GloriouseGloryouse U. maistir, yJ U. praie peeþe U. to answereansuer U. me to my questiouns þat yJ U. desyredisire U. to askeaxe U. to þe worschipeworship U.of godgod f. U. & profijtprofit U. of mennesmen U. soulessoulis U. þat ben not groundlygroundily U. liȝtnedlerned U. in hoolyholy U. writte.writ U.

þeFür þe maister seiþ (answeriþ) jedesmal master in U. maistir seiþ. Ifȝif U. þou askestaxist U. to þe worship of god & profijtprofit U. of mannesmenns U. soule þat desireþdissirit U. to knowe god & his wille, yJ U. schal not be weriwery U. to lere alleal U. suchesich U. þroughþorou U. þe grace þat he hathhaþ U. me lentelent U..

þeFür þe disciple seiþ (axiþ) jedesmal Dyscypil, Disciply u. ähnl. Schreib. in U. disciple seiþ. It is seidesaied U. þat no man woot what god is.Für god is is god U.

þe maistir answeriþ. as mochemyche U. as falliþ man to wite, god is a goostlygostly U. substaunce of so mochemych U. fairenesfairenesse U. & swetnesof swet∣nesse U. þat aungelsaungelis U. þat ben briȝter seuene sithesFür briȝter seuene sithes seuen siþis briȝter U. þan þe sunnesone U. neverneuer U. ben wery ne fulfilledfulfyllyd U. of herhir U. desijredisire U. stidefastlystidfastly U. in hym to biholde.beholde U.

þe disciple axiþ. HowHou U. is it to vndirstondeundirstonde U. þat þre persoonesper∣sones U. in þe trynyteetrynyte U. is ooo U. god?

þe maistir answeriþ. Biholde in þe sunnesone U. þre thingesþingis U.: a firyfiri U. substaunce, a brightbryȝt U. schynyng, & an heete, whiche may noonnoone U. of hem fromfro U. oþer be departed.departid U. in þeþe f. U. firy substaunce is vndirstondeun∣dirstonde U. þe fadir, fader U. in þeþe f. U. brightbryȝt U. schynyng þe sone, & in þe heete þe hoolyholy U. goost.gost U.

þe disciple axiþ. whi is he clepedclepid U. fadir?fader U.

þe maistir answeriþ. For he is welle & bigynnyng,bygynnyng U. out of whom alle thyngesþingis U. proceden,procede U. & þe wijsdomwesdom U. of hym is clepedclepid U. þe sone.

þe disciple axiþ. Whi þe sone?

þe maistir answeriþ. For as brightebryȝt U. schynyng of þe sonne is engendrid in þe sonne,sone U. so is þe sone engendredengendrid U. of þe fadir.fader U. & of boþe forsoþe þe hoolyholy U. goostgost U. is clepedclepid U. loue.

þe disciple axip. Whi hoolyholy U. goost?gost U.

þe maistir answeriþ. For wiþouten eendeende U. of hem boþe he gooþgoþe U. forþforþe U. as a breeþ. bi þilke weyewaie U. þat alleal U. þingesþingis U. werenwere U. firstfirste U. maidmade U. of nought,noȝt U. he is clepedclepid U. fadir;fader U. bi þat weyewaie U. þat alle thyngesþingis U. ben wiselywisly U. keptekept U. fro turnyng to nouȝt, he is clepedclepid U. þe sone; & bibe U. þat weyewaie U. þat alleal U. thingesþingis U. ben enspiredenspirid U. & qwikened,quyckened U. he is clepedclepid U. þeþe f. U. hoolyholy U. goost,gost U. so þat þe fadirfader U. is schaplyschaply bis sone f. U. eendeles myȝty, þe sone eendelessoþe∣fastly endles U. witti,witty U. & þe hoolyholy U. goostgost U. een∣delesendeles U. comfortly & soþlysoþely U. byndyng of al dyuynyte.

þe disciple axiþ. Where dwelliþdwellyþ U. god?

þe maistir answereþ. Þouȝþouȝt U. he be ouer al wiþ his myght,myȝt U. he is substancialy in þe vndirstondingundirston∣dyng U. heuene.

þe disciple axith. what heuenehevene U. is þat?

þe maistir answerep. Þre heueneshevenes U. þer ben: oon bodily, þat we moun se,sen U. anoþiranoþer U. goostly, in whichwhiche is U. goostlygostly U. substauncesubstaunce as U. aungelsaungelis U. dwellen ynne,in U. þe þriddeþrid U. heuene is of vndirstonding,undirstonding U. inin þe U. whichwhiche U. is þe hooly trynyte biholdunbiholden U. of seyntessyn∣tis U. face to face.

þe disciple axiþ. HowHou U. isis he U. god in euery stide al hool & alweyalwaie U. to gidere, & also in no stide to ben?

þe maistir answereþ. In euery stide he is al, for in no stide he is of onyno U. lasse myghtmyȝt U. þan he is in anoþir;ano∣þer U. as myghtymyȝt U. as he is in heuene,heuen U. so myȝty he isFür he is is he U. in helle. to gidere euere he is, for in þe same moment þat he disposeþdisposiþ U. alleal U. þingis inin bis thing f. U. þe eeste he dis∣poseth al thing in þe weste.west U. & þat he is euermore in euery stide, for in euery tyme al þingþingis U. he mesureþmesuriþ U. also þat he is in no stide; for a stidestid U. is bodilybodly U. & palpablepalpabil U. to man, & god is no body to beben U. palpablepalpabil U. to man, for in him we lyuen & dwellen & alalle U. þingþingis U. isis f. U. conteynedcontyned U. in hymhym f. U. [Act. XVII, 28].

þe disciple axiþ. Woot god alle þinges?

þe maistir answeriþ. ȝe, in so mochemyche U. pat alle þinges passed & now present & þo þat ben to come also redy he woot hem, as ifþo U. þei were leidlede U. to fore him. & eererþe U. he maidmade to U. þe world noum∣breþe noumber U. of alle aungels & men, her þewis, willynges, seiynges,seyyngis, þingis U. deedes, & þouȝtes,pouȝt U. as þei weren alle present bifore him, he knowiþ al.

þe disciple axith. What maner wise spekeþ god to aungels or to men?

þe maistir answereþ. To aungels bi diuyne breþing, to men forsoþe bi aungels.

þe disciple axiþ. So as god is wiþoute bigynnyng, isfür is it it is U. it not tofor to U. bileeue þat, bifore þe world was maid,made U. he had a solitarie lijf?

þe maister answereþ. It is writun: þatþat f. U. þat wasis U. in him was lijf [Joan. I, 3, 4], in whom it semeþ eueryeche U. creature euereFür euere to haue ben to haue be euermore U. to haue ben inuysible in predestinacioun of god, which aftirwarde uysible to him creatour schewiþschewid U. apertly in makynge; as as carpenter þat wole bilde an hous, firste he treteþ in his witt how he wole dispose alle þinges to a certeynserten U. schap, which schap aftirwarde riseþ tointo U. a bilding þat stood first in a deepe in witt. þerfore god is seide noon elder þan his crea∣tures, not of tyme, but of dignytee.

þe disciple axiþ. So as godgod is U. wiþoute bigynnyng, where was he, bifore he made heuen & erþe?

þe maistir answereþ. Þe same blisse þat is now in heuene & in erþe was within U. him wiþoutefro þe U. bigynnyng in his siȝt & in his myghte in goostly substaunce, þrouȝ which grete myght he turnede it siþen into bodily substaunce, whanne he ordeynede his paleis of heuene to be fulfilled wiþ angels & men, of whiche he ordeynede bi destyne a certeyn noumbre of manye hundrid þousand to make a companye to him in echynge of more blisse. & þis noumbre he determynede in ten, bi nyne ordres of aungels & þe tenþe of men.

þe disciple axiþ. Whi nyne of angels?

þe maistir answereþ. For þe trynyte þat is in hem in þe noumbre of nyne, þat is þries pre.

þe disciple axiþ. Whi oon of men?

þe maistir answereþ. To make þe ful noumbre of ten & good vnyte bitwene aungels & men, þat ben two pryncipalprincipals U. creatures þat he made euere, þeþat U. toonoon U. spiritual & þeþat U. topiroþer U. corporal, & wole be heryed of boþe.

þe disciple axiþ. Whannewhere U. were aungels maid?made U, Randbemerkung in U: this question is doubtful.

þe maistir answereþ. Whanne it was seide: liȝtliȝt be maid rot unterstrichen in J, f. U., dafür Fiat lux. be maid [Gen. I, 3].

þe disciple axip. Seide god þese wordes?

þe maistir answereþ. Nay, but bi þese wordes is to us schewed her hiȝe kynde, whiles þei ben called liȝt.

þe disciple axiþ. what is þe kynde of aungels?

þe maistir answeriþ. A goostly fijre as þe santer book seith: whichwhich bis fijre rot unterstrichen in J, f. U, dafür qui facit angelos de flamma ignis. makeþ aungels of þe flawme of fijre [Hebr. I, 7].

þe disciple axiþ. Han aungels names?

þe maistir answereþ. So mochemyche U. science is in aungels þat hem needen no names.

þe disciple axiþ. Mighel, gabriel, raphael, ben þese no names?

þe maistir answereþ. It ben raþer tonames þan propre names; forfor bis propre names f. U. þese names casuel alle men putt; for in heuene þei haue no propre names; for þe firste aungel ofof casuel f. U. casuel hiȝtehette U, Randbemer∣kung in U: of Lucifer. satan, þat is to seie: contrarie to god.

þe disciple axiþ. In what þing was he contrarie?

þe maistir answereþ. Whan he say him silf aftir his owne doom passe in beuteherte U. alle þe ordres of aungels, & wolde be euene wiþ god or more.

þe disciple axiþ. In what wise euene or more?

þe maistir answereþ. Bettir a stait þan god had ȝouun him he coueitide & ageynaȝen U. goddis wille toto f. U. be a comaun∣der ouer alle oþer lijk a tiraunte.

þe disciple axiþ. What bifelle þanne?

þe maistir answereþ. Of his paleyspalis U. he was caste out &and wiþ f. U. wiþ him alle his consenteres, & whereFür where firste he was þer as he was firste U. firste he was þe moost faireste washe was U. maidemade U. anoon þe moost fouleste.

þe disciple axiþ. Hadde he witinge bifore of of f. U. his falling?

þe maistir answereþ. Nay forsoþe.

þe disciple axiþ. How longe was he in heuene?

þe maistir answeriþ. Not fully an hour stood he in truþe, but soone aftir his making felle doun. & alle oþer þat hadden liking of his pride & coueitide to haue hiȝer a staitstaat U. prouȝ him fellenand fellen U. wiþ him, summe into helle, þat is a place ferrestferþist U. fro god, þat oo whereowȝwher U. may be, & summe into derke eyre.

þe disciple axiþ. Whi not alle into helle?

þe maistir answereþ. For goode men schuldenschullen U. be purged wiþ hem in wiþstondinge her enticementes.

þe disciple axiþ. Whi mow þei not turne ageynaȝen. bi sum helpe?

þe maistir answereþ. For as no [lijf did entyse]lijf did entyse steht auf einer Rasur in U, f. J, doch ist dafür Raum ge∣lassen. hem, riȝt so it is skilful þat no lijf helpe hem to arisen; for bi her owne propre wille þei chosen þe [yuel];yuel U, f. J, doch ist dafür Raum gelassen. þerfore is bynome hem grace of good wille.

þe disciple axiþ. Whi bouȝte not crist hem aȝen as weel as men?

þe maistir answereþ. Angels weren alle at oo tyme maidmade U. & not of oon aungel, as men ben of oon maidmade U. & borun. þerfore if crist of an aungel schulde take aungelsaungel U. kynde, him aloone bye aȝen &and bis aȝen f. U. oþer leve fulle vnbought; & ȝitt him aloone he myȝte not bye aȝen; for he may not dye & god forsoþe wilwole U. no þing haue for satisfaccioun but deeþ. & aungels moun no deeþ suffre; þerfore þeiþei be U, be von späterer Hand. made U. leften incurable.

þe disciple axiþ. Whi maide not god hem suchesche U (suche von späterer Hand). þat myȝten not synne?

þe maistir answereþ. For riȝtfulnesse, þat sum merijt of hem schulde be þat riȝtfuly myȝte be meded. & forsoþe if þei weren so maidemade U. þat þei myȝte not synne, þei were þanne as boundun,Ibounde U. & þe merijt of hem were not þat riȝtfully schulde be meeded. god þerfore ȝaf hem fre chois to chese wilfully þe good. if þei hadden so doon,Idoon U. riȝtfully in meedinge þei schulden haue vndir∣fonge þat þei schulden neuer haue synned.

þe disciple axiþ. so as god wiste bifore þat suchesiche U. aungels schuldeFür schulde be dampned dampned schulde be U. be dampned, whi wolde he make hem?

þe maistir answeriþ. For worschip of his werk. as a car∣penter leith blak colour besides whijt or reed to make hem þe more preciouse, riȝt so in cumpany of yuele men riȝtful men ben maidemade U. þe more clere.

þe disciple axiþ. Whi made not god oþer aungels in her stede?styde U.

þe maistir answereþ. Oþere aungels myȝte not be maidmade U. in her stede,stide U. but if þei were suchesiche U. þat myȝte not synne as þo þatþat f. U. leften stille in goodnesse, whannewhen U. oþer fellen.

þe disciple axiþ. witen feendes alle þynges?

þe maistir answereþ. Bi þat weye þat þei ben of aungels kynde, þer is moche myche U. science in hem; not for þan alle þinges witen þei not. & in as mochemyche U. as her kynde is more sotil þan þe kynde of men,man U. þei ben more sotil to do eueryeche U. craft þan anyony U. man. þinges þat ben to come þei witenweten U. not but bi weye þatþat f. U. þei gaderen witt of þinges þat be doon bifore & in as mochemyche U. as god suf∣freþ hem. forsoþe þouȝtes & wille of men woot no man but god & hem þat he wole schewe it to.onto U.

þe disciple axiþ. mowen þei do what þei wole?

þe maistir answereþ. Good þingþingis U. moun þei do noon ne haueFür haue wille wille haue U. wille þerto for anyno U. þing. to do yvel þei ben euer redy; not for þan þei mayn mowen U. do no more þan is suffred hem to do bi þe good aungel.

þe disciple axiþ. What seist þou of good aungels?

þe maistir answeriþ. Aftir her prouyng of goodnes þei weren anoon confermed of god þat þei neuer schulden falle ne mow synne.

þe disciple axiþ. What schap haue aungels?

þe maistir answereþ. Forsoþe goddis. as an ymage of wax is preented of a seel, so is þe liknes of god preented in hem.

þe disciple axiþ. What liknes is þat?

þe maistir answeriþ. In þat þei ben liȝt & of no body wiþand wiþ U. al fairenes þei ben aparailed.reparelid U.

þe disciple axiþ. witen þeiþei f. U. alle þinges or mow þei doon?

þe maistir answereþ. Þer is no þing in kynde of þinges þat is hidde to hem, whijle al þing þei biholden in god. & for þei wolen no thing but good þing, þei moun do what þei wolen wiþouten difficulte.

þe disciple axiþ. May not þe cause of yuel men litle þe noumbre of good men?

þe maistir answereþ. Þat þe noumbre be certeynlycerteyn U. ful∣filled in heuene, man is maidmade U. þe tenþe partye.

þe disciple axiþ. Wherof is man al maid?Imade U.

þe maistir answereþ. Of foure elementes and þerfore he is cleped þe lasse world. he haþ of þe erþe fleisch, ofof þe U. watir blood, of þe eire breeþ, & of þe fijrefier U. heete.

þe disciple axip. What ymage and what liknesse?

þe maistir answeriþ. Image in foorme, liknes in qualite eiþir quantite is take. dyuynyte sittiþ in trynyte; þis ymage haþ mannes soule, þat hath memorye, bi which he kan recorde þinges passid & þinges to come; also a soule hath vndirstonding, bi which he vndirstondeþ visible þinges & unvysible; & a soule hath wille, bibi þe U. which he forsakeþ yuel & cheseþ good. in god ben alle vertues & þis likness hath mannes soule; for as god may not be holden fast of mankynde, whijle he holdeþ fast alle þinges, right so &and f. U. a soule of visible creature may not be holde fast, while sche comprehendeþ alle visible þinges; heuene may not wiþstonde a good soule þat sche ne schal trete of heuenly þynges, ne helle may not wiþstonde hir to þinke on yuel helle U. þingis; & þis is a specialsperitual U. substaunce.

þe disciple axip. whi ofof f. U. foule mater maidemade U. god man?

þe maistir answeriþ. To dispise wiþ feendesFür wiþ feendes þe fendis wiþ U. þat þei schulden be þe more confounded, whan man maidFür maid of so brotel & wrecchid mater so britil and wrecchid mater made of U. of so brotel & wrecchid mater schulde entreentre into U. þe ioye þat þei weren cast out of.

þe disciple axiþ. whi maidemade U. god vnskilful beestes, whan man needeþ hemFür hem not not hem U. not?

þe maistir answeriþ. god wiste bifore þat man schulde synne & aftir þat haue neede to hem.

þe disciple axiþ. Made god flyenflies U. & fleen & alle oþer foulefoule f. U. þinges þat ben greuous to man?

þe maistir answeriþ. ȝhe forsoþe, & al to hiȝyngheriynge U. of his ioye. flyes & fleen & oþer suchesiche U. benFür ben maid for foule pride of man for þe foul pride of man ben made U. maid for foule pride of man þat, whan þei styngen him, he schulde bi∣þinkebiþenke U. him weel wiþ how litil þing god may greue & dreede þe more his grete myȝt, as he schewid to kyng farao. it weren not beris & liouns þat destroyeddistriede U. alal f. U. his ooste, but it was foule flyes & gnattes þat slow hem. alleAlso U [so von späterer Hand]. amptes forsoþe & attircoppes & suchesche U [siche von späterer Hand]. oþer þat ben euere bisy to werke,worken U. þei ben maidemade U. to schewe man ensaumple of stodye & labour & dryue þerbi þerbi f. U. awey ydilnesse. & þerfore Von hier an bis S. 18 fehlt der Text der Handschrift U, da sechs Blätter derselben nicht vorhanden sind. al þing þat god maide may pro∣fite to man; in sum werke þat god maide is moche bewtee & sweete sauoure, as roses & floures; in somme is grete medecyne, as in eerbes; in somme is good foode, as in fruytes; in somme ben grete tokenes & signes, as in wormes & briddes. & þerfore alle þinges þat euere god maide ben maide for loue of man, & alle goode & noon yuele ben þerof but for synne.

þe disciple axiþ. where was man first maid?

þe maistir answereþ. In ebron, where aftirwarde he deyede & was buryed; & aftir þat in þe tyme of crist putt into paradijs.

þe disciþle axiþ. what is þaradijs, & where is it?

þe maistir answereþ. A myry place in þe eeste, in which trees of dyuerse kynde growen ynne for to helpe wiþ man: as firste, if a man had ete of a grape in couenable tyme, he schulde neuer haue hungrid, & of anoþir tree, he schulde neuer haue þirsted, & of anoþir tree, he schulde neuer haue be wery, & if he hadde etun of þe tree of lijf not forbodun, he schulde neuer haue eelded, ne were sijk, ne deyed.

þe disciple axiþ. where was þe womman first maid?

þe maistir answereþ. In paradise, of þe mannes syde slepynge.

þe disciple axiþ. whi so of þe man?

þe maistir answereþ. For as of oo fleisch, so bi loue þei schulden be knyt to gidere wiþ oo þouȝt.

þe disciple axeþ. whi weren not alle men þat schulen be saued maide at oones as aungels were?

þe maistir answereþ. God wolde in þat also haue his owne liknes; riȝt as from him came firste alle þinges, so alle men schulde come forth in proces of tyme fro þe firste man & womman.

þe disciple axiþ. whi maide not god hem suche as myȝte not synne?

þe maistir answereþ. For þe more merijt. if þei, whan þei weren tempted, hadden not consented, anoon þei hadden be confermed þat þei ne noon þat hadde come of hem schulde neuer haue mow synned. þerfore god wolde þat þei schulde haue chosun þe goode, & þanne freely þei schulden haue vndirfonge her meede.

þe disciple axiþ. what wise schulde womman haue borun her childe?

þe maistir answereþ. wiþouten ony peyne.

þe disciple axiþ. schulde þe childe haue be as feeble & specheles as it is now?

þe maistir answereþ. Anoon as it hadde be borun, it schulde haue goon & spokun wiþoute lore; & ageyn alle defautes þei schulde haue eten of þe trees of paradijs for good medecyne, & at certeyn tyme of goddis ordy∣naunce eten of þe tree of lijf, & euere aftir haue lyued wiþouten semyng of eelde.

þe disciple axeþ. How longe schulde þei haue be in paradijs?

þe maistir answereþ. til þe noumbre of aungels hadde be fulfilled þat fel out of heuene, & þat noumbre chosun þat was to fulfille, if aungels hadden not falle.

þe disciple axiþ. syen þei god in paradijs?

þe maistir answereþ. bi a schap taken, as abraham, moyses, & oþere profetes.

þe disciple axip. whi disseyuede þe feende hem?

þe maister answereþ. For enuye þat he hadde to man, þat schulde be brought to þat worschip þat him silf same fro for pride.

þe disciple axiþ. whi suffride god man to be tempted, while he wiste bifore þat man schulde be ouercomen?

þe maister answeriþ. god wiste bifore how manye goode þinges schulde come of his synne.

þe disciple axiþ. spak þe addre?

þe maistir answeriþ. Þe feend spak bi þe addre, as he doiþ to day bi a woode man, & bi þe same wise as an aungel spak bi an asse, þouȝ neiþir addre ne asse wiste what wordes þei sowneden.

þe disciple axiþ. was þer kunning of good & yuel in þe appil?

þe maistir answereþ. not in þe appil, but in þe trespasse. bifore þe synne wiste man boþe good & yuel, good bi experience, & yuel bi science.

þe disciple axiþ. schulde yuel men haue be borun in paradise?

þe maistir answereþ. nay, but goode men oonly.

þe disciple axiþ. whi ben yuel men borun now?

þe maistir answereþ. þat goode mennes merijt schulde moost rise bi hem.

þe disciple axiþ. How longe weren þei in paradise?

þe maistir answereþ. seuene houres.

þe disciple axiþ. whi no lenger tyme?

þe maistir answereþ. for anoon as þe womman was maid, soone aftir sche was pryued fro þe grete lordschip þat sche hadde to breke goddes heestis, & leide deeþ bifore hir husbonde, þat was dampned for to moche loue schewynge to hir & to litil to god.

þe disciple axiþ. what was cherubyn or þe fyry swerde?

þe maistir answereþ. þe swerde was þe wal of fire þat closide al þaradijs aftir adams synne.

þe disciple axiþ. whidir wente adam þo?

þe maistir answereþ. Into ebron he turnyde ageyn; þere he was maide & gate sones. & whanne caym hadde slayn abel, bi an hundrid ȝeer wolde he not dele wiþ eue. & for as moche as crist wolde not be borun of þe cursed seed of caym, adam was comaunded bi an aungel to gete mo children of eue. & also y wole þat þou wite pat fro þe deeþ of adam into þe tyme of noe neuer reyn∣ede, ne reynebowe was seen, ne men eeten no fleisch ne drunken no wyne, but euermore was esy wedir, as it [hadde] hadde Randbemerkung J. be bitwixe somer & wynter, & grete plentee was of alle þinges, whiche aftirwarde weren destroyed for mannes synne.

þe disciple axiþ. what synnyde man þus wraþfully to be dryuun out of paradijs?

þe maistir answereþ. for he ȝave more feiþ to wordes of a creature þan to wordes of þe creatour, & so brekynge his heestes & in couetise to be þerwiþ god eete of þe forbodun tree.

þe disciple axiþ. was it so grete a trespas to ete of pat tree?

þe maistir answeriþ. so grete perel it was þat it myȝt not be bouȝt wiþ al þe world.

þe disciple saith. good maistir, preue þat!

þe maistir answeriþ. semeþ it not to þee riȝtful þat crea∣ture schulde obeye to his creatoure.

þe disciple seiþ. no þing more riȝtful.

þe maistir answereþ. þanne sueþ þis þat þe wille of þe creatour is more þan al þe world?

þe disciple saith. ȝhe forsoþe.

þe maistir answeriþ. þanne if þou stoode bifore god & anopir creature þat schulde seie to þee: biholde behynde þee, or al þe world schal spille, & god seiþ to þee þus: y wole not þat þou biholde behynde þee, schuldist þou forsake goddis wille, þat is creatour of alle þinges & ioye of aungels, for to saue þis passyng world?

þe disciple saith. nay forsoþe.

þe maistir answereþ. þus dide adam, þat stood bifore god, biholding þe deuel behynde him, & he dide more synne þan if he had spilled al þis world.

þe disciple axiþ. In what wise telle me more?

þe maistir answereþ. for alle deedly synnes were doon in þis oon pride, in þat he wolde be as hiȝe as god; in unobedience, whanne he brak goddis comaundement, & þerfore alle þinges þat weren first maid obedient to him weren anoon aftir turned fro him in foule couetise, þat is avarice, whanne he coueitide to haue more þan god had gouun him & more þan needide to him; in goostly spousebreche & fornicacioun, whanne he consent∣ide to þe feend so liȝtly to ȝyue him his soule, þat was first spoused to god for þe grete liknes þat god made his soule lijk him silf; in homycide, whanne him silf & al mankynde he slow to deeþ boþe of body & soule, þere god hadde graunted him & al mankynde lijf wiþ∣outen eende & neuer to haue be deedly.

þe disciple axip. was he no þing excusable for þe feendes disseite?

þe maistir answereþ. he was not þe lesse gilty þerfore; for what man biddiþ his seruaunt do a werke þat he may weel do, & þerto scheweþ him a deepe dyke, & warneþ him, who so falleþ þerynne may not arise, & þis seruaunt dispiseþ his maistres wordes, & wilfully goeþ & falleþ into þe dyke, & his maistres worke al vndo, is not þis seruaunt gilty?

þe disciple seiþ. ȝhis forsoþe, of double gilte; oon is þat he dispiseþ his maistris wordes & heelde hem false, anoþir is þat his werke is cleene vndoon þoruȝ his defaute.

þe maistir answereþ. riȝt þus dide adam; he dispiside goddis wordis in þat he heelde hem false & into þe dyke of deeþ he felle.

þe disciple axiþ. In what maner wise bihouyde him make amendes for his trespas?

þe maistir answereþ. þe worschip þat he took fro good he moste ȝelde it ageyn & for þe synne þat he dide make satisfaccion. it is greete riȝt þat he þat takeþ wrongfully anoþir mannes þing fro him þat he make restitucioun of þat þing & also make satisfaccioun for þe iniurie.

þe disciple axiþ. In what wise schulde he make satisfaccioun?

þe maistir answereþ. for as moche as he dide more synne þan al þe world was worth, sum þing more worth þan þe world is he moste paye to god.

þe disciple saith. neuer neiþir herof in ony wise myȝte he do.

þe maistir answereþ. þerfore he bilefte stille in deeþ.

þe disciple axiþ. siþ man wolde haue payed to god & had no myȝt þerto, whi wolde god, þat is al merciful, haue forȝoue it him or ellis take him into ioye suche as he was ynne?

þe maistir answereþ. If god schulde haue lefte his owne honour, bi cause he myȝte not haue had it, he hadde be vnmyȝty, or if he hadde take him up to his ioye a synful man vnponyschid, vnriȝtful he hadde ben to haue brouȝt any vnordynat þing into heuene; but in þe kyng∣dome of heuene is noon vnordynat þing. þanne folowiþ it þat synful man most be ponyschid.

þe disciple axiþ. How is it now þat man is holpen?

þe maistir answeriþ. For as moche as man bi himsilf fille not, but algate bi tysynge of anoþir, it was worþi so, as bi him self he myȝte not & wolde, þat bi anoþir he schulde be holpun & arise up.

þe disciple axiþ. whi sent not god aungel to bere his gilt?

þe maistir answeriþ. If an aungel had bouȝt man agayn, þan moste man haue be his sernaunt. an aungel in his kynde hadde be vnmyȝty þerto; & if it hadde be man aloone, he hadde be of lesse myȝt.

þe disciple axiþ. whi made not god anoþir man of erþe to haue sente him to bye ageyn þat was loste?

þe maistir answereþ. If a newe man god had made & sente, þanne to þe kynde of adam þe redempcioun had not longed; & needes of his kynde moste he be þat for man schulde make satisfaccioun.

þe disciple axiþ. whi sente not god a patriarke or a profete?

þe maistir answereþ. Patriarkes & profetes were conseyued in synne & borun also; & þerfore þei myȝten not bye mankynde.

þe disciple axiþ. good maister, declare me þe cause!

þe maistir answereþ. Forsoþe an aungel schulde not bye mannes gilte, & man aloone myȝte not make satisfaccioun, goddes sone of heuene, bi whom al þing may be doon, he came doun in goddis kynde & toke ful mankynde, & so in two kyndes is maide oo persoone. & in þat þat he was god,Hier beginnt wieder der Text U. he ouercame þe feende, riȝt as þe feende hadde firste ouercome man, & to alle þat were firste predestinate to heuene he openyde heuene & euenede hem to aungels. & þis myȝte god do, bi cause he bicame man; & eche oþir maner doyng to aqwite wiþ mannes gilt hadde be vncouenable.

þe disciple axiþ. How myȝte he be borun of a womman wiþoute synne?

þe maistiransweriþ. god bi oolde tyme made a drye ȝerde bere a floure wiþouten ony humour, riȝt so wiþoute synne or mannes deede he made a virgyne bere ihū crist oure sauyour.

þe disciple axiþ. whanne he was borun aa. f. U. ȝonge childe, wiste he ony þing more þan oþeroþer ȝonge U. children?

þe maistir answereþ. ȝe, alle þinges as verry god, in whom was hid al tresouretresoures U. of wijsdom & of science [Col. II, 3].

þe disciple axiþ. miȝte he go & speke, as soone as he was borun?

þe maistir answereþ. vnmyȝti was he not þerto, but for to be lijklijk bis schewed f. U. mankynde, he schewed lijk oþer children, as he had be vnmyȝty.

þe disciple axiþ. bifillemaster, bifel U. manye merueylesmeruels U. in his birþe?berþe U.

þe maistir answeriþ. ȝe forsope, manye oon: firste a briȝte sterre schoon out in þe eyre in tokene þatþat f. U. þe a U. seynt of alle seintes was comun, which sterre laddeledde U. þeþe f. U. þre kynges to his birþe fro asie,asie and U. affrik, & ethiope, thre þe greteste partisastronomeris [sic!] U. of þis world. also anoþir, a goldun sercle apperide aboute þe sunne in tokene þat þe sunne of riȝtfulnes was comun to ȝyueȝeue U. liȝt to alle þat saten in derknesse & myscheef of deeþ. Also a welle of oyle braste out of þe erþe in tokene þat þe welle of mercy & of grace schulde anoynte alle sijkeseke U. þat cryede to þe childe or to his modir þat was ful of grace. also grete pees was in þis worlde þo in tokene þat þe verry pees apperide here in erþe.

þe disciple axiþ. so as in him was fulnes of godhede bodily & not nedid of more grace þan he hadde, wherto wolde he be baptised?

þe maistir answeriþ. For he wolde schewe to us þat us needeþ blessid watris to oure baptyme.

þe disciple axiþ. whi in watir was he baptised?

þe maistir answereþ. watir is contrarye to fyre.fier U. & what is synne but fyre,fier U. as in a mannes soule is ofte hoote wraþþe in fleisch,fliesche U. is foule & hoote luste? & for þis fijrefier U. schulde be qwenchedqueynt U. in watir, he is baptised

þe disciple axiþ. was he peyneful & deedly?

þe maistir answeriþ. peyneful & deedly to be is peyne for synne, but he wiþoute synne came & lyuyde wiþoute synne; þerfor aftir his owne kynde he was unpayneful & vndeedly, but aftir his owne manhede he wolde for oure loue be boþe peyneful & deedly.

þe disciple axiþ. whi isFür is he wolde he be auf einer Rasur U. he deed?

þe maistir answeriþ. For þe obedience þat menman U. auȝte to god, as it is writun: hehe is maide obedient til to þe deeþ rot unterstrichen J, f. U, dafür factus est obediens usque ad mortem. is maide obedient til to þe deeþ [Philipp. II, 8].

þe disciple axiþ. axedaxed bis deeþ f. U. þe fadir of him deeþ?

þe maistir answeriþ. Nay forsoþe, but he suffride iewes to sle him wrongfully.wrongli U. & to suchsche U [für siche]. obedience was man∣kynde in dette to god, & obedience of eche resonable creature he wolde ȝitt haue þat he schulde be obedient to deeþ of vices.

þe disciple axiþ. what good fadir is þat þat hath but ooone U. sone aloone, & wole se him slayn, & he may lette it? him U.

þe maistir answeriþ. whan god say his noble sone so worþi a werke to wille, to fiȝte wiþ a tiraunte & bynyme him his prisoneres þat he heelde wiþ wronge, he suffride him to dye to haue victorie of þat tiraunte.

þe disciple axiþ. how was þisþe U. goddis riȝtfulnesse þat he þe beste þing þat myȝte be ȝaf for a schrewe?

þe maistir answeriþ. For þe worste þing þat myȝt be disseyuede a meeke man, it was riȝtful þat þe beste man þat myȝte be schulde ouercome þe worste þing & restore þat meke man to his firste fredom. & in þis maner god hath schewed his loue to þe world, & so it is writun: þatþat bis sone rot unterstrichen in J, f. U, dafür vt seruum redimeres, filium tradidisti. þe seruaunt þou schuldest aȝen bye, þou hast bitake þi sone [Exultet, Praecon. paschale].

þe disciple axiþ. whi wolde he dyen on þe tree?

þe maistir answeriþ. For on a tree was first man ouercome, & þerfore þilke euermore on a tree schulde be ouercome aȝenwarde.

þe disciple axiþ. whidirwheder U. wente þe soule of crist anoon aftir þeþe U [von späterer Hand]. deeþ?

þe maistir answeriþ. Into heuenly paradijs, as he seide firste to þe þeef: to day þou schalt be wiþ me in para∣dijs [Luc. XXIII, 43].

þe disciple axiþ. whanne liȝtide he doun into helle?

þe maistir answeriþ. aboute mydnyȝt, whanne he roos on þe morewe.

þe disciple axiþ. whi roos he not fro deeþ to lijf anoon aftirafter deþ U. his deeþ?

þe maistir answereþ. þat iewes schulde not seye he dyede not, but was in turmente of deeþ. & if he a longe tyme aftir had not risun, þe world woldewolde f. U. haue douted weþir it hadde be he.

þe disciple axiþ. where dwellide he fourty dayes aftir his resureccioun, or he steiȝe up to heuene?

þe maistir answeriþ. In erþelyFür erþely paradijs paradijs terestre U. paradijs, as it is moost trowed, wiþwiþ bis ennok f. U. hely & ennok & wiþ hem þat wiþ him arisen up.

þe disciple axiþ. what maner schap say him his disciples?

þe maistir answerþ. as þei were woned to do.

þe disciple axiþ. Apperide he cloþed?

þe maistir answeriþ. he took cloþes of þe eire, & whanne he steiȝ to heuene, þei vanyschiden awey; for him neded noon of hem.

þe disciple axiþ. how ofte apperide he?

þe maistir answereþ. twelue tymes.siþis U. þeon þe U. firste day eiȝte tymes. .i.Die Zahlen stehen in J am Rande.firste to ioseph of armathye in þe prisoun þat he was put ynne for þe kyndenes þat he had biryed him & was for him in prisoun, as þe book of nyco∣deme declareþ. .ij. Aftirafter∣ward U. he apperide to his owne modir, þat was euer wepinge & ful of sorewe. .iij. Þe þridde tyme to marie maudeleyne.maudelen U. .iiij. Þein þe U [þe von späterer Hand]. fourþe tymetyme f. U. to two wymmen þat turneden fro þe sepulcre. .v. Þe fifþe tyme to James, which hadde auouwed neuer toto haue U. ete mete eche oþer day, til he saye him risearise U. fro deeþ to lyue. .vj. þe sixte tyme to petir, as lukeluyk U.witnesseþ, which dwellide euer stille in moche myche U. weepynge. .vij. þe seuenþe tyme in þe weye towarde emaws to two of his disciples. .viij. þe eiȝteþe tyme in þe euentide at þe soper in þe castel of emaws in bre∣kynge of breed. .ix. Also in þe nyneþe day, whanne thomas gropidegrapid U.his woundes. .x. þe tenþe tyme at þe see of tiberiadis.tiberias U..xj. þe enleuenþe tyme in þe mounteynmount U. of galilee. .xij. þe twelfþe tyme, whanne he stiȝestei U. up to heuene.

þe disciple axiþ. Haþ crist now ful ioye in heuene?

þe maistir answeriþ. InIn bis and f. U. sum wise he hath, & in sum wise he haþ not. as to his owne persoone, he haþ ful ioye, & as to his body, þat is hooly chirche, he haþ not ȝitt; for ȝitt vndir his feete ben not alle þinges soget. of iewes forsoþe he is ȝitt al day blasfemed, of heþene men litil maid mad U. of or nouȝt, of eretikes foule gnawun,Ignawe U. & of synful cristun men, þat lyuenleuen U. alal f. U. aftir þe fleisch, foul asteynte of her synne so þat ofof f. U. alle his membres, but it be þe fewer, harde he suffreþ.þoliþ U. & whanne he haþ maidmade U. anan f. U. eende of þis, he schal haue ful ioye.

þe disciple axiþ. so as likness of breed & wyne leueþ stille in þis sacrament, how may it be þat it is fleisch & blood?

þe maistir answeriþ. If þou siȝe in liknesse of fleisch & blood þat blessed sacrament, þou schuldest loþen & ab∣horrenwlaten U. it to resseyue it into þi mouþ. & þerfore þe likness of brede & wyne leueþ stille for þiþe U. more merijte, þat wolt bileeue bi goostly vndirstondinge þat it is oþer þing þan þou seest, & wiþ þat bileeue so turneþ to þeeþi U. beste heele of soule þat may be. for as bodily mete of þe eter turneþ into fleisch & blood, & þe vertu þerof kepiþ þe lijf þat he haþ in þis world, so euery trewe man wiþ etynge of þis preciouse mete. þe vertu þerof ȝyueþ strengthe into mannes soule & makeþ him to come to lijf wiþouten eende; for as a man his heere crucified wiþ crist in forsakinge of alle foule lustes of his fleisch for cristiscristi U. loue & þerto ooneþ his soule wiþ crist wiþwiþ f. U. cleer conciense to resseyue þis þe U. sacrament in memorie of his þassioun, as him silf biddiþ, for þat same good wille crist wole oonen his blissed body to þat soule to lyue wiþ him wiþouten eende.

þe disciple axiþ. what seiste þou of vncleene þreestis þat þresumen to make þis sacrament & disposen hem to noon oþer labour bodily ne goostly, but eche day synge her massemesse U. forVon hier an bis S. 29 fehlt wieder der Text der Handschrift U, da drei Blätter derselben herausgeschnitten sind. her salarie, & þus resseyuen it eche day vnworthily, as me semeþ.

þe maistir answeriþ. What preest he euer be þat lyueþ in vnclenesse, as in leccherye, glotenye, or foule pryde, & leuen þe labour þat crist hem bad, þat is for to preche, vndirnyme þe puple of her defautes, or ellis to schewe hem good ensaumple of trewe lyuyng in kepynge of goddis hestes, y seie þese ben boþe traytours to crist & his crucifiers.

þe disciple axiþ. good maistir, preue þis in more declaringe!

þe maistir answeriþ. Þere preestes schulde synge her masses oonly in remembraunce of cristis bittir passioun, as he bad, & not couenante ony bodily salarie þerfore, & folewe truly þe aposteles & crist in pouert & meeke∣nesse, & euer be redy wiþ cleer doctryne of crist & of alle hooly doctores to vndirnyme þe synnes þat þe puple al day fallen ynne, & doon herof al þe contrarie, þat is to seie, sellen alle þe sacramentes þat schulden freely be ȝouun, as crist comaundeþ, no masse syngeþ but for lucre & hope of grete auaunsementes of lordes or ladies, þat þei wolen preesse to serue hem bifore oþer, & leueþ to preche good lore wiþ mouþ or bi good ensaumple ȝyuynge & al to cacche esy lijf for her fleisch. what may me say of suche vncleene preestis but crucifiers of ihū crist & verry disciplis of antecrist?

þe diciple axiþ. may þe puple bere ony gilt bi hem?

þe maistir answeriþ. It is writun: whannewhanne bis diche rot unterstrichen in J. þe blynde ledeþ þe blynde, þei fallen boþe in þe diche. þe lerid puple, as grete lordes fallen to be leerid & alle oþer þat haue grete richesses of þe world, þat schulden knowe hooly writt & chastise suche preestis boþe hiȝe & lowe aftir goddis ordynaunce & power to hem ȝouun, & wolen not for foule slouþe of hem silf, y noot wheþir schal haue þe harder dampnacioun.

þe disciple axiþ. entreþ goddis body þat is maid sacra∣mently into þe bodies of suche polluted preestes wiþ symonye & also into oþer tirauntes bodies of þis world þat haue lettrure more þan oþer lewde puple & wole not amende hem?

þe maistir answeriþ. Nay forsoþe. no þing entreþ but sauour of breed aloone, which turneþ to hem to schenful doome. & goddis bodi wiþ aungels, þat ben inuisible, is borun up to heuene, & a blak þing lijk a blak seel, þe feend, þat is also inuisible, is caste in to her body, as wit∣nesseþ seint ciprian, þat say such a siȝt at an yuel preestes masse, which siȝt haue ofte parfijte louers or ellis children in cleene innocense.

þe disciple axiþ. Resseyuede not Judas þis sacrament as ferforth as petir?

þe maistir answeriþ. No forsoþe. petir louyde crist & resseyude in sauour of breed þe vertu of crist, þat was grace of sanacioun, & iudas hatide crist & resseyude in sauour of breed his dampnacioun, & þe vertu of þe sacrament lefte in crist stille, while þe feende entride into Judas.

þe disciple axiþ. Is it not for to obeissche & reuerence preestes for her ordres?

þe maistir answeriþ. þat is aftir þat þou knowist hem. whi le þou knowist noon yuel of hem, be þei hiȝe or lowe, obeissche to hem & do reuerence in worschip of crist! & whom þou knowist for yuel, drawe hem not to þee ne come þere he is! for god seiþ bi þe prophete þat he wole curse to her blessynges & blesse to her cursynges.

þe disciple axiþ. Mowe þei bynde & unbynde?

þe maistir answereþ. If þei ben not in opyn doome de∣partid from hooly chirche, þei hem silf ben soore bounden, þei moun vnbynde & bynde, þat is to seie, crist doiþ for hem þat werke, & if þei ben wiþ doome barred & excludid fro þe chirche, þei ben to dispise, as eunuchis weren. As longe as iudas was wiþ þe apostelis & sche∣wide him as a freend, riȝt as oþer aposteles heliden & baptisiden, so dide he, & whanne he was departed, he was an open enemye. riȝt so it is of yuel preestis now. whilis þei ben not departid by opyn doom, þe sacra∣mentes moun be vsed in helpe of þe puple þat haue no knowing of her yuel, þouȝ it be dampnacioun of hem silf. & whanne þei ben sclaundrouse & viciouse, þe hedes of þe chirche schulden chastise hem, and whanne þei doen not, lordes haue power of god to chastise or chace suche preestis as wolues fro scheep & prisoune hem for her uicis, til þei weren, as þei ouȝten to be þat no ruyne of þe puple falle bi cause of hem.

þe disciple axiþ. and whi schulde not oþer men be chastised þat ben opynly false to god & to her euencristen, as false lawiers, & false iurours, & false tirauntes, false spousebrekers, false bacbiters, & lyers, þat ofte vnwor∣þily ben houseled & noon amending han in her lijf?

þe maistir answeriþ. þe hede preestis of þe chirche schulde chastise suche wiþ trewe officeres and par∣fijte lyuers ordeyned þerfore & alle rebel aȝens her chastisement delyuere up to kynges prisonement as for goddis enemyes.

þe disciple axiþ. me þinkeþ þat so it were beste, but whi is it not so?

þe maistir answeriþ. þe hedes of hooly chirche ne her officeres neiþir ben cleer fro viciouse lyuyng, & þerfore al þe puple boþe gentiles & comuns moun seie to hem: blynde leches, heeleþ first ȝoure silf!

þe disciple axiþ. Alas, who myȝte beste amende þis?

þe maistir answereþ. þe emperour of rome wiþ helpe of oþer cristen kynges myȝten redresse þis bi power þat god haþ ȝouun hem, as hooly writt & doctours witnessen in many a place; for chyualrie is sworun to mayntene hooly chirche & make hedes & vndirofficeres of hooly chirche to rule riȝtfully þe cristen puple wiþ due pre∣chinge & good ensaumple ȝyuyng of hooly lijf, as dide þe hedes of hooly chirche, þat wasHier beginnt wieder der Text der Handschrift U. ihū crist & his apostelis.

þe disciple axiþ. what lettiþ now men þat schulden be hedes & officeres of hooly chirche to do her due office?

þe maistir answeriþ. grete possessiouns of temperaltees, þat weren firste graunted in helpe of hooly chirche to susteyne wiþ þe pore þat may no þing laboren, ben now cauȝt to hem silf in feelynge of so grete welþe þat þei fallen in to grete pride þat þei knowen not hem silf ne þe lore of pouerte þat crist hem tauȝte.

þe disciple axiþ. Allas, who myȝte beste amende þis?

þe maistir answeriþ. I woot no þing þat myȝte amende þis but god him self; for þe neer [þe]þe f. J, steht aber in U. eende of þe world, schal antecrist haue gretter & gretter clerkes & riccher & riccher clerkes, lordes, peeres to his disciples to be strong y novȝ to mayntene al þis errour.

þe disciple axiþ. schal antecrist haue manye discyplis, eeror U. he be born?

þe maistir answeriþ. ȝe, manye hundrid þousand & euer∣more þe grettest clerkes firste.

þe disciple axiþ. whanne bigynnen þei to rise firste?

þe maistir answeriþ. whanne prelates of hooly chirchecherche U. ben so weel dowidendwid U. wiþ possessioun þat þei ben lordes, peeres of þis world. þanne schulen þei wraþþe wiþ alle hem þat prechen of cristcristis U. pouerte & namely wiþ hemsiche U. þat moost dispisen þis world.

þe disciple axiþ. what schal antecrist, þat is hede of so grete noumbre ofof his U. disciplis doen, whanne he comeþ firste a place?

þe maistir answeriþ. conferme bi myraclis schewing al þat his disciplis haue prechid bifore aȝen aȝens U. cristis lore þat is weel prechid.

þe disciple axiþ. schulen clerkes haastily falle to him?hem U.

þe maistir answeriþ. moche Miche U. sonner þan oþer lewde men; for his lawes schulen so so f. U. be borun up wiþ hedis of hem þat schulden be of hooly chirche & so so of U. grete peyne sett to hem þat ageyn wiþ U. seien seiþ U. hem þat goddis lawis schulen be borun al doun. a doon U.

þe disciple axiþ. Allas, þat so mochemyche U. harm schal falle to hooly chirche for pride & welþe of þis world!

þe maistir answeriþ. crist haþ warned al cristen puple bifore in his gospel to be ware y nouȝ of such siche U. mys∣cheefmescheues U. & seiþ þus: whanne ȝe seen abhomynacioun of discomforte þat is seid of danyel þe prophete stond∣ynge in in þe U. hooly place, who þat rediþ, rediþ it U. vndirstonde he [Matth. XXIV, 15], þanne schal be tri∣bulacioun so moche myche U. þat neuer was such siche U. bifore ne aftir efter U. schal be [Matth. XXIV, 21]. & in anoþer place he seiþ þus: manye schulen come in my name, seiynge, y am crist, & manye Für manye þei schulen disseyue þei schulen disseyue manye U. þei schulen disseyue. [Matth. XXIV, 5.]

þe disciple axiþ. declare me þat abhomynacioun of discom∣forte þat þanne U. danyel seide!

þe maistir answeriþ. what is more abhomy∣nacioun or discomforte to stonde fonde U. in in þe U. hooly place þan to se hedes of þe chirche, cherche U. as prelates & maistris of dyuynete stondynge stonde U. in in þe U. grete pompe & pride aȝens þe lore of ihū crist, þat is to seie, aȝen aȝens U. þe meekenes, aȝen aȝens U. þe pouert, & aȝen aȝens U. þe þe f. U. chastitee, þat ihū crist & his aposteles tauȝten. & what euer þei seien wiþ spekinge of mouþ, þei preuen hem silf wiþ deedes doynge & schewing of richesses riches U. liche like U. antecristis foregoeris contrarie to þe lore of crist. And y wole þat þou wite þat þat f. U. þer ben but þre maner maner of U. men callid of of f. U. hooly chirche: .i.Die Zahlen stehen in J am Rande. þe firste men ben goode preyers & techers of goddis lawe. .ij. þe secunde men ben goode defenders, as lordes & men of armes. .iij. þe þridde men ben trewe laboreris, whiche þre maner of men haue now eche day yuel ensaumple of hem for her grete pride & couetise þat þei apperen ynne ynne f. U. wiþ lordis in al worschip of þe world & lijk tirauntes of þe world into so moche myche U. þat þe blynde blende U. lediþ þe blynde, þat al al f. U. cristendom is nyȝ fallen into þe diche of eendeles dampnacioun.

þe disciple axiþ. leef maister, telle me what þou seist of men of religioun þat forsaken þe world, & manye of hem, whanne þei haue asaied fewea fewe U. ȝeres, þei forsaken her ordre, & summ bileuenleuen U. stille in þe ordre, & repenten hem al her lyue?

þe maistir answereþ. I seie þat eche ordir of religioun þat is grounded bi counseilconsel U. of þe gospel is good & parfijt. & pilke þat taken parfijt religioun & repentenrepenten hem U. ofof f. U. þat taking al her lijf, þei ben wrecchid puple,peple. ȝe moost wrecchid of alle þat ben borun, weþir þei dwellen stille or goen awey; for in þis world þei haue litil ioye, & for to haue ioye in þe world to comynge, þei deseruen noon for her longe repentynge. &and f. U. in þat þei ben moost wrecchid; for alle oþer haue sum ioye, saue þei do [þei]þei wohl unrichtig, obwohl in beiden Handschriften. neuer so yuel.

þe disciple axiþ. Leef maister, which is þe beste reli∣gioun?

þe maistir answereþ. þat þat ihū crist grounded in hisþe U. gospel, toto bis prophetes rot unterstrichen in J. loue god wiþ al his herte, wiþ al his mynde, wiþ al his soule & wiþ als his strengþe, & his neiȝhebore as him silf; for in þese two maunde∣dementes hangeþ al þe lawe & prophetes. [Matth. XXII, 37, 39, 40] & who þat doiþ þus & eendeþ his lijf in þis loue schalhe schal U. sikirly be saued for his trewe folewing of crist, & haue to his rewarde lijf wiþouten eende, & an hun∣drid tyme more ioye þan euer he forsooke. & bettir religioun can y noon þat euer crist tauȝte. what maner religiouns þat ben late made of mennes wittis & not of þe hooly goost in myne vndirstonding god deeme him silf, for y wole not.