The Lay Folks' Catechism, or the English and Latin versions of Archbishop Thoresby's Instruction for the People Together with a Wycliffite adaptation of the same, and the corresponding canons of the council of Lambeth. With introduction, notes, glossary, and index, by the late Thomas Frederick Simmons ... and Henry Edward Nolloth |
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The Lay Folks Catechism.
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 | The Lay Folks' Catechism, or the English and Latin versions of Archbishop Thoresby's Instruction for the People |  |
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The Lay Folks Catechism.
A Wycliffite Adaptation of the Catechism, with latin rubrics, put forth under the name of Archbishop Thoresby, from the lambeth ms., no. 408; and additions [ within brackets ] from york minster ms., xvi. l. 12.
Mandatum domini Johannis de Thoresby. Eborum Archiepiscopi Rectoribus. Vicarijs tocius prouincie sue ad predicandum parochianos illorum & predictus dominus Johannis concessit omnibus adiscentibus istud mandatum .xl. dies indulgencie.
Thema. Attendite popule meus Inclinate aurem vestram in verba oris mei.//
Of alle þe creaturis þat god made in heuyn
and in erthe in water and in eyre. or in ouȝt ellys.
þe souerayne cause and þe skyle why he made hem
Was his owne god wyl and his goo[d]nesse.
thorw þe whiche godnesse. as he ys al good.
he wolde þat sum creaturis of þo þat he made
were commeneris of þat blys þat euyr lastys.
And for no creature miȝt come to þat blys
withoute knowynge of god as þe clerk techys.
he made skylful creaturis as angelys and man
of wit and of wisdom to know god almyȝty.
and thorwȝ his knowynge loue hym and serue hym
and so come to þat blysse / þat þey were made to.
This maner of knowynge had oure former faderys
in þe stat of innocence. þat þey were mad yn.
þat we schuld haue had ; yf þey had not synned.
But not so-mokyl as holy sowlys haue now in heuen.
but mochyl more þen any man has now in erthe.
For oure former faderis synned says þe prophete.
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for knowing þat þey hadde of god almyȝthy ;
þey hadde yt of goddys gyfte at þare begynnynge
withowte travayl or tray or passynge of tyme.
And al þe knawynge þat we haue in þis werld of hym
ys of herynge and larnynge. and wyssynge of othyr.
of þe lawe and þe lore þat longys at holy chyrche.
þe whyche alle creaturis þat loue god almyȝty
owe to knowe and lede here lyf þeraftyr.
and so come to þat blys þat neuer schal haue ende.
and for þat now mekyl folk in this world.
ys not wel lernyd to knowe god almyȝty.
ne loue hym ne serue hym. as þey schold do.
as þayr dedys often tyme opunly schewys
in gret perel of þaym to lyf and to sowle.
and paraventure þe cawse may be in ham ;
þat han here sowlys to kepe. and schulde teche þaym.
as prelatys. persons. and vycars. and oþer prestys.
þat haue take þat offyce. and ar holdyn be dette to lere þaym.
And no prestts may be excusid ffor be trew dette þey holdyng to teche þaym
And þerfore oure fadyr þe archiepyschop wylle þat alle men knowe god
and be saf. for Seynt Poul. seys of god ;
þat iesu wylle þat alle men be saf and know god almyȝty.
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and þerfore he has tretyd and ordeynyd for þe comyn profyt
thorowȝ þo conseyl of hys clergy
þat euerych þat vndyr hym has kepyng of sowlys
opunly on englysch vpon sundays
preche and teche ham ; þat þey haue cure of.
þe lawe and þe lore to knowe god almyȝty and hys werkys.
Pater noster. qui es in celis.
We schull be-leue þat þis pater noster.
þat crist hym self techis to alle cristyn men.
passys oþer prayers in these thre thyngis.
In auctorite. In sotylte. and profyt to his chyrche.
Hyt passis in auctorite. For crist hym self boþe god and man ;
made yt and tauȝt hyt: for cristyn men to vse hyt.
And he ys most of auctorite as oure be-leue techis vs.
And here-fore þe gospel of Mathew. seys þat crist bad vs pray thus.
Hyt passys also in sotylte. For we schulle vndyrstonde.
þat in þese vij askyngkys are conteyned
alle þe poyntys of þis world in þe whiche is ony wyt
And so schortly to comprehend so moche wyt in playn wordys
ys a sotylte of god passyng þe wyt of man.
The þrydde we schulle suppose þat no prayer in þe world
is more profitable to man sythen þat crist hym self schal here al.
þat crist hym self techis to alle cristyn men.
passys oþer prayers in these thre thyngis.
In auctorite. In sotylte. and profyt to his chyrche.
Hyt passis in auctorite. For crist hym self boþe god and man ;
made yt and tauȝt hyt: for cristyn men to vse hyt.
And he ys most of auctorite as oure be-leue techis vs.
And here-fore þe gospel of Mathew. seys þat crist bad vs pray thus.
Hyt passys also in sotylte. For we schulle vndyrstonde.
þat in þese vij askyngkys are conteyned
alle þe poyntys of þis world in þe whiche is ony wyt
And so schortly to comprehend so moche wyt in playn wordys
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The þrydde we schulle suppose þat no prayer in þe world
is more profitable to man sythen þat crist hym self schal here al.
The fyrst askynge of þis pater noster stondis in þese wordis
Our fadyr þat art in heuyn: halwyd be þy name.
In whyche wordys. we mow lerne þat men worthy to be herd ;
must be knyt in charite. and meknese of herte.
sythen al þe holyte (sic) trinite ys fadyr of vs alle
and holy chyrche is modyr. we schulde loue as breþern.
And sethen god ys so hyȝ in heuyn a-boue al his angelys.
and we be so low in erthe. wrappid with many myscheuys./
we schulde be resoun be meke and buxum to þis lord
and mekely pray to oure fadyr þatt halwyd be his name.
So as his name ys halowyd nedlych in hym-self ;
so be hys name halwyd. and stedfast in oure sowle.
For whan oure sowle was mad to lyknesse of þe trinte:
goddis hyȝ name was prentyd þeryn.
Our fadyr þat art in heuyn: halwyd be þy name.
In whyche wordys. we mow lerne þat men worthy to be herd ;
must be knyt in charite. and meknese of herte.
sythen al þe holyte (sic) trinite ys fadyr of vs alle
and holy chyrche is modyr. we schulde loue as breþern.
And sethen god ys so hyȝ in heuyn a-boue al his angelys.
and we be so low in erthe. wrappid with many myscheuys./
we schulde be resoun be meke and buxum to þis lord
and mekely pray to oure fadyr þatt halwyd be his name.
So as his name ys halowyd nedlych in hym-self ;
so be hys name halwyd. and stedfast in oure sowle.
For whan oure sowle was mad to lyknesse of þe trinte:
goddis hyȝ name was prentyd þeryn.
The secunde askynge of þis prayer. stondys in these wordys.
Thy reme come to þe, in-to þe blysse of heuyn.
In so as þe furste askynge. answerys to þe fadyr ;
so þe secunde askynge a[n]swerys to þe sone.
For he ys þat nobyl man. þat com down in-to erthe
to gete hym a Reme. and aftyr to turne aȝen.
The Reme of þis fadyr ys callyd Holy chyrche.
þat at þe day of dome schal go hennys in-to heuyn
Thy reme come to þe, in-to þe blysse of heuyn.
In so as þe furste askynge. answerys to þe fadyr ;
so þe secunde askynge a[n]swerys to þe sone.
For he ys þat nobyl man. þat com down in-to erthe
to gete hym a Reme. and aftyr to turne aȝen.
The Reme of þis fadyr ys callyd Holy chyrche.
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The thrydde askynge. seyth þus Be thy wylle don.
as yt ys fully don in hevyn ; so be yt don in erthe.
And þis thrydde askynge. answeris to þe holy gost
ffor he ys good loue of þe ffadyr. and of þe sone.
And al-thaw þese askyngys most nedelynge be fulfyllyd ;
natheles mannys sowle ys lyfte vp with charite
with desyre heyȝed with god. and þat ys a prayer
Thus we seye blyssyd be god. and oþer thyngys þat nedis mot be
And þese thre askyngys ; arn to þe holy Trinite.
And þerfore we schape oure wordys only to god.
as yt ys fully don in hevyn ; so be yt don in erthe.
And þis thrydde askynge. answeris to þe holy gost
ffor he ys good loue of þe ffadyr. and of þe sone.
And al-thaw þese askyngys most nedelynge be fulfyllyd ;
natheles mannys sowle ys lyfte vp with charite
with desyre heyȝed with god. and þat ys a prayer
Thus we seye blyssyd be god. and oþer thyngys þat nedis mot be
And þese thre askyngys ; arn to þe holy Trinite.
And þerfore we schape oure wordys only to god.
The secunde part of þis prayer conteynes foure askyngys.
Furst we preye oure fadyr þus
Fadyr oure eche day bred gyf vs to day.
And þis may be wel vndirstonde ; on þre manerys.
as seynt Austyn seyþ be wit of god almyȝthy.
Furst we aske oure bodely fode ; for to serue oure fadyr.
aftyr we aske þe sacrament to haue mende of oure Fadyr.
And aftyrward we aske goddys word to fede with oure sowle.
And for we haue nede of alle þese yche day ;
þerfore crist callys hem oure eche day bred.
and for we schulde be trewe ; and ete oure owne bred ;
[And not in wrong ete our neeghboris breed]
þerfore crist techis vs to aske of hym oure bred.
And for crist wolde þat oure hope were freschyd in hym ;
oure thogth and oure mynde. and alle oure desyre ;
þerfore he byddys vs aske þis mete of hym to day
Furst we preye oure fadyr þus
Fadyr oure eche day bred gyf vs to day.
And þis may be wel vndirstonde ; on þre manerys.
as seynt Austyn seyþ be wit of god almyȝthy.
Furst we aske oure bodely fode ; for to serue oure fadyr.
aftyr we aske þe sacrament to haue mende of oure Fadyr.
And aftyrward we aske goddys word to fede with oure sowle.
And for we haue nede of alle þese yche day ;
þerfore crist callys hem oure eche day bred.
and for we schulde be trewe ; and ete oure owne bred ;
[And not in wrong ete our neeghboris breed]
þerfore crist techis vs to aske of hym oure bred.
And for crist wolde þat oure hope were freschyd in hym ;
oure thogth and oure mynde. and alle oure desyre ;
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The secunde part of þis askyngge (askynge of þis part) sewyþ in þese wordys.
For-ȝeue vs oure dettys ; as we do to oure dettours.
These dettys þat we owe to god ; ar seruyse þat we owe to hym.
And as ofte tymes as we fayle ; we renne in-to dette of peyne.
and but god for-ȝeue vs þis dette of synne ;
we be nat worthy to haue auȝt of oure fadyr.
And for god wyl þat we loue oure breþeryn.
he knyttys to a condicioun vndyr whyche ; we aske þis bone.
þat he schulde forȝeue vs oure dettys; as we forȝeue oure dettowrys.
So þat ȝif we be vn-mercyful to men þat be oure dettours
trist we to oure fadyr þat he wyl punysche vs.
And so we praye oure hyȝe iuge aȝens oure owyn hed.
But vndirstonde we. þat we mowe lefully
aske of oure broþern dette of erthelyche thyngys.
but þis askynge mot be in resoun and charite.
And þan yt [is] for charite and loue and profyt to oure neyȝebore.
and here we mot fle bothe rancour and hate.
and envye to oure [neyȝbore] with oþer schrewde castys
For-ȝeue vs oure dettys ; as we do to oure dettours.
These dettys þat we owe to god ; ar seruyse þat we owe to hym.
And as ofte tymes as we fayle ; we renne in-to dette of peyne.
and but god for-ȝeue vs þis dette of synne ;
we be nat worthy to haue auȝt of oure fadyr.
And for god wyl þat we loue oure breþeryn.
he knyttys to a condicioun vndyr whyche ; we aske þis bone.
þat he schulde forȝeue vs oure dettys; as we forȝeue oure dettowrys.
So þat ȝif we be vn-mercyful to men þat be oure dettours
trist we to oure fadyr þat he wyl punysche vs.
And so we praye oure hyȝe iuge aȝens oure owyn hed.
But vndirstonde we. þat we mowe lefully
aske of oure broþern dette of erthelyche thyngys.
but þis askynge mot be in resoun and charite.
And þan yt [is] for charite and loue and profyt to oure neyȝebore.
and here we mot fle bothe rancour and hate.
and envye to oure [neyȝbore] with oþer schrewde castys
The thrydde askynge of þis part swyt in these wordys.
Oure Fadyr lede vs nat in temptacioun.//
Soþ yt ys þat crist was temptyd. and god temptys man for loue.
But hard it ys and greuous peyne to be lad in temptacioun.
For whan man of his foly. in-to myre of synne fallys.
Ryȝt jugement of god wol make hym synke deppyr./
And herfore we pray hym our fadyr
þat he lede vs nat in-to þis hardnesse of synne
lest we come neuer owt.
Oure Fadyr lede vs nat in temptacioun.//
Soþ yt ys þat crist was temptyd. and god temptys man for loue.
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For whan man of his foly. in-to myre of synne fallys.
Ryȝt jugement of god wol make hym synke deppyr./
And herfore we pray hym our fadyr
þat he lede vs nat in-to þis hardnesse of synne
lest we come neuer owt.
And herfore þe laste askynge sewyþ in þese wordis.
But gracius fadyr delyuere vs fro euyl.
The worst þynge in þis world is wykkydnesse of synne.
Sytthe a man for noþynge schulde wylle to do synne ;
sythen for al þis world. ne nogtȝ þer-yn schuld ony man do synne.
But sythen sum synnes be moche werse þan sum ;
In þis last askynge we pray delyueraunce of þe werste synne.
The werst synne ys þe deuelys synne
þat man deyes yn withoute repentaunce.
þat euyr schal be punyschyd. and þat callys þe gospel ;
synne aȝenst þe holy gost.
God for his grete mercy ; kepe vs fro þis euyl.
And þan schulen we haue euer-lastyngge fredam.
But gracius fadyr delyuere vs fro euyl.
The worst þynge in þis world is wykkydnesse of synne.
Sytthe a man for noþynge schulde wylle to do synne ;
sythen for al þis world. ne nogtȝ þer-yn schuld ony man do synne.
But sythen sum synnes be moche werse þan sum ;
In þis last askynge we pray delyueraunce of þe werste synne.
The werst synne ys þe deuelys synne
þat man deyes yn withoute repentaunce.
þat euyr schal be punyschyd. and þat callys þe gospel ;
synne aȝenst þe holy gost.
God for his grete mercy ; kepe vs fro þis euyl.
And þan schulen we haue euer-lastyngge fredam.
Amen.
Aue Maria.
Men gretyþ comunly oure lady goddys moderand we suppose þat þis gretynge sauys many a man
For we take as be-leue. þat sche ys blyssyd in heuyn.
And crist wyl do at hyr prayynge among al oþyr seyntys.
And þow we trow þat noþer crist ne sche
wil do for man but yt be resonable.
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And so mow men triste to be holpyn fully in suche prayer.
In þre partyes comunlyche þis gretynge ys dyuydyd.
The furst part contenys þe wordys of Gabriel. whan he seyde to þis lady.
Heyl ful of grace ; god is with the.
The secunde part of þis gretynge buth wordys
þat Elysabeth spake to hyr whan sche sayde.
Blyssyd be þou amonge wommen. and blyssyd be þe fruyt of þy wombe.
The þrydde part has two wordys clowtyd for deuocyoun. Maria. and Iesus./
Furst men seyn. Heyl Marie þat gabryel lefte in his gretynge
to teche vs þat he was homly and knowyn with þis lady.
and þerfore wold he not nempne þis name of marie.
The secunde word ys Iesvs. addyd to elyȝabethis wordys
and þis word lefte þe gospel here. to teche þat marye hadde but on child.
and þis child was iesus. þat is sauiour of man-kynde.
But þis fyl longe [aftyr] þat oure lady was gret þus.
The furste word. þat is aue. reuersys þe name of Eua
to teche vs þat oure lady contraryyd Eue in levynge.
For ryȝth as Adam and Eue were cause of dampnynge of man-kynde ;
So iesus and Marie ben cawse of mannys saluacioun.
The secunde word of þe angel seys. oure lady was ful of grace.
And man may be ful of grace on thre maneris be godys lawe.
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for of hym spronge grace to alle men aftyr hym.
Our lady was ful of grace as a stronde ful of watyr
[And] gaf grace plenteous boþe to oþer men and wommen.
Seynt Steuyn was ful of grace þat sufficyd to his lyf for to bryng hym to blysse.
and so be many oþer seyntys. and so god ys with alle creaturis.
But specialy with men þat schul be sauyd.
But more specialy with þe chaumbyr of his manhed þat was oure lady marie.
But bothe þe Angel and Elyzabeth seyde þat oure lady is blyssid
a-mong alle wommen þat be for genderyng of seche a child.
And so þe be-gynnynge and þe endynge schuld be blessynge of iesu.
Þat is froyt of þe wombe of oure lady seynt Marie.
The þridde part of þis gretynge addis two wordys to þe gospel
þat ben Maria and iesus and two devowt wordis.
But for it ys hard to men to grounde hem leue. to adde þis.
sythe godis lawe seys þat men schulde nat vp-on gret peyne.
adde to goddys word.
Hit ys seyd þat þe pope gefys gret pardoun to men þat addys þese wordys.
and be þe same skyle þat men schuld triste to eny pardoun ;
men schuld triste to þis pardoun. be yt four score dayes or more.
And as þe pope may ȝeue þis pardoun be addyngge of þese two wordys.
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and so turne godys lawe ; in-to lawe of antecrist.
Oþer men moste graunt þis way. or say þat þis was
furst [a] defawte kept to þe pope to amende.
And herfore thynkys men þat þe wordys of þe gospel
were wysly set in þe gospel with-owte varyynge.
And many men thynkys ouer [ ; ] ȝif suche pardoun myȝt be grauntyd lyȝtlyche
with lasse travayle yt schuld be grauntyd generaly
to men þat devowtly sey þese names.
And so myȝt pardoun be gotun to sey yche day a lady sawter ;
[ȝhe.] ten þowsand ȝer in on ȝere./
Trust we to þe wordys of þe gospel. and worschipe we Marie with al our myȝt.
Amen.
Hyt ys soþ. þat beleue is ground of alle vertues.
and þerfore eche cristyn man schulde be sad in beleue.
Ther be þre credys in þe chirche.
Crede of þe apostelys. and Crede of þe chyrche.
and Crede of attanasy. þat was a gret doctour.
But of þe fyrste Crede schulde cristyn men speke.
For yt is more comyn and more schortyr þan eny oþer.
Ne bysy we vs nat what þe apostyl made.
ne what party of þis holy Crede. and whan þe apostelys gaderyd yt.
For oure beleue techis vs þat god ordeynyd hyt al.
and bad þat men schuld cun hyt and teche yt to oþer
And ȝif prelatys faylyn in þis Crist seyde þat stonys schulde crye
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lerne and preche þe law of god in here modyr tonge.
Ne study we nat how many partyes ben in þis holy crede.
For soþ it is ; þat alle þese partyes ben contenyd in thre.
And herfore men seyn þrys ; þat þey trow in god./
Fyrst þey trow in þe Fadyr. for he ys [þe] fyrst persone.
Aftyr þey trow in Iesu crist. be dyuers artyclys.
and sytthe þey trow in þe holy gost.
And eche on of þese thre partyes contenys many partyclys (artycles).
But we schul wele wyte ; þat þese thre thyngys ben wel sotel and diuers.
Trow in god. and [trow] to god.
and trow god þat ys þe leste.
þat man levys in god ; þat cleuys to him be charite.
and þus eche man þat ys in hed synne. is owt of his beleue.
That man trowys to god. þat beleuyþ
þat he is trewe and ryȝtful in al þyng þat he seyþ.
And þus do vnkende men þat trow not in hym.
That man trowys god ; þat trowys þat he ys.
and so do deuelys þat trow not in hym.
The fyrst part of þis Crede ; conteynys þre artyculys.
Furst þat men schulde trow in þe fyrst person
þat ys þe fadyr of heuyn and power of god.
and so schulde men trowe þat he is al-myȝty.
So if he wyl auȝt be don ; he dos hit whan hym lykys.
and so þe thridde artycule stondys in þis.
þat he made of noȝt boþe heuyn and erthe.
and ȝit schul men trow þat al-myȝty ys comen to þre personys.
Al-myȝty ys þe fadyr. Al-myȝty ys þe sone.
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þat þese ben thre almyȝty goddys / but on god almyȝty./
The secunde part of þis Crede. be-gynnys at iesu crist.
and towchis xiiij. artyculis þat stondis in ordre.
Furst men schuld trow in goddys word. or his sone.
Aftyr men schuld trow. þat he becom man
stondynge his godhed þat he myȝt not lese.
The thridde tyme we schuld trow. þat þe fadyr of heuyn
has but on suche sone euyn with hym in kende.
and þis ys Iesus oure lord. be godhed and be manhed.
sythen he made vs of noȝt. and bowȝt vs fro synne.
The iiij articule of þis parte seys þat crist was conseyuyd of þe holy gost.
nat as oþer men gete childryn be kynde.
Sethyn þis person ys no man ; but þe holy gost./
þe whyche ys lyf [loue] be sum propyrte.
and most tokyn of lyf [loue] ; þat god wold schewe to man was.
þat he wold take oure kende. and be-come oure broþer./
and þerfore we beleue þat oure lord iesu ;
was conseyuyd of þe holy gost. with-owte mannys genderynge.
The fyfte tyme we schuld be-leue. þat oure lord iesu
was born of þe virgyn Marie. as of his owne modyr.
þat was euer virgine with-owte knowynge of man.
al-þow crist tok of hire / matere of hys body./
and seþyn sche norischyd hym withynne as oþer childyr ar norschid.
But he went owt of here body be myracle. as he was formyd.
17
he suffrid hard passioun vndir pounce pilate.
for to by man-kynd and mayntene trewthe.
and so he was don on þe cros. and aftyr ded and beryyd.
sethen his sowle went to helle and tok owt þe sowlys
þat he ordeynyd to saue ; be-fore þis world was made.
and sethyn vp-on þe thrydde day his sowle com to his body
and qwykyd hyt as be-forn. And ros owt of þe sepulcre.
and sethyn whan he hadde efte tyme. schewyd to his disciplis his resurreccioun.
he steyȝ vp to heuyn as þey saw opunly.
and þer he syttys now in best sete þat may acorde to man.
an þat ys callyd þe ryȝt syde of god þe fadyr.
and at þe laste he schal come doun here to man.
and jugge sum to blysse. and oþer to helle
for euer-more to be þere withoutyn dwellynge here.
The thrydde part of þis Crede be-gynnys at þe holy gost.
in wham we schul trow sethyn þat he ys god.
And .vj. artyculis ben knyt to þis part of þe Crede.
Furst we schul trow. þat þer ys general chirche
of angelys and seyntys in heuyn. and of alle þat schul be sauyd.
and þis aftyr þe day of dom. schal be with-outen synne.
with here spowse in endles ioye. and iche on haue Ioye of oþer.
And noman here in erthe ; ys parte of þis chirche.
but if he come to heuyn be his holy lyuynge.
18
For þey schuld nat boste of heynes in here prelacy ;
But þey mot leue aftyr crist ; ȝyf þey schul be sauyd.
For þus techis oure be-leue. how-euer antecrist werke./
And so þis chirche. has þre statys be processe of tyme.
Fyrst he wandrys here in erthe. and sethen he slepys in purgatory.
and aftyr he restys in blysse of crist þat ys here spowse.
And so as sum men thynke. þese popys ne þese prelatys
ar nat part of holy chirche ; but of synagoge [of sathanas]
sythen þey mot leue aftyr crist. ȝif þey schul be sauyd./
þus techis our be-leue. how-euyr antecrist grucchis.
And schul we trowe so. þat eche parte of þis chyrche ;
commovys (commonys) and helpys othir. boþe here and in heuyn.
But in heuyn ; þey schul yn reste haue ioye of here blysse.
And so schul we trow þat eche part of þys chirche ;
schal haue ful remissioun of synne þat yt has don
[and so arise] in body and in sowle [at þe day of doom].
with glorye in ham bothe ; and so euyr lyue in blysse.
Amen.
The be-houys to know þy fyue wyttys þe vttyr and þe ynnyr.
19
þe fyrst ys. syȝt of eye. þe toþer. heryng of Ere.
þe þyrd. tast of Mowþ. The ferþe smellyng of nese.
þe fyfte handlynge or towchyng of membris./
Kepe so þy syȝt ; þat þou se nothyng
þat ys not leful to se or may harme þy sowle.
and kepe þy heryng so ; þat þow here no euyl speche
or þyng þat is nat honeste ne profitable./
and kepe so þy tast. þat þou swolow no more
þan ys nede or myster to þy bodily sustynaunce.
And kepe so þy smellyng. þat yt make þe nat to ete ouer moche./
ne delite not ouer mekyl in smellyng. ne vgge þou not with seknesse of þyn euyn-cristyn.
And kepe so þy towchyng ; þat þou with-draw þe fro schameful towchyng
or handlyng bare of man. or of womman.
handyl þou not vnhonestly þy self. ne noon oþer.
ne let non oþer towche þe vnhonestly.
For ȝif þy flesche neghȝe ony towching vnclene ;
þou may not þe dede etthwe or eschewe.//
These ben also þy fyue Inwyttys.
Wyl./ Resoun./ Mynd./ ymaginacioun. and thogth.
lok þat þy wyl. be good and holy.
and loke þat þy Resoun rewle þe. and nat þy fleschly lust./
and loke þat þy Mynde. be good and honest.
And lok þyn ymagynacioun be spedynge in louyng of god.
and not be set to harm or schame.
And loke þy thowȝt be groundyd in þe ioy of heuyn ;
and drede þe peyne of helle.
and þynk not ouer mekyl in þe vanite of þe world.
21
and he schal helpe þe in al þy nede./
These be þe wittys þe whiche god has geuyn vs
to know hym with. and to rewle vs thorwȝ wysdam./
and leue holy lyf as good seruauntys of god schuld do.
and eschewe perelys of synne. and so to come to þat Ioye ;
þat god has ordeynyd vs to be made fore
to þe wiche Ioy he vs brynge ; þat deyde for vs vp-on þe rode.
amen.
And yf we wyl come þe ioye þat y (haue) spokyn of.
vs be-houys to know god almyȝty.
þe whyche principaly may be schewyd in þese vj thyngys
In þe xiiij poyntis of þe feyþ.
In þe ten comaundementys þat god has comaundyd to vs.
In þe .vij. Sacramentys þat be in holy chyrche
In þe seuen dedys of mercy to oure euyn-crystyn.
In þe .vij. vertues þat yche man schuld vse.
and in þe seuyn dedly synnes ; þat yche man schuld refuse.
And he byddys. and comaundys in al þat he may.
þat alle þat has kepyng or cure vndyr hym.
schuld comaund and charge here parochenys and sogettys
þat þey here and lere ; þese sex thyngys.
23
and sethen teche hem to here childyr yf þey ony haue.
what tyme þey be of elde.
And þat personys vicars and parysch prestys
a-spye besily of here sugetys in þe lentun tyme
whan þey come to schryft yf þey know and cunne þese sex thyngys.
And yf it be found þat þey cun hem not:
þat þey charge hem on godys behalue
and of peyne of penaunce for to cun hem.
And for non schuld excuse hym
of vnkunys for to cun hem ;
oure fadyr þe archebyschop
haþ ordeynyd and biddis þat þey be schewid
opunly on englysch tonge among þe pepyl.
wher fore aȝens þe fyrste of þese sex thyngys
þat is to knowe þe artyculys þat fallyþ to þe trewþe
as gret clerkys techyn. and schewyn in here bokys
Ther falle to þe feyþ. xiiij poyntys.
Seuen falle vn-to godys godhed.
and oþer seuen vn-to cristys manhed
The fyrst poynt þat we schul trowe of þe godhed.
ys to trow stedfastlyche in o trew god.
25
The toþer ys þis þat þe heyȝ fadyr of heuyn
is stedfast and sothfast god almyȝty.
The thrydde ys þat iesu crist godys sone of heuyn
is sothfast god. and euyn tyl his fadyr./
The ferthe poynt ys þat þe-holygost.
þat to-gedyr commys of hem bothe. þe fadyr and þe sone
ys sothfast god. And euyn to hem bothe.
and nat two goddys þe fadyr and þe sone ;
ne thre goddys. þe fadyr and þe sone and þe holy gost ;
But þre personys. and nat but on god./
The fyfte poynt ys þat þe trinite.
fadyr and sone and holy gost. thre personys and on god
ys maker of heuyn and erthe. and of alle þyngys þat vnder heuyn be./
The .vj. poynt ys. þat holy chirche oure modyr
ys holly on thorwȝ-owt þe world
þat ys comenynge and felaschype of alle cristyn folk
þat comynys to-gydyr in þe sacrament
and in oþer holy þyngys þat falle to holy chirche ;
In forȝevynge of synnes and hele of here sowlys.
For withowten holy chirche is no soule heyl.
27
his vp-rysynge in flesch and lyf with-owtyn ende.
For whan þe deþ. haþ sundryd oure bodyes and oure sowlys.
Fro þat tyme vn-to þe tyme þat god schal deme þe qwyk and þe dede.
þan oure sowlys schal turne aȝen to our bodyes.
and we schul þe same and non oþer þan we ar now
sothly ryse vp in body. and in sowle
þat neuer more schal sundyr fro þat tyme forthe
boþe to-gydyr. ȝyf we weel do whyl we be here
wende to god or with god in-to blysse þat euer more schal laste.
And yf we ywyl do ; to endles peyne.
Alij. vij. de humanitate Cristi./
These ben oþer seuen poyntys of cristys manhed
þat ar nedful to trow to al þat ar criston.
The fyrste ys þat iesus crist godyssone of heuyn
was conseyuyd of þe maydyn marie be vertu of þe holy gost.
And tok flesch and blod. and be-com man
thorwȝ myȝt and strenthe of þe fadyr of heuyn
þat ar nedful to trow to al þat ar criston.
The fyrste ys þat iesus crist godyssone of heuyn
was conseyuyd of þe maydyn marie be vertu of þe holy gost.
And tok flesch and blod. and be-com man
thorwȝ myȝt and strenthe of þe fadyr of heuyn
withowtyn ony marryng of hyr maydynhed.
The oþer poynt ys þat we schullen trow /
þat he god and man in on persone
was sothfastly born of þe mayden Marie.
god getyn of his fadyr be-fore eny tyme
and man born of his modyr ; and browȝt forþ in tyme.
The þryd artycule. þat we schul trow ys crystys passioun
þat he suffryd bodyly for synful man-kende.
and how he was betrayd with his owyn dyscyple. and takyn with þe iewys.
betyn with scorgys ; þat no skyn held hool.
and naylyd hym to a cros. and crownyd hym with thornys.
and many oþer harde paynys he suffryd. and deyde at þe laste./
The ferþe artycule ys. þat whan he was ded
and hys body takyn doun. and woundyn and leyde on a toumbe
ȝit whilys hys body lay on þe graue ;
þe gost with þe godhed ; went in-to helle.
and harwyd hyt. and tok owt þo þat were þerynne
as Adam and Eue. and oþer former fadrys
þe whiche thorwȝ original synne were in þat place.
and þat he ; thorw his forlok wold were sauyd.//
The .v. poynt ys. þat on þe thyrd day
aftyr þat he deyde ; he ros fro deþ to lyue ;
sothfast god and man in body and in sowle.
For as he deyde in seknesse of our manhed ;
so he roos thorwe strengthe of þe godhed.
And destroyd oure deþ ; thorwȝ hys dyynge.
and qwyknyd vs vn-to lyf ; thorowȝ hys rysynge./
The syxte poynt ys. we schul trow
þat þe .xl. day aftyr þat he roos.
thorwȝ strengthe of hym-self ; he stey in-to heuyn.
wher oure kende ys now in his blysful person
not only euyn and mete to his angelys ;
But hyȝ crownyd kyng a-bouyn alle angelys.
þat be-for-tyme was lasse þan þe kende of angelys.
The vij. poynt ys and þe laste ; þat ryȝt as he dyid
and aftyrward roos. and steyȝ in-to heuyn.
ryȝt so schal he come doun vp-on þe laste day.
Bothe for to deme þe qwyk and þe dede
For alle folk þat euer was. or ys. or schal be ;
schal sykyrly be schewyd. and seyn be-fore hys face.
þat day.
And ylke man answere for his owne dedys.
and be dampnyd or sauyd. wheþer-so þey haue seruyd.
For as his ryȝtwysnesse ys now mengyd with mercy ;
so schal yt þan be. withowtyn mercy.//
The oþer poynt ys þat we schullen trow /
þat he god and man in on persone
29
god getyn of his fadyr be-fore eny tyme
and man born of his modyr ; and browȝt forþ in tyme.
The þryd artycule. þat we schul trow ys crystys passioun
þat he suffryd bodyly for synful man-kende.
and how he was betrayd with his owyn dyscyple. and takyn with þe iewys.
betyn with scorgys ; þat no skyn held hool.
and naylyd hym to a cros. and crownyd hym with thornys.
and many oþer harde paynys he suffryd. and deyde at þe laste./
The ferþe artycule ys. þat whan he was ded
and hys body takyn doun. and woundyn and leyde on a toumbe
ȝit whilys hys body lay on þe graue ;
þe gost with þe godhed ; went in-to helle.
and harwyd hyt. and tok owt þo þat were þerynne
as Adam and Eue. and oþer former fadrys
þe whiche thorwȝ original synne were in þat place.
and þat he ; thorw his forlok wold were sauyd.//
The .v. poynt ys. þat on þe thyrd day
aftyr þat he deyde ; he ros fro deþ to lyue ;
sothfast god and man in body and in sowle.
For as he deyde in seknesse of our manhed ;
so he roos thorwe strengthe of þe godhed.
And destroyd oure deþ ; thorwȝ hys dyynge.
and qwyknyd vs vn-to lyf ; thorowȝ hys rysynge./
31
þat þe .xl. day aftyr þat he roos.
thorwȝ strengthe of hym-self ; he stey in-to heuyn.
wher oure kende ys now in his blysful person
not only euyn and mete to his angelys ;
But hyȝ crownyd kyng a-bouyn alle angelys.
þat be-for-tyme was lasse þan þe kende of angelys.
The vij. poynt ys and þe laste ; þat ryȝt as he dyid
and aftyrward roos. and steyȝ in-to heuyn.
ryȝt so schal he come doun vp-on þe laste day.
Bothe for to deme þe qwyk and þe dede
For alle folk þat euer was. or ys. or schal be ;
schal sykyrly be schewyd. and seyn be-fore hys face.
þat day.
And ylke man answere for his owne dedys.
and be dampnyd or sauyd. wheþer-so þey haue seruyd.
For as his ryȝtwysnesse ys now mengyd with mercy ;
so schal yt þan be. withowtyn mercy.//
Þe secunde thynge of þe syx to know god almyȝty
ys þe ten commaundementys. þat he has geuyn to vs.
of þe whiche þe thre þat arn furst. we owe to oure god./
and þe seuen oþer aftyrward we owe to oure euyn cristyne.
ys þe ten commaundementys. þat he has geuyn to vs.
of þe whiche þe thre þat arn furst. we owe to oure god./
and þe seuen oþer aftyrward we owe to oure euyn cristyne.
33
Primum mandatum /
Thou schalt haue o god and no mo./Ouyr al thynge loue hym al-so./
And þy neghebore bothe frend and fo./
37
Secundum Mandatum
In ydyl godys name tak þou nogthswere be no þyng þat god haþ wrougt.
39
.3m. mandatum.
Kepe þy halyday in clene lyf.with alle þy meyne. and þy wyf.
43
Quartum. Mandatum.
Fadyr and modyr worschipe both.//with counseyl confort. and mete and cloþ.//
47
Quintum Mandatum
Sle noman with wykkyd wyl ;In word ne dede. lowde ne styl ;
49
Consent þou not to þat foly
51
with byinge sellynge ne wrong-getyng
53
þy neyȝbore wyttyngly to dere
55
with here to synne in dede ne þoȝt.
Thy neyȝboris hows. wenche ne knaue
Coueyte hem noȝt. ne his goodys to haue
58
þat god ȝaf to alle men ;
Mekyl ioy schal be to hem.
þat kepe wel and trewly hem.
61
ar closyd in two of þe gospel./
The on ys þis. þat we loue god ouer al þyngis./
þat oþer is ; þat we loue oure owyn evyn-cristyn as oure self./
God vs owe to loue for hym self holly with al oure herte.
with myȝt ; and with al oure thoȝt with word. and with dede./
Also we owe to loue oure euyn-cristyn for god.
and to coueyte. and to wille hem þe same good þat we loue oure self to.
þat is ; þat þey wel fare in body and sowle.
and com to þat blysse þat we þynke to come to.
who-so doþ þese two ; fulfillyþ al þe oþer./
Þe þrydde þyng of þe sex to know god almyȝti
ys þe seuyn sacramentys / of holy chirche þat he geuys
63
Of whyche seuen þe fyrste fyue eche man cristyn
owe lawfully to take aftyr þat he old ys./
And tuo ly in here wil þat resseyuit hem.
The fyrste sacrament of þe seuyn ys oure bapteme
þat we take furst. whan we be-come cristyn.
in whiche byrthe. boþe þe fyrst syn þat we be born yn.
and al maner oþer synnys ar waschyn a-way ;
þat we be fowlyd yn ; er þat we yt take.
And þe trewþe of holy chirche ys takyn þeryn.
withowtyn whiche no man þat is sinful in sowle may be sauyd.
And to þis sacrament fallyþ foure þynges
yf it schal ryȝtful be take as holy chirche techys./
On ys ryȝt seyyng and scharp of wordys
þat hym owys for to say þat gyfys þis sacrament þe whiche ar these.
I baptize þe In þe name of þe fadyr. and þe sone. and þe holy gost./
Anoþer is þat yt be don only in watyr
For noon oþer lycour ys lefful þerfore.
65
be in wyl and wyt for to ȝeue yt.
The ferthe is þat he þat takys yt
be nyþer of leryd ne lewd baptyȝed be-fore./
And yf þe prest be in dowte of hym þat schal tak hit
wheþer he be Baptyȝid or noȝt ;
þan schal he seye þe wordys in þese wyse./
ȝif þou be not baptiȝid ; I baptyȝ þe
in þe name of þe fadyr. and þe sone. and þe holy gost.
The secunde sacrament ys confermynge
þat þe byschop ȝyuyþ to hem þat ar baptyȝid
in þe whyche he ȝeuyþ þorwȝ his power to hym þat takys hyt
be þe grace and þe gyftis of þe holy gost
þat is of godis graunt to make hem more stalworþ þan þey were be-fore.
to withstonde þe fende and alle dedly synnys.
That sacrament owys noon to do. but þe byschop alone.
þat haþ þe stat and þe stede of cristys apostyl.
The þrydde sacrament is clepyd Penaunce
þat is soþfast forthynkyng þat we haue for oure synnys
67
And þis be-houys haue þre thyngys ȝif hit be stedfast./
On ys sorw of herte of þat þat we haue synnyd.
Anoþer ys opyn schryft of oure mowþ how we haue synnyd.
The þyrde is amendys makyng for þat we haue do.
These þre with good wil for to forsake oure synnys
clensys vs and weschys vs of alle maner synnys.
The ferþe ys þe sacrament of þe awter
cristys owne body in lyknesse of bred.
ryȝt as he tok yt. of þe blyssyd Maydyn Marie
whiche euery man þat ys of elde ;
owe to resseyue onys in þe ȝere.
þat ys to seye at Paske as holy chirche vsyþ.
whan þey ar clensyd clene of synn thorwȝ penaunce.
vp[on] peyne of doyng out of holy chirche.
but ȝif þey for-bere yt for ony skylful cawse.
þat owyþ for to be knowyn to hym þat schal ȝeue hyt.
For he þat takys yt worthyly takys hit to hys saluacioun.
And who þat takys yt vnworþily ; he takyþ hit to his da[m]pnacioun
69
with oyle þat is halwyd and handlyd of prest
to hem þat arn of skylful elde.
and semyn in perel of deþ ;
in lyȝtnesse and aleggaunce of here seknesse
yf god wile þat þey turne agayn to þe hele /
and also in forȝefnesse of venial synnys.
and in lessyng of peyne yf þey passe hens.
The sexte sacrame[n]t of holy chirche is. ordyr
þat geuys power to hem þat ryȝtfully takyn hit
for to serue in holy chirche aftyr her stat ys.
and to hem þat takyn þe ordyr of prest
for to synge messis. and for to mynystre þe sacramentes of holy chirche
þat to hem fallyn aftyr þe stat þat þei han and here degre askyþ.
The seuent sacrament and þe last ys. Matrimony.
þat ys a lawful fastnynge be-twyx man and womman
at here bothe assent. for to lyue to-gydyr
whyle here boþe lyuys wyl laste withoute eny partynge
in remedy of synne and getynge of grace ;
yf hit be taken of good entent ; and clennesse of lyfe.
71
Septem opera corporalia misericordie
The ferthe thyng of þe sex to know god almyȝthi
is. þat vs be-houys to knowe
þe seuen dedys of mercy bodyly and gostly.
and to fulfylle hem in al þat we may.
and do hem to our euyn-cristen vp-on peyne of dampnacioun.
For god schal reherce hem to vs at þe day of dom.
and se how we haue don ham to our euyn-cristyn.
as seynt Mathew seyþ in þe gospel./
is. þat vs be-houys to knowe
þe seuen dedys of mercy bodyly and gostly.
and to fulfylle hem in al þat we may.
and do hem to our euyn-cristen vp-on peyne of dampnacioun.
For god schal reherce hem to vs at þe day of dom.
and se how we haue don ham to our euyn-cristyn.
as seynt Mathew seyþ in þe gospel./
Of þe whiche þe fyrst ys to fede hem þat be hu[n]gry.
That oþer is. to ȝeue hem drynke þat be þursty.
The þridde for to cloþe hem. þat ben cloþles.
The ferthe is. to herberwȝe pore men. þat ben herberwȝles.
The fyfte to conforte and helpe men in prisoun.
The sexte is to visite and conforte hem þat be seke.
The seuent is. to bery hem þat have nede.
Al maner of men ben holdyn be godys lawe
to do þese seuyn bodyly werkys of mercy.
vp-on here power. and who-euer do þese werkys of mercy trewly
be his power ; he schal haue þe blysse of heuyn
as crist sayþ in þe gospel. and schewis opunly.
Therfore sayþ Crist whan þou makyst a feste or a soper
calle noon to þe ryche men.
but pore men. Febyl. Crokyd. and blynde.
And hit schal qwyt to þe in þy laste day.
That oþer is. to ȝeue hem drynke þat be þursty.
The þridde for to cloþe hem. þat ben cloþles.
The ferthe is. to herberwȝe pore men. þat ben herberwȝles.
The fyfte to conforte and helpe men in prisoun.
The sexte is to visite and conforte hem þat be seke.
The seuent is. to bery hem þat have nede.
Al maner of men ben holdyn be godys lawe
to do þese seuyn bodyly werkys of mercy.
vp-on here power. and who-euer do þese werkys of mercy trewly
be his power ; he schal haue þe blysse of heuyn
as crist sayþ in þe gospel. and schewis opunly.
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calle noon to þe ryche men.
but pore men. Febyl. Crokyd. and blynde.
And hit schal qwyt to þe in þy laste day.
And also be þe prophete ysaye god seyes.
Breke þy bred to þe hungry and bryng in-to þyn hows nedy men.
and þo þat haue noon hous of here owne.
whan þou seist a nakyd man hele hym:
and dispise not þy broþer.
Breke þy bred to þe hungry and bryng in-to þyn hows nedy men.
and þo þat haue noon hous of here owne.
whan þou seist a nakyd man hele hym:
and dispise not þy broþer.
lord how cursyd be þe ypocritys. þat be fals ypocrisy.
ravischyn ryche mennys almes fro pore nedy men.
where god byddis almes be don ; and drawys yt to hem self to make nedles howsys.
and grete festys to ryche men. and oþir vanitees.
Hit semyþ þe fend bryngis yn suche ypocritys to disseyue þe ryche men
of here almes. and of feyth. and of cristis gospel.
For in almes wel don ; stondys moche remissioun of synnys.
þerfore þe fend castys be sotel ypocrisy ; to fordo þys almes.
ravischyn ryche mennys almes fro pore nedy men.
where god byddis almes be don ; and drawys yt to hem self to make nedles howsys.
and grete festys to ryche men. and oþir vanitees.
Hit semyþ þe fend bryngis yn suche ypocritys to disseyue þe ryche men
of here almes. and of feyth. and of cristis gospel.
For in almes wel don ; stondys moche remissioun of synnys.
þerfore þe fend castys be sotel ypocrisy ; to fordo þys almes.
Causa monens ad opera misericordie
A general steryng be Crystys lyf and Resun
for to fulfylle þese werkys of mercy.
for to fulfylle þese werkys of mercy.
Furst men schuld wilfully fede pore hungry men and þrusty.
For in þat ; þey fede iesu Crist as he hym self sayþ in þe gospel.
And also Iesu crist gyfys body and sowle lyf and catel to vs for þis ende.
and fedis vs wyþ his flesch and his blod in þe sacrament of þe awter.
and gaf hys precious herte blod on þe cros
to bryng vs owt of Mischef of synnys and paynys.
For in þat ; þey fede iesu Crist as he hym self sayþ in þe gospel.
And also Iesu crist gyfys body and sowle lyf and catel to vs for þis ende.
and fedis vs wyþ his flesch and his blod in þe sacrament of þe awter.
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to bryng vs owt of Mischef of synnys and paynys.
þan resonnably ow we to ȝeue mete and drynke
to nedy men of his owne goodis.
For hys loue and reward of heuyn blysse. and more encrese of wordly goodys.
to nedy men of his owne goodis.
For hys loue and reward of heuyn blysse. and more encrese of wordly goodys.
Also skylfully we owe to cloþe þe nakyd pore men
sethen crist gyfys gloþis to þis ende.
and he hym self was strepid nakyd.
and betyn. and suffryd moche cold for our nede.
And ȝif we do þis wel he wyle cloþe oure sowlys
with vertues and grace in body and sowle
with þe stole of vndedlynesse and blysse of heuyn.
And we owe wel to herberwe pore herberwȝles men for cristys loue.
sethyn crist for oure nede com doun fro heuyn
and leuyd in þis world pore lyf.
and had non hous of his owyn be worldly tytyl.
and offrid al hys body on þe cros.
and his herte to be pynyd and persyd with a spere.
for to bryng vs in-to þe hows of holy chirche.
and in-to þe hows of heuyn in blysse with-owtyn ende.
sethen crist gyfys gloþis to þis ende.
and he hym self was strepid nakyd.
and betyn. and suffryd moche cold for our nede.
And ȝif we do þis wel he wyle cloþe oure sowlys
with vertues and grace in body and sowle
with þe stole of vndedlynesse and blysse of heuyn.
And we owe wel to herberwe pore herberwȝles men for cristys loue.
sethyn crist for oure nede com doun fro heuyn
and leuyd in þis world pore lyf.
and had non hous of his owyn be worldly tytyl.
and offrid al hys body on þe cros.
and his herte to be pynyd and persyd with a spere.
for to bryng vs in-to þe hows of holy chirche.
and in-to þe hows of heuyn in blysse with-owtyn ende.
Be gret resoun owe we to vysite seke men
sethyn crist for oure nede deyd on þe cros.
to bryng vs out of seknesse and synne. and kepes vs out of bodily seknesse ;
for we schuld help oþer seke men. and be þis help deserue þe blyss of heuyn.
sethyn crist for oure nede deyd on þe cros.
to bryng vs out of seknesse and synne. and kepes vs out of bodily seknesse ;
for we schuld help oþer seke men. and be þis help deserue þe blyss of heuyn.
Also we owe be gret resun to comfort men in presoun.
Seþen crist was þre and thyrty ȝere in gret presoun and paynful in þis world.
and sparid not for no cold ne hungyr ne oþer peynys
to visyte vs. þat were in prisoun of synne.
ne sparid not to visite men þat were in helle for horrour of þat place.
Seþen crist was þre and thyrty ȝere in gret presoun and paynful in þis world.
and sparid not for no cold ne hungyr ne oþer peynys
to visyte vs. þat were in prisoun of synne.
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Lord whi schuld venym or stynk lette vs to visite men in presun.
sythyn þey be many tymes presonyd for hate and for trewthe þat þey mayntene.
and many tymys for ensampyl of vs ; god suffrys hem þus to be pynyd
for we schuld drede gretter þe peynys of helle.
sythyn þey be many tymes presonyd for hate and for trewthe þat þey mayntene.
and many tymys for ensampyl of vs ; god suffrys hem þus to be pynyd
for we schuld drede gretter þe peynys of helle.
We owe to bery pore dede men in tyme of nede.
sythyn crist wilfully suffryd so hard deth
in þe mount of caluerye for oure synnys
And þese werkys of Mercy be vndon.
he schal dampne vs to helle with-outyn ende.
And yf we do hem trewly ; he wil bryng vs to heuyn with-outen ende.
sythyn crist wilfully suffryd so hard deth
in þe mount of caluerye for oure synnys
And þese werkys of Mercy be vndon.
he schal dampne vs to helle with-outyn ende.
And yf we do hem trewly ; he wil bryng vs to heuyn with-outen ende.
Amen.
.vij. opera spiritualia misericordie
Þer be seuen werkys of gostly mercy.
þat god chargis more þan þe werkys of bodily mercy.
and þey be bettyr and esyer to fulfylle.
The fyrst is to teche men þat be vncunnynge of goddys lawe.
þat god chargis more þan þe werkys of bodily mercy.
and þey be bettyr and esyer to fulfylle.
The fyrst is to teche men þat be vncunnynge of goddys lawe.
The secunde is to counseyl men in dowte whiche is sekyr. wey to plese god.
The þridde ys to chastyse hem þat be rebel aȝenst godis comaundementys.
þe ferthe is to conforte men. þat be in care and disese.
The fyfte is to for-ȝeue rancour of herte. hate. and envye
The sexte is to suffre paciently.
whan men be out of pacience, resoun and mesoure.
whan men be out of pacience, resoun and mesoure.
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The seuent and þe last is to pray erly and late for oure enmys. as crist byddys in þe gospel.
Euery man pore and riche may do alle þese ; whaneuer he wyl
in o maner or in anoþer. and he is neuer þe porer.
and þey bryngge sowlys out of mischefys of synne.
Therfore as þe sowle is better þan þe body ;
So þese gostly mercyes be better þan þe bodyly mercyes.
Euery man pore and riche may do alle þese ; whaneuer he wyl
in o maner or in anoþer. and he is neuer þe porer.
and þey bryngge sowlys out of mischefys of synne.
Therfore as þe sowle is better þan þe body ;
So þese gostly mercyes be better þan þe bodyly mercyes.
A / lord how cursyd be þey. þat may lyȝtly do þese werkys of gostly mercy
and do not.
sythen þey be so cursyd of god þat do nat þe werkys of bodyly mercy.
þat ar not so esy ne so profytable.
and do not.
sythen þey be so cursyd of god þat do nat þe werkys of bodyly mercy.
þat ar not so esy ne so profytable.
But how moche more be þei cursyd of god ; þat bynde hem-self wilfully.
and takyn moche mede to do þese werkys of gostly mercy.
As do Curatis and prelatis. and ȝit do hem nat.
but lettys oþer men to fulfylle hem be feynyd iurisdictioun
whan þey hem-self may not. con not. or wyl not.
for worldly bysynesse or ese of here body.
and takyn moche mede to do þese werkys of gostly mercy.
As do Curatis and prelatis. and ȝit do hem nat.
but lettys oþer men to fulfylle hem be feynyd iurisdictioun
whan þey hem-self may not. con not. or wyl not.
for worldly bysynesse or ese of here body.
hyt semyþ be many resonys. þat þey be more cursyd þan scariot or Symon magus.
and deppyr schul be dampnyd.
but yf þey amend hem fully in þis lyf.
and deppyr schul be dampnyd.
but yf þey amend hem fully in þis lyf.
Septem virtutes.
The fyfte þyng of þe sex to know god almyȝty
is þe .vij. vertues þat holy writ techys.
Of whiche seuen þre þe (sic) fyrste þat be souerayne vertues
we owe for to haue toward god almyȝty.
And þe oþer foure techyn vs so for to lyue ;
is þe .vij. vertues þat holy writ techys.
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we owe for to haue toward god almyȝty.
And þe oþer foure techyn vs so for to lyue ;
þat yt be lykynge to god and to man.
The furste vertu is Feyþ.
wher-by we trowe only in god. þat alle þyngys made
with alle þe artyclys ; þat y be-fore seyde.
And þis is nedful to alle þat tristyly lyuys.
For trewthe is begynnyge of alle gode werkys./
But noþer trewthe withoute good werke/
ne good werk with-outyn trewthe may plese god almyȝty.
The secund vertu is Hope.
þat is a sikyr bydyng of gostly good
þorwȝ godis goodnesse ; and oure owne good dedys.
For to come to þat blysse þat neuer schal haue ende.
Not only in trust of goddis goodnesse ;
ne al only in trust of oure good dedys.
but in trust of hem bothe ; whan þey be bothe to-gydyr.
For neyþer schal we falle so far in wanhope /
þat we ne schal truste to haue þat blysse. yf we wel do.
Ne we schal nat truste so fer in þe mercy of god:
þat we leue goode dedys vn-don.
For with oute goode dedys ; we come neuer into heuyn.
and but we holde specialy þe byddyng of god
wher-by we trowe only in god. þat alle þyngys made
with alle þe artyclys ; þat y be-fore seyde.
And þis is nedful to alle þat tristyly lyuys.
For trewthe is begynnyge of alle gode werkys./
But noþer trewthe withoute good werke/
ne good werk with-outyn trewthe may plese god almyȝty.
The secund vertu is Hope.
þat is a sikyr bydyng of gostly good
þorwȝ godis goodnesse ; and oure owne good dedys.
For to come to þat blysse þat neuer schal haue ende.
Not only in trust of goddis goodnesse ;
ne al only in trust of oure good dedys.
but in trust of hem bothe ; whan þey be bothe to-gydyr.
For neyþer schal we falle so far in wanhope /
þat we ne schal truste to haue þat blysse. yf we wel do.
Ne we schal nat truste so fer in þe mercy of god:
þat we leue goode dedys vn-don.
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and but we holde specialy þe byddyng of god
þe þyrde vertu is Charite. þe whiche ys fulnesse of loue
to god almyȝty and to oure euyn-cristyn./
To god almyȝty as for hym-self.
and to oure euyn-cristyn for god almyȝty.
For þat on may not be louyd ; withoutyn þat oþer.
to god almyȝty and to oure euyn-cristyn./
To god almyȝty as for hym-self.
and to oure euyn-cristyn for god almyȝty.
For þat on may not be louyd ; withoutyn þat oþer.
For as Seynt Jon seyþ in his Pystyl.
þat comaundement we haue of god.
þat who-so euer louys god ; lovys his euyn cristyn.
For ho þat louyþ nat his broþer whom he may se;
how schold he loue god. whom he seys nat.
For ho þat louyþ nat his broþer whom he may se;
how schold he loue god. whom he seys nat.
The ferthe vertu ys Ryȝtwysnesse.
þat is to ȝelde to alle men þat. þat we owe hem.
and for to do. to eche man ; þat vs owe.
Fyrst ; for to ȝeld to god seruyse þat we be-heet hym whan we tok cristyndom
and to kepe his comaundementys be-fore alle oþer thyngys.
And study we al oure herte ; to do aftyr his counseyl.
and so to plese hym. and fulfylle his wyl.
in al þat euer we mowe. for to haue þank of hym.
and to gete of hym oure mede. for þat ys souerayne ryȝtwisnesse.
And aftyrward to worschype ham þat be worthy.
þat is þo þat loue god. and leue good lyf ; aftyr goddys lawe.
Not worschipe men for here worldly rychesse. as þe fals world doþ ;
for þey be mysdoers. sotel. and slyhtful dys seyuers.
Ne worschipe not men for here fayre cloþes. ne for here qweynte schappis
þat sum men vsen. and sey þe cloþis make hem holy.
þat is to ȝelde to alle men þat. þat we owe hem.
and for to do. to eche man ; þat vs owe.
Fyrst ; for to ȝeld to god seruyse þat we be-heet hym whan we tok cristyndom
and to kepe his comaundementys be-fore alle oþer thyngys.
And study we al oure herte ; to do aftyr his counseyl.
and so to plese hym. and fulfylle his wyl.
in al þat euer we mowe. for to haue þank of hym.
and to gete of hym oure mede. for þat ys souerayne ryȝtwisnesse.
And aftyrward to worschype ham þat be worthy.
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Not worschipe men for here worldly rychesse. as þe fals world doþ ;
for þey be mysdoers. sotel. and slyhtful dys seyuers.
Ne worschipe not men for here fayre cloþes. ne for here qweynte schappis
þat sum men vsen. and sey þe cloþis make hem holy.
And forþermore þey make sum men beleue þat who so euer deys
in here abyte of hire ordre ; þat he schal neuer go to helle.
And sum men þynke þat þis is a ful parlows heresy.
For to make men to trowe in fals thyngys.
þat may not helpe hem to here saluacioun.
For þan myȝt a man synne how-euer hym lyst.
and leue so in dedly synne tyl hys endyng day.
and neuer forthynk his synne. ne make satisfaccion
of goodys þat he haþ stole of oþer mennys.
but kast on suche a cope and dye þer-yn.
and þan his synnys schul be forȝeue hym ; as fro þe peyne of helle
But þis lernyng is aȝen ryȝtwisnesse. seþyn ryȝtwys god techys þe contrary.
For god and alle his seyntys. and oure beleue techis vs ;
Þat who-so-euer brekys godys comandementys wilfully.
and leuyþ in pride. and in lecchery. and stelys his neyȝebours goodys ;
And haþ no repentaunce for þese synnys in his laste ende ;
ne makys no satisfaccion yf he may
of þe stole goodys neþer in dede. ne in wyl. ne in thoȝt ;
Þat he mot verilyche go to helle./ euery (euer) with-oute ende.
Þow he deyde in alle þe abytys and alle þe vestimentys in cristyndom
Ȝe ; þow he hadde vp-on hym in his deþ ; þe cloþ þat crist weryd
here in erthe in his manhed þat be resun was neuer worldly cloþ so holy
in here abyte of hire ordre ; þat he schal neuer go to helle.
And sum men þynke þat þis is a ful parlows heresy.
For to make men to trowe in fals thyngys.
þat may not helpe hem to here saluacioun.
For þan myȝt a man synne how-euer hym lyst.
and leue so in dedly synne tyl hys endyng day.
and neuer forthynk his synne. ne make satisfaccion
of goodys þat he haþ stole of oþer mennys.
but kast on suche a cope and dye þer-yn.
and þan his synnys schul be forȝeue hym ; as fro þe peyne of helle
But þis lernyng is aȝen ryȝtwisnesse. seþyn ryȝtwys god techys þe contrary.
For god and alle his seyntys. and oure beleue techis vs ;
Þat who-so-euer brekys godys comandementys wilfully.
and leuyþ in pride. and in lecchery. and stelys his neyȝebours goodys ;
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ne makys no satisfaccion yf he may
of þe stole goodys neþer in dede. ne in wyl. ne in thoȝt ;
Þat he mot verilyche go to helle./ euery (euer) with-oute ende.
Þow he deyde in alle þe abytys and alle þe vestimentys in cristyndom
Ȝe ; þow he hadde vp-on hym in his deþ ; þe cloþ þat crist weryd
here in erthe in his manhed þat be resun was neuer worldly cloþ so holy
And furþer more ho-so-euer had synnyd in alle þese wyse.
and lefte his synne with ful repentaunce
and perfyt wylle neuermore to synne eft-sonys dedly
with satisfaccion to his euyn-cristyn ; as is trew god /
he most saue hym þorwȝ his ryȝtwysnesse. and his mercy.
For on þis wyse stondys ful remyssion of synne.
and þerfore ho-so-euer behotys eny man to come to heuyn
thorwȝ forȝeuenesse of synne but on þis wyse
he is vnryȝtwys and fals in his seyynge.
For yf he sey he schal not come in helle
and he deye in here abyte of here ordre ;
þan most he wel wyte ; þat he schuld to heuyn at þe day of dom.
and holy wryt seyþ. þat noman wot
whydyr he may be worþy to haue hate or loue of god.
And holy wryt may nat be fals ; þan ys he fals þat þus techys ;
þat who-euer deyes in here abyte schal neuer go to helle.
But trew men and meke men þynke
yt were more tokyn of holynesse
to dey withouten ony cloþynge ; or ellys in a pore cloþynge
to schew oþer ensample. whiche þey schul be.
and to schew hem meknesse and porenesse to stoppe pride.
and þat we com bare in-to þis world and bare schul we passe
But yf we be cloþyd in oure sowle with vertues and holy lyuynge
And þerfore ryȝtwisnesse wyl not þat we worschipe men. for here cloþynge.
but only for here fayre vertues. and here clene lyf.
for to helpe þat pore þat be nedy. and to amend synful men
as þe gospel seys. to do wrong to no man.
but to do þat skyl is to eche man.
and lefte his synne with ful repentaunce
and perfyt wylle neuermore to synne eft-sonys dedly
with satisfaccion to his euyn-cristyn ; as is trew god /
he most saue hym þorwȝ his ryȝtwysnesse. and his mercy.
For on þis wyse stondys ful remyssion of synne.
and þerfore ho-so-euer behotys eny man to come to heuyn
thorwȝ forȝeuenesse of synne but on þis wyse
he is vnryȝtwys and fals in his seyynge.
For yf he sey he schal not come in helle
and he deye in here abyte of here ordre ;
þan most he wel wyte ; þat he schuld to heuyn at þe day of dom.
and holy wryt seyþ. þat noman wot
whydyr he may be worþy to haue hate or loue of god.
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þat who-euer deyes in here abyte schal neuer go to helle.
But trew men and meke men þynke
yt were more tokyn of holynesse
to dey withouten ony cloþynge ; or ellys in a pore cloþynge
to schew oþer ensample. whiche þey schul be.
and to schew hem meknesse and porenesse to stoppe pride.
and þat we com bare in-to þis world and bare schul we passe
But yf we be cloþyd in oure sowle with vertues and holy lyuynge
And þerfore ryȝtwisnesse wyl not þat we worschipe men. for here cloþynge.
but only for here fayre vertues. and here clene lyf.
for to helpe þat pore þat be nedy. and to amend synful men
as þe gospel seys. to do wrong to no man.
but to do þat skyl is to eche man.
The v. vertu ys warnesse. and sleyȝte.
in god to know þe goode fro þe yuyl.
and to depart hem in two.
and for to hate þe euyl ; and loue þe goode.
and of two goode þyngys to chese þe bettyr.
and to depart hem in two.
and for to hate þe euyl ; and loue þe goode.
and of two goode þyngys to chese þe bettyr.
The sexte vertu ys Strengthe
not only of þe body. but also of þe herte. and of þe wyl.
Stalworthly. and tholedmodly. to suffre wo and wele.
seknesse and hele. tribulacioun and temptacioun.
mekly to suffre ; wheþer so falle wo or wele.
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seknesse and hele. tribulacioun and temptacioun.
mekly to suffre ; wheþer so falle wo or wele.
and þat oure herte be not to hyȝ. for no welfare.
ne to heuy ; for no euyl fare.
But styfly to stond aȝen our foys bodyly and gostly.
so þat no foly fondyng make vs to falle
ne to be fals in oure feyþ aȝenst almyȝty god.
But hertely in godes querel to withstonde
yn our Euyn-cristyn in al þat we may./
The seuent vertu. and þe laste ys Mesure.
ne to heuy ; for no euyl fare.
But styfly to stond aȝen our foys bodyly and gostly.
so þat no foly fondyng make vs to falle
ne to be fals in oure feyþ aȝenst almyȝty god.
But hertely in godes querel to withstonde
yn our Euyn-cristyn in al þat we may./
The seuent vertu. and þe laste ys Mesure.
þat kepys vs fro vtrage and holhis vs in Euynhede.
and lettys fowl lykyng. and lustys of þis flesch.
and lettys fowl lykyng. and lustys of þis flesch.
and kepeþ vs in clennesse of þe body and sowle
For mesure ys mede to vs in al þat we do.
ȝif we lyue skylfully as goddys lawe vs teches.
For mesure ys mede to vs in al þat we do.
ȝif we lyue skylfully as goddys lawe vs teches.
Septem peccata mortalia.
The sexte þyng. and þe laste to know god almyȝty ys.
þe seuen of hed synnys. or dedly.
þat euery man ow to know to fle and forsake.
For noman may fle hem ; but he know hem
These þey arn./ Pryde. Envye./ Wrathe./ Glotonye. Couetyse. Slewþe./ and Leccherye.
þe seuen of hed synnys. or dedly.
þat euery man ow to know to fle and forsake.
For noman may fle hem ; but he know hem
These þey arn./ Pryde. Envye./ Wrathe./ Glotonye. Couetyse. Slewþe./ and Leccherye.
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Herfore þey be clepyd ; þe seuen hed synnys.
For al oþer synnys. comyþ of hem.
and þey be callyd dedly synnys.
For þey sle gostly euery mannys sowle. þat is bound in ham.
For þat synnys in On ; synnys in alle.
wherfore þis man Ecclesiastes. byddys in his boke.
For al oþer synnys. comyþ of hem.
and þey be callyd dedly synnys.
For þey sle gostly euery mannys sowle. þat is bound in ham.
For þat synnys in On ; synnys in alle.
wherfore þis man Ecclesiastes. byddys in his boke.
As fro þe Neddyrys face fonde to fle synne./
For as þe venym of þe neddyr ; sleys mannys body ;
So þe venym of þe synne ; sleys mannys sowle.
The fyrste of þese synnes ys Pryde.
þat ys alykyng (sic) of mannys herte and heynesse
of offycys. or of hey stat. or nobleye
þat he has of kyn. kende. or of grace.
or þat he wenys. he haue more þan anoþer.
And of þis synne ; cometh many sere spicys.
Bostynge. Auaunt-makyng. vnbuxumnesse.
despit. and ypocrisy. proud schame. and fool drede.
and oþer many þat regne among prowd men.
The secunde synne ys. brennynge Envye
þat is a sorwe and forþynkynge of oþerys welfare.
and ioy. and a lykyng of here evyl fare.
wheþer þey be frendys or foys.
And her-of comys many spycis.
On ys hatred to speke or here owȝt be spokyn.
þat may sowne in-to good to hem þat þey hatyn./
Anoþer is fals Iugginge. or demynge of here dedys þat þey hate.
and alwey to euyl ; þat þey do to goode
For as þe venym of þe neddyr ; sleys mannys body ;
So þe venym of þe synne ; sleys mannys sowle.
The fyrste of þese synnes ys Pryde.
þat ys alykyng (sic) of mannys herte and heynesse
of offycys. or of hey stat. or nobleye
þat he has of kyn. kende. or of grace.
or þat he wenys. he haue more þan anoþer.
And of þis synne ; cometh many sere spicys.
Bostynge. Auaunt-makyng. vnbuxumnesse.
despit. and ypocrisy. proud schame. and fool drede.
and oþer many þat regne among prowd men.
The secunde synne ys. brennynge Envye
þat is a sorwe and forþynkynge of oþerys welfare.
and ioy. and a lykyng of here evyl fare.
wheþer þey be frendys or foys.
And her-of comys many spycis.
On ys hatred to speke or here owȝt be spokyn.
þat may sowne in-to good to hem þat þey hatyn./
Anoþer is fals Iugginge. or demynge of here dedys þat þey hate.
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The þrydde ys bakbytynge. to sey behynd a man ;
þat he wyl not sey. ne avowe be fore hym.
For nat only he þat spekys þe euyl ;
but he þat herys yt spokyn. synnyþ þer-yn.
For were þer noon hererys ; þer were noon bakbyters
The thryd dedly synne ys. Wrath.
þat is a wykkyd sterynge of boldnesse of herte.
whe-þorwȝ a man coueytys to make wreche
or wykkydly venge hym on his euyn-cristyn.
And of þis comys. stryuynge. and chydynge.
with men. fals othys. and many fowl wordys.
slaundrys. for to for-do a mannys good fame
fyȝtyng and felony and ofte manslawȝter.
and many mo þan her be rekenyd
þat he wyl not sey. ne avowe be fore hym.
For nat only he þat spekys þe euyl ;
but he þat herys yt spokyn. synnyþ þer-yn.
For were þer noon hererys ; þer were noon bakbyters
The thryd dedly synne ys. Wrath.
þat is a wykkyd sterynge of boldnesse of herte.
whe-þorwȝ a man coueytys to make wreche
or wykkydly venge hym on his euyn-cristyn.
And of þis comys. stryuynge. and chydynge.
with men. fals othys. and many fowl wordys.
slaundrys. for to for-do a mannys good fame
fyȝtyng and felony and ofte manslawȝter.
and many mo þan her be rekenyd
The ferthe dedly syn ys Glotony
þat is an vnskylful lykyng or loue
in tast. or tastynge of mete or drynke.
and her-yn men trespace on many wyse.
On is to ete or drynke ouer erly or ouer late.
Anoþer for to ete ofte or drynk but nede mak yt
Anoþer for to lyue ouer delycatly.
to ete or drynke ouer mokyl or ouer hastly.
þat is an vnskylful lykyng or loue
in tast. or tastynge of mete or drynke.
and her-yn men trespace on many wyse.
On is to ete or drynke ouer erly or ouer late.
Anoþer for to ete ofte or drynk but nede mak yt
Anoþer for to lyue ouer delycatly.
to ete or drynke ouer mokyl or ouer hastly.
or to kast on what wyse we may gete delycious mete. or drynke.
for to fulfylle þe lykyng and þe lust of þe flesche/
oþer þan we may goodly lede oure lyf with.
93
oþer þan we may goodly lede oure lyf with.
The fyfte dedly synne ys Couetyse. þat is a wrongwys ȝernynge.
to haue ony maner good þat vs owyþ not.
to haue ony maner good þat vs owyþ not.
and þis is pryncipaly don ; on two wyses.
On is wrongfully to gete ony þyng
þat oure lykynge or oure lust ; lustys vp-on.
as be Sacrilege or Symony.
Stelyng. Falshed. or Okyr. or oþer gylery.
þe whyche. þese wordly men be wonþ to vse.
þat kastyn here lykynge so to couetyse ;
þat þey rekke not wheþer it be with ryȝt or with wrong.
So þat þey may gete ; þat here herte desirys
Anoþer is. wrongfully to holde.
þat is whan we wil not do to god almyȝty.
ne to holy chirche. ne to oure euyn-cristyn ;
þat vs owe to do be dette. and be lawe.
But only holde þat we haue to oure owne ese.
Not only we synne in Couetyse but also in slewþe.
and not only he þat wrongfully getys
but also he þat wrongfully holdys / fallys in þat synne
On is wrongfully to gete ony þyng
þat oure lykynge or oure lust ; lustys vp-on.
as be Sacrilege or Symony.
Stelyng. Falshed. or Okyr. or oþer gylery.
þe whyche. þese wordly men be wonþ to vse.
þat kastyn here lykynge so to couetyse ;
þat þey rekke not wheþer it be with ryȝt or with wrong.
So þat þey may gete ; þat here herte desirys
Anoþer is. wrongfully to holde.
þat is whan we wil not do to god almyȝty.
ne to holy chirche. ne to oure euyn-cristyn ;
þat vs owe to do be dette. and be lawe.
But only holde þat we haue to oure owne ese.
Not only we synne in Couetyse but also in slewþe.
and not only he þat wrongfully getys
but also he þat wrongfully holdys / fallys in þat synne
The .vi. ys. accidys./ þat is slownesse.
whan a man schuld do a good dede
hastly and with good wil. for þe loue of god.
drawith yt on lengthe and heuy is þer-with
and ys hertles in eny gostly good þat he schuld do.
and of þis syn. comys many sere spycis.
On is latsumnesse or delyt to draw on lenthe
ony maner good dede þat we schuld do
þat may turne vs to helpe of oure sowlys
whan a man schuld do a good dede
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drawith yt on lengthe and heuy is þer-with
and ys hertles in eny gostly good þat he schuld do.
and of þis syn. comys many sere spycis.
On is latsumnesse or delyt to draw on lenthe
ony maner good dede þat we schuld do
þat may turne vs to helpe of oure sowlys
Anoþer is ydilnesse or heuynesse of herte
þat lettyþ vs for to loue our lord god almyȝty:
or eny lykyng to haue in his seruyse.
Anoþer ys coldnesse of herte and ydylschip þat ouer mekyl is vsyd
þat maketh vs loþ to be-gyn ony good dede.
and lyȝtly maketh vs to leue of whan eny is begunne.
and þerfore we be kendly born to swynke ;
as þe foul is born to fle kendly.
þat lettyþ vs for to loue our lord god almyȝty:
or eny lykyng to haue in his seruyse.
Anoþer ys coldnesse of herte and ydylschip þat ouer mekyl is vsyd
þat maketh vs loþ to be-gyn ony good dede.
and lyȝtly maketh vs to leue of whan eny is begunne.
and þerfore we be kendly born to swynke ;
as þe foul is born to fle kendly.
hyt holdys vs euermore in ese passynge kende.
For ydylnesse is enmy to mannys sowle.
stoppynge and staunchyng grace and good thewys.
and hit is witte wyssynge and wey to al maner synnes. and vices.
For ydylnesse is enmy to mannys sowle.
stoppynge and staunchyng grace and good thewys.
and hit is witte wyssynge and wey to al maner synnes. and vices.
The vij. dedly synne and þe laste ys leccherye
þat is stynkynge lykyng or lust of þe flesche.
and of þis syn comyþ many sere spicys.
On is fornicacioun of fleschly synne
be-twene a sengyl man and a sengyl womman
and for þat is gayn þe law.
and leue and þe lore / þat holy chirche holdis ;
yt is dedly synne to hem þat doþ yt.
Anoþer is avowtri. þat ys spowse-brekynge
wheþer it be bodyly or gostly.
wel greuouser yt is and gretter þan þe oþer./
The þridde is Incest. þat is whan a man synnyþ
fleschly with ony of hys kyn. or ony oþer þat is of his affynyte
gostly or bodyly whedyr so yt be.
Oþer spycis many may spryng of þat synne.
þat ouer mekyl ys customyd. and know in þis world
with hem þat lede here lyf as here flesch wyl.
þat is stynkynge lykyng or lust of þe flesche.
and of þis syn comyþ many sere spicys.
On is fornicacioun of fleschly synne
be-twene a sengyl man and a sengyl womman
and for þat is gayn þe law.
and leue and þe lore / þat holy chirche holdis ;
yt is dedly synne to hem þat doþ yt.
Anoþer is avowtri. þat ys spowse-brekynge
wheþer it be bodyly or gostly.
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The þridde is Incest. þat is whan a man synnyþ
fleschly with ony of hys kyn. or ony oþer þat is of his affynyte
gostly or bodyly whedyr so yt be.
Oþer spycis many may spryng of þat synne.
þat ouer mekyl ys customyd. and know in þis world
with hem þat lede here lyf as here flesch wyl.
And al þe grettyst synne is in prestis þat leccherye vsyn.
for it passyþ þat oþer in despit þat is do to god.
And euer gretter and gretter as þei be of degre.
and þe stat of þe oþer party þat þey syn with.
for it passyþ þat oþer in despit þat is do to god.
And euer gretter and gretter as þei be of degre.
and þe stat of þe oþer party þat þey syn with.
These be þe sexe thyngys þat y haue spokyn of
þat þe law of holy chirche lys most yn.
þat þey be holde to know and to kunne ;
yf þey schal knowe god almyȝty and come to þe blysse of heuyn.
And for [to] ȝeue ȝow þe better wyl for to cunne ham.
Our Fadyr þe archiepischop grauntys of hys grace.
forty dayes of Pardoun. to alle þat cunne hem
and rehercys hem. and tellys hem to oþer.
and confirmys al þe pardoun þat oþer men ȝeuys to.
So moche coueytyþ he ; þe hele of oure sowlys.
For yf ȝe cunnyngly knowe þese sexe thyngys;
þorwȝ hem ȝe schull knowe god almyȝty.
And as seynt Ion seyþ in hys gospel.
Kunnyngly to know god almyȝty ;
ys endles lyf. and lastynge blysse.
He bryngge vs þerto. þat bowȝt vs
With hys herte blod on þe cros Crist Iesu.
þat þe law of holy chirche lys most yn.
þat þey be holde to know and to kunne ;
yf þey schal knowe god almyȝty and come to þe blysse of heuyn.
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Our Fadyr þe archiepischop grauntys of hys grace.
forty dayes of Pardoun. to alle þat cunne hem
and rehercys hem. and tellys hem to oþer.
and confirmys al þe pardoun þat oþer men ȝeuys to.
So moche coueytyþ he ; þe hele of oure sowlys.
For yf ȝe cunnyngly knowe þese sexe thyngys;
þorwȝ hem ȝe schull knowe god almyȝty.
And as seynt Ion seyþ in hys gospel.
Kunnyngly to know god almyȝty ;
ys endles lyf. and lastynge blysse.
He bryngge vs þerto. þat bowȝt vs
With hys herte blod on þe cros Crist Iesu.
Amen.//
| The Lay Folks' Catechism, or the English and Latin versions of Archbishop Thoresby's Instruction for the People | |