Also thou must kepe loue scylence not spekyng but in tyme of nede or edyfycacoÌ„n and ferthermore or thou be borne that is to say or thou shewe thy self outwardly by word eyther by opynyon of perfeccoÌ„n thou must abyde the tyme of ix monethes that is whyle yâ— arte not parfytely grouÌ„ded in vertues and in knowynge of goddes lawe for the nombre of the x. commauÌ„dements to keneth perfeccion of the lawe therfore that yâ— is lesse toke neth inperfeccoÌ„n wherfor as the chylde that is borne byfore his kyndely tyme is vnable to tryue so who soo wyll shewe hym outward by worde or by dede holy parfyte or the tyme that he be parfytely groweÌ„ shapen in vertues within forth he is vnable to stande as a man in tyme of temptacoÌ„n by goostly strengthe and to profyte of other of hym self wherfor closynge wythdrawynge to oure power all our mynde fro vanyte and lustes of the worlde besye we vs to coÌ„forme vs in clennes of herte to our lord Jhesu that for our sake wold so closed in the wombe of hys blessid moder Mary Also to B styre vs to compassion and to suffre wyth Jhesu penaunce dysease in thys worlde we shold consydere and haue in mynde that he was in contynuel affliccoÌ„n fro the fyrste tyme of his coÌ„cepcion in to the last tyme of his dethe specially pryncipally for yâ— he knewe his fader of heuen whome he loued soueraynly soo in vnworshyp of synful men forsaken for man metry mysbeleue of that grete coÌ„passion that he had to the soules made to his ymage so wretchidly for the most party dampned This was to hym more peyne than his bodyly passion dethe For why to put awey mysbileue destroye N this dampnacoÌ„n he suffred that deth that passion And so shold euery trwe louer of Jhesu haue compassion and be inwardly sory not only for the mysbileue of Jewes and saracenes and her dampnacoÌ„n but also and moche more for the wycked lyuynge of vntrue Cristen men In soo moche that shold by to him more passioÌ„ ghostly disease whaÌ„ he knewe or sawe a soule perisshe thoruÈ dedely synÌ„e than the losse of ony wordly catel or than his owne bodyly dethe â–ª for yâ— wille charite And soo in this forsaid processe we haue profytable doctryne good ensample Fyrste in our blessyd lorde Jhesu of penaunce suffryng of perfite charyte true compassion Also in his moder mary of profouÌ„de mekenesse and pacyence in tribulacoÌ„n and in hir husboÌ„de Joseph of vertuous riÈt Quare virgo Maria fuit despon sata Joseph wisnesse agaynst fals suspecoÌ„n And yf we wolde wyte why and whereto our lady was wedded to Joseph sythen he had not to doo wyth her bodely but she was euer clene mayden Hereto answeryng ben thre skylles Fyrst for she sholde haue comfort solace of man to hir bodely seruyse and wytnesse of hir clene chastite The secoÌ„de is that the merueilous birth of goddis sone shold be helyd and preuy fro the deuyll And the thirdde that she shold not ben diffamed of auoultrye and so as worthy the dethe â–ª after the lawe be stoned of the Jewes And thus endeth the fyrste parte of thys booke that stant in contemplacoÌ„n for the moneday and for the tyme of the Aduent into the natyuyte of our lord Jhesu whos name wyth his moder Mary be euer blessyd wythouten ende Amen ¶ Of the natyuyte of oure lorde Jhesu Capitulum Sextum WHat tyme that ix monethes fro the concepcion of the blessyd Jhesu drewen to an ende Cezar August the emperoure of Rome sende â–ª out a mauÌ„demente or an heste that alle the world subgette to hym shold be descryued so that he myght knowe the nombre of regyons of cytees And of the heedes loÌ„gynge to hym that weren subgette to the emperour of Rome And herefor he ordeyned bad that al men where so euer they dwelleden shold go to the Cyte of her firste byrthe propre lygnage wherof Joseph yâ— was of the lygnage of Dauid whoo 's Cyte was Bethelehem tooke with hym hys blessid spouse mary that was that tyme grete with childe and weÌ„te fro nazareth vnto that Cyte Bethlehem there to be noÌ„bred amonge other as subgette to the Emperour And so ledynge with hym an oxe an Asse they wenten all that longe weye to gyder as poure folke hauynge nomore wordly good but tho two bestes And what time they cameÌ„ to Bethlehem for the grete multytude that was therin that same tyme for yâ— same cause they myght gete no lodgynge but in a comyn place bytwene two houses that were hyled aboue men for to stande therfor the rayne and was cleped a dyuersory They were neded to reste in a byde al that tyme. In the whych place Joseph that was a carpenter made hem a closer a cratche for her bestes Now take here good hede and haue inwardly coÌ„passion of that blessyd lady and mayden Mary how she soo yong of soo tendyr age that is to saye of xv yere and grete wyth childe as nyghe the byrth trauayllynge that longe weye of rl myle and x. or more in so grete pouerte And yet whan she came to the Cyte forsayd there she shold reste asked her barow in diuerse places shamefully among vncouthe folke all they werned them and lete hem goo And so for nede atte last they took as for herburgh that comyn place afore sayde â–ª But now ferthermore for to speke of the blessyd byrthe of Jhesu And of that clene holy delyuerauÌ„ce of his dere moder Mary as it is wryten in party by reuelacion of our lady made herof to a deuoute man whan tyme of that blessyd byrthe was come that is to say the sonday at mydnyght goddes sone of heuen as he was coÌ„ceyued in his moders wombe by â— holy ghost without sede of maÌ„ so goynge oute of yâ— wombe without trauaylle or sorowe sodenly was vp on hyhe at his moder feete anone she deuoutly enclynyng wyth souerayne Joye took hym in hir armes and swetely clyppyng and kyssyng leyd hym in hyr barme with a ful pappe as she was taught of yâ— holy ghost wesshe him al aboute with hir swete mylk and so wrapped hym in the kerchyef of hir hede and leyd hym in the cratche and anone the oxe the asse knelynge doune leyden doune they re mouthes on the cratche brethynge at her noses vpon the childe that they knewen by reason that in that cold tyme the childe so symple hiled had nede to be warmed in that maner And than his moder knelyng doun worshipped loued god inwardly â–ª thankynge seyenge in thys maner Lord God holy fader of heuen I thanke the wyth almy myÈte that thou hast yeue me thy dere sone and I honoure the almyghty god goddes sone myne Joseph also honorynge worshyppynge the childe god and man tooke the sadel of the asse and made therof a quyschyn our
wonderful byrthe ageynst kynde at Rome that daye oute of a tauerne sprang a welle of oylle in the same Cyte an ymage of gold with a Temple that was cleped yâ— euer lastynge Temple of pees for as mykel as hit was ê“phecyed that shold neuer falle doune tyl a mayden bare a sone thys daye felle doun bothe to gyder anone as Criste was borne In the whyche place is now made a chirche in the worshippe of oure lady saint Mary whos name with hir blessid sone our lord Jhesus blessid be now and euer wythouten ende Amen ¶ Of the circuncisycion of oure lord Captlin SeptimuÌ„ â–ª IN the eyghte daye that the child was borne he was circumcised Ca. vii after the byddyng of the lawe And so in thys day two grete thynges were doune that we owen to haue deuoutly in mynde the fyrst is that the blessyd name Jhesê° that euer was withoute begynÌ„ynge yeuen to hym of the fader of heuen and also of the AuÌ„gel cleped and tolde or he were conceyued Thys day was openly declared named And he ther with specially cleped Jhesus that is as mykel to saye as sauy our and this name resonably is aboue al names For as the A postle Peter saith there is none other name vnder heuen in the whiche we owen to be saued Of the whiche name and grete worthynes and vertue therof saint Bernard speketh deuoutly by processe that shal be sayd after The second thynge Bernard super can that was done thys day worthy to be had in mynde is that this day our lord Jhesus beganne to shede his precious blood for our sake he bygan by tyme to suffre for vs he that dyde neuer synne began this day to bere payne in his swete ten dir body for our synne Mykel ouÈt we to wepe haue coÌ„passiou with hym For he wepte this day ful sore and so in the se grete festes and solempnytees we shold make mykel myr the be Joyeful for our hele and also haue inward coÌ„passoÌ„n sorowe for the peynes anguysshes that he suffred for vs For as it is said before thys day he shedde his blod when that after the ryght of the lawe his tendyr flesshe was cutte with a sharp stonen knyf and so the yonge child Jhesus our sauy our kyndely wepte for yâ— sorow that he felte there thurgh in his flesshe For withoute doubte he had very flesshe kyndly suffrable as haue other children shold not we thenÌ„e haue coÌ„passion of hym yes sothely also of his dere moder For wel may we wete that whan she sawe hir louely chyld wepe she myght not witholde wepynge than may we ymagyne and thynke how that lytyl babe in his moders barme seeynge hyr wepe putte his hand to hyr face as he wold not that she sholde wepe And she ageynward inwardly styred hauyng compassion of the sorowe and yâ— wepynge of hir dere sone wyth kyssyng spekynge comfortyd hym as she myght For she vnderstood wel by the Inspiracion of the holy ghost that was in hir the wylle of hir sone though he spake not to her ther for she sayd Dere sone yf thou wylt that I ceace of wepyng ceace thou also of wepyng For I may not but I wepe what tyme that I see the wepe and so thorugh the coÌ„passion of the moder the. child ceased of sobbynge wepyng And thenÌ„e his moder wypyng his face kysyng hym puttyng the pape in his mouthe coÌ„forted hym in all the maners that she myght Cause 〈…〉 â–ª And soo she dyde as ofte as he wepte For as we may suppose he wepte ofte sythes as other children doune to shewe the wrechidnesse of mankynde that he verely took also he hyd hym fro the deuyll that he shold not knowe hym as for god And thus moche suffyseth to be sayd at thys tyme of the circumcision of our lord Jhesu But now in tyme of grace ceaceth this circumcision of the old lawe we haue in that stede baptysme ordeyned by Cryst that is the sacramente of more grace lesse peyne But for that bodily circmcision we shal haue ghoostly circuÌ„cision that is kuttyng awey al superflue thynges fro vs that disposen to synÌ„e and holdynge wyth vs as in affeccion only that is nedeful to vertuous lyuynge For he that is truly poure is vertuously circuÌ„cised the whiche circumcisyon the Apostle techeth in these wordes when he saith that we hauyge mete and drynke and cloth we shold holde vs payed This also ghoostly circumcision nedeth to be in al oure bodyly wyttes as in seyng heringe touchyng and other that is to say that we in all these eschewe superfluyte kepe scarcite namely in spekynge For mykel speche withoute fruyte is a grete vyce displeysyng to god and good men a token of an vnstable and a dissolute herte as ageyn ward scyleÌ„ce is a grete vertu and for grete cause of goodnes ordeyned in religion of the whiche vertu dyuerse clerkes speken that Ca â–ª vii we shal passe ouer at this tyme and thus endeth this chapitre Of the Epiphanie that is opeÌ„ shewyng of our lord Ca viii FIrste touchyng this solempne daye and worthy fest we shal vnderstonde that there is none feste that hath soo moche dyuerse seruyce in holy chirche as longynge therto as this feste hath not for hit is more worthy than other but for many grete thynges be felle and were done this day specially touchyng the state of holy chirche As firste vnderstondyng that holy chirche here in erthe stante in two maner of peple that one is of them that comeÌ„ of the Jewes that hadden moyses lawe and weren circumcysed that other is of the remanaunt that weren not circumcised and weren Primum factum cleped gentyles This day that is to say the xiii day fro the natyuyte accouÌ„tynge that same day the blessid childe Jhesus shewed hym as god man specially to the kynges that wereÌ„ of the gentyles ¶ And in her persone holy chirche now crystned is pryncypally gadred of yâ— multytude of gentyles was thus receyued of â–ª our lord God to true byleue For the day of his natyuyte he appiered shewed hym specially to the Jewes in the persone of herdemen the whiche Jewes for the moost party receyued not goddes word and by leue but this daye he shewed hym to the gentyls of whome we comeÌ„ that ben now his chosen chirche wherfore this feste is specially propirly the feste of holy chyrche of true cristeÌ„ men The seconde thynge that was done this day touchynge Sâ—â—m factum holy chirche is that she was this day ghostly wedded to criste truli knytte to hym by the baptysme that he took this daye xx ix yere coÌ„plete For in the baptisme bâ— soules weded to criste the congregacion of crysten soules is cleped holy chirche that baptysme is wesshen maade clene of thefylthe of synÌ„e and clothed newe in vertues ¶ The
was his comyn hostrye and namly tho fewe dayes folowyn ge in to his passyon For there he ete on dayes slept in nygh tes wyth his discyples and his blessed moder wyth her sisters for they worshipped her soueraynly as worthy was but specyally mawdeleyne yâ— wolde neuer departe fro her ThenÌ„e amonge those his true frendes our lorde sayd that they sholde not be tomoche abasshed or distourbled with that vncouth de de to come tolde hem that he wold on the morowe goo openly in to Jhrlm And thenÌ„e were they all soueraynly aferde and prayden hym hertly his moder also namely that he wolde not put hymselfe soo vtterly in to his enmyes hondes and sothly ferdermore in to the dethe that was conspyred wythout faylle agaynst hym of yâ— Jewes But our lorde god coÌ„fortyng hem againward badde hem drede nought and sayd it is the faders wyll that I take this Journeye and he shall kepe vs and soo ordeyne for vs at this tyme that ye shall see me amonge al myn enmyes in the grettest worshyp that euer ye sawe me they shall haue noo power now agaynst me But after that I haue done all that I wyll tomorowe att euen we shall come hyder again sauf and sounde And thenne thorugh thyse wordes they were all well comforted But neuertheles alwaye dredynge How our lorde JhuÌ„s tame to Jherusalem vpon palmsonday Caplm xxxvii THe sondaye after erly vpon the morow our lorde Jhesus dysposed hym as he had sayd to goo in to Jherusalem in a new maner an vncouthe other wyse than euer he dyde before But to fulfyll yâ— prophecye of zacarye yâ— prophete â–ª sayd to that pourpoos And whan he with that lytill but blessid coÌ„pany camÌ„ to a place in middes yâ— way that was called bethfage He sente two of his discyples in to Jherusalem And badde hem bryng to him an asse her fole that were teâ—ed the re in the comyn waye and ordeyned to serue poore men at her nede that had none bestes of her owne And whan they were broughte and the discyples had layed her clothes vpon hem Our lorde mekely sette hym firste a lityl while vpon the asse after on the fole ridynge in that symple araye toke his way forth in to Jhrlm O lorde what syghte was this to see yâ— kinge of kyngis lorde of all the worlde ride in suche araye namly in to that solempne cytee of Jherusalem But sothly this thou dydest as all thyn other dedes to our enformacoÌ„n and en sample For we may see and vnderstonde that in this maner of worldes worshippe takynge thou dispisest fully all the poÌ„pe of vayne worldes worshyp hauyuge in stede of golden har neys and curyous sadels and bridels symple clothes and hem ê“yn helters And whan the people herde of his comynge by cause of that grete myracle that was publisshed before of the reysinge of lazar they weÌ„ten ayenst hym and receyueden him as kynge wyth ympnes songes and grete Joyes strewynge in his waye her clothes braunches of trees But wyth this Joye our lorde meaned sorow wepyng For whan he came nyghe the cyte he wepte therupon sayenge before the destrucci on therof that came after sorowynge for her ghostly blind nesse For we shall vnderstonde that as holy wrytte makyth mynde our lorde wepte notably thre tymes One tyme in the Primo dethe of lazar the wretchydnes of mankynde wherby he is neded to deth for the fyrste synÌ„e A nother tyme he wepte for the SecuÌ„do ghostly blyndenes vncuÌ„nynge of man as now at this tyme of hem that dwellen in that cyte of Jherusalem that wolden not knowe the tyme of her gracyous visytacoÌ„n And therforÌ„ after was to come to that cyte her vtter distruccoÌ„n The thir de tyme he wepte for the grete trespaas and malyce of man And Tercio that was in tyme of his passion hangyng on the crosse for he sawe that his passyon was sufficyent for redempcoÌ„n of all men but neuertheles it toke not effecte of profyte in all for not in reproued and harde hertes obstynate to doo pena unce that woll not forthynke amende hem of her synÌ„es And of this wepinge spekith the appostle poul whan he sayth that JhuÌ„s in tyme of his passyon wyth a grete crye wepynge teres was herde of the fader for his reuerence And of thyse thre wepyng tymes holy wrytte spekyth Also holy chirche Quart makith mynde that he wepte the fourth tyme. and that was whan he was a yonge chylde And that wepynge was for to hyde fro the deuilles the mysterye of his JncarnacoÌ„n Beholde we now our lorde JhuÌ„s soo wepynge and that not feynyngly but effectuelly and largely wyth a sorowfull herte specyally for her dampnacoÌ„n without ende with the destruccoÌ„n tem porell of hem and of her cytee And as we maye sothfastly trowe his dere moder and all that company seenge hym wepyng soo myght not conteyne hem fro wepyng at that tyme and nomore sholde we sene losse of soules Thê° our lord Jesus rydynge on the asse and hauynge in stede of prynces erles borons his poore symple discyples aboute hym wyth his moder other deuoute wymÌ„en folowynge entred in to that solempne cyte and also the peple doynge hym great worshyp as it is sayd before Of the whiche comynge al the cyte was gretly styred And soo went he firste in to the temple cast oute therof the byars sellers agaynst goddis lawes as it is sayde here before in the xxxii chapiter And there was he stondin ge openly in the temple prechynge ansuerynge to the prynces pharysees all that daye tyll it drewe towarde euen And soo he his discyples stondyng all the daye fastynge after the grete worshyp before done there was not one yâ— wolde bydde hym ones drynke wherfore at euen he wente wyth his discyples to his homely hostry bethanye gooynge soo symply thorugh the cyte wyth that lityll company that came on the mo rowe wyth soo grete worshyp And here maye we consyder yâ— it is lityll to charge and lityll force of worldes worshyp that is soo soone done and soo lyghtly passeth awaye But what Joye trowe we that his moder mawdeleyne other true freÌ„des hadden whan they sawe hym soo worshypped of the people namly at nyght whan he was come wyth his disciples sauf in prosperyte to bethanye Sothly he alonly knowyth our lord JhuÌ„s that euer blessed be with ende AMEN What our lorde JhuÌ„s dyde from palmsonday in to the thursdaye after next sewynge Caplm xxxviii OVr lord JhuÌ„s ful of charyte well of al charyte wyllynge to shew bothe in worde dede his souerayne charyte as well to his foes as to his frendes and desirynge that noo man sholde be loste but al saaf whan it drewe to the ende of his dedely lyfe here of his passion tyme was nyghe at honde he traueyled besily in prechyng and techyug opeÌ„ly to yâ—
erre lette vs folowe hym that souerayne mayster that wyll not begyle â–ª and that maye not be begyled And also after the doctryne of hys Apostle hauiÌ„ge lyuelode and clothyng in these be we apayed and that in nede couenable and not in superfluyte And also in all other vertuous lyuynge and exercyses before sayd folowe to oure power oure lorde Jhesu that we maye after â–ª this wrechid lyf in penaunce come to his blysse and the lyf euerlastyng in Joye Amen ¶ Of the Baptisme of oure lorde Jhesu and waye therto Capitulum xiiii AFter that nyne and twenty yere were complete in the whiche oure lord Jhesus lyued in penaunce and in abâ—eccion as it is sayd in the begynÌ„ynge of his xxx yere he spake to thys moder and saide Dere moder hit is now tyme that I goo to gloryfye my fader and make hym knowen and also to shewe my self to the world to wyrke the sauacion of maÌ„nes sonle as my fader hath ordeyned sente in to this worlde for this ende wherfore good moder be of good coÌ„forte For I shall soone come ageyne to the And therwith that souerayne maister of mekenes knelyng downe to his moder asked lowely her blessyng And she also knelynge clyppynge hym derworthly in hir armes with wepyng said thus My blessid sone as thou wolt goo now with thy faders blessyng myn And thynke on me and haue in minde soone to come ageyne And soo reuereÌ„tly takynge his leue at his moder and also at his supposed fader Joseph he took his way fro Nazareth to ward Jherusalem and soo forth tyl he came to the water of Jordan where iohn baptysed the peple at that tyme the whyche place is fro Jherusalem the space of eyghteÌ„ myle And so the lord of al the world gooth all that longe way bare foote allone For he had yet none disciples gadred wherfore we takynge good entente by inward coÌ„passion of hym in this iourney speke we to hym deuoutly in herte thynkynge in this â—edi 〈…〉 â—â—uot 〈…〉 nota 〈…〉 maner O lord Jhu ye that ben kynge of all kynges whyder goo ye in this maner alone Good lord where ben your Dukes Erles knyghtes and Barons horses and harneys chari ottes and soÌ„mers and all other seruauntes and mynystres that shold be aboute you to kepe you fro the comyn peple in maner of kynges and lordes where ben the trompes clario nes all other mynstralsye and herbegers and purueyours that shold goo before and al other worshippes and pompes of the world as we wretchyd wormes vseâ— â–ª Be not ye that hye lorde of whos Joye and blysse heuen and erthe is replenysshed why thenÌ„e goo ye thus symply alone and on that bare erthe Sothely the cause is for ye be not aâ— thys tyme in your kyngdome the whiche is not of this worlde For here ye haue auauntysed youre self takynge the maner of a seruauÌ„t not of a kynge and soo ye haue made youre self as one of vs a 〈…〉 na â— pâ—râ—g 〈…〉 â—go sum si cut omn 〈…〉 â—riâ— m 〈…〉 pylgryme and a stranger as al oure faders weren ye be come a seruaunte to make vs kynges â–ª and for we sholde sykerly come to youre Reame ye come youre self shewynge vs the true waye wherby we sholde mowe come vp there to But lorde god why leue we forsake we that waye why folowe we 〈…〉 â—â—n â—râ— bâ—â—uâ— mundâ— dâ— lâ—â—â—otâ—â— not after the. why lowe we not and meke not oure self why loue we and holde we and coueyte we soo besely worshippes and pompes and vanytees of the worlde Sothely for oure Reame is of thy worlde and for we knowe not our self as pylgrymes and strauÌ„gers therfore we fallen in al these folyes and myscheues soo we vayne mens sones louen holden aldaye thynges that ben vayn and fals for tho that ben good true and tho that ben temporel euer fayllynge for tho that ben heuenly euerlastyng Truly gode lord yf we desyren with a sadde will to youre reame our coÌ„forte were in heuenly thynges and also therwyth yf we inwardly thoughten knewen our self here as pilgrymes and strangers we shold soone and lyghtely folowe you and of all these erthely and teÌ„porel goodes takynge oonly that were nedeful to our lyuynge we shold not be taryed to renne after yow but as wythouten byrthen we shold goo lyghtely fully despyse sette at nouÈt all these wordly Rycheses goodes But now speke we ferthermore of the baptysme of our lord Jhesu what tyme that he come to the water of Jordan there founde he Johan baptysynge synfull men and mykel peple that was come thyder for to here his predicacoÌ„n for they helden hym that tyme as Cryste And thenÌ„e oure lorde Jhesus amonge other wente to Johan and prayd hym that he wolde baptyse hym with other And Johan beholdynge hym and knowynge hym in spiryte was adred with grete reuereÌ„ce said Lord I shold be baptysed of the thou comest to me â–ª and Iâ—s answerd Suffre now For thus it falleth besemeth vs to fulfille all ryghtwysnesse As who saith Saye not thys now bewreye me not or make me not knowe for my tyme therof is not yet come but now doo as I bydde baptyse me ¶ â—ota tees gâ—â—duâ— hu unlitatiâ— for now is tyme of mekenes therfore I wyll now fulfille al maner mekenes Here saith the glose yâ— mekenes hath thre degrees the first degree is a man to be subget lowed to his souerayn not preferred or hyed hym self aboue hym that is euen with hym in astate the secoÌ„d is to be subget to his euen lyke in astate not to be hyed or preferred aboue his vnderlinge The thirde the souerayn degree of mekenes is to be subget lowed to his vnderlyng that is he that is lasse in astate thaÌ„ he this degree kepte our lord ihs at this time whaÌ„ he meked hym lowed hym to Johan and therfore so he fulfilled ryghtwysnes and all the perfeccion of mekenes And thenne whan Johan sawe our lordes will that must nedes be doo he dyde as he baâ— and baptysed hym â— here Now take we here goode hede how that hye lord of mageste despoilleth hym â—â—oth oâ— his clothes as another symple man of the peple And after he is plonged in that colde water in that colde tyme. as in wynter al for our loue for our hele ordeynyng the sacrament of baptisme wasshyng therwyth none of his owne synÌ„es fâ—â— he had none but oure fylthes oure synÌ„es and so weddynge there ghostly to hym holy chirche generally all trewe soules specially For in the feith of oure baptisme we â—en wedded to oure lord Jhesu Crist wherfore this is a grete feste and a werke of grete profyte excellence for in this worthy werke al the hole Trinyte was openly shewed in a synguler 〈…〉 anâ—r ¶ whan the holy ghoost cam downe in
sugestyons Therfore he fell downe as he dyde And soo we maye see that couetyse of grete lordshype hyghe myghte pryued the angell of angels blysse and desyre of grete connynge despoyleth man of the Joye of endeles lyfe And of bothe myscheues was grounde and cause delyte desire of vayne worshyppe wherfore seenge this peryll of vayne worshyp yf we drede the falle of the auÌ„gell of man we muste flee in wylle fro bothe thyse hylles of hye lordshyppÌ„ grete cuÌ„nynge and goo vp wyth our lorde JhuÌ„ in to the hylle of coÌ„templacoÌ„n deuocoÌ„n by mekenes forsakyng the worlde the wyll to be worshypped of the comyn people as he dyde But in this fleenge fro the peple and goynge of hym allone in to Notabile â—â—â—â— the hyll as it is sayd before in the processe of the gospell take we hede ferdermore to our edifycacoÌ„n how he lefte his discyples and made hem ayenst her wyll to take the shyppe goâ— in to the see wythoute hym For they wolde not her thonkes haue ben departed fro hym And in that was her desyre good for to dwelle euer wyth her lorde Neuertheles he ordeyned otherwyse seenge what was best for hem And soo thenÌ„e they mekely diden as he badde and were obeyssauÌ„t to hym though nota q̄◠〈◊〉 〈…〉 spuÌ„â—â—â—â—â—edâ—â—b aâ—a ◠〈◊〉 dâ—â— ad â—â— it soo were that it were neuer soo greuous harde to hem â–ª Thus it fareth comynly wyth ghostly lyuers by specyall felinge of the presence of JhuÌ„ of his absence in her soule thâ—â— wold not that euer he shold goo fro hem as by specyall ghostly comforte in ony tyme But he dooth other wayes For he gooth comyth as it is his wyll and for her best But what shall suche a deuowte sowle doo whan she felyth her ghostly spouse JhuÌ„ soo wythdrawen towchynge his speciall comforte Sothly she behouyth besily ofte calle hym agayn in con tynuell desyre deuoute prayer and in the meane tyme paâ—yâ—tly suffre the absence of her spouse and by ensample of the disciples of JhuÌ„ that thrugh obedience at his biddynge wenten in to the shyppe and token the water in his absence Suffre the wawes tempestes of temptacoÌ„n aduersyte and pacyeÌ„tly abyde tyll he wolde of his grace come in to that soule and make reste pees as it shall folowe after in the processe next to come Of this mater saynt Beruarde in diuers places ma keth a fayre processe and deuoute the whiche for asmoche as it longeth is pertyneÌ„t specyally to ghostly folke â–ª and also as I hope it is wryten suffyciently in dyuers tretees of conteÌ„pla coÌ„n we passen ouer here as we done in many other places suche auctorytees of hym leest this processe of crystes lyfe shold be tedyous to comyn peple and symple soules to the whyche it is specyally wryten AMEN ¶ Of the prayer of our lorde JhuÌ„ in yâ— hyll and how after he came to his disciples vpoÌ„ the water goyng Caplm xxvii AFter the discyples of our lorde JhuÌ„ were gone in to the shyppe the water as he badde hem and as it is said be fore he went vp in to the hyll alone and there was he ocupyed in prayer in to the fourth parte of the nyghte soo that thre partyes of the nyght that were past he had contynued in prayer And notabil de orâ—e thus we rede oft tymes he yaaf hym to prayer where fore take we here gode entent in what manere he prayed and how that he loweth him in his manhede and mekith hym to his fader of heuen He chesith solytary places and gooth to heÌ„ alone to praye and dooth his tender body to penauÌ„ce wakyth longe wakynges he prayeth as the true herde for his shepe For nÌ„ qualâ—â— Jhs orat he prayeth not for hymself but for vs. and as our aduocate mediatour bytwene the fader vs And also he prayeth to ensaÌ„ple of vs that we sholde ofte tymes praye and specyally loue prayer For ofte tymes he badde his dyscyples taughte hem for to praye And soo that he badde hem by worde he shewed hymself in dede He taught hem sayd that it behoueth is nedefull euer to pray and not fayle in leuynge therof shewynge that coÌ„tynuyng oft askynge in prayer getith at last wythoute fayle that thynge that is asked and herof he tolde ensaÌ„ple of yâ— Luce. xviii domesman that at last thrugh longe cryenge askynge of the wydo we dyde her ryght as the gospell of luke telleth Also to styre hem for to praye and trust for to gete that they asken he tolde a nother ensaÌ„ple of a frende That at last thrugh moche askynge lente to his frende the brede that hym neded as the same Luc. xi gospel tellith in processe coÌ„cludynge sayenge thus Asketh it shall be yeueÌ„ to you And al this he sayd to teche vs yâ— vertue of good prayer the whiche may not be estemed for the vertu Notabil therof is soo myghty so grete that it getith al godenes puttith awaye al maner of wickydnes wherfore yf thou wolt patiently victâ— oroÌ„ mâ— multipler suffre aduersytees and myghtely ouercome teÌ„ptacyon diseases be thou a man of prayer Also yf thou wolt knowe the sleyghtes of the deuyll be not begiled wyth his fals suggestyoÌ„s be a man of prayer Also yf thou wolt take the hye way to heuen by traueyle penauÌ„ce of the flessh therwyth gladly contynue in goddis seruyce be a man of prayer Also yf thou Hâ—mâ— oroÌ„â—â— wolt put away vayn thoughtes and fede thy soule wyth holy thoughtes ghostly meditacoÌ„ns deuocoÌ„ns be a maÌ„ of prayer Also yf thou wolt stable thyn hert in good purpose to god dis wyll puttyng away vices plaÌ„tyng vertues be a man of prayer for thrugh prayer is goteÌ„ the yeft of yâ— holy ghost that techeth the soule yâ— is nedefull therto Also yf thou wolt come to heuenly conteÌ„placoÌ„n and fele the ghostly swetnes that is felt of fewe chosen soules and knowe the grete gracyous yeftes of our lorde yâ— maye be felt but not spoken be a man of prayer For by the exercise of prayer specyally a man cometh to coÌ„teÌ„placoÌ„n the felynge of heueÌ„ly thynges Here may we see of how grete ghostly myght vertu is deuoute prayer and to coÌ„fyrmacoÌ„n herof of all those thynges that ben sayd before yâ— holy Nota de simpliâ— wrytt doctours sayeÌ„ges fully preuen Ferdermore we haue a specyall proue in that we see euery daye by experyence many meÌ„ symple vnlettred bi yâ— vertue of prayer gete haue al tho thynges yâ— ben sayd before many more gretter yeftes of grace wherfore moche oughte all cristen folke be styred to yâ— exercyse of prayer but pryncypally they that ben religyous whose manere of liuynge is ordeyned more specyally herto Of this vertue of prayer and how our lord yeuyth to hym
ghostly but he yeue vs And so yf he suffre vs fasting we shall fayle in the wey For withoute him we may not helpe our self in ony ghostly nede wherfore we haue no mater of elacion or vayne Joye of our self what time that we felen ony comforte or profite in ghostly excercyse for it is nought of vs but only on hym and so yf we take gode entente we may see that they that ben true seruauÌ„tes of god chosen of hym the more parfyte that they ben in lyuyng and the nere god and the more excellent in his yeftes of grace the more meke they ben and the more abiecte in her owne syght For they knowen wel that they haue noughte of hemself but wretchydnesse synÌ„e For the nere that a man cometh to god the more clere syght he hath ghostly and so he seeth the more clerly the grete godenes and the mercy of god wherfore pryde vayne Joye that comen of ghostly blyndenes may not haue place and restynge in his soule that is so lyghtned thrugh grace For wythoute doubte he that knewe well god and sothely examyned hym self myght not be proude dedely Also here is grete coÌ„forte to synfull men of the grete mercy of oure lord Jhesu yf they wyllen torne ageyne come to hym by very repentauÌ„ce what tyme they ben departed fro hym gone in to the ferre couÌ„trey of wyckednes for as the gospell telleth that he was specyally stired to mercy of the peple for as mykell as somÌ„e of hem were comen to hym fro ferre couÌ„tre So withoute doubte wyl he to euery sinful man that wyll come to hym ghostly as it is sayd by his weye of de partinge neuer so longe before AMEN ¶ Of the fleynge of our lord Jhesus when the people wolde haue made hym her kynge Eapitulum xxvi AFter that our lord JhuÌ„s had fedde the people to the full as it is sayd in the nexte chapytre before they seenge his myght in that myracle and how he myght helpe hem at her nede for her profyte temporel they woldeÌ„ haue made hym her kynge But our lord JhuÌ„s knowynge this wyll of hem hem vnwyttyng fledde in to the hyll so that they myght not fynde hym And this was that hyll as somme clerkes sayen vpon yâ— whyche he made that excellent sermon that is spoke of before and thus he fledde for he wolde not haue temporell kynge domes vayne worldes worship But take we here gode entent howe in what maner he fledde this worship effectuelly withoute feynyng Firste he badde his disciples take the shippe goo in to the water before him and thenÌ„e he allone went in to the hyl so So that yf the peple wold seche hym among his disciples they shold not finde him And so he scaped awey fro hem that soughteÌ„ hym to worshyppe yeuyng Ensample to vs for to flee temporell worship for he flede not that worshipe for him self but for vs. knowynge what perill it is vs for to coueite or desyre temporell worship For soth it is that NoÌ„ coÌ„caÌ„ 〈◊〉 nos honoâ—s perâ—uâ—a mâ—â—â— worship is one of the moste perillous gnaris of the enemy to catche begyle manÌ„es soule one of the heuyest burthen that draweth downe ouercometh the soule dedely â–ª whether hit be worship or prelacy or of temporel lordship or of grete conynge For scarcely is there ony maÌ„ that hath desyre in worship but that he is in grete perill of fallyng or els fully fallen downe P 〈…〉 in the pytte of dedely synÌ„e as we see by many resons First for as mykell as he that hath grete delyte in worship is besy al tymes in his mynde howe he maye kepe his worship make it more so as gregory sayth ¶ In as mykel as a man hath sette his lykynge in thyng that longeth to the world or to the flesshe here byneth forth in so mykel is he departed fro yâ— ghostly S 〈…〉 likyng loue of god heuenly thynges aboue forthe Also he that loueth worshyppes is besy to procure gete him frendes that now kepe hym in hys worship And also further hym to gretter worshyppes wherfore often sythes fallen dyuerse causes in the whiche he offeÌ„ded god his owen coÌ„science for to please suche frendes And in the same maner he maketh heÌ„ 〈…〉 to do for him Also comynly he hath indygnacion of other yâ— ben in worshyp bacbyteth hem to make himself more worshipfull more worthy and so he falleth in to hate enuy of Quâ—â—â—â— his broder ¶ Also he hold him felf in his owen syght also desyred to be had soo in othermens sighte worthy worship full And so he falleth in to yâ— fowle vyce of elacion and pride and vayne glory But therfore as the gospell sayth He that holde hym selfe as oughte worthy when in soothenesse he is nought he deceyueth foule hym self therfore sayd our lord to hys disciples in the gospel when ye huae done all thynges that ben beden to you saie ye sothely with herte we beÌ„ vnworthy and vayne seruauÌ„tes But this may not he say that holde QuintuÌ„ hymself worthy worshipfull Ferthermore as to the laste when this lykyng of worshype is roted in man he is so hongry gredy after worshippes that he may not be filled but euery day procureth newe worshippes the gretter the more that he geteth the more he coueyted and desireth For he holdeth algate hymself more worthy worshipfull than he was before bothe in his owne syght in other mans syght so he falleth in to depe couetyse that is the fowlest vyce the rote the cause of many other vyces Of this vayne delite in worshippes of the perill therof saint Bernard speketh to men Bernardê° sermo â—â—â—o de aâ—câ—â—sionâ— specially in this manere All we ben noble worthy creatures of a grete manere wyll wherfore kyndely we desiren hyghe nes But woo to vs yf we will folowe hym that wyll sette his sete in the hyll of highe lordshipe highe myght be lyke to god in worship that was lucifer yâ— thus stighe vp by proude wyll in to the hyll of hyghnes first a glorious Angell but sodenly fell downe therfro made a fowle fend of hell ¶ Also taketh hede ferthermore yâ— he that fowle fende after his fals coueting by his wicked enuious wyl to cast man downe fro his blisse he durste not tempte hym for to styghe vp to that hyll of lordshipe grete myghte that hymself so sodenly fell downe fro but as a fals trechour he shewed hym in another hyll lyke therto that is to say the hyll of grete connynge and couÌ„ceylled hym falsly to styghe vp in to this hylle by prowde desyre of worshipe when he sayd to hym in this manere ¶ ye shall be as goddes thrughe grete connynge knowynge bothe gode and euyll ¶ And for as mykell as man gaf his assente to his