The Parson's Tale Folio 229r 1 of 18 folios
65
And bede our hoost he sholde to him seye
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That al we to telle his tale him preye
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Syr preest quod he now faire yow bifalle
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Sey what yow list and we wol gladly here
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70
And with that word he seide in this manere
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Telleth quod he your meditacioun
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But hasteth yow the sonne wol a doun
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Beth fructuous and that in litel space
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And to do wel god sende yow his grace
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Here endeth the prologe of the per sons tale
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Here bigynneth the per sons tale in prose.
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Ierem ie . 6o . State super vias & videte & interogate de vijs an-
tiquis que sit via bona& ambulate in ea & inuenietis re-
frigeriuM Animabus vestriset c.etera
tiquis que sit via bona
frigeriuM Animabus vestris
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Our swete lord god of heuene that no man wol perysh
but wol that we comen alle to the knowleche of
him and to the blisful lif¶ that is pardurable
but wol that we comen alle to the knowleche of
him and to the blisful lif
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amonesteth vs by pro phete Ieremye ¶ that seith in
this wise
this wise
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Stondeth vp on the weyes and seith and axeth of olde
pathes that is to seyen of olde sentences / which is the good wey
pathes that is to seyen of olde sentences / which is the good wey
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and walketh in that wey ¶ and ye shal fynde refresshyng for
your souleset c.etera
your soules
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5
folk the weyes to our lord I
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of which weyes ther is a ful noble wey and ful couenable
which may nat faile¶ to man ne to womman that thurgh
synne hath mysdon fro the right weye of Ierusalem celestial
which may nat faile
synne hath mysdon fro the right weye of Ierusalem celestial
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and
this weye is I cleped penytence¶ of which man sholde gladly
herkene¶ and inquere with al his herte
this weye is I cleped penytence
herkene
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to wite what is
penitence¶ and whennes it is cleped penytence / and how
many maners ben the accions or werkynges of penitence
penitence
many maners ben the accions or werkynges of penitence
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and how
many speces ther ben of penitences / and to which thinges apper-
teynen and bihouen to penitence¶ and which thinges disturben
penitence
many speces ther ben of penitences / and to which thinges apper
teynen and bihouen to penitence
penitence
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10
of man / for the gilt that he hath don / and no more to done any
thing / for which him oghte to pleyne
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nitence is the waymentyng of a man / that soroweth for his synne
and pyneth him self for he hath mysdoon
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Penitence with cer-
teyn circumstaunces / is verry repentaunce of a man that halt him
self in sorowe and oother peyne for his giltes
teyn circumstaunces / is verry repentaunce of a man that halt him
self in sorowe and oother peyne for his giltes
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and for he shal be
verry penytent¶ he shal first be waillen the synnes that he hath
doon / and stedfastly purposen in his herte to haue shrifte of
mouth and to doon satisfaccioun
verry penytent
doon / and stedfastly purposen in his herte to haue shrifte of
mouth and to doon satisfaccioun
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him oughte more be waille or compleyne and continue in good wer-
kes or elles his repetance may nat auaile
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For as seith seint Isidre
he is a Iaper and a gabber / and nat verray repentant / that
eft sone doth thing / for which him oghte repente
he is a Iaper and a gabber / and nat verray repentant / that
eft sone doth thing / for which him oghte repente
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wepynge and
nat for to stynte to do synne may nat auaile
nat for to stynte to do synne may nat auaile
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But nathalees men
shal hope that at euery tyme that man falleth be it neuer so
ofte¶ that he may aryse thurgh penitence yif he haue grace
but certeynly it is gret doute
shal hope that at euery tyme that man falleth be it neuer so
ofte
but certeynly it is gret doute
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ariseth he out of his synne
of yuel vsage
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synne and for to lete synne er that synne forlete him
chirche holt him siker of hir sauacioun
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and verraily repenteth him in his last holy chirche yit kepeth
his sauacioun bi the gret mercy of our lord I
repentaunce
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and now sithe I haue
declared yow what thing is penitence¶ Now shul ye vnder-
stande that ther been iij. accions of penitence
declared yow what thing is penitence
stande that ther been iij. accions of penitence
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The first is that
a man be baptised after that he hath synned /
a man be baptised after that he hath synned /
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seint Austyn seith
but he be penitent for his olde synful lyf he may nat bigynne
the new clene lif /
but he be penitent for his olde synful lyf he may nat bigynne
the new clene lif /
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for certes if ye be baptised with outen peni-
tence of his olde gilte he receyueth the marke of baptisme But
nat the grace ne the remissioun of his synnes til he haue re-
pentaunce verray
tence of his olde gilte he receyueth the marke of baptisme But
nat the grace ne the remissioun of his synnes til he haue re-
pentaunce verray
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dedly synne after that thei han receyued baptisme
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The thridde
defaute is / that men fallen in venyal synnes after hir baptisme
fro day to day
defaute is / that men fallen in venyal synnes after hir baptisme
fro day to day
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ther of seith seint Austyn that penitence of good
and humble folk is the penitence of euer y day
and humble folk is the penitence of eu
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The speces of pe-
nance ben thre / that on of hem is solempne / Another is comune
and the thridde is pryue
nance ben thre / that on of hem is solempne / Another is comune
and the thridde is pryue
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in two maners as to be put out of holy chirche in lente for
slaghter of children / and swich maner thing
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whan man hath synned openly of which synne the fame is openly
spoken in the contre
treyneth him for to do open penaunce
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Comune penance is that
preestes enioynen men in certeyn cas¶ as for to gon per auenture
naked in pilgrymage or barfoot /
preestes enioynen men in certeyn cas
naked in pilgrymage or barfoot /
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Pryue penance is thilke that men
doon al day for pryue synnes of which we shryue vs pryuely
and receyue pryue penance
doon al day for pryue synnes of which we shryue vs pryuely
and receyue pryue penance
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is by houely and necessarye to verry
stant on .iij. thinges
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and satisfaccion
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35
of which seith seint Ioħ n Crisostomë ¶ Penitence
distreyneth man / to accepte benygnely euery peyne that him is
enioyned with contricioun of herte and shrifte of mouth with
satisfaccioun in wirkyng of al maner humilite
distreyneth man / to accepte benygnely euery peyne that him is
enioyned with contricioun of herte and shrifte of mouth with
satisfaccioun in wirkyng of al maner humilite
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ful penitence agayn .iij. thinges / in which we wrath our lord I
crist
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spekyng bi wikked synful workyng /
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ageyns thise wikked giltes
is penitence that may be likned to a tree.
is penitence that may be likned to a tree.
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The roote of this tree
is contricioun¶ that hideth him in the herte of him that is
verray repentant / right as the roote of a tree hideth him in the
erthe
is contricioun
verray repentant / right as the roote of a tree hideth him in the
erthe
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Of the roote of contricioun spryngeth a stalke ¶ that
bereth braunches and leues of confessioun / and fruyt of satis-
faccioun
bereth braunches and leues of confessioun / and fruyt of satis
faccioun
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For which crist seith in his gospel dothe digne fruit
of penitence for bi this fruyt men may know this tree and nat
bi the roote that is hidde in the herte ofxx man ¶ ne bi the
of penitence for bi this fruyt men may know this tree and nat
bi the roote that is hidde in the herte of
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And therfore our lord
Iħ u crist seith thus bi the fruyt of hem shul ye know hem.
I
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Of this root eke spryngeth a seed of grace the which seed is egre
and hoot
and hoot
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the grace of this seed spryngeth of god / thurgh re-
membraunce on the day of dome and on the peynes of helle
membraunce on the day of dome and on the peynes of helle
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45
Of this matere seith Salamon that in the drede of god man
forleteth his synne /
forleteth his synne /
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the heete of this seed is the loue of god
and the desire of the ioye pardurable
and the desire of the ioye pardurable
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this heete draweth the
herte of man to god¶ And doth him hate his synne
herte of man to god
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ther is no thing that sauoureth so wel to a child as the milke
of his norice / Ne no thing is to him more abhomynable
thilke milke whan it is medeled with other mete
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Right so the
sinful man that loueth his synne him semeth that it is to him
moost swete of any thing
sinful man that loueth his synne him semeth that it is to him
moost swete of any thing
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But fro that tyme that he loueth
sadly our lord Iħ u Crist and desireth the lif pardurable ¶ ther nys
no thing to him moore abhominable
sadly our lord I
no thing to him moore abhominable
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for sothely the lawe of god is
the loue of god for which Dauid the prophete seith¶ I haue loued
thi lawe and hated wikkednesse and hate / he that loueth god
kepeth his lawe and his word
the loue of god for which Dauid the prophete seith
thi lawe and hated wikkednesse and hate / he that loueth god
kepeth his lawe and his word
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This tree saugħ the pro phete Danyl
in spirit vp on the auysioun of Nabugodonosor whan he conceiled
him to penitence
in spirit vp on the auysioun of Nabugodonosor whan he conceiled
him to penitence
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uen / And he that holdeth him in verry penitence is blessed after
the sentence of Salamon
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In this penitence or contricioun man shal
vnderstande .iiij. thinges that is to seyn what is contricioun and
which ben the causes that moeuen a man to contricioun and how
he sholde be contrite and what contricioun auaileth to the soule
vnderstande .iiij. thinges that is to seyn what is contricioun and
which ben the causes that moeuen a man to contricioun and how
he sholde be contrite and what contricioun auaileth to the soule
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thanne it is thus / that contricioun is the verrey sorowe that a man
receyueth in his herte for his synnes with sad purpos to shryue
him and to do penance¶ And neuer more to do synne
receyueth in his herte for his synnes with sad purpos to shryue
him and to do penance
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and this
sorowe shal been in this maner as seith seint Bernard¶ It
shal ben heuy and greuous and ful sharp and poynant in hert
sorowe shal been in this maner as seith seint Bernard
shal ben heuy and greuous and ful sharp and poynant in hert
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first for man hath agilt his lord and his creatour And moore
sharpe and poynant for he hath agilt his fader celestial
sharpe and poynant for he hath agilt his fader celestial
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And
moore sharpe and poynant for he hath wratthed and Agilt
him that boghte him that with his per cious blood hath deliuer ed
vs fro the bondes of synne and fro the cruelte of the deuel
and fro the peynes of helle
moore sharpe and poynant for he hath wratthed and Agilt
him that boghte him that with his p
vs fro the bondes of synne and fro the cruelte of the deuel
and fro the peynes of helle
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a man to
synnes /
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And therfore seith Ezechie
I wol remē bre me al the yers of my lif in bitternesse of myn hert
I wol rem
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ye be falle
children of god and lymes of the Regne of god /
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but for your synne
ye ben wex thral and foul¶ and membres of the feend / hate
of angelis¶ sclaundre of holy chirche and food of the fals ser-
pentper petuel matere of the fir of helle
ye ben wex thral and foul
of angelis
pent
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and yet moore foul and
abhominable¶ for ye trespassen so ofte tyme as doth the hound
that retourneth to eten his spwyng /
abhominable
that retourneth to eten his spwyng /
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And yet be ye fouler for your
longe contynuyng in synne and your synful vsage for which ye
ben roten in your synne as a beest in his donge
longe contynuyng in synne and your synful vsage for which ye
ben roten in your synne as a beest in his donge
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swich maner of
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your weyes And thei shul displesen yow soothly synnes ben the weyes
that leden folk to helle
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The secounde cause that ought make a man
to han desdeyn of Synne is this that as seith seint Petyr who so that
doth synne is thral of synne¶ And synne put a man in gret thraldam
to han desdeyn of Synne is this that as seith seint Petyr who so that
doth synne is thral of synne
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And therfore seith the prophete Ezechiel I went sorowful in disdeyn
of my self Certes wel oghte a man haue disdeyn of synne¶ and
with drawen him fro that thraldom and vileynye
of my self Certes wel oghte a man haue disdeyn of synne
with drawen him fro that thraldom and vileynye
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70
And lo what
seith Seneca in this matere¶ he seith thus thogh I wist that god
neither god ne man ne sholde neuer knowe it yit wolde I haue des-
dayn for to synne
seith Seneca in this matere
neither god ne man ne sholde neuer knowe it yit wolde I haue des-
dayn for to synne
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thinges
body a thra
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ne a fouler thraƚƚ may no man ne womman maken
of his body than for to yeue his body to synne
of his body than for to yeue his body to synne
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al were it the foulest
cherle or the foulest womman that lyueth and leest of value¶ yit
is he moore foul and moore in seruytute
cherle or the foulest womman that lyueth and leest of value
is he moore foul and moore in seruytute
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euer fro the hier degre
that man falleth the moore is he thral and moore to god and
to the world vile and abhominable
that man falleth the moore is he thral and moore to god and
to the world vile and abhominable
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75
man haue gret desdeyn of synne sith that thurgh synne there
he was free
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And therfore seith seint
Austyn yif thow hast disdeyn of thi seruant if he agilte or synne
haue thow thanne disdeyne that thow thi self sholdest do synne
Austyn yif thow hast disdeyn of thi seruant if he agilte or synne
haue thow thanne disdeyne that thow thi self sholdest do synne
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take reward of thi value that thow ne be to foul to thi self
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Allas
wel oughten thei thanne haue disdeyn to be seruantz and thralles
to synne and sore ben ashamed of hem self
wel oughten thei thanne haue disdeyn to be seruantz and thralles
to synne and sore ben ashamed of hem self
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that god of his endeles
goodnesse hath set hem in high estat or yeuen wit strengh
of body / heele / beaute /pro speryte
goodnesse hath set hem in high estat or yeuen wit strengh
of body / heele / beaute /
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80
and boght hem fro the deth wt
his herte blood that thei so vnkyndely¶ ageyns his gentilnesse
quyte hem so vileynsly to to slaughter of hir owne soules
his herte blood that thei so vnkyndely
quyte hem so vileynsly to to slaughter of hir owne soules
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god ye wommen that ben of so gret beaute Remembreth yow
of the prouerbe of Salamon he seith
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lik a faire womman /
¶ that is a fool of hir body lik to a rynge of gold that were
in the groyne of a sowe
in the groyne of a sowe
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for right as a sowe ¶ wroteth in
euer ych ordure so wroteth she hir beaute in stynkyng ordure of
synne
eu
synne
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The thrid cause that oghte to moeuen a man to conti cioun
is drede of the day of dome and of the horrible peynes of helle
is drede of the day of dome and of the horrible peynes of helle
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85
For as seynt Ierome seith at euery tyme that me remembreth
of the day of dome I quake
of the day of dome I quake
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for whan I ete or drynke or what
so that I do euer semeth me¶ that the trompe souneth in
myn ere
so that I do euer semeth me
myn ere
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Riseth ye vp that ben dede and cometh to the Iugement
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O good god muchel oughte a man to drede swich a Iugement
there as we shullen ben alle as seint Poul seith biforn the
sete of oure lord Iħ u crist
there as we shullen ben alle as seint Poul seith biforn the
sete of oure lord I
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Where as he shal make a general con-
gregacioun where as no man may ben absent
gregacioun where as no man may ben absent
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90
there ne auaileth noon essoyne ne excusacioun /
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and nat oonly
that our defautes shullen be Iuged but eke that alle our
werkes shullen openly be knowe
that our defautes shullen be Iuged but eke that alle our
werkes shullen openly be knowe
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And as seith seint Bernard
there ne shal no pletyng auaille ne no sleight / we shullen yeue
rekenyng of euerich ydel word
there ne shal no pletyng auaille ne no sleight / we shullen yeue
rekenyng of euerich ydel word
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that may nat be deceyued ne corrupte And whi for certes
alle our thoughtes ben discou
for mede he shal nat ben corrupte
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And therfore seith salamon
The wrath of god ne wol nat spare no wight for prayer ne
for yefte and therfore at the day of dome / ther nys non hope
to escape
The wrath of god ne wol nat spare no wight for prayer ne
for yefte and therfore at the day of dome / ther nys non hope
to escape
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95
Wherfore as seith seint Anselme ¶ Ful gret angwis-
shes shullen the synful folk haue at that tyme /
shes shullen the synful folk haue at that tyme /
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there shal
the stierne / and wroth Iuge sit aboue and vnder him the
horrible pit of helle open to destroyen him that moot biknowen
hise synnes which synnes openly ben shewed bi forn god and
bi forn euery creature
the stierne / and wroth Iuge sit aboue and vnder him the
horrible pit of helle open to destroyen him that moot biknowen
hise synnes which synnes openly ben shewed bi forn god and
bi forn euery creature
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And on the lefte side moo deueles than
herte may thenke for to hary and drawe the synful soules to
the pyne of helle
herte may thenke for to hary and drawe the synful soules to
the pyne of helle
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And with ynne the hertes of folk shal be
the bytyng conscience And with oute forth / shal be the world
al brennyng
the bytyng conscience And with oute forth / shal be the world
al brennyng
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whider shal thanne the wrecched synful man
flee to hide him / certes he may nat hide him¶ he most come
forth and shewe him
flee to hide him / certes he may nat hide him
forth and shewe him
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100
For certes as seith seint Ierome The
erthe shal caste him oute of him and the see also and the Eyr
also that shal be ful of thonder clappes and lightnynges.
erthe shal caste him oute of him and the see also and the Eyr
also that shal be ful of thonder clappes and lightnynges.
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Now soothly who so wol remembre him of thise thinges ¶ I
gesse that his synne shal nat turne him in delite but to gret
sorowe for drede of the peyne of helle
gesse that his synne shal nat turne him in delite but to gret
sorowe for drede of the peyne of helle
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And therfore seith Iob
to god suffre lord that I may a while bi waile and wepe
or I go with out retournyng to the dirk londe couered wt
the derkenesse of deeth
to god suffre lord that I may a while bi waile and wepe
or I go with out retournyng to the dirk londe couered wt
the derkenesse of deeth
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to the lond of mysese and of der-
knesse where as is the shadow of deth where as is non
ordre or ordynance but grisly drede that euer shal last
knesse where as is the shadow of deth where as is non
ordre or ordynance but grisly drede that euer shal last
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wormes that neuer shal dyen as god seith bi the mouth of ysaie
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for as muche as thei shul nat wene that thei may dyen for peyn
and bi hir deth fle fro peyne that may be vnderstond in the word
of Iob
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Certes a sha-
dowe hath the liknesse of the thing of which it is shadow / but
shadow is nat the same thing of which it is shadow
dowe hath the liknesse of the thing of which it is shadow / but
shadow is nat the same thing of which it is shadow
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fareth the peyne of helle it is lik deeth horrible anguysshe / and
whi / for it peyneth hem euer more as thogh men shuld die anon
but certes thei shal nat die
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140
For as seith seint Gregorie ¶ to
wrecche kaytyues shal be deeth with out deeth and ende with
outen ende and defaute with outen faillyng
wrecche kaytyues shal be deeth with out deeth and ende with
outen ende and defaute with outen faillyng
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shal alwey lyuen and hir ende shal euer more bigynne and
hir defaute shal nat faille
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And therfore seith seint Ioħ n the
Eua ngelist thei shullen folwe deth and thei shal nat fynde him
and thei shullen desire to die and deth shal fle fro hem
Eu
and thei shullen desire to die and deth shal fle fro hem
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And
eek Iob seith that in helle is non ordre of rewle
eek Iob seith that in helle is non ordre of rewle
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it so that god hath creat al thinges in right ordre / and no thing
with outen ordre but al thinges ben ordeyned and nombred / yit
nathales thei that ben dampned be no thing in ordre ne holden
noon ordre
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145
for the erth ne shal bere hem no fruyt /
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For as the
pro phete Dauid seith god shal destroye the fruyt of the erthe as
fro hem ne water shal yeue hem no moysture / ne the Eyr no
refresshing ne fir no light
fro hem ne water shal yeue hem no moysture / ne the Eyr no
refresshing ne fir no light
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For as seith seint basile the brennyng
of the fir of this world / shal god yeuen in helle to hem that
ben dampned
of the fir of this world / shal god yeuen in helle to hem that
ben dampned
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but the light and the Cleernesse ¶ shal he yeuen
in heuene to his children right as the good man yeueth flessh
to his children / and bones to his houndes
in heuene to his children right as the good man yeueth flessh
to his children / and bones to his houndes
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haue non hope to eschape seith seint Iob atte last that ther shal
horrour and grisly dede dwelle with outen ende
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150
horrour is
alwey drede of harme that is to come¶ and this drede shal
euer dwelle in the hertes of hem that ben dampned¶ And
therfore han thei lorn al hir hope for vij causes .
alwey drede of harme that is to come
euer dwelle in the hertes of hem that ben dampned
therfore han thei lorn al hir hope for vij causes .
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first for god that
is hir Iuge shal be with outen mercy to hem and thei may
nat plese him / ne non of his halowis¶ ne thei ne may yeue
no thing for hir raunsoun
is hir Iuge shal be with outen mercy to hem and thei may
nat plese him / ne non of his halowis
no thing for hir raunsoun
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ne thei shul haue no vois to speke to
him ne thei may nat fle fro peyne¶ ne thei haue no goodnesse
in hem that thei mowe shew¶ to delyuere hem fro peyne
him ne thei may nat fle fro peyne
in hem that thei mowe shew
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And therfore seith Salamon ¶ the wikked man dieth and
whan he is deed he shal haue no hope to eschape fro peyne
whan he is deed he shal haue no hope to eschape fro peyne
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so wold thanne vnderstand the peynes and bithinke him wel that
he hath deserued thilk peynes for his synnes certes he sholde
haue moore talent to syken and to wepe than for to syngen and
to pleye /
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155
For as that seith Salamon who so that hadde the science
to know the peynes that ben establised / and ordeyned for synne
he wolde make sorow
to know the peynes that ben establised / and ordeyned for synne
he wolde make sorow
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thilk science as seith seint Austyn ¶ ma-
keth a man waymente in his herte
keth a man waymente in his herte
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make a man haue contricioun is the sorowful remembrance of
the good that he hath lefte to doon here in erthe and eek the
good that he hath lorn
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hath left / either thei ben the good werkes that he wroghte
er he fel in to dedly synne or elles the good werkes that he
wroghte whil he lay in synne /
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soothly the good werkes that
he dide¶ biforn that he fil in synne ben alle mortified and
astoned and dulled bi the ofte synnyng
he dide
astoned and dulled bi the ofte synnyng
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160
that other good wer-
kes that he wroghte whil he lay in dedly synne¶ thei ben
outrely dede¶ as to the lif pardurable in heuene
kes that he wroghte whil he lay in dedly synne
outrely dede
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thanne
thilk good werkes that ben mortified bi ofte synnyng which
good werkes he dide whil he was in charite ne mowe neuer
quiken ageyn with outen verray penitence
thilk good werkes that ben mortified bi ofte synnyng which
good werkes he dide whil he was in charite ne mowe neuer
quiken ageyn with outen verray penitence
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god bi the mouth of Ezechiel that yif the Rightful man retourne
ageyn
he lyue
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shul neuer be in remembraunce / for he shal die in his synne
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And vp on thilk Chapitre seith seint Gregorie thus / that we
shul vnderstonde this pryncipally
shul vnderstonde this pryncipally
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165
synne it is for noght thanne to reherce or to drawen in to me-
morie
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for certes
in the werkyng of the dedly synne ther is no trust of no good
werke that we han doon biforn / that is to seyn¶ as for to haue
therby the lif pardurable in heuene
in the werkyng of the dedly synne ther is no trust of no good
werke that we han doon biforn / that is to seyn
therby the lif pardurable in heuene
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but nathales the good wer-
kes quyken ageyn and comen ageyn¶ and helpen and auailen
to haue the lif pardurable in heuene whan we han contricioun
kes quyken ageyn and comen ageyn
to haue the lif pardurable in heuene whan we han contricioun
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but soothly the good werkes that men doon whil that thei ben
in dedly synne for as muche as thei were doon in dedly synne
thei may neuer quyken agayn
in dedly synne for as muche as thei were doon in dedly synne
thei may neuer quyken agayn
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for certes thing that neuer had
lif may neuer quyken¶ And nathalees al be it that thei ne
auaile noght to han the lif pardurable¶ yit auailen thei to a-
breggen of the peyneof the peyne of helle or elles to gete tempo-
ral richesses
lif may neuer quyken
auaile noght to han the lif pardurable
breggen of the peyne
ral richesses
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170
or elles that god wol the rather enlumyne and light
the herte of synful man to han repetance
the herte of synful man to han repetance
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for to vsen a man to doon good werkes that the feend haue lasse
power of his soule
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And thus the curteys lord Iħ u crist ne wol
that no good werke be lost for in somewhat it shal auaile
that no good werke be lost for in somewhat it shal auaile
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ben in good lif ben al amortified by synne folowyng And eek sith
that alle the good werkes that men doon whil thei ben in dedly
synne ben outrely dede as for to haue the lif
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may that man that no good werk ne dooth / synge thilk new
fressh song.
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175
the goodnesse of nature
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for soothly the grace of the holy goost
fareth lik fir that may nat be ydel for fir failleth anon as it
forletith his workyng¶ and right so failleth grace anon as
it forletith his wirkyng
fareth lik fir that may nat be ydel for fir failleth anon as it
forletith his workyng
it forletith his wirkyng
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goodnesse of glorie
labouren and wirken /
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wel may he be sory thanne that owith
al his lif to god as longe as he hath lyued / And eke as longe
as he shal lyue that no goodnesse ne hath to pay with his
dette to god to whom he oweth al his lif /
al his lif to god as longe as he hath lyued / And eke as longe
as he shal lyue that no goodnesse ne hath to pay with his
dette to god to whom he oweth al his lif /
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for truste wel he
shal yeue acountes as seith seint Bernard of alle the goodes
that han ben yeuen him in this per sent lif and how he hath
hem despended
shal yeue acountes as seith seint Bernard of alle the goodes
that han ben yeuen him in this p
hem despended
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180
an heer of his heed ne a moment of an houre ne shal nat
perissh of his tyme that he ne shal yeue of it a rekennyng
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The v.õ thinge that oghte moeue a man to contricioun is re-
membrance of the passioun that our lord Iħ u crist suffred
for our synnes
membrance of the passioun that our lord I
for our synnes
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I shal haue remembrance of the trauailles that our lord c
suffred in p
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tacioun whan he fasted his longe wakynges whan he preide
his teeres whan that he wepe for pitee of good peple
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wo and the shame and the filthe that men seiden to him
the foule spittyng that men spit on his face of the buffetes
that men yaf him
proues that men to him seiden /
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185
of the nayles with which
he was nayled to the crois¶ and of al the remenant of his
passioun that he suffred for my synnes¶ and nothing for
his gilt
he was nayled to the crois
passioun that he suffred for my synnes
his gilt
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And ye shul vnderstond that in mannes synne is
euer y maner ordre or ordenance turned vp so doun /
eu
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for it is soth
that god and resoun and sensualitee and the body of man
ben ordeigned that euer ich of thise iiij thinges shulde haue lord-
ship ouer that other
that god and resoun and sensualitee and the body of man
ben ordeigned that eu
ship ouer that other
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resoun and resoun ouer sensualitee and sensualite ouer the body
of man
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ordinance is turned vp so doun
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190
muche as the resoun of a man / ne wol nat be subget / ne obei-
sant to god that is his lord bi right
lordshipe that it shulde haue ouer sensualite
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rebelleth than
ayeins resoun¶ And bi that wey leseth resoun the lordshipe
ouer sensualitee
ayeins resoun
ouer sensualitee
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and ouer the body For right as reson is the
rebelle to god / right so is bothe sensualite rebel to reson and
the body also
rebelle to god / right so is bothe sensualite rebel to reson and
the body also
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And certes this disordenance and this rebellioun
our lord Iħ u crist aboght vpon his per cious body ful dere
and herkeneth in which wise
our lord I
and herkeneth in which wise
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resoun is rebel to god
and to be ded
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195
This suffred our lord Iħ u crist for man / after
that he hadde be betraysed of his disciple¶ and destreined
and bounde¶ so that his blood brast out at euery nayl of
his handes as seith seint austyn
that he hadde be betraysed of his disciple
and bounde
his handes as seith seint austyn
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muchel as resoun of man ne wol nat daunte sensualitee
whan it may therfore is man worthi to han shame and
this suffred our lord I
in his visage
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caitif body of man is rebel bothe to reson and to sensualitee
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crist for man vp on the croys
his body free with out grete peyne
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al this suffred I
I peyned // for the thinges that I neuer deserued and to
muche defouled for shendshipe that man is worthi to haue
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200
therfore may ye synful man wel sey as seith seint bernard Acur
sed be the bitternesse of my synne for which ther most be suffred
so muche bitternesse
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wikkednesse was the passioun of I
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as thus./ certes synful mannes soule is bitraised of the deuel by
couetyse of temporel prosperite and scorned bi desceit whan he che-
seth flesshly delites And yit it tormented by Inpacience of aduer-
sitee¶ and bi spet bi seruage and subieccioun of synne and atte
laste it is slayn fynally
couetyse of temporel prosperite and scorned bi desceit whan he che
seth flesshly delites And yit it tormented by Inpacience of aduer-
sitee
laste it is slayn fynally
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was I
cam for to vnbynde vs of synne and of peyne
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thanne was he
biscorned¶ that only shulde han ben honured in alle thinges
biscorned
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205
Thanne was his visage that oghte be desired to ben seyn of alle
mankynde in which visage Angels desiren to loke vileynsly bispet
mankynde in which visage Angels desiren to loke vileynsly bispet
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thanne was he crucified and slayn /
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thanne was acompliced the
word of ysaye / he was wounded for our mys dedes and defou-
led bi our felonyes
word of ysaye / he was wounded for our mys dedes and defou
led bi our felonyes
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self the peyne of alle our wikkednesses / muchel oghte synful
man wepen and biwaille that for his synnes goddes sone of
heuene shulde al this peyne endure //
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The vj. thing that oghte
to moeue a man to contricioun. is the hope of iij. thinges / that
is to seyn / foryefnes of synne And the yift of ga ce wel for to do
And the glorie of heuene¶ with which god shal gerdoun man
for his good dedes
to moeue a man to contricioun. is the hope of iij. thinges / that
is to seyn / foryefnes of synne And the yift of g
And the glorie of heuene
for his good dedes
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210
And for as muche as Iħ u crist yeueth vs
thise yiftes of his largenesse and of his souereigne bountee ther-
fore is he cleped¶ Iħ us nazarenus rex iudeorum
thise yiftes of his largenesse and of his souereigne bountee ther
fore is he cleped
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seyn saueour or sauacioun
nesse of synnes which is proprely sauacion of synnes /
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And therfore
seide the aungel to Ioseph thow shalt clepen his name Iħ us that
shal sauen his peple of hir synnes
seide the aungel to Ioseph thow shalt clepen his name I
shal sauen his peple of hir synnes
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And here of seith seint Petyr
¶ ther is non other name vnder heuene that is yeue to any man
bi which a man may be saued / but only. Iħ us
bi which a man may be saued / but only. I
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is as muche for to sey as flourisshing in which a man shal hope
that he that yeueth him remissioun of synnes / shal yeue
him eek grace wel to do./ for in the flour is hope of fruyt in
tyme comyng
to do
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215
I was atte dore of thin herte seith Iħ us and cleped for to entre
¶ he that openeth to me shal haue foryefnesse of synne
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I wol entre
in to him bi my grace¶ and soupe with him bi the good werkes
that he shal doon which werkes been food of god and he shal
soupe with me bi the grete ioy that I shal yeue him /
in to him bi my grace
that he shal doon which werkes been food of god and he shal
soupe with me bi the grete ioy that I shal yeue him /
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thus shal
man hope for his werkes of penance that god shal yeue him his
regne¶ as he beheteth him in the gospel
man hope for his werkes of penance that god shal yeue him his
regne
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vnderstonde in which maner shal ben his contricioun
that it shal be vniu
ben verry repentant for alle his synnes that he hath doon in delit
of his thoght for delit is ful perilous
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For ther ben two maner
of consentynges that on of hem is cleped consentyng of affeccion
whan a man is moeued to do synne and thanne deliteth longe
for to thinke on that synne
of consentynges that on of hem is cleped consentyng of affeccion
whan a man is moeued to do synne and thanne deliteth longe
for to thinke on that synne
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220
that it is synne ageyns the lawe of god and yit his resoun
refreyneth nat his foul delit or talent thogh he se wel a
that it is ageyns the reu
consente nat to doon that synne in dede
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Doctours that swich delit that dwelleth longe it is ful
al be it neuer so lite
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And also a man sholde sorowe namely // for
al that euer he hath desired ageyn the lawe of god withpar fyt
consentyng of his resoun / for ther of is no doute that it is dedly
synne in consentynge
al that euer he hath desired ageyn the lawe of god with
consentyng of his resoun / for ther of is no doute that it is dedly
synne in consentynge
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it nas first in mannes thoghte and after that in his delit
so forth in to consentynge and in to dede
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wherfore I sey that
many man ne repreueth him neuer of swich thoghtes and delites
ne neuer shryuen hem of it but oonly of the dede of gret synnes
outward
many man ne repreueth him neuer of swich thoghtes and delites
ne neuer shryuen hem of it but oonly of the dede of gret synnes
outward
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225
Wherfore I sey that swich wikked delites and
wikked thoghtes ben subtil bigylers of hem that shullen ben
dampned
wikked thoghtes ben subtil bigylers of hem that shullen ben
dampned
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wordes as wel as his wikked dedes
taunce of a synguler synne
synnes / and nat a synguler synne may nat auaile
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god almyghty is al good and therfore outher he foryeueth alle
or elles right noght
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And here of seith seint Austyn
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I woot cer-
teynly that god is enmye to euerych synner¶ And how than
he that obserueth .o synne shal he haue foryeuenes of the re-
menant of his other synnes¶ nay /
teynly that god is enmye to euerych synner
he that obserueth .o synne shal he haue foryeuenes of the re
menant of his other synnes
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230
and ferther ouer con-
tricioun sholde be wonder sorowful and anguyssous¶ and therfore
yeueth him god pleynly his mercy and therfore whan my soule
was anguyssous with Inne me I hadde remembrance of god
that my prayer myght come to him
tricioun sholde be wonder sorowful and anguyssous
yeueth him god pleynly his mercy and therfore whan my soule
was anguyssous with Inne me I hadde remembrance of god
that my prayer myght come to him
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most be continuel and that man haue stedfast purpos to shryue
him and for to amende him of his lif
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
for sothly while contrici-
oun lasteth man may euer hope of foryifnesse and of this comth
hate of synne¶ that destroyeth synne bothe in himself and
eke in other folk at his power
oun lasteth man may euer hope of foryifnesse and of this comth
hate of synne
eke in other folk at his power
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for which seith dauid ye that
louen god haten wikkednesse / for trusteth wel / to loue god / is
for to loue that he loueth / and hate . that he hateth
louen god haten wikkednesse / for trusteth wel / to loue god / is
for to loue that he loueth / and hate . that he hateth
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
thing that men shul vnderstonde in contricioun is this
of auaileth contricioun
uereth man fro synne
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235
of which that dauid seith I sey quod dauid
that is to seyn¶ I purposed formely to shryue me ¶ and thow
lord relesedest my synne
that is to seyn
lord relesedest my synne
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noght with outen sad purpos of shrifte
tunitee / right so litel worth is shrifte or satisfaccioun
outen contricioun
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And more ouer Contricioun destroyeth the
pi soun of helle and maketh waik and feble alle streyngthes
of the deueles and restoreth the yiftes of the holy goost// and
of alle good ver tues
p
of the deueles and restoreth the yiftes of the holy goost// and
of alle good v
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deliuereth the soule fro the peyne of helle and fro the compay-
nye of the deuel / and fro the seruage of synne and restoreth
it to alle goodes espirituels and to the compaynye and com-
munion of holy chirche
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And further ouer it maketh him that
whilom was sone of Ire to be sone of grace¶ And alle thise
thinges ben preued bi holy writ /
whilom was sone of Ire to be sone of grace
thinges ben preued bi holy writ /
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240
and ther fore he that
wolde his entente to thise thinges / he were ful wys¶ For
soothly he ne sholde nat thanne in al his lif haue corage
to synne¶ but yeue his body and alle his herte to the seruice
of Iħ u crist and ther of doon him homage
wolde his entente to thise thinges / he were ful wys
soothly he ne sholde nat thanne in al his lif haue corage
to synne
of I
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swete lord I
folies that yif he ne hadde pitee of mannes soule / a sory song
we myghten alle synge
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
The seconde partye of penitence is Confessioun that
is signe of contricioun
is signe of contricioun
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
what is confessioun and whether it oght nedes
be doon or noon
nable to verrey confessioun
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confessioun is verray shewyng of synnes to the preest
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
245
to seyn verrayly he most confessen him of alle condicions that
longen to his synne as ferforth as he can
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and no thing excused ne hid ne for wrapped and nat auaunt
the of thi good werkes /
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And forther ouer it is necessarie to
vnderstonde that confessioun that synnes spryngen and how
thei encresen and which thei ben
vnderstonde that confessioun that synnes spryngen and how
thei encresen and which thei ben
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
as seith seint Poul in this wise
entred first in to this world and thurgh that synne deth
so deth entred in to alle men that synneden /
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And this man
was Adam bi whom synne entred in to this world whan he
brak the commaundementz of god
was Adam bi whom synne entred in to this world whan he
brak the commaundementz of god
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250
and ther fore ¶ he that first
was so myghti he shulde nat haue died / bicam swich on that
he most nedes dye whether he wolde or non and al his pro-
genie in this world¶ that in thilke man synneden /
was so myghti he shulde nat haue died / bicam swich on that
he most nedes dye whether he wolde or non and al his pro-
genie in this world
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looke that
in thestate of Innocence / whan Adam and Eue naked weren
in paradys and nothing ne hadden shame of hir nakednesse
in thestate of Innocence / whan Adam and Eue naked weren
in paradys and nothing ne hadden shame of hir nakednesse
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how that the serpent ¶ that was moost wily of alle other
bestes that god hadde maked seide to the womman / whi cō -
maunded god to yow ye shulde nat eten of euer y tree in para-
dys /
bestes that god hadde maked seide to the womman / whi c
maunded god to yow ye shulde nat eten of eu
dys /
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the womman answerd of the fruyt quod she ¶ of the
trees of paradys we feden vs. but soothly of the fruyt of the
tree that is in the myddel of paradys / god forbad vs for to
ete ne nat touchen it lest perauenture we shulde dyen /
trees of paradys we feden vs. but soothly of the fruyt of the
tree that is in the myddel of paradys / god forbad vs for to
ete ne nat touchen it lest perauenture we shulde dyen /
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the
serpent seide to the wonmman / nay / nay / ye shal nat dyen of
deth / for soothe god wot¶ that what day that ye eten ther
of your eyen shul open / and ye shul ben as goddes konnyng
good and harme
serpent seide to the wonmman / nay / nay / ye shal nat dyen of
deth / for soothe god wot
of your eyen shul open / and ye shul ben as goddes konnyng
good and harme
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255
was good to fedyng and fair to eyen and delitable to sight
she took of the fruyt of the tree and eet it and yaf to
hir husbond and he eet and anon the eyen of hem bothe
opneden
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naked the sowed of fige leues a maner of breches to hiden
hir membres /.
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there may ye seen ¶ that dedly synne hath first
suggestioun of the feend as sheweth here bi naddre And
aftyrward the delit of the flessh as sheweth here bi Eua.
And after that
bi Adam /
suggestioun of the feend as sheweth here bi naddre And
aftyrward the delit of the flessh as sheweth here bi Eua.
And after that
bi Adam /
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For truste wel though so were ¶ that the feend tē p-
ted Eue that is to seyn the flessh And the flessh had delit in
the beaute of the fruyte deffended yit certes til that reson
that is to seyn Adam consented to the etyng of the fruyt yit
stood he in thestate of Innocence
ted Eue that is to seyn the flessh And the flessh had delit in
the beaute of the fruyte deffended yit certes til that reson
that is to seyn Adam consented to the etyng of the fruyt yit
stood he in thestate of Innocence
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thilke synne original
alle and engendred of vil and corrupte matere
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260
and whan
the soule is put in our body / right anon is contract
synne and that / that was erst but only peyne and concu-
piscens / is afterward bothe peyne and synne /
the soule is put in our body / right anon is contract
synne and that / that was erst but only peyne and concu-
piscens / is afterward bothe peyne and synne /
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And therfore
ben we alle yborn sones of wratth and of dampnacioun
pardurable if it nere baptesme that we receyuen which
binemeth vs the culpe / but forsothe the peyne dwelleth
with vs as to temptacioun which peyne hight concupiscens
ben we alle yborn sones of wratth and of dampnacioun
pardurable if it nere baptesme that we receyuen which
binemeth vs the culpe / but forsothe the peyne dwelleth
with vs as to temptacioun which peyne hight concupiscens
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maketh him coueite bi coueitise of flessh of flesshly synne
bi sight of his eyen / as to erthly thynges / and eke coue
tise of heynesse bi pride of herte
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first couetise that is concupiscence after the lawe of our
membres that weren lawfullych I maked and bi right
ful Iugement
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I sey for as muche as a man is
nat abeisant to god that is his lord therfore is the flessh
to him disobeisant thurgh concupiscence which cleped is
yit norisshing of synne¶ and occasioun of synne /
nat abeisant to god that is his lord therfore is the flessh
to him disobeisant thurgh concupiscence which cleped is
yit norisshing of synne
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265
therfore
al the while that a man hath in him the peyne of concupis-
cence it is impossible but he be tempted some tyme¶ and
moeued in his flessh to synne /
al the while that a man hath in him the peyne of concupis-
cence it is impossible but he be tempted some tyme
moeued in his flessh to synne /
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and thing may nat faile
as longe as he lyueth it may wel wex feble and faile
bi vertue of baptisme and bi the grace of god thurgh pe-
nitence
as longe as he lyueth it may wel wex feble and faile
bi vertue of baptisme and bi the grace of god thurgh pe-
nitence
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but fully ne shal it neuer quenche that he ne
shal some tyme be moeued in him self but he were al
refreyded bi sikenesse or bi malefice or sorcerye or colde
drynkes
shal some tyme be moeued in him self but he were al
refreyded bi sikenesse or bi malefice or sorcerye or colde
drynkes
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ageyn the spirit and the spirit ageyn the flessh thei ben so cont
and so stryuen that a man may nat alwey doon as he wolde
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
same seint poul after his gret penance in water and in londe
in water bi nyght and bi day in gret peril and in gret peyne In
lond in famyne and thrust in coold and clothes and ones strued
almost the deth
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270
yet seide he Allas I kaitif man who shal deli-
uer me fro the pi soun of my kaitif body
uer me fro the p
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And seint Ierom whan he
longe tyme had woned in desert
but herbes¶ And water to his drynke ne no bedde but the na-
ked erthe¶ For which his flessh . was blak / as an Ethiopeinn
for hete and ney destroyed for cold
longe tyme had woned in desert
but herbes
ked erthe
for hete and ney destroyed for cold
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yet seide he that the bren-
nyng of lecherye boiled in al his body
nyng of lecherye boiled in al his body
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wherfore I wot wel
sykerly thei ben desceyued that seyn that thei be nat tempted
in hir body
sykerly thei ben desceyued that seyn that thei be nat tempted
in hir body
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witnesse of seint Iame the aposteƚƚ that seith that
euer y wight tempted in his owne concupiscence ¶ that is to seyn
that euer ych of vs hath matere and occasioun to be tempted of the
norisshing of synne that is in his body
eu
that eu
norisshing of synne that is in his body
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275
And therfore seith seint
Ioħ n the Euangeliste yif that we seyne that we be with oute
synne¶ we desceyue vs selue and trouth is nat in vs
Io
synne
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shal ye vnderstande in what maner that synne wexeth
or encreseth in man
synne of which I spak biforn thilke flesshly concupiscence
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and after that comth the subieccioun of the deuel this is to
seyn the deueles bely¶ The which he bloweth in man
the fir of flesshly concupiscence
seyn the deueles bely
the fir of flesshly concupiscence
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bithenketh him whether he wole doon or no / thilk thing
which he is tempted
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and thanne yif that a man with stonde
and wayue the first entisyng of his flessh and of the feend
¶ than is it / no synne and yif so be that he do nat so thanne fe-
leth he anoun a flawmbe of delit /
and wayue the first entisyng of his flessh and of the feend
leth he anoun a flawmbe of delit /
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280
and thanne is it good to
be ware and kepe him. wel / or he wol elles falle anon into con-
sentyng of synne¶ And thanne wole he do it yif he may ha-
ue tyme and place
be ware and kepe him. wel / or he wol elles falle anon into con-
sentyng of synne
ue tyme and place
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deuel in this maner
sue the man bi wikked suggestioun
moeuynge or stirynge of synne and I wole depart my ps or
my preye bi deliberacioun and my lust shal be compliced in
delit
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for certes
right as a swerd departeth a thing in two peces right so consen-
tyng departeth god fro man and thanne wole I sleen him with
myn hande in dede of synne¶ thus seith the feend
right as a swerd departeth a thing in two peces right so consen
tyng departeth god fro man and thanne wole I sleen him with
myn hande in dede of synne
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
for cer-
tes thanne is a man al ded in soule and thus is synne com-
pliced by temptacioun bi delit and bi consentyng and thanne
is the synne cleped actuel
tes thanne is a man al ded in soule and thus is synne com-
pliced by temptacioun bi delit and bi consentyng and thanne
is the synne cleped actuel
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other it is venyal or dedly synne sothly whan any man lo
ueth any creature more thanne I
is it dedly synne / and venyal synne is it yif man loue I
crist lasse thanne him oght /
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285
forsothe the dede of venyal synne
is ful perilous / for it auaunseth the loue that men shulde haue
to god moore and moore
is ful perilous / for it auaunseth the loue that men shulde haue
to god moore and moore
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with swich many venyal synnes certes but yif so be that he
some tyme descharge him of hem bi shrifte thei mow ful lightly
amenuse in him al the loue that he hath to I
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and in
this wise skippeth venyal in to dedly synne¶ For certes the
more that a man chargeth his soule with venyal synnes the
more is he enclyned to falle in dedly synne
this wise skippeth venyal in to dedly synne
more that a man chargeth his soule with venyal synnes the
more is he enclyned to falle in dedly synne
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And therfore lat
vs nat be neccligent to descharge vs of venyal synnes / for
the prouerbe seith that many smale maken a gret.
vs nat be neccligent to descharge vs of venyal synnes / for
the prouerbe seith that many smale maken a gret.
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And herken
this ensample A wawe of the see comth some tyme with so
gret violence that it drencheth the shippe and the same harm
doth some tyme the smale dropes of water that entren thurgh
a litel creuace in to the thurrok and in the botme of the shippe
if men be so necligente that men ne descharge hem nat bi tyme
this ensample A wawe of the see comth some tyme with so
gret violence that it drencheth the shippe and the same harm
doth some tyme the smale dropes of water that entren thurgh
a litel creuace in to the thurrok and in the botme of the shippe
if men be so necligente that men ne descharge hem nat bi tyme
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290
And therfore al thogh ther be a difference bitwix thise two
causes of drenching algates the shippe is dreynt
causes of drenching algates the shippe is dreynt
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Right so fareth
it some tyme of dedly synne and of anoyouse venyal synnes
¶ Whan thei multiplie in a man gretly that thilk worldly
thinges that he loueth thurgh which he synneth venyally
is as gret in his herte as the loue of god or more
it some tyme of dedly synne and of anoyouse venyal synnes
thinges that he loueth thurgh which he synneth venyally
is as gret in his herte as the loue of god or more
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fore the loue of eu
cipally for goddes sake al thogh a man loue it lasse than god
yet is it venyal synne
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
any thing weyeth in the herte of man as muche as the loue
of god or moore
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
dedly synne as seith seint austyn is whan
man turneth his herte fro god which that is verrey souereyne
bounte that may nat change and yeueth his herte to thing that
may chaunge or flitte
man turneth his herte fro god which that is verrey souereyne
bounte that may nat change and yeueth his herte to thing that
may chaunge or flitte
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295
and certes that is euery thing saue god of
heuene¶ For soth is if a man yeue his loue the which that he
oweth al to god with al his herte vn to a creature / certes
as muche of his loue as he yeueth to thilk creature so muche
he bireueth fro god
heuene
oweth al to god with al his herte vn to a creature / certes
as muche of his loue as he yeueth to thilk creature so muche
he bireueth fro god
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
and therfore dooth he synne for he that is
dettour to god ne yeldeth nat to god al his dette / that is to seyn
al the loue of his herte
dettour to god ne yeldeth nat to god al his dette / that is to seyn
al the loue of his herte
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rally which is venyal synne thanne is it couenable to tellen
specially of synnes which that many a man perauenture ne
demeth hem nat synnes ne shryueth hem nat
thinges and yet nathales thei ben synnes /
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
soothly as thise cler-
kes writen this is to seyn that at euer y tyme ¶ that man eteth
or drynketh moore thanne suffiseth to sustenance of his body
in certeyn he doth synne /
kes writen this is to seyn that at eu
or drynketh moore thanne suffiseth to sustenance of his body
in certeyn he doth synne /
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and eke whan he speketh moore
than it nedeth it is synne ek whan he herkeneth nat benyg-
ly the compleynt of the pouere
than it nedeth it is synne ek whan he herkeneth nat benyg
ly the compleynt of the pouere
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300
Eke whan he is in hele of
body and wol nat faste whan other folk faste with oute
cause resonable Eke whan he slepeth more than nedeth or
whan he comth bi thilk enchesoun to late to chirche or to other
werkes of charitee
body and wol nat faste whan other folk faste with oute
cause resonable Eke whan he slepeth more than nedeth or
whan he comth bi thilk enchesoun to late to chirche or to other
werkes of charitee
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
souereyne desir of engendrure to the honour of god or for
thentente to yelde to his his wif the dette of his body
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
Eke
if he loue wif or child or other worldly thing moore than
resoun requireth Eke if he flater or blandise moore than him
oghte for any necessitee
if he loue wif or child or other worldly thing moore than
resoun requireth Eke if he flater or blandise moore than him
oghte for any necessitee
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
Eke if he amenuse or withdrawe
the almes of the poure. Eek if he apparaileth his mete more
deliciously than nede is or ete it to hastily bi likerousnesse /
the almes of the poure. Eek if he apparaileth his mete more
deliciously than nede is or ete it to hastily bi likerousnesse /
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
Eek
yif he tale vanitees at Chirche or at goddes seruice or that he be
a talker of ydel wordes of folye or of vileynye / for he shal yelde
acomptes of it at the day of dome
yif he tale vanitees at Chirche or at goddes seruice or that he be
a talker of ydel wordes of folye or of vileynye / for he shal yelde
acomptes of it at the day of dome
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305
assureth to do thinges that he ne may nat parfourne Eek whan
that he bi lightnesse or foly mysseyth or scorneth his neighbore
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
Eek whan he hath any wykked suspecioun of thing ther he
ne woot of it no sothfastnesse
ne woot of it no sothfastnesse
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outen nombre ben synnes as seith seint Austyn
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
men vnderstande that al be it so that non erthly man may eschue
al venyal synnes
loue that he hath to our lord I
careyne swich forseide folk stranglen spiritually hir lordshippes
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
For which thus seith seint Dauid the pro phete wikked deth mot
come vpon thilk lordshippes and god yeue that thei mote des-
cende in to helle adoun / for in hir houses ben iniquites and shrew-
denesses¶ and nat god of heuene
come vpon thilk lordshippes and god yeue that thei mote des
cende in to helle adoun / for in hir houses ben iniquites and shrew
denesses
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
and certes but yif thei doon
amendement / right as god yaf his benysoun to pharao bi the
seruice of Ixx and to laban bi the seruice of Ioseph ¶ right
so god wole yeue his malisoun to swich lordshippes¶ as sustenen
the wikkednesses but thei come to Amendement
amendement / right as god yaf his benysoun to pharao bi the
seruice of I
so god wole yeue his malisoun to swich lordshippes
the wikkednesses but thei come to Amendement
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
370
the table appereth eek so ofte
to festes
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
Also in
excesse of dyuer ce metes and drynkes and namely swich
maner bake metes and disshmetes brennyng of wilde fir and
peyntyng and castelled with paper and semblable waast.
so that it is abusioun for to think
excesse of dyu
maner bake metes and disshmetes brennyng of wilde fir and
peyntyng and castelled with paper and semblable waast.
so that it is abusioun for to think
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
And eek into gret per ciousnesse
of vessel and curiositee of Mynstralcye bi the which a man is sti-
red the moore to delices of luxurie
of vessel and curiositee of Mynstralcye bi the which a man is sti
red the moore to delices of luxurie
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
if so be that he set his hert
the lasse vp on our lord Iħ u Crist certeyn it is a synne ¶ and
certeynly the delices myght been so grete in this cas / that man
myght lightly fallen bi hem in to dedly synne
the lasse vp on our lord I
certeynly the delices myght been so grete in this cas / that man
myght lightly fallen bi hem in to dedly synne
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
that sourden of p
gyned auysed and for cast / or elles of vsage ben dedly synnes
it is no doute
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
375
sodeynly
synnes I gesse that thei be nat dedly
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
where of that pride sourdeth and sp
goodes of fortune and some tyme of the goodes of g
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
the goodes of nature stonden outher in goodes of body or goodes of
sowle
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
Certes goodes of body ben hele of body ¶ Streynghthe
delyuer nesse beaute gentries franchise /
delyu
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
goodes of nature of the
soule ben good wit Sharpe vnderstondyng subtil engyne / ver-
tue naturel / good memorie /
soule ben good wit Sharpe vnderstondyng subtil engyne / ver
tue naturel / good memorie /
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
380
goodes of Fortune ben richesses
hie degrees of lordshippes preisyng of the peple /
hie degrees of lordshippes preisyng of the peple /
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
goodes of
grace / ben science power to suffre spiritual trauaille¶ be-
nygnytee ver tuous contemplacioun / withstondyng of tempta-
cioun and semblable thinges
grace / ben science power to suffre spiritual trauaille
nygnytee v
cioun and semblable thinges
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
of which forseide goodes certes
it is a ful gret foly a man to priden him in any of hem alle
it is a ful gret foly a man to priden him in any of hem alle
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
as
for to speke of hxxx of body / certes it passeth ful lightly and eke it
is ful ofte enchesoun of the sykenesse of our soule¶ For god woot
the flessh is ful gret enmye to the soule and therfore the moore
¶ that the body be hool the moore be we in per il to falle
for to speke of h
is ful ofte enchesoun of the sykenesse of our soule
the flessh is ful gret enmye to the soule and therfore the moore
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
385
to p
flessh coueiteth ageyn the spirit / And ay the stronger that the flessh
is the sorier may the soule be /
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
And ouer al this / streynth of body
and worldly hardynesse causeth ful ofte many a man to peril and
to meschaunce
and worldly hardynesse causeth ful ofte many a man to peril and
to meschaunce
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
for ofte tymes the gentrye of the bodye bynymeth the gentrye of
the soule / And eke we ben alle of o. fader and of .o. moder and
alle we ben of o nature roten and corrup bothe riche and poure
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
for sooth a maner gentelrye is for to preyse ¶ that apparailleth
mannes corage with ver tues and moralitees ¶ and maketh hym
cristes cxxx d
mannes corage with v
cristes c
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
for trust wel that ouer what man that synne
hathxx aystye he is a ver rey cherl to synne
hath
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
390
sygnes of gentilnesse
seruage of synne / in word in werk in contenance
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
and vsynge
ver tue curtesie and clennesse and to be liberal / that is to sey large
bi mesure¶ For thilke that passeth mesure is folye and synne
v
bi mesure
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
hath receyued
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
wherefore seith Senek ther is no thing moore couenable to a
man of hie estate than debonayretee
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
and therfore
thise flyes that men clepen bees whan thei make hir kyng
thei chesen on that hath no pi kke wher with he may stynge.
thise flyes that men clepen bees whan thei make hir kyng
thei chesen on that hath no p
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
395
A nother is a man to haue a noble herte and a diligent to
attayne to his ver tuous thinges
attayne to his v
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
in the goodes of grace is eke an outerageous folye
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
For thilke
yiftes of grace that shulde haue turned him to goodnesse and
to medycyne turneth him to venym . and to confusioun as seith
seint gregorie
yiftes of grace that shulde haue turned him to goodnesse and
to medycyne turneth him to venym . and to confusioun as seith
seint gregorie
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
of fortune he is a ful gret fool
gret lord bi the morwe that is a kaitif and a wrecche er it
be nyght
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts
There are no manuscripts selected for comparison | Select manuscripts