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7///.S book belauds to
o
THE LIBRARY
of VICTORIA UNIVERSITY
Toronto 5, Canada
C THE MIRROUR OF THE BLESSED LYF OF JESU CHRIST / A TRANSLATION OF THE LATIN WORK ENTITLED MEDITATIONES VIT/E CHRISTI / ATTRI BUTED TO CARDINAL BONA VENTURA C MADE BEFORE THE YEAR 1410 BY NICHOLAS LOVE/ PRIOR OF THE CARTHUSIAN MONASTERY OF MOUNT GRACE C EDITED BY LAWRENCE F. POWELL AND PRINTED AT OXFORD AT THE CLARENDON PRESS MCMVIII
LONDON HENRY FROWDE AND AT EDINBURGH NEW YORK AND TORONTO
51510 13-5-33
INTRODUCTORY NOTE
'HIS devotional Life of Our Lord is a free trans lation of portions of the Latin Meditationes Vitae CJiristi, a work variously attributed to S. Bonaventura, the Augustinian Cardinal Bonaventura Baduarius, and to Joannes Gorus, most frequently to the first-named. The Meditationes were popular over the whole of Europe, and \vere rendered into the vernacular of most Conti nental countries. The English version was made by Nicholas Love, prior of the Carthusian house of Mount Grace de Ingelby, Yorks., before 1410; in that year it was presented to Archbishop Arundel, noted for his vigorous persecution of the Lollards. Nothing is definitely known about Nicholas Love beyond the statement found in many manuscripts that the trans lation was made by him.1
The ascription of the translation to T. Merton, or Morton, rests upon the note 'Explicit liber speculum vite Christi per T. Morton ', found in MS. Bodley 131, a copy dating about 1460.
The number of manuscripts is very great, twenty- three are known to exist ; but the textual variation between them is of so little importance that the plan adopted of reproducing one manuscript in collation with two others is justifiable. The manuscript I have chosen for the text is MS. Brasenose College e. 9 (now deposited in the Bodleian Library). This copy is quite perfect, containing portions intentionally omitted in other manuscripts ; it is carefully written in a neat scribal hand, and has very few textual errors ; it was made about 1430. An additional interesting feature
1 In 1415 Henry V confirmed to Nicholas, prior of Mount Grace, the alien priory of Hinckley. This prior is most probably our translator.
iv Introductory Note
in connexion with it is the fact of its having- the translator's monogram at the foot of the first page.
The two manuscripts which I have collated with the Brasenose MS. are the Sherard MS. (in the posses sion of Lord Aldenham) and another Bodleian copy, MS. e. Musaeo 35. Both are well-written and finely illuminated examples, and date from the latter half of the fifteenth century.
The 'Mirrour' was printed byCaxton?i488, Pynson ? 1495, and by Wynkyn de Worde in 1517 and 1523.
As regards the treatment of the text it is only necessary to say that the \> of the manuscript has been expanded to /// ; on the other hand, 3 has been retained, because of its difference in value ; ifiu has been written ^//throughout. The punctuation is editorial, the pointing of the manuscript being of no value.
It is not expected that the language will present any difficulty, but as an aid to those who are unfamiliar with the earlier forms of our language a word-list has been added.
It is a source of deep regret to the editor that the late Lord Aldenham did not live to see the comple tion of a work in which he took great interest, will ingly rendering every assistance in his power towards its publication. My thanks are also due to the Librarian of Brasenose College (Mr. G. H. Wakeling, M.A.), for permission to transcribe the college manuscript; and to Sir Henry Ingilby, for the loan of his copy.
To Dr. W. A. Craigie, who has read the proofs, am greatly indebted for many valuable hints and suggestions; also I have to thank Miss E. R. Steane for her assistance in the production of the volume.
L. F. POWELL.
OXFORD.
fl At the bygynnynge the proheme of the book that is cleped the Mirroure of the bliflid lyfof Jefu Crifte.
The firft parte of the Moneday.
([ A deuoute meditacioun of the grete counfaile in heuene for the reftorynge of man and his faluacioun.
Capm. im.
{[ Of the manere of lyuynge of the blefled virgyne may* den Marie Cap™. ijm.
f[ Of the Incarnacioun of Jefu/ and the fefte of the An* nunciacioun r and of the gretynge Aue Maria.
Capra. iijm.
C How that oure lady went to Eli3abeth and mekely grette hir Capm. iiijm.
C How Jofeph thou3te to leue priuely oure lady feynt Marie Capra. vm.
C Of the Natiuitie of oure lorde Jefu Chrifte. Capm. vjm. f[ Of the Circumcifioun of oure lorde Jefu. Capm. vijm.
C[ Of the Epiphanye / that is the opoun fchewynge of oure lorde Capm. viijm.
C Of the purificacioun of oure lady feynt Marie.
Capm. ixm.
The fecounde part for the Twefday.
C Of the fleynge of oure lorde Jefu in to Egipte.
Capm. xm.
fl Of the turnynge aseyne of oure lord Jefu fro Egipte.
Cap™. xjm.
([ How the childe Jefu lafte alone in Jerufalem.
Cap™, xij™. B
d What manere of lyuyngc ourc lordc Jefu hadde / and what he dedc fro his .xij. sere vnto the bygynnynge of his .xxx. }ere ..... Capra. xiijm.
d Of the baptcmc of oure lorde Jefu / and the wey therto.
Cap
The thridc part for the Wenncfday.
d Of the faftynge of oure lorde Jefu / and his tempta^ ciouns in deferte ..... Capm. xvm.
d How oure lorde Jefu bygan to teche and gadre difciples ...... Capm. xvj111.
d Of the myracle done at the brydale of water turned into wyne ...... Capm. xvijm.
d Of the excellent fermoun of oure lorde Jefu in the hille ....... Capm. xviij™.
d Of the fcruaunt of Centurio / and the fone of the litel kynge heled of oure lorde Jefu . . Cap™. xixm.
d Of the Paletyke man let doun in his bedde by the houfc helynge / heled of oure lorde Jefu thoru3 the byleue of hem that beren hym . Cap"1. xxm.
d How that Martha was heled of hir fiknes by touch* ynge of the hem of ourc lordes clothinge. Cap"1. xxjm.
d Of the conuerfioun of Marye Mawdeleyne. Cap111. xxijm.
d Of the fpekyngc of oure lorde Jefu with the womman Samaritane at the pytte of water . . Capm. xxiijm.
d How the difciples of Jefu plukked the eres of corne/ and cten hit for hunger on the fabbot day.
Cap™. xxiiijm.
The fourte part for the Thurrefday.
d Of the fedynge of the grete peple with brcde multi* plied . ... Cap111. xxvm.
d Of the fleynge of oure lorde Jefu whan the peple wolde haue made hym her kyng . . . Cap111. xxvjm.
d Of the prayer of oure lorde Jefu in the hil r and hou after he came to his difciples . . Cap111. xxvijm.
d Hou the Pharifees and othere token occafioun of fclaundre of the wordes and dedes of Jefu.
Capm. xxviijm.
d Of the fpecial rewarde of oure lorde Jefu byhoten to alle thoo that forfaken the world for his loue.
Capm. xxixm.
d Of the transfiguracioun of oure lorde Jefu in the hille.
Capm. xxxm.
d Of the fike man heled at the water in Jerufalem cleped probatica pifcina . . . Capm. xxxjm.
d Hou oure lorde Jefu cafte oute of the temple the biggers and the felleres a3enft goddis lawe.
Capm. xxxijm.
d Of the refceyuynge of oure lorde Jefu by the tweyne liftres / Martha and Marie. And of the two manere of lyuynge/ that ben actif and contemplatyf/ in holy chirche Capm. xxxiijm.
d Of the reyfynge of La}are and othere tweyne dede bodies Cap™. xxxiiijm.
d How the Jewes token her counfaile and confpired a3enft Jefu in to his deth . . . Capm. xxxvm.
([Hou oure lorde Jefu came a3eyne to bethanye the Saterday bifore palm fonday / and of the foper made to him there / and of tho thinges done therat.
Capm. xxxvjm.
d Hou oure lorde Jefu come to Jerufalem vppon palme
fonday Cap™. xxxvijm.
B 2
41 What oure lorde Jefu didde from palm fonday in to the thorfday after next fewynge. Cap™.xxxviijm.
41 Of that worthy fopere that oure lorde Jefu made the ny3t bifore his paffioun / and of the noble circum^ ftaunces that befel therwith . . Cap111. xxxixm.
The fifte part for the Fridaie.
41 Of the paffioun of oure lorde Jefu Crift : and firft of his prayer and takynge at matyne time. Capm. xlm.
4[ Of the bryngynge of oure lorde Jefu bifore pilate at prime . Capm. xljm.
41 How oure lorde Jefu was dampned to the deth of the croffe aboute tierce of the day . . Capm. xlijm.
JI Of the crucifienge of oure lorde Jefu at the fext houre.
Capm. xliijm.
41 How oure lorde Jefu 3alde vp the fpirit at none.
Capm. xliiijm.
41 Of tho thinges that byfel after the deth of oure lorde Jefu at after none .... Capm. xlvm.
41 Of the takynge doun of the croffe oure lordes body Jefu at euefong tyme .... Capm. xlvjm.
41 Of the burienge of oure lorde Jefu at complen tyme.
Capm. xlvijm.
41 What was done of oure lady and othere after the buri* engofjefu Capm. xlviijm.
The fixte part for the Saturday.
4[ What oure lady and othere with here deden on the faturday Cap™, xlix1".
The fcucnthc part for the foncndayc.
41 Of the glorious refurrexioun of oure lorde Jefu/ and of the firfte apperynge of hym to his bliffed moder / as it may be refonably trowed . . Capm. lm.
41 How that Mawdeleyn and other maries come to the graue Capm. ljm.
41 How oure lorde Jefu apperede after his refurrexioun to Mawdeleyne Cap111. lijm.
41 How oure lorde Jefu aperede to the thre maries.
Capm. liijm.
41 How oure lorde appered to petre . Capm. liiijm.
41 Of the comynge a3en of oure lorde Jefu to the fadres / and of here ioyful fonge . . . Cap™. lvn).
41 How oure lorde Jefu apperede to the two difciples goynge toward the cartel of Emaws . Capm. lvjm.
41 How oure lorde Jefu aperede to his apoftles and difci^ pies that were reclufed for drede on the felf day of his refurrexioun Capm. Ivij111.
41 How oure lorde Jefu apperede the viij day after to his difciples / Thomas prefente . . . Capm. lviijm.
41 How oure lorde Jefu aperede to the difciples in Galile.
Capm. lixm.
41 How oure lorde Jefu apperede to the difciples at the fee tyberiades Capm. lxm.
41 Of alle the apperynges of oure lorde Jefu in general.
Cap111. lxjm.
41 Of the Afcencioun of oure lord Jefu . Capm. lxijm.
41 Of the fendynge doun and comynge of the holy goft.
Capm. lxiijm.
4[ Of that excellent and worthyell facrament of Criftes blcffed body Capn
Atende lector huius libri prout fequitur in anglico fcripti quod vbicunque in margine ponitur litera . N r verba funt trank latoris fiue compilatoris in anglico praeter ilia que inferuntur in libro fcripto / fecundum communem opinionem / a venerabili doctore Bonauentura in latino de meditacione vite chrifti. Et quum peruenitur ad proceflum et verba eiufdem doctoris inferitur in margine litera .B. prout legenti fiue intuenti iftum librum fpeculi vite chrifti lucide poterit apparere.
C Prohemium
HEre byginneth the proheme of the book that is cleped the Mirrour of the bleffed lyf of Jefu crift.
OJecumque fcripta funt / ad noftram doctrinam fcripta funt : vt per pacienciam / et confolacionem fcripturarum / fpem habeamus. Ad Romanos xv° cap0, iv. Thefe ben the wordes of the grete C N. doctour and holy apoftil Paul. Confiderynge that the gooftly lyuynge of alle trewe criften creatures in this world ftant fpecialy in hope of the blifle and the lyf that is to come in another world r and for alfo moche as tweyne thinges principally noriffhen and ftrengthen this hope in man / that is pacience in herte and enfaumple of vertues and good lyuyng of holy men writen in bookcs / and fouereynly the wordes and the dedes written of oure lord Jefu crift/ veray god and man/ for the tyme of his bodily lyuynge here in erthe r therfore to ftrengthe vs and comforte vs in this hope fpekith the apoftil the wordes aforfeide to this entent r feienge / that alle thinges that ben writen generally in holy chirche and fpecially of oure lord Jefu crift/ they ben writen to oure lore r that by pacience and comforte of holy fcriptures we haue hope / that is to faye of the lyf and blifle that is to come in an other world.
{[ Here to accordynge fpeketh feint Auftyn thus : Goddes C Augu* fone toke man r and in hym he fuffred that longeth to man/ \ and was made medecyne of man : and this medecyne is fo chriitiano. mykel that it may not be thou3t For there is no pride / but that it may be iheled thoru} the mekenes of goddis fonc : there is no couetife / bot that it may be heled thoru3 his pouerte : ne wraththe / but that it may be heled thoru3 his pacience : nor malice / but that hit may be heled thoni3 his charitie ; and more ouer there is no fynne or wicked^
8 Prohemium
neffe / but that he fchal want it and be kept fro it / the whiche byholdeth inwardely and loueth and foloweth the wordes and the dedes of that man in whom goddes fone 3af hym felf to vs in to enfample of good lyuynge. Wher* fore now bothe men and wymmen and euery age and euery dignyte of this worlde is ftired to hope of euere^ laftyng lyf. And for this hope and to this entente / with holy writt alfo ben writen dyuerfe bookes and tretees of devou3t men r not onliche to clerkes in latyn / but alfo in englifh to lewed men and wommen and hem that ben of fymple vnderftondynge. Among the whiche beth writen deuout meditaciouns of criftes lyf /more pleyn in certeyn parties than is exprefled in the gofpelle of the foure euangeliftes. And / as it is feide / the devout man and worthy clerk / Bonauenture / wroot hem to a religious worn* man in latyn. The whiche fcripture and writynge / for the fructuoufe mater ther of fterynge fpecially to the loue of Jefu / and alfo for the pleyne fentence to comune vnder* ftondynge / femeth amonge othere fouereynly edifienge to fymple creatures r the whiche as children hauen nede to be fedde with mylke of Iy3te doctrine / and not with fadde mete of grete clergie and of hi3e contemplacioun. Wher* fore / at the inftaunce and the prayer of fomme deuoute foules / to edificacioun of fuche men or wommen is this drawynge out of the forfeide book of criftes lyf wryten in englifch / with more putte to in certeyn parties and alfo with drawynge of dyuerfe auctoritees and materes as it femeth to the writere here of moft fpedeful and edifienge to hem that ben of fymple vnderftondynge. To the whiche dus ad"a fymple foules / as feint Bernard feith / contemplacioun of fratres the manhede of crifte is more lykynge / more fpedeful / and feTde61 more fiker than is hi3e contemplacioun of the godhede. monte dei. And therfore to hem is principally to be fette in mynde
Prohemium 9
the ymage of criftes incarnacioun / paffioun / and refurrec*
cioun : fo that a fymple foule that kan not thenke hot
bodies or bodily thinges mowe haue fomwhat accordynge
vnto his affeccioun wherwith he may fede and flire his deuo;
cioun. Wherfore it is to vndirftonde at the bygynnynge C De fano
as for a principal and general rule of dyuers ymagina*
ciouns that folowen after in this book / that the difcryuynge
or fpeches or dedes of god in heuene and angeles and
other goftly fubftaunces ben only writen in this manere and
to this entent/ that is to feie as deuoute ymaginaciouns
and likneffes ftirynge fymple foules to the loue of god and
defire of heuenly thinges. For / as feint gregory feith / C Gregor*
therfore is the kyngdom of heuene lickened to erthely !"s m ora*
thinges : that by tho thinges that ben vifible / and that Simile eft
man kvndely knoweth / he be Hired and rauyfched to loue regnum
cdoriiin
and defire goftly invifible thinges that he kyndely knoweth thefauro.
not. Alfo feint John feith /that alle tho thinges that Jesu
dide ben not writen in the gofpell. Wherfore we mowen
to fterynge of deuocioun ymagine and thynke dyuerfe
wordes and dedes of hym and othere that we fynde not
writen / fo that it be not a3enft the byleue / as feynt gregor
and other doctoures feyner that holy writtmaybe expowned
and vndirftonden in dyuers maneres and to dyuerfe pur; C Nota
pofes / fo that it be not a3enft the bileue or gode maneres. bene>
And fo what tyme or in what place in this book is writen /
that thus dide or thus fpak oure lord Jefu or othere that
ben fpoken of/ and it mowe not be preued by holy writ/ or
grounded in expreffe feienge of holy doctoures / it fchal be
taken none othere wife than as a devoute meditacioun that
it my3te be fo fpoken or doon.
{[ And fo for as moche as in this book ben conteyned dyuerfe ymaginaciouns of criftes lyf r the which lyf fro the bygynnyng in to the endyng euermore bleffed and with
10
Prohemium
C Nomen libri.
C Bona»
tientura
incipit.
C Beata Cecilia.
C Nota tria vtilia ex vita chrilti.
outen fynnc / paflynge alle lyues of alle othcre feyntcs / as for a fyngulcr prcrogatyf may worthely be cleped the blefled lyf of Jefu Crift. The whiche alfo be caufe that it may not be fully difcryued as the lifes of othere feyntis / but in a maner of lickenes as the ymage of mannis face is fchewed in the mirrour r therfore as for a pertynent name to this book it may fkilfully be cleped the mirrour of the bleffed lyf of Jefu crift.
{[ Furthermore forto fpeke of the prophitable mater of this book. The forfaide clerk bonauenture/ fpekynge to the womman forfeide / in his proheme byginneth in this manere fentence. Among other vertues commendynges of the holy virgyne Cecile it is writen that fche bare alwey the gofpell of crift hyd in hir brefte r that may be vnderftonde that of the blefled lyf of oure lord Jefu crift writen in the gofpell fche ches certeyne parties mofte dcuoute / in the whiche fche fette hir meditacioun and hir thou5t ny^i and day with a clene and hole herte. And whan fche had fo fully al the manere of his lyf ouer gone / fche bygan a^eyne : and fo with a likynge and fwete taft gooftly fchewynge in that manere the gofpel of crift / fche fette and bare it euere in the priuete of her breft. In the fame manere I counfeile that thou doo. For among alle goftly exercifes I leue that this is mod neceflarye and moft profitable r and that may brynge to the hi3eft degre of good lyuynge / that ftant fpecially in perfite defpifynge of the world / in pacience fuffrynge of aduerfitees/ and in encres and in getyng of vertues. For fothely thou fchalt neuere fynde where man may fo pern^tly be tau5t : Firft forto ftable his herte a^enft vanytees and difceyuable likynges of the world r alfo to ftrengthe hym amonge tribulaciouns and aduerfitees r and furthermore to be kept fro vices and to getynge of vertues / as in the bliffed lyf of oure lord Jefu / the whiche was euere with oute dc#
Prohemium n
fau3te mofte perfyte. Firft / I feie that befy meditacioun and c Primum.
cuftomable of the bleflid lyf of Jefu ftableth the foule and
the herte asenft vanitees and defceyuable likynges of the
world. This is opounly fchewed in the bleffid virgyne
Cecile / bifore nempned / whan fche filled fo fully hir herte C Exem*
of the lyf of Crift / that vanytees of the world my5t not glu™eat
entre in to hir. For in al the grete pompe of wedding / Cecilia.
where fo many vanitees ben vfed / whan the orgenes blewen
and fongen / fche fette hir herte ftabely in god / feienge
and preyenge : Lord ! be my herte and my body clene
and not defoiled r fo that I be not confounded.
{[ Alfo as vnto the fecounde. Wherof han martires her C Secun* flrengthe a3enft dyuerce tourmentis / bot / as feynt Ber* dum- nard feith / in that they fetten all her herte and deuocioun in the paffioun and the woundes of crifte ? For what tyme C Nota the martir ftant with al the body to rent / and neuertheles Bernardus
fi f* m *i YZ
he is ioyful and glad in alle his peyne r where trowed is tyribus. than his foule and his herte ? Sothely in the woundes of Jefu. 3e / the woundes not clofed / bot open and wyde to entre ynne : and elles he fchulde fele the hard yren and not mowe bere the peyne and the forwe / bot fone faile and denye god. And not onliche martires / bot alfo con* feffours / virgynes / and alle that lyuen ri3twifly / defpifynge the worlde in many tribulaciouns / infirmytees / and dedes of penaunce r bothe kepen pacience / and alfo more ouer therewith ben ioyful and glad in foule / as we mowe feen alday : and why fo bot for her hertes ben more propurly in criftes body/ be deuoute meditacioun of his bleffed lyf/ than in hir owne bodies?
41 And as to the thridde poynt : that it kepeth fro vices CTercium. and difpofeth fouereynly to getynge of vertues r preveth wel in that the perfectioun of alle vertues is founden in crifles lyf. For where fchalt thow fynde fo open enfample
12
Prohemium
C Bernar= dus fuper cant. : fer- nione 22°.
C Nota.
C N.
and doctrine of fouereyn charite / of perfite pouertc / of profounde mekenes / of pacience and other vcrtues as in the blefled lyf of Jefu crift? Herfore feith feynt Bernard : that he trauailleth in vayne aboute the getynge of vertues who fo hopeth to fynde hem owhere bot in the lorde of vertues / whos lyf is the mirrour of temperaunce and alle othere vertues. Lo here grete comforte and goodly pro^ fi3te in deuou3t contemplacioun of criftes bleffid lyf. Wher* fore thou that coueyteft to fele truly the fruyte of this book / thou mofte with al thy thou3t and al thyn entente in that manere make the in thy foule prefent to tho thynges that ben here writen / feide / or done of oure lord Jefu r and that befily / likyngly / and abidynge r as theyh thou herdeft hem with thy bodily eeres / or feie hem with thyne ei3en done r pyttynge awey for the tyme and leuynge alle othere occupaciouns and befynefles.
f[ And though it fo be that the bigynnynge of the matere of this book/ that is the bleffid lyf of Jefu crift/ be at his Incarnacioun r neuertheles we mowe firfte deuoutliche ymagine and thenke fomme thinges done byfore touching god and his aungels in heuene r and alfo as anemptes the bleffid virgyne / oure lady feynte marye / in erthe : of the whiche is to biginne. And for alfo moche as this book is deuyded and departed in vij parties / after vij daies of the weke : euery day one party or fomme therof to ben had in contemplacioun of hem that han therto defire and deuocioun. Therfore at the Moneday / as the firfte worker day of the weke / bygynneth this goftly werk / tellynge firfte of the deuoute inftaunce and defire of the holy aungelis in heuene for manis reftorynge and his falua* cioun :- to ftire man amonge other that day fpecially to worfchippe hem r as holy chirche the fame day maketh fpecial mynde of hem. Alfo not oneliche the mater of
Prohemium 13
this book is pertynent and profitable to be had in con; templaciotm the forfeide dayes to hem that wollen and mowen / bot alfo as it longeth to the tymes of the }ere : as in aduent / to rede and deuoutly haue in mynde fro the bygynnynge in to the natiuite of cure lord Jefu r and thereafter in that holy fefte of criftemafle r and fo forth of othere matires / as holy chirche maketh mynde of hem in tyme of 3ere. And among othere who fo redeth or hereth this book / felynge eny gooftly fwetnes or grace there thoru3 / preie he for charitie fpecialy for the auctour and the drawere out therof / as it is writen here in Engliffhe to the profyte of fymple and deuout foules / as it was feide byfore. And thus endeth the proheme : and after foloweth the contemplacioun for Moneday in the firfte party and the firfte chapitle.
d The firfte partie hath fiue chapitres touchinge con* templacioun for Moneday and for the tyme of Aduent / as it foloweth after.
([ A deuoute Meditacioun of the grete counfeile in CCapm.jm. heuene for the reftorynge of man and his fauacioun.
lA Fter the tyme that man was exiled oute of the
/^L hi}e Citee of heuene by the rijtwis dome of all
/ ^ mysty god / fouereyne kyng thereof / for his
A ^ trefpas and his fynne r and fo wrecchedly lay
in prefoun / and was holden in the bondes of that tyraunt
the deuel of helle / that none my3te come a3en to that
blefled citee the fpace of fyue thowfand 3ere and more :
alle the bleffid fpirites of heuene defirynge the reftorynge
of her companye / that was fallen doun with lucifer /
hadden grete compaffioun of fo longe mefchief of man
that was made to here reftorynge / and preiden often for
his reftorynge / but fpecially and with more inftaunce
Die lune
CN. B.
C Ber* nardus.
C Pro*
pofitio
Gabrielis.
whan the tyme of grace was comen. What tyme / as we mowen deuoutly ymagyne / alle that bleffid companye of aungels gedered to gidre with one wille and fouereyne deuocioun fellen doun proflrate to fore the trone of almy3ty god / kyng of heuene. And gabriel / to whom / as feint Bernard feith / was made fpecial reuelacioun of criftes incarnacioun / in her alther name feide in this manere : Almy5ty lord / it liked in 3oure hi3e maiefte / of 3oure endeles goodnefle / to make of nou3t that noble and refonable crea* ture / man / for oure conforte and oure goodnefle r that of hym fchulde be made the reftorynge of oure falfe companye/ lucifer and his felawes / that fellen doun fro vs by apoftacier fo that he fchulde dwelle here in this blifled place with vs/ louynge and worfchippynge 3ow with outen ende. But loo / good lorde / now alle thei periffhen and none is faued r and in fo manye thowfand 3ere pafled / we feie none of hem alle here. Oure enemyes hauen the victorie r and of hem oure party is no3t reftored / but the prifoun of helle con* tinuelliche filled. Wherto / lorde / be they borne to fo greet mefchief ? For though it be done after 3oure ri3twifnefle r neuerthelefle / lord / it is now tyme of mercye. Haueth in mynde that 36 made hem after 3oure owne liknefle r and though her forme fadres folily and wrecchedly breken 3oure maundement or hefte : neuertheles 3oure mercye is aboue alle thinges. Wherfore all her ey3en ben fette vppon 3ow / as the feruantes in the lordes handes / til 3e haue mercye / and helpe hem with a fpedeful and heleful remedie.
41 De contencione inter mifericordiam et veritatem.
41 Herewith bygan a manere of altercacioun and difpu; tefoun bytwixe the foure kynges dou3tres / that is to faie / mercy and fothfaftneffe / pees and ri3twifnefle. Of the whiche foure / mercye and pees accordynge to the aungels pnryer forfeide weren fauorable to mannis reftorynge : but
Die lunc 15
the tothcr twcyne fi fires / fothefaftnes and ri3twifnefle / a* 3eyne feiden : als feint Bernard be deuou5t ymaginacioun C Ber* maketh herof a faire proceffe and a long. But forto take Paildlls
in lermone
therof fchortly / as to oure purpos at this tyme / fumwhat in dc annun* otherc manere and in othere wordes we mowen ymagyne ciacione- and thenke thus : Firft / mercy and pees knelynge to fore her fader/ kyng of heuene/ by the prophetes wordes Dauid feiden thus : Lorde / fchalt thou caft away fro the man with C Num= owten ende / or haft thou fo^eten to doo mercye ? And ^uid in this often and longe tyme they reherfeden. Thanne feide proiciet oure lorde : Lete clepe forth 3oure othere tweyne fuftres / deus- the whiche 36 feen redy a3enft 3ow / and lete vs here alfo what they wole feie herto.
<} And whan they were cleped / and comen alle togidre / C Miferi* mercy bygan and feide in this wife : My fader of mercy / cordia- it was 3oure wille euere with outen ende amonge }oure C Miferi* othere dou3tres / my fuftres / to 3eue me that prerogatyf c?rdia abouen alle 3oure werkes / that not onliche I fchulde omnia PC fpecially regne here with 3ow in heuene / bot alfo that the °Pera eius- erthe fchulde be replenyfched and filled with me to fo C Miferi* mykel vertu that who fo wolde trewely and bifely afke cord}a. my help in any mefchief or nede / he fchulde with outen piSSTeft fayle fynde 3oure focour and helpe thoru3 the mediacioun terra- of me. But loo now/ my dere fader/ that worthy party of erthe and 3oure noble creature man / in his grete wrecched; neffe and mefchief fo longe tyme liggynge / cryeth con* tynuellyche and afketh after myn helpe r and now tyme is comen in the whiche but 36 helpe and faue hym I periffhe and lefe my name.
C Here a3enft the other fifter / fothefaftneffe / feide : C Veritas. And 3e knowen wele my fader / fothfaft god / that I am <? ?r'm'- the bygynnynge of 3oure wordes / and after 3e made man vSborum in fo grcte worthynefle / 3e wedded me to hym in that tuorum /
veritas.
i6
Die lune
C Jufticia.
C Jufticia tua /
jufticia in eternum : et lex tua vcritas.
C Pax.
C. In pace factus eft locus eius.
C Pater dedit omne indicium filio.
condicioun that what tyme he breke ^our hefte / he and alle that comen of hym fchulde lefe hir bleffid lyf and be dampned and done to dethe. Wherefore fithen he for* foke me / and betoke hym to 3oure enemye and myne / the fader of lefynge / witneffynge my fiftre ri3twifneffe / I perifche and lefe my name but he hath the dethe that he hath deferued.
41 Thanne fpake ry3twifneffe and feide : Ri3twyfe lorde / my fader/ thou haft ordeyned me gouernour of thy dome/ laftynge with outen ende r and my fiftre truthe techer of thy lawe : and al though it fo be that oure fifter mercye be ftired of pitee and a gode 3ele for mannis fauacioun r neuertheles in that fche wolde faue hym that hath fo greetly forfeted a3enft 3ow and vs alfo with outen dewe fatisfaccioun / fche wolde deftroye vs bothe hir fiftren / that is to feie trewthe and ri3twifneffe / and fordone oure name.
41 Herwith the ferthe fuftir / Pees / came forth / and firft foberlly blamynge hir fuftres for here contrarious wordes and her ftryf/ feide to hem thus: Knowe 36 not wele / fuftres / that oure fader hath ordeyned and made his place onliche there as I am / and I may not abide ne dwelle there as is flryf or difencioun ? and that is no3t femely / bot fully a5enft kynde to be amonge vertues. Wherfore but 36 cefe of ftryf and be accorded / I mofte forfake 3ow and my fader alfo. Lo here a grete contra; uerfy bitwix thefe foure dorters of oure lorde r and fo grete refones that it was no5t feyn how that in mannis fauacioun / mercy and fothfaftneffe / pees and ri3twimeffe / my3t fully be kept and accorded.
41 Than bad the fader of heuene / that for alfo mykel that he hadde committed and 3euen alle his dome to his dere fone / fouereyne wifdome / kyng euerlaftynge / with hym
Die lune 17
in one godhede / that thife foure dou3trcs fchulde goo to
hym / he to termyne this queftioun and 3eue a dome theron.
And than the kyng/ fouereyn wifdom/ wroot the fentence Cjudicium
and the dome in this matere/ and toke it to his Chauncelere/ regls-
Refoun / to rede it in his name / faienge in this wordes :
This dou3ter fothfaftnefle feith / that fche periffheth and
lefeth her name / but man haue the deth that he hath
difTerued r and with her accordeth her fufter ri3twifnefle :
and on the othere fide mercy feith / that sche periffheth
and lefeth hir name / hot man haue mercy and be faued r
and with her accordeth the ferthe fuftre Pees. [Wherfore
to accorde alle thife to gidre / and for a fynal dome in this
matire / let be made a gode dethe of man r fo that one
be founden with outen fynne that may and wole inno*
cently and for charitee fuffre deth for man : and thanne
haue they all that they afken. For than may not deth
lenger holden hym that is with owten fynne or trefpas r
and fo he fchal pers hym / makyng in hym a hole and
a way / thoru3 the whiche man may paffe and be faued.!
f[ In this fentence and dome alle the courte of heueri / wondring and commendynge the fouereyn wifdam / af# fenteden wel herto r but furthermore afkeden amonge hem felf / where that one my3te be founden that fchulde fulfille and do this dede of charite.
{[ And than mercy toke with hir refoun and fou3te among alle the ordres of aungels in heuene to fe whether any of hem were able to doo this dede r bot ther was none. Alfo fothfaftneffe fou3te fro heuene to the clowdes bynethen / whether there were eny creature that my3te perfourme it r and they weren alle vnable.
4] Ri3twifneffe went doun to Erthe and fou3te among C Domine
the hise hilles / and in to the depe pytte of helle / whether m.rcel.° ,, r fj mifencor*
there were cny man that my3te take this good and inno* dia tua &c.
c
i8
Die lune
C Omnes declinaues riant &c.
C Non eft qui faciat.
C Non eft vfque ad vnum.
C Racio incarna* cionis filii del.
cent deth ; but there was none founden clene of fynne / no / not the child of one dayes birthe. And fo fche went a3en vppe to hir fuftres tellynge / that alle men had for* feted and weren vnable r and there was non that myste do that good dede. Wherfore they weren alle full fory and heuy that they myste not fynde that one that they defireden. Than feide pees : Wete 3e not wele / that the prophete that feide there is none founden that may done good r afterward he puttcth to more and feith / til it come to oon : this oon man may be he that 3af the fentence forfaide of mannis fauacioun. Wherfore prcie we hym that he wole helpe and fulfille it in dede. For to hym fpeketh the prophete after in the forefeide pfalme / faienge : Lord/thou fehalt faue man andbeftes after thy mykcl mercy. Bot thanne was a qucftioun amonge the fuftres committed to Refoun forto detcrmync which perfone of thre / fader and fone and holy gooft / one god / fchulde become man and doo this merciful dede. Thanne feide refoun : That for als mykcl as the perfone of the fader is propurly dredeful and mysty r the perfone of the fone al wyfc and witty r and the perfone of holy goft mofte benigne and goodly : the fecound perfone femeth moft conuenient as to the fulle acorde of the forfeide fuftres to the fkilful remcdie of man and to the mofte rcfonable victorie of the enemye. For as anemptis the firfte : jif the perfone of the fader fchulde doo this dede / for his drede and my3t mercy and pees myste fumwhat haue him fufpecte as not fully fauor* able to hem r and fo on the tother fide / for the fouereigne benignyte and goodneffe of the holy goofte / truthe and ristwifneffe my3t drede of nou3t ful fatisfaccioun / but to mykel mercy of hym. Wherfore as a good mene/ euene to bothe parties / the perfone of the fone is moft conue* nient to performe this dede thoru3 his fouereyn wit and
Die lune 19
wifdome. Alfo it femeth mofl fkilful remedye to man : for alfo mykel as he forfeted by vnwitte and foly that fatisfaccioun be made for hym by fothefafl wifdome / that is the fone. So that as he fel to dethe by the falfe worde of the fende / that he rife a;en to lyf by the trewe worde of god. And as for mofl refonable victorie of the enemy / it is fkilful that as he conquered man by wicked flei5te and falfe wifdome r fo he be ouercome and venquyffhed by good flei3te and trewc wifdome. And whanne refoun had faide this verdyt/ the fader feide it was his wille that it fchulde be fo : the fone 3af gladly his affent therto : and the holy gofl feide he wolde worche therto alfo. And than fallynge doun alle the holy fpirites of heuene and fouereynly thonkynge the holy trinite/ the foure fuftres afor* feide weren keffid and made acorde. And fo was fulfilled that the prophete dauid feide : Mercye and fothefaftneffe C Miferi: mctten louely to gidere r Ristwifnes and pees hauen kiffed. cor&* et C And thus was termyned and ended the grete coun; ufauerLnt fcille in heuene for the reflorynge of man and his faua* fibi &c. cioun. /The whiche proceffe fchal be taken as in likneffe and oneliche as a manere of a parable and deuou3te ymagy* nacioun/ ftirynge man to loue god fouereynly for his grete mercye to man and his endeles godeneffe jalfo/ to honour and worfchippe the bliffed aungelis of heuene for hir good wille to man and for his fauacioun makynge continuele befyneffe r and alfo / to loue vertues and hate fynne that brou3t man to fo grete wrecchednefle. And thus mykel and in this manere may be faide and thoujt by deuou3t contemplacioun of that was done abouen in heuene bifore the Incarnacioun of Jefu. Now goo we doun to erthe r and thynke we how hit flood with his bleffid moder marie/ and what was hire lyuynge here bifore the incarnacioun that foloweth after.
c 2
2O
Die lune
C Ca™. 2m. {[ Of the mancre of lyuyngc of the blefled virgyne may* den marie.
iA S it is writen in the lyf of oure lady feynt marye / /^L whan fche was thre }ere olde fche was offred in / ^L the temple of hir fader and moder / and there A ^^^fche abode and dwelled in to the fourtenthe 3ere : and what fche dede / and how fche lyuede there in that tyme / we mowen knowe by the reuelaciouns made of hir to a deuou3t woman / the whiche men trowen was feint Eli3abeth. In the whiche reuelaciouns is conteyned among otherc / that oure lady tolde to that fame womman and feide in this manere : Whan my fader and my moder laften me in the temple I purpofed and fette ftably in my herte to haue god vnto my fader r and ofte Tithes with grete deuocioun I thoujt what I my3t doo plefynge to god r fo that he wolde vouche fauf to fende me his grace : and here with CNotatria I was tau}t and I lerned the lawe of my lord god. In the precepta. whiche lawe / of alle the heftes and byddynges / principally I kepte thre in my herte. The firftc is : Thou fchalt loue thy lord god with all thyn herte / with al thy foule / with al thy mynde / and with al thy my3t : the fecound : Thow fchalt loue thy nei5hebore as thy felf : and the thridde is : Thou fchalt hate thyn enemy. Thefe thre I kepte trewcly in herte / and anon I conceyued and toke alle the vertues that beth conteyned in hem. For there may no foule haue eny vertue but it loue god with alle the herte r for of this loue cometh al the plente of grace : and after it is comen it abideth nou3t in the foule / bot renneth out as water bot it fo be that he hate his enemyes / that is to faie vices and C Nota fynnes. Wherfore he that wole haue grace and kepe it / odium 'mi* jt byhoueth that he difpofe and ordeyne his herte to loue and to hate / as it is feide. And fo I wole that thou doo in manere as I didde. I rofe vp algate at mydny3t and
micorum.
Die June 21
went forth byforc the au^ter of the temple/ and therewith C Nota alfo grete do fire and wille and aflfeccioun as I kowthe and orationem
Marie my3te / I afked grace of all my^ty god to kepe tho thre media
heftes and alle othere biddynges of the lawe r and fo ftond* nocte. ynge to fore the airjter I made vij peticiouns to god / the C Nota vi j whiche ben thefe. Firft / I afked grace of all my3ty god / PJtlc.lones thoru3 the whiche I my5t fulfille the hefte of loue / that is to fay / forto loue hym with al my herte / &c. : the fecoundc / I afked that I myjt loue myn neigheboure after his wil and his likynge / and that he wolde make me to loue alle that he loueth : the thridde / that he wolde make me to hate and efchewe alle thing that he hateth : the ferthe / I afked mekenes / pacience / benignyte / and fwetteneffe / and alle othere vertues by the whiche I my3t be graciofe and plefynge to goddes fi3te : the fifte peticioun I made to god / that he wolde lete me fe the tyme in the whiche that bleffid mayden fchulde be born that fchulde conceiue and bere goddes fone r and that he wolde kepe myne ey}en that I my3t fee hire / myne eris that I my3t here hir fpeke / my tunge that I my3t preife hir/ myne hondes that I myjt ferue hir with / my feete that I my3te goo to hir feruife and myne knees with the whiche I my3te honoure and wor^ fchippe goddes fone in hir barme. In the fixte peticioun 1 afked grace to be obefiaunt to the biddynges and the ordenaunces of the biffhop of the temple. And in the feuenthe I prayde god to kepe all the peple to his feruife. d And whan the forfeide womman / criftes feruaunt / had herd thefe wordes fche feide a3eyn : A / fwete ladye / were not 36 ful of grace and of alle vertues? And the blefled mayden marye anfwerde : Wete thou wele certeyne that I held my felf als gilty / mofte abiecte / and vn worthy the grace ol god / as thow : and more ouer trowed thou / dou3ter/ that al the grace that I haddc/ I hadde with outen
22 Die lune
trauaile? Nay/ not for but I telle the/ and do the to wite / that I hadde no grace / sifte / nor vertue of god / with oute grete trauaille / contynuele prayer / ardaunt defire / profounde deuocioun / and with many teres and moche affliccioun r fpekynge / thenkynge / and doynge alle wey as I kouthe and my5te that was plefmg to god r that is to fay outake the holy grace thoru3 the whiche I was C Nota halowed in my moder wombe. And furthermore oure lady bene. fej^e : Wite thou wele in certeyne that there cometh none grace in to a mannis foule but by prayer and bodily affliccioun : and after that we haue }euen to god tho thinges that we mowen / though they ben litel and fewe / than cometh he in to the foule / bryngynge with hym fo grete and fo hise 3iftes of grace that it femeth to the foule that fche failleth in her felf and Icfeth mynde / and thenketh not that euere fche feide or dede eny thing plefynge to god / and than fche femeth in hir owne fi3t more foule and more wrecched than fche was euere byfore.
{[ All this fcntence is conteyncd in the forfeide reuela* C Jero= ciouns. Alfo feynt Jerome / writyngc of hir lyfe / feide in nimus. thjs manere : that the bleffcd mayden marye ordeyned to hir felf this manere of rule in lyuynge/ that fro the morwc into the tierce of the day fche $af hire all to prayeres r and fro tierce in to none fche occupied hir bodily with weuynge werk r and efte fro none fche went not fro prayeres til the aungel of god come and appercd to hir/ of whos handc fche toke mete to the bodily fuftinaunce : and fo fche pro* fited algate bcttre and bettre in the werk and in the loue of god. And fo it byfel that fche was founden in wakynge the firfte / in the wifdomc of goddes lawe mod kunnynge / in mekenes mod lowe / in the fonges and the pfalmes of dauid mod conuenient and femeliche / in charite mod gra; cious / in clcnneffe mod clene / and in all manere vertue
Die lunc 23
moft pcrfite. Sche was fad and invariable r fo fcrforth that as fche profited better and better / fo was there none that euere fyhe or herde hir wrooth. Alle hir fpechc was fo ful of grace that god was knowen by here tonge. Sche was contynuelliche abidynge and dwellynge in prayere and in the lore of goddes lawe r and algate befy aboute hir felawes that none of hem fchulde trefpace or fynne in any word/ and that none fchulde lawhc diffolutely/ and alfo that none of hem fchulde offende other thorny pryde or any wrong. And euere with oute faillynge fche bleffid god. And left perchaunce by eny gretynge or preyfinge fche fchulde be letted fro the louynges of god / what tyme cny man grette hir / fche anfwered a3en Deo gracias i that is C Nota to fay/ thonked be god : wherfore of hir fprong firft that deo .
i 11 i i r • r\
what tyme holy men ben gret they leien a5eyn Deo gracias i as fche dide. Sche was fedde of the mete that fche toke of the aungels hande r and that mete that fche tokc of the biffhop of the temple fche $af to pore men. Eucry day goddes aungelle fpake with hir/ and als he fchulde to his dcrworthe fuftre or moder/ fo he ferued and was obcifaunt to hir. Thus moche feith fcynt Jerome of hir lyf. Furthermore in hir fourtenthe 3erc that bleffed maydcn marye was wedded to Jofcph by the reuelacioun of god r and thanne wcnte fche home a3en in to najareth r als it is writcn by proccs in the ftorie of hir natiuitie.
d But thus myche at this tyme fuffifeth to haue in myndc and in contemplacioun of the thinges that byfellcn by fore the Incarnacioun r the whyche who fo wil wele thynke and haue deuoutly in myndc and folwe vertuoufly in dede/ he fchal fynde hem ful of gooftly fruyte. Now come we to fpekc of the Incarnacioun of oure lord Jefu.
Die lune
C Luca primo capitulo. CCapn'.c
C Petrus
Rauenien=
fis.
U De incarnacione lefu fuper euangelium Miffus eft. Luca primo capitulo.
41 Of the Incarnacioun of Jefu / and the fefte of the annunciacioun r and of the gretyng Aite maria. ^•T "^^T" T Han the plente of tyme and of grace was
^ ^L I come in the whiche the hi3e trinite ordeyned
^/ ^/ to faue mankynde / that was dampned thoru3 the fynne of Adam / for the grete charite that he hadde to mankynde ftirynge hym his grete mercy / and alfo the prayer and the inftaunce of alle the bleffed fpirites of heuene r after that the bleffed mayden marie / wedde to Jofeph / was gone home to na3areth / the fader of heuene called to hym the archaungel gabriel and feide to hym in this manere : Go to oure dere doi^ter marye / the fpoufe of Jofeph / the whiche is moft chere to vs of alle creatures in erthe / and faie to hir that my bleffed fonc hath coueyted hir fchap and hir beaute / and chofen hir to his moderr and therfore praye hir that fche refceyue hym gladly r for by hir I haue ordeyned the hele and the faluacioun of al mankynde : and I wole fore3ete and fooeue the wrong that hath be done to me of hym here byfore.
d Now take hede and ymagyne of gooftly thing as it were bodily / and thinke in thyn herte / as thou were prefent in the f^t of that bleffed lord / with how benigne and glad femblaunt he fpeketh thefe wordes r and on the tother fide how gabriel/ with a likynge face and glad chere/ vppon his knees knelynge and with drede reuerently bowynge / refceyueth this meffage of his lorde.
([ And fo anon Gabriel rifynge vppe/ glad and iocunde/ toke his m'3t fro the hi3e heuene to erthe and in a moment he was in mannis likeneffe byfore the virgyne marye / that was in hire priue chambre that tyme clofed and in
Die lune 25
here prayeres or in here meditaciouns/ perauenturc redynge the prophecie of yfaie touchynge the Incarnacioun r and 3it alfo fwiftly as he flewh his lord was come byfore / and there he fonde alle the holy trinite comen or his meiTagere. For thou fchalt vndirftonde that this bleffed incarnacioun was the hi3e werk of alle the holy trinite / though it fo be that al only the perfone of the fone was incarnate and by come man.
d But now be war here that thou erre nou3t in ymagy* C Nota. nacioun of god and of the holy trynyte / fuppofynge that thise thre perfoncs / the fader/ the fone / and the holy good ben as thre erthely men that thou feeft with thy bodily ei3e : the whiche ben thre dyuerfe fubftaunces / eche de; parted fro other/ fo that none of hem is other. Nay/ it is not fo in this goftely fubftaunce of the holy trinite r for tho thre perfones ben one fubftaunce and oon god/ and 3it is there none of thife perfones othere : but this mayft thou no3t vnderftonde by mannis refoun ne conceyue with thy bodily witt. And therfore take here a general doctrine C Nota in this matere now for all gate. What tyme thou hereft bene- or thynkeft of the trinyte / or of the godhede / or of gooftly creatures as aungeles and foules / the whiche thou maift nat fee with thy bodily ey5e in her propre kynde / ne fele with thy bodily witt/ ftudie not to fer in that mater/ occupie not thy witt therwith as thou woldeft vnderftonde it by kyndely refoun r for it wole not be while we be in this buftous body / lyuynge here in erthe. And therfore whan thou hereft eny fuche thing in byleue that pafleth thy kyndely refoun / trowe fothfaftly that it is foth / as holy chirche techeth/ and goo no furthere. And fo thou fchalt byleue in this matere of the Incarnacioun / that the feconde perfone in trinite/ goddes fone of heuene/ came in to erthe and took flefche and blood of the bleffed virgyne Marye /
26 Die lime
and bycamc verray man r and 3it was he neucre departed fro the fader or the holy goft in his godhede / but euere was dwellynge ftille with hem one verrey god in heuene.
{[ But now forto go to oure purpos of the Incarnacioun bifore feide : take hede and haue in mynde as thou were prefent in the priue chaumbre of oure lady/ where the holy trinite is prefent with his aungel gabriele. A lorde / what hous is that where fuche geftes ben / and fuche thinges ben done ! For thou3 that the holy trinite is euery where by prefence of his godhede / neuertheles thou maift thenke and vnderftonde that he is there in a more fpecial manere by refoun of his hi3e werk of the Incarnacioun. Gabriel than entred in to maryes chaumbre that was ftoken fro men / bot no3t fro aungelis / as feint Bernarde feith / knelinge with reuerence bygan his meflage in thefe wordes : Heile / ful of grace / oure lord is with the ! Bleffed be thou in wommen and aboue alle wymmen !
C Nota |[ Marye than / herynge this meffage and this newe
bene. gretyngc that fche neuere herde bifore / was aftonyed and
abaffhed / and no3t anfwercd / but thou3t what this grcting my3te be r fchc was not abafched or diftourbled by any vicious or fynful diftourblynge / ne agafte of his prefence / for fche was wont to aungels prefence and the fijt of hem r bot as the gofpel feith / Sche was aflonycd in his worde. That was a newe gretynge r for he was neuere wont byfore to grete hir in that manere. And for as moche as in that gretynge fche fay hir fell" commended and preifed fpecially of thre grete thinges r in that fche was pern^tly meke / fche mofte nede be abaffhed in that hi^e gretynge r for fche was commended that fche was ful of grace / and that oure lord was with hir / and that fche was bleflid aboue alle wommen. And for alfo meche as the pcrfi3t meke may not here his preifynge with oute abaffhemcnt and fhame*
Die lunc 27
faftnefle / thcrforc fche was abaffhcd and aftonyd with an honefte fhamefaftnes / and alfo with drede: for though fchc trowed wele that the aungel feide foth / neuertheles fche dredde his word. For as myche as they that ben pcrfi^tly meke han that properte that they rewarde not here owne vertues / but rather taken hede to her owne defau3tes r wherthoru3 they mowen algate prof^te vertuoufly / hald* ynge in hem felf a grete vertue lytel and a litel defaute grete. And fo as wife and warre / as fhamefaft and dredful / fche hild hir pees and anfwered not.
C Here than myBteft thou take enfaumple of marye : firfte C Nota. to loue folitarye prayere and departing fro men that thow mowe be worthy aungeles prefence r and furthermore lore of wifdome to here or thou fpeke and forto kepe fcilence and loue litel fpekeng / for that is a ful greet and profitable vertue r for marye herde firft the aungel twies fpeke or fche wolde anfwere ones a}en r and therfore it is abhomyn* able thynge and grete reproofe to a mayden or virgyne to be a grete iangelere / and nameliche a religious.
C Furthermore / after the gofpell / the aungel / byhold^ ynge her femblaunt / and knowynge the caufe of hir abafchement and drede / anfwered to hir thou5t and fpake more homeliche / callynge hir by name and feide : Drede thou no}t marye / and be thow nojt abafched or afchamed of the preifynge that I haue grette the with r for fo is the trewthe : and nost only thou art ful of grace in thy felf/ but alfo thow haft founden fpecial grace of god / and rekcuercd to al mankynde : for why / loo thow fchalt conceyue and bere a childe / and thou fchalt calle hys name Jem/ that bytokeneth fauyoure r for he fchal faue fro fynnc and fro dampnacioun alle his peple that truly hopcn in hym.
C Here feith feynt Bernard : God graunte that my lorde C Jefu vouch fauf to noumbre me among his peple / fo
28 Die lune
that he fauf me from myn fynncs r for fothcly I drcdc that many fchewen hem as they were of his peple / the whiche he knoweth not ne hath not as his peple r and as I drede he may faie to many that femen in his peple more religious and more holy than othere : This peple worfchippeth me with lippes / hot fothcly her herte is fer fro me. But wilt thou knowe whether thou be of his peple / or wilt thou be of his peple/ do that he/ oure lord Jcfu/ biddeth in the gofpel and the lawe and the prophetes/ and alfo that he biddeth by his mynyftres / and be buxome to hife vikeres that ben in holy chirche thy fouereynes/ not only gode and wele leuynge / bot alfo fchrewes and yuel lyuynge r and fo lerne of Jefu to be meke in herte and buxum/ and than fchalt thou be of his bleffed peple.
C But here now furthermore what the aungel fpeketh in preifynge of this child Jefu : He fchal be greet / not in temporel lordfchippe and worldely dignite / for that he fchal forfake / bot he fchal be grete god and man / grete prophete in myracles worchynge / grete doctour in fothfaft preching/ and grete conquerour in my^tily the deuel ouer^ comynge r and fo worthely he fchal be cleped the fone of the altherhi3eft lord god / the whiche fchal 3eue hym the fete of dauid / his fader r for he fchal take mankynde and be born in flefche by defcente of his auncetrye / and he fchal regne in the houfe of Jacob euermore / and of his kyngdome fchal be none ende. This hous of Jacob is gooftly holy chirche r in the whiche Jefu fchal reigne in trewe foules : firfte / ouercomynge fynnes and the deuel here in erthe by grace r and after / in hcucne in bliffe with outen ende.
C Ber* C Here mayft thou fayen with feynt Bernarde defirynge
nardus. jn tne j-j^ kyngdom of Jefu thus : Come / my lord Jefu / and
putte away alle fclaundrcs of fynne fro thy rewme / that is
Die lime 29
my foule / fo that thou mowe reigne therynne as the owcth to doo : for couetife cometh and chalangeth his rewme in me r prefumpcioun coueyteth to ben my lord r pride wole be my quene r leccherie feith / I wole reigne r detraccioun / envye / wrathe / and glotonye ftryuen whiche of hem fchal principally regne in me : and I / in as moche as I may / a5eynftonde hem r bot thou my lord Jefu / deftroye hem in thy vertu / and take thou thy rewme and thy kyngdome in me : for I haue none trewe kyng but the / my lord Jefu.
C And whan the aungel had tolde thefe condiciouns / and the worthynes of this bleffid child Jefu / to that meke mayden marie / that was chofen to his moder r than fche fpak firft to the aungel / not dredynge of his wordes or of her conceyvynge / nor knowynge / nor forfakinge the preifynges byfore feide of his gretynge / bot willynge to be certified more pleynly of that fche dredde mofte / that was that fche fchulde not lefe hir maydenhode / afked of the aungel the manere of hir conceyuynge in thife wordes : How and in what manere fchal this be done r fithen I knowe no man flefchely / and I haue made a vow to kepe me chafte to my lorde god with oute fayle / and I fchal neuere dele with man flefchely? And than the aungel anfwerde and feide to hir : It fchal be done by the worchynge of the holy gooft / that fchal listen in to the in a fmguler manere r and thoru3 his vertu / that is altherhi3eft / thow fchalt conceyue / favynge thy maydenhode r and therfore that holy thing that fchal be borne of the fchal be named goddes fone : and in confort furthermore here of / loo ! Eli3abeth / thy cofyne / that is olde and was bareyne / hath conceyued a childe now fixe monthes paffed r for there fchal no thing be impoffible to god.
C Now take here good hede and haue in mynde how firft all the holy trinyte is there abidynge a fynal anfwere
30 Die lune
and aflent of his bleffid doi^ter marye / takyngc hede and byholdynge lykyngliche hir fchamefaft femblaunt / hir fad maneres / and her wife wordes : and furthermore howe alle the bleffid fpirites of heuene / and alle the ri3twis lyuynge men in erthe / and alle the chofen foules that weren that tyme in helle / as adam / abraham / dauid / and alle othere defireden hir aflent r in the whiche Mood the fauacioun of all mankynde : and alfo how the aungel gabriel ftondynge with reuerence byfore his lady/ enclyn* ynge / and with mylde femblant abideth the aunfwere of his meflage. And on the tother fide take hcde how mary ftondcth / fadly with drcde and mekenes / in grete avife* ment / hauinge none pride ne veynglorie for alle the hi3e preifynge bifore feide r but tho fouereyn 3iftes of grace that fche hath herde 3euen to hir / that ncuere weren 3euen to creature byfore / alle fche arette only to the grace of god. Lernc thou thenne by enfample of hir to be fchamefaft vertuoufly and meke r for with oute thefe two vertues may* C Ber* denhode or virgynyte is litcll worth. For as feint Bernard nardus. fejth : Virgynyte is a faire vertue / but mekenes is a more neceflarie r for thou mayft be fauf with outen the firfte / but with oute that othere / that is mekenes / thou maift not. In fo moche that I dar hardely faie that with oute mekenes the virgynyte of marie had not ben plefynge to god r for bot marie had ben meke the holy goft had not refted vppon hir / feithe feynt bernarde. At the lafte / as the ende of the gofpel feith / the mylde mayden marye / whan fche had herd and wifly vnderftonden the aungels wordes / by good avifement 3af hir aflent in this manere / as it is writen in her reuelaciouns : fche kneled doun with fouereyn deuo* cioun / and holdynge vp bothe hir hondes / and liftynge vp hir ei3en to heuen / feide thefe wordes : Loo here the handmayden and the feruaunt of my lorde r be it done to
Die lunc 31
me and fulfilled after thy worde. And fo in thife meke and lowe wordes of marye at the ende thou haft enfaumple of grete mekenes / as thou haddeft in hir fcilence at the by* gynnynge. Lo / fche is chofen goddis moder / and of the aungel cleped ful of grace : and fche nempned hir felf his honde mayden. And no wonder / for / as feynt Bernard C feith / mekenes is euere wont to be felawe with the grace nardus< of god r but this mekenes was not litel : for / as he feith / C Nota. it is not moche to preife mekenes in abieccioun / but it is a grete vertue and felden feyn / mekenes in worfchippe.
4E Alfo fone thcnne as fche had 3euen hir anfwere and affented in the wordes forfeide / anone with oute dwellynge goddis fone entred into hir wombe r and thoru3 worchynge of the holy gooft was made man in verray flefche and blood taken of hir body r and not as othere children / conceyued and born by kynde/ ben fchapen/ membre after membre / and after the foule fched in to the body r but anone at the firfte inftaunce he was ful fchapen in alle membres and alle hole man in body and in foule r but neuertheles ful lite in quantite : for after he waxed more and more kyndely as othere children done. So that at the firfte he was ful perfite god and man / as wife and as my3ty as he is nowe. And whan this was done / Gabriel / knelynge doun with oure lady / and fone aftir with hir rifynge vp / toke curteifly his leue of hir with a deuou3t and lowe bow* ynge to the erthe r and fo vanyfchynge away fro hir with a fwift flijt toke his wey to heuene a3eyne / tellynge and certifienge the holy courte of heuene his meflage fulfilled / and that that was done in erthe : and thanne was there a newe ioye and a newe fefte and ful myche merthe and folempnyte. Afterward oure lady / fulfilled and enflawmed with the holy goft and in the loue of god more brennynge then fche was biforc / fclynge that fche had conceyued
C Secunda pars.
N
32 Die lune
kneled doun and thonked god of that grete 3ifte / mekeliche byfechyngc hym and deuoutliche preienge that he wolde fende hir grace and teche hir fo / that alle that were after to come and to be done aboute his bleffed fone that fche my3te fulfille hem and doo hem withoute defaujte. And thus moche touchynge the gofpel and the proceffe of the Incarnacioun of Jefu crift.
C Of the fefte of the annunciacioun and of tho thinges that byfel that day.
Ow take good hede and vndirftande how worthy this fefte and this folempnite is r and haue therfore a goftly merthe and make a fpecial fefte / in thy foule thonkynge god yn* wardely r for fuche was neuere herde bifore. For this is the folempnite of all the holy trinite / fader / and fone / and holy goft / by whom this fouereyn dede of the In* carnacioun was wrou3t and fulfilled / as it is feide byfore. This alfo is a fpecial fefte of oure lady feynt marye / the whiche as this day was chofen of the fader of heuene in to his dere dorter r and of the fone in to his mylde moder r and of the holy gooft in to his fpecial fpoufe. This day alfo is a fpecial folempnyte of alle the bleffed fpirites of heuene r for this day was bygonne the reftoringe of her companye and felawfchippe that felle doun by fynne of lucifer. But fouereynliche this day is an hi3e fefte and a fpecial folempnytee of al mankynde r for this day was mankynde foueraynliche worfchipped / in that it was oned and knetted to the godhede in crift withoute departynge. And this day bygan the hele and the redempcioun of mankynde / and the reconfilynge to the fader of heuene. For in to this tyme god was wrooth to mankynde for the fynne and the trefpas of oure forme fadres r but fro this
Die lime 33
tymc forth he mayc no longer be wrothe fcynge his dcre fone bycome man r and therfore is this day fkilfully called the plente of tyme to man. And fo this day ouste euere to be had in mynde of man and womman r for this day was man made to the liknes and the ymage of god / and fette in that ioyful place of paradife / and forto haue liued euere with outen deth. And this day the firfte man / Adam / by the fruyte of the tre forbeden deformed in hym that ymage of god / and lofte that ioyful place of paradyfe / and was dampned to deth with outen endynge. But this day the fecounde Adam / crift god and man / reformed this ymage in his Incarnacioun / and after / by vertu of the blefTed fruyt of his body hangynge on the tree of the croffe / re* ftored man to bliffe and lyf euerlaftynge. Alfo this day the firfte womman / Eue / thoru} pride aflentynge to the ferpent / the deuel of helle / was caufe of mannis dampna* cioun. And this day the blefled mayden Marye / thoru3 mekeneffe trowyng to the aungel Gabriel / was caufe of mannis faluacioun. And fo this day hath man mater of grete ioye and of grete forwe : firfte of grete ioye for the fouereyne godeneffe / worfchippe / and grace of gode done to hym r and alfo of grete forwe for his grete fynne and vnkyndnefle done to god ajeynward. And thus my3t thou haue thy contemplacioun of this day and of this bleffid fefte of criftes Incarnacioun / and oure ladyes annuncia* cioun.
C And for alfo moche as that bleffid gretynge of the C Tercia aungel gabriel / wherwith we honouren and greten oure Pars- lady euery day / is grounded in this gofpelle as thou haft herd byfore r therfore I fchal telle the fomwhat more here of/ as me thinketh / to ftere thy deuocioun the more in feienge of that gretynge / Aue maria. As I conceyue this gretynge in manere as holy chirche hath ordeyned it to be
D
34
Die lime
C Aue Maria an* nunciacio.
C Humili= tas.
C Gratia
plena.
Natiuitas.
C Caftitas.
C Deus tecum. Refurrec= cio.
C. Fides.
feide hath fyue parties r in the whiche mowen be vnder* ftande fpecially the fyue ioyes of oure lady / and in tho fyue ioyes / fyue vertues that fche had in hem foueraynly aboue alle erthely creatures : the whiche ben mekeneffe / chaftite / feith / hope / and charite. In the firfte partie of this gretynge that ftandeth in thefe two wordes / Heyle marye / thow maift vnderftonde the firfte ioye that fche had in hir annunciacioun of Jefu gracious conceyuynge / of the whiche mekenes was the ground / as thou haft herd bifore r and as thife wordes / Heyle marye / ben the firfte and bygynnynge of this gretynge / fo this fefte was by* ginnynge and ground of alle othere r and as it was the byginnynge of maryes ioye and alle mankynde / fo is mekenes the bygynnynge and ground of alle vertues. And therfore in thife firfte wordes / Heyle marye / fkil* fully thou maift vnderftonde the firfte ioye that fche hadde in hir annunciacioun of the conceyuynge of hir blefled fone Jefu / and that fpecially thoru3 the vertu of mekenes. In the fecounde partie that ftant in thefe wordes / Ful of grace / may be vnderftande the fecounde ioye that marye hadde in Jefu natiuitie and her ioyful berynge r in the whiche fche hadde fouereynly the vertue of chaftite and of clennefle r and therfore than was fche fpecially ful of grace / in that that fche / clene mayden and moder / bare with outen forwe that neuere dide womman but fche al onely. In the thridde parte / that is in thife wordes / Oure lord is with the / may be vndirftonde the thridde ioye that fche had in hir fone Jefu glorious vprifynge / fpecially by the vertu of ftedfaft feith and trewe byleue. For fro his deth in to that tyme / he dwelled all only with hir by ftedefaft byleue that fche had in hym as god / whan that alle his apoftles and difciples weren departed fro hym by myfbileue / and defpeyre that he was god : and therfore
Die lune 35
the fcith of holy chirche tho thre dayes flood al only in hir r fo that in that tyme it myste fpecially be feide to hir / Oure lord is with the / that is to feie by trewe feith and byleue : and after at his vprifynge more fpecially by his bodily prefence / firfle to hire apperynge / it was fulfilled Oure lord is with the. In the ferthe part / that is in thefe wordes / Bleffid be thou in wommen / or elles / abouen all ^ Bene* wommen / may be vnderflonde the ferthe ioye that fche muifedbus had in the f^t of hir fone Jefu myjtily to heuene vp ftienge : CAfcencio. in the whiche frjt the hope that fche hadde in his godhede sPes- was fulliche ftrengthed and confermed / feinge that othere wommen neuere did / whan that parte that he toke of hir in flefche and blood was bodely thoru3 my3t of the godhede borne vp to heuene r and fo hopynge with outen drede that fche fchulde folwe after. Wele than my3t it be feide that tyme and now may to hir : Bleffid be thou fouereynly in wommen / feynge thi fone Jefu my3tily to heuene vp ftieng. In the fifte part / that is Bleflid be the fruyte of thy wombe / C Bene* Jefu / may be vndirftonden the lafte ioye that fche had in hir Rictus bliffed fone Jefu / whan he toke hir vp with hym to bliffe Ventris and there worfchipfully coroned hir quene of heuene euer* tui / Jefu. laftinge. Than was hire defire of loue fulfilled whan fche was endelefly thoru3 plente of charite knytte to hir bleffed C Affum* fone Jefu / and he to hir / and fo fed with that bleffed P£a Carif fruyte that fche coueyted no more r for fche was ther thoru3 filled of all goodnes / blis / and ioye with outen ende. And thus fchortly in the fifthe partie of this gretynge / Aue maria i mowen be vnderflonde the fyue ioyes of bliffed marie / with fyue vertues that fche had foueraynly in hem / as I haue now feide. The whiche greting after the com* mone vnderftondynge may be thus feide in Englifche tonge : Heyle marye / ful of grace / oure lord is with the. Bliffed be thou fouereynly in wymmen / and the fruyte of thy
D 2
36 Die lune
wombe/ Jefu / euere bleffid be! And }if the lifte in this gretynge fpecifye the fyue ioyes with the fyue vertues byfore feid / thow mayft feie thus in fchort wordes : Heile marie / may den mekeft / gret of the aungel gabriel in Jefu gracious conceyuynge r Ful of grace / as moder chad with outen forwe or peyne thi fone Jefu berynge. Oure lord is with the by trewe feith and byleue at Jefu joyful vprifynge. Bleffid be thou fouereinly in wommen by fadde hope feynge thy fone Jefu to heuene my3tily vp ftyenge. And blefled be the fruyte of thi wombe / Jefu / in euere laftynge bliffe r thorw perfite charite the quene of heuene glorioufly crown* ynge. Gete vs thife vertues as for cure fpede to thy fone Jefu and thy plefynge. Be thou oure help in al oure nede and focoure at oure laft ending. Amen. Thus thinketh me may be had contemplacioun more conueniently after the ordre of the fyue ioyes of our lady feynt marye in the for* feide gretynge Aue niaria &c. than was bifore writen to the Ankerefle as it fcheweth here. Chefe he that lifte to rede or write this proceffe as hym femeth beft / or in other better manere 3if he kan / fo that be it one be it othere that the ende and the entent be to the worfchippe and the plefynge of oure lord Jefu and his bleffed moder marye. Sithen thenne the procefle of the bleffed Incarnacioun of Jefu / and the bygynnynge and mynde of the ioyes of his bliffed moder marye / and the grounde of faluacioun of C Miflus mankynde is conteyned in this gofpel / as it is feide and elt- thou haft herd bifore / with grete deuocioun and gooftly
defire ou3teft thou and euery criften creature to here this gofpel and worfchippe therynne Jefu that fo bycome man for oure fake and his blefled moder marie / to whos wor* fchippe and profite of thy foule and myn this fchorte tretys be writen. Amen.
Die lime 37
C How that oure lady wente to Elisabeth and mekely Cam. iijjm grette hire.
^Fter the procefle of the Incarnacioun of Jefu bifore feide / the bliffed mayden marie hauynge in mynde the wordes of the aungele touchynge hir cofyne Elisabeth / fche purpofed to vifite hir forto thonke god with her / and alfo to mynyftre and to ferue hir : and fo with hir houfebonde and fpoufe / Jofeph / fche wente fro nasareth to hir houfe by fide Jeru* falem / that is the fpace of fixty myle and fourtene or there aboute. Sche taried not and letted not for the longe and difefy way / but anone with hafte fche wente r for fche wolde not longe be feyen in the open amonge folk : and fo fche was not heuyed or charged by the conceyuynge of hir fone as comounly beeth othere wymmen r for ourc lord Jefu was not chargeant to his moder.
C Now take hede how this bleffed lady / quene of c Nota heuene and of erthe / gothe allone with hir fpoufe / and humilita* that not vppon horfe / bot on foote. Sche ledeth nost with £em marie hir many kny3tes and barouns / ne grete companye of pompam bouremaydens and damyfeles r but fothely there gooth raeculi- with hir a wel better companye / and that is pouert / meke* nes / and honefte fchamefaftnes / 36 and plente of alle vertues : and the befte of alle / that is oure lord god is with hir. Sche hath a grete and worfchipfull companye / bot not of the vanyte and pompe of the world.
C And what tyme fche come and entred in to the hous of 3akarie fche gret his wyf Eli3abeth in this manere : Al heile / my dere fufter / Elisabeth. And anone here with Eli3abeth / glad and ioyful and listened thorus the holy good / rofe vp and clipped hir derworthely and tendirly / crienge for ioye and feienge thus : Blcffid be thou amonge wymmen / and blcffid be the fruyte of thy wombe ! And
38 Die lune
wherfore / or / of what deferte is this byfalle me that the moder of my lord fchulde come to me? And fo ferforth in the wordes of the gofpel. And fo what tyme that oure blefiid lady grette Eli5abeth/ John in his moder wombe was fulfilled with the holy gooft / and alfo his moder r and not firft the moder than the fone / bot the fone ml* filled / fillede the moder thorirj his defert in alfo moche as in hym was more fully the grace of the holy gooft : and firfte he felte and refceyued grace r for as fche felte the comynge and prefence of oure lady / fo he felte the comynge of oure lord r and therfore he withynneforth ioyed / and fche fpake and prophecied with oute forth. Byholde now and take hede what and how moche vertu is in the wordes of oure lady / in that at one pronounfynge of hem is 3euen the holy gooft r for fche was fo fully replenyffhed with hym that thoruj her merites and defertes the fame holy goft alfo filled othere. Thanne to the wordes C Magnifi* ot E^abeth / Marie anfwerde and feide : My foule magni= fieth our lord / and my fpirit is gladed and reioyfed in god my faueour / etc. And fo forth feieng and fulfillynge that Canticle of goftly ioyenge and louynge / that is Magnificat C Humili* as it is conteyned in the gofpel. And whan fche had done tas Mane, they wenteii to fitte to gidere r and oure ladye of hir fouereyn mekenes fette hir downe in the lower place at Eli3abeth feete. But fche anone rifyng vp fuffred not / but toke hir vppe : and fo they feten doun to gidre. And than afked oure lady of Elizabeth the manere of hir con* ceyuynge r and fche aBeyn the manere of hir conceyuynge : and fo they tolden either to othir gladdely the grete good* neffe of oure lord and loueden and worfchippeden god of either concepcioun. And fo in thonkynge god and goftly merthe they contynueden dayes and nyjtes. For oure ladye dwelled there the terme or tyme of thre monthes /
Die lune 39
feruynge Eli3abeth in all that fche my5te / mckely / reucr^ C Nota ently and deuoutly / as a feruaunt / fo^etynge that fche was J11"11 goddis modir and quene of al the worlde. A lord god / what houfe was that / or what chambre / and what bedde in the whiche dwelleden to gidre and refteden fo worthi moderes with fo noble fones / that is to faie Marie and Eli3abeth / Jefu and John ! And alfo with hem dwellynge tho worfchipful olde men / 3acharie and Jofeph. This was a blilTed companye of men and wymmen and of children.
C In this forfeide proceffe of the vilitacioun of oure C N. lady we haue enfaumple that it is leueful and ofte fpede* fulle deuoute men and wymmen to vifite othere for edifica^ cioun and gooftly recreacioun / and nameliche the 3onger to elder r fo that it be done in dewe tyme and with othere leful menes. And alfo that the 3iftes of grace mowen be notified to othere for edificacioun in tyme r fo that it be not done for veyne ioye / bot only to goddes worfchippe. Als 3if we take good entente to the wordes of marye and Eli3abeth / alle they weren in lowynge of hem felf / and to worfchippynge of god / and magnifienge hym in alle his werkes / and tellynge his grete mercye fchewed to mankynde to ftire man to the loue and the worfchippe of god.
C Of the Natiuite of feynt John the Baptifte. Forther* C B. more whan the tyme of Eli3abeth was comen / fche was lijtened and bare hir child r the whiche in tokene of his grete holyneffe / oure lady firft lift hym vp fro the grounde and after befily dy3t and treted as it longeth to hym : and the childe / as vnderftondynge what fche was / fette his ci$en fadly vppon hir. And whan fche wolde take hym to his moder / he torned his heued and his face to hir / als hauynge in hir al onely his likynge r and fche gladly pleide with hym and louely clipped and kiffed him. And here mowe
40 Die lunc
we fee the grete worthynes of this child .- for there was
neuere none othere byforn that hadde fo worthy a berere.
After in the viij day / as the lawe wolde / the child was
circumcided / and nempned John by myracle of god/ as
the gofpel telleth : and the mowthe and the tunge of the
fader / 3acharie / byfore clofed for vntrowynge / was than
C Benedict opened r and fo he prophecied feienge : Bleffid be cure
tus dorm* jorcj gO(j of jfraei / for hc hath vifited thoru3 grace/ and
nus QCUS
Ifrael &c. made redempcioun of his puple. And fo forth as it is conteyned in the gofpel. And fo in that hous thife two noble and worthy Canticles / that is to fayen Magnificat and benedictusi wcren firft fpokcn and made. And oure lady ftondynge that tyme with ynne fom curtyne / for fche wolde not be feien of hem that weren comen to the circumcifioun of that child John / lyftened befily and herde ententifly that Canticle / Benedictus r in the whiche was made mynde of hir blefTed fone Jem : and alle fche kepte in hire herte / as fche that was mooft wife and ful of grace. And at the lafte whan al this was done / fche toke hir leue at Elijabeth and 3acharye/ and bleffid the child John: and fo wente home a3eyn to hir owne hous in Na3areth. C Nota C Now here bythenke we and haue in mynde the
Paupe[tat grete pouert of hir in this goynge a3eyn to hir owne hous : for there fche fchal neyther fynde brede ne wyne ne othere neceffaries / and therewith fche hadde neither poffeffiounis ne money. And whan fche hadde alle tho thre monthes dwelled with hem that were plenteuous and hauinge r now fche torneth a3en into her owne pouert and bare hous / where fche byhoueth to gete her lyflode with hir owne hondes and bodily trauaille. And herof moche ou3te we to haue compaflioun / and be ftired to the loue of vertuoufe pouerte by enfaumple of hir : bleffid mote fche euere be. Amen.
Die lune 41
C Hou Jofeph thou5te to Icue priuely ourc lady feint C Ca™. v™. Marye.
m "W" "TTiat tyme that cure lady and Jofeph hir ^ ^L /fpoufe dwelleden to gidre / and hir bleffid ^/ ^L/ fone Jefu day by day encrefled bodily in his T modir wombe. At the lafte Jofeph / feynge hir grete with childe / and byholdynge hir not ones bot ofte Tithes / was wonder fory and greetly deftourbled / made hir heuy chere and turned away his ei3en ofte fithe fro hir / and as in a perplexite thou3te what he my3te beft doo. For on the tone fide he fawh hir lyf fo holy and no C N. tokene of fynne in hir / neither in contenaunce / neither in word in fpeche / nor in dede that he dorfte not openly accufe hir of avoutrie r and on that other fide he knewe nou3t how that fche my3te conceyue bot by man. When; fore he thou3t that he wolde priuely leue hir. Sothely it may be feide of hym that is writen in the gofpel to his preifynge / that is to feie / that he was a ri3twys man / that fchewede wele this dede of grete vertue. For fithen com; C B. ounly avoutrie of the womman is to the man occafioun of mofte fchame / moft forwe / and as a manere of wodenes r neuertheles he vertuoufly tempered hym felf and wolde nou3t accufen hir / nor venge hym felf r but paciently fuffring that femynge wrong /and ouercomyng hym felf with pitee / thou3t that he wolde priuely leue hir.
C This is an open enfaumple of reproof to jeloufe men C Nota that ben fo fufpecious / that at the lefte contenaunce or louely fpeche of her wifes with othere men han hem fufpecte of avoutrie. Alfo 3if we take here good entent we mowen fee bothe in Jofeph and alfo in marye a fructuofe doctrine C Nota de how that we fchulde paciently fuffre tribulacion r and how trac^e°ne that god fuffreth his chofen foules to be difefed and tempted fuftinerida. for here befte and to her mede. For wite we wele that alfo C B.
42 Die June
ourc lady was not herewith oute grete difefe and tribulacioun
what tyme that fche fawh hir houfbonde fo diftourbled r
and neuertheles fche fuffred and hilde hir pes mekely and
kepte priue that grete $ifte of god / and chefe rathere to
C Nota be holde as wickid / vicious / and vnworthy / than fche
amij[jta* . wolde make open that grete facrament of god and to fpeke
and telle thingcs that myjte feme to hir preifynge / bofte
or iactaunce.
C But her with fche prayed god that he wolde fende remedye in this caas / and that he wolde / as it were his wille / puttc away fro hir and fro hire houfbonde this tribu* lacioun and this difefe. And fo oure lord / that fuffreth and ordeyneth allc thinges for the befte / to conforte of bothe fent his aungel r the whiche appered to Jofeph in his flepe / and feide that he fchulde not drede to take to hym marye his fpoufe / bot triftily and gladly dwelle with hir : for that that fche had conceyued was not by man / but by the worchynge of the holy gooft. And fo after tribulacioun cam grete ioye and counfort. In the fame manere it fchulde falle with vs 3if we kouthe wcle kepe pacience in tyme of aduerfite. For oure lord god after tempeft fcnte fofte and mery wedir r and it is no dowte that he fuffreth none temptacioun falle to his chofen bot for her prof^te. Than after this reuclacioun Jofeph afked oure lady of this wonderful conceyuynge r and fche gladly tolde hym the ordre and the manere there f. And fo Jofeph dwelled and flood ioyfully with his bleffed fpoufe / marye r and with chafte and trewe loue fo fcruently loued hir that it may not be tolde r and befily in alle thinges toke hede to hir : and oure lady a3eynward triftily dwelled with him : and fo in hir bothe poucrte they lyueden to gidre with grete goftly merthe. Here with alfo oure lord Jefu / as reclufe and ftoken in his moderes wombe the fpace of
Die lune 43
nine monthes in manere of othere children / paciently and benignely fuffreth and abideth the dewe tyme of his birthe. C Lord god / how moche ou3te we to haue compaffioun that he wolde for oure fake enclyne vnto fo profounde mekenes ! Miche ou3te we to defire and loue that vertue of mekenes r and }if we wolde haue befily in mynde how that hi3e lord of fo grete maiefte fo myche lowed hym felfe / fchulde we neuere be lifted vp to veyne pryde and reputacioun of oure felf. For of this one benefice of fo longe reclucioun for our fake / we mowe neuere worthely doo fatisfaccioun or recompenfacioun to hym r but neuer* theles knowe we this trewely in herte / and with al oure affeccioun deuoutely thonke we hym / fpecially we that bene religious / that he wolde take vs fro othere and gracioufly departe vs fro the world / fo that in this / thou3 it litel be / fomwhat we 3elde hym r that is to faie that we ftonde perfeuerantly reclufe in his feruice. For fothely this is al only his benefice of grace and not oure deferte / and that a grete benefice and worfchipful / in that that we ben not reclufe to peyne / but to grete fikerneffe r for we ben fette as in a hi3e and ftronge toure of religioun / vnto the whiche the venemous arowes of this wicked world and diftourblynge tempeftes of that bitter fee mowe not atteyne or neyhe / bot in oure owne defau3te and foly. But C Nota N. for alfo moche as bodely enclofynge is litel worth or nou3t with oute goftly enclofynge in foule r therfore thou that art enclofed bodily in celle or cloyftre / 3if thou wolte be with Jefu vertuoufly enclofed in foule/ firfte thou mofte with hym anentyfche thy felf in thyn owne reputacioun and bycome a child thorgh perfijt mekenes. Alfo thou mofte kepe and loue fcilence / not fpekynge but in tyme of nede or edifU cacioun. And furthermore or thou be born / that is to fay or thou fchewe thy felf outeward by word or by opinioun of
44 Die lune
perfeccioun / thou mofte abyde the tyme of nyne monthes : that is while thou art no3t perf^tly grounded in vertues and in knowynge of goddes lawe r for the noumbre of the x. comaundementis tokeneth the perfeccioun of the lawe / and therfore that that is laffe tokeneth inperfeccioun. Wherfore as the childe that is born byfore his kynde tyme is vnable to thryue r fo who fo wil fchewe hym outwarde by worde or by dede holy and perfite or the tyme that he be perfi3tly growen and fchapen in vertues withynneforth / he is vnable to ftonde as a man in tyme of temptacioun by goftly ftrengthe and to prorate of othere and of hym felf. Wherfore clofynge and with drawynge to oure power all oure mynde fro vanyte and luftes of the world / befye we vs to conferme vs in clennes of herte to oure lord Jefu / that for oure fake wolde be fo clofed in the wombe of his C B. bliffed moder marie. Alfo to ftire vs to compaffioun / and
to fuflfre with Jefu penaunce and difefe in this worlde / we fchulle confidere and haue in mynde that he was in con* tynuel affliccioun fro the firfte tyme of his concepcioun in to the lafte tyme of his deth / fpecially and principally for that he knewe his fader of heuene / whom he loued fouereynly/ fo vnworfchipped of fynful men/ and forfaken for mawmetrye and myfbileue r and of that grete com* paffioun that he hadde to the foules made to his ymage / fo wrecchedly and for the mofte parte dampned / this was to hym more peyne thanne his bodily paffioun and dethe. For why to putte away myfbileue and deftroye this damp* nacioun he fufFred that deth and that paffioun. And fo fchulde euery trewe louer of Jefu haue compaffioun and be ynwardly forye / not only for the myfbyleue of Jewes and Sara5ynes and her dampnacioun/ bot alfo/ and myche more / for the wycked lyuynge of vntrewe criften men r in fo muche that it fchulde be to hym more paffioun and
Die lime 45
gooftly difefe whan he knewe or feie a foule periffhe thoru3 dedly fynne / than the loffe of any worldely katel / or than his owne bodily deth. For that wole pern*5te charite. And fo in this forfeide procefle we haue profitable doctryne and good enfaumple : firft / in oure bleffid lord Jefu of penaunce fuffrynge / of perfi3te charite / and trewe com* paffioun r alfo in his moder marie of profounde mekenes and pacience in tribulacioun r and in hir houfbonde Jofeph of vertuous ri3twifnefle a3enft falfe fufpecioun.
C And 3if we wole wite why and wherto oure lady was wedde to Jofeph / fithe he hadde no3t to doo with hir bodily / but fche was euere clene mayden : herto anfwerynge ben thre fkilles : Firfte / for fche fchulde haue conforte and folace of man to hir bodily feruice and witteneffe of hir clene chaftite : the feconde is / that the merueylous birthe of goddes fone fchulde be heled and pryvey fro the deuel : and the thridde / that fche fchulde not be defamed of avoutrie / and fo / as worthy the deth after the lawe / be ftoned of the Jewes. And thus endeth the firfte partie of this booke that ftant in contemplacioun for the Monday and for the tyme of Aduent vnto the Natiuite of oure lord Jefu / whos name with his moder marye be euere bleffid with outen ende. Amen.
C Of the Natiuite of oure lorde Jefu Crifte. C B
WHat tyme that nyne monthes fro the con* :epcioun of blifled Jefu drowen to ende "efar Augufte / the Emperour of Rome / ente oute a maundement / or an hefte / that all the world fugette to hym fchulde be defcryued r fo that he my3te knowe the noumbre of regiouns / of citees / and of the heuedes longynge to hem that weren fubdyte to the Emperour of Rome r and herfore he ordyned and
46 Die lune
bad that alle men where fo euere they dwelleden fchulde goo to the citee of hir firfle birthe and propre lynage. Wherfore Jofeph / that was of the lynage of dauid / whos citee was bethleem / toke with hym his fpoufe / bliffed marie / that was that tyme greet with childe / and wente fro Na3areth vnto the citee Bethleem / there to be noumbred among othere as fugett to the Emperour. And fo ledyng with hem an oxe and an affe / they wenten al that longe wey to gidere / as pore folk / hauynge no more worldely good bot tho tweyne beftes. And what tyme they comen to Bethleem / for the grete multitude that was there in the fame tyme for the felue caufe / they my5te gete none her* borwe in none houfe but in a comoun place / bytwixe tweyne houfes/ that was heled aboue men for to ftonde ther fore the reyn and was i^cleped a dyuerforie / they were neded to refte ynne and abide all that tyme. In the whiche place Jofeph/ that was a carpunter / made hem a clofere and a cracche for her beftes.
C Contem* C Now take here good hede and haue inwardly com* placio. paffioun of that blefled lady and mayden / marye r how fche fo 3ong and of fo tendre age / that is to faye of xv 3ere / and grete with childe as nyh the birthe / trauailleth that longe wey of fixty myle and ten or more in fo grete pouerte r and 3it whan fche cam to the citee forfeide there fche fchulde refte / and with her fpoufe afked herborgh in dyuers places / fchamefaftly as amonge vnkouthe folk / alle they werned hem and lete hem goo r and fo for nede at the lafte they toke as for herborgh that comoun place aforfeide.
C But now furthermore to fpeke of the bliffed birthe of Jefu r and of that clene and holy deliueraunce of his dere moder marye / as it is writen in party by reuelacioun of cure lady made here of to a deuowte man. Whan tyme
Die lime 47
of that bliflcd byrthc was come/ that is to fay the fonday at mydny3t / goddis fone of hcuene as he was conceyued in his moder wombc by the holy gooft with outen feede of man / fo goynge out of that wombe with outen trauaille or forwe / fodcynely was vppon hey at his moder feete. And anon fche / deuoutly enclynande / with fouereyne ioye toke hym in hir armes and fwetely clippyng and keffynge leyde hym in hir barme / and with a mile pap / as fche was taujt of the holy good / wiffhe hym al aboute with hir fwete mylk r and fo wrapped hym in the keuer^ chiefes of hir heued and leide hym in the cracche. And anone the Oxe and the Affe / knelynge doun / leyden her mowthes on the cracche / brethynge at hir nefes vppon the child / as they knewen by refoun that in that colde tyme the childe fo fymply hiled had nede to be hatte in that manere. And than his moder knelynge doun wor* fchipped and loued god / inwardely thonkynge and feienge in this manere : Lord god / holy fader of heuene / I thonke the with al my my3t that hade 3euen me thy dere fone r and I honoure the al mysty god / goddes fone and myn. Jofeph / alfo honourynge and worfchippynge the childe god and man / toke the fadel of the Afle and made therof a kuffhyne oure lady to fitte on and a fuppoayle to lene to. C And fo fat the lady of all the worlde in that fymple array befide the cracche / hauynge her mylde mode and her louely ei3en / with her inward affeccioun / vppon her fwete derworthe child. But in this pore and fymple worldly araye / what goftly riches and ynward confort and ioye fche hadde may no tunge telle. Wherfore 3if we wole fele the trewe ioye and conforte of Jefu / we mofte with hym and with his moder loue pouerte / mekenes / and bodily peneaunce / as he 3af vs enfample of alle thife here in his birthe and firft comynge in to this worlde. For of
48
Die lune
C De pau=
pertate.
Bernardus
fermone
quinto de
Natiuitate.
C Ber. nardus.
C 2m. I militas.
C 3
poralis
affliccio.
C Ber*
nardus
ferm. 2°.
Nat.
the firfte / that is pouerte / feynt Bernarde in a fcrmoun of the Natiuite of oure lord / tellynge how he was born to comforte of mankynde/ feith in this manere : Goddes fone comforteth his peple. Wolt thou knowe his peple ? That is of whom fpeketh Dauid in the pfawter and feith : Lorde / to the is bylafte the pore puple. And he hym felf feith in the gofpel : Woo to 3ow riche men that hauen 3oure com* forte here. For how fchulde he comfort hem that hauen here her owne comforte? Wherfore criftes innocens and childhode conforteth not iangeleres and grete fpekeresr crifles wepynges and teris conforteth no3t diflblute law* heres r his fymple clothinge conforteth not hem that gone in proude clothynge r and his ftable and cracche conforteth nost hem that louen firft feetes and worldes worfchippes. And alfo the aungels in criftes Natiuite apperynge to the wakynge fcheephirdes conforten none otherebut thepouere trauaillouresr and to hem tellen they the ioye of newe Ii3t / and no3t to the riche men that hauen her conforte here.
C Alfo as to the fecounde : we mowen fee at this birthe/ bothe in crift and in his moder/ perfrjt mekenes r for they were not fqueymous of the ftable / nor of the beftes / nor of hey and fuche othere abiecte fimpilnes. But this vertu of mekenes bothe oure lord and oure lady kepten perf^tly in alle her dedes / and commenden it foueraynly to vs r wherfore be we aboute with al oure my3t to gete this vertue / knowynge that with outen it is none faluacioun : for there is no werk or dede of vs that may plefe god with pride.
C Alfo as to the thridde : we mowen fee in hem bothe / and nameliche in the child Jefu/ not a litel bodily penaunce r of the whiche feynt Bernard feith thus : Goddes fone whan he wolde be born / that hadde in his owne fre wille to chefe what tyme he wolde take therto / he ches that tyme that
Die lune 49
was mooft noyous and hardc / as the coldc wyntcr / name*
liche to a }ong childc and a pore wommanes fone / that
fkarfly hadde clothes to wrappc hym inne / and a cracche
as for a cradel to laye hym inne r and 3it thovvh there was
fo moche nede / I iynde no mynde of furres or pilches.
And fithen crift that is not begiled chas that is moft hard C Nota
to the flefche / fothely that is bed / moft profitable / and Bern'
rather to be chofen r and who fo techeth or biddeth othere
he is as a falfe deceyuere to be fledde and forfaken. Al
this feith feynt Bernard. And thus myche of thefe vertues
at this tyme.
C Goo we nowe furthermore to fpeke of the forfeide bleffid natiuite of crift. What tyme that oure lord was fo borne / the grete companye of aungeles that there weren honourynge / louynge / and worfchippynge her lord god / wenten anon to the fchypherdes that weren there befide / aboute a myle fro Bethleem / tellynge hem that birthe of her faueour and alfo the place therof by one of hem apperynge with grete lijt / peraunter gabriel that was fpecial meffanger of this werk. And therwith al that multitude of aungels token vp that newe joyful fong / feyenge / as the gofpel telleth in thife wordes : Joye with outen ende be aboue in althere hijeft heuen to god r and in erthe pees to all men that ben of good wille. And fo with that ioyful fong and moche merthe they wente vp in to heuene / tellynge her othere felawes thefe newe ioyeful tydynges of her lordes bliffed birthe. Wherof al the court of heuene / ioyeful and gladde more than tonge may telle or herte thenke / makynge a folempne fefte / and devoutly thonkynge the fader all myjty god / as we mowen deuoutly thynke and ymagyne / comen alle after by ordre after ordre to fee that louely face of goddes fone her lorde / with grete reuerence worfchippyng hym and his bliffed
50 Die lime
moder. Herto accordynge fpeketh the apoftle feynt poule C Ad in his piftle / ad hcbreos primo / feyenge : That whan the Hebreos fader of heuene brou3te his firft goten fone in to this worldc / he bad that all the aungcls of god fchulde worfchipp him. Alfo the hyrde men / after the aungels weren paffed fro hem / comen and worfchippeden the child / tellynge openly what they herden of the aungels r and his dere moder / as fche that was fouereynly wys and witty / toke good hede of al that was done and kepte priuely in her herte alle the wordes that weren fpoken of hir blefled fone. Thus myche and in this manere we mowen haue in con; templacioun touchynge the proces of the bliffed natiuite of oure lord Jefu. And furthermore touchynge the folempnite and the worthynefle of this fefte and this hi3e day/ we fchullen haue in myndc that this day is borne the kyng of blis and the fone of almyjty god / lorde of alle lordes / and makere and gouernour of alle the world / whos name is cleped fpecially prince of pees r for by hym was made that grete and endeles pees that is tolde bifore in the Incarnacioun : wherfore this day the aungeles fongen that ioyful fonge Gloria in excel/is &c. / as it is i^feide bifore. This day / as holy chirche fyngeth in the office of the maffe / after the prophecie of yfaie / a child is borne to vs that is like to vs in his manhede r and a fone is 3euen to vs that is euene to the fader of heuene in his godhede. Alfo this day the fonne of ri3twifnefle / that was firft vnder cloude / fprang openly his bemes of mercy and the Ii3t of his grace in alle the world. And fo this day was feien that bleffed newe fist that neuere ere was feien in erthe / that is to faye god almy3ty in mannis liknes. This daye alfo bifelle the tweye grete wondres that paflen al kynde and al mannis wit r the whiche mowen all only be con; ceyued thoru3 trewe byleue / that is to feie that god is
Die lime 51
borne r and a mayde with oute forwc or blemyfchynge of hir maydenhede hath born a child / wherfore this day had fche that fecounde fouereyn ioye in felynge done in dede that fche 3af feithe to / fpoken bifore and byhi3t by the aungel at her conceyvynge. And fo to all mankynde this is a daye of grete ioye and a grete fefte / bothe of god all my3ty / and of his Miffed moder marie / as it was feide bifore in the fefte of Incarnacioun : for alle the fkilles that there were feide bygan there and here more pleynly ful* fild r ioyne that to this and than it wil fchewe pleynly. In tokene alfo and witneffynge of this wonderful birthe a3enft kynde / at Rome that day out of a tauerne fpronge a welle of oyle r and in the fame citee an ymage of gold with a temple that was cleped the euerlaftynge temple of pees / for alfo moche as it was prophecied that it fchulde neuere falle adoun til a mayden bare a fone / this day fel doun both to gidre anone as crift was born. In the whiche C Nota place is now made a chirche in the worfchippe of cure bene hic- lady feynte marie / whos name with hir bliffed fone oure lord Jefu be now and euere with outen ende. Amen.
C Of the circumficion of oure lorde Jefu. C Ca™.
IN the viij day that the child was born he was cir; Vljm' cumfided after the biddynge of the lawe. And fo in this day tweyne grete thynges were done that we owen to haue deuoutly in mynde : the firfte is that the bleffid c primum. name Jefu / that was euere with oute bygynnynge 3euen to hymof the faderof heuene/ and also of the aungel cleped and tolde or he were conceyued / this day was openly declared and nempned r and he therwith fpecially cleped Jefu / that is alfo moche to fay as faueoure. And this name refonably is aboue alle names r for as the apoftle Petre feith / there is none othere name vnder heuene in the whiche we owen to
E 2
52 Die lune
be faued. Of the whiche name and the grete worthyneiTe C Ber. and vertue therof feynt Bernard fpeketh deuoutly by pro; nardus ^ tjiat fc^\ be fe[fa after. The fecounde thing that
lupcr (^.cint.
C Secun- was done this day worthy to be had in mynde is that this dum. day oure lord Jefu bygan to fcheden his precious blood
for oure fake. He bygan be tyme to fuffre for vs / and he that neuere did fynne bygan this day to bere peyne in his fwete tender body for oure fynne. Myche ou3te we to haue compaffioun and wepe with hym / for he wepte this day ful fore. And fo in thefe grete feftes and folempnites we fchulde make moche merthe and be ioyful for oure hele r and alfo haue ynward compaffioun and forwe for the peynes and angwifche that he fuffred for vs. For as it is feide bifore / this day he fched his blood whan that / after the rit of the lawe / his tender flefch was kutte with a fcharpe ftonen knyf r and fo that 3ong child Jefu kynde* liche wepte for the forwe that he felte there thoru3 in his flefche : for withouten dowte he hadde verray flefche and kyndely fufferable as haue othere children. Schulde we than not haue compaffioun of hym ? 3is fothely r and alfo of his dere moderr for wel mowe we wite that whan fche feih hir louely fone wepe fche myjte not withholde wepynge. And than mowe we ymagyne and thynke how that litel babe / in his moder barme / feynge hir wepe / putte his litel honde to hir face as he wolde that fche fchulde not wepe r and fche a3eynward / ynwardely ftired and hauinge compaffioun of the forwe and the wepynge of hir dere fone / with kiffynge and fpekynge conforted hym as fche my3te. For fche vnderftood wel by the Infpiracioun of the holy goft/ that was in hir/ the wille of hir fone / thouh he fpeke not to hir r and therfore fche feide : Dere fone / $if thou wilt that I cefe of wepynge/ cefe thou alfo of thy wepynge r for I may not bot I wepe / what
Die lune 53
tyme that I fee the wcpe. And fo thoru3 the compafiioun of the moder the childe cefed of fobbynge and wepynge. And than his moder / wypynge his face and kyffynge hym and puttynge the pappe in his mouth / comforted hym in alle the maneres that fche my3te r and fo fche dede as ofte as he weped. For as we mowen fuppofe he weped C Caufa ofte fithcs/ as othere children done/ to fchewe thewrecched; neffe of mankynde that he verrayly took r and alfo to hyde hym fro the deuele / that he fchulde not knowe hym as for god. And thus moche fuffifeth feide at this tyme of the circumficioun of the olde lawe r and we haue in that ftede baptifme ordeyned by crift / that is the facrament of more grace and lafTe peyne. Bot for that bodily circumficioun we fchulle haue goftly circumficioun / that is kuttynge away fro vs alle fuperflue thinges that difpofen to fynne / and holdynge with vs as in affectioun oneliche that is nedfulle to vertuous lyuynge. For he that is truly pore is vertuoufly circumfidid r the whiche circumficioun the apoftle techeth in thefe wordes whan he feith : That we hauynge mete and drinke and clothing / we fchulde hold vs paid. This alfo goftly circumficioun nedeth to be in alle oure bodily wittes/ as in feynge/ herynge/ touchinge/ and othere r that is to feie / that we in alle thefe efchewe fuperfluyte and kepe fkarfte / and namely in fpekynge r for moche fpeche with oute frute is a grete vice and dif* plefynge to god and man / and token of an vnftable and diifolute herte : as a5eynward / filencc is a grete vertue / and for greet caufe of goodnefle ordeyned in religioun r of the whiche vertue dyuers clerkes fpeken / that we fchulle palTe ouer at this tyme : and thus endeth this chapitre.
Die lime
leitum.
C Ca™. C Of tne Epiphanye / that is the open fchewynge of
viiJ'n- oure lord Jefu.
""Vrfte touchinge this folempne day and worthy
fefte / we fchulde vnderftonde that there is none
fefte that hath fo moche dyuers feruife in holy
M chirche longyng therto as this fefte hath r not
for it is more worthy than othere / but for many grete
thinges byfelle and were done in this day fpecially touch^
CjPrimum ynge the ftate of holy chirche. As firft vnderftondynge that holy chirche here in erthe ftante in tweie manere of peple r that one is of hem that comen of the Jewes that hadden Moyfes lawe and weren circumfided r that othere is of the remenaunte that weren not circumfided and were i^cleped gentiles. This day / that is to fay the xiij day fro the Natiuite / acountyng that felf day / the bleffid child Jefu fchewed hym as god and man fpecially to the kynges that weren of the gentiles / and in her perfone holy chirche nowe criftened / that is principally gedered of the multitude of gentiles/ was this day refceyued and accepted of god to trewe byleue. For the day of his Natiuitie he appered and fchewed hym fpecially to the Jewes in the perfone of the hirde men r the whiche Jewes for the more parte refceyueth not goddes worde and byleue. But this day he fchewed hym to the gentiles / of whom we comen that ben nowe his chofen chirche. Wherfore this fefte is fpecially and propurly the fefte of holy chirche of trewe criften men.
C The fecounde thing that was done this day touchinge holy chirche is that fche was this day goftly wedded to crifte / and trewely knytte to hym by the bapteme that he toke this day / xxix }ere aftir complete : for in the baptifme ben foules wedded to crift / and the congregacioun of criften foules is cleped holy chirche that by baptifme is
C Secun dum.
Die lime 55
wafchen and made clene of the filthe of fynnc and clothed newe in vertues.
C The thridde thing is that/ that fame day a twelfmonthe/ CTercium. that is to faie a 5ere after the baptifme of crift / he wrou5t the firfte miracle at the bridale / turnynge water into wyn r by the whiche is vnderftonden alfo the goodly bridale of holy chirche.
C The ferthe thing that byfel in that day is / as Bede C Quar* feith / that in that fame day a }ere after oure lord Jefu tum- wrou3t that grete myracle fcdynge the grete multitude of puple with a fewe loues and a fewe fifches. But the firfte thre ben reherfed this day in holy chirche and not this ferthe.
C Loo how worfchipful this day is ! the whiche oure C Contem* lord god ches fpecially to worche thereynne fo many grete Placl°- and wonderful thinges. Wherfore holy chirche / confider* ynge fo many grete benefices done to hir this day of hir goftly fpoufe Jefu crifte / by waye of dewe kyndenes maketh grete merthe and folempnite in this day. But for alfo moche as principally and mod fpecially the folempnite of this day ftant in the mynde of the firfte / that is the worfchippynge of the kynges and her offrynges r therfore fpeke we furthermore of the contemplacioun her of/ leuing the remenaunt at this tyme. And fo ymagyne we and fette we oure mynde and oure thou3t as we were prefent in the place there this was done at Bethleem / byholdynge how thefe thre kinges comen with grete multitude and a worfchipful companye of lordes and othere feruauntes r and fo by token of the fterre firft ledynge and after reftynge vppon that place that the child Jefu was ynne / there they Ii3ten doun of the dromondes/ that they riden vppon/ byfore that fymple hous and manere of ftable/ in the whiche oure lord Jefu was borne. And than oure lady / herynge grete
56 Die lune
noyfe and fterynge of peple / anone toke hir fwetc child in to hir barme. And they comynge in to that hous / alfo fone as they feien the child they kneled adoun and reueiv ently and deuoutly honoured hym as kyng and worfchipped hym as god. Lord god / how grete and how fad was her feith and byleue that fuche a litell childe fo fympilly clothed / founden with fo pore a modcr / in fo abiecte a place / with oute companye / with oute meyny and with oute all worldely array / fchulde be verray god and kyng and lord of al the world r and natheles they bileued foth^ faftly bothe two. This was a grete goodnes of oure lord / ordeynynge fuche forlederes and fuche bygynneres of oure bileue r and fo hit byhoued to be. Furthermore touchynge the proces r we mowe thynke how the kynges / after the firfte honourynge of the childe / fpeken with his moder / reuerently afkynge of the condiciouns of hym / in what manere he was conceyued and born / and fo of othere that thei defireden to knowe. And oure lady myldely anfwerynge / tolde hem of al as it nedeth : and they }euen ful credence and bileue to al that fche feide. And for alfo moche as they weren clerkes and men of grete wifdome / therfore we mowe fuppofe that they kouthen the langage of hebrewe / and fpeken in that tonge that was the moder tonge of oure lady and alle Jewes.
C Now take we here good entent to the manere of fpekyng in bothe parties : firft / how reuerently and how curteif ly thei fpeken and afken her queftiouns r and on that other fide hou oure lady / with a manere of honefte fchamefaftneffe holding downe her ei3en toward the erthe / fpeketh and anfwereth / faddely and fchortly / to her afkynges r for fche hath none likynge to fpeke moche / or elles to be feen : neuertheles oure lord 3af hir ftrengthe and fpecial comfort to fpeke more homely to hem by caufe
Die lune 57
that they reprefenten holy chirche that was than to come of the gentiles / as it is feide bifore.
C Byholde alfo the childe Jefu / how he fpeketh not / but ftant with a manere of fad femblant and glad chere / and als he vnderftood hem / louely lokynge vppon hem r and thei haue grete likynge in the fi3t of hym / not only gooftly in foule of his godhede as illumyned and tau3t of hym / but alfo in his bodily fi3t with oute forth : for as Dauid witneffith : He was faire and louely in body by fore alle mennis fones.
C And fo whan they weren gretly comforted by hym / thei maden her offrynge to hym in this manere / as we mowen fuppofe. They openeden her cofres with her trefoure and fpredynge a tapite / or a cloth / byfore the childes feete oure lorde Jefu/ they leiden there vppon and offreden echone of hem golde / encenfe / and myrre / and that in grete quantite / nameliche of the gold : for elles as for a litel offrynge it hadde nou3t neded hem forto haue opened hir trefoure cofres / as the gofpel feith / but here awmeneres / or her treforeres / myjt li$tly haue had it in hande and taken it hem bot for the 3iftes and the quantitees weren grete by refoun / as it is feide. And whan thei hadden thus offred and leide her 3iftes bifore hym / then reuerently and deuoutly fallynge doune they kiffeden his feete r and than peraunter the child / ful of wifdom / forto comforte hem more and ftrengthe hem in his loue 3aue hem his hand to kiffe / and after bleffed hem therwith. And fo they reuerently enclynynge and alfo takynge her leue at his moder and Jofeph/ with grete ioye and gooftly merthe / as the gofpel feith / turneden asen in to hir owne cuntre by a nother way. What that thife thre 3iftes offred of thife kynges bytoken goftly / and many other thinges that the gofpel more ouer telleth / as it is expowned by
58 Die lunc
holy doctoures / is fufficiantly and fully writen in manye othere places r wherfore we paffen ouer al that here. C Nota de f[ But what hope we was done with that golde of fo grete prife? Whether oure lady referued it and putte it in treforie/ or elles boute therewith londes and rentes? Nay/ nay/ god forbede ! for fche that was a perfite louer of pouerte toke none hede of fuche worldely goodes. But what? Sche / louinge pouert / and vnderftondynge alfo hir bleffid fones wille / not onliche thoru3 his Infpiracioun techynge hir in foule with ynne forth / bot alfo by figne fchewynge his wille with outen forth that he loued not fuche riches / pcrauntre turnynge away ofte lithcs his face fro that golde or fpittynge there vppon / with ynne a fewe dayes and fchorte tyme fche }af it al to pore men r for the kepynge therof that litel tyme was to hir a gret burthen and heuy charge. And that femeth wele r for fche made hem fo bare of money that whan fche fchulde go to the temple forto be purified / fche had no3t wherwith to bigge a lombe forto offre for hir fone / but only bou3te turtles / or dowfes / of litel prys / that was the offrynge of poore folk after the lawe. And fo we mowe refonably bileue that the offrynge of the kynges was grete and riche / and that oure lady / louynge pouert and ful of charite / }af it in hafte to pore men / as it is feide r fo that here is fchewed a grete C Nota de prccony and worthy enfaumple of pouert. Alfo 3if we perfecta take here goode hede we mowe fene open enfaumple of
liuniilitatc.
perfite mekenes r for there beth manye that holden hem* felf lowe and abiecte in her owne herte / and ben not eleuate by pride as in her owne herte fr^te / but neuer* theles they wolde not be feyn fuche in other mennis fi3t / nor mowen not fuffre to be defpised or fcorned of other r and alfo they wolde not that her vnworthines and her defau3tes were knowen of othere / left they were defpifed
Die lunc 59
or reproued of hem. But thus didde no3t this day that child Jefu / lorde of all othere r for he wolde that his lowe* nes and abieccioun were knowen and feen to his and to othere / and that not to fymple and fewe r but to grete and manye / that is to fay to kynges and lordes and her meyne / many and fele. And alfo that is more to wonder in fuche a caas and tyme r in the whiche by refoun it was moche to drede / that is to fay left the comynge fro fo fer and fyndynge hym that thei foujten / kyng of Jewes / and whom they troweden alle my3ty god / liggynge in fo fymple array and fo grete abieccioun / by that fymple fi3t fup* pofynge hem difceyued and holdynge hem felf as fooles fchulden gone away with oute deuocioun and bileue. But C Nota. not forthy the mayfter of mekenes and louer of fympilneffe lafte not to fulfille the perfeccioun therof/ jeuynge to vs enfample that we fchulde not go fro the grounde of trewe mekenes by colour of any femeliche profite or goode r but that we fchulde lerne to wille forto apere and be feyn fymple and abiecte in the fi3te of othere. That vertue of per* fite mekenes he graunte vs thoru3 his grace that fo wolde meke hym for oure fake/ oure bleffed lord Jefu. Amen.
C De mora domine apud prefepe continetur in proximo capitulo excepta meditacione de minifterio fuo et follici* tudine circa puerum Jefum/ de quibus poterit quis faciliter meditari.
C Of the purificacioun of oure lady feint Marie. CCam.ix>«
lAFter the kynges had performed her offerynges /
/^L and weren gone home a3eyne in to her owne
/ % cuntrey / as it is feide r jit ftode that worthy
JL_ J^_ lady of all the world in that fymple herborwe
with hir bliffed fone Jefu and her houfbonde / that holy
olde man Jofeph / at the cracche paciently abidynge vnto
60 Die lunc
the fourty day ordeyned by the lawe to hir purificacioun /
as fche were an other womman of the peple defoyled thoru3
fynne/ and as the childe Jefu were a pure man/ and not
C Nota god / nedy to kepe the obferuaunce of the lawe. But why
fing'ufares. n°Pe we that thei diden thus? Sothely for enfaumple to vs r fchewynge the trewe way of obedience : and for they wolde no finguler prerogatif thei kepten the comoun lawe as othere. But thus done not manye that lyuen in comune congregacioun r the whiche defiren to haue fpecial prcrogatyues / and there by wole be i^fene more wor^ fchipful than othere and fengler abouen othere : but this fuffreth not trewe mekenes. Whan the fourty day was come of hir purificacioun after the lawe / than wente oure lady oute with hir fone Jefu and Jofeph / and toke the wcy fro bethleem in to Jerufalem / that is aboute fyue or fixe myle / there to prefente the childe and offre hym to god.
C Contem* JJ Now lete vs here goo with hem by deuoute con^ templacioun r and helpe we to bere that bliffed birthen the child Jefu in oure foule by deuocioun r and take we ynwardly good entent to all that ben here feide or done : for thei ben ful deuoute.
C In this manere then they berynge and bryngynge the child Jefu in to Jerufalem / and the lord of the temple in to the temple of god at the entre thereof thei bou3ten tweyne turtles / or elles tweie dowue briddes / to offre for hym as the manere was for pore folke r and therfore the gofpel fpeketh not of a lambe / that was the comoun offrynge of riche men / in token that they weren with the poreft folke. And herwith that ri3twys man Symeon/ ladde in fpirit by the holy gooft / came in to the temple to fee that he had longe tyme defired / crift goddes fonc / after byheft and anfwere of the holy gooft. And anone as he cam and had the fi3t of hym / knowynge hym by
Die lune 6r
the fpirit of prophccic / he kneled doun and deuoutly honoured and worfchipped hym as he was in his moder armes borne r and the child bliflcd hym and / lokynge vppon his moder / bowed toward hym in token that he wolde goo to hym r and fo the moder vnderftondynge the childes wille and therof wondrynge toke hym to fymeon r and he with grete ioye and reuerence clippynge hym in his armes rofe vp / bliflynge god and feienge with glad fpirite : Lord / I thonke the r for now thou letefte thy fer* uaunte after thy word in pees : for why I haue feen with myn eijen thyn bliffed fone / oure faueoure. And after* ward he prophecied of his paffioun and of the forwe therof/ that fchulde as a fwerd perce and wounde the moder herte. Herwith alfo that worthy wydowe Anne / the prophetiffe / came to hem in to the temple / and / wor« fchippynge the child / fche prophecied alfo of hym and fpake of redempcioun that was to come by hym to man* kynde. And the moder wonderynge of alle thefe wordes kepte hem by good entente pryuely in her herte. And than the child Jefu ftrecching his armes toward his moder was bytaken to hir a5en. Afterward they seden in manere of proceffioun towarde the auter with the childe r the whiche proceffioun is reprefented this day in alle holy chirche with Ii3t born to goddis worfchippe. And than they wente in this manere : firfte / tho tweyne worfchipful olde men/ Jofeph and fymeon / goon bifore / joyfully holdyng either other by the hondes and with grete myrthe fyngynge and feienge : Lord god / we haue refceyued this day thy C Sufcepi* grete mercy in myddes of thy temple / and therfore after JJJjj? ^eus thy grete name / fo be thy louynge and thy worfchippe in diam tuam. to the fertheft ende of al the worlde. After hem foloweth the blifTed moder and mayden marye berynge the kyng of heuene / Jefu r and with hir on the one iide gothe
62 Die lune
the worfchipful wydcwc Anne / with grcte reuerencc and vnfpckeable ioye louynge and preifynge god. This is a folempne and a worfchipful proceffioun of fo fewe per* fones / bot grcte thinges bytokenynge and reprefentynge r for there ben of alle ftates of mankynde fome / that is to faie of men and wommen/ olde and 3onge/ maydenes and wydewes. Furthermore whan they weren comen to the auter of the temple / the moder / with reuerence knelynge downe/ offreth hir fwete fone to the fader/ god of heuene/ feienge in this manere : Taketh now / hi3eft fader / 3oure owne dere fone/ whom I offre here to 3ow after the biddy nge of 3oure lawe r for he is the firfte born of his moder : bot/ gode fader/ I byfeche 3ow that 36 3eue him a3en to me. And than fche rifynge vp lafte hym vppon the au3ter. A lord god / what offrynge is this ! Sothely there was neuere feien fuche another fro the bygynnynge of the world / ne fchal neuer after in to the endynge. Now take we here goode hede hou the child Jefus fitte vppon the au5ter as it were another childe of the comoun peple / and with that loueliche face and fadde chere he loketh and byholdeth vppon his dere moder and othere that there were prefente r paciently and mekely abidynge what thei wolden doo with him. And therewith weren brou3t the preoftes of the temple / and the child / lord of al the wo ride / was bou3t a3en as a feruaunt for .v. penyes / that weren cleped cicles / a manere of money / after the lawe as othere. And whan Jofeph had paied that money for hym / the moder / oure lady / toke a3en with ful glad wil hir bleffid fone. And after/ fche toke the forfeide briddes of Jofeph / and knelynge adoun and liftynge vp her ey3en deuoutely vnto heuene / holdynge hem in her hondes offred hem / feienge thus : Al mi3ty and merciful fader of heuene / vndcrfonge 3e this litel 3ifte and offerynge / and
Die lime 63
the firftc 3iftc that }oure litcl child this day prcfenteth vnto 3ourc 11150 maicfle of his fymple poucrte. And there* with alfo the child Jefu / puttynge his hondcs to the briddes and liftynge vp his ei5en to hcuene / fpeke not / but fchewed contcnaunce of his offrynge with the moder : and fo thei leidcn hem vppon the aujter. Now here takynge hede what they ben that thus offren / that is to faie the moder and the fone r trowe we whether that offrynge / thou5e it were litel / my3te be forfake ? Nay / god for bede. But we fchulle fully trowe that it was by aungels prefented vppe in to the court of heuene / and thereof the fader of heuene ful gladly accepted / fo that alle the Miffed com; panye of heuene there thoru3 was reioyfed and gladed.
C Aftir this was done / and fo the lawe of god fully kepte / as it is feide / in alle that longed to the child fro his birthe in to this tyme / oure lady with hir bliffed fone and hir fpoufe Jofeph toke the wey fro that citee of Jerufalem homward into Na3areth. But by the weie fche viiited hir cofyn Elifabeth / defirynge alfo to fee John / hir fone/ that fche loued fpecially. And what tyme they meten to gidre they maden grete ioye / and nameliche Elifabeth whan fche fawe that bleffid f^t of the childe Jefu r by vertu of whome in his firftc concepcioun John in her wombe reioyfed / and fche alfo replenyfched with the holy gooft. Alfo the childre/ Jefu and John/ when they weren broust to gedere thei kiffeden othere louely and with lawhynge chere and maden moche merthe to gidre r bot John / as vndirftondynge his lorde / had hym alwey in countenaunce / as with reuerence to hym. And what tyme they had refted hem there certeyn dayes / oure lady with hir child and Jofeph wenten forth on her wey toward Nasareth / as to her home and refte r but 3it fel no reftc to hem as it fchal fchcwe after.
64 Die lime
C Now $if we take good entent to the forfeide proces/ and hou longe tyme they haue leyne oute of her owne hous in fo grete pouerte and fympleneffe / by refoun we fchulde be ftired to compaffioun / and to lerne by en* faumple of hem mekeneffe / pouerte / and buxumnefle r that weren openly fchewed in her fymple dwellynge / in her Nota. pore offrynge / and in the lawe kepynge. And furthermor as the worldly men maken bodely myrthe in this tyme of criftemafse / fro the Natiuite in to this day or fefte of the purificacioun / that is i^cleped Candelmafle / fo fchulde euery deuout foule in this tyme fpecially / with deuocioun and goftly merthe in foule / worfchippe and honour that blifled child Jefu and his moder marye r vifitynge hem by contemplacioun and fome deuowte prayer/ at the lefte ones on the daye / as they feien in fpirit oure lady with her child liggynge at the cracche r hauynge therwith in mynde the mekenes / the pouerte / and the buxumneffe of hem / as it is feide r and louynge hem and kepynge hem vertuoufly in dede. Amen.
C And thus endeth the firfte parte of the book in contemplacioun for the monday.
C Secunda C Incipit fecunda pars pro die Martis.
pars.
C Cara. xra. C Of the fleynge of oure lorde Jefu in to Egipte.
WHan oure lady with hir childe and Jofeph reren toward Najareth / as it is feide bifore / ot knowynge sit the priue counfeile of god ere of / that herodes the kyng purpofed to fie the child Jefu r the aungel of god appered to Jofeph in his flepe / biddinge that he fchulde fie in to Egipte with the child and his modcr / for herode wolde feche the child
Die martis 65
to flee hym. And anon Jofcph wakyngc of his flcpc
cleped cure lady and tolde hir thifc hard tydingcs r and
fche in all haftc toke vp hir dere Tone and bigan to goo r
for fchc was ful fore agaft of this word / and fche woldc
not as fche my>tc not be feicn nccligcnt in the kcping of
hym. Wherfore anonc in that ny^t thei token the wey
toward Egipte. And fo fled that gretc lordc the purfutc
of his feruaunt / 3e more propurly the dcuelcs fcruaunt r
trauaillynge with hym his 3onge and tendre modcr and
that olde man Jofeph by a noyous wey and hard and
dyuerfe that was not enhabited / and alfo a wey ful longe /
that is to fay after the comoun fawe the fpace of xij or xv
daycs iournees of a comune currour r perauenture it was
to hem the trauaile of two monthes and more. And that
way / as it is feide / was by that deferte in the whiche the
children of Ifracl ladde oute of Egipte dwelleden xl 3ere.
Lorde/ hou did thei there of hir liflode? or where reftcd
they and were herborwed in the ny3tes? For in that
wey fond they ful fildome eny houfe. Here ou3te we to
haue inwardly compaffioun of hem / and not to be loth
or thenkc trauailous to do pcnaunce for vs felfr fithen
othere token fo grete and fo ofte trauaillc for vs / namely
thei that weren fo noble and fo worthy. Alfo in this CNotabilia
forfeide proceffe $if we take goode hede we mowc fee iiiJ°r-
many goode cnfaumples and notable doctrines to vs.
Firftc/ 3if we take hede hou oure lord Jefu tokc in his CPrimum.
ownc perfone fommc tyme profperite and welthc / and fum* Pacientia
tyme aducrfite and woo / we fchuldc not be ftircd to fperaet°S
inpacience what tyme that it bifalleth to vs in the fame aduerfa.
mancrc r bot in tyme of temptacioun and difcomfortc abide
with pacicnce the tymc of profperite and of comforte r
and fo asenward on that other fide. And $if thou wilt
fee cnfaumple hereof in Jcfu / loo firftc in his birthe /
66 Die martis
he was magnified to the hirdc men as god / and honoured and worfchipped of hem as god with ioye r and fone after he was circumcifed as a fymple fynful man with forwe. After / the kynges comynge to hym worfchipped hym foucreynly bothe in her perfones and in grete }iftes r and 3it dwelled he ftille in that ftalle amonge beftes / in pouertc / wepinge as another child of fymple man. After that he was prefented in the temple with ioye / and grete thinges were prophecied and fpoken of hym / as of god almy3ty r and now he is bcden of the aungel to fie fro herode in to C Nota. Egipte / as he were a pure man with outen my^t. And fo furthermore we mowe fynde in alle his lyf profperite and aduerfite i^menged to gidre / to enfaumple and techynge of vs r for he fente vs dyuers comfortes to lyfte vp cure hope that we falle not by defpcire r and therewith he fent vs tribulacioun and difcomfort to kepe vs in mekcnes/ that thereby knowynge oure ownc wrecchcdncfle we ftande algate in his drede.
C Secun* C The fecounde Icflbun that we mowe lerne in this
dum. Nota, forfeide proceffe is touchynge the benefices and the fpecial
tate. comfortes of god / that he that feleth hem fpecially be not
thereby eleuate in his owne fihjt as holdynge hym more
worthy than another that hath hem nost. And alfo he that
feleth not fuche fpecial 3iftes or comfortes be not therfore
caft doun by forwe or envie to hym that hath hem r for as
we fee here the aungeles apperynge and fpekynge of the
childe werento Jofeph/ and not to oure lady r and nathelefs
$it was he moche laffe in meryte and more vnworthy than
C Nota fche. Alfo here we mowe lerne that he that feleth fuche
fpecial jiftes of god / though he haue hem not algate as
he wolde and after his defire / that there thorus he grucche
nost / nor be not heuy by vnkyndenes a3enft god r for
not withftondynge that Jofeph was fo nyhe and acceptable
Die martis 67
to god / neuerthclcs the appcrynges of the aungel and the reuelaciouns were not done to hym openly and in wakynge / hot in manere of dremes and in his fleping.
C The thridde notable thing that we haue enfaumple of CTercium. here is how that oure lord fuffreth his derlynges to be De tribula* difefed here thoru3 perfecuciouns and tribulaciouns r and cione that fcheweth wele here in marye and Jofeph. What tyme they knewen the child foirjte to be flayne r what my3t they here more forwefulle ? For thouj it fo were that thei knewen and wiften wele that he was goddes fone / neuer* theles the fenfualite and the refoun of hem my3te kyndely be deftourbeled and meued to feie in this manere : Lord god / fader all my3ty / what nede is it to thy bleffed fone / that here is to flee / as thou my3teft not defende hym fro his enemyes and kepe hym faaf here? And alfo her tribulacioun and difefe was in fo moche the more that hem byhoued to goo in to foo fer a londe that they knewe not / and that by hard weies and noyoufe r fithen they were moche vndifpofed to goynge and trauaillynge / oure lady for 3outhe and tenderneffe / and Jofeph for elde and febilneffe. And alfo the childe that they fchulde bere and carie was vnnethe two monthes older and jit herewith they 3eden in to that londe / in the whiche thei as pore and vnknowen had no3t to helpe hem felf with. Alle thife C Nota. difefes weren to hem mater of grete tribulacioun and affliccioun r and therfore / thou that fuffreft here tribula; cioun kepe therynne pacience / and loke not to haue here of a pryuelege of hym that wolde not take hit hym felf/ ne 3eue it his moder.
C The ferthe notable thing that we mowe confidre here ^ Quar* is the grete benignyte and mercy of oure lorde r for there ^m;
i . . , , , _ Ue beni=
as he myjte anone in a moment had deftroyed his enemyes gnitate that purfued hym r jit wolde he not / but benignely and f r£a.
° J inimi
immicos. F 2
68 Die martis
fwctcly he chafe rathcre to flee / and 3cuc ftedc for the tyme to the malice and the woodneffe of that wicked herode / than to be vengcd as he my3t ri5twifly of him. And this was a profounde mckencs and a grete pacience.
C Nota. In the fame manere fchulde we doo r that is to faie / not wilfully withftonde and feke vengeauncc of hem that done wronges and purfue vs / but paciently for the tyme bere hem and flee her malice r and more ouer fpecially pray for hem / as god techeth vs alfo in another place of the gofpel to do to oure enemyes.
C Hiftoria. J[ Furthermore as to the proceffe of the flcinge of Jcfu with his moder and Jofeph. Whan they comen to Egipt / anonc at the firftc entrc alle the mawmettes of that londc fellen a downe / as it was prophccied bifore by the pro*
C Chermo^ phete yfaye. And than wente they to a citcc of that londe
polus t^at khte lymopolus r and there they hired hem fommc
lymopolus. , •• .,
iymple hous / where they dwelleden vn 5erc / as pilgrymes C Medita* and ftraungeres / pore and nedy. Here mowe we deuou3tly ymagyne and thenke of the manere of liuynge of hem in that vnkouthe lond r and how oure lady wrou3t for hir liflode / that is to fcie with nedele fewynge and fpynnynge/ as it is writen of hir r and alfo Jofeph / worchynge in his craft of carpuntrie r and how the child / bleffed Jcfu / after he cam to the age of fyue 3ere or there aboute / 3ede on hir erandes and halpe in that he my3te / as a pore child / to hem fchewynge in alle his dedes buxomeneffe / lowenes / and mekenes. And iithen hem byhoued to gete her lyflode in that manere with her trauaille/ and perauenturc with repreue ofte fithes of hem that they dwelled among / as it falleth comounly to ftraungeres / and alfo with fchame r what hope we of her houfehold / as of beddynge/ clothinge and othere neceffaries ? whether they hadden in this fuper^ fluite or curiofite? Nay / with outen dowte thei that
Die martis 69
loueden perfLjtc pouerte woldc no^t hauc / thou} thci myste / that that is contrarie to poucrtc / as is fuperfluyte and curiofite. And namclichc touchyngc curiofitc / trowc we € Nota that cure lady in hir fowynge/ or otherc manerc worchinge/ Vltiun\
, . J J to , cunofitatis.
made curious werkes as moche folk doth ? Nay / god forbcde .- for thou3 they worchen fuche curioiitees that taken non hede to lefen the tymc / fche that was in that ncdc my3tc not / nor wolde no3t / fpendc the tymc in veyne as manye done / namclichc in thifc daies. For thife vice of curiofite is one the mofte perilous vice that is / and that by many fkillcs may be fchcwed. Firflc / by lefynge of C Prima tymc that is ordcyned to the worfchippe of god r for fuchc racio< curioufc wcrk occupieth moche more tyme than woldc othere plcync and fymplc wcrk do that were fufficiant to the nede r and that is a gretc harmc and contrarie to goddis wille.
C The fecounde harme that cometh of curiofite is caufe C Seam*
and matere of vcyne ioye to the worchere r as what tymc dun?
i t r penculum
that a man maketh fuche a curious wcrk oftc loketh he curiofitatis.
theron with likynge / and thinketh and ymagyncth in his thou3t befily r alfo whan he worcheth no3t / and fpccially in tyme of goddcs feruice and whan he fchuldc hauc his herte to god / thinketh or fpckcth forto make that curious wcrk and therby halt him fclf fubtilc and witty / and fo wolde be feyn paffynge otherc.
C Alfo it is caufe of pride to hym that the curioufe C Tercia wcrk is made too r for as fymple / plcync / and buftoufe ra^'° wcrkcs ben occafioun of lowenes and mckcncs r fo ben curiofita* curioufc werkes as oyle noryffhyngc the fire of pride in tcm- the holderes and haueres of hem.
C Alfo it is to hem that haucn likynge in fuchc curiofitcs C Quarta matere forto drawe hir hertes fro god and heuenly thinges r racio- for as feynt grcgory fcith : In alfo moche as a man hath
Die martis
C Quinta racio.
C Sexta racio et fextum malum.
C Septi- mum malum curiofitatis. C Nota.
C Nota de honeftate.
delite here bynethe in erthely thinges / in fo moche he is departed fro the loue aboue of heuenly thinges.
{[ Alfo is it one of the thre by the whiche all the worlde is infecte in fynne / that is the foule luft of the ey3en r for fuche curiofitees feruen of no^t elles but forto fede the ei3en : and alfo ofte as a man likyngly and in veyne with fuche curiofite fedeth his ei3en / fo ofte the maker and the vfere offendeth god.
f[ Whcrfore men fchulde efchewe to make fuche curiofites for 3euynge occafioun of fynne. For a man fchulde not affente to f}^nne for eny caufe / bot in alle manere abftene fro the offence of god r and fithen god 3af enfaumple and commendeth and loueth pouerte / as it is ofte feide / with oute dowte it foloweth that he is gretly offended in that thinge that is directe contrarie to pouerte/ that is fpecially curiofite. Alfo with alle othere harmes more ouer this is / that it is a token of a veyne and a Ii3t and an vnftable herte and foule. Wherfore he that wole Hue in clenneffe of confcience and withoute defoylynge of his foule / hym byhoueth to abfteyne hym bothe fro the makynge and alfo fro the vfynge of fuche veyne curiofitees / and to flee therefro as fro a venemous ferpent. Neuertheles by this forfaide reproof of curiofite we fchulle not vnderftonde generally forbeden to make faire werkes and honefte apparaille r for that is leueful fo that it kepe a gode mene / and namely in tho thynges and werkes that longen to goddes feruice. In the whiche it is nedefulle to be warre and to efchewe alle corupte entente of veyne ioye or glorie / and alle falfe affecciouns and foule likynges of worldes vanyte r fo that the vertues mene of fufficient honefte paffe not in to the exceffe of viciouse curiofite. And thus moche fuffifeth feide of this matere at this tyme.
Die martis 71
C Of the tornynge a3cn of ourc lord Jcfu fro Egiptc. CCa>».xj»\ Capitulum vndecimum.
that herodes was dcde / and vij 3ere wcrcn at the ende/ in the whiche oure lord Jefu had dwelled in Egipte / the aungel of oure lordc apercd to Jofeph in his flepe / and bad that he fchulde take the child and his moder and goo in to the londe of Ifrael r for they weren dede that foujten to fie the childe : and he anon rofe vp / and with the child and his moder / as the aungel bad / turned a3en in to the lond of Ifrael. And whan he came there and hcrde that Archelaus / the fone of herode / regned in that party that was cleped Judca he dredde and durfle not goo thiderr but / as he was ofte biden of the aungel in his flepe / he went to the cuntre of galilee in to the citee of Na3areth. C Here mowe we fee in the comynge a3eyn of Jefu / as it was feide in his goynge / drede and difefe menged with comforte and efe. For what tyme thei / beynge in a ftraunge londe / herde of the deth of her enemyes / and that thei fchulde come a3eyne in to her owne londe / no doute but that it was grete comforte and hope of eefe r but takynge hede therwith to the hard trauaille by the wey / and after whan that they comen in to hir owne londe in hope of pees tithinges of a newe enemy come to hem and for drede of hym beden to efchewe his cuntrey / there was difcomfort and difefe. And alle to oure lore / as it is feide. Lorde Jefu / thou faire 3onge childe that art lord and king of heuenc and erthe / what difefe and what trauaille funredcft thou for oure fake / and how fone thou bygan ! Sothely wele fpake the prophete in 3oure perfone whan he feith thus : I am pore and in dyuerfe trauailes from my firfte 3owthe. C Pauper Swete Jefu / how 3edeft thou r or was caried al that longe fum eg°- and harde weie / and namely thoru3 that horrible defertc r
72 Die martis
paffynge ouer the rede fee / and alfo the flode Jordan / in fo tender age ! For as it femeth / this a3eyne comynge is more trauailous and more noyous to the and to thy ledcrcs than was thy firfte goinge r for why that tyme thou were fo litcl that thou mysteft efily be borne in armes r but now thou art elder and more woxcn / as in the tyme of vij 3erc thou my3t not foo / and goo myche my3t thou noirjt for tendre age / and to ride art thou nou3t vfed. Sothely it femeth that al only this trauaile that we fpeken now of were fufficient vnto ful rcdempcioun for mankynde. Further* more as to the proceffe of her wey : we mowe thcnke that what tyme they comen toward the ende of that dcferte there they founden John Baptifte / the whiche that tyme there hadde bygunne forto lyuen in deferte / penaunce doynge / thou3 it fo were that he had no fynne penaunce worthy. For/ as it is feide / that place of Jordane in the whiche John bap^ed is that fame place wherby the children of Ifrael 3cden drye fote whan they comen by that deferte oute of Egipte / and that nyhc that place in deferte John lyued in penaunce. Whcrforc it is likly that Jefu and his moder founden hym there / and that they maden grcte ioye and goftely myrthe comynge to gidre r C Nota de and no wonder / for he was an excellent and a worthy commcnda* cm'icle fro his firfte birthe. He was the firfte heremyte
cionc
Johannis and the biginning of religious lyuynge in the newe lawe : Baptiftae. he was clene mayden and gretteft prechour after crift : he was a prophete and more than a prophete / and a precious and a glorious martir. Wherfore we deuoutly honourynge and worfchippynge hym / take we oure leue of hym at this tyme / and goo we forth with oure lord Jefu and his moder in the forfeide wey.
f[ After they were paffed the flome Jordan / than come they furthermore to the houfe of oure lady cofyne Eli3abcth/
Die martis 73
where they wcrcn fpccially rcfrcfchcd and madcn to gidrc
a grete and a likynge fcfte. And there Jofeph / heryngc
that Archelaus regncd after his fader herode in the cuntre
cleped Judea / by biddynge of the aungcl / as it feide bifore /
went with the child and his modcr in to the citec of galilc
cleped Najareth r and there they dwellcden as in her ownc
home / ledynge a fymple and a pore lyf to gcdre / bot in
that grete goftly richcffe of charite. Loo thus is the child
Jefu bro3t home oute of Egipte. And than as we mowcn
thynke the fi fires of oure lady and othere kynnes folk and
frendes comen to hem / welcomynge hem home and vifit#
ynge hem / with prefentis and 3iftes / as it was nedc to
hem that foundcn of her owne bare houfholde. Alfo Cjohannis
among othere we mowe fpecially haue in mynde that John jr"ansetf
euangelifle come with his modcr / oure lady fiflcr / to vifitc
and fee Jefu / the whiche John was that tyme aboutc
fyue 3ere olde r for / as it is writen of hym / he deide the
3ere fro the paffioun of oure lorde lxti and vij / that was the
3cre of his age xc and viij r fo that at the paffioun of crifl
he hadde in elde one and thretty 3ere / and crifl hym felf
xxxiij or litcl more : and fo at this a3cyne comynge of
Jefu / that was than vij 3ere olde / J-ohn was fyue 3cre
olde. And as he was after/ amonge othere chofen apoftles
and difciples / fpecially biloucd of oure lord Jefu / fo it is
likly that in this tyme of her childehode he was more
chere than othere / and as moft fpecial pley fere to Jefu.
Fro this tyme vnto the xij 3ere of Jefu his age the gofpcl
makcth none myndc of the childe Jefu. Neuertheles it
is writen and feide that there is 3it in that place a wellc
wherof the child Jefu fette ofte fithes water to his moder r
for that meke lorde refufed not to doo fuche lowe feruiccs
to his moder / and alfo fche had none other feruaunt :
alle her lyuynge was in mckcncs and pouertc to oure
enfaumplc forto folwe hem. Amen,
74 Die martis
IL iiow me c
w
Vll
Cam. C How the child Jcfu lafte allone in Jerufalem.
^ ^^^ "Han the child Jefu was xij }ere olde / and his moder with Jofeph 3ede vnto Jerufalem for the fefte day / that lafted and contynued viij dayes / after the biddynge and the cuftome of the lawe / he went alfo with hem r in that tender age /
o
trauailynge efte al that longe way byfore feide to honour and worfchippe his fader of heuene in his fefhe dayes / as refoun wolde r for there is fouereyn loue bytwixc the fader and the fone. Neuerthcles there was more ynward forwe of herte and compaffioun to the fone of the vn* worfchippynge of his fader / that he fawe in doynge of many manere of fynnes / than was any ioye withoute forth in the pompe and the folempnite of that fefte. But fo (lode he with his parcns in the tyme of that fefte / kcpyng the lawe mekely as an othere of the pore peple / til what tyme the fcftc dayes wcren fulfilled and ended r and than / after that his parens weren gone homwarde / he dwelled ftille there in Jerufalem / hem vnwetyngc.
C Medita* J[ Now take we here good entent as we were prefent ciodeuota. ;n alle that ig herc fpoken of/ for this is a ful deuoute
matere and a profitable to vs. As it is feide bifore / the citee of Nazareth / where ourc lorde dwelled / was fro Jerufalem the fpace of fixty myle and fourtene or there* aboute r and fo bifel that his modcr/ oure lady/ and Jofeph token dyuerfe weies homward / and what tyme they comen to gidre at euen where they had fette to be herberwed oure lady feyng Jofeph with outen the childe / that fche fuppofed had gone with hym / afked of hym where was the childe r and he feide that he wifte neuere/forhe wende/ as he feide / that fche had lad him with hir : and there* with fche brafte on wepynge / and with grete forwe feide : Alias / where is my dere childe ? For now I fee that I haue
Die martis 75
no3t wclc kept hym. And anon fche bygan to goo aboute
in that euentide/ as fche myjte honeftly / fro houfe to houfe /
afkynde : Seic 3e ou3t of my fone ? Vnnethes my3te fche
fele hir felfe for forwe and kare of hir fone. And the fely
olde man Jofeph folowed hir algate wepynge. And what
tyme they hadden longe fou3te and founden hym nou3t /
what refte hope we they hadden in that ny}te / and namely
the moder that loued hym mofte tenderly? Sothely no
wondir though thei had no comforte / alle thou3 her frendes
comforted hem as they my3ten r for it was not a litel loffe
to lefe Jefu. Wherfore we mowen haue here refonably
grete compaffioun of the grete angwifche that cure ladyes
foule is now inne for hir fone. Sche was neuere in fo
grete fro the tyme that fche was born. And alfo here C Nota dc
mowe we lerne / what tyme tribulacioun and angwifche tabula*
fallen to vs / not to be to heuy or moche diftourbeled electorum.
therby/ fithe god fpared not his owne moder as in that
party r for he fuffreth generally tribulaciouns to falle to
hem that ben his chofen : and fo they beeth tokene of
his loue / and to vs it is expedient to haue hem for many
fkilles. Than oure lady / as it is y^feide / fory for fche
my3te not fynde hir fone / that ny3t clofid hir in hir
chaumbre and toke hir to prayer as to the befte remedye
in that cas / feienge in this manere : All my3ty god / fader C Oratio
of heuene / ful of mercy and of pitee / it plefed sow and ^arie Pro
•11 ir fill°-
was 3oure wille to 3eue me 3oure owne dere fone r but loo
now / fader / I haue lofte hym / and I wote not where he is r bot 36 that knowen alle thinges telleth me and fcheweth me where my fwete fone is / and 3eue him to me a3eyne. Goode fader / taketh hede and byholdeth the forwe of my herte and not my grete necligence r for I knowleche wele that I haue offended in this caas : neuertheles for it is falle me be ignoraunce / 36 / for 3oure grete goodnes / 3eue
76 Die martis
him me a^cync r for I may not lyue with outc Ivym And thou my fwcte fonc Jcfu / whore art thou now? or how is it with the ? and where art thou now herborwed ? Lorcle / whether thou be gone ascyn vp to thy fader in to hcucne ? for I woot wele that thou art vcrray god and goddes fonc / but why than woldcft thou not tclle me byforn? Alfo I wote wclc that thou arte verray man of me born r and here bifore I kcptc the and bare the in to Egipte fro the malice of hcrode that fou3tc thec to flee. But now whether any wikkcd man hath afpicd the? thy fader of heucnc all my5ty he kcpc the and fchildc the fro al perile and malice. Dere fone / tclle me where thou art that I maye come to the r or clles thou come to me r and fo^eue me this necligence at this tyme / and I byhete that it fchal ncuerc eft byfalle me r for hou this is byfalle I woot neuerc / bot thou knoweft that art my hope / my lyf / and alle my good / and with oute the I may not lyuc. In this mancrc and by fuchc wordes / as we mowc deuoutely fuppofe / al that ny3t the moder cared and prayed for hir dere fone. After vppon the morwe crly / marie and Jofeph fou3tcn hym by othere dyuers weics that hidden to Jcrufalcm r and furthermore fou3ten hym befily among her frendes and kynncfmen : but they my3te not here of hym. Whcr^ fore his moder was fo fory that fche my3te in none mancrc be conforted. But the thridde day after/ whan they comcn in to Jerufalem and fou3ten hym at the temple/ there they CDoctours foundcn him fittynge amonee doctoures of lawe / heryno-
^" f 1 1 •/<_> »/ «Z>
' hem ententifly/ and afkynge hem queftiouns wifely. And anon as oure lady had the h*3t of hym / fche was alfo glad as fche had ben torned fro dcth to lyue r and therwith knelynge doun thonked god inwardly with wepynge ioye. And alfo fone as the child Jefu fawh his moder/ he wentc to hir r and fche with vnfpekeable ioye / clippynge hym
Die martis 77
in hir armcs/ and kyffyngc hym oftc fithcs/ and haldyngc hym in her barmc / rcftcd awhile with hym for tenderneffe til fche had taken fpirite / and than fche fpakc to hym and fcide : Dcre fone / what haft thou done to vs in this manere ? for loo / thy fader and I / with grete forwe / hauc fou5te the allc thifc thre dayes. And than he / anfweringe a5cyne / feidc : And what cyled }ow to feche me ? Knowe 3e not wele that it byhoucth me to be occupied in tho thinges that longen to the worfchippe of my fader ? But thifc wordcs they vnderftood not in that tyme. And than feidc his modcr : Sone / wolt thow not gone home a3en with vs ? And he mekely anfwerynge feidc : I wole doo as 5e wolc that I doo / and as it is plefynge to }ow. And fo was he fuget to hem / and went home a5eync with hem in to hir citee Na3areth.
C In this forfeidc proces of Jefu what hope we that he C De didde ? or where and in what manere lyued he tho thre tr;iduo dayes ? We mowe fuppofe that he went to fomme hofpitalc of pore men r and there he fchamefaftly prayed and afked herberwe / and there etc and lay with pore men as a pore child. And fomc doctoures feien that he begged in thoo C Nota. thre dayes / but therof litcl forfe fo that we folwc hym in perfrjte mckenes and othere vertues r for begginge withoute forthe but there be a mcke herte withynne forth is litel worth as to perfcctioun.
C Furthermore in the forfcide proces we mowc note C THa and lerne thre profitable thinges to vs. Firftc is that he notabilia. that wole perfitely feme god fchal not dwelle amonge his flefchely frcndcs and kynnefmen / bot he mofte leue hem and goo fro hem. In token where of the child Jefu lafte his owne dere moder what tyme he wolde 30110 tcnte to the gooftly wcrkes of his fader r and alfo whan he was fowht among his frcndes and kenncfmen he was not
Die martis
...
Notabile.
C Nota religiofe.
C Secure founden there in that tyme. The fecounde is that he that Icdeth gooftly lyf wonder not moche / ne be not dik comforted ouere heuely / thou3 he be fom tyme fo drie in foule / and as voyde of deuocioun as he were forfake of god. For this mancre byfelle to goddes moder / as it is feide bifore. Wherefore be he not in defpeire therby / bot befilich feche he Jefu in holy mcditaciouns and gode werkes / and fpecially in deuoute prayeres / and he fchal
C Tertium fynde hym at the lafte in dewe tyme. The thridde is that a man folowe not to moche his owne will or his owne witt. For oure lorde Jefu after he feide that hym byhoued to be occupied in tho thinges that longed to his fader worfchippe r after he lafte that propir wille and folowede his parens wille / goynge forth with hem fro the temple home in to Na3areth / and was fugett to hem. And this is afpecially nedefulle to religious folke to folowe by trewe obedience to her fouereynes : and alfo here we haue grete enfaumple of mekenes in oure lord Jefu/ wherof we fchole trete more pleynely in the chapitre that next foloweth.
C Cam. C What manere of leuynge oure lord Jefu hadde / and
xiijm- what he didde fro his xijc 3ere vnto the bygynnynge of his xxxtj 3ere.
FRo the tyme that oure lord Jefu was gone home to Na3areth with his parens / whan he was xij 3ere olde / as it is feide bifore / vnto his thrittythe 3ere we fynde not expreffed in fcripture autentike what he didde / or how he lyued r and that femeth ful wonderfulle. What fchulle we than fuppofe of hym in al this tyme ? Whether he was in fo mochel idel that he did nou3t/ or wro3t nou3t thing that were worthy to be writen and fpoken of? God fchylde ! And on the tother fide / 3if he didde and wroujt thing that were worthy to be
Die martis 79
writen and fpokcn / why is it not writen as otherc dcdcs
of hym bene ? Sothcly it fcmcth merveylous and wonder*
full. But neuertheles / sif we wole here take good entent /
we fchul mowe fee that as in no3t doynge he didde grcte
thynges and wonderfull r for there is no thing of his dedcs /
or tyme of his leuynge / with oute mifterie and edificacioun.
But as he fpake and wrou^t vcrtuoufly in tyme / fo he helde
his pees and refted and with drowe hym vertuoufly in tyme.
Wherfore he that was fouereyne maiftre / and came to
tcche vertues and fchewe the trewe weie of euerlaftynge
lyf / he bygan fro his southe to doo wonderful dedes /
and that in a wonderfull manere / and vnknowen and
that was neuer ere herde bifore : that is to feie / fchewynge
hym felf in that tyme as idel and vnkunnynge and abiecte
in the fist of men in manere as we fchal feie aftir : not fully C Nota
affermynge in this or othere that we mowe not openly t>ene pro
proue by holy writt or doctryne appreved / bot deuoutely feno Sius ymagynynge to edificacioun and ftirynge of deuocioun r libri- as it was feide in the proheme of this book at the bigyn* nynge. And fo we fuppofe that cure lorde Jefu in that tyme with drowe hym fro the companye and the felaw* fchippe of men / and wente ofte tymes to the fynagoge as to chircher and there was he myche occupied in prayer / but not in the h^eftc and moft worfchipful place / but in the loweft and priuyeft place. And after in tyme whan he come home halpe his moder / and alfo perauen* ture his fuppofed fader Jofeph in his craft r comynge and goynge amonge men as he knewe not men. Alle that C Nota. knewen hym of the comoun peple that he dwelled among/ and feien fo faire and fo femely a $ong man doynge no thing that was in to preifynge or magnifieng of his name / wondred gretely of hym / namely for as the gofpell feith of hym whan he was song and of xij 3ere age : Jefu profited
8o
Die martis
CNota
bene.
De fumma
humilitatc
in fui ipfms
perfecta
defpe=
ctione.
C Nota bene.
C Melior eft paciens viro forti.
in age and in wifdom and in grace to fore god and man r that is to feic / as in the fi3t and the opinioun of men. But nowe whan he was of more age in to the tyme of his thrittythe sere he fchewed none dedes of commendacioim outeward r wherefore men fkorned hym / and helde hym as an ydiote and an ydel man and a fole : and fo it was his willc to be holde as vnworthy and abiecte to the world for oure fauacioun / as the prophete fpeketh in his perfone thus : I am a worme and not a man r reproue of men and abieccioun of peple. But here mowe we fee that he in that abieccioun / as it were no3t doynge / didde a ful grete vertuoufe dede of worthy commendynge r and what was that? Sothely that he made hym felf foule and abiecte in the fi3t of othere r and here of had he no nede / but we hadde this nede : for fothely as I trowe in alle oure dedes there is no thing gretter or harder to fulfille than is this. Wherfore as me thynketh that man is comen to the hheft and the hardeft degre of perfeccioun / the whiche of ful hert and trewc will / withoute feynynge / hath fo ouercome hym felf and maiftered the proude flerynge of the flefche that he willeth not to be in reputacioun of men r but couciteth fully to be defpifed and holde as foule / vn* worthy / and abiecte. For this is more worthy and more to commende than a man to be paffyngly ftrong and a conquerour of citees and londes / as Salamon witneffith. Wherfore til we come to this degre of perfeccioun we fchulle holde oure felf as ful inperfite / and al that we done as nou3t to acounte. For fithen / in fotheneffe / alle we bene but as vnworthy feruauntes what tyme that we done the goode that we oweth to doo / as god hym felf witneffith / til the tyme that we come to this degre of abieccioun and perfite reproue of oure felue we ben not fette fadly in truthe / bot rathere in vanitee r as the apoftil
Die martis 81
openly fchewcth in thife wordes : Who fo haltc hym fclf
in his owne reputacioun as oii3te worthy / fithen in fothe;
neffe he is as no3t / he bygileth and deceyueth hym felf.
And fo as we feide bifore / oure lorde Jefu lyued in this
manere and made hym felf abiecte and as vnworthy to the
world not for his owne nede / but forto teche vs the trewe
wey of perfeccioun. Wherfore 3if we Icrne it no3t we
mowe not be excufed r for it is an abhominable thing
to fee him that is bot as a worme and wormes mete to
come forto hi3e hym felf by prefumpcioun / and lifte vp
hym felf as ou3te / whan that hi3e lorde of maiefte fo
meked hym felf by abiectioun / and lowed hym felf as
no3t. And that didde he no3t by feynynge / bot as he
was fothely meke and mylde in herte. So alfo with oute c Difcite a
eny fymulacioun he lowed hym felf in all manere of meke; me quia
nes and abiectioun in the frjte of othere : fulfillynge firft
in dede that he tau3te after by word / whan he bad his
difciples to lerne of hym forto be meke and mylde in
herte. And in fo moche he lowed and anentiffhed hym
felf/ that alfo after he bygan to preche and to fpeke fo
hi5e thinges of the godhede / as the gofpell telleth / and
to worche myracles and wondres r 3et the Jewes fette
nost by hym / bot defpifed hym and fkorned hym / feienge :
What is he this? Is not he that wri3tes fone Jofeph?
And alfo : In the deueles name he cafteth oute deueles.
And many othere fuche defpites and repreues he fuffred
paciently and mekely / makynge fo there thoru3 a fwerde
of mekenes there with to flee the proude aduerfarie the
deuel of helle. And 3if we wole fee hou my3tily he girde C Accin*
hym with this fwerde of mekenes / after the biddynge gfr<r.
crladio tuo / of the prophete / lete vs take good hede to alle his dedes etc.
and we fchulle fee in hem algate fchewed grete mekeneife r as we mowe fee 3if we haue in mynde in alle the procefle
G
82
Die martis
C Bcr*
nardus in epiilola ad canoni* cum regu= larem et fu= per can. for. xxxiiijto. CNota modum viuendi domini Jefu cum parentibus
that is fcide sitt hider tor and alfo here after fchal be fchewed more and more into his harde deth / and more ouer aftir his refurreccioun / and at his vpfi^enge to heuen / and }it herto more ouer at the lafte day of dome / whan he fchal fitte in his maiefte kyng and domefman of alle the worlde. 3it fchal he fchewe his fouereyn mckcncs / clepynge his creatures his brethercn by thefe wordes : Als longe as $e didde almcs dedes to thefe my leeft bretheren / 3C didden to me.
C And why hope we that he fchewed fo myche and loued principally this vertuc of mckenes? Sothely for he kncwc wele that as the bigynnynge of alle fynne is pride / fo the foundement of alle gode and of fauacioun is mekcncs r with oute the whichc foundement the bildynge of alle othere vcrtues is in veyne. And therfore 3if we trifle of maydenhede / of poucrte / or of eny othere vertuc or dede with outen mekcncs we benc difceyued. And for als myche as he taust and fchewed vs in what manere this vertuc of mekenes fchal be gotyn / that is to feie by dcfpifmgc and abicccioun of man him felf in his ownc fi5t / and alfo in other mcnnis ii5t / and by contynuel doynge of lowe and abicctc dedes r therfore vs byhoueth to louc and vfc thife menes 3if we wolde perf^tly come to that hi;e vertuc / as feint Bernard feith in dyuerfe places. God seue vs grace to geten it perf^tly/ as it is feide r for fothcly I that write this knowleche me ml fer therfro : and thus moche at this tyme fuffifeth fpoken of this fouereyn vertue.
|[ But now to goo a5eyn to oure principal matere of the myrrour of the bleffid lyf of oure lorde Jefu. Byholde we there the maner of lyuyngc of that bliffed companye in pouerte and fympleneffc to gidre r and how that olde man Jofeph wroujt as he my3te in his craft of carpuntrie r oure
Die mart is 83
lady alfo with diflaf and ncdlc/ and therewith makyng hir mete/ and othere offices doynge that longed to houfholde / as we mowe thynke in dyuers manere r and how oure lord Jefu mekely helpe hem bothe at her nede / and alfo in leienge the horde / makynge the beddes and fuche othere charres gladly and lowely myniftryngc r and fo fulfillyngc in dede that he feith of hym fclf in the gofpell : That mannes fone come not to be ferued / bot to ferue. Alfo we mowe thenke how thei thre eten to gidre euery day at one litell borde / not precioufe and delicate metes / bot fymple and fobre/ as was only nedeful to the fuftenaunce of the kynde : and after mete how thci fpeken to gidre / and alfo perauenture othervvhile in her mete / not veyne wordes or diffolute / but wordes of edificacioun / ml of wifdome and of the holy gooft. And fo as they wercn fedde in body / they were moche better fed in foule. And than after fuche manere recreacioun in comune / they wenten to prayer by hem felfe in her clofettes. For as we mowe ymagyne thei had no grete hous/ but a litel r in the whiche thei hadde thre feuerynges / as it were thre fmale chambres there fpecially to praye and to flepe. And fo mowe we thynke hou oure lorde Jefu criftc euery nyst after prayer gothe to his bed lowely and mekely / fchewynge in that and alle othere nedes of mankynde that he was verrey man / and hidynge his godhede fro the fende. A lorde Jefu / wele my5t thou be clepcd hidde god / that C Nota woldeft in alle this longe tyme thus trauaillc/ and putte exe™Plu™
n • i i /- r i penitencie
to penaunce that molte innocent body lor oure fake / in domino whan the trauaile of one ny3t had fuffifcd to rcdempcioun Jefu- of al the world. But thy grete loue to man made the to doo grete dedcs of penaunce for hym. And fo }c that bethc kyng of kynges and all myjty god with outen endc / that hclpcn alle men in her nede / and 3euen 3oure goocles
G 2
84
Die martis
C Nota contra
to allc otherc plentevoufly as euery condicioun and ftate afketh r 30 chees and referued to 3oure owne perfone fo grcte pouerte and abieccioim and penaunce in wakynge / in flypynge / abfteynynge / etynge / and in all 3oure othere dedes doynge / and that in fo long tyme for oure loue. Lord god / where ben now thei that louen fo moche the ]uf{- / an(j tne likynge / and the efe of the flefche r that
^^
mundiales. feken fo beiiliche precioufe and curioufe and dyuerfe ornamentis and vanytees of the worlde? Sothely we that louen and defiren fuche thinges / we lerne not that in the fcole of this maifter r for he tau3t vs bothe by word and by dede mekenes / pouerte / and penaunce / and chaftifynge of the body. And lithen we be not wifer than he / )if we wil not erre / lete vs folwe hym r that fouereyne maiftre that wil not begile and that may not be begiled. And alfo / after the doctrine of his apoftil / hauinge liflode and clothynge in thees be we appaied / and that in nede couenablc and not in fuperfluyte. And alfo in alle othere vertuoufe leuinge and exercifes byfore feide folowe we to oure power oure lord Jcfu / that we mowe after this wrecched lyf in penaunce come to his bliffe and the ryf euere laftynge in ioye. Amen.
C Ca'».
C Bona* veatura.
C Pro, ceflus.
|[ Of the bapteme of oure lord Jcfu and the wey therto.
iA Fter that xxix 3ere were complete in whiche oure lord
/^L Jefu had lyued in penaunce and abiectioun/ as
/ ^k it is feidc / in the bigynnynge of his xxx 3ere /
A J^ he fpake to his moder and feide : Deremoder/
it is now tyme that I goo to glorifie and make knowen
my fader / and alfo to fchewe my felf to the worlde / and
to worche the faluacioun of mannis foule / as my fader hath
ordeyned and fent me in to this worlde for this ende r
Die martis 85
wherfore / gode moder / be of good comfort / for I fchal fonc come a3eyn to the. And therwith that fouereyn maiftcr of mekenefle / knelynge doun to his moder/ afked lowely hir bleffynge. And fche alfo knelynge and clippynge him derworthly in her armcs / with wepynge / feide thus : My bliffed fonc/ as thou wilt goo now with thy fader bliflynge and myne / thenkc on me and haue in mynde fone to come a3eyne. And fo reuerently takynge his leue at his moder / and alfo at his fuppofed fader Jofeph / he toke his weie fro na3arcth towarde Jerufalem / and fo forth til he come to the water Jordane/ where John bap^ed the pcple at that tyme r the whiche place is fro Jerufalem the fpace of xviij myle. And fo the lorde of all the worlde gothe all that long weye bare foote and allone / for he hadde 3it none difciples gadercd. Wherfore we takynge goode entent by inward compafiioun of hym in thisjorney r fpeke we to hym deuoutely in herte / thenkynge in this manere : A lord Jcfu / 36 that ben kyng of alle kynges / C Bona* whider goo 5ee in this manere allone? Gode lorde/ where ^n^ra'- ben 3oure dukes and cries / kni3tes and barouns / horfes deuota et and harneifes / chariotes and fomeres / and alle 3oure notabilis. feruauntes and mynyftres that fchulde be aboute 3ow / to kepe 3ow fro the comoun peple in manere of kynges and lordcs? Where ben the trumpes and clariouns and alle othere mynftralcie / and herbergeres and purveyoures that fchulde goo byfore / and alle othere worfchippes and pompes of the world as we wrecched wormes vfen ? Be not 3e that hi3e lorde of whofe ioye and blifle heuene and erthe is replenefched ? Why than goo 36 thus fympilly/ allone / and on the bare erthe ? Sothely the caufe is for 3e be not at this tyme in 3oure kyngdom / the whiche is not of this world. For here 36 haue anentiffhed 3oure felf / takynge the manere of a feruaunt and not of a kyng r
86
Die martis
C Aduena et peregri* nus ego fum ficut omnes.
C Nota contra huius mundi di- Icctores.
C Pro, ceffus.
and fo 3c hauc made 3oure felf as oon of vs / a pilgryme and a ftraungcr / as alle oure fadres weren. 3c bycome a fcruaunt to make vs kynges r and for we fchulde fikerly come to 3oure rewme / 36 come pure felfe fchewynge vs the trewe wey wherby we fchulde mowe come vp therto. But / lorde god / why leue we and forfake we that weie ? Why folwe we not after the ? Why lowe we not and meke not oure felf? Why loue we and holde we and coueite we fo bcfily worfchippes and pompes and vanytces of the worlde ? Sothely for oure rewme is of this world / and for we knowe not oure felfe here as pilgrymes and ftraungeres r therfore we fallen in alle thefe folies and mefcheues. And fowc veyne mennis foneslouenandhalden alle day thinges that ben veyne and falfe for thoo that ben goode and trewe / and thoo that ben temporele and euere* faylynge for thoo that bceth heuenly and euerlaftynge. Trewely / goode lorde / 5if we defireden with a fad wille to 3oure rewme / and oure comfort were in heuenly thinges / and alfo therwith 5if we ynwardly thou}ten and knewen oure felf here as pilgrymes and ftraungeres we fchulde fone and Ii3tly folwe 3ow r and of alle thefe erthely and tcmporel goodes takynge onely that were nedefulle to oure leuynge we fchulde not be taried to renne after 3ow / bot as withoute birthen we fchulde goo Ii3tly and fully defpife and fette at no3t alle thife worldes richeffes and goodes.
C But now fpeke we furthermore of the baptifme of oure lord Jefu. What tyme that he came to the water Jordaine there he fonde John baptifynge fynful men/ and moche peple that was comen thider to here his predica^ cioun r for thei helden hym that time as criftc. And than oure lord Jefu among othere wente to John / and prayed hym that he woldc baptife hym with othere r and John
Die martis 87
byholdynge hym and knowynge hym in fpiritc was adradde/ and with grete reuerence feide : Lord / I fchuldc be baptifcd of thec r and thou comeft to me. And Jefu anfwered : Suflfrc now r for thus it falleth and byfemcth vs to fulfille all ri5twifncs. As who fcith : feie not this now / and bywrcye me not / or make me not knowen r for my tymc thcrof is not }it comen r but now doo as I biddc and baptife me / for now is tymc of mckcnefle. C Here fcith the glofe that mekenes hath thre degrees. C Nota
The firfte degree is : a man to be fueett and lowed to his frcs STaius
r . i • j i , , humihtatis.
iouereyne / and not preferred or nerjea abouen hym that
is cuene with hym in cftate. The fecounde is : to be fuget to his euene like in cftate/ and not to be hi3ed or preferred aboue his vnderlynge. The thridde and the fouereyne degree of mekenes is : to be fugett and lowed to his voder* lynge/ that is he that is laffe in eftate than he. And this degre kept oure lord Jcfu at this tyme whan he mekccl hym and lowed hym to John r and thcrfore fo he fulfilled alle the perfeccioun of mekenes.
C And than whan John fawh oure lordes wille that mofte nede be doo / he didde as he badde and bap^cd hym there. Now take we here gode hede how that hi3e lorde of maiefte difpoyleth hym and dooth of his clothes as an othere fymple man of the peple r and after he is plunged in that colde water and in that colde tyme as in wynter r and al for oure loue and for oure hele ordeyn* ynge the facrament of bapteme / and wafchynge therwith none of his owne fynnes / for he had none / but oure filthes and oure fynnes : and fo weddynge there goftly to hym holy chirche generally and alle trewe foules fpecially r for in the feithe of oure bapteme we ben wedded to oure lord Jefu crifte. Wherfore this is a grete fefte and a werk of grete profite and excellence r for in
88
Die mart is
C Nota bene Ber* nardus.
CBtr, nardus.
C Nota contra praefum* ptuofos.
this worthy wcrk all the holy trinite was opounely fchewcd in a fmguler manere.
C Whan the holy good come downe in the liknes of a dowfc and refted vppon \\yrn I and the vois of the fader feide : This is my byloucd fone / in whom it liketh me wele r and therfore here 5e h}mi. Vppon the whiche worde feynt Bernard fpcketh in this manere : Loo lord Jefu / now is tyme to fpeke / and therfore now bygynne and fpcke. How longe wilt thou be in filence? Me thynke thou haft longe tyme holde thy pees r }e and ful longe : bot now fpeke / for now thou haft leue of the fader. Hou longe wilt thou / that art the vertue of god and the wifdome of the fader / be hidde in the peple as he that were feblc and vnkunnynge ? Hou longe thou / that art the worthy kyng of heuen / fuffreft thy felf to be cleped and alfo to be fuppofcd and holden a wry3tcs fone / that is to feie Jofeph? For/ as luke in his gofpell witneffeth / 3it in to this tyme of his xxx 3ere Jefu was fuppofcd and holden the fone of Jofeph. A thou mekenes / that arte the vertue of criftc / hou myche confounded thou the pryde of my vanytc. For I can but litel / or more fothely to fpeke / onely hit femeth to me that I can / and 3it now I may not holdc my tonge r vnwyfly and with oute fchame puttinge my felf forth and fchewynge me as wife / and fo redy to teche and Ii3t to fpeke / bot flowh to here. And cride what tyme that he helde his pees fo longe r and alfo hid hym felf fro the knowynge of men r whether he dredde ou3te veyne ioye ? What fchulde he dredde veyne ioye that was in fotheneffe the ioye of the fader? But neuertheles he dredde this not to hym felf / bot to vs r the whiche he knewe wele had nede to be adredde of that veyne ioye. And in that he fpake not with his mouth / he tau3t vs in dede r and
Die martis 89
that thing that he tau3te after by worde / nowe he fpake
by enfaumple r that is : Lerneth of me / for I am myldc
and meke in herte. For of the 3outhe of oure lorde in
to this tyme of xxxt{ $ere I here or rede but litel more.
But now may he no lenger be hidde / fithen he is fo
opounly fchewed of the fader. Alle thife ben the wordes
of feint Bernard in fentence / confermynge that was feide
bifore in the next chapitre r hou that oure lord Jefu
mekely hilde his pees in to this tyme / for oure doctrine <[ De
to fie prefumpcioun and kepe perfi^te mekenes. The humilitate
which vertue 3it here in his bapteme he fchewed more
growen than it was byfore r by fouereyne loweneffe openly
fchewed to his feruaunt / makynge hym worthy and grete
and him felf as vnworthy and abiecte. And alfo in an
othere poynt we mowe fee his mekenes here growen r for
in to this tyme / as it is feide / he lyued lowely as in
idelneffe and in abiectioun r but now he fchewed hym
felf openly as a fynful man. For John preched to fynful
men to do penaunce / and baptifed hem r and oure lord
Jefu cam among hem / and in her fi^t was baptifed as
one of hem. And that was a fouereyn poynte of mekenes
namely in this tyme / whan he purpofed to preche and
fchewe hym felf as goddes fone. For as by weie of
mannis refoun he fchulde haue dredde than of that lowe
dede / lefte therby after whan he preched he fchulde
haue be in laffe reputacioun and defpifed as a fynful man
and vnworthy. But therfore lafte not he that was maiftre
of mekenes to meke hym felf in alle manere of loweneffe
to oure doctryne and enfaumple / fchewyng him felf thing
that he was not in to defpite and abieccioun of hym felf r
bot we in contrarie manere fchewen oure felf that we be
not in to worfchippe and preifynge of oure felf / for 3if c Contra
there be eny thing in vs of vertue that oweth to be preifed
9° Die martis
that gladly we fchewen and maken knowe. But oure defau3tes and trcfpaccs we Helen and hiden / and $it be we in fothenes wicked and fynfull r and thou} it fo be that we knowen oure felf as in oure owne (13 1 vnworthy and fynful / neuertheles we wolde no3t be holdc fo in the
C N. H3t of othere. And in that is oure mekencs fer fro the
perfite mekenes of Jefu / as it was here and bifore fchewed / and in alle his dcdes he fchewed it as that vertue that is mode nedcfulle to vs. Wherfore loue we it and befy we vs principally in alle oure dedes to kepe it / not drcdynge thereby to be the more vnable to profite of
C Nota. othere. For as he was in this tyme of his fouereyn mekenes / in the vndcrfongynge of his baptifme taken of his feruaunt / fchewed by witteneffe of the fader / and tokenc of the holy gooft / verrey goddes fone .- fo thou3 we make vs abiecte and lowe vs neuere fo mochc in oure owne fi3t and in other mcnnis / 3if we be able to profite to othere god wil make vs knowen in tyme as it is moll fpedful to oure owne mcdc and to other mcnnis profite. Amen.
C Explicit pars fecunda ct contemplacio pro die martis.
C Incipit pars tcrcia ct contemplacio pro die mcrcurij.
CCa».xv». ^ C Of the faftynge of oure lord Jefu / and his tempta* ciouns in deferte / etc.
WHat tyme that oure lord Jefu was baptifed / = it is fcide next bifore / anone he wente in ) deferte / and there vppon a hille that was o the place of his bapteme aboute fourc rnyle / and is cleped Quarcntena / he failed fourty dayes
Die mercurij 91
and fourty ny3tcs / no3t etynge or drynkyngc r and / as
the euangelifte Marke telleth / his dwellynge was there
with beeftes. Now 3cue we here good entente to oure
lord Jefu fpecially and to his dedes r for here he tccheth
vs and 3eueth vs enfaumplc of many grete vertues : as in
that that he is here folitarie / and fafteth / and prayeth /
and wakcth / and lieth and flepeth vppon the erthe / and
mekely is conuerfaunt with bcftes. In the whiche proces C Nota
ben touched foure thingcs that longen fpecially to goodly be"e Pr(?=
exercife and vertuous lyuynge / and that wonderfully ijjjor.
hclpen eche othere to gidrc : that is to faie / folitarie
beynge / faftynge / prayere / and penaunce of the body.
By the whiche we mowe come befte to that noble vertue / C Puritas
that is clennes of herte r the whiche clennes we oweth cordls-
fouerenly to defire / in alfo moche as it is mooft nedefulle
to vs / and comprehendeth in it felfe alle othere vertues /
in manere that is to faye charitee / mekeneffe / pacience /
and alle othere vertues. And alfo it putteth away alle
vices r for with vices / or with defaute of vertues / clannes
of herte may not ftonde and lafte r and therfore in that
book that is cleped Collaciones patruni it is feide that all
the exercife of a monke fchulde be principally to gete
and haue clenneiTe of herte : and no wonder / for there
by a man fchal deferue to fee god / as crift hym fclf
wittenefleth in the gofpel / fcieng thus : Bliffed be the
clene in herte / for they fchullen fee god. And as feint C Ber*
•x CJ
Bernard feith : the clenner that a man is / the nerre he 1
is god / and the more clerely feeth hym. Wherfore
to geten and haue this noble vertue / that is to feic CPrimum:
clenneffe of herte / principally helpeth befy and deuoute °ratio.
prayere / of the whiche we fchul fpeke after. But for as
moche as prayere with glotonye / or with lufte and the
likyngc of the body / and ydclncffe / is litel worth r ther*
Die
mercunj
C Secure dum et tercium. C Jeiu, nium ct afflictio corporis.
C Nota de folitudine.
C Nota bene.
fore it byhoueth that there be therwith faftynge and bodely penaunce r and that with difcrecioun / for bodily penaunce with oute difcrecioun letteth alle goode werkes. Alfo for the kepynge and fulfillynge of alle tho thre forfeide thinges helpeth moche the ferthe r that is foli* tarie beynge / for with moche noyfe and turblynge prayer wil not wele and deuoutly be feide. And he that feeth and hereth many thinges fchal ful harde efkape vnclen; neffe of herte and offenfe of confcience r for ofte Tithes deth entreth by oure wyndowes in to the foule. Wherfore thou that wilt be knytt goftly to oure lord Jefu crift / and coueyteft in clennes of herte to fee god / by enfaumple of hym goo into folitarie place r and in alfo moche as thou maift / fauynge thyn eftate / fie the companye of flefchely men r feke not by curiofite newe knowelecches and frendfchippes r fille not thyn ei3en and thyn eeres with veyne fantafies : for it was nou3t with oute caufe that holy fadres here bifore fou3ten defertes and other folitarie places fer fro the comoun converfacioun of men r and alfo it was nou3t for not that they tauten and beden hem that dwelled in religious congregacioun that thei fchulde be blynde / defe / and doumbe r and therfore alle that may lette and diftourble refte of foule flee as venemoufe to the foule. This folitarie beynge and this fleynge / as feint Bernard feith / is more vertuoufly in foule than in body : that is to faie / that a man in his entencioun / in deuo^ cioun and in fpirite / be departed fro the world and men / and ioyned fo in fpirite to god / that is a fpirite and afketh not folitarie beynge of body bot in manere and in tyme / as fpecially in tyme of fpecial prayer and alfo in other tyme / of hem that owen by wey of her degre to be foli* tarye / as reclufe and fome religioufe. And therfore feith the fome feynte : Thou that art among many bodily / thou
Die mercurij 93
maid be folitarie and alone goftly $if thou will not and
loue not thefe worldely thinges that the comunalte loueth r
and alfo }if thou defpife and forsake tho thinges that alle
men comounly defiren and taken r alfo 3if thou flee ftryues
and debates r and 3if thou fele not with forwe thyn owne
harmes / and haue not in mynde wronges done to the
forto be avenged. And elles / thou3 thou be allone and
folitarie in body / thou art not allone trewely in foule : and
generally in what manere companye of men that thow
art conuerfaunt be warre fpecially of tweie thinges / 3if thou C Nota
wilt be truly folitarie in fpirite r that is that thou be no3t Proceffum-
a befy and curious fcrcher of othere mennis conuerfacioun /
or elles a prefumptuoufe and temerarie demere of othere
men. This is feynt Bernardes fentence of folitarie beyngr
by the whiche we mowe vnderftonde that bodily folitude
fuffifeth not with oute goftly r but for to haue the goftly
the bodily helpeth ful moche / puttynge away occafioun
with outeforth that my3te drawc the foule with ynneforth
fro the onynge and knyttynge to hir fpoufe Jefu crifte.
Wherfore that we mowe be fo knytte to hym by grace /
be we aboute with all oure wille and irryste to folwe hym /
that is to fay in trewe folitarie beynge / as it is feide / and in
deuoute prayere / in faftynge and discrete bodily penaunce
doynge. And furthermore in that that his conuerfacioun
in deferte was among beftes / we haue enfaumple forto lyue C Nota.
fymplely and bere vs lowely in what manere congregacioun
we ben r and there with to bere paciently and fuffre alfo
hem that femen to vs as vnrefonable and beftial in maneres
and in lyuynge. And thus hauyng in mynde the manere
of leuynge of oure lorde Jefu crift in deferte fo in penaunce
tho xl dayes / euery criften foule ou3te ofte tyme vifite hym
there by deuoute compaffioun / and fpecially in that tyme
bygynnynge at the Epiphanie / whan he was baptifed / in to
94
Die mcrcurij
C De tempta* cione domini.
C Prima temptacio : De gula.
C De abfti* nencia / et contra gulam nota plenius infra c°. xxiiij0.
C Secunda temptacio : De vana gloria.
xl daycs after / in the whichc he faded and lyued there / as it is fcide.
C But now furthermore as to his temptacioun. Whan tho xl dayes of his faftyngc were complete / oure lorde Jefu hungred r and anon that falfe temptour/ the fende / that was befy aboute to knowe whether he were goddes fone / cam to hym / and gan to tempte hym of glotonye and feide : 3if thou be goddes fone / feie that thcfe dones be made and torned in to looues. But he my^tc not with his trcchcrie dcceyue hym that was mayfter of truthe r for he anfwercd hym fo wifely / that neither he was ouercome by the temptacioun of glotony and sit the aduerfarie myste not knowc that he defired r for neither he denycd / ne affermed that he was goddes fone / but concluded hym by auctorite of holy writt. And fo haue we here enfaumple of ourc lorde Jcfu to withftonde the vice of glotonye : for there mode we bygynne ${f we wil ouercome othere vices / as the enemy comounly bygynneth therwith to affaile hem that taken hem to goodly lyuynge. Wherfore as it fcmeth he that is ouercome with that vice of glotonye / that while he is feblc and vnmysti to ouercome and withdonde other vices r as doctours fcicn in this place of the gofpell / that bot glotonye be firft refrcyncd / man trauailleth in veyn ascnft othere vices.
C Afterward the deucl toke hym vppc and bare hym in to Jcrufalcm / that was fro that place aboute viij myle as men feien / and there he fctte hym vppon the pynacle of the temple where he tempted hym of veync ioye / coueitynge to knowe as he didde bifore whether he were goddes fone. But here was he alfo ouercome by auctorite of holy writte r fo that he lode fully his purpos : in that he hirte hym not as a man by pride / and hym felfe was ncucre the wifere of his ^odhede. And here haue we
Die mercurij 95
enfaumple of pacicncc/ confiderynge the grete benignytc and pacience of oure lord Jefu/ that fuffred hym fclf to be handeled and borne of that cruel beeft that hated hym and al that he loued.
C And after that tyme / as feint Bernard feith / the C Tercia enemy feeng that he fchewed no thing of the godhede / temptacio : and fuppofynge therby that he was not god / tempted cia. hym after as a man. At this thridde tyme whan he toke hym vp efte and bare hym a3en in to a ful hi3e hille / by fide the forfeide hille of Quarentena / as the fpace of two myle / and there he tempted hym of auarice and therwith of ydolatrie. But therfore was he there opounly reproucd and fully venquyfched and ouercome / as dyuerfe doctoures tellen that expownen more pleynely thife temptaciouns and this gofpelle r and therefore we paffen ouer the fhortlyere here / as we done in othere expoficiouns / ftandinge princi* pally in meditaciouns / as it was feide at the bigynnynge of this book.
C 3if we take then here good hede hou oure lord Jefu C Nota de was handeled and tempted of the enemy / we fchulle not tempta*
cione
wondre thou3 we wrecches be ofte Tithes tempted r for fufferenda. not only he was tempted in thife thre tymes / but alfo / as Bernard feithe / in other dyuerfe tymes / as the apoftil C Ad feith that he was tempted in all manere temptacioun that longeth to the infirmyte of man / with oute fynne.
C Furthermore whan the enemy was fully ouercome / and gone awey / aungels come and ferued and myniftred hym. But here take we now good hede and byholde C Medita* ynwardly oure lord Jefu etynge allone and the aungelles CI° deu°ta- aboute hym r and thynke we deuoutly be ymaginacioun tho thinges that folowen here after / for thei ben ful faire and ftiringe to deuocioun. And fo firfte we mowe afke what manere of mete it was that the aungeles ferued hym
96 Die mercury
of after that longe fafte. Here of fpeketh not holy writt : wherfore we mowe here ymagyne by refoun and ordeyne this worthy fefte as vs liketh / nou3t by errour affermynge / bot deuoutly ymagynynge and fuppofmge / and that after the comoun kynde of the manhede r for 3if we take hede and fpeke of his my3t after the godhede there is no queftioun / for it is no dowte that he my3te make what that hym lefte / and alfo haue of thoo that bene or weren made at his owne wille. But we fchulle not fynde that he vfed this my3t and this powere for hym felf / or for his difciples in her bodily nede / but for the peple to fchewe his godhede. We reden that at tweie tymes he fedde hem myraculoufliche / in grete multitude / of a fewe loues and fifches. But of his difciples is writen that in his owne prefence they plucked eres of corne and eten hem for honger / as it fchal folwe here after. Alfo what tyme he hym felf was wery of the wey / and fatte vppon the welle / fpekynge with a womman Samaritane / we reden not that he made mete forto etc / but that he fente his difciples in to the citee to bygge her mete r and fo it is not lickely at this tyme after his fafte and bodily honger he purueiede his mete by myracle / fithen in this tyme he fchewed only his manhede. And alfo there was no peple there forto worche myracle to her edificacioun as comounly he didde / bot only aungels weren there prefent. And fithen in that hille was none dwellynge of men / ne mete redy di3te / we fchulle fuppofe that aungelles brou3ten hym mannis mete al redy di3t fro another place / as it byfel to the prophete Daniel. For as holy writt telleth what tyme daniel was putte in to pitte of lyouns / and abakuc / another prophete / bare mete to his reperes on the felde / goddes aungel took hym vp by the here of his hede and bare hym fro thens in to Babiloyne to Daniel forto be fedde
Die mercurij 97
with that mete / and after anone he was borne a3cyne.
And fo in that manere leten vs ymagyne here and with C Medita,
goftly merthe / as it were / rehetynge oure lord Jefu at cio deuota-
this mete r and alfo hauynge in mynde fpecially his dere
moder / thynke we deuoutely in this manere. What tyme
Sathanas was reproued as a falfe temptour and oi^terly
dryuen away / holy aungeles in grete multitude commen
to oure lorde Jefu after his victorie / and fallynge doun
to the erthe deuoutely honoured him and falued hym as
her lorde and almyjty god r and oure lorde benignely
and fwetely toke hem vp and enclynynge to hem with
his hede / as it were knowelechynge him felf verray man /
and in that fomewhat lafle and lowed fro aungelles. And
then fpeken the angeles and feiden thus : Oure worthy
lorde / 3e haue longe faded and it is nowe tyme to ete r
what is 3our wille that we ordeyne for 3ow? And than
he feide : Gooth to my dere moder / and what manere
of mete fche hath redy bringe it to me r for there is no
bodily mete fo likynge to me as that is of hir di3tinge. And
anone tweyne of hem goynge forthe fodeynely weren bifore
hir / and with grete reuerence gretynge and faluynge hir
on hir fones byhalue / tolden hir meflage. And fo of
that fymple mete that fche hadde ordeyned to hir felfe
and Jofeph the aungels token with a lof and a towaile
and othere neceffaries and brou3ten to Jefu / and perauen*
ture therewith a fewe fmale fifches that oure ladye hadde
ordeyned then / as god wolde r and fo therwith the
aungels comynge fpradden the towayle vppon the grounde
and leiden brede theron / and myldely ftoden and feiden
graces with oure lord Jefu / abidynge his bliffynge and
til he was fette.
C Now take good entente here / fpecially thou that art C Vide fohtarie / and haue in mynde whan thou eteft thy mete reclufe and
J " folitarie.
98 Die mercury
allonc/ as with outc mannis fclawfchippe / the manere of this mete and how lowely oure lord Jefu fitteth downe to his mete on the bare grounde / for there had he neither banker ne kufchyne. And take hede how curteyfely and how foburly he taketh his mete r not withftondynge his hunger after his longe fafte. The aungeles ferued hym as her lorde / pcrauntre one of brede / another of wyne / another dijte fifches/ fome fongen in the ftede of myn* flralcie that fwete fong of hcuene r and fo they reheteden and confortcd her lorde / as it longed to hem / with myche ioye mengcd with compaffioun. This felaufchip haft thou / thou3 thow fee hem nou3t / whan thou eteft allone in thy felle / 3if thou be in charite / and fpccially whan thou haft thyn herte to god / as the oweth to haue after the biddyng of the apoftil r the which feith to vs / that whether we eten or drinken or cny othir thing doo / all we fchull doo in the name of ourc lorde / the whiche name Jefu we fchullcn algate bliffc and thonke hym in hcrte haue we moche / haue we litcl r haue we gode / haue we badde. And fo etc oure mete / thou3 we be allone / as they we fei3en bodily tho bleffed aungelles that ben prefent goftly. And here with hauynge ynward compafiioun of oure lorde Jefu / and byholdynge in mynde hym that is all* mysty god / fouereyn lord and makerc of all the worlde / that 3eueth mete to all flcfchely creatures / fo meked and in manere neded to bodily mete and therwith etynge as an other erthely man : myche ou3te we to loue hym and thonke him / and with a glad wille take penaunce and fuffre difefe for hym that fo myche fuffred for vs.
C Furthermore as to the proceffe. Whan oure lord Jefu hadde eten and feide graces / that is to feie thonkynge the fader in his manhede of that bodily refeccioun / he badde the aungelles bere a3en to his moder that was laft /
Die mercurij 99
tcllynge hir that he fchulde in fchort tyme come to hir a3en. And whan thci hadden doo as he badde and were comen a3eyn / that was in ful fchort tyme / he fpake to hem alle the aungeles that there weren / and feide : Gothe a3eyn to my fader and to pure bliffc / and recommendeth me to hym and to alle the court of hcuene r for 3it it byhoueth me to doo my pilgrymage awhile here in erthe. And anon therewith they fallynge doun to the erthe and deuoutly afkynge his bliffynge r after he hadde bleffed hem / wente vp a3eyne to heuene / tellynge there thefe tidynges of his gracious victorie r and therof was all the blefiid courte reioyffhed and fulfilled in myrthe and thonk^ ynge of god. And thus and in this manere we mowe C Nota. thynke and ymagyne the forfeide proces to fterynge of oure deuocioun / as by wey of meditacioun. In the whiche proceffe ben many gode notabilitees touchynge tempta^ cioun of man in this worlde r of the whiche feynt gregory and other doctoures fpeken in the expoficioun of this gofpell Ductiis eft Jefus in defertunn and fpecially Crifoftome in inperfedo r the which / for they ben fufficiently writen / not onely in latyn but alfo in englifche / we paffen ouer at this tyme.
C Spekynge ferthermore of the tornynge a3eyn of oure C De lord Jefu home to his moder at Na3areth. And than whan he went downe fro that hille and came to Jordane/ John Baptifte / as fone as he fawh hym come to warde hym / clone. with his fynger put to warde hym / fchewed hym / and feid : Lo / the lomb of god ! Loo / he that doth awey the fynnes of the world ! He it is vppon whom I fawe the holy good refte what tyme I baptifed hym. Afterwarde alfo / an othere day/ whanne John hadde fchewed hym as he didde firft / Andrewe and Petre with othere difciples fpeken with hym and hadden a bigynnynge of his knowe*
H 2
JOG Die mercurij
leche / as John tclleth in his gofpelle. After warde oure lord Jefu lafte that contrey and toke the wey to warde galilee til he came to his moder at Na3areth r whom we fchulle alfo folwe here by compaffioun of his grete trauaille all that longe wey of Ixxiiij myle / as it was feide bifore. And what t37me that he was comen home and his moder hadde the fi3t of hym / none wonder thou3 fche was glad and joyeful in fo moche that there may no tunge telle : wherfore anon fche roos and clippynge and kiffynge hym welcomed hym home / and thonked the fader of heuene that had broii^t hym fauf to hir r but therwith byholdynge his face lene and pale fche had grete compaffioun r and he a3enwarde reuerently enclynand did hir worfchippe as to his moder/ and alfo to Jofeph as to his trowed fader. And fo dwelled he with hem / as he did byfore / mekely r bot in an othere manere of leuynge / as by fchewynge with outeforth of his perfeccioun more and more / as it fchal C Nota fewe here after. But for alfo moche as it were long werk ben.e Pro and perauenture tedyoufe / bothe to the rederes and the
ordine ca= ~
pitulorum hereres here of/ 3if alle the proceffe here of the bleffed
et modo }yf of |efu fchulde be writen in Englifche fo fully by fcribendi in . .
fequentU meditaciouns as it is 3it hiderto after the proceffe of the
kus. book bifore nempned of Bonauenture in latyne r therfore
here after many chapitres and longe proceffe/ that femeth litel edificacioun inne as to the manere of fymple folk / that this book is fpecially writen too / fchal be lafte vnto it drawe to the paffioun r the whiche with the grace of Jefu fchal be more pleynly contened as the mater that is
C Bona* mode nedefulle and mode edifienge and bifore onely tho
ventura in or 111-
capitulo materes that femen moite fructuous : and the chapitres
proximo of hem fchullen be writen as god wole 3eue grace. Wrier*
qi?od h^c f°re ' as the fame bonauenture biddeth / thow that wilt
omittitur fele the fwetneffe and the fruyte of thife meditaciouns /
Die mercurij
take hedc al gates and in all places / cleuoujtly in thy quia hie mynde byholdynge the perfone of oure lorde Jefu in jfldetur alle his dedes r as whan he ftant with his difciples and eiufdem whan with othcre fynful men r and whan he precheth to cum the peple and hou he fpeketh to hem r and alfo whan capitulo. he eteth or taketh other bodily fuftenaunce r and alfo C Ca«H. whan he worcheth myracles r and fo forth / takynge hede of alle his dedes and his maneres / and principally by^ holdynge his blifled face / 3if thou kunne ymagyne it r apparicione that femeth to me mode harde of alle othere / but as p^a^o T I trowe it is mofte likynge to hym that hath grace there notata in offe. And fo what tyme that fmguler meditaciouns bene capitulo
Icflucnti
not fpecified / this general fchall fuffice. Amen.
C How oure lord Jefu bygan to teche / and gadre difciples. C Cam.
A Fter that oure lorde Jefu was comen home a3eync xvJm* /^ to Na3areth fro his baptifme and his tempta* / — ^ cioun / as it is feide / he bygan litel and litel Y m to fchewe hymfelf and to teche priuely and in party r for as openly and fully we red not that he toke vppon hym the office of prechynge al that 3ere folowynge : that is to fay vnto that tyme that he wroii3t the firlte myracle at the weddynge / that was that felf day twclf monthe that he was baptifed. And thou3 he or his difci* pies precheden in the mcnc tyme otherwhile r neuertheles it was not fo fully/ ne fo cuftomably done by fore that John Baptifte was taken and cnprifoned as after. And in that he 3af vs enfaumple of a wonderfull mekenes whan / touchynge the office of prechinge / he 3af ftede to John / that was myche laffe and with oute comparifoun more vnworthy than he. And fo we mowe fee that he bigan not with bofte and blowynge / as many done / bot with mekenes litel and litel.
1 02
Die
mercunj
C Specie- fus forma prae filijs hominum. C De vocacione dilcipulo* rum.
C Joannes primo capitulo. C Luc. vto.
C Whcrfore vppon a fabbaoth day / whan lie was come in to the fynagoge / as he was wont to doo with othere as in the chirche of Jewes / he rofe vp forto rede in the man ere of a my ny ft re or a clerkc r and whan there was take hym the book of the prophete yfaye / he torned to that place where it is writen / and fo he radde in this manere : The fpirite of oure lorde hath refted in me r wherfore he hath anoynted me / and forto preche to pore he hath fent me. And than whan he hadde clofed the boke and taken it to the feruaunt / he fatt doun r and than he fpake furthermore and feide : This day is this fcripture fulfilled in 3oure eres.
C Now take we hedc of hym : how mekely at the bygynnynge he takith vppon hym the office of a rederc / as it were a fymple clerk r firft with a benignc and lowely chere redinge / and after expownynge it mekely of hym fell' / and 3it not opounly expreflynge or nempnyngc hym felf whan he feith / This day is fulfilled this fcripture / as who feie : I that rede this this day / am he of whom it fpekcth. And the ci3en of alle that were in the fynagoge were fette befily in hym r and alle they wondreden of the wordes of grace that 3cden out of his mouthe : and no wonder/ for he was fouercynly fayre and alfo mofte cloquente / as dauid feith to hym of bothe : Thow art fairc in fchap / paffynge the children of men r and grace is fchcdde in thy lyppes / £c.
^T Furthermore alfo oure lord Jefu / befienge hym aboute ourc fauacioun / began to clepe and to gadre to hym difciples r and fo he cleped peter and Andrewe thre tymes : Firfte tyme whan he was aboute the water of Jordane / as it was feide bifore / and then they comen fumwhat into his knoweleche / bot they folwed not hym : the fecounde tyme he cleped hem fro the fchippe whan they weren aboute to take fifche / as luke telleth r but than thou$ thei
Die mcrcurij 103
herdcn his doctrine and folowed hym / neuerthcles they
thou3ten at that tymc to tome a3eyne to hir propre goodes :
the thridde tyme / as Matheu telleth / he cleped hem fro C Matt.
the fchippe / whan he feide to hem : Cometh after me / jjjj*0 et.o
for I fchal make 3ow fifcheres of men r and than lafte they
her nettes and fchippe and fader/ and folowed hym. Alfo
in tho two lafte tymes he cleped James and John / as in
the fame places is made mynde of hem / with petre and
Andrewe. Alfo fpecially he cleped John fro the bridalc /
as feynt Jerome feithe r but that is not expreffed in the
text of the gofpelle. Alfo he cleped fpecially Philippe :
and alfo in another place Mathewc the publicane. Bot of
the manere of clepynge the remenaunt it is not expreflly
writen / faue that luke maketh mynde of the twelue C Luc. vj<>.
apoftles chofen and nameth hem alle.
C Now take we here entente to the manere of hym in C Medita* this clepinge and gederinge of his difciples / and of his C10> conuerfacioun with hem r hou louely he fpeketh to hem / and how homely he fcheweth hym felfe to hem r drawynge hem to his loue withynneforthe by grace and withoute* forthe by dede r famylierly ledynge hem to his moder houfe / and alfo goynge with hem often to her dwelrynges / techynge and enfourmynge hem r and fo in alle other manere beinge as befy aboute hem / and with as grcte cure as the moder is of hir owne fone. In fo moche that/ C Nota as it is writen / feint peter tolde that what tyme he flepte benisnam
... . * . . . _ J ,r curam
with hem in any place it was his cuiiome to nfen vp jcfu. in the ny3t / hem flepynge / and }if he fonde eny of hem vnhiled / priuely and foftely hele hym a3en r for he loued hem ful tenderly / knowynge what he wolde make of hem. As thou3 it fo were that thei were men of rude and buftous condiciouns and of fymple lynage / neuertheles he thoii3te to maken hem princes of the world / and chcueteynes
104 Die mcrcurij
of alle criften men in goftely bataille / and domefmen of othere.
C Here alfo lete vs take hede of what manere of peple bygan the feith and the grounde of holy chirche r as of fuche fymple fifcheres / pore men and vnlerned / for oure lorde wolde not chefe herto grete clerkes and wife men / or my3ti men of the world / lefte the grete dedes that fchulde after be done by hem my3te be aretted to her worthynes r but this he rcferued and kepte to hym felf / as it was refoun / fchewynge that only in his owne godcnefle and my3t and wifdome he bou5te vs and faued vs : bliffed be he with otiten ende / Jefu. Amen.
in to wyn
B
C Cam. {[ Of the miracle done at the bridale of water torned
xvlJm- in to wyne.
|Yfcllc that day twelfmonthe that oure lorde Jcfu was baptifed / as it is feide / there was made a bridale in the centre of Galilee / in a place that was cleped the Cane r of the whichc bridale there is dowtc whos bridale it was / but C Npta we at this tyme fchullcn fuppofe / after the comoun "ohanSs oP^n^olin ' tnat ^ was ot' Jonn the euangeliftc / as feint euangeliite. Jerome alfo tclleth in the prologe of the gofpelle of John. At the whiche bridale oure lady Jefu moder was / as fche was the eldcft and mod worthy of the thre fiftres r and therfore fchc was not beden and cleped thider as othere ftraungeres weren / but fchc was there in hir fiftres houfe / homely as in hir owne hous/ ordeynyrige and myniftrynge as maiftrcffc therof. And that we mowe vnderftonde by
C Prima thre evydeiices of the proceffe of that gofpelle : firfte / by euidencia. that the gofpell feith firftc . That the moder of jefu was
C Pro^ there r and after/ that Jefu and his difciples weren cleped ceffus. or bidden therto. And fo as we fuppofe it byfelle that
Die mercurij 105
what tyme oure lady fiftre Marie falome / the wyf of
3ebede / fchapte to wedde hir fone John / fche 3ede byfore
to oure lady to Na3areth / that was fro the Cane aboute
foure myle / feienge that fche wolde make a bridale to
hir fone John r and fo than oure lady went with hir to
ordeyne therfore certeyne dayes bifore r fo that whan
othere geftes were beden / fche was there all redy and
homely bifore. The fecounde euydence is that fche knewe C Secunda
the defaute of wyne r wherfore it femeth that fche fatte euidencia-
not at that mete as othere geftes that weren beden / bot
that fche 3ede aboute mynyftrynge as one of hem that
delyuereden mete and drynke and othere neceffaries r
wherfore fche perfayuede by tyme and fawh the defaute
of wyne / and tolde priuely hir fone therof / for helpe and
remedye r and that my3t fche not haue doo $if fche hadde
fitten amonge othere wymmen but fche hadde rifen fro
the borde / that is not femely to be r and alfo it is not
to leue that fche that was vertuoufly fchamefaft fatte by
hir fone amonge men. Wherfore it foloweth that fche
fat not as a gefte / but mynyftered / as it is feide byfore.
The thridde euydence hereof is that fche badde the fer* C Tercia
uauntes forto goo to hir fone / and that thei fchulde doo euidencia.
what he bad hem doo r and foo it femeth that fche was
ouer hem / and that the bridale was gouerned by herr
and therfore fche was befy that no defaute were thereat.
C Wherfore we mowe take hede and vndirftonde the manere of this bridale and the proceffe of the myracle theratte thus : firfte / we fchulle byholde oure lord Jefu C Nota de etynge there amonge hem as an other comoun man / and humilitate that fittynge in the loweft place and not amonge the grete ' and mofte worfchipfull geftes abouen / as we mowe vnder* ftondc by this proceffe : for he fchulde after teche this lefibun of the gofpcll : Whan thou art biden to the bridale /
106 Die mercurij
or to the fcfte / fitte and take thy ftede in the loweft place / &c. And for alfo mochc as he wolde firfte doo in dcde that he fchulde after teche by worde/ therfore he wolde not take the firfte and the principal fete in manere of proude men / but rather the loweft amonge fymple men. Here with alfo byholde we oure lady his moder befy that al thing were wele and couenably done / tellynge the feruauntes and the mynyftres hou thei fchulde feme and where of. And fo after whan it drowh towarde the ende of the fefte / they comen to hir and feide : There is na more wyne. And fche anfwcrdc : Abideth a litell and I fchal gete 3ow to haue more. And fche wente out of the chambre in to the halle to hir fone Jefu / that fatte at the bordes ende ny3e the chaumbre dore / and rowned hym in the ere and feyde : My dere fone / they haue na more wyne r and fche this oure fiftre is pore r wher* fore I nc woot where we fchulle haue more. And thanne Jefu anfwered and feide : What is that to me and to the / womman ? This femeth a harde and a boiftous anfwere as to his moder r but neuertheles it was feide by myfterie / C Ber* and for oure techinge / as feynt Bernard feith / and as nardus. ft fchal be tolde after the precede. But of this harde and ftraunge anfwere as to femynge / his moder was nou3t deftourbeled ne in defpeire r but / fully triftynge in his grete goodneffe and benignyte / fche wente a3en to the feruauntes and feide to hem: Gooth to my fone Jefu / and what fo euere he feithe or biddeth 3ow doo / dooth. And than at the biddynge of oure lord they ful filleden the ftenes / that there were / ful of water r and anone at his bliffynge all the water of hem was torned in to wyne. And than he bad hem drawe there of and bere to the C Nota= Architryclyne / that is to feie the mofte worthy perfone of alle the geftes in that houfe. In the whiche biddynge we
Die mercurij 107
mowe fee firft the difcrecioun of oure lorde in that he fente that wyne firft to the mod worfchipful man. Alfo we mowe fee herby that oure lord fat fer fro him / in that he feide : Bereth to the architriclyne / &c. r and fo fithen he fatte in the hi3cfl place / it femeth that oure lord fatte in the loweft place / as it was feide bifore. And whan he hadde tailed the wyne and preifed it / and he and otherc drunken therof / the myniftres that knewen hou it was made tolden openly the myracle r and than his difciplcs bileueden in hym more fadly as for the firfte myracle thei feien doon bifore hem : and fo in that Jefu fchewide his bliffe and his godhede.
C Afterward / whan the fefte was al done / oure lord }efu cleped John by hymfclf and feide : Leue this womman that thou haft take to thy wyf / and folowe me r for I fchal brynge the to a better and more pern*3te weddyngc than this is. And anon with oute more John lafte his wyf there and folwed Jefu.
C In the forfeide proceffe we mowe note many thinges to oure doctrine and edificacioun : firfte / in that oure lorde Jefu wolde come and be prefente at the bridale and weddynge / he fcheweth vs that matrimoyne and flefchly weddynge is leueful and ordeyned of god r but in that he cleped John therfro he dooth vs to vnderftonde that CNotapro goftly matrymoyne is moche more worthy and perfyte. rellSIosls- Alfo in that harde anfwere and ftraunge / as to femynge / that he 3af to his moder whan he feide : What is that to me and to the / womman ? As feynt Bernard feith / he <T Ber*
t •
tau3te vs that ben religious and haue forfake the worlde f^one^e not to be to befy and haue grete care aboute oure epiphania flcfchely parens / fo that her nede lette not oure gooftly VJ° vel V1J°- exercife r for alfo longe as we ben of the worlde / fo longe we ben in dctte to oure parens r but after we haue laft
io8
Die mcrcurij
C Narra* cio.
C De paciencia et fpe.
C Nota.
C Pro- Genus.
it and forfake oure fclf / myche more we be free and delyuered of the befyneffe of hem. And fo we fynde writen that there came vppon a tyme to an heremyte / or a monke that had forfake the worlde and lyued folitarie in deferte / his owne flefchely brother / preienge hym of his helpe in a certeyne nede touchynge the worlde r and he bad hym goo to here other brothere that was dede longe bifore. And than he wondred of that biddynge and feide that he was dede / as he knewe wrele r the monke anfwered and feide that fo was he dede to the worlde. And fo tau3t vs oure lord Jefu / that we that haue forfake the worlde fchulde not be befy aboute oure parens and flefchely frcndes oner that that the religioun alketh / whan he anfwered to his moder / and namely to fuche a moder / feienge : What is that to me and to the / womman ? An othere vnderftondynge is in thife wordes / the whiche doctoures comounly tcllcn / and therfore we paffe oucr that at this tyme.
C Furthermore we haue here techynge of pacience and hope in the dede of oure lady that lafte not for that ftraunge anfwere / as it feide bifore. And fo what tyme we clepen to Jcfu for helpe at oure nede / bodily or goodly r thoii3 we fynde it not anone / bot rather harden ncflc and contrariete / we fchulle not leue therfore to calle vppon hym by goode hope r til thoru3 his mercy and grace the vnfauery water and colde of aduerfitie and penaunce be torned in to wync and conforte and gooftly likynge.
f[ After this miracle was done oure lorde Jefu / willynge and purpofynge fo forthe to worche and preche opounly for the faluacioun of man / he wente fro that place with his moder and his difciples in to capharnaum byiide Na3areth / and after a fcwc daycs a3cync home to Na3areth / ledynge
Die mercunj 109
his modcr by the weie r and folowynge his difciples and befily herynge his wordes and his techy nge r for he was not ydel / but euer didde and wrou3t good or tau3te and fpake to edificacioun : and fo doo we in his name / that bleffed be with outen ende. Amen.
C Of that excellent fermoun of oure lord Jefu in the C C hille. xviiJ
WHan oure lorde Jefu had chofen and gadered iis difciples / as it is feide / willynge to teche em and enforme hem the perfeccioun of the ewe lawe / he ladde hem vp in an hille / that is cleped Thabor / aboute two myle fro Na3areth after the comoun opinioun r and there he made to hem a longe fermoun and full of fruyte / the whiche as feynt Auftyn feith in the byginnynge of his book that he made of that fame fermoun : It conteneth all the perfeccioun of criften C Ivuvnee r for in that fermoun he tamte hem firfte whiche "us de
icrrnonc
men ben bleffed of god and worthy to haue his blifie. domini in
Alfo he tau3te hem the trewe manere of prayere / of monte.
faftynge / and of almefdede / and othere vertues longynge
to the perfite lyf of man : as the texte of that gofpelle
opounly telleth / and dyuers doctoures and clerkes ex*
pownen it fufficiently r the whiche precede we paffen
ouer here / for as moche as it is writen bothe in latyn
and in englifche in many othere places r and alfo it were
ful longe proceiTe to touche alle the poyntes thereof here
as by manere of meditacioun. Wherfore at this tyme we C Nota de
fchulle fpecially note that oure lorde bygan this fermone Paupertate.
firfte at pouerte / doynge vs to vndirftonde that pouerte
is the firfte grounde of all gooftly exercife r for he that is
ouerleide and charged with temporel goodes and worldely
richeffes may not frely and fwiftly folowe crift / that is
no
Die mercurij
nardus in fermone quarto de Aduentu.
C N.
C Contem- placio.
the myrour and enfaumple of pouerte r namely he that hath his likynge and his affeccioun vndir thife worldely goodes / for he is not fre / but thralle and as in bondage of hem. For of that thing that a man loueth inwardely and by affeccioun he is made wilfully thralle and fer# uaunt r and therfore is the pore man bleffed : that is to fay / he that ynwardely loueth no thing but god or for god / and therfore he defpifeth alle othere worldely thinge for god / for in that is he knytte to god as for the more parte. Wherfore feith feynt Bernarde in a fermone / that pouerte is a grete fethere / or a grete wynge / thoru3 the whiche a man fleeth fo fone into the kyngdome of heuene. For as to othere vertues that folowen in this place of the gofpelle / the mede of hem is byhi3t forto come as in tyme that foloweth after. Bot to the vertue of pouerte / it is nou3t only byhi3te forto come / but as in tyme that is now prefent it is 3euen of crift by the forfeide wordes at the bygynnynge of his fermone / that ben thefe : Bleffed ben they that ben pore in fpiryte r for her mede is the kyngdom of heuen. Loo / he feith not : Here mede fchal be / bot as now : Here mede is. Alfo thei that ben not only pore / but pore in fpirite ben bleffid r for thereynne ftant the vertue of pouerte. And he is pore in fpirite that hath litel of the fpirite of pride / that is comoun to mankynde by the firfte fynne / as a man is cleped pore worldely that hath litel of worldely goodes.
f[ But now leuynge this matere torne we vs to the manere of contemplacioun / byholdynge oure lord Jefu hou lowely and mekely he fitteth vppon that hille and his difciples aboute hym / and with hou louely and fad chere he fpekith tho wordes ful of edificacioun / and techeth that noble leffoun of fouereyn perfeccioun r and alfo how mekely and how entently his difciples byholden
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his bliflcd face / and hcren the fwete wordes / and fetten hem befily in her mynde : and fo haue they grete ioye and goftely likynge / bothe in his fpeche and in his fi^te r C N. and fpecially / as I hope / they were conforted in that noble fchort prayere that he tau3te hem amonge othere in that tyme / that is the Pater nofter i and that for the grete fruyte that thei feledcn therynne / and alfo for the grete trifte and hope that they were putte ynne therby. For as we mowe wele fuppofe as to the firfte / that is the fruyte therof / not only they vnderftode it aftir the lettre / but alfo therwith they hadden thoru3 his grace the gooftly vndirftondynge eche parte and peticioun thereof r and fithen therynne is conteyned the afkynge of alle that vs nedeth to the body and to the foule / and that touchinge oure temporel lyf in this worlde and the lyf euerelaftynge in another world / and alle comprehended in fo fchorte wordes / no wonder thou3 they hadde grete likynge and comforte in that prayer by the grete fruyte that thei tafteden therynne. And fo hauen alle thei that thoni3 grace felen the gooftly fruyte and the fwete tafte therof. Alfo as to the fecounde comforte in that prayere / that is trifte and hope : how my3t her trift and hope be more ftabled and ftrengthed than to fe hym that all onely knewe what was nedefulle and fpedefulle to hem to afke / and that my3t only 3eue it hem ? teche hem that peticioun by the whiche they my3te not erre in her afkynge / ne faille of her afkynge ? And fo he that was domefman made the libelle in her caufe / a3enft the whiche he my3te not 3eue his dome and his fentence. Alfo he that was lorde made the bille to his feruauntes / forto afke onely thoo thinges that were nedeful to hem / and likynge to hem forto graunte : more comforte my3te not be touch; ynge prayere and afkynge in nede. And alfo more ouere
n2 Die mercurij
this comforte of this prayere was the more / for alfo moche as next byfore in the fame place of fermone he reproued the prayere of ypocrites and othere that weren not worthy to be herde r and fo was the medecyne more comfortable and likynge / that the defaute and the fekeneffe was oponed and tolde bifore. All this comforte fchulle we fynde in this forfeide prayere Pater nofter / 3if we feie it deuoutly and not in dedly fynne r for oure lord Jefu made not only this prayer to his difciples that were that tyme fpecially with hym in that hille / but alfo to vs and alle criften men generally that fchulde make here prayere to the fader of heuene in his name vnto the worldes ende. But the more harme is / here is myche peple difceyued that leueth to moche this mofte worthy prayere and befte by fynguler deuocioun in othere priuate prayeres / or feienge it with oute deuocioun r as we mowe fee alday many men and wommen berynge bedes with trillynge on the fyngres and waggynge the lippes / bot the fi3t cafte to vanytees and the herte that only god knoweth / as it is to drede / fette more vppon worldely thinges. Of the whiche manere of peple fpeketh oure C Populus lord god by the prophete / and feith thus : This peple me hono- Prayetn an^ honoureth me with hir lippes / bot her herte rat. is fer fro me. But for alfo moche as this mater is fpoken
of in many othere tretys and bookes bothe in latyne and in Englifche / and this prayer fufficiently expowned / ther* fore we paffen ouer more fchortly at this tyme hereof. C Nota ex= But one thing touchinge this prayer : fothely I trowe that periencia whofo wil 36U6 his entent forto feie it with deuocioun /
orationis
Pater and hath an ynward delire to the goltly vndentondynge
nofter. therof / fettynge his herte therto alfo myche as he may
whan he feith it bothe yn comune and in priuete / he fchall
thoru3 grace by proceffe of tyme fynde fo moche comforte
Die mercurij 113
therynne that there is non other prayer made of man that fchall be to hym fo fauery and fo effectuele in what fo euere he nede / or cafe he be flirede fpecially to praye for remedie and help to god r and fo fchal he fynde in his foule whan god wil 3eue his grace with grete likynge dyuerfe vnderftondynge thereof mofte pertenent to his defire / and that othere than is writen in the comoun expoficioun thereof / or perauenture than he can telle. But myche folk / as feruauntes and hirde men / haue more wille to praye for fpecial mede that they coueiten here / than as trewe fones for the loue and the plefynge of oure fader / god of heuene r and fo they fetten more here likynges and befyneffe in a priuate prayer / made of man / to oure lady or to othere feyntes of heuene / than thei done in this general prayer / made of god hym felf r the whiche with outen dowte is mofte plefynge to hym and moft fpedful to vs r and therefore thei ben difceyued in many maneres. I fpeke not here of the pfauter and the feruife in holy chirche. Neuertheles alfo othere deuou3te prayeres made to god and to oure lady and to othere feyntes of heuene bene gode to ben feide after that the deuocioun of men is ftired to feie hem in couenable tyme / fo that they fette not her affeccioun the lafle vppon this mofte worthy prayere / Pater nofter i as myche folk in the feienge of othere priuate prayeres fetten al her entent and fpeken hem with grete deuocioun r bot in the feienge of the Pater nofter thei ben to necligent and rablene it forth with oute deuocioun : and that maketh ofte fpecial mede temporel / that thei hopen forto haue by the feienge of fuche priuate prayeres r as to ouercome her enemyes / or be kepte fro fire / or water / or fodeyne deth i and othere bodily peryles. But that is a grete folie to trifte vppon by the feienge of eny prayeres with outen
i
Die
mercunj
C Juftus fi morte praeoccu- patus fuerit.
ri3twis lyuynge r and alfo men ichulde not dcfire fuche fpecial temporelle medes / but only as it is the wille of god / that al onely knoweth what is fpedefulle to vs / and that with outen doute fchal gete vs mode effectuely of eny other prayer the Pater nofter i $if it be feide trewely with deuocioun r and fpecially by that peticioun and alkynge : Fiat vohmtas tua ficiit in celo et in terra i that is to faie : Oure fader in heuen / thy wille be done in all thing / as in heuene fo in erthc. And fo 31!" it be befte to vs forto be kept fro fire / or water / or fodayne deth / or any other bodily perile / with outen doute oure fader of heuene / god / wille 3euen it vs after the forfeide peticioun with ri3twys lyuynge / and elles not / faye we neuere fo manye fuche priuate prayeres. For as we rede al day of dyuerfe martires and fe}mtes / that fome weren brent / fome drowned and in other dyuerfe maneres putte to fchame^ ful deth as to the worlde r and that was befte to hem and encrefe of here ioye in the bliffe of heuene : wherfore it hadde be a grete open folie to hem / as we wele mowe wete / to haue prayed forto be kepte fro fuche bodily harmcs or periles. And as anemptes fodeyn deth / it is fpedefulle to many men forto haue fuche deth fchameful to mannis fi3te / as feynt gregory telleth by enfaumple of the prophete Abdo / that was weryede of the lyoun / that god purgeth often tyme here ri3twys men by fuche fchame; ful deth r for as holy writte witneflith fothely : The ristwif man $if he be ouercome by eny manere of bodily deth / his foule fchal be faued / and he fette in refte euere laftynge. Amen. Neuertheles we praien ofte and that leefully to be kepte fro fodeyn dethe : bot that is vnder* ftonden that we be not combred with dedly fynne / there* ynne to die with oute repentaunce of herte and fchrifte of mouthe r and therto / as I hope / is mofte befte and
Die mcrcurij 115
effectucle pra}^ere the Pater nofter i fpecially in the tweyne C Et ne lafte peticiouns and afkynges thereof/ by the whiche we nosinducas prayen all my3ty god / fader of heuene/ that he fuffre vs ["onem^ fed not to falle and to be combred with temptacioun of libera nos dedely fynne / but that he kepe vs and delyuere vs fro a ma °' all wickedneffe. Amen.
C And though it fo be that the mater of this worthy prayere be fo plentevous / and alfo the defire of the writer hereof were to fpeke more thereof / neuertheles for it is writen in fo many othere places as I hope fufficiently/ and alfo for the grete proceffe that foloweth after / we leuen this mater at this tyme / and all that fructuoufe fermoun that oure lord Jefu made to his difci* pies in that hille biforefeide. Goynge downe with him by deuoute contemplacioun and byholdynge how that after that noble leffoun tau3t in the hi3e hille / as it was fkilfull for the hi3e perfeccioun thereof/ oure lorde Jefu came downe with that meke flokke of the difciples / fpelo ynge alfo homely with hem by the wey r and they / as the briddes or chykenes of the henne / folowen hym with moche gooftly lykynge / coueitynge eche byfore other to be next hym and heren his vertues and fwete wordes. And after he was comen downe / myche peple come a3enft hym / bryng* ynge dyuerfe feke folke and manye / as the gofpell tellith by proceffe r the whiche alle he / full of mercy / helid and made hole / bothe in body and in foule. And thus fchortly we paffen ouer here moche proceffe of the gofpell / and many chapitres of the forfeide booke of Bonauenture / for C Nota the litel edificacioun of hem as it femeth nedeful to fymple
*' in
foules / to whiche this boke is fpecially writen in englifche / bus. as it hath ofte be feide here bifore. And fo leuinge the proceffe in many places we fchulle only telle the nota* bilitees there vppon fchortly to edificacioun. Amen.
I 2
XIX'
C Nota
contra
fuperbiam
munda=
norum.
CCa'
XX111.
C Nota de infirmitati- bus fpiri= tualibus et corporal^ bus.
C De vir* tute fidei.
kyng
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C Of the feruaunt of Centurio / and the fone of the litel kyng heled of oure lord Jefu.
N this gofpelle/ in that oure lord mekely vnpreide wente bodily to hele the fike feruaunt / and wolde not goo to the kynges fone prayed / oure pride is reproued r in that we in contrarie manere ben redy and leef to goo to riche men and my3ty / that we mowe be worldly worfchipped by and to plefe hem and doo the feruice that we mowen for worldly mede r butt we ben lothe to goo to pore men and fymple or to helpen hem in here nede for goftly mede / lefte it were a3enft oure worfchippe / as feint gregore noteth in this place.
C Of the paletike man let doun in his bedde by the houfe helynge / and heled of oure lord Jefu thoru3 the byleue of hem that beren hym.
IN this gofpell we haue enfaumple and doctryne that ofte fithes bodily fiknefle cometh of gooftly fiknefle / that is fynne r and that the helynge of goftly fiknefle is ofte caufe of bodily hele r in that oure lord firfte for3af to the paletyke his fynnes and after heled hym of the bodily palefye. Alfo here we mowe fe the grete vertue of trewe byleue r in that that the feith and the byleue of one man helpeth and faueth an other/ as the feith of the bereres of this paletyk man faued hym r and alfo in the nexte chapitre bifore the feithe of centurio gate hele to his feruaunt r and alfo here after the feithe of the womman chanane faued hir dorter r and fo it falleth now alday that children bap^ed / and after dede bifore the 3eres of difcrecioun / ben faued in the feith of her god fadres / thoru3 the meryte of crifte : and this is opounly a3enft fome heretikes that helden the contrarie opinioun.
I
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C How that Martha was heled of hir fiknes by touchinge C Ca»>. of the hem of oure lordes cloth Jefu. xxJm-
F • ^ He gofpelle nempneth not the womman that C Fymbria was helcd by the touchynge of the hem of veftimenti Jefu clothinge / bot feynt Ambrofe and othere jefu. doctourcs feien that fche was Martha / the fiftre of Marie mawdeleyne. By the hem of Jefu clothinge / as feynt Bernard feith / may be vnderftonde euery meke feruaunt of god / the whiche in eny vertuous dede that he doth oweth to knowe trewely in herte / and knoweleche openly by mouth / that only god is the principal doere therof and nou^t he r as the clothe helede not / bot oure lord Jefu that wered the clothe.
C Of the conuerfioun of Marie Magdeleyne. C Ca™.
OWre curteys lorde Jefu was preyed or beden XX1JIU- of Symounde the leprofe on a day to eten with hymr and therto he graunted gladly and came to mete / as he was wont to doo C Nota de ofte Tithes / bothe of his owne curtefie and alfo for the curiahtate loue and the }ele that he hadde to the fauacioun of mennis foules / for the whiche he was made man r for fo etynge with men and benignely comunynge with hem he drowe hem vnto the loue of hym. Alfo for as moche as he made him felf fo perf^tly pore that he toke none polTeffioun of worldes goodes for hym felf or for his / therfore thoru3 that loue of pouerte / he that was the myrrour of mekenes / what tyme he was praied or beden to mete toke it for the tyme and the place mekely and with curtefie / thonkinge / and good wille.
C And than bifelle that Marie Mawdeleyne / that pera* C Pro* uenture ofte tyme byfore had herd hym preche and thoru3 ceflus- touchynge of his grace was gretely flired to compunccioun
u8 Die mercurij
and to the feruent loue of hym / thou} it were $it priuely hidde in her herte / whan fche herde and knewe that he was at the mete in the hous of the forfeide Symounde / fche was fo feruently touched with forwe of herte with ynneforth for hir fynnes / and alfo with the brenning fire of his loue / that fche my3te no lenger abide r bot anone fche wente to that forfaide hous where Jefu fatte at the mete / confiderynge that with outen hym fche my3te not be faaf / ne haue fo^eueneffe of hir fynnes r and fo fche wente boldely in to the hous / and / as fche had fo^ete hir felf / takynge none reward to the geftes that there were at the mete / haldynge doun hir face and hir ei3en to the erthe / fche letted not til fche came to hym that fche fou3t and ynwardely loued / oure lorde Jefu r and anone than fche fel doun to the grounde proftrate at his feete with grete ynward forwe and fchame for her fynnes / fpake in her herte to hym / thinkynge as it were in this C Nota manere : My fwete lord / I wote wele and trewely knowe* verba leche that 36 ben my god and my lorde / and that I haue intima. offended 3oure hi3e maiefte in many grete offences and trefpaffes r in fo moche that I knowleche fothely that myn fynnes ben with outen noumbre / as the grauelle of the fee r bot for alfo moche as I byleue that 3oure mercy paffeth all thing / therfore I / wrecched and fynful / come to 3ow and flee to 3oure grete mercy : for thenkynge ynwardely of that I haue offended and alkynge mercy and for3eueneffe r and I byhete with all my herte amende^ ment of my fynnes and that I fchal neuere to my power forfake 3oure obedience. Code lorde / putte me not fro 3ow and forfake not my repentaunce r for othere refute I wote wele that I may not haue / and alfo I wole not haue / for I loue 3ow fouereynly aboue alle othere r wher* fore / gode lorde / forfake 3e not me / bot punyfche 36 me
Die mercurij 119
at }ourc willc r ncucrtheles I afkc algate mercy. And hciv with / with grete trifte of his mercy and ynward affeccioun of his loue / fche kiffed his feete ofte r and fadly wepyngc and fchedynge teres fo thicke that fche wiffhe his feet with hem : and fo it femeth herby that cure lorde Jefu C went bare fote. Afterward whan fche had wel wepte / ?iatus
incrdeDat
with grete drede of hir vnworthineffe that hir teres fchulde Jcfus. touche oure lordes feete / fche wypede hem with hir here deuoutly / for fche broirjt no thing with hir fo precious to wype hem with r and alfo fche wyped hem fo with hir here in amendement of that fche hadde bifore trefpaced with hir here r that is to feie / as fche had byfore vfed it in pride and vanite/ than fche wolde putte it to the vfe of mekeneffe and deuocioun. And alfo for the feruent loue and deuocioun that fche hadde to hym fche woldc not be letted thereof by the fecchynge of eny clothe to wype hem with / but fo wipynge his fete with hir here and after deuoutly kiffynge hem ofte Tithes. After fche anoynted hem with a precious oynement that fche brou5t with hir / fuppofynge / perauenter / that oure lordes fete weren harde of the weie r and alfo for ynwarde deuo; cioun bygynnynge with drede at his fete / as fche didde aftir with more boldeneffe of loue anoyntynge his heued.
C Lorde god / who fo wolde ynwardely thinke and C Nota. take hede to this dede of this womman and alle the circumftaunces thereof myche gooftly fruyte fchulde he fynde thereynne / fterynge to ynwarde repentaunce of fynne and to trewe loue of Jefu and grete deuocioun.
C But now forth as to the proceffe take we hede alfo of the manere of oure lorde Jefu in this timer how benignely and paciently he fuffreth hir doo al hir wille r for it liked hym ful wele / knowynge the ynwarde affec^ cioun and trewe loue of hir hertc.
120 Die mercurij
C And fo al that tyme he cefcd of etynge / and alfo with hym alle the geftes / wonderynge of the womman and of that vnkede dede / and of the pacience of oure lorde Jcfu and his fuffraunce of hir r and fpecially the maifter of the houfe / Symounde / denied hym gretely in his herte that he wolde fuffre fuche a comune fynful womman touche hym fo homely : and in that he thou3te that he was no prophete / fuppofynge that he knewe hir not. But oure lorde / that paffmge alle othere prophetes knewe the lefte thou3t of mannis herte / anfwered openly to his priue thou3tis / fchewynge therby hymfelf a verrey prophete and more than a prophete r and by a enfaumple of tweie dettoures he concluded hym / juftifieng the womman that he helde fo fynful / and preuynge that fche loued hym more / and fchewed hym more token of loue by her dede than he with alle his fefte : and fo fchewynge that not onely the perfeccioun of alle vertues / but alfo the juftifienge of the fynful ftant principally in trewe loue of god. He feide to Symound as for a conclucioun thus : Many fynnes ben fo^euen hir / for fche loued myche. And than he torned hym to Magdeleyne and feide to hir / as for a ful ende of that fche afked : Thy feith hath faued the r go now in pees. A lord Jefu / how fwete and likynge was this worde to hir r and with how grete ioye than fche went away ! Sothely it was fo likynge that / as I trowe / it went neuere after oute of hir mynde. And fo was fche perfidy conuerted to Jefu / leuynge her fynne fully / and lyuynge euer after in all honefte holily / and drawynge algate to hym and to his moder / withoute departynge / perfeuerauntly.
C Nota* 4[ In the forfeide proces and the fentence of this gok pelle ben many grete notabilitees to oure cdificacioun / of the whiche we fchulle touche fumme in partie : firft / as
Die mercurij 121
to a foucrcyn comfort of alle fynful folk we hauc here opounly fchewcd in cure lord Jem the habundaunce of his endeles mercy / that fo fone and fo gladly fo^af fo C
many sretc fynnes and trefpafles of this fynful womman : co^ » /• i i i i r- i A domini.
and fo dooth he to alle that trewely deliren and aiken
his mercy. But here byhoueth charite and trewe loue C Caritas that was fo fpecially commended of hym in this womman / hominis. the whiche only refourmeth pees bytwene god and the fynful man / as the apoftle feith that charite couereth the multitude of fynnes / and with oute the whiche it is inpoffible to plefe god. For / as feynt Bernard feith / the C Ber= quantite of euery mannis foule fchal be taken and eftymed "ardus/
lupcr can
after the mefure of charite that is therynne r that is fer. xxvij». to faye / that foule that hath myche of charite is grete / and that hath litel is litel / and that hath nou3t is nou$t r as feynt poule feith / after the reherfynge of many grete vertues concludynge thus : 3if I haue not charite / fothely I am nou}t. And therfore feide oure lorde of this woman : that for fche loued moche / therfore fche had myche for* }euen / as it was feide bifore.
C Furthermore alfo here haue we enfaumple of trewe C N. To* repentaunce and penaunce that is nedeful to foneueneffe tum
scQucns.
of fynne fchewed in this womman / Mawdeleyne / as we ^ vera' haue herde r the whiche penaunce / as all holy chirche penitencia techeth / ftant in forwe of herte / in fchrifte of mouthe / P.™ PGCCa* and in fatisfaccioun of dede. But here perauntre fumme ' men thynken / after the falfe opinioun of lollardes / that i0nardos : fchrifte of mowthe is not nedefulle / but that it fuffifeth nota de only in herte to be fchryuen to god / as this forfaide confeffione- womman was r for the gofpel telleth not that fche fpake cny word by mouthe / and 3it was hir fynne fully fo^euen / as it is feide r and as it femeth this is a grete euidence for that opinioun. But herto is an anfwere refonable :
122 Die mercurij
that ourc lord Jefu to whom fche made her confcffioun in herte was there in bodily prefence / verray god and man / to whom by vertue of the godhede was alfo opoun the thou3t of herte / as is to man the fpeche of mouthe / as ofte Tithes the proceffe of the gofpelle fcheweth and fpecially here openly bothe of the womman and alfo of the pharife thou3te. Wherfore the thou3t of herte onely was than to hym alfo moche as is now therewith fpeche of mouthe of man bodely. And for alfo moche as now in the newe lawe what tyme that we fynne dedly we offende hym / not only after his godhede / bot alfo after his manhede / that he bou3t vs with fro fynne and goftly deth r therfore vs byhoueth to do fatisfaccioun to hym after bothe kyndes / by trewe pcnaunce knowe^ lechynge oure trefpaffe bothe to god and to man / and C Nota hie alkynge fo^eueneffe. And fithcn we haue not here his confcffiol bodily prefence / as Mawdeleyne hadde r therfore in his nis vocalis. ftede vs byhoueth to fchewe to the prefte by worde that we haue offended hym as man / as we fche wen to hym by repentaunce in herte that we haue offended hym as god / that is to faie at the lefte by dcdly fynne r for therby onely we ben departed fro hym / and vnkyndely lefen the grete benefice that he 3af vs in his manhede. Wherfore 3if we wole be reftored a3eyne and knytte to hym / as we were bifore in grace / we mofte do fatisfaccioun not onely to hym as to god / bot alfo as to man that we haue fo forfake by dedly fynne / in manere as it is feide. And fo / as holy chirche hath refonably ordeyned and beden / knowleche by mouthe and make oure confeffioun trewely of oure fynne to the preoftes that he hath fpecially ordeyned in his ftede as his vikeres : herto by the wordes of the gofpell / that he fpake to his difciples whan he feide to hem thus : What fo euere 3e bynde in erthe / it fchal be bounden in heuene r
Die mercurij 123
and what that 30 vnbynde in erthe / fchal be vnboundcn in heucne. Of this trewe penaunce nedeful for dedly fynne not onely by repentaunce in herte bot alfo by fchrifte of mouthe to the prefte in goddes ftede 3if we mowen / for more god afketh not / and therwith of dewe fatisfacioun folowynge / we haue perf^te enfaumple openly fchewed in this bliffid womman that was bifore fo fynful / Marye Magdeleyne / in the proceffe bifore feide of this gofpelle as it is opoun inow touchynge the firfte parte and the lafte / that is to fay repentaunce and fatisfaccioun.
C And as to the fecounde / that is confeffioun / thou3 C Nota de we rede it no3t of hir by worde fpekynge r for that was ^era con:: none nede to hym that knewe fully hir herte / oure lord Magda^ Jefu there beynge in his bodily prefence / as it is feide. lene- Neuerthelefs fche fchewed the effecte of this confeffioun perfi3tely in dede / in that that fche wolde not fchewe hir to hym in priuete as fynful and afkynge mercy/ as fche myjte haue do bytwixe hym and hir or elles onely bifore his difciples r bot fparynge for no fchame / that is a grete parte of penaunce in confeffioun / fche chas the place and the tyme where it my3te be to hir as open reproof and fchame / that was in the hous of the pharife / the whiche fche knewe wel hauynge indignacioun and defpite of the fynful r and alfo at the mete whan it fcholde be mod wondrynge to hym and alle his geftes vpon hir r for the reproof and the fchame that fche hadde of hir fynne was fo grete withynneforth that fche fo^at al fchame and reproue withouteforth. And fo in that dede fche know^ lechede openly her fynne in general and alfo by wille in fpecial / not refufynge forto haue herde it reherfed and openly tolde of hym that fche came too / oure lorde Jefu r the whiche/ as fche wifte wele / knewe in fpecial the lefte parte therof / and that myjte refonably haue
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C Nota fidem / fpem / et caritatem in contri= clone vera.
C Racio quorum^ dam.
reprehended hir opunly of it or he hadde for^eue it. Bot oure curteyfe lorde / fill of grace and of mercy / fawh that verray contricioun in her herte / and that good wille grounded in trewe byleue that he -was verray god and that my3te fully fooeue her fynne as hym liked r and therwith that fche hadde full hope to haue his grace and fonifnes r and alfo the feruent loue that fche hadde to hym : the whiche thre vertues ben nedefulle to euery man that wole haue formes of fynne. And fo withoute eny more penaunce he fully for3af alle hir fynne / and bad hir goo in pees r that was pees of confcience fully made bytwixe hir and god and man r for hir trewe feithe and bileue / in the whiche were grounded perfitely hope and charite/ as it is feide / hadde made hir faaf: and fo fchal it the mofte fynful man that is or euere fchal be / 3if he haue it trewely grounded in his herte by verrey con^ tricioun as fche had / for than withouten dowte he wole not fpare for any fchame to knoweleche his fynne by worde openly to man in goddes ftede / as fche didde by wille to hym that was bothe god and man / as it is feide.
C But here perauntre femeth to fomc men that as the fynful man fchal folowe this womman by trewe forthenlo ynge of fynne / fo fchulde the preeft folowe oure lorde in Iy3te fo^euynge fchewed therof / enioynynge no more penaunce than he didde therfore. But here anfweren holy doctoures / that feien that the contricioun and forthenk* ynge of fynne may be fo grete and fo perfite that it fuffifeth withoute eny more penaunce to fulle fo^eueneffe therof r the whiche there as it is 3if the preeft my3te fee and fully knowe / he fchulde 3eue no more penaunce : bot for alfo moche as man feeth not the herte as oure lord Jefu/ god and man/ dide / and fo he may not knowe it bot in party as by tokenes withouteforth r therfore as
Die mercurij 125
for the fiker parte he fchal enioyne penaunce for fynne / more or lafle as holy chirche hath ordeyned. And wolde god that all fynful peple wolde folowe this womman in trewe forthinkinge / and than withouten dowte thei fchulde haue of god ful fo^euynge were the penaunce more or lafle of the preeftes enioynynge.
C Furthermore in the forfeide procefle of the gofpelle / C Nota* oure lorde Jefu 3af enfaumple to the precheres of goddes bilispro worde that they fchulde not fpare in tyme to feie the ribus. fothe for difpleiynge of hem that fedden hem or 3euen hem othere bodily fuftenaunce r in that / not withftondinge that the pharife fedde hym / as he didde ofte / he repre* hended hym openly in his owne hous of his myfbileue and of his falfe thou3t / in the whiche he hadde indigna* cioun of the fynful womman r and as it wolde feme to fterynge of his grete mawgrey he fpared not to juftefie that womman that he denied fo fynful / fchewynge hir more louynge god than he and that fche was faued by hir trewe byleue byfore hym that failled therof. But not C Nota withftondynge this / on the tother fide the pharife lafte C9n.tra con*
r J ^ r , , , , dicionem
not after to iede hym and to doo hym humanyte / as maiam many men now done r the whiche / what tyme that a fothe hominum is feide that is contrarie to hir wille or oppynyoun / they withdrawen her humanyte and affeccioun fro hym that feith it / be he neuere fo gode or vertuofe in leuynge r and fothely in that condicioun thei fchewen hem felf/ what fo euere thei bene / vnlouynge to Jefu that is verray fothfaflneffe / and more vnkynde than was this pharifee and fo worthy more reproue of hym and more peyne. Neuertheles the prechour / or an other goftly man that reprefenteth criftes perfone / fchal not fpare to feie the fothe in tyme for drede of maugre / or withdrawynge of fauour or eny temporel profite / 3if he wole be the
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Die mercurij
C Nota
contra
propriam
iuftifica=
tionem et
aliorum
reproba=
cionem.
trewe membre of crift : and fouereynly be he war of glofynge or fauour to errour / for that is mod abhomynable. C Alfo in this forfeide proceffe of the gofpelle / in that that oure lord Jefu reherfed to the pharifee the goode dedes of the worn man / in the whiche he fayled / as that fche wifche his feet with here teeres that he didde not with water / and fo forth of othere r and therewith he tolde not what he didde to hym that fche did not / we haue enfaumple and techynge what tyme we ben tempted to juftifieng of oure felf and reproue of othere / than to thenke and haue in mynde the goode dedes and vertues that bene or mowe bene in that other man / for3etynge oure owne goode dedes or vertues and bringinge to mynde oure defau^tes and trefpaffes. And fo fchulle we vertuofly deme oure felfe and excufe othere / and fo prorate in the vertu of trewe mekenes / that he graunte vs / meroure of mekenefle/ bliffed Jefu. Amen.
C Cam. C Of the fpekynge of oure lord Jefu with the womman
xxnj™. Samaritane at the pytte of water.
BYfell vppon a tyme that as oure lord Jefu fchulde goo fro the contrey of Juda in to Galilee he mofte make his wey by the cuntrey of Samarye / where was a drawe welle / that they clepeden the welle of Jacob / that was a pytte of water r vppon the C Medita* whiche pytte he relied hym as wery of goynge. Lord Jefu / what is this? That thou / that art the fothfaft way and makere of all erthely wey / fo art wery of the wey / the whiche thoru3 thy fouereyne my3te berefte vppe and conforteft all othere in her wey? But thus woldeft thou in thy manhede fchewe all the kyndely infirmyte of man / as in hunger and thrifte and weryneffe ofte fythes / and fuche othere / forto fchewe the verrey kynde of man that
CIO.
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thou tokc for ourc fake. And fo was all thy bodcly lyuynge in this worlde pynefulle and trauaillous to oure enfaumple : bleffed be thou eucre.
C In the mene tyme / as he fatte foo on the welle / and his difciples were gone in to the nexte citee forto bygge mete / there came a womman of that contree to fette water of that welle / the whiche was clepide lucie r and oure lorde Jefu/ willynge fchewe to hir/ and by hir to othere / his godhede / fpake with hir longe tyme of grete thinges and hi3e in gooftly vnderftondyng. The whiche fpekynge bothe of him and hir / and hou his difciples comen a^en / and how at the wommanis word the peple of the citee comen oute to hym and helde hym with hem a certeyne tyme / and after how he wente fro hem / we paffe ouer at this tyme / for alfo moche as it is open and pleynely writen in the gofpell of John.
C But in this proceffe we mowe note in oure lorde Jefu firft a token of grete mekenes / in that he wolde be allone. What tyme he fcnt his difciples in to the citee forto bigge mete r and in that byggeynge enfaumple that it is leue* fulle to goddis feruauntes forto haue money and referue it to hir nede. Alfo in that he fpake fo homely with that C Contra fymple woman alone and of fo grete thinges / as thoii3 j,uPerbos it hadde i^be with many grete wife men / the pride and predica= the prefumcioun of many clerkes and prechoures is con^ tores- founded and reproued r the whiche }if they fchulde fchew her wifdom or here kunnynge / not onely to one man bot alfo to fewe men / they wolde halde all as looft / and fuche a fymple audience telle vnworthy to take her proude fpeche.
C Furthermore in that the difciples brou}ten her mete C Exem* to hym / and beden hym etc there at the welle / we haue Plum ?on=
r i r j u • i • tra Sulam-
enlaumple 01 pouerte and bodely pcnauncc in his manerc
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Die mercurij
C Ex*
em pi urn pro predU catoribus et curatis.
C N.
C Auguf- tinus fuper Johannem.
of fedynge after his trauaile fo there with oute the citee / and as we mowe fuppofe drynkynge of the water r and that not only in this time / hot as we fuppofe ofte Tithes whan he went by the contre he ete in that manere / with oute the townes and the dwellynges of men / at fomme ryuere or welle were he neuere fo wery or trauailled in body r fchewynge thereynne the grete loue that he had in pouerte and mekenes. He vfed not curious di3tynge of dyuers metes / rofted and fothen / ne precioufe velfelle of filuer or pewtre / ne delicate wynes / whyte and rede / bot only the clene water of the welle or the ryuere / etynge brede there with as a pore man mekely vppon the erthe. Alfo in that he anfwered to his difciples firfte whan thei beden hym goo to mete / and feide to hem thus : I haue mete to ete that 36 knowe nou3t r for my mete is that I do and worche the wille of hym that fent me. And fo he abode the comynge of men of the citee to preche to hem. Firft we mowe fee hou befy he was aboute gooftly fedynge : firfte fulfillynge in dede that longeth to the foule and goftly fuftenaunce / though he hadde therto no grete nede r and fo 3af he enfaumple to prechoures and curates forto doo.
C Myche more gooftly fruyte is conteyned in this gofpel / the whiche who fo defireth to knowe more fully he fchal fynde it in the book of feynt Auftyne vppon the gofpelle of John / where he maketh of the procefTe of this gofpell a longe procefTe and clergial / ful of gooftly fruyte. But for alfo moche as here is made mynde of the pouerte of oure lorde Jefu / as it is ofte bifore / and alfo of his abftynence r therfore of thife tweyne vertues / pern^tely tau3te vs by enfaumple bothe of hym felf and his difciples / it fchal folowe after more plenarly in the nexte chapitre.
Die mercurij 129
C Hou the difciples of Jefu plukkeden the eeres of corne C Cam. and eten it for hunger on the fabbot day. xxuij">.
ON a fabbott day/ as the difciples of oure lorde Jcfu wenten with hym by the feeldes/ where rype corn was growynge / they weren a hungred and pluckeden the eeres and froten hem bytwixe her hondes and eten.
C And the pharifees / that euere afpyed oure lordes wordes and dedes forto take hym in defau3te a3enfh hir lawe / reproued herefore bothe him and his difciples / and feiden that it was vnleueful on the fabbot day. But oure C Pro.
/v*
lord excufed hem r firft by nede / that is out take in the c
i r\ • i •» t • • euangeln.
lawe / as Dauid and his men in nede eten the preeftes brede
that was elles forbeden r and alfo by that refoun that the preeftes of the lawe on the fabbot day circumfidede and maden facrifice / the whiche weren bodily werkes not fo nedful as that they didden r and alfo his prefence / that was lorde and auctour of the lawe / 3af hem leue.
C But 3if we take here inwarde entente / with deuou3te C Content compaffioun of that nede of the difciples in the prefence Placio- of her lorde all my3ti / we oweth refonably be Hired to the loue of pouerte and bodily nede for his fake : for wonderfull it is to thynke that they that were chofen fo fpecially to that hie degre of apoftles and there thoru3 made princes and domefmen of the worlde r fchulde be putte in to fo grete pouerte and nede forto ete the rawe corne for hunger / as they were vnrefonable beftes / and namely in his precenfe / that was maker of all mete and drink at his wille and lorde of all the worlde / as thou3 he my3te not helpe hem at her nede. Bot the good lord / that didde all thing for oure fauacioun / he foffred this nede in hem for the befte / as he toke in hym felf all the nede of mankynde with oute fynne r and fo thou3 he
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Die mercurij
C Nota tria.
C Primum, De pau= pertate ChriiH et apoilo lorum.
C Secure dum.
Perfecta paupertas.
hadde compaffioun of hem in alfo moche as he loued hem tenderly / neuertheles it liked hym that nede in hem and the gode wille of hem therewith / that gladly fuffred that nede for his loue r and fo it plefed hym not only for her mede that he knewe moche therfore / but alfo for en* faumple of vs that fchulde come after.
C For here haue we fpecially that haue forfake the worlde for the loue of god enfaumple and fterynge to thre vertues namely that ben nedefulle to vs : that is to faye / pacience in bodily nede / perfite pouerte / and a^enft gloteny vertuoufe abflynence. And as to the firfte / fithen the difciples of Jefu / that hadde lafte and forfaken all that they hadde forto folwe hym / fuffred paciently and gladly fo grete nede of bodily hunger in his prefence / whome thei feicn myraculoufly fede othere men and helpe at her nede / myche more we oweth to be pacient in bodily nede whan it falleth that ben not fo worthy ne fo perfitely louen god / but rathere hauen deferued for oure myfleuynge and vnkyndenefle a3enft oure lord god myche more penaunce and difefe than he wole fuffre vs forto haue r and pera^ uenture we comen neuere to fo grete nede forto fuffre for his fake.
C And as to the fecounde / that is perfite pouerte for goddes loue : we fchulle vnderftonde that his pouerte paffed in perfeccioun the hiseft degre of wilful pouerte of othere withoute comparifoun r for othere mennis pouerte that haue forfaken for criftes loue allc richeffes and worfchippes of the world is in reputacioun of men in alfo myche as it is holden vertuoufe / as it is r bot his pouerte was in reprofe and defpite of men in alfo myche as it was not knowen that he toke this pouerte priuely / bot as of nede r as it femed in the forfeide proceffe of hym and his difciples whan they eten rawe corne for hunger
Die mercurij 131
and he halp hem not / and in many othere places of the C Nota de gofpelle he fchewed hym as pore and nedy. And for alfo Perfectlffis
C3 l «/ i */ TT1?1 T~)rl 1 1 -*
myche as that pouerte that cometh of nede and not of wille pertate is in defpite and reprofe / and all that knewen hym feien Chriiti. that he hadde neither houfe ne pofleffiouns / they had hym in the more contempte r for comounly fuche nedful pore men ben defpifed of alle men and fette at nou3t / bot neuer* theles they mowe be ful honourable in his fi3t / that thus 3af enfaumple therof : wherefore it is full perilous forto defpife eny pore men.
C But 3if we wole wite who is vertuoufly and perf^tly C Nota. pore/ we fchulle vnderftonde that not only he that hath mad his profeffioun to pouerte / and that hath lafte all worldly richeffes as in auere with outeforth r bot he that there with hath that pouerte fette in his herte with ynneforth / fo that he wil not ne loue ne defire any worldly goodes or pofe feffiouns bot only that is nedeful to his leuynge. For }if a man be in pouerte and fuffre nede with outeforth thoru} lak of worldely goodes / and therwith he defire with de# liberacioun in his herte with ynneforth more than hym nede / that man lyueth not in vertuoufe pouerte / bot in wrecched nede with oute mede. For the lufte and the wille with ynneforth with full affente therto fuffifeth to the fulfil* lynge of fynne and to the loffe of mede r wherfore he that C Nota wole be pern^tly pore / he mofte loke that he neither haue Conclufl0s nor defire more than is nedefulle to his leuynge. Of this vertuoufe pouerte fpeketh feynt Bernarde : Sermone quarto C Bemar- de aduentu : sermone quarto de natura domini : Cur ipfe dus' faluator i &c : et in epiftola ad ducem Conradum I <2fc.
C Furthermore touchynge the thridde vertue / that is C De abftinence : wherof a3enft glottery we haue enfaumple here abrtinencia in the difciples and alfo bifore in ourelorde Jefu. We fchulle et contra vndirftonde that glotterie is a vice aseyne the whiche it gulam-
K 2
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Die
mercury
C Ber* nardus in fermone ad clericos ca°. xiiij0. Item
Bernardus in sermone c°. xxxiiijto.
C Nota contra plures beftiales et gulolos.
C N.
C Nota.
byhoueth vs while we lyuen in this flefche forto haue con* tynuel bataille / as holy fadres that knewen the temptacioun therof by long experience techen vs r and fpecially feynt Bernard in dyuers places telleth hou we fchulle flee glo* tenye / and noriffhe the body only as hit nedeth to the hele thereof r and more fchulde we not feke or defire to the body. Wherfore in all that we taken ouer / that is to feie to fulfillc the luft and the likynge that paffeth the termes of kynde and difpofeth to deth bodily and goodly r and fo it falleth ofte that many men ben fo moche ouercome with the luft and the likynge of the flefche / that as vnrefonable beftes thei putten the lufte byfore the hele / takynge fuche metes and drynkes / the whiche thei knowe wele contrarie to hir hele r and after the whiche they wyten wele that thei fchul fcle grete paffiouns and fekeneffe : and fo not only is the body vndifpofed to ferue god and vertuous occupacioun/ bot alfo the foule defoyled that he may not fee god with clannefle of herte / as he made hym to.
C And fothely this is a foule vice and a periloufe/ and neuertheleffc myche peple is blynde and defceyued in this poynt / bothe worldely and gooftly / that excufen hem falfely by the loue of the flefche and the fteringe of the luft that comounly efcheweth that is mood hoolfome to the kynde 3if it be not likynge to the fenfualitie / and defireth that is mood vnholfom 3if it be delicate and likynge therto : wherefor among alle the fpices of glotenye this femeth mod reprouable / in alfo moche as it is not onely contrarie to the foule / bot alfo deftroyeth and fleeth the body. And fo he that taketh mete or drynke wilfully knowynge that it is contrarie to hym and vndifpofynge to bodily hele may drede of his dome and reproue in goddes fi3t / as of a man fleere and / that is worfe / fleere of hym felf. Othere men that ben ouercome by the fenfualite and the temptacioun of
Die mercurij 133
the flefche forto take of mete or drynke that is holfome / thou3 it be likynge / outher in vntyme / or more in quantite than nedeth / or with grete luft and gredynes / ben more excufable for the comoun infirmyte of the firfte fynne of Adam.
f[ But for alfo moche as this vice of gloteny in alle his <T De fpices is reprouable / therfore it is nedfull to vs forto fchewe abftinencia it to oure power/ and gete and kepe the vertue of difcrete abftynence/ as oure lorde Jefu and his apoftles and othere feyntes hauen bothe tau3te vs and 3euen vs enfaumple - kepynge the body and fedynge as it is nedefulle therto / after the kynde therof and the trauaille that longeth therto : in manere as a horfe oweth to be kept forto doo his jorney / fo that he faille not by defaute in to myche abftynence on the tone fide and that he be not rebelle to the fpirite and to prowde by pamperynge on the tother fide / bot in a good mene of abftinence that techeth the vertue of difcrecioun.
C The whiche difcrecioun / as feynt Bernard feith / is not c Dif- only a vertu / bot alfo keper and leder of alle othere vertues : Sfe^io' for 3if that lakke / that femeth vertu is vice. As feint gregorie dus feith : Difcreffioun is moder and keper of alle vertues. This ca.nt- fer- difcrecioun touch inge abftinence and fedynge of the body ^"^ Vhem ftant generally in this poynt / as feynt Auftyn feith in his cant. xxiij°. book of confeffiouns / that a man take of mete and drynke to fuflenaunce of the body onely as he wolde take of medi; cyne forto hele his infirmyte. Wherfore ri5te as in takynge of medecyne man hath no reward to more or lafle / or to the preciofite / or boftoufneffe / or fwetnes / or bitterneffe / bot only as it is mo ft conuenient and profitable to hele the foore or the fikneffe : fo for alfo myche as hunger and thrufte ben enfirmytees of mankynde / thoru3 the firfte linnc of man / mete and drynke that ben as medecyne to
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Die mercurij
C Item nota. Ber= nardus de abrti- nencia in epiftola ad fratres de monte dei quan= turn ad religiofos. Item in fermone iij° de cir* cumcifione domini.
xxvm.
C Jefus milericors.
this infirmyte fchulde be take only as for hele thereof/ as feynt Auftyn feith. Thus moche is fpoken here fpecially of abftinence and glottery by occafioun of the hungre / and the fymple fode there a3enft of the difciples of Jefu/ as it feide.
C For alfo myche as here endeth the thridde parte of this book that ftant in contemplacioun of criftes bleffed lyf for the Wednefday / vppon the whiche day to oure enfaum* pie he bygan to f^te a3enft glotenye / fpecially by his faftynge in deferte / as it is feide bifore : the whiche vice of glotterye he graunte vs of his grace to efchewe in the vertu of difcrete abftynence to kepe / that is bleffid with outen ende. Amen.
C Explicit contemplacio pro die mercurii et pars tercia r et incipit contemplacio pro die Jouis / que eft pars quarta.
C Of the fedynge of the grete peple with brede multe* plyede / etc.
^Wo tymes / as the gofpell telleth / that oure lorde Jefu multiplied a fewe loues of brede and therwith fedde many thowfandes of men to the fulle. In the whiche proceiTe takynge hede to the wordes and the dedes of oure lorde / as the gofpell openly telleth / we mowe fee to oure edificacioun gooftly manye goode fterynges to loue him and thonke hym and worfchippe hym fouereynly r and fpecially we mowe fee in this procefle that oure lorde Jefu was merciful / and curtais / and kynde / and difcrete / and circumfpecte.
C Firfte that he was mercifulle fchewen his wordes whan he feide thus : 1 haue pite and mercy vppon the peple. So that mercy ftired hym and drowe hym to helpe hem and fede hem at her nede. For as dauid witneffeth : All the erthe is ful of his mercy / etc.
Die jouis 135
C Alfo he fchewed his grete curtefie and wonderful C Jefus kyndenefle in the caufe that he affigned after/ feienge thus : cunalls- For lo ! now thifc thre days thei abiden and fuffren and beren me faftynge / and thei haue not wherof to ete. As they he were bounden to hem for her benefice done to hym in that they abiden fo with hym r and neuertheles in fothenefle it was for her owne gode and profite and not for his : but that is his fouereyn kyndeneffe and curtefie and endeles goodnes that he hath likynge to dwelle with vs only for oure profite and fauacioun / thouj there be there thoru3 as to hym noon encrefe of his goodneffe. Wher* fore alle tho that folowen hym by good leuynge / and gladely heren his doctrine / and kepcn his heftes / he loueth and haueth likynge to dwelle with hem gooftly and failleth neuere to helpe hem at her nede.
J[ Ferthermore oure lorde Jefu takynge hede that many C Jefus of the peple were come to hym fro fer contrey / and feynge dlfcretus. the penile of the puple in to myche faftinge by caufe of the grete trauaille that they fchulden haue in her goynge a3en / feide thus : 3if I fuffre hem goo home a3eyne into her owne hous faftinge / thei fchulde faile and perifme in the way. Where he fchewed that he was difcrete and circum* fpecte / feynge bifore her nede and vnmy3te r and therfore ordeynynge helpe and remedye bifore by her bodily fufte* naunce that was nedefull to her trauaile that come after. And fo in this fpeche and dede of Jefu is doctrine and en* c N. faumple of difcrecioun to prelates and hem that han cure C Difcre* of othere to take hede of hir infirmyte and of hir trauaille / cioprelatis and therafter ordeyne hem bodily fuftenaunce couenable and fufficient / that they faille not by defaute in the wey of this bodily lyuynge in erthe.
C Alfo in the forfeide proceffe we mowe vndirftonde C B. gooftly the gracious gouernaunce of oure lorde Jefu to vs
136 Die jouis
leuinge in this world eche day r for we haue not to eten
bodily or goodly hot he 3eue vs / and fo 3if he fuflfre vs
faftynge / we fchulle faille in the weie r for withoute hym
C Nota* we mowe not helpe oure felfe in eny gooftly nede. Wher*
blle- fore we haue no mater of elacioun or veyne ioye of oure felf
what tyme that we felen any goftely comforte or profyte in
goftely exercife r for it is nou3t of vs / hot only of hym.
C And fo 3if we take good entente / we mowe fee that they that ben trewe feruauntes of god and chofen of hym / the more perfite that they ben in leuinge / and the nerre god / and more excellent in his 3iftes of grace / the more meke they ben and the more abiecte in her owne fight r for they knowen wele that they haue nou}t of hem felfe bot wrecchednelTe and fynne. For the nerre that a man cometh to god / the more clere fi3t he hath gooftly r and fo he feeth the more clerly the greet goodneffe and the mercy of god. Wherfore pride and veyn ioye / that comen of gooftly blyndeneffe / mowe not haue place and refiynge in his foule / that is fo Ii3tened thoru3 grace r for with outen dowte he that knewe wele god and fothely examyned hym felf my3te not be proude dedly.
f[ Alfo here is greet comforte to fynful men of the grete mercy of oure lorde Jefu/ 3if they wole torne a3en and come to hym by verray repentaunce what tyme they ben departed fro hym and gone into the ferre cuntrie of wickedneffe r for as the gofpell telleth / that he was fpecially ftired to mercy of the peple for alfo moche as fome of hem were comen to hym fro ferre contre / fo with outen dowte wil he to euery fynful man that wole come to hym gooftly / as it is feide by his wey of departinge neuere fo longe bifore. Amen.
Die jouis 137
([ Of the flcynge of cure lordc Jefu whan the peple C Ca™. wolde haue made hym her kyng.
iA Fter that oure lorde Jefu hadde fedde the peple to /^L the fulle / as it is feide in the next procefle bifore /
/ ^k thei feinge his my5t in that myracle / and how A ^ he my5te helpe hem at her nede / for here temperel profite they wolde haue made hym her kyng. But oure lorde Jefu knowynge this wille of hem / hem vnwetynge / fledde in to the hille fo that they myjte not fynde hym. And this was that hille / as fome clerkes feyne / vppon the whiche he made that excellent fermoun that is fpoke of bifore. And thus he fledde / for he wolde not haue temperel kyngdome and veyne worldes worfchippe.
C But take we here good entente how and in what C Nota- manere he fledde this worfchippe effectually with oute blle- feynynge. Firfte / he badde his difciples take the fchippe and goo into the water bifore hym / and than he allone went vppe in to the hille r fo that )if the peple wolde feche hym amonge his difciples / they fchulde not fynde hym. And fo he fkaped away fro hem that fou5ten hym to wor* fchippe / 3euynge enfaumple to vs forto flee temperel worfchippe r for he fledde not that worfchippe for hym felf / bot for vs / knowynge what perile is to vs to coueite or defire temperel worfchippe : for fothe that worfchippe is C Nota one of the mofte perilous gnarre of the enemy to kacche contra and begile mannis foule / and one of the heuyefte byrthene honores. that draweth doun and ouercometh the foule dedely r Pericula whether it be worfchippe or prelacie / or of temperel lord* multa- fchippe / or of grete kunnynge. For fkarfely is there any man that hath delite in worfchippe / bot that he is outher in grete perile of fallyng / or elles fully falle doun in to the pitte of dcdly fynne / as we mowe fee by many refouns :
firfte / for alfo myche as he that hath grete delite in wor^ ^ Primum
penculum.
138
Die jouis
C Secun- dum.
C. Ter, cium.
C Quar= turn.
C Quin= turn.
fchippe is bcfy alle tymes in his mynde how he may kepen his worfchippe and make it more r and fo as feynt gregorie feith : In alfo myche as a man hath fette his likynge in thing that longeth to the worlde or the flefche here bynethe* forthe / in fo myche is he departed fro the goftly likynge and loue of god and heuenly thinges aboueforthe. Alfo he that loueth worfchippes is befy to procure and geten hym frendes that mowe kepe hym in his worfchippe and alfo furthere hym to gretter worfchippe ; wherfore often Tithes falle dyuers caufes in the whiche he offendeth god and his owne confcience forto plefe fuche frendes : and in the fame manere he maketh hem to doo for hym. Alfo comounly he hath indignacioun of othere that ben in wor* fchippe and bakbiteth hem to make hym felf more worfchip* full and more worthy r and fo he falleth in to hate and envie of his brothere. Alfo he halte hym felf in his owne fight / and alfo defireth to be halde in othere mennis fr,te / worthy and worfchipfull r and fo he falleth in to the foule vice of elacioun and pryde and veynglorie : but ther* fore as the apoftle feith : He that halt hym felf as ou3te worth /whanne in fotheneffe he is noght/he difceyueth foule hym felf/ etc. And therfore feith cure lord to his difciples in the gofpell : Whan 3e haue done alle thinges that ben beden to 3ow / feith 36 fothely with herte : We ben vn* worthy and veyne feruauntes. But this may not he feie that holdeth hym felf worthy and worfchipful. Further* more at the lafle whan this likynge of worfchippe is roted in man / he is fo hungery and gredy after worfchippes that he may not be filled / bot euery daye procureth newe wor* fchippes and gretter / and the moo that he geteth the moo he coueiteth and defireth r for he halte algate hym felf more worthy and more worfchipfull than he was byfore / bothe in his owne fi,t and in other mennis fi3t : and fo he
Die jouis 139
falleth in to the dcpc couctifc / that is the fouled vice and roote and caufe of many other vices.
C Of this veyne delite in worfchippes and of the perile C Ber* thereof feynt Bernard fpeketh to men fpecially in this "SjJto jf' manere : Alle we ben noble and worthy creatures and of afcencione. a grete manere wille r wherfore kyndely we defiren hi^e* rieffe r bot woo to vs 3if we wole folewe hym that wolde fette his fete in the hille of lordfchippe and hije my3te and be like to god in worfchippe / that was lucifer / that thus ftei3e vp by proude wille in to this hille of hi3eneffe r firfte a glorious aungel / bot fodeynly fel doun therefro made a foule fende of helle. Alfo taketh hede forthermore that he / that foule fend / after his falle coueitynge by his wicked envious wille to cafte man doun fro his bliffe / he dorfte not tempte him forto ftise vp to that hille of lordfchippe and grete myste that hym felf fo fodeynly fel doun fro r but as a falfe trecchour he fchewed hym another hille like therto / that is to faye the hille of grete kunnynge / and counfeilled hym falfely to ftie vp in to this hille by proude defire of worfchippe whan he feide to hym in this manere : 3e fchulle be as goddes thoru3 grete kunnynge / knowynge bothe good and ille. And for alfo myche as man 3af his affent to his fuggeftioun therfore he felle doun as he didde.
{[ And fo we mowe fee that coueitife of grete lordfchippe and hi3e my3t priued the aungel of bliffe r and defire of grete kunnynge defpoyled man of the ioye of endeles lyf : and of bothe mefchiefs was grounde and caufe delite and defire of veyne worfchippe. 3if we drede the fal of the aungell and of man we mofte flee in wille fro bothe thife hilles of hi3e lordfchippe and grete kunnynge / and go vp with oure lorde Jefu in to the hille of contemplacioun and deuocioun by mekenes / forfakynge the worlde and the wille to worfchippe of the comoun peple as he didde.
C Notabile fecundum.
C Nota qualiter Jefus fpi- ritualiter recedit ab anima et redit ad earn.
CBer« nardus fuper cant, fer. xxxij0. Item Ixxiiij0 et
Die jouis
C But in this fleynge fro the peple and goynge of hym allone in to the hille / as it is feide byfore in the proceffe of the gofpelle / take we hede to oure edificacioun how he lafte his difciples and made hem a5enft her wille to take the fchippe and goo in to the fee withoute him r for they wole not her thankes haue ben departed fro hym / and in that was here defire good forto dwelle euere with her lorde. Neuertheles he ordeyned othere weies / feynge what was beft for hem. And fo then they mekely didden as he bad and weren obeifaunt to hym / thou} it fo were that it were neuere fo greuous and harde to hem.
C Thus it fareth comounly with goodly lyueres by fpecial felynge of the prefence of Jefu and of his abfence in her foule : they wolde not that he fchulde euere goo fro hem as by fpecial gooftly comfort in any tyme r but he doth othere weies / for he gooth and cometh as it is his wille and for her befte. Bot what fchal fuche a deuoute foule doo whan fche feleth her gooftly fpoufe Jefu fo with drawen touchynge his fpecial conforte? Sothely fche byhoueth befily and ofte clepe hym a3en in to continuel defire and deuoute prayer r and in the mene tyme paciently fuffre the abfence of her fpoufe / and by enfaumple of the difciples of Jefu / that thoru3 meke obedience at his biddynge wenten in to the fchippe and token the water in his abfence / fuffre the wawes and tempeftes of temptacioun and ad* ucrfite / and paciently abide til he wil of his grace come in to that foule and make refte and pees / as it fchal folowe after in the proceffe next to come. Of this mater feynt Bernarde in dyuerfe places maketh faire proceffe and de* uou3te / the whiche for alfo myche as it longeth and is pertynent fpecially to gooftly folk / and alfo as I hope is writen fufficiently in dyuerfe tretees of contemplaciounr and we paffen ouer here / as we done in many othere places /
Die jouis 141
fuche auctorites of him lefte this proceffe of criftes bliffed lyf fchulde be tedioufe to comune peple and fymple foulcs to the whiche it is fpccially writen. Amen.
C Of the prayer of oure lorde Jefu in the hille r and hou C Can>. after he came to his difciples vppon the water goinge.
lAFter the difciples of oure lorde Jefu were gone /^L in to the fchippe and the water/ as he bad hem/ / ^k and as it is feide bifore / he went vp into the A J^_ hille allone / and there was he occupied in prayere into the ferthe part of the ny5t r foo that thre partes of the ny3t that were palled he hadde contynued in prayere. And thus we reden that often lithes he 3af him to prayere. Wherfore take we here good entente in what C Nota- manere he prayeth / and how that he loweth hym in his blle .de manhede / and meketh hym to his fader of heuen : he chefeth folitarie places and goth to hem allone to praye / and doth his tendre body to penaunce / and waketh longe wakynges. He prayeth as the trewe herde for his fchepe r C Nota for he prayeth not for hym felf / but for vs as oure aduocate qu^re and mediatour bytwixe the fader and vs r and alfo he prayeth to enfaumple of vs that we fchulde ofte Tithes praye and fpecially loue prayer. For ofte Tithes he bad his difciples and tau5te hem forto praye / and fo that he bad hem by worde he fchewed in felf dede : he tau5te hem and feide : It byhoueth and is nedefulle euere to praye and no5t faile leuynge therof / fchewing that contynuynge and ofte afkynge in prayer geteth at the lafte with outen faile that thing that is afked. And hereof he tolde enfaumple of the domefman / that at the lafte thoru3 longe crienge and afkynge of the wydowe dide her rijt / as the gofpelle of luke telleth. Alfo to ftire hem forto praye befily / and C Lucas trifte forto gete that thei afken / he tolde another enfaumple XV"J°-
C Lucas
C N ota- bile. Virtus orationis multiplex.
C Homo orationis.
CNota de per* fectione.
C Nota de fim- plicibus.
Die jouis
of a frende that at the lafte thoru} myche afkynge lente to his frende the brede that hym neded / as the fame gofpelle telleth in proceffe concludynge and feienge thus : Afketh / and it fchal be 3ouen to 3ow.
|[ And alle this he feide to teche vs the vertue of good prayere r the whiche may not be eftymede / for the vertu therof is fo my5ty and fo grete that it geteth all goodneffe and putteth away all manere of wickedneffe. Wherfore jif thou wilt paciently fuffre aduerfitees and myjtily ouer* come temptaciouns and difefes / be thou a man of prayer. Alfo 3if thou wilt knowe the fleiBtes of the deuel and be not begiled with his falfe fuggeftiouns / be a man of prayer. Alfo )if thou wilt take the ftreist wey to heuene by tra* uaile and penaunce of flefche and therwith gladly contynue in goddis feruice / be a man of prayer. Alfo 3if thou wilt putte away veyne thou3tis and fede thi foule with holy tho3tis and goftly meditaciouns and deuociouns / be a man of prayer. Alfo $if thou wilt ftable thy herte in good purpos to goddis willc / putting awey vices and planting vertues / be a man of prayer r for thoru3 prayer is goten the sifte of the holi gofte / that techith the foule all thing that is nedeful therto. Alfo 3if thou wilt come to heuen by contemplacioun / and fele the gooftly fwetneffe that is feled of fewe chofen foules / and knowe the grete gracious siftes of oure lorde god that mowe be feled bot not fpoken / be a man of prayer r for by the exercife of prayer fpecially a man cometh to contemplacioun and the felynge of heuenly thinges. Here mowe we fee of hou grete gooftly my3te and vertue is deuouste prayer : and to confirmacioun here of and of alle tho thinges that ben feide byfore / that holy writt and doctoures feienge fully prouen. Ferthermore we haue a fpecial profe in that we feen euery day by experience dyuerfe perfones / fymple and vnlettred / by
Die jouis 143
the vertue of prayere gctc and haue alle the thinges that ben feide bifore and many mo gretter 3iftes of grace. Wherfore myche ou^ten alle criften folk be ftired to the exercife of prayere / bot principally thei that ben religious / whos manere of lyuynge is ordeyned more fpecially herto. Of this vertue of prayere / and hou oure lord god 3eueth ~ R to hem that deuou5tly afken hym in prayere that thing that nardus thei afken in manere as it is mooft fpedeful to hem / feynt fuper cant.
fcr xi°
Bernarde by deuoute procefle telleth in dyuers places : et jXxxvj«. the whiche proceffe paffmg ouer torne we to oure lorde Item in Jefu and his difciples and the forfeide proceffe of hem. x^fer^v" CWhat tyme that oure lord Jefu was allone prayeng C Procef* in the hille / as it is feide / his difciples weren in the fee in fus- grete difefe r for alfo moche as the wynde was asenft hem and the fchippe in poynt of periffhynge thoru3 the grete wawes and the grete tempefte that was rifen in that tyme. And fo we mowe fee $if we take good hede by deuoute compaffioun in what mefchief and tribulacioun they weren at that tyme / bothe for the grete tempefte that was rifen vppon hem / and alfo for the ny3tes tyme / and principally for thei lakkeden her lordes prefence that was all her refute in her nede. But he / that gode lorde that knewe what was befte for hem and that fuffred this difefe of hem for the tyme / whan he fawh tyme alfo fente hem comforte and helpe r and fo at the ferthe wakynge of the ny3t he came doun fro the hille / goynge vppon the fee and comynge towarde hem. Now beholde we here yn* wardely how that bliffed lorde / after his grete trauaille of longe wakynge and prayeng / cometh downe allone in the ny3t tyme fro that trauaillous hille / and parauntre ftonye and barefote. And fo goth he faddely vppon the water as it were on the erthe / for that creatoure knewe her maker and was obeifaunt to hym at his wille. And what tyme
144
Die jouis
C Nota* bile.
C De trU bulacione electorum.
C Com* moda tri= bulacio.
he came nyh the fchippe / the difciples fuppofing that he had ben a fantafme criden for drede : and than he / benigne lorde / hauynge compaffioun of hem and willynge that the! fchulde no lenger be deftourbeled and trauailled / fikered hem of his prefence and feide : I am he that 5e defiren / beeth not adred. And than petre / that was more feruent than othere / triftynge of his my5t / at his biddynge bygan to goo towarde hym vppon the water r bot anone as a grete wynde blewe he failled in byleue and drede / and fo bygan to drenche r bot the gode lorde with his rist honde toke hym vp and kepte hym fro periffhinge / and than went in to the fchippe with hym. And anone all the tempefte ceffed and all was in pees and grete tranquillite r and fo the difciples / with grete reuerence and ioye re; fceyuynge her lorde / weren putte in grete refte and foue* reynly conforted by his bleffid prefence. This is the proceffe of that gofpelle fchortely.
C In this proceffe touchy nge the difciples we haue gooftly doctrine and enfaumple of pacience in tribulacioun and of the profit therof / as we hadde bifore touchinge hym felf of the vertue of prayer / as it is feide. Wherfore we fchulle vndirftonde that as it felle with the difciples bodily / fo it falleth with vs all day gooftly. Oure lorde Jefu fuffreth hem that ben chofen of hym forto be difefed and haue grete tribulacioun in this world / bothe in body and in foule r for als holy writt witneileth : He beteth euery child that he refceyueth to his grace r and as the apoftle poule feith : Alle tho that ben with oute difcipline ben not kynde children / bot of avoutrie. And it is fpedefulle to vs fo to be beten and to fuffre tribulacioun and difefe in this worlde for many caufes r for thereby we ben tau5t forto knowe oure felf and oure owne wrecched* nefie r alfo there thoru3 we profiten gooftly and geten
Die jouis 145
vertues/ and whan they be goten there thoru3 kepe hem the bettre r and ferthermore / that is mofte of alle / there thoru3 we triftely hopen and abiden the euerelaflynge mede in the bliffe of heuene : wherfore we fchul not be difcomforted by hem or inpacient in hem / bot rathere coueite hem and loue hem. Bot for alfo myche as the profite of tribula* ciouns / thou3 it be myche worthe and of grete vertue and myche mede / neuertheles many men thenken hem ful harde and grucchen a3ens hem as inportable bycaufe that they knowen not and fene not the vertue of hem. Neuer* theles many holy doctoures tellen and techen vs the grete prorate of hem in many places to comforte vs gladly forto C Ber* taken hem and paciently fo bere hem r and fpecially "uarg"s amonge othere feynt Bernard in dyuerfe tretys. Wrier* pfaimum fore haue we no wonder thou3 oure lord Jefu fuffred his ^ ?VJ° difciples / the whiche he loued fo fpecially / to be turbled habitat, with tempefles / as it is feide/ and fuffre tribulaciouns r for Cum ipfo he knewe her goftely profite thereby : for ofte we rede tribula. that her fchippe was in peril by tempeftes and contrarie clone, wyndes/ but it was neuere drowned ne fully perifihedr and xiij no more fchulle we what tribulacioun fo euere come to vs xxv° et 3if we fuffre paciently and trifle fully in the helpe of oure !xx*v°> et
in iermone
lorde Jefu / that wole not faille vs at oure nede. Amen, depaffione.
{[ How the pharifees and othere token occafioun of C Cam. fclaundre of the wordes and the dedes of Jefu. xxviij™.
W "W ^y E fchulle haue no wonder thou3 fomme men C De fcan* ^ ^k /taken occafioun of fclaundre of oure wordes JJaru ^L/ ^/ and dedes / be they neuere fo gode and trewe r c°. 31
T for fo it byfel of oure lorde Jefu ofte Tithes r and 3it my^te not he erre in worde or dede. Wherfore byfelle on a tyme that the pharifees afkeden him : Why that his difciples wafched not her hondes whan thei went
L
146 Die jouis
to mete? And in that thei kepte not her cuftome after the techrynge of her elder. Bot oure lorde / feynge that thei charged more the wafchynge with outforth and bodily clannes than vertues with ynneforth and goftely clanneffe / anfwered harde a3eyne / reprouynge hem / that thei broken the heftes of god for her tradiciouns and bodily obfer^ uaunces r declarynge after / that vices that comen oute of the herte defoillen more a man than doth the bodily mete taken vnwafched. Wherfore they were gretely fclaundred and ftircd asenft hym : bot he toke none hede thereof / for they were blynde in foule thoru3 malice.
C Ber* C Alfo ofte Tithes oure lorde Jefu wrou3te myracles vppon
nardus the fabbot dayes / that weren goddes haly dayes to the Jewes as ben the fondayes now to criften men r and that he didde to confufioun and reproue of the Jewes that kepten ftreijtly the lawe in bodily obferuaunces and not in gooftly vndirftondynge / as his wille was : for he bad not the hali* day forto leue therynne good worchynge and dedes of charite / bot forto cefe and abfteyne fro fynne and bodily werkes. Wherfore they weren greetly fclaundred / that is to faie token occafioun of fclaundre a5enft hym / and con; fpired into his dethe and feiden : That that man was not on goddes halue that kepte no3t the Sabbott daye. But oure lorde lafte not therfore to worche myracles and doo dedes of charite in tho dayes r bot meche more dide hem forto deftroye the Jewes errour forfeide.
C Ber* C Another tyme alfo whan he tau3te in the fynagoge
n0ardu0s goftly l°re ' ancl feide that he was the brede of lyf that came fro heuene / and how it byhoued to eten his flefche and drinken his blode who fo fchulde be fauf and haue euerlaftynge lyf r they vnderftondynge his wordes flefchely and not gooftely gruccheden a3enft hym and token occa* fioun of grete fclaundre. And many of his difciples thoru3
Die jouis 147
that myfvndirftondynge flefchely forfoken hym / hot petre in the name of the xij apoftles anfwered that they wolde not leuen hym r for he hadde the wordes of euerelaftynge lyf : and fo that was fclaundre to the badde was vertues to the gode.
C In the forfeide wordes and dedes of oure lord Jefu we <T Nota. haue enfaumple that we fchulle not lette to do gode werkes bile de for occafioun of fclaundre vnfkilfully taken of othere / or fcandal°' for enuy and yuel wille of hem / and fpecially of that dede that is necefiarie to foule hele we fchulle not cefe for eny fclaundre. Wherfore feynt gregorye feith / that a man fchal C Gre» rathere fuffre fclaundre forto arife than he fchal leue the S°rius- trewthe / that is to feie in thre maneres after the comoun fentence of doctoures : firft / of the trewthe of good lyf C Prima man fchal not ceffe for fclaundre/ that is to faie he fchal veritasvite- not doo dedely fynne for puttynge away of eny fclaundre r C Secunda
alfo / a doctour or a prechour fchal not teche or preche falfe for eny fclaundre / hot in cafe he may holde his pees of ° a certeyne trewthe / as what tyme he knoweth that the hereres ben obftynate in errour and fchulle be the worfe if that trewthe were feide : the thridde is trewthe of ity* C Tertia wifneffe that fchal not be lafte for fclaundre / that is to fay yerjtas a domefman fchal not 3eue falfe dome / ne a witteneffe bere iullitiae' falfe recorde for any fclaundre. Bot of othere certeyne dedes that nowe be lafte with outen perile of foule a man fchal otherwhile cefe / thou3 they ben goode in hem felfe / lorto putte away occafioun of fclaundre r as the apoftle poule feith : That he wolde rathere neuere ete flefche than he wolde there thoru3 3eue occafioun of fclaundre to his brother.
C Alfo in the forfeide proceffe of oure lorde Jefu we ben C N. tauste forto charge more the clanneffe of foule / and that difpofith to vertues / than bodily clanneffe and honefte with
L 2
148 Die jouis
outeforth / that is no vertu ynne. Neuerthelefle honefte and bodily clenneffe is good fo that it difpofe not to veyne glorie / or curiofite / or leccherie / or othere fynnes r and fo ben good coftomes that ben grounded vppon refoun forto ben kcpte : bot the biddinges of god and the ordy# naunces of fouereynes in holy chirche ben myche more forto charge. Wherfore in this poynt erren many criften men / and fpecially religious / that chargen more bodily obferuaunces and cuftomes / thou} the}' difpofe to none vertue and ofte ben asenft refoun / than thei done the biddinges of god and the doctrine of holy fadres touchinge charite / mekenefie / patience / deuocioun in prayere / def* crete abflinence and othere vertues : wherfore they mowe drede the reproue of oure lorde Jefu priuely / that he reproued the pharifees openly / as it is feide bifore.
C Cam. |[ Of the fpecial rewarde of oure lorde Jefu byhoten to
alle thoo that forfaken the worlde for his loue.
WHat tyme oure lorde Jefu / by occafioun of le riche man that wolde not leue his temperel Dodes for perfeccioun / feide : That it was irde to a riche man to entre into the kyng; dome of heuene r the apoftle petre in the name of alle his C B. N. felawes / the xij apoftles / afked of hym what rewarde thei ^,Tro* fchulde haue that hadden forfake and lafte alle worldely
f*^ 11 11C
thinges for his fake. And than oure lorde anfwered / not onely byhetynge to hem a fouereyn mede in the blifle of heuen / bot alfo to alle othere that forfaken fader and moder and othere kynne and temperel goodes of his loue C De the hundred folde in this worlde and after lyf euerlaftynge in an other world to come. Wherfore alle thoo that hauen taken hem to goodly leuynge and fully forfaken the worlde hauen mater of greet gooftly ioye and fpecial
Die joins 149
comforte in this byhefte of Jefu / not only for the euere* laftyngc lyf in heuene / that thei triftily hopen to haue by his gracious byhefte / bot alfo for that hundred foldc rewardc that they fchulle fele in this bodily lyf 3if thei trewely loue Jefu and fully forfaken the worlde r that is neither gold ne filuer / ne deynte metes / ne precious clothes / bot gooftly richefle of vertues and comforte of the holy gooft r the whiche he all onely knoweth that by expe* rience feleth it in hym felf / and that is amonge othere clene confcience and refte in foule / loue of pouerte / chaftite / pacience / and othere vertues. And what tyme that oure gooftly fpoufe Jefu wole and to whom / the fenfible prefence of hym felte / bothe in body and foule / that paffeth not only an hundred folde bot alfo a thowfande folde alle the flefchely likynge of erthe. This fpecial 3ifte of Jefu is C Nota knowen of gooftly folk biforefeide / bot it is hidde to fPeciale flefchely folk that haue fette her herte in comforte in this grade! world r as the prophete Dauid / felynge this 3ifte/ fpeketh to god in this manere : Lorde / hou grete is the multitude C Quam of thy fwetneffe that thou haft hidde to hem that dreden masna the. Of this matere feynt Bernarde maketh a deuoute dulcet procefie in a tretys of hym that is cleped Zte colloquio tuedomine. Symonis */ Jefus I fpekynge more plenerly of this gooftly C E,er" mede r of the whiche Jefu graunte vs parte. Amen.
C Of the tranffiguracioun of oure lord Jefu in the hille. C Ca«.
OWre lorde Jefu crifte willynge to conferme and ftrengthe his difciples in that trewe byleue that he was bothe god and man / he fchewed ^ Nota hem that he was verray man by that he fuffred totum- after the kynde and comoun infirmyte of man r and alfo that he was god by the myracles that he wrojte abouen the comune kynde and my3t of man : and therwith alfo
150 Die jouis
he enfourmed hem and tolde hem bifore that he fchulde
fuffre peynefully the harde deth as man and after arife
C Math. vp glorioufly to lyfe as god. And to this ende what tyme
?yj°- ...0 that / as the gofpell of Matheu and Marke and Luke tel*
Luc.' ix"°' leth / he had tolde his difciples that he fchulde fuffre many
reproues and defpites in Jerufalem / and at the lafte be
ilayn and dede / and after that he fchulde rife fro deth to
lyue the thridde day r than ferthermore he concluded and
feide that there were fome of hem that there ftoden at that
tyme the whiche fchulde not tafte bodily deth til thei feien
mannis fone/ that was hym felf/ comynge in his kyngdome /
that is to feie apperynge in a wonderful and ioyeful cleer*
neffe of this manhode longinge to his kyngdome.
C And than forto fulfille this byhefte / aboute the viij day after he toke with hym peter and James and John vppe into an hi3e hille that was / as clerkes feyn / cleped Thabor r and there he was tranffigured in her frjte / that is to feie torned oute of the lowe likneffe of feruaunt in to the hi3e and glorioufe liknes of his kyngdome : for his face fchone as the fonne and his clothes were alfo whyte as the fnowe : and therwith there appereden Moyfes and helie fpekynge with him of his paffioun that he fchulde fuffre in Jerufalem. In the whiche blifful fijt the difciples rauifched / and fpecially Petir / fonetynge all erthely thing coueyted and defired forto haue dwelled ftille there in that bliffeful place / and feide : Lorde / it is good that we abide and dwelle here r and therfore / $if thou wilt / make we here thre tabernacles : one to thee / one to Moyfes / and one to helye. Bot he wide not what he feide r neither in that he wolde haue dwelled with Jefu in bliffe bifore that he fuffred with hym the paffioun of the deth / as he hadde tolde hem byfore that he fchulde doo / nor that he wolde haue feuered hem thre that were alle one as in gooftly felynge / the lawe / the pro*
Die jouis
phetes/ and Jefu : and therfore forto conferme hym / that is forto feic petre and his felawes / in trewe byleue of Jefu that he was goddes fone and that thci fchulde here and folowe hym in all thing / thervvith a bri3te clowde ouer; fchadewcdc hem / and out of the clowde came a voife fro the fader of heuene feienge : This is my byloued fone in whom me liketh wele / and therfore hereth 3e hym. That is to feie in alle that he techeth / for he is verray foothfafU neffe withouten lefynger and therwith foloweth hym in that he fcheweth / for he is the ri$t wey withouten errynge r whom 3e haue herde bothe in the lawe / that is vnderftonde in Moyfes / and in the prophetes / that ben vnderftonde in helye. And than whan the difciples hadde herde this heuenly voys byforefeide of the fader / they felle doun to the erthe on her faces with grete drede : for the infirmyte of man my3te not bere that heuenly voyce aboue kynde. And than oure lorde Jefu benignely lifte hem vppe/ and badde hem not drede. And therwith they liftynge vp hir ei3en and lokynge aboute hem feynge no moo bot all onely Jefu. And as they wenten doun the hille he bad hem telle no man that they haddc feien til he / mannis fone / were rifen fro deth to lyue.
C This is the proceffe of the gofpell / in the whiche whofo hath grace of gooftly vnderftondynge and fwetneffe may fee many good notabilitees ftirenge to lowynge and defpifynge of man hym felf and to feruent deuocioun and loue of god / and fpecially he that hath felynge abouen kynde / 3euen by fpecial grace / may tafte and haue myche gooftly comforte : that he graunte vs parte of/ Jefu crifte. Amen.
Di
ie joins
C Ca». xxxjm.
C B.
C Pro. ceffus.
|[ Of the feke man heled at the water in Jerufalem cleped probatica pifcina.
r
1
was n
the citee of Jerufalem / in the manere of a ponde / a ftandynge water clofed aboute with fyue dores r in the whiche water the fchepe were wafchen that were offred in to facrifice r in the whiche water alfo / after the opinioun of fome clerkes / lay the tre of the holy croffe : where it byfel as by wey of myracle that ones in the 3ere that water was gretly flered and meved of the aungel of god. And than what feke man my^te firfte entre in to the water he was heled of his infirmyte : wherfore many feke men dwelleden contynuelly by that water / abydynge the meu* ynge therof by the aungel r among the whiche there was one liggyng in his bedde on the palefye xxxviij 3ere. The whiche man oure lord Jefu heled on the fabbot day/ and badde hym bere awey his bedde and goo / as the procefle of the gofpelle telleth more plenerly.
C Nota {[ In the whiche proceffe we mowe note fpecially thre
C Primum tmn§es to oure edificacioun : firfte / in that oure lorde Jefu afkede the feke man whether he wolde be made hole r we mowe vndirftonde that oure lord god wole not 3eue vs grace and gooftly hele bot we willen and deflre it. Wherfore tho fynful men that defire not and wole not affente to goddes wille of her gooftly hele and her faua^ cioun ben dampnable with outen excufacioun r for as feynt Auftyne feith : He that made the with oute the/ wil not iuftifie the with outen the. The fecounde notabilite is that it byhoueth vs to be war and befy after we be delyuered and clenfed of fynne that we falle not wilfully aseyne therto A lefte that oure vnkyndeneffe in that partie worthily be punyfched more harde of oure lord Jefu. Wherfore
C Secun* dum.
cium.
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he feide to that feke man that he hadde heled : Go and wille thou fynne no more / left worfe bifalle to the. For ofte fithes it falleth that for gooftly infirmyte / that is to feie fynne/ cometh bodily infirmyte r and fo thoru3 delyuerynge and affoillynge of fynne ofte tymes the body is heled of bodily fikeneffe. The thridde thing notable is that wicked <T Ter- men gladdely fuppofen vertuoufe dedes of othere men into the worfe partie / and fo they lefen here mede r comounly as goode men on the tother fide fuppofen all thinge in to the bettre parte in encrefe of her mede. Thus the Jewes / full of envie / whan thei feien that feke man made hole myraculofly of oure lorde Jefu / and berynge away his bedde on the fabbot day at his bid^ dynge / they afked hym : Who bad hym bere his bedde ? bot they afked not who made him hole. And fo thei token that parte that hem thou3te was reprouable r bot thei lafte that parte that was commendable. And thus comounly thei didden in alle the myracles of oure lorde Jefu. In the fame manere worldely men and flefchely tornen into the worfe parte that good men and gooftly tornen into the befte parte : for they that ben in charite and dreden good / lyuynge ri5twifly / aretten alle thing for the befte and to goddis worfchippe / whether it be profperite or aduerfite / knowynge that all thing is done ri5twifly by goddes wille or his fufferaunce : and fo in all thinge fpirituel men wyn* nen and geten mede r 36 / fo ferforth that of her owne fynnes and othere mennis / and of the deueles werkes / thei profiten and wynnen gooftly / as feint Bernarde ^ fcheweth in dyuerfe places. Who fo hadde this grace .. perfitcly to fuppofe and arette alle thinges that bifelle in xiiij. liiij. to the better parte / he fchulde mowe fuffre tribulaciouns and temptaciouns withouten grete difefe r and by longe exercife come to the grete refte of foule that ful felden or
154 Die jouis
neuere fchulde he be deftourbled with eny thing r bot it C Non fchulde be verified in hym that the wife man feithe: What^ iuftum** foeuere bifalle to the ri3twis man / it fchal not make hym quidquid ei fory. In capitiilo de Cananea jo°.
f[ Ferthermore in the forfeide proceffe in the fpecial
C Nota de mynde of the aungel / we fchulle vndirftande that goddcs
angelis. auiigeles ben as mynyftres and menes bytwixe god and
deuoute foules / as feint Bernard feithe. Wherfore we
oweth to worfchippe hem and honoure hem and thonke
hem r and for alfo moche as thei ben contynuelly prefent
with vs we fchulde efchewe to thenke / or fpeke / or
doo / that my3te offende hem r for thei ben oure keperes /
ordeyned of god and befy aboute vs / coueitynge algate
oure goftly profite. Of this mater fpeketh feint Bernarde
fuper Pfalmum Qui habitat / fermone xj° i ibi angelis fuis
mandauit de te. Item fuper cant, fermone Ixxf.
•s'-*
I
C Ca™. {[ How oure lorde Jefu kafte oute of the temple the
biggeres and the felleres a3cnft goddes lawe.
o tymes / as the gofpelle maketh mynde / oure lorde Jefu caft out of the temple the biggeres and the felleres there inne / and that
with a fcourge made of cordes : the whiche dede
among alle the myracles that he wrou3te femeth wonder* fuller for what tyme that he wroust othere myracles / in the whiche he fchewed the fouereyne my3t of his godhede / the pharifees and fcribes and othere of the Jewes defpifed hym and reproued hym r but at this tyme whan they were in grete multitude gedered in the temple / and in here grete folempnyte / they hadde no power to withftonde him al one : and the caufe was for the goftly fire of his 3ele brennynge withynne forth for the vnworfchippynge of his fader / fpecially in that place where he owed mo ft to
Die jouis 155
be worfchipped / fchcwed hym fo drcdful in his face with* outeforthe that they were wonderfully adred and difcom* fited / and hadde none power to withflonde hym.
C This proceffe after the expoflcioun of feynt gre^ gorye and othere doctoures is ful dredful to alle cnften men / but namely to prelates and curates and othere men of holy chirche / and fpecially we religious that ben fette in goddes temple forto feme hym contynuelly in deuoute prayere and othere gooftly exercifes. 3if we 3eue vs to couetife and vanytees / and medic vs ouer nede with worldely occupaciouns and chafferynges / as thei didden / we mowe fkilfully drede the indignacioun of Jefu and his caftynge oute fro grace in this lyf and after departynge fro his bliffe euerlaftynge. Wherfore thou that wilt not drede the indignacioun of Jefu / loke that in no manere thou putte the wilfully nor medle the to thy power with worldely occupacioun. But for this mater is fully and plenteuoufly treted in the expoficioun of this gofpell in many places / therfore we paffen ouer thus fchortly at this tyme.
C Poft ifta duo capitula prefcripta fequitur in Bonauen* tura capitulum xxxvij"1 / fcilicet quando difcipuli vellebant fpicas etc / quod capitulum fupra tranflatum eft capitulo xxiiij0 in parte tercia / vnde et poft ifta fequitur capitulum de minifterio Marthe et Marie.
156 Die jouis
that ben c
B
€L Cam. C Of the refceyuynge of oure lorde Jefu by the tweyne
xxxiijra. fiftres Martha and Marier andof thetwo manerc of lyuynge/ that ben actyf and contemplatyf / in holy chirche.
Yfelle vppon a tyme that oure lorde Jefu went with his difciples in to Bethan}^e / that was cleped the caftel of marthe and marye / and come into the hous of hem r and they / that loueden hym with alle her hertes / weren glad and ioyful of his comynge. And Martha / the elder lifter / that haddc the cure of the houfeholde anone befied hir and went fafte aboute to ordeyne for the mete couenable to hym and his difciples r bot hir fiftre Marie / for3etynge alle bodily metes / and defirenge fouereynly to be fedde goftely of oure lorde Jefu / fette hir doun on the grounde at his feete and caftynge her ei3en and hir herte and her eres into hym onely / with more ioye and likynge than may be fpoken / was fedde goodly and comforted in the bliffed wordes of oure lorde Jefu r for he wolde not be ydel / bot / as his comune manere was / occupied hym with fpekynge of edificacioun and wordes of euerelafiynge lyf. Martha / that was fo befily occupied aboute the mynyftracioun and the feruice of oure lorde Jefu and his difciples / feenge hir fuftre Marie fo fittynge as it were in ydelneffe / toke hit heuyly and compleyned hir to oure lorde as he hadde take no rewarde therto / and prayed hym that he wolde bidde her fifter rife and helpe hir to ferue. And than was Marie aferde lefte fche fchulde haue be taken fro that fwete refte and gooftly likynge that fche was ynne / and nou3t fche feide bot hynge doun hir heued / abidynge what oure lorde wolde feie. And than oure lorde / anfwerynge for hir / feide to Martha / that thou3 fche was befy and trowbled aboute many thinges r neuertheles one thing was necef; fade / and that was the belle Marye chafe r the whiche
Die jouis 157
fchulde neuere be take fro hir: and than was Marie greetly conforted and fatte more fikerly in her purpos: and Martha withouten enuie hilde hir paied and ferued forthe with good wille.
C In this proceffe of the gofpelle biforefeide/ fo fchortly C Nota touched after the lettre / we mowe noten and vndirftonde f.otum many faire thinges gooftly to oure edificacioun. And firfte / the grete goodneffe of oure lorde Jefu in his homely com* ynge to that pore houfe of tho tweyne fiftres / Martha and Marie r takynge ofte Tithes with good wille and likynge fuche fymple refeccioun and bodily fode as they hadden : for as it femeth wele by that feying of Martha / that hir fuftre lete hir ferue allone / there was no multitude of feruauntesr and fo foloweth that there was none grete arraye in dyuerfe meffes or many delicate metes and drynkes : and 3it came oure lorde ofter / cuftomably vnbeden / to that place than he dede to eny other to take his bodily fode r and that fpecially / as I trowe / for the grete loue and affeccioun that he hadde to marye aftir hir conuerfioun forfeide / and in fo myche as he knewe wele that fche loued him fouer* eynly euere aftir/ as it is feide bifore. And fo it is to byleue that oure lorde Jefu wille loue fpeciallye / and ofte vifite by grace / and dwelle gooftly with that foule / that by trewe repentaunce and penaunce forfakith hir fynne / and perfe* uerauntly kepeth hir in the loue of hym.
C Lorde / how gladde and ioyfull were thefe two fiftres forfeide / Martha and Marye / of the comynge at this tyme of this bleffid gifte / Jefu / to her houfe / and principally Marie. For as it femeth after the procefle of the gofpell this was the firfte tyme that he come to that houfe / and that fone after the conuerfioun of Marie forfeide r and in fo meche it was the more ioyful to hire / for than fche had that fche fouereynly loued and onely dellred. And ther*
158 Die joins
fore hir nftre not knowynge how it ilood with hir with ynneiorth in her herte and feenge her maneres chaunged that was wont forto be occupied in befynelTe of bodily minftracioun with hir and nowe as takynge no rewarde therto bot iittynge and tentynge onely to the fwete con templacioun of Jefu as it is feide bifore • merueilled gretly therof r and therfore conpleyned to oure lorde as it is feide not re prouynge hir nitre after the comoun condicioun of wommen : in token and enfaunnple that he that is occupied vertuoufly in actyfe lyne fchal not reproue hym that is in reite of contemplatyf lyrVe thou; it feme to hym that he be as ic
f_ ^'1 wU
B
*- c" C Of actif lyf and contemplatyf.
Y thife tweyne iiftres by fore feide Martha ana Maria as holy men ana doctoures wryten ben vndirilande tweyne manere lyues of criiten men r that is to lay actyf lyf and contemplatyf lyf. Of the whiche there beeth many tretees ana grete precede made ::~ dvuerfe doctoures ' and fpecia'iy the forfaide Bonauenture in this b; ;k of criites lyf maketh a longe pro- ceffe ' aleggynge many auctoritees of leynt Bernarde r the :elTe thou5 it fo be that it is full good and fruc tuoufe to men as vnt; many goftly '.yueres r neuertheles tor it leineth as intrertyner.t in grete partye to manye comoun perfones and fymple foules that this boke in Englifche is writen to as it is feide Dltc byfore r theribre we paifen ouer Ichortiy takynge there:" that femeth prc^ fitable ana edificatyffe to oure purpofe at this tyme.
C But firil it is to \*ndirftonde that the procelTe of the tbrleide Bonauenture of thife twe\'ne manere of lyues actyf and contemplatyfe longeth fpecially to fpirituel perfcnes as ben prelates prechoures and religioufe.
Die joins 159
And fo ho foith at the bygynynge that actyfe lyflfe / that is
vndirftonde by Martha / hath tweye partes : And the firfte C Prima
parto is that manere of lyuynge by the whichc a mannis
befvneffe ttant principally in that exercife that longeth to
his owne gooftly profit / that is to feie in amendynge of
him felfe as withdrawynge fro vices and profityng in
vertues r firfte as to profile of hym felf/ and afterwarde
as to his nehebore by werkes of ri^twifnes and pitee / and
dedes of mercye and charite / as it fchal be ieide after
more plenerly. The fecounde parte of actyffe lyf is whan C Secunda
a mannes occupacioun and befyneile ftant in that exercife parsactme.
that longeth to the profite of othere men principally / though
it be alfo therwith to his owne mode r the more therby as
it is in gouerning of othere men / and techynge / and
helpynge to the hele of ibule / as done prelates / and
prechoures / and othere that haue cure of foule. And by*
twixe thife tweyne partes of actyfe lyff/ byfore faide / ftant
contemplatyf lyfF. So that in this ordre : Firfte a man C Prime.
trauaille and 5eue hym to good exercife in prayere / and in
ftudie of hoi}' fcriptures / and othere gode worchynges in
comoun conuerfacioun / amendynge his lyf and with draw^
ynge fro vices and profhtynge in getynge of vertues. And C Se=
after then / fecoundely / reftynge in contemplacioun / that is cundo-
to lave in folitude at the lefte of herte / forfakynge allworldes
befynelTe / with all his my;te be aboute contynuelly to
thenke on god and heuenly thinges / onely tentinge to
plefe god. And than here after when he is perfitely in tho
tweyne forfeide exercifes tau5t and (tabled in verreye wifc
dome and vertues / and h'5tened thoru3 grace / defirynge
the gooftly profite of othere men r than may he fikerly C Tercio.
take vppon hym the cure and the gouernayle of othere.
And fo after the forefeide precede / firfte it byhoueth that
in the firfte parte of actyf lyf mannis foule be purged of
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vices and ftrengthed and conforted in vcrtues r after that it be tau3t and Ii3tened and enfourmed in contemplatyf lyf r and thanne in the thridde degree may he fikerly goo oute to gouernayle and prorate of othere / as it is feide.
C N. 4L Vppon this forfaide proceffe of Bonauenture / fo
fchortly touched / he alleggeth after many auctoritees of feynt Bernarde forto preue alle the partes therof / that is to feie the firfte of actif / the fecounde of contemplatyf/ and the thridde/ that is the fecounde of actyf : thewhiche we paffe ouer with grete proceffe of contemplacioun and manye auctoritees of feynte Bernarde. For fewe there ben / the more harme is / outher in ftate of contemplatif lyf touchinge the fecounde poynte byfore feide / or in the ftate of perfijte actif lyffe touchynge the thridde poynt / that comen to her aftate by the trewe waye / that is declared bifore. And that is the caufe that in this tyme manye there ben / bothe men and wymmen / in the aftate of content platyf lyffe/ as efpeciallyancres and reclufes/ or heremytes/ that wyten litel as in effecte truly what contemplatyf lyffe is by defaute of exercife in actif lyf/ as it is bifore feide. And therfore it is ful perilous and ful dredful to be in eftate of perfeccioun and haue a name of holyneffe / as hauen fpecially thife reclufes / bot the lyuynge and the
C Moralia gooftly exercife of hem be accordynge therto. For feint gregorie feithe / that there be manye that fleen occupacioun
2o«. of the worlde and taken hem to refte / bot there with thei
ben not occupied wyth vertues r and therfore ofte fithes it falleth that the more fikerly that they ceffe fro outwarde occupacioun / the more largely thei gedre in to hem by ydelneffe the noyfe of vnclene thou3tis. And fo of euerich fuche foule that fpendeth her tyme in ydelneffe and flouthe fpeketh the prophete Jeremye in his lamentaciouns in this manere : Videnint illam hoftes et deriferunt fabbaia ems i
Die jouis 16 1
that is to faye : The wicked fpirites / enemyes of man*
kynde / feynge and takynge hede of the lyuynge of fuche
a ydel foule lawhen to fcorne her dayes of refte r for in
that fche is ferre fro outeward occupacioun and therby
is trowed to ferue god in holyneffe / in fo myche fche
ferueth the tyraunterie of tho wicked fpirites in ydelneffe.
Alfo the fame holy clerk gregorie in the fame book / after C Gre*
fpekynge of thefe tweyne lyues / actyffe and contempla^ |?nu?.
tyffe / feithe that mannis foule fchulde firft be wyped and jn ]ibro vj
made clene of the defire of temperel ioye and veyne glorie / capitulo
and of alle delectacioun or likynge of flefchely luft and
defire r and then may he be lifte vppe to the fi3t and degre
of contemplacioun. In figure and token herofwhan god C Figura.
3af Moyfes the lawe the comune peple was forbeden to
nei3he the hiller in token that thei that ben of weyke wille
and deiiren erthely thinges fchulde not prefume to clymbe
vppe to hi3e thinges of contemplacioun. And ferthermore
declarynge hou thei fchal preue hem felf able that wole goo
to contemplatyf lyfe / fethe that firft it byhoueth they proue
hem felfe by exercife of vertues in the felde of worchynge /
that is to feie that thei knowe hem felf befily 3if they done
none harme to her ney3hebore r and 3if they bere paciently
harmes or wronges don to hem of othere men r alfo 3if
thei haue no gladnefle in herte or likynge whan temperel
goodes fallen to hem r and a3eynewarde / 3if thei ben not
to heuy or fory whan they ben withdrawen r alfo 3if thei
felen in her mynde the loue of fpirituel thinges fo my3ty
that it ouercometh or putteth out of her hertes the aflfeccioun
and the ymaginacioun of alle erthely thinges : and fo in
that they coueiten to come to that thing that is abouen
her kynde / they ouercomen that thei ben by kynde. All
this feithe Gregorie.
C Herto accordynge feynt Bernarde and alle othere
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doctoures generally / fcicngc that whofo wole goo to con; templatyf lyf it byhoueth that he be firft preued in exercife of actyfe lyffe. In figure where of is alegged comounly the ftorie of the tweyne dou5tres of Laban / the whiche Jacob toke to his wifes / that wcren i^cleped the eldrc Lya/ that was fore ei^ed but plenteuoufly berynge children / by whom is tokened actiue r the 3onger was Rachel / faire and loueliche bot bareyne / by whom is tokened content platyf lyfe. And thou3 it fo were that Jacob loued bettre Rachel than Lya / and coueited firft to hauc hadde hir to wyfe for his feuen 3ere feruife r neucrtheles he was made firit to wedde the eldir / Lya / in token that actyf lyffe fchulde be byforc contemplatyf lyffe / as it is feide : and this ftorie is pleynely treted in many places to this purpofe/ and therfore we paffe ouer fo fchortly.
C But forto fpeke of the manere of lyuynge in thife tweyne ryucs / actyfe and contemplatyfe / in fpecialle / and namely of actyfe lyfe that ftant in fo many degrees as ol feculeres and rcligioufe / and lered and lewed / it were hardc and alke longe proceffe r and alfo as it femeth it ncdeth 11031 for the general exercife of actyf lyffe as it longeth iirft to a man hym felf / that is in f^tinge a3enft vices and befy in getynge of vertues r and alfo after as it longeth to his euen criften / that is in the fulfillynge of the dedes of mercy and almefdedes doynge of hem that hauen habundaunce of temperel goodes in euery degre is writen fufficiently / as I hope r and therlore I leue to fpeke more of this mater at this tyme / faue to make an ende accordynge to the bygynnynge of the mater byfore; feide in the gofpelle of thife tweyne fiftres/ Martha and Marye r by the whiche ben vndirftonden thefe tweyne C Primum lyffes / actyf and contemplatif / as it is feide. Firft / they that ben in actyffe lyffe hauen enfaumple of Martha of that
C Nota* bili'i vitc actiue.
notabile actiuis.
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vcrtue that is fouereynly nedefulle to hem in alle her
dedes / that is charitc. And firfte as to hem felf / that they C Secun-
be with oute dedry fynne r for ellcs Jefu wolde not dwelle 5|"m nota*
in her hous nor accepte her feruice. Alfo as to othere /
that they deme not ne defpife othere / the whiche pera*
uenture done not fo manyc vertuoufe dedes as to mannis
fi3tc as thei done r for they mowe not knowe the priue
domes of oure lorde Jefu that accepted more plefyngly
and preferred the priue contemplacioun of Marie / that
fatte at his fete in filence / as fche hadde I*be ydel / byfore
alle the grete befy feruice of Martha r and that was for the
feruent loue that fche hadde in contemplacioun of hym: and
5it was the feruice and the befyneffe of Martha full plefynge
to Jefu and medeful to hir / as actyf is good but con*
templatyf is better.
C And fo furthermore it is to note that / notwithftondynge C Tercium the grete commendacioun of oure lorde Jefu touchynge not.al?ile Marye and the preferrynge of hir parte / Martha grucched not of hir parte / but contynued forthe in her manere of lyuynge / feruynge cuftomably to Jefu and his difciples / as John witneffith after in his gofpelle : in token that he that is called to god and ftandeth in the ftate of actyf lyffe holdeth hym paied and gruccheth not thou3 contemplatyf lyff be commended byfore his aftate. For hou fo euere it ftande of thife tweyne eftates and degrees of leuynge / god woot all onely who fchal be bifore othere in the bliffe of heuene of the perfones in thife aftates. And thus moche be feide as touchynge the parte of Martha and of actyf lyfe tokened by hir.
C Furthermore touchynge contemplatyf lyffe : he that C Nota* is in that aftate hathe enfaumple in Marie of thre thinges | that nedeth fouereynly to that aftate r that bene meke* bu™P ' ncs / pacicnce / and fcilence. Firfte mekenes is tokened in C Primum
M 2
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notabile : Humilitas.
C Secun* dum
notabile : Paciencia.
C Tercium notabile de contem* placione :
Silencium.
the lowe fittynge of Marie at the feete of oure lorde Jefu r
and bot this grounde be truely fette in the herte of hym
that is in this degre of contemplacioun / that is to faye that
he prefume not of his owne holyneffe / bot that he defpife
hym felf trewely in his owne fist / as it is feide bifore in
dyuerfe places what longeth to mekeneffe r fothely elles
alle his byldynge of contemplacioun be it neuere fo hJ3e
wole not ftonde ftedfafte / bot fone at a litell wynde of
aduerfite falle to no5t The fecounde vcrtue acordynge
herto is pacience in fuffrynge falfe demynges / fcornes /
and reproues of the worlde that he fchal fuffre that fully
forfaketh and defpifeth the worlde as it nedeth to the trewe
contemplatyf / commyttynge all way by pacience in herte
his cauic to his aduoket Jefu / withouten anfwere re*
prouynge a5eyne / as Marye didde whan the pharifee
denied and reproued hir. Alfo hir fiftre playned vppon
hir / and the difciplcs hadde indignacioun and grucched
a3enft hir r but in alle thife fche kepte fcilence / that is the
thridde vertue nedefull to the con tern platyfe. And fo
ferthere forth fche 3af enfaumple of filence / that we fynde
not in all the gofpell that fche fpake byfore the refurrec*
cioun of oure lorde / faue ones by a fchort worde at the
reifyng of hir brother/ Ia3ar/ notwithftondynge the grete
loue that oure lorde Jefu fchewed to hir / and the grete
likynge that fche had in the wordes and the holy doctrine
of hym that fchulde ftire hire by refoun the more boldely
to fpeke. And whofo coueiteth to knowe the fruyte of
vertuoufe filence / jif he haue affeccioun and wille to trewe
contemplatyf lyuynge / withouten doute he fchal be bettre
tau5te by experience than by writynge or techynge of man :
and neuertheles feynt Bernarde and manye othere holy
fadres and doctoures commenden hi3ely this vertuous
fylence / as it is worthy. Where of and othere vertuoufe
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exercife that longeth to contemplatyf lyuynge/and fpecially
to a reclufe r and alfo of medled lyf / that is to faye
fomtyme actyfe and fomtyme contemplatyf as it longeth
to dyuerfe perfones that in worldely aftate hauen grace of
gooftly loue / who fo wole more pleynely be enformed
and taujt in Englifflie tonge lete hym loke the tretys that
the worthy clerke and holy lyuere maifter Walter hyltoun / C Magister
the chanoun of thurgartun / wrote in englifche by grace J^uen<
and hi5e difcrecioun r and he fchal fynde there / as I leue/
a fufficient fcole and a trewe of alle thife : whofe foule refte
in euere laftynge bliffe and pees / as I hope he be ful hi5e
in blifle / ioyned and knytte with outen departynge to his
fpoufe Jefu by parfite vfe of the befte parte that he chafe
here with marye / of the which parte he graunt vs felaw*
fchippe / Jefu oure lorde god. Amen.
C Of the reyfinge of Ia3are and othere tweyne dede C Ca^. bodyes.
iA Monge alle the myracles that oure lorde Jefu crift
/^L wro3t here in erthe the reifynge of Ia3are prin*
/ ^L cipally is commended and fouereynly is to be
A J^ confidered / not onely for the fouerayne
rnyracle it felfe / bot alfo for manye notable thinges that
byfelle in that myracle / and dyuerfe myfteries r the whiche
feynt Auftyne clergially treteth by longe proceffe vppon
the felfe gofpell r of the whiche sumwhat I fchal touche
in partie / and moreouere as the grace of oure lorde
]efu wil fende witte perteynynge to the purpofe. And
for alfo myche as the gofpell maketh mynde of thre
dede bodies reifed by oure lorde Jefu fro deth to lyue /
of the whiche tweyne the firfte ben not fpoken of
fpecially in this trete bifore / therfore it femeth con^
ucnient to this purpos fomewhat to touche of hem nowe
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in this place / as the forfeide feynt Auflyne dothe. And firfte we fchulle vndirftonde and haue in mynde that as the dedes of cure lorde Jefu after his manhede ben enfaumple to vs forto folwe hym / as in mekeneffe/ pouert / pacience / and othere vertues r fo in his myracles done by vertue of the godhede we fchulle not defire to folowe hym forto doo as he didde r bot we fchulle worfchippe hym as all my^ty god in that partie r and more ouer coueite forto vndirftonde the gooftly menynge of hem / how thoo myracles done thannc bodily and in bodyes ben now done ofte Tithes gooftly in mennis foules. And fo / as feynt Auftyne feith / by thoo thre bodyes / the whiche oure lord god Jefu reyfed fro deth to lyue bodily / ben vndcrftande thre mancre of dede foules / the whiche thoru3 his fpecial grace he reyfeth euery daye to cucra laftynge lyf gooftly. For as the gofpell makcth mynde he reifed the dorter of the maifter of the temple that lay dede in the houfe r by wrhom is vnderftonde dedely fynne onely in affent withouten the fulfillynge thereof in dede. Also he reifed the wydowe fone borne dede on the bere with outen the 3ates of the citee r by whom is vnderftonde dedely fynne with outeforthe perfourmed in dede. And the thridde dede body he reifed that was Ia3ar / beried and foure dayes dede r by whome is tokened dedly fynne in cuftome.
C Prima {[ For 3if we take hede and vndirftonde that fynne is dethe of the foule / we mowe fynde that the foule is dede gooftly and flayn thoru3 fynne in thife thre maneres : Firfte / by ful affent of wille to doo that is forbeden of god onely withynneforth in the foule with outen dede therof with outeforthe / as by enfaumple of leccherye that is forbeden / what tyme as oure lorde feithe in the gofpell / that a man feeth a womman luftily to that ende forto haue to doo
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with hir flcfchcly and fully affcntcth thcrto in his willc / thou3 the dcdc folowe not after / he is acounted as a lecchour in his hcrtc / and fo is his foule flayne gooftly thoru3 that affent and deede in goddcs f^t. And this c mancrc of gooftly dethe is vndirftande by that firfte dede de ^l' body that cure lorde Jefu reyfcd in the hous / that was
the doubter of the prince of the fynagoge / or the mayftre Matt. ix°. of the temple/ as it is feide bifore. Of whome the eofpell ^arc- X°-
Luc vni°.
telleth that he came to oure lorde Jefu / prayenge hym that he wolde come to his hous and hele his dorter that lay feke there ynne : and as oure lorde / that of his grete grace and endeles goodneffe was eucre redy to helpe and hele alle thoo that afked hym trewely / was goynge with hym towarde his houfe there came worde to the forfeide prince that his doubter was dede / and therfore they beden hym that he fchulde not make the maifter / that is Jefu/ trauaille in vayne r for they trowed welc that he was of my5t to hele the fceke / bot not to rcyfe the dede. And ncuertheles oure lorde Jefu letted not for her myfbileue and for hir fcornynge to doo his grace / bot badde the fader that he fchulde not drede bot onely byleue. And whan he came to his houfc / and fonde there / after her cuftome / many wepinge and morneful mynflralcie and othere array for the exequies / he feide to hem : Wepeth not r for the wenche is not dede / bot ilepeth. And than thei fkorned hym for thei vndirftood not what he mened. For thou3 fche was deede as to hem r neuertheles to hym that was of my3t to reife hir and make hir leue fche didde bot flepe. And thanne puttynge oute alle that were in the houfe / faffe the fader and the moder and the thre apofteles / Petre and James and John / oure lorde Jefu bad the wenche rife r and anone fche rofe vp fro deth to lyue / and after etc and was all hoole.
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C Spirit^ C This is the proceffe of the gofpell after the vndiiv alis in= ftondin^e of the lettre r in the whiche we mo we gooftly
tellectus
vndirftonde firft / that as oure lorde god than reifed bodily the doi^ter at the prayer and by the feith of the fader / fo he reifeth now ofte Tithes gooftely deede foules by fynne to lyfe of grace thorm the prechynge and prey* enge of holy men / and the feithe of holy chirche r and as oure lorde Jefu fpared not for mifbyleue and fcornynge of othere to helpe hym that alked his grace/ fo mull not men of holy chirche fpare to profite to othere foules / and namely fpare to preche goddes worde whan it longeth to her office and to reifynge of dede foules to gooftly lyffe r thouje fome men fkorne hem and reproue hem therfore. For as feynt Auftyne feithe / it falleth all day that a man that is gooftly dede by fulle affent in his herte to dedely fynne / by the prechynge of goddes worde is compuncte in his herte therof thoru3 grace as thei he herde oure lorde bidde hym rife r and fo is he reifed in his foule by repent* aunce fro deth to lyf : as it were in the houfe or that he be borne with oute by the dede more ouer of that fynne. And this is the firfte manere of dedly fynne and h'5teft forto rife oute therof thoru3 grace / that is bytokened by the firfte dede body reifed of Jefu in the houfe/ as it is feide. But neuertheles this manere of dedly fynne that is onely in affent is mod perilous 3if it longe abyde / and fpecially 3if it be gooftly / as hi3e pryde or envye : for as feynt gregor feithe / that fomtyme it is more grevous fynne in goddes fi3te pride by deliberacioun in herte / than is the dede of leccherie r bot the tothere feldene or litel / and therfore ben many men difceyued. But now paiTe we here ouer.
C Of the reifynge of the fecounde dede body is writen in the gofpell of feynt luke : how what tyme oure lorde Jefu came to a citee that was cleped Naym / and his
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difciplcs with hym and mykcl peple / he mctte at the 5ate of the citee a dedc body born on a bere / that was the allone fone of a wydewe that came with the corfe / and mykel folk of that citee with hir. And than oure lorde hauynge pite of the grete forwe of the wydowe / and meued thoru3 his endcles mercy/ badde hir that fche fchulde not wepe r and thanne nei>ynge and touchynge the bere / and thervvith they that beren it ftondynge ftille / he fpake to the dede body in thees wordes : Thow 3onge man / I feie to the / aryfe vppe. And anone he rofe fro deth to lyue / and went on his feete / and bygan to fpeke r and fo he bytoke hym to his moder alyue. This is the proceffe of the forfeide gofpell.
C A lorde Jefu / mykel is thy mercy fchewed to fynne* ful men r thoru3 the whiche as thou reifedeft the dede body born out towarde berienge with oute prayer made to the byfore / onely fterynge the thyne endeles goodneffe and pytee r fo thou reifeft all day goftely hem that ben dede in foule by grete fynnes perfourmed in dede / as by the dede of leccherie / glotenye / and othere grete fynnes flefchely and gooftly r 3euynge thi grace ofte Tithes byfore or thou be preied or foujte by eny differtes / thoru3 the whiche fynfull men ben ftired to repentaunce and for* fakinge of fynne : and fo by fchrifte and penaunce doynge / after the lawes of holy chirche / they ben reifed gooftly to lyf of grace that firfte were dede by fynne performed in dede. And }if it fo be that this fynne be openly knowen in to yuel enfaumple of othere and fclaundre / then is it nede of open penaunce r as holy chirche hath ordeyned after that oure lorde Jefu 3af enfaumple in that opoun reifynge of the forfeide dede body / that was openly borne dede on the bere with oute forth in ii3t of the peple.
C Of the reifynge of the thridde, that is
Jo. xj°.
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f[ But nowc as to ourc principal purpofc forto fpcke of the reifynge of the thridde dedc body / that is to fay Ia3are that is fou re dayes dede. For alfo myche as in this proceffc ben conteyned many faire and grcte notable thinges / ther# fore we fchulle here more fpccially gcdcre in oure entente/ and make vs by ymagynacioun as they we were prefent in bodily conuerfacioun / not only with oure lordc Jefu and his difciples / bot alfo with that blcffed and deuoutc meync / that is to faye Martha / Marie / and La;are that weren fpecially byloucd of oure lordc Jefu / as the gofpell witteneffith. And firflc / we fchullcn vndirftonden and haue in myndc the proccffe of the nexte chapitre bifore this r hou vppon a tymc whan oure lorde Jefu walked in the temple / that is to faye in that place that was clepcd Salamonis porchc / in the fefte of the dedicacioun of the temple / the Jewcs comen aboute hym as rauyfchrynge wolfes or wode dogges / with grete ire grennynge vppon hym /and fayenge in this manere wordcs : Hou longe wilt thou make vs in fufpens and in dwere in oure hertes what thou art ? 3if thou be criftc / tellc vs openly. This thei feiden by falfe and malicious entente to that ende that 3if he hadde openliche knowlecched that he was crift/ that is to faye ano}rnte kyng / than forto han taken hym and accufed hym as tray tour to Cefar / the Emperour of Rome : but therfore oure lorde Jefu / knowynge her falfe ymaginacioun / tempered wyfely his anfwerc r and als an innocent lombe amonge fo manye trccchoures wolffcs / foburly and mekcly feide to hem a5eyne : I fpeke to 5ow and 3e leuc me not r bot the werkes that I doo in the name of the fader / tho bcren witneffe of me what I am. And after more ouer whan he feide : I and my fader aren all one r they token vppe ftones forto haue floned hym as blaffcme / makynge }i3rm fell" god. And ferther^
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more whan ourc lorde haddc concluded hem in that partie by refoun and auctoritc of holy writte / that they myjt not a3eyne feie r and thei / not with flondynge his refonable and mcke anfwere and fo goodly wordes / contynueden and encrefeden in her malice. For alfo myche as the tyme of his paffioun wras not 3it comen / and forto 3eue enfaumple of pacience and of 5euynge flede to renninge woodneffe / he withdrowe hym oute of her hondes and went with his difciples by5onde Jordane in to that place where John Baptifte firfl baptifed / aboutc xviij mile fro Jerufalem r and there he dwelled awhile with his difciples. C And in that tyme fone after / as the gofpell telleth now to oure purpos / lajar / the brother of Martha and marye byfore feide / waxed fore feke r and anone the two II fires fenden worde to Jefu where he was in that for* feide place by5onde Jordane / feyinge to hym in this mancre : Lo lorde/ he that thou louefl / that is Ia5ar/ is fore like. And they feiden no more for alfo irryche as hem thoirjte that that fuffyfed to hym that loued and wide what they menede r and alfo perauenture for they knowynge the malice of the Jewes a3enft hym in to his deth / and how a litel byfore they wolde haue ftoned hym / they dorfte not clepe hym to hem / bot commytted alle to his wille. And than Jefu anfwcred and feide to hem : This infirmyte is not to dcth r but for the louynge of god / that goddcs fone be glorified therby. The gofpell telleth that he feide thefe wordes to hem / bot it fpecifieth not to whome r for the fi fires that fenden to hym were not that tyme prefent / but a grete wey fro hym / as it is feide. Neuerthelefs we mowe vndirftonde / as by the proceffe / that he anfwered to hem in thife wordes by the meffagere r or elles feide fo to his difciples / or to bothe / as it is mofle likkely.
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C A lordc / what comforte was this to the fi fires whan they herden of the mcffagcr thife wordes that Jefu feide : This infirmyte is not to dcthe r vnderftondynge it perauen* ture by hem that her brother fchulde not deye bodily by that infirmyte. But what difcomforte was it to hem alter / whan he was dede and buried / no3t vndirftondynge that oure lorde mened of that glorioufe reyfinge that folowed after / nor trowynge than that it fchulde haue falle. Neuertheles that difcomforte for the tyme was after torned to more comforte than thei defired firft / by that they wolde haue hadde hym preferued fro the dethe and heled of his infirmyte by oure lorde Jcfu. Thus it falleth ofte Tithes with hem that god loueth and bene in tribulacioun or difefe r oure lorde graunteth hem not that comforte that thei afken and defiren / but fuffreth hem as for the tyme to be in defpeyre of her defire r and after / whan his wille is / he fulfilleth her defire better than they wolde firfte / and torneth her difcomforte in to more comforte than they wolde haue ymagyned or thou3t.
C Ferthermore as to the proceffe of the gofpell. After oure lorde Jefu was certified of the feke Ia3ar / and had anfwered as it is feide / he dwelled ftille in the forfeide place tweyne dayes r and after he feide to his difciples : Go we a3en in to Jury. And they aferde of this worde feiden to hym : Maifter / ri^t now the Jewes wolden haue floned the there / and now wilt thou go thider a3eyn ? And than Jefu anfwered : Be there not xij houres of the day ? Als who feithe / why be 3e afferde ? fuppofynge that the Jewes contynuen in her malice / wete 3e not wele that as ofte fithes as the houres chaungen in the day/ fo often mannis herte purpofeth / varieth / and chaungeth ? But the gooftly menynge of thife wordes / as feynt Auftyne expowneth / is this : Oure lorde vnderftondynge
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hym felf as the day / and his xij difciplcs as the xij houres of the day/ reprehendith hir myflbyleue/ and hervnrefon* able drede of his deth that was in his wille r and that they wolde 5eue counfeile to hym as men to god / difciples to the maifter / the feruauntes to her lorde / and they feble and feke to hym that was fouereyne leche. Wher* fore in manere blamynge hem oure lorde feide to hem in this manere fentence : Arne there not xij houres of the day? Who fo walketh in the day/ he offendeth no5t / nor erreth no3t. Foloweth 36 me 3if 36 wole not erre. And wole 36 not 5eue counfeile to me / fithen it is nede to 3ow to take counfeile of me. And therfore fithen it is fo that I am the day and 36 the houres r and by kynde refoun the houres folowen the day / and not the day the houres / foloweth 36 me : and that 3if 36 wille not offende or erre. And after this oure lorde Jefu / knowynge in fpirite that Ia3are was dede / feide to hem thus : La3are oure frende ilepeth r but I wole goo for to wake hym and reyfe hym fro flepe. And than the difciples / vndir* ftondynge flefchely thoo wordes of kyndely flepe / feiden : Sire / 3if he flepe / it is a token that he fchal be hole and fauf of his fikneffe. For comounly by wey of kynde flepe of feke men is token of hele after folowynge : but Jefu mened of his deth. And fo here we mowe fee the grete homelyneffe of oure lorde with his difciples / that as in manere of bourdynge fpake with hem here. But after / declarynge to hem openly that he fpake firfl myftely / feide : La3ar is deed / and I am glad for 3ow r that thereby 3oure byleue may ben encrefed and flrengthed / knowynge that I was not there in tyme of his deth r and fo the rather byleuynge that I am goddes fone.
C Ferthermore / leuynge many wordes of the gofpell / and takynge that femeth moft notable to oure edificacioun.
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After whan ourc lordc Jcfu with his clifciples torncd a towarde bcthanyc/ and the twcyne iiftres had worde of his corny ngc / Martha anon wente a3enft hym r but Mary fatte ftille at home til after that fche was cleped forth by the biddynge of Jefu. And fo it femeth by thefe wordes / fo fpecially after the lettre tellyngc how thefe tweyne fiftres/ Martha and Maria/ dyuerfly hadden hem as anenft Jefu/ that the holy euangelifte John mened goodly here / as he doth in othere places / the dyuerfe condiciouns that longen to hem that ben in thife tweyne aftates / that is to fay of actyf lyf and contemplatyf lyf. For it is no dowte but that Marie loued Jefu als mykel as her lifter Martha/ or more r and was alfo glad of his comynge r and alfo fory was of hir brother deth and as leniently defirede his lyf. Why than went fchc not anone with her fifter out a3enft Jefu / but in figure and for enfaumple that they that ben in the aftate of contemplatyf lyf fchulle not taken vppon hem bodily exercife of the dedes of mercy r as forto goo oute to vifite the feke or hem that ben in prifoun / or to fede the hungery or clothe the naked / and fo forth of othere r or elles forto preche or teche or to mynyftre the facramentis of holy chirche / bot it fo be that they ben cleped owte therto by the byddynge and the auctoritc of holy chirche in Jefu name goftely as Marie was bodily. Sittynge than Marie at home/ as it is feide / and Martha goynge oute what tyme fche mette with Jefu fche fclle doun at his feete and feide : Lorde / 3if thou haddeft ben here / my brothere hadde not ben deed r neuerthcles and now I wote wele that what fo euere thou afkeft of god / god wole 3eue the. Sche durfte not C Augufti* fay vtterly that fche defired inwardely / feyenge as thus : nus. NOW rejfe my brother fro deth to lyuer for fche wifte not
whether it were expedient that hir brother fchulde be
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reifcd/ or whether it were Jefu wilier and therfore fche fette hir wordcs difcretely in this manerc of menynge : Lordc/ I wote welc that thou my3t reyfe hym / and ther^ fore 5if thou wilt it fchal be done r bot whether thou wilt or none / I committe it to thy dome and not to my prefumpcioun. Than feide Jefu to hir that hir brother fchulde rife fro deth to lyue r fo in general wordes that my3te be taken in tweyne maneres forto prouen hir byleue of the fynal refurreccioun r not fpecifienge whether he wolde reyfen hym at that tyme or none. And therfore Martha / takynge that parte that fche was fiker of after the byleue/ feide that fche wifte wele that he fchulde rife in the generall refurreccioun at the lafte day of dome. And ferthermore at the afkynge of oure lorde / whether fche byleued that he feide of hym felfe / that he was refurreccioun and lyfe / and of euere laftynge lyffe of alle hem that trowed or byleued fothefaftly in hym / fche anfwered fynally thus : I byleued that thou art crifte / goddes fone / that art i^comen in to this worlde for mannis fauacioun. And thanne at the byddynge of Jefu fche went home / and cleped Marie hir flftre in filence / that is to fay in fofte fpekynge / feienge to hir: Oure meiftre is comen and clepcth the to hym. And anone fche rofe vppe and went to hym.
C Loo hou expreffely here alfo is tokened goftly what longcth to the contemplatyf / that is to feeye firfte in pees and refte / filence and fofte fpekynge r and not lowde crienge or grete noyfe / as the world vfeth. And ferthcr* more what tyme that oure lorde clepeth hym oute by obedience to cure and goucrnaille of othere / as in the office of prelacie r that then by enfaumple of Marie anone he ryfe by applienge of his wille to goddes wille/ loue he neuere fo mykel refte / or haue he neuere fo mykel likynge
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in fwete contcmplacioim r that is to vnderftonde / what tyme that he is cleped fo vtterly that 3if he withftood it fchulde fynne dedely by inobedience. Ferthermore we mowe fee by the proceiTe of the gofpell the fpecial loue and homelyneffe that oure lorde Jefu had fouerenly to Marye / in that he abode ftille there as Martha firft mette with hym / and wolde not doo as to the reifynge of Ia3are in to tyme that Marie was comen / and than whan fche was comen and fallynge doun at Jefu feete and with fore wepynge teres feide / as hir filler dide bifore / that 3if he hadde be there here brother hadde not ben dede. Oure lorde Jefu feynge hirwepe that he loued fo fpecially / and alfo the Jewes wepynge that there were at that tyme and were comen to comforte Marye / he wepte alfo and that for thre caufes : firfte / for the loue that he hadde to Marye fpecialy and to hir filler and to Ia3are : alfo / to fchewe the greuoufte of fynne in cuftome and of the gooftly deth there thoru3 that is tokened in Ia3ar / foil re dayes dede and buried : and the thridde / for the myfbyleue of hem that there were / the whiche byleued that he my3t haue kepte hym fro deth / bot not that he my3te than reyfe hym to lyue a3eyne.
4[ Who fo wole than here ynwardely take hede and byholde how oure lorde Jefu wepeth / the fiftres wepen / the Jewes wepen / 36 and as refoun telleth the difciples wepen / fkilfully he may be flired to compaffioun and wepynge / at the lefte ynwardely in herte r namely for fynne in cuftome / that is fo harde to ouercome and ryfe oute of / as oure lorde Jefu fchewed in gooftly vnderftonde ynge by the grete difficulte that he made as in wepynge and in manere of trobelynge hym felf / wrothe and grucchynge in fpirite / and that tweyne tymes byfore that he reyfed k^ar r by whom is vnderftonde fynne in
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cuftome/ as it is ofte feide / }euynge enfaumple/ as feynt Auftyne feithe / that thou that art ouerleyde with the heuy ftone of dedly fynne / be wrothe and grucche in thy fpirite and turble thy felf / in this manere demynge thy felf gilty r and thenkynge how ofte thou haft fynned worthy euere* laftynge deth / and god of his endeles mercy hath fpared the and fuffred the r how ofte thou haft herde the gofpell forbedynge fynne / and thou haft take none rewarde / but art contynuely contrarye and falfe to thy firfte baptifme r and than fo thinkynge with compunccioun for thy fynne/ and as in this manere aikynge in thy herte : What fchal I doo ? Whider fchal I goo? In what manere fchal I aikape this grete fynne and dredeful perile of euerelaftynge deth ? Whan thou feieft thus in thy herte / than crift gruccheth in the r for feith gruccheth / and 3if feith be in vs than is crift in vs r and fo in this manere of grucchynge is hope of vprifynge. For after this wepynge and troub* lynge / as the proceflfe of the gofpell telleth / oure lorde Jefu aiked where they hadden putte lasare r not for vnknowynge / bot fpekynge in manere of man / and in tokenynge goflely of a ftraungeneffe of his grace to hem that ben ouerleyde with dedly fynne for the tyme. Neuer* theles he hath all way compaffioun of the fynful / and of his mercy is redy to alle tho that wole truely alke it r for after he hadde aiked whether thei had put hym / and thei feide a3en : Lorde / come and fee. Than he wepte r and the J ewes that there weren feide: Lo / how he loued hym. And fo he fchewed the affeccioun that he hath to the fynfull / as he feith in the gofpell : I came not to clepe the ri3twis / but the fynneres to penaunce.
C But nowe goo we to the berielles or graue of Ia3are/ folowynge oure lorde Jefu with alle that meyne/ that is to fayen the tweyne fuftres / Martha and Marie / and the
N
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apoftels / and the Jewes / many that weren there that tyme to comforte the fi fires / and / as cure lorde wolde / forto fee and here witneffe of that folempne and worthy myracle. And fo we mowe fee by deuou3te ymaginacioun hou oure lorde Jefu gothe bifore bytwixe thoo tweyne fuflres/ talkynge homely with hem and they with hym r fchewynge to hym the grete difcomforte and forwe that they hadde of her brother dethe / and fpecially for alfo mykel as they dorfte not bidde hym come to helpe hem and kepe hym fro deth for drede of the malice of the Jewes/ that they knewen hadde confpired in to his dethe/ and how they were hi3ely comforted than of his blifTed prefence r but neuertheles therewith they hadde grete drede of hym by caufe of the Jewes. And than how oure lorde benignely comforted hem a3eyn and bad hem not drede of hym / for all fchulde be for the befte and at the fader wille.
|[ And fo talkynge to gidre they comen to the graue or the berielles / that was keuered with a grete ftone abouen. Than bad oure lorde Jefu that they fchulde take awey the ftone r and they abaffhed for the grete tendre lone that they hadde to hym / dredynge the horribilite and the ftynke of that careyne that it fchulde ou3t oflfende hym / feiden : Lorde / now he ftynketh / for he is foure dayes dede r fchewynge therby that they hadde none hope of his lyuynge a3en. But oure lorde a3eynwarde confortynge her byleue and makynge the ftone to ben taken away / after* warde liftynge vppe his ei3en to heuene/ feide : Fader/ I thonke the for thou haft herd me/ and fothely I wote wele that thou hereft me euer r but I feie this for the peple that here ftant that they byleue that thou haft fent me. And whan he hadde feide thus / he cried with a grete voyce : La3ar / come out of thy graue.
vino.
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{[ A lorde Jefu/ what nede was the to crye? Sothely/ as feynt Auftyn feithe/ to fchcwe in gooflly vnderftond* C Augufli. ynge how harde it is to hym forto rife to lyf of the foule r that is ouerleide with the ftone of dedly fynne in cuftome. How many ben there/ feith feynt Auftyne/ in this peple the whiche ben ouerleide with this heuy byrthene of wicked cuftome? Perauenture fome heren me that ben ouercome with leccherie or glotonye / that the apoftle for* bedeth hem / where he feith thus : Wille 36 not be C Nolite
K -" *
drunken with wyne / in the whiche is leccherye. And l they feyenge a5en : We mowe not. And fo forth of othere grete myfdedes and wickedneffes that god forbedeth and holy chirche r whan it is feide to hem : Dothe none of thife / left 36 periffhe r they anfweren and feien : We mowe not leue oure cuftome. A lorde Jefu / reyfe thefe <T Hue folk as thou reyfed la&r r for thou art fothely as thou JJ^^'n feieft/ Refurreccioun or vpreyfynge and lyf. How heuyly fententiis. this ftone of wicked cuftome ouerleithe men in alle de* grees / not onely lered and lewed feculeres / but alfo religious / nyh by in alle aftates. Who fo wole fpeke asenft her wicked cuftomes / he fchal knowe fothely by experience and that there is no remedie but onely Jefu. A lorde Jefu/ crie to alle thefe men with a grete voys / that is to feie fchewe thy grete my^t / and reife hem to lyf of grace/ putty nge away that heuy ftone of wicked cuftome/ as thou reifedeft Ia3are r for after thy cry and att thy bid* dynge he rofe vp and went oute of his graue/ bot $it bounden hondes and feet til he was lowfed and vnbounden by the difciples at thy biddynge. This is a grete wonder/ as feynt Auftyne feithe / to many men r hou he my3te goo out of the graue with his feete bounden r bot it is myche more wonder / hou he rofe fro deth to lyue / that was foure dayes buryed/ and with that body of a ftynkynge kareyne.
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C But what tokeneth all this? feith feynt Auflyne. Sothely/ this it tokeneth : whan thou dooft a grete fynne by contempte / thou ert gooftly dede r and jif thou con* tynueft cuftomably thereynne / then art thou dede and buried r and whan thou forthinkefl with inneforthe and fchryueft the and knowlecheft thy fynne with outeforth / than reyfefl thou and gooft out of thy graue : for it is not elles to fay / go forth oute / but fchewe and make knowen outewarde that is priue with ynneforthe. And this know* lechynge and fchewynge of fynne maketh oneliche god / crienge with a grete voyce / that is to fay with his C Nota de grete grace clepynge. But 3it thou3 he that was dede be confefiione reyfed and gone oute of his graue r neuertheles he dwel*
et abfolu* , , , . .,
done leth bounden / that is to fay gilty/ into the tyme that he
contra be lowfed and vnbounden by goddes myniftres / to whom onely he jaf that power / feynge thus to hem : Alle that 3e vnbynde in erthe fchal be vnbounde in heuen. C Augufti- C Alle this feith feynt Auflyne in fentence / in the whiche we mowe fee opounly a fufficient auctorite a3enft hem that reprouen confeffioun ordeyned by holy chirche / and alfo the affoillynge of curates/ feyinge falfely that it is i*nowh generally for euery man forto fchryue hym onely in his herte to god / and that preoftes or curates of holy chirche haue no more power to aflbille of fynnes than an othere commune man / but that god all onely affoilleth and none other in his name.
J[ But now leuynge thife falfe opiniouns / and goynge to the ende of oure forfeide procefle. What tyme that Ia3ar was reyfed to lyue by oure lorde Jefu/ as it is feide/ and after vnbounden by his difciples/ he and his fiftres with grete ioye lowely thonkeden Jefu of that fouereyn benefete and ladden hym with hem home to her hous/ makyng mykel myrthe. And than the Jewes that there
nus.
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weren / wonderynge hi3ely of that gretc myracle / fome torneden in byleue to Jefu / and fome }eden and tolde the pharifees that that Jefu hadde done. And fo was it pub* liffhed and openly knowen r in fo moche that grete multi* tude of Jeruialem and the cuntrey there aboute comen to fee Ia3ar that was reifed. And than were the princes of the Jewes and the pharifees all confufed/ and thoujte and caften forto flee Ia3ar / by caufe that thoru3 hym many were conuerted to Jefu.
f[ Now thanne forto make a conclucioun of all the pro* ceffe byfore feide of thre deed bodyes reifed by oure lorde Jefu / feynt Auftyne feithe in this fentence : Alle thife for* feide thinges we haue herde / bretheren / to that ende that they that lyuen gooftly kepe hem in lyf of grace r and they that ben dede rife vppe in this manere : firft / he that hath fynned dedly by affente in herte and is not gone oute by perfourmynge therof in dede / amende hym of that thou3t by repentaunce r and fo rife he vppe that was dede withynne the hous of his confcience : alfo / he that hath performed in dede that he conceyued dedly in thou3te / be he not in defpeyre / bot thou3 ne r°fe n°t with ynne* forth / rife he with outeforthe r fo that he be not ouerleide with the heuy ftone of wicked cuflome. But ferthermore / perauenture I fpeke to hym the which is ouerleide with that hard ftone of his wicked maneres / and combred with the heuyneffe of cuflome / and fo is as foure dayes dede and flynketh r 3it difpeyre he not / for thou3 he be depe dede and beryed/ crift Jefu is hi3e of my3t and kan breke all erthely byrthenes/ cryinge thoru3 his grete grace and makynge hym to lyue / firft by hym felf with ynneforth / and after takynge hym to his difciples forto vnbynde hym/ and fo fully reftore hym to gooftly lyfr fo that there fchal leue no ftenke of iynne in his foule goftly / no more
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C Auguiti. than did in lajar reyfcd bodily. Hec Auguftnius in fen-, tentiis.
nus in lententiis.
C Ca'».
XXX Vm.
C N. B.
|[ Hou the Jewcs token her counfeil and confpired a5enft Jefu into his dethe.
iA Fter the reyfinge of Ia3ar byforefeide / whan the / ^ , tyme nei5ede in the whiche oure lorde Jefu dif* / ^k pofed to wirke oure redempcioun thoru3 the ,/ J^fchedynge of his precioufe bloode/ the deuel/ fader of envie / armed his kny3tes and his myniftres / and whetted her hertes a3enft oure lorde Jefu fynally into his deth r and fpecially by occafioun of his good and ver^ tuoufe wirkynges / bot fouereynly for the reyfinge of Ia3ar envye kyndeled in her hertes more and more / in fo mykel that they my3te no lenger bere her woodneffe withouten execufioun therof a3enft Jefu. Wherfore the princes and the pharifees gadered a counfeil a3enft hym r in the whiche counfeille Cayphas/ biffhop of that 3ere/ all thou3 he mened wikkedly / propheiied fothely that Jefu fchulde dye for faluacioun of mankynde. And fo haue we here open enfaumple thatwicked men and reproued of god hauen fomtymc the sifte of prophecie. And fo by comoun affent thoo falfe princes and pharifees in that counfeille ordeyned vtterly to fle that innocent lombe Jefu / in to that ende lefte alle the peple fchulde byleue and trowe in to hymr and than the Romayns as fettynge her lawe at no3t fchulde come and deftroye bothe her temple and peple. A fooles and folye counfele r haue 3e not writen of the wife man / that there is no wifdome ne counfeill a3enft god? And therfore it fchall befalle in contrarie manere to $oure wicked entent / as it is now performed in dede. For there as 3e flowen Jefu left the Romaynes fcholde deftroye 3oure
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place and peple / after byfell a5enwarde that for $e flowen c Nota. Jcfu 3oure place and peple was deftroyed by the Ro* bile- ma}mes / as the ftorie telleth of deftruccioun of Jerufalem by Tytus and Vafpafyan. In the fame manere it falleth ofte Tithes in worldes wifdome / that is contrarie to the wifdome of god r for ofte fithes oure lorde god torneth into the befte that the world demeth as worfte and to the worfte / and fpecially there as envie is grounde of that entente of worldes wifdome r as it is fchewed opounly by a notable enfaumple in Jofeph whom his bretheren by envie after worldes wifdome folden in to Egipte / as to his vndoynge r for they wolde not worfchippe hym after his fweuene : bot after it torned into the contrarye efTecte by goddes grace r for that fellynge of hym was occafioun and caufe of his hi3e avaunfynge and her lowe fubmiffioun to hym and worfchippynge. And fo it byfalleth all day as men mowe fee proued by experience in the worldes chaungynge.
C But nowe leuynge this matere and turnynge to oure purpofe of the forfeide falfe and envious counfeillynge. Oure lorde Jefu / euerlaftynge wifdome of the fader of heuene / to whom may no thing be hidde / knowynge this malicious confpirynge of the Jewes a5enft hym r for alfo moche as his tyme was not fully comen / in the whiche he difpofed to fuffre deth for mannis faluacioun / and alfo to 3euen enfaumple / as it is feide in the next chapitre by* fore / to flee malice that it encrefed not by dwellynge / he withdrowe hym for the tyme fro the Jewes and wente in to a cuntre byfide defert in to a cite that was cleped Effrem / where he dwelled with his difciples a litel whyle / that is to faie aboute an feuenny3t. For as fome clerkes feien / he reifed Ia3are the friday byfore the paffioun fonday / whan the fame gofpell is radde in holy chirche r and the
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C Ca">. xxxvjm. C Matt. 26 et Job. 12.
C N.
C Pru* dencia. C B.
C FortU tudo.
C Temper* ancia.
C Jufticia.
faterday feuennyst after he was comen a3eyne in Bethanye / as the proceffe folowynge declareth.
to
f[ How oure lorde Jefu came a3eyne to bethanye the Satirday bifore palme ibnday r and of the foper made to him there / and of tho thinges done therat.
OUre lorde Jefu/ fouereyn doctoure and maifter of alle vertues / not only by worde techynge bot alfo by enfaumple 5euynge / ri5t as in the proceffe byfore feide / to oure edificacioun he vfed the vertue of prudence in fleynge fro his enemyes / and therby fchewynge that we alfo fchullen wifely withdrawen vs fro the wodeneffe of hem that purfewen vs malicioufly / that is to faye whan the tyme and the place afketh. So now he vfed the vertue of gooftly ftrengthe in this turnynge a3eyn to his enemyes whan the dewe tyme was come / in the whiche he wolde by his fre wille offre hym to the paflioun / and ftrongely and my3tily fuffre the malice of his purfueres in to the vtterefte ende / that was the harde deth. Thus alfo an othere tyme he vfed temperaunce what tyme he flewe / efchewynge worldes worfchippe / whan the peple wolde haue i^made hym her kyng. And a^eynwarde he vfed ri3twifneffe whan he wolde be wor* fchipped as a kynge r as it foloweth here after what tyme the peple comen a3enft hym with braunches of trees / and othere manere of grete reuerence doynge to hym in the citee of Jerufalem. And furthermore fouerenly he vfed this ri3twifneffe after whan he entred in to the temple / and there fcharpely reproued the falfe couetife of preoftes of the lawe and pharifeesr and with a fcourge drof out the biggeres and the felleres of goddes temple. And fo vfed the lorde of vertues thife foure principall vertues / that is to feie prudence and temperaunce / ftrengthe and rijtwifneffe /
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for oure doctrine and informacioun in vertues. Wher* fore as he fchal not be fuppofed or demed as variant or inconftaunt r no more fchal none othere that vfeth thife forfeide vertues after difcrecioun / as dyuerfe cafes afken.
C Bot leuynge this matere. Whan oure lorde Jefu / as it is feide / forto offre hym to the paffioun in tyme ordeyned of hym bifore the worlde / come a5eyne to Bethanye / that is to faye the fabott next byfore palme fonday r the whiche place is ny>e Jerufalem as aboute the fpace of two myle : there they maden hym a foper his trewe byloued frendes that weren ful gladde of his a3eyne comynge / and that in the houfe of Symounde leprofe / that hadde that name for that he was fomtyme byfore leprofe / bot not at that tyme r for he was heled of oure lorde byfore. And there at that foper were thefe homely geftes with Jefu / that is to faye Ia3ar / Martha/ and Marie hir fifter r and as John noteth fpecially / Martha ferued and Ia3are fatte at the borde with othere that feten alfo with oure lorde. But Marye / fulle of brennynge loue to Jefu / and tau5t with ynneforth of the holy good / toke a ful precioufe oignement and fchedde vppon his hede r and alfo anoynted his feete : of the whiche precioufe oignement the fwete fauour filled all the houfe.
|[ Now lete vs abide here awhile and take hede C N. inwardely of the forfeide notable poyntes. And firft / hou oure lorde Jefu wolde haue this foper fpecially in that houfe of the forfeyde Symounde / that was a pharifee / as it is feide byfore / and yn whofe houfe that felfe Marye firfte anoynted hym with precioufe oignement and with ynwarde forwe and bitter teres of contricioun r but nowe more perf^tly with vnfpekeable ioye and full fwete teres of deuocioun / and that knewe wele oure lorde byfore. And for that oon fkile he chafe that place at that tyme
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fpecially for Maries fake/ as we mowe refonably fuppofe r for no dowte that fche loued fpecially that place in the whiche fche fonde firft that grete grace of for^euynge of hir grete fynnes / as it is feide : and fo it was more liky nge to hir there to doo that excellent dede of deuocioun / fchewynge hir feruent loue to Jefu. Alfo he wolde haue that foper in Symounde hous / knowynge his charite and his trewe affeccioun contynuede to hym and to his difciples / not withftond3rnge the frendely reprehencioun before by caufe of Marye r and alfo for the more opoun witnefle of the trewe reyfinge of la>are / that ete and dranke as othere didde in that houfe of the pharifee opounly and in prefence of many Jewes that comen at that tyme thidder to fee not onely hym felf / Jefu / bot alfo lajar / as John fpecially telleth.
4[ And foo we mowe fee at that foper and in that hous thife foure perfones doynge to oure lorde Jefu trewe feruice in dyuers maneres / that is to faye the mayfter of the hous by charitable hofpitalite r Ia5ar by opoun witnelfynge of his godhede r Martha by befy myniflrynge / as longeth to trewe actif lyffe r and marye by feruent loue and deuoute worfchipp}mge / as longeth to hy3e con* templatyf lyffe. Bot on the other fide we mowe fee in contrarye manere othere 3euynge occafioun of offence to oure lorde Jefu by envie / falfe couetife / and wrongful demynge r as envious Judas / that forto coloure his falfe couetife / grucchynge as of the loffe of fo moche money fpended in that precious oignement / pretendeth falfely the releuynge of pore men there by r and feyde that it my3te better haue ben folde for thre hondred pens and 3euen to hem that neded. And othere alfo / meved by his wordes / but othere weies and in good entente as it femed for pore men / grucched and were greetly (tired
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a5enft marie as for fo grete loffe of that precioufe oigne* merit. But fche kepynge filence / oure lorde anfwered for hir / as he didde tweyne tymes byfore r now repre* hendynge hem and declarynge that goode dede euer to be hadde in mynde / as in anoyntynge byfore of his body in to the buryenge that folowed after.
C A lorde Jefu / howforwful and difcomfortynge was this worde that fo opounly declared thy deth to marie fpecially and to alle othere trewe frendes that there weren / but fouereynly to thy bleflid moder r for as we mowe fothely byleue that worde perfid her herte more fcharpely than eny fwerde. And fo than was al the myrthe of that fefte torned in to forwe r and namely for alfo myche as they knewen that the Jewes hadde vtterly confpired in to his deth. But neuertheles that falfe tray tour Judas con^ tynued in his envious indignacioun r and hereof he toke occafioun to bytraye him and felle hym / as he didde the Wednefday next folowynge / for xxxfi pens / where of we fchulle fpeke here after.
C Here mowe we ferthermore note fpecially to purpofe C Nota that they are of Judas parte that reprehenden almes dedes / offrynges / and othere deuociouns of the peple done to holy chirche / holdinge alle fuche 3iftes of deuocioun but folie / and feienge that it were more medefull and better to be 3euen to pore men. O Judas ! that thus pretended with thy mowthe the releuynge of pore men / there as fothely in the entent of thy herte / that is grounded in envye a3enft men of holy chirche / it perteyneth not to the of pore men but rather thyne owne falfe couetife in excufacioun of thyne nygunrye/ that haft none deuocioun and no5t wilt 3eue of thyne owne goode. For experience openly techeth that comounly alle fuche Judas felawes ben als couetous or more than eny othere r and that fchal he fynde fothely in dede
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who fo hath to done with hem in one manere or othere. We reden in the gofpell of oure lorde Jefu in dyuerfe places /
C Nota and fpecially now here after a3enft his paffioun / that he re* prehended fcharpely thefcribes and thepharifees oftefithes/ namely of couetifer but we fynde not therfore that euere he badde the puple to withdrawe outher dymes or offrynges or othere 3iftes of deuocioun done to hem r but a3enwarde badde hem alway doo her dewete after the lawe / and com* mended her fre deuocioun in offrynges / as it is opounly
C Marc. 12 fchewed in the gofpell of marke and of luke. Whan oure
et Luc. 21. ior(je Jefu byhelde hou riche men puttene hire 3iftes or offrynges to the temple into the arche that was cleped treforie / or a coffre hauynge a hole abouen in manere of ftokkes that ben now vfed in chirches / the whiche arche was cleped ga5Ophilacium / and among hem he fawe a pore wydowe offerynge tweyne mytes/ the ferthe parte of a ficle / and that was the fubftaunce of hir lyflode r and than oure lorde / not reprehendynge one or othere / bot rather com* mendynge fouerenly / preyfede the pore wydowe for hir grete deuocioun / and feide that hir litel 3ifte in goddes ii3t paffed alle the grete ^iftes of the riche men. Here mowe we fee / 3if we take heede to alle the circumftaunces / that by this onely proceffe and fentence of oure lorde Jefu / Judas and his felawes ben fufficiently reproued and con* founded in her falfe opinioun and doctrine a3enft holy chirche / feide byfore.
C Pro. C But now leuynge this proceffe turne we a3en to
Bethanye / ymagynynge hou oure lorde Jefu after the forfeide fopere in the houfe of fymounde went with Ia3ar and his fiftres to her hous / the whiche was her comoun hofterye / and namely thoo fewe dayes folowynge in to his paffioun r for there he ete on dayes and flepte in ny3tes with his difciples : and alfo his bliffed moder with
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hir fiftres r for alle they worfchipden hir fouereynly / as worthy was / but fpecially Mawdelayne / that wolde neuere departe fro hir. Than amonge thoo his trewe frendes oure lorde Jefu / that they fchulde not be to myche abaffhed or deftourbled with that vnkouthe dede to come / tolde hem that he wolde on the morwe goo opounly into Jerufalem. And thanne were they alle fouereynly afiferde / and preyeden hym hertely / and his moder namely / that he wolde not putte hym felf fo vtterly in to his enemyes hondes / and femely ferthermore into the deth that was confpired with oute faille a3enft hym of the Jewes. But oure gode lorde / comfortynge hem a3enwarde / bad hem drede no3t and feide : It is the fadres wille that I take this iorney r and he fchal kepe vs and fo ordeyne for vs at this tyme that 36 fchulle fee me among alle myn enemyes in the gretteft worfchippe that euere 36 feie me r and they fchulle haue no power nowe a3enft me : but after that I haue done al that I wole / to morwe at euen we fchul come hider a3eyne fauf and founde. And than thoru3 thife wordes they were all wele comforted / but neuertheles all wey dredynge.
C Hou Jefu come to Jerufalem vppon palme fonday. C Ca™.
xxxvijm.
1"^He fonday after/ erly vppon the morwe / oure C B. lorde Jefu difpofed hym / as he had feide / to goo into Jerufalem in a newe manere and an vnkouthe / other weies than euere he did byfore r but to fulfille the prophecie of 3acharie the prophete feide to that purpofe. And whan he with that litel but blifled companye come to a place in mydde way / that was cleped Bethfage / he fent tweyne of his difciples in to Jerufalem / and bad hem brynge to hym an afle and her fole that were ty5ed there in the comune
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weye and ordeyned to feme pore men at her nede that hadde none beftes of her owne. And whan they were brou3t / and the difciples hadde leide her clothes vppon hem / oure lorde mekely fette him firft a litel while on the afle and after on the foole / ridynge in that fymple array toke his way forth in to Jerufalem. A lorde Jefu / what fi,t was this to fee the / king of kynges and lorde of all the wolde / ride in fuche arraye / namely in to that folempne citee of Jerufalem ! But fothely this thow dedift / as alle thyne othere dedes / to oure informacioun and enfaumple r for we mowe fee and vndirftonde that in this manere of worldes worfchippe takynge thou dcfpifedeft fully alle the pompe of veyne worldes worfchippe / hauynge in ftede of goldene harneys and curioufe fadeles and brideles / fymple clothes and hempen halteres.
|[ And whan the peple herde of his comynge / by caufe of the grete myracle that was publifched byfore of the reyfynge of la}ar / they wenten a3enft hym and refceyued hym as kyng with ympnes and fonges and grete ioye / ftrawynge in his weie her clothes and braunches of trees. But with this ioye oure lorde Jefu meynede forwe and wepinge r for whan he come ny5e the citee he wepte there vppon / feynge bifore the deftruccioun therof that came after / and forwynge for here goodly blyndeneffe. C Nota C For we fchulle vndirftande that / as holy writt maketh
Jefum mynde / oure lorde wepte notably thre tymes : one tyme / fleuiffe *n tne deth °f Ia3are 7 tne wrecchedneffe of mankynde wherby he is nedede to deye for the firfte fynne. An other tyme he wepte for the gooftly blyndeneffe and vnkunning of man : as now at this tyme of hem that dwelled in that citee of Jerufalem that wolde not knowe the tyme of her gracious viiitacioun / and therfore after was to come to that citee her vtter deftruccioun. The
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thridde tyme he wepte the grete trefpace and malice of man r and that was in tyme of his pafiioun / hangynge on the crofTe : for he fawh that his paffioun was fufficient for fauacioun of alle men r but neuertheles it took not effecte of profile in alle / for not in reproued and harde hertes and obftynate to doo penaunce / that wole not forthinke hem and amende hem of her fynnes. And of this wepynge fpeketh the apoftle poule / where he feith that Jefu in tyme of his paffioun with a grete crie and wepynge teres was herde of the fader for his reuerence. And of thife three wepynge tymes fpeketh holy writte. Alfo holy chirche maketh mynde that he wepte the ferthe tyme / and that was whan he was a }ong childe r and that wepinge was forto hyde to the deuele the myfterie of his Incarnacioun. Byholde we now oure lorde Jefu fo wepynge / and that not feynyngly bot effectuelly and largely / with a forwful herte / fpecially for her damp* nacioun with outen ende / with deflruccioun temperel of hem and of her citee. And as we mo we fothefaftly trowe / his dere moder and all that bleffid companye feenge hym wepe fo / myjte not conteyne hem fro wepynge at that tyme r and no more fchulde we whan we feen lofle of foules.
C Thus oure lorde Jefu/ ridynge on the affe/ and hauynge in ftede of princes / erles / and barouns / his pore and fymple difciples aboute hym / with his moder and othere deuoute wommen folowynge / entred in to that folempne citee r and alfo the peple doynge hym greet worfchippe / as it is feide bifore. Of the whiche comynge all the citee was greetly ftired. And fo wente he firfte in to the temple and keft out therof biggeres and filleres a3enft goddes lawe / as it is feide here bifore the xxxij chapitre. And there was he flandynge opounly in the temple / prechynge
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and anfwerynge to the princes and pharifees all the day til it drowe towarde euene. And fo he and his / ftondynge al the day faftynge after the grete worfchippe byfore / there was not one that wolde ones bidde him drynke : wherfore at euen he went with his difciples to his homely hofterye / Bethanye r goynge fo fymply thoru3 the citee with that litel companye that come on the morwe with fo grete worfchippe.
€ Nota. C And here mowe we confidre that it is litel to charge and litel force of worldes worfchippe / that is fo fone done and Ii3tly paffeth away. But what ioye trowe we that his moder and Mawdeleyne and othere trewe frendes hadden whan they feien hym fo worfchipped of the peple / and namely at ny3t whan he was comen with hife / fauf and in profperite to Bethanye ? Sothely he all onely knoweth / oure lord Jefu that is euere bliffed with outen ende. Amen.
me monaa1
o
C Cam. C What oure lorde Jefu dide from palme fonday in to
xxxviij™. the thorfday after next fewyng.
C N. ^^"^^^ Ure lorde Jefu / full of charite and welle of
totum. m m cnarite / willynge to fchewe bothe in worde
and in dede his fouereyn charite as wele to his foes as to his frendes / and defirynge that no man fchulde be loft / bot alle faue r whan it drowe to the ende of his dedly lyf here / and his paffioun tyme was nyh at honde / he trauailled befily in prechynge and techynge opounly to the peple / and fpecially in thefe thre dayes r that is to fay firfte on the fonday / as it was now laft treted / and after on the monday and the tuefday togedir fewynge. In the whiche dayes he come erly on the morwe in to the temple / and there contynuede in prechynge and techynge to the peple and defputynge
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with the fcribes and the pharifees/ and anfwerynge to her defceyuable queftiouns and many fubtile temptynges. And fo he was occupied fro the morwe in to the euen* tyde/ whan he went with his difciples to his refte at his homely hoftrie with la?ar and his fiftres in Bethanye / as it is feide bifore. But for alfo myche as it were longe proceffe to trete in fpecialle of alle the materes that tyme bytwixe oure lorde Jefu and the Jewes / and lettynge fro the purpos that we ben now ynne of the paffioun r therfore paffyng ouer all the parables and erifaumples by the whiche oure lorde reprehendede the Jewes / and othere proceffe of that tyme in fpecial / we mowe in general confidre on the toon fide how the princes and pharifees / feenge the fauour of the peple to Jefu and therfore dredynge to performe her malice a3enft hym opounly / caften fotelly and felly to taken hym in worde / outher a3enft her lawe or elles a3enft the tribute payed to the Emperoure of Rome r wherby they my3te accufen hym as worthy the deth. But oure lorde / to whom alle the priuete of mannis herte is opoun / knowynge the fotelte and the malice of hem / anfwered fo wyfely to alle her queftiouns / and fo couertly in trewthe fette his wordes that they were fufficiently anfwered / and $it they my^te not haue her entente in eny parte. But at the lafte they were fo confounded that they dorfte no more afke eny queftioun of hym. And than after oure lorde Jefu fcharpely reprehended the pryde / the ypocrifie / the couetife / and othere wicked condiciouns of hem / and fpecially of the fcribes and the pharifees / feyenge to hem in thefe wordes : Woo to $ow fcribes and pharifees / that louen worldely worfchippes in many maneres : and fo forth of othere vices. Neuertheles there with he badde <[ Nota the peple that they fchulde kepen and fulfille alle her contra *
O lollardos.
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techynge r but that they fchulde not folwe her werkes and yuel lyuynge. At the lafte reherfynge the vnkynde* neffe of the Jewes a5enft god in generalle / by name of the citee of Jerufalem: for alfo moche as he was fo ofte befy to gedre hem to gidre / as a henne doth her chekenes / in to the wey of her fauaciounr and they wolde not. And therfore tellynge hem byfore here deftruccioun folowynge / temperele and euerelaftynge / he lafte hem and with* drowe him out of the temple : and with his difciples and othere manye of the Jewes that beleued in hym / he wente in to the mounte of olyuete / where he tau3te hem more ouer by enfaumples how they fchulde difpofe hem and make hem redy into her lafte ende r and fynally tolde hem of the day of dome : in thewhiche goode men that fchulde be founden on the ri$t half of god fchulde haue euer* laftynge lyf / and wicked men on the lyft halfe euerelaftynge forwe and endeles deth.
C Thus made oure lorde Jefu an ende of his open prechynge to the peple of Jewes on the tuefday to fore euen r and after in priuete feide to his difciples : Wite 3e wele that after thife tweyne dayes pafke fchal be made / and than mannis fone fchal be bitraied forto be crucified.
C A forwefull worde was this to alle his trewe dif ciples : bot the falfe traytour Judas was glad therof/ thenkynge anone by inftigacioun of Sathanas that was entred in to his herte / hou he my3te be occafioun of his deth fulfille his falfe couetife. And herevppon he flepte not r but anone on the morwe / that was the Wednefday / whan the princes of preoftes with the Aldermen and fcribes weren gadered in Cayphas hous / the biffhop / forto coun* feile how they my3te be flei3te take Jefu and flee hym/ C Tradicio bot not in the fefte day for drede of the peple / Judas domim fe- afpienge and knowynge this counfeil went to hem and
na quanta. J °
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proferede to take hym to hem at her wille / fo that they wolde mede hym and done hym why. And they / gladde of this profre / graunted and ordeyned to paye hym thretty grete pens/ of the whiche euery peny was worthy ten comune pens / as now oure grote is worthe foure comune pens. And fo falfhede and couetife / malice and treccherye / were accorded in to the deth of Innocens. And than hadde that falfe traytoure his couetoufe defire of the prife of that forfaide oignement that he grucched fore as lofte / that is to feie thre hondred pens. And fro that tyme he fou}te oportunyte how he my3te betraye Jefu with oute the prefence of the peple. And for this betrayenge of oure lorde vppon the Wednefday is that day refonably ^ Quare ordeyned moft of penaunce doyng and abftinence in the feria*1 weke after friday. This was the procefle of the curfed quarta parte / Judas and the Jewes / on that Weddenefday.
C But on that othir parte / what didde oure lorde Jefu and his bliffed companye that daye we fynde not writen expreffe in the gofpelle. For fothe it is that he went not in to Jerufalem ne appered opounly to the Jewes that day. Me thinketh it refonably to be trowed that he was than for the mofte parte occupied in prayere for the perfourmynge of redempcioun of mankynde that he come fore r and not only for his frendes that trowed in hym and loued hym / but alfo for his cruele enemyes : fulfillynge the perfeccioun of charite that he hadde tau5t by* fore to his difciples in prayere for here enemyes and hem that fchulde purfewen hem : and therwith knowynge and feenge in fpirite the forfeide malice of Judas the traytour and the Jewes in that day vtterly kafte a3enft hym and into his deth. And fo fkilfully men mowe fuppofe that in that prayere to the fader fpecially he feide the pfalme Deuslaudemi that dauid feyde in prophecie of hym and of
o 2
196 Die jouis
Judas and his othere enemyes longe tyme bifore. But than moft propurly it was feide of hym felf r not defirynge by the wordes of that pfalme veniaunce of his enemyes / as it femeth after the fentence of the lettre r bot con- formynge his wille ri3twifly to the wille of the fader / and prophecienge the ri3twis punyfchynge and vengeaunce deferuynge of hem that fo malicioufly confpired a3enft hym and after obftynatly contynuede in her fynne.
|[ Alfo for alfo moche as that was the lafte day that he thou^t to dwelle in that manere of bodily conuerfacioun with that good and byloued meyne / \a$ar and his iiftres / he occupied hym that day the more fpecially with hem in goftly comforte of hem by his edificatyf and holy wordes / as he was wont alway to doo r but now at more leyfer to ftrengthe and conforte hem a3enft the grete forwe that was to come after by caufe of his paffioun. And fouereynly / as we mowe trowe / in homely comunynge with his blifled moder to hir fpecial comforte r and alfo with Magdeleyn fpecially / that euere was thrufty to drynke of his fwete gooftly wordes : of the whiche he 3eue vs inwarde tafte and fauour/ Jefu crift / Miffed with outen ende. Amen.
C Cam. C Of that worthy foper that oure lord Jefu made the
xxxi*m. ny3t byfore his paffioun / and of the noble circumftauncis that bifel therwith.
WHan the tyme came in the whiche oure >rde Jefu hadde difpofed / of his endeles srcy / forto fuffre deth for man / and to edde his precioufe blood for his redemp* cioun / it liked hym firft to make a fopere with his difciples as fore a mynde euere laftynge of his grete loue to hem and all mankynde r and forto fulfille the figure of the olde
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lawc and bygynnc the trcwfche of the newc lawc / and pcrformc the myfteries that were to come of his precioufe paffioun. This fopcr was foucreynly worthy and wonder^ fulle / and grete and wonderful thinges weren done theratte. Wherfore 5if we here take good entente with inward deuocioun therto and to tho thinges that oure lorde Jefu didde theratte / that curtayfe lorde wole not fuffre vs goo iaftynge therefro r but he fchal feden vs of his grace / as we triftely hope / with myche gooftly corn- forte thereof. We fchulle vnderftonde that foure thinges C Nota fpecialry byfelle at this fopcrc r- of the whiche inwarde c meditacioun fchal by refoun ftirc oure loue to oure lorde Jefu/ and kyndele the goftly fyre of oure deuocioun. The firfte is that bodily foper and the manere therof in ful^ rillynge of the lawe. The fecounde is the wafchynge of the fete of the difciples by oure lorde Jefu. The thridde is the ordinaunce and the confccracioun of that precioufe facrament of his bleffed body. And the ferthe is that noble and fructuoufe fermoun that he made to his difciples. Of the whiche foure we fchulle fpeke and fee by proceffe and in ordre. As to the firfte/ that is the bodily foper/ C Primum we fchulle haue in mynde that petir and John / at the De cena- biddynge of oure lorde Jefu / 3eden in to the citee of Jerufalem to a frende of theires / that dwelled in that parte of the citee that was cleped mount fyon / where there was a large houfe on lofte ftrawed and able forto make this foper inne. And fo after / oure lorde Jefu with the othere difciples entrede in to the citee and came to the forfeide place on the thorfday towarde euen.
{[ Now take hede and byholde with all thy mynde / thou that redeft or hereft this / all that folowen that ben tolde / fpoken / or doon r for they ben ful likynge and fterynge to gretc deuocioun. For in this procelle is the mode
198
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C Nota de
Johanne
euangelifta.
C Nota de tabula in cena.
ftrengthe and gooftly fruyte of alle the meditaciouns that ben of the bliffed lyf of oure lorde Jefu r principally for the paflyng tokenes and fchewynges in dede of his loue to mankynde : wherfore here we fchulle not abrcgge as we haue in othere places / but rather lengthe it in procefle.
C Now than byholde oure lorde Jefu / after he was comen to the forfeide place/ hou he ftant in fome parte b3rnethen / fpekynge with his difciples of edificacioun / and abydinge til it was made redy for hem in the forfeide hous alofte. And whanne alle thinges weren redy/ feint John/ that was mofte homely and famylier with oure lorde Jefu / and that befily went too and fro to fee that all that neded were ordeyned and done / came to hym and feide : Sire / 3e mowe goo to fopere whan 56 wole r for alle thinges ben redy. And than anon oure lorde Jefu with the xij apoftles went vppe r bot John allgate next hym and by his fide with oute departynge r for there was none that fo truely and famyliarly drow3 to hym and folowed hym as he didde r for whan he was take he folowed hym whan othere fledde / and was prefente at his crucifienge and at his deth r and after he lafte him nou3t til al was done and he was buried : and fo at this fopere he fatte next hym / thou3 he was 3onger than othere. What tyme thanne oure lorde Jefu with the xij apoftles came vppe to the borde where vppon thei fchulde etc r firft ftondynge there aboute they deuoutely feiden graces / and after he hadde bliffed they feten downe alle aboute that borde/ but John next Jefu / and that vppon the grounde / as the manere was of olde men by fore.
C But here we fchulle vnderftonde alfo that that borde was fquare / as men fuppofen / made of dyuerfe bordes ioyned to gidre r and / as men feien that han feen it at Rome in the chirche of lateranenfis/ it conteyneth in
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cuery parte of the fourc fquarc the fpace of tweye armcs lengthe and fomwhat more r fo that in euery fide of the fquare horde thre difciples feten / as men fuppofen/ thouj it were ftrei3tely / and oure lorde Jefu in fome angule r fo that they alle my3te reche in to the myddes and ete of one diffhe : and therfore they vnderftode hym not what tyme he feide : He that with me putteth his honde in to the difche or dobeler/ he fchal betraye mee. Thus we mowe ymagyne and fuppofe of the manere of her fittynge at the horde.
f[ Alfowe mowe vndirftonde in the etynge of the pafke lombe that in that tyme they ftoden aboute the borde vppe ri}t / haldynge ftaffes in her hondes / after the biddynge of mcyyfes lawe / that oure lorde come to fulfille : fo that thou3 they ftoden in that tyme / neuertheles they feten alfo in other tyme / as the gofpell telleth in dyuers places r and elles my3te nou3t John haue leide his heued and refted hym in manere of ligginge vppon the bred of Jefu.
f[ What tyme the pafke lombe was brou3t to the borde / <I Agnus rofted after the lawe/ oure lorde Jefu/ that was fothefafte Pafchahs- lombe of god with outen weme of fynne / and that was in myddes of hem / as he that ferueth and mynyftreth / toke the lombe in his blifled hondes and kutte it and departed it and 3af to the difciples/ biddynge hem eten gladly and confortynge hem with louely chere. Bot thou3 it fo was that they eten as he badde r neuertheles comforte they my3te none haue / for alfo moche as they dredde all wey left there fchulde falle ou3t a3enfh her lorde in that nouelte. And fo as they eten he tolde hem the forwful dede more opounly and feide : I haue defired forto ete with 3ow this pafk lambe byfore I fuffre the deth / for fothely on of sow fhal betray me. This fpeche went to her hertes as an fcharpc fwerde. Wherfore they ceffeden of etynge and
200
Die j
GUIS
C Augufli:.
nus in
Omelia
dixit Jefus
Fetro.
C Nota de
contempla^
tivis.
lokeden eche on othere / and feiden to hym : Lorde / whether I be he ?
C Here 5if we take good hede we oweth to haue ynward compaffioun / bothe of oure lorde Jefu / and alfo of hem r for it is no dowte they were in ful greet forwe. But the traytour Judas lafte not of etynge/ for thife wordes of betrayenge fchulde not feme as perteynynge to hym.
C Than John at the inftaunce of Petir afked of oure lorde and feide : Lorde / who is he that fchal betraye the ? And oure lorde Jefu priuely tolde hym/ and/ as to hym that he loued more fpecially / fpecified who was that tray* tour. And John thereof gretly aftonyed/ and wounded with grete forwe to the herte / nou3t wolde telle Petir / but turned him to Jefu and foftely leide doun his heued vppon his bliffed breeft. And / as feynt Auftyn feith / oure lorde wolde not telle Petir who was the tra}^toure r for and he hadde wifte / he wolde haue al to toren hym with his teeth.
{[ And as the fame feint Auftyn feith / by petre ben figured and vndirftande thei that ben in actyfe lyffe r and by John they that ben in contemplatyf. Wherfore we haue here doctrine and figure that he that is contemplatyf meddeleth hym not with foreyn worldely dedes r and alfo he fecheth not vengeaunce with outeforthe of the offences done to god/ but is fory with ynneforth in his herte r and torneth hym onely to god by deuoute prayeres / and the more faddely tornynge hym and drawynge hym to god committeth alle thing to his difpoficioun and ordynaunce. Thou3 it fo be that he that is contemplatyf fomme tyme goth oute by 3ele of god and profite of mannis foule / as whan he is cleped therto. Alfo in that that John wolde not telle peter that he badde hym afke of the traytour/ we mowe vnderftonde that the contemplat}^ fchal not reuele
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the priucte of his lorde r as it is writen of feynt Fraunceys : C Nota de that priue reuelacions he reueled not with oute forthe/ ^ncto.r
i1 rpn"ic*ilf*o
hot what tyme that nede made hym fore hele of mannis foule / or the fterynge of god by reuelacioun meued him therto.
C Now forthe in oure precede / byholde we the grete benignyte of oure lorde Jefu that fo homely fuffereth his derlynge John enclyne and refte vppon his bliffed breeft. Lorde / hou tenderly and trewely they loueden to gidre ! This was a fwete refte to John / and a profitable to alle C N. criften foules r in the whiche / as clerkes feyn / he drank of that welle of euerelaftynge wifdome the precioufe drynk of his holy gofpell / with the whiche after he conforted all holy chirche and }af it as triacle a3enft the venyme of dyuerfe heretikes. Byholde we ferthermore othere dif« ciples ful fory of the forfeide worde of betrayenge of oure lorde Jefu/ not etynge bot lokynge echone on othere/ as they that wifte not wrhat counfeile or comforte they my3te haue in this caas. And thus moche at this tyme fuffifeth touchynge the firfte article of that bodily foper/ and of the etynge of the Pafke lombe in fulfillynge of the lawe and endynge of the figure that oure lorde Jefu didde it fore. And as clerkes feien / \ve fynde not that oure lorde ete C N. flcfche in all his lyf / bot onely at this tyme in etynge of that lambe/ more for myfterie than for bodily fode.
C Touchynge the fecounde poynt / that is the wafch; C Secun- ynge of the difciples feet. We fchulle vnderftande that dum : after the forfeide proceffe oure lorde Jefu rofe vppe fro the ablucio. forfeide fopere / and alfo his difciples anon with hym / vn* wetynge what he wolde doo ferthermore / or whider he wolde goo r and than went he with hem downe in to the neither hous / vnder the forfeide lofte / as they feien that ban feen that place. And there he badde alle the difciples
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C Medita= cio.
C Nota hum ill* tatem domini Jefu.
iitte adowne / and made water be broi^t to hym r and than he carte of his ouerclothes / that weren peraunter cumbrofe and Icttynge to that he thou^te doo / and girde hym with a lynnen clothe/ and putte hym felf water in to the bafyne that was of (lone / as men fayen / and bare it and fette it byfore Petres feete / and kneled doun forto wafche hem. But Petir gretly abafched and aftonyed of that dede / as no wonder was / firfle forfoke to haue that feruife of his lorde as inconuenient to hym r but after he herde his threte that elles he fchulde haue no parte with hym in blifle/ turned his wille into better and mekely fuffred hym to done his wille.
C Now $if we 3eue here good entent to the dedes of oure lorde Jefu and all that foloweth in this tyme / fothely we mowe with grete wonder be (tired fpecially bothe to the loue and drede of hym. For what was that to fee the kynge of blifle and that hi5e lorde of maieftie knele doun and bowe hym to the feete of a pore fiffhere / and fo forthe to alle othere that there feten aboute r and fo with thoo blifled handes wafche her foule feete and after tendirly wipe hem / and more ouer deuoutly kiffe hem. Sothely he that was fouereyne mayfter of mekenefle fchewed vs in this dede and tau3t vs a perfi3t leflbun thereof r and }it more ouer in that he didde the fame lowe feruice to his treytour commendeth fouereynly his paffynge mekeneffe. But wo to that harde herte / 36 harder than the adamaunde or eny othir thing hardefte r that melteth not or fofteth not with the hete of fo grete fire of charite and profounde mekenefle / and that dredeth not that lorde of maiefte in that dede r but a3eynewarde frowardely thenketh and pro* cureth dethe and deftruccioun of hym that euere was fo innocent and fo trewe louynge. Wherfore it is bothe wonderfull and dredfull the grete benygnyte and meke*
Die joins 203
nefle of oure lorde Jcfu / and the grete obftynafie and malice of that traytour Judas a^eynwarde.
f[ Whan this wafchynge was done in myfterie / as it is C Pro feide / he went a3en vppe to the place of the forfeide c fopere r and whan he was fette with hem / he tolde hem the caufe of the forfeide dede r and that was that they fchulde folowe hym in mekeneffe eche to other / as he 3af hem enfaumple that was her lorde and maiflre r and that they fchulde not onely waffhe othere feete / but alfo fo^eue trefpafes done to othere r and wille and doo good to othere / as it is vndirftande by his wordes that folowen after whan he feide to hem : 3if 3e knowe thife that I haue C N. done to }ow / 36 fchulle be bliffed 3if 3e fulfille hem in dede. Here alfo aftir the firfte meffe that was the pafke lombe / as it is feide bifore / whan they were waffhen and made clene / he ferued hem withe the fecounde meffe of his owne precious body / that was deynte of alle deyn^ tees : as men vfen in bodily fedynge and feftes / firft to be ferued with boyftous and homely metes / and after with more delicate and deyntees. Where of foloweth here after touchynge the thridde article.
C As anemptes the thridde article of that hi5eft facra; ment of Jefu precioufe body / lyfte we here vppe oure articulus. hertes fouereynely / and bythenk we inwardly / wonder^ C B. N. ynge of that mode worthy dignacioun and vnfpekeable incomprehenfible charitee / thoru3 the whiche he bytoke hym felf to vs / and lafte to vs in to mete and gooftly fode/ makynge and ordeignynge that precioufe facrament in this manere. Whan he hadde wafche his difciples fete and was gone vppe a3eyn with hem there he byfore fatte at the fopere / as it is feide / as for an ende of the facrifices of the olde lawe and bygynnynge of the newe teftament / makynge hym felf oure facrifice / he toke brede in his
ercius
204 Die jouis
holy handes and lifte vp his ei3en to his fader / al my 513' god/ and blefied the brede and feide the wordes of confecra* cioun there ouere r by vertue of the whiche wordes brede was turned into his body r and than he 3af it to his dif* ciples / and feide : Taketh and eteth / for fothe this is my body that fchal be taken and 3euen for 3owe. And after in the fame manere tak3Tige the chalys with wyne / feide : Taketh and drinketh alle here of/ for this is my blood that fchal be outfchedde for 3ow and manye in remiffioun of fynnes. And after he 3af hem power of that confecra* cioun and alle preoftes in hem / and feide : This doth 36 as ofte as 5e take it in mynde and commemoracioun of me.
C Take now good hede here thou criden man / but fpecially thou preoft / how deuoutly / how d3rligently and trewely thy lorde Jefu crifte firfte made this precioufe facrament r and after with his bliflcd handes mynyftred it and communed that blifled and his b3rloued meigne.
C N. And on the tother fide take hede with wrhat deuoute
\vondre firfte they feie Irym make that wonderfulle and excellent facrament r and after with what drede and reuerence they toke it and refce3rued it of hym. Sothely at this t3rme they lefte al theire kyndety refoun of man / and onely reftede in trewe b3rleue to alle that he feide and didde / b3rleu3^nge with oute eny dowte that he was god and rny5t not erre. And fo mofte thou doo that wolt fele and haue the vertue and the godly fwetneffe of this
C B. bliffed facrament. This is that fwete and precioufe
memoriale that fouere3rnl3r makith mannis foule worthy and plefyng to god alfo ofte as it is dewely refce3rued / other by trewe deuoute meditacioun of his paffioun / or elles / and that more fpecially / in facramentale et3Tnge there of. Wherfore b3r refoun this excellent 3ifte of loue Ichulde kyndele mannis foule and enflawme it all holy
Die jouis 205
in to the }euer therof/ cure lorde Jefu crift r for there is no thing that he my3t 3eue and leue to vs more der* worthe / more fwete / or more profitable than hym felf. For with outen eny dowte he that we refceyuen in the facrament of the au3ter is he that felue goddes fone Jefu / that took flefche and blood and was borne of the virgyne marye r and that fuffred deth on the croffe for vs / and roos the thridde day to lyffe r and after fteyhe vp into heuene / and fitteth on the fadres ri3t fide r and that fchal come at the day of dome and deme all mankynde r in whofe power is bothe lyf and dethe r that made bothe heuene and helle r and that onely may faue vs or dampne vs euer with outen ende. And fo he that felf god and man is conteyned in that litel oofte that thou fee ft in forme of brede r and euery day is offred vp to the fader of heuene for cure goftly hele and euer laftynge faluacioun. This is the trewe byleue that holy chirche C N. hath tau3t vs of this bliffed facrament.
|[ But 3it more ouer lete vs fitte a litel lenger at this worthy lordes borde / Jefu r and take we hede ynwardely to oure goftly fode and comforte / more fpecially of that precioufe and moft deynteth mete that is there fette by* fore vs / that is the bliffed body of oure lorde Jefu in this holy facrament bifore feide. And fo by inward confideracioun tafte we the fwetneffe of this heuenly foode / hauynge firfte in mynde the gracious and refonable makynge and ordynaunce of that bliffed facrament r and after the grete worthyneffe and merveillous worchynge there of in chofen foules to comforte and ftrengthinge of oure feithe. As anemptes the firfte poynte / we fchulle C Primum. vndirftonde that all my3ty goddes fone / the fecounde perfone in trinite / wyllynge of his fouereyn charite and endeles godeneffe to make vs pertyneres of his godhede
2o6 Die joins
he toke oure kynde and by came man to make men as goddes. And ferthermore that he toke of oure kynde that was flefche and blode : al he 3af to vs for oure hele and oure faluacioun r for he offred to his fader of heuene vppon the au3ter of the erode his bliffed body for oure reconfilynge r and he fchedde his precious blode in to prife forto bygge vs oute of oure wrecched thraldome / and to waffhe vs and make vs clene of all fynne. And for alfo mykel as he wolde that the mynde of that hi3e grete benefice fchulde dwelle in vs euerlaftyngly / he 3af to alle trewe criften puple his body in to mete and his blode in to drynke / vndir the likkenefle of brede and wyne / in manere as it is feide bifore in the firfte makynge of this blifled facrament.
C But now here byholde we inwardely and take we gode hede what wonder thing it was to the apoftles than to fee oure lord Jefu / verray man as they were / fittynge with hem bodily r and there with holdynge in his hondes that felf body in that that femed to hir bodily f^t nou3t elles bot brede r affermynge thus fothely : This is my body that fchal be 3euen for 3ow r and alfo of that that in the Chalice femed onely verray wyne : This is my blood that fchal be fchedde for remiffioun of 3oure fynnes. And fo that felfe body that they fei3en with hir bodily ey3e byfore hem was fothely vndir that fourme of brede r and that felfe blode that was alle hole in his bodye was there in that chalice in the forme of wyne. But than was not that brede as it ferned / and as it was byfore the wordes of confecracioun r ne wyne as it femed in felue manere : but only the liknes or the forme of brede and wyne / conteynynge verrey criftes flefche and blode / as it is feide. But what mannis refoun or witte my3t com* prehende this at that tyme? Sothely / none. And therfore
Die jouis 207
the trewe apoflles at that tyme laften alle her bodily refoun
and witte / and refted only in trewe byleue to her lordes
wordes/ as it is feide bifore / faue Judas that was reproued
for his falfhede and myfbyleue/ and therfore he refceyued
that bliffed Sacrament in to his dampnacioun. And
fo done alle thoo that bene nowe of his parte r the
whiche falfely byleuen and feien that the holy Sacra*
ment of the ai^ter is in his kynde brede or wyne / as
it was bifore the confecraciouri / bycaufe that it femeth
fo to alle her bodily felynge / as in {13 te / tafte / and
touchynge. The whiche ben more reprouable as in that
parte than Judas r for they feen not Jefu bodily by fide
that facrament as he didde r and therfore it is Ii3ter to
hem forto byleue / and more to here dampnacioun 3if
they byleued not / as god hym felf and holy chirche
hathe tau3te : namely / Tithe that trewe techynges of this
bliiTed facrament hath be holden ftedfaftly fo manye
hundred 3ere / and of fo many holy men / martires and
confefibures / and othere trewe criften men r the whiche
in to her lafte dayes ftoden with outen doute in this feithe
and dei3eden therynne. The whiche feith is this in fchorte C Fides
wordes : that the facrament of the au3ter duely made by facramenti.
vertue of criftes wordes is verrey goddes body in forme
of brede / and his verray blode in forme of wyne r and
thou3 that forme of brede and wyne feme as to alle the
bodily wittes of man brede and wyne in his kynde as
it was bifore .- neuertheles it is not fo in fothenefle / bot
onely goddes flefche and blode in fubflaunce. So that
the accidentes of brede and wyne wonderfully and my*
raculoufiy / asenft mannis refoun and the comoun ordre
of kynde / ben there in that holy facrament with oute her
kyndely fubiecte r and verray criftes body that fuffred
deth vppon the crofie is there in that facrament bodily
208 Die jouis
vndir the fourme and lickenefle of brede / and his verray blode vndir likneffe of wyne fubftanciallye and holly with outen eny feynynge or difceyte / and not onely in figure as the falfe heretike feithe.
C Nota. C Thefe termes I touche here fo fpecially by caufe of the lewed lollardes that medlen hem a3enft the feith falfely. And more oiier this feith of this excellent facra* ment / tau3t by holy doctoures and worthy clerkes / is con* fermed by many maneres of myracles / as we reden in many bookes and heren all day preched and tau3t. But here lawheth the lollarde and fkorneth holy chirche in allegeaunce of fuche myracles / haldynge hem bot magge tales and feyned illufiouns : and by caufe that he tafteth nou3t the fwetteneffe of this precious facrament/ ne feleth the gracious worchynge thereof in hym felf/ therfore he leueth no^t that eny othir dothe. But here in confufioun of alle falfe lollardes / and in comforte of alle trewe loueres and worfchipperes of this holy facrament / and principally to the louynge and honour of the hi3e auctor and makere there of/ oure lorde Jem/ I fchal feie more ouer fomwhat in fpecialle that I knowe fothely of the gracious worchynge in fenfible felynge of this bliffed facrament r the whiche marveylous worchynge and felynge abouen comoun kynde of man fcheweth and pro* ueth fouereynely the bleffid bodyly prefence of Jefu in that facrament.
C There is one perfone that I knowe now lyuynge / and perauenture there ben many that I knowe not in the felf degre or hi3ere / the whiche perfone often tymes / whan oure lord Jefu voucheth faufe to touche hym of his grace / in tretynge of that bliffed facrament with the ynwarde fi3t of his foule and deuowte meditacioun of his precioufe paflioun / fodeynly feleth alfo fched in to the felf body
Die jouis 209
a ioye and a likynge that paffith with oute comparifoun the hy3efle likynge that cny creature may haue or fele as by way of kynde in this lyf r thoruj the whiche ioye and likynge alle the membres of the body ben enflawmed of fo delectable and ioyfulle an hete / that hym thinketh fen* fibily all the body as it were meltynge for ioye / as wax dothe anentes the hote fyre r fo ferforth that the body my3t not bere that excellent likynge / bot that it fcholde vtterly faille / nere the gracioufe kepynge and fufteynynge of the toucher/ oure lorde Jefu / abouen kynde.
f[ A lorde Jefu / in what delectable paradyfe is he for that tyme that thus feleth that bleffed bodily prefence of the in that precioufe facrament r thoru} the whiche he feleth him fenfibily / with vnfpekeable ioye / as he were ioyned body to body ? Sothely I trowe that there may no man telle it or fpeke it r and I am fiker that there may no man fully and fothefaftly knowe it / but onely he that in experience feleth it : for with outen doute this is fpecially that hidde manna / that is to fay aungelles mete / that no man knoweth bot he that feleth it / as feynt John therof witneffith in his apocalipfe : and he that fothfaftly feleth it may wele faye with Dauid the prophete / fouereynly reioyfynge body and foule / herte and flefche / in god alyue : Quam magnet multitude dulcedinis tue domine i quam abfcondijli timentibus te : A lorde Jefu / hou mykel is the multitude of thy fwetteneffe / that thou haft hidde to hem that in trewe loue dreden the.
C Thus haue I vnderftonden of the forfeide gracioufe / wonderfulle / and myraculoufe worchynge of oure lorde Jefu / fchewynge fenfibly his bliffed / dilectable bodily prefence in that moft excellent facrament of the aujter/ in manere as the forfaide perfone that feled it my3te telle it fo in partye / and as I kouthe fchortely and inpern*3try
2To Die jouis
write it. The whiche myraculoufe worchynge to myn vnderftondynge / hauynge confideracioun to alle the cir* cumftaunces therof / pafieth many grete myracles that we reden fchewed in this holy facrament : in alfo myche as the witte of that bodily felynge pafleth in certeyne the witte of fi3t / and hath leffe of ftraunge liknefle and more of the felf fothefaftnefle. For what tyme that oure lorde Jefu crift appereth in that blifled facrament to ftrengthinge of byleue / or to comforte of his chofen derlynges / outher in liknefle of a litel childe / as we reden that he didde to feynt Edwarde / kyng and confeflbur / or elles in a quantite of flefche al blody / as it is writen in the lyf of feynt gregore and in othere places r fothe it is that that bodily liknefle / feyen in that quantite / accordeth nou}t with the verray bodily quantite and fchappe of oure lorde that heng on the crofle / and that is fothely in that facra* ment hidde fro the bodily f^t. Bot he that feleth that gracioufe 3ifte byfore feide hath none ftraunge bodily fi3t of eny liknefle othere than the facrament in trewe byleue r but in his foule / Ii3tened thoru3 fpecial grace / he feeth inwardly with fouereyne ioye that blifled body of Jefu/ H3t as he henge on the crofle / with outen eny difceyte r and therwith alfo in body he feleth fenlibly the bodily prefence of oure lorde Jefu / in manere as it is feide bifore / with fo grete ioye and likynge that there can no tonge tellen it fully / ne herte vnderftonde it / bot only he that feleth it. And as it femeth/ that ioyeful felynge in the body is like to that that holy chirche fingeth of the apoflles and difciples at the fefte of Pentecofle / whan the holy gooft was fent to hem fodenly in the liknefle of fire with outeforth and vnfpekeable ioye in her bodyes with ynne* Clmpleta fortne r that is that her bowelles filled with the holy gooft ioyede fouereynly in god : and fo may he that hath that
Die jouis 211
forfaidc gracious jifte fothely feie in that tyme with dauid in fpecial manere and hi^e gracioufe felynge : Cor meum et caro mca exultauerunt in deum viuum i My herte and my fleifche reioyfede hem fouerenly in to the prefence of god alyfe / Jefu / that bleffed be euere and fouereynly for this hi,e 3ifte of grace. Amen.
C Ferthermore touchynge the ferthe article. Take C iiij hede / thou criflen foule that hafl eny Ii5t withyn the of the culus- fire of loue / how this fouerayne fcole mayfter / Jefu crifte / made to his difciples a noble fermoun mile of goftly fwet* nefle and brennynge coles of loue and charitee. For whan he hadde }euen that Miffed facrament to his difciples and / amonge othere / of his hi3e charitee to his enemye / that wicked Judas/ he feide to hym : Quod fads i that thou C N. purpofeft to do i fac ciciusi do it anone : als who feithe : I wote where aboute thou ert / and therfore delyuere the by tyme r vndirftondynge his bytrayenge. But there was none of his othere difciples that wifte to what ende that Jefu feide thoo wordes. And anone this curfed treytour wente forthe to the princes of preoftes / to whom he had folde hym the Wednefday byfore / as it is feide / and afked of hem companye to take hym.
C And in the mene tyme cure lorde Jefu made this forfeide longe and worthy fermoun to his difciples. Of the whiche profitable fentence / firfte commendynge pees to his difciples / we mowe vnderftonde alle the effecte comprehended fchortly that he enfourmed hem fpecially and betau3te to hem with pees thre principal vertues / that is to feie : feithe / hope / and charite. Firfte he bytau3t to C Caritas. hem charite ofte Tithes and moft befily whan he feide : Mam datum nouum do vobis / I 3eue 3ow a newe maundement / and that is that 36 loue to gidre / vt diligatis inuicem. In hoc cognofcent omnes i and alfo in this one thing foue^
p 2
2i2 Die joins
reynly allc men fchulle knowe / quia mei difcipuli cflis i that 36 ben my difciples / ft dileccionem habncritis ad imiicem / 3if 36 haue loue eche to other. And after how they fchulde trewely kepe this charite by worchynge in the loue of hym / he feide to hem thus : Si diligitis me I mandata mea female I )if 36 loue me / kepeth myn heftes. And alfo after : Oui diligit me i fermonem meum feruabit i whofo loueth me / he fchal kepe my worde / et pater meus diliget eum i and than fchal my fader loue hym / et ad eum veniemus et manfionem apitd eum faciemus i and we fchulle come to hym and dvvelle with hym. And in other dyuerfe places fpecially he commendeth to hem charite and pees as a principall byqueft in his teftament at this tyme / as the procefle of the gofpel telleth.
C Fides. |[ In feithe alfo he enformed hem and ftabled hem more perfitely in byleue of his godhede / feienge in thefe wordes : Non turbetur cor veftrum neque formidet / be not 3oure hert troubled and drede it not : Creditis in deum et in me credite i for as 36 byleuen in god / fo 36 mode byleuen in me. And after he tau3t hem in this byleue/ that the fader and he ben one god / and thou3 he be leffe than the fader after the manhede / neuertheles he is euere euene with the fader after the godhede r and therfore he reprehendith Philippe that badde hym fchewe hem the fa* der / and feide : Qui videt me i videt et patrem / that whofo feeth me/ feeth the fader. And after in concluiioun of this feithe he feide to his difciples : Non creditis qnia ego in patre et pater in me eft ? leue 36 not that I am in the fader and the fader is in me? Alioquin propter opera ipfa credite i elles for tho werkes that 36 feen byleueth.
II Spes. |[ In hope alfo he comforted hem in many maneres :
and firfte touchynge the effecte of preyere / feyenge to
C Primum. hem in thefe wordes : Si manferitis in me i et verba mea in
Die joins 213
vobis manferint : quodciimqiie volueritis petetis etfiet vobis t
3if 30 dwclle in me and my wordes abyden ftedfaftly in
3ow/ what fo cucre 36 wole afke it fchal be 3ouen 3owe. Alfo
he comfortcde her hope a3enft tribulaciouns and hate of
the worlde / feyenge thus : Si mundus vos odit i Jcitote C
quia me priorem vobis odio habuit i 3if the world hate m>
3ow/ witeth wele that it hated me firfte byfore 3owe. And
fo forthe as the tixt telleth / comfortynge her hope in
pacience of perfecucioun by enfaumple of hym felfe that
was her lorde. In the thridde manere he comforted hem CTercium.
to hope with oute defpeyre by caufe of the withdrawynge
fro hem of his bodily prefence / tellinge hem bifore that
they fchulde haue grete forwe for the abfencc of hym
thoru3 his harde deth / but afterwarde that forwe fchulde
be torned into endeles ioye by his glorious refurreccioun
and afcencioun to the fader / and fendynge of the holy
gooft to hem :- the whiche fouereynly fcholde comforte
hem in alle difefe and teche hem alle fothefaftneffe. And
than he concluded in thife wordes : Hec lociitus fum
vobis i vt in me pacem habeatis / alle thife wordes forfeide
I haue fpoken to 3ow / vnto that ende that 56 haue pees in
me. In inundo preffuram habebitis : fed confidite i ego vici
mundum i in the worlde 3e fchulle haue forowe and
angwifch : but trifteth wele by fadde hope r for I haue
ouercomen the worlde r als who feye : And fo fchulle 5e.
C And after this oure lorde Jefu turned his fpeche to the fader / liftynge vppe his louely ei3en to heuenc / and commendynge firfte hym felf after the manhede / and after prayenge tenderly for his difciples r and ferthermore prey* enge not only for hem / bot alfo for all hem that fchulde byleue on hym after thoru3 her worde r and into that ende at the lafte that alle my3te be oned to gidre in trewe loue and charitc / as the fader in the fone and the fonc in the
214 Die jouis
fader / and fo they alle in one : god / fader / and fone / and holy good.
C B. N. C A lorde Jefu / how wonderfully perceden thefe for*
feide wordes the hertes of thy difciples : for fothely they loueden the fo feruentlye that they my3t noii3t haue boren hem / ne had ben the fpecial preferuynge of thy grace. And fo who fo hath grace inwardely to bythenke and diligently to difculTe alle the procefle of this blifled and worthy fer? moun / fkilfully he fchalbe ftered in to the brennynge loue of Jefu/ and likyngly refte in the fwetneffe of his bliffed doctrine. And on that other fide / who fo taketh hede to his difciples how they fhonden forwfully hangynge doun her heuedes and wepynge and hi5ely fijhynge / refonably he may be ftired to grete compaffioun / and fpecially for John / that was mofte familiar with Jefu / and that toke goode hede fpecially bifore othere to alle that Jefu fpake /
C N. as he was chofen by fpecial grace onely to write fothely
thoo forfeide fwcte wordes of Jefu to edifienge of all holy chirche and cure hi5e comforte.
C B. C Ferthermore amonge othere wordes of Jefu we reden
that he feide to his difciples : Rifen vp and go we hens. A dere god / what drede then entered in to hem / not knowynge whider they fchulde goo / and gretely dredene of his departynge fro hem. Neuertheles he fpake to hem afterwarde / fulfillynge the procefle of his fermoun goynge by the weye / and they befily takynge hede to it. Now byholde how the difciples folowen hym in the manere of chykenes that folowen the henne / and putten hir hyd* derwarde and thiderwarde forto come vndir hir wynges : and fo they defireden hem now one and now an othere to here and to be nexte hym / and that he fuffrede and liked wele. At the lafte whan this fermoun was done / and alle mifteries fulfilled / he went with hem in to a 3erde or a
Die jouis 215
gardyne ouer the water of Cedron / there to abide his traytour Judas and othere armed men r where of it fchal folowe here after in proceffe of his paffioun.
C Here now haue in mynde that oure lord Jefu 3af vs C Nota enfaumple in this euentide and ny5t of fyue grete vertues : bei?e: that is to fay / firfte / of profounde mekeneffe as it is feide notabiHa. in the waffhynge of his difciples fete r after/ of fouereyne charitee in the excellent facrament of his bliffed body / and in that fwete fermoun fulle of brennynge coles of charitee r and the thridde / of paffynge pacience in fo benigne fuffringe of his traytour and alle the defpite done to hym after r the ferthe / of perfite obedience in takynge wilfully that harde paffioun and bitter dethe after the fader wille : and the fifte / of deuoute prayer contynuede thre tymes in longe and feruent prayenge / and his precioufe blood fchedynge. In the whiche fyue vertues he graunte vs grace to folowe hym / Jefu / that bliffed be euere with outen ende. Amen.
C Thus endeth the contemplacioun for Thurfday r and after foloweth the paffioun that longeth fpecially to Friday. Tho thinges that now folowen perteynen to criftes pafc fioun. Thenke therfore wele on alle this thinges and enforce the to folwe thy lorde. Holy fadres weren fuk filled with ioye in his comynge and alle manere of myflik* ynge was putte away / and they thankeden god and feide bliffed be oure lorde god of Israel r for he hath vifited and made redempcioun of his puple / that reigneth with the fader and the holy goft be alle worldes of worldes r the whiche thoru3 his mercifull grace brynge vs to his grace. Amen.
216 Die veneris
C Cam. {[ Of the paffioun of oure lorde Jefu crifte/ and firft
of his prayer and takynge at matyn tyme.
^T the bygynnynge thou that defireft to haue for* wefull compaffioun / thoru3 feruent inward affec* cioun / of the peynefull paffioun of Jefu / thou mofte in thy mynde depart in manere for the tyme the my3t of the godhede fro the kyndely infirmyte of the manhede r though it fo be in fothenes that the godhede was neuer departed fro the manhede. For there beth many fo blynded goftly by vnrefonable ymaginacioun of the my3t of the godhede in Jefu / that thei trowe not that eny thing my3te be peynefull or forwful to hym as to another comune man that hath only the kynde of man r and therfore haue they non compaffioun of the peynes that he fuffrede / fuppofynge that for alfo moche as he was god there my3t no thing be a3enft his wille or dere hym. But therfore here a3enft forto haue trewe ymaginacioun and ynward compaffioun of the peynes and the paffioun of oure lorde Jefu / verrey god and man / we fchal vnder* ftande that as his wille was to fuffre the hardeft deth and moft forwful peynes for the redempcioun of mankynde / fo by the felf wille he fufpendet in all his paffioun the vfe of the my3t of the godhede fro the infirmyte of the manhede r no more takynge of that my3t for the tyme than hath another tendre and delicate man / only after the kynde of man. Wherfore thou fchalt ymagyne and ynwardely thinke of hym in his paffioun as of a faire 3onge man of the age of xxxiij 3ere / that were the fairefte / the wifefte / and the mofte ri3twyffe in his leuinge r and mooft goodly and innocent that euere was or my3t be in this world r fo
Die veneris 217
falfely accufed / fo envioufly purfewed / fo wrongfully demedc / and fo dcfpitoufly flaync / as the proceiTe of this paffioun afterward telleth / and all for thy loue. Alfo vnderftonde / as clerkes feyne and refoim techith / that in his bodily kynde of man he was of the denned com* plexioun that euere was man or my3te be r wherfore hauynge this in mynde he was the more tendre in the body / and fo foloweth that the peynes in the body were the more fore and bittre and the harder to fuffre. Than fethen he toke no focour of the godhede / but onely fuf* frede after the kynde of the manhede / the lefte peyne that he haddc was more peyneful to hym than it my3te be to eny other man. Wherfore hauinge this in mynde / firfte to fterynge of the more compaffioun r ferthermore / C B. after the procefle of Bonauenture / who fo defireth with the apoftle poule to be ioyeful in the croffe of oure lord Jefu crift and in his bliffed paffioun/ he mofte with befy meditacioun abide there ynne. For the grete myfteries and all the procefle therof / 3if they were inwardely con* fiderede with all the ynwarde mynde and byholdynge of mannis foule / as I fully trowe / they fchulde brynge that by holder in to a newe ftate of grace r for to hym that wolde ferche the paffioun of oure lorde with all his herte and all his ynward aflfeccioun there fchulde come meny deuoute fclynges and fterynges that he neuere fuppofed byfore. Of the whiche he fchulde fele a newe compaffioun and a newe loue and haue newe gooftly confortes / thoru3 the whiche he fchulde perceyue hym felf turnede / as it were / in to a newe aftate of foule r in the whiche aflate thoo forfaide gooftly felynges fchulde feme to hym as an erneft and partye of the blifTe and ioye to come. And forto gete this aftate of the foule I trowe / as he that is vnkunnynge and blaberinge / that it byhoueth to fette therto all the fcharp*
218 Die veneris
neffe of mynde / with wakyng eyjen of herte / putting away and leuynge alle othere cures and befyneffe for the tyme / and makynge hym felf as prefent in all that byfelle aboute the paffioun and crucifixioun effectuoufly / befily / auifely / and perfeuerantly r and nou}t paffynge listly or with tedioufe heuyneffe / but with al the herte and goodly gladnefle. Wherfore if thou that redeft or herefl this book haft here byfore befily taken hede to thoo thinges that hauen ben writen and fpoken of the bleffid lyf of oure lord Jefu crift in to this tyme / moche more now thou fchalt gedre alle thy mynde and al the ftrengthe of thi foule to thoo thinges that folowen of his bleffid paffioun r for here fpecialli is fchewed his hi5e charite r the whiche refonably fchulde all holily enflawme and brenne oure hertes in his loue.
«T Pro* C Nota hie premittitur proceflus paffionis in generali
ceffus qui poftea inferitur / fcilicet in fine hore tercie / quia videtur
paffionis. . . .. . ,
magis conuemens ibidem.
C B. N. C Go we than to the procefle of his paffioun / takynge
hede and makynge vs in mynde as in prefence to all that folweth. And firft byholdynge how/ after the proceffe of the gofpel of feint John / oure lord Jefu after that worthy foper was done and that noble and fructuoufe fer* moun ended / wherof it is fpoken in the nexte chapitre biforn / he wente with his difciples ouer the water of Cedron in to a }erde or a gardyn / in to the whiche he was wont ofte fithes to come with his difciples r and there he bad hem abyde and praye. And ferthermore takynge with him his thre fpecial fecretaries / that is to fay / Peter and James and John/ and tellynge hem that his herte was heuy and forwful vnto the deth / bad hem there abyde and wake with hym in prayeres. And fo a litel ferther fro hem / as aboute the fpace of a flones caft / vppon a litel hulle /
Die veneris 219
mekely and reuerently knelynge vppon bothe his knees made his prayer to the fader deuoutliche / in manere as it folweth after.
{[ But here abide we a litell while / and take we hede with a deuoute mynde of this wonderfull dede of oure lord Jefu / fothely worthy to be had in inward forwful compaffioun r for loo now he prayeth mekely to the fader/ and that for hym felfr as we reden that he hath ofte byfore prayed / but than for vs as oure aduokett. Wher* fore fkilfully we fchulde be ftired to inward compaffioun and wondre here of the loweft mekenefle / of the mofte per* C Nota fi^te obediens / and of the vnfpekable charite of god Profunf lfi
r Innam hu=
ichewed to vs r and nrlte of this morte profounde meke* militate™, nefle / confideringe hym that is verray god / euene with the fader all my3ty and euerelaftynge / fo as it were for* 3etynge hym felf as god / and fo lowely prayenge as another comune man of the peple. Alfo take hede of his C Nota 2° mofte perfi3te obedience. For what is that he prayeth ? Perfectir= Sothely he prayeth the fader / 3if it be his wille that he be dienciam. ' nou5t flayn and putte to that hard deth r and }it with the fader he hath ordeyned to take that deth for man. And fo he prayeth the fader/ and 3it he is noujt herde after his wille / that is to feie after oon manere of wil that was in hym. For there was in hym thre manere of willes : that C Nota is to fay / firft the wille of the flefche and the fenfualite / ^j^1^1 and that grucched and dredde and wolde nou3t gladly fuffre jn Chriilo. deth : alfo the wille of refoun / and that was obeiffaunt and affentaunt/ as the prophete yfaie of hym feith : He C Oblatus was offred vppon the cros to the fader/ for fo was his eftquiaipfe wille : and the thridde was the wille of the godhede / the whiche 3af the fentence of his paffioun and bad in all manere to be done. Wherfore / in alfo myche as he was verray man / he dredde as man aftir the firfte wille / and
220
Die veneris
C Proprio filio fuo non pe- percit, fed pro nobis omnibus tradidit ilium.
CNota
tercio
indicibilem
caritatem
patris et
filii.
C Nota orationem domini Jefu.
C Pfalmus Exaudi deus ora* tionem meam.
C Veri* tatem tuam et falutem tuam dixi.
was than in greet angwifche. And therfore inwardly haue compafiioun of hym / in alfo mochel as thou may / with all thyn herte. For loo / the fader wille vtterly that he be flayne and dede r and nou3t withftondynge that he is his owne dere loued fone / 3it he fpareth hym nou5t / but 3eueth hym to the deth for vs alle. And oure lord Jefu takith mekeliche that obedience and fulfilleth after in dede / as the precede of his paffioun witneffith fully. In the thridde poynt byholde the vnfpekable charite of the fader and the fone fchewed to vs / that oweth worthely to be had in inward compaffioun and hie wonder and wor* fchippe r for only for oure faluacioun this harde deth is bidden of the fader and taken of the fone.
C Of the prayer of oure lorde Jefu / fwetyng blood. Byholde now how he prayeth / longe tyme knelinge vppon the grounde he fpeketh to the fader and feith in thife manere wordes : My dere fader / all my3ty and mile of pitee and of mercy / I befeche the that thow here my prayer and defpife nou3t my bede r byhalde to me and here me r for I am made fory in myn exercife of vertue / fchewynge to myn enemyes pacience and charite and thay nou3t amende it. And fo my fpirit is in angwifche within me / and myn herte greuoufly deftourblede r wher* fore bowe thin ere to me and take hede to the voys of my bede. It likede the / fader / to fende me in to the worlde forto make afeeth for the wrong that was done of man to 3ow r and anone at 3our wille and biddinge I was redy and feide / Lo I go. And fo thy foothfaftneffe and thy hele I haue declared and fchewed r and I / euere pouere and in dyuers trauailles fro my 3outhe/ doynge thy wille and all that thou haft boden me / am now redy to fulfille vtterly tho thinges that bene 3it to be done and full ended. Thowfeeft/ fader/ the malice that myn enemyes hauen
Die vcncris 221
confpired a3enft me / and how I haue euerc done tho
thinges that bene plefaunt to the / and done good and
benefetes to hem that haten me r and thay a3enward
haue rewarded me euel for good / and hate for my loue r
and fo they haue corrupte my difciple and made hym here
ledere to deftroye me / and hauen folde me and fette my
prife on thritty penyes. Code fader / I befeche the that ^ Tranffer
thou doo away fro me this cuppe of forwe and of bitter jftJrn Tme
paffioun that is ordeyned to me to drynke r and elles / be
thy wille fulfilled. But / my dere fader / rife vp into my
helpe and hafte the to focoure me at my nede. For be
it f o / fader/ that thay knowe me nou3t thi fothfaft fone r
neuertheles fithen I haue lad amonges hem a ri3twis and
ynnocent lyf/ and alfo done to hem many goode dedes/
thay fchulde nou3t be fo cruel and fo malicious a3enft me.
Haue in mynde / good fader/ how I haue ftonden in thy C Re-
fi3t forto fpeke euere the goode for ham / and to turne cordare-
away thyn indignacioun fro ham. But now loo / they
3ilden euel for good / and hauen ordeyned the vileft dethe
for me : wherfore / thou lorde that feeft all thing / rife
in to my helpe and leue me nou3t r for greet tribulacioun
is now nygh / and there is none that wille and may helpe /
but thou allone.
|[ And after this prayer oure lorde Jefu tornede a3eyn to his difciples / and woke ham / and comforted ham 3it to praye. And eft the fecounde tyme / and the thridde tyme turnede a3eyne to his prayere in diuerfe places a litel fro other / as in the fpace of a ftones caft Ii3tly with oute grete ftrengthe r and contenued the forfaide prayer to the fader / addynge to and faienge : My fader ri3twis / if it fo be that thou haft ordeynede and wilt in all manere that I fuffre the deth vppon the crofle / thy wille be ful^ filled. But I recomcnde to the / fader / my fwete moder
222 Die veneris
and my difciples / the whiche I haue i^kepte in to this tyme all the while I haue be dwellynge with ham. And with this prayer that precioufe and holyefte blood of his bliffed body / brekynge oute in manere of a fwete/ droppede doun vnto the erthe habundauntly in that grete agonye and harde bataille.
C Sothely here is grete mater of forwe and compaf*
fioun / that ou3t to ftere the hardeft herte that is in this
world to haue ynward compaffioun of that grete and
fouerayne angwiffhe that oure lorde Jefu fuffrede in that
tyme and for oure fake r for by the godhede he fawe
the hardeft and fouerayn paynes that were to come in
his body r and therfore after the manhode his tendre
body for fere and anguyffh brak out violently of blode.
C B. Nota f[ Take hede alfo here that is fpecially to be noted
pacientiam a3en^ oure inpacience r how oure lord Jefu prayeth thre
noftram. tymes or he haue anfwere fro the fader. But than at the
thridde tyme / whan oure lorde Jefu was in fo grete
angwiffhe of fpirite / as it is feide / loo the prince of
goddes aungelles/ Michael by name/ ftondynge by hym
C Nota comforted hym and feide : Haile / my lorde Jefu / 3oure
acionem deuoute prayer and 3oure blody fwote I haue offred and
angeli. fchewed to 3oure fader of heuene in fist of all his bleffid
courte r and we alle fallynge doun byfore hym / haue
byfou3t hym to putte away fro 3ow this bitter drynk of
3oure paffioun. But the fader anfwerde and feide : My
dere loued fone knoweth wel that the redempcioun of
mankynde / the whiche we defiren fo of oure hi3e charite /
may not be fulfilled and done fo conueniently and refon*
ably with outen fchedinge of his blood r wherfore if he
wole the hele of foules / it byhoueth hym to die for ham.
And therfore / my lorde / what deme 36 now in this
mater? Oure lorde Jefu anfwered than to the aungel :
Die veneris 223
I will in all manere the hele and faluacioun of foules r and therfore I chefe rather to fuffre the deth / wherthorw the foules that the fader hath made vnto his liknefTe mowen be faued / than I wolde noii3t die and the foules be nou3t a3eyn bou3t r wherfor my faderis wille be fulfilled. And than faide the aungel to hym : Beth now of good com; C Nota fort / my lord / and worcheth manfully r for it is femely to verba.
3 T"l f*T€* 1 1
hym that is in hi3e degre to do grete thinges and worthy /
and to hym that is a manful man to fuffre hard thinges r
for tho thinges that ben harde and payneful fchal fone
paffe / and thoo thinges that ben ioyful and glorioufe fchal
come after. The fader feith that he is and fchal be euer
with }ow r and that he fchal kepe 3oure dere moder and
3our difciples at 3our wille / and fchal 3eue hem fafe a3eyne
vnto 3ow. And foo the good meke lorde toke benignly C Minora*
this manere of comfort and that of his creature / takynge tus ab.
^^ jinffMi^
hede or confideringe hym felf after the kynde of man / laiTe in worthynefle than aungels for the tyme of the dedly lyf in this world : and fo he was forwful as man / and fo he was comforted of the aungelles wordes as man. And fo he toke his leue of hym / prayeng hym to recomende hym to the fader and all the court of heuene. And than at this thridde tyme he rofe vp fro his prayer / all the body blody : whom thou myjt byholde with ynward com; paffioun how he wypeth his body / or elles perauenture waffheth hym priueliche in the ryuerr and fo greetly peyned in his body / and that is reuerently to be had in mynde and in forwful compaffioun r for with oute grete bitternefle of forwe this my3t nou3t byfalle to hym. And C Nota de neuertheles doctoures and wife clerkes feien that oure °ratlone lorde Jefu prayed in that manere the fader noujt only for drede of his paflioun / but alfo for his grete pitee and mercy that he hadde of his firfte peple the Jewes/ forw*
224 Die veneris
ynge that thei fchulde be loft by occafioun of his deth : for they fchulde not haue flayne hym / namely flthe he was of hir kynde / and was alfo conteyned and writen in her lawe as crift to come r and therwith fchewed hem fo many grete benefetes. Wherfore he prayed the fader to this entent thus : My fader/ if it may be with the hele and the fauacioun of Jewes that the multitude of other folk be turned to byleue / I forfake the paffioun and the deth r but if it be nedful that the Jewes be blendid in hir malice fo that other folk mowe haue fi3t in trewe byleue / nou3t my wille but thyne be done and fulfilled. That is to faie after the firfte manere of wille in hym / as it is i^feide bifore. After this he cam to his difciples and faide to hem : Now flepeth and refteth r for they hadde Wlepte a litel bifore there. Sothely he / as a good herde / was ful wakkerly and befy vppon the kepynge of that litell flok / his byloued difciples.
C Of the takyng of oure lorde Jefu.
C O trewe loue / fothely he loued hem in to the vttreft that in fo grete anguyffhe and fo bittre agonye was fo befy to procure hir hele and her refte. Than fawh oure lord after his aduerfaries comynge with torches and armes/ and 3it he wolde not wake and raife his difciples til thai come nyh ham / and than he feide to hem : It fufficeth now that 36 haue flepte y^nowe. Loo / he that fchal betraye me is nyh at hande. And therwith come that wicked Judas / the falfe traytour / the worfte chapman that euere was / byfore hem all and boldely keffid that innocent lambe / his lord Jefu. For as it is writen / the maner of cuftume that our lord vfede of his grete be* nignite was what tyme his difciples were fent forth / when they come a3eyn forto refceyue hem in louely cufle. And therfore that traitour went bifore and kuffede hym r
Die venens 225
as who feith : I am 110113! come with thife armed men / but in manere as here bifore I was wont at myn a3en comynge / I kuffe the and faie / haile maiftre ! Oo verray C Aue traytour ! Take now good hede to oure lorde Jefu / how Raby- paciently and benignely he refceyuede that falfe feyned clippynge and traitoures cufle of that vnfely difciple / whos feete he wefche a litel byfore of his foueraigne mekenefle / and fedde hym with that precioufe mete of his owne precious body thoru3 his vnfpekable charite. And alfo byholde how paciently he fuffred hym felf to be taken / bownden / fmy)ten / and wodely lad forth as thogh he were a theof or a wicked doer / and in all manere vn; my3ty to helpe hym felf. And alfo take hede how he hath ynward forwe and compaffioun of his difciples fleynge fro hym and errynge r and alfo thou maift fe here grete forwe of hem / how as a3enft hir wille / by freelte of mannis drede / thay gone fro hym / makynge greet mornynge and with hi3e fighynges as faderles children/ nou3t wetynge what to done : and 3it was hir forwe moche more / feynge hir maifter and lorde fo vileynfly ferde with / and the helle houndes drawyng hym as a befte to facrifice / and hym as a meke lombe with oute re; iiftence folowynge.
C Now ferthermore byholde how he is ladde of thoo vileft wrecches fro that ryuer vpward toward the citee of Jerufalem r and that haftely and with grete pyne / hau; ynge his hondes bounden behynde hym as a theef / gird aboue his cote / but nou3t curioufliche / and his mantel drawen fro hym / and bare heued / and floupynge for the grete hafte and trauaille that they made hym forto haue. And when he was bro3t byfore the princes of preofles and the fcribes and the aldermen that were than gadrede abidynge his comynge / glad were they than r examyn*
Q
226 Die veneris
ynge hym and appofynge fotelly in meny queftiouns / and procuringe falfe witneffe a3enft hym / and fpittynge on his holi face / and hidynge his ei3en / thay buffetede hym / fkornyng and faienge : Prophecie now and telle vs who fmote the lafte. And fo in meny maneres they vexede hym and tormentede hym r and he in alle fchewydde hi3e pacience : wherfore here we owe to haue inward com* paffioun of alle that he fuffrede fo for vs. At the lafte the grete maiftres went her way / puttinge hym into a manere of prifoun there vndir a lofte r and there thay bounden hym to a ftoon piler/ as men feien that haue fene it. And alfo there they lafte with hym fom armed men to kepe hym for more fikerneffe r the whiche all that ny3t vexed hym in ikornynges and fchrewed wordes / abreydinge hym and reprovinge in this manere wordes / as we mowe refonably fuppofe : Wendeft thou forto haue ben ftronger/ bettre / and wifer than oure princes and maiftres of the lawe ? What vnwitt and folie was that in thee to repre* hende hem. Thow fchuldeft nou3t haue bene fo hardy ones to haue opened thy mouthe a3enft hem. But now fcheweth thyn lewed witte r for now thou ftandeft / as it byfemeth / to thy comperes / fuche as thou art. With outen dowte thou art worthy the deth / and therfore thou fchalt haue it. And fo all that ny3t now one and now another by wordes and dedes fkorned hym and reproued hym. Take hede alfo on that other fide of oure lorde / as fchamefaft / paciently in filence / haldynge his pees to alle that thay putte vppon hym / caftyng doun toward the erthe his chere as thou3 he were gilty and taken in blame r and here haue ynward compaffioun. A lorde Jefu / into whos handes art thou now comen ! How mykel is thy pacience! Sothely this is the houre and the power of derknefle. And fo flood he bounden vnto that piler til the morwe.
Die veneris 227
C In the mene tyme John / that hadde folwede oure lord / went to oure lady and Magdeleyn and other of hir felawes that were that tyme gadered in Magdeleyns hous where he had made the foper byfore / and tolde hem all that was byfalle of oure lord and his difciples r and than was there vnfpekable forwe / crienge / and wepynge. Take now entent to hem and haue compaffioun of hem r for they ben in the gretteft difefe and hiseft forwe for here lorde r for they fee now wel and fully trowen that he fchal be dede. At the lafle oure lady drowe here by hir felf and turned hir to the praier / and faide : Moft wor* fchipful fader / mofl pitoufe fader / and mod merciable fader/ I recomende to 3ow 3oure owne and myn derefte loued fone. Code fader / beth not to hym cruel / fethen 36 ben to alle othere benigne. Fader euerlaftynge / whether my dere fone fchal be dede ? Sothely he dede neuere euil. But ri3twis fader/ if 36 wil the redempcioun of man* kynde / I byfeche 3ow / if it may be / that it be fulfilled by another manere / and that my fone be nou3t dede if it be 3our wille r for alle thing is poffible to 3ow. He helpeth nou3t hym felf by caufe of 3our obedience and reuerence / but hath in manere forfake hym felf and made hym as feble and vnmy3ty amonges his enemyes. Wher* fore / merciful fader / helpe 36 hym and delyuere 36 hym fro her handes and 3eue hym me a3eyne. By fuche manere wordes prayed oure lady for hir fone / with all her my3t of foule and in grete forwe : and therfore haue here pitee of hire / whom thou feed in fo grete affliccioun.
Q 2
228 Die veneris
C Cam. C Of the bryngeng of oure lord Jefu bifore pilate at
xlJm- prime.
i
friday/ erly on the morwe / the princes and foueraynes of the peple come a3en to the forfaide place where they hadde lefte oure lorde Jefu / and made his handes be bounde byhynde hym / and faiden thus to hym : Come now with vs : come now / theef / to thy dome r for this day thy wicked dedes fchal haue an ende / and now fchal be knowe thy wifdom. And fo they ladden hym to Pilat / the Juftice r and he folwed hem as an innocent lambe.
C And whan his moder and John and other wommen of her cumpanye / that wente out erly to here and fee of hym / metten with hym at a croffe way / and feien hym with fo grete a multitude of peple / lad as a theef and fo foule and defpitoufly ferde with / with how grete forwe they were than fulfilled it my3t nou3t be fpoken. And fo in that metynge to gidre of oure lorde Jefu and hem and frjt of othere there was grete forwe on bothe partyes r for oure lord alfo hadde grete forwful compaffioun of his moder and tho othere with hire / and namely of his moder that he knewe in fo grete forwe for hym as thou3 the foule fchulde be departed fro the body. Wherfore alfo we owen in alle thife to haue grete compaffioun.
C Than / as it is faide / oure lord was ladde to pylate : and they folwede aferre / for they my3t not come nyh for peple. He was there accufed of meny thinges / the whiche thay my3t nou3t proue r and therfore pilate fent hym to herode / as the gofpell of luke telleth. And for alfo moche as herode my3t neuere haue worde of hym ne myracle done / as he defirede / he hylde hym as a foole r wherfore as in fkorne he lete clothe him in whi3te
Die vcneris 229
and fent hym a}eyn to pilate. And fo thou myjt fee that oure lorde noii5t only is holden as a theef and a wicked doer / but alfo as a fole. Thus / as feynt gregory feith / C N. done holy prechoures / folwynge oure lord Jefu / whan they feen the hereres only define and loke after curioufte / and profitcn nou,t in amendement of euel lyuynge r thai chefen rather in fcilence to be holde as foles than to fchewe hem felf in prechynges with outen frute of foules.
C Byholde now ferthermore the grete pacience of oure C B. lord in all that is done to hym r for they leden hym thoru3 the citee toward and froward as a fole / hangynge doun his heued in fchameful manere and paciently hering reproues / fkornynges / crienges / and fuffringe meny de; fpites / as perauntre in caftynge of ftones at hym and of fenne and vnclenneffe vppon hym. And alfo byholde his moder and his othere frendes with vnfpekable forwe aferre after folowynge.
C When he was than a3eyn i^brou^t to pilate / and thoo curfed houndes befily and ftifly floden in hir falfe accu* faciouns / pilate / knowynge hir envie / wolde haue dely* uered hym / and faide : I fynde no caufe of deth in this man r wherfore I fchal vndernyme hym and chaftice hym and amende hym. O pilat / pilat ! wolt thou repre; hende and chaftice thy lorde god? Thou woft not what thou doeft r for he neuere differuede betynge ne deth : but thou fchuldeft doo bettre and more ri3twifly if thou woldeft chaftice and amende thy felf at his wille. And than at the biddinge of Pylat that he fchulde be fcourged and beten oure lord was defpoylede/ bounden to a piler/ and harde and foore fkourged. And fo ftant he naked byfore hem alle / that faireft jong man of alle children that euere were borne/ takyng paciently of tho fouleft wrecches the hardefte and mode byttrc ftrokes of fcorges. And fo is
230 Die veneris
that mofte innocent / fairefl / and clenneft flefch / flour of all mankinde / alto rente and fulle of woundes / rennynge out on alle fides that precious kynges blood / and fo longe beten and fcourged with wounde vppon wounde and brifour vppon brifour til bothe the lokeres and the fmy3ters were wery r and than was he beden to be vnbounde. Sothely the piler that he was bounde to 3it fcheweth the fleppes of his blood / as it is contened in flories.
4[ Take now here good hede by inward meditacioun of alle his paynes abidyngly r and but thou fynde thyn herte melte in to forwful compaffioun fuppofe fully and halde that thou hafte to harde a ftonye herte. Than was ful* filled in dede that the prophete yfai faide of hym longe C Vidimus tyme bifore : We fe hym in that tyme / and there was no eum et non femelyneffe nor beaute in hym. And we helde hym as ctus ^etc* fou*e as a leproufe man / that were fmyten doun and made lowe of god r wherfore we fette no reward of hym. O lord Jefu / who was he fo foole hardy that durfte defpoille the? But who were they moche more hardy that durfte bynde the? But }it who were they alther* worft and mooft foole hardy that dorfle fo bitterly bete the and fkourge the ? But fothely thou fonne of ri3twif* neffe at that tyme withdroweft thy bemes of Ii3t / and therfore all was in derkeneffe / and in the ny3t of wicked* nefle. Alle thyne enemyes ben more my3ty than thow / and that made thy loue and cure malice. Curfede be that malice and wickednefle of fynne wherfore thou were fo tormented and peyned.
C After he was vnbounden fro that piler thay ladde hym fo beten and nakede aboute the houfe / fekynge after his clothes that were caften in dyuers places of hem that defpoylede hym. And here haue compaffioun of hym in
Die veneris 231
fo grete colde quakinge and tremblynge / for as the gofpel witneffith / it was than harde colde. And whan he wolde haue done on his clothes / fomme of thoo moft wickede withftoden / and comen to pilate and faide : Lord / he thus made hym fclf a kyng of Jewes r wherfore late vs clothe hym and crown e hym as a kyng. And than they toke an olde filken mantel of reede and cafte vppon hym r and made a gerland of fcharpe thornes and thrufte vppon his heued r and putten in his hande a rede as for a ceptre. And all he paciently fuffreth r and after when thay knelede and faluede hym in fcorne / fayenge : Haile / kyng of Jewes! he helde his pees and fpake nou3t. Now byholde hym with forwe of herte / namely when thay fmyjten hym greuoufly ofte tymes vppon the heuede / mile of fcharpe thornes / the whiche perfid grevoufly in to the brayne panne and made it all full of blood r and fo they ikorned hym as though he wolde haue regnede but that he myjte nou3t : but all he fuffrede as her feruaunt or knaue. O wrecches / how dredeful fchal that hede appere at the lafte to 3ow / the whiche 36 fmy3ten now fo boldely ! And 3it this fufficeth nou3t to hir malice r but to more reproof and fkorne of hym they gadrede all hir wicked companyes r firft / to wondre vppon hym in the hous r and after / thai brou3t hym out byfore pilat and all the peple in that manere illuded with the corowne of thornes and that olde purpur veftiment. See now / for goddes loue / how he ftant in that manere / hangynge the face downe toward the erthe / bifore alle that grete multitude crienge and afkynge of pilat : Crucifie / crucifie hym ! and fcorn* ynge hym that he wolde make hym wifer than the princes and the pharifees and the doctours of the lawe / and how his wifdom was turned in to fo greet folye / as it fchewede in that tyme. And fo 1101131 only he fuffrede grete peynes
A- i
232 Die veneris
and forwe in his body with ynneforth / but alfo meny and foule obreydynges and reproues with outeforth.
C Ca™. |[ How oure lord Jefu was dampned to the deth of the
cros aboute terce of the day.
B. N. ^Fter that oure lorde Jefu was longe tyme fo tuiv
mentid and illuded / as it is faide r and the princes of the Jewes with grete inftaunce con# tynuelly aikeden and maden all the multitude with hem to crie and afke that he fchulde be crucified : at the lafte the wrecched Juftice Pilate / dredynge more to offende hem than to condampne the innocent/ wronger wefly 3af the fentence vppon hym at her wille / and fo dampnede hym to be honged on the croys. And thanne were the princes and the pharifeies and the aldermen ioyful and gladde that they hadde thairc entente fulfilled. Thay haue no3t in mynde the grete benefices and the wonderful dedes that he hath fchewed hem : and alfo they be nou3t meved to pitee for his innocence r and that is more cruelte in hem / they be nou3t flaked ne withdrawen fro her malice by the grete defpites and peynes that they haue fene and done to hym byfore / but lawhen and maken ioye and fcornen hym / that is verray god and may dampne hem to euerlafting deth. And fo they now befien hem in alle that they may to brynge hym haftely to his deth. Wherfore he is ladde in a3eyne into the houfe where he was bifore fcourged and illuded r and there was drawe fro hym that olde purpre mantel r and fo he all naked was beden to clothe hym felf a3eyne.
C Now with ynward compaffioun byholde hym here in manere as I faide bifore / only after the manhode / fo paffyng a faire and 3ong man / moft innocent and moft louely / in that manere alto rente and woundede / and all
Die veneris 233
blody / nakedc / with a manere of fchamefaftneffe gcder*
ynge his clothes in diuerfe places of that houfe as they
were difcatered by tho harlottes / doyng hem on in honeft
manere byfore hem that euere lowhen hym to fkorne / as
thou3 he were the mofte wrecche of alle othere / forfaken
of god and with oute all manere focour or helpe. Wher; C Nota de
fore now take hede diligently to hym and haue wonder of Pa9ien^ia
that grete profunde mekeneffe of hym / and in alfo moche
as thou may conforme the to folwe hym by pacience and
mekeneffe and fuffrynge of wronges for his loue r and goo
forth with hym / and byholde how after he hath done on
his clothes they leden hym forth in grete hafte / and leide
vppon hym that worfchipful tree of the croffe / that was ful
heuy and ful long / that is to fay / as it is writen in ftories /
xv feet of lengthe r the whiche he as a meke and mod
pacient lambe taketh vppon his fchuldres and bereth forth.
And fo was he ladde forth with his two felawes / that were
theues and dampnede to the felf deeth : and this is his
felawfchippe at this tyme. O gode lord Jefu / what fchame
do thay to 3ow / thay that fchulde be 3oure frendes / they
maken 3ow felawe to theues. 3e and $it they do worfe
for they maken 3ow to beren 3oure croffe / that is not
writen ne rad of hem. Wherfore nou3t only / as the
prophete yfaie faith / 36 ben putte with wicked doers and C Gum
theues / but alfo with worfe than theues : fothely lorde thi ini(iuis de"
pacience may nou3t be fpoken.
C Ferthermore as to the proceffe : feinge his dere moder that fche my3t nou3t folwe hym nyh for the grete multitude of peple aboute hym / fche toke another way more fchort in hafte with John and othere of here felaw* fchippe / fo that fche my3te mete with him bifore other by that waie r and when fche mette with hym with oute the 3ates of the citee / there as two waies metten to
234 Die veneris
gider and fawe hym charged and ouerleide with fo grete a tree of the crofle / the whiche fche fawh not bifore / fche was all oute of hir felf and half dede for forwe / fo that neither fche my3t fpeke to hym one worde nor he to hir by caufe of the grete hafte of hem that ladden hym to the Jewes. And a litel after oure lorde tornede hym to the wommen that folwede hym wepynge / and faide to C Filie hem : 3e doirjtres of Jerufalem / wepeth nou3t on me/ but
noSte^ffSe on 3OUre felf : and f° forth after the g°fPel- And in tnefe fuper me. two places were after made chirches in mynde of thefe
thinges / as they fayn that haue fene hem. Ferthermore by caufe that the mount of caluarie / where he was cruci* fied / was a grete fpace fro the 3ate of the citee / and he was after fo ouercome with trauel and wery that he my3te no lenger bere that heuy crofle / he leide it doun r but the curfed tormentoures and thay ful of malice dredynge forto deferre his deth / Icfte that pilate wolde haue cleped a3en his fentence and dome / for he fchewed bifore a wille to haue delyuered hym / they made another man that was cleped Symond to bere the croffe with hym r and ladden hym fo defcharged of the croffe / but than bounden thai his hondes byhynde him as a theef/ to that place of his Jewes the mount of Caluarie.
C Now if thou take good hede to all that hath be done to oure lorde Jefu / and all that he hath fuffrede at matyne tyme and pryme and terce vnto this tyme / fchal it nou3t be fene to the as mater of grete compaffioun of his grete paffioun and forwc ? Sothely / I trowe / 3is.
C Nota hie ponitur contemplacio in generali paffionis Chrifti quam ponit B. in principio tractatus de paffione que tamen videtur conuenientior hie.
C And namely if thou wilt in thy mynde now make a recapitulacioun / and reherfe in general that he hath
Die vcnens 235
fuffred and that hath be done to hym into this tyme. For what is it to thenke that oure lorde Jefu / verray god; bleffid aboue alle thinges / fro the houre that he was taken in the ny3t vnto this tyme of his crucifienge was in con* tinuel bataille / in grete reproues / defpites and forvves / illufiouns and tormentis r for there was 3euen hym no refte / but euere trauaile in peynes and forwe. And if thou wolde knowe in what conflicte and bataile he was / byholde and fee. Firft / oon difpitioufly leieth hond vppon C Hora hym and taketh hym : another is redy and hard byndeth matutmall« hym : another / crienge / putteth vppon hym blafpheme : another fpitteth in his face : another fotelly aiketh of hym meny queftiouns in defceyte forto accufe hym : another is befy to brynge falfe witneffe a3enft hym : another draweth hym forth bifore the Juftice : another ftifly accufeth hym : another buffeteth hym r another hydeth his eijen : another ikorneth hym r another after defpoilleth him : another byndeth hym harde to the piler : another with fcharpe fkorges fore beteth hym: another vnbyndeth hym: another cafteth on hym that olde filken mantel : another fetteth a fcharpe crowne of thornes vppon his heued : another putteth into his hande a reede : another takith it woodly fro hym / and fmyteth his fore heued ful of thornes : another in fkorne kneleth byfore hym : and fo forth / now one and now another/ and dyuerfe and menye with all hir wittes and my3te befien hem to turment hym in the worfte manere. Thay leden hym as a theef now to the biffhop Anne and now to Cayphas : now to Pilat and now to herode : now hiderward and now thiderward : now ynne and now oute. Oo my lord god / what is all this ! Loo thenke }e nou3t here a full harde and contynuel bitter bataille? 3it abide a litel while and thou fchalt fee harder. Thay ftonde ftiffely a3enft hym alle one r the princes and
236 Die
venens
the pharifees and the fcribes / with thowfandes of the peple / crienge alle with one voys that he be crucified r and at the lafte the Juftice pilate }af the dome that he be crucifiede r and anone that heuy croffe was laide on his fchuldres that were alto rent and broken with woundes of his fcourgynge. Now ferthermore byholde thy lorde Jefu fo goynge forth with his croffe on his bakke r and how than rennen oute of the citee at alle Bates bothe citeseynes and ftraungers of alle degrees / nou^t only gentiles bot alfo the fouleft rybaudes and wyne drynkers r nou3t to haue compaffioun of hym/ but to wonder vppon hym and fkorne hym. There is none that wil knowe hym by pitous affeccioun / but rather with fenne and other vnclenneffe alle thay defpifen and reprouen hym. And fo / as the prophete feith / is he now as in a parable in alle her C Factus mouthes : And tho that fitten in the Bates as Juges fpeken fum illis in aBenft hym r and thoo that drunken the wyne in her lufte
AdutrflTm' maden her fon§es of hym- Thus was he drawen and me loque* hafted by grete violence / with oute refte / til he came
Sin?111 to that foule ftinkyn§ Place of Caluerie / where was fette in porta. the ende and the refte of his harde bataille that we fpeken of. But what manere refte is that wherof we now fchal trete? Sothely that harde tree and deth fcharper than the bataile. Loo what refte / certeyne the bedde of forwe. Thus my3t thou fee in general contemplacioun how harde a batayle thy lord hath fuffred into this fexte hour / wherof now we fchal trete / folowynge the proceffe of his bliffed paffioun.
Die venens 237
C Of the crucifieng of cure lorde Jefu at the fexte c Cam. hour. xliijm.
NOw ferthermore my3t thou fee whan our lorde Jefu was comen to that ftinkynge hulle of Caluerie how wickedly thoo curfed werk* _ men bygonne to worche on alle fides that
cruel werk. Take hede now diligently with all thyn hert alle thoo thinges that be now to come and make the there prefente in thy mynde / byholdynge all that fchal be done a3enft thy lord Jefu and that be fpoken or done of hym r and fo with the ynner y3e of thy foule byholde fom fet^ tinge and ficchinge the croffe faft into the erthe / fomme makynge redy the nayles and the hameres to dryue hem with r other makinge redy ladders / and fettynge vp and ordeynynge othere inftrumentis that hem thou3t nede; fulle r and othere fade aboute to fpoyle hym and drawe of his clothes. And fo is he now the thridde tyme fpoyled and ftondeth naked in fi3t of all that peple / and fo be now renewed the thridde tyme the brofures of the woundes in his fcourgynge by the cleuynge of his clothes to his flefche. Now alfo firft his moder feeth how he is fo taken and ordeyned to the deth r wherfore fche forwful out of mefure and hauynge fchame to fee hym fo ftand* ynge al nakede / for they lefte hym nou3t fo moche as his priue clothes / fche wente in hafte to her dere fone and clipped hym and girt hym aboute the lendes with the keuerchief of her heued. A lorde / in what forvve is her foule now! Sothely I trowe that fche my3t nou3t fpeke a worde to hym for forwe / but fche my3te doo no more to hym nor helpe hym r for if fche my3te with outen dowte fche wolde. Than was hir fone anone taken oute of her handes in wode manere / and ladde to the foote of the croffe.
238 Die veneris
f[ Now take hcde diligently to the manere of cruci* fixioun. There ben fette vppe tweie ledders / one by* hynde and another bifore / at the lifte arme of the croys / vppon the whiche tho wicked myniftres gone vppe with nayles and hameres r and another fchort ladder is fette bifore the croffe that lafteth vp to the place there his feet fchulde be nayled. Now take good hede to all that foloweth. Oure lorde than was compelled and biden forto goo vppon that ladder to the croys r and he mekely doth all that thai bidde hym. And when he come vp to the ouermeft ende of that fchorte laddre / he torned his bakke toward the croffe / and ftraght oute on brede tho kynges armes / and his faired handes 3af vp to hem that C Nota _ crucifiede hym. And than/ liftyng vppe his louely ei3en verba.fi to heuene / faide to the fader in thife manere wordes :
a.u pairem.
Loo / here I am / my dere fader. As thou woldeft that I fchulde lowe my felf vnto the deth of the croffe for falua* cioun of mankynde / and that is plefynge and acceptable to me r and for hem I offre my felf / the whiche thou woldeft fchulde be my bretheren. Wherfore alfo / thou fader / take gladly this facrifice for hem of me. And now he* then forward be plefed and wrel willed to ham for my loue / and all olde offence and trefpas fo^eue and wipe awaye / and putte aferre all vnclenneffe of fynne fro hem r for fothely I offre now here my felf for hem and here hele. And than he that was on the ladder byhynde the croffe taketh his ri3t hande and nayleth it fafte to the cros : and after he that was on the left fide draweth with all his my3t the lefte arme and hande and dryueth there* thorw another grete nayle. After thay comen downe and taken away alle the laddres. And fo hongeth oure lorde onely by thoo two nayles fmyten thoru3 his handes / with outen fuftenaunce of the body/ drawynge dounward pyne*
Die vcnens 239
fully thoru3 the wei3t therof. Herwith alfo another harlot renneth to and draweth downe his feete with all his my3te r and another anone dryueth a grete longe nayle thoruj bothe his feet ioyned to other.
C This is one manere of his crucifienge after the opinioun of fomme men. Other ther bene that troweth nou3t that he was crucified on this manere / but that firft liggynge the croffe on the grounde thay nayled hym theron r and after / with hym fo hongynge / thay liften vppe the croffe and fafteneth it downe in to the erthe. And if it were done in this manere / than my3t thou fee how vileynfly they taken hym as a ribaude / and cafte hym doun vppon the croffe r and than as wode theefes drowen on bothe fides firft his handes and after his feet r and fo nailed hym fafte on the croffe r and after with all hir my3t lifte vppe the croffe / with hym hongynge/ alfo hye as thay my3t/ and than lete hym falle doun in to the morteys. In the whiche falle / as thou my3t vndir* ftonde / all the fynowes to broken to his fouereyne peyne. But whether that it be in oo manere or in other / fothe it C B. N. is that oure lorde Jefu was naylede harde vppon the croffe / hande and foote / and fo ftreynede and drawen that / as he hym felf feith by the prophete Dauid : That C Dinume- they my3te telle and nombre all his bones. rauerunt
C Than rennen oute of his bleffid body ftremes of that ™™* holyeft blood on all fides habundantly fro tho grete woundes r and fo is he conftreyned and arted that he may nou3t meue but his heuede. Wherfore hongynge the body only by thoo thre nayles / no doute but that he fuffrede fo bittre forwes and peynes that there may none herte thynke ne tonge telle. And jit more ouer he hongeth bytwene two theefes r of the whiche that oon blafphemeth and tempteth him to inpacience r and therwith other
240
Die veneris
C Nota orationem matris pro filio,
C O ratio filii pro matre.
blafphemen and fkornynge feyne: What/ this is he that deftroyeth the temple of god and makith it vppe a3eyne in thre dayes ! And othere feide : He made another faaf / but he may nou3t now faue hym felf r and many other reproues and fkornynges thai faiden to hym / as the gok pell telleth. And alle thefe reproues / blafphemes / and defpites bene done / feynge and heryng his mod forwful moder whos compaffioun and forwe made here fone to haue the more bittre peyne r and / on that other half / fche henge in foule with hir fone vppon the crofle / and defired inwardly rather to haue deide that tyme with hym than to haue lyued lenger. And fo flood the moder befides the crofle of her fone / bytwene his croffe and the theefes crofle / and tornede neuere her ei3en fro hym. Sche was fulle of angwifche / as he was alfo. And fche prayed to the fader at that tyme with all her herte / feienge thus : Fader and God with outen ende / it was plefynge to 3ow that my fone fchulde be crucified / and it is done : it is nou3t now tyme to afke hym of 3ow a}eyne / but 36 fee now in what angwifche is his foule. I befeke 3ow that 3e wil efe his peynes : god fader / I recomende to 3ow / in all that I may / my dere fone. And alfo here fone prayde for hir priuely hym felf / fayenge : My fader / 3e knoweth how my moder is turmentid for me : I fchulde onely be crucified and noujt fche r but loo now fche hongeth on the croffe with me. Myne owne crucifienge fufficeth / for I bere the fynnes of all the peple : fche hath nou3t deferuede eny fuche thing r wherfore I reco* mende here to 3ow that 36 make her peynes laffe. Than was with oure lady John and Maudeleyne / the byloued defciples / and othere of his frendes / by the croffe of oure lorde Jefu r the whiche alle maden greet forwe and wepten / and my3t nou3t be conforted in no manere of
Die venens 241
here byloued mayftre / but euere was hir forwe renouede with his forwe / outher in reproue other in dedes / as it foloweth after.
C How oure lorde Jefu 5elde vp the fpirit at None. C Ca™.
xliiij'n
Ow hangeth our lord Jefu on the croffe in grete peyne / and 311 is he not ydcl bccaufe of that peyne r but he wrou3t all waie and fpak that was prophitable for vs. Wherfore fo honginge C Nota he fpake feuene notable wordes that ben folowynge / ^J^6™ writen in the gofpcll. The firfte was in the tyme that domini in they crucified hym / whan he prayed for hem / fayenge cruce- thus : Fader/ fo^eue hem r for they woot nou3t what thay C Verbum done. The whiche word was a word of grete pacience / ]p"™" m : of grete loue / and of vnfpekable benignyte. The fecounde ignofc'e, etc. was to his moder / fayenge thus : Womman / loo thy fone. C Secun= And alfo to John : Loo thy moder. He cleped her nou3t Artier at that tymc moder lefte fche fchulde thoru3 feruent ten; ccce'0' dreneffe of loue haue ben more fory. The thridde was filius tuus- to the bleffid theef / feienge : This day thou fchalt be with <[jercjum. me in paradys. Wherynne his mofte large mercy openly Hodie is fchewed. The ferthe was whan he feide : Hely ! hely! mecum lama 3abatany / that is to faie / My god ! my god ! Why couartm haft thou forfaken me? As thowh he faide in this fentence: Hely* hely,' My god / fader of heuene / thou haft fo moche loued the etc- redempcioun of the worlde that thou haft 3euen me ther* fore / and as it femeth forfaken.
C Lorde Jefu / what conforte was that forfaide worde C N. to alle thyn enemyes r and what difconfort to alle thy frendes. Sothcly / as it femeth / there was neuere worde that oure lord Jefu fpak that $af fo moche boldeneffe to his enemyes / and fo moche occafioun to his frendes to dif? peyre that he was god / as that worde r for they vnderftood
R
242
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venens
C B. N.
C Quint, um : Sitio.
C Sextum : Confum* matum eft.
C Nota de modo moriendi.
it that tyme but nakedly after the lettre fowneth. But oure lord wolde fchewe in to the lafte ende that as he fuffred in body fully after the kynde of man / fo alfo in his fpekinge after the infirmyte of man that he was ver* ray man / fufpendynge for the tyme the vfe of al the my3t of the godhede.
C The fifte worde was Scia'o i I am athryft. The whiche worde alfo was occafioun to his moder and John and other frendes of grete compaffioun / and to his wicked enemyes of grete reioyfynge and gladneffe. For thou} it fo be that it may be vnderftande that worde fcicio i I thurfte / goftly to that entent that he threftede a^eyne the hcle of foules r neuerthcleffe alfo in fotheneffe he thurftede bodely by caufe of the grete paffynge out of blood / wher* thoru3 he was al drye withynneforthe and thurfty. And than tho wicked dyueles lymes that euere caften hou thay my3t mod noye hym / token eyfel and galle and profrede hym vp to drynke. O the curfed wodeneffe of hem that beeth euere filled of malice / but in all tyme noyen alfo moche as thay konne or mowen. The iixte worde was when he feide : Confiunniatum eft i It is al ended r as thai he fayde thus : Fader / the obedience that thou haft 3ouen me I haue perfi^tly and fully done in dede r and 3it I am redy to done what thow biddeft me r but all that is writen of me is fulfilled r wherfore if it be thy wille clepe me now a3eyne to thee. And than faide the fader a3eyne to hym : Come now / my fwete loued fone r thou haft wel done alle thinges / and I wil not that thou be mor tur* mented r therfore come now / and I fchal clippe the with myn armes and take the into my bofome. And after that tyme bygan oure lorde Jefu to faille in fi3t in manere of deyenge men / and wex al pale r now ftekynge the ei?en and now oponynge r and bowed his hede / now in to
Die vcncris 243
that oon fide and now in to that other r faillynge alle the ftrengthes / and alle the vcynes than voyde. And fo at C Septi- the lafte he put the fcuenthe worde with a flrong crie and mum wepynge tcrcs / fayenge thus : Fader / I comaunde my ?!£"> fpirite in to thyn handes. And there with he 3elde the mani]s tuas fpirite / enclynynge his hcued vppon his breft toward the j£5Jlmd° fader / as in manere of thonkyngc that he cleped hym to meum. hym and 3cuynge hym his fpirite. At this crie than was conuerted Centurio there beynge / and faide : Sothely / C Vere this man was goddes fone r by caufe that he fawe hym filius.dei fo crienge dye r for othere men when they deien mowe not crie : wherfore he bylcued in hym. Sothely that crye was fo grete / as holy men feyne / that it was herde in to helle.
C O lorde god / in what ftate was that tyme his moders foule when fche fawe hym fo pynefully faille / wepe / and dye? Sothely / I trowe / that for the multitude of ang# wifches fche was all out of hir felf and vnfelable made/ as half dede / and that now moche more than what tyme fche mcttc with hym berynge the croffe / as it is faide. What trowe we dede than Maudeleyn / the trewe loued difci* pleffe ? what John / his owne derlynge / and othere two fiftres of oure lady ? But what my3t thay doo ? They were all ful of forwe and bitterneffe / and therfore they wepten fore with outen remedye.
C Loo now hongeth oure lorde on the croffe dede / and all that grete multitude goth awaie toward the citee r and his forwful moder / with the foure forfaide felawes / fette her downe byfide the croffe / and byholdeth pitoufly her dere fone fo ferde with / and abidcth helpe fro god that fche rnyst haue hym to her and burie hym. Than alfo if thou byholde wel thy lorde thou my3te haue here mater i*now of hy$e compaffioun / feying hym fo turmented that fro the fole of the foote in to the hi3efte parte of his heued
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244 Die veneris
there was in hym none hole place ne membre withoute C N. pafiioun. This is a pyteful fi3t and a ioyful fi3t r a
pyteuoufe frjt in hym for that harde paffioun that he ' fuffrede for oure fauacioun : but it is a likyng fi3t to vs for the matere and the effecte that we haue therby of oure redempcioun. Sothely this fi3t of oure lorde Jefu hang* ynge fo on the croffe / by deuoute ymaginacioun of the foule is fo deuoute to fome creatures that after longe exer* cife of forwefull compaffioun thay felen fome tyme fo grete likynge / nou3t only in foule but alfo in the body / that thay kan not telle / and that no man may knowe but onely he that by experience feleth it r and than may he wel fay with the apoftle : Michi autem abfit gloriari nifi in crucc i Betide me neuere forto be ioyful but in the croffe of oure lorde Jefu. Amen.
C Cam. C Of tho thinges that bifelle after the deth of oure lorde
xlvui. Jefu at after none.
C B. N. ^" ~*^[ T Hat tyme that the worfchipful moder of
oure lorde Jefu / as it is feide next bifore/ abode and dwelled byfide the croffe / with othere trewe loueres of hym byfore nempned/ byholdynge oure lorde Jefu continuelly fo pitoufly hong* ynge dede on the croffe bytwixe two theefes r loo than comen meny armede men out of the citee towarde hem r the whiche were fent to breke the legges of hem that were crucified and fo to flee hem al oute / and burie hem bycaufe that here bodyes fchulde nou3t hynge on croffe in that grete fabbot day. Than rofe vp oure lady and alle tho with hire / and befily lokeden and feyne hem come r but what to done they woot nou3t / wherfore they fellen in to grete forwe and drede / and namely oure lady / fpekynge to hir fone in this manere : My dere fone / what
Die vcnens 245
may be caufc that allc thifc armed men comen a3en? What wil thay doo more to the? Haue they nou3t flayne the / my fwete fonc ? I hadde hope that thei hadde ben filled with that they haue done to the r but / as it femeth to me / 3it thay purfewe the dede / and I wot nou3t what I may doo r for I may not helpe the no more than I my3t delyuer the fro deth r but I fchal abide and fee / and praye thy fader that he make hem fofte and efy to the. And therwith they allc fyue 3eden and floden bifore the croffe of oure lorde. Than come the forfaide armed men to hem with greet wood neffe and grete noyfe r and feynge the theues 3it leuynge / with grete ire thai hewen and breken defpitoufly her legges / and fo flewen hem / and cafte hem anone in a dyke there byfide r and after torned hem a3en and comen toward oure lord Jefu. Wherfore oure lady dredynge lefte they wolde done in the felf manere to her lone / and therthoru3 fmyten with forwe of herte with ynneforth / fche kouthe nou3t elles but goo to here befte armur / that is to fay her kyndcly meke^ neffe r and knelynge doun byfore hem / and fpredyngc her handes/ with an hie voys fche fpak to hem in this manere : Code bretheren / I befeche 3ow for almy3ty goddis loue that 36 tormente me no more in my dcre fone r for fothely I am his mofte forwful moder / and as 3e knoweth wel / bretheren / I neuere offended 3ow ne dede eny wrong to 3ow r but thogh it fo be that my fone femede contrarious to 3ow/ 3e haue flayne hym r and I for3eue 3ow all wrong and offence / 3e and the deth of my fone. Wherfore now dooth me that mercye that 3c breke hym nou3t as 36 haue done the theues / fo that I may burye his bodye al hole r for it nedeth noii3t / feeth thereas 3e fee / that he is fully dede and was long tyme now paffed. And therwith John and Mawdeleyn and hei
246 Die veneris
other fu fires / knclynge with oure lady / byfou3t the fame with here fore wepynge.
|[ A lady / what doo 36 ? 3e lowen jow to the feete of hem that bene mode wickede r ^md prayen hem that haucn no reward to eny good prayer. Suppofe 3e to bowe by 3oure pitee hem that bene mod cruel and moft wicked / with oute pitee? or to ouercome hem that bene alther proudefl with mekeneffe? Nay / for proude men haue abhominacioun of mekeneffe : wherfore 3e trauaile in veyne.
C And therwith one that was cleped longyne / and was that tyme wicked and proude but after a trewe leuer and martir / defpifynge her wepynge and prayeres / with a fcharpe fpere openede the iide of ourc lorde Jefu and made a grete wounde / oute of the whiche anone ranne to gidre bothe blood and water. And therwith oure lady felle adoun in fwowne / half dede / bytwene the armes of Maudeleyn. And than John nou3t mowynge bere that grete forwe / toke to hym mannis herte and rifynge a3enft hem faide : 3e wicked men / why do 36 this cruelte ? See 3e nou3t that he is dede ? Why wil 3e alfo flee this womman / his moder? Gooth now 3oure way/ for we fchal burye hym. And therwith / as god wolde / thay wente hir way. Than was oure lady excited and rofe as it hadde bene fro flepe / afkynge what was done more to hir fone r and thay faide : No newe thing more a3enft hym. And after fche hadde kau3t fpirite and byhelde hir fone fo greuoufly wounded / was alfo wounded in hert with a newe wounde of forwc.
C Seeft thou now how ofte fithes oure lady is this day dede r fothely as ofte Tithes as fche feih doo a3enft her fone eny newe peyne. Wherfore now is fulfilled in her that fymeon faide to her / prophecienge longe tyme
Die venens 247
bifore : Tuam ipfius animam pertranfibit gladius i His fwerde fchal perce thoru} thyn hcrte : that is to fay the fwerde of his paffioun and forwe r and that byfelle oftc fithes on this day. But now fothely the fwerde of his fpere hath perfede bothe the body of the fone and the foule of the moder.
C After this thai fitten downe all byfide the croffe r but what they fchulde doo thai woot nou3t / for they mowc not take doun the body and burie it bycaufe that they haue neither ftrengthe ne inftrumentis apte therfore r and for* to goo awaye fro hym fo hongynge thay dar not / and longe abiden there thai mowe nou^t bycaufe that the ny3t was corny nge on hem. Here my3t thou fee in what forwe and perplexite thai bene. O benigne lorde Jefu / how is this that 3e fuffren 3oure dere moder/ chofen bifore all othere / that is the merour of the worlde and 3oure fpecial reftyng place / fo to be tourmented and trobled that vnnethcs hath fche eny fpirite to lyue r and tyme it were that fche had fom manere of refte and relefynge of hir forwe.
C Of the taking doun fro the croffe oure lordes body c Ca™. Jefu at euefong tyme. xlvjm.
IN the menetyme that oure lady and John and othere biforefaide were in grete perplexite and defolacioun / as it is i*faide r they lokeden toward the citee as thay ofte Tithes deden for drede / and than fawh thay many other comynge toward hem by the way r the whiche were Jofeph of Armethie and Nycodeme / bryngynge with hem othere miftermen that brou3ten with hem dyuers inftrumentis with the whiche they fchulde take doun the body of Jefu fram the croffe r and alfo they brou3te an hon* dred pounde of mirre and aloes forto anoynte his body / and fo burie it. And thanne alle they rifen vp with grete
248 Die veneris
drede / not knowynge what they wolde doo. A lordc god / how grete forwe is this day ! Than John / takynge good hede to hem that were fo comynge / faide to oure lady: Sothely / 1 fee comynge there Jofeph and Nichodemc. And than oure lady kair$t fpirit and was gretly comforted and faide : Bleffid be oure lorde god that hath fent vs helpe at oure nede / and hath mynde of oure forwe / and that hath noust forfaken vs in oure tribulacioun. Code fone John / goo a3enft hym and welcome hem r for I woot wel thai come to oure focour. And anone John wente a3enfte hem r and when they metten thai clipten other/ with wepyng teres / and my3t nou3t fpeke to othere a grete while for tenderneffe of compaffioun and forwe. After that they hadde walked forth a litel while and drowe nyh toward the croffe / Jofeph afkede who was therewith oure lady / and how it flood with the othere difciples. And John anfwerynge tolde him who was therewith oure lady/ but of the difciples he kouthe not telle r for he faide there was none of hem fene there al that day. And ferthermore at her alkynge he tolde hem al that was done asenft oure lorde / and all the procefle of his paffioun. And when they come nyhe the place / knelynge doun and wepynge / thay honourede oure lord Jefu. And after metyng to gidre / oure lady and hir fuftres and Maudeleyn refceyued hem worfchipfully / with knelynge and lowe bowynge to the erthe r and thay a3aynward knelynge and worfchippynge with grete wepinge ftoden fo to gidre a greet while or thai fpeken. But at the lafte oure lady bygan to fpcke to hern and faide : Sothely frendes / 36 haue done wel that 3e haue mynde fo of 3our maifter / for he loued 3ow wel r and as I knowleche to sow pleynely it femed to me that there was a newe list rifen at sour comynge r for bifore we wift noust what we myst done / and therfore god quyte
Die vcnens 249
}ow. And thay faiden a3enward : We bcnc foric with all oure hcrte for alle thefe wronges and malices done a3enft hym r for as we fene wel the wicked men hauen the maiftrye a^enft the ri^twifneffe : and we wolde ful gladly haue delyuered hym fro fo grete injurie if we hadde my3t / hot at the lefte we fchal doo this feruice to oure lorde and mayfter that we ben comen fore. And than they made hem redy forto take hym downe.
4[ Take now good hede in manere as I haue faide bifore to the manere of takyng downe. There are fette two led* dres on the fide of the croiTe / one a3enfl another r and Jofeph gooth vppc on the laddre ftondynge on the ri3t half and befieth hym to drawe oute the nayle of that hande / but it is ful harde r for the nayle is grete and long and harde dryuen into the tree / and withoute grete thruftynge doun of oure lordes hande it may nou3t be done r but that is no force / for oure lorde knoweth wel that he doth al trewely and with good entent / and ther* fore he axcepteth his dede. And when the nayle was drawe oute / John maketh figne to Nichodeme forto take it to hym priuely fo that oure lady fee it nou3t for dif* comfortynge. And after in the fame manere Nichodeme drowe oute the nayle of the lifte hande and taketh it priuely to John. And thanne Nichodeme cometh downe forto drawe oute the thridde naile of the feet : and in the mene tyme Jofeph fuftened the body. Sothely / wel is hym that fo may fuftene and clippe that holyeft body of oure lord Jefu. Therwith oure lady taketh in to her handes reuc* rcntly oure lordes ri3t hand and byholdcth it and leieth it to hir y3cn and deuoutly kuffeth it / fore wcpynge and fighynge. And when the nayle of the feete was drawen oute Jofeph come doun foftely / and alle leiden to hande and token oure lordes body and leide it downe on the
250
Die vencris
C Plangent qTaefifupTr
turn.
C Corpus 6'
entibus et
genasmeas
vellentibus.
erthe r and ourc lady toke the hede and fchuldrcs and leide it on hir barme r and Maudeleyne was redy to take and kuffe the feete / at the whiche fche fond fo moche grace bifore in his lyf. Other of the companye ftoden aboute byholdynge / and alle maken greet lamentacioun vppon hym after the prophecie / that than was fulfilled / feying : that thei fchulde make forwe vppon hym as vppon the one by§eten childe r and namely his bleffed moder alle tymes fore wepynge / and than forwfully byholdynge the woundes of hondes and feet / and fpecially that horrible wounde of his fide r now takynge hede to one and now to another / and feynge his heuede fo foule fare with and his heer to drawen with the fcharpe thornes and his louely face all defoilled with fpittynges and blood / and the heres °^ ms berd drawen awaye fro his chekes / as the pro* phecie feith of yfaie in his perfone thus : I }af my body
to hem that fmysten it and my chekes to hem that drowen
J
the heer away.
C Of the burienge of oure lord Jefu at complyn tyme.
A Fter a litel while / liggynge the body of oure lorde
/^ Jefu bytwene his moders armes / as it is faide /
/ — ^ whan it drewe toward ny3t Jofeph prayed oure
J m lady that fche wolde fuffre the body to be di3t
after the manere of the Jewes and buried. Bot fche was loth
therto and feide : Goode bretheren / taketh nou3t fo fone
my child fro me r rather burie me with hym. Than feide
John : My dere moder/ lat vs affente to Jofeph and Nicho*
deme / and fuffre oure lordes body to be buried r for
elles by occafioun of to moche tarienge thay my3t Ii3tliche
falle in daunger and fclaundre of the Jewes. And at this
fuggeftioun of John oure lady / as wife and difcrete / thenk*
Die venens 251
ynge that fchc was committed to hym by oure lorde / wolde no lengcr Ictte his buryenge / bot bleffed the body and lete hem di3te it as thay wolde. And than John / Nichodeme / Jofeph and othere / bygonne to ennoynte the body and to wrappe it in lynnen cloth / as it was the manere of Jewes berienge. Neuertheles oure lady kepte all way the heuede in her barme forto di3t that hir felf / and Maudeleyne the feete. And when thai di3ten the legges and comen nyh to the feete Maudeleyn faide : 1 pray 3ow fuffre me di3te thefe feete / at the whiche I fonde fo moche grace. And thay fuffrynge her afkynge / fche helde the feet and loked vppon hem wepynge and almoft faillynge for forwe r and ri3t as fche byfore in his lif wifche hem with teres of compunccioun / now moche more fche wafcheth hem with teres of grete forwe and inward compaffioun r for as he verray fothfaftnefle witnek fith of her / fche louede mykel and therfore fche wepte mykel / and namely in this lafte feruife doynge to her mayfter and lorde fo pitoufly dede r vnnethes for forwe my3te her herte abyde in her body / for fche wolde ful gladly haue bene dede ther at her lordes feet. Sche fawh non other remedye / but fche befieth hir with al her my3t now at the lafte feruice to hym / the whiche was ful vn* kouthe to her / forto di3t his body in the b'eft manere that fche may / but no3t as fche wolde r for fche hath neither mater therof ne tyme therto. But neuertheles in manere as fche may fche wifcheth the feet with teres r and after deuoutly wypeth hem / and keffeth hem / and wrappeth hem in clothes in the befte manere fche can. When they haue thus done and dreffed the body in to the hede / thay loken to oure lady that fche fchulde performe her part r and than bygan they alle newely to wepe and make forwe. Than fche feynge that fche may no lengcr differ / fetteth
252 Die veneris
her (15! vppon the face of hir fone and fpeketh to hym in this manere : My fwete fone / I holde the now dede here in my barme r and / as I fee / we mofte departe bodily / but hard is the departynge of deeth. Here by fore there was a liking conuerfacioun bitwene vs / and we were leuynge among othere men euer with oute pleynt or offence r thogh it fo be that thow art flayne now as a wicked man. And I haue ferued the trewely and thou me r but in this forwful bataille thy fader wolde nou3t helpe the / and I my3t nou3t r wherfore thou forfoke thy lyf for the loue of mankynde / that thou woldefl a3en begge and faue : but ful hard / peynful / and dere is this bigginge r wherof neuertheles I am glad for the hele and fauacioun of men r but in thy paffioun and deth I am ful harde tormented r for I woot wel that thou neuere dedeft fynne / and that thou art flayne with outen defert thoru3 that fouleft horrible deth. Wherfore now / my dere fone / our bodily felau- fchip is twynned / and now mofte I nedes be departed fro the r and fo I fchal berye the. But whider fchal I / thy mofte forwful moder/ after gone? And where fchal I dwelle / my dere fone? Hou may I lyue withoute the? Sothely / 1 wolde gladly be buried with the / fo that I my3te be with the r but fithen I may not be buried with the bodily / at the lefte I fchal be buried with the gooftly in my fowle. Wherfore I fchal bury with thy body in thy graue my foule / and therfore that I comaunde and leue to the. O fwete fone / how foruful is this depart* ynge ! And therwith of the grete habundaunce of teres fche wiffhe moche bettre his heed than Maudeleyne dede bifore his feete. Than fche wipeth his face and kiffeth it / and after wonde his hede in a fudarye / and fo fignede and bleffed hym. And than alle to gedres honourynge and kiffynge his feet toke hym vp and bere hym to the
Die veneris 253
grauc r ourc lady berynge the heuede / and Maudcleync the feet / and other the mydde part.
C There was nihe that place of the croffe / the fpace of a ftones carte / a newe fepulture wher ynne no body was buried bifore / and therynne with reuerence knelynge thay leyde hym with greet fighynge / fobbynge / and wepynge. And after he was fo buried / and his moder had 3euen him her bleffmg / they leyden a grete ftone at the dore of the graue / and wente her waie toward the citee : that is to faye Jofephand his felawfchippe r oure lady $it abidynge with hir felawfchippe. But Jofcph at his goynge fpak to oure lady and faide : My lady / I pray 3ow for goddes loue and for the loue of 3our fone / oure maifter / that 36 vouche faaf to come and take soure her* berwe in myn houfe r for I woot wel that 36 haue none houfe of 3oure owne : wherfore taketh myne as soure owne r for alle myne ben soures. And in the felf manere Nichodeme prayde on his fide. And fche loucly enclyn* ynge to hem and thonking hem anfwerde and faid / that fche was committed to the goucrnaunce of John. Wherfore than thay prayde John the fame r and he anfwerde and faide / that he wolde lede hir to mount fyon / where her maifter foupede on the day biforne at euen with his dif* ciples / and there wolde he abide with her. And fo thay louely faluynge oure lady / and worfchippynge the fepul* ere / 3eden forth on hir waye.
254 Die veneris
C Ca1*. |[ What was done of oure lady and of otherc after the
xIviiJm- buriengeof Jefu.
WHen it drowe to ny}t John fpak to oure idy and faide : It is not honeft forto dwelle ere lenger and forto come into the citee in ie ny$t : wherfore if it be 3oure wille goo we hennes and torne we a^eyne. And therwith oure lady rifeth vp / and with all hem knelynge / bleffede and kiffede the fepulcre / and faide : My fone / 1 may no lenger ftonde here with the / but I commende the to thy fader. And than liftyng vp her ei3en to heuene with teres and ynward affectioun feide : Euerlaftynge fader / I recomende to 3ow my fone and my foule / the whiche I leue here with hym. And therwith thay bygonne to goo all her way. And when thai comen to the croffe / there fche knelede downe and honourede the croffe/ and faide : Here made my fone his ende / and here is his precious blood. And fo deden alle that othere. For thou my3te thinke and vndirftande that fche was the firfte that honoured the croffe / as fche was the firfte that honoured her fone born. And after fro thens they toke hir waye towarde the citee r and ofte by the waie fche lokede a3eyn towarde her fone : and whan thay comen there as thay my3te no more fe the croffe oure lady and alle othere knelede and honoured it / wepyng. And when thay comen nyhe the citee oure lady fuftres hiled her face in manere of a mournynge wydowe r and thai 3eden bifore / and oure lady folwede after bytwixe Maudeleyn and John / fo keuered the face. Than Maudeleyn at the entre of the citee / defirynge to haue oure lady to her houfe / byfore the takynge of the way that ladde thiderward fche fpak to oure lady and faide : My lady / I pray jow for the loue of my maifter /
Die vencris 255
3ourc fonc / that 30 wil late vs go to ourc houfe in
Bcthanye where we mowe beft abide r for as 36 knowe
wel my maifter loueth wel that place / and cam gladly
ofte Tithes therto : and that hous is 3oures with al that
I haue r wherfore I pray 3ow that 36 wil come. And here
than they bygunne to wepe / but oure lady holdynge here
pees and makynge figne tojohnforto anfwere / and Mau*
deleyne prayeng hym for the felf mater / he anfwerde and
faide : It is more femely that we go to the Mount fyon r
namely for fo we anfwerede and faide to oure frendes :
wherfore come thou rathir with hir in to that place. Than
faide Maudeleyne to John : Thou woft wel that I wil goo
with hir whider foeuere fche gooth / and that I fchal euere
loue hir. After when thai come in to the citee there come
on al fides maydenes and goode matrones / goynge with
her and forwynge and comfortynge in here manere r and
alfo gode men that thay went by had greet compaffioun
of her/ and were Hired to wepynge/ and faiden : Sothely/
this day is done grete wrong by oure princes to the fone
of this ladyr and god hath fchewed grete tokenes and
wondres by hym : avife hem what they haue done. And
when they comen nyh the place there thay wolde refte /
oure lady bowynge lowely to the ladyes that comen with
hir and thonkynge hem / and they a3eynward to hire /
token here leue of other/ makyng greet lamentacioun and
forwe. And than oure lady and Maudeleyne and the
othere fiftres of oure lady 3eden in to that houfe r and
John after he hadde congeed the othere wommen and
thonked hem fchette the dore after hem. Than thay
beynge fo al hem felf to gidre / oure lady / lokerige aboute
the houfe and myffynge her loued fone Jefu / with grete
forwe of herte compleynede her and faide : O John /
wher is now my fone that fo hi3e fpecial affeccioun hadde
256 Die veneris
in thce ? O Maudeleyne / where is thy maiftre that fo tenderly loued the / and thou fo gladly feruedeft hym ? O my dere fuftres / where is now my fone? Sothely/ he is gone away fro vs r he that was al oure ioye and oure comfort and the Ii3t of oure ei3en. 3ee fothely / he is gone / and that with fo grete angwiffhe and peyne as 3e alle haue feyne r and that is that encrefeth my forwe that in alle his peynes we my3t nou3t helpe hym. His dif* ciples forfook him r his fader all my3ty wolde nou3t focour hym. And hou fone alle thife thinges were done a3enft hym / 36 knowen and feyne. Was there euere eny thcef or worfe odyus man fo fone dampned and putte to fo fpitoufe deth ? For lo / the lafte ny3t he was taken as a theef/ and erly on the morwe brou3t bifore the Juftice : at tierce dampnede : at fexte on the crofle honged : at none dede : and now buried. A my dere fone /a bittre departynge was this r and a forwful mynde is this of thy fouleft and horrible deth. Than John praide hir to flynte of fuche forwful wordes and to ccfle of wepynge r and comforted hir in the befte manere that he my3te. And thou alfo by deuoute ymaginacioun as thou were there bodily prefent comfort oure lady and that other felau* fchippe / prayenge hem to etc fomwhat / for 3it they ben faftinge / and after flepe r but that I trowe was ful litell : and fo takynge hir bleflynge / goo thy waye as at this tyme.
Sabbato 257
C What ourc lady and othir with her diden on the C Ca» faterday. xlix»>.
ERly on the morwe / vppon the faturday / floden in the forfaide hous / the 3ates fperede / oure lady / John / and othere wommen byfore nemp* nede in greet mornynge and forwe / hauynge in mynde the grete tribulacioun and anguiffhe of the day to fore r nou3t fpekynge but by tymes lokynge on othir in manere as thay done that bene ouerleide with grete mef* chief and forwe / and knowen no comfort ne no focour r and therwith they herde one knokke at the 3ate / and than thay dredden fore r for all thing in that tyme thai dredden bycaufe that here fikerneffe and comfort was awaye. Neuertheles John 3ede to the dore / and vndirftandynge that it was Petre / tolde hem fo r and oure lady bad vndo the dore and lete hym ynne : and Petre comynge yn with grete fchame / wepynge and fobbynge / faluede oure lady and othere bot nou3t fpak : and therwith they all bygan to wepe and my3t nou3t fpeke for forwe. A litel while after come othere difciples oon after another on the felf manere / at the bygynnynge makyng forwe and wepynge. But at the lafte whan they ceffede of wepynge and bygonne forto fpeke of her lorde / Petre firft faide in this wife : I am afchamed and confounded in my felf / and I fchulde nou3t by refoun fpeke in 3oure prefence or apere in the fijt of men / for alfo moche as I lefte fo kowardly and forfoke fo vntrewely my lorde that louede me fo mykel. And in the felf manere all the othere / fmytynge her hondes and fore weping / accufen and reprehenden hem felf that thei hadde fo lefte her lorde. Than oure lady comfortynge
s
258 Sabbato
hem faide : Oure gode maiftre and oure trewe herdeman is gone fro vs / and we bene lefte now as faderles children r but I hope truely that we fchal fone haue hym a3en r and 36 knoweth wel that my fone is benigne and merciful/ blifled mote he be / for he louede 3ow wel r and therfore dowteth nou3t but that he fchal be wel reconfiled to 3ow and gladly he fchal fo^eue all trefpace and alle offenfes. For fothely/ by fuffraunce of the fader/ the malice a3enft hym was fo grete / and the woodnefle of his enemyes fo ftrong and my3ty / that 36 my3t nou3t haue focoured hym thogh 36 hadden abiden ftille with hym r and therfore dredeth nou3t all fchal be wel. Than anfwerde petre and faide : Sothely as 36 feien / fo it is r for I that fawe but a litel of the byginninge was with fo grete drede fmyten in the porche of Cayphas hous that vnnethes wende I forto haue fcapede the deth r and therfore forfoke hym / and hadde no more mynde at that tyme of the wordes that he hadde feide to me to fore til he lokede on me. And Maudeleyn alked what tho wordes were. And he faide hou he tolde hym bifore that he fchulde forfake hym and what tyme / and fo forth he tolde alle his wordes fpoken to hem r and fpecially that he tolde bifore meny thinges to hem of his paffioun in that foper tyme that he made with hem the thorfday at euen. Than oure lady faide fche wolde gladly here of that procefle that bifelle at that foper. And petre made figne to John that he fchulde telle that procefle r and John tellith all that was done and feide. And after to petre he tolde all the procefle of his paffioun / as he defirede. And fo what of thife thinges and what of othere done by oure lorde Jefu amonge hem / they tellen to other now oon and now another / as it come to her mynde / dryuynge away all that day in fuche manere talkynges of oure lorde Jefu.
Sab bat o 259
C A lorde / how attentcly and befily Maudcleyne liflnede to thoo wordes r but moche more oure lady / fayenge ofte Tithes at the ende of a procefle : Bleffed be my fone Jefu : namely whan fche and Maudeleyn herde of the makynge of the facrement r and how he 3af hem in the forme of brede his owne body to ete / and in the forme of wyne his blood to drynke. Sothely / I trowe / that C N. with fouerayne meruaile here hertes meltede into likynge forwe and forowful likynge / brekynge oute on wepynge and fchedynge fwete teres for that hi3e brynnyng loue that he fchewede to man foueraynly in that excellent and paflyng dede of charite.
C But now paffing ouer fo fchortly in this meditacioun at C B. N. this tyme r more ouer take hede and byholde hem this day in grete forwe and drede / and haue compaffioun of hem if thou konne. For what is it to fee how that the lady of all the worlde / and princes of holy chirche / and cheuenteynes of goddes peple / bene now fo in drede and forowe ftoken and hidde in that litel hous / nou3t know* ynge what they mowe doo / nor hauynge comfort but onely in that communynge of the wordes and dedes of her lorde Jefu. Neuertheles oure lady ftode all waie fadly in a reftful and pefible herte r for fche hadde euere a certayn hope of the refurreccioun of her fone. And therfore holy chirche maketh fpecially mynde of hire euery faturday / bycaufe that in that day ftode onely in her the feith of oure lorde Jefu that he was verray god. Neuer* theles fche my3t nou3t haue full ioye bycaufe of the mynde of his harde deth and his bitter paffioun.
C When the fonne was gone doun and it was leeful to worche / Mary Magdalen and another marie with hir 3eden forth in to the citee forto bigge materes able to make oynement3 of / as they hadde fomwhat done bifore /
S2
260 Sabbato
in to the fonne fettynge : for by the lawe they were boundcn to kepe the fabboth day / fro the fonne reft of the day bifore vnto the fonne reft of the felf day. Now take hede and byholde hem / how they gone with forwful chere / in maner of dcfolate widowes / to fome apothe^ carie or fpicer/ the whiche thei hadde knowleche of that was a good deuoute man / and that wolde gladly fulfille her wille and defire in that partie. And when they haue chofen the befte oynement3 that thay couthe fynde / and paide therfore/ they }eden home a3en / worchynge hem in the befte manere that thai kouthe. And fo may thou fee how diligent and trewely thay worchen and trauailen for her lorde / with wepyng and fighynges amonge r and hou oure lady and the apoftles ftonden and byholden and parauenture helpen among. And when it was ny^t thay ceffeden and 3eden to refte / fuche as it was. And fo this may be the meditacioun for faturday / touchynge oure lady and othere wommen and the apoftles.
C Quid C But what dede oure lorde Jefu that day? Sothely/
fecit. anone as he was dede he wente in foule doun to helle
diefabbati? thereas the holy fadres weren / and than were they in ioye and bliffe by vertu of his bleffid prefence r for the fi3t of god is pern*3t ioye. And here mowe we fee hou grete was his benignyte / in that he wolde hym felf go doun in to helle. How grete charite and mekeneffe that was r for he my3t haue fent an aungel / and haue de* lyuered hem oute of the deueles bondes and brou3te hem to hym where hym had left r but his loue and his meke* neffe wolde nou3t haue fuffrede that / and therfore he went hym felf doun in to helle and vifitede his chofen foules there r and that nou3t as feruauntes / but frendes of hym that was lorde of alle. And than all the holy faderes / in his comynge filled with ioye and bliffe / and
Sabbato 261
alle forwe and myflikynge awaie paffed / ftoden bifore hym in louyngcs and fonges of prophecies and pfalmes / that were biforcfaide and than fulfilled as thay beeth writen in holy writte / into the tyme that he wolde take his body ajeyne and rife vp glorioufly fro deth to lif : as it folweth in a proceffe here afterward. To the whiche lyf torto rife at the lafte tyme with hym he graunt vs / oure lorde Jefu / that for vs deyde on the croffe. Amen.
C Of the glorioufe refurrexioun of oure lord Jefu / and C Cam. lm. of the firfte apperynge of him to his bliffed moder / as it may refonably be trowed.
iA Fter that the worthyeft prince and my3tieft con; / ^ querour Jefu / thoru3 his bittre paffioun and / ^ hardeft deth hadde vcnquyffhed and vtterly JL JL. ouercome that fouereyne tyraunte / mannis enemy and his aduerfarie / Sathanas with all his wicked hofte r alfo fone as the foule was departed fro the body he wente downe to that tiraunt3 prifoun / helle r and 03 1 as in fothe he was lorde of vertues and kyng of bliffe / fo be his fouereyn my3t and irstwiffeneffe he brak the 3ate of that prifoun and entred with vnfpecable ioye and blis to his chofen peple / that there had bene in diftreffe meny thowfand 3ere bifore. And than was that prifoun turned in to a bleffid paradys thoru3 his prefence r and al that blefiid felawfchippe with myrthe and ioye that may nou3t be fpoken or thou3t honoured and worfchipped and thonked foueraynly hir lord/ that fo graciofly deliuered hem oute of that thraldome of the fende / and reftored
262 Die dominica
hem to that bliffe that thay hadde forfeted worthily by fynne. And fo in ympnes and ioyful fonges of the pro* phecie fulfillede / firft Adam and his progenie / and after Noe / and Abraham / and Moyfes / and Dauid / with alle othere holy fadres and prophetes / louynge and thonk* ynge oure lorde Jefu / continued ther with hym and his bleflede aungelles vnto the tyme that him likede to take hem thens with grete ioye and bliffe / and fette hem in paradys terreftre / where that Enok and Helie lyuen in bodies abiden the tyme of Antecrifte / the whiche alfo were foueraynly comfortede of his glorioufe prefence with that bliffed companye.
C And when it drewe toward day vppon the fonday / that was the thridde day fro his paffioun / oure lorde Jefu fpake to hem alle and feide in thife manere wordes : Now it is tyme that I reife my body fro deth to lyf / and ther* fore now I fchal goo and take my body a3eyne. And therwith they alle fallyng doun and worfchippynge hym faide : Gooth oure lorde / kyng of bliffe / and fone after }if it be 3oure wille cometh a3eyne r for we deiiren foue* renly to fee 3oure mofte glorioufe body to oure fouerayn comfort. Comynge than oure lorde Jefu in foule with a worfchipful multitude of aungeles to the graue / where his bleffid body lay / on the fonday full erly to fore the ful fpringe of day r and takynge a3en that body mooft holy rofe vp thoru3 his owne vertue and my3te / and wente oute of that graue clofede as he wente firft oute of his moderes wombe / clene virgyne in his natiuite / withoute forwe or wemme of fynne.
C And than aboute the felf tyme / that is to feyne erly amorwe / marie Maudeleyne / marie / Jacobe and falome / takyng here leue firft at oure lady / token the way towarde the graue with precioufe oignementis r
Die clominica 263
dwellynge ftille at home oure lady and makyng hir
prayer in this manere : All my3ty god / fader mofte C Oracio
mercifulle and mofte pitoufe / as }e wel knowe / my dere Mane-
fone Jefu is dede and buried r for fothely he was nailede
to the croffe and hongede bytwene two thefes r and after
he was dcde I halpe to burye hym with myn owne
hondes / whom I conceyuede with oute corrupcioun / and
bare hym with oute trauaile or forwe : and he was all my
good / all my defire / and all the lyf and comforte of my
foule : but at the lade he paffed away fro me alto beten /
alto wounded / and alto rente. And alle his enemyes
rifen asenft hym / fcorned hym / and dampned hym : and
his owne difciples forfook hym and fley fro hym r and I /
his forwfull moder / my3t nou3t helpe hym. And as 36
knoweth wel / fader of pitee and of mercye / that haue al
power and my3t / 36 wolde nou3t than delyuere hym fro
the harde deth : but now 56 mowe reftore hym a3eyne
to me alyf/ and that I b}^feche 3oure hy5e maiefte. Lorde/
where is he now / and why tarieth he fo longe fro me ?
Code fader / fende hym / I pray 3ow / to me r for my
foule may not be in refte vnto the tyme that I fee hym.
And my fwete fone / what dooft thou now? and why
abideft thou fo longe or thou come to me ? Sothely /
thou faideft that thou fchuldeft a3eyne vprife the thridde
day r and is nou3t this the thridde day / my dere fone ?
Arife vp therfore now al my ioye / and comforte me with
thyn a3eyn comynge / whom thou fo difcomforteft thoru3
thyn awaie paffynge.
C And with that / fche fo prayenge and fwete teres fchedynge / loo / fodeynly oure lord Jefu came and aperede to hir / and in alther whiteft clothes / with a glad and louely chere / gretynge hir on fide half in thife wordes : Salue i fancta parens / that is to fay Haile / holy
264 Die dominica
moder. And anone fche tornynge her faide : Art thou Jefu / my bleffed fone? And therwith fchc knelynge doun honourede hym r and he alfo a3eynwarde knelynge faide : My dere moder / I am. Ego fum r refurrexi et adhuc tecum fum i I haue vprifen / and loo 3it I am with the. And after bothe rifynge vp kiffeden louely other : and fche with vnfpecable ioye clippede hym fadly / reft* ynge all vppon hym / and he gladly bare her vppe and fuftened hire. Afterward bothe fittynge to gidre / oure lady befily and curioufly byhelde hym in femblaunt and in handes and feet and all the body where he hadde the fignes of the woundes to fore / alkyng hym whether all the forwe or the peyne were aweye. And he anfwerde and feide : 3e fothely / worfchipful moder / all forwe is awaie fro me r and deth and forwe and alle peynes and angwifche I haue ouercome / fo that I fchall neuere hethen forwarde fele ou3t of hem. And than fche faide : Bleffid be thy holy fader / that hath a3en $euen the to me r and his holy name be exaltid / loued / and magnified euere with outen ende. And fo thai bothe louely and likyngly talkynge togidre maden a grete ioyful fefte. And oure lorde Jefu tolde hir thoo worthy thinges that he dede in thoo thre dayes after his paffioun r and how he delyuerede his chofen peple fro helle / and fro the deuel. Loo / this is a fouereyn pafch / and this is the ioyful day that dauid fpeketh of fpecially / fayenge : Hec eft dies quam fecit dominus : exultemus et letemur in ea.
Die dominica 265
C How Magdeleyne and othcrc Maries come to the Cani. ij™. graue.
^k S I faide bifore / Marie Mawdeleyne and here two / ^ felawes token her waye toward the graue of j "^L oure lorde Jefu with precioufe oignementis r ^L- JBL. and when thai come with oute the jates of the citee / thay toke in her mynde the peynes and the turmentis of here dere maiftre r and therfore in alle places where eny thing was notably done a3enft hym or by hym thai fomwhat floden and abiden / knelinge doun and cuffede the erthe / fighynge and wepynge / and in thife manere wordes feienge to othere : Loo / here we mette hym with the grete heuy cros on his bakke / when his dere moder fwownede and was half dede : and after : Here he torned hym to the wommen of Jerufalem / that maden forwe for hym : and furthermore : Here for weryneffe ouer mytf he laide doun the croffe : and here it was that the wicked tourmentours violently and cruelly putte hym forth / and conftreyned hym to goo faftere : and here at the lafte thai fpoylede hym of his clothis / and made him all naked r and fo cruelly nailled hym vppon the croffe. And than with grete forwe and fchedynge of teres / fallynge doun vppon hir faces / thai worfchipede inwardly and kiffed deuoutly the croffe of oure lorde / that was than fpreyned with his precioufe frefche reed blood. And ferthermore / thai rifynge vp and gooynge toward the graue faiden to othere : Who fchal ouertorne to vs that grete ftone fro the dore of the fepulture ? And therwith thay neihynge therto / and inwardly byholdynge / feien the ftone ouer tornede and an aungel fittynge there vppon and faienge to ham : Dredeth noust ! 3e fecheth Jefu ! and fo forthe as the gofpell telleth. But thay for alfo myche as they fondc
266 Die dominica
nou^t the body of her maiftre there / as they hopeden / were fo deftourblede in her wittes and abafchede / that thai toke none reward to the aungelles wordes r but with grete forwe and drede anone tornede a3en to the difciples / and tolde hem that her lordes body was taken away and whider thay wifte nat. And than petre and John ronne towarde the fepulture / and with hem alfo the forfaide wommen r and alle they ronne with feruent loue to feche her herte and her lyf. But after the proceffe of the gofpelle / Petre and John/ entrynge the graue and nou5t fyndynge the body / but onely the clothes that he was wrapped ynne and the fudarie of his heede / with grete heuyneffe they tornede home a3en.
C And here we oweth to haue ynward compaffioun of hem r for fothely at this tyme thei were in ml greet dik folacioun and forwe : whan they fou5te fo oure lorde and founde hym nou3te / ne wifte where they fchulde feke hym C N. more. Alfo here we haue enfample that ofte Tithes bifore
grete ioye cometh grete difcomfort and forwe r the whiche is to be borne paciently for the tyme / and euer Jefu to be fou3t and called on by deuoute prayer and feruent defire vnto the tyme that he be founde : as this proceffe after folowynge fcheweth.
C For after the two difciples were gone a3eyne / as it is faide / in manere of defpeire / the forfaid maries abiden and lokeden efte in the fepulcre r and than thei feien two aungelles fittynge in white clothes and feienge to hem : What feche 36 hym that lyueth with hem that ben dede ? But thay 3it toke no rewarde to here wordes / ne toke comfort of the (13 1 of aungelles : for thay foirjt nou3t aun* gelles / but the lorde of aungelles. And for thei fonde hym nou3t / therfore the two felawes of Maudeleyne / all heuy and difcomforted / withdrewe hem and fitten doun
Die dominica 267
a litcl byfidcs / makynge her mone to other. But Marie Maudeleyne wetynge neuer what fche my3te doo / for with oute her maifter fche kouthe not leue / and for fche fond hym not there / ne wide where fche fchulde feche hym elles / fche ftode ftille there with oute the graue wepynge r and eft fche loked yn / for fche hoped euere to fynde hym there / as fche halpe to burye hym. And than faide the aungelles to her : Womman / why wepeft ? whom fekeft ? And fche faide : They haue take away my lorde / and I wote noujt where they haue putte hym.
C Byholde here the wonderful worchynge of loue. A litel bifore fche herde of an aungel that he was rifen / and after of tweyne that he leuede r and }it fche hadde it nou3t in mynde / but faide : I woot nou3t. And all that made loue. For as origene feith / here herte and her mynde was not there fche was in body / but it was there as her loue was / that is to feie her maifter Jefu : and therfore fche kouthe not fpeke nor here but of hym. And therfore it bifel that what tyme fche wepte fo / and toke no rcwarde to the aungelles / bycaufe of the feruent loue that fche hadde to hym that was lorde of aungelles / her merciful maifter my3te no lenger holde hym fro hir / but apperede to hir as it foloweth.
C How oure lorde Jefu apperede after his refurrexioun CCam.lij' to Magdeleyne.
OUre lorde Jefu / fpekynge with his blifled moder C B. at his firfte apperynge to hir / as it was tolde bifore amonges othir louely comunynges / tolde hir of the grete befynefle and feruent fechynge of Magdeleyne r and feide that he wolde goo fchewe hym bodily to her to comfort hir. And oure lady/ glad therof / faide : My bleffid fone / gooth in pees and
268 Die dominica
comforteth hir r for fche loueth 3O\v ful moche and ful trewely / and was ful fory of 3oure deth : but I pray 3ow / thinketh to come a3eyne to comforte me. And fo fche louely clipped hym and kiffed hym / and lete hym goo. And anon was he in the gardyn where Magdeleyne was / C Luc. and feide to her : Womman / what fekeft thou ? and why wepeft ? Oure lorde afked hir that he wifte wel to that
I oh xx°.
ende / as feynt gregorie feith / that by her anfwere in the nempnynge of hym / the fire of loue fchulde be the more feruently kyndeled in her herte. Neuertheles fche / nou3t knowing hym / but al deftracte and oute of hir felf/ fuppofmg that he hadde be a gardyncr faide : Sir / if 3ow haueth taken hym away / telle me where thou haft done C N. hym / that I may take hym to me. And thou3 cure lorde was not bodily / as fche fuppofed / a gardyner r neuer^ C Gre* theles / as the fame clerk feint Gregory feith / he was fo gonus. jn f00th gooftly to hir r for he it was that planted in the gardyn of hir herte the plantes of vertues and of trewe loues. And than oure lorde Jefu / hauinge compaffioun of here grete forwe and wepynge chere / clepede her by her homely name and faide : Marie r the whiche worde fodeynly heled al her forwe. And fche than knowynge hym / with vnfpekable ioye feide : Raboni i a maifter / 36 beth he that I haue fo longe fou3t r and why haue 3e fo longe hid 3ow fro me ? And anon fche ran to hym / and fallynge doun to the erthe wolde haue kiffed his feet / as fche was wonte bifore by vnperfite affeccioun to his man^ hode that than was deedly / but nou3t fo now after his refurrexioun. Wherfore oure lord / willynge to lifte vp gooftly hir herte and hir affeccioun to heuene and to the godhede / and that fche fchulde no more feke hym in erthe in manere as fche dede bifore whan he was dedly / faide : Touche me nou3t in that manere erthely r for I
Die dominica 269
hauc no3t fticn vp to my fader / that is to fcync I am no3t 3it lifte vp in thy foule by trcwc and perfitc bileue that I am euen with the fader / verray god r and therfore touche me nou3t in that manere inperfitely r but goo and fay to my brcthcrcn : I (tie vp to my fader and 3oure fader / to my god and 3oure god.
C And ferthermore oure lorde / homely comunynge with hir / fpake to hir in this manere : Wofte nou3t wel / dou3ter / C B. that I tolde the byfore my paffioun that I fchulde rife the thridde day fro deth to lyf? And why woldeft thow then fo befily feke me in the fepulcre ? And fche faide : Sothely / maifter / I feih 3ow that my herte was filled with fo grete forwe of the bitterneffe of 3oure harde paffioun and deeth that I fo^ete all other thing / and onely thou3t on 3oure body / dede and beried / and on the place that it was buryed ynne r and therfore I brou3t now this oynement forto haue anoynted therwith 3our glorioufe body : bleffed be 3our all my3ty godhede wherthoru3 36 wolde arifevp fro deth and come a3en to vs. And fo thoo two trewe loueres ftanden and fpeken to gidre with grete likynge and ioye. And fche curioufly byhelde his gloria ous body / and afkede what her liketh r and he in alle thingcs anfwerde plefyngly to here paie.
C And ferthermore thou3 oure lord fo ftraungely/ as it femeth / anfwerede her at the bygynnynge / biddynge hir that fche fchulde not touche hym r neuertheles I may nou3t trowe but that afterwarde he fuffred her to touche hym and to kiffe bothe hondes and feet or they de* parteden. For we mowe fuppofe and godliche trowe that fithe he wolde fo affectuofly and fpecially / after his owne moder / firft bifore alle othere vifite and appere to hir : that he wolde nou3t therby in eny manere de* ftourble her or heuy her / but rather in alle poyntes
270 Die dominica
comforten her. And therfore the good lorde that is fo benigne and ful of fwetneffe / namely to alle thoo that truely louen him / fpake nou3t to her the forfaide wordes in ftraunge manere and boyftoufly / but in myfterie r fchewyng hir inperfi3t affeccioun / as it is faide / and wilnynge lyften vppe her herte holy to god and to heuenly thinges / as feith feynt Bernarde.
C Than feide cure lorde that he wolde goo fro hir and vifitc and comforte othere. And Mawdeleyn than torned fumwhat in to forwe / for fche wolde neuere haue be de; parted fro hym / and faide : A good lorde / I fee wel now that 3oure conuerfacioun wil not be with vs in manere as it hath be here byfore : but / goode maiflre / haueth euere mynde of me / and the grete godenefle / and the homely; neffe / and the fpecial loue that 3e had to me r and fo thenkcth euere on me / my dere lorde god. And he anfwerede : Drede nou3t / but be ftedfaft and trufte wel that I fchal euere be with the. And fo fche takynge deuoutely his bleffynge / and he vaniffhynge awaie fro her / fche come to her felawes and tolde hem al the for; (aide procefle r wherof thei were glad as touchynge his refurreccioun r but that they feyhe hym nou3t with here thay were heuy and fory. But the good lorde fuffrede nou3t her forw longe lafte / but fone comforted hem / as it after folweth.
C Ca«>. C Hou oure lorde Jefu appered to the thre maries.
"^ ' """ Erthermore as thife thre maries wente toward the citee / oure curtaife lorde Jefu metynge with hem by the waie / mekely grette hem / faienge :
A tie tei hail to sow. And they/ fo ioyful of his
pretence that it may nou3t be faide / felle doun at his feete and clipped hem and kifled hem / with ioyful teres r and
m noi
F
Die dominica 271
fpeken alfo with hym / and he with hem / homely wordes of gooftly comfort / byholdynge therwith his glorious body with vnfpekable ioye r the whiche thay byhelde the thridde day bifore with fouerayne forwe. And than oure lorde Jefu faide to hem : Gooth and feieth to my bretheren that thay goo to galile r for there fothely they fchulle me fee / as I tolde hem bifore.
C Loo how the maiftre of mekeneffe clepeth his dif* ciples bretheren : he lefte neuere this vertue / the whiche he fouereynly loueth. And who fo wil haue fwete vnder; C Nota. ftondynge and godly comfort in the forfaide proceffe and alfo in that foloweth here after/ hym byhoueth to make hym felf by deuoute meditacioun as he were bodily prefent in alle places and dedes / as I faide here bifore.
C How that oure lorde apperede to Jofeph of Arme* thie/ as the gofpel telleth / and to Nichodeme/ and alfo to the laffe James / as feynt Jerom witneffith / I paffe ouer for litel fruyte of hem.
C How oure lorde apperede to Petre. ?.Cam-
WHen Maudeleyne and here felawes were omen home / and tolde the difciples that >ure lord was vprifen r Petre / that was loft feruent in loue / inwardly forwynge that he fawh not his lorde / and nou3t mowynge refte for his grete loue / toke his waie allone toward the fepulcre r for he wide nou3t where he my3te feke hym elles. And fone after oure benigne lorde Jefu / hauynge compaffioun of his forwe / appered to hym in the wey and greteth hym fayenge : Pees to the / Symound. And therwith petre / fmytynge hym felf fadly on the brefte / and fallynge doun on the grounde / with fore wepynge teres / faide : Lorde / I knowleche my grete trefpace in that I kowardly forfoke
272 Die dominica
the / and oftc fithcs falfcly denyed the r and therwith he kiffed his feete. And oure lorde / benignely liftynge hym vppe / kiffed hym and faide : Be in pees / and drede nou3t r for alle thy fynnes bene for3eue the. I knewe thyn infirmyte bettre than thy felf / and therfore I tolde the bifore : but now goo and ftable and comforte thyn bretheren / and trufteth fadly that I haue ouercome alle 3oure aduerfaries and encmyes. And fo thay ftoden and fpeken homely to gidre : and petre ful befily byholdeth hym / and taketh hede of alle thinges. And after his blcffynge taken / he wentc home a3eyne r with grete ioye tcllynge oure lady and the difciples what he hadde fene and hcrde.
C Of this proceffe of apperynge to petre is no3t ex; preffe in the gofpelle / but thus by deuoute ymaginacioun I haue fette it here by fore other apperynges that folwen r for fo it fcmcth that holy chirche holdeth / as it is con* tened more pleynly in the legende of the refurreccioun.
CCam.lvm. C Of the comynge a3eyne of oure lorde Jefu to the fad res / and of her ioyful fonge.
JJre lorde Jefu/ after that he departed fro petre/ wilnynge vifite and comforte the fadres of the olde lawe and othere / the whiche he hadde anone after his deth delyuerede oute of the deueles thraldomc and fette in paradys of delices r he come to hem al glorioufe / in white fchynynge clothes / with a grete multitude of aungeles. And thai feynge hym aferre comynge with fo grete bliffe / with vnfpekeable ioye and louynge / with fonges of myrthe thay refceyuede hym / fayenge : Loo / oure kyng of bliffe ! Cometh alle and mete we with oure faueour. For now the holy day fchyneth vppon vs r and therfore cometh alle and honoure
LclUiCS / clll
O
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we / as worthy is / cure lorde. And than all thay fallynge doun to the erthe / deuoutely honoured hym r and after / rifynge vp and ftandynge byfore hym / reuerently and merily finginge the pfalmes of dauid that fpecially per* teyne to his louynge at this tyme. And when it drewe fomwhat towarde the even tyde / oure lorde Jefu faide to ham : I haue compaffioun of my bretheren / the whiche ben wonder forie for my deth / and for drede ben dif* parkled as fchepe that aren with oute gouernour r and fore thay defiren to fee me : wherfore now I wil goo and fchewe me to hem and comforte hem / and fone after I fchal come a3eyne to 3ow. And thay alle fallynge doun and honouryng hym / faiden : Lorde / fo be it at 3our wille.
/ o
I
C How oure lorde Jefu apperede to the two difciples c Ca» goyng toward the cartel of Emaws. lvjm.
F • "H He felf day of the refurrexioun / as tweyne difciples of Jefu 3eden toward the caftell of Emaws mornynge / and in manere of de* fpeyre talkeden togidre by the waie of that byfelle the friday bifore/ oure lorde Jefu came in manere of a pilgryme and felaufchipped with hem / alkynge hem queftiouns and anfwerynge and tellynge hem fwete wordes of edificacioun / as the procefle of the gofpell of feynt luke pleynerly makith mynde. And at the lafte he / bedene drawen and conflreyned to entre and dwelle with hem / fchewed hym to hem and was knowen in the brede brekynge.
C Here may we vndirftonde and fee the grete good* neffe and the benignyte of oure lorde Jefu in many maneres. Firfte / he fchewed his goodnefTe in that his feruent loue wolde nou3t fuffre his byloued difciples
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C Quam dulcia fau= cibus meis eloquia tua, fuper mel ori meo.
C Con, caluit cor meum intra me, etc.
longe errc and be fory. Sothely/ he is a trewe frcnde and comfortable fclowe and a benigne lorde : for loo / he io}meth and felowcth hym to hem homely r he afkcth the caufe of her forwe and heuyneffe godely : and he cxpow; ncth the fcriptures to hem wifely / and enflawmeth her hcrtes gooftly / confumynge al the roufte of myfbyleue. Thus he dooth with vs cuery day goodly. For what tymc we bene in eny perplexite / oucrlaide with heuy; neffe or flouthe / and we fpeke and comune to gidre of Jcfu/ anone he cometh tovs/ comfortynge vs and Ii3tnyngc oure hertes and enflaumynge into the loue of hym r for the beflc medicyne ajenft fuche gooftly fikneffe is forto fpeke of god / as the prophete dauid faith : Lorde / how fvvete ben thy fpeches and thy wordes to my chekes r }e / fothely / paffynge hony to my mouth. And in another place : Thy fpcche is greetly enflawmed as fire thoru} the worchinge of the holy good r and I / thy feruaunt / loued it. Alfo to thenke on god and the grete goodneffe of Jefu helpeth moche in temptacioun and diffefe / as the felf prophete feith : My herte is verraily i#heted with the fire of criftcs louer and in my meditacioun of Jefu fchal brenne fire of perf^te loue. Alfo we mowe fee here the goodneffe of oure lorde Jefu / nou3t only in loue / as it is faide / but alfo in his profundc mekeneffe : as if we take hede how lowely and mekely he goth with hem / that is to faie the hi3e lorde of lordes with his fymple feruauntes / as one of hem / kepynge now the mekeneffe in his body glorifiede that he fchcwed bifore in his body dedly r and jeuyngc vs enfaumple to folwe hym in that vertuc. 3it alfo here we mowe vnderftonde the mekeneffe of oure lorde Jefu / in that he made hym felf fo homely with tho two fymple difciples / the whiche were of lower degree than the apoftles. But thus do nou3t proude men r for
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thay wil not gladliche goo and fpeke and be conucrfaunt but with hem that beeth of grete fame and of hie eftate toward the worlde. And 3it ferthermore here is fchewed his mekeneffe in the thridde poynt a3enft proude men. For as we may fee / they wil nou3t gladly fchewe here wik domes and her curioufe wordes amonge fewe folk. But oure fouerayn maifter of al wifdome hath none difdeigne of fewe r for he fcheweth his priue wifdome and hie mif> teries not only to tweyne / as now at this tyme / but alfo to one / as he dede bifore with the womman famaritan. More ouer we may confider the grete goodnefle of oure lord Jefu in all this proceffe of the gofpell aforefaide r that is to fay / how he enformeth his difciples in maneres r alfo fedeth and comforteth. And fpecially take hede how he feyneth hym to goo ferthere / vnto that ende forto kyndele and encrefe her defire and affeccioun to hym / and to be the more feruently bedene and withhalden of hem. And ferthermore how benignely he entreth and gooth in with hem r after taketh brede and bliffeth it / and with his holy handes breketh it and 3eueth it to hem : and than fcheweth hym felf to ham.
{[ Thus he dooth euery day with vs gooftly r for he wolde be beden of vs to dwelle with vs and drawen with feruent defires / deuoute prayeres / and holy meditaciouns. And therfore / as he hath tau3t vs / it byhoueth euere to praye and nou3t faille r but that we take in mynde the werkes of pitee and hofpitalite r and how it fufficeth nou3t to here or rede the wordes and the biddynges of god but thay bene perfourmed in dede / as we may hereof more pleynly be enformed in the Omelye of feynt Gregorie vppon this gofpell.
C At the lafte oure lorde Jefu/ wilnynge vifite alfo and comforte othere / dwelled nou3t longe with thefe
T 2
276 Die dominica
difciples/ but alfo fone as he had fpoken and 3euen hem the bred / he vanyfched away fro her ey3en.
C Ca™. {[ How oure lorde Jefu apperede to his apoftles and
difciples / that were reclufed for drede on the felf day of his refurrexioun.
WHen the forfaide two difciples were thus comforted / as it is faide / by the prefence of oure lorde / anon for ioye they torned a3en to Jerufalem and comen to the apoftles and other difciples there priuely gadered / but thomas abfente / and tolde hem the forfaide proceffe / and herden a3eynward of hem that fothely oure lorde is rifen and hath appered to Petre. And therwith fodeynly oure lord Jefu / entrynge in to hem and the }ates clofed / ftode in the myddes of hem / and faide : Pees to 3ow. And anon they / fallynge doun to the erthe and knowlechynge her gilt in that that they hadde fo lefte hym and forfaken / refceyued hym with grete ioye. And than faide he to hem : Rifeth vp bretheren / and beeth of good comfort r for alle 3oure fynnes beeth foneue 30 w. And fo ftandeth Jefu amonge his difciples / fpeking homely with hem/ and fchewynge hem bothe his handes and his fide r and oponeth her wittes to vnderftonde clerely holy fcriptures. And forto knowe fothfaftly his refurreccioun he afketh whether they haueth ou3t that is to be eten. And he eteth homely byfore hem a part of a rofted fiffhe and of a hony combe to preue his verray body prefent and rifen : and after he brethed on ham and 3af ham the holy gooft.
C Loo if we take ynwardly hede / alle thife forfeide thinges bene ful fwete and ful of goftly likynge. Forthi
Die clominica 277
than were the difciples ioyful in that fight of cure lorde r the whiche were bifore heuy and dredcful. Lorde god / how gladly thai jeuen hym that he alkcde r how trewely thai mynyftrede and feruede hym r and how merilythay ftoden aboutc hym. But here with alfo byholdc we oure lady/ his bleffid moder/ that was there prefcnt in that tyme r forto hire were the difciples gadered : how fche taketh hede to alle tho thinges done of her fwete fone/ with vnfpekable ioye / fittynge by hym homely and feruynge hym full gladly. And oure lorde taketh blethely her feruice/ and worfchippeth her therwith to fore the difciples. And 311 more ouer fo^ete we nou3t here Magdeleyne / the byloued difcipleffe / and of the apoflles C Nota de apoftleffe r how fche after her olde manere fitteth at the feet of her maiftre and befily hereth his wordes r and in all that fche may gladly and with good wille myniftreth. A lorde Jefu / how worthy is that litel hous r and how likynge and gracious it is to dwelle therynne. Sothely whofo hath eny deuocioun and gooftly tafte / he may fee and fele that here is now a grete pafch.
C Oure lorde Jefu ftode but litel whyle there with hem / for it was nyh the even r and neuertheles we may fuppofe that thay / with all the inftaunce that thay kouthe/ helde hym there as longe as thay my3te / and namely Magdaleyn / looth to departe fro hym r and perauenture with a reuerent boldeneffe fche helde hym by the clothes/ for oure lorde was clothed with altherwhitefte clothes of his bliffe. And fothely if it fo were that Magdeleyne fo helde hym / it is no dowte fche dede nou3t that prefumptuoufly / but truely and mekely r in alfo moche as fche was fo trewely louynge hym and fo trewely byloued of hym. And that difplefede nou3t oure lorde r for it is his wille to be holden and drawen by feruent
278 Die dominica
defire / as it is fchewed in the forfaide ij difciplcs the next chapitrc bcforne.
C At the lade oure lorde / doyngc reuercncc to his moder and takynge ascnwardc of her / bleffynge hem alle / paffede away fro hem. And thai / fallynge doun / byfc>3t hym of his fone aseyne comynger for thay dwelledcn euere in his abfence hongry and thrufty of her fwete lorde / of whom byfore thai were wonte to haue fo grete copie r and therfore no wonder thogh thai ofte* lithes with foment defires clepede hym a3eyne.
C In alle thefe forfaide apperynges of oure lorde / the whiche were done on the felf day of his refurrexioun / is grete mater of goftly ioye and folempne pafke who fo ynwardely tafteth hem : but the more harme is there ben menye that heren hem with bodily eres / but fewe that tafteth hem with gooftly fauour. And the caufe is that they haue nou3t trewe compaffioun in his paffioun r and therfore they fele nou3t gooftly ioye in his refurrexioun. For fothely I bileue that who fo kouthe haue ynward compaffioun of the peynes that oure lorde fuffrede for man / he fchulde haue a ioyeful pafke in alle the forfaide procefle of his refurrexioun r and that fchulde falle euery fonday to hym that the friday and the faturday wolde difpofe hym in hole mynde to withdrawen fro worldly and flefchely likynges and veyne and curioufe thinges / [and] haue trewe compaffioun of the paffioun of oure lorde Jefu / as the apoftle witnefiith / fayenge : That if we be felawes and partyners of the paffiouns / we fchul be partyners of the confolaciouns and comfortes.
C Pro* {[ Seynt Bernard / in a fermoun of this fefte of pafke /
^er* accordynge to this purpos feith in this fentence : That
alle criften men that bene trewe membres of crifte
fchulde folwe hym that is her lorde in thefe thre dayes :
Die dominica 279
that is to fcic : the friday / in the whiche he fuffredc
penaunce and hyng on the croffe til the tyme that he
was taken doun with other mennis hondcs r alfo the
faturday / in the whiche his body reftedc and lay in the
fepulcre r and the thriddc day/ that was the fonday/
when he rofc fro dcth to lyf. Ri3t fo allc criftcn men C Nota de
fchuldc folowe hym that is her lorde firft on the friday / that tr.^us
OIGDVIS
is vnderflande all the tyme of oure bodily leuyngc in this fpiritualiter
worlde / hongynge on the croffe by penaunce doyngc and obfer*
mortcfiengc hem felf to alle luftes and likyngcs of the
flefche and of the worlde r and on the fecounde day/
that is to fay when they ben dede / her bodies reftcn in
the graues r fo that on the thridde day of refurrcxioun /
that fchal be the day of dome / thay my$t rife in body
and foule to lyf euerlaftinge. But now / the more pitee
is / the mode partie of hem that beren vntrewely the name
of criftene men practifcn and vfen a ferthe dayc / that was
neuere i*made of oure lorde Jefu / but of the fende r in the
whiche at this holy tyme they turnen a3eyn to alle the
luftes of the flefche and fynnes that they vfede bifore
lente r the whiche is as the friday. And fo thay goon
doun wilfully fro the croffe or thay be taken doun by god
and by his aungclles r nou3t folowynge Jefu / neyther in
that day/ neyther in this day/ that is pafkc / that is alfo
moche to fay as paffynge forth r for alfo mochc as oure
lorde paffed forth fro deth to lyf with outc turnyngc
a3eyne / for he fchall neuere more die. Thay paffen
no3t forth / but turnen a3cn to gooftly deth .- and fo maken
hem the ferthe day falfely/ as it is faidc r in the whiche
they torne a3cync to her vices and fynnes that thay vfede
bifore : and herfore is all her ioye in this holy tyme of
pafkc flcfchcly and bodily / and nou3t gooftly / as it fchuldc
be / with trewc ynward ioye of criflcs refurrcxioun / that
280 Die dominica
is fothfafl enfaumple and erneft of cure refurreccioun to come r when we fchal rife in body and foule to lyf euere* laftynge. And thus moche be faide at this tyme touchinge this holy pafk day.
41 Cam. C How oure lorde Jefu apperede the viij day after
/ thomas prefent.
WHen the viij day of his refurrexioun was come / oure lorde Jefu apered eft to his difciples in the forfaide place and the 3ates clofed / wher thomas was than prefent with hem that was nou3t fo the firfte day biforefaide. And after his felowes hadde tolde hym hou they hadde fene her lorde / and he nou5t byleuynge but if he my3te touche hym / as the proceffe of the gofpell plenerly telleth r than the good heerdman of his errynge fchepe befie and hauing compaffioun / fodeynly ftondynge in myddes of hem / faluede hem and faide : Pees to 3ow. And therwith turnynge hym fpecially to Thomas / faide : Putte in thyn fyngre hider / and fee and touche my handes r and bryng forth thyn honde / and putte into my fide : and be na more of myfbileue / but hens forwarde trewely byleuynge. And than Thomas / reuerently knelynge doun / with bothe ioye and drede touchede his woundes as he bad/ CDominus and faide: My lorde and my god. He fawe hym man/ meus et ancj byieuecje hym god. And than alfo he knowlechede
dcus incus*
his gilte in that he hadde forfaken hym / as othere alfo deden. And oure lorde godely takyng hym vp faide : Drede nou3t r alle thy fynnes beeth fo^eue the.
4[ And this longe doute and myfbileue of thomas was of the grete godeneffe of oure lorde in that manere fuffrede for oure profit to the more open proof and certayne of his verray refurreccioun. And fo we may fee here the
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grete benignyte / mekenefle / and fcrucnt loue of cure lorde Jefu r in that that he fcheweth to Thomas and his othere difciples fo openly his woundes forto putte awey fro her hertes al manere of derkeneffe of myfbileue to bothe here and oure greet profit. And fpecially oure C Nota. lorde referuede in his glorious body the fteppes of his woundes for thre fkilles : that is to fay / firft to con* fermynge of the feithe of his refurrexioun to his difciples : and the fecounde / forto fchewe hem to the fader when he wil pray for vs and make hym plefed to vs r for he is oure fpecial and fouerayn aduocat in that partye : and the thridde fkille is forto fchewe hem at the day of dome to the reproued peple vnto hir confufioun.
C And fo ftandeth oure lorde with his bleffid moder and Magdeleyne and his difciples as longe as hym lifte/ communynge homely with hem / in manere as it is faide in the nexte chapitre bifore to be had in contemplacioun. And than at the lafte he bad hem goo in to galile to the Mount Tabor / as it is faide r for there he feide he wolde fpeke more with hem.
C How oure lorde Jefu apperede to the difciples in Galile. C Ca™.
iA Fter the difciples were goo into Galilee as oure /% lord badde / there he apperede efte to hem and / ^ faide : There is 3euen to me al the power in JL. ^ heuene and in erthe. Goth now and techeth all manere peple / baptifynge hem in the name of the fader and fone and holy gooft : and techynge hem to kepe alle thoo thinges that I haue bidden sow. And beeth of good comfort : for loo / I am with sow al daies vnto the worldes ende. And thay honoured hym at his comynge / and ftanden after with hym ful ioyful and gladde.
282 Die dominica
C Nota* C Now take we good hcde to the forfaide wordcs / for thay bene ful confortable and worthy. Firft / he fcheweth to hem that he is lorde of alle thinges : after / he 3eueth hem auctorite and a maundement to preche : the thridde / he 3eueth hem the forme of baptifynge : and at the lafte / the ftrcngeft hold and comfort that thay irryst haue when he fcith that he fchal eucre be with hem. Loo / what ioye and comfort he 3eueth hem / and how many gretc tokenes of charite he fcheweth to hem. And fo 3cuyngc hem his bleffynge / he paffedc away fro hem.
C Cam. C How oure lorde apperede to the difciples at the fee
lx>". Tyberiadcs.
Wellynge 3it the difciples in Gallic / vppon a tyme feuenc of hem wcnte forto fiflhc in the fee of Tyberiadis / as the gofpcll telleth in proceffe / the \vhiche I paffc ouer. But 31!' we take hcde to alle the thinges that wrere there fpokcn and done / we may fynde mochc gooftly merthe and comforte in hem r and namely in that folempne feftc that oure lorde made there to hem. In the whiche he / homely etynge with hem and / as his manere all wray was / mckcly feruynge hem / ful likyngly fedde hem nou3t only bodily but mochc more goftely : whcrof he 3cue vs parte and gooRly taftc / Jefu / for his mercy. Amen.
C De After the forfaide fefte complete / oure lorde Jcfu
Pctro. aikcde of pctre whether he loued hym more than othcrc : and efte and the thridde tyme afkynge whether he loued hym r at euery tyme he comended to hym his pcple / that he fchulde after gouerne r and badde hym fede his fchepe. Wher yn we may fee the propre benignyte of oure lorde Jefu / and fpecially his hi3e charite / and the grete loue that he hath to oure foules. And after he toldc bifore
D
Die dominica 283
to petre the deth that he fchuldc fuffre for his louc. And petre wilnynge to wite alfo of John / that folwede with hem / in what manere he fchulde dye / was anfwered thus of oure lorde : I wil that he dwellc fo til I come r as who feith : I wil nou3t that he folwe me / as thou / by the paffioun fuffringc / but that in his ful elde and con# templacioun he ende this lyf in pees. Neuertheles other difciples myfvnderftood by that worde that he fchulde nou3t haue deyde. And $it hadde no3t that bene a grete 3ifte/ fithen it is bettre to be bodily dede and dwelle euere with crifte / as the apoftle feith. After this oure lorde Jefu paffede away fro hem and wente a3eyne / as he was wonte / to the holy fadres in paradys. And the difciples with grete ioye turnede ajeyne vnto Jerufalem.
C Alfo oure lorde appered another tyme to mo than vc difciples and bretheren gadered to gidre / as the apoftle poule witneffith r but where / or what tyme / or how / it is not writen. Neuertheles we may fuppofe that it was as he was wonte / with grete charite / mekeneffe / and godeneffe on his fide r and with grete ioye and conforte on her fide. And fo haue we nowe touched of xij apperynges of oure lorde Jefu after his refurrexioun / with oute two that folowen after in his afcencioun.
Of alle the apperynges of oure lorde Jefu in general. C Ca1
— ^_— — «• Ixim
f \ Hogh it fo be that oure lorde Jefu apperede
in dyuers maneres after his refurrexioun fourtene fithes / as it is faide r neuertheles the gofpel fpecifieth not but only of ten : for how he apperede to his moder it is nou3t writen in any place / but we mowe refonably and deuoutly trowe it / as it is feide bifore. Alfo of othere thre apperynges / that is to feie to Jofeph / to James / and to mo than fyue
I
284 Die dominica
hundred bretheren is fpecified bifore where they ben writen / but not in the gofpelle. Alfo we mowe wel fuppofe of many moo r for it is lickely that he / the mofte benigne lorde / ofte lithes vifited bothe his moder and his difciples and Mawdeleyn / his fpecial byloued / conforting and gladynge hem fpecially that weren in his paffioun mofte dredful and fory : and that femeth that feynt Auftyne felte where he feith thus of cure lordes bodily apperynge after his refurrexioun : Alle thinges ben not writen r for his conuerfacioun with hem was ofte fithes. And perauen* ture alfo the holy fadres / namely Abraham and Dauid / to whom was made of god the fpecial byhefte of the Incarnacioun of goddis fone / comen ofte fithes with hym to fee that mofte excellent virgyne / here dou3tere and goddes moder r the whiche for hem and for alle othere fonde fo grete grace / and that bare her fauioure and all mankynde. A lorde god / how likyngly they byhelde hir / how reuerently they enclynede to hir / and with alle the deuocioun that thei kowthe thei Miffed hir and honoured hir/ thogh it fo were that they were not fene of hir. Alfo in al thefe we mowe confidre the grete benignyte / the hi3e charite / and the profounde mekeneffe of oure lord Jefu / as we be wonte r of the whiche ofte fithes we haue made mynde / and the whiche fchewen in alle his dedes / and fpecialy here in that he wolde after his refurrexioun and glorious victorie not fteije vp anone to his bliffe / but / in manere of a pilgrym / fourty dayes abide here in erthe to conferme and ftrengthe his difciples and vs in hem r and that not by his aungellis / as he my^te haue lijtly done / but compellynge hym his h\$e charite he wolde only doo that in his owne perfone/ and bodily be conuerfaunt with hem / apperynge to hem / as it is feide / xl dayes / and fpekynge of the kyngdom of god. And
Die dominica 285
al this he didc not onely for hem / but alfo for vs : and 3it we konne not fee it. He hath loued vs / and 3it he loueth vs fo feruentlye r and we loue not hym a^enward : and that is a grete reprouable vnkyndenefle in vs r for at fo grete fire of loue we fchulde not onely be made note/ but by refoun we fchulde fully brenne. But now leuynge this goo we to his glorioufe afcencioun.
dT Of the afcencioun of oure lorde Tefu. ^ Cam-
"H Ouchynge the wonderfull afcencioun of oure C Marc, lord Jefu / thou that hereft or redeft this / if LiJc'xxiiijo thou wilt fele the fwetneffe therof / I wole Act. primo. that thou be wakerly and quikke in thy foule r
fo ferforth that if euere here bifore / as it was beden the / thou madcft the by deuoute ymaginacioun as prefente to his wordes and dedes now thou doo meche more with all thy my3t r for this folempnyte paffeth alle othere / as I fchal clerely fchewe the withynneforth in proceffe r and namely this one thing fchulde ftirre and herte thyn enten* cioun and quikene thyn affeccioun / that thy lorde now is paiTynge awey fro the as by his bodily prefence / the tyme of his pilgrimage here in erthe with the fully complete and ended. Wherfore his wordes and his dedes now ben the more attentily and befily to be confidered. For fothely euery trewe criften foule fchulde here fpoufe / here lorde / and her god in his away paffynge mofle wakkerly and befily take tente to / and tho thinges that bene by hym fpoken and done moofte ynwardly fette in mynde / and mofte deuou3tely and mekely recomende her to hym / and vtterly withdrawe all here mynde in this tyme fro alle othere thinges and fette it holy vppon hir fpoufe.
|[ Forto goo than to the proceffe of the afcenfioun of C Pro* oure lorde Jefu/ we fchulde haue in mynde that on the cdlus-
286 Die dominica
xl day fro his rcfurrexioun oure lorde Jefu / knowynge that his tyme was come forto paffe fro this worlde to the fader / takynge out of paradys tereftre the holy fadres and alle othere blcfTed foules / and bleffyng Enok and hely that there abiden ftille $it lyuynge / he came to his difciples r the whiche were that tyme to gidre in mounte Syon and in the place where he made that worthy fopcre the ni3t bifore his paffioun : there beynge than with hem his bleffid moder and othere diffiplelTes. And fo apper^ ynge to hem / he wolde ete with hem or he pafled fro hem in a fpecial tokene and a memorial of loue and ioye to hem : wherfore alle etyng to gidere with grete ioye and merthe in this lafte fefte of oure lorde Jefu / than feide he to hem : Tyme is come now that I torne a3eyne to hym that fent me r but 36 fchulle dwelle and abide in the citee til 3e bene newe clothede gooftly thoru} vertu that fchal come fro abouen r for fothely with ynne fewe dayes here after 36 fchulle be filled with the holy gooft / as I behi3t 3ow : and after 36 fchulle goo and preche my gofpell thoru3 all the worlde / bapti3ynge hem that wole byleue in me : and fo 36 fchulle be myn witneffes in to the vtterefl ende of erthe. Alfo he reprehended or obreyded hem now fpecially when he biddeth hem preche of here myfbileue r in that that thei trowed not to hem that feie hym haue vprifene / and that were the aungelles. As thei he feide to hem in this manere fentence to make hem vnderftande : Miche more 36 fchulde haue trowed and byleued to the aungeles or 36 feien me / than the peple fchal trowe to 3owre prechynge / the whiche fchulle not fee me. Alfo he reprouede and obreidede than her myk bileue r for thei fchulde knowe firft here owne defautes / and thereby be the more meke : fchewynge hem now in his departynge how moche it plefed hym mekeneffe /
Die dominica 287
and thcrfore he fpecially recomendcth hit at the lafte to hem. Than they afkeden hym of thoo thinges that were after to come : but he wolde not telle hem r for it was not fpedefulle to hem to knowe the priuctees of god / the whiche the fader had referued and fctte in his owne power to fulfille whan hym likedc.
C Thus ftanden they to gidre / etyng and fpekyng/ with grete ioye to hem of the bleffed prefence of her lorde r but neuertheles with grete drede and turbulaunce of his aweie paffynge : and no wonder r for thei louede hym fo tenderly that they myjte not with efy herte bere the wordes of his bodily departyng fro hem r and namely oure lady/ his bleffed moder/ that louede him paffynge alle othere. We mowe wel fuppofe that fche / touchede and ftired fouereynly with the fwetneffe of moder loue / as fche fatte nexte hym at the mete leyde doun here hede fwetely and reftede vppon his bleffid brefte r as feynt John dide bifore in that forfeide and mofte worthy fopere. And fo with fwete teres fighynge / fche fpak to hym in this manere preienge : My dere fone / if thou wilt alway go to thy fader / I preie the lede me with the. And oure lorde confortynge hir feide : I pray the / dere moder / take not heuily my goynge fro the r for I goo to the fader for thy befte : and it is fpedeful that thou dwelle here }it awhile to conferme hem that fchulle trewely byleue in me : and after I fchal come and take the with me into euerelaftyng bliffe. And than fche feide : My fwete fone / thy wille be done r for not onely I am redy to abide at thi wille / but alfo to fuffre deeth for tho foules that thou fuffreft deth for : but euere / I befeche the / haue mynde on me. And than oure lorde counforted more ouer hire and Magdeleyne and othere / feienge thus to hem : Be not ^oure herte trobled and drede not r for I fchal not
288 Die dominica
leue 3ow defolate as faderles r for I fchal goo and come and euere be with 3ow. And at the lafle he bad hem goo in to the Mount of olyuete / for thennes he wolde fty3e vp. And fo paffede he at that tyme awey fro hem. And anone ri3t his moder and alle othere with oute tarienge 3eden in to the forfeide mount / that is fro Jerufalem aboute a myle : and there eft fones oure lorde apperede to hem. Loo / here haue we on this day tweyne apper* ynges. Than clipped he and kiffed his moder / takynge his leue r and fche a3eynewarde clipped and kiffed hym ful tenderly. And the difciples and Magdeleyne and alle othere fallynge doun to grounde and wepynge / kiffeden his feet deuoutly r and he takenge hem vp keflede alle his apoftles benignely.
C Now take hede inwardlye of hem and of alle that beth now here done r and therwith byholde the holy fadres / there beynge invifible / how gladly and reuerently they beholden and ynwardly bleffen hir by whom they hauen receyued fo grete a benefice of here fauacioun r and alfo how they byholden the worthy champiouns and lederes of goddes hofte / the whiche amonges all othere peple oure lorde Jefu fpecially hath chofen forto con* quere alle the worlde.
C Pro* C At the lafte when alle the myfteries weren complete
ceflus af. ancj fulfilled / oure lorde Tefu bygan to be lifte vp fro
ccucioriis
hem / and to ftye vp by his owne vertue : and than oure lady and alle othere felle doun to the erthe worfchip* pynge hym. And oure lady feide : My bleffid fone Jefu/ thynke on me : and therwith fche my3te nou3t withholde here fro wepynge by caufe of his goynge r neuertheles fche was ful ioyful that fche fay here fone fo glorioufely ftyenge vppe to heuen. Alfo the difciples this feynge feyden : Lorde / we haue forfake alle worldes goodes for
Die clominica 289
the r haue irrynde on vs. And fo he / hauynge his handes lifte vp and bliffynge ham / with a bri3t ioyful face / coroned worthily as a kyng and glorioufly araied / ftyenge vp to heuene / feide : Beeth ftedfafte and worcheth manfully r for I fchal be euere \vith 3ow. And fo oure lorde Jefu / al glorioufe whyte / and rodye fchynynge / and ioyeful / ledynge with hym that noble multitude / and I goynge byfore and fchewynge the wey of hem in dede
fulfilled than that the prophetes hadde feide longe bifore of his afcencioun. And they alfo / with vnfpekable ioye / folwynge hym fongen merily the pfalmes and ympnes of his louynge as pertynede to that blifful tyme of here delyueraunce fro alle forwe / and entre into alle bliffe with oute ende.
C And in that tyme the Archaungel Mychael / prouofte C De of paradys / goynge bifore / tolde the blefiid court of Michaele
, v i T r n- nuncio.
heuene that oure lorde Jefu was comynge and vpfhenge r
!and anone alle the bleffid fpirites after her ordres 3eden a3eyn her lorde/ none lafte byhynde/ and metynge with hym and worfchipping hym with alle the reuerence that they kowthe / ladden hym with ympnes and fonges of ioye that may not be fpoken nor thou3t r and fo metynge to gidre the holy fadres and the bleffed fpirites / and fyng^ ynge Alleluya and mo ft ioyful fonges with reuerence bifore hym / maden a grete folempnite and a worfchipfull fefte. 3e lorde / who my3te telle what fefte that was ? and what ioye they hadde whan they mette to gidere ? And whan they hadde done dewe reuerence to oure lorde / and fulfilled here merye fonges that pertynede to his glorioufe afcencioun / thei torned hem to othere / bothe the bleffid fpirites and the holy fadres / reioyfynge and fing* ynge. And firft the holy fpirites in this manere feienge : ^ Prm*
£> cipes ponu
3e princes of peples beeth wel come r and ioyfull we be of lorum, etc.
290 Die clominica
3ourc comynge. Allcluya ! 3e are now here gedered /
and wonderfully lift vp with }oure god / alleluya / therfore
maketh merthe and fmgeth now to hym that fo glorioufly
ftyeth vp aboue heuene and heuene. Alleluya/ alleluya!
C Prin* And the holy fadres ioyfully anfwerede : To }ow princes
populi °f g°ddes peple / alleluya ! oure keperes and helperes /
domini,etc. alleluya! ioye and pees be euere / alleluya! Syngeth 36
and maketh merthe alfo to oure goode lorde / kyng and
fauyour. Alleluya / alleluya / alleluya ! And ferthermore
C In alle to gidere fongen and feyden : Now we gone myrilye
in to the hous of oure lorde / alleluya / and that wor*
fchipful citee of god fchal refceyue vs alle to gidre /
alleluya / in ympnes and fonges of myrthe and ioye.
Alleluya / alleluya !
f[ Loo here was moche myrthe and ioye r alle they fon gen and fouereynly ioyeden. As the prophete dauid feith : C Afcendit God ftyeth vppe into heuene in moft wonderfull ioye of the apoftles that feie hym that tyme r and in voys of trumpe /
lubilacione, r J J J r
etc. that is in voys of aungelles that appered than and fpake
to the apoftles. Sothely oure lord Jefu ftyeth than opounly / to the comforte of his moder and the apoftles as longe as here bodily fight wolde fuffice to fee hym. And after a bri3t clowde toke hym fro her ei3en r and anone in a moment / that is in an vnperceyuable fhort tyme / he was with alle his aungeles and the forfaide holy fadres in the hyefte heuene. A lorde / what ioye was that than to fee that bleffede lorde fo glorioufly vp ftienge. Sothely / I trowe / who fo myjte haue feyne that as the apoftles diden / and therwith herde that ioyful fong of aungeles and holy foules with hym vp ftienge / for that paffynge ioye his foule fchulde haue be departed fro the body and gone vp to heuene alfo with hem / and no
C N. B. wrondre. Wherfore oure lorde / knowynge the infirmyte
Die dominica 291
of mankyndc in bodily lyf here / wolde fchewe fumme of his blifle to his moder and othere difciples / in as moche as they my3te here that was in that blifful fijt of hym vpftienge and hidde fro hem that they my3t nou3t bere fo in flefchely lyuynge. And therfore alfo he fent to hem tweyne aungeles in mennis likneffe that they fchulde not ouer my3t be trauailled in that ftandynge and lokynge vp after hym to heuene r for they were fo rauyfched by that blifful fi3t of hym that they hadde for3ete hem felf : and alfo he fende the aungeles to comforte hem in that they herde the aungelles witnefle acordynge with hem of the afcencioun of oure lorde. And whan the aungeles had beden hem that they fchulde no lenger loke after Jefu bodily prefent in that forme that they feie hym than fti3e vp in to that tyme that he fchulde come in that felf forme bodily to deme alle quikke and dede r but that they fchuld turne a3en in to the citee and there abyde the holy gooft / as he hadde feide hem byfore. Than oure lady mekely c B. prayde the aungelles to recomende hir to hir blifful fone. And they / lowely enclynynge to hir / gladdely toke her byddynge. And alfo the apoftles and Magdeleyn re* comended hem in the felf manere. And after / the aungeles paffyng fro hem / they turnede a3en into the citee / as they were beden / to mount fyon / there abid* ynge the behefte of oure lord Jefu.
C Now goo we vp by deuoute contemplacioun to oure C N. B. lord Jefu / byholdynge in ymaginacioun of heuenly thinges by likneffe of erthely thinges how he / with all that for* feide worthy and bliffeful multitude of holy foules / open* ynge heuene 3ates / that were bifore that tyme fpered a3enfl mankynde / as a worthy conquerour Joyfully entred and gladly knelynge byfore the fader / feide : Fader / I thonke the / that hafte 3euen me the victorie of alle oure
u 2
292 Die dominica
encmycs and aduerfaries r and loo / fader / here I prefente to the oure frendes that were halden in thraldom : and for alfo moche as I haue behi3t to my bretheren and difciples / the whiche I lafte in the worlde / to fende to hem the holy goofle / I pray the / fader / fulfille my byhefte r and I rccomende hem alfo to the. Than the fader / takynge hym vp / made hym litte on his ri3t honde / and feide : My blefled fone / alle power and dome I haue 3euen to the r and therfore of that thou afkeft difpofe and doo as the liketh. After that alle the holy fadres and the bleffid fpirites / the whiche hadde in worfchippynge of the holy trinite falle doun lowely with alle reuerence / rifynge vp bygunne a3C3me to fyngc her fonges of myrthe and vn^ fpekable ioye byfore the trone of god. For fithen Moyfes and the children of Ifrael fongcn in thonkynges and louynges of god whan they were paffed the rede fee / and here enemyes thereynne drowned r and alfo the felf tyme Marie/ Aaron fiftre / with othere wymmen folowyng hir in tympanes and othere meladye / dawnfeden and fongen to goddis louynge r alfo dauid with his peple ledynge the arke of god in to Jerufalem harpede and daunfede byfore the arke for ioye / and chaunteres fongen / and in othere dyuerfe mynftralcye thei honourede and wor; fchippede god r and alfo feynt John feith in the apocalipfe / that he herde a voyfe in heuene of an hondred and foure and fourty thowfand harperes harpynge and fyngynge a newe fonge bifore the throne and the fete of the verray lambe Jefu : miche more we mowe refonably trowe that now in this ioyful tyme whan Jefu with his cumpanye were paffed alle forowe / and alle aduerfaries were fo gracioufly ouercome / and he that was tokened by the arke / Jefu / was fo glorioufly come into the citee of heuenly Jerufalem / alle that bleffed felawfchippe of
Die dominica 293
fpirites and fotilcs withoute noumbre fongen and maden ioyc and mirthe that no tonge maye telle nor herte thenke. Sothely now in that bleffed citce of heuenly Jerufalcm is fongen and hcrde that fouereyne fonge of ioye r and / after the prophecie of Thobie / by alle the ftretes therof is fongen / Alleluya ! that is as moche to feie as / the louyng of oure lorde.
f[ Ncuere fro the bygynnynge of the world was there C Notacx* fo folempne and fo ioyeful a fefte / ne neuere perauentre fchal be / but at the lafte after the day of dome / when alle cionis. the chofen foules fchole be prcfented there with here bodyes glorified. And therfore / as I feide at the bygyn* nynge of this chapitre / this follempnite / alle thinges con; fidered / paffeth alle othere. Take hede of eche of hem / and fee whether it be footh that I feie : Firft/ the Incar* C In* nacioun of oure lorde Jefu is a folempne fefte and worthi r for that was the bygynn3rnge of alle oure gode and oure fauacioun : but that was oure ioye and not his / for he was thanne clofede in his modcr wombe. Alfo the Natiuite of hym is a folempne and hi3e fefte / and worthily C Nati* merthe to be made therynne : but that is alfo as on oure Ultas- fide / for as on his fide we oweth to haue compaffioun of hym that was for vs borne in fo greet pouert / hard; neffe of weder/ and other abieccioun. Alfo/ as to vs his paffioun is a grete fefte / thoru3 the whiche we bene C Paffio. brou3t out of the fendes thraldom / and alle oure fynnes ben for^euen and done aweie r and / as feynt Gregor feith / hit hadde nou3t availled vs to be born / but hit hadde alfo profited vs forto be bou3t. Neuertheles for the grete tormentis of hym / and that hardcft and mofte defpitous deth that he fuffrede for oure redempcioun and bieng / there was thanne no mater of ioye / but rather of forwe r bothe to hym in that pcynfull fuffrynge / and to vs for
carnacio.
294
Die dominica
C Refur* rexio.
C Hec eft dies quam fecit domi-
nus.
C Nota tria ex* cellentiae.
C Prima.
C Secunda. C Tercia.
oure fynfull deferuynge. Ferthermore 3it / the refuiv rexioun of our lorde Jefu is a glorioufe/ folempne/ and ioyful fefte bothe for hym and for vs r for than was his body glorified and alle peyne and forwe palled / and we iuftified / and haue an erneft and enfaumple withouten dowte alfo of oure lafte vprifynge in body and foule. And therfore of this worfchipful and ioyful day fpecially fyngeth holy chirche by the wordes of the prophete dauid : This is the day that oure lorde made r be we mery theryn and glad. And as feynt Aufiyne feith in a fermoun : This day is holyefte of alle othere. But that may be vnderflonde of alle othere bifore that day : for this day of the Afcencioun by refoun is grettere and holyere r and that touchynge thre partes r that is to feie / oure lorde hym felf/ the bleffed fpiritis in heuene/ and mankynde in erthe. For as to the firfte : thowh oure lorde hadde thanne glorioufly in body and foule vprifen fro deth to euerelaftyng lyfe r neuertheles he was bodily 3it as a pilgryme in erthe / fro his owne kynde heritage and rewme. Alfo as to the fecoundc : 3it feie not the aungeles here felawfchip encrefede by feyfone taking of mankynde with hem in bliffe. And as anentis the thridde : 3it was clofed and ftoken the 3ate of heuenly paradys r and 3it were not the holy fadres and foules prefented to the fader of heuene. The whiche all thre were complete and fulfilled in this holy afcencioun. And if we take good hede we mowe fee that all that god wrou3te and dide / he dide forto come to this ende r and withoute this alle his werkes hadde be as imperfite. For loo/ heuene and erthe and all that is made in hem is made for man / and man forto haue the bliffe of heuene r and therto my3t no man come after he hadde fynned in to this day / were he neuere fo good and ri3twys. And fo
Die dominica 295
we mowe fee how worthy this holy day is. 3it more ouer
the fefte of Pentecoft is hy3e and holy / and worthily holi C Pente-
chirche maketh it folempne r for than was 3euen therto choite-
that hy3e worthyefle 3ifte / that is the holy gofte : but
this is to vs and noirjt to hym. But this afcencioun day C Afcencio
is propurly the mofte follempne fefte of oure lorde Jefu r felj;um
for this day firft in his manhede he bygan to litte on the
faderes ri3t handc in blifle / and toke ful refte of all his
pilgrymage bifore. Alfo this is propurly the fefte of alle C Afcencio
the bleffed fpirites in heuene r for this day they hadde
a newe ioye of her lorde / whom they feie neuere bifore
there in his manhede. And alfo for this day bygan firft
to be reftored the fallynge doun of her felawes / and that
in fo grete multitude and noumbre of bleflid foules of
patriarkes and prophetes and alle tho holy foules that this
day firft entrede in to that bliffed citee of heuenly Jeru^
falem / here kynde heritage aboue. Wherfore fithen we
maken follempne the fefte of one feynte that is paffed out
of this worlde to heuene / miche more we oweth to do of fo
many thowfandes / and 3it paffyngly of hym that is feynte
of alle feyntes. Alfo this is fpecially the fefte of oure C Afcencio
lady r for alfo moche as this day fche feye hir bliffed fone ^online.
Jefu / verrey god and man / fo glorioufly crowned as
kyng / ftey vp to heuene. 3it alfo this is propurly oure C Afcencio
fefte r for this day was firfte oure kynde exalted and lift neol"r™m
vp aboue the heuenes. And alfo for but if crift hadde
fo fteye vppe / that worthy 3ifte of the holy good / wherof
we maken folempnyte / we my3te not haue receyued r as
he feide to his difciples : Hit is fpedeful to 3ow that I goo
vp to the fader r for but I goo fo fro 3ow / the holy goft
comfortour fchal not come to 3ow. And therfore feith
feynt Bernard in a fermoun of this fefte of the afcencioun /
Scrnwne iiif i in confirmacione of my forfeide fentence /
296
Die dominica
<I Nota bene.
C Si dili*
gcretis me, Qnd j fu]
etc. J
C Tlora fexta afcen= dit Jelus.
that this gloriofe fefte of the afcencioun of oure lorde Jefu is an ende and fulfillynge of alle othere folempnitees and feftes / and a blcffed conclucioun of all the iourney of oure lorde Jefu after his manhede. Thus mowe we opounly fee that this day and this fefte is mofte hi3e and folempne of alle othere. And that foule that loueth trewely oure lorde Jefu fchulde this day be more rauifched to heuene and more gooftly ioye haue in herte thanne yn any day of the 3ere. For thus feide oure lorde Jefu to his difciples : If 3e loueden me / fothely 36 fchulde be glad j crOO to faG Fader. Wherfore I leue that I feide truely bifore / that there was neuere in heuene a day fo ioyful and fo folempne as this day. And fo this ioye and this follempnyte durede in to the day of pente^ cofte / wherof we mowe deuoutely ymagyne and haue meditacioun in this manere.
C The Afcencioun of oure lorde was at the fixte houre - for byfore he ete with his difciples at terce. Thanne mowe we thus ymagyne that thoo ten dayes fro that houre that he afcended in to the houre of the holy goft fende / the nyne ordres of aungelles with the holy fadres and foules that he toke vp with hym made hym ten feftes r and he a3eynwarde rewarded hem fpecially in fom finguler coumforte euery day. And fo though alle that were thanne in heuene generally were of his afcencioun ioyeful / and made fo murye a fefte that no tonge can teller neuertheles fpecially the firfte day fro the houre of his afcencioun in to fexte of the next day folowynge aungelles made her fefte. The fecounde day in the felf manere maden her fefte archaungeles : the thridde day / vertues : the ferthe day / poteftates : the fyuethe day / principates : the fixte day/ dominaciones : the feuenthe day/ thrones : the eighthe day / Cherubyn : the nynthe day / Seraphyn.
Die dommica 297
And fo thefe nyne ordres of aungeles contynuede here feeftes in to the fixte houre of the vigile of pentecoft r and fro thenncs in to terce of the day folwyng / that is of the fonday in pentecoft / the holy fadres with here felaw* fchippe made her fefte to Jefu / bleffed with oute ende. Amen.
C Of the fendynge doun and the comynge of the holy c. Ca™.
gooft.
A Fter that oure lorde Jefu was gone vp to his C N. / ^L blifle / and the aungeles hadde beden the dif* / ^L ciples to torne a}en in to the citee / as hit >A J^ is feide next bifore r they with his bliffed moder worfchepynge hym and kiffynge deuoutly the fteppes of his feete / where he lafte touched the erthe / as the gofpell of luke telleth / they went a3eyne in to Jeru# falem with grete ioye / and there they abiden the comynge of the holy gooft / contynuely in deuoute prayeres louynge god and bleffynge oure lorde. And whan the tenthe day was comen fro his afcencioun / that was the fifte day fro his refurrexioun / oure lorde Jefu ioynynge the figure of the olde teftament with the newe / for alfo moche as the tyme of grace was in that day come / he feide to the fader thus : My fader / haueth now in mynde the byhefte that C B. I made to my bretheren of the holy gooft. And the fader anfwerde : My dere fone / I am wel apayde of that by* hefte r and now is tyme that hit be fulfilled. And more ouer he feide to the holy goofte : We preye the that thou goo doun to oure difciples / and that thou fille hem of thy grace : coumforte hem / ftrengthe hem / teche hem / and 3eue hem habundaunce of vertues and ioye. And anon the holy goft came doun with a wonderful noyfe / in bren* nynge tunges / vpon an hundred and twenty difciples
293 Die dominica
gedercd that tyme to gidcrcs / and filled hem with all ioye / vertues / and grace : by vertue wherof the difciples ftrengthed / tau3te / Ii3tned / and enflawmed / 3eden after by alle partes of the worlde and made it fuget to hem in greet partie.
C This is a worthy fefte r and this is / among othere / fequcns. a fwete and a louely fefte r for this is the fefte of hym that is loue propurly / as feynt Gregorie fcith / that the holy gooft is loue. Wherfore he that loueth god fchulde in this fefte fpecially be enflawmed with loue or/ at the Icfte/ C Ber* with a brennynge dcfire to loue. But thus wole not bee nardus. wjth flefchely or worldly loue mcdled / as fcynt Bernard feith in a fermoun of the afcencioun in this manerc fen* tence : He erreth gretely what fo he is that weneth forto medic to gidre that heuenly ioye with thefe bitter afkes of flefchely likynge r or that fwetc gooftly bawme with this venyme r or thoo gracioufc 3iftcs of the holy gofte with thcfe foule ftynkynge luftcs. And no wonder / for as the felf Bernard feith : The apoftles for the tyme that they hadde cure lorde bodily prefent with hem for the loue that they hadde to his body/ though it was holy and good / 3it for that tyme they were vnablc to refceyue par* ii3tly the holy gooft/ as he feide hym felf: Nifi ego abiero i paraditus non veniet ad vos i But I goo fro 3ow / the holy gooft fchal not come to 3ow. Miche more than he that is knitte with loue to roten mukke / or to a ftynkynge kareyne / is in all manere vnable to that clcnneft and fwet* teft loue of the holy goofte r for there is non accorde nor knettynge to gidre of fothfaftneffe and vanyte / of Ii3t and derkneffe / of the fpirite and the flefch / of fire and of colde water. But parauntrc thou that feleft not the fwet* nefle and coumfort of that gooftly likynge and loue feift to me : With oute coumfort of loue and likynge I may not be :
Die dominica 299
what fchal I do thanne while I fele not that goodly louc ? Seynt Bernard anfwereth thus and feith to the : Forfakc firfte fully and truely alle veyne worldes coumfort and all flefchely loue and likynge / and abyde awhile in deuout prayeres / as the apoftles dide the comynge of the holy good / wherof they knew none certeyne tyme r and thou fchalt fele withyn fchort tyme that he fchal come and coumforte the bettre than thou kowdeft byfore knowe or thenke. And in greet coumfort of hym that forfaketh C Nota
X
worldly comfort for god / the fame feynt Bernarde con^ l cludeth in thefe wordes : The apoftles in this abydynge feten perfeueraunt with one wille to gidre in preyere with the wommen and Marie / Jefu modre. And in the felf manere lerne thou to preye / lerne to feke / to aike / and to knokke at the dore / til thou fynde / til thou take / and til it be oponed to the. Oure lorde knoweth thy freele and feble kynde / and he is trewe and wole not fuffre the to be tempted more than thou mayft bere. And I trifle in hym that if thou wilt abyde truely thou fchalt C Nota not abyd the tenthe day / but that he fchal come bifore bene- and coumforte thy defolate foule r and fo preyeng in his bleffynges of gooftly fwetneffe / fo that thou fchalt haue fo grete likynge in his mynde and in thoo gooftly drynkes that he fchal make the drunken ofte in foule/ that thou fchalt be ioyful and glad that euere thou forfoke the falfe coumfortes of the worlde.
C Loo / by this forfeide fentence of feynt Bernard we mowe fee in partie what byhoueth to refceyuc the holy gooft and his loue. Wherfore that we mowe be able to refceyue here that grete 3ifte of the holy goofte and his coumforte / and after come to that bliffe that oure lorde Jefu is now ftcye vp to and hath made oure wey bifore vs / leue we and hate we all falfe loue and likynge of this
300 Die dominica
wrecchcd worlde r and fette we not oure loue on the ftynkynge flefche / and noriffhe we it not in defires r but defire we contynuelly forto be departed therfro : fo that thoru} the grace of the holy gooft helpynge vs / we mowe folowe fumwhat the bleffed lyf of oure lorde Jefu in this world and after goo vp to hym and to oure kynde heritage of bliffe in the glorioufe citee of heuenly Jerufalem / where he / fouereyn kyng / with the fader and the holy goofte / oon god in trinite / lyueth and regneth with oute ende. Amen.
C Thus endeth the contemplacioun of the bleffid lyf of oure lorde Jefu : the which procefle for alfo moche as it is here thus writen in Engliffhe tonge lengere in manye partcs and in other manerc than is the latyne of Bonauenture r therfore hit femeth not conuenient to folowe the proceffe therof by the dayes of the wike / after the entent of the forfaide Bonauenture : for it were to tcdioufe / as me thinketh / and alfo it fchulde fo fone be fulfome and not in comfortable deyntethe by caufc of the freelte of man* kynde / that hath likynge to here and knowc newe thinges / and tho that bene feldene herde ben ofte in the more deyntethe. Wherfore it femeth to me beeft that euery deuoute creatour that loueth to rede or to here this book take the partes therof as it femeth mofte coumfort* able and ftirynge to his deuocioun r fumtyme oon and fumtyme another / and fpecially in the tymes of the }ere and the feftes ordeyned in holy chirche / as the materes ben pertynent to hem. And for alfo moche as that bleffed and worthy fefte of the precioufe facrament of Jefu bodye / in the whiche he is euery day bodily prefent with vs / to oure mofte comfort that we mowe haue here in erthe / is the ende and the conclufioun of alle othere feftes of hym gracioufly and refonably ordeyned by holy chirche/
Die dominica SOT
as it was fcidc biforc : therfore with the grace of the holy gooft and of hym of whom that fefte is / we fchulle fpeke fumwhat more to coumfort of hem that treweli byleue / and to confufioun of alle falfe lollardes and heretikes. BleiTed be the name of oure lorde Jem and his moder Marie / now and cuere with oute ende. Amen.
C Explicit Speculum vite Chrifti.
A:hort tretys of the hi3efte and mofte worthy facrament of criftes bleffed body and the mer* ueyles there of.
C Memoriam fecit mirabilium fuorum mifericors et miferator dominus r efcam dedit timentibus fe. Thefe wordes of Dauid in the fawtere / feide in prophecie longe tyme bifore the incarnacioun of oure lorde Jefu / fpecially of the worfchipful facrament of his precioufe body / hauen this fentence and vnderftandynge in englifche tonge : Oure lorde / merciful and mercy ^euere / hath made a mynde of hife merueyles / in that he hath 3euen mete to hem that dreden hym. This mete is that precioufe godly mete of the bleffed body of oure lorde Jefu in the facra* mente of the au3tere / that he of his fouereyn mercye 3eueth euery day in forme of brede to alle thoo that truely dreden hym as here lorde god : by the whiche drede thei kepen hem out of dedly fynne / and mekely ftandene in the ftidfaft bileue of holy chirche. And this gooftly mete he 3eueth r and hath made therby a fpecial mynde of his merueilles : that is to feie / as the preofl reherfeth in the canone of the meffe/ in mynde of his merueyloufe and blefled paffioun / and of his merueillous refurrexioun / and of his merueyloufe and glorioufe afcencioun / and gene; rally in mynde of alle the merueylous werkes and dedes
302 De facramento
of hym in his blcffed lyf here in this worlde : the whiche is treted in all this book bifore writen.
f[ Forto bygynne firft at his merueyloufe incarna- cioun. Loo / hou expreffe mynde therof is this mete that he 3eueth to vs in the facramente of the awtere r for there; ynne is he verreily / and in that felf body that was fo merueylofly conceyuede by the holy gooft aboue kynde / and alfo merueylofely born of his blifled moder Marye with oute forwe or weme of fynne r and fo forth of alle the merueylofe werkes and dedis of hym in this goftly mete we haue that fpecial mynde that none may be more r and that we haue of none othere : for all othere thinges that we haue mynde of we conceyuen in fpirit and in herte / fo that thereby wre haue not the bodily prefence of hem. But in this goftly mete and facramentale commemoracioun of oure lord Jefu he is verrely and bodily prefent with vs vndir another forme / but fothely in his owne propre fub; ftaunce verray god and man. For what tyme he fchulde ftie vp into heuene he feide to his apoftles and her foloweres in thefe wordes : Loo / I am with }ow alle the dayes into the worldes ende r coumfortynge hem by this benigne promiffe that he fchulde dwelle with hem / not onely by the goftly prefence of his godhede / but alfo by the bodily prefence of his manhede / that he }eueth to vs in this forfeide mete of his flcfche and blood / but in mynde of his meruailles generally / as hit is feide / mod fpecialy in mynde of that bleffed paffioun that he fuffrede for vs. For what tyme he fchulde paffe out of this worlde to the fader / the ny3t bifore his paffioun / at that worthy fopere with his difciples / as hit is feide bifore / he made and ordeynede this fouereyne and moft worfchipful facrament of his flefche and blood / $euynge his body in to mete and his blode in to drynke for a fpecial mynde of his
Corporis Chrifti 303
paffioun and dctli. For thus feith he to his apoftles in that firfte makynge of this helcful facrament : This dothc 3e in my myndc. So that the fouereyne and mode worthy mynde of his paffioun and paffyng loue to vs fchulde be euermore this hi3e worfchippeful facrament. This is that precious goftly mete and fpecial mynde of cure lorde Jefu / in the whiche is hadde all goodly likynge and the fauoure and tafte of all fwetneffe. And alfo this is that fwete memorial / wherthoru3 we bene with drawen and kepte fro wickedneflc / and coumforted and ftrengthed in godeneffe / and profiten euery day in encrefe of vertues and of grace. In fothfaftnes this is that hiae jifte and mofte noble memoriale that oweth worthily to be prentede euere in oure mynde and to be befily i^kept in the ynwarde affectioun of the herte / in to cpntynuele mynde of hym that 3eueth vs this fwete memo* riale and precioufe jifte r for whos 3ifte is ofte tyme feene / his mynde is likyngly prented in the herte. Thus oure lord Jefu of his greet mercye hath made a likyng mynde of his merueyles in this gooftly mete / the whiche is mofte merueyle of alle merueyles / 3euyng this mete fpecially to hem that dreden hym.
C And here we fchole vnderftande that in tweyne maneres men dreden god r and there after he 3eueth this mete dyuerfly to hem. For fome dreden god as feruauntes dreden her lorde/ leuynge and efchewynge to fynne onely for drede of peyne. And to thefe manere of men / if they ben oute of dedly fynne and in grace / oure lorde 3eueth this forfeide mete as to here goftly fuftenaunce / but alfo to here fouereyn likynge : fo that bythevertue thereof they ben fufteyned in lyf of foule and kepte fro euere laftynge deth. But othere ben that dreden god as trewe children dreden to offende here
304 De facramento
fader for loue of hym. And to this manere men oure lorde god 3eueth this precioufe mete / not onely to here goftely fuftenaunce / but alfo to here fouereyn likynge and wonderful comfort in foule. And of this manere of dredyng folke fpeketh the felf prophete Dauid / in thefe wordes : Guam magna multitude dulcedinis tue domine i quam abfcondifti timentibiis te / that is to feie : A lorde god / how mykel is the manyfolde plente of thy fwetneffe / the whiche thou haft hidde to hem that dreden the. But they that dreden not god hauen neyther goftly fuften* aunce nor heleful likyng of this precioufe mete / but thoru3 her owne wickedneffe and vndefpofynge in foule taken hit and eten hit to here gooftly deth and euere laftynge dampnacioun. And that bene tweyne manere of peple : one is of hem that drede not to refceyue this holyefte facrament in dedely fynne / or clles by defaute of drede contynuen in her fynne r for as the wife man feith : The drede of god cafteth oute fynne : and therfore who fo contynueth in dedely fynne hit is an opoun prefe that he dredeth nou3t god r and than is he vnable to refceyue and helefully ete this worthy facrament. Another manere peple that lakken the drede of god ben heretikes r the whiche in defaute of boxum drede to god and holy chirche / prefumptuoufly lenynge vppon hir owne bodily wittes and kyndely refoun / leuen not that holy doctoures hauen tau3t and holy chirche determynede of this blefiid facrament / but falfely trowen and obflynately feien that it is brede in his kynde as it was byfore the confecra* cioun r fo that the fubftaunce of brede is not turnede in to the fubftaunce of goddis body / but dwelleth ftille brede as it was byfore / by caufe that it femeth fo to alle her bodily wittes. The whiche errour and herefye / and alle othere of this holyefte facrament / with oute doute
Corporis Chrifti 305
fpringen of goodly prydc / and prefumpcioun of kyndely witte / in defaute and lak of lowely drede. For outher fuche men leucn that god may worche alle thoo merueyles abouen the comune courfe of kynde / as holy chirche techeth in this holy facrament / or nou3t r and ^if thei leue not that he may/ thanne dreden they hym nou3t as god all my3ti r and fo ben they worfe than Jewes or farecenes r for bothe byleueth that god is almy3ty. And on the tother fide if thei feien and leuen that god for he is all my3ty may worche tho meruayles / but they leue not that he doth fo for alfo moche as here kyndely refoun telleth hem the contrarie / thanne drede they not forto a3eyn feie the fouereyn goodneffe and loue of god to man^ kynde / as in that partye that holy chirche techeth and byleueth of this holy facrament r and in that they preue hem felf gret fooles. For thou3 it were fo that it were c Nota in doute / whether the techynge and the byleue that holy racioncm. chirche hath of this holy facrament were fothe or nou3t / or elles alfo fette cafe that hit were not fothe r jit the fiker parte were to byleue as holy chirche techeth with a buxome drede. For in that we leuen oure owne kyndely refoun / and ben obeyfaunt to god and holy chirche / as hym felf biddeth vs r and alfo we withdrawen not in oure byleue of the my3t of god / nor of his loue and fouereyn goodneffe to vs / but rather maken it more / if hit fo were that hit were not footh as we byleuen and that were litel perel or rather none / but mede to vs in alle partes for oure good wille to god and holy chirche. And alfo in that byleue there is none perile of ydolatrie / as the falfe heretikes feith that we honouren and maken brede oure god r for we feien and byleue that in that holy facrament brede is turned into goddis body by vertu of criftes wordes r and fo we honoure not brede but all holely god
x
306 De facramcnto
and his bleffed body in forme of bredc / that is to feie in that likneffe of brede that we fene with oure bodily ey3en : we honouren goddes body that we fene by trewe byleue in foule with oure goftly ey3en.
C Thus we hauinge loue drede of god / and ftandynge fledfaftly in the byleue that holy chirche hath tau3t vs fpecially of this holyefte facrament / we fchulle confidre and ynwardly byholde to kyndelynge and norifchynge of oure loue to oure lorde Jefu / that 3eueth vs of his grace this precioufe mete of his bleffid body / the ueyles that he maketh and worcheth therynne / fpecially in tweyne maneres : that is to feie / in one manere euery day priuely / wherof we haue knowynge onely by be^ leue with ynneforthe : and alfo in another manere fomtyme openly / wherof we haue knowynge by trewe tellynge of myracles with outeforth fchewed.
C Touchynge the firfte manere of merueyles : hit is a ful greet merueyle that by vertue of criftes wordes brede is turned in to goddes body / and wyne in to his blode. And to ftrengthe vs in byleue of this merueyle we fchole haue in mynde that he with the felf my3t of his worde made all the world of nou3t r and of the ribbe of Adam made Eue in flefche and blood r and turnede the wyf of loth in to an ymage of falte r and moyfes 3erde tornede in to a ferpente r and the welles and wateres of Egipte turnede in to blode. Wherfore fithen god all my3ty wrou3te alle thefe merueyles and many moo aboue the refoun of man and the comune curfe of kynde r why may he not alfo by the felf my3t turne brede in to his body? There is non refoun to preue the contraire but if we wolde feie that god were not all my3ti / that god forbede.
C Alfo hit is a grete merueyle that the felf body of oure lord Jefu / that fitteth in heuene vppon the fader ri3t half/
Corporis Chrifti 3°7
is verreyly and holely in alle places of the worlde where this holy facrament is treted / fothely contynede in that facrament in that felf flefche and blode / that was con; ceyuede of the holy good / and borne of the blefled virgyne Marye / and henge vppon the croffe for oure fauacioun. This may not be comprehended fully by mannis refoun / but onely ftondeth in byleue. Neuer; theles there is a manere of like merueyle in kynde : that a word fpoken of one man to myche peple is holy in hym that fpeketh hit / and alfo in alle tho that heren hit / be they neuere fo manye. Hit is alfo a greet merueyle that fo grete a body of oure lorde Jefu is fully and holy com; prehended in fo litel a quantite of the hofte r and ther* with alfo if that hofte be departed in to many fmale partes hit is as fully in euery parte as hit was in all the hole. Hereto alfo is a manere likkeneffe that we fene in kynde : how the ymage of a mannis grete face and of a grete body is fene in a litel myrourr and if it be broken and departed/ 3it in euery parte hit femeth al the hole ymage / and not in partie after the partes of the glaffe fo broken.
C Many othere wonderful merueyles oure lorde god all my3ty worcheth in this precioufe facrament / of his endeles mercy/ to oure gooftly comfort and hele of foule r the whiche we mowe not comprehende by kyndely refoun and oure bodily wittes / but onely by trewe byleue. And therfore hit is greet folie and goftely perile to feke curioufely in ymaginacioun of refoun the merueyles of this worthy facrament. But hit is mofte fiker/ namely to a fymple foule / and fuffifeth to fauacioun touchynge the forfeide merueyles and alle othere of this bleffed facrament to thynke and fele in this manere. Thus hauen holy doctours tau}t and holy chirche determynede r and therfore thus I trowe and fully byleue that it is in fotheneffe / thou} my
X 2
De facramento
C Greg, orius.
tl Not a tres cauias miraculo* rum in facra* mento.
C Prima caufa.
CNarracio de fancto Edwardo confeffore.
k}Tndely refoun a3cyn feie it. For as feint Gregory techith / that feith hath no merite to the which mannes refoun seueth experience.
C Touchynge the fecounde manere of merueyles and meracles fchewed with outeforth by vertue of this holy facrament and in this holy facrament / as we fynden wreten. For thre fkilles oure lorde fchewed in dyuerfe maneres tho myracles and merveiles in this precious facrament r that is to fay / fomtyme to com forte hem that bene in trewe beleue of this bleffid facrament / and to kyndele her loue therby more feruently to god and to worfchippynge of that facrament : alfo fomtyme be fpccial grace forto conuerte and turne to trewe beleue hem that bene out therof : and alfo fomtyme to open preef of grete vertu therof in dele* ueraunce of peynes and fauyng fro bodily mefcheef and gooftly. And of yche of thefe thre I fchall telle fchortly fome merveyles and myracles that I fynde wreten r the whiche ben of fo grete auctorite / as to my felynge / that ther may no man a3enftonde nor agaynfay hem but he be wers than a Jewe or a paynym.
C Touching the firfte / that is to feie how oure loord fomtyme fcheweth openly myracles and merveyles of this bleflid facrament to comforte hem that leuen in trewe byleue / and to kyndele her hertis to the more feruent loue of god. We fynde writen in the ryf of the holy con* feffoure feint Edward / kyng / whoos body lythe in fchryne at Weftmynftre r the whiche lyfe as for the more auctorite in foothneffe wrote the worthi clerk and holy Abbott of Ryuaws / feint Alrede / thus feyeng touching this matere : In that worthi monafleri of feint petir / that is clepid Weftemynftre / and atte awter edified there in the worfchippe of the holy trynyte / as the forfeide holy kyng Edwarde herde melTe on a day with the worthi Erie
Corporis Chnfti 3^9
clepcd leueriche / the whiche with his noble wyf Gode^ue the Counteffe was foundour of many worth! howfis of Religioun / what tyme it come to the confecracioun and goddes body in forme of brede was holden vp to the peple fyght betwixe the preeftis handes aftir the vfe of holy chirche / he that is faireft in fchap before alle mennes fones / oure loord Jefu / appered bodily in that hofte to bothc her fi3tes / leftyng vp his right hond and makyng a crofie toward the kyng / bleffynge hym. And than the kyng / with loutynge of his heed honourynge the prefence of goddes magefte / mekely with all the body dede Reueiv ence to fo worthy a bleffynge. But the Erie that fawe that felf fight / noght knowyng what was in the kynges herte / and alfo defirynge that the kyng fcholde be par* tyner or parceyuer of that grete and fo worthi a fight / bygan to goo toward the kyng fro his place / that was perauenture afide benethe / as longid for his aflate. But the kyng / vnderftonding what was his entente / feide to hym in this manere : Stonde / lyveryche / ftonde ! for that thou feeft / I fee alfo. After this they bothe / of fo ioyfull a fight gooftely comforted and turned all in to devoute prayer and fwete wepynge teres / weren made gooftly dronken of the plente of goddis hous / and fedde with the ryver of his fouereyne ioye and gooftly likynge. And after the ende of the meiTe they that weren fo bliflV fully refetid with that gooftly mete comuned to gedre of that forfeide heuenly fi3t / with fwete teris and ynward fyghynges ofte fithes brekyng her fpeches. And than feide feynt Edwarde : My dere lyveriche / I preye the and charge the / by the hye maiefte of hym that we haue fo gracioufly fene / that neuere whiles we lyuen thife thinges be broght forth into comune knowynge / lefte we therby falle in to vayneglorie and pryde thorgh the opynyotm
of the comune peple / to oure goodly deeth r or left the envie of myfbelevynge men lette and deftroye trewe beleue to the wordis hereof. Wherfore after the forfeide Erie was goon fro the kynges courte / by the infpiracioun of the holy good / as it is to beleue / he was taught fo that he kepte the biddynge and the hefte of his lorde. And 3it therwith that hye vertuous myracle fcholde not be fully vnknowen to hem that weren after to come r for afterwarde he come to the monafterie of Worceftre / and there in confeffioun to a religious man he tolde the for* feide myracle / chargyng hym as the kyng hadde chargid hym / and preyeng that he wolde write the privite of that worthi vilioun / and putte it in fuche a place that it myghte be vnknowen to hem that than were lyuynge / and that it my3te be knowen to hem that were after to come.
4[ And fo dede that holy man after the Erlis prayere / and wrote all the ordre and manere of the forfeide vifion in a bylle and leyde it amonges relykes clofid in a cofre r the whiche cofre longe tyme after the kynges dethe / with oute mannes honde / thorgh the myght of god as it is to beleue / was founden open. And than bretheren of that place / belily fechynge the relykes / founden the foiv feide bille and redden it r and after / for alfo moche as they wolde noght that fo grete a trefour and worthy myracle fchulde be hidde / thei puplifchid it openly in the eres of the peple.
C And fo as the kyng wolde it was for the tymc hydde / but aftir by ordenaunce of god it was pupliffhed and knowen to that ende that the kynges mekenes ther by as hidde fchulde be preved / and neuerthelefe therwith by open knowynge of that grete myracle the feith of true beleuyng men fchal be confermed and ftrengthed to the worfchippe of oure loord god Jefu : that of his fpecial
Corporis Chrifti 311
grace worchith fuche myracles and merveilles in that bleffid facrament of his precious body in fpecial comfort* ynge of trewc lyueres and more fcruent ftirynge to his loue.
C Miraculum de corpore Chrifti per fanctum hugonem often/urn,
|[ Alfo acordynge to the felfe purpos/ I fynde writen in the longe tyfe of feint hughe / biffhop of lyncolne and the firfte monke of the ordre of charterhoufe and priour of Wytteham / the whiche lyf wroot a chapleyn of his and monke of the felfe ordre / that herde and fawe that he wrote / and amonges othere in this manere fentence feieng : It befil vppon a faterday the forfeide biffhope / feynt hughe / dwellynge atte a manere of his / clepid Bukedene / as he fong a mefle of oure lady / aftir his comune cufhome in that day / there herde his meffe with othere a devoute Clerk that was fent to hym by fpecial reuelacioun of god / wherof there is wreten a faire proceffe touchinge another matier the whiche we paffen ouer here. And as to oure purpos : what tyme it was comen to the fakerynge / as the Biffhop helde vp goddis body in forme of brede / there append to the (13 1 of the forfeide clerke / bytwene the preeftis holy hondis / oure loord god Jefu bodily in liknes of a paffyng fayre litel childe. Of the whiche fight he that faw it inwardly compuncted / as no wonder / and hyely ftired into hye deuocioun and feruent / contenued all the tyme of that meffe in fwete teris and devoute preyeris til it come to that place where the hoofte fchulde be lyfte vp aboue the chalice and be departid in thre r at the whiche tyme he faw eft in the felf liknes the forfeide Jefu / goddes fone of heuene / offerynge hym felf in facrifice to the fadir for mannis helthe and faluacioun. After the meffe was ful endid the felf clerk / fpekyng with
the holy Biffhop in previtc / tolde hym firfle the rcuela^ cioun bifore nemened / and aftir that faire vifion of goddis body here declared. And therwith at the ende / with fchedynge teres / in this manere concludynge feide thus : I faw / my holy fadir / with myne vnworthy yen that bleflid fight r the whiche it is no dowte but that $e faw it alfo moche more cleerly for lenger and nerre and more worthily. And therwith bothe the biffhop and he / with fwete teris / comunynge a grete while gooftely to gedere / after the counfeil of the Biffhop and biddynge forto kepe the forfeide vifion prevy / the clerk become a religious man : and aftir holy lyvynge here went to bliffe euere^ laftyng. Amen.
C Miraculum de corpore Chrifti per beatuni Gregorhim expofitum.
C Touchynge the fecounde caufe of myracles and merveyles fchewid in this bleffid facrament of goddis body / that is to feie forto conuerte hem that bene of myfbeleue in to the newe byleue. Firft we reden in the lyf of feynt Gregory / pope and worthi doctour / in this manere fentence : There was a matrone of Rome / the whiche euery fonday oflferid to feint Gregory certeyne looves of breed wherof was made goddis body. And vppon a day when feynt Gregory wolde haue comuned the forfeide womman with oon of hem that was confecrate and made goddis body / feyenge / after the comune vfe of holy chirche / in thife manere wordes : The body of oure lord Jefu crifte kepe the in to euere laftynge lyfe r fche breft out in to a diffolute laughter/ and than feint Gregory withdrowe the facrament fro hire and kepte it in to the ende of the meffe r and after before the peple he afkede the matrone whi fhe lowh : and then fche feide : Bicaufe that thou clepedeft goddis bodi the brede that I made
Corporis Chrifti
with myn handes. And than feynt Gregory fel down in to his preyers to God for the myfbeleue of the womman : and aftir that he rofe vp he fonde the forfeide facrament turned in to liknes of a fyngcr in fleffhe and blood r wher* thorgh the womman was fro her myfbileue turned in to trewe byleue. And fo after with the felf facrament / be preyere of feynt Gregory turned in to the liknes of brede as it was byfore / fche was comuned and more ftyfly fette in truthe and true byleue of this bleffid facra^ ment : and alfo othere thorugh her / to the worfchippe of the hye gracious auctor and worchere here of/ oure loord Jefu crift Amen.
C To this felf purpos acordynge alfo I fynde wreten in the forfeide lyf of feint hughe : That vppon a tyme that feynt hughe goyng thoru3 Fraunce was ynned for the tyme in a towne / that is cleped Joye / there come to hym the pariffhe preeft of the town / the whiche was an olde man and a reuerent in fight and clere / and wonder lene for grete penaunce doynge for his fynne / as it was fup^ pofid and where of it foloweth after in proceffe / the whiche I take as in fchorte wordes to oure purpos r and the felfe preeft tolde of hym felf in this manere : When I was 3ong / he feide / and was made preeft but neyther 3eres nor maneres acordynge to that worthy degree / thorugh temptacioun and fterynge of the feend I fel in to a greet deedly fynne r in the whiche fynne I contenued with oute contricioun and confeffioun / that is horryble to here r fo as I was pollute in body and foule / and gooftly blynd and feke in the feith / I vfed to fynge my meffe boldely and dredde not to trete and receyue that worthi facrament of criftes precious flefche and blode. And vppon a day / as I was at my meffe in tyme of confecra; cioun / fel to my mynde the grete horrible fynne that I
314 DC facramento
hadde fo longe tyme contenued inne r and amonges othere wrccchid thou3tis of my blynde herte / I thou3t in this manere : Loord / whether that precious body in flefche and blood of my lord Jefu / that is clepid bri3tnes of euerlaftynge lyf/ and that goodly mirrour of the god* hede with oute wemme / is now made / treted / and receyued verreyly of me / fo foule and abhomynable fynner. And fo hauyng in mynde fweche vnthrifty thou3tis / when it come to the tyme of the fraccioun / and as the vfe is I hadde broken the hoofte in two / anone frefche blood ran out therof r and that parte that I helde in myn honde was turned in to flefche and all ouer wette with reed blood r and therwith I / feynge al this / was al aftonyed and abafchid and wel nere oute of my witte and / fo as forlofte the counfele of al refoun / alle that I helde in mync handes I lete falle downe in to the chalice. There was than to fee / and 3it now is / a wonderful myracle : that is to feyne wyne turned openly to mannis fight in to blood / and brede in to flefche / declarynge expreffely the foorme and the foothneffe of that bleffid facrament. Fur* thermore / he feide / whan I fawe thefe manere of likneffis abyde ftille / with oute anye turnynges or chaungynges / I durfte no more touche hem / but priuely I hilede the chalice with the patene and the patene with the corporafe. And after the meffe was done and the peple awey pafiede / I fette the chalice with the holy relyques / that 3it in to this daye beeth contenede therynne / in a convenient place befyde the awtere / with due reuerence to be kept. After this I went to the pope and made to hym myne confeffioun r with fothfaft tellynge of al the cafe byfore* feide / and of al my fynne. And after he hadde enioyned me penaunce and dewe fatiffaccioun / he affoillede me / and let me goo. And fo aftir the myracle puplifched and
Corporis Chrifti 3T5
knowen there comen fro dyuers contrees mykel folk to fee tho precioufe relikes r with grete reuerence magny* fieng oure loord Jefu / that alone wircheth fuche hye merveyles.
C And than at the ende / the forfeide preeft preyde the clerkes of feynt hughe / to the whiche he tolde all the for* feide tale / that they wolde alfo telle it to hym / fo that he my3te be holpen as anentes god thoru3 his holy prayers. And whanne they hadde fo done / fuppofynge that he wolde with a grete deiire haue gone forto fee the forfeide merveyles / he anfwerde in this manere fentence that is worthely to be noted touchynge the feith of this holy facrament : Wele / he feide / in the name / lete hem haue to hem felf tho tokenes of her myfbileue. What is that to vs of thefe thinges r whether we / that euery day feen with the treweft ynnere fight of oure foule alle holy and fully this heuenly facrifice/ hauen in merveyle the par* tyculers ymages of this ^ifte of god / as who feith nay ? But lette hym goo fee tho litel fmale porciouns therof with his bodily ey3e / that feeth not alle the hole with his ynnere goftely ey3e. And whan he hadde thus feide / 3euynge his bleffynge to the preoft at his goyng/ after* ward he reprehended his meyne of here curiofite r and not only ftabled hem in byleue / but alfo declared opynly that thoo thinges that oure feith techith vs fchulde be vnderftonde and holde more certeynly of trewe byleuynge men than thoo thinges that this erthely light by refoun fcheweth to bodily fight. Thus oure loord of his fpecial grace by opoun myracles and merueyles / fchewed in this bleffid facrament / draweth fom folk out of here myfby^ leue and ftableth hem and ftrengtheth in trewe bileue / as hit is now fchewed in tweyne maneres.
C Touch3rnge the thridde caufe of fchewyng myracles <[ jercia
316 De facramento
caufa mira» and merveyles in this bleflid facrament / that is to opvn
« *s I -J
facramTnto Pree^ °f tne grete vertu therof in delyueraunce of peynes and fauynges fro bodily mefchief and gooftly / Seint
C Greg= Gregory tellith in his d}^aloges and alfo in a Omeleye
^T1"8' vppon that gofpel of luke 5V <7///s venit ad me i <2fc. how
quodam there was not longe bifore his tyme a man taken by
a vinculis enemyes and lad in to fer contreyes / and there leyde
virtute m prifoun and fette in hard bondes longe tyme r and after
facrehoflie. many dayes his wyf / that herde na more of hym and fuppofed that he had be dede / lette fynge euery wyke ones a meffe / and offred the facred hoofte for his foule r and alfo ofte as tho mefles were fo done for his foule / fo ofte tymes his fetres and bondes were loofed in that prifoun. For longe tyme after / whan he was delyuered out of prifoun and come home in to his owne contrey / he tolde his wyf with grete merueylle / how that certeyn dayes euery wyke his bondes were loofed and vndone. And his wyf / befily acountynge and notynge thoo felf dayes / vnderftood wele and hadde knowleche that as ofte as fche lete offre the facrede hooft for hym / fo ofte was he loofed and his bondes vndone. And thanne the forfeide feynt Gregor concludith in this fentence : Wherfore / dere bretheren / herof in certeyn confideracioun taketh and gadreth in to 3our mynde of the facrede hooft / that is offred of vs : how moche hit may in oure felf vnbynde the gooftly bonde of oure herte / fithen that hit oflfrede of oon man was of fo grete vertue that hit myghte loofe in anothere the bonde of his bodye. Wherfore moche oweth euery preeft to loue forto fynge his maffe ofte Tithes / and forto difpofe hym therto by clene lyf and con* tricioun and confeffioun.
C De C To the felf purpos alfo the forfeide feynt Gregor
mari fal<m tellcth in that book cleped Dyalogus i how vppon a tyme
Corporis Chrifti 3T7
whan a bifchope was in the fee toward Rome / and there uato virtute
came vppon hym fo grete a tempeft that he was in facrehoi^e-
defpeyre euere to fcape and come to lande / the fchip*
man that was in a litel bote folowynge the fchippe / after
that the rope wherwith the boot was bounden to the
fchippe by violence of that tempefte was broken / fodenly
with the felf boote he was fo cafh amonges the wawes of
the fee that the biffhop fawe no more of hym. And after^
ward whan the biffhoppes fchippe after many periles was
dryue to lande in a certeyne lie / the thridde day he
wente by the fee fide befily lokynge whether he my3te
haue feyn of the bote or of the fchipman byfore feide.
But whan he my3te nou3t fee of hem in any partie of
the fee / fuppofynge that the fchipman was drowned and
deed / hauynge greet forwe for hym he lette fynge a mafle
and offre the helefulle facrifice of goddes body for the
affoillynge of his foule. And afterward / in the felf
fchippe reftored / he took the fee toward Itale r and whan
he came to the hauene of Rome / there fodeynly he fonde
alyue the forfeide fchipman that he wende had be dede r
wherof gladde and ioyfulle / he aiked hym in what manere
he my3te lyue fo many dayes in fo grete perile of the fee.
And he anfwerde and tolde how ofte fithes in the floodes
of that tempefte he was caft vp and downe / now aboue
the bote ml of water and now vnder r and at the lafte /
what for trauaylle and what for faftynge / whan he was fo
ouercome and nere dede that he wifte neyther forfothe
whether he flepte or woke / fodeynly hym thou3t that one
appered to hym in myddes of the fee and $af hym brede
to etc r the whiche alfo fone as he hadde eten he toke
ftrengthe : and fone after in a fchippe that came therby
he was taken and brou3t to lande faaf. And whan the
biffhop hadde aiked of hym and vnderftande the day in
318 De facramento
the whiche he hadde refceyued the forfeide brede and was refrefched / than knewe he well that it was the felf day in the whiche he lete the preeft fynge for hym and oflfred the facred hoofte in the forfeide yle for his foule.
C Thus fcheweth oure loord openly by myracles and merveyles the fouereigne vertu of this bleffid facrament r and that not only in helpynge and fauynge of men alyue / as it is now here byforefeide / but alfo / that is more to charge / in loofyng and vnbyndynge of foules hens paffid out of the fyre and the peynes of purgatorie / as the felf feint Gregor telleth in the forfeide book pleynly of a monke that for the fynne of proprete was in the peyne of purgatorie r and after that the facrede hofte wras oflfrede for hym thritty dayes / he was relefed and de^ lyuered out of peyne. And alfo how another foule was delyuered out of peyne by vertu of that bleffid facrament offred for it alle the dayes of a wyke.
C And here mowe we feen open preef of the paffynge profite and vertu of fpecial meffes done and fongen bothe for quyke and for dede. For as the felf feint Gregor feith / the holy facrede hofte fyngulerly and fouereignly helpeth to vnbynde oure foules fro fynne / and mod principally plefeth the kyng of heuene and maketh hym fawht to vs whanne he cometh to deme vs r fo that it be offred with teris of compunccioun / and clanneffe of herte. For he that in hym felf ryfmge fro deeth fchal neuer dye r }it by this bleffid hoofte in his myfterie fuffreth oft for vs. For as ofte as we offren to hym the hoofte of his paffioun / fo ofte we maken newe to vs his paffioun to oure vnbynd^ ynge fro fynne. Thus oure lorde Jefu / fulle of mercye / and fchewyng to vs fouereynly his endeles mercye in makynge and 3euynge of this moft precioufe gooftly mete of his bleffid body / worcheth in dyuers maneres / as it is
Corporis Chrifti 319
feide / his merveyles and myracles openly fchewed in this excellente facrament and 3it conteyneth priuely and won* derfully there he voucheth faaf in hem that by trewe byleue and loue dreden hym. But this loue and drede wanteth many grete clerkes / the whiche leuen fo mykel vppon her owne kyndely refoun and the principles of philofophie / that is mannis wifdom grounded only in kyndely refoun of man / that they wole not leue the trewe feith taught by holy chirche of thes bleffed facrament r and therfore they fele not the fothfaft confortable effecte of the merveylous myracles byforefeide / neyther opoun nor pryue / touching this holy facramente. Wherfore mychel folk is deceyued in that partie that rather 3euen credence to that a grete clerk techeth acordynge to kyndely refoun / than to that holy chirche techeth here of onely in byleue aboue refoun. For there may no man fonnere erre in byleue of the facramentis of holy chirche / and fpecially in this hye wonderfulle facrament of criftes precious flefche and blood / than may grete clerkes but they haue grace of trewe mekeneffe and loue drede / wherby they leue her owne witte and kyndely refoun and fubmytte hem lowly by trewe byleue to the doctryne of holy chirche. That grace god graunte vs fpecially of his grete mercy in thefe lafte dayes that bene / as hit femeth / nygh to the comynge of antecrift and his dik ciples r the whiche fchulle principally fonde to deftroye the trewe feith of his bleffid facrament r and that by grete clergie of mannis cunnynge / and by merueyles and C Mor. myracles worchyng / as feint Gregor in his morales vppon *f jJJk xlo that word of Grid in the gofpel / fpekynge of antecrift and C Surgent his difciples / feith in this fentence : There fchole rife vp falfe criften men and falfe prophetes / and thei fchole fchewe and worche grete fignes and wondres r in to fo prophete.
320 De facramento
muchc that they that bceth goddis chofen folk / if it may be / fchole be brou^t in to errour. Sothely / feith feint Gregor / now oure trewe martires worchene merueyles
c> J
what tyme they fuffren turmentis and peynes / but thanne / that is to feie at the comynge of antecrift his difciples / whanne they }eue turmentis and peynes they fchole alfo therwith worche merueyles. Lete vs thanne thinke and haue in mynde what temptacioun of mannis thou3t that fchal be / whan the meke martir fubmytteth his body to tormentis / and neuertheles the turmentor byfore his ey3en worcheth myracles. Whos vertu fchal than be fo fadly grounded in byleue that ne he fchal be meued in his thou3t what tyme he feeth that he that tormentith alfo therwith by fignes and tokenes opunly fchyneth ? For thanne fchal antecrift be hye in worfchippe by merueyles worchynge / and harde and fcharpe by cruelte of tur* mentynge.
C Thefe ben the wordes of that holy doctour feint Gregor / and many mo / fpekynge of the wonderful myght of antecrift and his difciples r and the grete temptacioun that fchal be in that tyme of criften men. And it is likly by refoun that as the mofte confort of oure criflen byleue ftant in the moft excellent facrament of criftes body / fo antecrift and his difciples fcholen principaly worche in to deftruccioun firft of the trewe byleue of this bleffid facra* ment in the forfeide tweyne maneres / that is to feie : by clergie and euydence of worldes kunnynge acordynge to naturel refoun / and by merueyles and myracles worch* ynge in falfe decepcioun. And of the firfte manere worchynge / we haue feyn in oure dayes how the difciples of Antecrift / that ben cleped lollardes / hauen made moche diffencioun and diuifioun in holy chirche / and putte many men in to errour of this bleffid facrament by
Corporis Chrifti 321
the falfc doctrync of her mayfter r the whichc thoni3 his grete clergic and kunnynge of philofophye was deceyued in that he 3af more credence to the doctrync of Ariflotil / that ftant only in naturel rcfoun of man / than he dide to the doctryne of holy chirche and the trewe doctourcs thcrof touchynge this precioufe facramcnt. For Ariftotel tccheth / as kyndely rcfoun acordeth / that the accidentes of brede or wyne / that is to feie the colour / the fauour / and fo forth of other / mowe not be but in the fubftaunce of breed or wyne after her kynde. But the doctryne of holy chirche is : that in this blefiid facrament by fpecial myracle of god aboue kynde the colour / the fauour / and other accidentes of breed and wyn been there with oute here kyndely fubiecte / that is to feie with oute the fub* ftaunce of breed and wyne that was byfore the confecra* cioun. And for as meche as this doctryne of holy chirche is a3enft the principles of philofophie / that is naturel fcience r therfore the forfeide maifter of lollardes re* prouede hit and fcornede hit : and fo he errede hym felf and made many othere to erre touchingc the byleue of this holyeft facrament / the whiche 3cue more credence to hym for the opynyoun of his grete clergie / than to the trewe doctrync of holy chirche. And thus $it in oure dayes hath antecrift wroujt in the firfte manere byforefeide by this falfe maifter of lollardes / and many othere of his dif* ciples / into deftruccioun of trewe criflen byleue touching this bleffid facrament of criftes body / and many other poyntis a3enft holy chirche / with oute the fecounde manere / that is to feie worchinge of merucylcs and myracles. For and antecrift had in hem hadde fo grete power that they haddc with here rcfouns alfo wrou3t merucyles and myracles / hit haddc be likly that holy chirche / and the trewe byleue fpccially of this bleffid
Y
322 De fa cram en to
fncramcnt / in grctc partic haddc be dcftroycd for the vnflablcncs of the moftc partic of the peple r notwith* flandyngc the grete mcrvcylcs and myraclcs / many and fele / that oure lord hath fchewed here bifore in this holy facrament / as it is feide / to (Ircngthc vs and dable vs in trcwc bylcuc that holy chirchc hath taw}t vs thereof. In the whiche bileue by rcfoun we fchulde be fo fadly fettc that after the fcntcncc of the apoftlc poule : Thogh ther cam down an aungel fro hcucnc and tau]te the contrarie / we fcholde not 3cuc credence to hym / but holdc hym as curfed. But footh it is that there may none trcwc aungel techc the contraryc of the byleue of holy chirchc r and therforc he that fo dooth is the aungel of Sathanas and not of god / as bene allc the falfe lollardes that now benc / the whiche haue ncyther trewc drcde / nor parfite loue of oure lord Jefu r and therforc they fele not the goodly fwctncs of this heucnly mctc of his precious body in the likyngc myndc of his mcrveyles fchewed in that blcffid facrament. But we that thoru} grace danden in trcwc bylcuc / as holy chirche hath taw3t vs / of this fouereyn holycft facrament / with godly likynge of foule haue we in mynde not only the merueylcs and myracles wryten and prcched of that holy facrament in dyuers mancrcs fchewed / as it is bifore fcide r but alfo confidrc we how that oure loord Jefu of his vnfpekable goodneffe fchewed to mankynde / he 3eueth hym fclf to vs euery day bodily in that precious facrament / as in a conclufioun and mod fpecial mynde of all his blefiid lyfe to fouereigne confort and help of oure wrecchid lyfe r the whiche is mile of temptaciouns and oucr fette with manye cnemyes. Wher* fore hit is fpedefull to vs contynuely to crye after help of the foueryn vertu of this bleffid facrament by the wordcs that holy chirche fyngeth in the ympne of this
Corpons Chrifti 323
facrament / thus : O thou heleful hooflc / that opened the C O dore of heucne / the bataylcs of oure enemyes opprcffen ^1S hoi and ouerfctten vs r whcrfore ^eue vs flrengthe of with* dandynge and brynge vs thi helpc to here oucrcomynge / alfo to withdondynge of temptaciouns and oucrcomyngc of vices / to gct3^nge of vertues and cncrecs of fcruent affecciouns in the loue of oure loord Jefu.
4[ As for a full ende of alle his blefiid lyf byforc writcn / here foloweth a fchort devoutc preyere to hym / and his blefiid body in the facrament of the awtere r the whichc owcth to be feide in prefence of that holy facrament at the maffe with inward deuocioun.
I"W~ Eyle / holyed body of oure lord Jefu crid / I that art now fothfadly conteyned here in this mod excellent facramente ! I know* M leche the myne lord god with my mowth r I loue the with all my herte r and I defire the with all the ynward affeccioun of my foule. I befeke the / fwcte Jefu/ that thou vouche fauf of thyne fouereyn goodneffe this day fo benignely and gracioufly to vifite my feke foule / defirynge to receyue the goodly / oure heleful facrifice and welle of alle graces / that I may with glad* ncs fynde medicyne and hele in body and foule by vertue of thi blcffid prefence. Beholde not/ lord Jcfu/ to myne wickedneffcs and manyfolde necligences and myn grete vnkyndeneffe / but rather to thyne fouereyn mercy and endeles godencffe. Sothely thou art that holy lambe with oute wemme of fynne / that this day art offred to the eucrladyng fader of heuene for the redempcioun of all the world. O thou fwetted manna / aungcls mete ! O thou mod likynge goodly drink / brynge in to my inward mowth that hony fwete tade of thyne heleful prefence. Kyndele in me the feruour of thyne charite r quenche in
Y 2
324 De facramento Corporis Chrifti
me all manerc vices r fchedc into me the plente of vcrtues r cncrcfe in me the jiftes of grace r and 3eue me hclc of body and foule to thi plcfyngc. My god / I befeke the that thow wille fo gracioufly bowe the / and fro thi hye heuene nowc come downc to me / that I / knytte and ioynede to the / be made oon fpirit with the. O thou worfchipfulle facrament / I befeke the that alle myne enemycs be putte awey fro me by the ftrengthe of the / and allc my fynnes forjcucn / and alle wickednefle be excluded by the bleffid prcfcncc of the. Goode purpos / loord / thou }eue me r myne mancrcs thou correcte and amende r and alle myne werkes and dedes thou difpofe in thy wille. My wittc and vnderftandynge by the/ fwete Jefu / be made here clere with a newe light of grace r myn affeccioun be cnflawmcd with fyre of thi loue / and myn hope confortcd and ftrcngthed with this bleffid facrament : fo that my lyf here profite euer in amendement to bettir r and at the lafte fro this wrccchid world with a bleffid departynge that I may come with the to lyf euerlaftynge. Jcfu lorde by vcrtu and grace of thy lyf bleffid with owte endyng. Amen. Amen. Amen.
EXPLICIT SPECULUM VITE CHRISTI COMPLETE.
C Jefu lorde thy bleffid lyf helpe and conforte oure wrecchid lyf.
C Ifte liber tranflatus fuit de latino in anglicum per dominum Nicholaum louc / Priorem Monafterij de Mountc grace / ordinis cartulieniis.
GLOSSARY
ABoueforthe, above, 138. About, occupied, busy, 93, 159. Abreyde, to upbraid, -2.2,6. Accorde, to reconcile; to agree,
16, 17.
Adradde, adred, afraid, 87, 155. Affectuosly, affectionately, 269. A5eynseye, to gainsay, oppose, 15. Algate, always, 20. Allone, only, 169. Alther, of all, 14. Altherb^est, highest of all, 28. Anemptes, ancnt, concerning, \ 2. Anentysche, to make (oneself) of
no account, 43, 81. Appaie, to requite, 84. Apte, fitting, suitable, 247. Architryclyne, the ruler of a feast,
106, 107. Arette, to attribute or ascribe to,
30, 104.
Arte, to constrain or cramp, 239. Aseeth, satisfaction, reparation, 220. Askes, ashes, 298. Aspie, to espy, look after, watch,
76, 129.
Assoille, to absolve, 180. Astonyed, astonished, surprised, 26. Attentely, attentively, 259. Auter, altar, 61. Avisement, thought, consideration,
3°-
Avoutrie, adultery, 41. Awmenere, almoner, 57.
Anker, a covering or rug for a bench or chair, 98.
Baptcme, baptism, 54.
Barme, bosom, 21.
Bede, to bid, ask, 117.
Benefice, benefit, 43, 55.
Bigge, to buy, 58.
Bihight, promised.
Blabering, speaking foolishly, 217.
Blowyng, boasting, 101.
Boistous, hard, Jiarsh, 106.
Borde, board, table, 105.
Bostousnesse, roughness, 133.
Bourdynge, jesting, 173.
Brent, burnt, 114.
Brisour, bruise, 230.
Brosure, bruise, 237.
Bustous, rougli, hard, 25, 69.
Buxome, obedient, 28.
Buxumnesse, obedience, 64.
Byheste, a promise, 149.
Byhi^t, promised, no. So By-
hoten, 148.
Bynetheforthe, beneath, 138. Bythenke, to betliink, 40.
CAn, /o know, have knowledge of, 88.
Careyne (carrion], a dead body, 178. Chargeant, burdensome, 37. Charre, rz domestic service, 83. Chas, chose, 49.
Cherc, countenance, face, 24, no. Chere, c/rar, beloved, 24, 73. Chese, to choose. Cheueteyn, chieftain, 103. Circumsided, circumcised. Circumspecte, watc/ifu/, 134. Clepcn, to c«//, name.
326
Glossary
Clergial(ly, learned(ly, 128, 165.
Clergie, learning, 320.
Clippe, to clasp, embrace, 37.
Close, to enclose, 293.
Closere, an enclosed space or place, 46.
Combre, to encumber, 115.
Compuncte, affected with compunc tion, 1 68.
Comune, publicity, 112.
Conclude, to overcome in argument, to silence, 94, 120.
Conge, to bid farewell to, 255.
Contenaunce, content, satisfaction,
63-
Contrariete, contrariness, opposi tion, 1 08.
Contrarious, contrary, 16.
Corone, a crown ; to crown, 35.
Couenable, proper, fitting, 84.
Couetise, greed, cupidity, 7.
Cracche, manger, 46.
Cure, care, (spiritual) charge, 103, 156.
Curiosite, daintiness, fineness, 68, 69.
Curious, dainty, fine, rich, 69.
Customable, customary, usual, regular, n.
Customably, according to custom, usually, commonly, 101, 163, 180.
DEfaute, defect ; lack, 105. Delices, delights, 272. Deme, to judge, 120. Demere, a judge, 93. Demynge, judgement, 164. Departe, to divide, separate, part,
12, 25.
Derworthe, fl^ar, beloved, 23. Derworthely, dearly, lovingly, 37. Despite, injury, 81. Despoyle, to despoil, deprive, 139. Deynte, delicate, 149. Deyntethe, agreeableness, 300.
, to prepare, make ready, to dress (food, etc.), 39, 96, 251.
Discater, to scatter, 233. Disese, to trouble, 41. Disesy, troublesome, 37. Disparkle, A; disperse, scatter, 273. Dobeler, « platter or dish, 199. Dome, judgement, 13, 163. Domesman, a judge, 82, 104. Drenche, to drown, 144. Dromonde, a came!, 55. Dure, to /<7S/, endure, 296. Dwere, doubt, 170. Dyke, a <///c/j, 245. Dyuersorie, « place to which one goes for shelter, 46.
EDicatyffe, instructive, 158. Efte, again, 95. Eleuate, exalted, raised, 58. Elles, e/S£, otherwise, 129. Entencion, mental application, atten
tion, 92.
Ententiily, attentively, 40, 76. Estyme, /o estimate, 121, 142. Euene, equal, 50, 87. Excite, to restore to consciousness,
246.
Excusacioun, release, 152. Exequies, funeral ceremony, 167. Eyled (ailed), caused, 77. Eysel, vinegar, 242.
FAlle, to />^/rt//, happen, 168. Fantasme, « spirit, phantom, 144.
Eele, many, 59. Felly, craftily, 193. Fenne, ./Z///2, ^/r/, 229. Ferf>r, 25.
Ferforth, to « definite degree. Fette, to fetch, 127. Ficche, to fix, 237. Flode, a river, 72. Florae, a stream, river, 72. Folye, foolish, 182. Foredo, to destroy, 16. Forfete, to do wrong, sin, 16, 18. Forleder, leader, 56.
Glossary
Forthinke, to repent, 191. Forthy, for tliis reason, 59. Foundement, foundation, 82. Frote, to nib, 129. Fructuous, fruitful, instructive,
100, 115. Fulfille, to fill to the full, 38.
GAn, began, 94. Gladed, made glad, 38, 63. Glotenye, gluttony, 132. Glottery, gluttony, 131. Gnarre, a snare, 137. Gouernayle, government, guidance,
„ J59-
Greuouste, grievousness, heinous- ness, 176. Ground, foundation, 34, 104.
Grounde, to establish, found, 9, 33-
H
Alf, halue, side-, part, 146, 249. Harneis, equipage, equipment,
Mele, to hide, cover, 45, 90. Helynge, covering, roof, 116. Herbergere (harbinger], one wJiosc special duty it is to provide lodging,
85-
Herborwe, lodging, shelter, 4.6, 59;
to harbour, lodge, 74. Hi;e, to raise or exalt, 81. Hile, to cover (cf. Hele), 254. Hirdemen herdsmen, 54. Homely, familiarly, 120. Hope, /o think, believe, expect, 75,
82.
Horribilite, Jiorribleness, 178. Hospitale, « hostelry, 77. Hosiery e, « hostel, 188.
I Del, idleness, 78. Illude, to woc£, deride, 232. Illusioun, scorn, mockery, 235. Importable, unbearable, 145. Infect, steeped, tainted, 70. I -now, enough, 123.
JActaunce, < Jangclcre, 27, 48.
42.
talker,
327
wrangler,
KAreyne (cf. Carcyne), 179. Katel (cattle], property, goods,
. 45-
Keuerchief, kerchief, 47. Kindly, 6y nature, naturally. Knovvleche, to acknowledge, 75. Kunnynge, knowledge, 127.
Ewhe, to laugh, 23, i6r. Lavvher, a laugher, 48. Leef, desirous, willing, 116. Lendes, ///^ /o/«5, 237. Lered, learned, 162. Lese, /o /o,sv, 69. Lesynge, lying, nntrutJi, 151. Let, to hinder, prevent. Leue, to believe, 10. Leueful, permissible, 70. Lewd, unlearned, simple. Libelle, a written statement, in. Likynge, pleasant, 133 ; pleasure,
inclination, 135. Longe, to belong, 13, 63. Loue, to praise. Loutynge, bowing, 309. Low, to lower or humble (oneself],
81.
Lowely, humbly, 85. Lynage, Uncage, 46.
MAgge (tales), worthless (s fortes], 208. Maundement, command, command
ment, 14, 282. Mawgrey, /// will, 125. Mawmetrye, idolatry, 44. Mawmette, an idol, 68. Mede, reward, no. Medle, /o mix, 155, 165. Meke, /o humble, 59. Menge, /« ////.v, 71. Merciable, merciful, 227.
328
Glossary
Meyny, retinue, company, 56. Mistermen, workmen, mechanics,
247.
Morteys, mortice, 239. Myche, mykel, much. Mynde, memory, commemoration,
3°3-
Mynistre, a servant, 107. Mysleuynge, misbelief, 130. Mystely, in a hidden or myste
rious manner, 173. Mysterie, (hidden) doctrine, 79, 106.
NAmclichc, chiefly, especially, 48.
Nedy, bound, obliged, 60. Nemened, mentioned, 312. Nempned, named, n, 100. Nere, were not, 209. Nerre, nearer, 91. Nese, wos<", 47. Newely, anew, 251. Ney^hebore, neighbour, 161. Norisshe, to nourish, 132. Notability, cr notable thing, 151. Noujt, wo/, 41. Noye, /o annoy, harm, 242. Noyous, harmful, troublesome, 49,
65-
Nygunrye, niggardliness, 187. Nyh(e, «/gVi, wrar, 46, 72.
O Beys aunt, obedient, 305. Obreydyng, upbraiding, 232. One, /o ««//£, 32, 93. Or, £rc, 25.
Ordeyne, to prepare, 97. Otherwhile, at other times, &•$, 101. Oujterly, utterly, 97. Outake, except, 22, 129. Owe, /o Ac obliged, 29. Ovvhere, anywhere, 12.
PAie, comfort, satisfaction, 269. Paletike, paralysed, 116. Partyner, partaker, 278. Pasch, paske, Passover, 278-80.
Passyng, surpassing, pre-eminent,
.259- Pilche, <7 cort/ or ro/;^ ;;/«^6' o/ .s^v'w
dressed with the hair, 49. Pistle, epistle, 50. Plenerly, fully, 149. Plente, fullness, abundance, 309. Plenteuous, possessing plenty,
wealthy, 40.
Plenteuously, plentifully, 84. j Preciositc, ^r^a/ wor/A or value,
Precon}^, commendation, 58.
Predicacioun, preaching, 86.
Preue, /o prove.
Priue, private, 24.
Priue, to deprive, 139.
Priuete, privacy; secret counsel, 10,
287.
Proper, (owf's) oww. Propurly, properly, n. Puple, people, 55, 188. Pure, ft'ry ; mere, 60, 66. Purveye, to provide, supply, 96. Py net ulle, hard, painful. Pytte, « />oo/, 126.
R
\blc, /o 5rty rapidly, to gabble,
Rebelle, rebellious, 133.
Recluse, religious, monks or nuns,
92.
Recluse, S//M/ ?//>, 42, 43. Reclusion, the fact of being shut up,
43-
Refete, to refresh, 309. Refourm, to restore (peace}, 121. Refreyn, to restrain, 94. Refute, refuge, 118. Rehete, to comfort, to refresh, 97,
98.
Renoue, to renew, 241. Reward, heed, regard, 118. Rewarde, to regard, 27. Rewme, realm, 86. Richesse, wealth ; riches, 73, 109. Rowne, to whisper, 106.
Glossary
329
S Ad, firm, serious, 86. Sadly, stedfastly, firmly, 80, 272.
Sakcrynge, consecration, 311.
Salue, to salute, greet, 97.
Say, saw, 26.
Schrewe, an evil-liver, sinner, 28.
Schrifte, confession, 114.
Schylde ; God schylde ! God for bid! 78.
Schypherd, shepherd, 49.
Scripture, ivriting, 8.
Secretary, an intimate friend, 218.
Sely, holy, blessed ; simple, 75.
Semblaunt, countenance; appear ance, 27, 264.
Semeliche, seeming, 59.
Sengler, particular, 60.
Sensualit(i)e, perception, sense, the senses, 67, 132.
Sepulture, a sepulchre, tomb, 253.
Seuerynge, a partition, 83.
Sewe, to follow.
Seysone, seizin, sasine, possession, 294.
Side, a shekel, 188.
Signe, to make the sign of the cross over (a person), 252.
Siker, safe, secure, 8 ; to assure,
_I44-
Sikernesse, security, 257.
Singuler, particular, certain, 101. Skape, to escape, 137. Ski Hull, reasonable, 115. Skille, reason, 45, 51. Somere, a summoner, 85. Sothe, sooth, the, or a, truth, 125. Sothen, sodden, boiled, 128. Sothfastness, truth. Sothly, truly. Spedeful, profitable, 143. Spere, to fasten, close, 257, 291. Spices, species, kinds, 132, 133. Spitouse, despiteful, 256. Sprang, shed, 50. Spreyne, to sprinkle, 265. Squeymous, squeamish, fastidious, 48.
Stable, to establish, rest; to
strengthen, n, 142, 272. Stede, place ; preference, 101. Steke, to close, sliut, 242. Stene, a stone jar or pitcher, 106. Step (a mistranslation of L. vesti
gium, mark], 281, 297. Sterynge, stirring, incentive, in- ^ stigation, 134, 313. Stie, to ascend (cf. Upstije), 269. Stoken, closed, shut, 26. Stonen, stone, 52. Stynte, to cease, 256. Subdyte, subject, 45. Sudarye, a napkin, 252. Sufterable, liable to suffer, 52. Sugette, subject, 45. Superflue, superfluous, 53. Suppoayle, support, 47. Sweuene, a dream, 183. Syhe, saw, 23.
TApite, # carpet, 57. Temerarie, £o/W, 93. Tente, //m/, attention, 77. Tentinge, purposing, 159. Terme, s/wo? or period of time, 38. Terme, //;;»V, 132. Termyne, to determine, settle, 17,
19. Thankes (her), q/~ their own will
or desire, 140. They, though, 98. Tother, the other, 125. Trauailous, troublesome, difficult,
65, 143.
Trecchour, a traitor, 139. Tresorie, rt co^r, 58. Trete, a treatise, 165. Triacle (treacle), medicine, 201. Trillynge, shaking, twirling, \ 12. Tristily, trustfully, confidently,
42, 149.
Trone, a throne, 14. Trowed, believed, supposed, 100. Turblynge, turmoil, noise, 92. Turtle, « ofbw, 58.
Glossary
T wynne, to separate, part, 252. Tyraunterie, tyranny, 161.
UNderfonge, to take, receive, 62.
Unhiled, uncovered, 103. Unkede, uncouth, strange, 120. Unkouth, unknown, strange, 46, 68. Unkunning, ignorance, 190. Unmy3te, weakness, 135. Unnethe(s, scarcely, 67, 75. Unsely, wicked, wretched, 225. Untrowynge, misbelief, 40. Untyme, wrong time, 133. Unvvetynge, unaware. Unwitte, want of wit ; folly, 19. Upstije, to ascend.
VIker, representative, vicar, 122. Vileynsly, villainously, 225.
WAke, to watch, 141. Wakkerly, watchful, 224. Wakynge, watching, watch, 143. Wem(m)e, blemish, mark, 199, 262. Wende, supposed, 74. Werne, to turn aivay, refuse, 46. Weryec'e, worried, torn, 114. Wische, wisshe, washed, 119. Wiste, knew.
Withinforth, within, inwardly. Withoutforth, without, outwardly. Wodenes, madness, 41. Wrijte, a carpenter, ivrigJif, 81.
Y
Mpne. a hymn, 190. Ynne, /o lodge, 313.
3
Ede,
'3erde (yard], a garden, 218.
THE END
PRINTED AT THE CLARENDON PRESS
OXFORD BY HORACE HART M.A.
PRINTER TO THE UNIVERSITY
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