Copied from the Corpus MS. X., and collated with the Dublin MS. AA.

SUMMARY. CHAP. I. Christ commands us to flee the leaven of Pharisees, who belonged to a singular religion. The Religious of these days are like them. II. Proofs of hypocrisy. Their pride, envy, persecution of true preachers, covetousness, self-indulgence, and unchastity. III. How they offend against each of the Ten Commandments. IV. How they do the contrary of the works of bodily mercy. V. How they do the contrary of the works of spiritual mercy. VI. How they fail in Faith, Hope, and Charity. VII. The duty of exposing their wickedness. VIII. Cowardice and falseness prevalent among all classes. Faults of priests. IX. Faults of Lords. X. Faults of Commons. XI. The faults of the Religious are much the worst.

Crist comandiþ to his disciplis and to alle cristene men to vndirstonde & flee þe sowrdow of pharisees, þe wiche is ypocrisie. First pharisees been men of synguler religioun founden of synful men, biside þe ordynaunce of god þat is tauȝt in holi writ. And yn cristes tyme þere weren þre sectes of ordres founden of mannys ordinaunces, as pharisees, saduces and esseis. of two þe firste mathew spekeþ in his gospel. And of þe þridde spekeþ þe maister of stories. The firste two weren grete men of name and hauynge, and weren stronge enemyes to crist & his lawe, and disceyueden þe peple by ypocrisie, & weren ful coueitous. And þerfore Seint Joon baptist & crist clepede hem ypocritis & serpentis and addir kyndles, & jhu cursede hem ofte, ȝee eiȝte tymes, as þe gospel seiþ. But crist louede & sauede summe gode men of hem, as nicodeme & poul, & brouȝte hem out of her ordris to fredom of þe gospel & distroied þese ordris, as holi writ seiþ. And ȝif oure newe religious ben in þese same synnys, as ful of coueitise & ypocrisie, & stryuen aȝens þe fredom of þe gospel & cristis lif & his apostlis, þei ben cursid of god; and þei shullen be brouȝt out of here ordris maad of synful men & brouȝt clenly to þe gospel & fredom of cristis ordre, for it is most perfit & most esi to wynne heuene by & most sikir, for þe most myȝt, most wisdom, & most charite of jhu crist þat made it and made nouȝt þise newe ordris. And ȝif þei hadden be needful or profitable he wolde haue maad hem by hym silf or by his apostelis, or teld in holi writ bi what man & what tyme þei shulden haue come in; but nouȝt of al þis is founden in holi writ, in wich is al nedful and profitable ordynaunce of holi chirche; & þerfore al þis nouelrie of ordris is suspect of ypocrisie & luciferis pride and blasfemye of antecristis ypocrisie. last men doon þis nouelrie for vein glorie & for getynge more plentifousli of wordli godis bi abite & oþer sygnes of holinesse; siþþe þei myȝten lyue as plesandeli to god & as moche profit to holi chirche, and fulli ocupie al þe myȝtis boþe of soule & body be þat clene religioun þat crist made hym self to his disciplis & prestis as bi þese nouelries maad of ydiotis & synful wrecchis of lucifers pride; for þei ben taken as holier men & holden hem self more worþi for þise newe ordinaunces of her owen fonnyd heuedis, þat letten hem from þe better ocupacioun,Up to this point is copied from AA, as the text in X is illegible from damp.þan for clennesse of cristis ordre, þouȝ þei seruensuwen AA. neuere so perfitly crist in holy lyuyng and trewe techyng wiþoute þis newe pro|fessioun and cermonyes, þe whiche crist and his apostlis diden neuere ne tauȝten in al holy writ. It is a fendis pride a synful creature to putte defautte in þe ordynaunce of crist, seiynge in word or dede þat crist tauȝte not his disciplis and his prestes þe beste ordre and religioun, but lefte þe beste ordre bihynde a þousand ȝeer and more til sathanas was vn|bounden to desceyue men bi lesyngis and ypocrisie, and siþen crist made and tauȝte þe beste religioun, it is a stynkynge pride of luciferis children to leue þe betre, and constreyne men to leue þe betere, and take and nede men to holde forþe þe worse. Of blasphemye, for þes newe religious seyn in word or dede þat crist myȝt not, coude not,omitted X. or wolde not teche cristen men þe beste religion to wynnen heuene by; and ȝif þis be soþ crist was not god, for þanne he was oute of charite. And in þis same þei seyn priueily þat a synful ydiot was moreomitted X. wis and fullere of charite þan ihu crist, siþ bi hem þis synful ydiot ȝaf and vsed a betere religioun þan euere dide crist god almyȝty. ypocrisie is a fals feynyng of holynes whan it is not in trewþe bifore god, and so ypocrisie is fully contrarie to crist, þat is trewþe as þe gospel techeþ, and it is comunly þe moste perylous synne of alle. For comunly an ypocrite doþ neuere verrey penaunce, for trist þat he has in his owen holy feyned lif and for likyng of veyne glorie and for wynnynge of worldly goodis; and ypocritis ben most cursed before al oþer þeues, for þei ben þeues of goodis of grace and dysceyuen oþer men in goodis of vertu, þat ben betere þan goodis of fortune or goodis of kynde, and as a þing is betere so þe mysusyng þer-of is more dampnable, as lyncolne and oþer clerkis prouen; and þerfore crist in þe gospel cursid so ofte ypocritis more þan oþere synful men.

See now wheþer oure religious þis day ben ypocritis.

Ȝif þei bynden hem self bi herte, word and sygnes to moste mekenesse after crist and his apostelis, and ȝit ben most proude of worldly goodes, of beaute, of welschap, of strengþe of body, of connyng, of worldly and fleschly frenschipe, of kyn, and of holynesse of here singuler religion, þan ben þei moost cursed and synful ypocritis.

Ȝif þei maken hem self in siȝte of peple more holiomitted X. þan oþere men and bosten þereof in owtward signes or wordes, as morn|ynge abite, lettris of fraternite, þat crien here holynesse and synguler deuocions bifor men, and bihynde ceesen of; and do þis for worldely wynnyng and veyn glorie, and preisen more here owen longe preieris þan oþer mennus,The MS. contraction-mark is that for -us, though 'mannes' occurs on p. 30, l. 22, and in the first two sheets at least, all the other noun flexions, except this 'mennus' (or 'mannus') are in 'is,' 'ys' or 'es.' þei ben þan foule ypocritis.

¶ Ȝif þei bynden hem to most charite and þer wiþ ben in gret enuye amongis hem self, and han dispitt and indignacion of good lyf and trewe techyng of cristis gospel þat symple men don out of here ordre, þes ben perilous ypocritis and cursed of god for defaute of charite.

Ȝif þei ben glad of here enemys myslyuyng or techynge, to lette þer-by men to teche freliche goddis lawe, þei ben cursed ypocritis.

Ȝif þei bynden hem to most pacience and mercy and þer wyþ haten and ben woode wroþ with men þat trewly dispisen synne and reprouen here ypocrisie, and pursuen hem cruely and with out mercy þat frely and sadly techyn þe gospel and þe comaundements of god wherby here symonye and ypocrisie is more knowen of þe peple, þanne þei ben cruel ypocritis.

Ȝif þei pursuen trwe men for techyng of þe gospel, and seyn þere wiþ þat þei pursuen hem for errours þat þei seyn openly to þe peple when þei lien & falsly sclaundren trewe men, but þe pursuyt is maad for prestes techyng men where þei schullen do here almes to here moste nedy neiȝbores after þe gospel; þan be þei cursed ypocritis.

¶ Ȝif þei maken prelatis and lordis, bi here fals flateryng and lesyngis in confessions and preuei conseils, to lette prestis to preche goddis lawe and to lette þe peple to knowe and to kepe þe comaundementis of god, lest freris ypocrisie and wynny[n]g be stoppid and þe peples almes betere spendid, þanne be þei cursed ypocritis.

¶ Ȝif þei come in to þe chirche to holde and meyntene þe pouert of crist and his apostelis and bynden hem þer to, and þer with ben most coueitouse abouten worldely goodis, summe aboute temperal almes nedles and summe aboute worldely lordyschype, bi ypocrisie and lesyngis and flateryngs, þei ben þan trecherous ypocritis and perilous enemys of crist and his chirche.

¶ Ȝif þei maken profession to most hey pouert and to be deed to þe world and worldely þingis, and wiþ þis stryuen nyȝt and day who of hem may bilde gaiest wast housis and costly places, as chirchis or castelis to herberwen lordis inne and ladyes, and beggen of pore men þer-to þat han nouȝt to lyuen by ne here children, þei ben perilous ypocritis and dysceyuen riche and poore.

Ȝif þei ordeynen ydiotis to ben lymytours þat best kunnyn begge, and holde goode men and kunnyng in holy writt fro prechynge, and disceyuen men bi pardons, lettris of fraternite and priuat preieris for to geten worldely muk more þan soule helþe, þanne be þei fals ypocritis and worschipen false maummetis.

¶ Ȝif þei bynden hem to traueile faste and techyng of þe gospel frely, as crist and his apostelis diden, and her-wiþ ordeynen costly chambris and beddis and siluerene vessel and gay cloþes and costly mete and drink, as knyȝttis, barouns or erlis, and prechynomitted X. not but onys or þries in þe ȝeer bi|fore grete lordis and comuntees for veyn glorie or worldely wynnyng, þei be þanne ypocritis at þe fulle.

Ȝif þei traueilen faste in aristoleAristotile AA. and newe sophymes to ben clepyd maistres, and þan traueilen not in holy writt but veyn pleies & corioustees, and excusen hem her-bi fro preiynge and rysynge at mydnyȝt, þei ben ypocritis; for þei don not goddis seruyce in hem selfe but drawen oþere men þer-fro.

Ȝif þei bynden hem to grete penaunce and abstynence of mete and drynk and þer-of bosten to þe peple, and here-with seken lustys of costly metis and drynkis, and bien hem derrere þan lordis don, and dwellen in courtis with lordes and ladies to feden here bely faat, and leuen here deuocions of cloistre, þei ben foul ypocritis, for þei maken here stynkynge bely here false god as seynt poule seiþ.Phil. iii. 19.

¶ Ȝif þei plesen lordes and ladies in synne and counforten hem to don extorcions to here pore tenauntes and to meyn|tene false causes for to haue lykyngis of here foule wombe; þei ben wickid ypocritis and robberis of poore men and traitours to lordes and ladyes.

¶ Ȝif þei bynde hem self to clene chastite boþe of body and soule and of dede and wille, and here-wiþ don fornycacioun and auoutrie wiþ wyues and nonnes, and slen wommen þat with-stonden hem in þis synne; þei ben foule ypocritis.

¶ Ȝif þei don þe cursed synne of sodom wiþ hem self, and seyn to nyse wymmen þat it is lesse synne to trespase with hem þan with oþere weddid men, and vndir taken for þe synne of þe wommen, and norischen ryche men and wymmen in lecherie and in auoutrie for monye and to haue here owne lustis; þei ben cursid ypocritis and distroien cristendom. It semeþ þe deuyl gedreþ siche lumpis of ȝonge men, fatte and lykynge and ydyl, and byndiþ hem fro wyues, þat men myȝten haue bi goddis lawe, to maken false heiris and to for-do þe kynde of men and so make þe erþe cursed of god and alle his seyntis. And þus þei ben ypocritis moste damp|nable bi-for god.

¶ Ȝif þei seyn þat þei ben most holy and best men of religion, and þer wiþ lyuen in most pride, most enuye and wraþe, in most coueitise and ydilnesse, in most glotone, dronkennesse, or surfet and leccherie.Probably there should follow "þei ben cursid ypocritis," unless the preceding clause is to be taken as part of the sentence. But in both MSS. it is distinctly marked off.

See now where þei breken falsly alle þe comaundementis of god. Ȝif þei chesyn to be reulid more after þe ordynaunce of synful men and ydiotis þan after þe clene ordynaunce of crist, and seyn þat synful mennus ordynaunce is betere and sikerere for men and more perfit þan is þe clene ordynaunce of crist; þei worschipen false goddis and ben heretikys and blasphemes; and so þei breken þe first maundement of god. Ȝif þei dreden more and ponyschen more for brekynge of synful mennes contradicions þan for comaundementis of god cursedly broken, and studien and louen more here priuat reulis þan þe hestis of god, þei worschepen, louen and dreden more synful men, and in caas dampnyd deuelis, þan god almyȝti. for as austyn seiþ a man makiþ þat þing his god þe whiche he drediþ most or loueþ most.

¶ Ȝif þei chargen men more to seke blynde stockys or ymagis and to offre to hem more þan to pore bedrede men and more þan to charge goddis hestis; þei worschipen false goddis. for þouȝ a man breke goddis hestis þei wole soone and liȝtly assoile him, but ȝif he make a vow to a blynd pylgrymage or to sende his offrynge to siche a stok; þat schal not be dis|pensid wiþ but reserued to a grettere satrap. And in þis þei chargen more þe brekynge of a folie a-vow of synful men þan þe brekynge of goddis hestis; but wheþere is more ydolatrie?

¶ Ȝif þei sweren in veyn and many false oþis to bigile ȝonge children to here veyn religion, sweryng þat it is þe beste; who takiþ þe name of god in more ydelnesse and more dispitt? Ȝif þei taken þe charge to ben trewe vikeris or seruauntis of crist and þer-wiþ taken vpon hem falsly þat þinge þat is reserued to god only, as to make men partyners of here medeful dedis, and to graunte hem þe blisse of heuene and pardon to slee cristen men for to meyntene worldely lordschip and coueitise of þat prist þat schulde be most meke, most pore, most redy to dye for cristen mennus soulis; who takiþ more cursidly þe name of god in veyn?

¶ Ȝif þei vndirtaken to brynge soules out of purgatorie bi here preiers and here to receyuen myche gold or rentis, and þer-wiþ lyuen in pride, enuye and oþere grete synnes; who takiþ more goddis name in veyn, and more cursidly dis|ceyueþ cristen men? ¶ For crist seiþ to siche men in þeLuke vi. 46. gospel of seynt luk: What seie ȝee to me lord! lord! and don not my comaundementis; and in þe gospel of matheuMatth. xv. 8. seiþ crist þat siche ypocritis worschipen him wiþ outen cause; and by salomons bok seiþ god þat his preiere is cursidProv. xxviii. [9.] and abhomynable þat turneþ a wey his eris þat he here not goddis lawe; and also bi þe prophete ysaie and malachie andIsaiah i. [15.] austyn and gregory and many moo.Mal. i. [10.]

¶ Ȝif þei maken hem besi on þe holy day to preche fablis and lesyngis to þe peple and not þe gospel, and gon fro place to place and fro man to man to begge of pore men for here false lesyngis, and letten men fro here deuocioun; þei kepen not wel here holiday. ¶ Ȝif þei drawen þe peple in þe holiday by coryouste of gaye wyndownes and colours and peyntyngis and babwynrie fro conpunccion of here synnes and fro mynde of heuenely þinges, and fede riche men wiþ pore mennus goodis, wiþ costly metis and wynes and wast spicerie to glotonye, dronkenesse, lecherie, and weiward talis, and suffren pore men hungry and þristi and in gret mischef; þei kepen euyl here holyday and letten oþere men to kepen it. ¶ Ȝif þei studien on þe holy day aboute experymentis or wiche craft or 1veyn songis and 11_1 omitted X.knackynge and harpynge, gyternynge & daunsynge & oþere veyn triflis to geten þe stynkyng loue of damyselis, and stere hem to worldely vanyte and synnes; þei breken foule þer holyday and ben procuratours of þe fend.

¶ Ȝif þei worschipen gretly here singuler patroun and dis|pisen god þe trynite and ihū crist oure goode fader, when þei putten his lawe and his ordynaunce bihynde; þei worschipen not here fadir after goodis lawe. Ȝif þei louen more here singulere congregacion þan þe comynte of cristen men, þei worschipen not but dispisen owre modire holy chirche. ȝif þei drawen parischenes fro obedience and loue & omitted X.sacramentis of here gostely fadris for here owne wynnyng, as in confessioun and beriynge & heryngeomitted X. of massis for offryng; how worschipen þei and techen oþere to worchipe here gostli fadris? Ȝif þei drawen children fro fadir and modir and maken hem of here singulere religioun, þat þei may not susteyne here heldris lif be þei neuer so feble and pore; how worschipen þei god and techen childre to leue þe maundement of god and to suffere fadire and modir to perische for feyned obydience to synful mannus tradiciouns? certis þis ilke fals religious is gilty of þefte and manquellyng also, siþ he is cause of þe old pore mannus deþ.

¶ Ȝif þei haten and sclaundren with false lesynges trewe men to techen frely holy writt and repreuen synne, and namely ypocrisie, and falsly pursuen hem to þe deþ, þei slen hem, and ioon þe euaungelist seiþ as to here dampnacion. Ȝif þeil John iii. 15. conforten men to slee here breþren in false werris, by open prechynge or preuei conseilynge, or vndirtakynge for false domesmen þat slen innocent men for coueityse or enmyte whanne men ȝeuen hem myche tresoure; þei ben false menquelleris and most gyltif of alle.

¶ Ȝif þei letten curatis and pore prestis to techen men goddis lawe bi sotil ypocrisie and sleiȝtis of anticristis lawe, for drede lest here ypocrisie be parceyued and here wynnynge and worldly fame leid a-doun; þei ben cursed manquelleris, and gylti of dampnacion of alle þe soulis þat perischen for þe defaute of kunnynge and kepynge of goddis comaunde|mentis.

¶ Ȝif þei prechen principaly for worldeli muk or veyn glorie, and so prechen here owne sotiltes to be preised of men, and not symply and pleynly þe gospel of crist for his glorie and sauyng of mennus soulis; þei don gostely lecherie bi goddis word as poul seiþ.

¶ Ȝif þei seyn and meyntenen in scole and oþere placis þat þe wordis of holy writt ben false and manere of spekyng of newe idiotis is trewe, þei don gostly auoutrie and putten falsnesse and blasphemye vpon god; for in þat þei seyn þat an heþene philosofre or a newe synful caitif is wittiere and trewere þan almyȝti god, ȝe þat god is fals and a fole and þes heþene blasphemes and newe dremeris ben trewe and witti.

¶ Ȝif þei feynen hem sotil of fisik and knowynge of wym|menys complexcion and preuyte, seiynge þat siche siknesse or deþ schal com to hem in absence of here housbondis but ȝif þei haue mannus helpe, and þus defoulen on and oþer; þei breken foule þis comaundement þat biddiþ men do no lecherie; and in þis poynt men dreden þat þes pharisees geten hem moo holderis vp for here putrie þan for here trewe prechyng or holy lyf.

¶ Whanne lordis ben fro hom in werris, in iustis and par|lementis and in dyuerse lordschipis, and whanne marchauntis ben out of lond or in fer cuntrees for here marchaundise, and whanne plowmen ben al day in þe feld at here plowȝ ore medes; þan þes pharisees presen faste to here wyues vnder colour of holynesse.

¶ Ȝif þei stelen mennus children, boþe gentyl mennus and pore, to make hem of here synguler ordre þat is maad of synful men and confermyd, & in cas ofomitted X. deuelis and not of god; þei don cursed þefte aȝenst þe seue[n]þe maundement of god. for many men ben drawen, bi lesynges and ȝiftis and so by symonye, fro þe betere ordre to þe werse and maad more cursed and deppere dampnyd in helle. For þouȝ children ben brouȝt be lesyngis, symonye and fals bihestis in-to þis feyned ordre bifore tyme of discrecion and ben not able þer-to, ȝit þei schulle be nedid bi peyne of dampnynge in helle, as þei seyn, and bi drede of bodely deþ to holde forþ þis feyned religion aȝenst here conscience and fredom of þe gospel. and he þat most steliþ children to þes priuatis ordris is most preised of þes cursed congregacion, and þat is a cursed reward. For he þat steliþ an oxe or a cowe is a þef and gretly peyned bi mannus lawe; myche more owiþ he to be ponyschid boþe of god and man þat steliþ his owne child, þat is betere þan alle worldely goodis; and here-bi ben gentil mennus heiris distroied, and so lordis and also laboreris and sumtyme trewe prestis and curatis ben made beggeris and lesyngmongeris to destruction of londis. Ȝif þei techen wyues, prentis, seruauntis and children to stele fro here housbondis, maistris and fadir and modir and ȝeuen it to þes pharisees, as hildegar seiþ, þei ben perilous þeuys to make discencioun among manye. Ȝif þei feynen hem nedy and pore whanne þei ben ryche and proude, and beggen of þe pore peple, and maken men to wene þat þei schulden haue more þank of god to ȝeue here almes to riche possessioners or oþer ryche pharisees þan to ȝeuen it to here pore neiȝbores as crist biddiþ; þei ben foule þeues, for þei robben þe almes ȝeuere boþe of feiþ, of worldely catel, and pore bedrede men of here liflode.

¶ Ȝif þei putten on here pore breþren þat lyuen wel and reprouen hem of here synnes þat þei wolden distroie holy religion, and here-fore disceisen hem and putten hem in prison, and sumtyme morþere hem aȝenst goddis lawe and þe kyngys; þei beren false wyttenesse aȝenst here neiȝebore, and ben cursed manquelleris. ¶ Ȝif þei beren on pore prestis þat techen þe trewþe of þe gospel and þe goodenesse of cristis ordynaunce þat þei wolde distroie holi chirche, and here-fore pursuen hem to þe deþ and maken prelatys lordis and comunes to do also; þei beren false wittenesse, and ben manquelleris and irregulere bifore god and traitouris to god and alle holi chirche. ȝif þei pursuen to þe deþ pore freris serabitis, þat kepen fraunseis reule and testament to þe riȝte vndyrstond|ynge and wille of fraunceis wiþ outen glose of antecristis clerkis; þei beren false wyttenesse aȝeyns here patron and ben caynis breþren þat killyd his broþer fore his goode lyuynge. ȝif þei seyn þat cristis lawe is not ynowȝ and þe beste to reule holy chirche, but lawis of proude coueitouse and worldly clerkis ben nedful and betere, and stryuen aȝenst goode men þat techen þe goodnesse and excellence of cristis lawe and his ordynaunce and declaren þe falsenesse and ypocrisie of worldly prestis newe lawis; þei beren false witnesse and ben traitours to god and stynkynge blasphemes.

¶ Ȝif þei coueiten vnresonabiliche þe housis, þat ben goodis vnmeble of here neiȝeboris as londis or rentis, or perpetual almes of coffris, siþ þei bynden hem to pouert of crist and his apostelis, þei breken þe neynþe maundement of god.

¶ Ȝif þei leden a-wey mennus wyues or wenches in here newe habitis, to do lecherie bi hem as hem liste, þei breken þe laste comaundement. Ȝif þei maken wyues and oþer wymmen hure sustris bi lettris of fraternite or oþere iapes, and geten children vpon hem to make hem freris or nunnes to holde vp here veyn sectis bi lordischipe, þei coueiten euyle here neiȝbores wyues and wenchis; namely, ȝif þei waiten hem in feldis alone or gardyns and sleen hem þer by keruynge to moche vsynge of lecherie. Ȝif þei becomen pedderis berynge knyues, pursis, pynnys and girdlis and spices and sylk and precious pellure and forrouris for wymmen, and þerto smale gentil hondis, to gete loue of hem and to haue many grete ȝiftis for litil good ore nouȝt; þei coueiten euyle here neiȝeboris goodis.

¶ Ȝif þei ben made wafreris, ȝeuynge lordes, ladies and riche men a fewe peris, appelis or nottis to haue huge ȝiftis to þe couent, euyl þei coueiten here neȝeboris goodis. Ȝif þei meyntenen men in extorscions, in robberie, in false sweryng to sille ouer dere þer marchaundise and bie to grete cheep of pore men, and in lecherie and grete synnes, vndirtakynge for þes cursed men at domes day for part of wynnyng; þei coueiten euyle here neiȝeboris goodis; for þei dysceyuen here soulis herfore to euere dampnynge in helle. and ȝif þei breken þis, and worse alle þe comaundementis of god; þei ben perilous ypocritis and disceyuen foule cristen men to meyntene goddis traitors principaly. Ȝif þei geten hem worldly offis in lordis courtis, summe to ben stiwardis of halle,1 summe to ben kechene clerkis, 11_1 omitted X.summe to ben lordis anyneris, and summe to ben conseilours and reuleris of werris, and also to bein chamberleyns to lordes and ladies, and putten out pore gentil men of here office, and forsaken here cloistre and oþer deuocions for to haue lykynge of mete and drynk and cloþ and worldly worschipe, and to sende a grett quantite to here couent þat pore bedrede men schulden haue; þanne þei ben ypocritis, enemyes of pore gentil menomitted X. and traitours of pore men and of lordes and ladies.

See now where þes religious don aȝenst þe werkis of mercy boþe bodili and gostely. ȝif þei wasten delicat metis and drynkis and ȝeuen nouȝt to pore men of here owene secte ne oþere þat ben in gret nede, but drawen pore mennus almes and liflode to here owne couent þat haþ to moche of worldly goodis, to make festis huge to lordis and ladies and riche men of contres; þei feden not pore men but robben hem of here liflode, and so ben manquelleris bifore god.

¶ Ȝif þei feynen hem to be men of abstynence and grete penaunce, and þer wiþ drynkyn dilicious ale and spisid and heiȝe wynes, and beggen of þe comune peple to holden vp þis realte, and ȝeuen lordis and ladies þes swete drynkys for to magnyfie þes sectis, and suffren here owene breþeren boþe wiþ inne and oute to perische for þrist and myschef; þei ȝeuen not drenk to pore þristi men but raþere drawen here sustynaunce fro hem vndir colour of holynesse, and so ben worse þan comune þeues and outlawis, for þei take fro riche men and parte oft wiþ pore men.

¶ Ȝif þei gederen to hem self many wast and precious cloþes bi feyned beggerie and sotil ypocrisie, and partiþ not with pore nedy men þat han nakid sidis and torne sleues and here children steruen for cold, neiþer here owen breþeren, be þei in neuere so gret myschef & cheueren for cold, hou cloþe þei nakid men, whanne bi ypocrisie þei drawen fro hem þis bodily almes bi whiche þes poralis schulden be cloþid and kept fro deþ. certis þei ben cursed disceyueris boþe of pore and riche, and ben irreguler bi-for god for myschefous deþ þat þes nedy men suffren. Ȝif þei han grete waste houses for to resceyuen lordis and ladies, ȝe to soiorne among hem daies and ȝeris, and oþere riche men nyȝt and day, and helpen not pore nedi men with hereberwe in þo grete placis as kyngis paleis, but raþere drawe pore mennus goodis fro hem to þes waste placis, hou receyue þei pore men to herberwe? namely, whanne þei disceyuen riche men in makyng restitu|cioun of extorcions and euyl geten goodis, and suren hem of al perel ȝif þei maken siche costly houses and wast paleises to men þat haue forsaken alle worldly ioie and pride and taken cristis mekenesse and gret pouert bi wilful profession. it semeþ þat þei ben preuy enemys of pore men and dis|ceyueris of riche men and sclaunderis of crist puttyng on hym siche worldly pompe and ypocrisie.

And ȝif þei seyn þat grete chirchis ben worschipful to god and lykynge for þe peple to serue god inne, axe hem what charite it is to laten parische chirchis fallen doun for defaute, where þe peple schulde heere goodis worde, goddis seruyce, and resceyue here sacramentis, and to maken newe chirchis as castelis wiþ outen nede; and wheþer crist preied most in þe nyȝt in hillis, as þe gospel seiþ, and tauȝte mychel þe peple in desert and in þe wilde felde, and seide þat þe heiȝe temple schulde be distroied for þe synne of prestis þat weren þer-inne. And seyn þat lucifer and adam serueden not god in heuene ne paradis as þei schulden, but iob seruede wel god in þe donge hille and adam also in þe valey of wepynge, and so dide crist in þe hillis, and þe prophete danyel in þe deen of lyonys. and þouȝ men suffreden resonable cost of chirchis whi schulde þei suffre so grete cost of kechenes and ȝate housis and wast chambris for lordis and ladies and riche men, and a frere to haue a chambre for an erl or duk or a kyng whanne he is bounden to þe pouert of crist, siþ þis cost is geten bi beggen of pore men and disceit of riche mennus almes. ȝif þei visiten not pore men in prison for charite of god and sauynge of soulis, bute riche men in here prosperite to han part of here worldly goodis, hou don þei werkis of mercy? for sumtyme for enuye and hate ful trewe men ben sett in prison, and þanne it were most nede to conforte hem in bodi and soule aȝenst defaute of mete and drynk and cloþ and grucchynge aȝenst god or dispeir; but it is worse ȝif þei be ypocrisie and false beggynge reuen fro pore prisoneris þe almes þat þei schulden ellis haue.

¶ Ȝif þei visyten not pore men in here sikenesse but riche men wiþ preue massis and placeboes and dirige, þouȝ pore men ben neuere so deuout and han neuere so myche nede to ben amendid of here lif, hou seken þei þe helpehelþe AA. of soule? but only or principaly worldly muk or auauntage. where helpen þei sike men of bodely almes, þouȝ þei hem self han neuere so muche wast of mete and drynk, but raþere in siche tyme þei gedren fro sike men al þat þei may.

¶ Ȝif þei ben faste aboute to haue riche men biried in here housis for wynnynge and offrynge and worldly meyntenaunce and forsaken pore men to be biried þere, þei ben false ypocritis, traueilynge in coueitise and pride and þefte, for þei drawen riche men fro her gostly fadris and here owne parischenys, and so departen in tyme of deþ curatis and here gostly children.

¶ Ȝif þei pursuen pore prestis to prison and bodily deþ, as hangynge, drawynge or brennynge, for þei techen trewely and frely þe gospel of ihū crist and techen men wiche ben false prophetis and ypocritis, siþ holy writt spekiþ of siche and biddiþ cristen men knowe hem bi here opyn werkis and flee fro hem; þanne ben þei perilous ypocritis and heretikis aȝenst goddis worschipe and sauynge of cristene soulis.

¶ Ȝif þei þursuen trewe lige men of þe kyng to endityng falsly and wyttyngly for þei reprouen here open synnes, hou visiten þei men in prison? siþ þei drawe trewe men to prison to loos of catel and deþ wiþ outen resonable cause.

¶ Ȝif þei drawen pore husbondemen to dom for þe bi-heȝten þem almes sumtyme and now ben tauȝt to ȝeuen here almes to pore neiȝeboris aftir þe gospel, or þat may not now paie so gret almes for pouerte and myschif þat þei ben inne, hou don þei þe werkis of mercy? siþ þei don opynly aȝenst charite.

See now where þei failen in werkis of gostly mercy. first ȝif þei techen opynly fablys, cronyklis and lesyngis and leuen cristis gospel and þe maundementis of god, and ȝit don þei þis principaly for worldly wynnynge, frendschipe or veyn name þei don aȝenst þe chifwerk of gostly mercy; nameliche ȝif þei techen þat here singuler preiere is betere þan þe pater noster þat crist made him self, and þat preiynge bi lippis is plesaunt to god þouȝ mennus lif þat preien be cursed of god for brekynge of his hestis and defaute of charite.

¶ Ȝif þei counseilen men to be bysi a-boute worldliche richessis more þan a-boute here soule helþe and þe blisse of heuene, and conseilen men more to taken vengaunce bi open werre of here breþren þan to suffren paciently wrongys and haue mercy on oþer neiȝeboris; þei don foule aȝenst þe secunde werk of gostly mercy, to dampnacion of many men boþ of body and soule. Ȝif þei conseilen men to leue þe fredom of cristis ordre and take here singuler ordre maad of synful men, seiynge þat it is þe beste for hem vp peril of here soule; þei don aȝenst þe charite for loue of here owne worschipe or wynnynge and blasphemen aȝenst god, makynge hem self as witti as þe holy gost. siþ it is reseruyd only to þe holy gost to ȝeuen ful conseil of þingis þat [ben] not expresly comaundyd ne defendid in holy writt, and þei taken þis þinge vpon hem whanne þei ensuren to men þat it is best for hem to be men of priuat religion. and also þei conseilen sumtyme euene aȝenst þe sterynge of þe holy gost, and maken men dispeire dampnyd for schrewidnesse of þis ordre and of men þer-inne, for þer-by þei lasten more and ben more hardid in synne and ypocrisie.

¶ Ȝif þei chastisen not here breþeren for grete synnes, so þat þei be preue, but ouerscharply ponyschen hem for smale synnes þat ben open and make hem seme vnholy to þe world; þei failen foule in werkis of charite and ben false ypocritis. and ȝif þei chastisen not here breþren for opyn sweryng veynly and pride and inpacience and false coueitynge of þer neiȝeboris goodis, but for litil trespasynge aȝenst here owne statutis or customys; þei failen in dwe chastisynge of synne, for þei chargen not dispit or trespas don aȝenst god, but aȝenst here owen worldly worschipe and name of holynesse.

¶ Ȝif þei conforten not pore men in here myschif boþe of soule and body but suffren hem perische for dispeir or defaute of bodily goodis, but raþere visiten hem in here prosperite for worldly muk; þei failen fully in werkis of charite and mercy to here breþeren. ¶ Ȝif þei gon gladly and faste to lordis housis and ladies þat ben gloriously araied, and deynen not to come in pore mennus houses for stynk and oþere filþe; hou suen þei charite? siþ crist sparid not to visyte pore men in a foul stynkynge stable and cold, and in þe colde greue and in helle, and in many foule weies in þis world, boþe in gret hungur and þrist and gret werynesse and cold and muche sclaundrynge and cursynge aud oþere peynes ynowe. ¶ Ȝif þei wolen not forȝeue litel trespace don aȝenst hem self or feyned seyntis of here singuler secte but moste cruelly pursuen men þerfore; þei forsaken pacience and mekenesse and ensaumple of cristis lif. and men dreden þat enuye, rancour and euyl wille dwelliþ lengest amonges hem of alle oþere men, be þei lordis, be þei prelatis, þouȝ þei ben men of armys; but where is falsere holynesse, and so foulere ypocrisie? for þouȝ a man speke aȝenst a lord, clerk or prelat he schal sonere be reconsilid be weie of mekenesse þan to newe feyned religions; for þei wolen pursue to deþ or open schame, and ȝit vndir colour of holynesse.

¶ Ȝif þei soone lesen pacience and bringgyn men out of pacience þat speken aȝenst here ypocrisie and euyl dedis; hou don þei werkis of mercy, siþ þei schulde be here meke|nesse and pacience bryngyn oþere in-to reste and pees of body and soule. Ȝif þei profren gentil men and oþere to fiȝte wiþ hem whanne þei reprouen hem of here opyn wyckyd dedis, hou ben þei ensaumple of crist and his apostelis to saue oþere men in reste and charite? it semeþ þei ben fendis children to stryue aȝenst þe treuþe, and meyntene syn and brynge oþer men to helle bi procurynge of fiȝt and lesynge of pacience and charite.

¶ Ȝif þei cursen and warien and pursuen here enemyes and axen vengaunce of god aȝenst hem; hou suen þei charite of crist þat biddiþ men to loue here enemyes, and don good to men þat haten vs, and to preie for hem þat falsly chalengen vs and falsly and wickidly pursuen vs? ȝif þei don þus and welle werse aȝenst þe hestis of god and werkis of mercy boþe bodily and gostly, þei ben foule ypocritis and not worþi but to be putt out fro cristen men and defoulid, and not worþi to be putt in þe erþe, þat is to haue þe leste office in þe chirche.

And [Christ] seiþ þat þer is no þing keuerid þat ne itLuke xii. 2. schal be schewid, and þere is no þing hid so priue þat it ne schal be wist and knowen. for þo þingis þat ȝe han seyd in derknessis schullen be seid in liȝt, and þat þing þat ȝe han spoken in ȝoure couchis or smale beddis schal be prechid in þe roof of housis. Here crist meniþ þat men schulden be war and oppynly telle þe trewþe aȝenst þis ypocrisie; for þouȝ it be now hid it schal be schewid at þe laste at þe day of dom. ¶ And also cowardise of cristis disciplis, ȝif þei spare for bodyli peyne and deþ to telle openly þeomitted X. treuþe of goddis lawe. And þerfore telliþ crist after to his disciplisLuke xii. 4. þat þei schulden drede god and no þing ellis souereynly. Soþli seiþ crist: I sei to ȝow, my frendis, þat ȝe ben not agast of hem þat sleen þe body and haueomitted X. no þing moreomitted X. to do after þes þinges; but I schal schewe ȝou whom ȝe owen to drede. drede ȝe hym souereynly, þat after þat he haþ sclayn þe bodi, haþ power to sende boþe bodi and soule to helle with outen ende. so, I say to ȝow; drede ȝe him. here crist wol þat men drede no þing principaly but god and his offence. for ȝif men dreden bodili peynes and deþ, and þerfore ceessen to telle openly þe treuþe, þei ben wiþ þis vnable to resceyue þe blisse of heuene; and ȝif þei seyn openly and sadly þe treuþe of god, no þing may harmen hem so þat þei kepen pacience and charite. ¶ And herefore seiþ crist aftir|ward to conforte his disciplis bi reson: ne be not fyue sparwis sold for an halpeny, and on of hem is not forȝetynforȝeuen X.Luke xii. 6. bifore god; but also alle þe heris of ȝoure heuyd ben noum|brid, þerfore nyle ȝee drede; ȝe ben of more pris þan many sparwis. as ȝif crist menede and made þis reson: siþ god almyȝty takiþ so gret kepyng of smale briddis þatþan. onor X. of hem, ȝe þeomitted X. leste, is not forȝeten, how myche more schal god kepen ȝow; siþ he is almyȝty, alwytti, and al ful of good wille, & þere may no þing come with outen his wittyng and his ordynaunce, and it is al for þe beste. ¶ And no þing may aȝenstonde, so þat men takyt paciently and þanke hem þerfore; and whanne þe heris of oure heuyd ben countid þat þei may not be lost, where we may be lost oþere in bodi or soule, siþe eche of vs is betre þan þe heris of oure hed. as ȝif crist seide þat no þing of vs, nere of bodi ne of soule, may perische ne suffre peyne to oure harim, so þat we kepen pacience and charite. at þe laste word crist makeþ vs siker to dye for his lawe bi reward of þe blisse of heuene, whanne he seiþ þus, þat eche who euere knowlechiþ me bi-for men,Luke xii. 8. and mannus sone schal knowleche hym bi-fore þe angelis of god. here crist clepiþ hym self mannus sone, for he is þe sone of þeomitted X. vergyne marie, and so a persone of mankynde, þat is clepyd a man bi speche of holy writt. and knowlechynge 6is seid here fore verrei knowlegchynge 66_6 omitted X.of crist, boþe in herte bi saad feiþ þat he is verrey god and verrey man with outen synne, & alle degrees, in þouȝt and speche and dede and alle circumstauncis þer of, and witnessynge in word þe treuþe of þe gospel, hou crist lyuede most mekely and most porely and most vertuously bi-forn alle oþere men as þe gospel techeþ; and knowlechynge in lif, lyuynge after þe lawe of god and inwille to die þer-fore ȝif it be nede; þis verrei knowlechynge schal make men to ben approued of crist at þe day of dome, biforn alle þe compayne of angelis and seyntis and good creaturis and euyle, hou þei were verrei wittenesse of crist in erþe bifore men, and in fulwille to suffre sclandris pursuynge and bodili deþ for þe loue of ihū crist and his lawe.

Here may men touche þe cowardise and fal[s]nesse of prestis, lordis, marchauntis and alle oþere men þat failen in charite anemtis god and his lawe. where ben þo prestis þat maken hem so bisy aboute grete benefices, wordly worschipis and stynkynge muk or drit of worldeli richesse, þat þei wolen travaileomitted X. gladly nyȝt and day in lordis courtis, in worldely offis, for litel cost takynge of þe lord in hope of beneficis; and so bisily þat vnneþis may þei at reste seie metenes or masse with deuocioun. oþere prestis rennen out of oure lond ouer grete sees and þoruȝ londes of enemyes in peril of here lif, in gret cold, hungur, þrist, stormes and tempestis, þat it is wondir hou þei may lyue; but hou bisi maken þei hem self and oþere to lerne, kepe and teche goddis lawe? certis but ȝif þei more bisily lerne bi grete traueile and studie holy writt, and kepen it trewly in here lyuynge, and openly to ȝeue good ensaumple to alle men, and prechen it sadly and trewly with als myche traueile and more, and ȝit it be nede ben wilful to die þerfore, þei may drede ful sore þat þei ben out of charite and out of feiþ, but ȝif it be ded feiþ as fendis han; for þei traueilen more for worldly worschipe and stynkynge drit þan for loue of god and helþe of mannus soule. And ȝit, þat is werse, þei beren gold out of englond, and sumtyme it comiþ to oure enemys and þer-bi þei ben strengyed aȝenst vs, and bi takynge of prisoneris of oure nacion, and sumtyme oure enemys killen many of oure lond þorouþ siche traueile for benefices to gret reprof of oure rewme. And ȝif þe goldgod X. come to rome, þer-bi ben benefices of þe chirches bouȝt and sold. ¶ For who so may most gold brynge sunnest schal be sped to grete benefices, þouȝ he be vnable boþe of kunnynge and lif, and able men of kunnynge and lif ben putt bihynde; summe for þei willen not chaffare by symonye, and summe bi bisinesse of studie and techynge of holy writt, for þeiomitted X. wollen neiþer dwelle in lordis courtis ne renne to rome wiþ þe kyngis gold. and ȝif gooddis lawe and mannus and reson ben wel souȝt þis chaffarynge wiþ suche benefyces and gold is symonye on boþe partis; and so heresie, as þes lawereris written openly in here owene lawe. And þus þes rome renneris beren þe kyngys gold out of oure lond & bryngen aȝen deed leed and heresie and symonye and goddis curse. and comunly whanne þes heretikis comen bi symonye to gret benefices þei ben not bisi to lerne þe gospel & teche it cristen men, but ȝeue hem to huntynge and hauk[y]nge and veyn pleies, and hanten tauernys of wyn and ale, aboute strumpetis and grete festes, riche cloþing and gay squyeris and oþere getteris, þat al-most noon schal be so nyse and worldly proude as þes stynkynge heretikis. and ȝif ony poore prestis wole come to here chirchis and treuly dispise synne and frely teche goddis lawe, þe gospel of ihū crist, and comaundementis of god, þes coueitous symonyentis welen be þe firste to lette hem with þis grete colour þat suche prechoris ben heretikis; and þis þei seyn for þei ben ful of heresie and wolden þat no man spoke aȝenst here cursed lif. þus þei techen not hem self but ensaumple of pride, lecherie and oþere synnes, and letten oþere trewe prestis to techen goddis lawe. and þis is on of þe most vengaunce þat god takiþ on synful men, to suffre suche ypocritis to reule þe peple & drawe hem to helle bi wiþ-drawynge of goddis word and ȝeuynge of opynomitted X. ensaumple of synne. for haue þei here myrþe and iolite, nowarde to hem hou faste þe woluys of helle wirien cristen soulis & beren hem to helle; for þei han maad priuyly couenaunt with þe deuyl þat hou many beneficis þatomitted X. þei may gete bi lesynges & symonye þe deuyl schal strangle þe soulis at his wille as for hem, so þat þei han here lustis of grete statis and worschipe of þe world and plente of richessis and glotonye and lecherie and meynteneris þer|inne. & þis is luciferis pride, stynkynge ypocrisie and anti|cristis blasphemye, to crie and meyntene þat suche ben able curatis and grete men of holy chirche.

Also lordis fallen foule in ypocrisie and in defaute of charite, for þei ben redi to holde vp here worldly name, lordschipe and meyntene here courtis wiþ gret cost, sendynge of men boþe of lawe and of armes, & prikynge bi here owen persones for to plede, for to fiȝtte and for to lyue & dye þer-fore, and to be vengid on men þat don aȝenst here wille, worschipe, or profit; but for to meyntene goddis lawe and stond for his worschipe, þat þei ben holden to vp peyne of lesynge of here lordischipe & anemtis god, and lesynge of bodi and soule and helle wiþ-outen hende, who is þat lord þat wolle treuli speke, coste, traueile, and suffre mekely dispit, pursuynge and deþ in tyme of nede. þes lordis owen to quake aȝenst domes day and tyme of here deþ, þat more bisili traueilen to meyntenen here litil worldely lordshipeworschipe X. and to seke here owen worschipe & drit of þis world þanne þei traueile to meyntene þe most riȝtful lawe & ordenaunce of ihū crist in his chirche, & to procure, norische & meyntene cristen soulis in good gouernaile and holy lif. certis ȝif þei don þus and coueiten þer-bi to be holden goode cristen lordis, here pride, ypocrisie and false coueitise wole brynge hem to euere-lastynge peyne in helle. ¶ Also marchauntis and riche men of þis wikked world fallen in moche ypocrise; for þei traueilen nyȝt & day, bi watir & lond in cold, & in hete, bi false sotiltis and cautelis & grete sweri[n]ges nedles & false, for to gete muche drit or muk of þis world, to gete riche wyues, & purchase londis & rentis, & dewelle in pore mennus dette after þat þei han desceyued hem in byynge of here catel; & ȝit ben so bisi in þouȝt & speche in goyng and rydyng abouten þis muk þat vnneþe may þei onys þenke on god & han mynde of here false robberie þat þei vsen bi false wettes & mesures to amende hem. ȝif alle here bisinesse & loue goo þus wrongly to þe world & nouȝt or to litel to heuene and heuenely þingis, þei failen foule of holy lif; & ȝit holden hem self holy & coueiten to ben holden holy of oþer men, & ben wode ȝif men speken treuly aȝenst here cursed synnes; but certes þis is ypocrisie.

Generaly ypocrisie regneþ among alle statis of cristen men; for whanne men ben cristened þei forsaken þe deuyl, al his pride & al his werkis, þat ben werkis of synne; and ȝit þei turnen to synne as an hound to his spuyng and here-wiþ holden hem goode cristen men. but summe don verrey penaunce for þes synnes, & summe dwelle euere stille þer-inne & rennen to helle, as crist seiþ in þe gospel & in þe bok of iob; & many men don bodily penaunce, as fastynge and goynge barfote, but þei fasten not fro pride ne enuye ne coueitise, but preien for wrongful vengaunce of oþere enemyes aȝenst charite, and þis is foule ypocrisie to make men holden hem holy whanne þei stynken bifore god for old endured synne. For god seiþ be ysaye þat aIsaiah lviii. 5. man to turmente his hed and peyne his bodi only is not þat fast þe whiche god chees, 1but þis is þe fast þat god ches; 11_1 omitted X. a man to breke þe bondis of synne & do werkis of mercy to poore men & nedi. ¶ But vpon þe text of þis gospel bi ordre of seynt matheu Ion with þe gildene mouþ seiþ þat a prest is in dette to teche openly and treuly þe treuþe of goddis lawe, and ellis he is traitour to þe treuþe of holy writt. 1So a lewyd man is boundyn to mayntene þe treuþe11_1 omitted X. of holy writt, and ellis he is traitour to god & to his lawe and his peple. & here-fore riche men owen to drede of treson and traitre aȝenst god & his lawe whanne þei meyntene not þe treuþe of þe gospel, but ben aboute to stoppe it & techeris þer-of bi sotil cautelis & false lesynges for fleschli loue or coueitise. for as iudas dide þei sillen þe treuþe, and so crist þat is treuþe, for money orof X. fleschly loue. And siþ þei sillen treuþe þat is a spiritual good for money or worldely þyngomitted X. þei ben cursed symo|nyentis & so heretikis. moche owen þei to quake, siþ crist seiþ in þe gospel þat who euere dispisiþ cristis disciplis, in þat he dispisiþ crist; and at þe day of dom þere schal be lesse peyne to sodom & gomor, þat weren distroied for synne, þan to þo men þat wolen not resceyue cristis disciplis and his gospel, ne lyue after þe techyng of cristis gospel. principaly siþ suche men slen crist as moche as in hem is, and dryuen þe holy gost out of his temple & þe holy trynite; & ȝit þei taken þe office to meyntene goddis lawe and techeris þer-of, & vpon þis seruyces þei han þes heiȝe statis & lordischipis. but certis it is foul ypocrisie þus to suffre synne regne, siþ lordis and men of grete statis, as maires, ben so muche biholden to destroie it, & mowne welle don it in dede, & to lette trewe prechoris of þe gospel, & meyntene prechours of lesyngis, fablis & cronyclys for monye & worldely frendschipe.

But ȝit ypocrisie of phariseis is most cursed & perilous of alle oþere; for whanne þei han disceyued cristendom þis hundrid ȝeer & more bi ypocrisie & false prechynge of fablis & errouris & heresies, magnifyenge synful mennus ordenaunce abouen goddis lawe & ordenaunce, & drawen pore mennus almes & liflode to proude beggeris to make grete wast houses, and desceyue men bi fals assoilyng, bi falsomitted X. pardon, bi veyne preiers & synguler or specyal, & letteris of fraternite, puttynge open beggynge & clamours on ihū crist, þanne þei crien fast þat poore prestis treuli & frely prechynge þe gospel as crist biddiþ, techynge men to do verray penaunce for here synnes & not trusten ouermoche to false pardon & cursed preieris of ypocritis, & to do here almes to pore feble men crokid & blynde, as crist seiþ him self; þat þei ben cause of alle þeomitted X. perturbacion of þe rewme; but þei lyen falsly & openly to eche trewe man. for siþ synne is cause of pertur|bacion, & þes prestis vpon here kunnynge þat god ȝeueþ hem of holy writt & þer-wiþ bisien hem nyȝt & day to distroye synne, þei ben aboute to make pees betwixe god & man. & þei þat meyntenen synne bi false confessionys & veyn special preieris & pardons ben most cause of discencion & werris. but here þei suen þe fadir of lesyngis þat stirede þe heiȝe prestis & pharisees in cristis tyme to pute on hym & his disciplis þat þei disturbleden þe lond of iude & wolden distroie it, for crist and his disciplis reproueden þe coueitise, ypocrisie & falsenesse of þe heiȝe prestis & false pharisees. so þe deuyl steriþ now false newe pharisees of synguler religion wiþ-oute cristis ordynaunce, þat ben more sotil in malice & lesyngis and ypocrisie þanþat X. þe firste, to stoppe pore prestis fro prechynge of þe gospel & reprouynge of synne, for bi þis offis of crist don treuly here synnes of lesyngis and ypocrisie schulde be knowen and distroied and goddis lawe knowen and kept and synne chasid out of lond. but false ypocritis stryuen aȝenst þis profet of cristen men, & clepen techynge of þe gospel & goddis hestis newe techynge, & techynge of verrey penaunce doynge & of riȝtful ȝeuynge & of almes and open prechynge aȝenst synne errour aȝenst charite. God kepe cristen men fro ypocrisie & false lesyngis of pharisees and here meynteneris. Amen.

Þe reule and þe lyuynge of frere menours is þis: to kepe þe holy gospel of oure lord ihū crist, lyuynge in obedience, wiþ-outen propre, & in chastitie. Frere fraunseis bihetiþbehetis W. obedience and reuerence to þe lord þe pope honorie, & to his successouris, þe whiche entren bi general & holy eleccion, & to þe chirche of rome, & be oþere freris holden to obescheobesþe X. to frere fraunseis & to his successouris.

Ȝif ony wille take þis lif, & comen to oure breþeren, sende hem to þe mynystris prouyncials, to whom only, & not to oþere, be grauntid leue to resceyue freris. þerfore late þe mynystris diligently examyne hem offor X. þe comun feiþ and þe sacramentis of holy chirche, þat ȝif þei beleuen alle þes þingis, and wilen feþfully knowleche hem, & stedefastly kepe hem to þe ende of þe world, & ȝif þei han noon wyues, or ȝif þei han wyues & here wyues ben entrid in-to religion, or ellis þat here wyues han ȝouen here housbondis lyueleeve W. bi auctorite of þe bischop of þe diocise & now maad a vow of chastite or contynce, and here wyues ben of sich age þat noon euyl suspecion may be reysed of hem, late þe prouyn|cials seie to hem wordes of þe holi gospel þat þei goo & sille alle here goodis & ȝeue hem to pore men, & ȝif þei may not do þis here goode wille is ynow to hem; & be þe freris & here mynystris war þat þei be not bisi of here temporal goodis, þat þei don freli of here þingis what euere þe lord inspiriþenpropriþ X.; inspiraverit Lat. to hem. ¶ Neþeles ȝif conseil be nedful her-to, haue þe mynystris leue to sende hem to summe men þat dreden god, bi whos conseil here goodis schullen be ȝouen to pore men. aftirward graunte þe mynystris to hem cloþis of probacion, þat is toomitted X. seie tweietwo W. cotis or kirtlis wiþ-outen hood and a girdil & a brech & a chaperon to þe girdel, but ȝif oþer þing after god be seyn to ye mynystris. ¶ But whanne þe ȝeer of probacion is endid be þei resceyued to obedience, bihetynge to kepe þis lif & reule; & in no manere schal it be leffel to hem to goo out of þis ordre vpupon W. þe comaundement of þe lord þe pope, for aftir þe holy gospel no man sendynge his hond to þe plowȝ and lokenge a-ȝen is able to þe kyngdom of god. & haue þei þat han bihiȝt obedience cotis or kirtliscoote or kirtel W. wiþ an hood and an oþer wiþoutenwiþ an out X. and AA. hood; þei þat wilen haue schon & be nedid þer-to may bere hem. ¶ And be alle freris cloþid wiþ foule cloþis, & þei may pese hem aȝen or cloute hem of sacchis & oþere pecis wiþ þe blissyng of god. And I moneste & stire þes freris þat þei dispise not and deme not þo men whom þei seen cloþid wiþ softe cloþis & colourid, & vse delicat metis & drynkis, but more eche of hem deme & dispise him self.

Do clerkis deuyn officisoffice W. after þe ordre of þoomitted X. and AA. holy chirche of rome, out taken þe sautir, of wheche þei may have breuyaries, þat is smale sauteris or abreggid; but late lewid freris seie four & twenti pater nostris for matynes, for laudis fyue, for prime, tierce, vndren, noon, for eche of hem seuene pater nostris, & for euensong twelue, & for compleyn seuene. ¶ And preie þei for dede men. and faste þei fro þe feste of all hawenhalowe W. til þe natyuyte of crist, & þoomitted X. and AA. holy lenten þat bygynneþ fro þe twelþe day of cristemasse to þe fulle fourti daies, þe whiche lenten oure lord halwid wiþ þis holy fast, be þei blissed of þe lord þat& X. fasten wilfully þis lenten; & be þei not constreyned þat wilen not, but faste þei anoþer lenten til þe resurreccioun of þe lord. but in oþere tymes ben þei not holden to faste but on þe friday; but in tyme of opyn nede ben þe freris not bounden to bodily fast. but I conseile, amoneste, and stire my freris in oure lord ihū crist þatþan X. whanne þei gon bi þe world þat þei chide not and stryue not bi wordis, & þat þei iuge not oþere men, but þat þei ben mylde, peisble and manerly, homly & meke, spekynge of al þingis as it is semely. & þat þei schullen not ride but ȝif þei ben nedid for opyn nede or siknesse. ¶ In|to what euere hous þei schullen entre seie þei first, pees be to þis hous, & aftir þe holy gospel be it lefful to hem to ete of alle metis þat ben sett to hem, as I haue seid.

Oure freris to whom god haþ ȝouen grace to traueile, labore þei treuly & deuoutly so þat ydelnesse enemy of soule be excludid or putt awey. And þei quenche not þe spirit of holy deuocion and preire to whiche oþer spiritual So in all MSS. The Latin has 'temporalia.' þingis schullen serue. But of þe hire of labour receyue þei neces|saries for hem self & here breþeren wiþ-outen pens or mony, and þat mekely, as it is semynge to seruauntis of god foloweris of þe moste holy pouert.

Freris schulle no þing apropre to hem self neiþer hous ne place ne ony oþer þing, but as pilgrimes & gestis or come|lyngyns in þis world, in pouert & mekenesse seruynge to þe lord, goo þei tristiliche for almes, and hem nediþ not to be a-schamyd, for oure 6lord made hymsilf pore in þis werld66_6 omitted X. for vs. þis is þe heynesse of þe moste heyȝ pouert, þat makiþ ȝou my breþeren heiris & kyngis of þe kyngdom of heuenys; þis haþ maad ȝou pore in þingis & enhaunsed ȝou in vertues. be þis ȝoure porcion, or deel, þat bryngiþ perfitely to þe lond of lyuynge men. to þe whiche pouert þe most loued breþeren, hooliche cleuynge for þe reuerence of oure lord ihū crist, wile ȝe nooþing haue lastinge þe world vnder heuene. And where euere freris ben & fynden hem to-gidre schewe þei hem homly bitwixe hem self, & sikyrly schewe eche to oþer his nede. for ȝif a modir norscheþ & loueþ here fleschly child, wiþ hou mychel more diligence schal on loue & norische his gostly broþer, & ȝif ony of hem falle in-to sike|nesse oþere freris schullen serue hym as þei wolden be seruyd

Ȝif ony of freris bi tisynge of þe enemye happen to synne deedly þe synnes of whiche it is ordeyned among freris þat þei rennen to here mynystris prouyncial, þe same freris ben holden to renne to hem also sone as þei may wiþ-outen dwellyng. & þo mynystris ȝif þei ben prestis schullen wiþ mercy enyonye hen penaunce, & ȝif þei ben noone prestis make þei to be enyoyned to hem bi oþer freris of þe ordre, as it semeþ to spede most aftir god. & þei schullen be war þat þei be not wraþid and disturblid for þe synne of ony, for wraþe & disturblynge letten charite in hem & oþere.

Be alle freris holden to haue euermore on of þe freris of þis religion a general mynystre & seruaunt of al þe breþerhed, & be þei holden to obliche stedefastly to him. & whanne he dieþ þe chesynge of his successour be maad 4of mynistris prouincial & custodis in þe chapitre of witsontide, in whiche chapitre be þe 44_4 omitted X.mynystris prouyncial holden euermore to come to-gidre, where euer it haþhit has W. ben ordeyned of þe general mynystre; & onys in þre ȝeer, or at anoþere terme lasse or more as it is ordeyned of þe forseid mynystre. & ȝif it seme ony tyme to þe generalte of mynystris prouyncial & custodis þat þe forseide mynyster is not sufficient to þe seruyce & comune profite of freris, 6be þe forseide freris 66_6 omitted X.holden, to whom þe chesynge is ȝouen, to chese hem anoþer in þe name of god to here kepere. Aftir þe chapitre of witsonday þe mynystris & custodis may eche bi hem self, ȝif þei wilen & it seme to hem spedeful, in þe same ȝeer in here custodries onys clepecalle W. to-gidre here breþeren to chapitre.

Preche not freris in þe bischopriche of ony bischop whanne þe bischop aȝen seiþ hym, & noon of freris be hardy in ony manere to preche to þe peple but ȝif he be examyned & aprouyd of þe mynystre of þis fraternyte, & þat þe office of prechynge be graunted to hym of þe mynystre. ¶ Also I moonest & stire þe same freris þat in prechynge þat þei maken here spechis be examyned as chast & to profit & to edificacion of þe peple. Schewynge to hem vices & vertues, peyne & glorie, wiþ schortnesse of sermon. for þe lord haþhaad X. maad abreggid word vpon þe erþe.

Freris þat ben mynystris & seruantis of oþere freris schullen visite and moneste here breþeren mekely & charitably, & þei schullen correcte, not commandynge to hem ony þing þat be aȝenst here soule and ourehor W. reule. And freris þat ben soget owen to þenke þat for god þei han forsaken here owen willes; werfore I comaunde stedfastly to hem þat þei obeche to hereþo W. mynystris in alle þingis þat þei han behiȝt to oure lord to kepe, & noon contrarie þingis to here soule & to oure reule. & where euere ben ony freris þat wisten or knewen þat þei may not kepe gostly þe reule þei may & owen to renne to here mynystris, & þe mynystris owe to resceyue hem benygnely & bi charite, and haue þei so muche famularite, or homlynesse, aboute hem þat þei may seiesee X.; ut dicere possint Lat. to hem & do as lordis to here seruauntis. for whi so it schal be, þat mynystris be seruauntis of alle freris. I amoneste & stire in oure lord ihū crist þat freris ben war & flee fro alle pride, fro veyn glorie, enuye and coueitise, & cure & bisynesse of þis world, fro detraccion & grucchynge. & recke not þatomitted X. þei ben vnkunnynge to lerne letteris, but vndirstonde þei þat aboue alle thingis þei owen to desire to haue þe spirit of þe lord & his holy werchynge, and euere preie to god wiþ clene herte, & haue mekenesse & pacience in pursuyt & in infirmyte, and to loue hem þat pursuen vs & reprouen & dispisen vs. for oure lord seiþ: loue ȝe ȝoure enemyes, & preien for hem þat pursuen ȝou, and for men þat falsly chalengen ȝow. blissed be þei þat suffren persecucion for riȝtwisnesse, for here is þe kyngdom of heuenys; & who euere lastiþ in-to þe ende he schal be saaf.

I comaunde stably to freris þat þei haue not suspect com|panyes or conseilis of wymmen, & þat þei entren not þe abbeies of nunnes, out take þo to whom fro þe see of apostaile is licence grauntid; and be þei not maad godfadris of men, last bi þis occasion among freris & of freris be gendrid sclaundre.

Who euere of freris bi inspiracioun of god wilen goon among sarasyns & oþere vnbelefful, axe þei leue þerof of here mynystris prouyncyal, and ȝeue þes mynystris to noon leue to go but to hem whom þei seen ablee to be sent to þis þing. I enyoyne to mynystris bi obedience þat þei axe of þe lord þe pope on of þe cardynales of þe chirche of rome, þat be gouernour, meyntenour, and correctour of þis fraternyte, þat we be euere suget to þe feet of þe same holy chirche, and stable in general feiþ of cristene men, & þat we kepe pouert & mekenesse & þe holy gospel of oure lord ihū crist, þe whiche we han stedefastly bi-hiȝt or awowid bi profession.

Here endiþ þe reule of seynt fraunseis, & here bigynneþ þe testament of seynt fraunceis.

Þat prelatis leuen prechynge of þe gospel & ben gostly manquelleris of mennys soulis, And sathanas transfigurid in-to an aungel of liȝt, & ben gostly sodomytis worse þan bodily sodomytis of sodom and gomor. first, crist seiþ in þe gospel of seyn ion þat he was boren & cam in-to þeJohn xviii. 37. world for þis ende, tobetere inserted X. bere witnesse to treuþe; also crist cam in-to þis world to seke and to saue mankynde, þe whiche was perischid. & certis crist sauyd mannus souleLuke xix. 10. bi trewe lyuynge in his owen persone, & trewe & opyn & fre prechynge of þe gospel, & wilful passion & deþ for prechynge & meyntenynge of þe gospel; & to þis same ende & werk crist ordeyned alle his apostlis & disciplis, boþe bi-forn his deþ & after his resurreccion, to preche þus þe gospel to alle men. þanne, siþ prelatis & prestis ordeyned of good comen in þe stede of postlis & disciples, þei ben alle bounden bi ihū crist god & man to preche þus þe gospel. ¶ Also crist biddiþ þries to petir þat ȝif peter loue crist þat[John xxi. 15.] he fede his scheep; þat ben cristen soulis; & first fede bi ensaumple of good lif, þe secunde tyme bi trewe techynge of þe gospel, and þe þridde tyme bi wilful suffrynge of deiþ, to make men stable in þe gospel & in hope of blisse: & here-to crist comaunded his disciples to preche opynly þe[Matt. x. 27, 28.] treuþe þat þei herden priuely, & drede not men þat turmenten & slen þe bodi, but drede hym þat may putte body & soule in-to helle wiþ-outen ende. ¶ Of þes two gospellis it is cleer þat prelatis þat prechen not þus þe gospel louen not crist, but don fully aȝenst his heste, whanne þei leuen for drede of men to teche þe gospel; & þus þe heȝe prestis ely was dede for he tauȝte not his children goddis lawe and reproued not at þe fulle here synnes, & þe arke"whiche" both MSS. or couere of god was conquerid in-to enemyes hondis, & goddis peple ouercomen, and many þousandis slayn in bataile as[1 Sam. iv.] þe first bok of kyngis telliþ. ¶ And herefore þe holy prophete ysaie crieþ þat woo is to hym, for þat he was stille and dwelte among synful peple, & telle hem not here synnes,[Isaiah vi. 5.] siþ þis is offis of a prophete. also god seþ to prelatis bi eȝechiel, þat ȝif a synful man die in his synne & þe prelate[Ezekiel iii. 18.] telle him not his peyne for synne, god schal seke þe synful mannus bloode, þat is his synne, of þeþere X. prelatis hondis. ¶ And here-for seiþ poul þat woo is to hym, þat is euerlastynge dampnacion, but ȝif he preche þe gospel; & siþ cristen men[1 Cor. ix. 16.] may not lyue gostly but bi goddis word, prelatis þat wiþ|drawen þus goddis word fro here sugetis ben cause of deþ of here soulis, þat is a þousand folde worse þan is deþ of body, & so þei be worse man-sleeris þan þei þat only sleen þe body. ¶ And siþ petir was sathanas for he wolde haue[Matt. xvi. 23.] lettid cristis deþ & saluacion of mannus soule, him wnwyt|tyngge; moche more þes prelatis ben sathanas, þat þus myche contrarien cristis wille & sauynge of mennus soulis þoruȝ prechynge of þe gospel, & þei ben turned in-to an aungel of liȝt, for þei feynen hem in þe stede of apostlis & worche wiþ þe fend to suffre mennus soulis go to helle; & siþ goddis word, bi whiche men schulden gostly be gendrid goddis sones, is betere þan bodely seed of man bi whiche þe body of man schulde be gendred, & þes prelatis mysusen þis betere seed, þanne þei don more synne þan diden þe sodomytis þat wasted manus seed; for euere þe betre þat a þing is þe worse & þe more abhominable is þe mysusynge þer-of. & þe grete doctour lyncolne robert grosted groundiþ[Grossetête.] þis pleynly þat siche prelatis þat leuen to preche þus cristis gospel ben more abhominable and enemys of god & his peple þan weren þe cursed men of sodom & gomor. & siþ god seþ bi þe prophete þat euyl prestis ben cause of fallynge of þe peple, alle manere men ben bounde to amende þis defaute; for ellis þei stonden not in goddis hestis ne charite. & here-fore gregory seiþ þat no man harmeþ more cristis[Gregory.] chirche þan he þat haþ þe name of ordre & holynesse and þer-wiþ lyueth euele, for comunly no man reproueþ hym, & men taken gretly ensaumple of his synne; & þerfore crist purgid þe temple with his owen hondis, as þe gospel telliþ, in& X. tokene þat ȝif prestis weren good þe peple schulde sone be amendid. & for þis skille trewe men seyn þat prelatis ben more bounden to preche trewely þe gospel þan þes sugetis ben holden to paie here dymes, for god chargiþ þat more, and þat is more profitable to boþe parties & more esy. And þerfore prelatis ben more cursed to cesse of þis prechynge þanne þe sugetis ȝif þei cessen to paye tiþes; ȝe, whanne here prelatis don wel here offis. ¶ Also prelatis ben more bounden to þis prechynge, for þat is comaundement of crist bifore his deþ & eke aftir, þan to seie matynes, masse, euen song, or placebo, for þat is mannus ordynaunce; þanne siþ prelatis ben not worþi to haue dymes & offrynges ȝif þei don not matynes, masse & oþer mannes ordeynyngis, moche more ȝif þei don not þis heȝe ordynaunce of god; & here-fore seiþ crist, ȝif þe salt be fonnyd it is not worthi ouer þis, but ȝif it be to be cast out & be defoulid of men; þat is ȝif prelatis[Matt. v. 13.] failen of good lif & techynge, þei moten be þus seruyd of men, for ȝif men vnder hem knowe þis defaute & may amenden it & don not, þei consenten & meyntenen hem in þis grete synne.

Also prelatis letten men to do goddis wille & comaunde|ment, & so þei neden hem to be dampnyd, & letten many to here goddis lawe; for prelatis letten & forbeden prestis to preche þe gospel in here iurdiccion or bischope-riche, but ȝif þei han leue & letteris of hem; & ȝit god comaundeþ & chargiþ alle hisþes X. prestis to preche freely the gospel. for alle cristis apostlis & disciplis weren chargid to preche þe gospel, & alle prestis ordeyned of god comen oþer in staat of apostlis or disciplis of crist, as bede & þe popis lawe seiþ; þanne alle prestis ben chargid to preche þe gospel. Also god seiþ be þe prophete, þat lippis of a prest kepen kunnynge of[Malachi ii. 7.] goddis lawe, & men seken the lawe of his mouþ, for he is an aungel of þe lord of compaynes. an aungel is a messager, þanne siþ þe prest generaly is a messager of god he mot schewe his message, þat is þe gospel, in whiche is perfitly teld goddis wille; and gregory vpon þe gospel proueþ wel þat eche prest mot preche, haue he litel kunnynge or moche. ¶ Also gregory seiþ in þe popis lawe, þat who euere comeþ to prestod takiþ þe office of a bedele or criere to goo bi-fore þe dredful doomomitted X. of god; andomitted X. as in þe olde lawe þe prest schulde die ȝif he ne entrid in-to a sanctuarie wiþ-outen noyse, so in þe lawe of grace ȝif a prest be doumb of þe prechynge he stereþ goddis wratþe vpon hym. & siþ men ben gretly cursid þat don aȝenst þe popis lawe, as men seyn, & þis is a grete popis lawe, groundid on goddis lawe & reson & charite, moche more ben þei cursed þat don aȝenst þis lawe. ¶ Also ierom seiþ þat prestis owen to preche bifore bischopis, & þei owen to be glad þerof for þat is here worschipe. ¶ Also austyn in a sermon seiþ þat eche man is holden to teche þe good þat he can; ȝe, þouȝ he kunne litel. ¶ Also it is a gret werk of mercy to teche men þe riȝtte weie to heuene, & eche man is holden bi comaundement of god to do werkis of mercy; þan is eche prest holden to teche þe gospel, þat is þe riȝt weie to heuene. ¶ Also in þe holde lawe a man is holde to brynge þe beste of his enemye in-to þe ryȝtte weie;[Exodus xxiii. 4.] moche more is a man holden to brynge his broþeres soulis out of synne in-to good weie to heuene ward. And bi þis reson alle cristis enemyes weren stoppid to speke aȝenst him[Mark iii. 4.] whanne he helid a sik man vpon þe sabaat day, as þe gospel telliþ. ¶ Also þat riche man is out of charite þat helpiþ not his broþer in bodely nede, ȝif he may wel, as ioon þe[1 John iii. 17.] euaungelist seiþ; myche more is a man nedid bi charite to releue his broþeres soule out of myschif of synne, ȝif he haue kunnynge of goddis lawe. ¶ Also men demen it a grete charite to saue a mannus bodi fro deþ or dryncchyng; it is moche more charite to saue mennus soulis fro deþ of synne & of helle bi trewe prechynge of goddis lawe. ¶ A lord, what deuelis blyndnesse and cursednesse is þis, whanne þe prelat or curat is chargid of god, vp peyne of his owen dampnacion, to teche þe gospel & comaundementis of god to alle his sugetis, & here-wiþ can not teche þus, or may not for worldly bisynesse, or wole not for idelnesse or negligence, þan to lette oþere to preche frely þe gospel of crist & saue mennus soulis; but þanne þei senden oþere, þat tellen lesyngis, fablis, & cronyclis, & robben þe peple bi fals beggyngis, & dore not telle hem here grete synnes & auoutrie 1lest þei11_1 omitted X. lesen wynnynge or frendischipe. ¶ Certis he were a cruel fadir þat myȝtte not ȝeue his owene childre bred þouȝ þei perischeden for hunger, & ȝit wolde not suffre anoþer man to helpe þes children bi weie of mercy; but moche more cruel ben þes prelatis & curatis, þat kunnen not or may not or wolen not ȝeue here gostly children gostly bred of þe gospel, þouȝ here soulis ben in neuere so gret myschef, & ȝit forbeden & cursen oþere men ȝif þei wolen for mercy ȝeue here breþer techyng of goddis lawe, boþe treuly & frely, with-outen beggynge as crist biddiþ. ¶ It semeþ þat syche prelatis & newe religious ben a-ferd of cristis gospel, for it approueþ not but distroieþ worldly lordschipe of prelatis & feyned holynesse of newe religious; siþ cristis religion þat he made for prestis is þe beste, most perfyt, most esy, & most siker. And oure ihū wolde haue no worse religion in prestis þan þat þat he made himself. ¶ Also it semeþ þat sich iurdic|cion of prelatis, þat þus letten cristis gospel, dryuen awey god fro mannus soule, & vertuous lif & charite, & bryngeþ þe fend in, and cherischiþ hym & synnes & debatis & werris. neþeles men supposen þat newe religious han leue of worldly prelatis to preche here fablis and lesyngis & to robbe þe pore peple bi beggyng, vpon this condiccion, þat þei preche not spedily aȝenst symonye, extorsions & oþere orible synnes of false prelatis, & þat þei ȝeue þes worldly prelatis gold in gret quantite, þat þei robben of pore men. ¶ And þus þes worldly prelatis dampnen hem self þes newe religious, hem self, & also oþere prestis þat wolden preche þe gospel trewely & frely as moche as in hem is, and þe peple also; siþ þei suffren not þe peple to here goddis word frely, but lesyngis, fablis, and þerto toomitted X. be robbid, & þus þes prelatis ben procuratours of þe fend, enemyes of crist, & traitours to of X.his peple.

Also comunly prelatis ben false prophetis & heretikis, for þei indede seyn heresie & techen aȝenst ihū crist & his apostlis; for aȝenst cristis wilful pouert þei techen in dede worldly coueitise & moche wast in worldly goodis, & aȝenst cristis mekenesse þei techen in-dede pompe & pride of þe world & of here statis, and aȝen cristis bysynesse in prechynge & preieyng & traueile bi contrees þei techen in-dede vanyte & idelnesse, & ben ȝeuen to glotonye & worldly bisynesse, & haunten courtis of lordis & worldly plees, & ben doumb fro þe gospel & tellen here owen lawis to magnyfie here power & pride & coueitise, & couchen in castelis as lordis; & wiþ all þis þei seyn þat cristis & his apostlis lif & here proude lif acorden, & seyn þat þei lyuen as crist & his apostlis diden.

¶ A lord! siþ prelatis comen in stede of apostlis, hou may þei for schame lyue so contrariously aȝenst here pore lif, in wast seruauntis, in grete fatte hors & nedles, in shynyng vessel, in gret aray of cloþis; ȝe, more þan many grete lordis. certis in ensaumple of here lif þei techen errour aȝenst crist & his apostlis, siþ þei seyn þat þei suen crist and apostlis in manere of lyuynge. O lord! what tokene of mekenesse & forsakynge of worldly richesses is þis; a prelat as an abott or a priour, þat is ded to þe world & pride & vanyte þer-of, to ride wiþ foure score hors, wiþ harneis of siluer & gold, & many raggid & fittrid squyeris & oþere men swerynge herte & bonys & nailis & oþere membris of crist, & to spende wiþ erlis & barons & here pore tenauntis boþe þousand markis & poundes to meyntene a false plee of þe world, & forbarre men of here riȝt. & ȝit þes ypocritis seyn þat þis is worschipe of holy chirche, but certis þei lien, but ȝif þei clepen be contrarie name þe deuelis chirche to be holy chirche, as þei clepen hem self men of religion & þat þei forsaken þe world; but certis þei distroien holy religion & magnyfien veyn religion, of whiche seynt Iames spekiþ, & forsaken traueile & peyne & dissese of þe world, & han lordschipis, rentis, gaie houses & costy, & welfare of mete & drynk, þere þei myȝtten vnneþe before haue bene-bred & watir or feble ale. ȝe, wiþ moche care & traueile now vnneþe ony metenite X. or wyn may serue & plese hem, but likerousnesse & lustis of here bely han now alle þe bisinessis, and deuocion & holynesse & penaunce litel or riȝt nouȝt. Of þis veyn pride of religious it semeþ wel þei ben not bok of cristis pouert & holynesse, as þei seye in here wordis, but bok of pride, coueitise, vanyte & oþere synnes, to disceitdissect X. of goddis peple & distroiynge of his lawe. ¶ harde crieþ seynt bernard aȝenst pompous prelatis & axeþ hem þus: ȝeeþe X. prelatis, what doþ gold in ȝoure bridelis & oþere araies, where it kepe hem fro cold; we perischen for hunger and cold, seyn pore men, oure goodis þei ben þat ȝe wasten from vs, þei ben drawen cruelly aȝenst mercy, & þus ȝeeþei X. don tweie euele þingis, on for ȝoure pride & wast of pore mennus goodis ȝe gon to helle, And we pore men perischen in þis world for ȝoure vanyte & pride. & siþ þe lif of prelatis is bok & ensaumple of sugetis, as grosted seiþ wiþ many moo, & þei lyuen so opynly in pride, coueitise & idelnesse, passynge alle oþere, þei ben open heretikis & stronge, þat han no schame of here heresie, for heresie in fals lif meyntened is werse þan heresie only in herte or wordis, and for sclaundere þat þei ȝeuen to oþere men bi here cursed lif god him self curseþ hem in þe gospel & seiþ þus: who to þat man bi whom comeþ a sclaundre, þat is ensaumple to do synne, it spediþ to him þat a mylneston of assis be hangid in his necke, & þat he be dreynt in-to[Matt. xviii. 6.] depnesse of þe see. þat is, seiþ gregory, it spediþ to euyl prelatis þat ȝeuen ensaumpele of synne to here sugetis þat þei weren in lowere staat of worldly labour & þer-wiþ wer dampnyd to depe helle; for þan þei schulden haue lesse peyne þan to lyueleve X. euele in þe heȝe staat & teche oþere men do synne, for þei ben worþi as many deþes as þei ȝeuen euyle ensaumples of synne to here sugetis. But lord, who is nowe so coueitous abouten worldly lordschipis & temporal goodis as oure prelatis, for comunly alle here visitacion, alle here sacramentis and ordris ȝeuynge & halwynge of placis & vesty|mentis & blissyng is donben X. for coueitise & worldly pride & dignyte; alle here preue spekyng & prechyng & techyng in scolis is for coueitise & magnyfyynge of here worldly staat: who is more idel in goddis seruyce, more in glotonye & wastynge of pore mennus goodis in schynynge vesselis & oþere costis? & ȝif þei preien, þat is wiþ-outen deuocion to plese þe peple, & comunly for offrynge, & cotidian distri|bucion, & stynkyng lif of lecherie, robberie, pride, coueitise, glotonye; þat þei raþere stiren god to wraþe & vengaunce þan to mercy & pite, as goddis lawe, austyn & gregory & oþere seyntis witnessen. but, lord, siþ heresie stondiþ most in cursed lif, were ben more heretikes, siþ þei ben most synful in opyn & preuy cursed lyuynge; but where schal ony be deppere dampnyd in helle?

Prelatis also robben þe pore lige men of þe king bi fals extorisions taken bi colour of holy correccion, & ȝeuen men leue to dwellen in synne fro ȝer to ȝer, fro seuene ȝer to seuene ȝer, & comunly al here lif, ȝif þei paien bi ȝere twenti shillyngis or more or lesse, and þus bi sutilte of sathanas þei han founde newe peynes orible & schameful to make men paye a gret raunson, to ȝeue gold & baþe hem in lustis of synne as swyn in feen. And men seyn þat summe bischopis getiþ in o yer two þousand mark or poundis; & ȝif he laste twenty ȝeer bischop wiþ þis robberie, It wole come to sixti þousand mark þat he robbiþ of þe kingis lige men. ¶ And þus þes wickede prelatis sillen cristene mennus soulis to sathanas for money, for whiche soulis crist schedde his precious herte blod vpon þe cros. And here-fore þei ben worse þan iudas for many skillis, for þei sillen crist in a manere as iudas dide wiþ more dispit & more stynkynge coueitise, & ȝit þei hiren lordis to meyntene hem in þis cursednesse, & ȝeue pore mennus goodis to hem for þis ende, & hiren also iurrouris & oþere gentil men of contre to forswere hem wyttyngly on þe bok & not to putten hem vp for extorsioneris & þeues; & whanne þei schulden be principal dukis in crist oost to fiȝtte & teche oþere men bi here ensaumple to fyȝtte aȝenst synnes, as false traitouris þei turnen þe bak & techene cristene men to offre hem redy to þe deuelys sacrifice. a pore man þei constreynem to synne bi manas, chydyng & losse of catel & sclaundrynge, but ȝif he wolen consente to hem & fauoure hem in here wrong lif; & ȝif he wol do so, þanne he is an holy sone, & haþ ȝiftis & worldly frendischipe & fauour & anticristis false blissyng & goddis trewe curs. And þei flatren lordis whanne þei meyntenen þes anticristis prelatis to robbe here tenauntis, & seyn þei worschipen þanne god & holy chirche, & ȝeuen lordis grete ȝiftis of gold & iuelis & pardons, & licence to synge in oratories & oþere veyn þingis, and ȝif lordis wolen distroie þes synnes of robberie & sathanas marchaundise, þanne anticristis prelatis wolen sclaundren hem, curse hem, & entirdite hem & here londis.here lordis X. And þus alle men ben conquerid to þe fend almost, & þus þes cursed pilatis not prelatis ben verray anticristis, procuratours of sathanas, & traitours of ihū crist & his peple.

Also prelatis halden þe halwynge of dede stonys or dede erþe & oþere ornamentis of þe chirche, as vestymentis, cloþis, chalis, & oile, & crem, more worþi þan þe halwynge and blissynge of þe sacramentis of þe auter, þat is verray cristis flech & his blood; & so it semeþ þat þei holden dede stonys & dede erþe & roten cloþis more worþi þan cristis owen precious body & his blood. ¶ For þei holden to hem self halwynge of auter stonys, chirchis & chirche ȝerdis & oþere cloþis of þeomitted X. chirche as more worþi & precious, & suffren pore prestis, be þei neuere so vnkunnynge and vicious anemtis god so þat þei speke not aȝenst þe synne of prelatis, to make þe sacrament of þe auter eche day, as ȝif þat were lesse worþi & lesse precious. ¶ Also þei wolen suffre an auter vnhalwedid, or a chirche or a chirche ȝerde suspendid & no masse seyd þer-inne, ȝe fourtene nyȝt, ȝe a moneþ, ȝe longe ynowþ, ȝif fourty pens ben bihynden of ten mark or ten pound; & alle þis þei taken bi extorsions, bi þefte & symonye, & hauen no mercy, be þe peple neuere so poer, neuere so nedy, & neuere so deuout to here goddis 2word or22_2 omitted X. seruyce; but where ben worse tirauntis & heretikis? & þus in alle here dedis of gostly offices þei cursen hem self & þe peple also, for þei don not þat þat longiþ to here office for stynkynge symonye, & maken þe peple to consente & meynteyne here synne of symonye & heresie, for þei don many sotil menys, as graunten pardon & here feyned blissyng to halwyng of chirchis, to make þe peple wilful to bere hem vp in here synne. ¶ And ȝif ony man for drede of god & his conscience aȝenstonde þis extorsion and robberie & symonye he schal be rebukid, dispised, sumned, cursed, lese his catel & in cas his bodi to prison or to deþ, & sumtyme be in hate, in strif & enuye, & ful of his wrecchid lif. & ȝif he consente wilfully to þis foule symonye þanne he is dede in synne, as poul seiþ, & ȝif he aȝenstonde it, what bi cautelis of anticrist & malice of þe fend, he schal be tourmentid bi wraþþe & vnpacience & traueile & peyne of his bodi & loos of his catel, þat vnneþis schal he be sauyd but nedid to be dampnyd; & þus it semeþ þat þei þat schulden be most principal helperis to cristene mennus soulis þei ben most principal procuratours of þe fend to encombre hem in synne. and ȝit it semeþ þat oure goode god kepiþ þes veyn offices & feyned sacramentis fro his pore prestis þat þei gon not þe brode weie to helle for mysusynge of hem.

Prelatis also setten more pris bi a litel styngyngestynkynge AA. drit of worldly goodis þan þei don bi þe moste holy gospel of ihū crist; for þe grete bysynesse þat þei han abouten worldly goodis & þe litel traueile & studyyng abouten cristis gospel prouen wel þat þei louen more þis worldly muk þan þe gospel of ihū crist; for þe dede doynge is proff of loue, as gregory seiþ, & here-fore þei preisen & techyn mannus lawis & here owen tradiciouns to gete þe peny by, but þei leuen & dispisen þe gospel & letten it to be prechid, for þe gospel techiþ þe holy lif of crist & his apostlis & dampneþ þe cursed lif of þes worldly prelatis, & þei commaunden þat no man schal preche þe gospel but at here wille & lymytacion, & forbeden men to here þe gospel vp peyne of þe grete curs. but sathanas in his owne persone durste neuere do so myche dispit to crist & his gospel, for he aleid holy writt to crist & wolde haue proued his entente þer-bi. & siþ it is cristis conseil & comaundement to prestis generaly to preche þe gospel, and þis þei moten not do wiþ-outen leue of þes prelatis, þat in cas ben fendis of helle, þanne prestis may not do cristis conseilis & hestis wiþ-outen leue of fendis. A, lord ihū! for þes synful foolis, & in cas fendis of helle, ben more myȝtti & witti þan þou, þat trewe men may not do þe wille wiþ-outen auctorite of siche fendis. ¶ A, lord god almyȝtty, al witti & alle ful of charite, hou longe wilt þou suffre þes anticristis to dispise þe in þyn holy gospel & lette þe helþe of cristene mennus soulis? Endeles riȝtful lord, þis þou suffredest for synne generaly regnynge among þe peple, but endeles mercyful & goode lord, helpe þi pore wrecchide prestis & seruauntis to fore þi peple to haue loue, drede & reuerence to þi gospel, & lette not to do þi worschipe & wille for fals ferynge of anticristis & fendis of helle. ¶ Almyȝtti lord god and merciful & endeles witty, siþ þou suffredest petir & alle apostlisomitted X. to haue so grete drede & cowardise in tyme of þi passion þat þei flowen alle awey for drede of deþ And for a litel pore wommannus vois, and aftirward by confort of þe holy gost madist hem so stronge þat þei weren afferd of no man, no peyne ne deþ; helpe nowe bi ȝeftis of þe same holy gost þi pore seruauntis þat al þer lif han ben cowardis, & make hem stronge & bolde in þe cause to meyntene þi gospel aȝenst anticristis & tirauntis of þis world. & graunte grace to oure lordis alle to meyntene þi gospel & þin ordynaunce, & specialy to seke þi worschipe & myȝttily distroie synne; for to þis office þou hast ordeyned lordis. ¶ Almyȝtti lord, it semeþ nowe to omitted X. foolis of this world þat þi cause is ouere|comen and anticrist haþ þe victorie, & pore men, lord, doren not abide þi seruyce; but now lord, for glorie of þin owe name, & for sauynge of cristene soulis whom þou bouȝttest wiþ þin precious herte blood, & for distroynge of boost & pride of anticrist & his þat now ben so heiȝe & myȝtty, graunte þi seruauntes grace to laste trewe in þe gospel & preche it trewely in word & dede; & þi lordis to meyntene it styfly aȝenst anticristis clerkis; & þi comunes, lorde, to kepe þin hestis & knowe anticristis disceit, & clenly take þi gospel in reuerence & lette not for false drede of anticrist & oþere fendis. so be it, lord.

Also prelatis setten more pris bi þe roten peny þanne þei don bi þe precious blood of ihū crist, for þe ende of schedynge of cristis bloode was to saue mannus soulis & it was pris for hem; þanne as þei louen more þe roten peny þanne þe sauynge of cristene soulis, so þei louen more þe roten peney þan þe blood of ihū crist, & in tokene þer-of þei ben besy boþe nyȝt & day to gete þe þeny wiþ falsnesse, cautelis & tirauntrie, but of mennus soulis is left care; ȝif þe peny fayle þei ben woode for wraþþe & sorowe, ȝif mennus soulis gon to helle bi brekynge of goddis comaundementis no warde, so þat þe peny come faste to fille here hondis & coffris. & herefore men seyn þei maken marchaundise wiþ money & mennys soulis to sathanas, for þei ȝeuen men licence to dwelle in synne for annuel rente as longe as hem likiþ, & þus sathanas getiþ soulis to helle for þe roten peny; for men seyn þat cayphas bischopis ben sory whanne men forsaken here olde synnes and paien nomore here annuel rente. ¶ And seyn þat þei may not holde good hous bi siche men, as þouȝ þei wolde sende þousande soulis to satanas for to haue moche roten money & a proude name in þe world of gret housholdyng.

Also prelatis killen men gostly, ȝeuynge euyl ensaumple & disceyuynge pore men of here almes, & wiþ-drawynge goddis word bi whiche þei schulden lyue gostly, for ensaumple of pride, coueitise, wraþþe, vnmercy, vanyte, glotonye & lecherie þei ȝeuen to alle men aboute; & manye of þes synnes ben so open þat it nediþ no more to declare hem, but of lecherie men seyn þat many prelatis ben ful þer-of & of þe moste cursed spices þer-of, þat it is schame to written it but more to done it in dede; & lowere curatis taken ensaumple at hem & seyn, whi may not we haue lemmannus siþ þe bischop haþ so manye? & sugetis taken ensaumple at here curatis, boþe weddid men & sengle. & þus prelatis bi þis cursed ensaumple sleen in als mychel as in hem is alle manere men, for þei dorn not for schame of her owen synne sadly amende oþere synful, ne wiþ-stonde wronges of souereyns þat þei don to pore men. ¶ And here-wiþ prelatis disceyuendisceyuem X. pore men of here almes, for bi fals pardon þei maken men to ȝeue here nedi liflode to here cathedral chirches þat han no nede, & make þe pore men to hope of more þank of goddis mercy to don here almes to riche houses & riche men more þan to don it to here pore neiȝeboþeris þat ben bedrede, febil, & crokid & blynd, & þer-wiþ han nouȝt of here owen. And certis þis is worse þefte þan to robbe hem as an owtlawe doþ. For he takiþ comunly gold or siluer, but þer prelates taken boþe of pore men & disceyuen hem in feiþ, hope & charite, & also þei suffren oþere false pardoneris disceyuen þe peple for a litel money, & lesse curatis haunten þis false craft. ¶ Also þes prelates bi extorsions and maistrie taken þe litel good þat þei schulden lyue bi þat þei geten bi gret swoot of here body, & þus, as god seiþ of tyrauntis, þei taken here skyn Micah iii. 2. fro þe bak, & eten & drynkyn mennus blood, whanne þei be raueine & ypocrisie disceyuen hem of here goodis bi whiche here bodely lif schulde be susteyned, & whiche goodis þei gaten bi hard traueile & wastyng of flech & blood; & þus þei ben manquelleris & irreguler bi-fore god & his aungelis. ¶ Also þei prechen not cristis gospel in word & dede bi whiche cristene men schuld lyue holy lif in charite, but blaberen forþe anticristis bullis to maken cristene men to werre eche wiþ oþere in hope to wynne heuene bi siche werris, & ȝit þei letten trewe men to teche treuli & frely cristis gospel & his comaundementis, but þei senden newe ypocritis to preche fablis & lesyngis & to flateren men in synne, & to robbe þe pore peple bi fals beggynge dampnyd of goddis. lawe, & ȝit þei maken þe peple to erre in bileue & to trowe þat crist beggyd þus als þei don; but certis þis his an open heresie aȝenst cristis gospel & his lif, & as þe olde lawe & þe newe schewyn pleynly; & þus þes prelatis killen mennus soulis bi sclaundre of here owen euyl lif, bi disceit of almes, & suffrynge of false techeris & false robberis of þe peple.

Ouere þis prelatis chargen more here owen cursyng, þat is many tymys fals, þan þe moste riȝtful curse of god almyȝtty. And here-bi þei menen & schewen in dede but falsly þat þei ben more þan almyȝtty god in trinyte. ¶ For ȝif a man be acursed of prelatis, ȝe wrongly, a-noon alle men ben tauȝt bi hem to flee him as a iew or a sarsyn, & ȝif he dwelle fourty daies in here curs he schal be taken to prison. But þo þat ben cursed of god for bregynge of his hestis, as proude men, enuyous, coueitous, glotons & lecherouse, ben not ponyschid þus, but holden vertuous & worþi & manly men; & so goddis curs is seit at nouȝt but wrongful mannes curs is chargid aboue þe cloudis. And ȝit þouȝ a man be cursed of god & of a prelat also trewly, ȝif he wole ȝeue gold or money at a false mannus wille he schal be assoilid as anemtis men, þouȝ he dwelle in his synne & þanne in goddis curs. ¶ But see now þe mysusynge of mannus curs; ȝif a trewe man displese a worldly prelat for techynge & meyntenynge of goddis lawe, he schal be sclaundrid for a cursed man & forboden to teche cristis gospel, & þe peple chargid vp peyne of þe grete curs to flee & not heren s[i]ch a man for to saue here owen soulis; & þis schal be don vnder colour of holynesse; for þei wolen seie þat siche a man techiþ heresie & brynge many false witnesses & notaries in his absence, & in presence speke no word, & þei feynen þis false lawe, ȝif þre or four false witnesses hirid bi money seye sich a þing aȝenst a trewe man, þan he schal not be herd, þouȝ he wolde proue þe contrarie bi two hundrid or þre; & þes false men seye in here doynge þat crist was lafully don to þe deþ, & susanne also, for bi sich witnessis þei weren dampnyd, but cristene men bileue techiþ þe contrarie. & bi þis false lawe þei may proue heretikis whom euere þei wolen; ȝe, crist & alle his apostlis & alle his martirs & trewe men in þis world, & proue eche kyng in cristendom forsworn & no kyng; but certis god techiþ in his lawe þat o trewe man, as danyel dede, schal conuycte two false prestis; & þe prophete hely conuycte eiȝte hundrid1 Kings xviii. & mo of false prestis & prophetis of baal. & þes prelatis wolen distroie al goddis lawe þat techiþ hou false witnesse schullen be ponyschid, for þei wolen not haue hem conuycted of here falsnesse bi mo trewe men; & ȝit whanne a man is falsly cursed of a prelat, ȝe þouȝ þe prelat be a deuyl of helle, he schal not be assoilid til þat he swere to stonde to here dom þou it be aȝenst goddis lawe & his conscience. & þus þei ben fully contrarie to goddis dom & ryȝtwisnesse, for ȝif a man haue terespassid neuere so aȝenst god he wole assoile him for verray contricion wiþ-outen siche sweryng or chargyng of vnresonable þingis, but þei falsly enhaunsen hem aboue god almytti. ¶ Þus it stondiþ of mannus curs; apostlis of crist hadden power to take mennys bodyes to1 Cor. v. 5. sathanas to traueilen hem whanne þei weren rebelle aȝenst goddis hestis til þei weren meke aȝen for peyne & for woo, & so to saue þe soule; but nowe anticristis clerkis cursen þe soule in-to helle as þei feynen, but þe body is neuere þe more traueilid. & certis þes ben cruel fadris þat þus violently cursen here children in-to helle, not for rebelte aȝenst god ne his lawe, but for cristene men wiþ-stonden þe prelatis coueitise or his pride, or for þei techen & meyn|tenen þe gospel of ihū crist. ¶ Also whanne þei cursen for here coueitise & here owen vengaunce þei cursen hem self, as þe lawe seiþ, for þei bent out of charite aȝenst god & man. ¶ Also whanne þei cursen a man þat meynteneþ goddis lawe paciently & stably god blisseþ aȝenst here cursyng, but þei blynden so þe peple þat goddis blissyng is sett at nouȝt, but here false curs is drede more þan god almyȝtty. Also whanne þei blissen a man þat meynteneþ hem in here cursed lif god him self curseþ þat man, as god seiþ bi þe prophete, but þei blyndyn so þe peple þat here false blissyng is magnyfied & goddis riȝtful curs is not dred, & þus þei putten goddis dom & blissynge & cursynge bihynde & setten hem at nouȝt, & magnyfien here owen false dom and blissynge & cursynge aboue god almyȝtty: but in oþere placis is more of þis matere.

Also prelatis disceyuen lordis & alle cristene men bi veyn preieris of mouþ, & veyn knackyng of newe song & costy, for bi title of preire þei han many worldly lordschipis & many parische chirchis approprid to hem, & don neiþer office of prelatis as cristis disciplis diden, neiþer office of lordis as þei owen to do bi goddis lawe, neiþer þe office of parsones ne vekeris to here parischenes; but lyuenlyuem X. in pompe & pride, coueitise, & in wraþþe, slouþe & in ydelnesse, & stenkynge lecherie, glotonye & drounkenesse, & gret ypocrisie, and so techen þe fendis armys of synne & distroien þe clennesse of cristis lif as moche as þei may. preiere stondiþ principaly in good lif, & of þis preiere spekiþ crist whanne he seiþ in þe gospel þat we mosten euere preie; for austyn & oþere seyntis seyn as longe as a man dwelleþ in charite so longe he preieþ wel. ¶ Also preiere stondiþ in holy desir to do goddis wille, & of þis spekiþ goddis lawe & seyntis ful myche. ¶ Also preiere stondiþ in word, as comunly men speken, & þis is nouȝt worþ but ȝif it be don wiþ deuocion & clennesse & holynesse of lif. ¶ For holy writt seiþ þat his preynge isProv. xxviii. 9. abhomynable þat turneþ awey & heriþ nouȝt þe lawe; þat is to seie, þat fulfilliþ not goddis lawe in his lif. And of siche vikede men seiþ god bi his prophete: whanne ȝe schulleIsaiah i. 15. multiplie ȝoure preieris y schal not here ȝou. ¶ And god seiþ bi þe prophete to suche men: y schal warrie or curse to ȝoureMal. ii. 2. blissynges, & god seiþ bi salamon þat þe sacrafices of wickedProv. xv. 8. men ben abhomynable, & austyn seiþ in many placis þat ȝif þou lyuest in glotonye & dronkenesse, what euere þi tonge sowneþ, þi lif blasphemeþ god; & gregory seiþ whanne he þat displeseþ is sent for to preie, wiþ-outen doute þe herte of him þat is wroþ is stirid to werse wraþþe. A lord, siþ prelatis ben so fer fro goddis lawe þat þei wolen not preche hem-self ne suffre oþere men to preche þe gospel trewely & frely, hou abhominable is here preire bi-fore god almyȝtty. lord, siþ prelatis witte not where here preiere be acceptable or dampnable, whi magnyfien þei it so moche & sillen it so dere? for a lewid mannus preiere þat schal be sauyd is wiþ|outen mesure betre þan þat prelat þat schal be dampnyd, & siþ no prelat whot where he schal be dampnyd, whi silliþ he his cursed preiere to þe lewid man so dere? ¶ And þer-fore god kepiþ to his owne knowynge þe worþynesse of mannes preiere, for men schulden not vse marchaundise of symonye þerby; for god techiþ vs be seynt poul ȝif a man resceyue vnworþily þe sacrament of þe auter þat man resceyueþ his1 Cor. xi. 29. dampnacion. And siþ prelatis hondis ben ful of blood, boþe of quellyng of men wiþ here owen hondis sumtyme, & bi wille & fals conseilynge to wronge werris, & ful of synne, as symonye, extorsions & robberie, & of meyntenyng in synne for ȝer to ȝer for money, hou schal god here hem? siþ he seiþ nay hym-self bi þe prophete: foule ben oure lordis blent to meyntenen open traitours of god, bi gret cost of rentis & lordischipis & ȝifte of grete benefices, for here stynkynge & abhomynable blastis & lowd criynge; for bi þer grete criyng of song, as deschaunt, countre note & orgene, þei ben lettid fro studynge & prechynge of þe gospel; & here owene fyndynge vp, þat crist & apostlis spoken not of, as is þis newe song, þei clepen it goddis seruyce, & magnyfien it at þe fulle, but good lif & techynge of þe gospel þei setten at nouȝt. And ȝit crist comaundiþ þat most of alle þingis in þis world; & þus þei þenken it ynowȝ to kepe here owene fyndyngis and to traueilen aboute hem, þou þei leuen þe ordynaunce of god & studynge of his lawe, & þus it is verrefyed, but on an euyl manere, þat seynt poul seiþ: whanne þe presthod is translatid, it is nede þat þe lawe beHebrews vii. 12. translatid; for whanne presthod stod in holy prestis ofomitted X. lif & studiouse & kunnynge, þanne was holy writt ynowȝ to hem & studied & kept in dede wiþ gret reuerence; but nowe, whanne presthold stondeþ in peny clerkis & stewardis of lordis houses & ladies & ydiotis & symonyentis & proude wrecchis ful of all manere synne, it is nede to haue newe lawes maad of synful foolis to colouren þis synne by and to gedre gredely tiþes whanne þei don not here office; for goddis lawe helpeþ hem not her-to but dampneþ here pride, symonye, coueytise & oþere synnes. ¶ And ȝit anticristis clerkis feynen þat þouȝ synful prelatis & cursed ben not herd in here preiere for here owen holynesse, ȝit preiere ofomitted X. siche is herd in vertu of holy chirche; but þis dremyng nys not groundid in ony place of holy writt, for god seiþ generaly þat þis preiere is abhominable þat turneþ awey & heriþ not goddis lawe; & comunly suche cursed prelatis ben no part of holy chirche, in cas þat þei sullen be dampnyd; also syche cursed prestis dispisen god in his face, hou schulde god here hem þanne, siþ in cas þei ben fendis of helle? ¶ Also god heriþ not siche cursed men for hem self, hou schulde he þanne here hem for oþere men, whanne charite schuld bigyne at hem-self. ¶ Also in þe olde lawe god tok gret vengaunce of hem þat offreden oþer fier þan god ordeyned in his sacrafice, & þis fire was token of charite, þat who euere dede ony sacrifice to god wiþ-outen charite schulde not ben acceptid, but vengaunce schulde come on him oþer gostly or bodily; but þe fend blyndiþ men bi syche false colour to tristen in ypocritis preieris, & sumtyme in preieris of fendis, & not to amende hem of here synne but raþere to meyntene hem þer|inne; & þus is oure peple disceyued bi veyn preieris of synful ypocritis, & holy writt not knowen ne kept, but vanyte, pride & oþere synnes ben meyntened, & holi lif of prestis & oþere men is dispised.

Also prelatis disceyuen foule cristene men by feyned in|dulgences or pardons & robben hem cursedly of here money; for þei techen men þat for staciones of rome & for ȝeuynge of almes aftir synful mennes wille þei schullen haue þousandis of ȝeris of pardon, & also pardon wiþ-outen noumbre to mannys vndirstondynge. & þis pardon is forȝeuenesse or remyssion of peynes whanne men ben verrely contrit of alle here synnes bi vertue of cristis passion & martirdom, & holy meritis of seyntis þat þei diden more þan was nedful for here owene blisse. but þis crist tauȝte neuere in al þe gospel & neuere vsed it, neiþer petir ne poul or ony oþer apostle of crist; & ȝit þei myȝtten, couden, & weren in most charite to teche & vse þis pardon ȝif þer had ben any siche, for in crist was alle manere of good lore & good lif & charite, & most aftir in his apostlis; & siþ crist fond & tauȝtte al þat is nedful & profitable & he tauȝte not þis pardon, þann þis pardon nys neiþer nedful ne profitable. ¶ Also alle men þat ben in charite ben partyneris of cristis passion, & of alle goode dedis fro þe bigynnynge of þe world til þe last ende þer-of, bi þe most ryȝtful delyng of ihū crist as moche as it is ryȝtful, & more schal no man haue for no grant of onyno X.; but corrected in margin. creature of god; þan for þis popis graunt or bischopis neuere þe more of pardon. Þanne men ben grete foolis þat bien þes bulles of pardon so dere, & maken hem more bisy to geten hem þan to kepe þe hestis of god & to ȝeue here almes to þe most pore & nedi neiȝeboris; for it semeþ þat þei ben out of feiþ, hope & charite; for þei tristen to haue more þank to do here almes aftir synful mennus wille & techynge, ȝe to ryche houses or ryche men þat han no nede, þan for to do here almes aftir cristis techynge & to most nedy men. ¶ Also ȝif þe day of doom come bi-fore þes þousand ȝeer of pardon come out, þanne þes pardons ben false, for aftir þe dom schal be no purga|torie; but no man wot hou soone þe doom schal come; neþeles þe pope & his officeris in þes indulgences presumen to ben euene wiþ god in knowynge certeynly þe comyng of þe dom & in departyng of meritis to whom þat hem likiþ. But boþe þes ben enproprid to god, & þan it is blasphemye for ony creature to take þis to hym as doþ þe pope wiþ his meyne. ¶ Also it semeþ þat þe pope & his ben out of charite ȝif þere dwelle ony soule in purgatorie, for he may wiþ ful herte wiþ-outen ony oþer cost delyuere hem out of purgatorie, & þei ben able to resceyue suche helpe siþ þei ben in grace; þan ȝif he delyuere hem not out of purgatorie him lackiþ charite, & ȝif he haue not power to delyuere alle þan is he out of charite & disceyuere of mannus soule, siþ he techiþ þat his gostly tresour es endles meche, & is neuere þe lesse þouȝ he partid it generaly among alle. ¶ Also it passeþ mannus knowynge what is goddis dom to suche soulis, þanne it semeþ a gret pride for a synful man to make hym certeyn & maistire of goddis dom þat he knowiþ not. ¶ Also þes pardons gon not for charite but for worldly drit as it semeþ, for ȝif pardon schulde be grauntid it schulde be graunted for to make pees & charite, & not for to make discencion & werris, & o cristene man to slen his broþer; & for to stire men to kepe goddis hestis, not to do aftir singuler wille or worldly profyt of synful men þat seken here owene worschipe or worldly wynnynge more þan sauyng of cristene soulis; & for to seie þe pater noster þat crist made hym self, & not for singuler preieres made of vs self for loue of an erþely kyng; but in al þis is þe contrarie don as men seyn in dede, wherfore it is al out of charite & þan it is nouȝt worþ. ¶ Also ȝif þis pardon be an heuenely ȝiefte & gostly it schulde be ȝeuen frely as crist techiþ in þe gospel, & not for money ne worldly goodis ne fleshly fauour; but ȝif a riche man wol bie dere þe bulle, he schal haue a bulle of pardon wiþ þousand ȝeris þouȝ he be cursed of god for his synful lif, & a pore bederede man þat haþ no money & may not traueile to rome or to suche anoþer place, he schal haue no pardon of þe pope, þouȝ he be holy & ful of charite: þan siþ þis pardon schulde be frely ȝouen, ȝif þer ony suche be, it is þefte [&] roberie to take þus myche gold þer-fore; but here ypocritis seyn þat þei taken no þing for pardon but for þe bulle þat is selid: certis a litel deed leed costiþ many þousand pond bi ȝere to oure pore lond, sikire þei disceyuen þe peple & iapen hem, for þei sillen a faat goos for litel or nouȝt, but þe garlek costiþ many shillyngis. ¶ Also þis feynd pardon disceyueþ many men, for riche men tristen to flee to heuene þer-bi wiþ-outen peyne & þer-fore dreden synne þe lesse, & of verrey contricion & leuynge of synne & of doynge almes to most nedy men is lytil spoken of, for ȝif it were soþly teld þis pardon schulde be sette at nouȝt. gret falsnesse is þis to magnyfie þe popis power so mychil in purgatorie þat no man here can teche bi holy writt ne reson, siþ we seen in þis world þat a litel harlot dispiseþ þe pope & stroieþ his lordischipe, & ȝit he doþ al his myȝt, alle his witt, & alle his wille, to be vengid vpon siche a pore harlot. þane it semeþ for many skillis þat þis feyned pardon is a sotil marchaundise of anticristis clerkis, to magnyfie her feyned power & to geten worldly goodis, & to make men drede not synne, but sikirly to walwe þer-inne as hogges; & merueile it is þat synful foolis doren graunte ony þing of meritis of seyntis; for al þat euere ony seynt dide may not brynge o soule to heuene wiþ-outen grace & myȝt of cristis passion, & alle meritis, þat ben medeful dedes, of alle seyntis but only cristis ben not euene worþ to þe ioie of heuene, as poul seiþ; & siþ god grauntiþ to eche man part of alle medeful dedis als mochel as it is worþi, no man schal haue more part of þes dedis for alle þes bulles, & neuere þe lasse þouȝ no man graunte siche part ne siche bullis; & þes feyned pardons maken men to tristen more in grauntynge of a synful man, & in cas of a deuyl of helle, þan in þe riȝtfuleste graunt of houre lord ihū crist. almyȝtty god for his endeles mercy distroieþ þis pride, coueitise, ypocrisie & heresie of þis feyned pardon, & make men bisi to kepe his hestis & sette fully here triste in ihū crist. Amen.

Prelatis also maken þe weie to heuene hardere þan crist made it, & so letten men to go to heuene & þer-fore ben cursed of god. For þei entren not hem self into þe kyngdomMatt. xxiii. 13. of heuene & letten hem þat wolden, as crist seiþ in þe gospel, for þei make many newe lawes of hem self, & chargen men to studie hem & kepe hem more þan þe gospel; & siþ þe gospel & holy writt is occupacion ynowȝ for men in þis lif, þe more þat men beomitted X. occupied abouten mannys lawis þat expounen not þe gospel, þe more þei ben drawen fro þe gospel & þe lesse knowen þat & þe worse kepen it. ¶ Also prelatis maken many newe poyntis of bileue, & seyn þat itomitted X. is not ynowȝ to bileue in ihū crist & to be cristened, Mark xvi. 16.as crist seiþ in þe gospel of mark, But ȝif a man bileue þat þe bischop of rome be heuyd of holy chirche. And certis þe apostlis of ihū crist constreynenden neuere ony man to bileue þis of hem self, & ȝit þei weren certeyn of here sauynge in heuene; hou schulde þan ony synful wrecche, þat wot neuere where he schal be dampnyd or sauyd, con|streyne men to bileue þat he is heuyd of holy chirche? certis þei constreynen men sumtyme to bileue þat a deuyl of helle is heuyd of holy chirche, whanne þe bischop of rome schal be dampnyd for his cursed endynge in synne.

Also prelatis magnyfien hem self abouen ihū crist god and man. For ihū crist comaundid & tauȝte opynly þat men schulden not ȝeue credence to hym but ȝif he dede þe werkis of þe fadir of heuene. But oure prelatis chalengen þat we ȝeue credence to hemomitted X. where þei don wel or euyl. Also crist seiþ to þe iewis of him self þat þei schullen deme a riȝtful doom & not after þe face. And in his passion tymeJohn vii. 24. crist bade a synful harlot & cursed to bere wittenesse of euyle in cas ȝif crist had seid eny euyle. But oure prelatis þat don euyle boþe in dede, speche & þouȝt, crien kenely þat sugetis schullen not deme hem, þouȝ þei don opynly aȝenst charite. also poul biddiþ þat his sugetis demen þat þing þat2 Cor. xii. 2. he seiþ after þat he was rauyschid in-to þe þridde heuene; but oure prelatis wolen not þat we deme here seiynge, þouȝ it be contrarie to goddis lawe opynly, & certis þis is þe deuyl cast of helle to distroie þe treuþe of holy writt & þe lif of ihū crist & his apostlis, and to coloure pride & coueitise & symonye & extorsions as moche as euere þei wolen, for bi here cast men schullen not reproue hem þer-of, what synne euere þei don.

Prelatis also constreynen men to cesse & do not þe wille & hestis of god, but ȝif þei han leue of goddis enemys, & in cas of deuelis of helle. For ȝif prestis wolen seie here masse & techen þe gospel in a bischopis diocise, a noon he schal be forboden but ȝif he haue leue of þat bischop, & heomitted X. schal paie comunly for þat leue myche money or ellis swere þat he schal not speke aȝenst grete synnes of þat bischop & oþere prestis & here falsnesse. And ȝit it is a grete werk of charite & mercy to teche men þe riȝtte weie to heuene, & þes men schullen nouȝt doo wiþ-outen leue of þe bischop, þouȝ he be neuere so proud, neuere so coueitous & cursed for symonye & extorsions, & many tymes sich a bischop schal be dampnyd, & þanne, as crist seiþ, he is a deuyl. þan it is verefied þat a cristene man schal not do þe wille of god with|outen leue of goddis enemye, & of a fend of helle; as ȝif þe leue & þe comaundement of god were not ynowȝ to don his wille, but ȝif a man haue leue of siche a cursed creature. And ȝif siche a cursed creatureomitted X. seie nay, goddis wille schal ben vndon & his lawe & wille vnknowen and not kept. And þis is don for drede of loos of here worldly pride & coueitise, & of worldly lordischipis þat þei han aȝenst cristis lawe & his techynge & his owen lif and his apostlis; but þis forbedyng is colourid by holynesse, for, as prelatis feynen, pore prestis wolden teche heresie for þei knowen not goddis lawe; but certis þes prelatis demen heresie alle þat is aȝenst here lykyng & lustis of here flech; & þei ben ful vnable to teche þe treuþe of goddis lawe, for þei studien not þer aboute & lyuen contrariously þer-to; wherefore þe holy gost techiþ hem not al soþe, but þe spirit of lesyngis steriþ hem to lette knowy[n]ge of goddis lawe & sauynge of soulis vnder colour of holynesse, for þei demen bi-fore þat men wolen teche heresie; as ȝif þei weren euene wiþ god knowynge mennys hertis. And ȝif pore men seyn þe soþe þat no man may aȝen seie, þan prelatis seyn þat it is omitted X.seyd for euyl entent & so hyndren þe treuþe & taken vp hem þe dom þat isomitted X. reseruyd to god him self, & þerfore þei ben blasphemes.

Also prelatis distroien most þe obedience & mekenesse of goddis lawe, for þei seie þat þei owen not to be suget to seculer lordis to paien hem taxis in helpe of þe comunes, & owen not to be amendid bi here sugetis of here opyn synnes, but only of þe pope þat is here souereyn; & he of no man in herþe for he is greteste of alle. for oure lord ihū crist was suget to þe heþene emperour & paide him tribute for hym & his chirche, & ȝit he hadde no seculer lordischipe ne plente of dymes, moche more schulden þes riche prestis, þat han seculer lordischipe aȝenst goddis lawe & grete Iuelis & plente of worldly goodis, helpe þe kyng & þe lond to meyntene pore men in reste & charite. & siþ crist was most meke & most obediente to al men, And þes prelatis ben vikeris of crist to ȝeue ensaumple of mekenesse, þei owen to be most meke & obedient to alle here sugetis; for bi goddis lawe eche man oweþ to be suget & obedient eche to oþere in þe drede of crist. Also in dede þei schewen most rebelte aȝenst god & cristene men, lyuynge in pride, coueitise, idelnesse, extorsions, lecherie, glotyne & wastynge of pore mennus gooddis, & þus þei ben lik to lucifer & ben anticristis, holdynge hem self more worþi þan euere was ihū crist god & man. And it semeþ þat þei techen here sugetis heresie bi here false open lif, for here lif schulde be bokis of 3oþere sugetis vnder hem, & as bokes ben33_3 This is added at the bottom of the page in a later hand, and sugetis is written sugenes. false þat techen heresie, so ben þes prelatis heretikis þat techen & meyntenen synne bi here cursed ensaumple ȝeuynge.

Prelatis also maken hem self most vnable to kepe þe gospel of crist bi here grete bysynesse abouten roten goodis, & bi pompe & bost of þis world, for þei ben most bisi of alle men in þe world to geten worldly goodis bi purchase, & to holden hem bi false plee, & disdeyne to see a pore mannus riȝt & worche after good conscience, but ȝif ony man kaste to helpe pore men in here riȝt aȝenst grete prelatis he schal haue here enemyte, & be sclaundrid to þe kyng & grete lordis, & pursued bi false cautelis til he be vndon, ȝif þei may bi ony lesyng. so þat whanne þei schulden ben most wilful pore & preche þe gospel of cristis pouert & his apostlis, þei may not for schame, for sclaundryng of hem self, and lest þei maken here owen ypocrisie knowen to þe peple; & herefore þei hiden cristis pouert fro þe peple, & lien vpon hym cursedly to coloure here worldly lif; for here þouȝt, speche, cost & traueile is more aboute worldly goodis þan goddis lawe in studynge & techynge & holy lif of hem self & þe peple. And in worldly aray & wast meyne & grete corseris & cloþis of gold & worldly armure þei passen erlis, & atteynen to kyngis aray in bataile to slee cristene men wiþ here owen cruel & cursed hondis; but hou may þei preche þe gospel of pacience, meknesse, pees and charite in þis cursed vengaunce takynge? certis þei ben sathanas knyȝttys, turned in-to angelis of liȝt bi name of prestod and religion, to disceyue cristene peple in feiþ, hope & charite. but woo to suche anticristis prelatis, þus blasphemynge crist & sclaundrynge cristene men.

Also prelatis techen & hiren lordis & comunes & clerkis to blaspheme god & dispise his lawe & ordynaunce; for þei techen lordis & alle oþere men to meyntene hem in worldly lordschipis, pompe & pride, coueitise, extorsions, piliynge & robbynge of þe peple vnder colour of holy correccion. & notwiþstondynge þat goddis lawe & ensaumple of cristis pore life dampnendampnem X. seculer lordschipis in clerkis & coueitise & worldly lif, ȝit þei graunten pardon wiþ-outen mesure & ȝouen grete benefices & huge tresour of gold & worldly fauour & sathanas blissyng to lordis, clerkis & comineris, for to meyntene anticristis worldly clerkis in þes synnes aȝenst god & his halwen, & for to pursue & sclaundre & enprisone & slee & brenne pore prestis þat techen holy writt & cristis gospel of pouert & mekenesse aȝenst here worldly lif. & to þis ende þes wickid ydolatrours, worschiperis of false goddis, graunten to þes manquelleris out of bileue & charite pardons, part of massis & oþere preieris, ȝe to flee to heuene bi-fore þe bodi be cold, & þus blynde anticristis prelatis leden blynde lordis, clerkis & comunes to helle for coueitise & brekynge of goddis comaundementis.

Also prelatis techen þat þer nys no þing leful in holy chirche in erþe wiþ-outen leue & confermynge of anticrist, & maken all þe chirche suget to hym; for þei seyn openly þat þer is no þing leffel among cristene men wiþ-outen leue of þe bischop of rome, þouȝ he be anticrist ful of symonye & heresie; for comunly of alle prestis he is most contrarie to crist boþe in lif & techynge, & he meynteneþ most synne bi preuylegies, exempcions & longe plees, & he is most proud aȝenst cristis mekenesse, most coueitous of worldly goodis & lordschipis aȝenst þe pouert of crist & his apostlis, & most idel in gostly werkis & occupied in worldly causes aȝenst crist besy traueyle & his apostlis in prechynge of þe gospel, & most principale sillere of benefices & veyn in|dulgencis & sacramentis where crist comaundiþ men to ȝeue frely alle gostliomitted X. þingis as þei han frely resceyued hem of god. & ȝit þes worldly prelatis feynen þat it is not lefful to a prest to teche cristis gospel frely wiþ-outen licence of hym or his prelatis vnder hym, þouȝ god comaundeþ prestis, bi open techynge & his lawe and opyn ensaumple of cristis lif, to teche þis; & so þei menen þat ȝif þis proude prest & contrarie to crist & his lawe sende not a cristene manomitted X. bi witnesse of his bullis or letteris of his lowere prelatis he may not fulfil þe hestis of god ne werkis of mercy; & so ȝif þis principal enemy of crist & his coueitous clerkis wolen lette a cristene man to kepe goddis hestis & poyntis of charite, he mot leue goddis comaundement vndon & obiche to hem at here wille, & þus þei menen þis ende þat cristene men may not come to heuene bi kepynge & holdynge of trewe feiþ & charite but ȝif anticrist & his worldly clerkis, ful of coueitise, symonye & heresie, ben meyntened in here olde pride & cursednesse aȝenst treuþe of god almyȝtty; for ellis, as þei feynen, þer may be no bischop no prest ne cristendom ne sacramentis; but certis þis is foule heresie & blasphemye, for herby cristene men ben suget to anticrist & his symonye & feyned censuris & to sathanas more þan to ihū crist & his lawe.

Prelatis also ben enemys of pees, conseilouris & meyn|tenouris of werris, & irreguler anemtis god, & here preieris ben cursed; for þei dreden ȝif lordis weren in reste & pees þat þei schulden perceyue þe cursednesse of here symonye, ypocrisie, coueitise, & robberie of here pore tenauntis, & suffre not prelatisprestis X. be worldly lordis & tirauntis, as þei ben now, & þer-fore þei casten to occupie lordis in werris, and conseilen þer-to vnder colour of wisdom & charite þat þei may regne in here lustis & coueitise as hem lykeþ. for ȝif þei weren trewe procuratouris of pees, þei schulden gladly & ioiefully coste alle here worldly lordschipis & here flesch & blood & bodily lif to make pees & charite amongis cristene men, & techen lordis and comunes in open sermons and confessions & priue conseillynge þe peryl of werris, & namely of wrongful werris, & hou harde it is to fiȝtten in charite, & tellen openly & priuely þe goodnesse & profit of pees & reste, & hou men schulden not haue verray pees but bi holy lif & meyntenynge of treuþe & riȝtwisnesse & distroiynge of wrong & synnes. but now þes worldly prelates ben cheef conseilours to werris for pride & coueitise, & ben present in here owene persones in costy array as kyngis, & meyntene many men of armes to slee cristene men in body, & þei hem self killen many þousand in soule & bodi be cursed ensaumple of euyl lif & meyntenynge in synne for money, & bi cursed conseil priue & apert; & þer-fore þei ben cursed of god & irreguler, & whanne þei preien to god &omitted X. holden vp here hondis ful of cristene blood, god seiþ bi þe prophete ysaie þat he woleIsaiah i. 15. not here hem ne resceyue here sacrifices, & bi þe prophete malachie god curseþ to here blissyngis, & in many placesMalachi ii. 2. of holy writt. for þei don not here sacrifices bi mekenesse of herte & mornynge & compunccion for here synnes & þe peplis, but wiþ knackynge of newe song, as orgen or deschant & motetis of holouris, & wiþ worldly pride of costy vesty|mentis & oþere ornementis bouȝt wiþ pore mennus goodis, & suffren hem perische for meschef & laten pore men haue nakid sidis & dede wallis haue grete plente of wast gold.

Prelatis ouere þis robben oure lond of mochil tresour, & senden it to aliens & enemys of oure rewme & bryngen aȝen goddis curs & heresie; for þei don not here spiritual offis aftir goddis lawe, & ȝit gredely gedren dymes & offryngis & procurasies, & senden moche gold coinesenden moche gold to Rome AA. for þe firste fruytis, & to purchase & apropre to hem moo benefices, preuylegies & indulgences; & þis is þefte & symonye ȝif goddis lawe & mannus & reson be souȝt, & þe sillere of benefices & spiritual þingis & þe ȝeuere of gold for hem ben cursed of god & man & ben foule heretikis. & sumtyme þe court of rome his worldly aduersarie to oure lond, & namely in fauour of oure enemys; but more harme is of gostly ennemyte, whanne þei enuenymen oure peple wiþ cursed symonye and meyn|tenynge & consent of synne bi blynde obedience. for ȝif ony worldly prelat wole do ony wrong aȝenst riȝt & reson, he schal geten a priueilege or exempcion or sentence of curs for his gold sent & spendid at rome, & moche gold goþ out of oure lond bi longe pledynge at rome, & riȝt born a doun, & synne contynedconteyned X. & meyntened, þat vnneþis dar ony man speke þeraȝenst; and þus is oure lond robbid of gold, & curs & heresie brouȝt in, and synne longe meyntened, & riȝtwis|nesse stoppid.

Also prelatis seyn þat holy writt is not sufficient to reule holy chirche, & techeris þer-of ben not profitable to þe peple, but here owen statutis maade of synful foolis ben most nedful & techeris þer-of, And meyntenours of chydynge & strif ben most nedful & profitable to þe peple. for ȝif holy writt were ynow for gouernynge of þe chirche, it were veyn & vnreson|able to occupie men wiþ moo lawis, siþ men ben now of feblere complexion & lasse wytti & of schortere lif þan men weren in olde tyme. & it is luciferis pride & more to seie þat techeris of mannys tradicions maade of synful foolis ben more profitable & nedeful to cristene peple þan techeris of þe gospel & goddis comaundementis; but þer is o cursed cause of alle þis seiynge; þei loue more here owen worldly wynnynge & pride & lustis þan wynnynge of soulis to blisse by mekenesse & holy lif. And here owen lawes and techeris þer-of meyntenen & procuren þis coueitise & lustis, & holy writt & trewe prechours þer-of dampnen al þis, & techen wilful pouert & mekenesse & gret traueile & penaunce of clerkis; & þer-fore þei comenden here owen lawes & here techeris, & putten goddis lawe & treue prechouris þer-of bi|hynde. & heere þei putten on crist boþe defaute of witt & charite; for siþ crist maade not the beste lawe for holy chirche, as þei feynen, & telde not whanne & of whom it schulde be maad, him lackid witt & charite, but certis þis his foule heresie putt on crist priuely for to meyntene here owen coueitise & pride.

Also prelatis closen or stoppen þe weie to þe blisse of heuene & open þe brode weie to helle; for þei stoppen & letten men fro kunnynge & kepynge & techynge of holy writt, þat is entre & riȝt weie to þe blisse of heuene, & neden men to bisien hem aboute studiynge & kepynge & techyng of synful mennys tradicions ful of errour, þat ben maad for pride & coueitise, & also to lerne pride & coueitise & worldly lif & to haunte & meyntene suche wrecchid worldly lif of clerkys, & þis is þe brode weie to helle. Sumtyme men hadden traueile & werke at þe ful to studie & kepe & teche goddis lawe bi-fore þat þes newe lawes of worldly clerkis weren brouȝt vp, & nowe men ben occupied aboute lernynge & techyng of hem in alle here lif, þat vnneþe may þei loke & sauoure holy writt in here laste dayes; & he þat can not þes worldly statutis maad for singuler wille and coueitise is hoolden but a fool and vnable to teche & reule cristene peple, þouȝ he kunne and kepe & teche neuere so wel cristis gospel & goddis comaundementis. & to þis ende þes worldly moldwerpis taken keies of helle in stede of keies of þe kyngdom of heuenes, for þei taken ypocrisie & worldly tirauntrie & bostful worldly lif, & meyntenynge of synne bi fals pardon & fals absolucion & cursed preieris, & leuen kunnynge & techynge of holy writt & edefiynge of cristene soules to heuene by good ensaumple of here holy lif.

Prelatis also maken lordis turmentouris of sathanas to prisone cristene men for þei holden goddis lawe; for þei maken lordis to enprisone men whanne þei dwellen fourti daies in sentence of curs, & here owene lawe techiþ opynly þat men schullen dwelle in curs bi al here lif vp peyne of dampnacion, has whanne a man haþ weddid a womman sibbe to him in degree of consanguinyte or kyn wicheomitted X. degre is forboden in holy writt, & haþ not witnesse ynowe to proue þis in mannus dom, þouȝ he knowe it neuere so certeynly, he schal be cursed in constorie & may not ryse out of þis curs, for þanne he schulde do wyttyngly aȝenst goddis hestis & his conscience, & þus þis man schal euere in þis lif be cursed for he wil not wyttyngly do aȝenst goddis comaunde|mentis & his riȝt conscience. ¶ lord, what charite is it to prisone sich a man, & ȝit þes anticristis clerkis cursen men al day for money for techyng of goddis lawe & for werkis of mercy & riȝtwisnesse, & for þat þei wolen not assente to errouris aȝenst holy writt expresly & aȝenst reson. ¶ Lord god, hou schullen anticristis mynystris of riȝtwisnesse be excused at þe day of dom, siþ þei enprisone falsly trewe men bi fals disceit of worldly heretikys; þer-fore þes lordis schulden be certeyn þat þe curs were riȝtful, & þat þe man were endurid in synne & drede not god ne his vengaunce, & þan ponyscheþ hym til he wolde drede god and amende his lif, & not til he wolde ȝeue money to anticristis clerkis at here wille.

Also prelatis disceyuen cristene men bi licknesse of apis & bi argumentis of glotones til þe peple breke goddis hestis & meytenen hem in here cursed lustis. For apis whanne þei seen a man don ony þing bi hem wolen assaie to don þe same dedis til þei ben perischid for defaute of crafte or kunnynge; & glotones arguen þus, siþ it is good to me to ete or drynke þus moche, And more mete & drynk is betere, þan it is betere to me to ete & drynk þus moche more; & bi þis colour þei cessen not til þei heten & drynkyne her legges & hondis out of myȝt & here heuyd out of witt & ben as dede hogges. Þus faren þe worldly prelatis. Þei seyn, siþ þe peple schulden worschipe gregorii, petir & poule, & oþere trewe apostlis of crist, & þei comen in þe staat of apostlis, þanne þe peple schulden worschipen hem þus moche. but þei taken no rewarde hou þes apostlis comen to þis staat, bi ordeynynge & chesynge of god & for holy lif & trewe seruyce þat þei diden to cristene peple, in trewe techynge of þe holy gospel boþe in word & dede; & hou þei comen to here staat by symonye, bi chesynge of worldly clerkis, & in cas quyke deuelis in flech & blood, & donomitted X. not here office but lyuen in pride, coueitise, robberie of þe peple, & in fleschly lustis þat cristis apostelis deden not. Also þei arguen þus, siþ petir & poul & oþere apostlis of crist hadden keies of heuene & power to bynde & vnbynde synnes, whiche doynge was confermed in heuene, & we ben in þe staat & successouris of hem, þan we han þe same power; but þei loken litel þat mannus eleccion makiþ hem not in sich staat, but chesynge of god & kunnynge of holy writt, & souereyn traueile & holy lif, & techynge & meyntenynge of þe gospel, & brennynge charite to deþe for goddis loue, & sauynge of cristene soulis; & comunly þei ben fer fro alle þes goodnesse & wlappid in pride & coueitise & moo synnes. Also þes worldly moldwarpis arguen þus as glotons; siþ it is good to prestis to haue worldly goodis for here necessarie liflode & helynge, as poul techiþ & reson, & þanne þe more þe betre; til þei ben smyten in coueitise & occupacion of þis world, þat þei sauouren nouȝt of gostly þingis, but riot & pride & roten muk of þis world. & ȝif it be good to haue holy writt & presthod and knyȝthod and laboreris to serue god & reule þe peple; þan it is betre to make moo newe lawis & moo ordris in þe chirche, til þe lawe of god be forȝeten & newe tradicions in excercise & newe ordris magnyfied more þanne þeomitted X. clene ordre þat crist made himself; & bi þes iapis þei disceyuen þe peple, & gedren to hem self þe goodis of þis world & magnyfien hemself, here ordris, & here lawes more þan crist & his lawis, & maken þe peple to holden vp þis ypocrisie & heresie.

Prelates also spoilen lordis of here rentis bi dowynge of þe chirche, & lowe curatis bi approprynge of parische chirchis & bi pencions & cost of here officeris, & þei robben þe pore peple bi veyn priueylegies & feyned halwynge of chirches, auteris and chircheȝerdis, & oþere sacramentis seld for money and by annuel rentis for lecherie & oþere synnes; & here|fore þei may be wel licned to swolwis of þe see & helle, þat resceyuen al þat þei may & ȝelden not aȝen; & þus þei þat schulden most forsake þe worlde & worldly coueitise & vanyte ben most sette in þe world & leste coueiten heuene & gostly goodis; & þei þat schulden most lede þe peple to heuene, bi trewe techynge of holy writt & ensaumple of wilful pouert & mekenesse & bisy traueile in praieris & deuocions & penaunce, leden þe peple to helle bi here worldly lawis, coueitise, pride & queyntise of þe world, & ydelnesse & glotonye & fleschly lustis; & hou þei robben þes parties it is open ynowȝ, þer-fore we moten telle of more ypocrisie lesse knowen.

Also prelatis chargen more here park & br[e]kynge þer-of þan goddis hestis & brekynge of hem. ¶ For þei pursuen more & cruelliere for brekynge of here parkis þan for brekynge of goddis comaundementis to saue here soulis bi spiritual medecyne; & þei ben more bisy to loke þat here park be wel kepte þanne to loke þat goddis hestisomitted X. ben kepte of goddis peple; & þei receruen assoilynge for brekynge of here park to hem self, but þei ȝeuen assoylynge for brekynge of goddis hestis to eche parische prest or curat. For þei holden here park more derworþi to hem þan þe comaundementis of god, & seken more bisily here owen worldly worschipe andþan X couetise þan honour of god & sauynge of cristene soulis; & here is ydolatrie & heresie open ynowȝ, & blasphemye of god among worldly & heþen men.

Prelatis also entren vnder colour & studie of cristis apostlis & lyuen & teche contrariously to hem & don most harm to cristendom, ȝee more þan ony soudon or sarsyn or oþer men of wrong bileue. ¶ For siþ þis stat is most wortþi in þe chirche, & þei lyuen so worldly & synfully þer-inne & turnen it vpsodon, þei distroien most þe goode lif of cristen|dom & techen most perilous heresye. And herefore þei bicomen þe deuelis iogelours to blynde mennus gostly eiȝen; þei maken men wene þat here worldly lif & cursed ys þe holy lif of cristis apostlis, & þus bryngen in errour & heresie in þe peple, & ben sathanas transfigurid in-to an aungel of liȝt, & verrefien þis word of holy writt, þat þei ben made a spectacle to angelis & men, but on euyl manere, where þei1 Cor. iv. 9. schulden ben a spectacle of angelis & men to loken onne with ioie for here stronge fiȝttynge aȝenst enemys of soule bi mekenesse, wilful pouert, & grete traueile in techynge of þe gospel, & suffrynge of peynes & deþ. Þerfore in en|saumple of cristene men to sue hem in þes poyntis þei ben a spectacle to angelis & men to wonder on here cursed pride, coueitise & ydelnesse in gostly traueile, & cowardise in cristis bataile, & letten charite of cristene men bi here euyl en|saumple, & þus in stede of cristis apostlis ben comen in viserid deuelis, to disceyuen men in good lif & bryngen hem to sathanas here maister, & inomitted X. þis manere þei pleien þe pagyn of scottis; for as scottis token þeomitted X. skochen of armes of seynt george & here-bi traieden englischemen, so þes anticristis prelatis taken name & staat of cristis apostlis, as ȝif þei wolden helpe & lede cristene men þe riȝtte weie to heuene as þei diden, but here-bi þei betraien cristene men in-to synne by suynge of here techynge & cursed lif, & leden hem faste þe weie to helle.

Also prelatis constreynen prestis to lese charite & blaspheme crist & disceyue his peple; for þei neden prestis to fiȝtte & werre in here owen persone aȝenst cristene men, & here abouten spende pore mennys liflode for to hauen a veyn name of hardynesse & þank of lordis þat kunnen neiþer witt ne reson; for þei senden opyn comissions to alle curatis vndir here deuelis iurdiccions bi vertue of mahoundis obedience & bi manas of þe kyngis power to make hem redi wiþ armure to werre iolily aȝenst cristene men. ¶ And here-by is armure of pacience and charite and holi preiere & trist in god putt awey, & þe deuelis lawe of cruelte, enemyte & veyn trist in mannys myȝt brouȝt in. But goddis curs renneþ many þousand tyme wiþ al þis. & here-bi ben half dede men confortid to fiȝtte & slee cristene men & rennen to helle hedly; & so þes worldly prelatis ben chef capteyns & arraiouris of sathanas batailis to exile good lif & charite, but certis no tonge in þis lif may telle hou many soulis gon to helle bi þes cursede capteyns & anticristis iurdiccion & censures.

Prelatis also ben weiward ypocritis, blynde lederis, swol|wynge þe grete cameile al hool & siynge or clensynge a litel gnatte; for þei resceyuen & purchasen bi gret ypocrisie seculer lordischipis, aȝenst goddis lawe olde & newe & en|saumple of cristis lif & his apostlis, as lefful, profytable & nedeful; & forsaken as venym matrimonye, þat is leffel bi holy writt, til newe vowis of contynense of worldli clerkis weren brouȝt in bi disceit of þe fend. For many prestis now kepen neiþer matrimonye ne charite, but defoulen wyues, maidenes, widewis & nunnes in eche manere of lecherie, & children ben morþerid, & synne aȝenst kynde is not clene fleed. For sathanas caste to purchase worldly honour & plente of worldly goodis & welfare & ydelnesse to ȝonge prestis, & dalliaunce wiþ wommen & priue rownyng; & is redy nyȝt & day to stere boþe partis to leccherie, & sumtyme to hyden here synne bi fals oþis & morþeryng of children, & sumtyme haunten it opynly & schamen not þer-of; & her-bi heiȝe prelatis wynnen many þousand pondis in fewe ȝeris & holden grete housholde as lordis, & þus by þis ypocrisie in boþe poyntis ben lordis & prestis & comunes encombrid, & goddis lawe dispisid & broken, & synnes gedrid in grete hordis.

Prelatis also blasphemen god & techen oþere men to don þe same; for þei lyuem hem self in pride & coueitise & louen & norischen & meyntenen suche vicious folis, & haten & dispisen mekenesse & wilful pouert, & so þei don vertuouse men & oppressen hem; & þus þei conspiren aȝenst cristomitted X. & his vertuous lif & his meke seruauntis, & ben sathanas procuratouris to meyntene synful men in his seruyce. For certis þei ben cursed of god ȝif þei meyntenen wityngly & wilfully proude lordis & leccherours of here owne meynne in here housholde; for ȝif þei loueden god & þe soulis of here seruauntis þei schulden amende þis cursed lif or ellis putten hem out of here companye; but now for pride of hem self & wynnyng of drit þei holden forþ suche cursed meyne to sclaundre oþere men. ¶ But as crist and poul witnessen, suche prelatis ben cursed, & forsaken cristis feiþ, & ben werse þan heþen men þat neuere resceyueden cristendom.

Also prelatis disceyuen cristene men in feiþ, hope & charite bi here nouelerie of massis at rome, at scala celi, & newe pardons & pilgrimages; for þei maken þe peple to bileue or triste þat ȝif a prest seye a masse at scala celi for a soule it schal onoon ben out of purgatorie, þouȝ god of his riȝtwis|nesse ordeyne þat soule to abide þere fourty ȝere or mo, & þouȝ þe prest be cursed for symonye & pride; for as þei feynen falsly þe masse may not be peirid. certis þe sacra|ment may not be paired for synne of þe prest; but þe preiers of cursed prestis in þe masse ben cursed of god & his angelis, & certis a prest may be so cursed & in heresie þat he makiþ not þe sacrament. & god only knowiþ whanne his synne is in þat degre & whanne in lesse, but euere it is harmful to him þat makeþ þe sacrament vnworþily. & bi þes feyned pardons þe peple leueþ to do here almesse to pore nedy men enprisoned bi god himself & doþ it to ryche men & wasteris, & hopiþ to haue more þank of god þer-by þan to do it aftyr cristis owne techynge; & þes prelatis chargen more folye avowis of siche pilgrimagis & brekynge of hem, þan þe strong comaundementis of god & brekynge of hem, & þus þe peple drediþdrawiþ X. more to breke þis folie avowis maad of here owen errour þan to breke goddis comaundementis, & louen more here folye avowis to fulfille hem þan to fulfille goddis hestis; & þus þei ben disceyued bi þes nouelries in feiþ, hope & charite bi þes anticristis prelatis.

Prelatis also ben malicious foxis & rauyschynge wolues, oppressynge pore curatis & annuel prestis in here iurdiccion; for whanne þe kyng & lordis axeden of grete prelatis subsidies & dymes for here temperaltes þei graunten hem so þat pore curatis & annueleris may be taxid at here settyng; & so alle þe charge falliþ on here pore curatis, & oþere & þe riche prelatis gon free or hellis wynnen a porcion to hem self of goodis of here pore curatis. & þus whanne þei han robbid lordis bi ypocrisie of here temperal lordischipis sotylly & wrongfully þei rauyschen þe goodis of pore prestis vnder hem; & þus þei don wrong to lordis, wrong to pore curatis, & to pore comunes also; & bi þes seculer lordischipis þat þei han be ypocrisie þei ben emperours & tirauntis of oþere prestis. & ȝit þei owen to be most meke of alle oþere, and most bisi in studiynge & techynge of holy writt & ensaumple of alle goode manere of lif, boþe to cristene men & to heþene; but alle þes gostly goodis ben rauysched & stolen from holy chirche, & contrarie synnes brouȝt in in stede of hem bi þis dowynge of prestis wiþ seculer lordischipis; & þis is werse þan rauyschynge & stelynge of alle worldli goodis & sleynge of many þousand of mannus bodies, as soulis & vertues ben betre þan roten drit.

Ȝit worldly prelatis gostly don crist on þe cros & sleen his prophetis & his apostlis; for þei don cristis holy lif & techynge, & so in a manere crist hym self, on þe cros of lesyngis & bitraien him to heþene men whanne þei ȝeuen cure of soulis to worldly foolis, werse þan ben heþene houndis. And so þei don crist on þe cros of vnkyndenesse & dispit, And hereby dispisen hym more þan diden iewis nailynge crist on bodili cros. and seynt ion crisostom, or wiþ þe gildene mouþ, & seynt austyn witnessen plenerly þis sentence; & bernard seiþ þat a man þat synneþ opynly aȝenst goddis hestis & ȝeueþ cursed ensaumple to oþere men dispisiþdispeseþ X. more god & doþ more wrong to hym þan iewis whanne þei naileden him bodely on þe cros. For crist louede more cristene menomitted AA. soulis þan his owen bodily lif; & þis cursed man drawiþ fro crist alle soulis als moche as in him is, & þe iewis drowyn fro him his bodily lif þat he louede lasse; & þei slen his prophetis & apostlis, whanne þei do cursedly aȝenst here techynge & maken it fals as moche as þei kunne: þis sentence witnessiþ ion crisostom vpon þe gospel of seynt matheu; & þus þei sillen crist & bitraien hym for money whanne þei forsaken þe treuþe of holy writt & holy lif for worldly honour & coueitise, & ambrose & bede witnessen þis poynt.

Prelatis blasphemen aȝenst þe holy gost; for þei quenchen his ȝiftis & suffren not cristene men to teche goddis peple wiþ siche ȝiftis, but maken hem to waste þes precious ȝiftis; and so as to here entent & to here dampnacion þei quenchen þe holy gost. For in here wille þei distroien his werkis, & þe synne is demed bi þe entent, þouȝ þe ende come not forþ but be lettid bi goddis myȝt. For whanne þei ben vnable bi ignoraunce & wickid lif to teche cristene peple goddis lawe, þei wollen not suffre trewe men teche frely cristis gospel wiþ-outen here leue & lettris, þouȝ trewe men ben neuere so mochil charged & stired of god to preche his gospel. but þei don þis for þei wolden haue money for here lettris & swerynge þat men not preche aȝenst here synnes, þouȝ þei ben neuere so opyn cursed traitours of god & his peple; as men gessen þat veyn religious don to haue leue of þes goddis traitours to sewe fablis, cronyclis, & lesyngis for to robbe þe pore peple aftir-ward bi clamouse beggynge, dampnyd bi goddis lawe; & þus þei ȝeuen leue to sathanas preschours for to preche fablis & flaterynge & lesyngis, & to disceyue þe peple in feiþ & good lif & robbe hem of here worldly goodis, & to putten blasphemye vpon crist bi here opyn beggynge & letten cristis prechours to preche frely þe gospel þat wole not flatere but seyn þe soþ to eche man & eche staat aftir goddis lawe. but bi suche ypocrisie þei letten þus prechyng of cristis gospel, last lordis & comunes perceyuen here falsnesse, þei forbeden not vtterly þat men schulden not preche þe gospel, but þat men schulden not preche wiþ-outen here leue; & siþ þei ben ful of coueitise, symonye, pride, extorsions & oþere falsnesse, þei wolen ȝeue to no man leue þat þei supposen wole seie þe soþe & not spare, & so in entente & dede þei comaunden þat no trewe man schal preche þe gospel. & bi þis þei casten to ende in here coueitise, symonye & robberie & meyntenynge of anticristis chirche, & it is to drede last þei enden in þis blasphemye aȝenst þe holy gost.

Ȝit worldly prelatis blasphemen aȝenst god þe fadir of heuene; for þei taken vpon hem power þat is specyaly & onely reserued to god; þat is assoilynge of synnes & ful remission of hem; for þei taken on hem principal assoilynge of synnes & maken þe peple to bileue so; whanne þei haue only assoilynge as vikeris or massageris to witnesse to þe peple þat god assoiliþ for contricion, & ellis neiþer angele ne man ne god hym self assoiliþ but ȝif þe synnere be contrit; þat is fully haue sorowe for his synnes, & haue wille raþere to suffre los of catel & worldly frendischipe & honour & bodely deþ þan to do wityngly aȝenst goddis comaundement & wille; & þei chargen more here owen assoilynge þan assoillyng of god, for ȝif a man come to here schrifte & sacramentis þei assoilen hym & maken siker þouȝ þe man lie vpon hym self & be not assoilid of god; & þouȝ a man be neuere so treuly assoilid of god for his entre sorwe of synne & charite þat he haþ now to god, þei seyn þat he his dampnable but ȝif he be assoilid of hem Ȝif he haue space þer-to, pouȝ þei ben cursed heretikis & enemyes of crist & his peple. & þus þei taken litel reward to god whanne he seiþ, what euere tyme a synful man haþ so enteire sorowe for his synnes he schal be saaf. þes prelatis schulden preche þis contricion & mercy of god & ioies of heuene, & þe peril of schrifte wiþ-outen repentaunce, & foulnesse of synnes, & grete peynes of helle, & riȝtwissnesse of god to make þe peple to flee synne & kepe trewly goddis comaundementis, & not disceyuen hem bi here owene power of assoilynge, ne bi fals pardon ne fals preieris & oþer nouelries bi side goddis lawe. of þes þre & fourty errouris & heresies may men see hou euele prelatis disceyuen cristendom. For of hem & non oþere is þis speche, & hou þei ben cause of werris & euele lif in þe peple, and of here dampnacion. God for his endles myȝt and mercy amende þes errouris and oþere, ȝif it be his wille. Amen.

Clerkis possessioneris fordon presthod, knyȝthod & comineris; for þei taken þe ordre of presthod & bynden hem to kepe þishis X. ordre & holi lif & techynge of goddis peple aftir cristis lif & his apostlis, & specialy in verrey mekenesse & in AA. wilful pouert & bisi traueile in techynge of goddis lawe & wilful deþ suffrynge þer-fore. But bi þes worldly possessions and lordischipis þei ben turned to pompe & pride & coueitise & grete bisynesse of worldly plees & worldly festis & seculer lawis, þat deuocion & holy meditacion & studyynge & techynge of cristis holy gospel is forȝeten, & discencion among cristene men brouȝt in, & meyntenynge of wrongis & oppressynge of pore men bi here worldly power and cautelis holden vp. also þei taken benefices wiþ cure bi appropriacion, þat is maad bi fals suggestion & symonye, & techen not þe parischenes goddis lawe ne mynystre hem sacramentis ne releuen pore men wiþ residue of tiþes & offrynges. But setten þer a viker or a parische prest for litel cost, þouȝ he be vnable boþe of kunnynge and lif to reule his owene soule, & for pouert of benefis he may not go to scole, ne lerne at hom for bisynesse of newe syngynge & gedrynge of tyþes & mynystringe of sacramentis & oþere occupacions. & þus wise clerkis ben putt out fro benefices þat myȝten, couden and wolden teche þe peple þe gospel & goddis hestis, & blynde lederis ful of coueitise, lecherie & oþere synnes brouȝt in; & almes doynge to pore men of þe parische & hospitalite & fyndynge of pore children to scole & so clergie aftirward ben outlawid. also þei taken þe ordre of presthod to seie massis for money, & whanne þei schulden be gostly liȝt of þe world bi opyn ensaumple of holy lif & trewe prechynge of holy writt, as crist comaundid to alle his apostlis & disciplis, þei hiden hem self in gay cloistris & lyuen in lustis of flech & glotonye, drounkenesse & ydelnesse & sleep. & as þei feynen þei ben exempt from prechynge, þat crist comaundeþ to prestis, bi profession maad to synful foolis & in cas to sathanas þat techeþ hem þe contrarie of goddis comaundementis; & ȝif ony such religious be stirid bi charite & conscience to goo to cristene peple & preche hem goddis lawe he schal be lettid bi anticristis obedience vp peyne of dedly synne & prisonynge & sumtyme of bodely deþ. & þus þes possessioneris, & namely religious, leuen goddis comaundement & werkis of mercy & charite vndon for obedience of synful men, And distroien presthod & trewe techynge & holi lif of þe peple in eche degree. ¶ Also þei distroien knyȝthod bi wiles of þe fend, for þeiomitted X. han grete lordischipis amorteised to hem; bi whiche lord|schipis knyȝtis schulden be susteyned to gouerne þe peple & þei moten now faile boþe in noumbre & power; & þis amorteisynge comeþ in bi ypocrisie of preiynge be mouþ þat is preised of hem more þan prechynge of þe gospel; but certis þis isomitted X. merueile, for none of alle þes þat preien þus whot where his preiynge schal turne in-to his owene damp|nacion, and þan is it litel worþ to oþere synful men; & almyȝtti god seiþ þat þe sacrafices of wickid men ben abhomi|nableProv. xv. 8. and that he schal curse to here blissynges; & þe preire of þat man þat turneþ awey his erris to here not goddis laweProv. xxviii. 9. is abhominable or cursed; &omitted AA. þanne siþ god comaundiþ so often in his lawe boþe olde & newe þat clerkis ne schulden haue non seculer lordischipis & þei hauen so many, & so faste meyntenen hem, here preynge is cursed & abhominable. And ȝif seynt austyn, seynt gregory & seynt bernard & oþere seyntis & reson wiþ manere of lyuynge of þes proude posses|sioneris ben wel souȝt in matere of preiynge, þere wole seue a sentence of grete wepynge & mornynge, schewynge how men ben disceyued bi ypocritis preire boþe in feiþ hope & charite & worldely goodis & pees & reste. for ȝif a lord or a laborer loue betere god þan þes veyn religious & proude & lecherous possessioneris, þe lewid manys preiere is betere þan alle here criynge & knackynge; & certis it were raþere almes to lordis to hire suche proude clerkis to seie neiþer masse ne matines in þis cursed lif þan to holde & to meyntene hem in þis manere preiynge; for her lyfomitted X. is blasphemye vnto god, as austyn seiþ; & þei stiren god of treuþe raþere to vengaunce þan to mercy, as seynt gregori seiþ. And þerfore seynt ierom criede & wrot to his deþ þat clerkis schulden lyue on dymes & offrynges þat is goddis part & not haue seculer lordischipis ne worldly richesses, but in pouert sue cristis cros: & seynt bede wrot to þeomitted X. erchebischop of ȝork þat ȝifte of kynges whanne þei ȝauen temporaltes to clerkis was most fool ȝeuynge, & telliþ many harmes comynge þer-of; & þerfore whanne seynt austyn seyseþ X. his clerkis wexe proude for litel rente þat þei hadden he priede þe peple of his cite to taken þe rentis aȝen and suffre hem lyue on goddis part, þat ben tiþes & offrynges, as þe holy martir possidonye writtiþ of seynt austynes lif. Þanne siþ trewe techynge of curatis is leid doun by apropriacion of parische chirches, & knyȝtthod bi amorteysynge of temporal|tees is mochel distroied, & þe pore peple hard piled bi coueitouse clerkis opynly; it sueþ þat þes proude posses|sioneris distroien þe comunes of þe lond, siþ þei fordon trewe techynge bi curatis & clerkis & good gouernaile bi knyȝttis, & ben cruel in gedrynge of here rentis & mercymentis more þan lordis wolden, and ȝeuen ensaumple of pride & coueitise & wrongful meyntenynge of worldly plees aȝenst riȝt & good conscience, & letten almes of curatis, & wasten pore mennys liflode in pride & glotonye & worldly array more þan grete lordis may wel atteynen to.

Also þes possessioneris seyn in dede þat cristis lif & en|saumpel þer-of is insufficient & lif sikereresikere X. bi worldly lawes is betre; for þei forsaken pore lif & meke aftir crist & his apostlis, & taken worldly sykernesse for þe betre; & herþer AA. þei blasphemen crist & ben out of riȝt feiþ. And ȝif þei witten þat cristis lyfomitted X. and trewetreule X. lif of clerkis ensaumplid þer-aftir is best & most esy & most siker for þe soule, þei ben oute of charite to forsake þe best tauȝt [&] ensaumplid of crist, and to take a lif ordeyned of synful foolis & coueitouse of worldly pride & name & auer; & ȝif þei meyntenen stifly þis errour þei ben stronge heretikis.

Proude possessioners ben traitours of god, of lordis & of þe comune peple. þei ben traitours of god, for þei distroien his ordynaunce þat he made for clerkis, & in stede of mekenesse & wilful pouert & discrete penaunce brengen in coueitise, pride & wombe ioie and ydelnesse. & þei bryngen lordisomitted X. in þis errour of bileue, þat þei ben in dette to meyn|tenen hem in þis worldly lif, & þat lordis may not maynteneomitted X. cristis ordynaunce in clerkis for drede of anticristis curs & brekyng of here oþ bi whiche þei ben sworne to meyntene holy chirche; for þat þat is þe fendis chirc[he], þat ben proude clerkis & coueitouse, þei clepen holy chirche to turnen alle þing vpsodoun as anticristis disciplis. & þat þat is holy chirche, þat ben trewe techeris of cristis mekenesse, wilful pouert & gostly traueile & meyntenours of cristis ordynaunce, þei clepen heretikis & pursuen hem to þe deþ worse þan don heþene men, for no man schulde be hardi to teche & meyn|tene holy writt aȝenst here cursed lif. & þei bryngen comunes in þis errour, þat ȝif þei taken ony þing preuely or apertly fro anticristis chirche & his clerkis þei schullen be cursed & prisoned & dampnyd in helle; ȝe, þouȝ þes worldly coueitouse clerkis lyuen neuere so opynly aȝenst goddis lawe, & techen opynly cursed heresie. & þei techen þe comune peple þat þei schullen haue goddis blissyng & blisse of heuene ȝif þei paien treuly here tiþes & offryngis to hem, whanne þei lyuen in opyn lecherie & coueitise & don no þing here gostly office, but bi word & ensaumple of euyl lif leden þe peple to helle.

Also þes possessioners setten more pris bi reulis of synful men þan bi reulis of ihū crist god & man; for þei taken reulis of synful men as benetis & oþere popis and holden hem more perfit þan þe clene reule of crist. & þei cha[r]gen more to breke suche tradiciouns maad of synful men þan to breke þe comaundementis of god & poyntis of charite; & for to proue þis, loke where a prest or monk schal ben hardere ponyschid for brekynge of þe popis lawe or of benetis reule, ȝe, for brekynge of here owene statutis, þan for ydel sweryng of herte & bonys of crist & brekynge of þe holy day; & here-bi may men see where þes possessioners louen & dreden more goddis hestis or synful mennys tradicions.

Ȝit þes possessioners entren vnder colour of seyntis & lyuen alle aȝenst þes seyntis; for þei comen in vnder colour of seynt benet & seynt austyn to lyue in mekenesse & pouert & bi labour of here hondis for her liflode, and bi ypocrisie þei rennen in-to pride, coueitise, worldly worschipe & welfare & idelnesse, & ben wode whanne men tellen þe soþe of cristis gospel & his pore lif & þe soþe of here owene reule & profes|sion; for bi þis techynge here ypocrise and lesyngis schulde be knowen, & þei be turned to here first ground or ellis for|saken al. & þis wheren grete peyne for proude men & delicat; & þerfore þei maken a scheld of ypocrisie & worldly frendischipe aȝenst þis treuþe.

Also þes proude possessioners lien on seyntis & sclaundren hem wiþ worldly lif to coloure þer-by here owene false pride; for þei writen þat þis is benetis lif & thomas of canterburies, whanne þei lyueden & endeden in contrarie manere. And þei bryngen forþ poyntis of here worldlynesse whanne þei diden aȝenst holy lif & techynge of crist, & hiden here grete sorowe & penaunce þat þei diden for s[i]ch wildenessis; & alle þis is for þei wolden coloure here owene synne bi þes seyntis & maken þe peple wene þat þes seyntis camen to heuene bi þis mirþe of worldly lyuynge & likynge of here flesch; & þus þei brengen cristenecristis AA. peple in errour aȝenst þe feiþ bi lesyngis putt on seyntis.

Þes proude possessioners ben þeues & heretikis; for þei comen bi false menys as ypocrisie & lesyngis to þes grete lordischipes & bi colour to spende hem in almes of pore men, but þei wasten hem in glotonye & pompe & pride & worldely gaynesse, as pelure & costelewecostelewo X. cloþis & proude slitterede squyerys & haukis & hondis & mynstralis & ryche men; & bi colour þat crist was þus worldly lord, þerfore þei schulden haue þus seculer lordischipis bi heritage of crist as his most worþi seruauntis; but crist seiþ in þe gospel of seynt ionJohn xviii. 36. þat his kyngdom is not of þis world, & hadde not bi worldly lordischipis where onne to resten his owene hed; þerfore it is heresie to putten þis seculer lordischipe on crist, & herbi disceyuen cristene men in feiþ & worldly goodis, & maken hem to meyntenen clerkis in herehis X (corrected by a later hand). heresie.

Also þes ypocrit is possessionerschargen hem self more þan crist and his apostelis wolden or myȝtten, & wittyngly take þe werse & leuen þe betre. For bi als moche as þei haue seculer possessions more þan crist & his apostlis hadden þei ben bi þat bounden þe more, & þei ben bounden to holy lif & trewe techynge bi presthod in as mochil as þei may þerfore; & þei taken bisynesse of þe world & leuen studiynge & techynge of holy writt & deuocioun in preiere & þinkynge of heuenely swettenesse; & þei chesen raþere to lyue vnder synguler obedience & profession maad to worldly foolis þan to lyue bi forne of þe gospel in þat fredom þat crist ȝaf to prestis. & þerfore þei ben many times nedid & bi ypocrisie disceyued to leue goddis hestis vndon & to performe þe wrongful biddynge of anticrist; & bi þis feyned obedience is strif & enuye brouȝt in and pride & worldly lordischipe meyntened in dede men; & þus þei risen fro vertue to synne, fro mekenes to pride, fro wilful pouert to coueitise & lordischipe, fro grete penaunce & gostly traueile to glotonye & ydelnesse.

Þes seculer lordischipis in clerkis bryngenbrengynne X. in symonye, coueytise & glotonye & ydolatrie, þat is worschipynge of false goddis; for bi cause of þis lordischipis men comen to grete prelacies & oþere degres of þe chirche bi money & worldly fauour & pledynge & fiȝttynge, where þei schulden come to hem bi mekenesse and holy lif & bisy traueile in studiynge & techynge of goddis lawe; & feyned religious possessioners comen to þes ordris for sikernesse of worldly welfare & pride & eise of body, where þe schulden come to hem to be dede to þe world & to lyuen in penaunce &of X. streit pouert as cristis apostlis, & þus þei suen þis holy staat of pouert & penaunce for worldly richesse & wombe ioie. And herfore þei ben ful of symonye & heresie, as reson & lawe techen, & þei wasten moche good in ryot & glotonye & pledynde & meyntenynge of wrongis aȝenst pore gentil men & comunes. And siþ al þes wastid goodis ben pore mennus liflode, as ierom & lawe techen, & he þat defraudeþ pore men þer-of is a man of blood spilid, þes possessioners ben mansleeris & irreguler & cursed of god; & siþ coueitise & glotonye ben seruage of maunmetrie, as poul seiþ, þes possessioners honouren false goddis. for þesColossians iii. 5. skillis & many mo þe angel seyd ful soþe whanne þe chirche was dowid þat þis day is venym sched in-to þe chirche; for þei þat schulden be most meke & wilful pore & in most deuocion & myrrour of alle vertues to worldly men ben now turned in-to luciferis pride & sathanas coueitise and anticristis ypocrisie & ydelnesse, & ben myrrour of alle synnes, & no tonge in þis lif can telle þe harmes her-of.

Ȝit þes proude possessioners ben anticristis martiris, for þei ben reised bi hym fro deþ ofor X. worldlynesse and vanyte to lif of lordis and werris & falsnesse; for in here profession þei ben holden dede to þe world & vanyte &of X. likynge þer-of. But in desirynge & holdynge seculer lordischipis & worldly honour & delicat mete & drynk & gaye cloþis þei schewen in dede þat þei ben riȝt freisch in bodely lif, but I suppose þat þei ben dede to holynesse & penaunce & profitynge to oþere men; & namely þei schewen þis reisynge in pledynge & werrynge in here owene persones, & in counseilynge oþere men to werre on cristene men for worldly goodis; for þat þei don more cruelly þan worldly lordis, as men knowen of pletynge & conseilynge to werris. þerfore it semeþ to summe men þat þei feynen hem dede to gete pray of worldly lordi|schipis & richesse; as þe fox feyneþ hym dede tilto X. briddis comen to his tounge, & þanne he schewiþ hym on lyue deuourynge & swelwynge of hem; & þus þei ben dede to profitynge of oþere men & here temporaltees ben mortesid, þat is confermyd in þis deþ, for þei comen neuere to seculer men ȝif þei may, þouȝ þei ben getyn bi neuere so fals title & aȝenst conscience; for þei wolen not see mennys riȝt, ne worsche aftir goodomitted X. conscience, but bosten of þousand markis & þousand poundis þat þei wolen coste in plee bi-fore þat þei lesen ony fote of lond; & of suche religious wrecchis seiþ Robert grosted þat siche on is a dede careyne gon out of his sepulcre wlappid with cloþis of mornynge,morynge X. dryuen & stirid of þe deuyl among men. And for þis worldly lif & coueitise þei wolen coste & die to meyntene it; but for to meyntene þe treuþe of cristis lif in mekenesse & pouert & bisi traueile in prechynge þe gospel þei wolen not traueile, but raþere pursue hem to deþ þat traueilen for þis holy lif; & þus þei lyuen in delices of þe world & here flech, & þerfore þei ben dede to god as poul seiþ, & so þei lyuen anticristis lif &Romans viii. 13. meyntene þat to here deþ aȝenst cristis lif and lawe & techeris þer-of.

Ȝit proude possessioners ben anticristis, for þei letten trewe men to preche þe gospel of ihū crist & suffren not þe peple knowe goddis lawe bi whiche þei schulden be sauyd. For prestis þus dowid ben so occupied aboute þe world and newe seruyce and song & feyned obedience to worldly foolis þat þei may not studie & preche goddis lawe in contre to cristis peple. ¶And ȝif þei preche selde whanne þei prechen cronyclis & poisies & newe fyndyngesfeyndyngis AA. of hem self, & maken false comendaciones of dede men for to geten a name of veyn sotilte & worldly þank, & leuen to preche cristis gospel and his lywynge; & ȝif oþere men wolen treuly & frely preche þe gospel & dispise synne, as crist comaundeþ, þes proude possessionerispossioners X. letten hem bi cautelis of anticristis censuris & worldly power & sclaundrynge & prisonynge, & dryuen hem out of londe & ellis brennen hem ȝif þei may. & þis is for drede leeste cristis pore lif & meke & traueilous & peyneful be knowen, & hou clerkis & namely religious ben bounden to holde sich pore lif & meke & peyneful inand X. reson|able abstynence, & traueile inand X. studiynge & prechynge of holy writt, & ellis as crist seiþ þei schulde be put out & dispised of men; for bi þis prechynge here worldly lif & coueitise schulde awey & penaunce & traueyle come aȝen.

Possessioners holden þat religion þat crist made lesse perfit þan is religioun founden of a synful man, for þei holden a reule maade not of seyntis but of here owene worldly hedis more perfit þan religion of presthod þat cristomitted X. made in his fredom; for þei holden here owene tradicions more perfit þan reulis þat crist made in þe gospel. for ȝif reulis of presthod maad in þe gospel were more perfit þan þe reules of newe monkis, it were laweful for a prest to leue here reules & gon to reulis of presthod as crist made hym in þe gospel, for it is laweful to passe fro þe lasse perfit to þe more perfit, but monkis wolen not suffre for no reson, but þei w[olen] suffre a monk goo to beggeris ordre whanne he axiþ leue, þouȝ hee gete it neuere; & þus þei holden þe ordre of beggeris maad of synful men more perfit þan religion of presthod maad of ihū crist god & man.

Also þes possessioners dreden more lesynge of here tem|poraltees þan loos of goodis of vertue & of charite, & chargen more name & preisynge of men þan preisynge and þank of god; for þei dreden more to displese lordis & myȝtty men, bi seynge & meyntenynge of a profitable treuþe, for loos of here temporaltees þan to displese god bi suffrynge of opyn synne & domnpnesse, for whiche þei ben dampnable, as seynt poul seiþ; & þei chargen more kepynge of here veyn sygnysRomans i. 32. & customes, for to haue preisynge of men þat þei holden wele here religion, þan kepynge of goddis hestis & poyntis of charite & discret penaunce for preisynge & þank of god; & here ishis X. foule ypocrisie & cursed blaspheme & forsakynge of god as seynt poul witnesseþ plenerly in holy writt.

Þes possessioners bynden hem self to contradiccion & þing þat is imposible; for þei bynden hem self to be dede to þe world & forsaken it & bysynesse, & on þe toþer side þei bynden hem to obedience for to take worldli bisynesse aftir biddyngebyndynge X. of a worldly & synful & coueitous & vnkunnynge abbot or priour, & þis þei moten do bi vertue of þis obedience, þouȝ god stire hem to be betre occupied aboute studiynge & techynge of holy writt, & þus mannus comaundement is performyd bi blyndnesse & ypocrisie & goddis comaundement & more profit of cristene soules is putte bihynde. But it semeþ þei forsaken hunger & þurstþrest X. & penaunce & traueile to be lordis & riche & lyue in bodyli ayse on alle sidis; & þus þe fend bi his worldly clerkis disceyueþ men by colour of holynesse, & bryngeþ hem to worldly lyuynge whanne þei wenen to come out þer-of, & þus casteþ hem bi here owene turn.

Ȝit religious possessioners ben groundid & holden forþ bi blasphemye & heresie; for þei ben groundid on þis, þat statutis maad of a synful fool ben betere in here dom þan þe lawis þat crist ordeynede for prestis & clerkis, for ellis þei wittyngly forsokenforsaken X. þe betre & tokentaken X. þe worse & heldenholden X. it forth, & weren out of charite. And ȝif þei meyn|tenen an errour aȝenst charite þei ben heretikis; & ȝif þei seyn þat here reulis ben betre þan cristis reulis ȝouen to prestis & clerkis, þei blasphemen aȝenst god, & so at þe begynnynge þei ben blasphemys on alle sides or at þe leste knowen not cristene bileue; & in holdynge forþ comynly þei ben blasphemys, for þei letten a prest to lyue & teche as crist comaundid in þe gospel, & þei letten a cristene man to serue his god in þe beste manere. For ȝif a prest of her feyned ordre wole lyue poreli & iustly & goo freli aboute & teche frely goddis lawes, þei holden him apostata & prisonen hym, & holden hym cursed for þis prestis lif comaundid, ensaumplid of crist & his apostlis; & so ȝif a cristene man wole forsake a wickid worldly couent ful of pride, ypocrisie, coueitise & symonye, after snybbynge as crist techeþ in þe gospel, þei pursuen himhem X. as apostata & cursed man, for he doþ as crist & his apostelis techen; & þis is cursed blasphemye of god. & ne were þis prison & sclaundrynge fewe goode men or none schulden dwelle amonge suche couentis for drede of consentynge toconsenynte of X. here synnes.

Also þes possessioners wasten bi ypocrisie nedeles many pore mennys goodis, for seculer possessioneris han many precious cloþis & costy & riche peluris; & alle þis is wast of pore mennys goodis, siþ bi here owen lawe what euere clerkis han is pore mennys, & þei schulde teche to cristene men boþe in wordworld X. & ensaumple of here owene dedis þe pouert & symplenesse of crist & his apostlis. Also religious possessioneris wasten pore mennus goodis in wide cloþis & precious, þat foure or fyue nedy men myȝtten welle be cloþed wiþ o cope &omitted X. hood of a monke, & þat large cloþ serueþ to gidre wynd & lette him to go & do his dedis; & ȝit þei ben brouȝt in-to chirche to reise vp cristis pouert & his apostlis & lyuen in mornynge and penaunce and to be deed to þe world;worldly AA. but by ypocrisie al þis is turned vpsodoun, what in wast meyne and proude and hiȝe houses and glotonie and ydulnesse. And so in ensaumple and dede þey techen heresie and blyndenbynden X. þe people in feith and lyf of crist and his apostles to þe contrarie as cursed disciples of antecrist.

Ȝyt þes possessioners ben þeues and so striers of clergye and of good lif in the people, for þei han manie bokes, and namely of holy writt, Summe by bygging and some by ȝifte and testamentis and some biomitted X. oþere disceitis and sutiltees, and hyden hem from seculer clerkis & suffren þes noble bokes wexe roten in here libraries, & neiþer wolen sillenomitted X. hem ne lenen hem to oþere clerkis þat wolden profiten bi studiynge in hem & techen cristene peple þe weie to heuene. & in þis defaute ben religious mendynauntis as principal þeuys & forgoeris of anticrist, þat seculeris & curatis may almost gete no bok of value, and herby, as seynt Richard primat ofDefensio Cura|torum. Brown's Fasciculus, ii. 474. irland witnesseþ, þei casten to distroie clergieclergise AA. of seculeris and trewe techynge of þe peple. lord siþ þes bokis ben more nedeful to mannys good lif þan gold or siluer, & heomitted X. is out of charite þat seeþ his broþer haue nede of worldly sustenaunce & helpiþ him not whanne he may esely; hou moche more ben þes religious out of charite, þat helpen not seculer clerkis & curatis of þes bokis neiþer be ȝifte ne lenyng ne sillyng for noomitted X. money.

Clerkis possessioners ben foule out of charite & blynden foule þe peple; for þouȝ þei han many grete houses, costlewe & wasty, & alle þat þei han ouer here strectestreyte AA. liflode is pore mennys, as here owen seyntis & lawis seyn, ȝit pore men may not be herbwerid amongis hem in here grete castelis or paleis, but lordis, & ladies namely, schullen soiourensoiornen AA. amongis hem many ȝeris. lord, hou schulde þes traitours ben excused at domesday, siþ crist seiþ þo men þat not herberwid suche pore herberweles schullen be dampnyd. where ypocrisie & worldli pride & coueitise & lecherie schullen make him exempt fro dedis of mercy & comaundement of god; for a bayli, stiward & riche men of lawe schullen haue festis & robis & mynystralis, riche cloþis & huge ȝiftis, but pore men schullen stonde with oute & goo dailes but ȝif þei geten knockis & reprouynge & wrong extorsions & euyl paynge of here hire; & ȝit þes mendynauntis passen alle oþere posses|sioners in þis ypocrisie & defaute of pite for to gete worldly þank & grete wynnynge.

Þes possessioners ben foule ypocritis vnder name of religion & cursed of crist for here disceitis bi whiche þei disceyuen cristene peple; for whanne seynt iame techiþ þat þis is clene religionJames i. 27. anemtis god, to visite fadirles children & moderles & wedewis in here tribulacion, & to kepe hymhem AA. self vnblekkid or defoulid fro þis world; þei visiten riche men, & namely wydewis, for to haue here goodis to caymes castel, & sikeren hem of so many massis & preieris durynge þe world; & ȝit þei witte not where here preiere turne to here owenemen X. dampnacion, & be cursed of god, & stire god of holynesse & treuþe to vengaunce for here owene wickid lif & ypocrisie. Þerfore crist curseþ scribis & pharisees, ypocritis, þat etenheten X. widewis houses biMatt. xxiii. 14. suche longe preieris. & þei visiten not fadirles children & moderles and widewis to releue hem bi almes ȝeuynge, but enqueren siche children & widewis ȝif þei may disceyue hem in purchasynge of here rentis & oþere goodis bi flaterynge wordis & sikernesse of gostly helpe; & in þis ypocrisie þes mendynauntis beren þe baner for svtilte & feyned pouert.

Ȝit þes possessioners blynden lordis & myȝtty men to turmenten goddis seruauntis, bi prisonynge & oþere bodily peyne, whanne þei forsaken proude & coueitouse men endurid in here synnes & seruen god in þe beste manere after here power & kunnynge bi fredom of þe gospel; & þus þei disceyuen lordis in feiþ, hope & charite, & maken lordis þe deuylisdeuel X. turmentours wanne þei hopen to plese god in meyn|tenynge of holy religion.

Also þes possessioners, wiþ helpe of false freris, sotil ypocritis, & cursed heretikis, dampnen holy writt, þe kyngis regalie & wise men of oure lond, for to meyntene here false geten possessions & worldly lif; for þei crien þat it is heresie or errour aȝenst goddis lawe þat seculer lordis may take temperal goodis fro clerkis trespasynge bi longe custome; & certis ȝif seculer lordis may not take temperal goodis fro clerkis, þanne þouȝ clerkis trespassen neuere so moche, ȝe in traiterie, conspirynge þe kyngis deþ & quenys & alle þe lordis & ladies & comunes of oure lond, þe kyng may not ponysche hem bi o ferþing worþ, & þanne is goddis lawe fals þat ȝeueþ power to kyngis & seculer lordes to ponysche generaly, outakiþ no man; & many mo orible conclusions suen of þis dampnynge, as men han writen in many placis.

Also þes possessioners ben neuere ful of worldly goodis & seculer lordischipis, but euere purchasen, be it riȝt be it wrong, bi gold, be ypocrisie 2of preiere22_2 omitted X. & bi pardons; for þe coueitouse man schal not be fulfillid wiþ money, as god seiþ;Ecclus. xiv. 9. & so þei breken þe reule of crist tauȝt & comaundid bi seint poul to alle prestis: we hawynge liflode & couerynge be weI. Tim. vi. 8. apeied wiþ þes þinges; & þus is ieromyes prophecie fulfillidJer. vi. 13. þat fro þe leste to þe moste þei studien to coueitise. & siþ þei may not gouerne wel þe peple as lordis schulden, þei wolle not cesse til alle be conquerid in-to here dede hondis to distroie lordis & comunes & holy lif of prestis; & certis oþer þei ben of more myȝt & witt to do boþe temperal office & spiritual to-gidre þan weren crist & his apostlis, or elles þei ben foolis disceyued bi pride & coueitise of þis world; for crist & his apostlis couden not or myȝt not or wolde not doto X. corrected by a later hand. þes offices to-gidre, but weren fully occupyed wiþ spiritual office; & þus þes possessioners sclaundren cristis lif & ben out of feiþ, hope & charite, & harde rotid in heresie.

Also þes possessioners ben counseillours to many þousand mennus deþ for to meyntene here possessions & worldly lif; for þei conseilen lordis to werre vpon cristene men for to kepe here lordischipis & worldly lif in reste; & siþ fiȝttere & conseilere þer-to ben mansleeris bi goddis lawe & mannys, alle þes possessioners ben manquelleris & irreguler, & as ysaye seiþ, for here hondis ben ful of blode god schal notIsaiah i. 15. here hem in preieris; but as god seiþ be þe prophete malechieMalachi ii. 2. god schal curse to here blysyngis; & whanne siche men gon wiþ ora pro nobis in processionprofession X. þei blasphemen god & stiren him to vengaunce, as austyn & gregori techen pleynly.

Þes possessioners ben specyaly cristis enemys & anticristis, for þei dispisen & sclaundren & pursuen meke men & pore, & enhaunsen & preisen & fauoren proude menomitted X. & disolute; for ȝif þer be ony among hem þat drawe hemomitted AA. to pouert & deuocion & reproue here pride & ypocrisie, he schal be clepid ypocrite, distroier of holy chirche, & sumtyme prisoned, þat it were betre to him dwellen among heþene þan in suche congregacions; & he þat is glorious to þe world & sotil to gete worldly muk or drit of worldly frendischipe, þouȝ he leue his deuocion & goddis seruyce, he is a noble man & wole meyntene holy chirche; & þus þei ben cursed of god, for þei seyn þat good is euyl & euyl good.

Ȝit þes possessioners disceyuen men by ypocrisie & wasten moche good in veyn; for þei feynen hem to rise at mydnyȝt, & spenden liȝt & oþere costis maken, & bi day slepen moche more þer-fore, þat alle þingis accountid þei han moche more tyme to slepe þan ony oþere commen men. & þus þei faren as þeues, slepynge on þe day & wagynge in þeomitted AA. nyȝt to robbe men of here catel by ypocrisie of þis wakynge & preiynge, & herbi þei turnen þe nyȝt in-to day & day in-to nyȝt & maken moche wast.

Also þes possessioners maken goddis houses a deen of þeues; for þey maken here chirches placis of marchaundise for wynnynge and bryngenge in ȝonge children in-to here religion, bi ȝiftis & certeyn of welfare & eise of bodi, & norischen hem in glotonye & coueitise; & geten priuylegies of kyngis to meyntene eche þef in here place wiþ-outen restitucion, & stryuen & pleden to meyntenen þis wrong priuylegie more þan þe best reule of here ordren or ony poynt of charite.

Ȝit þes possessioners disceyuen lordis bi feynyngefyninge X. of special preieris; for þei maken lordis to bileue þat here special preiere, as famulorum & benefactorum, schal turne to lordis aftir grauntynge & lymytynge of synful foolis, & more principaly to hem for here worldly goodis ȝeuynge þan to oþere men þat ben in more charite; & þus þe riȝtful delynge of god for þe goode lif of men is forȝeten, & delynge of synful foolis þat knowen not þe ablenesse of men & riȝtful dom of god is holden forþ; & herby myȝtty men ben brouȝt out of bileue to triste more in special preynge & appliynge of synful men þan in þe riȝtful partynge of god & riȝtwis|nesse of here owene lif, & bi trist of suche special preieris lordis vnderstonden þat þei schulden be excused þouȝ þei don euyl in here owen lif. lorde! siþ none of alle þes religious whot where his preiere turne to his owene dampnacion, hou doren þei chaffaren þus wiþ worldly possessions & rentis for here preieris; siþ þei owen to wyten þat here preieris ben cursed & abhominable to god, for þei breken cristis hestis in holdynge þus seculer lordischipis, & lyuen in pride, coueitise, ypocrisie, glotonye & ydelnesse, þat drawen hem to synne of sodom & maken hem worschiperisworchiperis X. of false goddis.

Clerkis possessioners pursuen crist to deþ & bitraien him for stynkynge drit; for þei sclaundren, cursen & pursuen falsly to deþ trewe techeris of cristis lif & goddis hestis þat wolden saue mennys soulis bi trewe & free prechynge of þe gospel wiþ-outen glosynge & beggynge; & þei suffren, helpen & meyntenen false prechouris, gloseris, to robbe þe peple bi fals beggynge, bi symonye & ypocrisie & blasphemye putt vpon crist; so þatX inserts þe. possessioners may holden forþe here seculer lordischipis & worldli lif aȝenst goddis lawe, in dis|troiynge & blasphemynge of cristis lif and cristene feiþ, in distroiynge of seculer lordis & oþere prestis & curatis & of comunes also, as it is seid bifore; & as crist seiþ þis false sclaundrynge & pursuynge of cristis disciplis for þis ende is pursuynge of crist & of þe holy trinyte.

Ȝit þes possessioners blasphemen aȝenst þe holy gost; for þei wolen not suffre men to fulfille his wille ne his ȝiftis & saue mennus soulis bi trewe techynge of goddis hestis & poyntis of charite, but constreynen men bi gret violence & turment to leue goddis stiryngesurynge X. & goddis lawe & wille vndon. For þei feynen þat men schulden not teche goddis lawe wiþ-outen here leue. And þei wolen ȝeue no leue whanne men wolen vtterly teche þe pouert & mekenesse & bisy traueile of crist & his apostlis & prechynge þe gospel, & dampnen here coueitise & pride & worldly lif & ydelnesse & ypocrisie; & þus as moche as is in hem þei distroien þe holy gost & þe holy trinyte; & 3specialy bi33_3 special al AA. þis ypocrisie þat no man schul preche wiþ-outen here leue. for siþ þei ben ennemyes of crist & his lawe, as it is schewid bi here opyn euyl lif, & in caas deuelis of helle, þei casten þat no man schal teche trewely cristis lawe wiþ-outen leue of cristis traitour & of deuelis in helle; & so prestis ben con|streyned bi bodily peynes & deþ to leue goddis wille & precept for contrarie comaundement of goddis traitour, & in caas a deuyl in flech, as ihū crist seiþ of iudas scarioþ.John vi. 70.

Ȝit þes possessioners turnen abstinence & penaunce in-to glotonye, & traueile in-to ydelnesse, & pouert in-to coueitise; for þei ben groundid in abstynence after crist & his apostlis, & namely þes newe religious, & þei turnen hem in-to glotonye & delicat liflode more comynly þan oþere men; & þei ben groundid on pouert aftir crist & his apostlis, but þei ben turned in-to worldly coueitise bi and AA.many sotiltes & ypocrisie; & þei ben groundid on labor of here hondis bi here owene reule, & ȝit þei turnen þat labor in-to preieris bi mouþmonye X. & ben idel & veyn; & þus bi colour of holynesse þei stiȝen in-to synnes on eche side.

Proude possessioners ben perilous þeues & cursed heretikis; for þei affermen who euer takiþ ony temperal goodis fro holy chirche, þat is þe comyntecomutiete X. of clerkis aftir here dom, he is a þeefȝeef X. & cursed in dede; þanne siþ þei taken awey þe noble gostly good of wilful pouert & symplenesse & mekenesse, in whiche vertues crist groundid holy chirche, þei ben stronge þeues & anticristis disciplis. & siþ þei meyntenen so harde þis wickid þeefte, & robben holy chirche fro þis noble tresor of pouert & mekenesse, and defoulen it wiþ drit of worldly lordischipe aȝenst þe wille of ihū crist here spouse, þei ben cursed heretikis & here meyntenours also, & þus þei ben anticristis peruertynge cristendom.

Ȝit þes possessioners bryngen lordis out of bileue, & maken hem bi blynde swerynge meyntene þe coueitise & worldly lif of anticristis clerkis, whanne bi vertue of here oþ þei schulden distroie þe false coueitise & pride of worldly clerkis: for þes lordis sweren to meyntenen þeþer X. priuylegyes & fre|domos & riȝttis of holy chirche; & bi þis oþ þei moten nedis meyntenen þe perfit fredom of holy lif, of mekenesse & pouert & oþere goode vertues þat crist ordeyned to þe chirche; but anticristis clerkis chalengenchalagen X. bi þis oþ þat lordis owen to meyntene here false lordischipis, pride & coueitise, & wrong customes of prescripcion aȝenst goddis laweomitted X. & good con|science; for ȝif þes anticristis clerkis han holden wrongfully a cristene mannys good lond oþer rentistrentis AA. or oþer goodis bi þritti ȝeer or fourty with-outen ony axynge, þei seyn þis synful possession so longe contynued makiþ hem worldly lordis of þis good; & þus þei maken lordis to meyntene fraudis & falsnesse aȝenst goddis hestis, whanne lordis wenen to meyntene riȝtful lawes for worschipe of god; but certis here is moche þefte, moche treson & moche harm of soulis on eche side meyntened bi þis blynde swerynge.

Also þes possessioners dampnen trewe men techynge frely & trewely þe gospel & goddis hestis for heretikis, for to coloure here owen worldlyomitted X. lif, but þei hem self ben foule heretikis for here cursed pride, coueitise & enuye þat þei dwellen inne & meyntenen strongly; but of þis verry heresie & most perilous wolen þei not þenke ne speke, ne suffre oþere trewe men to speke aȝenst it for to saue here soulis & helpe oþere men out of synne. & þus þei faren wiþ cristene men & holy writt as diden scribis & phariseis wiþ crist & his apostlis & his gospel, & whanne þes pharisees, scribis & hiȝe prestis weren ful of heresie & blasphemye þei putten alle þes synnes on crist & his apostlis to blynde þe comune peple, & so þes possessioners don now bi more ypocrisie & more sotilte & more cruelte.

Þes proude possessioners disclaundren trewe prechours of þe gospel & cristis lif for makeris of discencion & debate among neiȝeboris in þe lond; whanne þei hem self wiþ here cursed lif & confederacie wiþ tirauntis for here gold ben cause of discencion & enemyte. for wiþ pore mennus liflode þei hiren myȝtty men to stryue & plede aȝenst goddis techynge, & helpe & releuynge & encressynge of seculer lordis, & helpe & releuynge of pore comunes; & þus as cursed pharisees & scribis & hiȝe prestis þei putten here owen cursed synnes vpon trewe men to lette goddis lawe to be knowen, & hiden & colouren &omitted AA. meyntenen here olde synnes and traitere bi strong pursuynge to deþ of alle trewe men as moche as þei may, & herbi þei ben manquelleris & pursueris of crist & endurid inX inserts "he." old heresie.

Also þes possessioners magnifyen hem self more þan ihū crist, & seken more here owene name & honour þan honour of god & helpe of cristene soulis; for þei axen & coueiten name of holynesse & reuerence wiþ þis proude worldly lif, & þat schal no man reproue hem of here opyn ypocrisie, symonye & coueytise: & ihū crist myȝtte not kepe holynesse wiþ suche worldly lif & axe such worldly reuerence as þes possessioners don. And ihū crist was redy to be reproued of his enemyes ȝif þei myȝtten fynde ony defaute in him. but ȝitomitted AA. þes possessioners ben ful of synne, & þouȝ þei ben most bounden to pacience, mekenesse & charite ȝit þei ben wode whanne men wolen amende here cursed lif bi techynge of þe gospel; & ȝif men dispisen hem or don not worldly reuerence to hem þei ben wode wroþ & wolen be vengid vp al here myȝt; but þouȝ men dispisen god in here presence bi cursed swerynge or oþere synnes þei chargen not, & ȝit þouȝ here owene seruauntis do so, þat is worse to hem, þei chargen itomitted X. not. but as þe iewis diden crist to deþ for drede of lesyng of here lordischipe & worldly name & honour, so þes possessioners don here power to do alle trewe men to deþ þat techen cristis gospel & mekenesse & pouert aȝenst here false newe lawis & pride & coueitise, & hou þei enuenymyn cristendom bi word & dede.

Ȝit þes ypocritis possessioners ben traitouris to god, to lordis, & to comunes also; for þei han almost þe tresor of þe lond & worldly lordischipe, aȝenst goddis lawe; & whanne þe kyng haþ nede of a taxe, þei wolen not paie for pore men, not wiþstondynge þat þei ben procuratouris of pore men, & al þat þei hanomitted X. ouer here owen symple liflode is pore mennus good, as goddis lawe & mannus techen opynly, but for to plede & meyntene wrongis & putten men out of here lond & meyntenen false prauelegies aȝenst charite & good conscience þei han þousand markis & poundis; & here þei chalengen aboue crist & alle his apostlis þat þouȝ þei han almost allealle is added in X. by a later hand. lordischipis amorteised to hem, ȝit þei wolen not paien tribute ne taxeaxe AA. to þe kyng for meyntenaunce of þe rewme & sauynge of pore mennus lif; & ȝit crist paide for him & his disciplis tribute to þe emperoure, þouȝ he hadde non such temperaltees. & þis exempcion þei chalengen bi anticristis power & not bi god almyȝtty, for he constreyneþ clerkis to be suget to seculer lordis & to lyue a iust lif & symple & pore wiþ-outen worldly lordschipe & opyn beggynge in aomitted AA. vertuous mene. god almyȝtty stireþ prestis, lordis & comunes to knowe ypocrisie, heresie & treson of anticristis worldly clerkis, & knowen & meyntenen þe riȝtful ordynaunce of god & þe perfit fredom of þe gospel. Amen.

For þe office of curatis is ordeyned of god & fewe don it wele & many ful euyle, þerfore telle we summe defautisdefaute AA. to amende hem wiþ goddis helpe. First þei ben more bisi aboute worldly goodis þan vertues & goode kepynge of mennus soulis; for he þat can best geten richesses of þis world to-gidre & holde grete houshold & worldly aray, he is holden a worþi man of holy chirche, þouȝ he conne not þe lestebeste X. poynt of þe gospel; & such on is preised & born vp of þe bischop & here officeris at þe fulle; but þat curat þat ȝeueþ him to studie holy writt & teche hisis X. paryschenys to saue here soulis, & lyueþ in mekenesse, penaunce & bisi traueile a boute gostly þingis, & reckiþ not of worldly worschipe & richesse, is holden a fool & distroiere of holy chirche, & isomitted X. dispised & pursued of hiȝe prestis & prelatis & here officeris, & hatid of oþere curatis in contre; & þis makiþ many curatis to be necgligent in here gostly cure & ȝeue hem to occupacion & bisynesse of worldly goodis. þes necgligent curatis þenken fulomitted AA. litel hou dere crist bouȝte mannys soule wiþ his precious blood & deþ, & hou harde rekenynge schal he make at domes day for þes soulis. certis it semeþ þat þei ben out of cristene mennys feiþ; for þei maken hem not redy to come þedir & answere wel hou þei camen in-to here benefices & hou þei lyueden & tauȝten & spendiden pore mennus goodis; for ȝif þei hadden þis feiþ redy in here mynde þei wolden bigynne a betre lif & con|tynue þer-inne.

Þe þridde defaute of weiward curatis þat þei ben aungelis of helle & ben sathanas transfigurid in-to an aungel of liȝt toand AA. lede men queyntely to helle; for in-stede of trewe techynge of cristis gospel þei ben doumbe, or elles tellen lesyngis of mennys tradicions for pride & coueitise of worldly goodis; & for ensaumple of good lif þei sclaundren here parischenys many weies bi ensaumple of pride, enuye, coueitise & vnre|sonable vengaunce, so cruely cursynge for tiþes & euyl customes; & for ensaumple of holy deuocion & deuout preiere & werkis of mercy þei techen in-dede ydelnesse, glotonye, dronkenesse & lecherie, & meyntenynge of þes synnes & many moo. For siþ prestis ben clepid aungelis in holy writt, & þesMalachi ii. 7. curatis bryngen not message of god but of þe fend, as here wickid lif scewiþ,schewiþ AA. þei ben not aungelis of god but aungelis of þe fend; & þe trewe clerk robert grosted writiþ to þe pope þat curatis ben sathanas transfigurid in-to aungel of liȝt for þei prechentechen AA. not cristis gospel bi word & good lif, þouȝ þei diden no more synneomitted X.; andin X. siþ seynt petir was clepid sathanas of crist, as þe gospel telliþ, for he was contrarie to goddisMatt. xvi. 23. wille & sauourid not heuenly þingis, wel ben þes euele curatis clepid sathanas, siþ þei ben more contrarie to goddis wille & sauouren less gostly þingis & sauynge of cristene soulis.

Þe fourþe errour; þat þei chargen more statutis of synful men þan þe moste resonable lawe of god almyȝtty; for þei dreden more þe popis lawe & statutis maad of bischopis & 5of oþere55_5 her AA. officeris þan þe noble lawe of the gospel, & herefore þei han many grete bokis & costy of mannus lawe & studien hem faste. But fewe curatis han þe bible & exposiciounsexpositours X. of þe gospelis, 7& litel studien on hem7_7 omitted AA. & lesse donne after hem. But wolde god þat euery parische chirche in þisAA. inserts werld. lond hadde a good bible & good expositouris on þe gospellis, & þat þe prestis studiendestudien AA. hem wel & tauȝten trewely þe gospel & goddis hestis to þe peple; for þanne schulde good lif regne, & reste & pees & charite; & synne & falsnesse putt a bak. god brynge þis ende to his peple. amen.omitted X.

Þe sixte defaute; þat þei techen here parischens bi here dedis and lif; þat is a bok to here sugetis, to loue & seke worldly glorye & to recken nouȝtomitted X. of heuenely þingis; for þei maken hem self bisy niȝt & day to geten worldely avaunsementis & here owene worschipe & dignyte in þis world andin X. pleden & st[r]yuen þerfore, & heldenhorden X. it grete riȝtwissnesse to holden forþ & meyntene a poynt of worldly priuylegie & dignyte; but aboute gostly dignite & hiȝe degre of heuenly blisse þei wolen not st[r]yue aȝenst gostly ennemys; for þei stryuen not who schal be most meke & most wilful pore & most bisi in opyn prechynge & priuey counseilynge hou men schal conquere heuene, as dide crist & his apostlis, but resten as mold-warpis in wrotynge of worldly worschipe & erþely goodis, as þouȝ þere were no lif but only in þis wrecchid world; & þus where þei schulden lede here parischenys to heuene bi trewe techynge & holy ensaumple & gret desir of heuenely þynges, þei leden hem to helle ward bi cursede ensaumple of pride, coueitise & euyl techynge to sette here lykynge endeles in ioie & worschipe of þis wrecchid world.

Þe seuenþe errour; þat þei techen synful men to bie helle ful dere & not to come to heuene þat is profred hem for litel cost; for þei techen cristen men to sufre moche cold, hungur & þrist & moche wakynge & dispisynge & betynge for to gete worldly honour & a litel drit bi fals werrynge out of charite; & ȝif þei bryngen hem moche gold þei assoilen hem liȝtly & maken hem siker bi here preieris & graunten hem goddis blissynge, but þei techen not hou here parischenys schulden dispose hem to resceyue ȝiftis of þe holy gost & kepe condicions of charite, doynge trewþe & good conscience to eche man boþe pore & riche; & ȝif þei ben pore bi aduen|ture of þe world or wilfully bi drede of synne, þei dispisen hem & setten hem at nouȝt and seyn þei ben cursed for þei han not moche muk; & ȝif þei han mochel worldly catel geten wiþ false oþis, false weiȝtis, & oþere disceitis, þei preisen hem & b[l]issen hem & seyn god is wiþ hem 1& blisseþ hem.11_1 omitted AA.

Þe eiȝte defaute; þei shitten þe kyngdom of heuene bi|fore men, & neiþer gon in hem self ne suffren oþere men to entren; for þei shitten holy writt, as þe gospel & com|aundementisMatt. xxiii. 13. & condic[i]ounes of charite þat ben clepid þe kyngdom of heuene, bi here false newe lawis & euyl glosynge & euyl techynge; for neiþer þei wolen lerne hem self ne techen holy writt, ne suffre oþere men to don it leste here owene synne & ypocrisie be knowen & here lustful lif wiþ|drawen. & þus þei closen cristis lif & his apostlis fro þe comune peple bi keies of anticristis iuridiccion & censures, & maken hem not so hardy to seye a treuþe of holi writt aȝenst here cursed lif, for þat schal be holden detraccion & enuye & aȝenst charite; & þerfore þei make þe peple to sue here techynge & here statutis & customes & to leue goddis techynge, & herbi leden hem blyndly in-to helle; & þus closen þe kyngdom of heuene fro hem & leden hem to helle bi here blynde ypocrisie & coueityse, as crist seiþ hym self.omitted X.

Þe ney[n]þe errour; þat þei wasten pore mennus goode in ryche pellure & costy cloþis & worldly aray, as festis of ryche men & glotonye & dronkenesse & lecherie sumtymes, for þei passen grete men in here gaye pellure & precious cloþis & wast festis & tatrid squeyeres & oþere meyne, þat semen raþere turmentours þan cristene men; & he þat wastwasteþ AA. most of pore mennus liflode is holden most worþi & most noble man of holy chirche. litel þenke þei hou sore pore men traueilen & spenden here flesch & blood aboute þe goddis þat þei wasten so nedeles; & hou seynt bernard crieþ: what euere þing curatis holden of þe auterage ouer a sympule liflode & cloþinge it nys not here but oþere mennus, & it is þefte & raueyne & sacrilegie; & hou euyl it is to suffre pore men perische for hungire & þriste & cold, & here curatis han fatte hors with gaye sadlis & bridelis. hou resonable is þis poynt þat þe procuratour of pore men schal haue so riche pelure & esy fare of body, boþ of mete & drynk & reste, & pore men whos þes goddis ben schullen haue so moche peyne & payn defaute.

Þe tenþe defaute; þat þei haunten lordis courtis & ben occupied in worldly office & don not here cure to here parischenys, & ȝit þei taken mo worldly goodis þerfore þan crist & his apostlis. And certis þis is gret traitere, for what man druste vndertake to kepe men biseged in a feble castel wiþ many stronge enemys, & þanne fle in-to an hogherdis office & lete enemys take þis castel & distroie it?omitted X. were not þis opyn treson, and þis kepere gilty of þe castel lesynge & alle men þer-inne? So it is of þes curatis & cristene soulis of whiche þei taken cure, þat ben bisegid wiþbi AA. fendis, whanne þei leuen hem vnkept & bisien hem in worldly office & lordis courtis. whi ben not þes lordis þat þus holden curatis in here courtis & worldly offices traitours to god almyȝtty, siþ þei drawen awey his chef knyttis fro here gostly bataile whanne & where þei weren most nedful. for þis seruyce þat lordis han of curatis abouten worldly office cristene soulis ben vntauȝt, & woluys of helle stranglen hem & encombren hem in endles dispeir.

Þe eleuenþe errour; þat þei chargen more wrongful maundementis of synful men þan þe most riȝtful comaunde|mentis of god; for ȝif þe pope or bischop sende a letter for to resceyue a pardoner to disceyue þe peple bi graunt ofomitted X. many þousand ȝeer to pardon, he schal be sped algatis; but ȝifomitted X. þer come ony trewe man to preche frely & trewely þe gospel, he schal be lettid for wrongful comaunde|ment of a synful man. & þus þei dreden more synful men þan god almyȝtty, siþ þei putten goddis comaundement & his riȝtful wille bihynde & putten a synful mannus wille & wrong comaundement bifore. & þus for here owene worldly profit & bodely ayse þei stoppen here parischenys fro herynge of goddis lawe, þat is fode of soule, & leden hem blyndly to helle; & þes ben euele fadris þat þus cruelly enfamynen here sugetis soulis & dryuen hem to dampnacion for loue of worldly muk or bodily ayse, or for drede of wrecchid anticristis þat ben goddis traitours & his peplis.

Þe twelþe errour; þat þei dispisen þe principal office comaundid of god to curatis, & bisen hem aboute nouelries maad of synful men; for comunly þei kunnen not preche þe gospel, & þei wolen lerne bisily mennus tradicions for worldly wynnynge, but not þe gospel þat crist god & man tauȝte & comaundid curatis to techen þat to lif & deþ; & certis as þei louen to studie, kepe & teche þe wordworld X. of synful men bifore the word of god, so þei louen synful men or pride or worldly drit þat comeþ of mennus lawe more þan almyȝtty god & þe blisse of heuene; & certis herfore þei ben traitours of god & cheuenteynes in þe fendis hoost to lede men in|to helle.

Þe þrittene errour; þei cursen here gostly children more for loue of worldly catel þan for brekynge of goddis hestis. For þouȝ a man breke opynly þe hestis of god, lyuynge in pride, in false swerynge,werynge X. in opyn brekynge of þe holy day, he schal not be sompned ne ponysched ne cursed bi hem. But ȝif a man be bihynde of tiþes & oþere offryngis & cust[u]mes maad of synful men, he schal be sompned, ponyschid & cursed, ȝe þouȝ he may not lyue out of oþere mennus dette & fynde his wif & his children bi goddis comaundement; & þus þei seken more þerehere AA. owene worschipe & wynnynge þan þe worschipe of god & sauynge of cristene soulis; & þus þei worschipen false goddis for here false coueitise. wonder it is þat þes curatis cursen so sore for here owene cause where þei schulden be pacient as crist was 3and hise apostlis33_3 omitted X.; & so litel recken of dispit don to god where þei schulden taken al resonable vengaunce.In AA this last clause runs "and where þat þei shulden take suche unresonable vengeaunce."

Þe fourtenþe; þei taken here worldly myrþe, haukynge & huntynge & oþere vanytes doynge, & suffren woluys of helle stranglen mennus soulis bi many cursed synnes. þei schulden drawe men fro worldly vanytes & techen hem þe perilis of þis lif & to þenke on here deþ day, & be myrrour to hem to morne for here synnes & oþere mennus & for longe tariynge of heueneley blisse, & laste in holy preieris & trewe techynge of þe gospel and aspiynge þe fendis cautelis, & warne cristene men of hem. But now þe more þat a curat haþ of pore mennys goodis, þe more comunly he wastiþ in costy fedynge of houndis & haukis, & suffre pore men haue grete defaute of mete & drynk & cloiþ; but hou schullen þei answere to crist at þe dredful day of dom, þat þus holden pore mennus liflode fro hem & wasten it in such worldly vanyte? certis þei schullen be dampnyd for mansleeris boþe of body & soule, & for sleeris of crist wiþ þe wickid iewis þat nayleden him on þe cros.

Þe sixtenþe; þei wolen not ȝeue þe sacramentis of þe auter, þat is cristis body, to here paryschenys, but ȝif þei paied here tiþes & offryngis, & but ȝif þei han paied money to a worldly prest to slee cristene men. & ȝif men douten of þis, late hem enquere þe soþe hou it was whanne þe bischop of norwich went in-to flaundris, & killed hem bi many þousandis & made hem oure enemys. litel recken þes curatis in what deuocion & charite here parischenys resceyuen cristis body, whanne þei openly taken hem vp fro goddisomitted AA. bord, & stiren hem to vnpacience & enuye & hate for a litel muk þat þei chalengen to hem self.

Þe eiȝtenþ; þei ben fals prophetis, techinge fals cronyclis & fablis to colour here worldly lif þerby, & leuen þe trewe gospel of ihū crist; for þei louen welle to telle hou þis seynt 3or þis33_3 omitted AA. lyuede in gay & costy cloþis & worldly aray, 4 & ȝit is a grete seynt.44_4 X reads & ȝit it is a grete synne. But þei leuen to teche þe grete penaunce & sorow þat þei diden after ward, for which þeicut away from margin in X. pleseden god & not for here worldly lif, & þus þei make þe peple toomitted X. wene þat worldly lif of prestis & veyn cost of hem & waste of pore mennus goodis plesiþ god & ishis X. vertuous lif, aȝenst cristis lif & his techynge & his apostlis also; & þei techen also hou for curs of a synful man þe creature of god, as a loof, þat trespasid not, was mowlid & fordon, & make þe peple bileue þat þat a goode cristene man kepynge welle goddis hestis schal be dampnyd for a wrongful curs of a worldly prest, þat in caas is a dampnyd fend, & þus þei bryngen þe peple out ofomitted X. cristene feiþ bi here false cronyclis & 2here sotele22_2 omitted X. fablis. For crist seiþ þat men schullen be blissed of god whanne men schullen curse hem & pursue hem & seie alle euyl aȝenst hem falsly for þe loue of crist & his trewþe. And þe peple bileueþ þe contrarie of þis techynge of crist bi þis fablis & seyntis dedis, or lesyngis putt on seyntis.

Þe neyntenþe; þei assenten to pardoners disceyuynge þe peple in feiþ & charite & worldly goodis for to haue part of here gederynge, & letten prestis to preche þe gospel for drede laste here synne & ypocrisie be knowen & stoppid; for whanne þere comeþ a pardoner wiþ stollen bullis & false relekis, grauntynge mo ȝeris of pardon þan comen bifore domes day for ȝeuynge of worldly catel to riche placis where is no nede, he schal be sped & resceyued of curatis for to haue part of þat he getiþ; but a preste þat wole telle þe trewþe to alle men wiþ-outen glosynge & frely wiþ-outen beggynge of þe pore peple, he schal be lettid bi sotil cauyllacions of mannus lawe, for drede last he touche þe sore of here conscience & cursed lif. & þis pardoner schalle telle of more power þan euere crist grauntid to petir or poul or ony apostle, to drawe þe almes fro pore bedrede neiȝeboris þat ben knowen feble & pore, & to gete it to hem self & wasten it 3ful synfulli33_3 omitted X. in ydelnesse & glotonye & lecherie, & senden gold out of oure lond to riche lordis & housis where is no nede & make oure lond pore by many sotileomitted X. weies; & here bi þe peple is more bold to 5lien stille55_5 lyue X. in heromitted X. synne, & weneþ not to haue as myche þank & reward of crist for to doomitted AA. here almes to pore feble men, as crist biddiþ in þe gospel, as whanne þei don here almes to riche housis aftir graunt of synful foolis; & this is opyn errour aȝenst cristene feiþ.

Þe on and twenteþe; þei hiden & meyntenen her synnes & oþere mennus bi proteccion & helpe of lordis, þat here souereyns may not correcte hem ne compelle hem to resi|dence. for whanne þer ishis X. a vicious curat of lecherie or ofomitted X. vnkunnynge he wole haue lettris of kyng & lordis to dwelle in here courtis in worldly offices & be absent fro his cure; þat his souereyn schal not dore correcte him for drede of his temperaltees & wraþþe of lordis; & þus lordis ben made schildis of synne for a litel money or worldly seruyce of wickid curatis, þat riȝtwisnesse may not forþ 7in her vertuouse lyuynge.77_7 omitted X.

Þe two & twen[ti]þe; þat many of hem vnder colour of lernynge of þe gospel lerne statutis maade of synful men & worldly prestis, & lyuen in ydelnesse, glotonye, dronkenesse & lecherie, & ben euere þe lengere þe more vnable. For whanne þei han grete benefices, perauenture by symonye, & connen not teche here sugetis to saue here soulis, & doren not holden here lemmannys at home for clamour of men, þei gon to scole & faren wel of mete & drenk & reste & studyen wiþ þe cuppe &AA inserts here viciouse. strumpatis; where goode prestis traueilen faste to lerne goddis lawe, þei gon for þe manere to cyuyle or canon, & don litel good þer at 2as trewe men þinken22_2 omitted X.; & þus þei wasten pore mennus liflode in hordom & glotonye, & lernen lorelschipe, & to curse cristene men for here goodis, & ȝeuen to here sugettis ensaumple of pride & coueitise & glotonye & lecherie & ydelnesse.

Þe þre & twentiþe; þe more kunnynge men of hem myspenden here witt & kunnynge in meyntenaunce of synne, as of pride & coueitise of clerkis & oppressynge of pore parischenys bi wrong customes for drede of plee & censuris, & meyntenynge false causis in constories for gold; & taken pensions of lecherous men & wommen foromitted X. to helpe hem to baþe hem in here synne as swyn in þe fen. & herby he þat can cracke a litil latyn in constories of heþene mennus lawe & worldly prestis lawe & can helpe to anoie a pore man bi knackis or chapitris, is holden a noble clerk & redy & wys, þouȝ he kunne not rede wel a vers in his sauter ne vnder|stonden a comune auctorite of holy writt; & siche knackeris ben as proude of here veyn kunnynge as lucifer, & setten not bi pore mennus kunnynge in goddis lawe, but dispisen hem & goddis lawe as þouȝ it were no lawe, & comenden here owene lawe & hem self more þan holy writt & ihū crist & his apostlis 5þat so blessidly lyueden55_5 omitted X.; & þis makiþ synne & falsnesse toomitted X. regne, & feiþ & treuþe & charite be defoulid & quenchid.

Þe fyue & twentiþe errour; þei chesen newe lawis maad of synful men & worldly & coueytise prestis & clerkis to reule þe peple bi hem as most nedful & best lawis, & forsaken þe perfiteste lawe of þe gospel & pistlis of crist & his apostlis, as not perfit ne fully ynouȝ ne trewe; for now heþene mennus lawis and worldly clerkis statutis ben red in vnyuersitees, & curatis lernen hem faste wiþ grete desir, studie & cost, but þeomitted X. lawe of god is litel studied, litel costid þer aboute, & lesse kept & tauȝt; but þe olde testament for wynnyng of tyþes & offryngis is sumwhat practised; & þe gospel þat techeþtechid X. cristis mekenesse & wilful pouert & bisi traueileȝ in prechynge to saue cristene soulis, for it constreyneþ prestis to þis holy lif, is litel loued & studied & tauȝt but raþere dispised & hyndrid & maade fals biAA inserts þe uiciouse. speche of anticristis clerkis. & in þis þei seyn þat crist is vnwytty, out of charite & treuþe, siþ he ȝaf not a sufficient lawe & þe beste for reuelynge of his peple, & þat worldly fonned clerkis of sathanas & anticrist ben wittiere, trewere & in more charite þan ihū crist, siþ here lawes ben betre & more nedful for cristene men þan þoþe X. lawis þat crist himsilfomitted X. made. But on this blasphemye heresie schullen alle cristene men crien out & take fully þe gospel to here reule 3& helþe,33_3 omitted X. & not sette bi þes newe lawis 4maad of synful wrecchis44_4 omitted X. but in also moche as þei ben groundid in holy writt expresly or good reson & trewe conscience & charite; for as god bi seynt poul techiþ, who euere techeþ oþere lawes he is cursedGal. i. 8. of god; ȝe, þouȝ he were an angil of heuene; for god may not make oþere lawis aȝenst his gospel & charite, whi schulde anticrist & his clerkis?

Þe sixe and twentiþe; þei magnyfyen hem self abouen crist god & man; for þei comaunden here sugetis þat þei owen not to iuge clerkis, ne here opyn werkis ne here techynge, But do aftir here techynge, be it trewe be it fals. But oure lord ihū crist comaundid his enemys to deme of hym a riȝtful dom & not aftir þe face. Also oure lord ihū bad his enemys bileueJohn vii. 24. to his werkis þouȝ þei wolden not bileue to him, & bad þatJohn x. 38. men schulden not bileue to hym ȝif he dide not þe werkis of his fadir. ¶ Also crist bad to his enemys þat þeihe X. schulde bereJohn xviii. 23. witnesse of euyl ȝif he had spoken euyle, & seynt poul biddiþ his hereris deme þat þatomitted X. he seide, where þes worldly foolis1 Cor. x. 15. wolen be anticristis more maistris þan crist god & man, Siþ þei wolen not be demyd & amendid bi cristiscristene AA. peple vnder hem of here opyn werkis aȝenst goddis hestis ne of here fals lesyngis þat þei techen in stede of cristis gospel. certis a more blasphemye ground castid neuere sathanas to norische synne of clerkis & fals disceit in techynge, & to lede blyndly cristene soulis to helle.

Þe eiȝte & twentiþe; þei disceyuen cristene men in doynge of verray penaunce; for þei doren not telle þe soþe hou nedis þei mosten forsake alle falsnesse in craftis, in oþis, & alle synne vp here kunnynge & power, & for no good in erþe wityngly & wilfully do aȝenst goddis hestis, neiþer for lucre ne drede ne bodily deþ, & ellis it is not verrey contricion, & ellis god wole not asoile hem for no confession of moueþ, ne for assoilynge of prestis, ne bullis of pardon, ne lettris of fraternyte, ne massis, ne preieris of ony creaturcurature X. in erþe or in 2þe blis of22_2 omitted X. heuene; but þei speken mochil of tiþes & offryngis in þis confession, & litel of restitucion & doynge of almes to pore bedredebedere X. men, But of masse pens & chirche gaynesse. & herby þe peple is brouȝt out of bileue, tristynge þat here synne is forȝoue for here prestis assoylynge, þouȝ þei don not verrey penaunce as god techeþ hym self. And herby þei magnyfien more here owene assoilynge þan assoilynge of god for verrey contricion, whanne god him self seiþomitted X. in what kynne hour a synnere haþ inwardlyin worldly X. sorowe for his synnys he schal be saue, þei wolen make þis wordlord AA. fals, seynge þat he schal not be saf be he neuere so contrit wiþouten schrifte of mouþ maad to hem,synful men AA. þat ben in cas þe fendis procuratours to disceyuen men in here soulis helþe for here vnkunnynge & pride & coueitise.

Þe neyne & twentiþe; þei robben cristene peple of goodis of fortune, of goodis of kynde & goodis of grace bi feyned censuris of here owen lawis; for þei cursen so dispitusly ȝif men paie not monye at here lykynge, þat þei chalengen bi synful mannus lawis & newe customes & deuocions & not of goddis lawe, þat no man dar wiþ-seie hem in here wrong for drede of curs, prisonynge, & lesyngis of pacience & charite; & herbi þei maken cristene men as bestis holde forþ here wrong customes & mannus lawe, & not knowe goddis lawe & þe riȝtte weie to heuene. certis it were lasse cruelte to sus|pende men fro bodily mete & drynk & make hem dede bodily þan to suspende hem fro herynge of þe gospel & goddis hestis, þat is lif of þe soule. lord, hou cursed anticristis ben þes worldly prelatis & curatis þat cursen trewe men for prechynge & herynge of holy writt.

Þe on & þrittiþe; þat at ensaumple of serpentis þei seruen bisily to lordis in seculer offices for nouȝt as who seiþ, and in þe ende poisonen þe lordis wiþ venym of symonye þat is worse þan ony bodily poison. & whanne þei han a benefice wiþ cure of mennus soule þei dwellen stille in worldly office of lordis, & spenden pore mennus liflode in riot & wombe ioie, & suffren cristene men perische in body & soule for defaute of techynge & werkis of mercy. how cursed serpentis ben þis weiward curatis þat þus enuenymyn hem self, þe lordis & comunes wiþ venym of symonye, of pride & glotonye & alle manere of synne.

Þe þre & þrittiþe; þei techen cristene men to blaspheme god & holden werre aȝenst hym; for þei techen cristene men to meyntenen mennys lawis & ordynaunces for betre & more nedful þan þe clene lawe of crist & his witty ordynaunce; & crien faste, ȝif cristene men meyntenen þe multitude of worldly clerkis in here newe lawis & customes & libertes þei schullen haue goddis blissynge & prosperite & pees & reste, bi so many deuout prestis seculer & religious preiynge, redynge & syngynge nyȝt & day; & ȝif þei wolden brynge prestis out of þis glorious lif & new song to mekenesse & gostly pouert & bisi traueile in lernynge & prechynge of þe gospel, as crist & his apostlis diden, þei schullen be cursed & haue werre & myschif, boþe in þis world & þe toþer;þat oþer AA. & þis makeþ þe blynde peple to werre aȝenst god & his ordynaunce & pursuen his techeris asAA inserts heþen. heretikis. ¶ O ȝe curatis, seeþ þes heresies & blasphemyes & many moo suynge of ȝoure wickid lif & weiward techynge, & forsake hem for drede of helle, & turne to good lif & trewe techynge of þe gospel & ordynaunce of god, as crist & his apostlis diden, for reward of heuenely blisse, & in confessions & oþere spechis charge ȝe more brekenge of goddis hestis þan brekynge of foly bihestis of newe pylgrymagis & offryngis; & teche cristene men to turne suche fonnyd a-vowis in-to betre almes, as crist techiþ in þe gospel. Almyȝtty god brynge curatis in-to holy lif & trewe techynge after crist & his apostlis. Amen.

For þe ordre of presthod is ordeyned of god boþe in þe olde lawe & þe newe, And many prestis kepen it ful euele, telle we summe errours of prestis to amende hem wiþ goddis grace. First, comynly þei comen to here ordris by symonye many weies, for þei ben more maad prestis for worldly honour & aisy lif & welfare of body þan for deuocion to lyue in clennesse & holynesse & penaunce, & gret gostly traueile in preieris & studiynge & techynge of goddis lawe, & to suffre persecucion & sclandre & prisonynge þerfore; & so þei sillen in manere þe spiritual lif of cristiscrist X. apostilis & disciplis for a litel drit & wombe ioie, & þis is cursed gostly symonye & heresie bifore god. & what lettris & preieris þei maken for to ben ordrid prestis whanne þei ben vnable boþe of lif & kunnynge men may knowen opynly, & þis is styngyngestynkynge AA. heresie of symonye; & ȝit þei ȝeuen a gret raunson to bischopis officers for lettris & veyn customes or þei may be ordrid & do execucion of here office; & þouȝ prelatis & here officeris ben grettere heretikis for sillynge of þes ordris & þis extorcion doynge, neþeles þes prestis ne beþ not alle excused for þei consenten þer-to raþere þan þei wolen be harde examynyd & lettid of here ordris. sumtyme holy men & kunnynge is-schewedeneschewen AA. to be prestis for heiȝenesse of þe ordre. But now ȝonge childre vnable boþe of lif & kunnynge presen faste to be prestis in name &X inserts not in name &. not in dede, & aftirward wolen not bisien hem to lerne, But bete stretis vp & doun & synge & pleie as mynystrelis, & vse vanytees & ydelnesse.

Also þei lyuen comynly in symonye, sillynge here massis & þe sacrament of cristis body for worldly muk & wombe ioie; for comynly þei wolen sille here masse for annuel salarie, & ellis not dwellen wiþ a man but where þei may most wynne, & seyn more þe masse for loue of þe peny þan for deuocion or charite to criste & cristene soulis. for be þe masse seide in herynge of þe peple schortly & vndewoutly, litel sauour of holynesse schal men fynden wiþ hem, but nycete & pleye & goynge to þe tauerne & oþere vanytes. it semeþ resonable þat a goode prest haue resonable liflode to serue god of wilful almes of þe peple, & not bi lonynge & bedynge as who wold selle a worldly þing; for þe prest may not make hisis X. maister lord ne partyner of his masse, but only god for his goode lif &in AA. charite; but many prestis don þe masse more for money & bodily welfare þan for deuocion & worschipe of god, & wollen not don þe masse but for hope of worldly wynnynge; & certis alle þes sellen criste as iudas dide, & worse, for he is nowe knowen for god & glorified in his manhede, & nowe haþ schewid mo benefices to mankynde þan he hadde do in iudas tymes, & alle þes condicions aggregen þis cursed sillynge of cristis body.

Also þei sclaundren & defoulen þe holy ordre of presthod bi worldly lif & ignoraunce 3of holy writ33_3 & holy X.; for sumtyme god seide bi his prophete in reprof of worldly prestis þat þe prestHosea iv. 9. is as þe peple. But nowe, as seynt bernard seiþ, prestis ben more worldly & vicious þan þe comune peple, þat bi hem þe peple takiþ ensaumple & boldnesseblodnesse X. in synne; & þei ben so vnkunnynge þat men scornen hem in seynge of here seruyce, &in X. redynge of here pistil & gospel. but god seiþ to such a prest: þou hast caste a weie kunnynge of my lawe & I schalHosea iv. 6. caste þe aweie þat þou be not sette in presthod to me. & ȝit ignoraunce of good lif & goddis hestis is werse þan ignoraunce of latyn or of ony oþer langage; þerfore prestis schulden don here bisynesse to lyue wel & vnderstonde & knowe goddis wille & teche it in word & dede, & beby AA. myrrour of holynesse to þe peple, & goddis angelis, as god seiþ bi þe prophete.Mal. ii. 7.

Prestis also sclaundren þe peple bi ensaumple of ydelnesse & wauntounnesse; for comynly þei chouchencouchen AA. in softe beddis whanne oþere men risen to here labour, & blabren out matynys & masse as hunteris wiþ-outen deuocion & contemplacion, & hien faste to mete richely & costly arayed of þe beste, & þan to slepe; & soone a-noon to tablis & chees & tauerne & betynge of pauement, & þan speken of lecherie, of de|prauynge of goode men, þat wolenomitted X. not sue here companye; & þanne comeþ dronkennesse, chidynge & fiȝttynge & many tymes mansleynge, & bi þes prestis & here wantownesse moche peple is brouȝt to lecherie, glotonye, ydelnesse & þefte.

Also prestis occupien hem ouer moche in worldly occu|pacions & seculer offices aȝenst holy writt for plesynge of lordis & hope of benefices; for comunly prestis ben stiwardis & clerkis of kechene & resceyuouris & rente gedereris & hunteris, & leuen here gostly office vndon, & han more wakynge & rekenynge & traueile for a litel worschipe & muk þan haue many trewe seruauntis of god for alle here doynge, & þe endis ben ful dyuerse. for þe first bisynesse & care, but ȝif god helpe þe more, bryngeþ euerlastynge care & peyne of helle; & þe toþerþat other AA. liȝt traueile & ioiful bryngiþ euer|lastynge blisse of heuene in body & soule.

Prestis also disceyuen cristen men bi here veyn preieris & abhominable to god for here lecherie & oþere synnes; for þei taken ful mochil hire for to seie here matynes & masse & oþere deuocions, & þer-wiþ ben foul lecchouris,lecherous X. ful of pride & coueitise, glotonye & ydelnesse; & maken þe peple wene þat here preieris ben acceptable to god, & ȝit god seiþ bi his prophete þat he curseþ suche wickid mennus blissyngis, andomitted X.Mal. ii. 2. þat mannus preiere is abhominable & cursed þat turneþ a weyProv. xxviii. 9. his here & heriþ not goddis lawe; & god seiþ bi þe prophete ysaie to suche wickid men þat he wol not here hem whanneIsaiah i. 18. þei maken many preieris; for who lyueþleueth X. best preieþ best, & no man preiþ wel but ȝif he leue wel, as austyn & oþere doctours techen pleynly, þanne is here a gret disceit of euyl prestis. For whan men purposen to fynde trewe seruauntis to god, þei fynden his enemys & traitours, & here preieris cursed of god for here synful lif.

Also þei magnyfien more newe songe founden of synful men þan þe gospel of ihū crist, þat is cristene mennus saluacion; for þei bisien hem fastere to kunne & do & teche þis newe song þan to kunne & kepe & teche cristis gospel; & þis is merueile, for þis song distractiþ þe syngere fro deuocion & lettiþ men fro consceiuynge of þe sentence; &, as austyn & gregory techen wel, preiere is betre herd of god bi compunccion & wepyng & stille devocion, as moyses & ihū crist diden, þan bi gret criynge & ioly chauntynge þat stireþ men & wommen to daunsynge & lettiþ men fro þe sentence of holy writt, as Magnyficat, sanctus & agnus dei, þat is so broken bi newe knackynge. it semeþ þat god seiþ bi þes newe singeris as he dide in þe gospel to pharisees, "þis pepleMatt. xv. 8. honoureþ me wiþ lippis but here herte is fer fro me, þei worschipen me wiþ-outen cause, techynge lore & comaunde|mentis of men." moyses & ihū crist & his apostlis preiden bi nyȝt stillely in hilles, wiþ clennesse of lif & gret desir of riȝtwisnesse & brennynge charite to frende & enemys, & here fore god herde hym graciously. but now newe men crien hiȝe to mennus eris wiþ stynckynge lecherie, pride, coueitise & oþere synnes, & in wille to meyntene synful mennus ordynaunce contrarie to goddis ordynaunce, & desiren cruel vengaunce on here enemys; & herefore we axen oure owene dampnacion in þis preiere, & ȝif god suffre vs haue oure desir, þat is vengaunce of god to haue oure wille to grettere peynes of helle, for god hatiþ vs.

Ȝit þei chargen more þe ordynal of salusbury þan þe hestis of god; for ȝif a prest faile a poynt of his ordynal, þat is no poynt of cristene mennus feiþ, he schal be reproued scharply & openly anon & of manye. But þouȝ a prest faile opynly aȝenst goddis hestis bi veyn swerynge, bi pride, bi coueitise & vanyte & ydelnesse noman almost chargiþ þat, but lieȝeþ & iapiþ & helpiþ hym þer-to. ful vnable ben þes foolis to mynystre sacramentis & to be mediatours bitwixe god & synful man.men AA.

Also many prestis vnwisly taken a wow of chastite & defoulen wyues, widewis & maydens; For þei taken presthod for to lyuen esely & fare wel, & take no reward to here heiȝe hoot complexon, but norischen it in welfare of mete & drynk of þe beste & riche cloþis & softe beddis, & traueilen not, & ben ȝonge & idel & liȝt chered & wordid & hanomitted X. daliaunce wiþ nyce wommen; & alle þis bryngeþ many brondis of lecherie; & siþ seynt poul chastised his flesch wiþ so gret1 Cor. ix. 27. traueile & peyne & abstynence, & ȝit vnneþis myȝte he ouercome lustis of lecherie, hou may þes ȝonge foolis clene be2 Cor. xii. 7. kept fro þis synne wiþ þisomitted X. lusty lif & idel & daliaunce of wommen.

Also for gostly liȝt of good ensaumple & trewe techynge þei hilden out foul derkenesse of many synnys; for siþ god seiþ bi his prophete þat a prest is aungel of god, þat is aMal. ii. 7. messager to telle goddis wille to þe peple, & þei leuen þis & tellen lesyngis & wrecchidnessis of synnys, þei ben angeles of sathanas transfigurid into& to X. angelis of liȝt; for þei han name of holynesse & of goddis trewe seruauntis & ben not so in dede. & siþ crist seiþ in þe gospel þat prestis owen to beMatt. v. 13, 14. salt of þe erþe & liȝt of þe world, þat is myrrour & ensaumple to make men bareyne fro synne & bi liȝt of trewe techynge brynge heþene men to cristene feiþ, hou ben þei not traitours to god & procuratouris of sathanas whanne þei leuen þus gostly lif & trewe prechynge of the gospel & ȝeuen ensaumple of synne & boldnesse þer-inne?

Also worldly prestis ben anticristis disciplis, sekynge here owene worldly honourhous X. & wynnynge more þan goddis, & helþe of mennys soulis; for þei traueilen faste aboute here owene worldly honour and lucre & ben wode ȝif ony man speke aȝenst hem, but of goddis worschipe & helþe of cristene soulis chargen þei ful litel; & þat semeþ wel bi here lif, studye & spekynge, for it is aboute worldly goodis & not aboute studie & techynge of holy writt; & ion þe euaungelist seiþ & seyn austyn declariþ þat þo men þat þus denyen ihū1 John ii. 22. ben anticristis, & settiþ ensaumple of forsworen men, of lechouris & coueitouse men & vsurerisusuris X. & many moo; & seynt ysedore & ierom accorden þer-to.

Prestis also ben machauntis,marchauntis AA. as comunly asomitted X. worldly men & more sotil & falsere, & leuen here gostly office; for þei ben corseris & makers of malt, & bien schep & neet & sellen hem for wynnynge, & beten marketis, & entermeten hem of louedaies, holdynge wiþ fors of armes, þat þei ben myrrour of coueitise & worldly lif & pride & of discencion amonge cristene peple, for of alle wicked men weiward prestis ben chiff whanne þei turne to cursednesse, for þei ben sotil & han reste & þe fend is more maistir in hem for brekynge of þe holy ordre.

Also þei ben foule ypocritis, clensynge þe gnatte & swolwynge þe g[r]ete camaile alhool; for ȝif þei failen in manere of here song & oþere newe sygnes founden of synful men þei chargen þat as a greuous synne for to be dampnyd in helle þerfore, but þouȝ þei failen foule in prechynge of cristis gospel & holdynge of goddis hestis þei chargen not a straw, but raþere letten, dispisen & pursuen falsly þo prestis þat bisien hem to do þis grete poynt of charite; & ȝitȝit added in X by a later hand. þes ypocritis feynen hem ful holy in siȝte of þe peple, & knelynge & knockynge on here brest & oþere signes, as ȝif þei wolen flee to god al hool, & ȝit ben his stronge enemys & disceyueris of his peple.

Ȝit þes worldly prestis ben lik to helle, neuere ful ofProv. xxvii. 20. coueitise in no degree; for þei connen not be a-paied wiþ a resonable liflode ne resonable cloþinge, but euere redy to take of alle men þouȝ þei han no nede, & euele dispenden it & quiten not aȝen but stynkynge preiere bifore god, & lyuen forþ in ydelnesse & pride & oþere vanytes; for here herte is ouermoche on worldly goodis &omitted AA. veyn statis, what euere þe tonge sch[e]wiþ wiþ-outen forþ. & this is a venymous rote þat makiþ here seruyce & preieris not acceptable to god & helpeful to cristene peple as þei schulden be. þerfore þis coueitise schulde be fleed of alle prestis, as ground of alle synnes as poul seiþ.1 Tim. vi. 10.

Also þei ben þeues, robbynge pore men of here sustenaunce bi colour of holynesse; for þei hiȝen faste to be prestis mo þan ben nedful for þe peple, for to haue esy lif & welfare & hanomitted X. þe almes þat god ordeyned to pore nedy men þat han not of here owene & may not labore for sikenesse orof X. elde; & al is demyd holynesse for helpe of here preieris, & ȝit þe beste of hem wot not what his preiere is worþe & where it turne to his owene dampnacion or saluacion. & certis þat man þat loueþ best god preieþ best, not for o man only but for alle men þat ben able to haue part þer-of, be he schephe[r]de or ploughman.plowþman X. þerfore prestis owen to lyuen wel & wasten not pore mennus liflode in pride, glotonye & oþere vanytes.

Also þei ben foule ypocritis & setten more prise be an oxe, hors or asse þan bi þe soule of here maistir þat costiþ mychil on hem; for ȝif þei seen vnresonable bestis of here maistris or oþere mennus fallen in a perilous lake þei wolen traueile & helpe & crien to men aboute til þe vnresonable beste be out of perils; but þouȝ here maistrismaistir X. soule be in þe foule lake of old custumable synne, & body & soule in poynt to be dampned wiþ-oute ende, þei schullen not helpe to brynge hem out of þis peril, neiþer bi trewe conseilynge ne trewe prechynge ne stirynge of gostly frendis to þis helpe; & her-by þei schewen þat here herte is seeit to loue his muk & not is soule. but where ben falsere traitouris þan þes prestis þat wole not helpe here maistrishis maistre X. out of þis moste peril, but raþere norische hem & conseile hem þer-inne for to haue here owene lustis & welfare.

Many of hem poisonenpoisen X. gostily here maistris for þe benefices þat þei receyuen of hem; for þei conseilen here maistris faste þat þei tristen not to pore prestis & witty clerkis trewely techynge þe gospel & comaundementis of god & where men owe to do here almes, but lyuen forþ after olde errouris & lesyngis & anticristis prechouris þat prechen for here wynnynge & fablis & newe soteltes for veyn name of clergie, & bidde hem do as here fadris diden, þat many tyme lyuede in falsnesse to gete goodis of þis world and myspendedenmyspenden X. hem in pride & glotonye, & þei witen neuere where þei dieden out of charite & ben dampned in helle; & þus þei conseilen here maistris to lyue forþ in here cursede synne & not to amende hem.

Also þei disceyuen þe peple in feiþ of cristendom; for þei maken þe peple ween þat þei schullen not haue part of here preieris, þouȝ þei ben in charite, but ȝif þei paien moche money to a prest þat is ydel & vicious. for ȝif men wisten þat þei schulden haue part of alle goode preieris bi mercy of god as moche as is riȝtful, þei wolden do here almes to here pore neiȝeboris as crist biddiþ, & not fynde so many worldly prestis þat kunnen no goode & non wolen lerne, ne teche oþere men to lyue wel 2ne lyue wel22_2 omitted X. hem self. but þus þei maken hem maistris & lordis of goode preieris & sillen hem to men þat hem likiþ for money, & taken not reward to partynge of god, hou he is chief lord & grauntiþ part of good preieris to euery goode man þat is in grace as moche as is riȝtful.

Wykede prestis also disceyuen cristene men in hope; for þei techen þat men schullen haue more þank of god to do here almes to riche freris & false pardoneris & to make grete waste housynge, þanne helpe here pore neiȝeboris in cloþinge & housynge & out of dette & prison, & parische chirchis vplond; & certis þis is anticristis techynge, for men ernen & geten moche wraþþe of god in doynge syche nouelries for worldly name & ignoraunce, þe whiche nouelries god biddiþ not, & in leuynge werkis of mercy where god comaundiþ hem to be don, for bi þis techynge þei wenen þat it is almes to myspendenmyspendynge X. here goodis & leuen goddis comaundement vndo.

Also þei disceyuen cristene men in charite; for þei conforten hem to fiȝtte aȝenst cristene men in false werris for pride & coueitise bi sikernesse of here veyn preieris þat ben cursed of god; & hereto þei wolen crie ora pro nobis abouten þe grete stretis þat god distroie here cristene breþeren & ȝeue hem schort lif, euyl sped & wicked ende; & here-bi þei axen here owen dampnacion, as god seiþ in þe pater noster & oþere placis of þe gospel. it were betre to crie faste þat þe peple amendid here lif, & þat god helpe vs & oure enemys aȝenst þe fend & make us frendis in crist.

Ȝit þes worldly prestis disceyuen riche men in here almes; for þei wolen not stire riche men to fynde pore children able of witt & lyuynge to scole for to lerne, but to fynde proude prestis at hom to crie faste in þe chirche in siȝtte of þe world, & helpehope X. to serue hem at þe mete & oþere worldly offices; & ȝit þei stiren hem to fynde summe prestis to lawe, þat maken false dyuorsis & holden false causes & dispisen oþere symple prestis þat lyuen in mekenesse & deuocion & medlen not of syche pledynge, but þei stiren not riche men to fynde a good deuout prest able of witt & wille to lerne holy writt & preche it freely to þe peple to saue here soulis; & þis makiþ moche þat holy writt is not knowen ne kept, ne tauȝt trewely & frely as it schulde be.

Also þei disceyuen þe peple to holde forþ here olde cursed lif & synne; for þei seyn þat þei wolen preie for hem, & þei schullen ben excused to-fore god for þe almes þat þei don in fyndynge hem to seie masse & matynes & euensong & placebo & dirige; & herbi þe peple is bolder to dwelle in synne. but þes prestis schulden witnesse opynly þat alle þe seyntis in heuene may not brynge a man to heuene wiþ-outen his owen goode lif, kepynge þe hestis of God, & endynge in charite.

Also þes euele prestis pursuen crist in his membris & nailen hym on þe croos of lesynges & vnkyndenesse; for þei sclaundren cristis seruauntis wiþ lesynges & haten hem, & helpe to lette hem fro trewe prechynge bi suspendynge, symonyngesomenynge AA. & cursynge & mannus iurdiccioun, & seyn þat it was god world be for þat prestis precheden & siþ haþ ben discencion & werris & pestilencis; & alle þis is to lette goddis word þat it be not knowen & kept & opynly tauȝt. & þei sclaundren goddis lawe wiþ many errouris & maken it vnsawory to worldly men, for as moche as þei wolden þat it were not knowe[n] lesselast AA. þei were lettid of herehere not in X. through the margin being cut away. coueitise & bodily welfaire & aise, & it is al on to pursue þus cristis seruauntis & to pursue crist, as he seiþ in þe gospel, & to lie þus on his lawe & to lien on him self as ion crisostom & austyn & ambrose witnessen.

Also þei dreden more synful men & in cas fendis of helle þan almyȝtty god in trinyte; for þouȝ god comaundid hem to precheteche AA. goddis lawe in word & ensaumple, & fauoure trewe men & helpe hem & preche þe gospel, þis doren þei not done neomitted X. helpe oþere þer-to for drede of a wrongful maundement of a bischop or his officeris; for þanneomitted X. þei schulden be somoned & traueiled & dispised & suspendid of here masse as þei dreden, and alle þis were medful ȝif þei wolden take it paciently. but þei dreden ouere litel þe grete peyne of helle to whiche god schal sende hem for defaute of charite &in AA. doynge his wille bifore alle oþere þingis; & þus þei dreden more þe bischopis lettre þan þe gospel of crist, & so þe bischop more þan oure lord god almyȝtty, & þis is foule blasphemye.

Ȝit þei leuen seruyce of god vndon for a cursed sathanas & anticrist biddiþ hem ceesse; for whanne þe bischop or his mynystris somonen hem & þei comen not but ben betre occupied to serue god in deuocion & clennesse of lif & to helpe cristene soulis to heuene, a noon þei schullen be suspendid fro seynge of masse & prechynge of þe gospel; & þus þei leuen goddis seruyce & comaundementis vndon for þe comaundement of anticrist & sathanas; & þus bischopis officeris & curatis & prestis fallen oute of bileue & renne in|to blasphemye & heresie & drawen þe comyn peple after hem in-to errour.

First crist comaundiþ men of power to fede hungry pore men; þe fend & his techen to make costy festis & waste many goodis on lordis & riche men & to suffre pore men sterue & perische for hunger & oþere myscheuys; ȝe, men þat feynen hem ful of charite & religion gadren propre goodis to hem seluen & festen delicatly lordis & ladies & riche men & suffre here pore breþren begge for meschef & fare ful harde. crist comaundiþ to ȝeue drynk to þrusty men & wymmen; þe fend & his techen to purueye heiȝ wyn & spised ale & strong for riche men & lordis to make hem dronken & chide & fiȝtte & forȝete god & his lawe, & to suffre pore þat han nouȝt of here owene & may not labore for febilnesse or sikenesse & blyndenesse drynke water & falle in feueris or ellis perische. crist comaundiþ to cloþe nakyd men & wymmen whanne þei han noȝt of here owene; þer-to þe fend & his techen to ȝeue costly cloþis & manye to riche men & mynstralis or shaualdours for worldly name, & suffre pore men haue nakid sidis & schakynge lippis & hondis for cold þat woo is hem wiþ þe lif. Ȝe, prelatis & men of singuler religion, þat taken þe charge to ben procuratouris & dis|penderis of pore mennus liflode, cloþen fatte horsis & gaie sadlis & bridlis & mytris & croceris wiþ gold & siluer & precious stonys & suffren pore men & children perische for cold; & ȝit þes prelatis & newe religious comen in staat of cristis pouert & his apostlis, & techen & crien þat what euere þei han is pore mennus goode. ȝit riche men cloþenclosen MS. dede stockis & stonys wiþ precious cloþis, wiþ gold & siluer & perlis & gaynesse to þe world, & suffren pore men goo sore a cold & at moche meschefe. Crist techiþ to herbwre pore men þat han non houses ne peny to peye for here innys; þe fend & his techen to herberwe riche men & lordis wiþ gret cost & deyitte for worldly worschipe, & suffre pore men wander in stormys & slepe wiþ þe swyn, & many tymes suffre not hem come wiþ-inne here ȝatis, & to fynde many excusacions & coloure þis doynge. ȝe, ypocritis of priuat religion maken grete houses & costy & gaely peyntid more þan kyngis & lordis bi sotil beggynge & confessions & trentalis & meyntenynge of synne, [and] herberewe lordis & riche men & namely ladies, & suffre pore men lie wiþ-outen or geten houslewth at pore men or ellis perische for wedris & cold. ¶ Crist techiþ to visite sike men & counforte hem & helpe hem of sustenaunce; þe fend & his techen to visiten riche men, lordis & ladies in here prosperite & lykynge to be holden kynde & curteis, & to counforte eche oþer in synne & to haue lustis of glotonye, lecherie & oþere schrewidnessis, but of pore men þat ben beddrede & couchen in muk or dust is litel þouȝt on or noȝt. ¶ Ȝit ypocritis of feyned religion visiten not fadirles children & modirles & widewis in here tribu|lacion & kepe not hem self vnbleckid fro þis world, as seynt iame techiþ: but visete oft riche men & wymmen, & namelyJames i. 27. riche widewis, for to gete worldly muk by false disceitis & carien it home to caymes castelis & anticristis couent & sathanas children & marteris of glotonye. ¶ Crist techeþ to visite men in prison & helpe to delyuere hem in good manere & counforte hem bi almes ȝeuynge; þe fend & his presonen pore men for dette whanne þei ben not at power to paie, & traueile nyȝt & day & lyuen ful harde, & to lyue wiþ trewþe & susteynensustevnem MS. wif & children, & on hem is no mercy. ȝit feyned religious men pursuen pore prestis to prison & to brennynge bi many cursed lesyngis & sclaundrynge priue & apert, for as mochel as þei prechen trewly & frely cristis gospel & goddis hestis & reprouen here ypocrisie, symonye, coueitise & oþere disceitis; & ȝit þes ypocritis blenden lordis & prelatis to enprisone siche pore prestis techynge þe treuþe bi comaunde|ment & ensaumple of crist & his apostlis, not-wiþstondynge þat lordis & prelatis ben charged vp peyne of dampnacion to helpe hem & meyntene þis treuþe & prechouris of it. ¶ It is holden a werk of mercy to birie dede men after þe techynge of goddis lawe; þe fend techiþ worldly riche men, clerkis & religious, to make solempnyte whanne riche men ben dede wiþ dirige & messis & wax & rengynge & grete festis, but whanne pore men ben dede vnneþe wole ony man berie hem or seie derige or masse. Ȝit feyned religious wolen come to riche mennus dirige in grete multitude & stire hem to be biried in here chirche, & stryuen & fiȝtten for þe dede careyne for loue of offrynge & worldly honour, but pore men schullen not lie among hem þouȝ þei axen it neuere so faste for charite. & þus in stede of werkis of bodely mercy & charite is comen in ypocrisie of worldly name & coueitise & norischynge of synne & sotil excusynge þer-of, & euyl is clepid good & good euyl.

Werkis of mercy ben worse turned vpsodoun. crist seiþ it is a souereyn werk of mercy & charite to teche vnlernyd men þe riȝtte weie to heuene, þat is þe gospel & goddis comaundementis; þe fend & his seyn it is grete charite to teche ȝonge men & oþere sotil craftis & nedeles & queynte sleiȝtis to disceyue schepische men of worldly goodis & make hem self riche & bostful & proude. & þe fend bi sotil menys of ypocrisie & symonye stireþ lordis & myȝtty men to make an ydiot & fool curatour of cristene soulis, þat neiþer may ne kan ne wole, for his opyn synne & worldly lif & ignoraunce of holy writt & necligence & worldly vanyte & drede of worldly shame & loos, teche hem goddis lawe, ne suffre oþere to teche hem frely & trewely wiþ-outen flaterynge for drede last his owene falsnesse be knowen; & ȝit þes cursed auaunsynge is clepid charite to helpe þus a pore man. But an ydiot & a lecherous wrecche schal be sett to kepe þe soulis for litel pris, & þe more lorel goo on haukynge & huntyng, & serue in lordis courtis, in worldly offices, & þe deuyl drawiþ wiþ his helpis alle þat he may to helle & þis is clepid mercy & charite; but þis deuelis charite puttiþ oute charite & loue of god & bryngiþ in loue of money & synne & hate of vertues & cristene soulis. crist seiþ it is werk of mercy to conseile at perti hou a man schal best lyue in þis or þis special poynt. þe fend & his seyn it is mercy & charite to conseile men to holde forþ craftis þat þei vsen aȝenst here conscience & excusen hem bi almes, as masse syngynge & makynge of nedles houses & costy. & whanne clerkis schullen conseile lordis & oþere men hou þei may best serue god & saue here soulis in here a-staat, þis conseil is turned in-to worldly wisdom as bildynge of castellis & arraiynge of housholde in lond of pees & of werre. & whanne it [is] reserued to þe holy gost to ȝeue vtterly conseil in special poyntis þat ben not expresly comaundid ne forboden in holy writt, worldly clerkis ful of pride, symonye, coueitise & oþere synnys ȝeuen fulbut conseil aȝenst þe holy gost & aȝenst þe helþe of þe soule for here owene pride & coueitise; & þus conseil of þe holy gost & profit of soulisAA begins here, the first part of the tract being lost. is putt bihynde & conseil of þe world & þe fleisch & of sathanas is putt forþ. god biddiþ þat lordis & souereyns schulden in resonable manere chastise here sugetis, seruauntis & children whanne þei trespassen opynly in word or dede aȝenst goddis comaundementis; þe fend & his techen þat suggettis & seruauntis ben cruely beten, pyned, prisoned & sumtyme hangid & drawen for worldly trespas & defaute of here seruyce doynge, & vnreuerence aȝenst worldly souereyns, but of trespas & dispit of god & his lawe no charge but mirþemyȝþe X. & liynge & iapynge. worldly prelatis of anticrist seyn þat lordis schullen chastise here sugetis of worldly causes, but not of lecherie ne pride ne forswerynge, be it neuere so opyn, for þat longeþ to iurdiccion of prelatis; neþeles ȝif þei han money of þes lecherous þeues þei schullen lie in here cursed synne fro ȝeer to ȝeer, ȝe be al here lif ȝif þei paien moche & redily. clerkis seyn þat lordis ben cursed ȝif þei chastisen hem, þouȝ þei ben neuere so foule lecherous & neuere so cursed heretikis, for symonye & coueitise & meyntenynge of synne & robbyngerobben AA. pore tenauntis bi extor|cions for anticristis correccions & veyn halwynge of chirchis & auteris & oþere iapis. ¶ lord, soone & esely schulde synne be hurlid oute of lond ȝif lordis wolden in al here wille, al here witt & power dispise synne & synful wrecchis, & preise & meyntene vertue & vertuous men; & certis þei ben holden her-to vp peyne of dampnacion, for ellis þei failen in mercy & charite. god techiþ it is mercy to counforten men fallen in myschif & disese. Þeomitted X. fend & his techen þat it is almes to pursuen menomitted X. to prisonynge & exilynge whanne þei ben brouȝt doun bi sodeyne loos, as brennynge & robbynge, for riche men beren hem on honde þat it is for here synne & mysreulynge of hem self, & ellis oþere broþelis wolden renne awey wiþ riche mennus good, & þer-fore þei schulden be seet in strong prison til þei perische for hungur & myschef & dispeiren & grucchen aȝenst god; & þus for loue of rotyn dritt þei don þat is in hem to dampne many soulis. ȝit worldly clerkis cursen for dymes & offryngis, þouȝ men ben ful pore & þei don no þing here offis, & veyn religious cessen not to begge & craue of pore men, þouȝ here rente be bihynde & here werkwrek X. bestis in distresse & wif & childe hungry & nakyd, & so þei bryngen hem in-to more myschif & counforten hem not but bi lesyngis &of X. fals grauntynge of gostly helpe, þat is not in here power but only in goddisgoode X. delynge. ¶ God techiþ þat it is mercy to forȝeue trespasis & wrongis don aȝenst men hem self & algatis rancor & ewil wille of herte; þe fend & his seyn þat it is manlynesse & riȝtwisnesse & almes to betyn gadlyngis & be vengid on hem þat don hem wrong, for ellis þeues & lorellis wolden ouerrenne hem & here sugetis wolder not drede hem; but comynly þis chastysynge is don bi pride, coueitise & out of charite. & þouȝ lordis & grete men wynnen herby worldly name & temperal goodis, þei lesen charite & here soule þat ben worþi a þousand fold betre þan alle erþely tresour. ¶ God seiþ it is mercy & charite to suffre men mekely & wisly whanne þei ben out of reson as wroþ & malencolious; þe fend & his seyn þat þis isomitted X. couwardise & leesynge of worldly name & boldynge of euyl doeris; & þerfore for o schrewed word a man mot quyte anoþer or moo, & so of euyl dedis comeþ hate & strif, & fiȝttynge & pledynge be reised & witt & reson & charite exilid, & many men perischid in bodi & soule. god comaundiþ vs to loue oure enemys of oure herte & doo good to men þat hatiþhaten AA. vs & preie for men þat pursuen vs wrongfully & falsly; þe deuyl & his seyn þat it is riȝtful to hate oure enemys & don heuyl & harm to hem þat haten vs & falsly pursuen vs, & axe vengaunce of oure enemys & false pursueris, for ellis we schullen norische oure enemys in here synne & ouerrenne vs & distroie vs, oure wifis & children & goodis, & þerfore we willen defende vs þe while þat we may. trewe men seyn to þe fend & his disciplis þat ȝif we kepen goddis hestis oure god wole fiȝten for vs & maken oure enemys afferd, & bi oure goode pacience & charite & herty preiynge for oure enemyssynnys AA. þei schulden be goddis grace cesse of here wrong & turne to pees & charite; & þis is liȝttere & betere þan to conquere al þe erþe bi dynt of swerid. & ȝif oure enemys ben endurid in synne, as was pharaoo, oure godde wolde ordeyne þe beste for vs boþe for body & soule ȝif we kepen mekenesse, pacience & charite; & siþ werris comen to men for synnys let men leue here cursed synne & god of mercy & pees wole ȝeue vs reste & pees of alle erþely enemyes. bi þes cautelis & many moo the fend & his disciplis distroien werkis of mercy & fallen in-to loos of þingis þat þei coueiten mochel & in-to endelis myschefes þat þei wolen to askape, for þei wolen not be reulid bi goddis lawe & reson but bi hire wille, & þer-fore alle þingis schal turne aȝenst hem at þe laste.

Summe causes meuen summe pore prestis to resceyue not benefices; þe friste for drede of symonye, þe secunde for drede of myspendynge pore mennus goodis, þe þridde for drede of lettynge of bettre occupacion þat is more liȝt or eisy, more certeyn, & more profitable on euere side. for ȝif men schulde come to benefices be ȝift of prelatis þer is drede of symonye; for comynly þei taken the friste fruytis or oþere pensions, or holden curatis in office in here courtis or chapelis or oþere veyn offices, fer fro prestis lif tauȝt & ensaumplid of crist & his apostlis; so þat comunly siche benefices comen not frely, as crist comaundiþ, but raþere for worldly wynnynge or flaterynge or preisynge & þank of myȝtty men & lordis, & not for abilnesse of kunnynge of goddis laweomitted X. & trewe techynge of þe gospel & ensaumple of holy lif. & here-fore comynly þes prelatis & resceyueris ben foulid wiþ symonye, þat is cursed heresie as goddis lawe & mannus lawe techen opynly & many seyntis. & grete merueile it is now þat, siþ seynt gregory seyþ in pleyn lawe of þe chirche & oþere bokis þat siche men as desiren benefices schulden not haue hem, but men þat fleen hem for drede of vnabilnesse of hemself & grete charge, as dide moyses, ieromye, austyn, gregory & holy seyntis; & now who can faste renne to rome & bere gold out of þe lond & paie it for deed leed & a litil writynge, & stryue & plede & curse for tiþes & oþere temperal profitis, þat ben clepid wiþ anticristis clerkis riȝttis of holy chirche, schal haue grete benefices of cure of many þousand soulis; þouȝþei X. he be vnable of kunnynge of holy writt, not in wille to teche & preche his sugetis, but of cursed lif & wickid ensaumple of pride, of coueitise, glotonye, lecherie & oþere grete synnys. but þere be ony symple man þat desireþ to lyue wel & teche treuely goddis lawe & dispise pride & oþere synnys, boþe of prelatis & oþere men, heomitted AA. schal ben holden an ypocrite, a newe techere, an heretik, & not suffred to come to ony benefice. but ȝif 2he have22_2 omitted X. ony litel pore place to lyuen a pore lif onne, he schal be so pursued & sclaundrid þat he schal be putt oute bi wiles, cautelis, fraudis & worldly violence, & enprisoned, disgratid or brent, ȝif anticristis clerkis may for ony gold & cursed lesyngis. ¶ And ȝif lordis schullen presente clerkis to benefices þei wolen haue comynly gold in grett quantite, & holden þes curatis in here worldly office, & suffren þe wolues of helle to stranglen mennus soulis, so þat þei haue moche gold & here office don for nouȝt, & here chapelis holden vp for veyn glorie or ypocrisie; & ȝit þei wolen not presente a clerk able of kunnynge & ofomitted AA. good lif & holy ensaumple to þe peple, but a kechen clerk or a penne clerk or wis ofomitted X. bildynge of castelis or worldly doynge, þouȝ he kunne not rede wel his sauter & knoweþ not þe comaundementis of god ne sacramentis of holy chirche. & ȝit summe lordis to colouren here symonye wole not take for hem self, but keuer|chiefs for þe lady, or a palfray, or a tonne of wyn; & whanne summe lordis wolden presente a goode man & able for loue of god & cristene soulis, þan summe ladies ben menys to haue a daunsere, a trippere on tapitis, or huntere or haukere, or a wilde pleiere of someres gamenes for flaterynge & ȝiftis goynge bitwixe, & ȝif it be for daunsynge in bedde so moche þe worse. & þus it semeþ þat boþe prelatis & lordis comynly maken a cursed anticrist & a quyk fend to be maister of cristis peple, for to leden hemomitted X. to helle, to sathanas here maistir, & suffre not cristis disciplis to teche cristis gospel to his children for to saue here soulis; & so þei traueilen to exile crist & his lawe out of his heritage, þat is cristene soulis, þat he bouȝte not wiþ roten gold ne siluer but wiþ his precious herte blood þat he schedde on þe crois bi most brennynge charite. but in þis presentynge of euyl curatis and holdynge of curatis in worldly office, lettynge hem fro here gostly cure, ben þre degrees of traiterie aȝenst god & his peple. ¶ Þe friste is in prelatis & lordis þat þus holden curatis in here worldly office; for þei han here heiȝe statis in þe chirche & lordischipis for to purueie treue curatis to þe peple, & to meyntene hem in goddis lawe & ponyschen hem ȝif þei failen in here gostly cure, & bi þis þei holden here lordischipis of god. Þan ȝif þei maken euyl curatis & holden hem in here worldly office, & letten hem to lede goddis peple þe riȝtful weie to heuene, but helpen hem & constreynen hem to lede þe peple to helle ward bi wiþ-drawynge of goddis word & bi euyl ensaumple ȝeuynge, þei ben weiward traitours to god & his peple, & vikeris & procuratours of sathanas. Ȝit more traiterie is in false curatis þat ȝeuen mede or hire to comen in-to siche worldly offices, for to spare here muk & leie it in tresor, & to gete lordischipe & mauntenaunce aȝenst ordynaries, þat þei doren not clepen hem to residence & saue here soulis, but couchen in lordis courtis, in& X. lustis & aise of here flech for to gete moo fatte benefices, & purposen not spedly to do here gostly office. woo is to þo lordis þat ben leed wiþ suche cursed heretikis &omitted X. anticristis, traitours of god & his peple, & namely traitours to lordis hem self. where lordis myȝtten not fynde in alle here lordischipe trewe worldly men to reule here houshold & worldly offices, but ȝif þei taken þer-to curatis þat ben opynly false traitours to god & his peple? where lordis ben so blyndidbyndid AA. þat þei perceyuen not þat siche traitours, þat opynly ben false to god, þat þei wolen moche more ben false to hem? but þe most traiterie is in fals confessouris, þat schulden bi here office warne prelatis & lordis of þis grete peril, & clerkis also, þat þei holden none siche curatis in here worldly offices; for þei don not þis last þei losen lordischipe & frendischipe & ȝiftis & welfare of here stynkynge bely; & so þei sillen cristene soulis to sathanas for to haue lykyngis of here stynkynge bely, & maken prelatis & lordis & curatis to lyue in synne & traiterie aȝenst god & his peple. & so aȝenst þe hire þat lordis ȝeuen here confessouris þei disceyuen hem in here soulis helþe, & meyntenen hem in cursed traiterie of god & his peple, & þus almost al þe world goþaboute has been inserted in X. but crossed out. to helle for þis cursed symonye & false confes|sours. for comynly prelatis, lordis & curatis ben enuenymed wiþ þis heresie of symonye, & neuere don verey repentaunce & satisfaccion þer-fore; for whanne þei han a fat benefice geten by symonye þei forsaken it not, as þei ben bounden bi here owene lawe, but wittyngly vsen forþ þat symonye, & lyuen in riot, coueitise, pride, & don not here office neiþer in good ensaumple ne trewe techynge. & þus anticristis clerkis, enemyes of crist & his peple, bi money & flaterynge & fleschly loue gedrynge to hem ledynge of þe peple, & forbarre trewe prestis to teche hem goddis lawe; & þerfore þe blynde lediþ þe blynde & boþe partis rennen in-to synne, & ful many to helle. & it is huge wonder þat god of his riȝtwisnesse dis|troieþ not þe housis of prelatis & lordis & curatis, as sodom & gomor, for þis heresie, extorsions & oþere cursednesses þat þei haunten, & for drede of þis synne & many moo summe pore wrecchis resceyue no benefices in þis world.

Ȝit þouȝ pore prestis myȝtten frely geten presentacion of lordis to haue benefices wiþ cure of soulis, þei dreden forof X. myspendynge of poore mennus goodis; & þis is more drede þan þe first asomitted X. anemtis here owene personys. for prestis owen to holde hem paied wiþ fode & hilynge, as seynt poul1 Tim. vi. [8]. techiþ; & ȝif þei han more it is pore mennus goode, as here owene lawe & ierom & goddis lawe seyn, & þei ben kepers þer-of & procuratours of pore men. But for institucion & induccion he schal ȝeue moche of þis god þat is pore mennus to bischopis officers, archdekenes & officialis þat ben to riche, & not frely comen þer-to.of X. And whanne bischopis & here officeris comen & feynen to visite, þouȝ þei norischen men in open synne for annuel rente, & don not here office but sillen soulis to sathanas for money, wrecchid curatis ben nedid to festen hem richely & ȝeue procuracie & synage; ȝe, aȝenst goddis lawe & mannus & reson & aȝenst here conscience. & also þei schullen not be suffrid to teche treuly goddis lawe to here owene sugetis & warne hem of false prophetis, & disceyuen disseyuen AA. Perhaps it should be disseruen. If not we must read "that" for "and" just before.hem boþe in bileue & techynge & good lif & erþely goodis, as crist doþe in þe gospel, & comaundiþ curatis to do þe same vp peyne of here dampnacion; for þanne þei mosten crie to þe peple þe grete synnys of prelatis & oþere newe feyned religious, as god biddiþ; but þei demen þat siche sadde reprouyngis of synne is enuye, sclaundrynge of prelatis, & distroiynge of holy chirche. & þei schullen not be suffrid to do scharp execucion of goddis lawe aȝenst here sugetis, ben þei neuere so opynly cursed of god & sclaundris of cristene religion, ȝif þe heiȝe clerkis of anticrist han ȝiftis & pensions bi ȝere to sufre cursed men in opyn avoutrie & oþere synnys. for whanne þei ben falsly amendid bi officialis & denes no man be hardy to waken hem out of here lustis of synne, for þat schulde distroie iurdiccioun & wynnynge offor X. prelatis, & þis cursed extorsion is clepid bi ypocrisie þe grete almes of anti|cristis clerkisomitted X.; but here-by þei maken large kechenes, holden fatte hors & houndis & haukis & strompetis gaiely arraied, & suffren pore men to sterue for myschief, & ȝit suffren & constreinen hem to goo þe brode weie to helle. ¶ Also many tymes here patrons & oþere getteris of countre & ydel schaueldouris willen loke to be festid of siche curatis, & ellis maken hem lese þat litel þing þat þei & pore men schulden lyue bi; so þat þei schullen not spende þe dymes & offryngis after good conscience & goddis lawe but waste hem on suche myȝtty & riche men & ydel, & ellis, for traueile, cost & enemyte & dispisynge þat þei schullen suffre & on þe toþer side for drede of conscience, hem is betre to forsake al þan to holde it forþ. ¶ Also eche good day comynly þes smale curatis schullen haue letteris fro here ordynaries to summone & to curse pore men for nouȝt but for coueitise of anticristis clerkis; & but ȝif þei somonen & cursen hem, þouȝ þei knowe no cause whi anemtis god & his lawe, þei ben hurlid & somnyd fro day to day, fro fer place to ferþere, or cursed 1or lese here benefices or profitis11_1 omitted AA. þer-of; for elles as prelatis feynen þeiþer AA. bi here rebelte schulden soone distroie prelatis iurisdiction, power & wynnynge. ¶ Also whanne pore prestis first holy of lif & deuout in here preieris ben benefised, but ȝif þei ben worldly & bisy aboute þe world to make grete festis to riche personys & vikeris & riche men & costy & gaily arraied, as& X. here staat axiþ bi fals dom of þe world, þei schullen be hatid & hayned doune as houndis, & eche man redi to peiere hem in name & worldly goodis. & so many cursed disceitis haþ anti|crist brouȝt vp bi his worldly clerkis to make curatis toomitted X. myspende pore mennus goodis & not donomitted X. trewely here office, or ellis to forsaken al & late anticristis clerkis, as lordis of þis world, ȝe more cruely þan oþere tirauntis, robbe þe pore peple bi feyned sensures & teche þe fendis lore boþe bi open prechynge & ensaumple of here cursid lif. ¶ Also ȝif siche curatis ben stired to gone lerne goddis lawe & teche here parischenys þe gospel, comynly þei schullen gete no leue of bischopis but for gold; & whanne þei schullen most profite in here lernynge þan schulle þei be clepid hom at þe prelatis wille, & ȝif þei schullen haue ony heiȝe sacramentis or poyntis of þe heiȝe prelatis, comynly þei schulle bie hem wiþ pore mennus goodis wiþ hook or wiþ crok; & so þere is ful gret peril of euyl spendynge of þos goodis, boþe aȝenst heiȝe prelatis, anemtis riche men of contre, as patrones, persones & oþere gettouris of contre, & here owene kyn for fame of þe world & for schame & euyl demynge of men. & certis it is gret wonder þat god suffriþ so longe þis synne vnponyschid opynly, namely of prelatis courtis þat ben dennys of þeues & larderis of helle; & so of here officeris þat ben sotil in malice & coueitise; & of lordis & myȝtty men, þat schulden distroie þis wrong & oþere & meyntenen treuþe & goddis seruauntis, & now meyntenen anticristis falsenesse & his clerkis for part of þe wynnynge. & hou symple prestis durren take siche benefices, but ȝif þei weren myȝtty of kunnynge & goode lif & herty to aȝenstonde þes wrongis & moo þanþat X. we may now touche for þe multitude of hem & sotil colourynge bi ypocrisie. but certis god suffriþ siche ypocritis & tirauntis to haue name of prelatis for grete synnys of þe peple & vnworþinesse þer-of, þat eche part lede oþeropen X. to helle bi blyndnes of þe fend; & þis is a þousand fold more vengaunce þan ȝif god distroie bodely boþe partis & alle here goodis & erþe þer-wiþ, as he dide bi sodom & gomor; for þe lengere þat þei lyuen þus in synne, þe grettere peynes schullen þei haue in helle but ȝif þei amenden hem. & þis drede & many moo maken summe pore prestis to resceyuen non benefices.

But ȝit þouȝ pore prestis myȝtten haue frely presentacion of lordis, & ben holpen bi meyntenynge of kyngis & helpe of goode comyns fro extorsions of prelatis & oþere myspendynge of þes goodes, þat is ful hard in þis grete regnynge of anti|cristis clerkis; ȝit þei dreden sore þat bi þis singuler cure ordeyned of synful men þei schulden be lettid fro betre occupacion & fro more profit of holy chirche, & þis is þe moste drede of alle as anemtis here personys. for þei han cure & charge at þe fulle of god to helpe here breþeren to heuene ward, boþe bi techynge, preiynge & ensaumple ȝeuynge; & it semeþ þat þei schullen most esily fulfille þis bi general cure of charite, as dide crist & his apostlis, þouȝ þei bynden hem not to o synguler place as a tey dogge, & bi þis þei may most sikirly saue hem self & helpe here breþeren; for now þei ben free to flee fro o cite to a noþer whanne þei ben pursued of Matthew x. 23. anticristis clerkis, as biddiþ crist in þe gospel. Also nowe þei may best wiþ-oute chalyngynge of men goo & dwelle among þe peple where þei schullen most profite, & in couen|able tyme come & goo aftir stirynge of þe holy gost, & not be bounden bi synful mennus iurdiccion fro þe betre doynge. ¶ Also now þei suen crist & his apostlis neer, in þus takynge almes wilfully & frely of þe peple þat þei techen, þanne in takynge dymes & offryngis bi customes þat synful men ordeynen & vsen now in þe tyme of grace. ¶ Also þis is more medeful in boþe sidis as þei vnderstonden bi cristis lif & his apostlis; for þus þe peple ȝeueþ hem almes more wilfully & deuoutly, & þei taken it more mekely & ben more besy to lerne, kepe & teche goddis lawe, & so it is þe betre for boþe sidis. ¶ Also bi þis manere myȝtte & schulde þe peple ȝeue frely here almes to trewe prestis þat trewely kepten here ordre & frely & opynly tauȝten þe gospel, & wiþ-drawen it fro wickede prestis, & not be constreyned to paie here tiþes & offringis to open cursed men &X inserts not. meyntene hem in here opyn cursednesse; & þus schulde symonye, coueitise & ydelnesse of worldly clerkis be leid doun, & holynesse & trewe techynge & knowynge of goddis lawe be brouȝt in, boþe in clerkis & lewid men. ¶ Also þus schulde stryuynge, pledynge & cursynge for dymes & offryngis & hate & discord among prestis & lewid men be endid, & vnyte, pees & charite meyntened & kept. ¶ Also þes benefices bi þis cours þat men vsen nowe bryngiþ in worldlynesse & nedeles bisynesse aboute worldly officis, þat crist & his apostlis wolden neuere take vpon hem; & ȝit þei weren more myȝtty, more witti, & more brennynge in charite to god & to þe peple, boþe to lyue þe best manere in hem self &omitted AA. to teche oþere men. ¶ Also coueitise & worldly bisynessesikirnesse X. of clerkis & occasion of coueitise & worldlynesse of þe peple schulden be don awey, & cristis pouert & his apostlis bi ensaumple of pore lif of clerkis & triste in god & desirynge of heuenely blisse schulde regne in cristene peple. ¶Also þan schulde prestis studie holy writt & be deuout in here preieris, & not be taried wiþ newe offices, as newe songis & moo sacramentis þanþat X. crist vsede & his apostlis, þat tauȝten vs alle treuþe & spedly sauynge of cristene peple. ¶Also mochil blasphemye of prelatis & oþere men of feyned obedience & nedles sweryngis maad to worldly prelatis schulden þan cessen, & souereyn obedience to god & his lawe & eschewynge of nedles oþes & forswerynge schulde regne among cristene men. ¶Also þan schulde men eschewe comynly alle þe perilis seid bifore in þe first chapitre & þe secunde & many þousand mo, & lyue in clennesse & sikernesse of conscience. ¶Also þan schulde prestis be bisy to sykeseke AA. goddis worschipe & sauynge of mennus soulis, & not here owene worldly glorie & wynnynge of worldly drit. ¶Also þan schulden prestis lyue lich to angels,an angel X. as þei ben angelis of offices, where þei lyuen now as swyn in fleschly lustis, & turnen aȝen to here formere synnes as houndis to here sp[e]wynge, for habundaunce of worldly goodis & ydelnesse in here gostly office & ouere moche bisynesse aboute þis wrecchid lif. for þes dredes & many þousand mo, & for to be more lich to cristis lif & his apostlis, & for to profite more to here owene soules & oþere mennus, summe pore prestis þenken wiþ goddis helpeomitted X. to traueile aboute where þei schulden most profiten by euydence þat god ȝeueþ hem, þe while þei han tyme & litel bodily strengþe & ȝouþe. neþeles þei dampnen not curatis þat don wel here office, so þat þei kepen liberte of þe gospel, & dwellen where þei schullen most profite, & þat þei techen trewly & stabely goddis lawe aȝenst false prophetis & cursed fendis lymes. Crist for his endeles mercy helpe his prestis & comyn peple to be war of anticristis disceitis, & goo euene þe riȝtte weie to heuene. Amen, ihū for þin endeles charite.

As houre lord ihū crist ordeynede to make his gospel sadly knowen & meyntened aȝenst heretikis & men out of bileue bi writtynge of his foure euaungelistis, so þe deuel sathanas castiþ bi anticrist & his worldly false clerkis to distroie holy writt & cristene mennus bileue bi foure cursed weies or fals resons. ¶Þe first, þat þe chirche is of more auctorite & more credence þan is ony gospel. ¶ Þe secunde, þat austyn seiþ þat he wolde not bileue to þe gospel but ȝif þe chirche tauȝte hym so. ¶Þe þride, þat no man now on lyue wote whiche is þe gospel but ȝif it be bi approuynge of þe chirche. ¶ Þe fourþe, ȝif men seyn þat þei bileuen þat þis is þe gospel of matheu or ion, þei axen, whi bileuest þou þat þis is þe gospel; as who seiþ, þer is no cause but for þe chirche confermeþ it & techeþ so. Þes foure euydences & many moo makiþ þe fend to blynde men in bileue, þat þei schulden not knowe whiche is synne, which is vertu, which is treuþe, which is falsnesse, which is good, which is euyl, & which is goddis heste, & which is lesynge of þe fend for to brynge alle men blyndly to helle. & þes newe religious & principaly freris prechen þes euydences & sowen hem among lewid men 1in contres to stoppe pore prestis & lewid men,11_1 omitted X. þat þei ben not hardy to speke of þe gospel & holy writt & goddis comaundementis & ioies of heuene & ofomitted X. synnes & peynes of purgatorie & of helle, lest þei stiren men to rise out of synnys for drede of peynes, & to lyfe in vertuous lif for to haue þe blisse of heuene. & þis disceit in bileue is maad & coniected of þes cursed pharisees for to magnyfie here newe feyned ordres, founden of synful men, not only wiþ cristis clene religion but more þan it or ony part of holy writt; & forherfore X. þei willen not be conuyct of here pride & ypocrisie & forsake here coueitise & lustis of here bely & here propre wille. Þerfore þei wilen raþere renne to helle fullire,fulbere AA. & drawe alle men after hem heedly bi distroiynge of cristene feiþ, þan to come to cristis clene religion wiþ fredam of þe gospel þat is ordeyned of god of endeles wisdom wiþ-outen errour of ony synful man; for þei mosten þan knoweleche here falsenesse & ypocrisie, bi þe whiche þei disceyueden cristene men fro þe bigyngne of here nouelries til þis tyme. but luciferis pride & coueitise of worldly muk & of heiȝ astatis andof X. worldly worschipe may not suffre þis mekenes, as men dreden ful sore, for old enuye of sathanas & hard rotynge in synne.

See we now hou þei bryngen in þe first cursed ground, þat þe chirche is of more autorite & credence þan is þe gospel. Þei seyn þat nychodeme & many moo writen þe gospellis of cristis lif & his techynge, & þe chirche putte hem awey & approued þes foure gospellis of matheu, mark, luk & ion. Þan þe chirche myȝte as wel haue putt out þes foure & approued þe toþere gospelleris; siþ it was in free wille & power of þe chirche to reproue & dampne whiche þei wolden & approue & accepte whiche hem lykede; & þerfore men schulden bileue more to þe chirche þan toomitted AA. onyour X. gospel. ¶First þes fercastynge heretikis vnderstonden bi þe chirche þe pope of rome & his cardynalis, & þe multitude of worldly clerkis assentynge to his symonye & worldly lordischipe aboue alle kyngis & emperours of þis world; for ellis it were not to here purpos to magnyfye þe chirche as þei now don. Þanne trewe men seyn þat þe clergie þat first was kunnynge & holy of lif was stirid bi þe holy gost to take þes gospellis & charge not cristene peple wiþ mo; siþ þes ben ynowe & profitableperfyt AA. at þe fulle, & ben figured in many prophecies of goddis lawe; & þes foure witnessis weren acceptid of þe holy gost to þis writynge for many skillis þat we may not telle now; but certes þe chirche myȝtte not haue putt awey þes gospellis & acceptid þe oþere. for þan it hadde don aȝenst þe dom of god & aȝenst þe treuþe of ihū crist & aȝenst charite of þe holy gost, for to putte awey þes witnesses þat knewen more of goddis preuyte & weren holiere of lif, & to take witnessis not so kunnynge of goddis dom ne so holy of lif ne so meke ne so stable in feiþ & in loue of ihū crist. but þes sotil heretikis traueilen nyȝt & day to ensaumple þe multitude of worldly clerkis, þat ben ful of symonye, pride, coueitise, glotonye, lecherie & oþere synnes, aboue ihū crist & his gospel, for to haue here worldly lif, pride & lustis meyntened, þat no man schulde lette hem in here worldly glorie ne dis|trurble hem of here lustis, þouȝ þei neuere so foule lien ofon AA. god & sclaundren his peple. for þei wolen make here cursed lif & heresies to be gospel & bileue of cristene men; but where ben more cursed traitouris to god & his lawe & more perilous & false prophetis to cristene peple? for god com|aundiþRev. xxii. 18. vp peyne of his grete curs & deep dampnynge in helle þat no man schal wiþ-drawe fro his lawe ony poynt of treuþe, ne adde þer-to ony nouelrie þat is not approued of þe trinyte, & ihū crist seiþ þat his gospel is euerlastynge testament. But þei wolen for-don it wiþ a stynkynge blast of anticristis cursed mouþ. lord, hou doren cristene men meyntene siche heretikis, aȝenst goddis techynge & pees of cristene peple? siche weiward heretikis ben ful vnable to reule prelatis & lordis & comyns in schrifte, in prechynge & preynge & oþere poyntis of here soule helþe, for þei disceyuen hem in feiþ & good lif, for to haue here owene pride & coueitise & lustis born vp, & so drawen alle men to helle þat ben reulid bi suche false confessours, false prechours & false conseilours.

See now þe þridde wheel of sathanas chaar. Þes cautelous clerkis & religious of lucifer seyn þat no man wot whiche is the gospel but bi approuynge & confermynge of þe chirche. but trewe men seyn þat to here vnderstondynge þis is ful of falsed; for cristene men ben certeyn of bileue, bi gracious ȝifte of ihū crist, þat þis treuþe tauȝt bi crist & his apostlis is þe gospel, þouȝ alle anticristis clerkis crien neuere so faste þe contrarie vp peyne of curs & prisonynge & brennynge. & þis bileue is not groundid on þe pope & his cardinalis, for þanne it moste faile & ben vndon, as þei failen & ben sumtyme distroied, but on ihū crist, god & man, & on þe holy trinyte; & so it may neuere faile but in defaute of him þat schulde loue god & serue him & faileþ in þes two poyntis, for almyȝtty god & his treuþes ben foundement of cristene mennus feiþ. And as poul seiþ, foundement may no man sette biside þatl Cor. iii. 11. þat is sette, þat is ihū crist. Þerfore þouȝ anticrist & alle þeshis X. worldly clerkis ben biried depe in helle for here cursed symonye, pride, & coueitise & oþere synnys, ȝit cristene feiþ faileþ not; for þei ben not ground þer-of but ihū crist is ground þer-of. for he is oure god & oure beste maistre, euere redy to teche trewe men alle þinge þat is profitable & nedful to here soulis; & he may not faile in þis techynge but for vnablete of him þat schulde resceyue þis techynge.

Þe fourþe whel of belialis carte is þis: ȝif cristene men seyn þei knowen bi bileue þat þis is cristis gospel, þes malicious heretikis axen whi þei bileuen þat þis is gospel. but trewe men axen of hem aȝenward whi þei bileuen þat god is god; & ȝif þei tellen a good sufficient cause, telle we þe same cause whi we bileuen þat þis is cristis gospel. but þes heretikis wolden haue þis cause: for þes prelatis techen þat þis is cristis gospel; & þanneomitted X. þei wolden haue of þis cause alle here false purpos, þat what euere þes prelatis techen opynly & meyntenen stedfastly, were of as gret autorite or more þan is cristis gospel; & so þei wolden distroie holy writt & cristene feiþ, & meyntenen þat what-euere þei don were no synne. but cristene men taken here feiþ of god bi his gracious ȝifte, whanne he ȝeueþ to hem knowynge & vnder|stondynge of treuþes nedful for to saue mennus soulis bi, & grace to assente in here herte to suche treuþes; & þis men clepen feiþ. & of þis feiþ cristene men ben more certeyn þan ony man is of onyonly X. worldly þing bi ony bodily witt; & þer|fore crist reproueþ most defaute of bileue, boþe in þe iewis & in his disciplis, & þerfore cristis apostlis preiedenpreiseden X. most to haue stabilnesse in feiþ; for it is unpossible þat ony man plese god wiþ-outen feiþ, & so crist preide principaly þat þe feiþ of petir & oþere disciplis schulden not faile endeles; & goddis lawe telliþ hou bi feiþ seyntis wrouȝten alle here grete wondris & meruailis þat þei diden. & ȝif anticrist seie here þat eche man mayomitted X. feyne þat he haþ riȝt feiþ & goode vnderstondynge of holy writt ȝouyn of god whanne he is in errour, late a man seke in alle þingis trewely þe honour of god & lyue iustly to god & man, & þanne god wole not faile to him in ony þing þat is nedful to hym, neiþer in feiþ ne vnderstondynge ne in answere aȝenst his enemyes. & for feiþ is scheld of cristene men aȝenst alle temptacions of þe fend & ground of alle vertues, þerfore sathanas ordeyned þes newe sectis to be so manye & haue name of kunnynge & holynesse bifore alle oþere, & groundiþ in hem pride, enuye, coueitise, glotonye, lecherie & ypocrisie to walwe among þe peple & stire hem bi word & ensaumple to be vnstable in þe feiþ; & stireþ heiȝe worldly prelatis to be fauourable to hem & meyntenen hem in þis ypocrisie to coloure here owene synne þer-bi, & to lette treue men to preche pleynly & frely cristis gospel & þe hestis of god for sauynge of mannus soule. & here-bi & [bi] many moo disceitis schulden cristene men knowe how þes newe religious ben false prophetis & cursed sectis, of whiche crist & his apostlis prophecieden bifore, & tauȝten men to knowe hem bi here werkis,clerkis AA. þat ben ypocrisie, coueitise & meyn|tenynge of synne bi fals prechynge, flaterynge, fals conseilynge & sclaunderynge of trewe men,omitted X. & makyngemaken X. men siker of gostly helpe bi fals letteris of fraternyte & many oþere nouel|ries brouȝt vp bi ypocrisie & coueitise. & as ion þe euaungelist2 John 10. comaundiþ, cristene men schulden not resceyue hem in-to here houses ne seie to hem, heil. & poul biddiþ þat men schulden2 Thess. iii. 14. not comune wiþ hem, þat þei ben confoundid & schamed of here false heresie & turne to cristis clene religion wiþ-outen errour of synful mennus tradicions. God almyȝtty strengþe his litil flokfolk X. aȝenst þes foure whelis of sathanas chaar, aȝenst anticristis clerkis & helperis, & make hem stronge in riȝtful feiþ, hope & charite, to seke trewely þe worschipe of ihū crist & sauynge of mennus soulis; to dispise anticristis bost & feyned power; & wilfully & ioiefully suffre peyne & reprouereprof AA. in þe world for þe nameþanne AA. of ihū & his gospel, to ȝeue sade ensaumple to oþere for to folowe & conquere þe heiȝe blisse of heuene bi glorious martirdom as oþere seyntis diden bifore. Ihū for þin endeles myȝt, endeles wisdom, endeles goodnesse & charite, graunte to vs synful wrecchis þis bone. Amen.

As almyȝtty god in trinyte ordeyneþ men to come to þe blisse of heuene bi þre groundis, bi knowynge of þe trinyte bi sad feiþ, bi treue kepynge of goddis hestis, & bi perfit charite & endeles, so sathanas & his worldly clerkis & his feyned religious ful of sotil ypocrisie casten to distroie alle vertuous lif & iustise, & meyntene alle manere of synne bi þes þre cursed groundes. Þe first is þat holy writt is fals; þe secunde þat itomitted X. is lefful & medful to lie; þe þridde þat it is aȝenst charite to crie opynly aȝens prelatis synnes & oþer myȝtty mennys. for as þei seyn þis is bacbitynge or detraction & sclaundrynge, to brynge men out of deuocion to god & holy chirche, & make men of religion of euyl name where þei weren bifore holden goode & holy; & þis prechynge stireþ lordis & oþere men to wiþdrawe worldly goodis fro men of holy chirche, & so hyndriþ goddis seruyce & preieris for þe pees & makensic in both MSS. discencion & enuye. for ȝif holy writt be fals men may haue noon autorite þer-bi to reproue synne & preise vertues & vertuous lif. & ȝif it be leffel & meritorie to leie, þan no man haþ ground to stire men fro synne bi grete peynes bihiȝte bi cristis word, ne stire men to vertues bi grete ioies of heuene. for siþ it is medful to lie, as þei seyn, crist vsed þis medful craft at þe fulle, & no man may þanne wite in whiche autorite he seide soþ & in whiche he leiȝede. & ȝif it be aȝenst charite to preche & crie openly aȝenst synne of prelatis & men of þe chirche & oþere myȝtty men, þan cristis lif & his techynge & his apostlis & prophetes in þe olde lawe & his comaundementis to his prophetis weren aȝenst charite, ful of detraccion & sclaundrynge. but what heresies myȝtte more blaspheme god, more distroie holy writt & vertuous lif, & more norische synne & cursed men in here lustis? & certis wiþ-inne þis seuene ȝeer worldly coueitouse clerkis & feyned religiousomitted X. meyntened in scolis of dyuynite two þe firste heresies, & ȝit holden it a noble dede to susteyne hem; & þe þridde heresie regnydregneþ X. þan & ȝit doþ more & more among prelatis, feyned religious & lordis & comyns for þe more part. hou stiren suche heretikis & blasphemes god of treuþe to mercy bi here preieris, siþ god curseþ to here blyssyngis, as he seiþ bi prophete malechie, & here preiere is abhominable &Malachi ii. 2. cursed, for þei turnen awey & heren not goddis lawe & fulfillen it in dede. houand AA. meyntenen lordis þe treuþe of þe gospel & holy writt, siþ þei meyntenen siche blaspheme heretikis to be dowid in seculer lordischipe aȝenst goddis comaundement & ensaumple of cristis lif & his apostlis? hou doun prestis here office þat schulde witnesse þe treuþe of goddis lawe to suffre peyne & deþ þerfore? hou don comunes here trewe seruyce to god, þat meyntenen siche heretikis & worschipen hem in word & dede whanne þei owen to knowen here opyn falsnesse? it is grett meruaile þat god of his endles riȝtwisnessemercy X. distroieþ not alle þis cursed peple to helle for þes cursed blasphemyes & erresiesheretikis X. & wickid meyntenynge; but certis þe lengere þat he spareþ bi mercy, þe sorere schal þe vengaunce be but ȝif men amenden hem.

See now hou þes cursed heretikis bryngen in þe firste blasphemye. first þei seyn & meyntenen þat clerkis may leffully haue seculer lordischipis & lyue in pompe & worldly welfare as lordis. & holy writt old & newe & cristiscrist X. lif & his apostlis dampnen þis pride & wrecchednesse in clerkis. & neden hem to mekenesse & wilful traueile & pouert. & many men aleggen faste holy writt aȝenst þe worldly lif of clerkis; þerfore þei seyn þat holy writt is fals, for trewe men schulden haue noon auctorite aȝenst here cursed lif. Þe secunde tyme þei fynden vp a newe manere of speche or logik, þat is contrarie to þe speche of holy writt; & for þei wolen meyntenen here owen fyndynge as good & trewe, þerfore þei seyn þat þe speche of holy writt is fals þat reuersiþresceyueth X. here owene fonnydnesse. & here þei maken god a fool & fals, in as moche as in hem is, & schewen hem self wise men & trewe; & algatis feynen hem self wisere & treuere þan god almyȝtty. ¶Þe þridde tyme þei coueten name of wisdom & worschipe of þis world & here owene excellence more þanne goddis honour, & þerfore þei disdeynen to sue mekely þe speche of goddis lawe & þe lif of crist & his apostlis, but maken newe lawis & logik þat maken holy writt derk & fals to þe comyn vnderstondynge of hem & here folweris. & ȝit þei schame sumdel to seie to cristene lordis þat holy writt is fals, but þei don worse bi sotel ypocrisie þat holy writt is fals to þe wordis but þe vnderstondynge þer-of is trewe; & þis vnderstondynge hangiþ in determinacion of worldly prelatis, þat kunnen not holy writt & ben not able to haue inspiracion of þe holy gost bi here holy lif, for þei ben comynly ful of symonye, pride, coueitise, glotonye, lecherie, manquellynge & oþere synnys, & open heretikis & enemys of crist & his lawe & his trewe seruauntis. & ihū crist seiþ þat siche ben blynde & leden blynde men in-to þe lake of synne & at þe laste to helle; for ȝif þei han money & gold at here lykynge bi extorsion & robberie, þei recken not of cristene soulis hou foul deuelis deuouren hem. & þe holy gost dwelliþ not in siche proude & coueitouse clerkis, for þei ben templis of þe fend & þei worschipen fals goddis & dwellen inomitted X. ydolatrie, hou schulde god teche hem þe precius treuþes of his lawe? but certis bi þis ypocrisie þei wolen brynge in what heresie þat hem likiþ & meyntene it for good treuþe & profitable. for þei seyn þat here sentence & dom is vnderstondynge of holy writt; & þes worldly prelatis wolen make a congregacion of hem self & clerkis assentynge to hem, summe for worldly drede & worldly fauour, summe for gold & hope of beneficis, & summe for drede of curs, priuynge of beneficis & sclaundre & prisonynge & brennynge. but se now þe wodnesse of þis blasphemye. first ȝif holy writt be fals, certis god autorautorite AA. þer-of is fals, & siþ þei graunten þe friste errour, þei moten graunte al þat sueþ þer-of. also þei feynen þat a fool & a cursed deuyl is wisere & trewere þan ihū crist god & man, siþ here speche is wittiere & trewere þan þe speche of god in holi writt, & þis reson is pleyn. suppose þat þis clerk writynge or techynge contrarie speche to holy writt schal be dampnyd, for þan he is a deuyl as crist seiþ of iudas, & as þei feynen his writynge & techynge is wittiere & trewere þan techynge & writynge of god almyȝtty; þan it sueþ opynly þat a fool & a cursed deuyl is wittiere & trewere þan ihū crist, kyng of wisdom & treuþe. Lord, siþ þe holy gost is autour & welle of witt & treuþe, wheþer he tauȝtte not goddis prophetis & cristis apostlis to write & speke treuþe; wheþer þe fend sathanas techiþ proude & coueitouse clerkis, ful of symonye & oþere synnys, more witt & treuþe þan þe holy gost techere of alle treuþe tauȝte cristis apostlis & euaunge|listis, þat weren sad in bileue & charite & holy & trewe in lif & techynge. & whanne al þe ground is souȝt of þis heresie it stondiþ in þis poynt, þat holy writt, goddis owene word, is fals for þis cursed heretik mysvnderstondiþ it, or for it dis|pleseþ þis heretik & reproueþ þis synne. but certis bi þis skille heþene men & fendis maken god most false of alle þingis, for þei vnderstonden þat god is most fals & wrongful & dampneþ hem most for here synnys. but it fariþ bi holy writt & cursed clerkis & foolis as it fariþ bi drounken men & þe mone And candel; þei demen of o mone or candel to be two, for þei ben vndisposid to deme & knowe þe treuþe bicause of here dronkenesse, so þes foolis, bi here pride, coueitise & oþere synnys, ben vnable to conseyueconceyue AA. þe heiȝe trewþis of goddis word; & þerfore þei seyn þat it is fals, for þei han not witt ne grace to traueile aboute trewe vnderstondynge þer-of for worldly occupacion & ydelnesse.

Now see whi meyntenynge of lesyngis is brouȝt in. god seiþ þat no þing plesiþ to a fool but folie; so no þing plesiþ comynly to a false man but falsnesse; & for þes worldly prelatis & newe pharisees ben groundid in lesyngis, þerfore þei comenden lesyngis & meyntenen hem. for prelatis comen in þe staat of cristis apostlis to lyue in pouert, mekenesse & traueyle of þe gospel as þei deden, but þei ben turned to coueitise, worldly lordischipis, pride, ydelnesse & vanyte, & turnen cristis lif and"in" in both MS. techynge vpsodom. Also newe religious ben brouȝt in-to þe chirche to reise up cristis mekenesse, pouert & penaunce, & to ben a bok of þis pouert & dispisynge of þe world to alle men to loken on, & þei ben turned to ypocrisie, pride, coueitise, glotonye & slouþe & bisyneslesyngis AA. of þe world more þan oþere worldly men, & ben fals bokis ful of synne & heresie; þat, as ierome & ansemlsic in both MS. witnessen, here croune, here tonsure, here abitis ben ful of lesyngis & þei ben but feyned & peyntid men of religion, & not only lesyngmongeris but pure lesyngis. & siþ god seyþ in þe sauter þat alle þat speken lesyngis schullen ben lost, houPsalm v. 6. moche more schullen þei ben lost þat ben pure lesyngis. Þe secunde tyme, crist seiþ to þe iewis, ȝif ȝe werenJohn viii. 39. abrahamus children ȝe schulden do werkis of abraham; & þer-fore seiþ austyn wiþ oþere seyntis þat þou art his soone whoos werkis þou dost. Þan siþ þe fend is fadir of lesyngis, as crist seiþ, þes worldly clerkis, & namely feyned religious, comenden lesyngis, for to witnesse in word & dede þat þei ben þe fendis children. for ȝif þei weren cristis children þei schulden holde treuþe in word & wille & dede & meyntenen þat, and dispisen alle manere of lesyngis & falsnesse & synne vp here kunnynge & power; & as ion þe euaungelist seiþ, þei schulden wilfully putte hem to deþ for to distroie lesyngis, siþ lesyngis stondiþ more in false dedis þan in wordis, asof X. holy writt, ambrose & oþere seyntis witnessen pleynly. ¶ Þe þridde tyme, þes newe ordris & flaterynge myȝtte not be susteyned wiþ-oute lesyngis, boþe in word & dede, in þis manere as þei now ben; & for to schewe þat þis veyn religious louen more here owene inuencions & here owene lustisboth MSS. repeat "more" here. þan þeomitted X. clene religion of cristis ordynaunce & gret pouert & peynful lif after crist & his apostlis, þei preisen lesyngis for to beren vp þes veyn nouelries & haunte here lustis. for ȝif cristis owene ordre & ensaumple of his lif & his apostlis ben betere & profitere þan ony newe maad of synful men, it is a foul lesynge to chese wityngly & meyntene þe lesse perfit,profit X. & forsake þe liȝttere, sikerere & perfitere. ¶ Also it is a cursed lesyng to drawe children, þat han but litil discrecion, to þes newe feyned religious bi ȝeftis & bi behestishestis AA. of worldly lordischipe, honour & sikernesse of bodily welfare, more þan to holde wilful pouert & penaunce & dispit & forsakynge of alle worldly þing, for al þis is symonye & heresie ȝif it be wel souȝt; but it is a cursedere lesyng to stele ȝonge children fro here frendis & bi false disceitis make hem to be professed, sumtyme aȝenst here wille, & suffre hem not to gon out of þis veyn ordre, þouȝ þei knowen hem self vnable þer-to. ¶ For sumtyme þes children frendis fallen in mornynge to deþ; & sumtyme bi myschef ben dede where here children þus stolen schulden ellis helpe hem; & sumtyme þes children schulden be goode techeris & reuleris of þe peple, & now ben cursed ypocritis, ful of coueitise, lecherie, enuye & grucchynge aȝenst god; & now þei ben nedid to rob þe pore peple bi fals beggynge, & sclaundren crist wiþ þis clamose beggynge dampned of goddis lawe, & ȝit þes open þefte is stifly meyn|tened aȝenst goddis lawe, reson & charite bi sotil ypocrisie, & no chastiȝynge don þer-onne. for men wenen þat þes stronge þeues ben vnder no kyngis lawe ne prelatis lawe in oure lond. for men vnderstonden þat fewe men of discrecion comen to þes nouelries but siche ȝonge bi stelynge or disceyuynge, or ellis bi coueitise of worldly honour & sikernesse of wombe ioie. & herefore þes veyn religious preisen lesyngis, dampnyd bi holy writt old & newe, for cristis treuþe. & þe deuel is lesyngis fadir & disceyued mankynde bi lesynge & brouȝt it in-to sorowe & peyne, as þe gospel &of X. þe first part of holy writt schewiþ; & þerfore seiþ ambrose þat alle men þat louen lesynges ben þe deuelis children. ion þe euaungelist seiþ þatomitted X.1 John ii. 21 (?). no lesyng is of god; þanne it is of þe deuyl siþ he is fadir of lesyngis. Þerfore þe wise man seiþ þat þe mouþ þat leiþ sleeþWisdom i. 11. þe soule; & a þef is more worþi to be suffrid þan þe lastynge of a lesyngmongere; & dauid seiþ þat godomitted X. schal dampne alleEcclus. xx. 27. men þat speken lesyngis, & þe prophete zacharie seiþ þatZech. v. 4. goddis curs comeþ to þe hous of lieris, & seynt austyn declareþ in many bokis þat ofomitted X. eiȝte manere lesyngis þe leste is synne, & who euere techiþ þe contrarie disceyueþ þe peple. but for þes veyn religious forsakenforsakynge X. þe techynge & lif of crist, mene persone in trinyte, þerfore þei kunnen no mene bitwixe seiynge soþe in eche tyme & bitwixe lesynge. sumtyme it harmeþ men to seie þeomitted AA. soþe out of couenable tyme & euere it harmeþ to lie, but sumtyme it profitiþ to be stille & abide a couenable tyme to speke, as dide crist & his apostlis, & ȝif þes veyn religious knowen þis þei schulde haue no colour to make lesyngis. but þer is o gret cause whi þei comenden so lesyngis. þei maken profession to lyue bi labour of here hondis, bi benetis reulis & fraunseis & austynes, & to be deed to þe world, & to be ensaumple & bok of wilful pouert, mekenesse & grete penaunce &omitted X. abstynence; & now þei ben turned to alle manere of schrewdnesse, harlotrie & synne; & þerfore þei forsaken cristis scole of& AA. treuþe & magnyfien þe deuelis scole of lesyngis; as þei first token lesyng of lif, so þei meyntenen now lesyng in word to coloure þer-bi here olde cursed lif, þat no man may bryngen hem out þer-of.

See nowe þe þridde heresie þat may hoold of olde synnys.AA reads þat maþ hoord of olde synnes. I suspect both readings are corrupt. Þes worldly prelatis & peyntid religious, beried in here olde synne,omitted AA. symonye, coueitise & pride & robberie, seyn þat it is aȝenst charite to crie opynly here cursed disceitis to lordis & comyn peple, & namely in here absence. but see þe waiward|nesse & cursednesse of þes deuelis ypocrisie & sheld of synne. Almyȝtty god, ful of charite, comaundiþ to þe prophete ysaieIsaiah lviii. 1. to crie & cesse not, & to schewe to his peple here grete synnes. synne of comyns is grete, synne of lordis & myȝtty men & wise is more, but synne of prelatis is most, & most blyndeþ þe peple. Þan treue men ben holden bi goddis heste to crie most aȝenst þe synne of prelatis, siþ it is most & harmeþ most þe peple. Also crist seiþ whowo AA. to hym þatLuke xvii. 1. sclaundriþ a litel child of hem þat ben cristene. but prelatis of þe world & peyntid foolis of religion, bi here opyn pride, coueitise, glotonye, lecherie, extorsions & meyntenynge of synne, sclaundren most þe peple; for her-bi þei ben bolde to walwe in synne preue & apert; þanne aȝenst þis synne schulden trewe men crie most. ¶ Also god seiþ bi þe prophete ezechiel þat ȝif a synful man lie in synne & þe propheteEzekiel iii. 18. schewe hym not þe peril of his synne ne vengaunce of god, þer-fore þe synful man schal die in his synne & þe prophete schal answere for hym, & so boþe schullen be dampnyd. & siþ eche prest is an angel & prophete bi his presthod, as seynt gregory seiþ, eche prest is in dette to telle synful men here synnes þat þei may amende hem. ¶ Also god seiþ bi þe prophete ezechiel þat god haþ ȝouen a prest to be a spie toEzekiel iii. 17. aspie þe sotil disceitis of þe fend & warne þe peple of hem; but among alle þe helpis of þe fend a wickid prelat or a fals religious is þe moste. Þanne a trewe prest owiþ most to warne þe peple of hem. & þerfore gregory seiþomitted X. & lawe of þe chirche þat no man harmeþ more cristene peple þanne he þat haþ name of ordre or holynesse & þer-wiþ lyueþ wickidly; for his synne is taken to ensaumple of oþere. & þerfore seiþ gregory in& X. his pastoralis þat prelatis ben worþi to haue as many deþes as þei senden ensaumples of synne to here sugetis & to men þat comen after hem. and ysidre & þe lawe seiþ þat he þat consentiþ & fauoureþ a man in synne schal be reproued bi most greuous reprofe. & austyn seiþ in þe lawe, þat a bischop þat consentiþ to oþer mennus synnes schulde raþere be clepid an vnchastised hound þan a bischop. & in token of þis crist purged þe temple & noon oþere place bi vengaunce bodily take in his owene persone. & gregory & oþere seyntis seyn þat euele prestis ben cause of synne of þe peple. Þerfore men schulden most ponysche þis most synne of prelatis & religious þat is cause of oþere & of distruction of rewmes. Also crist seiþ in þe gospel þat false prophetis & false cristisMatt. xxiv. 24. schullen ryse & disceyue manye, & biddiþ vs bewar of hem &Matt. vii. 16. flee hem & knowe hem bi here werkis, & telliþ what condi|cions & werkis þat þei schullen haue. Þanne ȝif prestis knowen þes false anticristis & false prophetis bi tokenes of goddis lawe & warne not þe peple of hem, þei ben giltif of loos of cristene soulis. Also ion þe euaungelist seiþ: ȝif ony1 John iii. 17. man see his broþer haue nede & schitte his purs & mercy fro hym, charite dwelliþ not in hym; moche more ȝif prestis knowen þat mennus soulis ben in myschief of fals bileue brouȝt in bi anticristis clerkis, þei ben out of charite but ȝif þei helpen hem out of þis myschief, siþ þisomitted X. is most myschief in þis world. & þerfore crist seiþomitted AA. in þe gospel ȝif it beLuke xiv. 5. mercy to helpe a beste falle in þe lake, moche more mercy is it to drawe mennus soulis out of errour & peril of soule; þat is disceit in bileue brouȝt in bi coueitouse clerkis & luciferis children. but anticristis prelatis & veyn religious seyn þat it is aȝenst charite to nemne hem bi name in open sermon & in here absence. trewe men seyn here þat ihū crist reproued scribis & pharisees bi name & in here absence, as þe gospelMatt. xxiii. Luke xi. 44. witnessiþ in many placis, & eiȝte tymes bi name cursed hem & cleped hem ypocritis, & teldetelle X. to þe comune peple here false coueitise, ypocrisie & pride. & ihū clepid herode a fox in his absence & in his presence spak no word to him, asLuke xiii. 32.Luke xxiii. 8, 9. diuerse gospellis seyn. & ȝit anticristis clerkis tellen false lesyngis in open sermons vpon certeyn personys & in here absence, so þei don openly aȝenst here owene techynge; but anticrist wolde haue þis ende, þat in absence of his cursed worldly prelatis & heretikis men schulden not reproue here cursed synnes for drede of lesyngis of charite & for bacbitynge. & anticrist makeþ hem so myȝtty þat in here presence no man dar speke aȝenst here opyn synnes but ȝif he wole be dede anoon. And so anticrist wolde þat no man schulde speke aȝenst here synne in no manere, but suffre hemomitted X. to robbe þe peple & brynge in heresies & distroie cristen-dom. But o principal cause is whi þei sey þus; ȝif it be charite to crie þus aȝenst synnys of worldly prelatis & veyn religious, siþ many of hem ben kunnynge & reulen lordis & prelatis & myȝtty men in confession, þei mosten warne hem þat clerkis schulden lyue in pouert & mekenesse, & not in worldly lordischipis ne in pompe & vanyte as þei now don; & warne lordis þat þei amende wickid clerkis of here opyn symonye & robbynge of here tenauntis; & warne lordis & comyns hou god curseþ to blissyngis & preieris of men of cursed lif, & þat here preiere turne in-to synne, as god hym self & gregory & þe lawe witnessen, & hou prestis & religious þat ben out of charite & lyuen aȝenst goddis comaundementis, as in glotonye, dronkenesse & enemyte & pride, stiren god bi here veyn preiynge to vengaunce raþere þan mercy. & as austyn seiþ, whateuere heryyngis of god here tounge blabere here lif blasphemeþ god; & as god seiþ him self here preynge is cursed & abhomynable. & certis þanne schulde lordis knowe ypocrisie, heresie & disceit of worldly prelatis & feyned religious; & þanne schulden cristene men wite þat who euere lyueþ best preieþ best; & a symple pater noster of a plouȝman þat his in charite is betre þan a þousand massis of coueitouse prelatis & veyn religious fulomitted AA. of coueitise & pride & fals flaterynge & norischynge of synne. And for þes anticristis clerkis louen more here owene heynesse & pride & worldly ioie & welfare þan cristis honour & vertuous lif of cristene peple, þer-fore þei ratellen þat it is aȝenst charite to tellen opynly here cursed disceitis & synnes; last lordis & comyns taken fro hem here wast worldly goodis, & constreynen hem to kepe mekenesse & pouert & pennaunce, as god techiþ & here owene profession. Þus almyȝtty god in trinyte distroieþ þes þre nestis of anticrist & his clerkis, & stireþ alle manere of men to meyntene þe treuþe of holy writt & distroie lesyngis & openly preche aȝenst ypocrisie, heresie & coueitise, boþe in word & dede, of alle euyl prelatis & prestis & peyntid reli|gious; for þan schal goode lif & treuþe & pees & charite regne among cristene men. Ihesu crist for þin endeles mercy graunte vs þis ende. Amen.

Siþ many falce gloseris maken goddis lawe derk & letten seculere men to susteyne it & kepen it; of siche falce gloseris schulde ech man be war. it is seid ofte tyme, in þe oolde lawe, þat prestis & clerkis schulde lyue on goddis part; þat is to seie, on dymes & offeryngis, & haue noon oþer heritage among here briþeren. but aduersarie of goddis lawe seiþ here bi his glose, þat þis schulde be kept in þe oolde testament, & is no nede to be kept in þe tyme of grace, for partys of þe oolde lawe ben now passid; & but ȝif lordis myȝte ȝeue here heritage to clerkis, as bischoppis & abbotis & oþer holy housis, þei were vnfree to helpe here soulis & here fadris, & so þei weren noȝt ful lordis of here owne goodis. But here we schal sup|pose as Cristen mennes bileue, þat god is cheef lord of eche þing of þis world. And so, al ȝif kyngis & oþere han free lordschipe, neþeles god is more free lord of þat same þing, ne it is nouȝt leeful to seculere lordis, to alyenen his lordschipe wiþouten leeue of god; as in mannes lordschipe a litil lord haþ no leeue to alienen his heritage but bi leue of þe cheif lord, & þis lawe haþ more resoun in þe lordschipe of god. Here may we se, siþ lordis of þis world hadde noȝt leeue of god þus to dowe his clerkis, here fool ȝifte schulde noȝt stonde bi skile; siþ god may noȝt be contrarie to him silf. But god ofte tyme in his two testamentis forbediþ his clerkis to be þus dowid; & so þis gile, þat cam bi cautel of þe fend, schulde be now broken for defaute of ground. ne grucche noȝt herfore þat god is cheif lord, for it falliþ to his godhed to be lord of eche þing, & more curteys lord may no man haue, ne more profitable lawis to lede a man by resoun. for þis lord suffriþ þee nouȝt to leese good but bi resoun, ne he axiþ þee no rente but for þin owne profite; & þus þe strengþe of goddis lawe axeþ aȝen þis lordschipe, & fillynge of goddis lawe þat sueþ grace & pees. and se þis lewidnesse of þis resoun, þat þes lawis han no strengþe for þei ben of þe oolde lawe, þat myche is went awey. certis so ben þe ten comaundementis of þe oolde lawe, þat ech man mote kepe ȝif he wole be saued; and so sermonyalis of þe oolde lawe & summe iudycialis bynden nouȝt now, but moralis bynden euere, siþ þei stonden in vertues. And so forsakynge of worldly richessis scholde bi more skile be kept now þanne in þe oolde lawe. And herfore crist & his apostlis kepten þis ful streytly, & þei telden beste how þe lawe schulde be kept. more-ouer men may se þat siþþe þes same lawis ben scharply holden in þing þat touchiþ wynnynge, as in dymes & offryngis, by þe same skile þei schulden be kept in lordschipe; or ellis we weren to myche chargid & mut leeue seruese of crist, þat he haþ ordeyned vs to do. Also crist & his apostlis techen vs to lyue beter þanne þes patrouns of þes newe ordris; & þei lyueden pore liif, & fledde lordschipe as venym. lord, whi schulde not we do so aftir þese holy patrouns? and whanne þou seist þat goddis lawe makiþ þes lordis vnfree to helpe hem wiþ here owne goodis, boþe in body & soule, it is knowen þinge þat contrarie falliþ, bi þat lordis reuersen þe ordeynaunce of crist, & þus for lordis fooly fallen many harmes boþe to lordis, clerkis & comunes. lordis ben maked pore & eke fewe in noumbre, & ofte tymes þei ben nedid to spoyle here tenauntis, & bi grucching aȝeyn þei disturblyn þe pees; and þis nedid noȝt to falle ȝif lordis of þis world hadden al þis lordschipe of þis world in here hond & ordeyned wel þerfore. more riche clerkis passen lordis in hous holde & meyne, in glorie of þis world, in power & richessis. And so it may falle þat þei taken fro lordis werris & powers a-proprid unto lordis, for one harme in goddis lawe bryngiþ in oþir. Also clerkis bi symonye envenemyn hem silf, & ȝif þei stode in pouert þei fel noȝt in þis perel. Also goodis of þis rewme ben yuel dispendid in hondis of þes clerkis & ȝeuen vnto false men, boþe vnto alienes & men of þis lond; & so goodis of þis rewme ben yuel distryed. Also þes clerkis ben herbi vnabled to preie & to serue god as he comaundeþ hem; and þis is þe moste harme aȝens god & man, for þis nediþ rewmes to lyuen in werres. for job seiþ in his book, & resoun approueþ, þat no manJob x. 4. reuersiþ god but ȝif he haue vnpees; and so þis dowynge aȝens goddis lawe doiþ harme to lordis & clerkis & comunys, boþe bodily harme & harme to here soulis, & negligent of lordis in amendement here-of is a manere of consence & greggiþ here synne; & it harmeþ here elderis þat bigan þis errour, ne good doþ it noon; but moueþ lordis to pride þat here kyn haþ þus foundid housis of religioun. and siþ god in his lawe cursiþ men þat breken it, it semeþ þat boþe ben cursid, lordis & clerkis, and herfore confessouris & alle þat ben on goddis half schulde moue & maynteyne þis lawe of oure god. & siþþe þe moste vnfredom is vnfredom of synne, for þat makiþ a man seruaunt to nouȝt & seruaunt to þe fend, & dampneþ him in helle, coueytise of fredom schulde moue men her-to, and so synne bi his manere bryngiþ his doere into þe same myre þat he eschewiþ.

The seuene lawis of þe newe testament ben so open, & þere|to confermed wiþ þe liif of crist & of his apostlis, þat it is no nede to reuerse þes gloses þat feynen to þes lawis a falce vnderstondinge, & techen clerkis to lyue on worldly manere. but þes religious & seculere prestis, & so many clerkis, bi brekynge of þis lawe, ben cursid of god & venemyn cristendome. for crist him silf techeþ bi word of seynt poul þat he is cursid1 Cor. xvi. 22. of god þat loueþ noȝt crist; but siþ he onely loueþ crist þat kepiþ his wordis, who euere brekiþ cristis lawe is cursid of god, and he þat fauoriþ þis part or assentiþ here-wiþ; & his cursynge is more þan cursynge of þe pope, or ony oþere sensuris þat he kan feyne; & so clerkis of þis lond semensenen MS. irregulere, for þei han so longe leyen in so gret cursinge. Also in þe tyme of grace crist for-bede his apostlis þat þeiMatthew x. 10. schulde nouȝt bere in þe weye þat wolde lette hem to preche; myche more clerkis schulde noȝt take on hem such lordschipe, þat wolde lette more to preche & to serue god; siþ clerkis ben now more pore of ȝiftis of god & more bisi aboute þe world, þanne to bere staues or kotis or hoosis or gretynge of folke þat crist forbeed his apostlis. Also we schulden haue myndeLuke x. 4. on þe passioun of crist, hou dere he bouȝte his lawe whanne he was deed herfore, for al þat he suffride & kyndenesse þat he dide was to comende his lawe to men þat comen aftir him. O, how vnkynde ben þei þat dispisen þis lawe, or for to breken it or to putte oþere byfore it. certis þei ben cursid, as þePsalm cxix. 21. salme seiþ, and suche ben vnable to preie or to ȝeue ony sacramentis. and ȝif þat heresie were wel knowen, þes clerkis were heretikis more þanne ony oþere; for þei defenden here part aȝenes goddis lawe bi falce lawis & cautels to here lyues ende. But ȝit antecristis clerkis prouen bi here resouns þat þe kyng & þe rewme mote nede maynteynen hem, siþþe þei ben sworen to þe grete charite.Sic in MS. for chartir. But here we schal supposen as cristen mennes bileue, þat no mennes lawis ne chartirs maad of men han strengþe but in as myche as goddis lawe confermeþ hem; for what is ony chartre or ony lawe worþ, But ȝif god conferme it by his lawe? & so þis grete chartre wolde moue bi goddis wytt, þat kyngis & here rewmes schulde maynteyne þe chirche by þe ordeynaunce of god, & distroie þe contrarie. and ȝif we taken hede boþe kyngis & rewmes bi here opyn oþis schulden take awey þes rentis þat þe fend haþ dowid wiþ clerkis aȝens cristis ordeynaunce. ffor no wise man wolde seie þat lordis by here oþis schulde maynteyne lawe of þe fend aȝens ihesu crist; and so to chalenge of þe kyng to maynteyne alle here chartres & alle here newe lawis þat þei han founden were to chalenge þe kyng as þe fendis seruaunt; and þere were ouere myche dispit to here lyge lord. and ȝif þou seie þat cursyngis purchased of þe pope and oþere felle sensuris þondured ouere til englond schulde fere ouere rewme to do siche þingis; Here we schal suppose as oure bileue þat no mannes cursynge haþ ony strengþe but in as myche as god himsilf cursiþ; and so ofte tyme cursiþ þe fendis mynystris, & god him silf blissiþ and þe fend cursiþ; & ȝif þou seie þat moo men stonden wiþ siche cursynge þanne wiþ blissynge of god, & hem schulde we trowe; here oure bileue techiþ vs þat goddis lawe is trewe & mote stonde, al ȝif þere be mo fendis þan trewe men, and triste to no man in þis mater but to goddis lawe; for þat seiþ god himsilf, þat may neuere be false.falle MS. O how hardy be we maad to werren on oure briþeren, & how foule cowardis to stonde in goddis cause, & certis all þis is maad bi þe fendis craft. drede we nouȝt þis þondir, for it turneþ aȝen & cursiþ þe welle þat it come fro. ffor men stable in bileue ben a þick walle to turnen aȝen þis þondir þat itis MS. persiþ noȝt. But ȝit þou seist þat oure rewme stood in myche ioye whanne þe chirche was putt & mayntened in þis staat, & so it were ful dredeful to distrie þis staat. But certis þis is a fendis skile to maken vs drede in feiþ; but we schal vndirstonde, as goddis lawe techiþ us, þat ofte tymes fendis children passen here in welþe þe children of god þat aftir schal haue blisse. & so it is a feble skile: ȝif oure rewme hadde suche welþe whanne þei dide & maynteyned suche staat to þe chirche, þanne þei diden wel & plesaunly to god. make goddis lawe þi iuge, for þat mote nedis be, & þis iuge may noȝt folde ne faile in riȝtwisnesse; and as þe gospel seiþ þis iuge is aduersarie to ech man in erþe þat holdiþ noȝt goddis lawe. But þou seist þat myraclis & lyues of holy men approuen þis dowynge of þe chirche, and god wiþ his seyntis; who schulde be so hardy to breke siche an ordeynaunce? But here schulde we wyte þat many suche sygnes comen ofte of þe fend for mennes firste synne; so, as seynt poul seiþ, þe2 Cor. xi. 14. fend haþ power for to figuren him in-til an aungel of liȝt; & so he is vntrewe man þat trowiþ to siche signes as myche as he trowiþ to þe feiþ of goddis lawe. & so it is no bileue þat alle þes men ben seyntis þat ben hirid of þe pope to ben holden siche; and fewe men woot how þes wondris comen þat we clepyn myraclis, wheþer of good or yuel; ffor well we wyten þat þe fend doiþ ofte myche good. stonde we stable in oure bileue, for þat may neuere faile. But þe fend replyeþ aȝenst þis truþe, and seiþ, þe king's graunt bi his owne chartre & bullis of þe pope confermed þis dowynge, how schulde men denye þis or distroie it, But ȝif þei reuersen al þe ordynaunce of þis rewme? Here I woot þat men of lawe ben moued bi siche resouns. But professouris of goddis lawe schulde stonde by here bileue, and putte abac mannes lawe, but ȝif goddis lawe approue it; & so ȝif chartris of men ben contrarie to goddis lawe, þes chartres schulde be wayschen and goddis lawe schulde stonde; and so ȝif þes poscessioneris toke fre þis in here lond and allegede here chartris, and trewe men goddis lawe, þanne schulde men se whiche were goddis children & whiche þe fendis children by maynteyn[yn]ge of þes lawis. and so þe fend can nouȝt do but ȝif he ouere do, whanne he argueþ þus, þat ȝif a rewme were purgid of errouris in goddis lawe, þanne were þis rewme distryed. wele I woot þat goddis lawe ȝeueþ seculer lordschipis to seculer lordis & forbediþ hem to clerkis. þe laboureris of cristis chirche han leffully rentis & worldly possessiouns oþere þan clerkis han, ffor þei ben hiȝere in degree and neer to crist in pouerte; & boþe þes þingis to|gidre may þei nouȝt haue.

But aȝens þis blaberen antecristis clerkis, and aleggen goddis lawe, but to false sentense, þat seculer men schulde noȝt iuge of clerkis, how euere þei don; for þei han propre iuges, as popis & bischopis & oþere iugis vndir hem; & her-to þei leggen but lewydly goddis lawe. Here schal we wite þat þere ben many iugementis, as iugement bi goddis lawe and iugement by mannes lawe, & in boþe þes lawis ben many manere iugementis; and schal we trowe þat ech man of dis|crecioun schal iuge of his neiȝbore, be he more or lesse, be he prest or clerk, lord or ellis pore man, and so to al þe speche þat is in goddis lawe aloonely fool iugement is þere-inne for|fendid; & man may iuge folily upon many maneris; as ȝif a man iuge of þing þat he knowiþ noȝt, as many men presumen to iuge a man to heuene, or ellis iuge him to helle bi here feyned cursynge, & so prelatis ofte tymes blasfemen in god, & taken on hem iugement & knowynge of god; and þis iuge|ment dampned poul, for prelatis schulde noȝt iuge seruauntisRom. xiv. 4. of god in þat þei knowe nouȝt. þe secounde foly of iugement stondiþ in þis, þat men iugen to liȝtly & bi litil euydence to good or to yuel, þat sueþ noȝt þer-of; as ȝif a man iuge for fame of his broþer or for autorite of name, þat what euere he seye [is] soþe, and sekiþ noȝt þe resoun of þing þat he seiþ; & þus ben men disceyued in iugement of popis and of oþer prelatis & of oþere comyntes, & ofte tymes on þis wise ben men disceyued of iugement of myraclis, & many oþer signes, and þus mennes iugementis ben ofte ful of errouris whanne þei iugen by mannes entent bi ouereevere MS. liȝt euydence. men schal euere suppose þe good, but ȝif open euydence teche þe con|trarie, of þingis þat men þenken on. the þridde manere of errour þat falliþ in mannes iugement is falceheed of here prynciple þat þei groundem hem on; as falce wytnesse þat gone on a quest gabben in here witnessis, þei maken þe iuge erre and pupplische a sentence contrarie to trewþe. & riȝt þus multitud of antecristis disciplis may moue men to leue cristis lore; but blessed be god, þat in euery chirche haþ ordeyned masse bookis to witnesse his gospel. And þus schulde kyngis bi worschipe of here staat, constreyne here lyge freris & here oþere clerkis, vp peyne of here leggeaunce, to telle trewþe of þes bullis & of þes oþere nouelries, wheþer þei ben of bileue, & grounde hem in resoun or in goddis lawe, & examyne here proues wheþer þei ben trewe men. and þus schulde þe rewme be reuled bi riȝt, and falce men distroyed þat venemen þe rewme; & þus schulde men iuge þat ben goddis seruauntis, al ȝif þei stirte noȝt vp in pilatis chaier. and so ech iugement þat is noȝt groundid in god schulde be fleed of men as disceyt of þe fend. ffor god him silf is treweþe, as þe gospel seiþ, and þe fend is fadir of lesyngis. and so sum good iugement is of mennes out-wittis, as þei iugen whiche mete is good & whiche mete is yuel, & sum men iugement is of mennes witt wiþinne, as men iugen how þei schal do, by lawe of consience; as cristen men schal iuge to whom þei don here almes, and þat þei feden nouȝt fendis children among here owne heed.? herd. & it were al on to reue fro worldly men þis iugement, & to seie þat þei ben bestis dampnable for here folye. And þus þe fend may hide mennes wittis & bobbe hem in here resoun, as þe iewis diden wiþ crist, & leden hem toMatt. xxvi. 68. helle as blynd avocatis of þe fend. þis blynde boffetynge schulde worldly men eschewe, ffor it helpiþ nouȝt to þis world ne to þe toþer world. And wite wel þes lordis þat god haþ ȝeuen hem resoun for to seruen him, and loken here owne profiȝt; ffor þis lord of his curtesye axeþ no seruyse of man, but ȝif it turne to his profyt & noȝt to þe profyte of god. and þus it were al on antecrist to teche þat men schulde noȝt iuge of dedis of his clerkis, & to seie þat he is lorde aboue ihesu crist.

Aȝeyns þis þe fend grucchiþ bi many blynde resouns, and seiþ þat god forbeediþ his men to iuge of here briþeren. But we schulde trowe to wordis þat god puttiþ in his lawe. ffor god biddiþ þat a man schulde assaye him silf, and so ete of þe1 Cor. xi. 28. breed þat is þe sacrid oost. ffor he þat etiþ unworþily etiþ his owne jugement, ffor he iugiþ noȝt wisely þe worþinesse of goddis body. & þe holy salme seiþ: "vnderstond, ȝe kyngis;Psalm ii. 10. and schaak of ȝou rudenesse, ȝe þat jugen londis." Sum tyme iugement god grauntid to kyngis, as daviþ & salamon & many oþere kyngis. & ȝif þou seie þat popis lawe spekiþ oþer wise of jugement, haue þe popis lawe more suspette; siþ goddisJohn vii. 24. lawe spekeþ þus, and þus crist biddiþ þe iewis to iuge of him riȝt iugement. Lord, wheþer þes clerkis ben more hiȝe ouere seculeris þan was our lord ihesu crist ouere þes falce iewis? ffor trewe men ben certeyn þat crist bad hem noȝt juge of him but ȝif it were leeful to lewid men to iuge of clerkis; and so it were al on to denye siche iugement and denye regalye þat falliþ to þe kyng. Lord, wheþer þe lawe of ynglond schal be now distried bi fablis of heretikis con|trarie to goddis lawe? Wel I woot þat men were wont bi iugement of ynglond to dampne prestis and clerkis for robberie & þefte, and also for trayterie and oþer smale trespas; and ȝif þei now denye þis þei denye þe regalye. And þus seie to antecrist þat crist bad men iuge of him boþe bi his godhede and eke by his manheed. Lord, wheþer antecristis clerkis ben more þanne was crist? Also seynt poul iugiþ of petrisGal. ii. [11.] synne, and aȝen-stoode him for he was reprouable. Lord, wheþer prelatis now ben more confermed in grace þanne was seynt petir þanne aftir sonde of þe holy goost? Also ech man schulde bi þe lawe of þe gospel vndirnyme ech broþer þatMatt. xviii. [15.] synneþ aȝens him. But comunly þes prelatis synnen aȝens lewid men; þanne lewid men by here feiþ schulde vndirnyme þes prelatis. And so it is al on to oute-take þes prelatis fro suche snybbinge of þe peple & make hem more þan crist; ffor ȝif crist myȝte haue synned he wolde þus haue be blamed. Also by þe lawe of charite ech man schulde loue ech oþere; and siþ god haþ ȝeuen men witt to se þat prelatis don yuel, bi þe lawe of charite þei schulde moue hem to good. & so it were al on to take prelatis fro þis iugement and seie þat þei ben fendis þat may nouȝt be amendid. also bi goddis lawe a man schulde for charite drawe his enemyes beste oute of þe lake; but god haþ more reward of men þanne of beestis, þanne myche more schulde a man helpe men oute of synne. also siþ ech of vs schuld knowe him silf synful and be glaad of seuene goostly werkis of mercy, he schulde haue ioye þat men reproued him of his synne; and certis so wele ech man but þe quyk deuel; ffor he for his pride wele not be blamyd of god. And herfore seith þe wise man þat he þat hatiþEcclus. [xxi. 7?] blamynge is sutere of þe fend, rebelle aȝens god. And salamon seiþ: "he þat dispisiþ his blamere schal be sodenly distried &Prov. xv. [10.] noȝt helid of his synne." And herfore techeþ seynt poul toTitus 1. [13.] reprove siche ful harde. ffor þus dide crist oure alþere maystir reprouynge þes pharisees, and so he dide to pepleMatt. xxiii. clepynge him sathanas, and so charite chacchiþ men to þis iust jugement. ffor goddis lawe techiþ vs to don to oþereMatt. vii. [12.] men as we schulden willen þat þei diden to vs. But who led bi resoun putt in greet perel wolde noȝt be glaad to haue helpe þere of? But siþe ech man by synne is in an huge perel, he schulde be glaad of eche þing þat warneþ him of his perelle, ȝif it be neuere so lowe & werse þan man in kynde. For ellis menweren probably omitted. in obedient as þe firste apostata. Wel I rede in goddis lawe þat god was obedient unto voys of man as to his owneJosh x. [12.] instrument. And so siþe ech creature þat telliþ a man a treuþe is instrument of god to schewe him þis truþe, it were oon to dispise þis instrument in þis and to dispise þe truþe of þe lord þat he schewiþ. But he were oute of resoun þat were smyten in feueris or ellis in a frenesye or ony oþer siknesse þat wolde noȝt take his medicine or reule of anoþer man, al ȝif it were displesynge to him for a tyme. Thus meke men & trewe men blamen noȝt þe creature þat telliþ hem a truþe in name of god, siþe þe lord moeueþ hem for profyt of men to tellen hem goddis wille, in him schulde þei heren. and so ȝif we can se clerkis schulde wiþ ioye suffre temporal lord|schipis be taken awey from hem. For wel we wyten þat þis were noȝt aȝens goddis lawe ne hyndrid hem noȝt to gete hiȝe setis in heuene; but raþere disposide hem to come to myche blisse and þus schulde ech man willen as god him silf biddiþ hem.

And so take heede what god biddiþ þee do & do þat and noon oþer, for al oþere is synne. & loke to alle þingis þat comen to þee to suffre and suffre it mekely, siþ god nediþ þee þerto & sendiþ it for þe beste, al ȝif þou kanst noȝt se it; as a child is ofte betyn for his owne profyte and ȝit he grucchiþ þer-aȝens, for he seeþ noȝt þe resoun. and þis moueþ many men mekely to suffre whateuere comeþ to hem, for so biddiþ charite.

For it is seide in holdynge of oure haly-day þat we schulde ocupie þe tyme in prechynge 2and preiynge22_2 omitted CC. and deuoute herynge of þe lawe of god, and ouer þisomitted CC. many freris, as bastardis to goddis lawe, tellen iapes or lesyngis & leeuen þe gospel; herfore schulden men lerne of þre goodgoddis CC. vertues, þat þe gospel of poule clepiþ feiþ, hope, & charite. ffeiþ is þe ground of alle oþer vertues; & þer-fore poule clepiþ it schelde of alleomitted CC. cristen men. ffor amonge sixe armures noon is more nedeful. but feiþ may be taken on manye maneres. ¶ Sum tyme feiþ is clepid þe truthe þat menwe CC. trowen, & so þer is a comune feiþ to alle cristen men. ¶ Sum tyme feiþ is clepid vertu þat makenmakiþ CC. trewe men, & so eche trewe man haþ diuerse feiþ. and sum tyme feiþ is clepid oure trowynge in werkys. and by þes þre membris maymaist CC. þou knowe goddis lawe þat spekiþ of feiþ onin CC. diuerse maneres. seynt poule clepiþ feiþ ground of goostly þingis þat men schulden hope to haue in heuen; and here men 10seen hem not, but trowen bi word of god, if þei1010_10 omitted CC. seruen him treuly, to haue hem in heuen. and so specialye by feiþ ben men made trewe to god; and whos[o] fayliþ in feiþ he is fals to god, & tristiþ not to hijs treuthe, as heþen men don not. and herfore seith seynt poule þat cristen mennus feiþ is mene of alle here gode werkiswerlkis Q, vertues CC. þat þei here don. ffor seyntis by feiþ discoumfiteden rewmes, ȝhe þe rewmes of þe fende; &[Heb. xi. 33.] þat is more maistri þan wyn rewmes of men, for enemyes ben moo & more koyntequeynt CC. in þer dedis bi wylis of here capteyns. 1& þus seyntis han wrouȝt faire & iust dedis,11_1 omitted Q. for noman may laste in harde lif for god but if he haue feiþ, bi whiche he lastiþ so; ne noman may serue blis of god but if he haue feiþ, bi whiche he seruiþ it; and schortly noman synniþ aȝenus god but ifomitted Q. he fayle in feiþ, þat groundiþ goddis werkis. ¶ as if þou haddist a lettre þat þi kynge sent þee seelid wiþ hijs priuey seele, & worschipid þee myche & hiȝt þee greet eritage to be atomitted Q. hijs retenu & serue hym treuly, þou woldest don of þin hoode and kisse hijs seel for hope of rewarde. god is miche more þan any lord of erthe; he sent a lettre to man by moyses hijs messangere, þat is more worþ þan any pope or cardynal. hijs lettre is hijs mawndementis, & grace in moyses soule is hijs priue seel, better þen eny kyngis signe. ¶ hijs seruice is liȝt & hijs eritage is myche, for it is þe blis of heuen lastynge 4wiþ-outen ende,44_4 for euere CC. and here-of schulden men not fayle wiþ-outen greet forfeture. takeQ. inserts we. hed to mennus feiþ how bisily þei traueylen for godes & worschip of þe worlde, & leeue traueyle to god, & þou mayst wel see þat feiþ feiliþ hem.

1o. But in þre maneres may mennus feiþ fayle. Sum faylen in feiþ for defaute of it; asof KK. men þat trowen not to god þat he wil reward hem of þe blis of heuen for her trewe seruice. 2o. ¶ sum men faylen in feiþ, for it is so þynne, & 7eke liȝt77_7 eeþ CC. to perische wiþ dart by sauȝt of þin enemye; as men þat ben assaylid by her flesche or by þe world, or in lustis or in peynes ȝyuen it vp toomitted Q. sone, for litil trist þat þei han in mede of her lord. and herfore crist often tymes reprouyde hys apostlis for litilnesse of her feiþ, whan þei fayleden to trist on hym. 3o. ¶ and sumsummen CC. faylen in here feiþ þat han her scheld holid,holde Q. & by spere of here enemye þei ben often kylde; & ben suche men þat trowen many trowþes, & in sum þei faylen as men out of here feiþ; for as he þat byndiþ hym to kepe goddis hestis mut kepe hem alle, as seynt Iames seiþ, so he þat byndiþ him to feiþ of hijs[James ii. 10.] god, mut kepe it al hoole stifly & in ordre. ffor if þi schelde were at þi backe, þou myȝtist sone be kilde. for þe fendes of helle trowen alle þat we trowen, but hem failen charite to bynde her schelde in ordre, & herfore ben þei dampned byfor CC. her defourmed scheeld. ¶ & herfore schulden we trowe alle þe lawe of god, & trowe þat it is trewe by euery part of it;þer-of CC. for if þou trowe myche of it, & trowist þat sum is fals, by þis hoole of þi schelde art þou deed to god; ¶ as freris þat trowen many articlis of þeomitted Q. treuthe & faylen in þe treuþe of þe sacrid hoost, schal be dampnyd herfore But if þei turne aȝen & trowe in wordes of crist, þat seiþ: "þis is my bodye." but nowe freris trowen noþer þat þis oost is brede ne þeomitted CC. bodye of crist, ne neþer of þis may be; but crist seiþ surely:soþli CC. "þis breed is my bodye." but hou ar þei not heretikis þat trowen aȝen crist here? ¶ and þus eueryche man haþ a maner of feiþ, syn eche man trowiþ þat god &in Q. alle þingis ben, but hijs feiþ is rente in particuler erroures þat trowiþ fals of þe feiþ, by any part of it. and so oure good god byndiþ vs not to euermore trowen & specyaly eche article of þe treuþe, for sum ben so sutil þat first in blis of heuen seyntis schulen knowe hem þat now g[e]neraly trowen hem. for if þou trowist in þi god, þat trowþe wil suffice þee; but noman trowiþ in god but he þat loueþ him & hopeþ by his good lif to haue 8þe blis of heuen.88_8 blisse of god CC.

HOpe is þe secounde vertu þat god himself axiþ, & is ful diuerse fro feiþ þat we han spokun of. ffor feiþ is of þingus þat was & ben & schul be, but hope is al only of þinges þat ben to come. as we trowen þat god made þe world of nouȝt, & we trowen þat crist is now bodily in heuen, & schal euermore be after þe 1day of11_1 omitted CC. dom. ¶ also feiþ is boþe of gode þing & euyl, boþe of him þat haþ feiþ & of oþer creaturis, but hope is al only of hym þat haþ hope and only of good þinge in þe blis of heuen. as we trowen þat many men schul be dampned in helle, & þat many oþur schul be saued in heuen; but noþur we hopen þis damp|nacion ne þis saluacion, for we hopen al only þat towchiþ oure owne blis. and so trowthe of cristen men puttiþ hem owte of dowte, & makiþ hem so surely trowethorowe Q. here bileue, þat þei schulden stonde for þis treuþe, to deeþ of here bodye. ¶ but so it is not of hope if we looken wel, as neþer we witen ne we trowe now to be sauyd, & ȝhit we hopen it wiþ-outen ony dowte. and so hope is werke of soule bi-neþe oure bileue, & so by-nethe knowynge but a-bouen doutinge. and so hope of erþely þinge is not vertu of hope, but comunely it smacchiþ synne, for it lettiþ hope of heuen. and so it is all diuerse to hope and to trowe; but þis is a sutil mater to clerkis for to knowe, but comune 3sentence here-of33_3 speche CC. sufficiþ to oþure men.

[B]vt siþomitted CC. philosopheres seyn þat contraries han oon lore, feiþ and hope techen vs to knowe contraries of hem. ffeiþ haþ in fidelite contrarie to him, and hope haþ desperacion as his contrarie. and as feiþ is ground of alle oþur vertues, so in-fidelite is ground of alle oþur synnes. ¶ and herfor[John xvi. 8.] seiþ crist þat god schal reproue þe worlde first of þis synne, for it groundiþ alle oþere. Q inserts for.wan-hope of men is a greet synne, for noman is dampned wiþ-outen þis wanhope. for he þat lastiþ in þishys Q. synne to his lyues ende, and haþe no sorowe of hijs synne ne hope to haue forȝyu[n]es, he synneþ aȝen þe holy goost; þat neuer schal be forȝifen him, noþer in þis worlde ne in þe toþur, as crist him silf seiþ. and many þer[Matt. xii. 31.] ben þat synnen in þis synne longe bifore þei dien. ¶ but þanne it lastiþ euere, as eche man þat god knowiþ to be dampned in helle, beriþ euere-lastinge synne aȝen þe holy gost; for as þe holy gost is þe laste persone of god, after whom comeþ noon oþur, so it is of þis synne. ffor no man may synne after þis lastomitted Q. synne. ¶ and so by two weyes fallen men in despeyre. 1o. Sum for þei trowen not in þe mercy of god; & þes ben cayms childire & seyn her synne is more þan her dissert is to serue blis or ellis goddis mercy. 2o. and sum synnen in dispeyre aȝenus riȝtwisnesriȝtfulnesse CC. of god; as þes þat seyn in her lif: "late me synne ynowe, for god wole neuere lese þat he haþomitted Q. dere bouȝt." and so alle þat schul ben dampned ben euere more in synnyng aȝen þe holy gost, & euere in despeyringe. ¶ as if a man drof continuely in-to þe erþe a stake, til he were in dispeire þat he myȝt drawe it vp. þe stake is þe synne hardud in mannus hert; þe malle þat he driueþ it wiþ is newe rehersynge of synne; and suche at þe ende of her lif lacken power & grace to trist in helpe of þer god and hope to be sauyd.

[Þ]E þridde vertu of god is loue or& Q. charite, and it haþ two braunchis, as loue of god & loue of man. & beste mene to kepe þis loue were man forto lerne & loue forto kepe two tables of goddis lawes,hestis CC. for bi þes & ellis not kepiþ man him in charite. and þis vertu cloþis man at domus-day wiþ bride-cloþis, & þis cloþe may neuere be lost in þis world ne in þe toþure. ffor noman may come to heuene but he haue þis cloþinge, ne no man may haue þis clothe, but if he come to heuen; & so men þat schulen be dampned han but feyned charite. But lyue wele after goddis lawe & hope to haue þisCC. inserts last. loue, for no man schal knowe ne trowe to haue it but if god wole telle him priueyly. ¶ and so freris, þat louen more her habite þat þei han ordeyned hem þan þe cloþe of charite þat god haþ schapen his sones, ben yuel disposid to haue þisþe Q. cloþe of charite; Siþ þer loue is turned amys to charge more here habite, to lesyn it or leeuen it, to cloþe þer|wiþ þer bodye, þan to lese þis charite to cloþe þer-wiþ þer soule; for often þei lese charite in presens of man, but if þei losten þis habite þus, as þei falsly feynen, þei were opyn apostates and losten þe luf of god, for as þei feynen falsly god loueþ more þis cloþinge þan cloþinge of þer soule wiþ þis cloþe of charite; and þis is open heresie by many kyn skylles. but here men douten comunly where men schuld loue þes heretikys, but it is no drede þat ne men schulde loue þer kynde & hate þe same kynde in þat þat þei ben so yuel, and so þe persones bi hem-silf schulden be loued in charite, & here synnes by hemsilf schulden men hate for goddis loue.sake CC. ffor he is not frend to crist þat loueþ þus hijs enemye; and þus he is frend to þe frere þat hatiþ þus his synne & worchiþ to distrie it & purge him þer-fro. ¶ and þis moueþ manye men to speke of þre heresies þat many freres be smyttid inne, & contrarien þes þreomitted Q. vertues. ffor who myȝt more contrarie feiþ þan sey þat crist seiþ fals whan he seiþ þat "þis brede is myn owne bodye," for þis may neþer beomitted Q. brede ne þe bodi of crist, but it is accident or nouȝt, as freres feynen falsly. & þus þei chesen hem a place to falsen crist in hijs visage, and ierom wiþ oþur seyntis þat tellen þis wit of crist. ffreres seyn priueyly þat þei spake here eresie, siþen anticrist þer mayster seiþ euen þe contrarie. ¶ þe secounde vertu of þes þre 6many freres reuersen,66_6 moueþ freres to reuersen Q. for crist tauȝt in hijs lawe þat men schulde not begge, but holde euen his ordre, & þei schulde come to heuen; þesþe Q. freres seyn þe contrarie, & grownden hem an ordre of þer wilful beggyng, bi men þat han no nede; and herbi schulde men hope to sitt hye in heuen, for, as þei lien falsly, crist beggidCC. inserts 'not.' þus. ¶ þe þridde of þes vertues is contraried bi freres, siþen it is no charite to falsly passe crist. for crist seiþ to hijs cosyns þat by hijs manhed he had[Matt. xx. 23.] no power to ȝyue hem leue to sit on hijs riȝtomitted CC. side, but to þe godhed in hijs fadure is propred þis power; but freres seyn opunly by letteres of here fraternite þat þei ȝyuen þer breþeren leue to haue part of þer blis; and þis myȝt þei not do but if þei ȝouen men leue to sitt on þe riȝt hond of crist as if þei passed him. & þis sownes not charite but luciferes pride.

Bvt siþ cloþinge of þis loue is myche loued of god, & more worþe to man þan al þis worldes richessis, man schuld ful bisily knowe propirtees of þis loue. but poule, þat was rauesched vnto þe þrid heuen, & herde derne wordes of god,[2 Cor. xii. 2.] þat ben not here leful vs forto speke, telliþ sixtene propirtes[1 Cor. xiii. 4.] þat suen þis charite. þe first is þat charite is patient of wronges. for al oure charite mut be ensaumpled of crist; but crist was so patient, as seynt petre seiþ, þat whan he was[1 Peter ii. 23.] mys-said he cursid not aȝen, ne when he suffrid wronges he manassid not aȝen. O what charite haþ he to suffre wronge for cristis loue þat wol not suffre a liȝt word, but ȝeld a worse aȝen? ¶ þe secounde propirte is þis: þat charite is benyngne. for it is not ynow to suffre, for so don þefis, but do good in soule aȝenus yuel suffrid; for þat is good loue of þe fire of charite, & is clepid benignite by propirte of word. and here-fore clerkis seyn þat þer ben þree lawes; þe first is lawe of oure goodomitted Q. god to do good for yuyl; þe toþure is lawe of þe worlde, to do good for good & yuel for yuel, as mannus maner is; þe þrid is þe deuelis lawe, to do yuel for good, & þis is maner of men whan þei ben turned to deuelis. þe þrid propirte þat sueþ þis secounde is þat charite haþe noon enuye to noon kyn þinge, for it loueþ wel god & alle goddis creatures. ¶ þe fourþe propirte þat sueþ of þis riche vertu is þat charite wiþ-outen forþe wirchiþ not schrewidly for as þis first ȝock bigynniþ wiþ paciens, & siþen goiþ into worchinge of a mannus soule, so mut þis oþur ȝoc forsake yuel wiþ-inne, & 1also wiþ-oute11_1 siþ yuel dede wiþoute CC. bi ordre of god. þe fyueþ maner of charite stondeþ in þis, þat it bolneþ not wiþ pride, syn it is þus patient. & þe sixte sueþ here-of, þat it coueitiþ not worldly worschip; for al worschipe of charite sche puttiþ oonlyhoolly CC. in god. þe seueþ condicion þat sueþ þisin Q. charite is þat it sekiþ not propre godes to hir silf, but sekiþ worschip to god & profyte to his chirche. ¶ þe eyȝt propirte of charite stondiþ in þis, þat charite wrathiþ þeromitted Q. not al if it suffre wronge, and þerfore it is liȝt to men to stande with pees & charite. þe neynt propirte of charite is deppere þan þes oþere, þat it þenkiþ not yuel, for siche þouȝt turneþ to yuel; as iob maad couenaunt to þenke not on a virgyne. ¶ þe tenteþ propirte þat suiþ þis vertu of charite is þat sche ioyethe not of wickidnesse, as aungelus in heuen ioyen of payn of fendis but not of here wickidnesse. & þer-fore þis condicion sueþ after charite, þat it ioyeþ wiþ god of trowþe þat he loueþ. ¶ þe twelþe condicion þat sueþ þis charite is þat sche takeþ mekely what euere þing þat comeþ hir to. þe þrittente condicioun stondiþ in þis, þat charite trowiþ al þat euere god seiþ; and siþ no þinge is good but þat god seiþ, charite trowiþ alle good þing,omitted Q. ȝhe profyte of synnes. ffor men þat dreden god, if þei fallen in synne, þei ben more ware þat þei synnen not eft,ofte Q. & þanken more god of hijs gracious helpe, & alle medeful dedis haue þei part off. ¶ þe fourteneþ condicion þat sueþ after charite stondiþ in þis poynt, þat sche hopiþ alle þinge turneþ to good of goddis childur þat dreden him in loue. þe fiftente condicion þat sueþ þis charite is þat sche susteyneþ wiþ wille alle harmes þat comeþ, ȝheȝhit Q. sche is not discounfortid if goddis helpe bidiþ longe. ¶ and so þe laste condicion þat sueþ þis blessid vertu is þat sche falliþ neuer doun, but lastiþ forþe for euere in þis world & in þe toþure, as loue of god failiþ not. & if a man knewekoude CC. no more of goddis lawe but þise sixtene condicions & bisyede him to kepe hem, he myȝt liȝtly come to heuen & wite who went amys.only in CC.

þer ben two offisis þat fallen to purging of þe chirche. þe toon falliþ to knyȝtis & kyngis wiþ oþere lordis, þat shulde defende wiþ strengþe þe lawe of crist in his boundis; & in þis seruyss þei holden of crist al þe lordchip þat þey han, & herfore þey shulden be war þat þey forfete not aȝenus þis lord. for ȝif þei ceessen of þis seruyss bi lesse tyme or more bi ony slouþe, god may not forȝete þis trespas but punysshe it in his tyme; & bi þis cause ben lordchipis chaungid, nou encreessid & nou destried. Þe toþer offiss to purge þe chirche falliþ to prestis, þat crist haþ ordeyned to telle generally his lawe to lordis & comyns what þey shulden do, & to stonde for goddis lawe to bodily deþ ȝif it be nede. & þus fiȝting of þes cristis knyȝtis stondiþ in paciense & passioun. & þus it is to saye shortly heere of þe offiss of goostly herde. Þer ben two þingis þat fallen to þe offiss of þis herde, & þes ben hoolynesse of lif & hoolsumnesse of his lore. A curat shulde preche to þe puple treuþis of goddis lawe þat euere ben grene, for þanne he lediþ his sheep wel in hool pasture þat wole not rote; & for hoolynesse of lif techiþ rude men by groos ensaumple, it is nede-ful to þis herde & to his floc to lyue hoolily. & herfore seyen hooly doctours þat þe lif of þis herde is a bok to lewyd men, & a marke þat þei shulden sue aftir. & herfore siþen crist is þe beste herde þat may not fayle in þis offiss, no cristenman shulde sue his prelate but in as myche as he sueþ crist. & þus an herde shulde passe in vertues his floc as þe herde passiþ his sheep, for he shulde be so sad in vertues & in suynge of þe firste herde þat neþer for coueytise ne fauoure ne drede of deþ he shulde not fayle; for þis herdis offiss is þe hierste þat criste ȝyueþ to ony man. & þus þey moten lerne þe craft of loue, to loue crist bifore alle oþere, & þanne a man loueþ þus crist whanne he kepiþ wel his biddingis; & ellis he is not worþy to haue siche a maystir, as þe gospel seiþ. &Matt. x. [37.] þus þis herde mut nedis knowe bileue, hope & charite. For ȝif he fayle in ony of þese he techiþ not wel his floc, ne puttiþ his lif for his sheep aȝenus þe wolf whanne myster is.

siþen a prest shulde be a mene bitwixe god & þe puple & teche þe puple þe wille of god, it is knowen þing bi skile þat whanne he erriþ in þis offiss he sinneþ more þan oþere men; & þus synnede scarioth more þan oþere comyn men. it is knowun bi bileue þat a man shulde not synne for to wynne al þis world, were it neuere so liȝt a synne; for ellis þis man synnede wel, & synnede not in synnynge þus. & þus a man shulde not synne al ȝif god bade hym synne, but god may not bidde man synne, as god hym silf may not synne. & siþen it mut nedis be synne to fayle fro suynge of crist, man shulde not fayle in þis suyt for god ne for ony creature. & it is knowun bi opyn skile þat it mut nedis be synne to fayle in suynge of crist for many resouns þer ben herof. for suynge of crist in vertues is so good þat it may not be yuel; and it is so liȝt a suyt þat no man is excuside bi noun power; & crist chees siche a lif to teche men to sue hym, & no man may come to heuene but ȝif he sue crist on sum maner. & þus al synne of man-kynde stondiþ in defaute of suyt of crist; & þus siþ ech cristenman haþ power of god to sue crist, he dissusiþ to myche his power þat vsiþ it not to sue þis lord. & heere men shulden be ware wiþ þe fend þat þey be not blyndid bi hym to seye who may be euene wiþ crist, & þus to allegge crist is but foly. Þis is þe lewiderste fendis skile þat euere cam out of his leesingis; for men wolen not be euene wiþ crist ne go bifore hym as petre wolde, but sue crist neer or ferrere, & ellis þey moten go amys. & þis may ech man do oþer more nyȝ or ferrere. & þus summe gon bifore crist & summe contrarien hym in þer weye. Þes men gon bifore crist þat feynen hem an hid power for pride or for couetyise, alȝif þis power be not groundid in crist, & þus don prelatis nou-a-dayes in asoyling & priuylegies. & oþere men gon bifore crist þat trowen þat þey ben mouyd bi pite to stire a man to do a dede, & ȝit it is aȝenus goddis wille; & þus it semyþ þat petre was mouyd to lette crist to die for men, & herfore was petre clepid satanas & bedun go bihynde crist; for no drede petre hadde be dampnyd ȝif he hadde not sorowid for þis synne. Þes men reuersen crist bi his godhed & his manhed þat han power of cristis godhed to do a þing vpon resoun, & ȝit þey letten to do it, doynge þe contrarye her-of. & siþen god is þe firste resoun many men in omissioun synne aȝenus crist, & þey moten nedis contrarie to hym. & þus men of þes newe ordris reuersen crist as satanas, for þey leeuen þat crist biddiþ & don newe biddingis vndir his power.

of þis goldun bileue shulden prestis take þis reule of crist þat poul ȝyueþ to tymothe, & in hym to alle cristen[1 Tim. vi. 8.] prestis: "hauynge fode & oþere þyngis bi whiche we ben skilefuly keuerid, be we payed wiþ þes two," & do we werk þat prestis shulden do. for ech prest shulde sue crist bi þe power þat crist haþ ȝouyn hym; but ech prest may liȝtly þus sue crist ȝif he lette not hym silf, & þus synne excusiþ hym not þat he synne not in þis noun suyt. & þus crist lyuede a comyn lif þat ech cristenman may sue, & noon of hem may be euene wiþ crist, for nedis cristis godhed mut be bifore. & þus ech cristenman may renne faste & he shal ay fynde crist bifore hym; be he pore, be he riche, be he feble, be he witty, he may not fayle in his good wille þat ne he shal sue crist in þat. & þus shal ech cristenman do, be he herde, be he sheep; but ȝif he take to be herde he shulde passe in witty suyng; & þis reule þat poul ȝyueth mouyde apostlis & oþere prestis, til þat þe chirche of rome was dowid, to sue crist in þe gospels pouert, & what þing þat a prest haþ more he haþ his meede heere but not in heuene. & þus poul vndirstondiþ bi fode, mete & drynk þat ben couenable to do betere þe seruyss of god; & not lustly deyntees of prestis, neþer to make þer body wantoun, ne gete hem worchip in ouer-greet meyne. two maner of hiling ben nedeful to prestis þat shulden do þis offiss; hiling of resonable cloþis, & eke hiling of skileful housis. but be war heere þat synne of curatis brouȝt in bi custom in þes two be not cause of þy synne to spende to myche in oþer of hem. & siþen we shulden be pilgryms heere & rowe wisely in þis boot to heuene, ȝif we passen þis fode & hiling we chargen vs silf wiþ|outen fruyt. & þus prestis shulden be war þat coueytise ouer þis reule of crist lette not prestis to holde poulis reule, for þanne þey synne in auerise. & þus prestis may bi þre enemyes be temptid to breke þis apostlis reule; bi þer fleys, & bi þe world, & bi pride of þe fend. Þat prest þat fediþ hym silf to lustfuly to plese his fleys mut passe resoun in his dispensis; & þat bringiþ in robbing of curatis. & þat prest synneþ bi þe world þat passiþ þis reule in to greet meyne or in to costly dispensis, & seiþ þe world nediþ herto. he synneþ bi tempting of þe fend, þat bi pride or worldly worchip coueytiþ more of siche godis þan resoun axiþ to his offiss. & þus onest pouert is best, moost sure, & moost liȝt to prestis heere; & bi þis cause crist helde þis meene bitwixe begging & worldly richees. & heere ben þre excusaciouns þat ben seyd to excuse prestis synne. summe seyen þat for worldly worchip þey moten passe þis reule of poul; & þus þei desiren more worldly worchip þan worchip of heuene in staat of blis bi þe holding of goddis reule. but where is more foly of man? Þe secound excusacioun of synne seiþ þat prestis moten do bodily almes, & algatis helpe folc of þer kynd. but þis telliþ an opyn blasfemye, þat crist was vnwiss in þis, siþ he vside not þis in word ne dede, for goostly almes is myche betere þan deling of þis worldly drit. Þe þridde excusacioun of prestis is þat þey moten nedis gedere godis for sekenesse & eelde & oþere caassis to helpe hem in tyme of nede. Þis is aȝenus þe lore of crist, to triste in help of worldly muc, & leeue to triste in god almyȝti for keping of his comaundementis.

but heere anticrist argueþ aȝenus þis lawe of god þat bi þis same skile lordis þat lyuen worldlily shulden holde hem payed of þer fode & þer hiling, but where were þanne þer lordchip & þer tresour to helpe reumes?

many siche ape resouns han men herd aȝenus crist, as ȝif an ape wolde argue þus: "a mannus eye is in his hed of sutil fode & vnhilid, bi þe same skile shulde his foot." Þis fend mut lerne arguyng, & wite to what ende god haþ ordeyned dyuerse lemes of hooly chirche, & þeraftir shapun hem godis. prestis shulden be in þe hierste staat, & sue crist in sure pouert. kyngis & lordis shulden be byneþe & shewe þe godhed of crist; & so hem falliþ to þer offyss to haue lordchip & worldly richees, & bi þis shulden þey shewe cristis power in his godhed. & cristis prestis shulden be pore & pacient bi cristis manhed. But hou ben worldly godis nedeful to kepe siche offiss of prestis? clerkis shulden shame of siche resouns, & algatis hou þey passen crist in taking of worldly lordchipis & hauyng of erþely tresour, þat shulden be proper to worldly men. crist wolde not in his persone ne in his apostlis haue siche richessis, but kepte lordchipis & worldly godis to kyngis & lordis of þis world; & certis þese axen bodily trauel & myȝti defense of goddis lawe þat shulden not acorde to prestis; wherfore shulden þei haue þes godis? & so worldly lordis shulden knowe wherfore god ȝaf hem þes godis, & serue god bi þes godis in myȝti defending of his lawe; for wite þey wel þat for þis defaute may þey be blamed of þis cheef lord. prestis shulden not lette þis ordenaunse, but helpe þat it were kept of þe chirche; for so dide crist in word & dede, why shulden not his prestis do so? auerous gedering of tresour is to blame in ech staat.

Ȝit argueþ anticrist aȝenus þis lawe þat poul haþ teld; apostlis as þei weren tauȝt of god chesiden to hem seuene dekenes to serue folc at þer mete & to do bodily almes. Why shulden not prestis do so, siþen þei kunnen wiseliere do þis?Acts [vi.] but heere men seyen as bifore þat þis smacchiþ an ape skile. for we graunten to þes spekeris þat boþe lowere prestis & dekenes may serue trewe men & pore in departing of mete to hem; but þey shulen not bi þis offiss leeue ay to preche cristis gospel. & so men shulden take heere good hede hou apostlis gederide not þes godis, but seculeris puttiden hem at þer feet; & ȝit þei leften not to preche for departing of þes godis. & þus a clerk or spenser of a curat may parte þes godis in þe name of hym. what lewid skile shulde moue of þis þat prestis shulden be seculer lordis, or haue worldly godis in propre, siþen apostlis kepten hem fro þes two. & heere men answeren to þe þridde skile þat anticrist makiþ heere; poul techiþ hou þat bishops shulden ordeyne wel for þer hous & herbore men wiþ-oute grucching, but herto þei moten haue wherof ouer þer fode & þer hiling. We graunten wel þat siche bishops as ben keperis of parischis shulden wel ordeyne for her housis boþe in prestis & oþer meyne, so þat þey hadden not to manye ne to ydil ne to synful. & siþen þey shulden haue ynow boþe of fode & of hiling, þey shulden not euere be so nedy þat ne þey myȝten helpe pore pilgryms. but heere þei hadden need to be war of herboringe of stronge beggeris & of myȝti men of þe world to haue heere þank of worldly manhed. Þey shulden kepe pore pilgryms for tyme þat þei hadden wher-of, & fede hem bi apostlis fode & not bi deyntees for worldly worchip. & þis shulde teche siche persones to take more hede to þer paryȝshis to fede her soulis goostly, al ȝif þey shulden do þis sumtyme. & þis were litil charite in persouns to spare hem silf for a nyȝt for to helpe þer euene cristen, whanne þey sawen þat þei hadden nede; & algatis to take siche gestis þat helden hem payed wiþ siche godis, & weren of þe noumbre of hem þat poul biddiþ to holde hem payed.

of þis it semyþ to many men þat neþer persoun ne prelat shulde wringe out þe godis of his sugetis bi cursis ne worldly ple. for þey ben pure almes as we supposen, on which almes shulde renne no ple; for þei shulden be willeful & ȝouyn wiþ-oute resoun of mannus dette. Also crist & his apostlis neþer cursiden ne pletiden for þer dette, & þey shulden be ensaumple to vs; why shulden we curse or plete for hem? & in tokene here-of god telde in his newe lawe litil or nouȝt of ȝyuyng of dymes. & it semyþ to trewe men þat god wolde þat dymes weren partid bi-twixe prestis & oþere pore men þat weren feble, lame or blynd. & therfore telliþ luk in hisLuke ix. gospel hou crist cam þoruȝ samary wiþ his disciplis, & þey wolden neþer ȝyue fode ne herbore for hym & hise; & ioon & iames axiden of crist þat fier shulde come doun fro heuene & destrie hem, as ely dide; but crist answeride to þes apostlis & tauȝte þat he wolde not curse þus: "ȝee witen not," seiþ crist, "whoos spiritis ȝee ben, & hou y loue mekenesse & paciense; for mannus sone cam not in-to þis world to lese mennus soulis but to saue hem." & iurisdiccioun of crist was largere & freere þan þe popis. siþen crist wolde not curse for þes wrongis, & þei weren more þan oure wrongis, bi what lawe shulden we haue title to curse þus for oure lesse wrongis? no drede crist hadde more riȝt to þes dymes þan ony cristen|man may haue to dymes or to offeringis or to ony good by mannus lawe; & siþen crist tauȝte in þis dede not to plete for his dette, why shulden not prestis sue crist heere, siþen cristis dedis ben myrour to hem?

& ȝif þey taken of þe olde lawe þat dymes ben due vn-to prestis, myche more in þe newe lawe whanne prestis ben more worþy bi crist. soþ it is þat dymes weren due to prestis in þe olde lawe, but þey weren holdun to do aȝen sleyng of beestis & hard seruyss. but god forbede þat oure prelatis oblische hem to trauele þus, for þanne þei abiden aȝenus bileue, sleyng of crist þat was þanne figurid. Also no man shulde plete an oþer, & algatis þe curat his sheep, but for charite to þe pleted man; siþen poul seiþ þat alle oure dedis shulden be don in charite, ȝe þat shulde strecche to oure enemyes. & ȝif þou seyst þat charite moueþ þee to plete þus for dymes, forȝyue þou hem as crist dide; for þat is more liȝt & of more loue. & ȝif a man plete in goddis cause & alegge þat þou hast synned in doyng of þyn herdis offiss, in þingis þat þou shuldist ȝyue þi sheep; no drede þou maist not answere heere ne iustefie þy part bi goddis lawe. & þus in þe newe lawe siþen prestis bi-gunnen to plete þus, þei han left to do þer offiss, as þei leften in þe olde lawe; & so in-stode of siche plees þe curat shulde moue his sheep bi paciense & oþere vertues & trewe trauel in his offiss. & ȝif þis wole not moue þe puple to ȝyue hym þingis þat ben nedeful, turne þis prelat to oþer puple; for so dide crist, & god failiþ not; or ellis lyue he on his bodily trauel or oþere mennus almes as poul dide.

of þis ground may men se ouer, þat ȝif an hye prelat charge a persoun to ȝyue hym godis þat is not groundid bi lawe of god for to ȝyue, þys persoun shulde not ȝyue þes godis, neþer for cursing ne oþere censuris. for a man shulde not asente to synne for noþing as it is seyd; & no drede þis persoun assentide to þe wrong of his prelat aboue, whanne he ȝyueþ þus pore mennus godis bi ȝifte þat goddis lawe techiþ not. for al treuþe is in goddis lawe, & dettis feyned wiþ-outen it ben pure robbery of þe puple; but who shulde not aȝen-stonde þis? & it is all oon to an hye prelat to curse þis persoun for þis cause & to seye: "robbe þou pore men, & take of hem so myche good, & y shal mayntene þi robbery, & ellis y shal curse þee in þyn hed & suspende þee & þe puple þat þey here not goddis seruyss." Who wolde not fle fro siche spuyling for siche feyned censuris of prelatis? but heere haþ þe fend shapun a sharp cautel to strengþen þis robbery. Þey wolen bi process of þer lawe priue a man of his benefiss & putte in an-oþer fend þat wole blely robbe pore men & þus ȝyue þis robbery to þis prelat of anticrist. & þis astonyeþ many persouns to stonde for riȝt aȝenus þe fend. but heere shulden alle þre partis of þe chirche helpe ech oþer aȝenus þe deuel, & wite wel first þat suche cursing or censuris ben vnskileful; & so men shulden quenche hem siþ þei ben aȝenus goddis lawe. & trewe persouns wiþ þer pariȝschis shulden not lette for siche manass to stonde algatis for þis treuþe, neþer for dispensis ne peyne; for siþen persouns shulden haue no godis to ȝyue þer prelatis but of þer sheep, what persoun shulde for al þis world make þis robbing of pore men? & ȝif manye wolden holde togedere in þis bileue aȝenus þe fend, it were a triacle aȝenus venym þat emperour prelatis sowen in þe folc. for no drede neþer persouns ne puple shulden assente herto for ony man. & þanne bischops & archidekenes wiþ þer officials & denes shulden not amersy pore men; for þis is worse þan comyn robberye, siþen ipocrisie is feyned ouer wrong-taking of þes godis. a prest shulde raþere leeue þis offiss & suffere deþ or he assentide by ony of sixe maner of consentis to siche piling of pore men. for it is in many caasis as myche synne to rob a wedewe or a pore fadirles child of a peny or an halpeny as it were to robbe a riche man of an hundrid markis worþ godis. & no drede siche cowarde prestis ben cause of al siche spuyling; & it is shewid by þis þefte þat þei louen more þer shepis godis þan þey don heelþe of þer soule, & þanne þay faylen of gode herdis, & ben hirid hynes or woluys, & þe puple shulde crye out on siche.

cristenmen of þis ground þenken þat pariȝschens shulden drawe fro persouns offeringis & dymes & oþere godis whanne þey faylen opynly in þer offiss, for siche assent is to blame þat nurshiþ persouns in siche synne. but what meede were it to pariȝshens to ȝyue her almes to siche a prelat to werre aȝenus crist & his chirche & mayntene þe fendis part aȝenus crist? siþen crist haþ tauȝt cristenmen hou þey shulden wisely do þer almes; not aȝenus þer oune hed, ne aȝenus þer modir hooly chirche. Also bileue in ioons epistle techiþ þat2 John [10]. men shulden not grete siche; but it is more to ȝyue hem almes þan to grete hem bi nakid word; myche more men shulden not grete hem wiþ almes, but fle fro hem as fro false prophetis. Also þe popis lawe biddiþ men to not here þe massis of prestis þat ben comyn lechours. Þanne ȝif prestis ben in more synne þat is more knowun to þe puple, þey shulden not take þes prestis seruyss; hou shulden þey herfore ȝyue hem almes? Also poul biddiþ drawe men to dele not wiþ siche men þat ben contrarie to goddis lawe, but sich prestis ben contrarie[1 Cor. v. 11.] to god & to his puple as wolues of raueyn; hou shulden men þanne ȝyue hem godis to peruerte so myche puple? for what euere þei don, in masse or mateyns or oþer dedis of þer lif, þey harmen hem silf & þer pariȝs & oþer pupleMS. pupple. þat is aboute hem. & bi þe same skile [they are] foolis þat ȝyuen þer godis as almes to siche prelatis; for siche ȝifte is not almes but ȝifte of helle to strengþe þe fend. & þe fend shulde shame heere to seye þat pariȝschens shulden not iuge of þe lif of þer prelat wheþer þat he be good or yuel; for þey shulden iuge to sue hym in as myche as he sueþ crist. & þus siþ crist biddiþ iuge his werkis, why shulden not men iuge & fle false prelatis? it is al oon to seye þis feynyng & to lette men to fle fro fendis & blesse hem fro þer wickid werkis, but teche men to assente to hem. lord, siþ crist biddiþ men þat þey shulden not trowe to hym but ȝif he dide his fadirs werkis, what priuylegie haþ anticrist heere þat men shulden trowe & susteyne hym in doyng of þe deuels werkis? Also crist techiþ in þe gospelMatt. v. [13.] þat ȝif salt vanyȝsche awey it is not worþ aftir but to be castun out & be defoulid of men; & þis salt shulde be þes prelatis. lord, wher þis casting out & þis defouling þat crist spekiþ of be ȝyuyng of godis to siche curatis, & mayntenyng of hem in þis staat. lord, siþen men doren not mayntene an opyn traytour of þe kyng, hou doren þey mayntene a more traytour & more harmful of ihesu crist? Þe harme þat wolde sue of þis lore semyþ to stonde in þis good, þat prestis shulden shewe bi þer werkis þat þey weren worþy to be helpid; but þis lore is tauȝt of crist, & blessid be þe weye þat techiþ it. Ȝif men iugen vndiscretly þey don hem more harm þan prestis, for laste prestis in vertuous lif & drede þey not of sustenaunse.

þis sentense of almes shulde strecche to plasis þat han chirchis approprid; as ben munkis & chanouns & seculer collegies. Þer ben þre maner of collegies þat vsen þis craft of appropring. Þe firste ben cathedral chirchis þat han pro|uendris approprid to hem; þe secounde ben chapels of prinsis þat han chirchis more approprid; þe þridde ben collegies of studies þat vsen þis same craft; bi þes may men knowe oþere þat han appropring of chirchis. For alle acorden in þis, þat þey han almes of pariȝschens & ȝit dwellen not on þe pariȝs as herdis for to teche hem; & þey blasfemen in god. for þey moten nedis seye þat god ordeynede þis; & siþ no cause is of þis almes, þei seyen þat god shoop þis wiþ-oute cause. Also god haþ ordeyned heere in erþe almes to be delid as he deliþ reyn; but he deliþ reyn as it is nede, bi smalle dropis where erþe is drye; hou shameþ not anticrist heere to make siche dichis & waste drye erþe? no drede he is an yuel god, þat þus reuersiþ goddis ordeynaunse. & ȝif siche collegies feynen þat þey preyen & oþere weyes profiten to þer pariȝschis, men shulden not þus chaffere wiþ preyere; for þey witen nere wher þey ben dampnyd. & preyour of siche fendis is litil worþ, ȝe to hemsilf, hou feden þey sheep? Also almes shulde be fre & discreet as goddis lawe techiþ, for ellis it were not meedeful, & god ȝaue no leeue to do it; what meede shal a pore man haue þat he sufferiþ aȝenus his wille his almes be borun to cayms castel to fede a floc of anticristis? certis þey don þes pariȝschis no good ne to general hooly chirche, but ȝif þei don good as þe fend þat reuersiþ goddis ordenaunse. men shulden seke ground of siche collegies, wheþer god haþ ordeyned hem to be, & þe floc fed bi hem þat ben so fer & so lewid. & þus þes nouelries of collegies semen to tempte crist as þe fend, for þey gon not to heuene bi greesis þat god haþ ordeyned to lede þidur, but þey wolen fle bi þe fendis craft & leeue þe weye þat crist haþ set. crist ordeynede þat his herdis shulden dwelle wisely vpon his sheep, & teche hem boþe bi lif & word hou þey shulden lyue to come to heuene; but anticrist castiþ an-oþer gile, þat his herdis dwelle afer in castels & be doump of lore of lif & lore of word to helpe þer sheep, & so it is nedeful þat þe puple be dis|seyued in body & soule. Þey ben disseyued in þer body, for þei ben robbid of bodili good & it is clepid almes bi ipocrisie. & þus þey ben goostly disseyued, boþe for hem wantiþ teching to wende to heuene bi cristis weye, & for þey ben led to helle bi errour of þe fendis weye. crist seiþ þat he is weye, & grounde þou þis apropring in crist, for ȝif crist grounde it not, it is þe brode weye to helle; it is a newe foundun weye for sutilte aȝenus charite, but þe kyngis weye is crist þat lediþ surely to heuene.

but heere moueþ þe fend men to feyne falsly aȝenus treuþe. many men taken as bileue þat þei ben lordis of þer oune godis, & þanne it is leeueful to hem to do þer almes where euere þey wolen. but where shulden þey do þer almes but to ȝyue þer dymes & þer offeringis, & to siche curatis þat þe pope & bischops lymiten hem, for ellis myȝte a man be dampnyd wiþ-outen ony defaute of hym; for hou shulde a lewid man do but as his prelat techiþ hym?

Heere men seyn bi goddis lore þat ech man þat haþ dis|crecioun shulde be tauȝt wiþ-ynne bi god of grete articlis of bileue; but oon article of bileue next aftir þe hooly goost is to trowe hooly chirche þat is cristis spouse & oure modir. & þis is a foul errour to take þe spouse of þe fend & worchipe here as cristis spouse boþe in word & in dede. we may not ȝit wite for certeyn which persone is of cristis spouse of alle þe men þat wandren heere, but we may gesse & þat is ynow. As we gessen þat þis man þat holdiþ wel cristis lawe is a leme of hooly chirche, þe which chirche is oure modir, So we gessen of an-oþer man þat reuersiþ cristis lawe, þat he is a leme of þe fend & no part of hooly chirche; & we shulden not ȝyue dymes ne offeringis to siche men as to hooly chirche, as we shulden not loute þe fend al ȝif he shewide hym in ymage of crist. & herfore crist & his apostlis weren not gredy of worldly godis, but helden hem payed of fode & hiling, & so don prestis of cristis chirche. & þus siþ crist is cheef lord, men moten dispende cristis godis on þat maner þat crist haþ lymyted, & not hou euere a man wole, & it is not ynow to do good but ȝif a man do it wel. for þe gospel of ioon telliþ þat crist seiþ of summe foolis þat þei shulen deme[John xvi. 2.] to obesche to god in pur-suyng of his apostlis; as poul wente þat he dide wel to drawe cristenmen to ierusalem. & þus it is nyȝ þe perel to ȝyue bodily almes to men but ȝif men knowen hem betere, & þanne in litil quantite. & herfore crist tauȝte not his apostlis to bisie hem abou te siche almes but aboute goostly almes, þat is preching of þe gospel; but bodily almes is brouȝt yn bi freris & oþere stronge beggeres. & þes fendis clerkis feynen almes whanne it is noon almes but synne. & þus errour in bileue, to trowe to þe pope & to bischops as men shulden trowe goddis lawe, makiþ many men blamed of god. for men shulden trowe to þes prelatis aftir þer dedis groundid in goddis lawe; but men shulden trowe to cristis lawe ouer þis as bileue. but ȝit þe fend disseyueþ men þat þey ȝyuen not þis almes vnto ioon or to robert, but to god & in his name bi good entent, & þat is ynow; for a man shulde paye his dette to hym þat is traytour to god. Heere is myche for to seye, for þe fend takiþ fals þat foolis ȝyuen not þer almes to robert þat is a leme of þe fend. & ȝif þei ȝyuen þis þus to god, þei ȝyuen it on an yuel maner; but men witen þat it is dampnable to ȝyue to god þer seruyss yuele as ech fend þat is in helle ȝyueþ to god his dampnyng. & þus men moten riȝte þer entent, & ȝyue discretly goddis godis, for wenyng to do wel in many caasis is not ynow. & as anentis worldly dette þer is an-oþer resoun þer-of; for a man may meedefuly ȝyue it to hym þat shal aftir be dampnyd; for þis is no willeful almes but ȝilding of dette bi mannus lawe.

ȝit argueþ þe fend to colour siche appropringis, þey ben con|fermed of þe pope & approuyd of þe court, who may im|pungne þis dede but ȝif he impungne þe pope; & of þis it wolde sue þat þe pope & hise ben opyn heretikis, but where were þis fiȝtinge chirche ȝif þis were soþ of þe pope, ȝif þe pope & alle his clerkis weren dyuydid fro cristis chirche. for holding of cristis religioun shulde stonde moost in þe clergye, & algatis in þes newe ordris as ben freris, munkis & chanouns.

heere seyen trewe men in god more hardily þan þey weren wont þat þis is a lewid skile, ȝif þe pope approue þis þing þanne þis þing mut nedis be trewe, for herby þe contrarye is þe more licly. for siþ þe pope is more tempted þan oþere men & more led bi þe fend, it semyþ bi þe popis confermyng þat þis is þe fendis werk. & heere is more coloure in þis resoun þan in resouns þat aristotle telliþ þat ȝif a man haue a kempt hed þanne he is a leccherous man. sumtyme it may falle so & sumtyme þe contrarye may falle, as þe pope may sumtyme falle on þe soþe & sumtyme discorde þerfro, as he may bi fauoure or money approue fiȝting of prestis & ful asoyling of men þat fiȝten faste in his cause. but trowe we herfore þat god wole folde fro riȝtwesnesse of his lawe? for god is moost mersiful al ȝif he suffere siche blasfemyes, & þus he wolde þat mersy were in men & forȝyuenesse of þer wrongis; & not þat men shulden fiȝte to-gidere for siche lordchip of anticrist. Ȝif it be treuþe of goddis lawe god in þat confermeþ it, & ȝif it be falsed aȝenus god, ȝit it is treuþe as austyn seiþ, & so god confermeþ it to be punyȝschid bi his wille; but þe fend is autour þer-of & stiriþ men to trowe to it. & þus men þat han kunnyng & knowen þe errours of þe pope shulden wiþ mekenesse & obediense telle þes errouris to hym & oþere. For þus dide poul for liȝt synne þat petre did aȝen þe chirche, & ellis men loueden not þe pope ne iesu crist ne his chirche. Þus bi cautels of þe fend is hate turnyd to name of loue & loue turnyd to name of hate, & þus ben many men disseyued. & men trowen as bileue þat þe pope haþ no power but to edifie þe chirche bi þe lawe þat god haþ ȝouyn; for poul seiþ he haþ noon oþer, & he hadde as myche as þe pope. & siþ þer is no power but of god, & god ȝyueþ no power to destrie his spouse; neþer pope ne oþer man haþ power but to helpe þe chirche bi goddis lawe. & þus feynyng of anticristis powere, þat is fals aȝenus þis treuþe, comeþ of þe fadir of lesingis & disseyueþ many men. & as anentis heresies of þe pope & his clerkis supposen many trewe men þat he & hise ben heretikis, for þei holden aȝenus goddis lawe worldly lordchipis in prestis hondis, & þis is aȝenus crist & his lawe, & maynteynenmayntenyd MS. wrong aȝenus worldly lordis. crist wole punyȝsche þis heresie & make it more knowun her-aftir, al ȝif anticrist & hise seyn nou þat noone ben heretikis but þei þat seyen þus. mennus diffynyng of heresie is litil worþ but to blame men þat don & speken aȝenus goddis lawe, for siche ben mooste heretikis. & þus appropring of chirchis, newe brouȝt in bi þe fend, soweþ symonye & lesingis to make þis propring to be grauntid. & þus algatis ben pore men robbid of worldly godis & goostly help, & þe fend haþ an entre to ouercome helples men, as ben men of siche pariȝschis & oþere þat assenten herto.

ȝit argueþ þe fend þat bi þis foly þat heere is spokun alle col|legies þat ben in studies shulden be destried; but where were þanne cristendom? for ȝif philosofie & dyuynite wantiden in þe reume of englond, where were þanne bileue of men or goddis lawe in englond? for collegies in oxneford & caumbrige ben foundid on siche appropringis, & collegians wenden out & prechen & quykenen many partis of englond; & degre takun in scole makiþ goddis word more acceptable, & þe puple trowiþ betere þerto whanne it is seyd of a maistir.

heere men seyn þat many goodis han comun bifore of siche studies, but neuere so myche siþen collegies weren dowid as dide bifore þer rentis weren proprid; & þerfore it were good þat þes studies & collegies þat ben in hem stooden in as myche as þei acorden to goddis lawe & lyuen wel, & as myche as þei discorden fro cristis lawe þat þey weren mendid. but siþ þat apostlis token no siche degre & crist forfendide hem to be clepid maystris, it semeþ þat þis heþen maner brouȝt in inMatt. xxiii. studies discordiþ fro þe gospel; & as preching of apostlis was betere þan is preching of þes maystris, so prestis wiþ-oute degre of scole may profite more þan don þes maystris. take þe good fro þe yuel, & holde þe good & leeue þe yuel; & moue it not þee þat of siche yuel comeþ myche good to men & reumes, for god wole suffere noon yuel be don but ȝif good come þerof. & þus ȝif comyng of good þat springiþ of yuel bi goddis grace shulde moue men to do þat yuel, & continue it & holde it, ech yuel shulde be don & a man shulde fle noon yuel; for yuel of fendis doiþ myche good, as adam & eue diden good in synnyng, but it was don on yuel maner & þerfore þe maner shoulde be fled. & þus ȝif dyuynite were lernd on þat maner þat apostlis diden, it shulde profite myche more þan it doiþ nou bi staat of scole, as prestis nou wiþ-oute siche staat profiten more þan men of siche staat; & contynue þey in good lif & in boundis of goddis lawe, & þis shal make þe folc more trowe þan doiþ degre takun in scole. & manye sciensis ben vsid in scole þat profiten not to goddis lawe, but tarien & letten fro þis lawe, as poul techiþ opynly. & þus mannus lawe tauȝt in scolis lettiþ goddis lawe to growe, & no drede god is þat maistre þat wole teche nou as redily as he wolde bifore þis tyme, ȝif prestis lif be shapun þerto. & þat semyþ no good mene to passe ouer cristis ordenaunse & his lawe for good þat god sendiþ herof, for þanne men shulden [not] drede to synne. & þus men of scole trauelen veynly for to gete newe sutiltees, & to magnefie þer name for þer worchip & þer wynnyng, & þe profit of hooly chirche bi þis weye is put abac. & in making of þes maystris ben pore mennus godis ofte wasted, & þe kyng of pride is hied & cristis mekenesse is put bihynde. many siche synnes þat stiren to stryues comen of siche partis in studies; & þus bi propring of chirchis comeþ riȝtly noon help to þe chirche.

it were to speke ouer þis of dymes & of offeringis þat ben hire to prestis þat don trewely þer seruyss; & dymes ben clepid goddis part in goddis lawe for greet wit. many causis men tellen comynly why dymes ben clepid goddis part. nyne partis ben of creaturis & god is in þe tenþe degre; & in tokene þat god is lord general ouer alle creaturis, men ȝyuen god þe tenþe part in tokene of his general lordchip. þe werkes of þe sixe dayes in whiche god made þe world holden sixe kyndis of þingis in þis ordre of ten; & ȝit þer ben nyne ordris of aungels, al ȝif þe firste bok of þe bible specifie not þes nyne ordris, as poul doiþ in his bokis. þe eyȝthe maner of creaturis ben comyn þingis þat god haþ maad, & hooly writ spekiþ of hem in many bokis of goddis lawe. þe nyneþe maner of creaturis, & þe hierste of alle oþere, is þe manhed of crist: & on þis sueþ his godhed, & þis tenþe þing is hierst lord of al maner of creaturis. & god moueþ al maner of tungis to clepe þis firste noumbre of ten bi symple name & aftirward þei clepen it bi a gederid name; & þis may men se in many tungis. & þis mouyde men in many agis to paye to god þe tenþe part, so þat bi þis þey confessiden to hym þe generalte of his lordchip; & þis cause is ynow to moue men to paye dymes. but it were for-to wite whiche men shulden reseyue dymes. þe firste bok of þe olde lawe telliþ of abel & caym, hou þey brenten þer tyþis to god, & þe smoke wente up to heuene. & it is licly þat þis maner lastide vn-to þe tyme of moyses; but god lymytide in moysees lawe þat prestis & dekenes shulden lyue on dymes, & semelily þis maner lastide vn-to þe comyng of crist. but nou in þe þridde tyme of grace prestis & prelatis chalengen to hem dymes & mennus offeringis bi autorite of þe olde lawe, & þis semyþ skileful, so þat men trauele wel wiþ hem, for men shulden paye þer dymes ȝit as þey diden in þe olde lawe, but þey shulden not brenne hem nou, for þer ben many pore goddis seruauntis. & þus lawe & skile chacchiþ men to ȝyue to trewe prestis þes dymes, for þis were moost liȝt & resonable ȝif þat prestis lyuen wel. & men neden not to rikene heere hou ofte þe olde lawe biddiþ þat prestis shulden haue hem; but for crist & hise apostlis weren fewe & lyueden on litil almes, y can-not se bi goddis lawe þat ne dymes may be partid among cristis pore men, þe whiche crist telliþ in þe gospel, as pore feble & pore lame & pore blynde.Luke xiv. [13.] & prestis ben þe firste for þei shulden be pore as crist, & feble þey ben to do þer seruyss & to gete þer-wiþ fode & hiling. crist koude bi weye of myraclis & weye of almes gete ynow, but ȝit crist was pore & feble & figuride prestis aftir to come.

it were to shewe aftir þis þat þe lawe þat god ȝyueþ bi seynt poul his apostle in his writing to tymothe shulde not ceesse for oure taking of offeringis & dymes bi þe olde lawe. Seynt poul biddiþ to tymothe & rikeneþ hym silf as o man to whiche þat he spekiþ to, & ȝyueþ hem þis reule of god: "whanne we han fode & hiling, be we payed of1 Tim. vi. [8.] þes þingis." lord, siþ þis is a skileful reule þat goddis lawe ȝyueþ to prestis & clerkis, why shulden þey leeue þis for a willeful chesing þat þey taken of þe olde lawe? specialy siþ þes two lawis acorden boþe in wordis & resoun þat prestis shulden lyue on dymes & be payed of fode & hiling. certis ȝif god wolde þat þe toon ceesside, we shulden not take þes two to-gidere; but god were in þis to blame þat he telde not which he wolde were kept. siþen we taken dymes of þe olde lawe bi oure oune autorite, leeue we not þis bileue þat god ȝyueþ vs bi poule apostle; algatis siþ þis is skileful & ynow to a trewe prest. & of þis may men se ouer þat prestis shulden not gedere to hem dymes & offerringis of many chirchis, þat weren ouer þer fode & hilinge, for þus it were not leeueful to a prest for to do in þe olde lawe; myche more we shulden not do þus, siþ crist kepte so streyt pouert. Ȝif a prest myȝte be two men & do fully þe trauel þat fellide to hem, þanne it were to hym a coulur to take ful hire of two men; for men ben nou more insufficient þan þei weren in cristis tyme. but ȝit it semyþ excusable to haue to-gidere many benefisis, so þat þey come not alle to-gidere but to a skileful sustenaunse of man. but be þou war heere wiþ ydilnesse & wiþ exceesse of dispensis, & algatis putte þy bisynesse to serue god & helpe his chirche, & loue more þes two þingis þan worldly worchip or worldly richees. & þus þer ben many mennus lawis of departing of persouns godis, hou þey shulen be delid on foure partis. hou þey & herne shulen first take mesurably of þes godis; þe secound part shulde be ȝouyn to pore & nedy folc wiþ-outeward; þe þridde part shulde be ȝouun to making of þe chirche & ournementis of it; & þe fourþe part shulde be dispendid to kepe þe housis of þe personage. & þis parting were ofte vnskileful, & þus siche general lawe were nouȝt. & þer ben oþere difficultees heere, what þing men shulden tiþe, as wode or erbis or oþer fruyt; wher laboreris shulden tiþe þer hire; & hooris or vsureris tiþe þer wynnyng; wiþ many siche doutis in lawe; þe whiche dyuynes shulden leeue vntretid, & lyue in pouert & serue þe chirche. for cristis prestis shulden haue no custom to ocupie hem wiþ siche stryues, but gedere al þer bisynesse to serue god & his chirche.

it were to telle ouer þis hou þes herdis shulden kepe þer sheep in hoolynesse of þer oune lif & in preching of goddis word. & þanne þey ledden hem bi grene lesewis & water of heuene þat ben hoolsum, & þis is þe firste offyss of þre þat falliþ to a goostly shepparde. first shulde þe persoun fle in hym silf lustly fode & proud aray, & þenke on þis, þat his godis whanne þei ben gederid, be þey neuere so many, ben gederid of his pore pariȝschens, as ben wedewis & nedy men; so þat o peny gederid þus wolde saue þe lif of his sheep þat steruyþ. & þus it is a fendis boost to a curat to auaunte hym þat he may so myche dispende bi ȝeere, siþ þei ben cuylid pens of pore men; & þis is noon auaunt to þe persoun, but resoun to rikene for al þis almes. & þis is more þan worldly dette, siþen he is holdun to ȝelde betere; & oure iuge may not be disseyued, siþ he is crist wisdom of god. þes curatis þat lyuen to lustly shulden þenke hou godis þat þey han ben gederid of pouert of symple men bi streit nede & hard lif. but who wolde waste a precious water þat were distillid bi bisy trauel, & caste þis water in a lake where it stood to no mannus profit? & þes men þat lyuen þus lustly ben þe more vnhable to preche & to preye; but no drede, siþ oure god is resoun & þe freest man þat may be, he wole þat curatis haue skileful fode; but þer lust may not be iuge heere, but resoun must nedis iuge, for it mut iuge at domes day. & þe same skile is of oþer aparel, to bac, to chaumbre & to halle, as many han to costly cloþis, furrours & girdlis & shap of hem; & ende of þis is worldly glory & no profit to þer soulis; & þe same synne is in aparel of chaumbre, as in proud beddis testeris & curteyns: bi þis may men se veyn dispensis þat þe fendis cautil haþ foundun. curiouste stondiþ in hallis, boþe in making of þe housis, in doseris, bancurs & cuȝshens, & mo veyn þingis þan we kunnen rikene, as ben diȝschis & coupis of siluer & oþer vessel, & costly naprye. in alle siche shulden persouns þenke of þis reule þat god haþ ȝouyn of skilefulskilefuly MS. ende of alle siche þingis; & mesure þe menes bi þis ende, & euere more drawe to pouert, þat it shyne in alle siche þingis. but prestis wasting in oþere þingis, as ben horsis, haukis & houndis, & costly making of feestis, ben ful dampnable bifore god; for þey shynen wiþ worldly ioye, & ben writun wiþ vicis aȝenus resoun. what skile is it at þe day of doom to answere to þe lord of þes godis þat pore men, þat shulden haue þes godis, periȝsche wiþ-outen bi many defautis, & her godis be wastid wiþ-ynne wiþ rot & wormes & oþer maner. þis is no skileful acounte to god to ȝyue hym rikenyng of his tyþis.

it were for to wite ouer hou prelatis shulden teche þer sugetis to vencuȝsche þe world & þe fend, for to þis lore ben þei holdun. lore to vencuȝshe þe world stondiþ specialy in charite, & in fleyng of coueytise to godis of þer pariȝs & oþere; & so it semyþ an yuel lore to ȝyue pariȝschens ensaumple to plete & to stryue wiþ hem for litil, whanne þey han ynow bi-syde. for siche ple is groundid in wronge don aȝenus goddis lawe, for bi goddis lawe prestis shulden haue no more but fode & hiling for þer offiss, & al þe remenaunt of þer hire þey shulden hope of god in blis. Also it falliþ comynly þat a curat dispendiþ as myche in plees mayntenyd for his tiþis as ben þe tiþis in hem silf; but where is þanne encrees of his wynnyng? it semyþ þat wraþþe of his pariȝschen & harm of hym stonden for þe wynnyng; but hou stondiþ þis wiþ charite to þe man þat prestis shulden algatis loue? & þus biddiþ poul to cristenmen, but specialy[Rom. xii. 19.] to curatis, þat þey shulden be moost dere & not defende þer oune persone; myche more þey shulden not defende þe godis þat ben not sib to hem, but men shulden ȝyue stede to ire & algatis prelatis, in suffering of wronge for siche ire, baytiþ a pariȝshen aȝenus þe persoun longe tyme aftir. & ȝif þe pope feyne heere þat he ȝyueþ lawis & weye to hem to defende a mannus wrongis in his court; & þis is shewid for many wrongis ben riȝtid þere. & þus þey clepen hym a champioun of riȝt of god, þat can wel plete &, as þey speken, wynne to hooly chirche godis þat shulden falle to it. preise þey þis court þat han mater, but certis heere is no mater; for þis is a cautel of þe fend contrarie to goddis lawe. studie þey cristis paciense & make þei þer chayer in cristis cros, & loke þey wheþer crist or his apostlis tauȝten þus to plete for worldly þingis. & certis þey moten nedis sue crist ȝif þey wolen holde þe weye to heuene. fro a litil errour out of þis weye may a man come bi grace aȝen, but myche errour wiþ errour of wit makiþ man to growe in more errour, & no drede, proue who euere wole, a special medicyn aȝenus þe world is to leeue stryues in worldly causis; for þus tauȝte crist wiþ his membris. & þus who so wole ouercome þe fend, leeue he þe fendis lawe & þe world, & lede he his lif bi cristis lawe, & þus he shal best vencuȝshe hym & ȝyue ensaumple to oþere men, boþe to his pariȝshens & oþere, hou þey shulden vencuȝshe þe fend. for þes two lawis ben graues to þe fend to gnare men in his net. ȝif þou fle pride & his retenu, þanne þou vencuȝchist wel þe fend; & teche þou þis rewle to oþer men, & þanne þou doost a curatis office.

it were forto wite ouer hou curatis wasten pore mennus godis in makinge þer kyn riche; bisyde þat þey spenden in þer oune persone; & þus ben many in englond maad riche fro ful symple staat. & it semyþ þat þe kyng of pride haþ tauȝt þis bi his firste synne, for many curatis han delit to haue riche men of þer kyn & þat þer eldris weren noble men, as ȝif þer kynrede were noble; & þus hem silf shulden seme noble, as ȝif þey camen of greet blood. & siche ben turnyd in-to woluys fro herdis staat, as ipocritis; for þey semen to have an herdis staat, & ȝit þey ben many tymes fendis. for we shulden wite þis at þe bigynnyng þat prestis ben maad prelatis of men, not to lyue worldlyly ne lustly ne proudely, but to lyue in bisy trauel to kepe þer sheep & wynne hem heuene; & so þei moten lyue trewely, trauelously & perelously, siþen þei moten putte þer oune lif for þer sheep, as crist dide. to þis riching of þersouns kyn moueþ þe fend þes ipocritis bi feyned mersy & bi kynde; & boþe he seiþ comen of god. What man shulde not haue mersy on his pore kyn to helpe hem, for heere is more cause of mersy þan to helpe oþere straunge men; as a man loueþ bi kynde more his lemes þan oþere mennus, so bi kynde he shulde loue more his kyn þan oþere strange men. & by þis cause many prelatis coueyten to be riche & auaunsen men of þer kyn, al ȝif þey ben idiotis; but þe bileue of iesu crist shulde teche men to quenche þis pride. crist louyde ful wel his kyn, as his modir & his cosyns, but he louyde hem not to be worldly riche but forto lyue a pore lif, bitwixe siche richees & beggyng; for þus men shulden haue lyued in staat of innocense & staat of blis, & þis is best for þe soule þe which men shulden moost loue. & þe loue of crist is loue so nedeful to cristenmen, þat þer loue is but hate but ȝif it be ensaumplid of cristis loue. & þus clerkis haten þer kyn þat maken hem riche of pore mennus godis; for bi þis þey harmen þer soule & maken hem synne bi many weyes. þer body is þus more vnhable to serue þer soule in temperure, & þey ben felowis bi assent to robbe þes pore men of þer godis; & no drede cause of þis pride is vnprofitable to hem, for nobley in vertues shulde be coueytid & worldly nobley litil teld by, but in as myche as it helpide men to kepe nobley in vertues. & in tokene of þis þing crist cam boþe of riche men & pore, as of kyngis & bonde men þe while þey lyueden in egipt. & boþe þes condiciouns diden good whanne grace of crist mouyde men to vertues. & þus þes prelatis harmen þer kyn to make hem riche on þis maner. & þus þes curatis louynge þus þer kyn synnen many weyes in maner of loue, for þey louen þer oune fleys more þan þey louen þer briþeren in god, & crist seiþ þey ben not worþy of crist to be clepid cristenmen; & ȝit crist shulde be oure nexste fadir, & his chirche oure nexste modir. & þus þes prelatis þat turnen þis loue synnen boþe in god & man, & disusen kyndely wille as don synneris in leccherye; & þus þey synnen in mersy & loue & in god & þer pore parischens. & herfore seiþ poul þat persouns offiss shulde not be to parte þes godis, but to preche & teche þe folc & holde hem payed wiþ fode & hiling. but litil errour & ydilnesse in þe bigynnyng of a staat bringiþ in more aftir, as it falliþ heere & in oþere statis.

it were to wite ouer þis hou men fallen in þis synne, & what medicyn were aȝenus it, siþ þis werk is so precious. þre maner of folc synnen heere; sumtyme þe prest þat shulde preche, þe puple þat shulde here þis preching, & he þat lettiþ goddis word to renne. þis prechoure may synne on many maners bi þat þat he sowiþ not good seed, but iapis & gabbingis or oþere tryuolis, & leeueþ to preche þe word of god. for luk seiþ þat þat is seed þat no defaute is foundun ynne, al ȝif þre defautes ben in þe lond vpon which þis seed is castun. on oþer maner þis prest þat sowiþ may meddle venym wiþ þis seed, as whanne he prechiþ for veyn glory or for coueytise of worldly good. & herfore seiþ poul to his puple þat we ben not holours of goddis word, but of clennesse, as we speken of god, we speken bifore god in crist. & wolde god þat prechours nou wolde lerne þis lessoun of poul; þanne þey shulden speke of god & not þus of rotun seed, & as þei weren bifore god, kepinge good maner in þis lordis presence. & þey shulden preche for cristis worchip on his maner not for muc. for among alle symonyes þat euere crist sufferide in þe chirche þis is þe fouleste of alle oþere, vsid ofte of prechour beggeres, for þey wolen gedere comynly godis aftir þat þey han prechid; oþer money or corn or what oþere godis þat þey may gete. & þe fonnydnesse of þe puple makiþ hem parcneris of þe beggeris synne, for whanne þey ȝyuen hem godis heere þey assenten to þer symonye. & þis is a foul errour þat many seyn in þis mater þat þey ȝyuen for goddis loue & þat is ynow for hem, for certis þis wiss lord axiþ boþe his godis & good maner. & for þis good maner man haþ meede, & ȝif he fayliþ hym wantiþ meede; & to destrie þis errour seiþ crist in þe gospel of seynt matheu þat summe dampnyd men shulen seye to crist: "sire,[Matt. vii. 22.] kestiden we not out fendis in þy name & diden vertues in þy name?" but crist shal seye to þese men: "soþely, y seye to ȝou y knowe ȝou not as children of blis, for ȝee failiden of good maner." lord, siþ þes men shulen be dampnyd þat prechen goddis word in cristis name & casten out fendis & don vertues, what meede shulen þes beggeris haue, þat faylen in þis & lyȝen on crist & seyn þat crist beggide þus to holde vp þer newe ordris. crist wiste ful wel þat þes shulden come whanne he bad hem not go fro hous to hous,[Mark vi. 8-10.] but dwelle in oon & wende not þennus, & bere not vpon þer backis baggis ne sachels to begge þus.

as anentis two oþere defautis þat letten goddis word to growe, crist telliþ þre defautis in þe erþe þat shulde take þis word. summen ben bi-syde þe weye, & so bisied wiþ þe world þat goddis word takiþ not wiþ hem, but þe fendis letten it. oþere men ben drye as stoons & han no delit in wordis but ȝif þey sounen to worldly wynnyng, & þese wanten boþe grace & wisdom. þe þridde maner of men þat heren goddis word ben so prickid wiþ worldly richees þat þe þenking on þes godis lettiþ þe word of god to growe; & to þes þre may be reducid al þe synne in þe hereris. þe þridde men synnen more, as ben emperour prelatis þat wolen not suffere a man to preche whanne he telliþ þer defautis but whanne he preisiþ hem & herne, & þis nurschiþ myche synne. for siche prelatis þat kunnen not preche or wolen not for bisynesse, & letten oþere trewe prestis to preche bi þer lordly cautels, passen þe fend in þis synne bi menes þat he haþ ordeyned to hem. for þe fend haþ no iurisdiccioun ne feyned power as þey han, & þus þat he may not do hym-silf he doiþ bi siche seruauntis to hym. & no drede þis is þe fendis dede to lette men to sowe goddis word, for þerby þer soulis shulden be fed & goddis worchip be don of men, but þey maken a goostly hungir & stoppen þe worchip of god. but where is a worse condicioun folowinge prelatis of anticrist? it were yuel to lette gendrure maad in laweful matrymonye, þat pharao dide not in egipt but dreynte þe children whanne þey weren borun, but þis is worse wiþ-outen mesure to lette þus crist to be gendrid in men. siche a prelat semyþ a wickid hayward to lette trewe men forto trauele & go euene bi goddis weye, in which crist haþ ȝouyn hem leeue to go. for god þat ȝyueþ siche wit & wille shapiþ þe puple to take þis seed. & it is al oon to seye þat y shul lette þee bi iurisdiccioun, & to seye þis is a place þat þe fend is lord of & not crist; & as þes wordis ben nedis false, so is þis iurisdiccioun; for he haþ no riȝt to seye þes wordis, but þei ben falsly feyned of þe fend. & freris procuren comynly boþe lordis & bischops to lette þis preching, so þat þer fals preching be sprad & þer wynnyng aȝenus crist, & þus is þe puple robbid of goostly help & bodily. We graunten þat iurisdiccioun shulde lette false prechours to preche; but nou haþ þe fend turnyd cristis chirche bi his prelatis, þat he þat wolde treuly preche þe word of þe gospel wiþ-outen hire, he shal be put a-bac, & contrarie prechour shal be takun, & þus wickid hay|wardis of þe fend letten þis seed þat crist shulde sowe.

of þis may wise men see þat þes foure sectis newe brouȝt in, as emperour clerkis, munkis & chanouns & þes foure ordris of freris, disturblen moost þis fiȝtinge chirche & putten it fro þe cours of crist, & þus þes men þat nurshen hem, as worldly lordis & fonnyd comyns & lewid prestis, þat kunnen not speke or doren not speke in goddis cause, nurshen anticrist & hise traytourly aȝenus crist. þat ordre þat crist haþ ordeyned in his chirche shulden we holde, & mende errours in þis ordre; & not bringe in newe charg to þe chirche. for as wanting of gode partis is defaute in oure modir body, so superfluyte is defaute in þe same body; For þis bringiþ in ydilnesse & charging of hooly chirche. & bileue techiþ men þat þer is as myche wit in þe ordenaunse of crist as in þe wordis of his gospel; and bileue techiþ ouer þat crist faylide not to his chirche to ȝyue his ordenaunse to it in þe making of hir partis. for men putten as myche wit or more to good ordenaunse of man as to worching of man aftir þis ordenaunse bifore. for wisere men moten ordeyne first, & lesse wiss moten worche þer-aftir. & þis moueþ many men to speke aȝenus þes foure sectis, for no man kan grounde hem in þe ordenaunse of cristis lawe, & no man seiþ þat crist forȝat hem ȝif crist wolde þat þey weren of his chirche; & þus men putten vpon crist oþer foly or necgligense. but who shulde here þis blasfemye but ȝif he spake sharply aȝenus it? cristis ordenaunse is put bi-hynde & his lore, & oþer brouȝt in, & þis turneþ þe chirche vpsedoun, & lettiþ men to serue crist. and lewid foolis, þat arguen heere þat crist ordeyned not þis prest, shulden lerne þe lawe of porfirie, hou god ordeynede in a comyn þing alle þe synguleris þer-of. & þus dwelle þou in þe iust boundis þat god haþ ordeyned for his prest, & þanne god haþ ordeyned þee in þe comyn kynde of prestis. but anticrist can-not grounde þat god ordeynede þe kynde of popis, ne of oþere emperour clerkis, ne of munkis, ne of chanouns, ne of foure ordris of freris, al ȝif he ordeynede good to come of hem; as god ordeynede no man to synne al ȝif he ordeynede good to come of synne. & þes foure ordris smacchen synne, siþen þei tellen not first cristis ordenaunse, but bringing yn of þe fend to reuerse þe ordenaunse of crist. & þus lordis of þis world þat mayntenen lumpis of þes ordris & þer housis & possessiouns, wiþ oþere þingis þat þey han foundun, moten nedis synne, in as myche as þei reuersen cristis ordenaunse, & in þat þat þey letten pore prestis to preche þe gospel to þe puple, al ȝif þey ben not of þes newe ordris þat ben closid in cayms castels. y rede not of cristis apostlis þat þey kepten þis maner of preching, whanne þe hooly goost hadde tauȝt hem to gete to crist al þis world. & þat prest þat sueþ þis goost is in þat ordre þat crist haþ ordeyned. wedding wiþ þes newe bilawis, passinge þe wedding wiþ goddis lawe, makiþ þes newe rotun sectis & puttiþ bi-hynde þe sect of crist. & þus þes ordris newe brouȝt in bringen wiþ hem a newe bileue, þat noon of cristis sect wiþ-outen hem lyueþ so hoolyly as þey, þat lordis han a passinge merit to grounde þes ordris & ȝyue hem godis, but þey wolen not do þis charite, be þey neuere woxun so ryche, but þey wolden raþere destrie oþere newe ordris þat ben brouȝt in; & þus þe laste ordre of freris seiþ aȝenus goddis lawe þat willeful begging is more meedeful þan ony lif of þes oþere ordris.

men may se bi lif of ordris hou cristis ordenaunse is lettid. crist ordeynede, as hym þouȝte best, þat his disciplis aftir his steying to heuene shulden be departid oon fro an oþer. & ech of hem shulde haue his folc, & shulden not be weddid wiþ mannus lawe, ne wiþ folc, ne wiþ housis, but holde hem payed of goddis lawe, & chaunge folc as god mouyde hem, & haue no propre dwelling of þer oune, as crist þer maystir tauȝte bifore. Al þis is reuersid nou bi help & assent of men; for herto helpen þe pope & prelatis, worldly lordis & ordris hem silf, & pore men ben nedid to helpe as beestis led to be killid. costly chirchis of þes ordris & oþere housis þat þey han destrien olde pariȝs chirchis þat weren ordeyned bi cristis apostlis. & siþ crist is lord of alle & not contrarie to hym silf, no drede men han not his godis þus to reuerse his ordenaunse; & þus ben manye cayms castels maad & maytened to þes ordris aȝenus leeue of þe cheef lord. but who drediþ þat ne he is wroþ her-wiþ? & þis semeþ þe cause of werris & wrongis þat ben nou growun in þe chirche. lordis & men þat miȝten helpe heere shulden make men turne to cristis ordre. & ȝif persouns hadden no glebe & no propre hous as eritage, þey sueden more crist & his apostlis; & wolde god þey wolden do þus. For it is takun of bileue þat þe ordenaunse of crist bi-syde siche housis & cloystris spediþ more to do his seruyss þan siche contrarie ordenaunsis; & her-fore þes newe ordris moten nedis lyue contrarie to crist. for siþen ordenaunsis & lyues gon to-gidere of men heere, as cristis ordenaunse is chaungid, so lyues of þes lumpis ben chaungid, & no drede to þe worse, as mannus ordenaunse is worse þan cristis. & ȝit lordis of þis world to whom crist was so kynde ben not payed of þis reuersinge, but ben brouȝt in bi þe fend to haue dwellinge in þer housis boþe curatis & þes newe ordris, as þou mayst se in lordis housis persouns or munkis or chanouns & algatis freris to lede þer meyne. but god mut algatis punyshe þis, for þes persouns shulden kepe þer sheep aftir þe lawe þat god haþ ȝouyn hem. but who may reuerse goddis ordenaunse heere but ȝif he renne in his offense, & þus lordis synnen heere boþe aȝenus god & man & letten goddis pees to be tauȝt, & þus londis moten nedis be dis|turblid. & as anentis þes newe ordris þat ben scaterid in lordis housis, it is a more vnkyndly wondir, & helpiþ þe fend to marre þer housis. for as þey seyn þat groundiden þes cloystris, þes men myȝten no more dwelle out þer-of þan fiȝs myȝte dwelle out of water, for vertu þat þey han þer|ynne. for ellis þes cloystris weren not nedeful ne þer ooþ to kepe þer reule. & siche wondris newe brouȝt in moten nedis marre men of þe world, for daliaunse wiþ newe deuels bringiþ in newe giles to lette cristenmen. but sum men grucchen more heere þat persouns ben holden þus traytourly aȝenus þe seruyss þat crist haþ lymytid to kepe þe soulis of his sheep, & no drede crist preisiþ moost þis offiss among alle oþere, & ȝit consenten þes worldly lordis in cowardise aȝenus crist, for þey destrien not siche traytours of god, but þat shulde be þer hye offiss.

men myȝten heere touche ouer þis what maner man is able bi god to be chosun to curatis offiss, & who shulde chese hym, & on what maner. & no drede siche a prest þat haþ boþe wit & wille to do þe þre offisis of an herde, þat ben teld bifore tyme, shulde be takun to þis offis aftir þe lawe & wille of god. but who shulde chese hym þerto is myche strif by mannus lawe; as þe pope seiþ þat he shulde lymyte alle curatis to siche offisis. bischops seyn þat þei shulden ȝyue siche offiss who euere presentiþ, & lewyd patrouns seyn þat þey shulden presente to siche offiss bi þer lordchip, but goddis lawe telliþ litil or nouȝt of siche chesing of curatis. & no drede þat ne coueytise & pride reyngnen in alle þes þre cheseris, for þe pope haþ þe firste fruytis & many ȝiftis gon bi symonye, & two oþere axen seruyss of hym þat þey maken curat. & þus þenken summen þat bi goddis lawe & resoun curatis shulden wel do þer offiss & haue no more but fode & hiling, & oþer þe puple þat shulde be tauȝt or prestis bi þer oune wille shulden chese þis seruyss of prestis; & þanne it were more meedeful, and no strif shulde þanne falle aboute þe godis of þis curat, for he shulde haue no wast godis but þat þat were nedeful to his offiss. & instuyng wiþ inducting & many oþere mannus lawis weren not to charge, but riȝt offiss þat þis curat shulde do. & it semyþ a greet þraldom brouȝt in bi anticrist þat a puple þat þe pope knowiþ not, as he knowiþ not þis able prest, shulde be nedid bi þe pope to take þis prest, & ȝyue hym godis more þan goddis lawe lymytiþ hou euere þat he mynistre; for boþe þis almes shulde be meedeful & frely don bi goddis lawe, & it were to greet seruage to nede men to ȝyue þer godis to a prest þat dide hem harm, ȝe ȝif he were cause of þer dampnyng. but þe fendis part is so strong, & strengþid bi ipocrisie þat mannus lawe is so hooly & biddiþ men to obesche þerto vp payne of þer dampnacioun, þat goddis lawe is put bihynde. men shulden bi goddis lawe ȝyue þis almes frely & wisely to þat prelat þat seruede hem trewely in þis offiss, and so þey moten kunne goddis lawe & holde hem payed of þis ȝifte, for þus diden poul & oþere apostlis. what lawe shulde reuerse þis resoun? & it semyþ not a popis offiss to make þus prelatis in vnknowun cuntreys; for it is neþer groundid in goddis lawe þat þer shulde be siche a pope ne þat he shulde þus reule þe puple bi þe lordchip of his lawe. & no drede ȝif þes two shulden be, crist wolde haue ensaumplid hem; for crist failide not in siche hye poyntis þat weren so nedeful to his chirche. & þus crist in leeuyng of þis techiþ þat it shulde not be, for ellis crist were defauty in ordeynyng for his chirche.

ȝit trewe men han delit to reherse þis bileue, for it is more precious þan ony gold or precious stoon, & triacle to lordis & many oþere to aȝenstonde þe fend & hise. & þis bileue stondiþ in þis, þat no man shulde sue oþer pope ne bishop ne ony aungel but in as myche as he sueþ crist, for crist is boþe god & man. & þis bileue wolde teche lordis to purge þer reumes of anticrist; & siþen þei han many skiles þat prestis shulden not be þus dowid, boþe bi þe olde lawe & þe newe, & bi þe lif þat crist ledde, þey shulden be heere hardy in bileue & lette þis dowing of anticrist, & neþer obesche to pope ne bischop but ȝif þey tauȝten þat þey sueden crist in þis. & seyntis þat þey kunnen alegge shulden neþer be heere suyd ne trowid, but ȝif it be tauȝt þat þei sueden crist in þat þat þey helden wiþ þis dowing. & siþen lordis han conscience her-of & it is synne to do aȝenus conscience, þey shulden axe of popis & prelatis hou þey grounden þis in crist. & ȝif þey wolen not or kunnen not, in þat þey shewen þat þey ben foolis to holde þis & lyue þer-aftir, siþ it is not groundid vpon crist. & ȝif þey seyn þat crist groundiþ it to be don of his vikeris, shewe þey where & in what maner, & þanne þer conscience is clerid. & ȝif þey gabben or feynen heere men shulden not trowe hem in þis, but haue hem suspect of errour, siþ þey suen not crist in þis. for crist was neuere axid questioun þat ne he suyde his godhed & made aseeþ vpon resoun to hem þat axiden þis questioun of hym. & þus shul|den kyngis axe þe pope hou he groundiþ þis dowing on crist, & to robbe þus reumes, & to make hym prelatis at his wille, siþ crist tauȝte his apostlis to chese mathy bi lot. & þis principle of bileue shulden prestis holde & lerne goddis lawe, & not obesche to pope or bishop but in þat þat crist groundiþ it; & in þis cause þey may chalenge help of þer erþely lord, &, ȝif hem faylide help heere, be redy to suffere martirdom. & ciprian made þis lawe, & it is in þe popis bokis, þat crist onely shulde be herd in þat þat he spekiþ moost principaly. & þus siþ neþer popis ne bischopis kunnen grounde bi crist þis curatis offiss, ne þat þey shulden þus make persouns, þe chirche shulde aȝenstonde hem & turne aȝen to goddis lawe in þe lyuyng of curatis. & it falliþ to kyngis heere to ordeyne þes prelatis bi goddis lawe, for þey shulden quykene þe kyngis puple & helpe þat þe kynge ledde not deuels. & siþ þis is þe fouleste offiss þat men han heere in erþe, kyngis shulden helpe & mayntene þer curatis aȝenus anticrist & hise; & þus ȝif þis bileue of poul were wisely suyd of clerkis & defendid of worldly lordis, as þey ben holdun to defende it, errours of reumes shulden be destried þat ben brouȝt in bi anti|crist. for wise curatis shulden aȝenstonde it & seculer lordis shulden mayntene hem, & þus noon errour in goddis lawe reyngnyþ but for foly of clerkis, & for slouþe of worldly lordis þat helpen not heere aȝenus þe fend. & þus of alle worldly godis þat clerkis han in þer hond, boþe clerkis & pore men shulden be lordis of þes godis, for þey shulden lyue in grace & haue of hem þat hem nediþ; & no drede þes two shulden be goostly lordis & not worldly. & many men may be to-gedere þus goostly lordis of o þyng, & haue vss þat acordiþ to hem of þe same þing wiþ-outen chiding, as seyntes þat ben in heuene han vss of alle þes worldly godis, but þey wasten not þes godis but han ioye þat goddis wille is don of hem; & þis is þe freest vss þat men han off worldly godis. & þus ȝif þis principle of bileue were wel practisid of þe chirche, goddis lawe shulde turne aȝen & mannus lawe shulde be dispisid, for no dedis shulden be acceptid but ȝif þey ben groundid in cristis lawe, & so alle maner of men shulden stonde in ground of crist & his lawe.

it were for to wite ouer þis hou cristis chirche is disseyued bi suppliyng of vikeris, & þes persouns ben absent þe while. for þes persouns moten nedis serue crist or in doynge wel or in sufferinge, & herfore þey han of cristis chirche þer large hire of goddis godis. ech siche persoun mut nedis answere bi resoun to god for alle his sheep, but mannus lawe bigiliþ not god to answere þus for herdis offiss, & þerfore it mut be groundid in goddis lawe to holde þus residense bi vikere. but it semyþ certeyn of goddis lawe þat noon may teche þis bi resoun to be þus herde of þes sheep, & to be þus absent fro hem; & herfore it semyþ not but to be a feynyng of þe fend. & þerfore þis herdis floc may resonably wiþ-drawe his hire for he traueliþ not on hem bi þat lawe þat he axiþ his hire. & cursing is a fendis fynding to curse men þus for worldly godis; for þanne hauyng of þes godis is more desirid þan blessing of þer sheep; but who may holde charite & þus chese þis worldly hauyng? for a man shulde loue more his sheep þan alle his godis or his body, siþ he shulde putte his lif for his sheep, as crist dide. & þis moueþ many men to sette litil bi siche cursing; for whanne man curseþ vn|skilefuly, he cursiþ hym silf & not his sheep. also þre offisis of goostly herde moten haue his presence wiþ his sheep; for who can preche to his sheep, or defende hem fro wolues, or heele hem as curatis shulden, but ȝif he be present wiþ his sheep? & þus siche residense bi viker makiþ hym to leese herdis offiss & þis excusiþ hym not to god, ne his seruyss in þe mene tyme makiþ hym herde of þes sheep, ne worþy to take þis hire of god. ȝif he waste tyme in þis absence & profite not to hooly chirche, þys los of tyme accusiþ hym bifore crist, þe firste herde. ȝif he do good to þe chirche in preiyng or in studiynge, leue, what is þis to herdis offis, al ȝif it dispose men þerto. men may wel ȝyue to siche þer almes, but not as to herdis of hem. & siþ god hatiþ falsed of men, þis shulde not be don bifore god. & siþ a man in no staat shulde do ouȝt þat he shamede to do bifore god, it semyþ þat no man shulde holde þis offiss & be absent in his body. & þus men ben not contynuel herdis for þe tyme þat þey ben absent & kepen not þer sheep bi þer presence, al ȝif þey profiten to þes men. for ech man þat is in grace profitiþ to ech able man goostly, & þus ech siche were herde of ech, but þis abusioun were to straunge. ȝif a man be presently nyȝ his sheep, & fayle not to fede hem & to defende hem & to greesse hem in tyme, his bodily presense is skileful to hym to dwelle vpon þes sheep. & þus þe persoun þat al þe wouke disposiþ hym to preche to his sheep or to defende hem & greesse hem, so þat his absense be resonable, dwelliþ a shepparde al þis tyme; & his presence doiþ his cure & counfortiþ his sheep & febliþ þer enemyes. & as glotouns arguen þat bi þe same skile þey may ete more til þat þey han etun to myche, so hirid hynes arguen heere þat, bi þe same skile þat þey may be absent fro þes sheep foure dayes orof MS fyue, þey may be absent for a moneþe or an half ȝeer or more tyme: & þis resoun haþ more colour of herdis þat studien in scole. & y can-not answere heere ȝif men studien goddis lawe, & in þe mene tyme failen not to þer sheep in þingis þat perteynen to þer offiss. but for bodily residense of an able herde vpon his sheep is more sikir þan siche absence, it is good to chese þe sikere. also as poul seiþ, ech man shal bere his oune charge, & þus þe viker of þis herde is chargid for his oune persone as myche as he may bere, hou beriþ he þe persouns charge? For in tyme of apostlis þat iurisdiccioun was not brouȝt in, but oon shulde preche in o tyme & an-oþer in an-oþer; alle þes weren persouns of þes sheep & he þat more tauȝte was betere curat. & þus it semyþ þat it shulde be of many persones of o pariȝs, & þat persoun þat profitiþ more is betere herde to þis pariȝs. for ellis men myȝten feyne falsly as many herdis as þey wolden, & echoon to pile þe puple where oon sufficide for hem alle. as prest & viker & persoun, official, erchedekene & bischop, wiþ many men bitwixe hem, ben ful chargious to þe pariȝs, & þei alle don not þe offiss þat a good herde shulde do; but siche charging of þe chirche shulde be fled as greet synne. for it is nouȝt to bigile god & make an vnhable man persoun þat can-not on herdis cure but his sheep kunnen gouerne hym, al ȝif he gedere bi a proctour þe fruytis, as offeringis & dymes. for ellis a child or a greke or what offis þat he bare myȝte be persoun heere in englond ȝif þe pope hadde ȝouyn hym leeue, but siche þat is not goddis orde|naunse excusiþ not at domes day.

by þis sentence may men se hou þis prelacye is perelous for it is not fully groundid in crist ne in oþer of his lawis. for þe fend haþ mouyd men bi pride & bi coueytise forto bihete þat þey wolen do more þan þey han power or wit to do; for take þou hede to oure popis, to bischops & to oure persouns, and þey recken litil of þer charge hou myche it be & hou large, so þat hem come wynnyng & worldly worchip bi þer staat. & so siþ þe staat of prelacye takiþ sumwhat of goddis lawe & sumwhat of mannus lawe contrarie to goddis lawe, trewe men shulden purge þis staat & lyue clene bi goddis lawe. for saracenes wiþ oþere sectis holden myche of cristis lawe, but oþere lawis þat þey meddlen maken þis sect displese to god; & god woot wher straunge lawis ben meddlid more vndir oure pope wiþ cristis lawe þan þey ben meddlid in oþere sectis. it semyþ þat prestis þat kepen pariȝschis shulden teche hem þe gospel of crist boþe bi lif & bi word, & moue hem to holde charite, & bisie hem not in oþere þingis neþer of þe world ne mannus lawe, & make obediense to þer prelatis as myche as goddis lawe techiþ. fode & hiling moten þey haue; & it is skileful þat þer pariȝs fynde hem þese bi title of almes, & take þey no more hede to dymes. but þis lif mut nedis be brouȝt in bi litil & litil for anticrist. & þis lore were good to persouns, to ȝyue no tribut to þer prelatis & make no straunge dispensis but ȝif goddis lawe mouyde þer-to. for alle þes dispensis at þe laste moten be gederid of pore men; & certis þis is a foul offiss of a prest to robbe his puple to ȝyue to bischop or erchedekene godis þat god biddiþ not. as senage & procurasies, & oþere tributis þat ben feyned, ben not groundid in goddis lawe & þerfore men shulden dispise hem. ȝyuyng of taliage to þe kyng is licly groundid in goddis lawe, for crist ȝaf mekely to þe emperour tribut, as þe gospel seiþ, but he ȝaf not to þe hye bischops ne pharisees ne saducees. but siche curatis moten arme hem wiþ help of god & of trewe men, for cursingis & suspendingis wolen renne aȝenus siche curatis. siþ bischops of ierusalem maden crist be cursid & suspendid for þey seiden he was not on goddis half but wiþ belsebub a prince of deuels, & þey puttiden men out of synagoge þat confessiden crist apertly, & aftir þei suspendiden hym in þe cros ful felly. þis hangyng vp vsid nou is not so fel but fals ynow; for þey wolen hange vp treuþe & mayntenyng of goddis lawe; & þei ponderen wiþ þis suspending þat þei don it for riȝtwisenesse to teche curatis obedience & meke|nesse bi goddis lawe, & al þis is falsly feyned bi anticristis ipocrisie. but trewe prestis shulden trowe heere þat neþer þe word of þer prelat ne þe word of þer somenour han so myche maliss wiþ hem þat ne þey may preche & serue god aftir þis suspending. & þe moost harm þat þei don is priuyng or sleyng; & þis shulden curatis mekely suffere, for þis wolde turne hem to myche good. & summen tellen wiþ myche declaring þat ground of þis heþen custom springiþ in þe chirche of þe pope & of þe floc groundid on hym. & ȝit þis man bi ipocrisie seiþ þat he sueþ nexst crist of alle þe men heere in erþe, & haþ moost power of crist & of feynyng of þis power; hou he presentiþ cristis persone & passiþ alle cristis apostlis in graunting of priuylegies & pardoun, it passiþ many mennus wit for greetnesse of þis power. & summen seyn þat þis speche falliþ not fro fendis gabbing but ȝif þe pope speke bi þe contrarie, as a mount haþ his name of mouyng, for among alle men in erþe þis ipocrite lyueþ ferrest fro crist. crist hadde not propre good wher-ynne he shulde reste his hed; men seyn þis pope haþ more þan half of þe empire wiþ-outen his spuyling. crist was moost meke & moost seruysable & girte hym wiþ a cloþ & wayschide his disciplis feet, as þe gospel of ioon telliþ; þe pope sittiþ in his troone & makiþ lordis to kisse his feet. crist wente mekely fro plase to place & prechide þe gospel & tauȝte pouert; þe pope dwelliþ in auynoun & doiþ not þis but þe contrarie. & so siþ þat anticrist is he þat is aȝenus crist, it semyþ bi his feyned lif þat he is opyn anticrist. & ȝif he shulde be clepid an hil for stablenesse in þis lif, þis hye hil eclipsiþ þis sunne & makiþ wyndis & yuele wederis; for goddis lawe is lettid to shyne bi lawis þat þis hil vsiþ, & coolding fro charite makiþ stormes bi þis hil; but grace of god haþ helpid men to cleue þis hil & make it knowun, & god contynue his help heere & make his lawe to shyne frely. Amen.

it were to wite ouer hou god shewiþ loue to his chirche bi dyuysioun of þes popis þat is nou late fallun. oure bileue techiþ bi poul þat alle þingis fallen to goodRom. viii. [28.] to goddis children þat dreden hym, & þus shulden cris|tenmen take hem. þe firste bok of goddis lawe telliþ hou god manaasside þe fend: "y shal putte enemyte," seiþ god,[Gen. iii. 15.] "bitwixe þee & womman, & bitwixe þy seed & heere seed, & she shal al to-squatte þyn heed." & so taken summen þat hooly preyer of þe chirche maad to crist & his modir moueþ hym to sende þis grace doun to departe þe heed of anticrist, so þat his falsed be more knowun. & it semeþ to hem þat þe pope is anticrist heere in erþe. for he is aȝenus crist boþe in lif & in lore. crist was moost pore man fro his birþe to his deþ, & lefte worldly richees & beggyng, aftir þe staat of innocense; but anticrist aȝenus þis, fro þe tyme þat he be maad pope til þe tyme þat he be deed heere, coueytiþ to be worldly riche, & castiþ bi manye shrewid weyes hou þat he may þus be riche. crist was moost meke man & bad lerne þis of hym; but men seyen þat þe pope is moost proud man of erþe, & makiþ lordis to kysse his feet where crist wayschide his postlis feet. Crist was moost homely man in lif, in dede & in word; men seyen þat þis pope is not nexst crist in þis, for where crist wente on his feet boþe to citees & litil tounnes, þey seyen þis pope wole be closid in a castel wiþ greet aray. Where crist cam to ioon baptist to be baptisid of hym, þe pope sendiþ aftir men to come to hym where euere he be; ȝe, ȝif crist haue sumnyd hem for to come not to hym. crist bicliptide ȝonge & pore in tokene of his homelynesse; men seyen þat þe pope wole biclippe worldly worchip, & not trewe men for goddis sake lest he vnworchipe hym silf. crist was bisy to preche þe gospel not for his worldly worchip ne wynnyng; men seyen þat þe pope leeueþ þis, but he wole gladly make a lawe & make þis lawe in more worchip & more drede þan cristis lawe. crist louede so myche his floc þat he puttide his lif for hem, & sufferide sharp peyne & deþ for to brynge hem to blis; men seyen þat þe pope loueþ so myche worchip of þe world, þat he wole feyne asoyling to men to go streyȝt to heuene, so þat þey do a trauel þat sounneþ to his worldly worchip. & so his foly may be cause of deþ of many þousynd men boþe in body & in soule, but hou sueþ he crist in þis? crist was so pacient & so myche sufferide his oune wrong, þat he preyede for his enemyes & tauȝte his postlis to take no veniaunse; men seyen þat þe pope of rome wole be vengid on alle maners, boþe bi sleyng & bi cursing & oþere peynes þat he feyneþ. crist tauȝte men to lyue wel bi his oune lif & his wordis, for what he tauȝte he did in dede, & bad men trowe to his werkis; men seyen þat þe pope goiþ al bi contrarye weye to þis, for his lif is not ensaumple to oþere men hou þey shulden lyue, for no man shulde lyue lik to hym, as he feyneþ bi his hye staat. crist in ech his dede & his word souȝte þe glory of god, & sufferide many reproues in his manheed for þis ende; men seyen þat þe pope aȝenward sekiþ his oune glory on alle weyes, ȝe, ȝif goddis worchip be lost. & þus he feyneþ many vngroundid gabbingis. & ȝif þis þing & many siche ben soþe of þe pope of rome, he is very anticrist & not cristis viker heere.

þis dyuysioun of þes popis may turne to good of many reumes, þat men trowe to noþer of hem but, for loue of iesu crist, in as myche as þey suen crist in þer lif & in þer lore. for ȝif þei gabben of þer staat & seyen þat þei ben cristis vikeris, & þey ben contrarye to hym boþe in lif & in lore, þo men þat ben led bi þes wolues moten go þe brode weye to helle; & þis semeþ þe perelous tyme þat poul haþ teld to þe chirche. & þus þis were a bileue þat ech man shulde grounde hym ynne, þat men shulden trowe to no pope but as he groundiþ hym in crist; & men shulden asaye þis ground, wher it be good wiþ-oute disseyt. & þus what þe pope bade do, but ȝif he tauȝte þat crist bade it, men shulden not do þis aftir hym in þat þat he were cristis viker, for it may falle þat þe fend disseyue men bi anticrist, & chalenge more þan crist dide & þus bringe strif in cristendom. for þe fend may moue mennus hertis to loue so myche worldly godis þat þey stryue & fiȝte to-gidere for departing of þes godis; & þus may anticrist & hise lette men to lyue in pees, lest þat þis lif in pees make men to knowe his giles. & þus god haþ ordeyned medicyn to knowe falsed of anticrist, þat he hieþ hym aboue crist, & so ouer god, as poul seiþ. profere reumes to þes popis þat þey wolen obesche to hem in þe foorme of goddis lawe, but no more þan crist axide; & ȝif þey ben not payed her-of, þey shewen þat þey ben anticrist, siþ þe mooste pride of hym is þat he hieþ hym aboue god. & ȝif reumes holde þis reule, þanne þey may be dischargid of blasfemyes of indulgensis, & of oþere false feynyngis; for it may falle þat þe pope graunte to riche worldly men þat þey shulen go streiȝt to heuene wiþ-oute peyne of purgatorye, & denye þis to pore men, kepe þey neuere so goddis lawe. siche many giles of þe fend blynden men bi his viker, so þat treuþe of goddis lawe is turnyd in-to þis vikeris falseed. & shortly for to seye, ȝif men stonden bi þis bileue, þe pope shal not take of reumes neþer money ne worldly godis. & herfore seiþ poul, cristis vikere, þat he sekiþ þes grekis soulis & he sekiþ not her godis, but weye to brynge hem to blis. & no drede þus doiþ crist to alle reumes þat ben his children, for he robbiþ not his children, but ȝyueþ hem alle maner godis, boþe goostly godis & worldly. & þus dide crist heere in erþe, & ȝif þe pope passe heere crist & robbe his children as a wolf, no drede he is anticrist & opynly þe fendis viker. & ȝif þou seyst þe pope mut haue godis of reumes to saue his staat, he shulde be pore, as crist was, & charge not men, as crist dide not. þis reule shulde teche men where a prelat were anticrist, & hou þey shulden obesche to hym, & in what þing leeue his lore.

siþen ech seculer cristenman shulde willefuly chese his prelat, & loue hym bi goddis lawe as men louyden in þe firste staat, þat was staat of innocense, as alle men shulden haue louyd þanne, & men shulen loue in staat of blis, for þere shal loue be at þe fulle; herfore shulden men seke weyes to loue þat man þat shulde be pope. & among causis of loue þe mooste cause þat euere god ordeynede shulde be good doyng of men; for bi þis cause god makiþ hym silf louyd, & hem more louyd þat more don good. þe good þat þe pope shulde do shulde be lore to come to heuene, & so þis pope mut kunne þis lore ouer oþere þat ben his sheep; & siþ þis lore is fully tauȝt in goddis lawe, as we bileuen, þis pope mut passingly kunne goddis lawe & resoun þer-of. but nou in þe reume of englond stryuen manye of þe sacrid oost. summe seyen þat þis oost fro þe tyme þat it be sacrid is verily goddis body & þer-wiþ breed, whit & round; & in þis weye stonden lewid men boþe more & lesse, & longe han don. oþere seyen þat þis oost is nouȝt or an accident, þe which þey kunnen not nemyn to men, but it is not goddis body. þis questioun shulden reumes sende to þe pope, to knowe his wit, what we shulden trowe of þis oost fro þe tyme þat it be sacrid; & here-ynne shulde he not feyne but teche bi þe gospel or bi resoun what men shulden bileue heere, or ellis he were no witty pope. & þes reumes shulden take no man to þer pope bifore þat tyme þat he hadde tauȝt hem wel heere by good ground of goddis lawe. For wel we witen þat he kan heere no skile but of cristis word; but crist, whanne he blesside þis breed, seyde þat "þis is my body"; & we bileuen þat crist liȝide neuere, but seyde euere soþ to greet witt. & ȝif foure sectis in þis lond seyen heere soþ of þe popis lawe, he haþ seyd many hundrid wynter þat þis oost is not goddis body, but accident wiþ-oute suget. & ȝif reumes leeuen þis lore & taken hem anticrist to pope, he may make hem to bileue what euere he wole bi litil & litil; for hooly chirche haþ bileuyd þis þousinde wynter & more to, þat þis oost is goddis body in foorme of breed, & wyn his blood. & trewe men shulden knowe heere þat þis poynt is not so hye þat ne þey may wite þe soþe, & knowe it betere þan oþere poyntis þat crist haþ tauȝt in oure bileue. heere may cristenmen soone wite which clerk or lord loueþ treuþe & haþ wille to stonde þerfore & suffere a magrey ȝif he shulde. & certis þat pope þat fayliþ heere oþer for kunnyng or for wille is vnhable to take to pope & lede his floc bi goddis lawe. & what sect grucchiþ aȝenus þis is suspect of heresye, for what shulde it harme ony man þat þis treuþe were wel discussid: but it were good to cristenmen to laste in þer olde bileue, þat þis breed is goddis body & þis wyn is goddis blood, & not an vnknowun þing wiþ-oute resoun or autorite; for men shulden holde þer olde bileue but ȝif þe contrarye were wel tauȝte. & þus it were a blessid dede þat lordis wolden not ȝyue þer almes neþer to o prest ne oþer, bifore þey tauȝten bi good witnesse what þing were þis sacrid oost, boþe in his kynde & in figure, by maner þat þe gospel spekiþ. & þus ȝif god wolde fouche-saf, hooly chirche shulde be purgid of heresyes in þis mater, aboute which þey dispenden myche, as in prestis þat syngen masse; & certis it were ydolatrye to loute þus an accident. & no man durste seye til nou þat accident is goddis body, for þis newe word may haue no ground, & was not knowun þat þousinde ȝeer þat sathanas was boundun in helle, & ȝit he shameþ to seye þis gabbing.

but heere grucchiþ anticrist & drediþ þat manye of his clerkis shulen wante þer worldly worchip, & þus his lordchip shal be lesse. for ȝif goddis lawe were kept clene wiþ-oute þe fendis lawe, & þe ordenaunse of crist were clene wiþ-outen anticristis, where shulden þes foure sectis be lordis as þey nou ben? & þus þe chirche were destried þat haþ be so longe in growing. Heere han trewe men seyd ofte þat þis is a fendis resoun, as ȝif þe arguere wolde mene þat crist faylide in his lawe & in his ordenaunse which he ordeynede in þe chirche, & þus men menen alle in dede þat ben of þes foure sectis. but, lord, where is vnbileue in heretik but ȝif þis be oon? & þus it semeþ þat alle þes foure smacchen sum what of heresye, & þey louen not iesu crist, for þey haten þus his lawe. but poul seiþ a soþ word þat1 Cor. xvi. [22.]"who euere loueþ not iesu crist he is cursid of god, & puttid fro hym as heretik." & so þe mooste inconuenient þat anticrist kan bringe of þis is þat cristis lawe were holdun clene wiþ-outen anticristis; but þis fruyt were blessid & profitable to þe chirche. for þis kepte crist in his apostlis, & þanne cam þe chirche to heuene & growide in vertus heere in erþe; & siþen haþ it sunkun doun. þanne shulden cristenmen knowe þe vertu of crist & of his lawe; hou þat he is god almyȝty & his lawe is fully ynow; & þanne shulden men wite aftir hou oþere lawes, þat men han foundun, harmen þe chirche many weyes, & maken goddis lawe lesse louyd. For keping of þes newe lawis occupieþ mennus witt & wille, & axiþ of hem a bisy trauel, & þus þey letten goddis lawe. & þus ȝif anticristis lawe were good, ȝit cristis lawe mut nedis be betere & sufficient in hym silf; & þus þe toþer is to myche & doiþ harm in cristis chirche, & lettiþ cristis lawe to be suyd. & þus bringing in of þes lawis, þat lettiþ þe vse of cristis lawe, is þe mooste priuey synne þat þe fend haþ foundun aȝenus þe chirche. & so þis blessid word wolde sue, þat foure sectis newe foundun shulden be voydid fro þe chirche, as þey shulen not come to blis. for alle þes sectis han mannus signes, & ȝif þes signes weren fully stryed, þes sectis weren þanne destried, as men seyen þat ben weddid wiþ hem. but it is not so of cristis sect ne of prestis þat crist ordeynede. for ioon baptist was a prest, as alle men in heuene shulen be prestis. for crounne & cloþ maken no prest, ne þe emperours bischop wiþ his wordis, but power þat crist ȝyueþ; & þus bi lif ben prestis knowun. & þus cristen|men shulden not lette for þe drede of þe fend & for power of his clerkis to sue & holde cristis lawe. but wel y woot þat þis chirche haþ be many day in growing, & summe clepen it not cristis chirche, but þe chirche of wickid spiritis. & dauyþ[Psalm xxvi. 5.] hatide þis chirche as ech cristenman shulde do. & man may no betere knowe anticristis clerk þan bi þis, þat he loueþ þis chirche & hatiþ þe chirche of criste; & ȝif þe pope be an heed to mayntene þis chirche aȝenus crist, he is opyn anticrist & no part of cristis chirche. & ȝif he & his secte be voyde fro cristis lawe, & clensid wiþ besumms, & maad fair wiþLuke xi. [25.] sensible signes, þanne þe fend haþ a tokene to dwelle homely wiþ þes men; for þes ben wordis of crist, þe whiche moten nedis be trewe. & þus shulde anticrist drede of þe word þat crist seiþ aftir, þat þis kynrede of prestis is þe worste of alle oþere. for many men trowen heere þat as prestis in þe olde lawe, fro þe time of machabees vnto þat þei hadden slayn crist, weren þe worste kynrede þat god sufferide þanne to lyue; so aftir cristis steying, ȝif prestis leeuen cristis lawe & bicomen reuleris of þis world by newe lawis þat þey han shapun, þis is nou þe worste kynrede þat is on lyue heere in erþe.

ȝit anticrist argueþ þat ȝif þis sentense wente forþ, þe pope were as pore a man as ony bischop of englond; but þis were aȝenus resoun, þat þe hiere man shulde be byneþe. Heere men seyen to anticrist þat he argueþ aȝenus crist, & þerfore cristenmen moten nede answere sharply heere for crist; for ȝif þis foly wente forþ, siþ crist was moost pore man & his apostlis pore aftir, þey weren leest worþ in þis world. but what blasfeme durste seye þus, siþ it is aȝenus bileue. & þus goddis lawe techiþ þat willeful pouert of a prest, ȝif he haue mekenesse in his soule & oþere vertues more þan oþere, he is herby more to god, & þis hyenesse shulden prestis coueyte. & þus alle prestis of englond shulden be pore men, as þe pope, for þey moten forsake þer richees ȝif þey wolen be cristis prestis. for bileue techiþ wel þat crist bad his prestis beLuke xiv. [33.] siche; & we fynden neuere bi resoun þat crist chaungide euere his wille. & siþ crist is god in heuene, it is ful hard to reuerse his lawe, for no drede men moten rikene þerfore at þe day of dom. & heere men sliden out of bileue, boþe prestis & seculeris, whanne þey tellen more bi a cronycle of foly of an emperour þan þey tellen bi cristis lawe, þat is emperour of heuene. & þe fend confermeþ his part, & makiþ seyntis be canonysed, þe whiche resseyueden siche dowyng, to proue þat þis was wel don. but heere men knowen þe fendis cautels, & sliden not fro bileue for þis; for canonysing of þes seyntis is not bileue of cristenmen. & þus ȝif þes ben seyntes in heuene, þis is bi vertu of crist þat þey turnyden at þe laste to hym, & hadden sorowe for þer synne. & ȝif þou axe prof her-of, we seyen þat ȝif þou proue þat þes be seyntis, it wole sue of oure bileue þat þes seyntis sorowiden þus, ȝif þey weren worldly men þus, for ellis þey myȝten not come to heuene. But myraclis maad of deed men ben þe fendis euydense; for god may suffre þe fend to do siche signes & many mo. for ellis wolde not poul seye þat a man1 Cor. xiii. [2.] myȝte remoue hillis & ȝit fayle of charite. but ȝif þes signes myȝten liȝtly fayle, stonde we in bileue of crist, & leeue we siche signes of þe fend. for bileue is insensible & more trewe þan siche signes; as þis treuþe is insensible þat two & þre maken fyue, & ȝit it is more certeyn þan ony sensible þing heere. þus bileue of hooly writ passiþ alle þes clepid myraclis. & þus wite wel lordis & reumes þat þey moten nedis answere to god hou þey han holdun his lawe & stondun sad in his bileue. no drede boþe lordis & reumes myȝten wel constreyne prestis to holde þe pouert þat crist ordeynede, for honeste of his prestis & profit of lordis & comyns. & whanne lordis leeuen þis power, þey assenten to þe fend; & þey moten nedis be dampnyd for þis assent but ȝif þey amenden it, & þis is blynding of þe fend þat þey han grauntid þis almes. & so þey moten be trewe men & algatis mayntene it forþ, for ȝif men loken hou it cam in, it cam not in bi very almes, but bi blyndnesse of þe world & ipocrisie þat þe fend tauȝte. & euere þe lengere þat it lastiþ, þe more peyne han deed mennus soulis. & þus þe fend stiriþ men to laste in synne aȝenus god; but wite þey wel wiþ þe fend þat god mut nedis be þer lord. þus ȝif lordis han first be foolis, oþer in dowyng or leeuynge to helpe, þey shulden haue sorowe of þis synne & haaste hem to make aseeþ. & wite þey wel þat god mut nedis be cheef lord of alle creaturis, & but ȝif god graunte hem leeue to ȝyue þus prestis þes worldly godis, þe ȝifte þat þey ȝauen is nouȝt bi vertu of þe cheef lord. & þus anticrist & al his help can neþer argue heere ne answere; & y am certeyn on domes-day no man may answere wel heere. þerfore mende hem lordis & reumes, & serue þei crist for þer goode, for litil seruyss for þis tyme disserueþ myche meede in heuene. lord, siþ lordis & reumes boþe chesen a pope at þer oune wille, what sholde moue hem to chese þis pope more hye þan crist wolde chalenge of men? crist axide noon erþly lordchip ne erþly godis, but ȝaf heuenely, & whanne he tok his oune godis he tok hem for help of his tenauntis, & algatis in siche a mesure þat he was not charious to hem. & þis lore han freris forȝeten & alle þes oþere newe sectis. þus þe grace of god haþ mouyd to trete þis mater among cristenmen, to loke wher þey wolen helpe hem silf whanne god haþ so graciously bigunnyn.

þer ben groundis þe whiche crist kepte contrarie to keping of prelatis nou. for crist tauȝte þat hoolynesse shulde be hid in mennus hertis & not shewid to þe puple in sensible signes wiþ-oute fruyt; for þanne men hopiden reward of god & axiden not glory of þis world. but nou it is turnyd vpsedoun fro religioun þat crist ordeynede, for nou he is neþer pope ne prelat, but ȝif he haue a worldly meyne þat shewe his hyenesse to þe world, as he were a seculer lord, & bi þis gile haþ þe fend brouȝt in þat more prestis shulden haue worldly glorye. & þis makiþ þe pope & bischops to axe richessis to þer staat; for, as þei seyen, þer staat wolde perische but ȝif siche richesse shewide it out. first þes prelatis blasfemen in crist & in his hooly apostlis. for bileue techiþ vs þat crist was bischop of mennus soulis, betere bi a þousynd part þan any siþ þe chirche was dowyd, & so weren cristis apostlis betere þan ony pope of rome. For þis name is newe foundun, & it bitokeniþ wundirful; for summe þenken it greet wundir þat worldly glory & hoolynesse shulden be knyttid in o persone; siþ crist forsok it in word & dede, & bi his lore his apostlis, lord, why shulden not prelatis do nou so? & by þis cause haþ þe fend brouȝt yn þat religioun of þes newe ordris shal be shewid in sensible signes, as habitis, & bikenes, & hye housis, & herfore haþ þe fend brouȝt in þat cumpany of many lumpis shal be ioyned to o persone for worldly worchip of þer staat. þus þer ben many cardenals & many men knyttid to hem; myche meyne to a bischop, & manye persones in an ordre, & al is charge to comyn men, & strengþe to þe fendis part. crist ordeynede þat his apostlis fro tyme þat he steyede to heuene shulden be scaterid in many cuntreys & conquere wickid men to crist. wel y rede þat seynt petre dwelte in a corieris hous, butActs x. [6.] y rede not of cardenal ne page þat he hadde wiþ hym; & ȝit þis apostle cam to cornely & conuertide hym wiþ oþere. & þus may cristenmen lerne boþe of crist & his apostlis þat religioun of crist is not in siche worldly signes. & so men moten oþer denye bileue, or seye þat cristis religioun stondiþ not in siche signes as nou þe chirche is chargid wiþ. soþ it is þat seculer prinsis & worldly lordis moten haue siche worldly signes, for þey shulden teche to drede god by austernete & worldly drede. but it is aȝenus cristis wille þat prestis meddle þes two to-gidere, for þey shulden teche bi mekenesse & paciense, as crist dide. & herfore biddiþ god in his lawe þat his men shulden not be cloþid in wollun[Deut. xxii. 11.] & lynnun partid to-gidere, to teche þis dyuersite in figure. crist was boþe kyng & prest, as he is boþe god & man, & þus sum þing falliþ to hym þat no cristenman may come to; but in siche poyntis shulden men lerne to sue bi vertues crist afer, & go not bifore crist, as dide presumpcion of petre; & þerfore crist clepide hym sathanas & bad petre go aftir hym. crist as a goode maystir hadde twelue apostlis to teche hem; anticrist ordeyneþ many twelue to lyue worldly & charge þe chirche. crist koude ensaumple kynghod & presthod in her groundis, but prestis þat comen aftir crist ben not able to do so; & þus þey passen þer maystir crist, boþe in presthod & in knyȝthod. & þus ȝif popis wolden haue cardenals, þey shulden chese gode men & pore, & loke þat þey chargide not þe chirche bi costly aray & idilnesse; but nou men seyen þat cardenals ben brouȝt yn bi anticrist to bargeyne by symonye, & by oþere disseytis bigile men, & þus as þe pope is wundirful, so cardenals ben an herre to þe fendis hous. & oþere ground han þey noon, but for anticrist wole þus.

ȝit it were to reherse þe euydensis þat anticrist makiþ to proue þat it were betere clerkis to be riche þan pore as crist; for bi þis richees þei don sum good, & bi so myche þey ben þe betere. for þey ben of mannus kynde, as ben lordis þat han siche godis, & þey han wit to spende þes godis as han oþere, or ellis more. Why shulden not þey be betere bi þes richessis as oþere ben? Heere men seyen to anticrist þat wolde affeerme crist a fool, as þe fend helde crist a fool for he wolde not take of hym alle þe reumes of þe world for a litil seruyss to hym, þat crist as a good god wolde þat his prestis weren in worchip & fer fro perels of þe fend, & þus he forbad to his prestis to haue to myche of erþly godis & to myche bisynesse aboute hem; but crist ȝaf hem goostly godis & ocupiyng bi charite. & ȝif we marken staat of innocense & staat þat aungels han in heuene, þey shulden not be þus oppressid wiþ erþely drit as riche men ben, but þey han more clene lif & more likinge to mannus soule. & for þis cause ordeynede crist þat his prestis shulden wante þes richessis, & ensaumplide in hym silf & his apostlis hou þey shulden lyue. crist wolde wel þat his prestis hadden þe vse of worldly godis as myche as wolde do hem good, but not to myche to lette þer soule, as men shulden bifore synne & aungels han in þer lif. & bi þis vse men shulden haue goostly lordchip of alle þes godis, & bi þe fruyt of vertues haue delit in her god. & þus crist ordeynede to prestis moost hye staat & moost parfit of alle þre partis of þe chirche, ȝif þat prestis wolden lyue þer-aftir; as crist ȝaf to laboreris worldly godis & trauel also, & crist grauntide to his apostlis to trauele aboute erþly godis, but he forfendide hem to prynte þer soulis to myche wiþ erþly godis. crist grauntide to worldly lordis to haue gouernayle of siche godis, but he grauntide to his prestis to gouerne soulis bi weye of vertues; & þis shulden þey do bi meke wille, & leeue lordchip & austernete. & þis he tauȝte in dede & word for loue þat he hadde to his prestis. se we nou þe fendis foly, what he meneþ whanne he argueþ. he wolde mene þat crist was a fool & to scars in leste godis. austyn seiþ ofte-tyme þat þer ben þre godis of man; godis of vertues, & godis of kynde, & godis of fortune, þat ben þe leste. crist ordeynede men to be riche in godis of vertu, for þey ben best; & crist ordeynede godis of kynde as myche as þey shulden serue to þe soule. he ordeynede not so greet a body ne so strong to a man as haþ an hors or oþer beeste, for it wolde do harm to þe soule. crist ordeynede godis of fortune þat wolden suffise to mannus body; & þus he ordeynede godis of vertu wyngis to men to fle to heuene; ant anticrist wolde faste to men godis of fortune bi coueytise, þat shulden drenge a man to helle, & for þis ende he shapiþ þis. wel y graunte þat erþly godis & worldly lordchipis ben gode, for þei ben goddis creaturis & shapun of god for good ende. but godis of vertu ben þe betere þat prestis shulden haue passingly, & more perel is in þe firste godis, & þerfore crist wolde not þat his prestis hadden but litil of þes godis, for perels & letting of betere godis. & heere shulden worldly men take hede, boþe þe lordis & þe comyns, þat þey dissusen not worldly godis, but take hem in mesure to þat ende þat crist haþ ordeyned hem to be vsid, & not aȝenus his ordenaunse. crist ȝaf hem not worldly godis to charge his prestis wiþ þis lordchip, ne to stire hem to fleysly synnes, as ben gloterye & lecherye; & ȝif þes two partis of þe chirche foulen þus prestis wiþ þes godis, wite þey wel þat god wole punysche boþe þes partis & his prestis. & þus we graunten þat riche prestis don sum good wiþ þis richees, for so don þe fendis in helle wiþ godis þat crist haþ ȝouyn to hem, but neþeles þey don amys; for þey shulden sette al þer bisynesse þat þey han nou in worldly godis to serue crist bi godis of grace, & þis is a greet defaute. We graunten þat prestis ben of mannus kynde, as ben lordis & weddid men, but ȝit þey shulden not haue þis lordchip ne kyndely gendrure of children, but ȝif þey wolden leeue þis staat & bicome weddid men, for we bileuen þat maydynhot & goostly gendrure is betere þan þis. & so supposen we þat þes prestis han betere wit þan seculer lordis, applye þey þis betere wit in betere vse to serue god; as beestis han wit to ete & drynke, but prestis wit shulde not stonde in þis, but hou þey myȝten teche men to lyue in vertues bi goddis lawe. but þis may not prestis do bi robbing of lordis & of comyns of þer lordchip & erþely godis; for þis is aȝenus god & man.

by þis sentense þat heere is seyd shulden anticrist & hise haue shame to defoule cristis prestis aȝenus þe ordenaunse þat crist made. & worldly lordis & oþere foolis þat helpen anticrist heere shulden haue shame of þis help, as þey shulen shame at domes day; & þis shame shal be more bi colour of ipocrisye, for þey seyen in þes dedis þat þey don þus for cristis worchip. for crist ordeynede amys, but worldly lordis amendiden hym, as þe emperour of rome whanne he made his prestis lordis he amendide þe apostlis staat ouer þe ordenaunse of crist. but al þis smacchiþ blasfemye & wole bringe þes lordis doun, as þe emperours staat is lesse for þis dede aȝenus crist. For no man may do aȝenus crist but ȝif he be punysshid for þis dede, but punysshing of mannus soule is more to drede þan worldly harm. & þus anticrist myȝte not for shame canonyse þis emperour; for it is knowun þing to men þat þis emperour reuerside crist. & it semeþ to many men þat o cause why he dide þus was to hye his oune prestis, wiþ oþer blynd deuocioun; so þat as þe emperour passide oþere worldly lordis, so shulde his prest of rome & hise passe oþere lordis prestis. & to þis wit he made hym lord of rome & myche of his empire, & made hym & his cardenals ride in reed on hye ors; for hym þouȝte shame þat his clerkis shulden not passe clerkis of oþere lordis, but as he passide hem bi his empire, so his prest shulde passe oþere. & certis þis were an yuel ground to canonyse þis man in heuene; as it were no good cause to charge þe chirche to halewe hym, al ȝif he seyde þat ȝif he sawe a prest lie bi a womman he wolde hile hem wiþ his mentile, & not sclaundre hem of þis synne. ȝif þis emperour be in blis, certis þat is not for þis dede; for fynees was a iust prest, for he stikide þe man & þe womman for þer synne aȝenus god, & þus he vengide goddis wrong. þis emperour dide many godis, but ȝit men dursten neuere hidir-to charge þe chirche to holde his day, & trowe þat he were seynt in heuene. & so men seyen of seynt siluester, þat ȝif god wole he is blissid, but þanne he hadde myche sorowe aftir for þis lordchip þat he toke, as seynt petre synnede ofte & bi oure feiþ he is nou seynt, but we han no siche feiþ þat siluestre is þus in blis. for it is nede to cristenmen to wite what þing is bileue, & to wite what is byneþe bileue, & putte not oure trouþe in siche þing. but it is licly to many men þat siluestre synnede in his hiyng, & petre ne poule ne oþere apostle wolde neuere haue takun þis staat; but þe fruyt of his sorowe & oþere gode dedis þat he dide, wiþ þe grace of goddis wille, myȝten haue maad hym seynt aftir. & þus men shewen bi opyn skyle defaute of anticristis resoun. many þingis ben gode & holsum echone in his kynde, & þe mynging of þes þingis is vnholsum to man to take; so presthod & worldly lordchip ben boþe gode in þer kynde, & þe mynging of þes two were venemous, ȝe in þe pope. for þis lordchip wolde quenche þe pouert þat crist haþ bedun. & a coorde is a good þing, & faste knytting þer-wiþ is good boþe to man & to beeste in plasis where it wolde do good; but knytte þis coorde to mannus þrote & it myȝte soone strangle þis man. so bynde þou lordchip of þis world to seculer men þat han wit & vertu to worche aftir þis lordchip, aftir þe lawe þat crist haþ ȝouyn, & it may do myche good, goddis worchip & his chirchis profit; but knytte þis lordchip to cristis prest & it wole lette hym to speke þe lawe of god & soulis heelþe, & strangle hym & many oþere. þus alle þe resouns þat þe fend can make aȝenus crist & cristis prestis may be auoydid bi oure feiþ, & make heretikis to shame of hem.

ȝit argueþ anticrist þat bi þis fel foly perpetual almes in abbeys & in collegies shulde be destried: but where were more synne? & siþ it is greet meede to do almes for a tyme, it were myche more meede to contynue perpetual almes; & þus charteres of lordis & kyngis of þer perpetual almes shulden be destried, & goostly help þat sueþ þer-of, & no drede þe pope is ground of alle siche perpetual almes. Heere han trewe men ofte seyd þat it were myche betere þat men lyueden opyn lif þan in siche nestis of þe fend; for siche abbeys & collegies ben hordis of synne to herbore hym. & herfore seiþ crist in þe gospel þat men shulden not beMatt. vi. [25.] bisi to þe morowe; but anticrist haþ hardy maner to holde his castel for many ȝeere. & þus þat crist durste not do, ne his apostlis aftir hym, anticrist dare blyndly do in holding of siche castels, & þis is a fendis cautel þat he haþ brouȝt yn of newe. heritage of erþly lordis goiþ ofte tyme amys whanne tirauntis & goddis traytours comen eyris aftir gode men; but ȝit god ordeyneþ grace heere, & ordeyneþ summe to wante eyris, & bi many priuey weyes he takiþ yuel fro gode men but whanne siche hord of þe fend is perpetuald in o heed, be it good be it yuel, it lastiþ many mennus lyues, & it is comynly yuel. for crist hadde but twelue apostlis & ledde hem in trauel & pouert & hooly preching of his word, & ȝit scarioth was a shrewe for al þe vertu þat crist shewide. lord, wher popis & erþly lordis han more vertu þan crist hadde heere? & þus siche nestis shulden not be callid perpetuel almes of worldly lordis, but dennes of þeues, & nestis of serpentis, & homely housis of quye deuels. & þey don harm to cristis chirge bi perpetualte in þer synne; & oþer ground han no men forto founde siche dennes, but þat crist forfendide hem & shewide þer perel in scarioth. & se þe cautel of þe fend, hou quentely he haþ brouȝt þis yn. he moueþ þes founderis to pride, & seiþ þey ben comun of grete men, þat han foundid perpetuel abbeys in so myche multitude. where is more satanas pride aȝenus mekenesse of iesu crist? for oure bileue techiþ vs þat a man doiþ no lengere merit þan þe while he lyueþ heere in erþe; hou shulde þis meede euere laste? þes founderis sufficiden not to founde þer oune soule in vertues; hou shulden þei þanne suffise to make so longe vertuous men? & ȝif þer come good of þis ground, pore deed men þat god loueþ betere han more meede of þis good þan han þes proude founderis. & se hou anticrist & þes lordis stryuen as fendis in þis poynt. anti|crist seiþ þat al þis lordchip felde to hym bi title of crist, & so þes lordis ȝauen aȝen godis þat þey hadden vniustly holdun, & so þei han no more meede but maken aseeþ for formere synne; & ȝit þey dwellen ay in synne þe while þei holden ony lordchip fro þe chirche. & þus it is not perpetual almes, but perpetual part of makinge aseeþ. & certis summe wordis þat heere ben seyd ben soþe, & summe opyn blasfemye, siþen crist, þat is lord of alle, forfendide siche nestis in þe gospel, & ordeynede to his moost dere children þat þey shulden not haue siche dwellinge place. & þis he ordeynede for þis ende, þat men shulden coueyte þe place of heuene. & to þe foorme of anticristis skile: he & alle hise kunnen not grounde þat þis was euere ony almes to make þus siche cayms castels. soþely in þe olde lawe was salomons temple a figure of þe chirche in þe newe lawe, but not þat þe chirche shulde be siche, but fre & large vndir þe cope of heuene, & stonde in vertues of mannus soule; but anticrist wole close it nou in coolde stones þat moten perisshe. & þus þis founding vn|groundid was noon almes at þe bigynnyng, & it is not aftir quykenyd to be almes wiþ-oute skile; but almes were to sue crist & ordeyne mennus lif aftir his lawe. crist is god þat chalengiþ propre to ordeyne siche perpetuytes, for he is lord wiþ-outen ende; who dare take fro hym þis lordchip? do men good for þer lif, & ȝyue þei to crist perpetuyte, for he can & may do þis as hym likiþ in his chirche. & þus errour in siche synnes haþ destried many kynredis & punysshid many soulis in helle, who so wyste þe soþe bi crist. & þus siche charteres of seculer lordis & of popis ben ofte witnessis of þe errours of þer eldris þat weren grounderis of þes synnes.

but ȝit anticrist grucchiþ & seiþ þat þis is heresye, for it techiþ a weye bi which hooly chirche shulde be destried. for ȝif þer were no pope in erþe ne no cardenals his felowis, þer were no patriarkis, ne archibischops, ne bischops, ne erchedekenes, ne officials, ne persouns, ne prestis. & ȝif þes ordris perisshiden þus, erþely lordis shulden sunnere perische, & so þe chirche shulde dwelle wiþ-outen ordre, as fendis wanten ordre in helle & ben in horrour wiþ-outen ende. Heere it haþ be seyd ofte bi witnesse of trewe men þat þer mut nedis be an ordre of þre partis of þe chirche, þat ben clerkis, lordis & comyns, & in ech of hem is ordre. for crist, þat is boþe god & man & heed & ground of hooly chirche, puttide þis ordre pleynly & ȝaf lawis to contynue it, & a man may no more shewe þat he is anticrist hym silf þan to reuerse þis ordre, & feyne a newe wiþ-oute ground. & siþ we taken of goddis lawe þat crist dwelliþ wiþ-outen ende, he were a fool out of bileue þat diffiede heere of cristis help. crist wole ordeyne to his chirche prestis & ordre þat is nedeful, al ȝif þes foure sectis weren sunkun doun to þer fadir. leue whanne þe pope was deed & cardenals weren not ȝit sprongun, in whois hond was þe chirche þat wandriþ heere vpon erþe? certis in cristis hond, þat dwelliþ euere heed of hooly chirche; & he mut nedis ordeyne prestis, summe hyere & summe lowere, aftir þat he ȝyueþ hem grace to profite more aftir his lawe. & þus ȝif þer weren no popis, ne cardenals, ne emperours prelatis, hooly chirche shulde stonde wel bi þe ordre þat crist puttide. & ȝif þou axe who shulde make þes prestis, & bi what wordis & whois autorite, certis bileue nediþ vs to seye þat crist mut make þes prestis, oþer bi wordis hid to vs or bi grace wiþ-oute wordis, as crist not wiþ-outen cause made apostlis & telde vs not bi what wordis he made hem; why shulde not crist do ȝit so? trowe we þat crist sitting in heuene is lettid to strecche his grace so fer? siþ he is boþe god & man, & gouernyþ vs in oþere þingis. & ȝif þou seye þat on þis maner myȝte ech man feyne hym silf a staat, & seye þat he is hierste man þat dwelliþ in erþe vndir crist; soþ it is þat many pseudois may speke myche wiþ-oute ground, & þerfore crist haþ ȝouyn a lawe to trowe hem not but ȝif þey grounden hem. & siþ crist bad trowe to his werkis & ȝaf neþer bullis ne lettris selid, men shulden more trowe hooly werkis þan popis bullis or bischops lettris. for alle þese ben not gospel, but þe fende may regne vndir þes writtis; for boþe popis, bischopis & prestis may be wiþ þes þe fendis children, & no partis of hooly chirche but fendis ordeyned to be dampnyd. trowe þou to vertuous dedis of prestis, & algatis to þer mekenesse, þat þey coueyten noon hye staat þat is not groundid in goddis lawe. & so proude prestis & coueytous ben suspect of prestis staat. but þis suspicioun is not bileue ne hope þat man shulde haue. but neþeles ech man heere shulde lyue in hope þat bi his lif he shulde come to heuene, for mekenesse & oþere vertues þat he haþ. & þus we shulden lyue in bileue in hope & in charite, & who so wantiþ hope heere he is an opyn anticrist. þus we hopen to be sauyd, al ȝif þes prelatis ben opyn fendis, & oure bileue & hope is picchid in þe grace of iesu crist, & oure gode werkis may we knowe wiþ entent in oure soule. many men trowen more to gode werkis þan to staat of pope or bischop, & so alle þes pontificals ben byneþe hooly writ, so þat ȝif þey alle weren brent cristendom shulde stonde wel. for ellis ȝif freris founden wordis to sacre þe armes of a prest, & þe pope ȝaue hym meede to fiȝte wiþ oþere cristenmen, he were out of bileue þat trowede not to al þis. but fer be it fro cristenmen to trowe siche cautels of þe fend; & bi þis may men se answere to þe foorme of anticristis resoun. þes wordis of þe emperours prelatis þat ben not groundid in goddis lawe destrien not hooly chirche, ne þe ordre þat crist haþ sett; but founding of þes newe ordris distemperiþ þe ordris of crist, & þus þe fend steliþ in mo men to his stede. þe ordre of kyngis & dukis & knyȝtis & of seruauntis to hem ben groundid in goddis lawe, but not of popis & cardenals. crist ordeynede bi his ordre þat his apostlis & his prestis shulden be felowis & meke men & telle not hye bi hem silf, & so crist makiþ distinccioun bi-twixe ordre of erþly lordis & ordre of his prestis. for þat ordre is hid to god & stondiþ in mekenesse & oþere dedis of charite; & so blyndenesse of anticrist shulde not disproue þes worldly lordis, ne proue þat bi þe same skyle mut be þis ordre of emperours prelatis.

ȝit anticrist argueþ þat it is nedeful to þe chirche þat þe pope & his cardenals & oþere prelatis reule it. for who shulde ellis assoyle men & graunte hem so large in|dulgensis boþe of peyne & of synne, haue þei neuere so longe synned. & oþere priuylegies of þe pope may not be teld of erþly men. in þis mater han cristenmen seyd priuely as þey dursten, þat it were good men to be war lest anticrist disseyue hem. & god wite it, men wolden wiþ wille seye treuþe for worchip of crist & for profit of his chirche & hope to gete blis in heuene. boþe cristenmen & anticrist grounden hem on iesu crist, but þey fallen in-to dyuerse weyes bi þe tempting of þe fend. anticrist leeueþ mekenesse & paciense wiþ oþere vertues, but cristenmen holden þes vertues, summe more & summe lesse. & holde we þus cristis lawe wiþ-outen nouelries of anticrist, & seye we hou cristenmen shulden do in þys fendis blast. & þus men seyen bi cristis lore þat anticrist failiþ first whanne he seiþ þat it is nedeful þat þe pope & cardenals reule cristis chirche. for whanne cristis chirche þrof, weren no siche pope & cardenals; & siþen þes prelatis weren comun yn regnede anticrist wiþ synne. & anentis asoyling, bileue techiþ cristenmen þat iesu crist mut nedis asoyle ȝif ony man shule be assoylid, & anticrist may not for shame denye opynly þis bileue; but he seiþ þat crist mut nedis assente wiþ hym in asoyling, & he groundiþ þis bi þe gospel, but it is shame to reherse it. soþ it is crist grauntide to petre þat what þing he asoylide on erþe shulde be asoylid in heuene, & so it is of bynding; but þis was lymytid to petre & hise þat suyden þe steppis þat petre wente, & whanne þer soyling & þer bynding acordide wiþ god in heuene. but nou it is no bileue þat þes gon petris steppis, & suen crist þe streiȝt weye þat shulde lede herdis to heuene. & also it is no bileue þat what tyme þat þes prelatis feynen hem to asoyle, þey acorden wiþ crist aboue; & so it is no bileue þat þei acorden euere wiþ crist. For as þey synnen in oþer þing, so þey synnen in þis poynt; for he þat discordiþ fro goddis wille in his lif & in his dede may liȝtly discorde fro god in profecye of siche asoyling. men preyen gode cristen|men bi þe vertu of iesu crist þat þey dampne not þes wordis to liȝtly wiþ-outen skyle, but reste in resoun & goddis lawe & holde al þat þese techen. for þis shulden alle cristenmen do & passe not þe boundis of þis; & þis shulden men telle opynly to suffere deþ for loue of treuþe. & bi þis may men se what þei shulen trowe of indulgensis. it is no poynt of bileue þat þe pope euere more in graunting of þes indulgensis acordiþ wiþ goddis wille; as it is no bileue þat so longe shal þis world stonde, as þe pope grauntiþ indulgensis. but bileue techiþ cristenmen þat indulgensis shulen no lengere laste; & þus it is no bileue ȝif þe pope, for bidding of a kyng, grauntiþ so large indulgensis þat a man may in a masse tyme where euere he heriþ þis masse gete twenti þousynd ȝeer of pardoun, & þat wole passe alle þe tyme þat soulis shulen dwelle in purgatorye; & þus he shal not dwelle in peyne bi þe graunt of þis pope. manye siche þingis ben writun þat ben nouȝt of bileue, & þerfore it is perelous to trowe hem as bileue. We bileuen on cristis lawe þat ȝif man synnede neuere so longe, & were neuere asoylid of pope ne of his prest vndir hym, ȝif he wolde forsake his synne & be contrit for formere synne & ende þis lif on þis maner, god wolde forȝyue hym his synne. We kunnen not telle hou longe þat god wolde punysshe hym in purgatorye, & þis is more grace of god þan þe pope telliþ in his lawe, for he wole nedis constreyne men to be asoylid of hym or hise, but þis durste noon apostle do. & þus it is no bileue, as it is no bileue þat þis or þis is very pope. for mannus choys makiþ no prest, hou euere þis lawe be hyed. for enleuene apostlis to-gidere dursten not chese mathy apostle, & ȝit þe hooly goost was wiþ hem & coueytise was awey. & þus seyen summe trewe men þat siche grauntis of þe pope þat ben not groundid in goddis lawe ben prauylegies, & litil worþ, & siþ þey ben not bileue, axe ground of hem bifore þou bie hem.