And anone wente after al the other bre¦therne and susterne and they were hol∣pen all in the same wise.

¶Narracio.

A nother miracle saint austyne tellith howe there was a senatoure of Rome that wente to Ierusalem. and there he made a faire chapell of sainte Steuyn and there he dyed and was buryed in the same chapell Thenne longe after. his wyf wolde home into her countrey and wolde fayne haue hadde her hus∣bondes bones with her▪ into her owne countrey. and prayed the busshop that she might haue them Then the bisshop broght sainte steuyns bonys. & her hus¦bondes bones to her and saide I know nat thy husbondes fro saint steuynes. Thenne she saide I knowe my husbō∣des bones well ynough. and toke sain¦te Steuyns bones in stede of her hus∣bondes Thenne whanne she cōme fer in the see. aungellys songe with great melody in the ayr and there was a pas¦synge swete sauoure that cāme out fro the bones that passed any spicery in the worlde. And anoon they herde fendes cry in the eyre and saide. woo. wo. is vs for steuyn betyth vs and brennethe vs bytterly and therwith raysed a gre¦te tempest that the shipmen went for to haue be drowned for grete fere cryed to sainte Stephen and anone the tepe∣ste seased Thenne the people herde the fendys crye thus Thou cursed prynce or mayster thou nor we may do no thin¦ge for this shippe. For steuyn oure ad∣uersary is therin Thenne the prince of fendys sende fyue fendes for to brenne the shippe But thenne goddes aungell was redy & droue the fendys in to the grounde of the see And whan they cō∣me to the londe with the shippe fendes cryed and saide Goddes seruaunt cō∣meth that was stonyd to deth with Ie¦wys And thenne in worshippe of sain¦te steuyn the peple made a churche and leyde his bones therin where god wro¦ghte many a faire miracle for him.

De scō Iohanne euangelista.

gOode frendes suche a daye ye shall haue an hye feste in ho∣ly churche the feste of sainte Iohn euā¦geliste the whiche was goddes own der¦lynge. ¶Wherfore all holy church ma¦keth mynde and mencion of the special¦tie that oure lorde gaue to him afore a∣ny other of his disciples oure lord gaue hym grace to kepe his virginite and of kepinge of his modre. and oure lorde. shewyd him his preuyte He gaue hym grace to kepe his virginite that is may¦denhode For this story tellith & the peo¦ple haue opinyon. ¶Whan Iohn shul¦de wedde Mary mawdeleyn. crist cal¦led him and he cōme and shewyd hym and Iohn lefte the worldes vanite and sued oure lorde and so kepte him selfe Page  [unnumbered] clene mayden tyll he passed oute off this world. In prayng of this. whan dou•ycian themperour of Rome herde the people telle that Iohan preched in a conteey that was called Asia. And there Iohan made to bylde many chir∣ches. and whan the emperour herde y^t he sente after Iohan and made hym be put in a brasen tonne full of sethin¦ge oyle. And whan Iohan had longe sod•n therin that all the people wente that he had be all to soden and dede. Thenne themperour bad open the ton∣•• and whan the tonne was open Io∣••n come •ute of the tonne. and as he was clene of all synne. Soo was he •le•e of all brennyng or harme in all ••aityes of his body. Another harde ••urmente he had on a day. Iohan sa∣•• a Temple of iewes. and was full of mawmetry And thenne he prayed •• god to dystroye it. & anone therwyth it felle doune to the ground. al to pow¦der. wherfore Aristodimus the byshop of the temple was soo wrothe that he put Iohan in to pryson. Thenne sayd iohan yet wylt thou that I shall ma∣ke the byleue in Ihesu crist: Thenne said Aristodimus. I wyl make venim and make two men to drynke it befo∣re the. And whan thou seest hem dede. drynke thou ther of wythout harme & than wyll I byleue on thy god thenne sayd iohan goo and doo as thou sayst Thenne ordeyned the bysshop poyson. and set two men oute of pryson. that were damned. to drynke of the poyson and anone they were dede thenne said iohan. yf thou gyf me venim to drinke I shall calle to my god. And thenne iohan toke the poyson and blessed it. & dranke ther of. And he was neuer the worse but rather semed the better & the fayrrer. For as he was clene from sin¦ne. so was he clene from al greuaunce of the poysoū. yet sayd the bysshop he wolde not byleue vnto the tyme he see thyse two men arered from deth to lif that were dede Thenne Iohan caste of his cote & said.

Goo and laye this cote vpon the dede bodyes. and say thus. The appostle of Ihesu criste sente me to you. and bad that ye sholde aryse vp in goddis na∣me. And anone they rose to lyfe ayen. Thenne the bysshop wyth many other tourned and byleue in ihesu criste. and iohan cristened theym. And after the bysshop was a full holy man Thus Iohan had grace to kepe hym clene bo¦the in body and in soule. And thus he was a marter to fore god: In wythstōdyng of synne And also he was the ke¦per of the moder of god. For our lord Ihesu sawe the grete clennes that was in Iohan before all other. whan Our Lord shold deye: he sayd to iohan. See thy moder. and betoke iohan the kepynge of his moder. And oure Lord sayd to his moder. ¶See thy sone. And soo by toke ey∣ther other: And whan oure lorde was dede and layd in his tombe. Iohan to∣ke oure lady home wyth hym in to his hous. and kepte her tyll our lord Isū cryste was rysen from deth to lif ayen Page  [unnumbered] And whanne oure lorde was styed vp into heuyn he kepte oure lady in the sa¦me chambre while she lyued. Thus he had geace of keping of goddes mo∣dre Also he hadde grace of knowynge of cristes preuyte. For this was firste. whanne oure lorde satte at his souper. on sherethursday for grete loue y^t Iohn hadde vnto oure lorde iesu crist. he ley¦de his hede to cristes breste And in the same wyse as a man leyeth his bodye downe to a well and dryngeth his bo∣dy full of water Right so Iohn drank his soule full of gostly wisedome atte cristes brest. and at the same tyme our lorde shewyd him all his preuyte bifo¦re all other And for he was olde & wol¦de nat leue to preche the worde of god. The emperoure exiled Iohn him selfe alone into the yle of Patchemose And there god shewyd him the apocalipes of the worlde and of the daye of dome. And as he sawe it he wrote it in greate infourmacion of holy churche But af¦ter whanne the Emperoure was dede. Iohn was called agayn to the cyte of Ephesee for there he was busshop and he come thider And ther was a wedow that hight Drusiana was dede & layd on a bere Then Iohn sawe moche peo¦ple wepe for her and thenne he sayd Drusiana aryse vp and make me so∣me mete and anone she rose and wente forth as she hadde rysen fro slepe

¶Narracio.

¶It happed on a tyme▪ there were ii. yongemen by prechinge of Iohn. they solde all the gode that they hadde and wente forth with Iohn For they were riche men Thenne on a day as they co¦me to the cyte of pargame they that we¦re their seruauntes a lytell to fore we∣re well arrayed and were riche men & they were pore men Thenne by tempta¦cion of the fende. they forthoughte all their purpose and were so•ye that they hadde loste their goodes So anoon by reuelacion of god Iohn knewe her pur¦pose and their hertes And saide he saw that the fend tempted you and maketh you to forthynke all youre purpose▪ y^t ye were in to serue god But goo ye to the wode and bring either of you a bur¦den of smale yerdes: and so they dy•▪

Thenne through the prayer of I••n god turnyd the yerdes into golde And thenne saide Iohn to theym thus Now take ye this golde and be as riche as ye were to fore. and knowe well that ye haue loste the kingdome of heuyn. Then happed it that there was a man dede the same. tyme & his modre saw Iohn and anon fyl downe on her kne¦es and prayed him that he wolde reyse her sone to lyf as he dyd the wedowe. Druciana Then prayed Iohn to god and this dede man rose agayn to lyue. Thenne saide he to him I bydde the tel thies two men what thou haste see• & what ioye was ordeyned for theym▪ & howe they haue loste it And thenne the man tolde of the ioye of paradise. and of the peynes of purgatory and of hell howe stronge. and howe horrible. they were. And howe gloryous the place was ordeyned for theym And

¶howe sory their goode Page  [unnumbered] angelles were. for they had lost y^e glo∣rious blysse of heuen: and how moche ioye the fendes made of the tournynge of them. And thenne the same men we¦re sory & cryed to Iohan. and prayed hym to pray to god for hem. and wept sore. & Iohan sawe hem wepe he praid to god for hem. And gaue hem penaū∣ce. And whan he had done soo. anone the golde tourned in to yerdis ayen. & after they were holy men.

¶Narracio.

¶Another holy reuelacion Iohan had shewed by the preuyte of god. It hap∣ped on a day he saw a child. that was ••ke to haue be a man: wherfore Iohā broughte hym to a bisshop. & bad hym kepe the child & teche hym. For in tyme •••yng. he shall be a man. & soo this ••sshop kepte hym. And whan he come 〈◊〉 mannis state he gaue hym al to fo∣•• & felle in company of theues. And in a while after. he was a maister thef and the leder of them. Thenne by reue¦lacion of god. Iohan knewe all this wel ynough. & come to the bysshop. & asketh hym where this child was. and the bysshop tolde hym. than Iohā bla∣med hym & said that he had mysgouer¦ned the child. thenne Iohan was olde & myght not wel goo. he toke an horse and rode the•e as the theues were. and whan the theef sawe Iohan. Anone he fled a waye. thenne Iohan rode after hym· and cryed and said.

My sone why fleest thou thy fader. a∣byde my dere sone and speke wyth me thy fader that is olde. & may not well goo and thenne at the last this man a∣bode. thenne Iohan preched soo that he left his foly. and after was soo holy a man that he was a bysshop Thus had Iohan reuelacion of goddis preuyte.

¶Narracio.

¶It is wreten in the lyf of saint Ed∣ward the confessour that lyeth at west mynster. y^e saynt Iohan the euaagelist appered to saynt Edward as he went a procession at the halowyng of a chir¦che. saint Iohan appered to hym in ly¦kenes of a palmer. & prayed the kinge of good for saynt iohānis loue the euā¦gelist. for the kyng loued saynt Iohan well. but it happed that the kyng had noo thynge redy there. but as he toke a rynge of his fynger and gaue hym. & soo saynt Iohan had the ryng vii. ye∣res after and thenne saynt iohan appe¦red to two knyghtes y^t were beyonde the see towardes Iherusalem and as∣ked them how the kyng fared. and bad grete hym wel on this token. and toke hym the rynge and aske the kynge for whose loue he gaue the ryng a waye: and byd hym make him redy. For he shall deye soone and soo he dyde.

¶Narracio.

¶A nother fayre reuelacion. he had whan he was cx. wynter olde and vii thenne our lord come to hym wyth his disciples and said thus.

Come welbeloued derlinge for now is it tyme y^t thou come & ete wyth thy bre¦dern at my borde or in my feste: ¶Thenne Iohan rose vp anone and wolde haue gone forth wyth hym. Page  [unnumbered] thēne said our lord to him vp on sōday Thou shalt be wyth me. thenne by sō∣day he was passyng feble. Soo on the sonday. there come to Io∣han a grete multytude of people. and thenne Iohan made hem to lede hym to the chirche. and as he might speke he said to hem y^t ledde hem thus. Be ye stable and sadde in the feyth. & feruent in the commaundementis off god. Thenne sayd one of theym why saye ye thus ofte to vs. Thenne sayde he. yf ye loue to gyder. and be in parfy¦ghte charyte. and sted fast in the feythe it is ynought. to saluacion. and therfo∣re be ye stable in the feyth and feruēt in the commaundementes of god. And thenne he commaunded to make hym a graue be fore the aulter. And whan it was made he wente in to it. and thē∣ne come suche a lyghte aboute hym a grete whyle. that noo man myghte see hym: And whan this lyght was gone. the graue was full of manna. and welled vp. as dothe sonde in the water And thus he departed out of this worl¦de in to the blysse of heuen. that neuer shall haue ende. To that blysse bryn∣ge vs all to he that deyed on the rode tree for all mankynde. Amen.

¶Sanctorum Innocencium.

GOod frendis suche a daye is called Innocentes daye some people calle it childermas day for children were slayn that day for cri¦stis sake. they be called innocentes that is to say wythout synne. for they dyde noo synne. for god is euer gretely gre∣ued wyth synne. and in especyal with proude people. ayenst her neyghbour• doyng hem wrong: Thyse innocentes dyde neuer synne ne consentyng to sin¦ne: wherfore I may wel saye that they lyued here wythout shame. and deyed wythout blame. and were crystened in her owne blode at home and some in her moders armes Holy chirche as this daye singeth and redeth in the worship of thyse innocentes for they were with in two yere of age. And therfore they were not ashamed of her owne sha•• For they were not defowled wyth no maner spotte of synne but the synne that they had of the drawte of kynd of our fader adam and eue. For adam • eue ware in the same wise in paradyse in the state of innocen•y. For they we∣re naked. but they were not a shamed of her shappe al the whyle they were wythout sinne but whan they had sin¦ned they saw her owne shappe and we¦re a shamed therof. & couered her shap wyth leuys of fygge tree: Ryght soo whan synne begynneth to take •o•e in a chylde. thenne innocency goth away fro hym. for he knoweth good from ••¦le. and ylle from good. and leueth the good and doth the euyll. Thenne he synneth and thenne he is not innocen∣te noo lenger. For thenne greueth he god. But thyse chyldren lyued not so longe to knowe that one from that o∣ther but were sleyne wythin age of in∣nocency. wherfore they lyued her lyfe Page  [unnumbered] wythout shame and blame. For kyng herode the kynge of iewes made to slee hem wythoute gyfte. For whā the thre kynges come to kynge herode and said to hym.

¶where is he that is borne kynge of ie¦wes. and bad hym telle them. for they were come to worshyp hym ferre oute the est. Thenne was kynge herode fou¦le astonyed of her wordis. and asked his clerkis where this childe sholde be borne. and they sayd in bethelem iude. And thenne kynge herode tolde hem so and bad hem goo thider and worshyp him: and come ayen by me that I may goo and worship hym also. and so the kyngis wente thyder and worshypped cryste. and whan they hadde doone her offryngis to cryste: By another waye they tourned home ayen. For the angel bad hem do soo in her slepe. Thenne was kynge herode wonder wrothe. And anone ordeyned to sle crist. and whan he had made all redy therto. it happed soo that the Em¦perour of rome sente after hym for to come to hym in all the hast that he my¦ghte. For two of his owne sones had accused hym to the emperour of treson

Thenne herode lefte all his purpose of crist. as at that tyme. and rode to ro¦me. and had the better of his sones. And come home ayen wyth more wor¦ship than he had tofore But yet alway he thought to sle Criste. leste crist had come to mannis estate. and wold haue put hym oute of his kyngdom: Then∣ne sente he anone and bad hem slee of the children that were in bethelem and in all the countrey aboute. that were wyth in two yeres of age. and that we¦re born the same day and so they dyde. For kynge herode was goyng and co∣mynge. and soo taryeng two yeres. & therfore he made sle all that euer were wythin two yere of age: And for he was soo vengable. in party it felle on hym self. For a child of his own was slayn amonge other the same tyme. But there come an angell to Ioseph. and said to hym.

Take the child & his moder & flee in to egypte. and be there and so he dyde. Thus innocentes were slayn wythout blame. and they were not shamed off theyr owne shappe. and they were cris∣tened at home in theyr own blode. and not in no fonte. Therfore ye shall vn∣derstonde that there is thre manere off crystenyng. One is in water. as we be cristened in the fonte. A nother is as thyse children were cristened in her ow¦ne blod. and a thousand marters moo that shed her blode for crystis sake. The thyrde crystenynge is in the feyth In the whiche all patriarkes and pro∣phetes and other holy faders. that we∣re byfore the Incarnacion of our lord Ihesu Cryste that byleued verely in the comynge of cryst· they were cryste∣ned in the feyth. Thus ye may see what enmyte the tyraunt kyng herode had to shede soo many childerns blode for cristis sake. that trespassed not to hym nor to none other. There wepte many a mode• for theyr Page  [unnumbered]Page  [unnumbered]Page  [unnumbered] he hadde to Thomas And also to se• the arraye and also the Reuy•• y^t was in Thomas householde▪ for there spa∣ke so moche people worshippe by Tho¦mas And for more truer and al¦so bettre loue that thenne was bitwene the kinge and Thomas. while it laste. was neuir bitwene two men wherfore I putte this ensample It hapned that it fyll in a colde wynter as the kinge & Thomas come ryding to gydder in che¦pe side at London The kinge was wa¦re of a poure man that was well nere naked and hadde no clothes and was sore a colde. Thenne saide the kinge to Thomas It were a grete almes dede. to gyue to this pore man better clothes Sir saide Thomas of suche ye sholde take hede Thenne hadde thomas a clo∣ke of good scarlett. and well furred with riche furre Thēne the kinge layd honde on his cloke And wold haue pul¦led it from Thomas for to haue gyue to this pore man But Thomas held it faste And thus they wrastled long In somoche that they were like. to fall to the grounde But at the last by fauour thomas suffred the kinge. to take his cloke of. And thenne the kinge caste it. to the pore man And badde him ren¦ne awaye faste and sell it and bye him other And if thou besette it well. thou maiste fare the bettre. euir whyle thou leuyst Thenne Thomas faynyd hym selue wrothe. But in his herte he was well pleased that his robe was so we¦le besette Thenne the people marueiled gretely first what was bitwene the kin¦ge thomas. whan they saw what it menyd the people were glade and had grete spotte therof. ¶This I say to shewe you ensample how well they louyd to giddre Thus thomas seruyd the kinge manfully Also we must ler∣ne of oure olde patrone saint Thomas to serue god deuoutly. For he seruyd god full deuotly. for assone as he was made Arshcbisshop of counterbury a∣none he turnyd his lyuynge into bettre lyuynge. and thoughte to serue the kin¦ge of heuyn aswell os he had the king of this worlde bifore Thenne anon he layde awaye scarlet and riche furres And weryd clothe of myddell pryce & caste awaye silke and sandyll and we¦ryd •ere next his body that was right harde and a breche of the same in whi∣che was so moche vermyn that it was an horrible sight to see. but this knewe but fewe people Also euery wenesday and fryday he made his confessoure to bete him with a rodde vpon the ba•e bo¦dy like as a childe is bete in the scole Al¦so he wassed euery day thre pore men∣nys feet knelinge on the grounde And thenne he gaue eche of theim four pen• And also moche more penaūce he vsed in prayenge and wakynge that were to moche to tell at this tyme ¶Thenne whanne thomas was in the Abbey of Pountnaye vpon a day whan he had said masse he knelyd downe bifore the aulter in his prayers Thenne the abot of the same place. hadde to speke with him And stode vnder a pylar and abo¦de Thomas. & he sawe how oure lorde Iesu crist appered to thomas and told him howe he shulde be slayne in Coun¦terbury in his owne churche for his sa¦ke And bad him be stedfaste and holde Page  [unnumbered] as he began Then come thomas out of his chapell. and anone the abbot fy•• downe to the grounde and saide. S•re ye may blesse the tyme and the our that euir ye were borne. & also blessyd my∣ght she be that euir dyd bere you for to haue suche a visitacion as I haue herd you haue. Thenne saide Tho∣mas I charge the that thou neuir tel it to no man while I am a lyue. no mo∣re he dyd. But w•••ne thomas was dede he tolde it openly to all the people

Thus I may wel say that thomas seruyd god deuoutly. Also he dyed for the lawe of holy churche mek¦ly. For whan he sawe the kinge •gyn to make lawes to •uirsette holy church and suche lawes as wolde haue distro¦yed the londe Thenne thomas put him selue forthe. And repreuyd the kynge of his misdedys Thenne was the king wrothe and made a parlemente at nor¦thampton And for he wold nat set his scall to the cursed lawes that the king and his sory counseyll hadde ordeyned and made Anon they called him a trai¦toure to the kinge and exiled him oute of the londe: ¶Thenne thomas wente the to king of Fraūce for socour and helpe. and full goodly and meke¦ly he receyued him and all his clerkes. and f•nde theym almoste seuyn yeres. all that they bihouyd Thenne gret dis¦ease and greuaunce Thomas hadde of the kinge of Englōde and al he suffred mekely. ¶Thenne by treatyse: and counseyll of the Pope. and of the kinge of Fraunce. there was maade a faynte loue day bitwene the king & tho¦mas. But whanne the kinge shuld ha¦ue kyssed thomas. he wolde nat For he saide he hadde made his othe he wol¦de neuir kysse him. But badde him go home to his churche boldely Thenne by counseyll of the kinge of Fraunce. and byddynge of the pope Thomas co¦me home to Caunterbury. Thenne were there foure cursed knightes of ly¦uynge that thought to haue a grete thā¦ke of the kinge and made their avowe to gyddre to slee thomas And so on childermasse daye almooste all the ny¦ghte they wente to come to Caunterbu¦ry And come in to thomas hall. Sire Raynolde Beriston Sir William Tra¦cy Sir Richard Breton. and sir Hugh morley Tthenne Sir Raynolde Beri∣ston for he was beste of kynde anon he saide to thomas The kynge that is be∣yonde the see sente vs to the. and badde that thou sholde assoyle the busshoppe. that thou cursedyste Thenne sayde tho¦mas They be nat accursed by me but by the pope. and I may nat assoyle y^t. he hath accursed. wele saide Ray¦nolde. thenne we se thou wylt nat doo the kinges byddinge and swore a grete othe By the eyn of god thou shalt be dede Thenne cryed the other knygh¦tes Slee. slee. And they wente downe to the courte and armyd theym tThen prestes and clerkes drewe theym to the churche to thomas and sparyd the do∣res to theym But whanne thomas herde the knyghtes armed. and wolde come into the chirche and might nat he wente to the dore and vnbaryd it and tooke one of the knyghtes by the honde and saide It besemeth nat to make a Page  [unnumbered] castell of holy churche and tooke them by the hondes and saide. Come in my children in goddes name Thenne for it was derke that they might nat se nor knowe Thomas they saide. where is the tratoure Naye saide thomas. no traitoure but arsshebissop. Thenne o∣ne saide Flee for thou arte dede Thēne saide Thomas I come nat to flee butt to abyde

I am redy to dye for the loue of god & for the right of holy churche Thēne Raynolde with his swerde poynte put of thomas cappe and smote at his hede & cutte of his crowne that it henge bye like a disshe Thenne smote another att hym and smote it all of. thenne fyll he downe to the grounde on his knees. and elbowes and saide God in to thy hondes I putte my cause and the ri¦ghte of holy churche and so dyed. thē∣the thridde knyghte smote and half his stroke fyll vpon his clerkes arme that helde thomas crosse bifore him and so the swerde fyll downe to the grounde. and brake of the poynte and he said go we hens he is dede And whenne they were at the dore goynge oute. Roberte Broke went agayne and sett his foote to Thomas necke and thruste oute the brayne vpon the pauemente Thus for the right of holy churche and the lawe of the londe thomas tooke his deth.

¶Thenne howe this martirdome: was knowen in Ierusalem▪ ye shall here There was an abbey of Monkes in the whiche that same day and 〈◊〉 me tyme that thomas dyed. A monke lay at the dethe Thenne for he was a goode holy man of liuynge his abbote badde him If it were nat to goddes dis¦pleasure whanne he were dede he shoulde cōme ayen and tell him howe he ferde. and soo whanne he was dede he cāme ayen and tolde his abbot whā he dyed an aungell brought him bifo∣re god. and as he stode there▪ he sawe a bisshoppe cōme with a greate come a¦ny of aungellys and other saintes. And he stode bifore god at his iugemēt and his hede dropped downe of blood of woundes that he had Thenne saide our lord to him▪ th{us} it besemy•h a man to come to his lordes courte. And ano∣ne oure lorde sette a crowne on his hede and saide thus to him Asmoche as I haue gyue to Petyr and Poule so mo∣che ioye I graunte the. and the monke saide Hereby I knowe well. y^t this is the gretest busshop in Englonde▪ and is slayne for goddes sake And we•e •e well that I goo to euirlastinge bl•s•e This tolde the Patryarke of Ierusalē sone after that thomas dyede▪ there cā¦me into Englonde after peple to fight agayn the hethen men.

¶Narracio.

¶Also there was a byrde y^t was tau∣ghte to speke and coude saye saint tho∣mas as she herde other pilgrymes spe∣ke moche of sainte thomas And it hap¦nyd on a tyme this byrde satt without his cage and there cāme a sparhawke. Page  [unnumbered] and wolde haue slayn him. and anon the byrde cryed on sainte Thomas hel¦pe. anoon the sparhauke fel downe de¦de Then saint thomas of his grete gra¦•e and godenesse herde the byrde & wist nat what she ment Moche more he wol¦de haue herde a cristen man or a cristen woman y^t cryed hertly to him for helpe and socoure.

¶Narracio.

¶Also we rede. there was a man that thomas loued passinge well in his ly¦ue And it fyll so that this man fell▪ se¦ke on a tym and cōme to saint thomas •ombe praynge him of socoure and hel¦pe. and anone he was hole But after. •e bethoughte him y^t his sekenesse was encreasinge to his soules helthe and so wente agayn prayenge thomas that if it were more mede to his soule to be se∣ke than hole that he might be seke ayen so he was & thāked god & seint thomas Then whan the kinge herde how god wroughte so many miracles for saynt Thomas he went to Caunterbury ba¦refote and wolwarde and almoost na¦ked saue a feble cote to binde his body in goyng in the fēne and in the lake as he hadde been a pore man in this londe prayenge to saint Thomas of forgyue¦nesse of his trespasse. and at the tombe he made al the couente to gyue disciply¦ne by and by on his bare bodye with a rodde. And there he dampned all sory customes and false lawes y^t was cau∣se of the debate bitwene Thomas and the kinge bifore and graunted the chur¦che her fredome ayen & wente his way

¶Thenne these foure knyghte• whan they herde howe god had wrou¦ghte for Thomas they were full sory. of their cursed dedes. & cursed the tym that euir it hapnyd so with theym and lefte all their londes and wente to Ie∣rusalem into the holy londe to were on goddes ennemyes But william Tra∣cy was letted by the waye and fyll se¦ke and roted all his body In somoche that him selue with his owne hondes. caste awaye his owne flesshe lomp me¦le and so died an horrible deth And the other thre also dyed a pytous deth so∣ne after And thus within thre yeres af¦ter Thomas dethe they dyed all foure But as longe as they lyued they cried euir mercy to god and to saint thomas and so I hope they hadde.

De circumcisione domini.

gOode frendes suche a daye is called neweyeres daye and is the firste daye of the begynnyng of the newe yere that is cūmyng and is the la¦ste daye of the yere that is gone And therfore this daye ye shall cōme to god and holy churche to here youre diuyne. seruyce for this yere For lyke as a god• seruaunte y^t hath a good maister ma∣k•th his couenaunte but ones but hol∣deth forth from yer to yere hauing ful truste in his maister. that he woll for his gode seruice gyf him agode reward in his grete nede at his last ende In the same wyse goddes seruauntes maken couenaunte with him but ones. that is at the cristenynge at the fonte and ther he maketh couenaunte to be goddes ser¦uaunt Page  [unnumbered] hauynge full truste in god. y^t at his grete nede that is at the daye of dome wyll quyte him for his seruyce. in euirlastinge blisse of heuyn And so wyll he do to all that be good true ser¦uauntes Thus this day is called new yeres daye Also it is called.

The circumcision of oure lorde Alsoo this daye is called Neweyeres day for this daye is the firste daye of the Calē¦der and the yere gooth moche by the ca∣lender. therfore it is called neweyeres daye Saint Austyn sayth this daye. & this nyghte hethen peple vse many fal¦se opyniones and witche crafte & false byleue the whiche been nat to tell emō¦ge cristen people lest they turne to that vse. wherfore ye that ben cristen peple. be well ware lest ye be disceyued by any false sorcery as by taking coū: seyll of a man a fore a nother In by∣enge or sellinge or lenynge In the why¦che haue some diuerse opyniones And if they be well shreuyn they be worthy for to haue grete penaūce for their mys¦beleue for that cōmeth of the fende and nat of god This day is called the cir∣cumcision of oure lorde For as holy churche tellith this day he was circum∣cised and bledde his blode for our sa∣ke For whanne the flesshe was cutt he bledde faste and was full sore. for he was but yong and tendre and but viii daies olde and therfore he bled the mo∣re Thenne ye shall vnderstond that he bledde v: tymes for vs. The first tyme that he shedde his blode was as this daye whanne he was cir∣cumcised A nother was for fere of his passion For right as a child wepyth for fere whanne he seeth the rodde & hathe noo harme Soo the flesshe of our lord swete bloode for drede of astrōger pas¦sion that was cōmynge The thryd ty∣me was in his flagellacion whanne he was beten with scourges▪ soo that all his body ranne on rede blode The iiii. tyme was whanne he was nayled hō¦de and fote on the crose The v. tyme was whanne that longius perryd his herte with a spere. the water & the blo∣de come oute of his woundes. and then they tooke vp the crosse with the bodye and lyfte it vp on hye and sodenly they lete the crosse fall downe in the morter se that all the senouse veynes and io〈…〉¦tes brake. and blode. and water. come oute of euery wounde. this he suffred for vs Thenne sithe criste was circum¦cised and shedde his bloode for vs that was withoute synne and circumcision is for synne remedye & help why wold he be circumcysed that dyd no synne. Saint Austyn sayth it was for foure causes The firste was for to make a se¦the with the iewys For elles they wold and might haue saide that he had natt been of their lawe. wherfore they wold nat resceyue him nor consente to his te∣chinge this was to desceyue the fende For right as the fend disceyued Adam and eue & so all mankynde was dāp∣ned. so it fel to crist to desceyue the fend where through all mankynde mighte. be sauyd Than whan the fende sawe y^t he was circūcised as an other childe, Page  [unnumbered] child. for yf he had knowe hym verely that he had come to haue boughte man kynde. he wold neuer haue tysed the ie¦wes to haue put hym to deth. And this was the cause that our lady was wed∣ded to Ioseph for to dysceyue the fen∣de. for the fende sholde wene y^t Ioseph had ben his fader. and not conceyued of the holy goost. The third cause why he was circumcysed. that was in con∣fermynge of the olde lawe in greate comforte to the olde faders that were of the olde testament. For and yf he had be cristened and not circumcysed it had be a grete discomforte to al that were before th••carnacioū of our lord Ihesu criste: The fourth cause of his circumcysion was for our lorde wyste well that there wolde come heretykes after. that wold haue sayd that Criste •ad a body of the erthly fantasye. and not of flesshe and blode as one of vs haue for a body of thayre may not ble¦de And therfore to put awaye all su∣che errours. Crist was circuncysed & bled in his cuttynge of his flesshe the whiche flesshe was cut from his mem¦bre. And an angell after broghte it to kyng Charles for the most precious relyke in the world And for the gretteste worshyp that he coude doo therto broughte it to rome. to a chirche that is called: For thyse iiii. causes Crist was cercū∣cysed. This daye also it is called the vtas of the natiuyte. y^t is the viii daye of our lordis birthe in grete tokenynge to all vs that be goddis seruauntes to thinke on thise viii. dayes that folowē the byrth. The first day is to thynk in¦wardely on the sede that we were con∣ceyued of that is fowle and abomyna¦ble in it self▪ that a man or a woman be they neuer soo fayre that. and they sawe the mater. they wold be ashamed of hem self to thynke that euer he were conceyued of that sowle thynge. The second. daye is to thinke how greuous he peyneth his moder in his byrth in so moche that it is a grete miracle of god that she may haue her lyf. The thirde day is to thynke how feble and how wretched he is borne for all the bestes of kynde. some what they cā helpe them self saue oonly mankynde he nother maye ne can helpe hym selff in noo degree. but deye anone. But he had not helpe and socour of other. The iiii. day is to b•thynk howe moche parell and drede he lyueth here fore in euery place deth folowth hymand is e∣uer redy to fall on him. what tyme ne where noo man knoweth. But oonly god hym self.

¶It is incerteyn the place there as deth abydeth the. ¶The v daye. is for to thynke. howe horryble deth is: whan he cometh for in shorte space & tyme he maketh a man to stynke. that all the best frendes that he hath: ben auysed to put hym in erth And hyde hym there: ¶The vi daye is to thynke how rew full is the departyng of the body and the soule that may not be departed tyl the herte in the body breke for drede off the syghtes y^t the saule shal see that for Page  [unnumbered] greate fere the herte breketh O mors quam amara est memoria tua O thou deth howe byttre is it to thynke vpon. whan thou arte cōmynge to any man The vii. is to thynke howe dredefull. is the dome that he shall go to anoon. and howe streight his iugemente shall be Thenne he that wyll thinke on the∣se vii. daies besily on the viii. day I ho¦pe he shalbe circumcised. that is he shal be cutt away fro the lust of his flesshe and of synne. and soo do depart from this worldis likynge And thus cōmeth the viii. daye that is the vtas of cryste. that is the ioye of blisse that neuir shal haue ende To the whiche god brynge. vs all.

In die Epiphanie.

GOode frendes this daye is cal∣led the xii. daye. but it is xiii. daye of cristes byrth the whiche day ho¦ly church calleth it Epiphania domini that is to saye the shewyng of our lord Iesu criste very god and man For this daye he was shewyd very god & man by thre offringes. by his cristnyng and also by tornynge of the water into wy¦ne The xiii. day of his birthe by offrin¦ge of the thre kinges. & that same daye xxx. wynter and xiii. daies after hys byrthe He was cristned in the water of flome Iordane. And that same daye xii. monthe he turned water into wy∣ne at the weddinge at Chane galilee But the feste maketh mooste mynde & mencion of the iii. kinges offryng and therfore lete vs folowe the fourme. of holy churche. and ye shall here howe it fyll of their offringe to oure lorde ie¦su criste very god and man Thus iii. kynges wer of the lignage that prophe¦cyed howe a sterre sholde shyne of Ia¦cob But they were no iewes kynd. but they hadde herde by prophecy of this. wherfore they hadde greate desire & lu∣ste to see it And so often tymes whāne they might cōme to giddre vpon certey¦ne high hylles thenne they wolde dispu¦te emonge theym of this sterre. Soo it hapned vpon cristemasse nighte the sa¦me tyme as oure lorde was borne they were to gyddre and were disputyng of this sterre. Super montem. Vpon the hyll Dominus enim erat natus Oure lorde was borne E• apperuit illis And apperyd to theym in the sterre as a fai¦re childe. and vnder his hede a br•k•••▪ crosse of golde. and saide thus to them Goo ye anoon in all the haste that ye maye into the londe of Iury and take with you gold myrre and ensence and offre these thre thinges to him y^t ye shal fynde there now borne kinge of iewes. very god & man And I shal be youre gyde and lede you to the way: Then anoon for grete haste they toke best••. that ben called Dromedaries that ben of suche kynde. they be so swyfte. that they wyll tenne further in one day thā¦ne any other beest wyll tenne or go in thre daies And so they cāme to Ierusa¦lem that was the cheif cyte of all Iury hopynge that they shulde here there so¦me tydinges where that this child was borne But as sone as they turnyd in∣to the cyte of Ierusalem thenne they lo¦ste the sighte of the sterre that lad the••

¶euyr the waye tyll that Page  [unnumbered] they come thyder bryghter than the son¦ne thēne whē they com to the cyte of ihe¦rus•lē they rode to kyng Herode. for he was there the same tyme: & sayd to hē

¶where is he that is borne that is kynge of iewes.

we sawe his sterre in the Este. we be come to worshyp hym. Thenne kynge herode was troubled. and all the cyte wyth hym but more for flate∣rynge of him. thenne for ony loue that they had to hym Thenne kynge Herode asked his clerkis where this child shol∣de be borne. and they sayd in bethelem •nde thenne kyng herode asked the kin¦gis preuely of the sterre. and bad hem goo in Bethelem. and worship the chil¦de▪ and come ayen by hym. & telle hym where he myghte fynde the chylde that he myght goo worshyp hym. Thenne whan the kyngis were passed towar∣des Bethelem. anone the sterre apered to them And whan thei sawe the sterre was come ayen they were glad in their hertes. and as it is in many place pain¦ted. the kynge that is in the myddel for gret ioye of the sterre. he loked bacwar¦de to his felowe behynde hym. and wyth his fynger shewed him the sterre & y^t is the cause y^t the middel king loked bacward ¶And thus the sterre broughte them to bethelem. and whan the sterre come ouer the hous there as Our Lord was in it stode styll. Then¦ne the kynges lighted downe. and wen¦te in to the hous. and wyth al the reue∣rence that they coude. knelynge • dow¦ne & offird eche of thē thise iii. thinges: Golde cence and my••e. knowlechyng by the golde. that he was kynge of all kynges. And by the 〈◊〉 that he was very god and by the myrre y^t he wa• very man. and shold be dede and layd in graue wythout rotynge. For gold is cheef of al mettallis. Encence is brē¦te in holy chirche. in worship to god. Myrre is an oynemēte. that kepeth the bodyes from rotynge. Thus whan the kyngis had done theyr offrynge by te∣chinge of the angell. By another waye they wente toward theyr owne londis. And lefte kynge he rode. and the sterre vanysshed awaye fro them. ¶Thenne as syant Bernard sayth. Ioseph kept of this golde as moche as hym neded to his tribute that he shold paye to the emperour. And also more to kepe our lady wyth. whyle she laye in chylde bed· And the remenaunt he deled to poure people suche as had gre¦te nede therto. The cence he brente to put awaye the stenche of the stable the¦re as she laye in. and wyth the myrre. Oure lady anoynted her chyld to kepe hym from wormes and dysease. But what befel of the kyngis after. I fyn∣de no thyng in certeyn but some peple haue an oppynyon. how y^e saynt tho∣mas of Inde cristened theym whan he come in to that cuntrey of Inde. ¶And thenne as the sterre lyghtened theym to crystis birth. Soo the holy

¶goost lyghtened them in Page  [unnumbered] theyr soule and •aught them the parfy¦ghte waye of the byleue. And also of parfyghte. and gracious lyuinge. In soo moche that they lefte all theyr kin¦gedom and wente forth on pylgr•ma∣ges. that is to saye. to Iherusal•m. & to many other places. And soo they co∣me forthe to Myllayne. and there they deyed all thre. And soo after that they were translated to Coleyne. and there they ben. yet now haue ye herde bi thyse thre kynges. How Oure Lorde Ihesu Criste was this daye shewed verey god and man. wherfore lyke as they offred wyth deuocyon. So shold ye doo your offrynges whan ye come to holy chirche. knelynge downe wyth all reuerence that ye canne or may not on your one knee. as to a temporal lor¦de. but on bothe your knees. And doo worshyp hym wyth good prayers. Thenne offre ye precious golde. For there is noo golde soo precyous. as is the good prayer deuoute. And thenne hold vp your hondes to hym wyth all the reuerence that ye can and wyth a deuoute herte praye to hym. and shewe hym all the loue of your hertes. And thenne offre ye to hym ensence. For there is noo ensence sauour y^t is so swe¦te brennyng in the fyre. as doth good prayers that is deuoutely said· wyth a brennyng loue in clene charyte. And if thou doo thus. thenne thou offrest kne∣lyng on thy knees. Make a crosse on therthe and kysse it and thynke well thou art but etthe. thēne muste ye offre myrre. For right as myrre kepeth a bo¦dy from rotyng. soo the mynde of deth kepeth a mannis soule from dedely synne in this wyse do ye your off•n••e And thenne shall ye haue as moche mede as had thyse thre kynges Also he was shewed bothe god and man atte his cristenyng. For he come to the wa∣ter of flom Iordan. he wente in to the water and halowed it: for right as he was circumcised to conferme the new lawe: and for noo nede that he hadde therto. For he was clene wythout syn∣ne but for to make the sacrament. that sho••• wasshe them. to•• crystenynge in his name fro all synnes. Thenne was Iohan •aptist redy and moche people wyth hym that come to the crist¦nynge. Thenne sayd Iohan to oure lord all quakyng and tremblynge bles¦sed lord thou art goddis lambe wyth∣oute synne: thou hast no nede to be cris¦tened of me. But that I am a man goten and bourne in synne haue nede to come and be cristened of the in remis¦syon of synnes. Thenne said our lord Ihesu. Iohan suffre at this tyme. For thus we muste fulfyll all rightwys∣nesse. and Iohan cristened our lord 〈◊〉 Criste and as it is credyble. our Lady was cristened after wyth other of cris¦tis diciples and all the people that we∣re come thyder: Thenne whan all we∣re cristened our lord wente oute of the water. And as he went out of the brin¦ke of the water and all the people with hym.

Heuē opened & a grete lyght •••lipped hym in syght of al the peple. The holy goost come doune in liknesse of a why¦te doue. & lighted on cristis hede. And the fader spake and sayd thu• in herynge of all the people: This is my welbeloued sone the which pleyseth me. This was to teche al cris∣ten people the feyth of the byleue of ho¦ly chirche. for al cristen people be boun¦de to byleue stedfastli. in the fader and the sone and the holy gooste. In crystis baptisme. al the holy trinite was shewed for the fader spak in voy¦ce. whan •e sayd.

This is my welbeloued sone: & was there bodely. whan Iohan baptist said

And the holy goost was seen. As a whyte doue. Thyse ben iii. perso¦nes in one godhede. For the fader spa∣ke aboue. and the sone was ther bode∣ly. and the holy gooste in liknesse of a doue. ye shal byleue that thyse thre per¦sones be but one god in trinyte. This byleue ye shal know on the water brin¦ke. that is in your crystenyng at the fō¦te. wherfore he that byleueth thus. and doth werkis of byleue shal be saued. He that byleueth. & is cristened shall be saued & foloweth the werkis of byleue And he that byleueth not nor doth not the werkes of byleue shal be dampned The werkes of byleue ben mekenesse and charite. for wyth out thyse ii. shall noo man be saued. And he that hath thyse ii. he is wretē in the gen•logye of our lord Ihesu crist. the whiche i• red in cristmasse. that begynneth aboue wyth abraham. and soo cometh doun∣wardes to Ioseph and to our lady: In shewyng that he that is mooste mekest in herte is moost next oure lord Ihesu cryst. and suche he auaunseth in euer∣lastynge blysse. And therfore the gene∣logye this nyght begynneth atte Ihesu cryst. and goth vpwardes to abraham and soo to god. Also he was shewed very god in trynite. whan he tourned water into wine at the wedding It hap¦ped soo the people lacked wyne atte the mete. Thenne bad our lord that they shold take vi. stenes or pottes that we¦re empty and bad fylle them wyth wa¦ter. and they dyde soo Thenne our lord blessed them. and bad that they shold bere them to hī y^t begā the table. & lete hym begyn. and thenne he began and said it was the best wyne that euer he dranke. Thus oure lorde shewed hym self both god and man God that he tourned water in to wyne. and man in that he ete and dranke wyth theym. ¶This miracle he shewed at the wed∣dyng. in tokenynge that he blessed all weddyngis: that be done after the law of holy chirche. and therfore kepe your wedloke. and be in full feythe and by¦leue of holy chirche. as holy chirche te∣cheth. And soo ye shall come to euer∣lastyng blisse Amen. Page  [unnumbered]Page  [unnumbered]Page  [unnumbered]••tte a may•e 〈…〉 sone 〈…〉 the may•e anoon by kynde. he wyll •all downe and laye his he•• in her lappe and thenne all his mighte and strenghte is gone And thenne they come and take him. Thus he sayth sainte poule was firste so fers in hym self that they durste nat preche there as he was ne speke to hī for drede▪ whan oure lorde iesu criste shewyd him swe∣tenesse of his grace, and this faire mai¦den that is the lawe of holy churche. a none Poule fell downe to the ground and was subgett to all cristen people. Herfore holy churche was glad of his defendynge He is sette also in high en∣sample of high mendinge for oure lord is so gracious that all cristen proplee. may be sauyd. that wyll forsake his mysse lyuynge and he conuerted. There is more ioye in heuyn vpon one synner doynge penaunce thenne vpon xcix that dyd neuir synne. and therfo¦re oure lorde wolde that all were con∣•••ted and saued wherfore in high en¦sample and comforte to all synfull pe¦ple. he s•tte sainte poule to loke vpon. For though a man hadde do neuir soo moche synne and he wolde forsake his synne and synne no more. Thenne all the company of heuyn maketh myrthe and melodye of his conuersion. as we do here in erthe of the cōuersion of sain¦te Poule But ther is moche peple that lo•e more synne with luste and 〈◊〉 in this worlde than they doo god: For there be many that wyll neuir leue syn nother for loue of god nor for the desy¦re of the blesse of heuyn nor for fere of the fende nor for deede of the peynes of hell But some saye that god wyll ne¦uer lese that he hath boughte soo dere. with his passion But they that say so ben nat wise. god wyll that noon we¦re loste. but be ware thou lese nat thy selue For all the while thou louest mo¦re synne than god and haddest leuy• to serue the fende than god thou art cau¦se of thyn owne dampnacion For why¦le thou haste more wyll to serue the fē¦de and be his childe than goddes childe thou lesest •hy self and god hath ordey¦ned fendes to turment them in euirlas¦tinge peyne But sainte Gregory saith they that shalbe dampned begynne her penaunce here in this worlde in partye and after their deth contynueth for euir more. wherfore I tel you this ensāple.

¶Narracio.

¶There was a man that was an offi¦cer with a lorde and stoode a cursed And on a tyme as he rode towardes a maner of his lordes he fell oute of his mynde and vnbrid•led his horse. and ledde him in to a maner of his lordes. and thenne anoon the bailyf perceyued how it was with this man that he was distraughte oute of his mynde And a∣noon made the people to bynde him▪ to a poste in a berne Soo whan the bay∣lyf and his seruauntes hadde souped he hadde one of his seruauntes go lo•e how that this man dyd. And he wen•• to this man. and whanne he c•me there Page  [unnumbered] he sawe thre grete blacke dogges pluc∣kynge awaye this mannys flesshe fro the bones Thenne was this seruaunte soo aferde that vnneth he had his myn¦de but went to his bedde and laye seke there longe after. And on the morowe whanne the people come thidre as this man was bounde they founde no mo∣re of this man but his bare bones and all his flesshe was clene awaye Thus ye may see he that contynually lyueth. in synne may be full sure of a foull ende And though his ende seme fair in the sight of a man. yet it is right foull in the sight of almyghty god. and all his aungellys: wherfore it is nedful to euery cristen man and woman to a∣mende hym while he is here. into this lyf and hath tyme and space to amend¦mente And he that doth soo shall come to sainte Poule and be there with hym in euirlasting blisse. to the whiche god brynge vs that dyed for vs & all man¦kynde. Amen

Sequitur de purificatione be∣ate marie virginis.

GOode freundes suche a day ye shall haue candelmasse daye. that daye maketh mynde and mencion of oure lady and of her sone. and spe∣cially in thre thinges of our ladyes pu¦rification In simeones metynge And in candelles offring This day is called the Purification of our lady In engli¦she it is the clensynge of oure lady. but for no nede that she hadde therto For she was enclensed with the wirkin¦ge of the bodily gooste. in conceyuyng of her sone. But ther was in her no• maner spotte of fylthe But for y^e day was the xl daye from the byrthe of her sone and was called in the iewes law the day of the Purificacion. nat only▪ for oure lady but for all other wym•• wherfore we call it the purification of oure lady The lawe of the iewes was suche that whāne that a woman was delyuered of a man childe she was h••¦den vnclene vii: daies after Thēne th• lawe gaue her leue to go to her husbō¦de But yet she was vnclene xxxiii dai¦es. but tyll xliiii. dayes were fulfilled she sholde holde her withoute the chur∣che with her offrynge And the offrynge in those daies was of a riche man a lā¦be. and for a pore man was a paire of tu•tyll doues or elles other doues and soo offred oure lady with her son. and if a woman be deliueryd of a mayden childe she sholde double all those same daies aforseyd. that is for to saye. the cōmyng to her husbonde. and also the cōmynge to the temple. and so this is the reason therof For it is soo that all grete clerkes say that it is vii. daies af¦ter whanne a woman hath conceyued a manchylde or that the same sede turn into bloode And it is also xxxiii. day∣es after or it turne to any shap of men And thenne god sendith lyf into it and if it be a mayden childe it doubleth all the daies bothe in tournynge into blode and also in shappe of body and this is the cause Eue that was the firste four myd woman that euir wrathed oure lorde more than the man Adam Ther¦fore she is the lenger in fourmynge. ¶Thus for flesshely complexion of a Page  [unnumbered] man and woman she is vnclene in her selue Therfore this Purification is or¦deyned But vnderstonde well y^t oure lady hadde noo nedde to this clensynge For •he cōceyued nat with complexiō of man but only of the holy goste. soo that she was clene of all maner of fil¦the touchynge consent of man But yet she wente to the temple as other wymē dyd specially for foute causes The fir¦ste was to fulfyll scripture that sayeth thus

The higher that thou arte in degre: the mekar thou sholdest make the Thus dyd oure lady. for she wyst well that she was modre to goddes sonne of he∣uyn and hadde so grete worship pas∣singe all other wymen. yet she made. her as the pourest woman that was in the company The secounde cause was as she fulfylled the lawe of circumci∣sion of her sone In the same wyse she fulfilled the Purification and in offrī¦ge of her sone in the temple doynge for him as other pore wymen dyd for their children The thridde cause was. for to stoppe the iewes mouthes lest they had saide that she hadde nat done the lawe. and so cast a grete sclaunder ayenst her in tyme cōming The fourth cause was to gyue ensample to all other wymen: that they sholde cōme to churche. after the birthe of their children. and thanke god that he hadde sauyd theym from dethe in their trauaylinge. for in y^e tym a woman is in grete peryll of deth for ther is no sekenesse in the worlde. that gooth so nygh deth For th•se causes ho¦ly churche maketh mynde of oure lady¦es purification It maketh myn¦de also of the cōmynge of Symeon & Anne This Symeon was a passing old mā but he hadde prayed to god bes•ly all his lyf that he sholde neuir dye. tyll •e hadde seen criste bodily in this worlde▪ and so he dyd. and this anne prayed y^e same Also ye shall vnderstonde y^t this anne was nat oure ladies modre but a nother anne that hadde a husbond vii. yeres. and whan her husbonde was de¦de she wolde nat be weddyd noo more but lyued tyll she was lxxx. yere old and seruyd god in the temple nyght & daye and prayed that she myght se god or she dyed and oure lorde graunted her Thenne whan oure lady came into the temple with her sone. the holy goste warned symeon and anne And 〈◊〉. they with moche ioye went ayenst him and brought him into the temple. And simeon toke him in his armes wy¦the all the reuerence that he coude and myghte and saide. O thou lorde nowe suffre thy seruaūte after thy word in peas And so with al the worshippe and reuerence y^t he coude he louyd and thanked him y^t he wolde let him lyue so longe to see him bodilye Page  [unnumbered] with his eyen where in mynde of thys. whanne a woman cometh to churche. of a childe she abideth at the church do¦re tyll the preest cōme & caste holy wa∣ter on her and taketh her in by the hond into the churche gyuyng her leue after to come to chirche & to go to her husbōd For and if they haue comenyd to gyd∣dre bifore they muste bothe shryue hem therof and take their penaunce Also holy churche maketh mynde of candel∣les offrynge And as ye see it is a comen vse for all cristen people that be of con¦uenient age to cōme that daye to chur∣che and bere a candell brennyng in pro¦cession as though they went bodily wy¦the oure lady But nowe ye shall here •owe this worshipfull feste was first founde. ¶Somtyme whanne the Romaynes by grete might and roy¦all power conqueryd all the worlde. for they hadde greate dominacion they were so proude that they forgate theyr god. and made theym diuerse goddes after their owne luste And soo emong oll they hadde a god that they called. Mars y^t had be to fore a notable kny∣ghte in batayll And so they prayed to him for helpe And for they wolde spe∣de the better of this knyghte the people prayed and dyd grete worship. to hys modre that was called Februa. after the whiche woman moche people haue opunyon that this moneth is called fe¦bruary. wherfore the secounde daye of this moneth is Candelmasse day The Romaynes this nyghte wold go about the cyte of Rome with torches and can¦delles brennynge in worshippe of this wom•n Februa for hope to haue th• more help and socour of her sone mara Thenne was ther a pope that was cal¦led Sergius and whan he sawe cristē people drawe to this false mawmetry. and vnt•ue bileue He thought to vnoo this foul vse and custome and turne it into goddes worshippe and our ladyes And gaue cōmaundemente that all cri¦sten people shulde come to churche and offre vp a candell brennynge. in wor∣shippe that they dyd to this woman fe¦brua and do worship to oure lady and to her sonne oure lorde iesu criste Soo that nowe this feest is solempnely ha∣lowed through all cristendome. And eche cristen man and woman of coue∣nable age to come to churche and offre vp their candell. as though they were bodily with oure lady hopyng for this reuerence and worship that they doo to oure lady. to haue a greate rewarde in heuyn. and of her sone oure lorde Iesu criste and soo they may be sure. and it be done in clene lyf & with gode deuoci¦on A candell is made of weke & wexe So was cristes soule. hyd within the manhode Also the fyre. betokeneth the godhode Also it betokeneth oure ladye: moderhode and maydenhode. light wi¦the the fyre of loue Also it betokenyth. euery cristen man & woman that dothe goode dedys with gode entent and par¦fyte loue and charite to god and to all cristen people. wherfore if there be any of you that his cādell of charite be quē¦chyd. goo anoon & be accorded. withe his neyghboures and lighte his candel. And thenne offre it vp for that is god∣des wyll And if ye do nat thus ye shal lese all your mede and youre meryte in heuen.

Page  [unnumbered]

¶Narracio.

¶we rede in the lyf of sainte Dunsto∣ne how that his modre. whan she was with childe with him: She come to the churche vpon candelmasse daye And whanne all the people hadde goon on pro•ession with their candelles brennin¦ge and come into the churche euery mā and woman with his lighte in his hon¦de Sodenly all the cādellys in the chur¦che wente oute And a greate derkenesse come therwith that vnneth one myghte see another And whan they hadde ston¦de so longe full sore agaste There co∣me a faire lighte from heuyn And ligh¦ted the candell that saint Dunstones. modre hadde in her hondes and thenne of her all other tooke lighte In toknin¦ge that he was in her body that sholde tempte many mennys charite that bifo¦re were queynte.

Narracio.

Also there was a woman that was de¦uoute in oure ladyes seruyce and ma∣ny tymes for oure ladyes sake and lo∣ue that she hadde to her she gaue awey all her best clothes and wente into the worste her selue. Soo it hapnyd on a candelmasse daye she wolde fayne ha∣ue gone to churche but for she was nat honestly arrayed she durst nat for sha¦me. for she hadde doon awaye all her beste clothynge Thenne was she sory y^t she sholde be withoute masse that daye wherfore she went into a chambre that was nygh her place and there she was in her prayers & as she prayed she fell a slepe and thenne she thought she was in a faire churche and sawe a grete cō∣pany of maydens cōmynge to the chur¦che. And one was passing al other mo¦che faire and went to fore with a crow¦ne on her hede and she knelyd downe & all the other by her Thenne come there one with a greate burden of candellys and firste he gaue the mayden a candel that hadde the crowne on her hede and soo after all the other maydens y^t were in the churche and then he came to th•s woman and gaue her a candell Then was she glade & then she sawe a preest and ii. dekynes with ii. serges b••men¦ge in their hondes goynge towarde t•e aulter redy to goo to masse. and as she thoughte criste was the preest. and the ii. dekyns was Laurence and 〈◊〉 that bare the serges. and ii. yonge men beganne the masse with a solempne no¦te Then whan the gospell was red the quene of heuyn offred her candell first of all to the preest & then al other after her. & whan all had offred the preeste abode after this womā to cōme & offre her candell Then the quene sent after her and badde she sholde come. the pre¦ste abideth her and the messanger bad• her come and she saide naye she wolde nat leue her cādel but kepe it for a gre¦te deuocion Then sente the quene a no∣ther messangre and bad him say to her that she was vncurt•ys for to tary the preest so long & said. but she come with goode wyll and offre it take it fro her. and she saide nay Then wolde the mes¦senger Page  [unnumbered] haue take it fro her but she held it faste and so bitwixt them two the ser¦ge brake in the myddes. & the oon halfe the messanger hadde and the other half the woman hadde with her. and in this wras•ling the woman awak of her sle¦pe and hadde half the serge in her hond And thenne she thanked god and our lady hertly that she was nat without a gospell that daye and offred that can∣dell to holy churche.

And for a greate relyke it was kepte e∣uyr after.

Narracio

¶Also there was a woman of euyll lyuynge and she dyd neuir good dede in her lyf but only founde a candel brē¦nynge bifore oure lady So it hapned whanne she was dede. fendes come to her and tooke her soule. and whan they were goynge there cāme ii. angelles. & rebuked the fendes why they were soo bolde for to take the soule withoute the dome Thenne saide they there ne∣dith noon she dyd neuir good Thenne saide they take and brynge the soull bi¦fore oure lady & so they dyd But whā it was founde that she dyd neuir gode dede she muste nedes go to hel Thenne saide oure lady she fonde a candell brē¦nyng bifore me. and was euir her wyl while she lyued. & therfore I wyll be as kinde •o her as she was to me & bad an aungell take a grete serge and ligh it and sett it bifore her in hell. and our lady charged and cōmaunded y^t there shulde no fende come there nygh Butt lett it stonde brennynge for euirmore to comforte all that been in hell Thenne saide the fende• they hadde leuyr le•e. the soule than do so Thenne bad oure lady take the soule and bere it to the body ayen. so they dyd And whan she was aliue she bethought her on her strayte dome there as she was at. and wente and shroue her to a preest and ly¦ued longe after and she amendyd her lyue and was euir after a gode womā and a holy Amen.

De sancto mathia apostolo.

gOde frendes suche a daye. ye shall haue saint Mathies day that is goddes appostyll whiche hathe noon euyn in certeyn. But as clerkes say all cristen people owe to faste the e¦uyn though it be nat sette vigell in the Calendre. ye shall vnderstonde whan oure lorde was in erth he chose xii. ap∣postels to here and to see al that he dyd here in erthe For iewes were so hard to him and ayenst him that they wolde by¦leue no thing that he dyd And also for they shulde bere witnesse after his ascē¦sion of that he dyd in erthe For the Ie¦wes wolde bileue no maner thyng but that myght be preuyd by wytnes Thē was iudas scariot one of the xii. that crist hadde chosen to him Iudas hadde a lytell tofore slayne his owne fader. and laye by his modre. and then come to criste to be his disciple. But he was euir wont tofore to stele and coude nat leue it & he was wery anon of crist. of his holy lyuynge. & for grete couetyse of money he solde his lord vnto the Ie¦wes Page  [unnumbered] for xxx. plates. & whan he hadde soo done and sawe that criste was ta∣ke and demyd to dethe anoon he fel in to dispaire. and wente and henge hym self with a rope for the throte that spa∣ke the wordes of treason and gyle. the same throte was strangled For he that dyd so soule by his lordes lyf wold ha¦ue saide many an euyl worde after his lordes dethe by him that dyd so foull by his lyf And for the fende might nat drawe oute his soule by his mouth for he hadde late kyssed the mouthe of cry¦ste Therfore the fende brake his wom∣be and shedde oute his guttes and then they tooke his soule and bare it to hell But oure lorde is so rightful and gra¦cious that he wyll euery goode dede re¦warde and euery synne punysshe. and that ye shall here by this ensample:

¶Narracio.

¶we fynde that saint Brandan as he sailed in the see he sawe this Iudas syt vpon a stone and a clothe hangyng bi¦fore him that laye in the water and oft bete him in the face Then Brādan we nyd it hadde be some holy man y^t had suffred that for grete penaunce and as¦ked in the name of god what he was. Then aunsweryd he and sayd I am Iudas goddes traytoure that haf this place of goddes grete grace and curtey¦sye for it refressheth me of the grete he∣te that I suffre within me and for noo merite that euir I dyd deserue For me thynketh that I am in paradise whyle that I am here Thenne saide brendan. why haste thou that stone vnder the. & why dothe that bete the in the face Thē sayde he I layde this stone. in a highe waye ther as the cōmen peple shold go & they were efyd therby. & y^t is the cau¦s;e y^t I am eased therby nowe This clo¦the was nat myn owne y^t dothe me this refresshing now but & it had be my o•¦ne it sholde haue refresshed more for I gaue it to a pore man Then said bran¦dā how long hast thou this refresshing then said he euery saturday fro euynsō¦ge tyl euynsong on the morow y^t euyn∣song be done & fro cristmas day tyl xii day & fro Ester day tyl wytsondaye & in thassūpcion of our lady & cādelmas daye Then brādan thāked god y^t he is so merciful. & anon he bad sayl fo•••e faste y^t they were gone for they shulde here tydinges sone after. & euyn therw•¦the come out of an hyll many fēdes & casted many brēnyng glemes of fire in to the see after them y^t the se bret on eue¦ry side. but god kept them so y^t they had no harm Then for this Iudas was o∣ne of the xii. appostels the nōb•e of thē must be fulfilled then was criste ••yed vp to heuyn & the xi. appostels were to gider with many other peple in a place Then said petyr. Nowe al gode man • brethern it is wel know to you y^t iudas was one of the xii. & bicause the nōbre may nat be īparfite it is nede. to chose one of thies ii: men y^t hath be with our lorde Iesu criste fro the tyme y^t he was baptised vnto his ascension to bere wit¦nes with vs of his doing Then they set thies ii. men Ioseph barsabas & ma¦thy & cast lot on them & saide praynge oure lord O lord thou knowest the her¦tes of all men shewe to vs whiche thou chosest of thies ii. & the lot fyll on ma¦thy & so he was in nombre with thother xi. Then mathy w•t into myrre to pre¦che the worde of god: and for he hadde Page  [unnumbered] the grace of the holy goost he dyd my∣racles & turnyd moch peple to the feith of criste Then was the fende sory & ap¦pered to the busshop of the iewes lawe. in likenesse of a yonge child with long heres & hore & bad him take mathy & do him to the dethe or els he wyl turne all the peple to the cristen faith. Then the busshop wexed nygh wode for wrake & sent forth peple to seke mathy & whā they had him they bonde his hondes be¦hinde him & caste a rope aboute his nec¦ke & lad him to pryson & ther bond him faste with chy•nes of iron Then the ny¦ghte after oure lorde iesu criste come to 〈◊〉 with a grete lighte & losed his bō¦•• & whan he had well cōfor•yd him •pned the prison dore & bad him pre¦••e the faithe & spare for no man Thē 〈◊〉 as he prechyd were some y^t with∣••te him▪ & letted other y^t wolde haue •yd to the faith. then said mathy to 〈◊〉 I tel you bifore he shal fal dow∣ne to hel•y• & so anoon in sight of al men ther•••opned & he sanke downe. into hell body & soul & was neuir seen more of hym Then was the peple fore agast of that sight & turned to the feith a gret nombre of them Then whan the bisshop herde therof they toke him and bonde him & set men to throwe stones. at him And whan he was nygh dede he bad cristen peple to bere the stones y^t he was stonyd with into the graue wyth him in witnes of his martirdome & hel¦de vp his hondes to god & saide O lord I beseche the take my spiryte and gaue vp the goost. ¶Raynolde of chestre in his cronycles tellith another miracle ly¦ke this and sayth. whan saint wolsto∣ne visited his busshopriche. the people brought a man bifore him that dyd his neyghboures moche disease & wold ne¦uyr be in peas praynge the busshop. to chastice him. & whan the busshop hade prechyd. to this man he was euir le•∣gre the worse Then the busshop and al the peple prayed to saint mathye to she¦we some myracle by this mā what he was worthy to haue Then anoon in si¦ghte of all the peple there came oute of the erthe ii. fendes with brennynge ho∣kes and plucked this quycke man dou¦ne to hell And whan he was gone the people were releuyd and had reste and peas euyr after Amen

De annunciacione beate ma∣rie virginis.

gOode frendes suche a daye ye shall haue an highe and a so¦lempne feste in holy churche thannūcia¦cion of oure lady & he y^t hath auowed or ioyned in penaunce must faste the e¦uyn ¶ye shall vnderstonde y^t it is cal¦led thannūciacion for this cause For the fad of heuyn sent his angel gabriel

In the cyte that was called Nazareth to oure lady that was newe weded by the byddynge of god. and reuelacion of the holy ghooste to a man called Io¦sephe And as she was in her chambre. in her praiers the angell gabriell come to her & said Oure lorde is with the Then was she gretly astonyed of this gretynge For there was in y^e countre a man y^t coud moche wichcraft & so with Page  [unnumbered] helpe of fendes he made hym self ly• an angel. & came to dyuerse maydens. & said he was sente from god to theym on his message & so ofte tymes laye by hem & dyde hem grete vylonye. thenne whā our lady herde telle of that man she was a drad lest it had be he For she had spoke wyth noo angell before. nor ther were no suche wordes ne suche gre¦tinges made neuer none to her before Thenne gabriell the angell comforted her and saide. Drede not mary forsoth thou hast foū¦de grace at our lord For amonge al the wymen our lord hath chosen the for to be moder of his sone. And hym thou shal cōceyue by feyth. & by loue of the holy goost. wythout ony dede of mā y^t shal shadow the. & quenche al flesshely lust. & tende the lyght of goostely loue that thou shalt cōceyue the sone of the hyghe god. And thus thou shal be mo∣der & mayde. & so was neuer none be¦fore. Thenne anone our lady herde thi¦se wordes. and anone therwyth come a spirituel swetenesse & ioye in her herte that anone or ony erthely man cowde telle it. & so wyth al the reuerēce of me¦kenesse that she cowde. She answerde thus ayen and sayde. Lo here goddis own mayd redy to god¦dis wyl prayng it may be to me ryght as thou sayst. Thus y^t blissed body cō∣ceyued our lord Ihesu cryst in euerlas¦tyng ioye to al the world. Thus I ma eye lykē our lady to a precio{us} stone cal∣led onyx. & it is as clere as ony cristall & shal of kynde whan the sonne shy∣neth hote on hym. he openeth and recey¦ueth a droppe of the dewe of heuen in to hym. and closed ayen tyl ix. mone∣thes after. & thenne it openeth and fal∣leth out a stone of the same kinde. and so closeth ayen as euer it was▪ and ne∣uer openeth after. Thus our lady was as clene as ony cristal for the hote loue of the holy goost: at the ix mone∣this ende she was delyuered of her so∣ne our lord Ihesu criste: and was after as clene mayden. as she was to fore. Thenne whan the angell had done h•s message. he wente his waye to heuen▪ And our lady wente to her cosyn ely∣sabeth that was grete wyth ch•ld with Saynt Iohan baptist. And when she come to Elysabeth. she grete her m•ke¦ly. And assone as our lady spake to E¦lysabeth. the childe in elysabethis wō∣be pleyde and made grete ioye. For he sawe that our lord had take mankyn¦de and was come to saue hem y^t was lorn Thenne our lady dwelled there wyth Elysabeth her cosyn tyll the ty∣me that saynt Iohan was borne. and was mydwyfe to Elysabeth and to∣ke saynt Iohan from therthe. and ther she lerned all that her neded for to kno¦we ayenst the tyme that her sone shold be borne. And was parfyte ynough therof. Thenne mekely she toke her le∣ue and wente home ayen to Nazareth Thenne thoughte Ioseph he wold go loke how his wyf dyde. and wente to∣warde her And whan our Lady herde of his comynge she wente ayenst hym Page  [unnumbered] and grete hym full mekely. But whā Ioseph sawe her grete wyth childe. he merueyled gretely. how that myght be For well he wyste it was not his. for he had neuer part of her body in that degree. For he knewe well that she had made a vowe before that she wold ne∣uer haue parte of mannys body. And thought how that he was made to wed¦de her by the byddynge of the holy goo¦ste and grete myracle shewynge & thou¦ght right in his herte he was not wor∣thy to dwelle in her companye: & thou∣ghte in his herte to haue gone home a∣yen and to leue her there Thenne come an angell to hym and sayd. be not a∣ferde to take mary thy wyf to thy ke∣pyng. for it is of the holy gooste that is quycke in her body. For thou shalt be kepar and norissher to her child & whā it is borne. calle it Ihesus. For he shall be sauyour to all the world. Thenne ye shall vnderstonde that for iiii. cau∣ses. As saynt Ambrosius saith. Oure lady was wedded to this olde man Io¦seph. The firste was yf she had concey¦ued wythout wedlocke. the iewes wol¦de haue said. that she had be an euyll woman of her body: and soo haue sto¦ned her to deth. The second cause was for she was soo shame faste. that and she had herde ony haue put ony defam to her. she wold haue deyed for sorowe The thirde cause was. for Ioseph shol¦de bere wytnesse of her maydenhode The fourth cause. for Ioseph sholde helpe her at her byrthe. and brynge her to Bethelem. and after in to Egypte and so ayen in to her own countrey. For thise four causes she was wedded to this olde man Ioseph. and also to begyle the fende that he shold not kno∣we hym fro another childe. Now haue ye herde of the Annunciaciō. There be some people that aske a question why there stondeth a wyne potte wyth lily∣es betwene our Lady and gabriell the angell at her salutacion. This is the cause. For our Lady at her salutacion conceyued by feyth.

¶Narracio.

¶It befell thus vpon a cristmas day that a Cristen man and a Iewe satte to gyder. and spake of the Concepcion of our lady. and as they were there sto¦de a wyne pot to fore them with a lilie therin. Thenne sayde the cristen man. we byleue that our lady conceyued ly¦ke as this lylye conceyued coloure of grene. and after brengeth forth a why¦te floure wythout crafte of man or o∣ny peyryng to the stalke. Ryght so our lady conceyued of the holy gooste. and after brought her sone our lord Ihesu Cryste wythoute ony wemme of her body. That is flour and cheef of alle wymmen. Thenne said the iewe. whā I see a lylye sprynge oute of the dede stalke that standeth in this pot. thenne wyl I byleue that thou sayst to be tre¦we. And anon ther wyth sprange a whyte lyly oute of the dede stocke. that stode in that same wyne pot And whā the iewe sawe that. anone he felle dou∣ne to the grounde vpon his knees and sayd thus. Lady now I see well that thou conceyued wyth the holy gost our lord Ihesu criste goddis sone of heuen Page  [unnumbered] And thou were clene mayden both be∣fore the birth. and so anone he was cri¦stened. & so after he was a full holy man: And this is the cause wherfore y^t the pot wyth the lily is set betwene our lady & the angel. For ryght as the iew disputed wyth the Cristen man of the maner of the Concepcion. So our la∣dy disputed wyth the angell of the ma¦ner how she shold conceyue. & be both moder & mayde or she consented therto Thenne ye that wyl faste the v. euens of our lady. in the worship of the v. io¦yes that she had of her sone. The first whan she conceyued of the holy gooste and knewe that she was moder to god¦dis sone of heuen. The ii. was on crist∣masse daye. whan she was delyuered of her sone wythoute ony peyne of her body. For as she conceyued wythout lust of her body also she was deliuered wythout peyne of her body. The iii. io¦ye was on ester daye whan her sone ro¦se from deth to life. and come to her & kyssed her and made her more ioyefull of his vprysing. than she was sory off his deth The iiii. ioye whan he styed vp to heu•n on holy thursday in the same flesshe and blode that he toke in her bo¦dy. The v. ioye was in her assumpciō whā she sawe her sone come wyth gre¦te multitude of angelis and saintes to fette her to heuen. & to crowne her que∣ne of heuen and emperes of helle and lady of the world and so al that ben in heuen. shall do her reuerence and wor¦shyp. And al that ben in erthe shal doo her seruyce. Thyse ben the v. ioyes y^t our lady had of her sone and ye shall vnderstonde y^t he y^t wyl grete our lady with v. Aues shal neuer come in to the peynes of helle.

¶Narracio.

¶we fynde wreten of an holy maydē that was denoute in our ladyes seruy¦ce. and euery daye greted her wyth v. ioyes: Thenne it happed so on a daye. that she fell seke. & felte her selfe well that she shold be dede. and for fere she sighed wonder sore. and made greate mone. for by cause she wyft not whe∣der she shold goo after her deth. Then∣ne come oure lady to her and said why arte thou so sory that hast made me so glad gretynge me wyth ioyes y^t I had of my sone therfor be not sory but kno¦we mell that thou shal go wyth me in to euerlastynge blysse. and ioye wyth out ende Amen.

¶Narracio.

¶we fynde of saint Gylberte that on a tyme he was nye dede of the quyn•• and whan his throte was so grete and well nye dede that he myght not take breth our lady come to hym and sayd to hym Gylbert my seruaunt it were euyll do that thy throte shold suffre pe¦naunce. that hath soo oft tyme gladed me wyth ioyes. and anone she toke her fayr pappe and mylked on his throte and wente her waye. & anone therwith he was hole and thanked our lady e∣uer after.

De sancto Georgeo martire

•Ood frendes suche a daye ye shal haue saynt Georges daye The holy marter. It is wreten in 〈◊〉Page  [unnumbered]••fe that there was an horryble dragon besyde a cyte that was called C•••e. of the whiche dragon men of the Cite were sore aferde. in so moche that by counseyll of the kynge euery daye thei gaue hym a childe and a shepe to ete. For fere lest he wolde haue come in to the Cyte. Thenne whan all the chyl∣dren and the shepe were nye ete. for by cause y^t the kyng hym self gaue thē the counseyll. they constreyned hym that he had but a doughter to gyue her to the dragon. Thenne the kynge for fere of the people wyth wepyng and grete sorowe makynge. delyuered hem his childe. and sente her forth to the place. ••ere as they were wont to set her own children. and a shepe wyth her to aby∣de tyll the dragon come: But than by the ordynaunce of god. saynt George come tydyng that waye. And whan he sawe this damoysell in her araye him thought she was a woman of greate byrth. and asked her why she stode ther¦re wyth y^e shepe in suche araye so mor¦nynge. Thenne answered she and said gentyll knyght well maye I morne & make sorowe for I am a kynges dou∣ghter of this Cite and now I am sette here to be deuoured of a dragon that hath ete all the chyldren of this Cite & be now dystroyed. and nowe he muste haue me. For my fader gaf hem coun∣seyll therto. and therfore gentyll kny∣ght ryde hense faste and saue thy selfe leest the dragon sle bothe the and me. Thenne sayd George. damoysell that were grete shame and vylonye to me. that am a knyghte well arayed: And shold fle. and thou a woman and shol¦dest abyde. Thēne wyth y^t the dragon put oute his hede at an hole and spyt∣ted fyre. & proferd batayle to george. & he made a sygne of the crosse before hym and sett the spere in the reste. and wyth grete myght bare downe the dra¦gon to the grounde· And thenne he bad the damoysell byn¦de this dragon wyth her gyrdell about the necke. And lede it wyth her in to the Cite. and soo the dragon folowed after her as it hadde be a honde maide to bowe paciently· But whan the people of the Cyte sawe the dragon co¦me. they fledde for fere awaye Thenne George called the peple ayen and say¦de to theym. be not aferde. For and ye wyll belyue in Criste and take cristē¦dom I wyll saue and sle this dragon and delyuer you of your enemye then were they so glad that anone xx. thou¦sand men wythoute wymen and chil∣dren were cristened. And the kynge & the quene were first of all wyth al his housholde. And thenne George slewe the dragon. and bad the people tye ox¦en to hym and drawe it out of the Cite that the fauour of it dyde the peple no harme. Thenne George bad the kynge edefye chirches in euery corner of his londe and be lusty to goddis seruyce. and to honour and worship all the pe¦ple of holy chirche. and euer haue cō∣passyon and be sory for them that be pour or in ony dysease. Then∣ne whan George had done thus and had torned al the londe to crysten feyth he herde of an Emperour that hyght Dyoclesian. how he dyde many crastē men to deth thenne he wente to hym Page  [unnumbered] and rebuked hym of his cursed 〈◊〉

Thenne the emperour commaunded to put George anone in to pryson. and to laye hym vpryght. and to lay a myl¦stone vpon his breest to presse hym to deth. Thenne George prayed to god for helpe. and Our lady kepte hym y^t he hadde noo harme in no parte of his body▪ and whan the Emperour herde therof. he dyde make two wheles. and put hem full of hokes. and George was sette in the myddes bytwene them And thenne the wheles were tourned and soo to rase his flesshe fro the bo∣nes. And whan George was in this tou•ment. anone he prayed to god off socour and helpe anone he was holpe And thenne they put hym in to a hote limekylle and closed hym ther in. For he shold haue be brente. but oure lorde tourned it to colde and there he was iii dayes. And thenne they wente to haue founde hym brente. and he was sauff fro all maner harmes and was mery Thenne he was brought forth and set byfore the Emperour. and George re∣pre•ed hym of his fals goddis. & said to hym. they were but fendes wythout myght and power. Thenne the Empe∣rour made to bete his mouth wyth sto¦nes tyll he was to powned. & made to bete his bare body wyth drye besomes tyll the flesshe fyll from the bones. & the people myghte see his guttes. yet af¦ter they made hym drynke venym that was made strong for the nones. for to haue payned hym to deth. And whan George had made a signe of the crosse he dranke the poyson wythout greeff. In so moche that the man that made the poyson tourned to cristen feyth and anone he was done to deth. ¶Thenne the nyght after as George was in pryson. god come to hym and sayd. George be of good comforte. to morowe thou shalt make an ende and come to euerlastynge ioye and blysse. And set a crowne on his hede▪ and gaff hym his blessynge. Thenne on the mo¦rowe for he wolde not doo worship to the false goddis. The emperour made to smyte of his hede. And thenne as the emperour wold haue gone to his ••∣lays. there come a fyre lyghtenyng. & brente hym and all his people. ¶we fynde in a story of Antioche wryten▪ y^t besyde •herusalem a fayre yonge kny∣ghte appered to a prest. & sayde. I •m saynt George. and a leder of Crys•en people. and commaūded the prest that he shold bere wyth hym his relykes▪ & come wyth hym to the sege of Iheru∣salem. But whan they come to the walles▪ the hethen peple therin were so strong. that the cristen durste not come to the walles▪ thenne come saynt geor∣ge clothed in whyte & made a crosse on his breste. and went vp the ladder and bad the cristen people come after hym. And so wyth the helpe of saint george they gate the cite of Iherusalem: And slewe all the hethen people that were founde there. And therfore lete vs pra∣ye to saynt George to helpe vs ayenst oure gostly enmy. now & euer Amen.

¶De sācto marco euāgelista.

GOod frendes suche a daye ye shall haue saynt •arke• daye that was one of the four Page  [unnumbered] euangelistis that wrote cristis gospell and preched them to the people. Thēne marke was first an hethen man. And after he was crystened of saynt peter & he made hym to go & preche to the pe¦ple goddis worde. And thenne for he was soo holy a man. the people wold haue had hym to be a preste. But he was soo meke in hym selfe. that he ma¦de one of his thombes to be cut of For he thoughte he was not worthy to be a preste. but for god wolde haue it foo. Saint peter wyth grete instaunce ma¦de him take thordre of presthode vpon hym. Thenne was he besy bothe daye and nyghte to preche the worde of god And all that he sayd wyth worde. He confermed it with good ensample. and wyth doyng of grete myracle. Thus by the inspiracion of the holy goost. he wente in to the cyte of Alisaunder. for to torne the people to the feyth Thenne whā he come to the cite vnnethe that he was entred in the Cite his shoo brast and therby he wyft well that he shold be dede. Thenne he sawe a man sytte & clout shone to poure peple. and marke prayed hym to mende his shoo. Then∣ne for this man was pour. hym thou∣ghte it was almesse to helpe hym at y^t tyme. And toke his shoo and began to sewe. and anone wyth his nalle he hur¦te his honde and what for ache and for grete payne he said god helpe and whā marke herde that he called to god ano∣ne marke prayed to god for hym. And thenne marke spytted on the erth and blyssed it and anoynted his hōde ther∣wyth and sayd.

In the name of the fader Ihesu cryste the sone of the quycke god thy honde be hol. Forsoth that man was called ananya And whan ananya sawe suche vertu in marke. he prayed hym to dwelle styl wyth hym. And there he dwelled two yeres. & cris∣tened hym and al his houshold. and af¦terwarde for grete holynesse that mar∣ke sawe in this man he made hym ar∣shebysshop: Thenne the people sawe how marke preched in the cite. they to∣ke hym & teyed a rope aboute his necke And drewe hym amonge stones: tyll the flesshe fell to the erthe and sayd. drawe we the bugull to the bugull place. Soo whan he was drawe nye to the deth. thenne they putte hym in to pryson tyll on the morowe. Thenne the same nyghte Cryste come to hym in to pryson and sayde. Pea• be to the marke myn euangelyste. be not agast for I am wyth the. Thenne on the morowe they come and fett him oute of pryson. And drewe hym tyll he was dede. And whan he sholde dye he sayde. And soo gaue vp the gooste. ¶And afterwarde they wolde bre••e his body. And thenne there came suche an erth quake wyth a lyghtenynge & thonderyng y^t ther durst no man abide Page  [unnumbered] Thenne in the nyght crysten people co∣me and toke markis body & beryed it. Thenne felle it so that euery cristen lō¦de halowed saint markis day saue one countrey that is called appolonya the whiche countrey was so greued wyth hete and droughte that all the countrei fayled theym of frute. so that they we¦re well nye famysshed. And there co∣me a voys from heuen. and bad theim halowe saynt markis daye. and thēne they shold be comforted. and they dede soo. and anone god sent hem plente of all maner of frutes ynough. ¶Now it is to wyte why we sholde faste this daye. and goo in procession. we rede in the cyte of rome on this daye fell suche a qualme and a soden deth that whan a man yaned or gaped or f•esed ano∣ne he deyed. and there deyed many so∣deynly. Thenne was there a pope that was called pellagius that comaunded all cristen people that whan he yaned euery man shold make a Crosse ouer his mouthe. And whan ony man herd another f•ese. he shold saye crist helpe the. and soo many were saned and the∣re he made the people goo a procession & so prayed to all the sayntes of heuen to praye to god for them. and soo they dyde. Thenne come after saynt gregori and made them doo the same on saynt markis day to halowe and fast & goo in procession. and canonysed it to be do¦ne for euer more. Thenne come there a pope that was called Liberius. in his tyme all maner frutes in tyme of the yere of grete tendernesse of it self. toke grete harme. soo what by thonder ligh¦tenyng and vnkynde hetes. by stormes myldewes. by wormes. and by longe taylde flyes. for greate vengeaunce y^t anone after ester daye. the people iour∣ned ayen to her olde synne hauyng no rewarde of the sacrament whiche they haue receyued. thrfore god sente more vengeaunce this tyme thā in ony other tyme of the yere. wherfore this holy pope to put awaye all thyse thinges. & in especyall goddis wreche fro the peo¦ple he commaunded to all cristen peo∣ple to halowe and to fast and goo in procession. and he that sayd y^t it is ma∣de by a constytucion is acursed tyll he come to amendement. And therfore I charge you and counseyll you al that thynke to be saued kepe this daye after the rule of the holy chirche.

In die Philippi et Iacobi.

•Ood frendes suche a daye ye shall haue the fest of Philip and Ia∣cob the whiche were holy appostles. ¶But for this f•st cometh wythen the fest of ester ye shall not faste the 〈◊〉 But ye shall come to the chirche and worship god and the holy appostles. Thenne ye shall knowe well that phi¦lippe was ordeyned by al other appost¦les to go in to the contrey that was cal¦led Sytha to preche to the vnbyleued people. But whan he came theder. and preched ayenste the ma••mentes. that they were fendes and noo goddis and soo they toke hym & ladde hym to her temple & wold haue cōstreyned him to do sacrefyce. Thenne as they

¶were besy to doo Page  [unnumbered] hym dysease. sodeynly a grete dragon come oute of the erthe. and slewe thre of thyse mysbyleued people and vene∣med the people soo wyth his brethyng. that there felle on hem suche a sykenes¦se. that the woo and the sorowe y^t they had. they cryed after helpe. Thēne said philipe to hem. yf ye wold be holpen & heled of your siknesse. and also thyse men rered from deth to lyfe. fyrste cast doune the mametes. & set in theyr stede crosses there as our lord deyed vpon. And doo it worship. thenne they dyde so for they were glad to be holpen off her sikenesse. and assone as they hadde doo soo they were holpen. And thenne philyppe prayed to god for thyse thre men to reyse from deth to lyf.

¶Thenne phylyppe commaunded the dragon to goo downe to his place ayē and neuer disease man more.

Thenne the cursed peple of the cyte sawe that phylyp wolde haue tourned all the people toke hym. and dyde hym vpon a crosse. And soo on a crosse he deyed. & wente to euerlastyng blisse.

¶Now shall ye here of Iacob that was called amonge the appostles Ia∣cobus minor. The lesse Iames. for to knewe from Iacobus maior. Iames the more was saynt Iohan euangelist brother. But whan Iacobus or Iames that is all one name. This was called cristis owne brother. for he was soo moche lyke to crist. thē¦ne whan the iewes wold haue take cris¦te. they co•de not knowe 〈…〉 nother: But as iudas betrayed 〈◊〉 wyth kyssynge of him. & by y^e kyssynge

Cryste was knowen and taken. This Iames was so holy fro the tyme that he was borne. that aslonge as he lyued he ne∣uer dranke wyne ale ne syder. nor noo maner of drynke that myght make a man dronke ne neuer ete flesshe ne his hede was neuer shauen. ne vsed neuer to be baumed wyth oyle. as the maner is of the countrey for hete of the sonne Nor he ware neuer lynen clothe. And he lay vpon his knees prayeng for the people. that his knees were soo thyk y^t they were bollen oute lyke a camell. This was the first man that euer son∣ge masse in vestymentis as prestes do now Thenne it felle soo that tyme in the Cite of Iherusalem by the dede off cristis dethe. that it must nedis be distro¦yed. wherfore this holy man Iames was made bysshop of the Cite of Ihe¦rusalem and there he was lefte to pre∣che and to tourne the people to better li¦uynge but for they were soo combred wyth synne. that they had none other grace of amendement but nedys for the prophecye of Crist must be fulfyl∣led and the Cyte distroyed. wherfore thyse men toke saynt Iames and sett hym to preche the feyth of Cryste. For moche of the people were tourned to cryste. And he stode vp and preched by good reyson: how all that byleued not in criste shold be damned at the day off dome in to helle pytte. Thenne the mayster of the 〈…〉 caste hym downe from the 〈…〉 y^t he stode in and wyth stones they bete hym doune Page  [unnumbered] tyll he was dede Then he •nelyd on his knees prayenge to god to forgyue. him his dethe. and therwith a cursed. man with a staff smote him on the he∣d• that the brayne fyll oute and soo in this wise he gaue vp the gooste. Then after for vengeaunce of cristes deth. & for this holy mannys deth the cite of ie¦rusalem. that was y^t tyme the gretyst cyte of the worlde and neuir lyke for to haue be wonne sone after was distroy¦ed vnto the vttermoost In somoche y^t the stones of all the walles of the cyte was turned vp side doune. as our lord Iesu criste sayd xl: wynter bifore. y^t it shulde be soo and it was & the iewes were dryuen oute into diuerse contrees In somoche that al the kingdomes we¦re distroyed and yet been vndre othere kynges and euir shalbe subgettes & no possessioners ¶yet ye shall here more of the distruction of this cyte of Ieru∣salem to shewe how vengeable god is to them that be gladde to shedde cristen mennys bloode as they were. whanne god wolde haue take vengeance of the cytee It hapnyd so that a man of py∣lates the whiche dyd crist to deth came fro Ierusalem towarde Rome. but the tempest in the see toke him & droue him vpon a lande by a temple with gret tē¦peste and there duelled a grete lorde y^t was called Vaspasian. And for this cause he was called soo. for he had a malady in his nose threlles there drop∣ped oute of his nose wormes lyke was¦pes Then saide vaspasian to this man Fro what countrey cōmest thou. & he aunswered him and saide. fro Ieru∣salem and wolde towarde Rome Thē saide Vaspasian I am gladde therof. for I haue herd say that there be many grete leches in that countre. wherfore I wolde well that thou coudest hele me and if thou doo nat hele me thou shall be dede Then aunsweryd he and said I am no leche my selue. but he that he lyth all seke and reyseth the dede to ly∣ue he may hele the and if it be his wyl. who is that saide Vaspasian Sir said he iesu of Nazereth that the Iewes sle∣we And if thou wyl beleue in him thou shalte haue all that thou wyll desyre: and be hole Then said vaspasian I be¦leue verily as thou saifte that he maye hele me that reyseth men from dethe to lyf. and anon with that worde he was hole. then was he gladde. that he was hole Then anoon he sente a man to the Emperoure of Rome and gate licen•e. and leue to distroye the cyte of Ierusa∣lem And he gadred a grete multitude of people. and Tytus that was his ou¦ne sone with him and wente to Ierusa¦lem Thenne in the mene whyle that he besegyd the cyte: the emperour dyed & thenne he was chosen Emperoure and turned ayen to Rome and lefte Tytus his sone there to distroye the cyte Then tytus laye so sore to the cyte that he 〈◊〉 famysshed theym In somoche that they ete their shone and their botes and the fader tooke mete fro the sone. and the sone from the fader. and either toke it from others mouth. the husbond fro the wyf the wyf fro the husbonde Thē emonge all other there was a woman of grete birthe. and was come of gen∣tyll bloodde and haddde a yonge childe and for hungre she sayd My dere child I haue suffred more peyne for the thā Page  [unnumbered] than euyr thou dedyste for me. wherfo¦re it is more reason that I ease my hun¦gre on the thanne though I dyed and thou also. & so toke her childe and sle∣we it and rosiyd halue of it and kepte half tyll on the morowe And so as the flesshe rosiyd the sauour went into the cytee▪ And whanne the people felte the sauoure they wened there hadde be plē¦tye of mete and come to haue had part And thēne this woman wold haue hid it. but they saide they wolde see whatt mete she hadde. and thenne she brought it forthe and shewyd it and sayd. Loo here I haue rosiyd myn owne childe & here is the other half ayenst to morowe Thenne the people were agreuyd ther¦of and all amased of that sight & wēt sorth leuynge the woman etyng of her child Thenne hungre encreased so gre¦tely that there dyed within the cytee. so thicke that they caste the bodies ouir the walles oute of the cyte into dyches and so fylled the dyches full of dede body¦es and the stynche smote forthe into the countre and enfectyd the people gretly

¶Thenne so at the laste greate •ede made theym to yelde vp the cytee: Thenne Tytus went in with his oste. and right as the iewes solde criste. for xxx. pens Soo in lyke wyse he solde xxx. iewes for one peny. and tur¦ned the cyte vp syde downe In somo∣che that they lefte nat a stone stondyng vpon an other But distroied it to the vt¦termost parte Lo thus may ye see thou¦ghe god almyghtye abyde and suffre. longe he smyteth sore at the last and ta¦keth greate vengeaunce on theym that be lusty to shedde cristen mennes blode ¶wherfore euery cristen man and wo¦man amende him selue praynge to this holy appostyll to be mediatoure bitwe¦ne god and theym that they may haue ve•y repentaunce in theire hertes here. with shryfte of mouthe and satisfacty¦on in dede doyng that we may cōme to the blisse that neuir shall haue ending Amen.

De inuencione sancte crucis

gOode frendes suche a daye ye shall haue the Inuencion. of the holy crosse But ye shall nat faste the euyn but cōme to god and to holye churche as cristen people shulde doo in worshyp of him y^t dyed on the crosse. Thenne ye shall vnderstond why it is called thus.

The fyndyng of the holy crose the whi¦che was founde in this wyse as I shal tell you. whan Adam oure firste fad. was seke for age and wolde fayne haf be oute of this worlde Adam sent Seeth his sone to the aungell of para¦dise praynge the aungell to sende hym the oyll of mercy to anoynte his bodye therwith whan he were dede Thenne wente Seeth to paradise and saide his message to the aungell Then aunswe¦red the aungell and saide that he my∣ghte nat haue it tyll the yeres be fulfil¦led But haue this branche of the tree that thy fader synned in and sette it on his graue. and whanne it berythe Page  [unnumbered] frute thenne shall he haue mercy and not erst. Thenne toke sech this braun∣che and come home and founde his fa¦der dede Thenne he sette this braunche on his faders graue. as the aungell. badde him doo the whiche branche gro¦wyd there tyll Salamon was kinge. and he made to fel it downe for it was faire to the werke of the temple: butt it wolde nat accorde with the werk of his temple Salamon made to caste it dou¦ne to the erthe And was hydde there

Vnto the tyme. that the busshoppe. of the temple lete make a wayre in the same place there as the tree laye to was¦she in shepe that were offred to the tem¦ple Then whanne this wayre was ma¦de they called it in their langage. Pro∣batica piscina. To the water come an aungell certeyn tymes fro heuyn and dyd warshippe to the tree that laye in the grounde of the wayre. and meuyd the water And what man or woman y^t com to the water next after the aungel was made hole of what sekenesse that euir they hadde by vertue of the tre and soo endured many wynters to the tym that criste was taken and sholde be do∣ne on the crosse Thenne this tree by the ordenance of god swāme vpon the wa¦ter And whanne the iewes haddde no∣ne other tree redy to make the crosse of. for greate haste that they hadde they to¦ke the same tree and made therof a cro¦se and so dyd oure lord theron And thē the tre bare the blessyd frute cristes bo∣dy of y^e whiche welleth the oyll of mer¦cy to Adam and eue & all other of ther ofsprynge But whanne criste was de∣de and was take down of the crosse for e••ye that the iewes hadde to hym they tooke the crosse and two other croces y^• the theuys were hanged in either syde of criste and buried theym depe in ther the. for cristen people shulde nat wytte where they were d•d• for to doo it wor¦shippe And there • laye a yere and mo¦re vnto the tyme that Elyn the Emp•¦ce. modre of Constantyne gadred gre¦te people to fight with Maxencius ••te a greate water. ouir the whiche water laye a greate bridge for desceyte of cō∣stantyne Maxencius lete make a tray. hopynge for to haue disceyued constan¦tyne that he shulde haue fallen into the water And as constantyne laye in his bedde sore aferde of maxencius. for he was moche byger of people thanne he was. thenne came to him an aungell. with a signe of the crosse shynynge as golde & sayd to him To morow whan thou goest to the batayll Take this •y¦ne in thyn honde and by the vertue th•• of thou shalt haue victory. Then was constantyne wounder gladde and ano¦ne lete make a crosse of tree: to bere it. to fore him to the batayll But whanne maxencius sawe him nygh the brydge he was so fyers of him selue y^t he had forgete the trappe the whiche he had ma¦de him selue and so came on the bridge and fyll downe to the water by the tra¦pe and was drowned Thenne was al his aste wondre fayne to yelde theim to Constantyne with good wyll. Then for constantyne was nat yet crystned. And also he was helyd of a Leperho∣de that he hadde Thenne anoon by coū¦seyll of the pope he sent his modre que¦ne Elene that was quene of Ierusalē. Page  [unnumbered] and prayed her to go and seke the cro∣se that criste dyed on This Elene was a kinges doughter of Englonde. and the emperour of Rome wedded her for her beautie and soo she was made em∣presse of Rome But after her husbon¦des dethe she hadde the kingdome of Ie¦rusalem to dowry where she made ga∣dre all the iewes that might be found and saide But if they wolde shewe her the crosse they shulde all be brent Thē was there one of theym that hight Iu∣das. and all saide that he knewe beste where the croce was Thenne said Ele¦ne to him

If thou wylt lyue shewe me the crosse that god dyed vpon or els thou shalte be brente. and so putte him to grete dis¦tresse Thenne he sawe he muste nedes tell or dye and saide to theym. I bise∣che you lede me to the mounte of Cal∣uary there as I shall bydde you and I shall shew you the crosse of Criste for he was blynde and myght nat se And soo whanne he was brought to the mō¦te of Caluary he knelyd downe and prayed longe. and whanne he had pra¦yed the place where the crosse was me¦uyd and the erthe quoke. and there ca∣me a swete sauoure fro that place that the crosse laye that was as swete as a∣ny spycery in the worlde. and then they dygged there longe and at the last they founde thre crosses But then wyst thei nat whiche was cristes crosse fro the o∣ther •weyn. And then toke they a dede. body and layd nowe on that one crose and then on that other. And whan it co¦me to cristes crosse anone the body rose to lyf and than•ed god Thynne saide Iudas thou arte criste truly and sauy∣oure of the worlde. and after that Iu∣das was cristned & was an holy man after Thenne tooke Elyne a parte of that crosse and sent it to her sone Con∣stantyne And the Remenaunte therof. she made to shryne it in syluer and gol¦de and lefte it in Ierusalem with all the worshippe that she coude: ¶Thus holy churche maketh mencion this day that the holy crosse was foun¦de Thenne as we rede we fynde in a ci¦tee that was called Birectus A cristen man hyred a house of a Iewe to dwel in Thenne hadde this man a rode whi¦che Nicodemus hadde made in mynde. of criste Thenne tooke he this rode and sette it in a preuy place of his house for sighte of the Iewes and dyd it worship after his cōmynge Then after it fell so y^t this man went into a nother hou∣se and hapnyd to leue this rode behind him vnwetynge Thenne come a iewe. and duelt in the house there this cristen man hadde been in. Then for to make him good chere his neyghboures come on a nyght and souped with hym And as they sat at souper and spake of this cristen man that duelled there bifore. this iewe loked beside him and in a cor¦ner he sawe this rode And whan he sa∣we that anon he began to grynde with his teeth and to chide with this other ie∣we his neyghboure and saide thou art turned to cristen feyth & haste a rode & dooste it worshippe pryuely Then this other iewe swore nay as depe as he cou¦de that it was nat so ne neuir saw it bi¦fore that thyme. yet nat withstandyng Page  [unnumbered] that other iewe went & tolde his neygh¦boures and saide that this man was a preuy cristen man and hadde a rode pri¦uely in his house Then anon come all his neyghboures wode for wrath & al to bete this man and drewe him & tug∣ged him in the worste maner that they coude and so at the laste they saide all. this is the ymage that thou beleuest vp¦on And they toke the ymage and bete it and scourged it and crowned it wyth thornes. and at the laste they made the strengest of theym to take a spere and with all his myghte he smote it to the herte And anoon therwith blode & wa¦ter ran oute by the sides Then wer the•¦fore aferd therof and saide. Take we pottes and fyll them with this blo¦de and let vs bere it into the temple the¦re as the seke people is of diuerse mala¦dies & anoynte them therwith. & if they be hole with the blode than cry we god mercy and anon let vs be cristned mā and woman Then they anoyntyd the seke people with this blode and anoon they were hole Then went these iewes. to the busshop of the cyte and tolde him all the caas & anon he knelyd downe. on his knees & thanked god of this fair myracle And whan he cristned the Ie∣wes he toke vyolles of glasse cristall & ambre & put of this blood in them & sēt about in diuerse churches. & of this blo¦de as many men vnderstonde come to the blode of hayles. ¶Mylites: tellith in his Crouyeles that many ye∣res after that Ierusalem was d•stroy∣ed the iewes wolde haue bylded it ayē Then as they went thiderwardes erly in a mornynge they founde many cro∣ces by the way •they were aferd therof and turned homwarde ayen. yet on the morowe they went agayn then we∣re the crosses full of blode: and thenne they fledde homwardes agayn echone yet wolde they nat leue therby. but went ayen the thridde day. then fy¦re rose oute of the erthe and brent them euirechone to asshes.

De scō iohē ante portam lati.

gOode frendes suche a daye ye shall haue saint Iohns daye. at the porte latyn. why is it called soo It hapned as this daye this holy saint prechyd the worde of god in a cyte that was called Ephesie▪ the iustice of the cyte sawe that he turned moche people to the byleue of Criste and wolde haue hadde him to doo sacrifice to false god¦des. and for he wolde nat but rather le¦se his lyf Then the iustice lete take him and cōmaunded him to be sette in per∣sone while he sent to the Emperoure of Rome to knowe what he shulde do w• the him And so •rēs came to them•erou¦re. in the whiche he called Iohn all •e worste y^t he coude & saide he was a fal¦se disceiuour of the people Then wrote themperour agayn to the Iustice & bad y^t he shulde sende Iohn to him to come and so he dyd And themperour appo∣sed him of his dedys and Iohn stoode stedefast in the feyth. & for grete scorne the emperoure made to clyppe some of Iohns here of his hede. for he hadde a faire hede of here And whā be was so clipyd all the people lough him to scor¦ne and so dyd him grete disease. & they ledde him to a gate of the towne of Ro¦me whiche is called porte latyne & ther Page  [unnumbered] they put him in a tonne of hote feruent oyll and closed him therin and put vn¦dre fyre to haue brente him therin but he was goddes owne derlynge He kept him so that he had no harme in no part of his body Thenne whanche peple we nyd that he had be dede they vnclosed the tonne and found him as hole and as founde in all parties of his bodye. and clothes as no thyng hadde touched him. Therfore cristen people lete make a churche there in the worship of god & of his martirdome that he suffred ther Then for the Emperour might nat o∣uircōme him by no waye of martirdo¦me and penaunce he exiled him into an yle that is called Pathmos Then herd saint Iohns modre that her sone was sent to Rome for to be dede For gret so¦row and cōpassion of him she went af¦ter to Rome But whan she herde that he was exiled she turned ayen & went homwarde And so whan she came to a cyte that was called vetulam and ther she fyll seke and dyed & there she was buryed beside the cyte in a roche. And whan she hadde layne there many ye∣res saint Iames her other sonne came thydre and toke up his moders body. & it smelled as swete as any spycerye & brought it into the cyte and buryed it. there with grete worship and honoure.

De sancto Iohē baptista.

gOode frendes suche a daye ye shall haue an high feste. and an holy that is called saint Iohns day the Baptiste. and it is called so for he baptised Criste in the water of flaine Iordan wherfore ye shall faste theuyn And ye shall vnderstonde and knowe how the euyn• were firste founde in ol¦de tyme In the beginning of holy •hu•¦che It was soo that the people came to churche with candellys brennyng and wolde wake and come with lighte to∣warde nyght to the churche in their de∣uociones and after they fell to lechery songes. daunses. harpyng. pipynge & also to glotony and synne and so tour¦ned the holynesse to cursednesse. wher¦fore holy faders ordeyned the people to leue the wakynge and to faste theuyn. and thus turned the wakinge into fa∣stynge But it is called vigilia. that is wakinge in englissh and it is called the euyn for at euyn they were wonte to co¦me to the churche But in worshippe of saint Iohn the people waked at home and made thre maner of fyres. Oone. was clene bones and noo wode. and y^t is called a bone fyre A nother is clene wode and no bones and that is called a wode fyre for people to sytte and wa¦ke therby The thridde is made of wode and bones & y^t is called saynt Iohnes fyre The firste fyre as a greate clerke. Iohn Byllet tellith he was in a certein countre Soo in the countre there was so grete hete the whiche causeth the dra¦gones to go to gydder in toknyng that Iohn dyed in brennynge loue to god & man And they that dye in charite shal haue parte of all gode prayers. & they that doo nat shall neuir be sauyd: ¶Thenne as this dragon fleeth in the ayre. they shedde downe to the water•. frothe of their kynd and so enuenemed Page  [unnumbered] the waters and causeth moche peple to t• their dethe therby & many dyuerse •esse Thenne on a tyme there were many grete clerkes and radde of kinge Alisaundre how on a tyme as he sholde haue a batyll with the kynge of ynde And this kinge of ynde broght with him many oliphantes berynge ca¦stelles of tre on ther backes as the kind of theim is to haue armed knightes in the castell for the batayll Then knewe alisaundre the kynde of the Oliphātes that they dradde no thynge more. than the iarrynge of swyne. wherfore he ma¦de to gadre to gydder all the swyne. y^t myght be goten and caused them to be dreuyn as nygh the oliphantes as they myghte wel here the ia•ryng of the swy¦ne And then they made a pygge to crye and whan the swyne herde the pyg cry anoon they made a grete iarryng and assone as the oliphantes herd that they began to flee echone and cast down the castelles and sleew the knyghtes y^t wer in them. and by this meane Alisander: hadde the victory Also these wise cler∣kes knowe well that dragones hate no¦thing more than the stynche of brēning bones Therfore they gadred as many as they mighte fynde and brent theym. And so with the stynche therof they dro¦ue awaye the dragones and so they we¦re brought oute of grete disease The ii. fyre was made of wode for that woll brenne light and woll be seen ferre for it is the cheif of fyres to be seen ferrre. and tokenynge that saynte Iohn. was a lanterne of light to the people Alsoo. the people made blases of fyre for they shuld be seen ferre and specially in the nyghte. Saynte Ierom the prophet ma¦ny a yere or god was borne he prophe∣cyed and spake thus with go••es mo•¦the and saide.

Bifore or thou were fourmed in thy modres wombe I knewe the.

And bifore or thou yedest oute of thy modres wombe I halowed the

And I gaue the a prophete to the peple Thenne for saint Iohn shulde be holy or he were borne god sent his aungell gabriell to zacary sainte Iohnes fad as he dyd sacryfice in s••de of ab•a the busshop in the temple & prayed to god to haue a childe For bothe he & his wyf were barrayne and olde Then said the aungell to zacary. Ne t•neas zacaria Drede nat zacary. god hath •e•d thy prayer. Elizabeth thy wyf shall haue a child and his name shalbe called Iohn. He shalbe fulfilled with the holy ghooste Et multi in natiuitate eius gaudebūt And many shall ioye. in the byrthe of him Then for zacary was olde he prai¦ed the aungell to haue a token. of his biheste Then saide the aungell to hym he shulde be dombe tyll the childe were borne & so he was Then conceyued ely¦zabet And whan she was quyck with childe oure lady come with childe also: to speke with Elizabeth: and anoone▪ Page  [unnumbered] as she spake to elysabeth saynt Iohan played in his moders wombe. for ioye of crystis presence that he sawe & our lady was wyth elysabeth vnto the ty¦me that Iohan was borne. and was mydwyf to elysabeth. & toke saynt io¦han from the erthe and whan neygh∣bours herde that elysabeth had a sone they were full glad and come thyder as the maner was that tyme. to gyue the chyld a name. & called it zacary af¦ter the fader. But elysabeth bad calle hym Iohn. But for there was none of the kynne of that name they asked za∣cary by synes what the chyld shold hy∣ght. Thenne he wrote to them. and bad calle hym Iohan. And therwyth god losed zacaryas tonge. & spake redely & thanked god hyghly. Thus was Iohā holy or he was borne. And for he wold gyue euery man syghte of grace and of good liuing. he gaue hem ensample for assone as he was of couenable age he wente in to deserte & was there tyll our lord come to be cristened of hym Iohan had his cloth made of the here of the camel: and a gyrdel aboute him of the same skynne. Forsothe his mete was leues & honyso¦cles y^t hath a whyte floure y^t growethe in trees & he ete al maner of wormes y^t were noryshed in that deserte amonge herbes and the wormes be as grete as a mannis fynger and sucked hony off floures. that be called hanysocles. tha• poure people gadren. and fry he• oyle to her mete. Also Iohan ete 〈◊〉 rounde leues. that growen in trees in that deserte. And whan they be bro•en bytwene a manni• hondis thei be swe¦te as hony: and he dranke water of the welle that was in y^e deserte. there was Iohnes life in that deserte. tyl that our lord was xxx. wynter of age. And thenne our lord and Iohan met at the water of flain Iordan. And thenne io∣han tolde the people of crist. and said. See the lambe of god that I haue tol∣de you of y^t shall fulfyll you in the ho¦ly gost Thēne went Iohn in to the wa¦ter. & there he baptysed crist and whan he was baptysed Heuen opened. And he sawe the holy goost come dow¦ne as a doue. And a voys from heuen spake thus. This is my welbeloued sone that ple∣seth me. Here lerned iohan first to kno¦we thre persones in trynyte & all this betokeneth two fyres. The thirde fyre of bones betokeneth Iohnes marterdō for his bones were brent and how ye shall here. ¶we rede y^e kyng herode had a broder Page  [unnumbered] that highte Phylippe and he had a fair woman to his wyf and herode louyd. her 〈◊〉 And helde her vndre his wyf. where Ihon repreuyd him and sayd Non licet tibi habere vxorem fratris. tui It is nat laufull to the to haue thy broders wyf And therfore he putt hym in pryson and ordeyned bitwene him & his wyf how Iohn might be dede with oute troublyng of the people for the co¦men people loued Iohn well Thenne herode ordeyned to make a grete feste. to all the states of the countre for they shulde holde with him if the peple had rysen And so whan the daye was com that the feste shulde be holde and al the people were seruyd at the mete herodes wyf as couenaunt was bitwene theim tho sent her doughter into the hall for to daunce and to tomble afore the ges∣tes And that pleased her fader so well that he swore a grete othe and saide Ask of me what thou wylt and I shal gyue it the. Thenne as her modre bad her saye she saide The hede of Iohn Baptyst Then hero¦de fayned him wrothe and sory that he hadde made suche an othe But he was glad in his hert & thenne sēt into pryson to smyte of Iohnes hede withoute any other dome and was brought to the da¦moysell Then the modre lete bury it in a pryuy place ferre from the body ¶Thenne the next night after Iohnes disciples came and toke his body & bu¦ryed it And there it laye tyll Iulyan. the appostita the emperour come that waye Then he made take vp. Iohnes bones & to brenne them. & to wyndow theym in the wynde hopynge y^t he shuld neuer ryse ayen to lyf ¶Thus ye may vnderstonde how holy y^t this man was Thenne an aungell come fro he∣uyn and tolde zacary of his conceyuig and was halowed in his moders wō∣be and oure lady toke him from therth in his byrthe. and an aungell brought his name fro heuyn. and after he criste nyd oure lorde iesu criste: this was an holy man ¶ye shall vnderstonde tha• sainte Iohn the euangelyst dyed the sa¦me daye. but holy churche maketh noo mencion therof. For his day is holde in cristmas weke Then for these ii. Iohns beholden the worthiest saintes in heuyn Thenne there were two scolars of dy∣uynite the one louyd. Iohn Baptyst & the other Iohn euāgelyst And on a day they purposed to dispute in this mater and the day was assigned but thenne the night bifore. either Iohnes appered to their louers and bad theym leue ther disputacion for they were well accor∣ded in heuyn and made no stryf And thenne on the morow bifore al the people either tolde his vision that were come to here theym dispute. ¶And thenne all the people thanked god almyghty and bothe saint Iohns of this faire miracle. ¶Alsoo there were two meselles that louyd we¦le thies two Iohnes And so as they we¦re in cōmynge they spake of these two. saintes whiche were the gretest in heuē

And soo that one saide that the one was greter thanne that other. and so they begannne to fyghte. Page  [unnumbered] Thenne there come a voys fro heuen and sayd. we fyghte not in heuen. and therfore fighte not ye in erthe for vs. for we ben in peas and so be ye. And therwyth they were bothe hole of their sykenesse. and thanked god and bothe saynt Iohannis and afterwarde they were holy men. ¶And therfore lete vs worshyppe thyse holy sayntes· y^t they maye praye for vs that we may come to euerlastynge blisse.

¶Sctōrum Petri & Pauli.

GOod frendes suche a daye ye shall haue the feste of saynt Peter and Poule. and ye shall faste the euyn. and on the morowe co∣me vnto the chirche. And worshyp god and praye to thyse two saintes y^t were holy appostles to praye for vs. Oure lord hath peter on the one syde & poule on y^e other syde. And he hath his woun¦des open and fresshe bledyng. shewing to all maner of cristen people that he suffred those woundes for vs. that bee the v. welles of mercy. that he suffred for vs. ¶ye shall vnderstonde y^t thyse two appostles were first grete synners But for they left her synne: and were sory and contryte. and synned nomore our lord toke hem in ensample to all other that wyl leue her synne they shal be saued. For he that is shreuen and forsaketh his synne mercy foloweth y^t and doo his penaunce. He shall haue meercy & grace: For as glad as the fa∣der is to see the sonne rise from deth to lyfe. also glad is our lord and moche gladder to see a man rise oute of dede∣ly synne. and neuer to doo it more and therfore shewyng by ensample. Poule bereth a swerde to all cristen people to cut awaye the cheynes of synne wyth his sharpe swerde of confession for de¦dely synne byndeth a man sore to the fende. & therfore cut awaye the cheyne Peter is also redy to open the gates of heuen to all cristen people and to take them in that wyll forsake her synne. ¶ye shall vnderstonde y^e poule was first soo hye & soo feerse ayenst al god¦dis seruaūtes y^t there durst no precher deale wyth hym. but after he lefte gre∣te malice. and there as he was ferse. af¦ter he was gracious. And there as he was before hye and proud of herte. he was meke and lowly to all goddis ser¦uaūtes. Peter also held hym self most perfyte & stedfast of all cristis dyscy∣ples wherfore he made bost by a vayn glory that he was redy to goo to dethe wyth cryst. and sayd thus. It behoueth me to deye wyth the· And whan cryste sey that all his discyples shold forsa¦ke hym. Peter for the grete bost sayd. though all men forsake hym. he wold not. And yet more ouer whan criste was take. Peter drewe oute his swerd and smote of a seruauntes ere that hyghte malcus.

But soone after whan he sawe that crist was take. and shold be put to deth thenne he swered and stared. y^t he neuer knewe hym. and forsoke crist. But whan he herde the kocke crowe. thenne he remembred of that our lord sayd to hym. that or the kocke crewe iii. thou shalte forsake me Thenne Peter went forth. Et fleuit amare. And wept bytterly and hyd hym in a caue Page  [unnumbered] durst not come among his bredren for shame tyll oure lord sente to hym by name. Thenne was peter euer after a∣shamed and sory for his trespas and there as he was a boster and vnstable of his wordes. afterwarde he was tre∣we and stable and grounded in stable¦nesse of parfyght lyuyng. In soo mo∣che y^t crist called hym peter. y^t is a sto∣ne in Englisshe. For there as thou la∣yest a stone. there thou shalt fynde it. Soo was peter soo stedfast after that nether for wele nor for woo he neuer flitered. But euer stode stedfast in cris¦tis lawe. And had euer his synne in mynde and to amende that he had don amysse. And was afterwarde of gre∣te abstynence that he ete but brede and oyle: wortes. and full selden flesshe. and wered but a syngyll kertyll with a mantell. And euer as often as he her¦de ony man mynde Ihesus. anone he began to wepe ful sore. and whan he herde ony kocke crowe. anone he wold ryse vp and goo and praye and suffre penaunce: And he wepte many tymes so bytterly that the teeres of his eyen brente his face in soo moche that whe∣re he was he had a clothe in his bosom alwaye to wype awaye the teeres. Thenne soo folowyng he was so holy that where that euer he wente. and he myghte shadowe ony syke body. anon they were hole.

¶Soo on a tyme he sente two of his disciples in to a ferre countrey to preche. And whan they were goone two dayes iourney. one of them deyed and that other tourned ayen and tolde Peter. Thenne peter toke hym his sta∣fe. and bad hym goo and laye the stafe on his felow. and bad hym aryse in the name of god. and he rose anone. and wente forth to gyder and preched: Thenne were many wrothe that Peter tourned soo moche people to the ferth And put hym in to pryson. and bonde hym fast wyth grete cheynes of yron tyll he was nye dede leste he soold bee stolen awaye. wherfore the knyghtes woke it that he shold not escape. And thus the comyn people toke Ensam∣ple of hem and make fyres in worship¦pe of saynt Peter and watche. Thenne Criste come to peter in prysō And thenne come an angell to Peter wyth grete lyghte as our lorde badde. And anone the cheynes breke and fyll fro his hondes and fete. And soo wen¦te he to Rome & was there pope xxxv yeres. and tourned moche people to cri¦stis feythe. But soone after came the fendes lymme. that was called Symō magus. y^t cowde moche of the fendes crafte and made moche people lyke in dyuerse sykenesse· Some blynde some lame. some deff so that the peple what for fere and for wonder byleued in hym. Thenne peter heled all those that Sy¦mon magus hadde buried. And bad they shold not byleue in hym. Then∣ne was this Symon magus wroth wyth Peter that he myghte not haue his wyll and in especyall he myghte not reyse a dede body to lyfe that Pe∣ter reysed. Thenne this symon teyed a fende in lykenesse of a grete dogge the¦re as peter sholde come to sle peter but

¶Peter Page  [unnumbered]••sed hym. & lete this dogge lose and thenne he lepte to symon and pulled hym doune vnder his fete and thenne peter bad leue and do hym noo harme of his body. but all to rente his clothes So that symon wente almost naked awaye. Thenne symon ordeyned all the wayes that he cowde to haue Peter dede thenne our lord appered to Peter and sayde.

Symonde nero and other haue ordey∣ned thy deth to morowe. I wyll sende to the poule my seruaunt in comforte to the and ye shall suffre marterdom to gyder for my sake and soo come to me to euerlastynge blysse. Thenne pe∣ter tolde his bretheren his vysion that he had in the nyght. and soo toke Cle∣mente by the honde and set hym in his chayer. and made hym. pope and suc∣cessour after hym: Thenne on the morowe come Poule and preched the people thenne this Symon had so charmed the Emperour in suche a fo¦lishnesse. that he wende that he had be goddis sone. Soo this symonde ma∣gus come to the Emperour and sayde There be two men of Galyle come in this cyte. that one hyght peter and that other poule. that doo me soo moche dy¦sease that I may noo lenger abyde he¦re in erthe. ¶wherfore commaunde suche a daye al maner of people to co∣me to capytole. and there in syghte of all the people I wyl flye op to my fa∣der in heuen. And whan all the people were come to gyder Symon wente vp in to a towre of the capytoll Thenne come two fendes lyke ii. an∣gellis. & set on his hede a garlonde off laurel. & bare hym vp in to the ayre. lyke as he had flowen Thenne said pe¦ter to poule broder loke vp & see. thēne said poule. It falleth for me to pray & the to cōmaunde: & anone peter said. I cōmaunde you angelis of sathanas. y^t ye lete that man goo doune. that al the peple may see whom thei haue worshy¦ped. Thenne symond felle doune & all to brast thēne was themperour wroth and made to lede peter & poul forth. And dyde peter on a crosse and his hed downwarde. and so put hym to dethe. & poule for he was a gentylman born For the more worshyp. they smote off his hede. Thenne the peple sawe angel¦lis stondyng on the crosse there as pe∣ter henge wyth crownes. And whan poules hede was smytte of there come out fayr plente of mylke & after blode Thenne in the nyghte after come cristē peple and layd her bodyes to gyder in a graue· & there they lay tyl cristē feyth was more open in rome. Thēne wolde they haue bore eyther body to his chir∣che. but they cowde not knowe eyther bones fro other. Thenne come there a vois fro heuen & said. the more bones be of the precher and the lesse of the fys¦sher. So after whan the cristen feyth come in to this londe kynge ethelbert le¦te make a grete chirche at westmynstre in worship of Saynt Peter. and ano∣ther in london of saynt poule. And soo on a daye whan the chirche of saynt Peter shold be halowed. in the nyghte afore was a man fysshyng

¶in the tamyse vnder westmyn•Page  [unnumbered]Page  [unnumbered]Page  [unnumbered] And 〈…〉•em reuesshed had vp the 〈…〉 grete dred and qua¦kyng. and there they fonde a lityll wry¦ting here lyeth and restech Thomas ar¦chebysshop of caunterbury Primat of Englonde. and the popes legate sleyn for the ryght of holy chirche the fyfthe daye of cristmasse. Thenne for grete deuo•ion that they had of that syght· all cryed saynt Thomas. And then∣ne they toke the hede to the Archebys∣shop to kysse. and so they kyssed it all And thenne they behelde his woundes and sayd they were vngracious that wounded the thus. And soo layd hym in shryne. and couered it wyth cloth of golde and sette torches aboute it bren∣nyng. and the people to wake it al ny∣ght. Thenne on the morowe come all the states of this londe: And bare the shryne to the place there as it is nowe wyth all the reuerence and worshippe that they cowde. And there it is wyth worshyp Amen.

De sancta maria magdalena.

GOod frendes suche a daye ye shall haue the feste of Mary magdaleyn. that was so holy that our lord Ihesu crist loued her best of all wymmen nexte his own moder wherfore ye shall come to god and to holy chirche. and praye to that holy wo¦man that she wyll praye to oure lord for vs. that we maye haue grace. for she was the first in tyme of grace that dyde penaunce. for she had loste grace by fleshly luste. so she is made a myr∣rour to all other synners that wyl for¦sake synne. and do penaunce they shal haue grace. the whiche was lost by sin¦ne. She had a fader that was a grete lorde. and nye of the kynges blode and had a grete lordshyp in Iherusalē. the whiche he gaue to lazarus his sonne. and he gaue mary the castelle of maw¦deleyne. wyth al the lordshyp longyng therto. of the whiche castell she had her name. and was called mary mawde∣leyn for she was lady ther of. Thenne as many bokes sayen. Saynt Iohan euangeliste wedded her. And our lord bad hym goo wyth hym and kep• his virgynyte. and soo he dyde. and was clene virgyn. And mawdelayne w••t forth and gaue her all to synne In so moche she lost the name of mawdele•n and was called the synfull woman▪ But it was often seen y^t our lord ma∣de of the grettest sinner the hol••st af∣terwardes: And so whā our lord sawe tyme he gaue this womā grace to ••o¦we her self. & to haue repentaunce for her synnes: Thenne whan mary herde y^e crist was at a mannis house y^t was called Symon the pharise. she toke a boxe wyth oyntement suche as the peo¦ple vsed y^e tyme for hete of the sonne & went thyder. but she durst not for sha∣me go tofore hym. & herde hym speke. & thenne she toke a greate sorowe in her herte. and wept tenderly. and wyth the teres of her eyē she wasshed cristis fe•e And wyth the heres of her hede she we¦ped hem and wyth all the loue of her herte she •ysshed hem & anoynted hem but no worde she spake that ony man Page  [unnumbered] mighte here. but softely in her herte she cryed mercy. and made a vowe to him that she wolde neuer trespasse more. Thenne our lord had pyte on her and cast oute of her vii. fendes and forga∣ue her all her synnes in heryng of all that there were. thenne she toke suche a loue to crist. that she lefte all her lord∣shyp• of mawdeleyn wyth all other goodes. and sued hym forth wyth gre¦te loue. that in his passion there as his disciples fled from hym. she lefte hym neuer tyll she wyth helpe of other had layed hym in his tombe. and whan no man durste goo thyder for fere of the knyghtes that kepeth hym. she spared not.

It was derke in the dawynge. she to∣ke wyth her swete bawmes. to anoyn∣te Crystis body: wyth this she shewed loue bothe in wyll and in dede wher∣fore cryst in his lyfe for her loue heled Martha her suster of the rede flyxe y^t she had vii. yere to fore and payned her full sore. ¶And reysed Lazar her broder from dethe to lyfe. that had lyen iiii. dayes stynkynge in his graue. and whan our lord rose from deth to lyfe. he appered to her. and suffred her to touche hym. & kyssed his fete. Thenne whan it was knowen to the iewes. that cryst shewed her so many tokenes of loue before all other. Thenne whan criste was styed vp to heuen· the iewes toke Mary and Martha her suster lazarus maxenci∣us and many other. and put them in a shyp that was old 〈…〉•a•e drowned them. but g•〈…〉 soo for all thing at his wyll and brought them sauf to a londe▪ called Marcyle And there they rested vnder a ba••e. that was nye the temple. Thenne ma∣ry sawe moche people comyng toward the temple to do sacryfice to her maw¦mettes. And the lord of the countrey come wyth hem But mawdeleyn was gracious and wyth her gracious wor∣des tourned hym ayen Thenne this lor¦de had grete luste to here her speke and sayd thus to her. that yf god that thou spekest of be so gracious and so grete of power as thou sayste. praye to him that I may haue a chylde by my wyff that is bareyne. and thenne wyl I by∣leue in hym. Thenne mary said she wold: and wythin short tyme after the lady conceyued and was wyth chyld Thenne this lord anone after ordey∣ned to goo to Iherusalem to Peter to wyte of hym wheder mawdeleyns pre¦chinge were true or no. and vytayled his ship and made hym redy. Thenne come his lady. prayenge hym that she myght goo wyth hym. Soo wyth gre∣te prayer the lord graunted her. then∣ne by assent of hem bothe. they made mary mawdeleyn to kepe her lordship¦pes and goodes that they had and ma¦ry set a crosse on eyther of theyr shol∣ders. and bad hem goo in the name off god. whan they had seyled a daye and a nyghte a grete tempest arose. in soo moche that they wende all to haue bee drowned. Thenne was this lady sore aferde. And therwyth she began to tra¦ueyle. And soo was delyuered of a Page  [unnumbered]〈…〉 the birthe fell dow¦ne dede Then this lorde made great so¦rowe and lamentacion and saide Alas alas I wreche what shall I doo with this childe Now is the modre dede and nedys muste the childe dye also. for he∣re is no womannys helpe to kepe it. Thenne he cryed to mawdeleyn & said Allas marye why dooste thou thus to me thou behete me a childe And now is the modre dede and the childe must ne∣des dye for faute of womannys helpe. and I my selue loke euir whan I shal be drowned Helpe mary and haue cō∣passion on me and of my childe. Then saide the shipman Cast this dede body in the see for we shall neuir haue reste while it is in the shippe Thenne sayde. the lorde she is natt dede: but lyeth in a swowne for fere But I praye you let vs haue the ship to yonder roche. for I hadde leuyr graue her yonder thenne to cast her into water And for ther was noon erthe to make her a graue he left her hangynge on a roche of stone and the childe by the modre & couered them with his mantell And betoke theym to god and mary mawdelayn to kepe and wente his waye Soo whan he co∣me to Ierusalem he spake with Petyr and he hadde him be of gode comforte: though his wyf were dede for god my¦ghte restore her to lyf agayn Thenne •r shewyd him the places there as oure lorde was quycke and dede: And tolde him of his birthe and of his passi¦on of his resurrection and his ascensi∣on and enfourmed him of the feyth. & made him stedfaste to criste And whan he hadde be there two yere Petyr sente. him home ayen and bad him grete wel mawdeleyn and her felaushyp. Then whanne the lorde came ferre in the see and sawe the place there his wyf laye. he longed sore in his herte to go thydre. and thenne he prayed the shypman▪ to sette him there Thenne he sawe a lytel childe syttynge on the see sonde playng with smale stones But assone as the childe sawe him it ranne forth to the ro¦che and he folowyd tyll he come there he lefte his wyf And he toke vp the mā tell and founde the childe soukyng on his moders papes. Thenne thanked he god and mary mawdeleyn Thenne he saide Mary thou arte grete with god that haste kept a yong chyld soukynge vpon a dede body in grete cō¦fort and ioy to me But and thou wylt pray to thy lorde that my wyf myghte ryse to lyf then were I euir bounden to be thy seruaunte and woll w••ll I lyue Then with that worde she spak•: said Blessed more thou be Mary that were medewyf to me and nor•• to me childe whil I haue be in my pelgrama¦ge Then said this man wyf arte thou alyue▪ and she saide ye sir nowe I co∣me fro my pylgremage as ye do • told him of euery place that he hadde be al Thenne he knelyd downe and thanked god and mary mawdeleyn And whan they come home they founde Mary pre¦chinge and techynge the people▪ and a∣noon they knelyd downe and thanked her and tolde her what Petyr said and prayed her to tell what they shulde do and they wolde doo it with good wyl Thenne mary bad they shuld distroye the temples of mawmentrye and byld Page  [unnumbered] churches and make fontes and cristen. the people: and soo within shorte tyme all the londe was cristned Thenne for mary gaue her al to cōtemplacion she went ferre into a wyldernesse. & was there xxx. wynters vnknowen to any man or woman. An• aungellys come vii. tymes a day and bare her vp into the ayre and ther she was fedde with heuynly f•de. but whan god wolde that she sholde passe oute of this world he made an holy pre¦ste to see howe aungellys bare her vp. in the ayre Then went he nere the pla∣ce and asked in the name of god who was there. If it were a cristen man he shulde speke and tell what he was. Thenne aunsweryd mary mawdelen. I am the sinfull woman that the gos¦pell speketh of that wysshe cristes feet And she badde the preest goo to maxen¦cius the busshop. and byd him on Es∣ter day in the mornyng to be in the chur¦che & there I wyll mete him & whanne he came to the churche. he sawe howe mary was borne vp two cubytes froo the groūde with aungelles that he was sore agaste Thenne mary called to him and badde him come nere and goo saye a masse that she myght be houseled Thenne in sight of all the people whā masse was done she was houseled. & resceyued goddes bodye in fourme of brede. and anon therwith she gaue vp the gooste Thenne tooke the busshoppe the holy body and layd it in a tomb of stone And wrote all her lyf in the wor¦ship of god that dyde soo graciously by her. and all synfull people y^t wyll leue her synne. Thus ye may come to euerlastyng blysse. To the whiche god brynge vs all to Amen

De festo sancti iacobi appo∣stoli

GOod frendes suche a daye ye shall haue saynt Iames daye thappostle. and ye shall faste the euen in the worshyp of god & this holy appostle. This Iames was a ho¦ly man for he come of an holy kynde. he was our ladyes susters sone. And broder to saynt Iohn euangeliste and by thassent of all thappostlis he was sent in to spayn to preche the worde of god. for the people were soo combred wyth the synne of mawmentry. that he myghte not tourne but ix. persones of the whiche he lefte there two to pre∣che and vii. he toke wyth hym in to Iu¦ry For he herde that there was one cal¦led hermogynes. And he had a discy∣ple that hyghte phylyp they two begy∣led soo the people that Iames hadde torned ayen to mawmetry. Thenne Iames blamed hem to torne fro euer∣lastyng saluaciō to euerlastyng damp¦nacion Thenne hermogynes herde ther¦of and came and disputed wyth •mes of the feyth. hopyng wyth th••dis crafte to haue ouer come hym. Thenne Iames dyde soo many myra¦cles that Phylyp forsoke hermogynes his mayster thenne was hermogynes wroth. and sent a company of fendes Page  [unnumbered] saide go• ye and bringe Iames. & phy¦lip to me bounde Thenne whan the fē¦des come to Iames the aungell of god was redy and bond the fendes that thei cryed Iames the appostyll haue mer∣cy on vs for we be bound so sore wyth brennynge cheynes that wo is vs on e∣uery syde Then saide Iames wherfo∣re he ye come hyder. and they said Her¦mogynes sente vs hyder for to brynge the and philyp bound to him and now goddes angelles haue bound vs. y^t wo is vs to suffre this peyne Thenne sayd Iames I wyll louse you so that ye go to hermogines & bringe him hyder boū¦de to me and doo him no more harme. Thenne saide they to hermogines thou haste sente vs where we haue be boūd with yron cheynes. but nowe we wyll bynde the and bringe the bifore Iames Then saide they to Iames. this false. Hermogynes hath doo to the & vs mo∣che tribulacion and disease. nowe gyue vs leue to venge both the & vs Thenne saide Iames naye▪ My master Iesus badde me doo goode ayenst euyll Thenne Iamas bad Philyp vnbynd Ermogines. Thenne saide Hermogy∣nes now I knowe ther malice of the fē¦des I pray the Iames. gyue me some of thy power. or els these fendes wyll slee. me. Thenne Iames toke him hys owne staf and then he went boldely to his owne house and tooke his bokes & cast theym into the see and come to Ia∣mes and fell downe on his knees & cry¦ed him mercy and prayed him to cry∣sten him Thenne was Iames gladde. and cristned him and taughte hym the faythe and afterward he was an holy man and god wroght many mira•••• for him Thenne herde the iewys therof and tooke Iames and bounde a roope aboute his necke and ladde him to king herode and prayed him to doo Iames to dethe or els he wold torne al her naci¦on to cristes feyth and d•stroye her law Than herode cōmaunded to frayte of his hede. And whanne he was dede. Hermogines and philip with many o∣ther of his disciples tooke Iames body and for they durste nat for the iewes ve¦ry it they tooke it with them into a sh•• and went into these prayng god to b••¦ge theym there as he wolde that the bo∣dy were buryed Then god gouernyd the shyp so that they londed in spar•

¶There was a quene called lu¦pa y^t is a she wolf and she was of cur∣sed lyuynge Thenne the• tooke the bo¦dy and layd it vpon a stoone and that wexed so soft that the body sanke dou¦ne in to the stonelike as it hadde ben • tombe made therfore Thenne some of theym kepte the corfe while thother wer to the quene Lupa and sayd. For she wolde nat resceyue Iames in his ly•e. god sent her the body to be buryed. wherfore we pray you of a place to be¦ry his body in to his worshyp for suche an holy man ¶Thenne this quene did her wolfes kynde and wyst well y^t the kynge of Spayne was a cursed man of maners and wolde doo theym some harme and sente to the kinge prayenge him to ordeyne a place wher this body myghte be buryed: And he dyd as a cursed man shulde doo he toke theym and putte theym into pryson and boūd theym faste hand and foote with grete Page  [unnumbered]••on cheynes. and whyle he satt at his mete an aungell come and lete hem ou¦te of pryson and badde them goo theyr waye and so they dyd And whan the kynge herde that he sende ii. knyghtes. with moche people to bringe theym a∣gayn And whanne the knyghtes came to a brydge that they were goon ouyr. the knyghtes wolde haue go after. but the brydge brake and all the people we¦re drowned Thenne was the kinge a∣ferde of vengeaunce & sent after them peasibly and prayed theym to come a∣gayn and they shulde haue all their de¦sire And whanne they come agayn the kynge cōmawnded al the cyte to be cri¦stened Thenne whan the quene herd y^t she was wrothe and thought to do hem al the harme and dispyte that she coud and sent after them praynge them to co¦me to her • she wolde ordeyne for them in the beste wise. and whan they were. come she saide So to suche an hyll. & there I haue oxen and bulles. take of them and yoke theym in a wayne and lay the corse therin and lete theym chese their waye: and thydre as they lede the wayn I graunte you the place to bury the corse in Thus she dyd for grete ma¦lyce hopynge y^t the wylde bestes wold haue distroyed theym all. But whan they made a croce to fore theym the be∣stes stode styll whyll they were yoked into the wayne. and so lete them goo and in sight of all the peple they ladde the wayne into the quenes palys & then she repentyd her and cryed mercye: to god and sainte Iames. and anone she was cristned and gaue the palys with goode wyll to saint Iames and that y^e longyd therto and made therof a wor¦thy churche and layd saint Iames ther¦in. and there dyd him all the reuerence that she myght or coude. and ther god shewyth vnto this daye many fair mi¦racles.

Narracio

¶There was a man y^t hight barnard and happed to be take with ennemyes and put into pryson in the grounde. in a depe dungeon and was bounde with as many greate cheynes of yron as he myght bere Then he cried hertly to god and saint Iames for helpe and socour Thenne came saint Iames to him and conforted him and anoon the cheynes. brake and Iames hong hem about his necke and saide Veni sequere me. Co∣me and folowe me and ladde him to a toure that was xl cubytes of hyghte. and badde him lepe downe and bere his cheynes into spayne and offre them att saynte Iames and so he dyd.

Narracio.

¶Also there was a mā y^t yede to seinte Iames in the company of other pilgra¦mes & helpyd a poure woman y^t was seke to bere her scrippe and anone after met with a seke man and for he myght nat goo he sett him on his horse to ryde and went him selue a foote beryng the pore womannys scrippe. and the seeke mannys staf So for grete hete and tra¦ueyll whan he came to saint Iames he Page  [unnumbered] fell seke and laye thre daies and might nat speke And thenne he gaue vp grete sighynge and spake and saide I thank god and saint Iames by his prayer I am deliueryd of a grete multitude of fendes For right nowe come sainte Ia¦mes to me with the pore womānes scri¦pe and the seke mannys staf and hathe droue awaye the fendes fro me Butte gete me a preest anoon for I shall nat lyue but a whyle: and he sayd to one. of his felawes Good frende. goo fro thy lorde that thou seruest for he is soth¦ly dampned & shal dye within a short tyme a foule dethe And whan they co∣me home they tolde the lorde and he sett noughte therby But within short tyme he was dede as the man sayd.

¶Narracio.

¶A nother miracle. there were threty. men in a company y^t plyght ther trou∣the eche to other to be true to go to seint Iames to gydder saue one that wolde. nat plight his trouthe. and in short ty∣me one of theym fyll seke and lay thre daies and spake nat and for he lay soo longe all his felawes went their way: saue he that wold nat plight his trouth he abode with him. and within a why¦le he spake and mended and his felaw caryed him forthe. but he myghte natt traueyll but softe and it hapnyd that they abode all nyght vndre a hyll. & were full fore aferde what for cursed people and wylde bestes. there that mā dyed Thenne aboute mydnyght come sainte Iames rydynge and sayd Gy∣ue me the dede body thy felowe bifore. me and come thou vp behynde me and by the morow they hadde ryden xv dai¦es iournaye and come to the mount ioy half a myle from saint Iames & there he lete hem downe and badde this mā goo fette the chanones of saint Iames to bury his felaw & say to his felowes ther pilgramage stonde in no stede For they were false to their other felawe. And therfore lete eueryman and womā be true to other and we shall at the la∣ste come to the blysse of heuyn.

¶De sancta Anna.

gOode frendes suche a daye ye shall haue saint Annes daye that was oure ladies modre that daye ye shall cōme to god and holy church and pray to this holy woman to praye for vs ¶we rede of v. holy wymen that hight Anna I wyll tel you of the se v. wymen The first Anna was mo¦dre to the prophete Samuell that go¦uerned the people of israell Anna had a husbonde that hight El•ana. and he hadde no children by Anna longe butt by grete praier to god at the last he had a sone that was called Samuell Thenne was there a nother anna that was wyfe to a man called raguell. & they hadde a doughter that hight Sare the whiche hadde seuyn husbondes. & e¦uyr the firste nyght the fende strangled theym when they wolde haue comuned with her only for luste of flesshe & nat to bringe forth frute to goddes plesaū∣ce and for no children But sone after come yonge tobye. and by techynge of the aungell Toby wedded this Sare Page  [unnumbered] and thre nyghtes and thre daies he for∣bare his wyf and was in his prayers. and soo after he hadde children The iii anna was the elder tobyes wyf. This elder tobye was an old man and dyd the werkes of mercy full besily & to preue his mekenesse and suffraunce. god made him blynde For on a day as he buryed many dede bodies that were slayne he was wery and lay downe in his hous by the walles and as he loked vp the dunge of the swalous fel in his eyn and soo he was blynde But for he toke it paciently and thanked god. of his visitacion god restored him his sy¦ght agayn The iiii. anna was in the tē¦ple of Ierusalem whan ioseph and ou¦re lady bare criste to the temple on can¦delmasse daye For she prophecied of cri¦ste •owe it sholde fall of hym This ā¦na was so holy that whan she had ben wedded vii. yere her husbonde dyed & thenne went she into the temple & was there nyght and daye tyl she was lxxx yere olde thenne hadde she grace of god to see him bodily or she deyed and had him in her armes The v. anna is oure ladies modre So whan oure lady was of age and broughte into the temple. & lefte there with other virgynes of her a¦ge to lerne moyses lawe & to serue god nyght and daye This anna had a hus¦bonde that was called Ioachim our la¦dies fader and was cōme of the kinred of dauyd For the prophetes had tolde. longe to fore howe the kynred of Da∣uyd sholde discende downe to crist and hadde wreten it in bokes that wer kept in the tresory in the temple Then kyng herode of Ierusalem thoughte to torne the lyf of god to him and to his ey••• and toke the bokes oute of the tresorye. and made to brene theym for the mynd of criste sholde be forgete & by this mea¦ne to haue torned the lynage of dauyd to him wherfore there be no bokes that tellit• how Ioachim descendyd fro da¦uyd But whā herode had do this foul dede yet were ther some good wyse mē that hadde copies of thies bokes within them at home that tolde how Ioachim come of the kingdome of dauyd For dauyd hadde many children and oone of theym was called natan. of the whi¦che come Leuy. and ther was a nother called panther and of him come barbā that was Ioachymes fader y^t maried oure ladies modre.

This Ioachym that was oure ladyes. fadre and her moder anna whan they. hadde this childe she was gyue after in mariage to Ioseph Then dyed Ioachī and anna toke a nother husbonde that was called Cleophas she had by him a nother doughter that was called ma¦ry cleophe and thenne he dyed and she tooke a nother husbonde that hight sa∣lome and by him she hadde a nother do¦ghter that was called mary salome And whanne she hadde these iii. dough¦ters in worshyp of the trynite. Thenne wolde she no moo husbondes but lyue in chastite and holynesse. Thenne was this mary cleophe wedded to a man y^t was called alpheus and hadde iiii. so∣nes Iames the lesse Ioseph y^t was bar¦sabas symon and Iuda. The thridde mary was wedded to a man that was called zebedeus and she hadde by him Page  [unnumbered] two sones Iames the more and Iohn. euangeliste Thenne as god sayth that of a gode tre cōmyth good frute. so of this good womā come an holy ofsprīg Soo lete vs serue this holy woman: that she maye praye for vs nowe. and euyr Amen.

De sancto Laurencio martire.

gOode frendes suche a daye ye shall haue sainte Laurence day goddes owne holy martir His mar¦tirdome as maximys sayth shyneth to all holy churche. and lightneth all the worlde. wherfore ye shall come to god and holy church and fast theuyn This sainte was holy in lyuynge and greate in compassion of ferynge. Saint Au∣styn sayth that ensampl••nge is more comendable than is preching and techynge Therfore saint Laurence ga∣ue all cristen peple to shewe ayenst ma¦lice mekenesse. and ayenst couetyse lar¦genesse. ayenst persecucion and trybu∣lacion. loue and swetenesse. when six∣tus the pope hadde be in spayne he bro∣ghte Laurence with him to Rome and made him archdeken to serue holy chur and pore people Thenne hadde the Emperoure enuye to him and purpo∣sed to do him to dethe Thenne Laurē¦ce to shewe mekenesse. ayenste malyce. enqu•red faste after pore people & wēt to theym and gaue them mete & drynke and clothes and soo he come to a wedo¦wes house ther as many pore peple we¦re logyd the whiche wedowe had been longe seke of the hede ache Thenne lau¦rence hadde compassion on her and ma¦de her hole and mekely wasshed al the pore peoples feet and seruy•• theym at mete and drynke And for he herde that there was a pore man beside in a place that was blynde he went thyder and he¦lyd him Soo euir the more themperou¦re shewyd malice to him the more he ga¦ue him to mekenesse and holy deuocion He shewyd also ayenste couetise large¦nesse For whan pope Sixtus hadde ta¦ke to laurence the tresoure of holy chur¦che to kepe and to gyue to theym y^t had nede Then blessed Laurence folowed his master and saide

Holy fader forsake nat me. for I haue dealyd all the tresoure that thou too∣kest to me. wherfore go nat thou to thy passion assone but let me goo with the as we haue seruyd god to gydder So lete vs suffre deth to gyddre Then said the pope I wyll goo to fore and thow shall come after and suffre more penā¦ce then I may For I am olde and thou arte yonge and mayste suffre more thā I. and therfore make the redy. for ther is grete turment ordeyned for the Thē were there some that herde Laurēce spe¦ke of treasoure Thenne the Emperou• sente after Laurence and sayd Shewe me the tresoure of the churche or els thou shalte be putt to suche a tor¦ment that thou shal be fayne to deliuer it Thenne how pope Sixt{us} and saint Laurence come to this treasour ye shal here ¶we rede that there was a hooly man that hight origines that cōuerted Philyp the Emperoure Thenne the Page  [unnumbered] Realme of Fraunce was rebell ayen∣ste the emperoure of Rome Thenne the emperoure sent a knight of his into Fraunce with moche people to ouirco∣me fraunce This knyght was called de¦cyus and in shorte tyme he made fraū∣ce subgettes to the Emperoure as they were bifore Then whanne this empe∣roure phylip herde that Decyus hadde doon so well to grete worshyp to De∣cius and to thanke him for his iourney The emperoure toke with him a fewe. men and rode oute of Rome ayenst de∣cius to welcome hym home Thenne de¦cius sawe that the Emperoure dyd him so greate worship he thoughte it hadde be for drede and nat for loue & thought to be emperoure him selue And so in y^e nyght nexte after as the Emperoure. lay in his bedde slepynge Decius slew him and toke all his people to Rome. with him Thenne whanne the Romay¦nes & the senatoures herde therof what for drede and what for loue they made Decius Emperoure Thenne whanne Philippes sone herde tel that his fader was dede in this wyse he was aferde y^t decius wolde haue slayne him and too¦ke all his faders tresoure to holy chur¦che and bare it to pope Sixtus and to

Laurence praynge hem if so were that Decius slewe him they shold dele this treasoure to holy churche and •o pore people that hadde nede Thenne decius made to slee philyps sone for fe¦re left he wolde auenge his faders deth whanne he hadde come to mannys sta¦te And this was the tresoure that pope Sixtus and Laurence hadde. and for this tresoure they put Laurēce into pri¦son Then was there a man that hyght Lucell{us} in prison that by grete weping had loste his sighte. then Laurence ma¦de him to se agayn and cristned hym. wherfore many blynde men & wymen come to Laurence and hadde ther sight Thenne the Emperoure sent to Laurē¦ce to deliuer the treasoure Then he prai¦ed him of thre daies respyte and thēne he wolde shewe him the treasoure Soo thies thre daies Laurence was lete out of prison and went and gadred all the pore people to gyder that he coude fynd blynde lame or croked and the thridde daye he broughte them bifore the Em∣peroure to his palys and saide Lo here is euirlastinge tresoure. this wyll ne∣uir fayll for it wyll endure for euer in heuyn Soo shewyd Laurence ayenste couetise largenesse for he delyd for god¦des sake all that he hadde and myghte haue spent it invanyte and he had wol¦de Also in turmēt of his passion he she¦wyd loue and swetnesse Thenne them¦peroure cōmaunded to brynge forthe. all maner of turmentry scourges nay¦les. stones. salte pyche brymstone brē∣nyng coles. yron shaftes. barres of y∣ron gredirens and cōmanded al shold be spent vpon Laurence but if he wold shewe the treasoure & forsake his god And to doo sacrifice to mawmentes

Thenne saide Laurence thou vnblessed man these metes and dryn∣kes haue I euir desired For right as swete metes and drynkes please thy bo¦dye So these turmentes please my soule. and maken me stronge and my¦ghty to suffre passyon. for my lordes Page  [unnumbered] sake. Thenne was themperour •••th and commaunded to bete hym wyth scourges full of knottis. and leue not tyll the blode ranne downe on euery syde. and thenne they layd cheynes off yron brennynge to his sydes: that bren¦ned the flesshe fro the bones. and euer laurence thanked god hertely. Thenne was decius wode for woo & said thou¦gh thou wyth thy wytche crafte scor∣nest my tourmentis. yet thou sholdest not scorne me. And thenne he commaū¦ded ayen to bete hym wyth whippes and knottes of lede tyll the bones we∣re bare. Thenne laurence helde vp his hede and prayed to god thenne came a voyce fro heuen and sayd. thou muste suffre moo tourmentis and passion for loue of me This decius herde it hym self. and thou shal come in to grete io∣ye and blysse. Thenne sayde decius to the people ye may here all how the fen¦des come and comforte hym. goo and bete hym ayen wyth scourges Thenne was there a knyghte of the emperours that hyght Romanus. that sawe an an¦gell wyth a shete of sylke come and wype laurence sydes. Thenne he forso¦ke the emperour. & become the dysciple of saynt Laurēce And laurence anone crystened hym. Thenne decius made to smyte of Romanus hede. thenne deci{us} dyd make a grete fyre and set a gred-yren theron to rost laurence. and thres∣ted hym downe wyth fyre forkes Thē¦ne laurence loked vpon themperour & sayd. thou wretche that syde that is •osted ynough. ete therof whyle that other syde rosteth. I drede not thy tormentes and caste his eyen vp to god and sayd. Lorde Ihesu criste take my spyrite. and so he yelde vp the go•• Thenne the tourmentours wente her waye and lefte the body lyeng there. Thenne come cristen people and toke the body. and beryed it wyth grete la∣mentacion. Thus Laurence shewed mekenesse ayenst malyce and largenes ayenst couetyse. ayenst passyon. loue & swetenesse for the gret loue that he had to god▪ made hym sett noughte by all his tourmentis that were doo to his bo¦dy. ¶Saynt gregory telleth how there was a preste that hyghte staculus and was besy to amende a chirche of saint Laurence that was dystroyed wyth lō¦bardes but he wanted brede to his wer¦ke men and made moche sorowe ther∣fore· and he prayed to god and to saint Laurence besely of helpe. And thenne he loked in to an ouen and foude it ful of new white brede. But he wente it wold haue serued hem for a weke. & it fonde hem ynough all the tyme that his werke was a makyng. ¶We fynd that there was an emperour that w•• a cursed man of lyuyng. And whan he was dede. there come a legion of fē¦des to fetche hym. and as they come by an holy hermites celle they made a gre¦te noyse. thermyte had grete merueyll therof and opened a wyndowe & spake to one of hem y^t come behynde. and as¦ked in the name of god what they were And he sayd fendes that were sente to the emperour that was dede to luke yf they myght haue hym for her rewarde thenne the armyte cōmaunded them to come agayn by him to knowe howe. Page  [unnumbered] they sped. and he dyd so. and said whā his sinnes were layed in the balaunce and was nye ouercome. Thenne come the brennyng deken laurence: & layed a grete pot on the balaunce & it drewe vp altogyder. this pot was a gret cha¦lyce y^t thēperour made to worship saint laure•nce. Thus ye may lerne to suffre a yenst enuyous people. also what me¦de is in largnesse. to gyue them that ha¦ue nede. and what ioye and meryte it is to suffre trybulacion and persecucion & disease paciently lerne of the holy mar¦ter saint laurence. and lete vs take him for a myrrour. and praye to hym that he wyll be medyatour to god for vs y^t we may come to euerlastyng blysse.

¶De assumpcione beate Marie virginis.

GOod frendes suche a daye ye shall haue the Assumpcion of our lady. and it is called soo. for y^e daye her sone toke her vp in to he¦uen body and soule. and crowned her quene of heuen. for thaungelis of heuē come to fett her vp. Angellis syngyng come wyth procession ayenst her wyth roses and lylyes of paradyse. in token that she is rose lylye and floure of all wymmen. and they dyd homage to her for all angellis and sayntes in heuen made ioy and melodye in worship and honour of her: and so holy chirche ma∣keth mynde of her assumpcion. And yet the gospell of that daye maketh no mencion but of two susters. that was Martha and Mary mawdalene and sayde thus.

¶Ihesus entred in to a castell: and a woman that was called Martha toke hym in to her house. And she had a sus¦ter that was called mary. that sat atte Cristis feete. and herde hym speke. Thenne was martha besy to serue cry¦ste and she said to hym. Sire byd my suster aryse and helpe me. thenne an∣swered Criste. ¶Mary hath chose the better parte the whiche shall not be tak awaye from her Thyse ben the wordes of the gos∣pell of that daye. And here be no wor∣des of our lady as be semyng. But he that redeth what saint ancelme sayth. there he may see that the gospell pertey¦neth all to our lady and to the lyuyng of her For she was the castel y^t Ihesus entred in to. for ryght as a castel hathe dyuerse properteis that longen to a cas¦tell. that it shold be myghty and strōg ryght soo was our lady before alle o∣ther wymmen. For there as wymmen be freyle and feble. and easy to ouer∣come. our lady was stronge as a cas∣tell. and ayenstode the cawtelis of the fendes engynis. and put theym besyde at all tymes. For ryght as a castell hath first a depe dyke. right so had our lady a depe mekenesse. in strength off the castell. in so moche she passed other in vertu of mekenesse. wherfore god chose her to be moder to his sonne be∣fore all other wīmen and therto cryste bereth wytnesse thus.

Page  [unnumbered]For god behelde the mekenesse of his hondmayden all generacion shal blis¦se me This dyke yf it be full of water it is the more strenger to the castel this water is compassion that a man shold haue for his sinnes. and for other peo∣ples disease. This water had our lady On this dyke lieth a drawe brygge y^t shall be drawe vp ayenst crunyes and lete downe ayenst frendes. By this brygge ye shall vnderstonde discrete obedience. for right as a man shal not lete downe the brigge to his enmy thou¦gh he byd hym. soo man shall not lete the fende come to his soule though he tempte hym. But anone as he is bodē ony thinge. that is helpe and socour to his saule thenne shall he lete doune the brygge of obedience and the sooner the better. this dyde our lady whan than∣gell gabryell tolde her of her concepci¦on of her sonne. she lete not downe the brygge anone tyll she knewe wheder he was a frende or an enmye. and said she shold conceyue and be a mayde. and kepte the vowe of chastite that she had made to fore. and as she herde y^t. she lete downe the brygge of obedience and sayd.

Lo here goddis owne hand mayden. be it done to me after thy worde. this cas¦tell is treble walled. ¶The first walle betokeneth wedlocke. for first she was wyf to Ioseph. or elles the iewes wol∣de haue stoned her as for a lechour yff she had conceyued wythout wedlocke and so the ferther wall betokeneth pa¦cience and thynner virginyte y^t is may¦denhede but that is lytyll worth but it be strengthed wyth the wall of pa•ien¦ce. and lytyll helpe is for maydenhede it is lytyll worth that can noo thynge suffre of persecucion not dysese: but e∣uer pleynyng and grutchynge. and to be a claterer a iangeler a curser. and a waryer and a scolde of her tonge thy∣se defende not maydenhede. but rather cast it downe. for maydenhede shode be of fewe wordes. and that she speketh shold be honest and worship bothe to her owne persone. and to all them that ben in her presence For it is an olde eng¦lishe. a mayden shold be seen. and not herde. this vertu had our lady. For saint Bernard sayth. rede all the gos∣pel ouer. and thou shalt not fynde that our lady in all her lyf spake but iiii. tymes. The first to gabryell the ii. to Elizabeth. the iii. to her own sonne in the temple. and the iiii. at the weddyng in the caue of galyle. Thus must the walle of pacience defende the walle of maydenhede. This walle of mayden∣hede & it be wel kepte. it is passynge all other. As bede saith. wedlocke is •ye▪ there as it is wel kepte but yet wedow hode is hygher. but virgynyte pass•th al & hath worshyp in heuen passing al other. This wal kepte our lady for she was clene both by fre wyl & by vowe & she had a degre passyng al other mai¦dens that euer were or euer shall bee for she was both mayde and moder. And in this castell is a gate. that beto∣keneth feyth. for ryght as it is impossi¦ble for a man to goo thurgh a walle of stele. ryght soo it is inpossyble to a mā to pleyse god wythout feyth. Thus feith had our lady passyng ol other.

¶For as it semeth Page  [unnumbered] impossible for a woman to conceyue wythout •arnal concupyscence of mā for it was neuer seen byfore. But by techyng of an angell. she byleued. And soo came cryst. and entred by the gate of byleue in to the castell. y^t is in to the body of our lady. This gate had a tour aboue which betokeneth charyte For that is aboue all thyng and that vertu had our lady well maye she bee called a castel. For right as al maner of people fle in to a castell bothe olde and yonge for drede of enmyes In so moche that the lest childe that can crye or speke that is aferde of ony thynge. anone cryeth lady lady. for socour and helpe: For she is socour and helpe both to yonge and to olde. lesse and more. in sikenesse and in helthe. The holy goost is capiteyn of this castell. and his kny¦ghtes ben holy angellis y^t goon wyth our lady bothe nyghte and daye. ¶In this castelle ben two susters. Martha and mary mawdeleyne

¶Martha receyued hym in to her hous and was besy to serue hym & the other sat styll & had grete lust to here hym speke: By thyse two susters. I vnderstonde two maner of lyuyng of the people. that one is actyff. and that other contemplatyff. Martha betoke∣neth actyff that is besynesse in the worl¦de. But that sholde be for cristis sake that is to take pour peple in to his hou¦se and to gyue hem mete and drynke. cloth herborugh vysite them that be in pryson cōforte the syke. blynde and la¦me and to berye the dede By that other I •nderstonde the contemplatyf lyf • is to the peple of holy chirche that shol¦de voyde in all that they may This worldis besynessee. and gyue him to all spirituell occupacion. and though they doo thus. yet there be couetous pe¦ple of this world that saye that it is al lost that men of holy chirche haue for it semeth to them they do no good. but euer complayn on hem and saye. they doo no good. ¶Saint austyn saith y^t all the world is holy chirche. and thyse worldly peple hateth men of holy chir∣che. But yet god answereth for them & is her aduocat & so wyl at all tyme whyle they lyue in rest & peas wythin hem self. But now see how our Lady satysfyeth bothe thyse lyues. she was first martha. for there as martha was besy to receyue cryst in her hous. Oure lady receyued hym in to her body. and therin he was ix. monethes. and she fedde hym. & after come pour and na∣ked in to this world. and she gaue him mete & drynke of her pappes. and soo fedde hym. and whan he was naked she clothed hym & noryshed hym. and whan he was syke by kinde of youth she heled hym. And whan he was boū¦de honde & fote in his cradell as in pry¦son she come to hym & knbounde hym & toke him and heled his sores with the mylke of her pappes. And whan he was dede. she holpe to bery hym in his tombe and thus she fulfylled the offi∣ce of Martha. Perfourmynge the vii. werkys of mercy. And yet she was many times troubled in her herte whā she must bere hī fro coūtrey to coūtrey Page  [unnumbered] that was full of ma•mentes and the¦re as she knewe no man And whan y^t she saw him taken and stryped naked beten with scourges that all his bodye ranne with stremys of blode. nayled. on the crosse and soo done to dethe that was a grete trouble Thus was our la¦dy actyf For as the gospell telleth. she gaue so grete delit to her sones wordes that she bare in her herte al the lyf and techynge of criste In somoche that she taughte the iiii. euangelistes Marcke. mathewe Luke and Iohn. moche of y^e that they wrote. And nameley saynte. Luke For he wrote moche of the man∣hode of criste and so fulfylled thoffice of mary for it was for the beste whan her sone ascendyd into heuyn. she left al her besines & gaue her to cōtēplaci¦on til her sone fet her out of this world Thus euery man that can vnderstan∣de maye see that this gospell is cōueni¦ent to be red for it toucheth the lyfe off our lady. Thenne for this daye is then¦de of her lyf in this world. therfore ho∣ly chirche redeth this gospell in ensam¦ple to all cristen people to perfourme the same lyuyng in as moche as they maye and as god wyll gyue hem gra¦ce to serue our lady I shal shewe you an ensample.

¶Narracio.

¶we fynde of a clerke that loued our lady well. for he rad of her bewte. he had grete lust to se her and prayed bese¦ly y^t he myghte ones see her or that he deyed. Thenne at the last come there an angell & said to hym. for thou fer∣•••te our lady so wel thou shall haue thy prayer. but one thynge I telle the. yf thou see her in this world thou shal lese thy syght for the greate clerenesse of her. I wyl wel soo that I maye see her. thenne said the angel. come to su∣che a place. and thou shalt see her.

Thenne he was glad¦de & thoughte y^t he wolde hyde his o∣ne eye. and loke wyth that other. Soo whan he come to the place: he layed h•s honde ouer that one eye and sawe her wyth that other eye. & so come our la∣dy & he sawe her. and she wente away anone. and he was blinde on y^e one eye and sawe wyth that other. Thenne the syght lyked hym so wel that he wold feyne see her ayen. and prayed nyghte and daye that he myght see her ayen. thenne sayd thangell yf thou see her a¦yen. thou shall lyfe thy syghte of that other eye. and he sayde I wyll well though I had a thousand eyen. thēne come to suche place and thou shall see her. so whan he came he sawe her. Thē¦ne said our lady my gode seruaūt whā thou sawe me first thou lost one of th• eyen. how wylt thou doo nowe whan thou hast lost the other eye Thenne sayd our lady. for thou haste so grete lykyng to me thou shalt haue thy syght wyth both thyn eyen ayen as well as thou euer haddest before▪ & beter. and soo he hadde. ¶Thenne he serued our lady euer af¦ther to his lyues ende. and wente to e∣uerlastynge blysse. To whiche god brynge vs all Amen.

Page  [unnumbered]

¶De sancto Bartholomeo.

•Ood frendes suche a daye ye shall haue the feste of saynt Barthylmew goddis own appostle. & ye shall faste the e•en. & come to chir∣che and here youre seruyce in the wor∣shyp of god and saynt barthylmewe. ¶ye shall vnderstonde. y^e barthylme∣we is as moche to saye. as.

That is to saye the sone hangyng vpō me or vpon waters. Tenne ye shall vnderstonde that god is he that han∣gyth vpon the waters in two wayes The firste is whan he hangyth vpon the clowdes in the firmament. tyll he seeth tyme to lete hem downe. Another waye he hangeth vpō the water whan a man or a woman is sory for his sin¦nes. and wepyng sore fore his trespas bytterly. Thenne god taketh his teres. and hangeth them on the hye hylle off heuen. where all the sayntes in heuen may haue them in syghte in grete ioye to all sayntes and to all the angelys that ben in heuen. whan they may see man or woman that hath doo amysse in many trespasses to forsake her syn∣ne and doo nomore: therfore the teeres of a man or a woman that is sory for his synne in this maner quenchen the fyre of helle: Of thyse teeres speketh Iohn grisostome and saith. ¶O thou teere that art mekely lete in oryson and prayer wyth good deuocion. thy my∣ghte is soo grete that thou goest to he∣uen and takest the worde of the Iewes mouth making hym to torne the to sal¦uacion. that before were in weye off dampnacion. Also thou makest thy a• cusare dombe the fendes· and so thou quenchest the fyre of helle that fendes made redy ayenst thy comyng. and th{us} god hangeth vpon waters. Thenne for saynt Barthylmewe was goddys sone. as all ben that seruyth hym. he was hangyng vp in four wayes in de¦uocion. of holy orysons prayeng. and in feythful monicion. & in suffryng off passion he was hangyng to godward in deuoute orysons. for that he sayd wyth his mouthe. he thoughte in his herte. Soo that his herte was alwaye hangyng vp toward god both in wor¦de and in dede. as the preste sayhe in the masse. Holde vp your hertes to god. Thus this holy man saynt barthylmew had euer his herte to god for grete deuocion ¶We fynde wreten of hym thus. that he kneled a C. tymes on the daye. and C. tymes on the nyght. for a grete de∣uoucion that he had to god· But for he shold not be wery of the traueyle. God sente an angell euer more to she¦we hym. and kept hym thus hanged he vp in holy orysons prayeng. ¶He was also hanged vp by the feythfull monycion in this wyse. For god gaue hym soo grete power ouer all fendes y^t by his holy monycion he suspended hem. whether they were in man or wo∣man. And also in other mawmentis we fynde wreten of saynt Barthyl∣mewe. how he come into ynd• in the temple In the whiche temple was a• ymage. & there in was a fende a maw¦ment that was called a•tar•th. and Page  [unnumbered] this ymage was made of gold thenne the fende that was therin and spake to hym and dyde hym worshyp. And by suche wordes as he spake he made the people byleue that he was god. and yet to make hem the more to byleue he he∣led many syke men and wymmen bo¦the blynde and lame. and of many dy∣uerse sykenesse that he had caste vpon hem to fore hym self. And so semynge to them that they were heled by hym but suche sikenesse as god sente vpon hem he cowde not hele: Thenne was the temple full of syke people that we¦re brought to this mawment to be ho∣le. but assone as Barthylmewe come to the temple he suspended the fendes power. that he myght hele noo man. Now ther was another god called ba¦ruth. and they asked hym why her god gaue hem none answere. He sayd bar∣thylmew the appostle of god hath boū¦de hym soo sore that he dare not ones speke nor •rake. Thenne he tolde hym the fetures of Barthylmew and sayd he knoweth euery worde that we spek now for he hath an angel of god with hym and telleth hym all thynges that euer was sayd or done by hym. And moreouer though ye seke hym ye shall not fynde him. but yf he wyll hymself ¶Thenne wente they home ayen and sought Barthylmew and myghte not fynde hym. Thenne as barthylmewe walked amonge the people. a mad mā that had a fende wythin hym: anone cryed barthylmewe goddis own ap∣postle. thy prayers bynde me so sore. & bren me also Then said barthylmewe holde thy peas thou fende & go oute of & with y^e worde the fende went his way and lefte the man and anon he was ho¦le Then it hapnyd that the king of that cyte had a doughter that was madde. and sore bounde with cheynes.

For harme that she dyd emonge the people And whan the kinge herde how this man was helyd he sent to Bar〈…〉¦mew• prayeng him that he wolde heale his doughter and so he dyd Thenne Barthelmewe prechyd soo to the king that he turnyd the kinge to be crist•ed And then anon he cōmaunded to dra∣we downe the mawmentes that wer in the temple. Thenne the people tyed ro∣pes aboute the ymages neckes & wold haue drawen downe the mawmentes. but they myght nat for the fendes wa∣re stronge in them Then Barthelmewe cōmaunded the fendes to come out of ymages and to pull theym to pouder. and so they dyd for they hadde no po∣wer to withstande his cōmaundmente And so they al to brake theym. and for the temples were so full of seke peple. Barthelmewe praied god that they my¦ghte be hole. and anoon they were.

¶Then the knig•▪ his wyfe his doughter and all his menye and moch other people turned to the feyth of crist and thenne Bherthelmewe cristenyd▪ theym all. ¶Thus Bar¦thelmewe hangith by fe•thfull mony¦cion For he suspendyd the fendes po∣wer that they myghte do no thynge. ¶He was also hāgyd vp by suffring of passion. For whanne the Busshop. of the temple sawe that the people wer almooste turned to the cristen feyth. •Page  [unnumbered]•ft• the fendes mawmentry. he wente vnto the Cite there as a kyng was cal¦led Astrages. and brother to the kyng Polunyes. and compleined to hym so∣re. And sayd there was a man come to hem that was called Barthylmew. y^t had tourned his broder and al the peo∣ple to the feyth. that they set not by her goddis: but had draw hem downe and all to broke hem. and halowed the tem¦ple oonly to criste. for this cause he pre¦yed hym of helpe. Thenne sent the kin¦ge a thousande men after Barthylme¦we Thenne whan barthylmewe was come he asked hym why he had tour∣ned his broder. and made hym byleue on a dede man y^t was hanged on the Crosse. Thenne sayd Barthylmewe. I haue bounde that god that thy bro∣ther byleued on and shewed that fen∣de: And yf thou or he maye doo soo to my god thenne wyll I byleue os thou dooste. Thenne the kynge commaun∣ded to hange barthylmew on a crosse and longe to torment hym theron and after toke hym downe and fleye hym quycke and thenne to smyte of his he∣de. Thenne come crysten people & bu∣ryed hym wyth grete reuerence & wor∣shyp And thus he was hanged vp by grete compassion suffryng. we rede in gestis romanorum. That whan frede¦rycke themperour had destroyed a gre¦te Cite. And therin was a fair chirche of saynt Barthylmew and other moo of dyuerse sayntes. And as a good ho¦ly man come by the cyte. and he sawe a grete companye of men stondyng to gyder. Thenne had this man grete mer¦ueyle of hem. and asked what they we¦re. and what was theyr counseyll: Thenne sayd they that i• was say•• Barthylmew and other sayntes. that had chirches in that cyte. that were dys¦troyed and there they toke her counseil what they myght doo wyth the empe∣perour. And they were in full purpose that he shold come before god and an∣swere for his dedes. And soo the Em∣perour deyed a fowle dethe. and was damned. And also it is wreten in the lyf of saynt goodlake. that first inha∣byted crowland in the fennys. And the first daye that he come thyder was on saynt Barthylmewis daye· Thenne he prayed to this holy appostle to bee his patrone ayenst the wycked spiry∣tes that were in that place. For it was called thinhabytacion of fendes for there durst noo man dwelle there for fendes thēne whā this holy mā was come thider almost lost his wyttes for fere. But thenne by grete grace he had mynde of saynt Barthylmew. And prayed hym wyth all his herte of help and socour. Thenne anone come saint Barthylmew and commaunded the fendes to goo from that place Thenne the fendes made a grete horryble noyse and wente her waye and sayd. Alas a¦las. for now haue we loste our myght and our habytacion. and nowe shall we goo to helle for euermore and soo sorowynge and waylinge they wente theyr way. Thenne this holy man thā¦ked god and saynt Barthylmew for the grete helpe and socour that he had done to hym. Hereby ye may see & vn∣derstonde y^t this holy appostle is euer redy to all that wyl calle to hym with good deuocion. he wyll helpe them at theyr nede.

Page  [unnumbered]

De •tate •eate ma•••.

gOod• frendes suche a daye ye shall haue the Natiuyte of ou¦re lady that is whan she was borne. & ye shall fast the euyn: And come to god and holy churche in the worshyp of oure lady saint mary• Ioachym was her fader and saint an¦ne her madre There canne no man tel. the ioye that Ioachym and Anne hadde in their hertes whan our lady was bor¦ne For they hadde prayed xxx. yere to god nyghte and day and dealyd moch almes And for the goode dedys y^t they dyd they hadde reuelacion of god that they sholde be holy and please god and also by the byrthe of oure lady. the re∣preue that they hadde bifore of their ba¦reynesse shulde be put awaye And soo Anne went oute emonge other wymen So the byrthe of oure lady gladed the fader and the moder. wherfore god sēt them frute of their bodies more by gra¦ce than by kynde Thenne all the ney∣ghboures come and conforted anne. & called her doughter mary as the angel badde or she were borne or begoten. ye shall vnderstonde that holy church. worshippeth thre byrthes One of oure lorde iesu criste That other of oure la∣dy. The thridde of saint Iohn baptyst shewynge openly that euery man and wom•n that woll be sauyd muste be thryes borne. Firste of his modre in to this worlde The secounde from synne. by water wasshynge And the thridde. oute of this worlde to ioye passinge The firste betokenethe by our lady th• seconde by sainte Iohn Baptyst. & the thridde by our lorde 〈◊〉 c•iste For 〈◊〉 thre byrthes i• grete ioye ••yn and 〈◊〉 Though a woman haue greate p•yne in the byrthe of her childe I may 〈◊〉 byleue sainte Anne thenne oure la•y•• modre hadde nat so in her byrthe of her childe oure lady For •he was halowed in her moder: wombe holy borne & •o∣ly euir after Soo whan she was born and wanyd and was thre yere of age. Ioachym and anne and other frendes. brought mary into the cyte of Ierusa∣lem to fore the temple as they had ma¦de their auowe to fore Thenne the tem¦ple stode on an hyll and was xv f•ey∣res vp to the dore and so they lefte ma∣ry at the nethermooste stey•e while thei made theym redy to do their offrynge Thenne went mary to the vpperm•ste grece her self knelynge downe and ma¦de her prayers to god as she hadde ben of grete age For the holy gooste was euir with her and gaue her grace. Also god sent her an aungell to kepe. her and to teche her And whanne her fader and her modre hadde offred ••y w•nte home and lefte her there. and she chaunged no •here b•• gaue her selue. all to spirituell occupa•ion And eue∣ry day fro morowe to vndren she w•• in her prayers. & from vndren to no•• she occupyed her craft of wenynge of clothes in the temple. And ano∣ne the mete and the drynk that was set to her she gaue to the pore people & was in her deuocion tyll an aungell brou∣ghte hyr mete. Thenne she l••ed so clene and so honestly that all her fe¦l•wes called her q••ne of mayd••••. And whā any mā spake to he• mekely Page  [unnumbered] she lou•ed with her hede and saide.

For that word was comon in her mou¦the. and therfore she is lykned to a spi∣cers shop for she smelleth swete for the presence of the holy goste was with her and habundaunce of vertues. that she shulde bere the kyng of vertues And thus her byrthe daily is ioye to all cry∣sten people. ¶Howe this daye was firste founde a grete clerke Iohn Byllet tellith There was an holy mā that prayed to god ofte by nyght tyme And so on a nyghte as he was in his de∣uociones he herde a songe of an angel. in heuyn that oure lady was borne. of her modre and noo more of all the ye∣re after So on a nyght he herd this me¦lody in the ayr. wherfore this holy mā prayed to god that he might haue wit¦tynge what was the cause that he herd that melody that certeyn nyght and no more of all the yere after. Thenne ca∣me an aungell to him and saide That nyghte oure lady was borne of her mo¦dre and therfore the melody was made in heuyn at that tyme Thenne went he to the pope and tolde him howe the an∣gell saide Thenne the pope cōmanded that day sholde be halowed for euirmo¦re. ¶Thus come this feste firste into holy churche. And so oure lady is borne by water wasshynge. that is by cristnynge For whanne oure lorde Ie∣su criste was baptised in the water of flome iordane. Thenne oure lady and the xii. appostelles. in that tyme were cristned Therfore right as oure lorde. folowed the olde lawe and the newe. lawe bothe and all that fyll to a man of right and so our lady fulfilled both the lawes and all that fyll to a womā at that cristnynge For there her sone to¦ke his right name and she bothe And as the gospel telleth whanne oure lord Iesus was cristned the fader of heuen spake and saide: Here is my welbelouyd sone: but after he was called goddes sone▪ & afore y^e tyme oure lady was called the wyfe. of Ioseph and after that she was cal∣led the modre of iesu to moch worship to her. ¶The thridde tyme our lady was borne to ioye passinge. For whan she shold passe out of this world her sonne come with a greate multitu∣de of aungelles and broughte her to he¦uyn with moche ioy and there crowned her quene of heuyn Empresse of hel and lady of all the worlde. soo she is. in euirlastinge blysse.

Narraico

¶we fynd of our lady how ther was a iewe that was borne in Fraunce. and come into Englonde. for diuerse maters that he hadde to do with other. people And come to gloucestre. and to Bristowe and so wolde goo into wyll¦shyre but he was take by the wey with theuys and ladde into an olde house & bounde to a post and his hondes behin¦de him and so lefte him ther all nyghte and at the laste he fyll a slepe. & sawe a fayre woman clothed in whyte he ne¦uir sawe noon such and euyn therwith he awoke and felte him selue loose. Page  [unnumbered] Then he sawe oure lady so bright that he thoughte she passed the sonne & said what arte thou and she saide I am ma¦ry that thou and thy nacion despisen & say that I bare neuir goddes sonne. But nowe I am cōme to bryng the ou¦te of thy erroure and oute of pryson. y^t thou arte in. & therfore come thou with me and stonde yonder at the stone and loke downewarde and so he dyd. and there he sawe the horrible peynes of hel that he was nygh oute of his mynde: Thenne saide oure lady to him: These be the peynes that be ordeyned to al tho that wyll nat beleue in my sones passi¦on and in the feyth of holy churche. yet come forth and se more and she set him on a hye hyll: and shewyd a place of grete ioye and myrthe. in somoche y^t he was rauysshed with that sight. Then saide oure lady Lo these been ordeyned to al tho that beleue in the incarnacion of god and that he was borne of me & I clene mayde bifore and after And y^t my sonne shedde his blood for all mā¦kynde. Nowe haste thou seen both ioye and peyne. chose whiche thou haste le∣uyr Thenne he wente moche of the ny∣ghte he wyst nat what waye but wal∣kyd forthe And on the morowe he co∣me to Bathe there he was cristned and named Iohn & after was a holy man ¶Then to come agayn to oure purpo∣se of oure lady what tyme that Ioachī hadde offred oure lady into the temple to the bisshop to kepe her saue in ward tyll she were xii. yere of age and more Thenne muste the busshop ordeyne her an husbonde. and then they lete crye al aboute in the countre that kynges. lor∣des and other gentylles that were with oute wyues shold come at a certein day for to knowe who were best worthy to wedde that faire mayde that was flou¦re of all maydens For right as the lily is white and faire emonge briers and other floures. Right so was oure la∣dy emonge other maydenes So whan they come to Ierusalem to see the may∣den that was of the beste bloode of the worlde The busshop ordeyned an olde staff of asshe. that hadde been kepte in the temple many yeres & was al wor∣me etyn and he saide He that handeleth that staff and burgenyd and bere flou¦res he shulde haue the mayden. and she was brought forthe into the temple. y^• all the people myght see her Then •ad the busshop brynge forthe the staf. and whan any man handled it he bad him holde it vp on hye that the peple myght se if it burgened Then went it to kyn∣ges prynces lordes knyghtes and sauy¦ers and other gentylmen but it wolde. nat be the firste daye ne the second day so the thridde day they shulde make an ende Thenne came there an olde man. into the temple and hadde herde of this but he sawe it nat and thought to goo se how the peple dyd & come thyder and stode a ferre in a corner. and loked on this mayden Thenne he thought in him selue he wolde nat handell the staf for this mayde is nat for me that is so pas¦synge faire and I so passinge olde. Thenne come there a white doue & fall vpon his hede with a golden byll and her feet shone as it hadde be bright bur¦nysshed golde that all the people sawe her and some wolde haue caughte her. Page  [unnumbered] but they might nat Then was the bus∣shop ware and badde Ioseph come vp to him anone and Ioseph saide nay she is nat for me. she is to yonge and I am to olde to gouerne her estate Then said the busshop handell this staf & he dyd. and anone it was grene and began to burgyn and bare leuys and blosomed and bare frute. Thenne was the busshop gladde and Ioseph sory for to haue her for he was full purposed ne¦uir to haue wyf Thenne the busshoppe weddyd theym worshipfully and bad Ioseph take her home with him and so he dyd Thenne sone after the holy go∣ste lighted in her with gretynge of the aungell gabriell And soo beganne to weye greate with childe Then Ioseph loked on her and thoughte to haue go∣ne awaye pryuely fro her and leue her allone Thenne come an aungell to Io¦seph. and badde he sholde take mary to his kepynge and studye no more ther∣vpon. and leue all such thoughtes for it was goddes wyll and god him selfe wyll that it be so. Thenne he lefte all suche fantasies and kepte her well as a man shulde doo his wyf:

De exaltacione sancte crucis.

gOode frendes suche a daye ye shall haue holy rode daye. in the whiche ye shall cōme to the churche in worship of hym. y^t was done on the crosse: that day is called Exaltatio sancte crucis The exaltacion of the cro¦se. whan saint Elyn hadde set the cro∣se in Ierusalem cristen peple dyd it gre¦te reuerence But then come the kinge of Perce that was called Cosdre and he tooke the crosse with him and made the cyte bare. and bare awey. all y^t he might and went into the temple and to¦ke all the treasoure iewelles and preci¦ous stones and bare them awaye Th{us} this cursed man did distroy many king¦domes and so bare the holy crosse into his owne countre Thenne the Empe∣roure Eraclius herde herof. and was full wrothe and sory And sent to this kinge cosdre to trete with him For era∣clius was a cristen man. Then cosdre aunsweryd cursedly and said he wold nat trete tyll he hadde all his people to forsake cristendome and to do sacrifice to his mawmentes Thenne this Em∣peroure eraclius betooke all to god. & gadred him an ooste of people to fight with this cursed kynge cosdre. hoping in god to gete the holy crosse agayn. But whan this cursed kynge Cosdre. come he fyll in suche a fantasy & mad¦nesse that he tooke his sone all the go∣uernaunce of his realme And lete ma∣ke an house for him selue. in maner of an aulter lyke vnto heuyn and made it all shynynge gold and precious stones And sette him selue in the myddes in a chaire of golde. and cōmaunded y^t all the people shulde call him god and so satte and the holy crosse in his right hō¦de in stede of his sonne. and on the left honde a tame cocke in stede of the holy gooste and him selue in the myddes. in stede of the trynyte And thus he sat ly∣ke a mad man Thenne whanne his so¦ne herd that Eraclius was cōmynge. he went ayenste him and met him att a Page  [unnumbered] grete water ouer the whiche water. was a brydge Thenne by the assent of bothe their often the ii. cheif capitaynes a middes the bridge shold fight for hem all and bothe the endes of the brydge. shulde be drawen vp And whiche of theym that hadde the victory sholde ha¦ue bothe the kyngdomes Thenne was eraclius so full in feyth of the crosse & trustyd in the prayer of the people that he ouircome his enmy Thenne cosdres people by strengith of the holy gooste. turned to the feyth by free wyll of hem selue And whanne they were all criste nyd then went Eraclius with both the ostes to the olde kynge cosdre as he satt in his trone and saide to him thus For by cause thou haste doo worshyp to the holy crosse thou shal chose if thou wil be crystned and haue thy kyngdome a∣yen for a lytell trybute in reste and pe∣as. or els to be dede.. and he forsoke to be cristned Thenne anoon Eraclius. smote of his hede and made a crye that his treasoure sholde be dealyd emong his men and precious stones and other Iewelles sholde be kepte to restore the churches that were distroyed and bare the crosse to Ierusalem. And whan he came to the mounte of olyuete toward the cyte of Ierusalem rydynge on a tra¦ped horse he wolde haue ryden into the cyte of Ierusalem but sodenly the ga∣tes fell to gydder & was a playn wal. Thenne he was gretely astonyed and marueyled gretly of that vengeaunce and made a grete mone Thenne come an aungell and stode vpon the gates & sayde. Quando rex noster. whan the kynge of heuyn come this way thrugh this gates towarde his passion he rode on no trapped horse nor in no clothe of golde but mekely on a symple •s•e gy∣uynge ensample of mekenesse to al pe∣ple Thenne the aungell went his way then the kinge with all the deuocion. y^t he coude or myghte doo. anoon dyd of his clothes to his sherte and went bare foot and bare legged Then the gate op¦nyd & he wente in to the cyte & so to the temple and offred the crosse ayen as it was to fore Thenne for the grete ioye. that the people hadde of that crosse and for the grete miracles that god shewed it was more worshypped after thanne it was to fore: and the worshyp of the croce y^t was cast downe after was lyft vp. ¶wherfore this day is called they altacion of the crosse For as saint Au∣styn sayth the crosse was firste of grete spyte and vilany. nowe it is of so grete worshyp that emperoures kynges wor¦shippe it

¶Narracio.

¶we rede in legenda aurea that a iew come to a churche and for defaute that no man was in the churche he went to the rode and for greate enuye y^t he had to criste he cutte the rodes throte and a¦none the bloode stert out on his clothes and so his clothes were all rede blood and thenne he hyd the rode in a p••uye place And as he wente home a cristen man met him and saide to him. Thou haste slayn some man where hast thou done him. and he sayd nay. and the cri¦sten man saide thy clothes been all blo¦dy of him Thenne this iew kneled Page  [unnumbered] downe and saide Forsoth the god that these cristen people byleue vpon. is of greate vertue & tolde him howe he had done and cryed mercy with al his hert and soo he was cristenyd & a holy mā after. and so went to euirlastynge ioy and blysse to the whiche god bring vs all Amen.

De quatuor temporum.

gOde frendes this weke ye shal haue ymbre daies that is wed¦nesday fridaye and saturday. the whi¦che C•l•xt the pope ordeyned iiii. ty∣mes in the yere to al that be of couena¦ble age to faste. For certayn causes as ye shall here Oure olde faders fastyd foure tymes in the yere ayenste foure. hye and solempne festes. & if we wol shewe vs gode children we must fast & folowe the same rule that they vsed & therfore we faste iiii. tymes First in marche The seconde at wytsontyde The thridde bitwene heruest and seed tyme and the iiii. bifore cristmasse. Marche is a tyme that it dryeth vp the moistre that is in the erthe. wherfore we faste that tyme to drye the erthe of oure body of the humoures that be ne¦defull to the body and to the soule for that tyme the humoures of lechery tem¦teth a man moost of any tyme of the. yere Also we fast at wytsontide for to gete grace of the the holy goste that we may be in loue and charite to god and to all the worlde. Caritas cooperit. multitudinem pec•atorum. Charite couereth the multitude of synnes Also we fast for to haue mekenesse. in our hertes and to putte awaye all pryde y^t reyneth within vs Also we faste bitwe¦ne heruest & sedetyme for to haue grace to gader frutes of gode wer•is into the house of oure conscience: and so by en¦sample of gode lyuynge emong the pe¦ople that we be comen with both ryche and pore Also we faste in wynter for to slee all stynkynge wedes of synne. and of foule erthe of flesshely lustes: that make good aungelles and good people to withdrawe theym fro vs. For right as the nettyll brenneth roses and other floures that growe nye him

In the same wyse a vicious man or woman stereth & setteth on fyre theym that be in their company And for these causes we fast foure tymes in the yere and euery tyme thre daies that betoken thre speciall vertues that helpe a man to grace that is fastynge deuoute pray¦enge and almessededys doyng And by opunion of moche people these dayes. be called ymbre daies bycause y^t oure elder faders wold on these daies ete no brede but cakes made vndre asshes so by the etyng of that they reduced into their mynde that they were but asshes: and so sholde turne ayen & wyst natt how sone & by that they turned away from all delyciouse metes and dryn∣kes & toke non hede. but that they had easy sustenaunce This caused theym to thynke on deth & y^t wyll cause a mā to desire no more than he nedeth. and absteyne him selue fro all maner. of bodily lustes And to encrese in vertues by the whiche we may come to euirlas¦tynge blysse. Amen.

Page  [unnumbered]

De sancto Matheo.

gOode frendes suche a daye ye shall haue saint Mathewes. daye whiche was cristes appostyl and ye shall faste the euyn & come to god and holy church in the worshyp of god and saint mathewe He is gretely comē¦ded in holy churche for certeyne. holy vertues that he hadde He was obediēt to criste at the firste calling the gospell he preched without faynynge & he suf¦fred passion withoute any denyenge. Firste he was obedient to criste. at the firste callynge for he satte at a certeyn place besy to gete good and crist come that waye and loked on him and bad him come and goo with him. Thenne he caste soo greate loue to criste that he lefte all his godes that he hadde. & su∣ed criste forth full symple and ful po¦re Also he fedde criste gladly. for on a daye he prayed criste to ete with hym. and made criste a greate fest. nat in de¦licate metes and drynkes But in fe∣dynge criste and all his company. for he fedde all that wolde come for crys∣tes sake for moche people sued Criste wher soeuir he wente. Secute sunt cū¦turbe multe For dyuers causes manye folowed him Some to be heled of her sores and of diuerse sekenes And some to see myracles that criste dyd shewe. Some to ete and to drynke with hym. and some that were his ennemyes that were lerned in the lawe. if they might haue taken him with any worde wher¦by they might haue accused him. and some to be reformed in vertues & to he¦re his doctryne and techynge as the ap¦postylles & many other. Vnde v••••s

¶And wahnne mathewe had fedde criste thus. & all that come wyth him criste made him oone of his descy∣ciples and gaue him knowlegynge. to preche the bileue and goddes worde. so boldly euir after that he spared nother for loue ne for drede So this mathew thappostell come on a tyme into 〈◊〉 and prechyd that was called ••da∣bar and there he founde moche people taughte by the fendes crafte in ••gra∣mā•y and taughte so many thynges & so merueylous that it was grete won∣dre to here many mennys wyttes and all for the people sholde byleue in hem and do worshyp to theym Thenne ma¦thewe delyuered their nygraman•y so that all the people knewe openly that it was the fendes crafte. wherfore the¦se people that byleuyd on this nygra∣mancy made dragones. by the fendes crafte to spytte fyre oute of their mou¦thes and brenne soo that the stynche of theym slewe moche people And they brought this dragon to haue deuoured saynte mathew And whanne mathew herde herof he made a crosse bifore hem and went ayenste theym: and anon the dragones fell downe dede bifore hym

Thenne saide mathew to the pe¦ople If ye haue any might rayse them agayn to lyf but they hadde no power ¶Thennne sayd mathewe if I were nat goddes seruaunte. I wolde make Page  [unnumbered] were there two roches of stone on ey∣ther syde. that the werke myghte not vp. Thenne saynt mychael apered to a man that hyght Haymo. and badde hym goo and put awaye the roche and drede noo thyng. Soo this man went thyder and set to his sholders. and bad the roche goo vtter in the name of god and saint Mychaell and soo the hyllis wente vtter as moche as nedeth to the werke.

¶Narracio.

¶we rede also in the lyf of saynt Gre¦gory, how there was a grete multytu∣de of people in rome. And they sawe arrowes of fyre come 〈◊〉 of the ayre and slewe moche people Thenne saint Gregory prayed to god to •ease that pestylence. Thenne he sawe an angell stondynge vpon a castell walle. wy∣pyng his blody swerde. But that an∣gell he sayd was saint mychaell that was sente thyder to punysshe the peo∣ple for synne. thus mychaell was mer¦uelous in myracles werkyng: Also he was vyctoryous in fyghtyng. For whan the cytezens of sepotine were op¦pressed wyth paynymes & shold gyue hem batayle. they prayed ofte to saint Mychaell of helpe Thenne the nyghte before as the batayle shold be. mycha¦ell appered to the bysshop and sayd to hym haue noo drede. but goo to the ba¦tayle boldly. and he wold helpe hym. & soo on the morowe whan the batayle shold be the hyl of gargan{us} was ouer couered wyth a grete myste. and arro∣wes come oute of the myst fleenge off fyre. and boltes of thonder. And h•tre• moche people of the paynyme in soo moche that they slewe that nyght ma∣ny. And soo many were sleyne. and they that were a lyue sawe the greate myracle of god and were crystened. Saynte Iohn the euangeliste seyth in his apocalyps. how mychaell and his angellis foughte wyth lucyfer in he∣uen. that is called the dragon and his angellis. and wyth helpe of god myc¦haell had the better. and droue out the dragon and all his felisship in to the ayre betwene heuen and erthe. and soo they be there yet as thicke as motes in the sonne And for cryst come to heuen in a blast of thonder. And therfore yet whan they here thonder. they fall dow¦ne to the erthe for fere. and thenne they goo not vp ayen tyl they haue done sō¦me harme For thenne they make •a¦tes stryues and manslaughter and ma¦ke grete wyndes. bothe in londe and in water. and doo moche harme. and yet they wolde doo moche more than they doo nere saynt mychaell. For al theyr sorowe is to see soules. angellis in he∣uen in the place there they were in to fo¦re. Also there were other spyrites. that stode not stedfaste towardes god. But flaterynge. the whiche saint mychaell droue out of heuen all in to an yle off of the see as ye shall here. As saynte Brandon seyled in the see. he come to an yle and sawe a tree that was right grete both in heyght and in brede: that was wonder to telle on the which tree satte many byrdes. thycker than the bo¦wes. And were as whyte as snowe Thenne he prayed to god to knowe Page  [unnumbered] what they were. Thenne come one off them and satte on the sh•ppis •••de & batered wyth his wynges▪ and made a sowne lyke an organ •••me sayd brā¦don▪ yf thou become lyke a messenger speke. and telle what ye been. Thenne he sayde we were angellis y^t stode not stedfast in the byleue as mychael was and therfore we were dreuen oute. whan mychaell droue oute lucyfer & his angellis. But yet we haue euery day a remedy to worshyp god thenne was mychaell wonderful in appering merueylous in myracles doyng. wher¦fore lete vs worshyp this holy angell that he may be our sheelde in fighting ayenst our goostly enemy the fende. so that we may haue the victory of hym nowe and euer Amen.

¶De festo sancti Luce.

•Ood frendes suche a daye ye shall haue saynte Lukes daye the euangelyst· ye shall vnderstonde y^e cryste had four euangelistis. y^t is mar∣ke mathew luke and Iohn-thyse wro∣te the gospell. the gospell is noo more to saye but goddis worde. Thise holy euangelistis wrote not oonly that god spake. but also what he dyde & what he suffred for mankynde. for it shold be knowen to all mankynde for euer more. to thynke on goddis worde and to doo therafter. Thise foure be lyke∣ned to foure dyuerse beestes and soo they ben portured in foure partyes off the crosse on euery syde of cryste. For marke a lyon. for mathew a man. for Luke an oxe. and for Iohn an Egle. But lete noman suppose that they we¦re suche beestes. but lykened to suche beestes. for dyuerse causes. For by cau¦se that Mathew wrote moste of cristis mā hede. therfore he is likened to a mā and luke wrote moost of crystis sacre¦fyce and his deth •herfore he is lykened to an oxe for an oxe was offred in sa¦crifice of the old law. in tokenīg y^t crys¦te shold be offred for synne of the peple in sacryfice in the aulter of the crosse. And marke wrote moche of the resur∣reccion and therfore he is lykened to a lyon. For as the bokes saye and tellen whan a lyon hath yonge welpes they shall lye as dede iii. dayes after they ben whelped. Thenne cometh the lyon and seeth his whelpes dede. Anone he maketh suche a •••yng and a cryenge that the dede whelpes wake therwyth▪ and quyken and take lyf. Soo whan criste had laye thre dayes in his tombe thenne the fader spake to hym & badde hym ryse. and soo rered hym from deth to lyf Also Iohn is lykened to the Egle. For by kynde •e fleeth hyghest in to thayre. and nexte to the sonne• so Iohn wrote most of the godhede. and but lityll of the manhede: thyse ben the causes that they be likened to foure de¦uerse beestes. ¶But now ye shall vnderstonde that luke was lykened to an oxe th•e ma∣ner of wyse that is in thoughte worde and dede he offred his thoughte to god For there as he was firste besy to ge∣te goodes of the worlde wyth his craf¦te. For as bokes telle he was first a leche. and for couetyse of god∣de he slewe many a man bodely thēne Page  [unnumbered] had he offended god soo greuously. y^t anone he offred his thought in sacr•fice For as bo•es teche. god is hyghly plei∣sed wyth thought. that is whan a man is sory for his synnes in his herte. and thynketh verely to forsake theym and amende him. Also he offred his worde to god in sacrifice. for as he was won¦te to spende his speche in many ydle wordes: or he come to the appostle af∣ter he tourned his speche to the profyte of all crysten people. wherfore he wen¦te to our lady. and she taughte hym the gospell that he wrote. And for he was a clene mayden oure Lady cherysshed hym the more. And so taught hym ful goodly how the angell come to her in message. And what he sayd. & what answere she gaue ayen. and soo all thynge that she dyde wyth her sonne. And of all her doyng tyll oure lord was styed vp in to heuen. And whan Luke had lerned this perfyghtly thē∣ne he loked what Marke had wreten and mathewe. and soo toke at theym. ¶And there as they wrote derkely. he wrote openly all thyng Thus in pre∣chyng & techynge he offred his wordes to god in sacrefyce. For he peyned his body wyth dyuerse penaunce of fas∣tynge and of harde lyuynge in kepyng and praynge. Also he wrote all the per¦secucion that the postles suffred of the iewes in Iherusalem. whan they had grete pursute and tourmentes for god∣dis sake. And he wrote all the perscu∣cion of saynt Steuen. how he was sto¦ned to deth. Thenne wente saynt Luke to saynt poule. & shewed him how ma¦ny myscheues and diseases that he had And in grete drede and neuer dep•rted from hym. tyll poule was dede. Then¦ne wente Lu•• to a contrey that was called betany and there he preched the worde of god. And was there tyll he was lxi. wynter of age. thenne he de∣yed full fayre full of the holy gooste. For he lyued in holy vertues. And af∣ter his deth God shewed for hym ma¦ny fayre myracles. and soo ended in criste. And wente to euerlastyng blys∣se. To the whiche god brynge vs all.

¶De Simone et Iuda.

GOod frendis suche a daye ye shall haue the feste of Symō & Iude. And ye shall faste the euen & on the morowe come to chirche. and worship god and theis holy appost¦les ye shall vnderstonde that eyther of thyse hath two names. that one was called Symon zelotes. and that other Iudas Iacola. and Iudas thadeus. shewyng by thyse: how the name that a man hath in this world deyeth and passeth oute of mynde whan he is dede ¶wherfore euery Crysten man shold be besy to take hym a name that shold be wreten in the boke of lyff. that shold laste euer. And therfore thyse two appostles suf¦fred grete penaunce. traueyle trybula¦cion and dysease. and at the last peyne of deth for crystis sake wyth hertes me¦ke and clene consience. Symon is as moche to say as obediēce that maketh Page  [unnumbered] a man meke in herte. Iudas is as mo∣che to saye as confession. that clenseth a mannis concience of all maner off synne. And thus before or they deyed thei gaue to euery man ensample how they toke theyr deth mekely for crystis sake and deyed wyth clene concyence. And thenne they shall be wreten in the boke of lyfe wyth grete worship in the fraternyte of heuen But they that grut¦chen in theyr hertes of disease and per∣secusion. and euer pleynyngt they ha∣ue nede to praye to god to be heled off that sykenesse. that they haue in her spi¦rytis.

¶Narracio.

¶we fynde in the lyf of the appostle. how a kynge that was called Abaga∣rus· and was a leper and herde how y^t our lord Ihesu criste dyd many myra¦cles. and heled all that were syke: Thē¦ne he wrote a lettre in this wyse kynge Abagarus greteth Ihesus Sauyour well. that precheth in the countre off Iherusalem. And I haue herde of thy myracles that thou dost and soo thou helest all maner of sikenesse wythout ony herbes or salues. blynde. croked & the lame. And that is more merueyle y^t thou reysest dede bodyes to lyfe wher∣fore I thynke in my herte and in my byleue that thou art very goddis sone and come downe from heuen to erthe. and lyueste here amonge the people as one of hem. wherfore I wryte to the y^t thou wyll come to me and hele me of my leprehede. that greueth me full so∣re. And soo I vnderstande that the ie∣wes haue ordeyned to doo the to deth. And I haue a lytyll cyte that is good and honest. and plentuous. & it is suf∣fysaunt ynought for vs bothe to lyue by. and there shall we bothe lyue in rest and peas thenne cryste wrote ayen and sayd. thou art blyssed that byle∣ueste on me. and hast not seen me and for thou woldest that I shold come to the. I saye to the I must d•• that I co¦me fore. and thenne 〈…〉 sende so∣me of my disciples to 〈◊〉 that shall he¦le the of thy leprehede. Thenne for this that cryste myghte not come to hym. For grete desyre that he had to see hym

He sente to hym a paynter that was a mayster of t•at crafte. to paynte crystis vysage as he cowde. but whan this paynter come to criste and loked on his vysage▪ it 〈◊〉 soo bryght that he myght not loke t••• on. Thenne he made grete sorowe and mournynge. that he was come soo f••¦re: and myghte not spede of his purpo¦se. Thenne criste toke a clothe of the peynter and wyped his face therwyth and thenne was the fourme of his fa∣ce theron. and thenne the peynter bare it to the kynge. Thenne was the kynge wonder glad and dyde it grete reueren¦ce wyth all his herte. Thenne after cri¦stis ascension Thomas of ynde. by the assente of the appostles was sente to this kynge Abagarus. And whan he sawe thomas he saw suche a shyning in his face that he wente it had be crist. Thenne sayd thomas to the kynge. Byleue in Crist. and thou shall be ho¦le. And he sayd I byleue Page  [unnumbered] hole in hym. and feyne I wold be wro¦ke on them that hauen doo hym to deth and anone he was hole. Thenne Iu∣das wente to symon and wente bothe to gyder in to persy to preche. And there they dyd many myracles. so that they tourned the kynge. and xlii. thousande to crysten feyth.

And soo the cristen peaple encreased strongely. Soo the kynge and all his meny were crystened. and wythdrewe theyr offrynges from the mawmentes. that was the bisshops ly¦uyng. wherfore they were soo wrothe that they gadred hem too gydre and to¦ke thyse appostles. and lad them in to theyr temples. to doo sacryfyce to their mawmentis. or elles they shold be de∣de. Thenne come an angell. and asked hem yf they wold haue her enmyes de¦de or noo. And they sayde they desyred to haue her enmies tourned to the feith

And the angell asked yf they wolde suffre marterdom for crystis sake. and they sayd they wolde suffre dethe. Thē¦ne they commaunded and tourned to the mawmentes in the temple. and cō∣maunded the fendes in them to come oute. and to pulle the ymages all to pe¦ces. and soo they dyde. Thenne was the bysshop wroth. that her goddis fell soo too peces. And anone there come a thondryng and a lyghtenynge and clo¦ue the temple in iii. partyes downe to the grounde. and thyse bisshoppes so∣deynly slew thyse appostles. Thenne the kynge toke theyr bodyes. and bery∣ed hem ryally. And made ther•〈◊〉 fayr chirche in worshyp of god: and th•se holy appostles. Amen.

¶De fest• olm sanctorum.

GOod frend•• suche a daye ye shall haue all halowen daye and ye shall faste the euyn: & on the morowe come to the chirche and worshyp god and our lady. and all ha¦lowyn. Frendes ye shall vnderstonde that this feste was ordeyned for thre specyall causes. and those ben thyse ¶First for the temple halowyng. for omyssion fulfyllyng. and also for ne∣clygent lyuing. First for the temple ha¦lowyng for whan the Romanis were lordes of all the world. they made a tē¦ple in Rome lyke a doffehous and na∣med it pantheon and set in the myddes of the temple an ymage that was the cheef mawmente of Rome. and of eue¦ry londe in the worlde another ymage all aboute the walles. and the name of the londe that the ymage was off wreten vnder the fote of the ymage. And all was made by nygrymancy. yf that ony londe tourned from them∣perour. Anone the ymage of the londe wolde tourne his ba•ke to the ymage of rome. and his face to the walle. Soo whan the bysshop come to the temple and founde ony ymage tour∣ned. anone they wolde goo to the empe¦rour and telle hym. Thenne wolde they ordeyne an oste of people and sen¦de in to that londe. and set them at rest and peas. And soo this temple endu∣red thus vnto the tyme that pope Bo¦neface the fourth came Thenne he went to thēperour that was called foca. and prayed that he wolde gyue Page  [unnumbered] hym that temple. that he myght putte oute the multitude of mawmentis. And to halowe it in the worshyppe of god and our lady and all h•lowen. & soo he gaue the pope the temple. Then¦ne come there another pope that was called Gregory. and commaunded all holy chirche to halowe the fest. lyke as it was begon. Also this feste was or∣deyned by the same pope to fulfylle our omyssions. For many sayntes da∣yes in the yere we leuen vnserued. for there be soo many that we may not ser¦ue echeone by hym self. For as Ihe∣rom sayth. that there ben for eche daye in the yere x. thousande marters. oute take the fyrst daye of Ianuary. wher∣fore holy chirche ordeyned that this da¦ye we shold fulfylle. that we haue lef∣te behynde all the yere. And thus eue∣ry sayntes euen hath his worshyp to god and our lady and all halowen. Also this feste is ordeyned to be halo∣wed to clense vs of oure necligence & vncūnynge. and also by wordely occu¦pacions doyng. we be full recheles in kepynge our holy dayes. and therfore this feste is ordeyned for we shal make amendes asmoche as we maye· of y^t we haue trespassed in other festes And therfore vnderstonde ye that they been in grete perell that breke this feste. or ony other in wordely ocupacyons wer¦kyng. or in ony synne doyng. in byeng or in sellyng. or in ony other falshede contryuyng. Also ye shall vnderston∣de that this daye our prayers shall be sooner herde than ony other daye. For this daye all the sayntes in heuen co∣me to gyder to pray to god for vs: and therfore ye may knowe well that all comyng to gyder shall be sooner herde than one or two by hem self. The sain¦tes that ben in heuen were some tyme as we ben now. bothe in flesshe b•ode body. and bone. And were our elder fa¦ders. & they ben full glad & make mo∣che ioye whan they may gete ony pre∣yers or almesdedes of vs. wyth the whiche they may presente god and our lady▪ prayng for vs. and to shewe you by ensample. how that all saintes co∣me to gyder: as this daye ye shall here.

¶Narracio.

¶we fynde wreten in legenda aurea. that in the same yere this fest was or∣deyned to be halowed there was a ke∣per of saint P•ters chirche in Rome y^t this daye after matens at mydnyght. whan al the peple were gone from ma¦tens. for grete deuocyon that he had▪ he wente to euery aulter in the chirche & saide his deuocions. And whan he had gone all aboute. thenne wente he to the hye aulter: and there felle a slepe. & his spyrite was rauysshed. and sawe the fader of heuen syttyng in his ma∣yeste. and a grete multytude of angel∣lis abowte hym. And thenne come a fayr quene wyth a crowne on her he∣de rychely arayed and a grete compa∣nye of vyrgins and maydens s•ynge her ••enne the kynge arose ayenst her and •adde to fetche a chare of gold & set h••in. Thenne come 〈◊〉 clo∣thed 〈◊〉•nels skinnis and him sued a Page  [unnumbered] grete company of good men. Thenne come another ly•e a bisshop. and after hym many other bysshops And thenne come a greate multytude as it had ben knyghtes. and after hym mo∣che other people and all they come be∣fore the kynge and dyde hym worship Thenne the bysshop began to say••ma¦te•s. thenne spak this man to the an∣gell that lad hym. and asked what all thyse people were in that araye. Thenne sayd the angell the kynge is god hym self. And the Quene is oure Lady. and he that was clothed in ca∣mels skynnis was Iohan Baptiste. & other patryarkis and prophetes wyth hym. The bisshop was saint peter and other apostles and confessours wyth hym The knyght was saynt George wyth other marters comyners that we¦re good trewe lyuers and seruauntes to god here vpon erthe. And they come all to thāke god for the grete worshyp that they had here in erthe & praied bese¦ly to god for them on erth. that he shol¦de haue mercy on hem. This is the cau¦se that this feste was first founde and therfore lete vs come to chirche & wor∣shyp god and all halowen. that they maye praye for vs that we maye atte our laste ende be af the nombre y^t shal worshyp god. that the boke speketh of. and sayth thus.

¶For they ben so many that no man can nombre hem. And all they praye for vs euermore that we may 〈◊〉 to that blysse that they ben in A•

¶In die Anin•aru••.

GOod frendis suche a daye ye shall haue all soules daye the daye of the soules in purga∣tory there abydyng the mercy of god and haue moche nede to helpe. And ryght as holy chirche worshyppeth all sayntes to be holpen by the prayers of hem ryght soo holy chirche ordeynyth this daye to synge and rede. And to do almysdedes. hauynge full byleue to re¦lese them that ben in purgatori of their peines. wherfor god wyll that crysten people to theyr power this daye releue hem. For the lest prayer or almysdede that is done gretly releueth theym. ¶ye shall vnderstnnde that there ben foure thynges that gretly helpen sou∣les y^t ben in purgatory & y^t ben thyse.

¶That is prayers of frendes deuout∣ly sayd and almysdede doynge. And masses syngyng. & abstynence in fas∣tynge. prayers helpen moche a soule. For lyke as a lord that hath a man in pryson or in ony dystresse and atte the prayers of hym that he loueth. he rele∣seth in party or all. ¶And that is she∣wed by ensample.

¶Narracio.

¶we fynde wreten in legenda aurea. how that there was a man y^t hadde his Page  [unnumbered] house fast by a chircheya••e syde And that his dore opened to the chirche and he vsed by custome as ofte as he come or wente to •ay• euery tyme Deprof•¦dis. for all cristen soules. Thenne it happed soo on a tyme y^t he was pursu¦ed wyth enemyes. as he wente home∣wardes: But whan he come in to the chirche yarde. he kneled downe. and thoug•〈◊〉 saye. Deprofundis. And this en•••es come after. Anone the de∣de bodyes rose euerychone wyth suche Instrumentis as they wroughte wyth by her lyues and anone they droue a∣waye his enemyes. But whan they sa¦we that they cryed god mercy and this man. and euer after prayed. and dede almesdedes for theym that were in pei¦ne. Thus ye may well proue that de∣uoute prayers helpen maye a soule y^t ben in purgatory. Also almesdedes hel¦pen many a soule.

¶Right as water quencheth fyre soo almesdede quencheth the synne y^t bren∣neth them in purgatory. yf they ben in good lyff & in parfyghte charyte that done it. And yf almesse dede be done for them that ben in ioye. and haue no nede therto. It is put to the tresour off holy chirche. And as goddes wyll is soo it is deled and releueth theym that haue most nede therto. and so god as∣sygneth it to them: And thenne the sou¦les that ben holpē therwyth. thanke the soule that this was done for. Thus ye may knowe well that almesdedes hel¦pen gretly soules. that is done fore. & ben in purgatory. For ofte holy men haue herde fendes crye▪ and make gre¦te sorowe. For wyth almesdedes sou∣les were taken from them.

¶Narracio.

¶we rede in olde tyme gode peple wol¦de on all halowyn daye bake brede & dele it for all crysten soules. And yet there ben some that vsen it. but all to fewe. ¶we fynde in legenda aurea. of a knyght that shold goo to a batay¦le and had a cosyn that he loued pas∣syng well. And said to hym thus. if he were sleyn in the batayle. he shold sel¦le his horse. & deale the valure to pour people in almesse to praye for all cris∣ten soules. Soo it happed that he was slayne. and his cosyn loued well the horse: and toke hym to his owne vse▪ Thenne soone after this knyght appe∣red to his cosyn and said thus to hym thyse viii. dayes for my horse thou has¦te made me to brenne in purgatory. And therfore god wyll take vengeaū∣ce on the. Forsothe quod he this daye thy soule shal be in helle wyth the fen∣de. Et ego purgatus vado ī regnū dei And I am purged & shal go to the kin¦gedom of heuen. & anone an horryble noyse was herde in thayre of fendes. & caught this man & bare hym awaye. The thirde that helpeth is the masse for whan ony soule appereth to ony man to haue ony helpe. he desyreth masses & prayeth to haue masses songē for hym Ryght as mete and drynke comforteth a man whan he is feble. so the sacra∣mente of the awter comforteth the sou¦les that the masses ben done for. It is Page  [unnumbered] wreten in legenda aurea how a bishop suspended a preest. for he cowde saye none other masse but of requiem but he songe euery daye deuoutly after his connyng. Thenne on a daye as the bysshop wente toward matens. it se∣med to hym that dede bodyes rosen & rome a bowte hym. And sayde thou hast said noo masse for vs. and more ouer thou hast taken our preste away from vs· Loke that this be amended▪ or elles god wyll in shorte tyme take vengeaunce on the for our sake. Then¦ne was the bysshop gretely a ferd and anone he bad the prest synge masse off requyem▪ as he dyde to fore. and soo he dyde os ofte as he myghte.

¶Narracio.

¶Also we fynde that fisshers sette her nettes in heruest to fysshe. and they to¦ke vp a grete pese of yse. and y^t it was the coldest yse that euer they felte. And it wolde not melte for the sonne. Then¦ne brought they that yse to the bysshop For he had a grete brennyg hete in his fote. and it was the coldest that euer he felte thenne spake there a voys to hym out of the yse. and sayd. I am a soule that suffre my penaūce here in this yse for I haue noo frendes that wyll doo masses for me. I shal be delyuered out of my penaunce. and thou shalt be ho∣le of thy sykenesse. yf thou wylt saye masse for me. And he said he wold sin¦ge for hym. and bad telle hym his na∣me. and euer whyle he was at masse. he layed the yse vnder his fet. and euer as he said masse the yse melte awaye: And soo wythin a whyle the yse was molten and the soule from peyn. And the bysshop was hole of his sykenesse. ¶Thenne the soule appered to hym wyth moche ioye▪ and sayde. wyth thy masses syngyng I am holpen oute off peyne in to euerlastynge blysse And he tolde the bisshop that he shold deye soo¦ne after and come to euerlastynge ioye wythout ende. to the whiche god brynge vs all Amen.

¶De festo sctī Ma•••ī.

GOod frendis suche a daye ye shall haue saynt Martens da¦ye. whan marten was xv. ye∣re of age he cutte his mantell in two peces. as he rode amonge other knygh¦tes. and was yet not crystened. and ga¦ue halfe his mantell to a poure man for goddis sake that asked almesse. thenne the nyghte after god had the sa¦me clothe and said to his angel. Mar∣ten that yet is not crystened hath clo∣thed me in this clothe. and marten herd this worde oute of heuen. and anone he was cristened. And thenne anone he lefte this worldes occupacion. And gaue hym all to holynesse. Soo as he rode on a tyme by the waye. the fende come in lykenesse of a man & met hym & asked wheder he wold. and he sayde thyder as god wyll thenne said the fē¦de I wyll be thy ennemy in all that I can: thenne sayd marten. god is my hel¦pe. and therfore I drede the not Then∣ne Marten wexed so holy that he rered dede bodyes to lyff. and soo for his gre¦te holynesse he was chosen bysshop off turon. So on a tyme as men were in grete perel & lyke to be spilte one of hē Page  [unnumbered] knew the holynesse of marten. & sayde marten helpe & anone they were holpē Also he rode on a tyme in visytacion a hoūd ran at a hare vnder his hors fete thenne had he pyte of this beste. & bad the hoūde stonde styll & lete the best go & anone the hoūde stode styl as he had be put in to the erthe. Also he sawe an adder swīmyng in the water. & he said to thadder. In nomine dnī uibeo te re∣dire. In the name of god I cōmaūde the to goo ayen where thou comest fro and anone she tourned ayen. Thenne marten sighed wonder sore. & saide I am sory that serpentes heren me: and men wyll not here me. ¶A nother ty∣me he come by the gates of the cyte that hyght Parys. & there he kyssed an hor∣ryble mesel & anone he was hole with the same kysse Also he was so pacient that many tymes his own clerkes moc¦ked hym. and yet he suffred it paciently & was not wroth. So on a tyme as he rode by the waye in his visytacion: for y^t was his maner. he had a roughe mantell of blacke. & came a carte by the waye wyth caryage and the bestes in the carte sawe the blacke waueryng wyth the wynde they fled awaye & all to brake her gere. Thenne the carter wyth his whyppe al to bete marten & gaue hym many sore strokes. & all he suffred mekely & sayd noo thyng. Thē wolde they haue gone her waye. But they myght not stere fro the place tyll they knowe y^t it was marten. & thēne they •ryed hym mercy. & thenne anone he forgaue them. & the bestes passed fai¦•• forth: & all the harneis was sauf y∣nough Also on a tyme as marten satt in his sette. the fende come to hym in ly¦kenesse of a kynge wyth a shynynge crowne and sayd I am come fro heuē to speke wyth the byleue on me. Cristus ego sum▪ for I am cryst And marten loked on hym & saide my lord Ihesu cryst wyll not come in suche a∣raye & thou be crist shew me thy woū¦des And anone the fende went his wai And lefte an horryble stenche behynde hym. ¶yet another tyme he come to marten. and repreued hym that he to∣ke people to hym that had synned and were shreuen & tourned ayen to the sin¦ne that they had done to fore.

And sayd thou∣gh thou take them to they grace god wil not Thenne sayd marten wret¦che and thou wyll leue the pursute off crysten people and aske mercy wyth a meke herte I truste to god he is so mer¦cyfull that he wyll gyue the mercy & whan marten shold passe oute of this world. and laye in his dede bed▪ the fen¦de come and satte by hym dysputynge wyth hym yf he myghte haue caughte hym in ony worde of mysse byleue in his ende: marten sayd to hym. Goo hens thou cruell beeste. for thou shall noo thynge fynde amysse wyth me. But god shall receyue me. And thenne he made to lay hym in as¦shes and heyre. And thenne he sayd the seuen spsalmes and the letany and gaue vp the goost. & was beryed in his owne chirche wyth moche honor Then¦ne liiii. wynters after there come a bis¦shop. and translated hym. And whan he made all thynge redy he layed hon¦de on Martens body to haue borne it Page  [unnumbered] forthe but he myght not. Thenne thou¦ghte the bysshop it is not martens wil to be remeued. and lefte of. Thenne co¦me a fayre olde man and bad hym go to ayen. and he wolde helpe hym. and thenne they bare the body in to the tō∣be wythout lettyng. And so whan the seruyce was done. this olde man vani¦shed awaye. And ther by they knewe well that it was saynt marten. & then god shewed many fayr myracles for hym·

¶Narracio.

¶It happed on a tyme. that there were two beggers. that one was lame and myght not goo & that other was blynd and myght not see. And so to make the people to haue the more compassyon of them. the blynde bare the lame. & the lame taughte the blynde where he shold goo. & thus they gate moche good and had an esy lyfe. ¶But they were euer aferde to mete wyth the shryne of saynt marten. leest he wolde haue heled hem of theyr syke¦nesse. And so on a tyme at a stretes en¦de. at a tournynge sodeynli at a corner they met wyth the shryne of saint mar¦ten. and anone they were bothe hole. And the blynde myght see. and the la∣me myght goo: And thenne they cryed to saynt martyn. & saide. Marten we thanke the for the good y^t we haue had for thy sake here to fore. but we than∣ke the not for our hele. For now we muste goo labour & traueyle. and so gete our lyuyng. For the people wyl gyue vs nomore almesse. & here to fore we lyued ful easely wyth lytyl trauey¦le. and fared wel. Alas alas •hat we come here this daye. For now our myr¦the and welfare is gone Thus this holy man dyd many myra¦cles. ¶wherfore ye maye see that he may doo moche wyth god. ther¦fore lete vs praye to hym that he maye praye to god for vs.

¶De sctā Katherina virginie

GOod frendis suche a daye ye shal haue saynt Katherins day the holy marter she was a kin¦gis doughter. & come of grete byrthe. But she set all her mynde to god. and set nought by the pryde vainglory and richesses of this world. For it is but a vanyte. but she set her al oonly on ihū So whā she had ben at scole & lerned a whyle anone she wold dispute wyth ony clerke that wold come. For she was enspyred wyth the holy ghoste. But whan she herde on a tyme y^t max¦enci{us} was come to the toune of alisaū∣dre wyth soo moche people and soo ry¦ally. that the cyte dommed of theym. For he come to make a solempne sacre¦fyce to his goddis that were of golde & syluer. in lykenesse of bullis & calues & other bestes. Thenne sainte Katheryne sawe that. and blyssed her: and wente in to the temple. and rebuked thempe∣rour boldly and sayd that he dyde sou¦le amysse. for to doo that worship to fē¦des. & leue the worship of god in heuen that made all thing of nought. & sent man lyfe wytte & hele. and preued 〈◊〉 grete reason how cryst was •oth 〈◊〉 and man. And how he bou•〈…〉 kynde wyth his passion on the cross•Page  [unnumbered] wyth his deth. And taughte how euery man shold honour god. and leue false mawmentes. Thenne was the Empe¦rour wroth And bad take her to warde tyll he myght be at leyfer. Soo in the meane tyme: he sente after the grettest maysters and the wyseste clerkes that were in many countreys ferre aboute hym. And whan they were comen he bad them goo and dyspute wyth Ka∣theryne. and ouercome her. & they shold haue ryght well for theyr labour. Thenne were they wroth to come soo ferre to dyspute wyth a woman. And sayd the left scoler in the scole hadde be ynough to ouercome her. But whan Katheryne had dysputed wyth theym wyth the helpe of the holy gost she con¦uerted them euerychone to the feyth off our lord Ihesu criste. In so moche that they were redy to suffre deth for cristis sake. Thenne anone maxencius. com∣maunded to make a grete fyre. & bren∣•e them in the fyre. But by the helpe of the holy goost the fyre brenned noo partye of theyr bodyes nother the leest clothe of them. and yet laye fayre dede as they had be a slepe. Thenne the em∣perour made do Katherine to be naked and to bete her wyth sharpe scourges. that she was all blody. & ful of woū∣des. And thēne he put her in to pryson seuen dayes: wythout ony maner mete or drynke. Thenne had the quene grete lust to speke wyth Katheryne and toke a knyghte wyth her y^t hyghte porphyri¦•s. and wente to katheryne. and then they sawe an angell sette a crowne of shynnynge golde on the quenes hede. and another on porphiryus hede. and bad hem be stedfaste. For wythin thre dayes they shold come to heuen. by suf¦frynge of marterdom. Thenne sente themperour after Katheryne. and wen¦te to haue foūde her nygh dede. but all that tyme god sente her mete from he∣uen. And whan the emperour sawe her a lyue. he was wode for wroth and made her to be set betwene ii. wheles. and tourned one vpward and another downewarde. full of hokes & swerde poyntes for all to rase Katheryne. thē come an angell as it had be a wynde. and all to brake them. and slewe four thousand of the tyrauntes. Thenne sa¦we the quene that miracle. and come be¦fore the kynge her husbonde. and re¦buked hym that he sawe the myghte of god soo openly. and wolde not byle¦ue theron. Thenne bad the kynge lede forth the quene. and cut of her pappes from the body wyth hokes and thenne to smyte of her hede. Thenne for por∣phpryus beryed her and lxxx. of her knyghtes were martered with her and porphyrius be heded also: Thenne spake the Emperour to Ka∣theryne. and sayde: that he wold wed¦de her. and she wold forsake cryst and byleue in his goddis. and she sayd she sette noughte by hym nor by his god∣dis. And whan he sawe that he made to smyte of her hede. Thenne anone in stede of blode come oute fayr mylke. And thenne came an angell and ba∣re the soule in to heuen. And thenne angellis come and bare the body in to the ayre. and soo to the mounte of Synay. and there beryed it wyth worshyp And there god Page  [unnumbered] werketh many fayr myracles to this day. At the fote of the mounte there is an abbey of monkes that lyuen in gre¦te abstynence. and this abbey is strong and hye walled. and barred abowte wyth yren for wylde bestes And in that abbey lyeth saynt Katheryne in a fayr tombe of albester. for her bones were fetched thyder for the more worshyp. & aboue the chirche is the busshe ther god stode in whan he spake to moyses. and wrote the lawe in two tables of stone and the busshe is as grene and fayre. as it was the same day. Also in that abbey is a grete merueyle: and is this euery monke hathe a lampe wyth oyle br•nnyng. and whan he shal deye they shall knowe by his lampe. For as he draweth to deth soo derketh his lampe And whan the abbot deyeth his brede∣ren shal synge a masse of the holy gost and bery hym solempny. & whan mas¦se is done. they shal fynde a bylle wre∣ten on the auter who shall be abbot. & so they chose her abbot. Also on saynt Katherins nyghte al the birdes in the countree comen thyder. and eche off thē brynge a branche of olyue in her byl∣lys to the place. and as pylgrimes sain¦the monkes make oyle of the braūches to her lampes for al the yere. ¶we fynde & rede of a man y^t serued Katherine and fasted her euen brede & water. & on a tyme he come in felyshyp of recheles people & by comforte of thē he lefte his faste & ete wyth hem. and so in the nyghte after he sawe a grete cō∣pany of maydens comyng by hym. & amonge them there was one passynge all other. and eche of hem had a crow∣ne but one had a passynge fair crown & that was saint Katheryne. So whā she come by this man she hyd her face from hym. and wold not loke on hym. thenne he asked one of them what they were and she sayde we ben virgyns. & the pryncipall that thou seest is saynte

Katheryne: that hyd her face from the. by cause thou hast left thy deuouci¦on fro her euyn of fastynge. Thenne this man repented him sore that he had doo this dede. and tourned ayen to his deuoucion & fasted. and after was a holy man and therfore lete vs worship this holy virgin. y^t she may praye for vs all Amen.

¶De dedicacione ecclesie.

•Ood frēdes suche a daye ye shall haue your dedycacyon daye. that is your chirche holy daye. ye shal come to chirche and here your de∣uyne seruyce in the worshyp of god. And for iii causes the whiche the chir¦che is halowed for. that is for the chir∣che clensynge. for deuoute praynge. & for the dede bodyes berynge. the first is for the chirche clensyng the chirche is or¦deyned for all the people that come thi¦der shold be in parfyte charyte. & there mete wyth god. for god is euer there present. and whan all the peple comē so to gyder at this assignement. it pley∣seth god to here hem & her good wordes in that place. But whan the fende seth ony man besy therto he is full sory. & seketh all the wayes y^t he can or maye to let hym from the chirche for they shold not come to the presence of god Thenne whan holy faders knewe the malice of the fende. they ordeyned the chirche to be halowed. And soo by Page  [unnumbered] good preyers the fende is •reuen oute: But yf any cursed lyuer brynge hym in ayen that is oute of charyte. or in de¦dely synne is wyth the fende. & the fen¦de wyth hym. But how the fende is dreuen awaye by halowyng. I will telle yow by ensample. that is wreten in legenda aurea: ¶Saint Gregory sayth in a boke y^t is called dyalogus. on a tyme as a ch•r¦che was on halowyng. a swyne ran∣ne amonge the people to and fro. and so ranne oute of the chirche dore. and that was a fende y^t ranne awaye. but yet the nexte nyght after he come ayen & made suche anoyse as though al the chirche shold haue falle downe. & then¦ne come neuer ayen more But there be many lewde people that saye her pray¦ers. they were as good at home as atte chirche: For yf ther be ony man or wo∣man. that hath a mater to speke wyth his good frende. and wolde feyne haue his •ntēte. he wyl go home to his hous goodly and lowely in hope to spede the better. Ryght soo yf ony man wolde praye to god deuoutli he shold come to chirche. there is god. for he that is in cle¦ne lyf and prayeth to god speketh with hym for many of you wote not howe ye shold praye. The settyng of the chir¦che gyueth you knowleche. for the chir¦che is set in the este. And soo whan ye praye. sette your hertes in the est prayng hertely for mercy wyth per∣fyte charyte. For though it be put oute of your herytage by malyce of the fen¦de▪ that is enmye to your soules. For we shold not haue the ioye of parady¦se that he was in. and loste it by his pri¦de Also we lost it by our fadres trespa¦se adam. lete vs thynke that crist deyed in the est. And therfore lete vs praye besely in to the est that we maye be of the nombre that he deyed fore.

Also let vs thynke that he shall come oute of the este to the dome. wher¦fore lete vs praye hertely to hym and besely that we maye haue grace of con¦trycyon 〈◊〉 our hertes of our mysdedes wyth shryft and satisfaction. that we maye stonde that daye on the ryght hō¦de of our lord Ihesu crist. and so be off the nombre that shall be saued & come to euerlastynge blysse and ioye and y^t we may scape that horryble rebuke y^t shall be gyuen to all them y^t shall be dampned and goo to euerlastyng pey¦ne that wyl not be sory & repente them and aske mercy in this worlde. And thus for deuoute prayers. holy chirche was ordeyned to be halowed. For god sayth thus.

My hous is called an hous of prayers But it is now made an hous of row∣nynge. whysperynge. cryeng clatering scornyng. tales and symple spekynge. mowyng of vanyte and many sym∣ple wordes and lewde.

Narraico

¶we rede how saynte Gregory was at masse on a tywe. and saynt Austyn was his deken and bad the people tour¦ne to the popes blessyng. Thenne he sa¦we two wymmen rowne to gyder in the popes chapell. and the fende sat in her ne•ke wrytyng a greate rolle. and it lacked parchemente and he drewe Page  [unnumbered] it oute with his teeth and so it fell oute of his clawes and sainte Austyn sawe it and wente and tooke it vp. Thenne the pope was wrothe and asked hym. why that he loughe hym to scorne.

And he shewyd him what the fende hadde wreten of the wymen and then he come to the wymen and asked theym what they hadde saide. all thys masse tyme. and they sayd oure Pa∣ter noster Thenne the pope badde rede the roll to theym that the fende hadde wryten And saint Gregory redde it. & there was neuir a gode worde therin Thenne they knelyd downe and asked mercy and besoughte the pope to praye for theym and so he dyd amd broghte theym oute of the fendes bokes Alsoo. for longe restynge to holy churche for whanne a man is dede he is broughte to the churche to his reste ¶Somtyme the people were buryed at home as po¦re people and the ryche were buryed in the hyll toppes. and some at the foote of the hyll in tombes made of rockes. But for the sauoure was so great and greuous holy faders ordeyned church yerdes to bury the peple. for ii. causes One is to be praied for as holy church vseth And another is for the body shal lye there withoute trauayll For the fē¦des hath noo maner of power. to any thynge within cristen buryelles But if so be that the dede body be nat worthy to be buryed in suche holy grounde For as Iohn Byllet telleth that there shulde noon other body be buryed in the churche but if it be the patrone that defendeth it fro bodily enmyes: or the parson. vicary. preest or clerke that de¦fende the churche fro gostly enneuyes with 〈…〉. For so•〈…〉 buryed the•• and caste oute 〈◊〉 on the morowe and 〈…〉 in the graue. ¶〈…〉 co∣me on a tyme to a wardeyn of a chur∣che and badde him go to the b•shop. & byd him caste out the body that he had buryed therr or els he shall be dede wi¦thin threty daies. and so he was for he wolde nat doo as he was bydde.

¶Narracio.

¶Also we rede in gestis of Rome that an aungell tolde an holy Busshoppe. that hight Encres howe that charles. the kynge of Fraunce. was dampned for he toke away holy churche right. y^t goode people hadde gyuen tofore and bad him go and open his tombe: and see it Thenne the busshop went with o¦ther people and opned the tombe and there came oute a grete dragon & slepe forthe. and lefte the tombe brennynge within as it hadde be an ouyn mouthe

¶And thus to bury in holy place is but lytell avayll to theym that be dā¦ned ¶Also there be many that walke on nyghtes whan they be buryed in ho¦ly place but that is nat longe of the fē¦de but of the grace of almyghty god. whiche grace. he graunte vs all that for vs shedde his blode on the rode tree Amen:

¶Per me Ricardum Pynson.

Page  [unnumbered]T•〈…〉 se 〈…〉 and the firste de¦stinc•ion sayth. that the soue∣rayne cause why god made all creatu¦res in heuyn erth or water 〈◊〉 his ou¦ne godenes by the whiche he wold that some of theym sholde haue parte and be communers of his euirlastinge blis But for asmoche as no creature my∣ghte cōme to that blisse withoute knou¦lege of him▪ Therfore he made resona∣ble creatures as angelles & mankynd of wytte and wysdome. wherby they sholde knowe him and so through that knowlege come to the blisse that they were made to This maner of know¦lege hadde our forne fader Adam and eue in the state of their innocencye wi∣thoute any trauayll. The whiche we shold haf had also if they had nat syn¦ned But that knowlege that we haue nowe is of herynge lernynge & teching of other that can the lawe & the faythe of holy churche The whiche we that haue the cure of soules be bounde to te¦che or to do teche oure parisshynes on peyne of dampnacion of oure soules ¶And for asmoche as my wyl is nat to offende god neither to lese myn ow¦ne soule ne youres I purpose by his le¦ue homly thus to shewe it and rede it. to you in the boke For to your lerning it is as goode as withoute And thus dyd Esdras moyses and Baruke. in the olde lawe. and so dyd criste alsoo in the newe lawe▪ And right as I am thus bounde to tell and to teche it you so be ye bound to lerne it and to conne it and soo to teche it to other folke. the whiche be vndre you to youre power. And howe ye shall cōme to this know¦lege of god these th•nges folowynge. shall shewe you. ¶This is the firste peticion of the Pa¦ter noster The firste is the Pater nos∣ter the whiche oure lorde made and tau¦ghte his disciples. which conteyneth se¦uyn shorte peticiones. The firste is Fader oure that arte in heuynes halo∣wed be thy name By this ye be behold to loue eche other as sustre and brother And also to yelde him worshyp & d•ede for the gret worthynes riches and farr¦nesse that he hath here yeuyn & lente to you For more worthynesse may nat be than to be called the sone of god ne ry¦ches greter thanne to be ayr of the blys of heuyn. ne more fayrnesse thenne to be lyke to suche a fader for we be all▪ bretherne and susterne of one fader. & modre that is god and holy churche In tokenynge that noon of vs sholde. scorne other as the proude dothe the po¦re. 〈…〉 ¶He is also in heuyn nat withstondynge that he is in euery place. but yet mooste propyrly he is in heuyn Therfore halowe we so his na∣name in vs here that we defoule natt his holynesse by synne: But that by the yefte of wysdome we may so here be clensed fro all fylthe of synne and so fulfylled of his loue that all other louys contrarye to his wyll be byttre to vs. ¶The secounde. is thy gyngdome come to vs 〈◊〉 is to saye that he and his holynes soo rey∣ne and gouerne all oure lyf here. that we may after reigne with him in blys that euyr shall laste. and by very cha¦rite thou shalt distroye the fo• synne Page  [unnumbered] of enuye. ¶The thridde is. thy wyl be doon in erth as it is in heuyn & tho that grudge in sekenesse. losse of godes or other diseases ayenste god do agaynste this peticion and greatly dis¦please god Therfore praye we that as all aungelles and holy soules. please god in heuyn soo must we here in erth noo thynge askynge ayenste his wyll And thus by loue thou shalt distroye. the foule synne of wrathe. ¶The fourthe is Oure euery day∣es brede gyue vs to daye. that is to say oure full sustenaunce of body & soule Thus prayed the wise man that sayd Lorde neyther richesse ne pouerte gyue me But that that is necessary to my lyuelode. By this is couetyse distroy∣ed and the gyft of compassion and py¦te brought in. ¶The fyft is and forgyue us our tre¦spasses as we forgyue theym that tres¦passe agaynste vs This is ayenste the that beryst grete rancor and malyce a∣gaynste thy neyghboure Or art to gre¦dy of thy dettes to the pore and wylte. nat forgyue him a lytell dette or tres∣passe. there as god forgyueth the ma¦ny greuous offences. for the whiche ne were his grete mercy thou sholdeste be dampned. To this therfore is knyt the spyrite of conn•nge▪ that shewith that what thou arte. and what parell thou stondest in and what oure lord suffred for the. ¶The syxte is And lede vs nat in tēp¦tacion It is nat to praye here that noo temptacion assayll vs in that. the de∣uyll hath lycence to tempte man as he dyd▪ Cryste and his appostels and vs aldaye dothe. soo that his power may n•t be putte awaye withoute the helpe and mer•y of god Therfore holy fa∣der by the helpe and grace of the spyri¦te of pyte kepe oure hertes in temptacy¦on that we consent nat ne be ouircome with synne

¶The vii is But delyuer vs from all euyll of synne amen. And this is the laste peticion to the whiche is yeuen the spyrite of drede that maketh a mā to withdrawe him from all euyll of synne for the begynnynge of wysdom is to drede god and his right wysnes. These seuyn peticiones thus wythe a clene herte asked remeueth and putteth awaye the seuyn dedely synnnes. and endueth thy soule with many holy. ver¦tues. ¶Aue maria. Fur¦thermore as for the salutacion of oure lady pope Vrban and pope Iohn to al beynge in clene lyf. that in the ende of the Aue maria say these wordes Iesus amen. as ofte as they say it they haue graunted of pardon lxxx: and foure daies. And so as often as thou sayste oure ladies sauter. soo ofte thou haste of pardon xxxiiii. yere & xxx wekes. ¶These be the xii. articles of the fay¦the The firste is

¶The seconde thynge that thou shold knowe god by be the articles of the fey¦the By the whiche grace and mercy be purchased of god and eche vertuous dede strengthed. what this fayth is thies articles suynge shall shewe you. ¶The firste is I byleue in god fader Page  [unnumbered] almyghty maker of heuyn and of erth To byleue to god is one and to byleue in god is another The deuyl beleueth to god that is to saye that he and his. wordes ben true. yet many one faileth herin For and they dyd byleue that the wordes of god were true that is to say that for their gode dedys they shold ha¦ue euirlastinge lyf. and for their euyll dedys the peynes of hell they wold ey∣ther for drede or for loue amende theim

To byleue in god saith saint au¦styn is to cleue to god by loue fulfyl∣lynge his wyll. this is very byleue Thus and if thou synne ayenste god it is for lacke of byleue. yet in that. he is of power to plenysshe the. If thou wylt nat leue it The secounde is

I byleue in iesu criste his only sone ou¦re lorde Vnderstonde here that iesu cry¦ste the sone is in heuyn with the fader. withoute begynnynge. and that the fa¦der dothe nothyng withoute the sonne ne the sonne withoute the fader. And thus both they be almyghty The thrid article is. I byleue that he was conceyued of the holy gooste and borne of the virgyne mary Here Criste the seconde persone. of the holy trynite tooke flesshe & blo∣de of oure lady by the •oly goost with oute medlynge of man She beynge a mayde after as she was to fore For as she conceyued him with oute synne. & bodily payne. She childed him very god and man The fourthe is. I byleue that he suffred payne vndre. pounce pylate doon on the crosse dede. and buried Here Criste the sonne of god suffred mekely and threspaced ne¦uir. for we sholde mekely suffre. that moche haue trespaced He was also crucified for we shold chastise our fle¦she by penaunce in withstondyng syn & he was beried in token that we shold hyde oure gode dedys fro preysynge. & vaynglorye of the world & to haue mī¦de that erthe is oure heritage by kynde of oure bodily flesshe The v. is I byleue that he went downe to hell: & the thridde day arose from deth to ly¦ue Cryste thus bodily deed laye in the sepulcre withoute the soule tyll the iii. daye that he arose the godhode nat par¦tyd fro the body He wente downe to hell & deliuered the holy soules y^t wer there through vertue of the godhode & the thridde day arose fro deth to lyfe in tokenynge that the light of his deth ha¦the distroyed oure double deth. and y^t we shall aryse fro goostly deth by iii. maner of medi•••es. contricion confes¦sion. and satisfaction The vi. is I byleue that he styed vp into heuyn and sett him there on his faders righte honde Thus Criste appering to his dis¦ciples after his resurrection 〈◊〉 wythe theym in tokenynge that he was very. man as he was to fore And so to stye. Page  [unnumbered] into heuyn and highed mankynd abo¦ue all aungelles openyng heuyn gate to shewe man the way and to pray for mankynde The seuynth is. I beleue that he is to come to deme the quycke and the dede This criste iesu ve¦ry god and man shall come to the do¦me and deme all mankynde quycke & dede good and euyll after theyr dedes There shall some cōme to the dome & nat be demyd as hethen men For they synne withoute lawe And therfore withoute lawe they muste perysshe Somme also shalbe demyd and dam¦ned as false cristen men that beleue in Iesu criste withoute loue & gode wer∣kes There shall subgettes accuse their euyll curates that wolde nat repreue. theym of their synnes ne teche them the commaundmentes of god Also chyl∣drē vnchastised shal there repreue ther faders and moders that wold nat cha¦stice theym of their wantonesse There shall the pore accuse the riche y^t wolde nat helpe theym in their myschief Amē¦de all this therfore whyles thou art he¦re and haue mynde how sodenly his vē¦geaunce falleth and as how he findeth the he shall deme the The viii. is: I byleue in the holy gooste the thrydde persone of the trinyte The holy gooste also withoute begynnynge or endyng and euyn in wytte myght and godenes with the fader and the sonne and al iii be oon god almyghty The lx. is I byleue in holy chirche and in comu∣nyon of sayntes holy churche throghe oute the worlde is holy and one to all cristen men that in in the sacramentes of the church dele and cōmoneth to gid¦dre Therfore it is forboden that in the churche ne in the churche yerde be ney∣ther rumoure ne stryf daunsyng dryn¦kynges ne non inhonest myrthes ne oc¦casion of synne shold nat be yeue ther where as forgeuenesse sholde be asked Holy churche is parted in thre One is in this worlde of theym that sholde be sauyd by the mercy of god▪ and thys is euyr fightynge agaynste these thre. ennemyes the worlde the flesshe. & the deuyll And a nother is in purgatorye of soules that abide there the grete mer¦cy of god The thridde is criste of heuē hede of all other with his saintes why¦che is free fro all maner descensiones These thre shall be one after the daye of dome ioynynge with Iesu their he∣de in the blysse that neuyr shall haue ende Comonynge sayntes whan eche of these thre parties helpen other They in heuyn helpen the other two with pra¦yer And they in erth hel¦pen them in purgatory with theyr prai¦er and almes And these two helpe hem in heuyn whan their ioye and blysse is encreased. And thus eche cōmu¦neth with other. The x. is I byleue forgyuenesse of synnes. they that amende their lyf here and doo ve∣ry penaunce. wyllyng to leue their sin¦nes and ende in charite. shall haf for∣gyuenesse of all their synnes. For criste by his deth and passion of his fa¦der Page  [unnumbered] gate vs forgyuenes & he him selue by his godhede also forgyueth all ori∣ginall and actuell synne of oure bap¦tym The xi. article. I byleue rysynge of bodye All man∣kynde at the daye of dome shall ryse. from dethe to lyf in body and soule to gydder and after that neuyr be depar∣ted And thenne they that haue endyd. in dedely synne shuld goo in body and soule to the euirlastynge peyne of hell without mercy And they that haue well lyued. and endyd in charite and oute of dedely synne shall wēde in body & soule to gyddre to blys for euirmore. Of thys. blysse speketh sainte Mathewe. in the laste artycle The xii. is I byleue in euirlastynge lyf. ¶Thies been the articles of the feythe the whiche but euery man truly & sad∣ly byleue may nat be sauyd For with¦oute feyth it is impossible to plese god ¶The thridde thynge that thou sholde knowe god by be his x. commaunde∣mentes whiche he wrote in the ii. tables of stoon. and tooke theym to moyses. to teche his people promysynge to hem that wolde kepe theym his blessynge. welthe and welfare And to them y^t wolde nat his curse grete sorowe and myscheif. ¶A man asked of Criste what he myght do to haue euir¦lastynge lyf And he aunsweryd and sayde if thou wyll entre euirlastynge. lyf kepe the cōmaundementes This preuyth if thou kepe his cōmaundmen¦tes thou fulfyllest the lawe of god. & shalte haue euirlastinge lyf. ¶The firste is he cōmaundeth y^t thou haue no god but h•m Ne y^t thou wor∣shyp serue ne yeue thy truste to none o¦ther creature ymage ne thynge grauen but only to him In this is forboden▪ mawmetry false enchauntemētes wy¦checraftes false charmes and dremys▪ and mysbeleuys that any man or wo∣man hopyth helpe in. withoute almy∣ghtye god In this ye synne dedely that for sekenesse or losse of godes put your fayth or byleue that ye sholde haue in youre lorde god by the deuylles myny¦stres false wytches. the whiche bryng many a soull to the deuyll. For they byleue more in the wyches wordes thā in the wordes of scripture y^t the preest te¦chyth theym. Al suche▪ haue goddes curse at the leest iiii. tymes a ye¦re in the greate sentence And euery day in oure pryme As for ymages

¶Also ye shall vndyrstonde y^t as clerkes see in her bokes how they shold lyue and doo soo sholde lewde men ler¦ne by ymages whome they sholde wor¦shyp and folowe in lyuyng. to do god¦des worshyp to ymages euery man is forboden ¶Therfore firste whenne thou cōmyst to the churche be∣holde goddes body vndre forme of bre¦de in the auter And thanke him that he vouchesauf euery day to come fro the holy heuyn aboue for the helth of thy soule Loke thou on the crosse. & therby Page  [unnumbered] haue mynde in the passion that he ther¦on suffred for the. thenne the ymages of the holy saintes. nat beleuynge on them but that by the sight of hem thou may haue mynde of theym. that been in heuyn. an• soo to folowe their lyfe asmoche as thou mayst. If thou thus worshyppe loue and serue god thenne shall all thynge worshyp loue & serue the and so thou shalt fulfyll the firste and mooste cōmaundement.

¶The secounde is that thou ta¦ke nat in vayn the holy names of god Thou takest the name of god in vayn whanne thou turnest agayn to thy syn after thy baptym. Thou takeste it in veyne also whanne thou sweryst and fo•sweryst the and reckeste nat how

Afore all thynge sayth saint Ia¦me swere ye nat left ye fall vndre the come of god. It is only reseruyd to god saith saint Iohn that thou swere by hym and his trouthe and his right∣wysnesse Therfore or thou swere see y^t thou be compellyd by dome. and that it be right nat for enuye loue ne drede. but only for rightwysnes in declaring of trouthe And if any man of these fayl it is periury Beware ther¦fore ye that vse questes or consistorye. and here what perell ye stonde in that wyttyngly be forswore on the booke. The booke betokeneth all holy scrip∣ture and the suffrage of the churche the whiche there thou forsakest when thou forsweryst the All the goode werkes. that euir thou dydeste. the whiche thou forsakest whanne thou withdrawest it

Thou forsakest also god almyghty oure lady saynt mary and all the saintes of heuyn and the mery¦tes of the holy sacramentes. and hooly betakest thy selue to the deuyll of hell but if thou amende the or thou go hen•

¶If they then shall thus be punysshed for swe¦rynge how shall they be that blasphe∣me and dismembre him swerynge by his herte nayles. woundes. and suche other Some whanne they be repreuyd herof say it is gode to haue god in mī¦de. and with suche leudnes they kepe styll their othes And if thy seruaunte dyd agaynst thy byddynge sayng that he dyd it to haue the in mynde woldest thou nat be wra¦the with him Moche more must god: thenne with the whanne thou dooste a¦gaynste his byddynge And some saye I may well swere for I swere soothe This is a false excusacion For and if thou sholdest alwaye swere whanne thou sayst sothe Thenne wolde nat cri¦ste haue forbeden sweryng But in mo¦che swerynge is ofte forsweryng. Therfore he sayth that he that mooche sweryth shall be replete with wyckyd¦nesse and sorowe ne vengeaunce shall nat departe from his house Some say also that no man wyll be∣leue theym but if they swere This is a subtell excusacion For therby a false man may swere aswell as a true mā and so sholde he be aswell beleuyd as the true man For the falser that he is. the more he swereth and forswerythe. and so begyleth Therfore if thou wilt be beleuyd without swerynge be true of thy worde and left it be ye ye. & nay nay In token that thou sayst with thy Page  [unnumbered] mouthe thou sholdest say it with thyn herte and nat say one and •yn•e a no¦ther. ¶The thridde is. haue in mynde to halowe thyn holydai¦es that is to saye Sondayes and other that ben comaunded Almyghty god. in vi daies made heuyn erthe and see. and all that in theym is. And the vii. day he restyd Therfore he blessyd it. and made it holy But in stede therof we cristen men halowe the sonday whi¦che was the firste daye of the worlde. wherin god made light. and that day god gaue to moyses the lawe That day he arose from dethe to lyue. That day the holy gooste gaue wysdome. to the appostellys to preche the trouthe of cristes lawe And that daye as cler∣kes say shall also be domes daye

¶Therfore shall euery man in that day besy him to here goddes seruy¦ce lerne his lawe and fle synne and fle¦shely lustes tauernes and suche chaffe¦rynges that lettith theym to rest in our lorde. ¶yet many there be that such daies be more besy in wor¦dely werkes and synnes thanne al the weke after. and neuir woll reste for no techynge ne louene drede of god

These be mooste lyke to theym in hell that neuyr reste but euyr labou¦re in peyne They breke also their holy day they spende theyr tyme in ydelnes. and in vayne playes ydell spekynge & bacbytynge of their euyn crysten

why sayth oure lorde haue myn¦de to halowe thyn holy day But for thou sholdest putte oute of thyne herte all worldly thoughtes and occupye it with heuynly desires As to thynke what god hathe doon for the 〈◊〉 he made the of noughte and lyke to hym in soull Howe he 〈◊〉 so•ed the oute of the pytte of hell withe hys owne precious blood Howe also of his goodnesse he kepyth the nyght and daye in thy right wyttes and fro all bo¦dily myscheuys that many one aldaye falleth in. And howe agaynste all this thou yeuest him a drynke of gall of byttre synne and brekest his cō¦maundementes bothe in word thought and dede. ¶Thus to haue mynde in all this He asked reste of body and soull▪ on the holy day. and thus reste signifyeth the reste in blys. that we shall haue after this if we reste in hym. On the holye day here goddes seuyre and fle synne.

¶The iiii. commaundmnet is worshippe thy fader and moder Thre maner of faders there be y^t thou muste worshyp. The firste is thy fader of heuyn y^t made the of nou∣ghte and norissheth thy body with erth∣ly fode Conforteth thy soull with he∣uynly desyre. Defendeth it fro the de∣uyll and maketh it heyr of the blys of uyn. Thus may noon doo but he oure fader oure lorde and oure god

The seconde fader is he y^t gate the and thy modre that bare the. to whome thou shall be subget and ser¦uysable For they be the secounde cause of thy beynge in this present lyf. Thenne thou shalt also worshyp them and yeue theym of thy godes freely if they haue nede and if thou haue more. thenne they Comforte counseyl and teche theym after thy connynge: Page  [unnumbered] folowen vsurye. when thou lenest mo¦ney to hem that haue nede for a certein wynnyg al the tymes ende. And for the loone outher thou takyst seruyce. presentis or yeftis. ¶Another whan thou lenest it. for the half wynnyng. he to paye the hooll. y^t thou lenest it to. though all be lost ¶Another whan thou byest a thynge: for moche lesse thenne it is worth. ¶Another whan thou sellest thy chaf∣fare the derer for the lone. ¶Another whan thou hast a thyng to fore the tyme. as corn or it be rype. ¶Another whan thou takest the beeste of a poure man wyth this condicion. y^t yf it deye▪ it shall deye to the poure mā and not to the. ¶Soo sayth paryfyens: therfore vse leeffull chaffare and wyn wythoute subtylte or sleyght not as moche as thou mayst. But that. that is resona∣ble to thy sustenaunce. after thyn estat is dewe. This desyred this wyse man of our lord when he said. neyther ry∣ches neyther pouerte lord yeue me. but oonly lord that is necessarye to my ly∣uelod.

¶The viii. thou shalt not bere fals wytnesse. In this is forboden all ma∣ner of lefynges: conspyracy. and forsweryng. wherby that thy neygh∣bour leseth his catel. frenshyp. or good all suche ben called the children of the deuyll. For they put out trouthe. and brynge ynne falsehed. Put oute cryste and brynge ynne the deuyll. lesynge stondyth not oonly in fals wordes. But also in fals werkys and yf thou be a crysten man lyue ther after. or el∣lis thou lyest. There be thre maner of lesynges. one is when thou lyest wyth full purpose to hurt thy neyghbour. And thenne it is dedely synne. Another is whan thou lyest to further thy neyghbour in a trouthe and thenne it is not soo moche euyll. ¶The third is when thou lyest for the dysporte of them that be aboute the. not wyllyng to hyndre ony persone.

¶Thyse two be venyall. but thou haue them in custume therforr beware of all maner lesynge. and neyther for loue ne hate ne for mede. bere noo fals wytnes. The ix. is thou shalt not desyre thy neybours wyf. In the seuenth commaundement god for∣bedeth the dede of lechery and theyr de¦syre. In tokyn that they be both dedely synne: yet somme wene but they doo the dede it is noo synne Cryste therfore wyllyng all suche to be clene wythin. and wythout bothe in body and in sou¦le sayth this. All that sewe a woman to the couetyse of theyr lust. they do le∣chery wyth her in theyr herte. And thus by shrewd thoughtis. man is ofte tyme departyd from god. ¶yet sayth saynt Byrgit in her vysi∣ons. But yf ylle thoughtis were som∣tyme to man. He shold wene hym selff rather angell thenne man. And soo all euyll thynge cometh off hym self. and none of god. ¶Therfore that man sholde vnder∣stonde the infirmyte that he hath off hym self and the strenthe y^t he hath off god: it is necessarye sayth she. that he be suffred somtyme of the greate mer¦cy of god. to bee temptyd wyth euyll Page  [unnumbered] thoughtes. To the whiche yf he consen¦te not. they be but a purgacion to his soule and a kepar of his vert••s. Therfore whan shrewd thoughtis co∣me to the wythstonde the first sugges∣tyon. and lete thy sowle alweye soo la¦boure. that he consente not to delyte in theym And thenne haue in mynde the bytter paynis that Crist for the suffred. And the endeles blysse of the ioyes of heuen that thou muste lese yf thou consente to theym and the bytter paynis of helle also that thou shalt haue yf thou deye in theym. and yf thou thus doo thenne shalt thou ha¦ue in mynde thy laste ende. and neuer doo synne

¶The x. commaundement and the laste is. thou shalt not desyre thy negh¦bours thynge hous lande oxe asse. ney¦ther noo thynge that is his. For suche desyres of couetyse. as scripture ma∣keth mencion. Balaam Nacor. Anani Gyesy. Achab Iesebel and many. o∣ther fyll to grete myschyeff. bothe off body: and of sowle. Therfore be ye well war als of all su¦che fals desyre. And take noo mannis good ayenste his wyll. lest it falle to you. as it dyd to them. And thynke also that wythout satys∣faccion. or hauyng wyll to amende the therof. The pope ne none by hym may dispence wyth the. and yet thou ston∣dyst acursyd of all holy chirche in the greate sentence. foure tymes in the yere what shall all suche false desyre thē profyte the. when the curse of god shal thus abyde on the. there is noo man y^t bredith the curse of god nowe. ¶But whan cryst at the dome shall saye that scrypture makyth mencion of. Goo ye cursed in the euerlastynge fyre of hell. Thenne shall they bothe drede it. and fele it. For this word goo ye cursed. shall be more peynfull as doctours sayn. thenne the paynis off a thousand hellys: though they were all gadred in to one. All thyse ten b•∣hestis ben brought in two: of the gos∣pell that is loue god aboue all thyng And thy neyghbour as thy selff. Fyrst thou shalt loue god wyth all thy herte that noo thyng be nerer thy herte then god In all thy soule that thou suffre noo synne abyde wythin thy soule for the loue of god. And wyth all thy m••¦de that thou spare not. for myschy•ff to please god. Thy neyghbour also as thy selff in good and not euyl as moche as thy self in helthe in seeke∣nes in welthe and in woo. ¶Thus for loue thou shalt kepe god∣dis commaundementis and not oonly for drede of peyn Thise commaundementis sholde e••e man telle and teche his childre. And thus bad our Lorde to moyses. thyse wordes said he▪ the whiche I take here this daye shall be in thy herte. Thou shalt telle them to thy sonnys▪ & thyn∣ke on hem slepyng wakyng syttyng. & goyng Thou shalt bynde theym as a sygne to thy hand· and wryte theym on the doorys & lynter••s of thy hous And shalt rewle all thy thoughtis wor¦des and dedes preuy and apert in eche place. by thyse commaundementis off god Foryete not thyse wordes sayth he ne fall they not from Page  [unnumbered] thy herte all the dayes of thy lyf. Thus gouerne ye your meyny sayth saint Austyn. For as we thus speke to you. here in the chirche. soo shold ye to yours at home. that ye may gyue tre. we rekenyng to god of theym. that be subgettis to you. and telle theim. sayth he the loue and the swetenesse of he∣uenly thynges and the grete bytternes of helle. for ye shall answere for them at the strey• daye of dome. and coun∣seyll them all y^t they be not neglyent in no wyse to lerne thyse commaundemē¦tis for drede of this sentence that folo∣wyth yf thou wolt not here the voys of thy lord god seyth he. That thou kepe his commaundementis all thyse curses shull come to the and ta∣ke the thou shalt be cursed in cytee. in felde. cursed shall be thy relyques. the fruyte of thy body. thy fruyte of thy lō¦de. The drouys of thyn oxyn and the flockes of thy sheep. thou shalt be cur¦sed in the goyng ynne. and goyng out Thou shalt be smyte wyth hunger see¦kenesse and pestylence. wyth adders. wyth fyre. wyth hete. wyth colde. and wyth corrupte ayer. ¶All thyse shall pursewe the. and thou shalt perysshe. And yf thou wolt here the voyce of oure Lord. that thou lerne and kepe his commaundementis He shall make the hygher thenne all that dwelleth in erthe And all thyse blyssynges. shall come to the and take the: Thou shalt be bsis¦sed in cytee and in felde in the frute of thy body. and fruyte of thy lande. in flockys of thy sheep. and drouys off thy bestys. in thy bernys and in thy ce∣lers. in thy goyng in▪ in thy goyng oute and in all thy werkis of thy han¦dys. Soo that euery man shall see that the name of god is callyd vpon the. and they shull drede the. I shall gyue rayne in tyme sayth he. the erthe shall brynge forth his sede. And trees shall bee replete wyth fruy¦te thou shalt haue peas in thy cuntree. and thou shalt slepe: And noo man shall fere the. All thyse blyssynges shull take the. yf thou lerne and kepe his commaundementis. Therfore haue mynde in the preceptys of god. and in his byddynges bee ye moost besy: For yf thou kepe them. they shull kepe the and brynge the to blysse. that neuer shall haue ende. which he vs graunte that wyth his blo¦de bought vs Ihesus Cryste Amen.

¶De septem sacramentis.

THe fourth thynge that thou sholdest knowe god by: is the seuen sacramentis of holi chir¦che whiche be mynystred to the people of persones and prestis that haue po∣wer therto. of the whiche. fyue the first that is baptesme confirmacion shryft howsyll and anoyntyng. Are euery man and woman hold to doo. in pein of cursyng. incerteyn tyme as the lawe. yeueth. The other two may no man ta¦ke. as ordre and wedlocke but att his own wyll. Thyse sacramētis toke their begynnīg Page  [unnumbered] off the gracious well•. of the syde off our lord Ihesu criste in his passyon. For ryght as out of adamys syde. whi¦le he slepte was takyn out a rybbe that eue was made of: ryght soo atte the deth of oure lord there ranne oute of his syde bothe blood and water. by the vertu of whiche passion the sacra∣mentis of holy chirche toke fyrst theyr strentgh and theyr begynnyng. ¶The fyrst sacrament is baptime. in whiche oryginall synne that we be born in & all other synnes that we be defowled wyth they be wasshen a waye thorow the passyon of crist. and therwyth is be taken vs the feyth and byleue of holy chirche. wythout whiche. there may no man be saned. Therfore it is cōmaun¦ded that euery crysten woman that fe¦lyth her quyck wyth child· to kepe her fro heuyng and shouyng. greate tra∣ueyle and fallyng and all other mis¦cheuys that sholde myschyeue the chyl¦dys lyff. and so be lost body and soule And that eche woman byfor her tra∣ueyle of chyld. come to chirche and ta¦ke shryft and housyl. for peryll of de∣the that myght falle in the byrthe. Also the mydwyf & tho that be about the chyld. yf it be in parel of dethe. shol¦de cristen it on this wyse I crysten the in the name of the fader. and the sonne and the holy gooste. And thenne sprynge the childe wyth water. & y^t thou foryete not thyse wor∣des. I crysten the. and yf it be cryste∣ned in the maner at home It shall not be crystened eftsone at chirche. For that were a grete peryll. as to nay¦le god eftsones on the rood. And yf it lyue after this crystenynge at home brynge it to the chirche. and there it shall haue all the hooll seruy∣se that it lackyth. In tyme of peryll of dethe fader and moder maye Crysten theyr own children wythout harmyng of theyr spousehode. Godfaders and godmoders ben boro¦wys to fore god. for theyr godchildren And therfore they ben bounde to teche hem to loue ryghtwysnes. charyte and chastyte. to kepe theym from dedely sin¦ne and specyally to teche theym the cō∣maundementis: and belyue. A man and his wyff. shold not fonge at ones to a child atte the fonte stone ¶Ne they that fongith it there shall not fonge. it atte the confermynge but at nede

¶Fader ne moder notyse ne none o∣ther shold suffre noo yonge chylde by theym a bedde whyles they slepe. ne presse theym to faste in cradell ne suf∣fre theym lye slepyng: ne wakynge. wyth oute a keper. ¶There is goostely kynrede thorowe fongyng of chyldre atte the fountf•on on ix. wyse.

¶One is betwyne the childe and the godfaders. Another betwyxt the chyl∣dren of the godfaders another b•wyxt the chyld and the wyff of the godfa¦ders flesshely knowen tofore. Another betwyxt the godfader and the fader. of hym that is cristened.

¶Another betwyxt Page  [unnumbered]〈…〉 hym pardone 〈…〉•re. ¶And wyth this accor¦d•th saint gregore where he saith thus •e saith thou makest neuer satysfac∣•ion for thy synne. But yf thou fere of thy synne. euery body woll desyre par¦don. but fewe or none woll do y^t they shold haue pardon for but through trust and colour of that pardon. They doo many a cursed synne and doo sin¦ne vpon trust therof. other ony good dede. it is a grete synne of pryde. For be thou neuer soo full of good vertu¦es: vnkyndnes to thy god maye dystro¦ye all tho vertues. More vnkyndnes thou mayst not shewe. Thenne for to displease god wylfully. Therfore fle suche vnkyndenesse. And thynke y^t the more acceptable thou arte to god thorow thy good lyuyng. the more cul¦pable thou shalt be: yf thou retorne a∣yen to synne. It is aslyder hoope saith saynte Austyn whan a man synneth vpon trust to be saued. He that soo dothe. he neyther dredeth ne loueth god Soo that it is more proffytable to hol¦de thy selff feble and lowe: Thenne to be holde strong. and for feblenes falle and be lost. Therfore take hede what goodnes god puteth in the. and thanke hym. and praye hym of contynaunce. And doo noo synnne vpon truste off pardon or of ony other good dedys. ¶The fourth is the holy sacramente of the auter. The whiche is cristis own body: his flesshe and blode in fourme of brede. The same that was born off the virgyn marye. and doon on the ro¦de. This is made thorow vertu of god¦dis worde of preestis that haue power whiche 〈◊〉 neyther aungell ne a•∣chaungell h•dde. But oonly man 〈◊〉 mynde of hym self. this sacramente is euery man and woman bounde by the lawe onc• a yere as a••e e•ter. y• he be fourtene yere of age. And haue dis∣crecion to receyue it when they be wyth shryfte and penaunce made clene of theyr synnes. And ellys to be put out of the chirche and of cristen beryellys. But yf it be for sykenesse. or for some other resonable cause whiche cause he must certyfye his curate of. For he that vnworthely receyueth this sacrament he receiueth his dampnaciō Also as often as ony man seeth that body at masse. or borne aboute to the seke. he shall deuoutly knele doun and saye his pater noster or sum other gode prayer in worshyp of his souereyn lor¦de. Also ye shall vnderstonde that the drinke that ye receyue in the chalyce af¦ter your howsell is noo sacrament. But wyne or water to brynge the sa∣crament the lyghtlyer in to thy body. But in fourme of brede it is hole god∣dis body in flesshe and in blode. Therfore thou shalt take it in. as holy as thou mayste left ony parte abyde in thy teeth. For in the left parte is hole goddis body. that daye thou herest thy masse god graunteth the nedefull and lawfull thynges. that day ydell othis and forgetyn synnes be forgeuen. That daye thou shalt not lese thyn eye syght ne deye in sodeyn deth ne the ty∣me of the masse thou shalt not wexe agyd Euery steppe thyderward and homward an aungell shal reke∣ne Lewd men and women to despute Page  [unnumbered] of this sacrament āt vtterly for••dden For it is ynough to theym to beleue as holy churche techeth •m The fyft sacramētis anoynting of se¦ke men the which is oyl halowed of a busshop and minystred by prestes. to theym that been of laufull age. in gre¦te peryll of deth. in lightnesse and aba¦tyng of their sekenesse. if god wyll y^t they lyue And in forgeuynge of theyre venyall synnes and relesyng of theyr peyne if they shall dye So that this sa¦cramēt may be yeuen as oft as nedyth to euery man and womā y^t be in point of dethe. ¶The syxte is holy ordres which noo man may take but at their owne wyl. This yeueth power to them that taketh it to serue in holy churche after their es¦tate is As to him that taketh the ordre. of preesthode for to make the sacramēt of cristes flesshe and his blode. and for to mynistre other sacramētes to the pe¦ople These muste haue their crowne shauen their hede tonsured. and theire clothes honestly shapen. as falleth to her estate and namely in holy churche. They muste also in the quere synge. & rede with clenes of conscience. and gre¦te deuocion of soull nat ouyrhyppyng ne momblynge. ne musynge of vany¦tees. nat medlynge with lewde ne shre¦wyd tydynges ne inhonest cōmunyca¦cion. ne cōmynge to late to goddes ser¦uyce: ne goynge oute bifore the ende. withoute a resonable cause. nat gro∣nynge ne slumbrynge. ne sparyng her voyce. but shewynge oute the voice of the holy gooste with sowne and hooll speche And thus sayth saint Bernard They muste also dispose theym self if they may to synge masse. & therto they be bounde For saint Bernarde sayth. in the persone of oure lord to euery mā thus. Haue I nat made the and yeue the power to make. me & to make my sonne incarnat tofore the fader of saluacion of the worlde if thou haf po¦wer to synge. and syngest nat saith he Thou benymmest the aungelles of he¦uyn their ioye. thou benymmyst man¦kynde trauelynge in erthe their helpe. and grace. and thou benymest the sou¦les that are in grete peynes in purgato¦rye their reste and their forgyuenes. These be heuy wordes and lytell thou¦ghte on with many of vs Saint Au∣styn sayth how worshypful is the dig¦nyte of preesthode sayth he. betwyxte. whose handes the sonne of god as in his moders wombe was īcarnate. hou blessed be the pr•ests sayth he if y^t they prestly lyue. How heuynly a mynistre is that sayth he that by the wyckynge of the fader and the sonne and the holy gooste the same god that is in heuyn. the same and self is in youre handes▪ in the sacramente Therfore sayth once lord bee ye holy for I am holy. ¶A rightfull lyf to you is necessary. saith saint Austyn Therfore ye muste soo lyue soo that your lyf accord with youre name. soo that if your ordre be holy. let your conuersacion be the sa¦me And if men say well of you sayth he. see that your werkes. bere wytnesse to the same And this is for vs prestes.

¶The seuynthe sacrament is wed∣locke before the whiche the bany• must Page  [unnumbered] be asked thryes in holy churche This is a lauful knytiyng to gydder of mā and woman in fourme of holy church by assent of theym bothe. for to be to gyddre in the lawe of god and neuyr. to be departed whyles their lyf lastith in remission of syn and getyng of gra¦ce. whanne it is taken to a true entent For though there be no trouthe plighte ne flessh•y dede doon. if they be of ful age & accorde in herte to gydder. to fore god they be wyf and husbonde al pre∣uy couenauntes in trouthe plightynge and forward makyng without assent of frendes or knowlege are forboden. Al that suche make or been therat ben in grete peryll of soull Also it is for∣boden that no wedded man ne womā one withoute that others assente make vowe of chastite. pylgremage. ne fas¦tynge For if the wyf avowe the hus∣bonde at the firste we•yng may fordo it but if he consent and suffre it wetyn¦gly after the firste knowyng The mā synneth nat. for the wyfe hath no po∣wer of her owne body but the husbond And if the man absteyne him fro hys wyf by suche wyfe withoute the wyll of his wyf & she gyue him noo leue. he is cause of her synne And the wyf is in the same case if she doo the same to her husbonde.

¶The fyft thynge that thou shal kno¦we god by are the seuyn dedye of mer¦cy whiche euery man is bounde by the byddynge of god to fulfyll and to do to his power That is to saye. Fede the hungry▪ yeue drynk to the thristy cloth the nakyd. herborowe the houseles vy¦site the seke. deliuer the prisoners. and burye the pore whanne they be dede These been nedefull to vs plesyng to god and helpynge to body & soull of all theym that doon them Therfore sayth Criste yeue and it shalbe yeuyn to you. Almes sayth Austyn is an ho∣ly thynge For it euerlasyth the y^t thou haste Lessith thy synnes. It multiply∣eth thy yeres. and nobleth thy mynde It lengtyth thy termes. and clenseth al. thynge It deliuereth the fro dethe And ioyneth the to aungelles and departeth the from deuylles And is a wall inex¦pugnable aboute thy soull. Therfore gyue almes and all thynges shall be clene to you Thre thynges he muste considre that shall gyue almes. First who asketh it. what he asketh. & wherfore Firste I say that god asketh it. for he loueth so moche pore men. y^t what ye do to them in his name he hol¦deth it doon to him selfe He asketh his and nat oures Dauid sayth al thynges be thyn lorde. and that we ha¦ue take of thyn handes we haue gyue the He asketh vs nat for to gyue it him but for to leue it him. wherfore he woll yelde an hundreth folde: and the blys of heuyn Therfore sayth sainte Gregore pore men shall nat be despyced but prayed as faders. And he that yeueth the pore shall nat be po¦re sayth Salamon And he that stoppeth his ere fro the crye of the pou¦re. shall crye and nat be herde

Therfore to all that aske these he that asketh vnrightfully. yeue it not. Page  [unnumbered] that he asketh but that that b•tt•• i• And that is correction Ierom sayth gy¦ue the pore to susteyne their ryches The¦re may no mā excuse him of almes gy¦uynge For an halpeny of the pore sum tyme more pleaseth god thanne an hū¦dreth shylīges of the rich If thou may nat gyue him that gyue him wordes of comforte And what thou yeuyst gyue it gladly For the gladde gyuer god lo∣uyth. ¶Ther be also seuyn other gostly de∣dys of mercy The firste is teche the vn¦cōnynge. that he sauoure rightfully A nother is gyue counceyl to hym that asketh it. that he werke and do truly The thridde chastice him that trespas∣sith. that is to saye repreue. or bete. or do other due correction. The fourthe comforte the sory as with gyftes wordes of comforte or suche o∣ther Thr v. forgyue theym that trespa¦se to the For if thou forgeue hem nat god wyll nat forgyue the the rancor & the offence. thou muste nedes forgyue. The accion and the amendes be at thy owne wyll The vi. y^t thou suffre me∣kely whanne men trespasse to the that they be nat the more prompte to synne. but that they be the more feruent to do penaunce & gode werkes and be more redy to suffre disease. than to doo it If any man chyde the. blame the. repre∣ue the or do the wronge. kepe sylence & sette bifore a sharpe worde the chyld of sufferaunce. and thynke that oure lord Iesu was bobbyd and buffetyd. spy• vpon and scorned. and euirmore he helde his peas Therfore what disease: fall to the beleue it cōmyth the for thy synne. and so thou shalt suffre it the li¦ghtlyer if thou take hede wherfore it co¦meth The seuynth is pray. y^t is to saye for thyn ennemye and all tho that ben synfull And if thou mayst help theim with noon of these seuyn a fore. praye to god to helpe theym. Criste sayth loue your ennemyes and doo well to theym that hate you And pray for theim that do you persecucion that ye may be the children of heuyn. And thus may ye fulfyll the dedys. of mercy bothe bodily and gostly.

¶The sixth thynge that thou sholdest knowe god by be the seuyn principal vertues that euery man and woman▪ shulde vse The firste is faythe whiche is grounde and begynnyng of our sal¦uacion And it stondeth in thre thynges In the vnite of the godhede in thre per¦sones In the manhode of Crist and in the sacramentes of the churche This vertue is nedefull to all cristen folke. For it is the begynnyng of all good werkes So that feyth withoute good werkes Ne gode werkes withoute true faith may no man please god almigh¦ty. The secounde is hope this is a truste by the mercy of god to be sa¦uyd ¶And it stōdeth in the gra¦ce of god and good werkes Nat only to hope in oure good dedys but in hem bothe to gyddre For we shall nat hope so lytell that is called wanhope y^t we shull hope to haue blysse if we wel do¦ne nat so moche truste in the mercy of god for to hope to be sauyd withoute Page  [unnumbered] good dedes The thrid is charite y^t is the ende and perfection of all the commā¦dementes of god And vnderstonde in this that thou loue god aboue al thing And thy neyghboure as thy selue So that. that one may nat be louyd with¦oute that other And thus sayth saynte Iohn That he that loueth god. he lo∣uyth his brother. & he that loueth natt his brother which he may se how shold he loue god whiche he may nat see.

The fourthe vertue is rightwis¦nesse This is nat elles but a payng of duitye to eche thynge that it duely lon∣gith to. as to god preysynge and than kynge. for the godes of kynde fortune and grace that he hath yeuen the & lent the. and therof to gyue him his parte. And many other benefettes as in pre∣seruynge the fro many myscheuys. & vengeaunce that thou haddest fall in. and alday seest many one fall in and sholdest happely thy self haue fall in hadde nat his gracious. kepynge haue been. To thy neyghbou¦re also thou muste yelde loue and cha∣rite that is to saye. that thou doo right and reson to him in all thyng as thou woldest he dyd to the. & if thou wolde he sholde be true to the and pay his det¦tes and begyle the nat with subteltyes and sleyghte• in byenge and sellynge. do the same thy selue to him If thou woldest also he were nat proude. enuyous wrathfull. couetous gloto∣nous slouthfull ne lycherous. be thou the same And thus in all other tynges as thou woldest thy neyghboure do to the do thou to him And thenne thou ke¦pyst rightwysnesse to thy self Also thou muste nedes haue besynesse to lerne and fulfylle the cōmaundmē∣tes of god and to withstonde synne. & shrewyd lyuynge

¶The fyfte vertue is wysdome This vertue departeth good from euyll. & techyth vs to be ware of sleyghtes. of the worlde of the flesshe and of the de∣uyll And to dyspys• all that we may and of ii. good to chese the better But saint Austyn sayth as many o∣ne dothe. that thou muste despyse. the worlde and hate thy flesshe for me where be the louers of the worlde that lytell whyle a goo were here with vs. There is nothynge lefte of theym butt powder and wormes. take hede what they be nowe And what they were thā they were men as thou art sayth he they ete they dranke they laughed and ledde their lyf in erthe in myrth and io lyte: and in a poynte they descended in to hell. what prouffyteth theym nowe their vaynglory: their shorte ioye pom¦pe of the worlde. luste of the flessh fals riches. greate menye and euyll couety¦se. where is their laughter. their playe their pryde. their booste. after all this luste howe greate payne and sorowe. All that fyll to theym may fal to the sayth he For thou art a man of erth as they were. and of the erthe thou lyuest And to the erthe thou shalt turne ayen These been the wordes of that holy doc¦toure saint Austyn. This remē¦brance shall make you wyse and har∣dy to dispise your ennemyes the world the flesshe. and the deuyll Saint ysoder sayth y^t there is no thing bettre thanne wysedome. ne noo thing Page  [unnumbered] thynge swetter ne lustier thenne know¦lege. no thynge werse thanne lewdnes Therfore knowe thou what thou shal flee and whyther thou shalt goo loue. wysdome and it shall be shewyd to the and it shal come to the. Be besy ther aboute and it shall lerne the ¶The syxte vertue is strengith This maketh a man myghtye and hardy to withstonde many grete myscheues for the loue of god For it standeth in suf∣frynge paciently aduersite. and meke∣ly to take prosperyte. & to suffre euyn∣ly bothe well and woo that oure herte be nat to high for no welfare ne to mo¦che vndre for no euyll fare. butt to be stronge agaynst oure foon both of bo¦dy and soull. that no temptacion ma∣ke vs fall ne fayll in our fayth ayēst god almyghty ¶The seuenth vertue is measure whi¦che is a meane bitwene to moche. and to lytell. and it stondyth in taking suf¦ficiently that nedeth and refusyng vt∣terly that is to moche or to lytell

¶The seuynthe thynge and the laste y^t thou shuldest knowe god by is the se∣uyn dedely synnes that all men shuld refuse. for eche of hem is an euyn way to hell Therfore saythe the wyse man as fro the face of the adder fōde to fle synne For as the venym of the addre. sleeth mannys body. so the venym of the synne sleeth mannys soule. The firste synne is pryde. whiche is a lykyng or an highnes of mannes herte of his hye estate or noblesse. y^t he hathe by fortune kynde or by grace Or that he can passynge a nother. or hath mo∣re thanne a nother Of this cōmyth ma¦ny shrewed spices. as boste bacbyting despyte of thy neyghboure vnbuxum¦nesse and ypocrysye▪ proud beryng dis¦plesyng scornynge and inobedience hy¦gh herte goode arraye. pryde of greate kynne and of vaynglorye boldenes of synne boostyng of good dedes and a∣uauntynge of euyll dedys indignacy∣on Shameleshede presumpcion. and sturdynesse that is worst of all other. & so sayth saint Austyn y^t none is wor¦se ne more dampnable synne thenne is the synne of pryde In this been they gylty that lyst nat to be repreuyd of her synnes ne to here of their defau¦tes But anoon with a grete sturdynes as a galled horse that is touched on the sore wyncheth and wryeth. And seke• howe they mighte mayntene suche lew¦denesse of synne. Thus dyd 〈◊〉 kyng Dauyd whanne Nathan the pro¦phete of god came to him and told him his synne. and the vengeaunce that he shulde haue therfore. he shewyd noo sturdynesse to the prophete ne rebuked him. ne chydde him but mekely sayd. Oure lorde I haue synned: as whoo sayth I am sory for my synne I wyl amēde it And therfore god toke away moche of the vengeaunce that he shold haue hadde for his synne. Right thus sholde ye that here be repreuyd▪ of your sines mekely cōme to your cu¦rate as to the minystre of god that oc∣cupyeth his stede for the tyme. and say Sir I knowlege my defaute and wo∣te well that I dyd amysse. my wyll. is to amende it. And so putt away. Page  [unnumbered] sturdynesse and the vengeaunce y^t thou deseruyst therfore This synne of pryde sayth saint Gregore is rote of all euyl For right as ne were the rote of a tree. hyd in the erthe there sholde no braun∣che sprynge oute therof Right so ne were pryde firste rotyd in thyne herte. there sholde no braunche of synne brek oute therof For thus was Luci¦fer that was the fayrest aungell in he¦uyn made the foulest deuyll in hell. Also Chore Datan and Abyron and other felaushyp they rose agaynst moi¦ses and aron of grete pryde. and ther∣fore the erthe opnyd & swalowed hem all quycke downe into hell Also the peple of Nynyue for the grete boldnes of pryde that they hadde to turne ayen to their synne. there were an hundred score thousand people as the byble re∣•e••yth destroyed by bodily enemyes.

Therfore euery man beware of this syn and wysely loke in the myrrour of mekenesse. for that techyth hym what he was is and shalbe First con¦sidre that thou were made of foul styn¦kynge slyme and fylth of the synne of lecherye borne of thy modre with grete sorowe and payne. norisshed with gre¦te laboure and angre. and kepte with grete drede And nowe thou arte but a lak of foule dunge that no swetnesse. ne frute cōmyth of Of trees leuys co∣meth floures and frute & of the Lyce. nyttes & fleen Of herbes also cōmethe swete smelles. & of the aboue. benethe and all other parties. but stynkynge. fylthe and after thyn ende thou shall be but wormes mete and turne agayn to erthe tyll the day of dome. that thy body and soule shall ryse agayne. to gyddre That day saythe malachy shall brenne as hote as a fur¦neys fyre And all proude men shall be as stoble whiche shalbe there so brēt that there shall nother be rote ne r•nd Therfore saith Isodre by mekenes ma¦ke thy selue leest and lowest of all o∣ther Stretche nat forth thy wynges of pryde by boost and enhansyng thy self For the lesse thou settyst by thy selue. sayth he the more god settyth by the Be shamefaste in chere and dismayde to loke proudely for shame of the syn. walke with alowe chere. a meke mode and sadde vysage In high worshyppe haue grete mekenesse. and the higher y^t thou arte the meker thou sholdest ma∣ke thy self And thynke howe oure soue¦rayne lorde iesu mekyd him self to the deth for thy sake Thus is mekenesse an vtter remedy agaynste pryde and a sauatyf salue for all maner mysche∣uys of synne. for it maketh the to haue mynde of thy shorte abydynge here. of the strayte dome that thou shalte come to after for thy mekenes that thou shol¦dest haue hadde here. The seconde synne is enuye. & this is whan thou arte sory of thy neighbou∣res welfare. and ioyest of his euyll fa¦re Of this wycked synne cōmyth ma¦ny braunches One is hateryd. & that is whanne thou arte lothe to speke. or here spoken any thynge. whiche that myght turne thy neyghboure to good A nother is fals demynge of his dedes The thridde is bacbytynge and that is to speke euyll behynde him which thou mayst nat ne wylte nat anome a fore Page  [unnumbered] him. or though thou spekest nat euyll thy self. thou hast lykynge to here euyl spekynge of him and soo thou synnest dedely For nat onely he that speketh e∣uyll. but also he that woll gladly he¦re euyl spoken are in defaute of synne So that if there were no herer ther we¦re no bacbytynge ne bacbyter Therfo¦re sayth Isodre Be nat glad of the fall or euyll fare of thy neyghboure. lest god turne his wrathe fro hym to the And so thou sholdest fall in the sa∣me or worse. but be glade to sorow for him that is deseased. & euirmore mor¦ne for his mischeyf as thou wold thyn owne. Loue peace outwarde & inward peace with all men. & make peas there hate is Flee chydynge. be ware and do awaye the occasion of stryfe. and lyue alwaye in peas Let nothynge passe thy lyppes that may defoul the crys of the herers. For a vayn worde is take of a vayne consciēce and suche as the word is. suche is the soull Therfore besy the nat to speke that lyketh but that. y^t ne∣dyth. take hede what thou spekest. and what thou spekyst nat: & bothe in spe∣kynge and nat spekynge be right well ware. for thou mayst nat call agayn that thou haste saide. put fro thy tung the synne of bacbytynge. and defoull nat thy mouthe with a nother mannes synne but that thou bacbytest in a no∣ther. drede in thy self whanne thou bla¦mest a nother. Thynke on thyne owne synne and loke nat on other mennys. For thou shalt neuyr bacbyte. if thou wylt beholde thy selue Therfore here. ne lysten to noo suche tytulers For they be lyke gyltye the herer. and the bak∣byter Desyre nat to wyt y^e parteynethe nat to the Ask neuir what any mā do∣the speketh or sayth leue y^e. perteynethe nat to the: and by as greate besynesse. amende thyn owne synne by asmoche as thou beholdest other mennys For noman knoweth whether he be worthy hate or mede. that is for to say payne. or ioye. For there is many that semeth to vs right good and yet agaynst god happely are right nought. And many one also that seme to vs right noughte & yet be to him right dere. Therfore noman deme other but put all his iu∣gement in god. Thus with charite that is knotte of all vertues thou must dis¦troye the foull synne of enuye. Thus charite stondeth in the loue of god and in the loue of thy neyghboure. in why¦che ii. all the lawe of god abydeth so that one may nat be louyd withoute y^e other For if thou loue god thou wy•te noon other haue but him ne thou wylt nat take his name in vayne ne brecke thyn holy daies If thou loue thy neigh¦boure thou wylt do no manslaughter. ne thyfte ne false wytnes bere. ne liche¦ry ne desire thy neyghboures wyfe. ne his godes Thus is charite the fulfyllyng of god¦des loue and the endynge of all gode werkys Charite is pacient and benig∣ne he hath noon enuye He worcheth no shrewedenesse He loueth nat to be with pryde He couetyth no worldly worship¦pes He secheth noo propre godes He is nat wrothe He thynketh noon euyll He ioyeth nat of wyckydnesse but of trou¦the. He taketh all thynge meke¦ly. He byleuyth all that god sayth▪ & hopyth of blys He suffreth all harmes & neuir is dis•onforted through goddes Page  [unnumbered] helpe to abyde longe. He falleth neuyr downe in this worlde ne in that other. He kepyth man in byleue and maketh hym stable vnder hym waxith obedy∣ence And by him pacience ouircomyth all wronges without him no man ple¦syth god and with him no man perys¦sheth. Therfore ayenste enuye sekythe charite with gret study that thou maist haue it in thy lyuynge and dwell per∣fitely therin to thyn endyng.

¶The thrid is the synne of wrathe the whiche is the wycked sterynge of a mānes hert wherby he wyl auēge hym selue vpon his euyn cristen Of this co¦meth many shreude spices as fighting chydynge hurtyng betynge grudchyng wa•ieng and cursynge cruelnes & mā slaughter and desiryng of vengeaun∣ce. Ther be also other foure. in speciall One whan thou art sone me∣uyd and sone swaged. and that is ea¦sy A nother whanne thou arte nat so∣ne swagyd and that is shrewyd The thridde whanne thou arte sone meuyd and nat sone swagyd and that is peri¦lous The fourthe is longe or thou be meuyd and sone swagyd and this is mooste easy Therfore ayenst thies brā¦ches thou muste arme the with the ver¦tue of pacience. and thynke what peyn & sorowe might fall to the of thy wor∣des and dedys Thenne put cristes pas∣sion and peynes bitwene the and suche peynes as he myght suffre And so shal thy wrathe sone slake In foure thynges spirytually it is necessarye to haue pacience One is ayenst thyn en∣nemye for the nodre cruell he is the mo¦re thou nedyst of pacience and soft spe¦che for that slaketh wrach Therfore if any aduersite fall to the suffre it pa∣ciently whether thou haue deseruyd it or nat If thou haue deseruyd it. thou arte worthy that or more If thou haue not thou haste thy rewarde of Cryste. whan he sayth Blessyd be they that be pacient. for they shall be called the chil¦dren of god A nother whanne thy so∣uerayne correctith thy defautes. Thou muste be pacient and drawe in thy hor¦nes of pryde as a snayll whanne he is touched And so dyd Adam at the voyce of oure lorde Tye thridde is in losse of thy good as Ioob whanne all his good was go∣ne mekely he sayde. Oure lorde gaue it Oure lord hath take it And as it lyketh him so be it doo. His name be blessyd Amen The fourthe is in seke∣nesse For our lorde sayth Tho that I loue I chastice. as the dere modre chas¦tiseth her chylde for takynge of harme whanne it nygheth fyre or water. Right so the fad of heuē chastiseth the to be ware of fleing away So our lord putteth away fro the rychesse & strēgth One by pouerte. another by sekenesse that thou sholdest nat fle fro him Ther¦fore be pacient and grudche nat ayenst the scourge of god For the more that thou grugest the more thou steryst god agenst the. sayth Isodre.

¶The fourthe synne is Couetyse. the whiche is a wrong desyre y^t man hath to haue any thing. but if he haue right therto.

Page  [unnumbered]This stondith in two thyngys prynci∣pally. One is whan thou wrongfully purchasist or getyst ony maner thynge by sacrylege. symony: stelthe. vsury. or by ony other falsehede or gyle. that worldy men vse. whiche cast alle theyr besynesse soo to couetyse. that they ne recke: how they come to good. soo they haue it: In this synne be they gylty. y^t for mony or other wordely wynningis vse to playe at dycis or tablis whiche is vtterly forbode by holy chirche. For many synnes that come therof The first is for the couetyse that thou hast to wynne. and to dispoyle thy fe∣low. Another is for the grete vserye as ix. for xii. or double or quyt. ¶The thirde is for encrese of othis. le∣synges. and many other veyn wordes that there ben vsed. in grete dyspyte of god and his feith. ¶The fourth is. euyll ensample that thou yeuest to other that beholdeth the ¶The v. is lesyng of tyme in whiche thou myghtest haue wroughte many good werkys. ¶The syxte is despyte and dysobedyence y^t thou doost to thy moder holy chyrche. that forbedeth the suche play. ¶The vii. is fraude and desceyte that thou doost also to thy fe∣lowe in that play: The viii. is cursed wreth and stryf that cometh therof. wherby ofte thou reynest god and le∣syst thy kyndely wytte. The ix. is bre∣kyng of thy holy day. for in tho dayes is it· most vsed. The x. is manslaugh¦ter that ofte fallyth in that game. The xi. is ydolatry. that thou dost. for thou makyst it ayenst the dyce that is a to∣ken aboue thy god. Thyse myscheue• and many moo. comyth of this sory playe.

All that that thou wynnest atte this playe. for al thy besines that thou hast therwith. thou maist not reioyse but ne¦dys thou must yeue it to youre. And yf thou haue it of hym. that thou makyst so playe by strentgh or ayenst his wyl thou art bound to restore it to hym ageyn. whiche hath loost h•• wyth this playe. And also thou bre∣kest all the commaundementis of god And whether thou wynne or lese it is all thyn harme. for and thou lese thou lesest god and heuen. And yf thou wynne thou wynnest the deuyll & hell

¶The lawe off Canon sayth that a Bysshop preeste or deken that 〈…〉 theym to dyces or to drounkenes but yf he leue it he is certeynly dampned. Subdeken Clerke▪ or lewd man that doth the same He must other leue it or lacke his how•yll. Therfore euery man beware of thys play. and that he suffre it in noo wyse be doon where he maye lette it For they that consente therto▪ or fauor it. in ony wyse. be in as grete peryl as the doers. ¶The second poynt is wronge wyth¦holdyng▪ in whiche thou fallest as of∣ten as thou doost not to god almygh∣ty to thy neyghbour and to holy chir∣che thy dewtees. that thou owest to doo by dewte and by goddis lawe wylfully wythholdest theym. For not only he that wrongfuly geteth. But also he that wronfully wythhol∣deth. Page  [unnumbered] are in dedely synne. oute of this synne also spryngyth many shrewd braunches: As mawmetrye. Ambyciō Nygardshyp treson. vsury. symonye Raueyn. theft. sacrylege & suche other. Thyse synnes be so cursyd as I said to fore. y^t in all thyng. it contraryeth the wyll and the commaundement of god ¶The fyrst commaundement. it con∣traryeth. when thou wythdrawest fro god ony thyng that thou sholdest wor¦ship hym wyth The second also when for a lytyl win¦nyng thou takest his name in veyn. ¶The thirde when by wordly besines of getyng of mony. thou brekeste thyn holy dare. ¶The fourth when for couetyse thou wythdrawyst fro fa¦der and moder bodely and goostely theyr sustenaunce or lyuelood.

¶The v. when thou sleest a man to haue his good. ¶The vi. when thou doyst lechery more for good thēne for trew matremony. The vii. when for couetyse thou stelyste thy neyghbours good: ¶The viii when in questis and consistories thou forswerest the. and be rest fals wytnes. ¶The ix. and the x. whan thou desy∣rest falsely thy neyghbours wyff or o∣ny of his good. Thus fals couetyse contraryeth al the commaundementis and wyll of god. Therfore fle it and thynke that for all suche fals getyn goodes but thou make restytucion and amende the here. or thou go hens.

Thou shalt be hangyd in hel with out ende. mammona. whiche is the de∣uyll of couetyse. he yeueth foure com∣maundedementis to his seruauntis. One is that thou kepe well thyn own another that thou yeue not. Ne doo no almes. the thirde that thou leue not to the poure for drede of lesing. the fourth is that thou wythdrawe the. and thy meyne fro mete and drynke. to spare thy good. Of thyse four shrewd com¦maundementis eche man beware. and fle suche couetyse. and desyre of good as salamon dyd. fo• he desyred ney∣ther ryches ne pouerte. but that is nede¦full to his lyuelood. and accordyng to his estate. and thynke though thou ha∣ue neuer soo moche. thou shall leue it here. for nakyd thou camest in to this world. And ayen nakyd saue a ragge thou shalt goo out therof. And thus al the care that thou hast here. is but for an olde shete at thy goyng hens.

¶The fyfte synne is glotonye the whiche is an vnskylfull lykyng or lo∣ue that a man hath in taste or takyng of mete or dr•nke to erly or tolate. but yf sykenes or other grete nede excuse it. Out of this synne spryngeth. foure braunchis. One is when thou etyst or drynkest to gredely. In this fall tho. y^t on the fastyng dayes wyll not abyde the houre of noon. and sytte the lenger at mete. and ete more at that tyme. then another tyme And ofte tyme quē∣che theyr hunger wyth brede spyces or ouer moche drynke for drede of hun∣ger And thus they breke vygylls ym∣ber dayes frydayes lenten and suche other Another is when thou castis the to lyue in delytes passyng thyn estate.

And hast noo Ioye but when thou mayst speke of suche welfare. thyn∣kynge all best besette that thou spen-

¶dyst theron thou mayst Page  [unnumbered] well vse suche deynty metis and drin¦kys. and not synne. sayth saint Gre∣gore. For the syn is nether in mete ne drynke: but it be appetyte and talent of the. that delytist soo moche therin. The thyrd is surfete and that is when thou pomperist thy body wyth so moche me¦te and drink that thou mayst not brou¦ke it. but lesyst thy syght. speche & wyt¦te. iangelyng and bostyng & wenyng to saye well. and all is ayenst reason In this falle they that make ryot in re¦re sopers and destroye vyteyle y^t ma∣ny a poure man myght be releuyd by. The fourth is curyosite & that is whā thou canst nat holde the payed wyth easy fare but gadriste many curyous metys. more to encreace thyn appetyte thenne to quenche thyn hungre. In this falle they that waste goodes in e∣tyng and drynkyng and greate festys makyng Ayenst all thyse cursyd braū¦chis thou must kepe abstynence in me∣tis and drynkys. For no thyng more dryueth awaye sekenes ne destroyeth lust of flesshe. thenne doth mesurable takyng of mete and drynke. Fyue ma¦ner of folke ben excused fro fastynge wymmen wyth chyld. laborers pyl∣grymis. childre. olde folke and seke. Alle thyse synne not to ete twys on the daye that is mesurable to susteyne na¦ture and not theyr appetyte: Ther is dyuerse abstynence also in dyuers per¦sonys. The seke absteyneth hym for he may not ete. and for medycyne. The nedy where he hath not wherof. the co∣uetous for he wold not spende. The gloton to ete the more after. the y∣pocryte to be holde holy: and the vertu¦ous man to deserue mede abstenneth hym. bothe for excesse of mete and lust of synne. Thys shold eche man kepe to his power. This same techeth saint Poule whan he saith. I praye you as straungers & pylgrymis that ye absteyne you from flesshely desyres that fyght ayenste the sowle. And also destroye the body. Thyse myscheues comyn of glotonye It ingendryth sorys b•y•gyth in se∣kenes· destroyeth vertues. dulleth the wytte▪ it hastyth the to deth. and that. that worse is. for it maketh the lyke a beste. for the fuller thy body is the e••∣tyer is thy sowle of vertu Therfore vse abstynence saith saint Aust•n and thyse vertues shal folowe. abstynen•• sauyth thy mynde. it sharpeth thy wyt¦te it clensyth thy sowle. dressyth thy •y∣ght. maketh holy thy fame swagy•• thy synne. makyth strong thy blood & norysheth thy mary destroyeth lechery renewyth thy bloode and le•g••yth thyn age.

¶The syxte synne is slowth And that is a greuaunce or an•ye of goost∣ly dedys. out of this spryngeth many shrewd braunches. ¶O•• is to drawe longe and tary the good dedes that thou sholdest doo the whiche my∣ght tourne to the helthe of thy sowle. & of many other: ¶Another is a dulnesse or heuynesse of herte: that letteth the to loue god. And maketh the. that thou haste noo lykyng in goddys seruyce. For though thou praye. thyn herte is not theron. The thyrd is. ydelnesse the whiche Page  [unnumbered] is to moche vsed. and that lettyth vs to begynne ony good werkys. and ly∣ghtly makyth vs to leue when we be∣gynne. & where we were made of kyn∣de to traueyle. the synne of flowth hol¦dith vs in ydelnesse. and •as• ayenste kynde. Therfore and thou wolt be sa∣uyd. thou must flee ydelnesse. for it is enemye of crysten sowlis. stepmoder to goodnes and all vertues. and the key of all vyces. Alwaye doo somme good werkis sayth saynt Ierome that the deuyll fynde the occupyed. for he is not lyghtly taken wyth temptacion. that besyeth hym about good labour And Salamon sayth that he is most fooll that foloweth ydelnes. for in he∣uyn he shall not be receyued For it is ordeyned oonly for them that haue be∣syed them here in vertu. In erthely pa¦radyse they shall neuer be. for they we¦re not in mannys laboure here. ne in purgatory they shall not be scourgyd wyth men. But in hell wyth deuyls wher neuer they shall haue rest. therfo¦re be besy here in vertu and alwaye thynk that noo thyng makyth a man soo heuy. ne soo soone to Inclyne to synne as ydelnes. The seuenth synne is lecherye. And that is a flesshely syn¦ne that cometh of lust and lykyng off the flesshe. Out of this spryngeth ma∣ny braunchis. One is fornycacion. y^t is dedely synne doon flesshely betwene syngell man and syngell woman. a∣yenst the lawe of god and the techyng of holy chirche. Therfore holy chirche forbedyth that noo man childe. ne wo∣man childe that passe vii. yere of age. lye to gyder in bedde. for drede of forni¦cacion ne syster ne brother for drede off Incest. Another is called aduoultrys. and that is spouse brethe. whether it be doo bodely or goostely. it is gretter syn¦ne and more myscheuous thenne that other. For therin thou dost sacrylege. y^t is to saye. thou brekest the sacramente of wedlok wherof ther cometh ofte vn¦ryghtfull heyris and fals maryagis This synne dowblyth ofte tyme when it is done by man maryed and womā maryed. For one of thyse four mys∣cheuys folowe them that customably vse this synne One is pouerte. another is lesyng of some membre. The thirde is perpetuall pryson. And the fourthe sodeyn deth. And this fayleth not har¦dely. and it be custumably vsyd •as I sayd afore. another is incest and that is wyth thy kynne or thyn affynyte. Another is when thou mysuseste thyn own wyf. & dost ayenst kynde or ordre of maryage. for •s thou mayst slee thy self. with thin own swerde Soo thou mayst wyth thyn own wyf For this synne was oname Iacobys cosin smy¦ten to deth. And seuen husboundis of sara also. ¶This sacrament and all other shol¦de be doon and vsed honestely & wyth grete reuerence. Another is when a mā synneth wyth the kynne of his wyf: & the contrarye. this is right perylous For he may not after wedde. noon off her kynne. And yf he do the maryage is nought. and that worse is. He maye knowe his wyff noo more afterward in forme of wedlocke wythout dedely synne. But he be requyred of her: Page  [unnumbered] Another there is that is fowlest & most stynkyng of all whiche is the synne a∣yenst kynde. That the deuyll techyth bothe man and woman. The dyuersy¦tes of this synne be soo abhomynable that they may not be nempnyd. But oonely in shryfte of them that ben fal¦len therin for the greate and the more horryble thy synne is. the more auay∣lyth the shryfte. soo that the shame off the tellyng is a grete parte of thy pe∣naunce· This synne was soo displeysynge to god. That he made to reyne brymsto∣ne and fyre that dystroyed fyue cytes of Sodom and gomer. The deuyll hym selff that causyth this synne. hath shame of the deed.

Thyse and many other flesshely syn∣nes whyche ben dedely. And eueryche¦wers thenne other. comyn oute of this foule synne of lechery. the whiche been well knowen to them y^t lyuen in lus∣tis of theyr flesshe: Therfore fle the oc∣casions saith saint poule that is to say syght of wymmen. kyssyng touchyng And suche other. Thuswyse scapyd Ioseph the synne of hys lady. when he lefte his paule or mantell wyth hur & ranne awaye. Thynke also on thende and how nygh it is of the streyt doom also that thou shalt come to. & off the horyble peynes and turmentis that a∣re in helle for suche synne. and presu∣me not of thy self. For dauyd salamō and sampson were ouer come wyth y^e synne. ¶Also here ne speke ony leche∣rous wordes but loue holy scripture. For that drawyth a man moch therfro vse also prayer: fasting. good and law¦full occupacions and wythdrawe the fro superfluytees and excesse of hote metys and drynkes.

¶For yf thou lyue after thy flesshe thou shalt be deed sayth scrypture. y^t is to saye dampned vnto euerlastyng payn of helle Therfore shette the yates of thy body and thy sowle from alle thyse myscheues of synne. y^t is to saye thy fyue wyttes bodely and goostely y^t they consente not wyth hym. Fyrst thyn eyen from shrewd & lewd thynges bacbytyng and euyll wordes and counseylles. Thy mouth from vnlawfull tas•• off glotenye. lewd kyssynges. and r••aw dry wordes. ¶Thy handys fro lewd touchyng of thy self and of other And from 〈◊〉 and vnlaufull takyng of other men∣nys goodes agenst theyr wyll. Thy feet also from the pathis of syn∣ne and all other wretched wayes that thou myght drawe to. Thyse bee thy bodely wyttys. Thenne take thy ghoostely wyttes as mynde. vnderstondyng: wylle. reason and im¦magynacion that is to saye haue min¦de of the kyndenesse of god. and of thy last ende. And thou shalt neuer synne. vnderstonde also Crystis loore & his techynges. and lete euer thy wylle be redy to worshyp god in thought. word & dede wythout ony werynes lete ••asō also rewle all thy dedys ynward and outward by crystis lore & his techyng wythout ony blyndenesse. And alwey haue ymagynaciō of vertues lyuyng of nedeful werkis & of dredeful dedis of ioye and blisse. that is ordeynyd in Page  [unnumbered] heuen to theym that leue theyr synne and shall be sauyd. And of the horry¦ble paynys and sorowys. y^t they shull suffre endelesly whiche for theyr syn∣nys shall be dampned in to the doun∣geon of helle. In whiche be specyally. ix. maner of horryble and hydous pai¦neys. that ix. maner of people shul be tourmentyd wyth as clerkys sayn. The fyrst is fyre that euer brennyth & neuer gyueth lyght. In whiche though all the water in the see were caste in it shold not quenche it· For as our fyre passyth a fyre payntid soo doth that ourys. In this fyre shall they euer brenne. y^t here alwey burnyd in the fyre of fals couetyse the second is soo passyng col¦de. that yf a greate hylle of fyre. were cast therin. It shold turne to yse wyth this shall they be tormentyd there. y^t be cold in loue by malyce and enuye of the fende. The thyrde payn is wormis and horri¦ble serpentes and dragons. that neuer shall deye. but lyue in fyre. as fysshes in water. wyth thyse they shall be gna¦wen there that here gnawyn them selff wyth the venemous hate of theyr euyn crysten. ¶The fourth is: abhomynable stynke wherin they shall be lappyd there that here delyten them in to foull stynke of the synne of lechery. ¶The v. shall be betynge of myghty fendys as it were wyth hamers on y∣ron. wherwyth they shull be peyned & bete wythout ceassyng. y^t wold not here be chastysed by the techyng of goddis wordis. ¶The syxte payn is derkene. the wh•¦che is so thicke. y^t as it were. it myght be felte wyth hond. In thyse horryble derkenes shulle they be bounde ther. That lyueth in erth in derkenes of this forsayd synne. And wold not •ome to crist. y^t is very lyght: by holy lyuyng & leuing of synne whyles they myght

¶The seuenth pain is. open shendship or sha•e for synne. whyche shall be knowen and not hyd in pein¦full repreef of synfull folke. and spe¦cyally to theym that wold not knowle¦ge theyr synne here to god in dewe ma¦ner. Ne were not ashamed of hym. This shall be a full hard tormente. The eyghte is. The horryble syght off deuyllys roryng and cryeng wyth fe¦reful and sorowful voyse. wherwyth thus shall they be peyned there. That here took no hed of holy ensamplys & good dedys. ne of techyng ne prechyng of goddis wordes and byddynges. The ix is fyrye bondis wherwyth theī shulll be bounde there hond and fote and other menbrys that here spendyn theyr menbris and lymmys in the de∣uyllis seruyce after the luste & lykyng of theyr body. Thyse ix. paynes shall thyse synfull suffre there. that here for∣soke and lefte vnwysely the felysshyp of the ix ordres of Aungellis by theyr synfull lyuyng. but they amende hem or they go hens. Therfore be sory for thy synne. and amend the whyles thou art here. y^t thou mayst escape all thyse horryble paynis And reygne wyth our lord Ihesu Crist in his hygh blysse of heuen where is euer myrthe after tra∣ueyle. fredom after bondage. helthe Page  [unnumbered] after long sekenes lyf after deth. per∣fyt loue wythout drede. and euer daye wythout nyght. therfore thou shalt ha¦ue seuen Ioyes in thy body. and seuen in thy soule: In thy body fayrnes. swe¦tenes. strength. fredom. lust. helth. and Inmor•alite And in thy soule wysdom frendshyp. accorde. power. worshyp surete. And ioye wythout ende. to the whiche he vs brynge▪ that for vs dyed on the rood Ihesus goddis sonne.

¶On sunday that last was. I Infor¦myd you. in homely wyse of the wor∣thynes of mannis sowle. what it is. when it is out of synne. what synne is And how it defowlyth thy sowle. Of the sacrament of penaunce also. how it is. a salue sanatyf. for all ma∣ner sores of synne. when it is discrete∣ly vsyd. Now by the loue of god: I shall declare you. the thre party¦es of penaunce. Contrycion. confessiō and satysfaccyon. how by the fulfyl∣lyng of them. your sowlys that thus haue ben woundyd wyth synne mo∣we be reformyd and brought ayen to grace. ¶Fyrst as for contrycion. It is sayd but your hertes and not your clothys: For confession also shewyth out your hertys afore the prest by open speche of mouth. And for satysfaccion. Doo ye worthy frutys of penaunce. ¶Thus by thyse thre thynges. this ho¦ly sacrament of penaunce is preuyd.

For contrycion also it is sayd in the sawter. I haue traueylyd in my soro∣wys. I shall make moyste my bedde euery nyght· wyth my tearys. As who saith I haue traueylyd to make satis¦faccion for my synnes. wyth sorowe of myn herte. hauyng in mynde howe longe. I haue lyued. how I haue spen¦te my tyme. what goodnes I haue lest vn doo▪ how moche euyll I haue doo. and how by my synne I haue lost the felyship of heuen. and Ioyned me to the felawshyp of the fend that I am soo here in the vale of tearys. full off wretchydnes. And my byrthe brought forth vnto mannys synnes and sorowes and shal come to the dredefull dome and gyue a rekenyng for the left and the mooste synne: that euer I dyd in worde in de∣de or though• not knowyng whether I shall be worthy hate or mede that I wold also be in blysse. whiche I may not come to wythout greate torment & sorowe. ¶This consyderyng thyn •arys and werkis. thou shalt wel knowe. y^t thou art cause of thyn own sorowe. and so for shame thou shalt falle to contriciō And wynne the grace of god. it is a ry¦ght hard herte saith saint bernard. that neyther the benefettis of god may gryn¦de ne the paynes of helle may fere Ne the ioyes of heuen may susteyne ne y^e temporall tormentis ne sorowe maye chastise many one there is that can not be contryte in that they know not what contricion is Therfore ye shal vnder∣stonde. that contrycion is a sorowe off thy soule formyd by grace whiche co∣myth of forthynkyng of synne & drede of the hygh doom wyth a stedfast pur∣poos to be confessyd & to do satisfaci¦on after the precepte of the chirch. Page  [unnumbered]〈◊〉 is also a conuersion of thyn herte from euyll to good from the deuyll to god and from vyces to vertu. The¦re be many that haue contrycyon but not perfyte. as when the herte is tou∣chyd wyth the handys of god. By in∣spyracion to make the perfyte sorow∣full for thy synne. yet for hardnes off thyn herte hapely thou yeldeste the not fully But somwhat art lesse in as mo¦che as thou begynnest to turne. This is called attricion

¶But when wylle and desyre off synne in euery parte is fully forsaken wyth full sorowe of herte Thenne it is contrycion. And soo verry contryci¦on is the serche of sīne •rigeen saith also that very contricion is to abhorre gay arraye and to desyre the hygher wepyng And fle laughter. to spek few And to werke ryghtfully and euer to haue drede & sorowe in thyn herte for thy synne: for the more that thou louest a thyng. the more is the sorowe whan thou lesyst it Aboue all creatures is god to be beloued. Thenne it is more sorowe of his losse. thenne of all other creatures. when thou doost dedely syn∣ne: thē lefest thou thy god. therfor by gret cōtriciō thou must gete him ageyn For loke how moch thou hast of grace as saith saynt Gregore. so moche thou must haue of sorowe for thy synne. The sowlis that are in blesse. they mo∣we noo contricion haue. By cause their Ioyes be plentuous. They that be in helle sorowen. but that sorowe is not formyd wyth grace. The sowlis in purgatory haue sorowe formyd wyth grace. yet it is not merytory in as mo∣che as it shold haue be had here Thus in this 〈◊〉 mercy oonly helpyth. 〈◊〉•f¦ter not. it is blamefully •erd. 〈◊〉 saynt Iero•• that can wepe •he 〈◊〉 of his frende o•〈◊〉. of t•mpo∣rall losse. and can not wepe and bee sory for synne. Thy contrycyon therfo¦re must be sharp in that. that thou hast offended thyn heuenly fader. that bode¦ly and gostely fedeth the in many wy¦se. and yet must thou be sharpe in that that thou hast offended thy lord Ihesu goddis sonne of heuen. that wyth his precious bloode and by his mercy. de∣lyueryd the fro the bondys of synne. cruelte of fendes. and bytternes of the peynes of helle. And though our lord saye to the. Not euery man that sayth lord lord. shall entre the kyngdom of heuen. yet leue hym not. but haue hym to the tauerne of contrycion: and saye to hym as dauyd dyd. The meke and the contryte herte lord thou shalt not despyse. And thenne he shall yeue the grace here. & Ioye when thou goest hens. ¶The fawcon whan he hath take his praye. he desyreth noo more therof but the hert. And ther wyth he is content so our lord whē he had raūsond vs ou¦te of helle. he desyred noo more but a meke and a contryte herte of vs Ther¦fore as the fawconer or he woll yeue the herte vnto his fawcon. first he will kytte it. and thenne take oute the blood and wasshe it. Soo must thou yeue thyn herte to our lord. first kyt it wyth the knyff of contrycion. & thenne take out the blode of synne by confessyon. And after wasshe it wyth satisfaccyō and soo wyth the knyff of his passion Page  [unnumbered] but your hertes and not your clothis. hauing in mynde that the blade of this •nyf was made of the spere hed and naylys that his precious body and her¦te were thryllyd wyth all The haste was made of the holy tre of the crosse. and the virell was made of the crwo∣ne of thorn that was aboute his hed-whet this knyf on his blyssed body y^t soo hard and cruelly was tormentid on the Crosse. that there left noon hool ioynt wyth other. make also the shethe of thy knyf of the whyt skynne of our lord Ihesu. That was payntyd wyth reed blody woundys. soo many that fro the toppe of the heed· vnto the sole of the foot. there was noon hoole plott lefte of hym vnscourgyd. Thenne wyth the cordis y^t he was bounde with to the pyler Now bynde this knyff to the gurdell of thy herte. And I doubte not. be thy herte neuer soo harde. & thou this feythfully pryn∣te in thy mynde hys passyon wyth thin harde herte. Hit woll begyn to breke. Thus mayst thou le•ne to suffre repre¦uys For our lord Ihesu whiche for the suffred thyse and many moo. There ben syx thingys that shold ste∣re the to grete sorowe for thy synnes. The fyrst is that som tyme of the day or nyght as I said before. Bethynke the how thow hast lyuyd. And when thy synnes come to thy mynd. haue an Inward sorowe that thou hast so gre¦uously offendyd thy god. ¶The second that thou be ashamed of thy synne. and ellys at the daye off dome they shall be shewyd to the and to all the world openly. vnto thy gret shame and confusyon. ¶The thirde that thou ha•e grete ab∣hominacion of the fylthe of synne that thou hast thus doon bothe in the syght of god & man. Seneca sayth though I wyst that my syn shold be vnkno∣wen bothe to god and man. yet wold I abhorre and lothe the fylthe of my synne. ¶The fourth is that thou haue drede of the daye of dome and of the peynes of helle. Of this daye spekyth saynt Peter thus vnnethe the right wyse mā that day shall be saued sayth he whe∣reshall thenne the synfull apere. As often as I behold that day sayth saint Iherom. I quake in all my herte. And whether I ete or drynke. or ony other thyng doo euer me thynketh that the trūpe of god sow••th in myn errs And byddeth me synfull wretche ary¦se. and come to the dome. ¶The fyfte is. that thou haue sorowe for the losse of heuen. And the grete of fence doon to thy maker. ¶The syxte that thou haue a th••fold hope. first of foryeuenes that thy •yn∣nes be clene foryeuen the. hope also off grace to doo good werkis after and in hem alweye to encreace. & then hope of blisse wherwith thou maist afterward be rewarded for thy good werkys. he prophete sayd before that I shold wes¦she euery nyght my bedde wyth my tee¦rys. By this it semeth that contrycion after forgeuenes shold be contynuall To know this it is hard yet in thy wil thou mayst haue contynuell contryciō euer in full purpoos to leue and loth thy synne. and thus it is nedefull. ¶For and a confessour knewe suche Page  [unnumbered] oon that cōmeth so contynually being sory inwarde and outwarde. Him ne∣dyth neuir to gyue him but lytell penā¦ce For though he hadde doon grete and horrible synnes. he myght so venge. & bewayll his synnes here that after his deth he shulde no paynes suffre in pur¦gatorye ¶yet this sorowe muste be me¦surable with a trusty hope that thowe fall nat into heuynes of despayre It must also be generall and hole for all synnes. yet more sharpe for oone. thenne for a nother after that the grete¦nesse is And it must be doon for the of¦fence doon to god. & nat only for dre∣de of euirlasting peyne. This maner of contricion brekyth the s•ares and the cheynes of the deuyll & relisseth the bondes. and obligationes. of euirlastynge payne And delyuereth the from the seruage and horrible com¦pany of deuylles and maketh the child of god. and heyre of the blysse of he∣uyn that to fore were the childe of the deuyll. and a brennynge bronde of the pytt of hell Only contricion al¦so auayl•th nat but there as confessi∣on and satisfact•on may be hadde For as we offende god in thre maner of wy¦se. in herte speche and dede. Soo it ne∣dith that we do oure satisfaction in iii. maners and els the synnes is nat forye¦uen Oonly contricion may auayl also whanne thou arte very contryte & pur¦posest afterwarde to absteyne the fro all maner of synne. as soone as thou mayst and doost Also due sa∣tisfaccion after the dome of the church and this is the mooste sure way. ¶The secounde wasshynge is confes∣sion don of thy mouth right as thy sou¦le is nowe wasshe & made whyte with sokynge sorowe and salte fretyng tea¦res of thyn eyn So by louly confessi∣on of thy mouthe. thou must rubbe of the foull spottes of synne that are rus¦tyd in thy soull Of this maner of we¦shyng spekith the prophete Dauid say¦enge thus Thu shalt sprynge me lord with ysope and I shall be clensed. Thou shalt wasshe me and I shall be made clene. and whyte as snowe. Right thus loulye confession. doon of thy mouthe to thyne owne curate pur∣geth and maketh more white thy soull thenne is any snowe in this world Se therfore what confession is Confession after doctoures sayng is A laufull de¦claracion of synne to fore doon. and a thynge wherby a preuy goostly sore or sekenesse is openyd with hope of forye¦ue••sse. ¶Tre maner of Confessiones ther be Oone is inwarde in the soull For or thou madest it. it was knowen to god The secounde tofore a iuge in hope of forgyuenesse of god And the thridde tofore goddes vycare wher as preuy synne is preuely opened Of the¦se speketh scripture and sayth Tell out if any thyng thou haue to say or shew that thou may be instifyed The passi∣on of oure lorde iesu is a grete remedy agaynst synne be it origynall or actu∣all The vertue wherof is expressyd in the sacrament of holy churche without whiche ther may no man be hole Ther¦fore that Confession is nedefull. pre∣uyth scripture saynge thus. He that is Page  [unnumbered] proude and woll nat obeye the precept of the preest. he shall be dede we haue it also of oure lorde fader of heuyn. y^t euery man and woman hauyng yeres of discrecion is bounde by his own per¦sone to make confessyon onys a yere. of all his synnes to his owne Curate. That it is also nedefull reson preueth in this wyse. and thou haddest trespas¦sed to thy neyghboure it were nat ry∣ghtfull that thou sholdest sett thyn ou¦ne peyne at thy luste. ne he that hath wronge neyther But a mene that coud and myght sett it resonably. after the wronge were declared The preest is ordeyned to be a mene and to sette thy peynes for the wronge that thou haste done to thy god by synne. It nedyth thenne that thou shewe truly thy tres∣passe vnto him. that he may sett the su¦che penaunce wherby thou maiste be a¦ble to cōme to the presence of thy lorde. god Also in euery dome that is reasonable ther muste be a iuge and a persone that is gyltye And the preest muste either be by preuys or els by wit¦nes ayēst thy wyll or by wylful knou¦lege. sithen the dome of penance is free and nat agaynst thy wyll. bycause y^t thou goste therto wilfully: thenne shal nat the processe of this dome be in pro∣mys. ne in wytnesse. but freely in thy propre confession: And he muste be iu∣ge that may bothe forgyue and condē∣ne. and that is god For he only releseth synnes And so tyll he toke mankynde confession of herte suffised But after he requyred and askyd confession vo¦call. whiche is made of man to man.

And for asmoche as he is nat here in forme of man Therfore he ordeyneth men to be his vycaries y^t thou sholdest confesse the to. to whome he gaue po∣wer to bynde and to vnbynde. And thus is confession nedefull by re¦son promyse and scripture Oure lord gaue power only to the preest to bynd and to vnbynde whanne he sayd: whose synnes ye forgyue they been for yeue. and whose synnes ye witholde▪ they be witholde. ¶yet as by power & vertue god losith For there is no po∣wer but of god Cryst. sayth saint Au¦styn for vs was crucifyed. by whiche and noon other. synnes are forgeuyn

Therfore oure lord yaue open¦ly the holy goost to men yeuynge vnd¦stondynge that synnes are nat foryeue through merites of men. but throughe the godenes of the holy goost. For whanne he arose from dethe he sayd to his disciples Taketh the holy gost and whose synnes ye forgyue they are for∣y•uen as who sayth the spiryte that is go• forgyueth and nat ye And so he that may forgyue by man may for¦gyue withoute man. The sacra¦ment of grace sayth saint Austyn god forgyueth somtyme by euyll men But grace alone he yeueth but by him selue. yet remission of synnes he wo•¦cheth bothe by him selue and by the ho¦ly goost And thus noman doth away synne but Criste alone.

¶Saint Ambrose and o∣ther doctoures sayn. that the worde of god foryeueth synnes The preest is the iuge and yet of him selue he hath noo power. but of him allone that died for oure synnes. Saint Ierom Page  [unnumbered] sayth that the same power that Criste yaue to his appostelles after his resur¦rectiō The same hath al holy chirch in busshopes & prestes. But specially pe¦tyr and his successoures that all shold vnderstonde that who parteth him fro vnyte of the faith may neuyr be losed from synne. ne entre into the blisse of heuyn The preest loseth noon verily. but god tho that turnyth to penaunce Then he ministreth rightfully that mi¦nistreth of the vertue of god. what hadde it profyted to Lazar y^t he went oute of his tombe. but it hadde be said Loseth him and let him go Criste by voys raysed him for his sepulcre And so he went forth that was bounde nat 〈◊〉 myght of his feet but by vertue of 〈◊〉 y^t raysed him This same is nowe 〈◊〉 done in the herte of a repentant m•n. whanne thou heryst a man repē¦t••• for his synne then he begynneth. 〈◊〉 lyue agayn. whenne he confessyth. 〈◊〉 thenne he is brought oute of his se¦••••re. but yet he is nat losed Se ther¦•••• of whome. and whanne he is lo∣sed Criste sayth Tho that ye haue lo∣sed in erthe shalbe losed in heuyn Here take hede howe he saide tho. that is to say. no man except but who so be repētaunt and ask foryeuenesse by the churche he shall haue foryeuenesse. yet though by the churche synne maye worthely be forgyue. the dede may nat ryse but our lorde cry within forth For that is doon within vs maye natt be done of vs but of him. The discy¦ples losyd hym lyuyng whom the mai¦ster raysed fro dethe For & they shold haue reased him dede they shulde ha∣ue shewyd more strength then vertue.

Thus holy churche hath auctorite of her spouse to lose from al maner of synne Saint Austyn saythe that seuenty tymes and seuyn. wee be charged to forgyue that is to say to euery man that is repentaunt and as∣keth foryeuenesse. yet may nat euery preest generally do this. but in tyme of nede. or by auctorite of the pope or of his busshop For right as a mā hath power to ete and hath nat wherof Soo it is of prestes power. all they ha¦ue power. yet it muste be gyuen theym of their soueraynes. whanne where. & how moche they shall execute Ther may no man chese him a confessoure. but the pope aboue. without auctorite of him or elles of theym that haue po∣wer vnder hym. but nedes he muste be shreuyn to his owne curate. yet in cer∣ten causes by leue of his curat he may As whanne the Curate lacketh discre∣cion A nother whanne thou chaungest thyn householde. & art a vagabond. or in peryll of deth or whan thou entryst into the see. in so greate peryll. thou maist also by that confesse the to a lay man and haue foryeuenes And they that thus here the if thou escape muste charge the that thou shewe the same to thyne owne curate. Also pilgrames marchauntes and other goers aboute. in diuerse countrees in the same wyse.

¶Other causes ther be. that thy Curate muste sende the to fo∣re the busshop wherto thou muste ne∣des obeye And be sorye that thou haste more horribly offendyd god thenne o∣ther haue: The tokenes Page  [unnumbered] of very confession are these. The first to shame. whan thou shriuest the saith saint Ierom. wexe a shamyd of all the wayes that thou haste goon in syn. nat for thy confession but for the fylth of synne that thou shewyst there. For nat only oure lord seeth it but also the holy company of heuyn Therfore be ashamed for that maketh the soner to haue mercy of oure lorde Mary maw∣deleyn shamed nat to confesse all her synnes in presence of all that were a•t the feste Her confession and tearis ther¦fore brought her to blysse The seconde is mekenesse in worde lokynge & chere. without any sturdynesse. as the publy¦can that thought him self vnworthy to lyfte vp his eyn to heuyn And as poul also obeyed to the callyng of our lord Soo sholdest thou to the byddynge of thy goostly fader. and in no wyse ta∣ry thy shryfte for these parelles suyng

ye that be yet vnshreuyn taketh gode hede vnto this lesson. and se what pa∣rell ye stonde in The firste is for the vncertaynte of the lyf Scriptur saith that man knoweth nat his ende. ne the tyme ne place. ne how ne what maner he shall dye. and all is for thou shol∣dest in euery tyme and place be redy to thy deth A nother is for encreasyng of thy synne. For synne that is nat anon done awaye by shryfte: he draweth a∣nother to him. as saith saint Austyne. And so as thou encresist thy syn. right so thou encresist thy peyne Another is. for drede of turnynge ayen For the fer¦ther that thou gost fro god by thy long abydyng in syn. the harder it is to the after to turne agayn to thy good lyf. And also in grete sekenesse thy peyn is somtyme so grete that thou must natt be very repentaunt. It must also be hole. nat some to one and some to a nother This is a greate spyce of ypocresye. and thus vse moch people And all for they wolde be hold holy and bettre thanne they be. Saint bernard sayth that ther is noo confessioun but it be in trouthe of thy mouthe profytable. and clenes of thy hert if thou be seke and swete in al par¦tes of thy body it is a token of lyf. and if it be particuler it is a token of dethe: Right so and thou tell all thy synnes it is token of saluacion. as whan criste helyd the man that the gospel speketh of He made him nat half hole but all hole So whenne he foryeueth he for∣yeueth all or neuir a dele Therfore. heeld oute thyne herte to fore thy lorde. god as water nat as oyll. left the fa•∣nes abyde Or as mylke leste the whyt¦nesse appere. ne as wyne left the •a∣uoure abide Thou heldest oute thy hert as oyle. that shryuest the of thy small synnes. and leuyst the grete & the farre within the. Thou heldest oute as m•l• that by coloure of excusacion makeste thy synnes whyte. As adam dyd by the woman. and the woman by the serpent. Thou beldest it oute also as wyne. y^t after the leuynge of thy synne thou kepyst the sauoure. within the therof. as whanne thou de∣lytest the in lycherouse wordes. or hast ioye to se vanyties. or auantyste the of lewdnesse doon to fore. and that is a synne that moost greuyth god: Therfore held out thyn herte as water Page  [unnumbered] that neyther fatnes coloure ne sauour abyde after with al the circumstances As in what maner. what place. what cause what tyme. what age. what sta¦te. howe moche howe longe. why and where. and all suche that agree.

¶Thy synne also it must be na¦ked. nat made by a messangere. ne let¦tre. but with thyne owne mouth. ne in gay termys. but in suche wyse. be it ne¦uir so foull. that thy confessoure may knowe thy menyng: & doo it wylfully as the theef that hynge on the crosse. And nat as achor. it muste also be fey¦thfull that thou haue full hope of for¦yeuenes of thy synne. by the mercy of god or thou goo thens. accusynge thy self and noon other. saynge with Io∣sue and Dauyd I am he that synned I am he that dyd amys. nat excusing the by custome. felaushyp or frailtye. as some doon Do it also in good en∣tent for no vaynglory. ne drede of pey¦ne. But specially for the offense doon withoute any faynynge. For dyuerse causes is confession profytable Firste for the peryll of synne that thy confes¦soure there shewyth the. Also for the shame that thou hast there in thy cō¦fession whiche is a greate relece. of thy payne A nother for it sheweth in thy cō¦science a sikernesse of foryeuenes. By confession also god is glorifyed and the deuyll confounded For who so vseth ofte tyme to be cōfessed in what temptacion he be. He shall nat be ouir cōme with the deuyll. Saynte Austyn saith that the oftener that thou arte confessed of thy synne in hope of foryeuenesse. the lightliar saith he thou shalt haue grace and foryeuenes of thy synnes Onys a yere it •• spedefull. to the. to make thy confession generall & specially in the poynt of deth. and the shame therof shalbe there to the a grete parte of thy satisfaccion.

¶The thridde parte of penaunce. as I sayd to fore is satisfaccion This is grounded in the wordes of the pro∣phete. that where he sayd to Naman. Go and wasshe the seuyn tymes in ior¦dan. and thou shalbe clensed. of that thou haste be defaced with spottes of synne Though it be sokyd with bytter sorowe of thyn hert and clerly rubbed with confession. yet must it haue ma¦ny diuerse rensynges after with satis∣faccion.. tyll▪ it be so clerly purgyd he¦re or in purgatorye that it may clerely appere after in the sight of oure lorde. If thy contricion be greate here thy pe¦naunce may be the lesse there And if it be lytell thy peynes muste nedes bee the greter And soo grete it may be here that it suffiseth to thy saluacion Satisfaccion after diuerse doctoures. is a puttyng away of the cause of syn nat takynge hede of their suggestiones It is also an obligacion doon of god• werkes to god with mekenesse & lowe¦nes of herte after the qualyte & quan∣tyte of thy synne. ¶This satis∣faccion muste be do wylfully without grudgyng And it muste be plener and generall for euery synne reasonably.

Page  [unnumbered]As pryuy penaunce for pryuy synne open penaunce for opyn synne. Thre principall werkys ther be of sa∣tisfacion. almes prayer and fastynge. These thre oure lorde fulfylled in hys passion for redempcion of oure synne. Therfore what almes is and howe it sholde be doon I shall tell. Almes is a lowynge of thyn hert with a wylfull compassion to them that be in nede. and it is a dede of mercy by cō¦passion of neyghboures myscheyf. There be thre maner of almes. One is in the contricion of thyn hert. for the synne that thou offeryst thy selue with to god A nother by geuyng of bodilye treasoure with thyn honde The thrid in pyte and compassion hauyng of thy neyghboures myscheyf Temporal almes thou maist somtyme yeue of go¦des vntruly goten That is to say whē thou knowest nat to whome thou shalt restore it. and yet it muste be doone by counceyll of thy goostly fader. and ty¦the nat of that thou getyst by thyft for some tyme it is chalengyd. and thēne he that delyuered it shall aske it ayen And somtyme it is chaunged & shall. nat be askyd agayne as whan it tur∣neth nat to the taker bicause they come by thefte or robbrye. raueyn. symonye or vsu•ye And so of theym shall noo almes be gyuen For they must be resto¦red agayn But whanne the hauynge is chaunged and shall nat be asked a∣gayn as gyftes of comen wymen and Iogelers or suche other.. Thenne shal they be gyuen in almes Also if thou fynde a thynge of any value. after ty¦me thou haste doon thy besynes to wy¦•e duly who owyd it Thou shalt spēd it in almes by counceyll of thy gostlye fader to all that haue nede. Also thou shalt gyue thyn almes to go¦de and badde. frende and ennemye. if thou be of power Oure lorde sayth ye¦ue to euery man that asketh the & turn nat awaye thy face from any pore mā sayth Toby. yet it is saide yeue the go¦de man and resceyue nat the synner. y^t is to say Gyue that nature be sustey∣ned and nat the synne norisshed Thou norysshest the synne that yeuest thy go¦de to iougelers and iapers and suche y^t loue to be ydell and suffrest the poure man to haue hungre and myscheyf su¦che maner of geuynge is forboden. If pyte sayth saint Ambrose shall nat be swete to all. Moche more plentou∣ous muste it thenne be to the good and vertuous in lyuynge Thou shalt ra∣ther gyue to thy kynne or neyghboure. in theyr nede & they be vertuous. then to other Thou shalt also yeue to olde. men and wymen with chylde. if they haue nede rather thenne to other And to theym that be fall in grete pouerte. when such pouert falleth nat through ryot array or pompe of this world yet rather gyue. thenne the pore be vnser∣uyd. Opyn thyn hert to all theym that aske the for the loue of gode withoute difficultye and gyue it with charyte and with gode wyll. Or elles thou makest nat due satisfactyon for thy synne. Also with a glade chere and a meke spyryte Soo that thou do it for no vayn glorye. Ne d•spyse natt the poure for he is a man as thou art And yeue it hastely. and tary nat fro him y^t suffreth āguysshe sayth salamō Page  [unnumbered] ¶yeue it also with discrescion. and if thou haue moche. yeue moche. if thou haue lytell. yeue lytell. gladly sayeth Thoby Thus bodily and goostly eue∣ry body may yeue almes ¶Furthermore ayenst concupiscence. of thy flesshe. thou haste fastyng hard goynge: and lyuynge. and bytter we∣pynge. knockyng on thy breest. of kne¦lynge and sharpe disciplyne with rod∣des of thyn owne hondes. trauayll in pylgramage. tribulaciones. anguyssh sekenesse and suche other bodily disea∣ses paciently suffred of the scourge of god All suche penaunce wylfully ta¦ken a discrete confessoure wyll put to the in parte of thy satisfaction and pe¦naunce Fastynge is a wylfull abstinence fro mete and drynke wher∣by thy synne is wasshen and thy flessh made lowe. for desire of euirlastynge blysse gostly fastyng is fro bodily syn and temporall ioye. Saint Iherom sayth that it profyteth natt to feble thy body with fastynge. whanne thy herte swelleth with pryde: Somme faste for sekenesse or for they may nat ete. somme for pouerte. som for ypocrysye. and somme to the wor∣shyp of god. and thou must modre thy fastynge that thy stomake be nat gre∣uyd with to moche excesse. for lytell mete mesurably tempreth and proufyt¦teth both body and soul and disposeth the to goostly trauayll. Ther be some that ete moo delicate metes and more. whenne they faste thenne they doo at ii melys whanne they faste nat. and in maner they breke their faste There is also prayer ayenst pryde two maner One is inwarde in thy soull withoute shewynge of voyce A nother also ordeyned for the thre parties of sa¦tisfaction ayenst pryde Prayer is a lo∣uynge desire of thy soull to god with speche of mouthe or gaderyng of wor∣des to aske good of god with vttering of thy voyce. ¶Of foure frutefull prayers saynte Poul speketh whenne he sayth I pray you first of all thynge that ther be ob¦secraciones. orisones. postulaciones & yeldyng of thankynges. Obsecraciones are whenne thou seest in thy soul the multitude of synne and lytell of thy merytes: and seest the hor¦ryble peynes of hell which thou maist nat voyde by thyn owne vertue. Ne darst nat for thyn owne vnworthynes make thy prayer thy selue. but makest supplicacōns by other menys as when̄ thou sayst. Sancta maria ora pro nobis Oure lorde by thy passion delyuer vs. Orison is whanne thou hast forsaken thy synne & askest foryeuenes by open speche· Postulacion is whanne after thy penaunce doon thou haste a sad hope of foryeuenes if thou pray also any thynge ayenst thyn ow∣ne spede As poull that prayed that his temptacion myght be putte away then oure lord wyll nat graunte it the. Some thynges thou mayst pray with condicion And some thynges without condicion. to haue grace and blys with oure lorde thou mayst aske without cō¦dicion. Saynt Bernard sayth that thou maist aske of our lord grace in all godenesse. to please hym. lyue in him. see his blysse and to able Page  [unnumbered] thy self to vertues to do him worshyp and to be with him withouten ende ¶yet afore this prayer thou must ma¦ke redy thy soull in dyuerse wyse. Firste thou must withdrawe thyn hert fro outwarde besynesse beynge in wyl to kepe thy thoughtes after thy first en¦tent. Thou muste considre also how vnworthy thou arte. that prayest and howe worthy he is thou prayest vn¦to and howe greate thy synnes be that thou prayest for Thou muste also be clene in soull. & if thy prayer be shorte let it be doon with stedfaste hope. for a shorte prayer with a sad hope feithful¦ly doon is more acceptable to god then a longe prayer fayntly doon withoute hope. yet to theym that been occupyed in dyuyne seruyce Longe prayer is spe¦defull To pray also with voys is mo¦re spedefull thanne to thynke or whys¦per Grisostum sayth thus. thou that with loude voyce prayest and whyspe∣ryst thou suffryst noon other to praye aboute the And therfore thy synne and thy payn are encreased if it be do wyt¦tyngly. and thy self nat herd of god. It must also be doon without interup¦cion. nat to say nowe a verse or a Pa¦ter noster. and bitwene iangle. and tel a tale withoute greate nede. ne to haste it to moche. Thou must also make it comon to place tyme and persones Paull sayth I wyll that men pray in euery place. yet in the church principal¦ly For oure lorde sayth my house shal be called the house of praier All tymes are tymes of prayer yet in holy church been seuen oures ordeyned for tyme of prayer whiche moste specialy longeth to religiouse men. Oure lord afore his passion traueyled all nyght in prayer Oure lady and Ioseph also rose euery nyght at myd∣nyght and saide the psalmes of com∣mendacion. And the sa∣me dyd Dauid and his householde Though all may nat do thus y•t a••y¦se theym that be bou•de and haue noo lettynge. It must also be made w•ith other a•d nat alwaye allone. In that it is more acceptable to god. more pleasaunt to aungelles. and more confusion to the deuyll. And the same that thou makest for a nother is bettre then that thou makest for thy selue. ¶And though oure lorde here nat ano¦ne thy prayer at thy wyll. yet he heryth it and graunteth the happely that that is more spedefull. A thynge that is longe desired at the last it cōmyth. & that is the more deynte. ¶It muste also be doon with deuocy∣on. Deuocion as clerkes sayn is a tendernesse of herte wherby thou brea¦kyst lightly into tearys Also a wyll of loue lyfte vp to god or to his heuynly creatures m•uynge. the inwarde and outewarde to the ser∣uyce of god. Suche de∣uocion purgeth bothe body and soull. ¶And thus deuocion may be knowen by two pryncipall tokens One by gre¦tenesse of the voyce outwarde as a gre¦te fyre is knowen by the flame A nother by terys For righte as a fyre dryueth oute moysture fro wete wode Soo deuocion bringeth oute tearys of thyn eyn in prayer. Page  [unnumbered] ¶wele is him that hath suche plentye. of tearys. for he is disposed to grace. But there be somme that haue greate plentye of tearys. fro daye to daye in prayer deuoutly redynge or spekynge: And yet wyll nat leue their synne. ne trauayll to withstonde their temptaci¦ons. ne knowe ne kepe the preceptes of oure lorde. Suche teares be nat accepte for due sacrifyce bifore oure lorde If thou be full con∣tryte sayth aldrede and trusteste in the mercy of god confessed and in wyll to do thy penaunce. and nat in wyll to turne ageyn to thy synne Thenne saith he suche teares please god and wasshe awaye thy synnes. and more turment the deuyll as sayth saynt Bernarde. thenne all other kyndes of turmentes may doo. Sithen deuo∣cion muste be in euery prayer yet the ty¦me therof shulde be principally vsed. in the tyme of the masse and for foure causes. Oone is for the presence of ou¦re lorde god that is there. nat onlye by his godhode but also by his manhode. that he tooke for the loue of mannys. soull The secounde is for the multitude of aungelles that ther been euermore present to yelde worshyp to almyghty god. The thrydde is for grete profyt and spede that the bo∣dy and soull haue by vertue of the sa∣crament bothe to theym that been pre∣sent. and specially to theym that wor∣thely receyue hym The fourthe is for the wonderfull worshyp that is there yeuen to man. that throughe the vertue of wordes sayd of man. the presence of oure lorde is hadde. and the innumerable nombre of aungelles so many that no tonge can tell. ne herte thynke. Deuocion also sholde be vsed in tyme of seruyce that thou art boūd to saye But sōme for vnconnyng say their seruyce the more hastely for theyr pryuy prayer y^t they haue deuocion to & the deuocion is lytell or nought w•rth Se nowe therfore how thy soull may be refourmyd and broughte agayn to god Thy soule hath mynde reason. & wyll mynde for it sholde reste in god. reason for thou shold knowe god and wyll. for thou sholde loue god But by synne thy mynde is vnstable. thy re¦son blynde. and thy wyll croked. and all is for thou forsakest thy god.

¶The reformacion therfore of thy mynde is to brynge agayn thy hert that was trauayled with veyn though¦tes by prayer. redynge and often thyn¦kynge of god As of his incarnacion. passion. innumerable benefetys and gracious yeftes. Hauyng grete sorowe for thy greate vnkyndnesse. y^t thou alway shewedyst him The refor¦macion of thy reason is to byleue sad¦ly in the fayth of holy churche Oure lorde for oure greate comforte hath ye∣uen vs knowlege in scripture: where we may fynde all that is necessary. & spedefull to oure soull hele nat to fo¦lowe therin oure naturall wyll But to submytte oure wytte to the rules of feyth after the vnderstondyng of holy doctoures And soo gostly to be clensed by the sacrament of penaunce The re¦formacion of thy wyll also is to with¦stōde vyces & with a gode wyll truly. and feythfully encreace and abyde in Page  [unnumbered] vertues For god without any curiosite of wyll that there be no double desyre ne none affeccion plesynge to the Butt suche as is accordynge with the wyll of god. ¶Thus than cōsidred the worthynesse of thy soull. the hor∣roure of thy synne wherwith thy soul is thus wounded. Take this salue. of penaunce with these thre plasters. Contricion cōfession and satisfaccion And bynde them sadly to thy sore with the bondes of hope. and drede: hope to haue foryeuenes of thy synne. hope of grace to lyue well after. And hope of glorye withoute ende to reigne perpetu¦ally in heuyns blysse. Drede also of the peynes of hell. if thou dispayre of his mercy For to hym it is propre to ha¦ue mercy and to spare Soo that for euery synne as saith saint Austyn ther is an absolucion be it neuir so greate.

For what myght be greter or worse thenne to sle our lord Iesu Crist right as the iewes dyd. yet there were som∣me of theim after that beleuyd • now be sauyd Petyr and mary mawdleyn and many other also after they hadde synned they were with the salue of cō¦tricion ma•• hole and nowe be in blys Therfore be thy synnes neuir so many ne so grete. dispeyre the nat but say al¦wey with Dauid Haue mercy on me lord after thy greate mercy Do away lorde my wyckydnesse Man hathe syn¦ned saith saint Austyn And crist hath redemyd And so at oure lorde as saith the prophete is mercy and plentuous re¦dempcion And he shall redeme israell from all his wyckednesse Israell is asmoche to saye as he that seeth god

He seeth god thenne that l•thyth 〈◊〉 synne And by contricōn and by confes¦sion and penaunce doyng is conuerted to him ¶That ye may thenne thus be conuerted and •o penance for youre synnes graunte he you and me that d•¦ed for vs on the rode tre: Amen:

¶The generall sentence.

gOde men and wymen I doo you to vnderstonde that we y^t haue cure of youre soules be comman¦ded of oure ordynaries and by the con¦stituciones and the lawe of holy chur∣che to shewe to you foure tymes by the yere in eche a quarter of the yere onys. whan the people is mooste plenary •• holy church. the articles of the sentence of cursynge So that nought for oure defaut no man ne woman fal therin: And if any be therin fallen he may be through the helpe of god almyghtye. and all holy churche with shryfte and penaunce. makyng good for his syn: vp ryse and him amende. wherfore I do you to vnderstonde that cursyng is suche a vengeaunce takynge that it de¦parteth a man fro the blysse of heuyn. fro housell shryfte and all the sacra∣mentes of holy church & bet•keth him to the deuyll and to the peynes of hell. withoute ende. but if he haue grace of him to amende But therfore see y^t no man nor woman say that I curse hem for it longith nat to me but to shew the poyntes and the articles of the sentence of cursynge For I do you well to wy•

Page  [unnumbered]¶who so doth agaynst any of 〈◊〉 poyntes that I shall you shewe. he is accursed in the dede doynge of the daye archebusshoppe and busshop. and of a•• holy churche. And that god almyghtye gyue you grace. for to kepe you oute of cursynge Lysten and here and I shall throughe the help of god fader almyghty to you thenne tell and shewe By the auctory¦te of god the sonne and the holy goste and his gloryous modre and mayden. oure lady saint Mary. and the blessed appostelles Petyr and Poule. and all the apposteles marters confessoures & virgynes. and all the halowes of god I ••nounce and shewe for accursed al tho that fraunchyse of holy church bre¦ke or distrouble. or are ayenst the peas or the state of holy chirch or therto assēt with dede or counseill And also al tho that pryue holy churche of any righte. 〈◊〉 make of holy churche. any laye fee 〈◊〉 is halowed or sanctifyed And al tho y^t withold the rightes of any chur∣che that is to saye Offrynges tythes rē¦tes. or fredome of holy churche l•te. or distrouble or breke. that is to saye If any man flee to churche or churchyerd who soo him oute draweth and al tho that procure or assent And all tho that purchace lettres of any lordes Courte. wherfore lettynge is maade in cristen. courte that processe of right may natt be determyned or endyd And all tho▪ that the peas of the londe destrouble And all tho that blood drawe of man or of womā in vyolence or in vylony make to be drawen in chirch or in chur¦cheyerde. wherfore the churche or the churcheyerd is enterdited or suspē•••

And all tho that been ayenst the ry∣ght of oure lorde the kynge. and also• thein that susteyne warre ageynst the kynge wrongfully And all tho y^t are comune robbers and re•e•s or mansle¦ers but if it be hem self defendynge. & tho that be ayenst the greate char••e of the kyng that is cōfermyd of the court of Rome And al tho that fals wytnes bere wrongely namely in cause of ma¦trymonye in what courte so it be or ou¦te of courte And all tho that any false wytnes brynge forthe in right of ma∣trymony for to destrouble man or wo¦man. or for to disherite any man of lā¦de or tenement or any other catel And all false aduocates that for mede put forth any fals excepciones or querels. through the whiche the right of matry¦monye is fordoon. or any other maner of right in stede of iugement And all tho that for mede or fauour or for any other encheson malicyously. man or woman brynge oute of their good fa¦me into wycked. or make theym for to lese their worldly godes or honoure or putte theym wrongfully to their pur∣gaciō. of the which was 〈◊〉•ame bifo¦re And all tho that maliciously distro¦ble or lett the right presentment of any churche. ther the very patrone. sholde presente. and all that therto procoure with word or dede or with false enque¦ste or with other power. And all tho that maliciously despysen the maund¦mēt of the kynge to take a cursed man fro the tyme y^t he hath leyn in cursyng xl. daies & no remedye wyll seke And all tho that capcions distrouble wyth false iugement or false enqueste. Page  [unnumbered] And all tho that their lyueraunce pur¦cha•e ayenst the right of holy church & all tho that me•e take for to distroble peas ther• loue sholde be or charite Or stryf mayntene with worde or dede. & tyll they haue yelden agayn the mede. that they toke of theym. they may ne∣uyr be assoyled And all tho that hold houses maners graunges of persones vycares or of any other man of hooly churche. ayenst their wyll or their at∣tourneys wyll. And all tho that any maner godes meuable or vnmeuable. awaye bere with strength. or wronge∣fully awaye drawe or wasten. of the whiche •synge they may nat be assoi¦led tyll they haue made satisfaccion. to whom the wronge is doone And all tho that an• maner of godes with vio¦lence or ma•••e bere oute of holy chur∣che stedde or •bbey. or house of religy∣on whiche that therin is leyde or doon. for warandise or socour or for to kepe and all that therto procour or 〈◊〉. and all tho that theym mayntene or su¦steyne And al tho that haue leyde hond on preest or clerke with malyce. butt it be him selue defendynge And all tho that 〈◊〉 counceyll or helpe a¦yenst cristendome And all that her chil¦dren wrongfully fader wyttyngly or ther children wyten on any other man with malice And all tho that werye or sle their generaciones. or their children distroye with drynkes. or with any o∣ther crafte And all tho that false mo∣ney make and therto assent And all tho that good money clyppe or shere. them to auantage to disceyue any mā with. & al tho y^t false the popes bulles or 〈◊〉 the kynges sea•• And all tho that bye or sell with fals mesu¦res or false weyghtes. that is to say to bye with one and sell with a nother And all tho that false the kynges stan¦darde them self wyttynge And all tho that any testament distrouble or therto procoure with word or with dede wher¦fore the dedys wyll is nat fulfilled

And all tho that forswere hem self vpon the holydome wyllynge and wetyngly for mede or for hate. for to to doo any man or woman to lese ther worldly godes and honoure And all rubbers and reuers openly or preuely. by daye or by nyghte. or any mannys goodes stele. wherfore they were wor∣thy to haue iugement And all tho that witholde any mannys goode. that hath been spyred thryse in hooly churche theym selue wyttyng And all tho that distrouble the peas of holy churche. or of the londe. And all the kinges felones. and all tho y^t them mayntene And all false conspiratou∣res and all false forswerers in assy•es or any other courte And all tho that any fals pleyntes putte forth. ageynst the fraunchise of holychurche or of the kinge of the royalme And all tho that offrynges that are offred in holy. churche or in churcheyerde or in chapel or in oratory or in any other stede with in the prouynce of Caunterbury with holden or putte away in any other pla¦ce ayenst the wyll of the parson or vy¦cary. or their attourney in the parysshe that it is offeryd in. And all tho that their goodes. awaye yeue for drede of deth in fraud of holy Page  [unnumbered] churche or to forbarre their dettes pay∣••ge And all tho that suche gyftes ta∣ke. or therto helpe or counceyll And al tho that let prelates or ordynaries. for to holde consistory session or chapiters. for to en••ere of synnes and of exces in gode amendement of mannys soul And all wyches and all that on theim leue. and all heretykes that leue nat in the sacrament of the auter. that is god¦des owne body in flesshe and blood in fourme of brede. and other sacramen¦tes that toucheth help of mannys soul And all iogelers vsurers that is to say If any man or woman. leue their ca∣tell to man or woman for any auaun¦t•ge to take by couenante more or lesse 〈◊〉 their owne. and if their be any suche in towne or cyte. the Cyte or the. towne shold be enterdyte. by the olde lawe. and neither done therin masse ne •a•rament vsyd tyll that he were out therof And all that witholde tythes or withdrawe their tythes wyttynglye. o• maliciously to the harme of holy ••che. or tythes let to be gyuen of 〈◊〉 goodes whiche be cōmaunded or ordey¦ned to be gyuen by the lawe of holy. churche that is to saye. of al frutes of yerdes cornes herbes that wax. frutes of trees. of all maner bestes. that are newynge: Of woll lambe and chese. in tyme of yere. Of swannes gees do∣uys duckes. of bees hony wax. Of hay olso often as it newes. of flax of hempe. of wyndemylles. of all ma∣ner mylles. of all maner marchaun∣dise. of chafferynge men▪ and of men of crafte And all tho that any of these thinges maliciously or witting¦ly or any other thynges witholde •che ought to be yeuyn to holy 〈…〉 by goddes lawe to harme of hol••che And tho that therto procour 〈◊〉•de or in dede. ¶Modus fulminandi 〈◊〉· pre¦latus alba indutus cum 〈◊〉•acer∣dotibus in ecclesia existen•••• au∣ce erecta. candelis accensi•〈◊〉•pul¦pito pronuncient verba que sequiltu•▪ ex auctoritate dei patri• o••i∣• potentis et beate marie virgi∣nis et 〈◊〉 sanctorum excomuni∣camus anathe•atizamus. et dyabolo cōmendamus •••es supradict•s ma¦lefactores excomunicati sit •ema¦tizati et diabolo cōmendati sint in vil∣lis in campis. in viis semitis. in domi¦bus. extra domos et in o•••bus alus locis. stando. sedendo. iacendo. surgē¦do ambulando. currendo. vigilando. dormiendo. comedendo •••••do. et ali 〈◊〉 faciendo. & illos a luminibus et o•••bus bonis ecclesie sequestram{us} et diabolo dampnamus: et in penis in ferni extinguimus. sicut extinguitur ista candela. nisi recipiscant & ad sa∣tisfactionē veniant. ¶Finita sentencia ex• lumen. ad terrorem. pulsatis campanis.

¶The bedes on sondaye

yE shal knele downe on your knees and lyfte vp your hertes makyng your prayers vnto almyghty god for the good state and peas of al holy churche that god mayntene. Page  [unnumbered]〈…〉 kepe it For oure holy fader 〈…〉 and all his true college of car•〈◊〉 that god for his mercy theim ••yntene and kepe in the right byleue and it holde and encrease. and all mys¦byleue and herisye he lesse and distroye Also ye shall pray for the holy londe & for the holy crosse that Iesu cryst dyed on for the redempcion of mannys soul that it may come in•o the power of cry¦sten men. the more to be honoured for oure prayers. Also ye shall praye for all archebusshoppes and busshoppes. and in especyall for the archebusshop. of Ca••terbury oure metropolytayn and for the busshop of N. oure dyocy∣san that god of his mercy gyue to hem grace soo to rewle holy churche. that it may be to the honoure & worshyppe of hym and saluacion of oure soules.

Also ye shall praye for all abbottes pryoures monkes chanons frerys and for all men and wymen of religion in what ordre estate or degre they stonde. in. from the hyest estate to the loweste degree. ye shall also praye for all. theym that haue charge and cure of cri¦sten menn• soules as curates. perso∣nes vicaries. prestes and clerkes. and in especiall for the persone and curate of this churche: and for all the prestes and mynistres that serue therin or haf seruyd. and for all theym that haue. taken any ordre. that god geue theym grace well to kepe and obserue it to the honoure and helthe of their soules ye shall also praye for the vnyte and peas of all cristen realmes. and in es∣peciall for the good state peas and trā¦quylite of this royalme of Englonde. For oure 〈…〉 for his greate mercy sende 〈◊〉 grace▪ so to gouerne and rule 〈…〉 that god •e pleased and 〈◊〉 and profyt and sauacion o• this londe Also ye shall pray for oure st•ge lady the quene. my lorde the prynce and all the noble progenye of theym For all Dukes Erles Barones knyghtes and Squyers. and all other lordes of the kynges counseyll whiche haue any ru¦le and gouernance in this londe y^t god gyue theym grace so to counceyll rule and gouerne that god be pleased the londe defēded to the profyt and saua¦cion of all the realme. Also ye shall praye for the peas bothe on the londe and on the water that god graunte loue and charyte. amonge all cristen people. ye shall pray for all oure parisshenys whether they be on londe or on water that god saue theym from all maner of perel∣lys. and for all the gode men. of thys parisshe. for theyr wyues children and menye. that god theym mayntene sa∣ue and kepe. ye shall also pray for all true tithers that god multiply her godes and encrease For all true telers. that laboure for oure sustenaunce that teyle the erthe. and also for al the grey¦nes and frutes that be sowen sett or do¦ne on the erth. or shalbe doon that god sende suche wederynge that they maye growe and multiplye to the helpe and profyt of all mankynde. ye shall praye for all true shypmen. and mar∣chantes where that they be on the lond or on the water that god kepe hem fro all perylles: and brynge theym. Page  [unnumbered]••me in sauetye with their godes Shippes and marchandyses to the cō¦forte and prouffyt of this Realme. ¶ye sha•• also praye for th•• y^t fynd any light in the churche or gyue or by∣queth boke bell chalyce or westmente. londes rentes lampe or lighte. wherby goddes seruyce is the bettre seruyd. & maynteyned y^e god rewarde it theim at theyr mooste nede Also ye shal pray for all true pilgrames that haue take their waye to Rome Ierusalem saint Katheryn or saint Iames. or to any o¦ther holy place that god of his grace. yeue theym tyme and space: well for to goo and cōme to the proffyt of theyr lyues and soules Also ye shall praye for all theym that be dyseased in this parysshe that god sende theym helthe. the rather for oure prayers For all wy¦men that been in oure lady bondes. in this parisshe or in any other. that god lende the children cristendome and the moders purificacion And for all them that wolde be here and may nat for se¦kenesse trauayll or other lefull occu¦pacion that they may haue parte of al the good dedys. that shall be doone in this place or any other Also ye shall pray for all theym that be in good lif that god holde theym longe therin. and for theym that be in dett or in dede¦ly synne that iesu crist bryng theim ou¦te therof Also ye shall praye for hym. or her that this day gaue the holy brede and for him that firste beganne and lē¦gest holdeth theron. ¶Furthermore ye shall praye for youre faders soules. & youre moders soules. youre godfaders soules youre godmoders soules youre sustern & brethern soules. and sa•〈◊〉 frendes soules. & all the saules 〈…〉 be dounde to pray fore. and for 〈◊〉•¦sten soules that god wolde haue pray¦ed fore ye shall say a Pater noster. & an Aue maria. Deus misereatur. Gloria patri Kyrie leyson. Pater noster. Et ne nos. Ostē¦de nobis domine: Domine exaudi orō¦nem meam. Dominus vobiscum Et. Ecclesie tue. Deus in euius manu. Vel aliter. De profundis.

¶Absolne quesum{us} domtue animas famulorum tuorum pontificum regū sacerdotum parentum parochianorū. amicorum benefactorum nostrorum & omnium fidelium defunctorum ab oī vinculo delictorum: vt in resurrectio∣nis gloria inter sanctos et electos tuos resuscitati respirent. Per cristum do∣minum nostrum Amen.