diuerse catell and as his bestis wente one the hillâ— there happid a balle left be hynde othir bestis thaÌ„ wente this man his seruaunte to seke this bolle and founde hym stondyng be fore an hole in a grete dene and than on of hem shette an arrow at him and the arrew tourned a yene smote hym that shote the arrow and hurte him sore Thanne were they sore a ferde and thought what that myghte mene wente to the bishop tolde him all the cause thaÌ„ the bishop preyde to god to haue knowleche what hit was ThaÌ„ in the mounte of gargan michaell apperid to him seyde hit was goddis wyll that the man shulde be hurte for ye shall knowe well that y am kepir of the place where for go thou make a chirche of that dene and so the bishâ—p made a fayre churche there Also michaell aâ—pered to a nothir bishop bad him go to an hill toppe to the mounte of gardell ther as he founde a bolle teyde he shulde make a churche in the worshippÌ„ of god semte michaell Thanne were there ij roâ—chis of stone on eythir syde that the werke myght not vp Than semt michaell appered to a man that hight baymo bad hym go put a wey the roche drede no thyng so this man wente thethir sette to his shuldres bad the roche go vtter in the name of god seint michaell so the hilles wente vtter as moche as nedich to the werke Narracio we rede also in the lyfe of seint gregory how ther was a grete multitude of people in rome and they saw arrowes of fyre come oute of the eyre slewe moche people Thanne seint Gregory preyde to god to sese that pestilence Than he saw an aÌ„gell stondyng one a castell wall wypyng his blody swerde but that angell he seyde was seint michaell was sente thethir to punische the people for syn thus michaell was meruelons in miracles worchyng Also he was victorious in fightyng for whan the citezenis of septutyne were oppressid with paynemes shulde yeue heÌ„ batayle they preyde ofte to seint michaell of helpe ThaÌ„ the nyght be for as the batayle shulde be michaell apperid to the bishoppe seyde to him haue no drede but go to the batayle boldely he wolde helpe hym so on the morow whan the batayle shulde be the hill of garganus was ouer câ—uered with a grete myste arrowes come oute of the myste fleyng of fyre bâ—ltis of thoundir hurte moche peple of the paynemes in so moche that they slew all that euer myght fle And so many were sleyne tho that were a lyfe were saued be grete miracle of god were cristoned Seint iohan euengeliste seythe in his Apocalips how michaell his angels foughten with lucifer in heuen that is callid the dragon his angels with helpe of god â–ª michaell had the better droue oute the dragon all his felowshippe in to the eyre betwene heuen erth so they be ther yit as thicke as motis in the fonne And for criste come to heuen in a blaste of thoundyr there for yit whan they here thoundir they fall downe to the er the for fere thaÌ„ they go not vp a yene till they haue do somme harme for than they make batis stryues man slawter make grete wyndes bothe in londe in water doo moche harme yit they wolde doo moche more than they doo nere seyntâ— michaell for all her sorowes is to se soules engeles in heuen in the place there they were ynne to fore Also othir spirites there were that sâ—ode not stede faste towardes god but flatering the whiche seint michaell droue oute heueÌ„ all in to an yle of the see as ye shall here As seinte Brandan seyled in the se he come to an yle sawe a tree was so grete be the highe brode that it was wouÌ„dir to tell on the whiche tre satte briddis thicker than the bowes were as white as snowe thaÌ„ he preyde to god to wete what they wee ThaÌ„ come on of hem satte on the shippis borde batered with his wynges made a sowne like an organ Than seyd brandan yf thou be come a messenger speke and tell me what ye ben Thanne he seyd we were angels that stode not stede faste in the be leue aâ— michaell waâ— there for we were dreuyn oute whan michaell droue oute lucifer his angels But yit we haue euery day a remedy to woshippe god Thus was michaell woundrefull in apperyng meruelous in miracles doyng victorious in fightyng where late vs worshippÌ„ this holy angell that he may be oure shelde in fightyng a yense oure gostely enemy the fende so that we may haue the victory of him now euer Amen De festo saÌ„cti luce GOod frendis soche a day ye shall haue seint lukys day the euaÌ„gelist ye shall vnderstoÌ„d that criste had iiij euangelistes that is marke mathew luce and iohan these wrote the gospell the gospell is no more to sey but goddis worde these holy euangelistis wrote not only that god spake but also what yâ— he did what he suffered for mankynde for hit shulde be knowe to all mankynde fore euer more to thynke on goddis worde to do ther aftyr These iiij be likened to iiij diuerse bestes so they be portrayed in iiij parties of the crosse on euery syde of criste for marke a lyon for mathew a man for luce a calfe for iohan an egyll But late no maÌ„ suppose that they were soch bestis but likened to soch bestis for diuerse causes â–ª for be cause that mathew wrote moste of cristus manhode there fore he is likened to a man And luke wrote moste of cristus sacrafice his dethe there for he is likened to a calfe or to an oxe fore a calfe that was offered in sacrifice of the olde lawe in tokening that criste shulde be offered for synne of the people in sacrifice in the auter of the cros And marke wrote moste of the resurrection vprysing there for he is likened to a lyon For as bokis sey tell whan a ly on hathe yonge welpes they shall lye as dede thre dayes aftyr they be welpid Than comyth the lyon sethe his welpes dede a none he makith so the a roryng a crye yâ— the dede welpes wake there with quekon take lyfe So whâ—n criste had leyne iij. dayes in his tombe Than the fadir spake to him bad him ryse so rerid from dethe to lyue Also iohan is likened to an egyll for be kinde she fleith highest in to the eyre nexte to the sonne so iohan wrote moste of the godhede but litill of the manhode these be the causes that they be likened to iiij diuerse bestio But nowe ye shall vnderstonde that Luke was likened to a calfe iij maner of weyes that is
not labour here in this worlde He shall labour wyth the fendis of helle For that is the testament of Adam that he lefte to alle hys of sprynge labour traveylle To this labour he geveth ensample reherseth how god made Adam Eve â—o labour to kepe paradyse and bad they mete of all the frutes that was in paradyse except one tree that he kepe for hymself soo as â—fte as they sawe that tree they shold thynke â—n hym that made theym and know him for theyr god And for they sholde notete there of inpeyne of dampnacyon Thenne the fendesawe theym in soo moche Joye that they were in and hymself in soo moche peyne And woo that he had grete envye to theym and wente to Eve and asked why they ete not of the frute of that tree And she sayd god hath forbede us that tree in peyn of dethe Thenne sayde the fende he woteful well that and yeete therof ye sholde be lyke god knowynge both good and evyll And yf yewyl prove that I say so the ete therof and assaye Then toke Eve of the frute and gaafadam and bad hym ete therof and for Adam loved her well and wold not wrath her toke an apple and ete And an anâ—ther with â—yher of them sawe others shape and were asshamed And toke leaves afafygge tree and so â—evered her membres Than come our lorde to adam â—â—ayd â–ª Quarefeciâ—ti hoc â–ª why hast thou doo soo â–ª he sayd Mulier quamdedisti mich isociam The woman bad me Thenne said our lord to eve why didest thou this Serpens decepit me The serpent begyld me Then for they myght not deye in paradyse nesuffre no penaunce therfore he drafe hem naked out into this world that is full of wretched wepyng and waylyngefull sore syghynge to goo gate her mete with grete labour and travaylle and deye at the last Than prayd Adam oure lard wepyng he sholde not take grete vengeaunce upon theym â–ª but have mercy on theym pyte for they were begyled byenvy malyce of the fende and by innocensye of theym self that they wyst not what they dyde Then had our lord ruthe on theym for they were both naked he clothed theym in pylches badde theym goo labour and traveyle for theâ—r lyvyng And sayd to Eve In dolore paries filios In sorrow and woo shalt thou bere thy children and toke adaminsrumentes to labour with leste theym there By this yeshall understond and take ensample to labour bâ—seley For and adam eve had laboured besely the fende had never overcome theym For the fende desyreth no more whan he wold tempt a man but for to finde hym ydle And therfore know ye well that it is a rich salvâ— against synne for to labour besdy The thyrde is to chastyse the body disâ—retely Unde Paulus Castigocoâ— pus meum etin serviâ—â—te â—edigo I shall chastysenâ—y body and dresse it to service of my soule for man mâ—â— flesh is soo wylde soo lusty to synne that it wylle nott â–ª in noo wayeleve hys lust to serve god but yf it be chastised with penaunce For it must be chastysed sometyme wyth peyne Thus did adam eve in ensample that all other that shall come after hem shold doo the same for many yeres before her deth eyther of them stode in water a nyghtes up to the â—hyâ— one serve from another to suffre penaunce tyll her fless he was as grene as grasse for cold Thenne come yâ— â–ª fende to eve also bryght as an angell sayd yâ— â–ª god haâ— sente hym from heven â–ª bad her goo to Adam saye to hym that god bad hym leve his penaunce for her hespasse was forgyve And Eve did soo but adam wyst wel that â–ª it come forth from ye. fende not from god He sayd to Eve whan god drove us out of paradyse for our synne had compassyon on us for we wepte sore on hym and prayd hym mekely of mercy he setted us here to penaunce to ourlyves ende And therfore go agayne â–ª for the more penaunce that we doo the more shall be our mede And therfore go agayn do thy penaunce in god is name â–ª yet the fende come ayen yâ— second lyme sayd to Eve â–ª god of hys grace hath take reward to your penaunce that â–ª ye suffre hath forgyve you Then went Eve to Adam and told hym soo Then sayd adam I wote well that â–ª he that â–ª hath sayd soo to the is our enemy for our penaunce greveth more hym than us he wold have us to leve of so to lese our mede but dowe fourth our penaunce to our lyves end For god taketh none hede to the â–ª begynning of a thyng but to the â–ª endyng â–ª Yet the â–ª fende cam ayen the â–ª third tyme to Eve sayd goo thou to adam say to hym that â–ª he began foule well foule will ende for fyrst he trespassed by innocency â—isâ—eyte of the â–ª fende now he synneth by good deliberâ—cyon will not doo as god byddeth hym wherfore your trespas is worthly dampnacyon Then was Eve aferd told adam so Thâ—â— adam syked sore wepâ— saiâ— to her on aùysyd woman god made the of one of my rybbys for to helpe me and comforte me and now be tysyng of the fende thou arte to combre me ayen but thynke how oure firste synne stancke in the sighte of god that all oure ospryng shall be enfecte and haue repreue ther of in to the world is ende where for thoughe we myghte do also moche penaunce as all oure ospryng myghte doo yit hit were to lytyll to quite oure lord god for oure tresâ—asse but god of his speciall grace a lowythe a good wyl Than wente eue ayene to her penauÌ„ce as adam bad and than seyd adam god woll sende vs the oyle of mercy whan tyme of mercy is And so adam and eue dede her penaunce to her lyues ende and whanne adam had leued ix hundred yere and. xxx and had .xxx. â—ones and. xxx doughteris they deyde were bothe beried to gedyr Adam and Eue. Thus ye may se well that adam and eue were full hooly or they dyed and thoughte one dethe full inwardely and labored full besely and chastised her flesche full resonably and so muste we do that comythe of hem that wolle come to the ioye of paradyse in tokenyng here of this sonday ys callyd the sonday in septuagesâ—me a nombre of .lxx. The whiche nombre be gynnyth this day and en dyth on estyr euyne so holy churche is mornyng from this day tyll Escyr euyne than she takyth coÌ„forte ayen in partye of on alleluya with a tracte for hit is not yit in full myghte tyll saterday in Estyr weke the whiche is callid Dominica in albis Than she leythe downe the tracte and syngithe doubell alleluya alleluyâ— techyng all cristen men to labour and do penaun ce treuly tyll the saterday that
sterrys in the firma ment Than whan this childe was borne he was callyd isaac And whan he was .xxv. wynter of age god seyde to abraham in this wyse Take thy sone isaac and go to soche an hyll as he shewed to hym and offre hym in sacrifice that was to sle hym as the maner was sume tyme. Than abraham had be hefte of god to haue grete issew and thoughe he loued his so ne neuer so moche yit he toke hym anone with oute grocchyng and wente to the hyll and made his sone isaac to bere wode to brenne hym selfe with And whâ—n they come to the hyll toppe abrahâ— made an auter of wode sette hit on fyre and than he toke his sone isaac and wolde haue slayne hym offered to god Than anone spake an angell to abraham and bade hym leue of and take the shepe that stode ther by and offer hym in stede of thy sone isaac He abraham ye may vnderstonde the â—adyr of heuen and be isa ac his sone ihesu criste that spared for no loue that he hadde to hym but suffered the iewis to ley wo de vpon his backe that was the crosse yâ— he shulde be done on hym selfe and ladde hym to the hyll of caluary and there dede hym vpon the Auter of wode that was the crosse that was made of â—owre diuerse maner of wode that was Cidyr Cipir Olyue and Palme and ther on he dyed for all maÌ„ kynde Thus may criste well be called isaac that is vnderstonde laughter for many a soule he broughte oute of hell laugyng that wente the thyr sore wepyng Than lyke as thys was a figure of cristys pession longe or he was borne ryght so thys day criste hym selfe in the gospell seyde thus to his disciples that he shuld be betrayed Tradetur enim gentiâ—ua et il ludetur et flagella bitur conspuitur et postâ—uam flagel lauerunt eum die tercia resurget And how he shulde be takyn and betyn with stourges spytte vpon after his stourgyng done vpon the crosse and so sle hym and the thride day shall ryse ayen to lyfe and for they shulde haue the better beleue ther to and to his wordys anone to fore hem he made a blynde man to see that cryed and seyde Ihesu fili dauid miserere meâ— Ihesu the sonne of dauid haue mercy of me Thanne seyd oure lord to hym what woldeste thou that I shulde doo to the and he seyd â—omine vt videam lord yeue me syght Thanne seyd oure lorde thy seythe hathe saued the And a none he had his sighte and he thankyd god So muste euery criston man that wyll haue perdonâ— of god he mote haue contricion full of herte with shrifte of mouthe and sa tisfaction in dede beyng in hole charite with oute faynyng and in stable feythe with out flateryng And to stere yow more to the feythe I tell yow thys ensample Narracio There was a bishop in englonde that hyghte croste hede and was bishoppe of lyncoll was holdyn the grettyst clerke in englond or in the worlde and whan he lay in his dethe bedde there come to hym a grete multitude of fendes and disputedr with hym of the feythe in so moche that they had de nyghe turned hym oute of the beleue putte in to dispayre Thanne was oure lady redy and seyd to hym my seruaunt be leuyste thou not in hooly chirche as it techith And anone he cryed and seyd yis gracious lady I be leue as hooly churche techith me and anone the fend is wente her wey and gafe vp the goste to euer lastyng blysse to the whiche god bryng vs all Amen â—ominica prima quadragesime â—Ood men and wymmen thys day ys callyd in hooly churche the firste sonday in quadragesime a nombre of .xl. for from this day tyll esâ—yâ— day be .xl. dayes and for be cause that euery man synnyth more or lesse for to make satisfaction for our trespas all cristen people be bounde be the lâ—we of god and hooly churche to faste these .xl. dayes saue tho that the lawe dispensith with for resonable cause Children that be with in age wymmâ—n that be wyth chylde olde people that be myght lese to faste laboryng people as pylgremys and syke peple those the lawe dispensith with vpon her concience Than for the cause that sonday is noo day of penaâ—nce there for ye shall be gynne your faste one esche wedenysday that day ye moste come to hooly churche and â—â— ke aschys of the prestes handes and thenke one the wordes â–ª well that he seytth oner your hedys Memento hoÌ„ quod cinis es et in cinerem reuerteris haue mynde man of aschys that thou arte come and to aschys thou shalt tour ne ayene Than be there â—inâ—râ—â— shylles why ye shall faste these xl dayes on is as the gospell tellith this day thus â—nctâ—s est Iâ—esâ—a in desertuÌ„â—t temptaretur a diabolo how the hooly goste bade oure lorde crisâ— jhesu go in to deserte to wynne iherusa lem and iherico to be teÌ„ â—â—ed of the fende was there xl dayes fastyng xl nyghtis for youre sake shewyng to all cristen people the â—ertu and the â—â—de that comythe of fastyng the whiche â—e expressâ—d in the preface of the masse that is seyd in hooly churche the xl dayes that is thus Qui corporalâ— iâ—iâ—â—io vi cia comprimis men tem â—leâ—â—â— virtutem largiria That hooly fastyng thâ—usteth downe â—ices and lifteth vp thouthe of man to â— tâ—ous and to largenesse of all goodnesse and getith grete mâ—de in heuen that shall laste euer and â—â—â—â— graâ—e â—ere in erth for as clerkes telle the spetell of a sastyng maÌ„ shall sle an addyr bodely than moche more it sleithe the myghte of the olde addir that is the fende of helle that come to eue in para dyse in lykenesse of an ad dyr and temptid her to glotony veyne glory and couetyse ryght so the â—â—nde come to criste in likenesse of a mâ— lefte â—e had be knowyn and temptid criste and as the gospell seythe Câ—m iâ—iâ—â—asset quadragintâ— diâ—â—â—a et quadraginta noâ—tiâ—â—â— posteâ— esuxiit whanne criste had de fastyd xl dayes xl nyghtis than be kynde of manhode he hunge red Than come the fende to hym and schewde hym stones and seyde Si â—iâ—iâ—â— dei â—a â—iâ— vt â—apides isti pacâ— fiant yf thou be goddis sone of heuen make these stones brede for ryght as â—â—â— was â—â—beshed whan she saw the appyll be temptacion of the fende to ete there of The same wyse he wente to hate made crist to ete of the brede For glotony is not only in mannes mete but in the foule luste and appetite of a man Than seyde criste anone to him Non in solo pane vi uit homo sed de omni verbo quod procedit de ore dei Man leuythe not only by brede but by euery worde that comythe from the mow the of
thy trespas is for yeuen the Amen Sequitur â—â—â—uis sermo de saÌ„rto stephano GOod men and wymmen soche a day ye shall haue an hyghe day and a hooly feste in the churche of seint Stephen the martyr the whiche was the firste martyr that suffered dethe for goddis sake after cristes ascension Than for to stere youre deuocion the more to this hooly martyr I wyll tell yow somme what that he suffered for cristes sake as the boke of apostlys tellyth Post ascensionem domini after the ascension of oure lord that he was styedâ—vp in heuen the apostlys labour was all to preche and to teche the word of god to cristen people And for they where to fewe to serue all the people that rome ther come so many to tourne to the feyth there for they chose .vi. holy men and good lyuers for to helpe hem in goddis seruice of the whiche seint stephen was one of hem and the firste and the wyseste and was so full of grace and myght of the hooly goste that he did many miracles and meruelous amonge the people But thoughe a man be neuer so hooly â—it he shall haue enemyes wherfore of diuerse countreys that hadde enmyte to stephene and come ayene hym and disputed with hym for to haue ouer come hym with disputacion and for they myghte not they broughte false wyttenesse ayenst hym to putte hym to deth But whanne seynte Stephene sawe and knowe her malice anone he thoughte to sese hem be on of these thre weyes othir be shamyng in disputacion or be drede of reuolacion or be preyours of hooly orysones But firste he seyd be shamyngm disputacione For whanne they be gonne to dispute with hym he was so full of the hooly goste that they hadde no poure nor no myghte for to a gayn sey hym And so he ouer come hem in all her maters and preued all her maters false that they seyde ayenste And ther for he seyd he was redy to take the dethe in very fiyng of all that he seyd And so putte hem that where grete clerkes and knewe the lawe and the prophecie to grete shame and velonye But yit they wolde not leue but alwey ayene stode hym But he was so full of the hooly goste that he preued that he seyd be grete reson and trouthe yit wolde not they be leue it for all that the hooly goste spake in herte and yit for all that wold not they beleue in theyr concience that they dede a mysse and there as they seyne the coÌ„mynte turne to the feyth for wordys and miracles that god shewed in her sight yit they ayen stode hym and sette goddis miracles at noughte be malyce and enmyte of her cursed hertes and by none othir reson of scripture And so they fretid her hertis withyn hym selfe and grugged with her tethe for anger and how that they myght ouer come hym with disputacion Than they soughte yf they myghte haue take hym with som worde of Cristes dethe where by they myghte haue made them a cause to haue putte hym to dethe Thanne seynte stephene knewe her malice and lyfte vp his eyen into heuen Et vidit celos apertos And he saw heuyn opyn and oure lord ihe su criste sittyng on his fadyr ryght hande redy to helpe hym And there with his face shone as bryghte as it hadde be an angell of heuen But whan they herde hym speke thaÌ„ where they fayne and stoped her erys as though they hadde herde him speke false sclaundre of god and so a none drow hym oute of the cite to stone hym to dethe as for adisclaunderer Thanne they toke .ij. yonge men that cowde beste hurle stones and toke of his clothis and leyde hym at the fete of a yonge man that hight Saule and after was seynt paule Than whan seynt stephen sawe that he myghte not sese her malyce be reuelacione shewyng he turned to deuoute oryson preyng and yit hit wolde not be And than they hurled stones at hym and smote oute his brayne and thanne he cryed to god and seyd Domine iâ—e su suscipe spmÌ„ meuÌ„ O thou lord take my spiryte for he wolde prey more deâ—outly for his enemyes than for him selfe he knelyd down to the grouÌ„de and seyde Pater ig nosce illis quia nesciunt quid faciunt Fadyr for geue hem for they wote not what they do and anone he slepte in god Now take he de what brennyng loue he hadde in his herte to god that preyde more deuoutly for his enemys thanne for hym selfe In this he gaue an ensample to all cristen people to be in charite echon with othir and to prey for his enemyes and hem that pursewe hym and do hym dissese â—niâ—ersa delicta cooperiit caritas Charite hidith euery trespas for he yâ— preyth for his enemyes that martyr hym with any dissese and sufferyth paciently he is a martyr be fore god For there is â–ª iij. maner of martyrdomeâ— The firste is be passion and wyll ther to be wyll with oute passione be passione with oute wyll The first is shewid by seynt stephene that is sette nexte the birthe of criste for he sufferyth passione and had wyll there to seynt Iohan the euan geliste he hadde wyll but no passione The innocentes they suffered passion and no wyll ther to but not ayenst wyll Thus may a man be a martyr thoughe he shede not his blode that is whan he suffered grete wrong of cursed people and thankyth god ther of and takyth hit with good wyll and preyth for his enemyes deuoutly in clene charite Now take hede and ye shall se how these .iij. where in perâ—ite loue and charite Seint stephen whan he shulde dye he knelyd downe and preyde for his enemyes Seint Iohan whanne he wente to war dys his ende he seyd ofte to hem that ladde hym children loue to gedyr foâ— charite is now to saluacioÌ„ The innocentes for they were so yonge that they cowde not speke yit they shewde loue be signes for the dede laughe and pleyde with her hondes whan they sawe the knyghtes come with her brighte sâ—erdâ—s to sle hem than for seint stephyn was so glorious a martyr god shewde many fayre miracles for hym Narracio There was an honest man that had vij sones and iij. doughtres but in mysse happe on a day all they wrathyd the modir at ones and in a grete angre she cursed hem all at ones a none there â—ill grete vengeauÌ„ce vpon hem for there come soche a sikenesse one her preuy membres that they were so for gnawyn that they myghte nethir a byde for woo but walkithe vp downe in the countrey like mased bestis that all the people that sawe hem had grete â—ite of hem Thanne happid hit so that one of the breshereâ— that highte paule and a sustyr highte palida come in to churche of seint stephyn and there they herde people tell how deuoutly seint stephen preyde for his enemyes yâ— martred hym
with oure lord chesu criste from the tyme that he was baptisid in to the tyme of his asceÌ„sione to bere wittenesse with vs of his vprysing of his doyng Than they setten these ij men Joseph barsabas mathie leyde lotte vppon hem seyde thus preyng oure lord O lord thou knowist the hertis of all men shewe to vs whiche thow cheâ—iâ—te of these ijj men the lotte fill on mathie so he was in nombre with the othir xi Than mathie wente in to mirre to preche worde of god fore he had the grace of the hooly goste with hym he did miracles tourned moche people to the feythe of criste Than was the fende sory aperyd to the Bishoppe of the iewes lawe in likenesse of a yonge childe with longe heris hore bad him take mathie do hym to the dethe or else he wolde tourne all the people to cristus feythe Than the Bishoppe wexyd nyghe wode forwrathe and sente oute people to seke mathie whaÌ„ they had hym they bounde hym his hondis be hynde hym caste a rope aboute his necke ladde hym to prison there bonde him faste with cheynes of yron Thanne the nyght aftir oure lord â—hesu Câ—riste come to hym with a grete lighte and lousid his bondis and whaÌ„ he had well comfortid him he opened the pryson dore bad hym go preche the feythe spare for no maÌ„ Than there as he pÌ„chid there were somme that a yenestode hym letid othir yâ— wolde haue tourned to the feythe ThaÌ„ seyd mathie to hem I tell you be for he shall fall downe to hell pitte so a none in sighte of all meÌ„ the erthe openyd they sanke downe in to helle body soule neuer was seyne more of hem than was the people sore a gaste of that sighte tourned to the feythe a grete nombre of hem ThaÌ„ whan the bishoppÌ„ herde ther of they toke hym bounde hym sette men to throwe stones at hym whan he was nyghe de de he bad cristen pleople to bere the stone that he was stonedwith in to the grau with him in wittenesse of his martirdomâ— he knelid downe helde vp his hondis to god seyde O lord I be sech the take my spirit gafe vp the goste Reynold of chestre in his cronicles tellith a nothir miracle like this seythe whanne seynte wolston visitid his bishoppÌ„riche the people brought a man be for him that did his neyboures moche disese wolde neuer be in pese preyng the bishop to chastise him whan the bishop had prechid this man he was euer lenger the worse thoÌ„ the bishop all the people preyde to seint mathie to shewe som miracle be this man what he was worthy to haue than anoÌ„ in sight of all the people ther come oute of the erthe ij fendes with brennyng hokes pullid this quicke man douÌ„e to hell whan he was gone the people were well releued had reste pese euer aftyr Amen â–ª De annunciacione beate marie uir ginis GOod frend is so che a day ye shall haue an highe a sole mpne feste in holy churche the annuÌ„ciacion of oure lady and he that had a vowed or ioyned in penaunce muste faste the euyn ye shall vnderstonde that hit is callid the annuÌ„ciacion for this cause for the fadyr of heuen sente his angell Gabriell Missus est an gelus gabriel a deo in cinitatem cui no men nazareth In to the cite that was callid nazaret to oure lady that was newe wedded be the bidding of god and reuelacion of the holy goste to a man that callid Joseph and as she was in her chaÌ„bre in her prey oures the Angell gabriell come to her and seid oure lorde iâ— with the Thanne was she gretly a stoyned of this greting for there was in that couÌ„trey a man that cowde moche whiche crafte and so with helpe of fendes he made him selfe like an Angell and come to diuerse maydenes and seyd he was sente from god to hem on his message so ofte tyme lay by hem did hem grete vylony Thanne whan oure lady herde tell of that man she was a drade lefte hit had be he for she had spoke with none Angell be fore nor there were no soche worâ—is ne soche gretynges made neuer none to her be fore ThaÌ„ Gabriell the Angell comforted ther and seyd Ne time as maria inâ—e uisti graciam apud dominum Drede the not mary for sothe thou haste founde grace of oure lord for a mong alle wymmen oure lord hathe chosyn the forto be the modir of his sone hym thou shalte conceyue be feythe be loue of the holy goste with oute any dede of maÌ„ that shall shadowe the quenche alle fleschly luste tende the lighte of gostely loue that thow shalte conceyue the sone of the highe god And thus thow shalte be bothe modir mayde so was neuer noÌ„ before Thanne a none oure lady herde this wordis a none there with come a spirituall swettenesse ioye in her herte that a none or any erthly moÌ„â—owde tell hit so with all the reuerence of meke nesse that she cowde sche answered thus a yene seyde Ecce aucilla domini fiat michi secundum uerbum tuum Lo here goddis owne mayde redy to do goddis wyll preyng hit may be to me righte as thow seyste Thus that blessyd body conceyued oure lord ihesu criste in euer lastyng ioye to all the world Thus I may likyn oure lady to a pÌ„cious stone callid enix he is as clere as any criscall shall of kinde whaÌ„ the sonne shynythe hote on him hit openithe receyued a droppe of the dewe of heuen in to him closithe a yene till .ix. monthes aftyr thanne hit openithe fallithe oute a stoÌ„e of the same kinde so closithe a yene as euer hit was neuer openithe aftyr Thus oure lady was as clene as any cristall for the hote loue of the hooly goste at the ix month is ende she was delyueryd of her sone oure lord ihesu criste she aftyr as clene meyden as she was to fore Than whan the Angell hadde done his message he wente his wey to heueÌ„ oure lady wente to her cosyn elisabeth that was grete with childe with seinte Iohan Baptiste whoÌ„ she come to Elisabethe she grette her mekely as sone as oure lady spake to Elisabeth the childe in Elisabethes wombe pleyde made grete ioye forâ—â—â—â—we that oure lord had take mankynde was come to saue he in that were lorne Thannâ— oure lady dwellid therewith Elisabeth her cosyn till the tyme that seinte Iohan was borne was myddewyffe to eli sabeth toke seint Iohan from the erthe there she lerned all that her ned id for to knowe ayeÌ„ the tyme that her sone shulde be borne was persite y noughe there
to god and to holy churche as cristeÌ„ peple shulde do in worship of hym that dyed on the crosse Than ye shall vnderstonde why it is callid InueÌ„cio erucis the fyndyng of the crosse the whiche was fouÌ„de in this wyse as I shall tell yow whan Adam oure furste fadir was sike for olde wolde fayne haue be oute of this world Adam sente seth his sone to the angell keper of paradyse pÌ„yng the angell to sende hym the oyle of mercy to anoynte his body with whan he were dede ThaÌ„ wente seth to paradyse seyde his message to the angell Than answered the angell seyde that he myght not haue hit tille the yeris be fullfillid but haue this branche of the tre that thy fadir synned ynne serce hit one his graue whan hit berithe frute thann shall he haue mercy not erste ThaÌ„ toke seth this branche come home founde his fadir dede Than he sette this branche on his fade râ—s graue as the aÌ„gell bad hym do the whiche branche goowed there till salomon was kyng and he made fell hit down for hit was fayre to the werke of his temple But hit wolde not corde with the worke of his temple Salamon made to caste hit downe in to the erthe was hit hydde there in tyme that the bishoppe of the teÌ„ple lete make a wayre in the same place there the tre lay to wessâ— in shepe that were offered in the temple Than whan this wayr was made they callid hit in theyr langage Probatica piscina in the whiche watyr euery day come an angell from heueÌ„ did worship to the â—tre that lay in the grounde of the weyre and meuyd the watyr what man or woman that come in to the watyr nexte aftyr the angell was made hole what sikenes that euer he had be vertu of the tre so endured many wyntres in to the tyme that criste was takyn shulde be done one the crosse Than this tree by the ordenauÌ„ce of god swaÌ„ vpon the watyr whan the iewes had none othir tre redy to make the crosse of fore grete haste that they hadde they toke the same tre made there of a crosse so did oure lorde there on than that tree bare that blessid frute cristus owne body of the whiche wellith the Oyle of mercy to Adam to Eue all othir of her of spryng But whan crist was dede was take downe of the crosse for enuye that the iewes hadde to hym they toke the crosse to ij othir crosses that the thefes were hongâ—dâ— on eythyr side of criste beried he mâ—depe in the erthe for criston people shulde not wete where yâ— they were done for to do hit worshippe And there it lay a yere more in to the tyme that Elene the Emperes modir of constantyne gaderid grete people to fighte with maxencius at a grete watyuouer the whiche watye lay a grete brigge for disceyte of conscantyne maxencius lete make a trappe hoppyng vp down so for to haue disceyued Constantyne that he shulde haue fallyn in to the watyr as Constantyne lay in his bâ—d sore a ferde of maxencius for he was moche bigger of people than he was than come to hym an angell with a signâ— of the crosse sheytrnynâ—â—s golde seyde to him â–ª to morow whannethon goste to the batayle take this signe in thy honde and by the vertu ther of thou shalt haue victon Thanne was constantyne woundir glad anon lete make a Crosse of the tre to bere hit to fore heÌ„ to the batayle But whaÌ„ maxencius sawe hym nyghe the brigge he was so feres of hym selfe that he had for gete the trappe the whiche he had made hym selfe so come one the brigge fill down in to the watyr by the trappe was drowned ThaÌ„ was all his oft woundir fayne to yelde hem to coÌ„stantyne with good wyll Than for Constantyne was not yit cristoned of hym also he was helid of a leper that he had Than a none be couÌ„sell of the pope he sente his modir quene Elene that was quene of iherusalem â— preyde her to go seke the crosse ther crist dyed on This Elene was a kynges doughter of Englond the Emperour of rome weddid her for her beute so she was made emperes of rome But aftyr lxr husbondes deth she had the kygdome of iherusaleÌ„ to dowry where she made gadir all Iewes that myght be fouÌ„de seyde but yf they wold shewe her the crosse they shulde all be brente ThaÌ„ was ther on of hem that highte iudas all seyde that he knewe beste where the crosse was Than seyde Elene to hym Si vis ninere ostende michi lignum crucia yf thou wolde leuâ— shewe me the crosse that god dyed vpon or else thou shalte be brente and so puttâ— hym to grete distresse Than he sawe he mustened is tell or dye seid to hem I be seche yow lete me to the mounte of Caluary there as I shall bide yow I shall shew yow the crosse of Criste for he was blynde myghte not se And so whaÌ„ he was broughte to the mouÌ„te of caluary he knelid downe preyde loÌ„ge whan he hadde preyde the place there the â—rosse was menyd the erthe quoke there come a swete sauore from that place there the crosse lay that was as swete as any spicery in the world And than they diggid there loÌ„ge at the laste they fouÌ„de there iij. crosses but thaÌ„ wuste they notte whiche was cristus crosse from yâ— othir ij And than toke they a dede body leyde hit now on that crosse now on that othir whaÌ„ hit come to cristus crosse a none the body rose to lyue thankyd god ThaÌ„ seyde this iudas Thowe arte criste trewly sauior of all the world And aftyr that iudas was cristoned a none was an hooly man aftyr Than toke Elene a parte of yâ— crosse sende hit to rome to her sone the remenaâ— te there of she made to shryne hit in siluer golde lefte hit in iherusaleÌ„ with all the worshippe yâ— she cowde thus holy chirche makithe mynde this day that the hooly crosse was founde Than as we rede we finde in a cite that was callid Birectus a cristen man hyred an house of a iewe to dwelle yn Than hadde this man a rode the whiche nichodemus had made in mynde of criste Than toke he this rode sette hit vp in a pÌ„uy place of his house for sighte of the iewes did hit worshippe aftyr his connyng Than aftyr hÌ„it fill so that this man wente in to a nothir house happid hym to leue this â—ode be hynde him vnwetyng Than come the iewe dwellid in the house ther this cristen man hadde be ynne Than for to make hym good chere his neyboures come on a nyght and souped with
at mebe herowdes wyffe as couenauÌ„te was be twene hem tho she sente her thoughter in to the halle for to daunte to tomble a fore the gestis And that plesid her fadir so well that he swore a grete othe seyde Peto a me quad uis et daâ—o tibi Aske of me what thou wolte I shall yeue hit the than as the modir bad her sey she seyde Caput iohannis baptiste The hede of iohan baptiste Than he rode â—ayned hym wrothe sory that he had made so the an othe but he was glad than sente in to pryson to smyte of iohaÌ„s bede wiâ—h ouâ—e any othir dome was brought to the damysell Than the modir letâ—e bery hit in a preuy place fer from the body Than the nexte nyghte aftyr iohans disciples come to his body beried hit And there hit lay till iulian the aposteta the Emperour come that wey than he made take vp iohans boneâ— to brenne hem and we nowe hem in the wynde hopyng that he shulde neuer ryse a yene to lyffe Thus ye may vnderstoÌ„de how holy that this â—aÌ„ was that an angell come from heuen tolde zakary of this conceyuyng was ha'owed in his modir wombe oure lady toke hym from the erthe in his birthe an angell brought his name from heuen aftyr he cristoned oure lord ihesu criste this was an holy man ye shall vnderstonde that seint iohan the euaÌ„geliste dyed the same day but holy churche makith no mencion there of for his day is holdyn in cristemasse woke Than for these ij iohans be holdyn for the worthyeste seinteâ— in heuen Than ther were ij scolero of diuinite yâ— one loued iohan baptiste that othir iohan euaÌ„g liste on a day they puposed to dispute of this mater the day was a syned but than the nyghte be fore eythir iohan apperid to his louer badde hem leue her disputacion for they were well a cordid in heuen made no stryffe than on the morowe be fore all the people eythir tolde his vision that were come to haue herde hem dispute thaÌ„ all the peple thankid god both iohans of this fay re miracle Also ther was too mesoles that loued well these ij iohans as so as they in comenyng they spake of these ij seintes whiche were the gretter in heuen And so that on seyd that one was gretter than an othir seyde that othir so they be ganne to â—ighte Than there comes voyce from heuen seyde we â—ight not in heuen there for â—ight not ye in erthe for vs fore we be in â—esâ— so be ye and euynthere with they were bothe hole of her dissese thankid god bothe iohans And aftyr warde they were holy meÌ„ ther for lette vs worship pe these holy seyntes that they may prey for vs that we may come to euer lastyng blysse Amen Defesto sanctoruÌ„â—etri et panli 〈…〉 od frendis so 〈…〉 he a day ye shall 〈…〉 haue the feste of 〈…〉 â—oule and ye shall faste the euyn and on the morow come to church and worshippe god prey to these ij seyntes â— were hooly apostles to prey fore vs. Oure lord hathe Petyr one his one syde and Poule on that othir syde and he hathe his woundis opyn and fresche bledyng schewyng to all maner of cristen people that he suffeâ—â—d the woundis for vs that bethe the v. welles of mercy that he suffered for vs ye shall vnderstoÌ„d that these ij apostles were furste grete synners But for they left her synne were sory contrite synned no more oure lord toke heÌ„ in ensample to all othir that woll leue synne they shall be sauyd For he that is shreuyn for sakith his synne mercy folowith that do his penauÌ„ce he shall haue mercy grace For as glad as the â—adir is to se the sone ryse from deth to lyffe also gladde is our lord moche gladder to se a man ryse oute of dedly synne neuer to do hit more therfore shewing by ensample Poule berithe a swerde to all cristen peple to cutte a weythe cheynes of synn with his sharpe swerde of confession for this dedly synne byndithe a man sore to the fende ther for cutte awey that cheyne Petyr is also redy to opyn the gatis of heuen to all crisien people to take hem ynne that woll fore sake her synne ye shall vnderstoÌ„de that pouâ—e was furste so high so ferse a yense all goddis seruauntes that there durste no pÌ„chour dele with him but aftyr he lefte that grete malice there as he was ferse aftyr he was gracious And there he was be fore highe prowde of herte aftyr he was meke lowly to all goddis seruauÌ„tes Petyr also helde hym selfe moste perfâ—te stedfaste of all cristus disciples where for he made boste by a vayne glory that he was redy to go to dethe with criste seyde thus Hit be houit me to dye with the whann Criste seyde that all his disciples shulde fore sake hym Petyr for the grete boste seyde thoughe alle men for soke him he wolde not And yit more ouer whan criste was take Petyr drowe oute his swerde smote of a seruauÌ„tes ere that hight mal cus But sone aftyr whaÌ„ he sawe that criste was take shulde be putte toâ—e the thaÌ„ he swere starid that he neuer know him for soke criste but whaÌ„ he herde the cocke crawe than he was mynded â— oure lord hadde seyde to him that or the cokke crow id thryâ—s thou shalte forâ— sake me Than petyr weÌ„ te forthe Et fleuit amare wepte bitterly hid him in a caue and durste not come among his brethe ryn foe schame tiâ—â— once lord sente to him by name Than was petyr euer aftyr a shamed sory for his trâ—space there as he was a boster vnstable of his wordis aftyrwarde he was trew stable groundid in stabelnesse of perfite leuyng in so moche that crist callid him Petyr that iâ— a stone in englishe For there as thou leyeste a stone there thou shalte finde hit so was petyr so sted faste aftyr that nethir for we le nor for woo he neuer fle tered but euer stode stede faste in cristus lawe had euer his synn in mynde to a mende that he had do a mysse was aftyr of grete abstinaunce that he ete but brede and oyle wortes full selden flesche and wered but a singull kyrtell with a maÌ„tell And euer as oftyn whanne he herde any maner a man mynde Ihesus a none he be gonne to wepe full sore And whan he herde any cokke crowe a none he rose vp and wolde goo and prey and suffre penaunce and he wepte many tymes so bitterly that the teris of his eyen brente his face in so moche that were he was he hadde a clothe in
that brennyng dekoÌ„ laurence leyd a gret pot on the balauÌ„ce hit drew vp all to gedir thie poste was a grete chelyse yâ— the Emperour made in the worshippÌ„ of seint laurence by that he was saued Thus ye may see lerne to make in sufferaunce a yense enuyous people also what merite mede is in largenesse to yeue hem that hath nede what ioye merite hit is to suffre tribulacion persecucione dissese paciently lerne of the holy martiâ— seint laurence late vs take him for a mirrour and prey to him that he woll be mediatour to god for vs that we may come to euer lasting blysse Amen De assumptione beate marie nirginis GOod frendis soche a day ye shall haue the assumpcion of oure lady hit is callid so for that day her sone toke her vp in to heuen body soule crowâ—â—ed her quene of heuen for the angell of heueÌ„ come to fette her vp Angelis yoyng singyng come with procession a yense her with roses lilies of paradyse in tokening that she is rose lely and floure of all wymmen they did homage to her for all angelis seintes in heuen made ioye melody in worshippÌ„ hnoure of her so holy churche makith mynde of her assumpcion And yit the gospell of that day makithe no mencion but of ij sustres that was martha mary mawdeleyne seyd thus Iutrauit â—hesus in â—uada castelluÌ„ et mulier â—daÌ„â—cÌ„ Ihesus entred in to a castell a woman yâ— was callid martha that toke him in her house she had a sustre that was callid mary that sate at cristus fete herde hym speke ThaÌ„ was martha besy to serue criste sche seyde to him sire bid my sustre a ryse helpe me thaÌ„ answered criste maria mâ—lioreÌ„ parteÌ„ e legit aue noÌ„ anfere tur abea Mary hath chose the better parte yâ— shall notte be take a wey from her these be the wordes of the gospell of that day here be no wordes of oure lady as be seming But he that redith what seint ancesme seyth there he may se that the gospell pertenith all to oure lady to the lâ—uing of her for she was the castell that ihuÌ„s entered in to for right as a castell hath diuerse propertees that longith to a castell that hit shulde be myghty stronge righte so was our lady be for all othir women For there as wemen be fre ell feble â— esy to ouer come oure lady was stronge as a castell a yen stode the can tels of the fendes engynnes put hem be syde at all tymes for right as a castell hath firste a depe dike right so had oure lady a depe mekenesse in strenght of the castell in so moche she passid all othir in vertu of mekenesse wherfore god chose her to bâ—niodir to his sone be fore all othir wymen there to criste berith wittenes thus Quia respexit buÌ„ilitateÌ„ aÌ„cille suâ— for god be helde the makenesse of his hande maydeÌ„ all generacion shall blesse me This dike yf it be full of water hit is the more stronge to the castell this water is coÌ„passion that a maÌ„ shuld haue for his synnes to othir people dissessed This water had oure lady On this dike lithe a drawe brygge that shall be drawe vp a yenâ— enâ—myes lete downe â— yense frendes be this brigge ye shall vnderstond discrete obedience for right as a man shall notte late downe the brygge to his enmy though he bid him so man shall not lette â—he fende come to his soule thoughe he tempte hym But a none as he is bede any thyng that is helpe socoure to his soule thaÌ„ shall he lette downe the brygge of obedience the sonner the better thus did oure lady whaÌ„ the angell Gabriell come to her of coÌ„cepcion of her sone she lette not down the brygge a none till she knewe were he was a frende or a enmy seyd she shuld coÌ„ceyue be a mayde by the vâ—w of chastite that she made to fore as she herd yâ— she lette down the brigge of obedieÌ„ce seyde Ecce ancilla dmÌ„ cÌ„ Lo here goddis own hande mayden be it do to me aftyr thy worde This castell is treble walled The furste wall be toke nithe wedloke fore furste she was wyffe to ioseph for else the iewes wold haue stoned her as for a lâ—chour yf she had conceyued with oute wedloke so the furthir wall be tokenith pacience the ynner virginite that is may denhode but that is litill worthe but hit be strengith with the wall of pacience litill helpe is fore mandenhode hit is lityll worth that can no thing suffer of persecucion nor disseses but euer playng â—â—grochyng to be a claterer a iangeler a curser a waryer a scolde of her tonge tâ—ese defende not maâ—denhode but rathir caste hit downe for may denhode shulde be of fewe wordes that she spekith shulde be honeste worshippe bothe to her own persone to all that be in her pÌ„sence For hit is an olde englische a mayden shulde be sayne not herde this veraâ— had oure lady For senit Bernard seythe rede all the gospell ouer thou shalt not fynde that our lady in all her lyfâ—e spake but iiij tymes by her owne but as schewas causith The first to gabriell the ij to elisabeth the iij. to her owne soné in the temple the iiij at the weddyng of cane galilee Thus muste the walle of pacience defende the walle of maydenhode This wall of maydenhode hit be well kepte hit is passing all othir As Bede seythe wedloke is highe there as hit is well kepte but yit wedowehode is higher but virginite passith all hathe moste worshippe in heuen passing all othir This wall kepte oure lady fore schewas clene bothe be free will by a vow she had a degre passing all othir maydenes that euer were nor neuer shall be for schâ—was bothe mayden modir And in this castell is a yate that be tokenith feythe for right as hit is in possible fore a man to go thourgh a walle of stele right so hit is as in possible fore a man to plese god with oute feythe This feythe had oure laby passing all othir fore as hit semyth in possible for a woman to conceyue with oute carnall concupiscencion of man for hit was neuer sey be fore but be techyng of an angell she beleued so come criste entered be yates of be leue in to the castell that is in to the body of oure lady This yate had a toure a boue be tokenith charite For that is a boue all thynges that vertu had our lady well may she be callid a castell For right as all maner people fle in to a castell bothe olde yong for drede of enemyes in so moche that the leste
childe that can crye or speke that is a ferde of any thyng a none crieth lady lady for socoure helpe for she is socoure helpe both to yonge to olde lesse more in sike in helthe The holy goste is capteyn of this castell his knyghtes be holy angelâ—e that go with our lady nyght day In this castell be ij sustres martha mary mawdeleyne Martha recepit il lum in domuÌ„â—â— am Martha receyued hym in to her house was besy to serue him that othir satte stille had gret luste to here him speke Be these ij sustres I vnderstonde ij maner of leuyng of the people that one is actyfe that other contemplatyf martha be tokenith actyfe that is be synes in this world But that shulde be for cristus sake that is to receyue pore people in to his house to yeue hem mete drynke clothe herborowe visite hem that be in pryson comforte the sike croked blynde lame to bery the dede be that othir I vnderstonde the contem platyf lyffe that is to peple of holy churche that shulde voyde in all that they may this worldes besines yeue hem to all spiritu all occupacion though they do thus yit ther be coueytus people of this worlde that sayne that it is all loste that meÌ„ of holy chirche hâ—n for hit semyth to hem they do no good but euer coÌ„playne on hem sey they do no good Seynte Austeyn seythe that all the worlde is holy churche and these worldly peple hatith meÌ„ of holy churche But yit god answerith for hem is her voket so woll at all tymes while they leue in reste pese with ynne hem selfe But nowe see how oure lady full fillythe bothe these lyues She was firste martha forther as martha was besy to receyue criste in to her house oure lady receyued him in to her body there in he was ix monthus she fede him aftyr come pore and nakyd in to this worlde sche gaffe hym mete drinke of her pappes so fedde him whaÌ„ he was nakid she clothid him norisched hym whan he was sike be hynde of youth she heliâ— him whan he was boundyn hande fote in his cradell as in pryson she come to him vnbouÌ„de himâ— toke him â—elid his soris with the milke of her pappes whan he was dede she holpe to bery him in his tombe thus she ful fillithe the office of martha perfourmyng the vij werkys of mercy yit she was many tyme too beled in her herte â—ohan she muste bere him from countrey to couÌ„trey that was full of mawmentes there as she knewe noo man whan that she saw him takyn bouÌ„de strepe nakyd beton with stour ges that all his body ranne with stremes of blode naylid on the crosse so do to dethe that was to her â— grete troble thus was oure lady actyffe for as the gospell tellithe she gaffe so grete delite to her sones wordes that she bare in her herte al the lyffe techyng of criste in so moch that she taught the iiij euaÌ„gelistes marke ma â—hâ—w â—uce Johan moche of that they wreton and namely seint Luke for he wrote moche of the maÌ„hode of criste thus she fulfillid the office of mary for hit was for the beste whaÌ„ her sone was styed vp in to heuen sche leâ—te all her besynes gaffe her all to contemplacion till her sone fette her out of this world Thus euery maÌ„ that can vnderstoÌ„d may se that this gospell is coÌ„uement to be radde for hit touchithe the lyffe of our lady ThaÌ„ for this day was the ende of her lyfte in this world there fore holy chirche redithe this gospell in ensample to all cristeÌ„ people to perfourme the same leuyng in as moche as they may as god woll gene hem grace to serue oure lady y schall yeue yow ensample Narracio we fynde of a clerke that loued oure lady well for he radde of her bâ—wte he had grete luste to see her and preyde besely that he myght onys se her or that he dyed ThaÌ„ at the laste come there an angell seyde to him fore thow seruyst oure lady so well thou schalt haue thy pre your but on thynke y telle the yf thou se her here in this world thou schalte lese thy sight for the grete clernesse of her Than seyde he I wote well safe so that I may se her Than seyde the Angell come to soche a place thou schalte se her thann was he glad thoughte that he wolde hyde his on eye lokyd with that othir So whaÌ„ he come to the place he leyde his honde ouer that one eye and saw her with that othir eye so come oure lady he saw her she went her wey a none he was blinde with that one eye and saw with that othir thaÌ„ the sight likid him so well that he wold fayne se her a yene preyde nyghte day that he myght se her a yene Than seyde the aÌ„ gell yf thou se her a yene thou shalt lese the sighte of that othir eye he seyde y wote well saffe thou ghe I had a thousand eyon Than come to soche a place thou shalt se her so whan he come he saw her Than seyde our lady to him my good seruauÌ„t whan thou saw me firste thou loste thy one eye howe wolte thou doo now whan thou haste loste thy othir eye Thann seyde he dere lady I wote well saffe thoughe I had a thousand eyon ThaÌ„ seyde oure lady for thou haste so grete liking to me thou shalt haue thy fight with bothe eyon a yene as well as thou had diste better so he had Than serued he oure lady euer aftyr to his lyues ende wente to euer lasting ioye blysse to whiche god bryng vs all to Amen De sancto bartholomeo GOod frendis soche a day ye shall haue the feste of seint Bartholomew goddis own apostle ye shall faste the euyn come to churche here youre seruyse in the worshippe of god seint bartholome ye shall vnderstonde that bartholome is as moche to sey as Fil in â—s uspeÌ„ dentiame That is to sey the sone hanging vpon me or vpon wateâ—â—s than ye schall vnderstond that god is he that hongith vppon the watres in ij weyes The firste is whan he hongith vppon the cloudes in the â—irmament till he se tyme to late hem downe Anothir wey he hongith vpon wâ— teres whan a maÌ„ or a woman is sory for his synnes weping sore for his trespace bitterly Thanne god takith his teris haÌ„ gith hem vpon the high hill of heueÌ„ where all the seintes in heuen may haue hem in fighte in grete ioye to all seintes all angels yâ— ben in heuen whaÌ„ they may se man or woman that hath
do a mysse many trespas to for sake her synne tourne to no more ther to fore of the teris of a man or womaÌ„ that is sory for his synne in this maner quenchithe the fuyre of hell of this te ris spekith Iohan criso stome seythe O thow tere that arte mekely lete in oryson preyour with good deuocion the myght is so grete that thow goste to heuen takyste the worde of the iewes mouthe makyng him to tourne the to saluacione â— be fore were in the wey of dampnacion also thou makist thyâ—accusars dom the fendes so thouÌ„ qâ—â—chist the fyâ—e of hell that fendes ma 〈…〉 dy a yense thy comyng 〈…〉 god hongith vppon 〈…〉 tres Than fore seint bartholome was goddis sone as all ben that seruith hym he was honging vp in iij weyes in deuocion of holy orisones preyng in feythe full monicion in sufferyyg of passione he was honging to godwar de in deuoute â–ª orison fore that he seyde wit his mouthe he did with his herte so that his herte was all wey hongyng vp towardes god bothe in worde in dedeas the pÌ„ste seyth in the masse Surâ—um â—orda holdeth vp youre hertis to god â—hus this holy man seint bartholo me had euer his hert to god for grete deuocion we fynde wreton of hym thus that he knelid an C tymes on the day a C. tymes on the nyghte fore gret 〈…〉 cioÌ„ that he had to god But for he shulde not be wery of the trauell god sente an angell euer more to sew him kepte him thus hanged he vp be holy orisens preyng He was also hanged vp be the feythfull monicion in this wyse fore god gafe him so grete power ouyr all findis that be his holy monicion he suspendyd hem whedir they were in man or womaâ— And al so in othir mawmentes we finde wreton of semte bartholome how he come in to ynde in the temple in the whiche temple was an ymage there in was a fende a mawment that was callid astroth this ymage was made of golde than the fende that was there ynne spake to him did him worshippÌ„ by soche wordes as he spake he made the peple be leue that he was god yit the more be leue to the people that he helid many sike men wymâ—n bothe blynde crokid lame of many diuerse sikenesse that he had castâ— vppon hem to fore hym selfe so semyng to hem that they were â—eliâ— by him but soche sikenes as god sente vpon hem he cowde not hele Thanne was the temple full of sike people that was broughte to this mawment to be made hole but as sone as bartholome come to the temple he suspended the fendes power that he myghte he le no man not there was a nothir mawment callid barth askid hem why her god gaffe hem none answere he sey de bartholome the apostell of god hath bouÌ„de hym so sore that he dare not onys speke nor crake than tolde him the fetruâ— of barth seyde he know euery worde that he speke now for he hath an angell of god with tellith him all thinges that euer was seyd or down be him And more ouer though ye seke him ye shall not finde him but yf he woll him selfe Than wente they home a yene sought bartholome myght not finde him Than as bartholome walkid a moÌ„ ge the peple â— madde maÌ„ that had â— fende with in him a none cride to bartholome goddis own apostell thy preyoures bynde me so sore brenne me also Than seyde bartholomew hold thy pese thou â–ª fende goo oute of that man with that word the fende wente his wey lefte the man a none he was hole Thanne hit happid so that the kyng of that cite had a doughter that was madde sore bounden with cheynes for harme that she dede among the people And whanne the kyng herde how this man was helid aâ— none he sente to bartholomew preyng him that he wolde hele his doughter so he did Thanne bartholomew prechâ—d so the kyng that he tourned the kyng to be cristen than a none he coÌ„mâ—undid to drawe down the mawmentis that wer in the temple Thaâ—â— the pepull tyed ropis a bout the ymages neckis wol de haue draw hem down the mawmentes but they myght not for the fende was so stronge in hem Than Bartholome coÌ„maundid the fendis to come out of the ymages to pull hem to poudir so they did for they had no power to withstond his coÌ„maundement so they all to brake hem for the temples was so full of sike peple bartholomew preyde to god that they myght be hole a none they were hole euerycho ne Than come there an Angell that god sente frâ— heuen a none in the sight of all the peple the temple shone so brighte that no tonge coâ—de tell flye all a boute the tempull And in foure partis of the tempull he made a syne of the crâ—â—with his fingeres on the walles seyde right as all the peple be hole of her sikenes so shall this temple be closid from all the filthe of synne of the fendes crafte that hath be there in I woll shewe yow that same fende yâ— ye haue worshippid fore youre god ThaÌ„ the fende apperid like a man of ynde all blacke made a cursed noyse Than the people began to fle for fere he was so lo thely â–ª Than seyde the angell make soche a signe of the crosse in youre forhedis be not a ferde of him Than a none in fight of hem all the angell vnbouÌ„ de this fende bad hym go ther as was nostering nothir of man nor of beste to be there till at the day of dome neuer dissese the people more thaÌ„ the fende wente his wey the angell stied vp in to heuen Than the kyng his wyffe his doughter all his meyne moche othir people tourned to the feythe bartholome cristoned hem all thus bartholome hongith be feythfull monicion for he suspended the fendes pouer that he myghte do nothing He was also hoÌ„gid vp be suffering of passioÌ„ for whaÌ„ the bishop of the teÌ„ple sawe that the peple were all moste tourned to cristen feyth left the fendes mawmetry he weÌ„ te vn to the cite there as a kyng was callid astrages brothir to the kyng Polmyes playned to him sore seyd ther was a man come to hem that was callid bartholome that had tourned his brothir alle the people to the feythe that they sette not by her goddis But had draw hem downe all to broke hem halowed the temple only to criste for this cause he prey de him of helpe Thanne sente the kyng â— M. meÌ„ aftyr bartholome ThaÌ„ whan bartholome was come he astud him why he had tourned his brothir made him be leue
one a dede man that was hongid on the croâ—â—â— thaÌ„ seyde â—â—rtholome I haue bouÌ„dyn that god that thy brothir beleued on shewde that sende And yf thou or he maiste doo so to my god than wolle y beleue as thow doesâ—e Thanne the kynge comaundid to hange barthol mew on a crose and longet o torment him thâ—â— on and aftir toke hym doune and fley him quycke and thanne to smyte of his hâ—de Thanne rome cryseyne people and beryd him with gret reuerence and worshyppe and thus he was hanggyd vp by grete coÌ„pascione suffurynge were de in gestys romanoruÌ„ that whanne frydwicke the Emperour hade dystroyd a grete cite and there in was a feyre churche of seinte bartholomewe And othere â—oo of dyuers scyâ—tâ—s And as a goode holy man come by the cite and he sawe a grete company of men stonding to gedir Thanne had this man gret mervell of hem asâ—id what they were what was there counsell Thane seid they that it was seinte bartholmew and other seintes thate hadd churches in theâ—e cyte thate were dystroyâ—d and there they toke theyr counsell what they mygtht do wyth the Emperour they wâ—re in full purpose that he shulde come be fore god and answere for his dedis and so the Emperoure deyde a fowlle dethe and was dampned And also hyt ys wretynne in the lyffe of seynte godlake thate furste inhabyt crowland in the fennyâ— and the furste daye that he come thythere was on seinte bartholmewes daye Thanne be preyde to thys holy aposttell to be hys pâ—trone â— yense the wyckid spirits that were in that place for hit was callid the habitacion of fendes fore there durste no man dwelle there for fendes Than was this holy man come thedir nere honde loste his witte for fere But thaÌ„ be gret grace he had mynde on seint bartholomew preyde him with all his herte of helpe socoure Than a none come seint bartholome coÌ„mauÌ„did the fendes to go fro that place than the fendes made a grete horrible noyse wente her wey seyde A las a las for now hâ—â—e we loste oure myght 〈…〉 oure habitacion 〈…〉 shall 〈…〉 to him with good deâ—cion he wolle helpe heâ— at her nede De natiuit 〈…〉 ate marie 〈…〉 GOod 〈…〉 che a d 〈…〉 haue 〈…〉 she was 〈…〉 faste the 〈…〉 god 〈…〉 worst 〈…〉 seint 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 m 〈…〉 â—â— the birthe of oâ—re lady 〈…〉 adid the fadir the mo 〈…〉 where forâ— god sente 〈…〉 rute of heâ— bodyes 〈…〉 e grete thaÌ„ be kyn 〈…〉 an all neyboures 〈…〉 mfortid anne 〈…〉 doughter ma 〈…〉 â—ad or she 〈…〉 e goton 〈…〉 nde that 〈…〉 hippid 〈…〉 f oure 〈…〉 othir 〈…〉 d of 〈…〉 ew 〈…〉 ry 〈…〉 childe I may well beleue than seint Anne oure ladyes modir had not so in her birthe of her child oure lady for she was halowed in her moderie woÌ„ be holy born holy euer aftyr So whan she was borne wenyd was iij yere of age Ioachim and anne othir frend is broughte mary in to the cite of iherusalem to fore the temple as they had made her a vow to fore Than the temple stode one an hill was xv steyres vp to the dore so they left mary nethir meste while they made heÌ„ redy to do her offering thaÌ„ weÌ„te maâ—y t◠〈…〉 â—â—â—rmest gryce 〈…〉 her all to spuÌ„all occuÌ„pacion euery day fro morow to vndren she was in her pÌ„youres from vndren to noon she occupied her crafte of vewing of clothis in the temple at noÌ„ the mete the drinke that was broughte to her to ete she gaffe to pore people was in her deuocion till an aÌ„gell broughte her mete Thus she leuyd so clene so honestly that all her felowes callid her quene of maydeÌ„s whaÌ„ any man spake to her mekely she lowted with her hed seyd Deo graciaâ— For that worde was comm in her mouthe there for she is likid to a spicers shoppÌ„ for she smellith swete for pÌ„chens of the holy goste that was with her habuÌ„dauÌ„ce of vertues that shulde bere the kyng of vertues and thus her birthe dayly is ioy to all cristen people how this day was furste fouÌ„de a grete clerke iohaÌ„ Bellet tellith Ther was an holy man that preyde to god oft be nyght tyme so on a nyght as he was in his deuocion he herd a songe of an aÌ„gell in heueÌ„ that oure lady was borne of her modir no more of all the yere aftyr so in a nyght he herde this melody in the eyre where for this holy man preyde to god that he myght haue wetyng what was the cause that he herde that melodye that certayn nyght no more of all the yere aftyr ThaÌ„ come an angell to him seyd that nyght oure lady was borne of her modir there for the melody was made in heueÌ„ at that tyme. thaÌ„ wente he to the Pope tolde him how the aÌ„gell seyde Thau the pope coÌ„maundid that day shulde be halowed fore euer more thus come this furste into holy churche Also oure lady is borne by watyr wasching that is be cristonyng for whan oure lord ihesu crist was baptised in the watir of fâ—om iordan than oure lady the xij apostles in â— tyme wâ—â— cristoned there for right as oure lord folowid the olde â—awe the new bothe all yâ— fill to a man of right so oure lady fullfillid both lawâ—â— all fill to a womâ— at the same cristoning for there her soue toke his righte name she bothe as the gospell tellith whaÌ„ oure lord thesus was cristoned the fadir of heueÌ„â—pake seyde Hir eÌ„ filins mena â—â— seyde he â—â—is my welbeloued sone but aftir he was callid she sus goddis sone fro that tyme oure lady was callid the wyffe of ioseph aftyr that she was callid the modir of ihuÌ„ to moche worshippe to her The thirdde tyme oure lady was borne to ioy passing for whan she shulde passe oute of this world her sone come with a grete multitude of angeles broughte her to heuen with moche ioye theâ—e crowned her quene of heuen emperes of hell lady of all the world so she is in euyr lasting blysse we fynde of oure lady how there was a iew that was borne in fraunce come in to Englond for diuerse maters that he had to do with othir people come in gloâ—ater to Bristow so wold go in â—o wilke shew but he was take by the wey with the fes ladde in to an olde house boundyn to a poste his hondis be hynde him so lefte hym there all nyght at the laste he â—â—ll in a slepe he saw a fayre woman clothid in white he had seyn neuer non soche enyn ther with he woke felte him selfe lose Than he saw oure lady bright that him thoughte she passid the sonne seyde what
to the feythe be fre wyll of hem selfe and whan they were all cristo ned than wente Eracli us with both ostis to the olde kyng Cosdre as he satte in his trone seyd to him thus For because thou haste do worshippe to the holy crosse thou shalte chese yf thou wolte be cri stoned haue thy kyngdome a yen for a litill tri bute in reste pese or else to be dede he for soke to be cristoned than a non Eraclius smote of his he de right there made a cry that his tre four shulde be dalte a monge his men â—cious stones othir iewles shulde be kepte to restore the chirchis that were distroyed toke the crosse wente to iherusalem And whan he come to the mounte of oliuete towardes the cite of iherusalem ryding one a trapped hoâ—se he wolde haue rydyn in to the cite of iherusalem â—ut sodenly the yatiâ—â—â—â— to ge dir was playn wall thaÌ„ was he gretly a stoyned meruelyd gretely of yâ— vengeaunce made a grete mone Than come an angell stode on the ya tis seyde QuaÌ„doâ—rex noster whan the kyng of heuen come this wey thourghe these yatiâ— to wardes his passion he rode on no trapped horse nor in no clothe of golde but mekely one a simple asse yâ—uyâ—g ensample of mekenesse to all people than the angell wente his wey ThaÌ„ the kyng with all deuocion that coude myght a none did of his clothis vn to his shirte bare fote Than the yate opeâ—â—d he wente ynne to the yate of iherusalem so in to the temple offered the crosse a yene as hit was to fore ThaÌ„ for the grete ioye that the peple had of this crosse â—oâ—â— the grete miracles yâ— gode shewed hit was more 〈◊〉 â—ftâ—r thaÌ„ hit 〈◊〉 to â—â—re the â—â—â— shippe of the crosse that was caste downe aftyr was lifte vp where this this day is callid the â—â—altacion of the crosse â—â—re as seint Austeyn seythe the crosse that was furste of so grete spite velony now is of grete worship that Emperours kinges worshippe hit we â—â—de in legenda aurea that aie we come to a churche for deâ—aute that no man was in the chirche he weÌ„ te to the rode for gâ—â—t en uye that he had to criâ—â—â— he cutte the rodis throte a none the blode sterte oute one his clothis so his clothis were alle rede blode And than he hid the rode in a preuy place as he wente home a cristen man mete him sey de to him thou haste slay ne somme maÌ„ where haste thou done him the iewe seyd nay hit was not so the cristen man seyd thy clothis be alle blody of him Than this iewe knelid downe seyde for sothe the god that this cristen people be leue vpon is of grete vertu myght tolde him how he had doue cryde mercy with all his herte so he was cristoned an holy maÌ„â—uer aftyr so wente to â—uer lasting ioye blysse to the whiche god brynge vs all to Amen De quatuor temporum GOod freÌ„dis this weke ye shall haue ymbre deyes that is wedenysday fryday satirday the whiche dayes calixte the pope ordey ned iiij tymes in the yere to all yâ— bethe of couenable age for certeyn cau ses as ye shall here Oure olde faderis fastid foure tymes in the yere a yense foure highe solempne fe stis if we woll shew vs good children we muste faste folowe the same rewle that they vsid and there fore we faste iiij ty mes Furste in marche The secounde at witson tyde The iij. bytwix her ueste sede tyme And the iiij be fore cristemas Marche is a tyme that dryethe vp the moystenes that is in the erth whe re for we faste that tyme to drye the erthe of oure body of humerus that be full nedefull to the body to the soule For that tyme the humurus of le chery temptith a maÌ„ mo ste of any tyme of the ye re Also we falte at witfontyde fore to gete grace of the holy goste that we may be in perâ—ite loue charite to god to all the worlde Caritaa cooperit multitudiueÌ„ peccatoruÌ„ Charite co uerith the multitude of synnes Also we faste to haue mekenes in oure her t is to put a wey all pry de that reynith in vs. Al so we faste betwene herueste sedtyme for to haue grace to gedir frutes of good werkis in to the house of oure conscience so be ensample of good leuyng a monge the people that we comyn with bothe riche pore Also we faste in wynter fore yâ— sleith all stinkyng wedis of synne fowle erthe of fleschly lustes that makid good angelis good peple to with drawe hem from vs For right as net tell bâ—â—nnith rosis othir flowres that be nye hit in the same wyse a vicious man or woman sterith settith on fyre hem that biâ—h in her coÌ„pany And for these causes we â—aste iiij tymes in the yere and euery tyme iij. dayes that be tokenith iij. speciall yâ— tues that he lpith a maÌ„ to grace that is fasting deuoute preyng almesse dede doyng And be opinion of moche people these dayes be callid ymbre dayes because that ou re elder faderis wolde one these dayes ete noo brede but cakis made vnder as kis so be the etyng of that they reducid in to theyr minde that they were but askes shulde tourne ayeÌ„ wyste not how sone by that they tourned a wey from all delicius me tis drynkys toke noo hede so that they had esy â—ustinaunce this causithe hem to thinke on dethe that wyll cause a man to desyre no more thaÌ„ he ne dith absteyne him selfe from all maner of bodely lustes to encrese in ver tueâ—be the which we may come to euer lasting blys De festo sacti ma thei GOod frend is so â—he a day ye shall haue seint mathe uâ—â—ay the whiche was â—â—â—â—tus apostle ye shall fâ—â—ste the euyn come to holy chirche in worshippÌ„ of god seint mathew he is gretly coÌ„mendid in holy churche for certeynâ— holy vertues that he had Hewas obedient to criste at the firste calling he prechid the gospell with oute faynyng he suffered passion mekely with oute any deuyyng Furste he was obedient to criste at the firste calling for he satte in a certeyn place besy to gete good crisâ— câ—me that wey lokyd on him bad him come go with him Thann he caste so grete loue to crisâ— that he left all his goodiâ— that he had sewed criste forthe full simple and full pore Also he fedde criste gladly for on a day he preyde Criste to ete with him made criste a grete feste not in delicatâ— metis drynkys
in the thoughte worde and dede he offered his thou ghte to god for there as he was furste besy to gete goodis of the world with his crafte for as boâ—is telle he was a leche for couetyse of good he slewe many a man bodely than had he offendid god so greuously that a none he offered his thoughte in sacrifice for as bo kys teche god is highely plesid with thought that is whan a man is sory for his synnes in his herte thynkith verely to for sake synne a mende hym Also he offered his worde to god in sacrifice for as he was wonte to fore to speÌ„de his speche in many ydyll wordes or he come to the apostle aftyr he tourned his spech in to profite to all cristeÌ„ peple where for he wente to oure lady and she taught him the gospell tho that he wrote and fore he was a clene mayden oure lady cherischid him the more And so taught him full goodly how the aÌ„gell come to her in message and what he seyde what answere she gafe a yene so all thynges that she did with her sone of all her doyng till oure lord was styed vp in to heuen whann luke had lerned this persitely than he lokyd what Marke had wreton mathew so to ke athem ther as they wretyn darckly he wrote openly all thynges thus in prechyng techyng he offered his worde to god Also he offered his dede to god in sacrifice fore he peyned his body with diuerse penaunce of fastyng of harde leuing in kepyng preyng Also he wrote all the persecucion that the apostelis suffered of the iewes in iherusalem whaÌ„ they had grete pursewte tourmeÌ„t for goddis sake he wrote all the persecucione of seint steuyn how he was stoned to dethe Thann wente seint luke to seynt poule sewed him in many mystheuys dissese â— he had in full grete dre de neuer departid from him till poule was dede Thanne wente luke to a countrey that was callid betanie there he pÌ„chid the worde of god was there till he was xl wynter of age than he dyed full fayre full of the holy goste for he leuyd in holy vertuous aftyr his dethe god shewed for him many fayre miracles so endid in criste went in to euer lasting blysse to the whiche god brynge vs all to Amen De simone inda GOod frendis so che a day ye shall haue the feste of Symon iude ye shall faste the euyne one the morow come to chirche worshippe god these holy apostles we shall on derstonde that eythir of these hath to names that one was callid Symon Ê’elotes and that other iudas iacola and iudas tha deus shewyng be these how the name that a maÌ„ hath in this worlde dieth passithe oute of mynde whanne he is dede where fore euery cristeÌ„ maÌ„ shul de be besy to take hym a name that shulde be wreton in the boke of lyffe yâ— shulde laste euer And there for these ij apostles suffered grete penaunce trauell tribulacion and dissese at the laste peyne of dethe fore cristus sake with hertes meke clene conscience Symon is as moche to sey as obedience that makith a man meke in herte Iudas is as moche to sey as confessi on that clensith a maÌ„nes conscieÌ„ce of all maner of fynne And thus be fore or they dyed they gaffe euery maÌ„ ensample how they toke her dethe meke ly for cristus sake dye with clene conscience and than they shall be wreton in the boke of lyffe with grete worshippÌ„ in the fra ternite of heuen but they that grochyn in her hertes of dissese persecucion euer playnyng they haue nede to prey to god to be helid of that sykenes that they haue in her spiritis Narracio We rede in the lyffe of the apostell how a kyng that was callid Abagarus was leper herde how that oure lord ihesu criste did many miracles helid all that were sike Than he wrote a letter in this wyse kyng A bagarus gretith ihesus â—a uioure well that prechid in the countrey of iherusalem I haue herde of thy miracles that thow doste so thou heliste all maner of sikenesse with oute any herbis or salues cureste blynde â—rokid lame that is more merueyle thow reyse dede bodyes to lyue where for I thynke in my herte in my beleue that thou arte very godd is sone come downe from heuyn to erthe leuyste here among the people as one of hem where for I write to the that thow wolte come to me hele me of my leper that greuith me full fore so I vnderstonde that the iewes haue orderned to do the to dethe y haue a litill cite that is good honeste plenteuous hit is sufficiant I nowe for vs bothe to leue by there shall we bothe be in reste pese Than criste wrote a yene seyde yâ— arte blessed that be leue ste on me haste not seyne me for thou woldest that I shulde come to the I sey to the I muste do that I come fore than y wolle sende somme of my disciples to the that shall hele the of thy leper ThaÌ„ for this kyng that criste myght not come to him for grete desyre that he had to se hym he sente to hym a payntour that was a maistre of that crafte to peynte cristus visag as he cowde But whan this peyntour come to criste lokyd on his visage hit shone so brighte that he myghte not loke there one Than he made grete sorow mornyng that he was come so ferre myght not spede of his purpose Than criste toke a clothe of the peyntour wypid his face ther with than was the forine of his visage there on than the peyntour bare hit to the kyng Than was the kyng wouÌ„dre glad did hit gret reuerence with all his herte Than aftir cristus ascension thomas of ynde be the sente of the apostles was sente to this kyng Abâ—garus whaÌ„ he saw thomas he saw soche a shynyng in his face that he wente hit had be criste Than seyd thomas to the kyn◠〈…〉 in criste thou shalte â—e hole he feyde I be leue holy in him and fayne I wolde be wroke one â—â—â— that haue done him â—o â—â— the a none he was hole Than iudas wente â—â—â—â— mon wente bothe 〈…〉 dir in to perse to preche there they did many miracles so that they tourned the kyng lxij â–ª M. to cristen feyth so the cristen people encresed strongely So the kyng with all his meyne were cristoned with drewe her offeringes from the mawmentes that was the bishoppes leuyng where fore they were so wrothe that they gaderid hem to gedir toke these apostles lad hem in to her temples to do
frendis soche a day ye shall haue all souleÌ„ day the day of the soules in purgatory ther a byding the mercy of god haue moche nede of helpe and right as holy chirch worshippid all semtes to be holpyn be the preyoures of hem right so holy chirche ordeymth this day to singe to rede to do almesse dedes hauyng full be leue to relese hem that ben in purgatory of her peynes wher for god will that all cristen people to her power this dâ—y releue hem for the â—â—â—â—â— preyour or almesse dede that is done gretely releuythe hem ye shall vnderstond that there be iiij thynhis that gretely he lpithe soules that ben in purgatory be these FideliuÌ„ amicoruÌ„ oracio elcoÌ„ sinaruÌ„ largicio salutariâ— boltia nimia racio ieiuniorum obseruacio that is preyoures of freÌ„des de uoutly seyde almes dede doyng masses singing abstmaunce in fasting preyoures helpith moche a soule For like as a lorde hathe a man in pryson or in any distresse atte the preyoure of him that he louith he relesith in party or all And that is shewed be ensample Narracio we finde in legenda aurea that there was a man that had his house by a churche yerde syde his dore openid to the churche and be vsid be custume as ofte as he come or wente to sey euery tyme Deâ—rofundis fore all cristen soules ThaÌ„ hit happid so on a tyme that he was pursewed with enemyes as he wente homewardes But whan he come in to the churche yerde he knelid down thoughte to sey Deprofundis these enemyes come aftyr A noue the dede bodyes resyn euery chone with soche instrumentes as they wroughten with in her lyfes and a none they dreue a wey his enemyes but whanne they saw that they cryde god mercy this man And euer aftir preyde dede almesse dede for hem that were in payne Thus I may well proue that deuoute preyoures helpithe many a soule that ben in purgatory Also almes dede helpithe many soules Sicnt aâ—na extingnit igâ—eÌ„ ita elemosina extingnâ—t paccatuÌ„ Right as watyr quenchith fyre so almes dede queÌ„chith the fuyre that brenuyth hem that bethe in purgatory yf they be in good lyffe persite charite yâ— down hit And yf almesse dede be done for hem that be in ioye haue no nede there to hit is put in to the tresoure of hooly chirche as goddis will is hit is delte releuith hem that hath moste uede there to so god assynith hit to hem that haue moste nede than the soules that bethe holpyn there with thanke the soule that hit is done for Thus ye may knowe well that almesse dede helpith gretely soules that hit is done fore be in purgatory fore ofte holy men haue herde fendes crye make grete sorow for with almes dedis soules were take from heÌ„ Narracio we rede in olde tyme good people wold on all halowyn day bâ—â—â— beede dele hit for all cristeÌ„ soules yit there be somme that vsyn hit but alle to few 〈…〉 finde in legeÌ„d◠〈…〉 of a â—uyghte yâ— shul â—â— go to a batayles had a cosyn that he loued pas â—â—â—gâ— well sâ—yde to him thus yf he were slayne in the batayle he shulde selle his horses dele the â—â—â—oure to â—ore peple in almes to prey for all cristen soules so hit â—â—â—pid that he was dede his cosyn loued well the horse toke him to his own vse TheÌ„ sone oftir this knyght â—â— perâ—d to his cosyn and seyd thus to him viij dayes for my horse thou haste made me to brenne in purgatory ther for god woll take 〈…〉 on the For sothe â—d â—e to day thy soule shalle be in hell with the fende Et ego purgattus â—ado in regnum dei And I am pâ—rged shall go to the kyngdom of hepeÌ„ And a none an horrible noâ—se waâ— in the eâ—â—â— of sendes caughte this maÌ„ hare him a wey The iij that helpith is masse soâ—â— whan any soule apperith to any man to haue any helpe he desirith masses preyith to haue massiâ— songe for him For right as mete drynâ—â—e comfortid a man whan he is febull so the sacrament in the anter comfortith the soule that the masses be done fore Hit ie wreton in legend a aurea how a bishop suspendid a preste for he coude sey none othir masse but of requieÌ„ but he songe euery day de uoutly aftyr his coÌ„nyng Thann one a day as the bishoppe wente towardes â—â—â—â—nes hit semythe to him that dede bodyes â—â—syn and come a boute him and â—eyde thow haste no masse for vs more ouer thow haste take oure pÌ„ste awâ—y from vs Loke that this be a mendid or else with in shorte tyme god wolle take oeÌ„ gâ—â—â—nce one the fore oure sâ—â—e Thanne was the Bishoppe gretely a ferde and a none he bad the preste singe of requiem as he did to fore so he did as ofte as he myght Also we fynde that fiseheris sette her newes in he rueste to fische they toke vp a grete pese of Ise that hit was the coldiste â—se that euer they feld hit wolde not melte for the sonne â–ª Than brought they that yse to the bishop for he had a grete brennyng hete in his fete and hit was the coldiste that euer he felte â–ª Than spake there avoyre to him out of the yse y am a soule yâ— suffre my penauÌ„ce here in this yse for y haue no freÌ„des that wolle do masses for me y shall be delyuered of my penaunce and thow shalt be hole of thysikenes he seyde he wolde he wolde singe for him bad telle him his name â— euer while he was atte masse he leyde the yse vnder his fete and euer as he seyde masse the yse malte a wey so in a while the yse was molton the soule â—ate of purgatory and the bishoppÌ„ was hole of his sikenesse Thanne the soule apperid him with moche ioye seyde with thy masses singing y am holpyn oute of peyne in to euer lastyng blysse he tolde the bishoppÌ„ that he shulde dye sone aftyr to come to euer lasting ioye with outyn ende to thew hiche god bryng vs all to Amen De festo saÌ„cti martini GOod frendis soche a day ye shall haue seynte martens day whann marten was but iij. yere of age he cutt his mantell in to peces as he rode amonge othir knyghtis was not yit cristoned gafe halfe his mantell to a pore man for god dis sakeÌ„ that askid almes than the nyghte aftyr god had the sameclothe seyd to his angell Marten that is not cristoned hathe clothid me in this clothe marten herde this worde oute of heuen a non he was cristoued thann a none he left this worldes occupacion yafe him all to holynesse So as he rode on a tyme be the â—ey the fende come in
and lene false mawmentes ThaÌ„ wâ—s the emperoure wrothe â—ad take her towarde till he myght be at leysoure So in the mene tyme he sente aftyr the grettiste maistres and the wyseste clerkys that were in any couÌ„trey ferre a bonte him And whan they were come he bad hem go dispute with katherine ouer come her they shulde haue right well for her laboure Than were they wrothe to cÌ„ome so ferre to dispute with a wo maÌ„ seyde the leste scoler in the scole had be y nowe to ouer come her But whan katherine had disputid with hem with helpe of the hooly goste she conuertid hem euery chone to the feyth of oure lord ihesu criste in so moche that they were redy to suffer deth fore cristus sake â–ª Than a none maxencius coÌ„maundid to make a gret fuyre and â—renne hem in the fuyre But by the helpe of the holy goste the fuyre breâ— de uo parties of hee bodyeÌ„s ne the leste cloth of hem yit lay fayre dede as they had be a slepe Than the Emperoure made do ka herine nakid bete her with scorgiâ—â— she was all blode full of woundes than he putte her in to pryson vij dayes with oute mete drynke Thanne had the quene a grete luste to speke with katherine toke a knyghre with her that highte porphirius wente to katherine than they saw an aÌ„gell sette a crowne of shynyng golde on the quenes he de an othir on porphirius he de and bad hem be stedefast for with in thre dayes they shulde come to heuen be suffering of martirdome Thanne sente the Emperour aftir katherine wente to haue founde her nyghe dede but all that tyme god sente her mete from heuen whann the emperour saw her a lyffe he was wode for woorde and made her to be sette betwene ij â–ª whelis tourned on vpwardes anothir downewardes full of â—ollâ—s swerde poyntes for all to rase katherine Than come an aÌ„gell as â—it had be a wynde all to brake hem slewe iiij M. of the tyrantes ThaÌ„ saw the quene that miracle and come be fore the kyng her housbond reâ—ukyd him that he saw the myght of god so openly wolde not be leue there oÌ„n Than bad the kyng lede forthe the quene and cutte of her pappes froÌ„ the body with hokys and thaÌ„ to smyte of her hede thaÌ„ for porphirius beried her lxxx of her knyghtis were martered with her they smote of porphirius hede Than spake the emperour to katherine seyde that he wolde wedde her she wolde fro criste beleue in his goddis she seyde she sette noughte by him nor by his goddis whan he saw that he made to smyte of her hede Than a none in scede of blode come moche fayre mylke And than come an angell bare the soule in to heuen And angelis come bare the body in to the eyre so in to the mounte of synay and there beried it with worshippÌ„ there god wronghte many fayre miracles into this day At the fote of the mounte ther is an abbey of monkes that leuyn in grete abstinaunce this abbey is stronge highe wallid barred aboute with yrou for wilde bestis in that abbey lyeth seint katherine in a fayre tombe of alabaster for her bones were shediâ— for the more worshippe a bouyn in the churche is the bnshe there god stode in whanne he spake to moyses wrote the lawe in to ij tables of stone that busche is also grene fayre as hit was the same day Also in that abbey is a grete merueyle and is this euery monke hath a lampÌ„e with oyle brennyng whaÌ„ he shall dye they shall know be hislaÌ„ he for as he drawithe to â—â—e dethe so drawith his â—â—mpe And whan this â—â—bot dyeth his brethereÌ„ shall singe a masse of the holy goste bery him so lemply whan masse is done they shall finde a bille writoÌ„ on the auter how shall be abbote so they these her abbot Also on seint katherins nyght all the briddiâ— in the couÌ„trey come the dir eche of heÌ„ bryngith a branche of oliue in her bill into the place as pilgremes sey the monkis make oyle of the branches to her lampes for all the yere somme to selle Narracio we finde rede of a maÌ„ that serued seint katherine fastid her euyn brede watir on a tyme he come in felleship of recheles people by comforte of hem he lefte his faste ete with hem so in the nyghte aftyr he saw a grete company of maydeneÌ„ comyng by him amoÌ„ge hem there was on passing alle othir eche of hem had a crowne but on had passyng a fayre crowne that was sein katherine So whan she come by this maÌ„ she hid her face from him wolde not loke on him thaÌ„ he askid on of hem what they were she seyde we be virginis the principall that thou sâ—iste is seint katherâ—â— yâ— hid her fate for the be cause thou haste lefte thy deuocion from her euyn of fasting Than this man repentid him sore that he had done this dede so tourned a yen to his deuocion fastid aftyr was an holy man there for sete vs worship this holy virgine that she may prey for vs Amen De dedicatoÌ„ne ecclesie GOod frendis sâ—che a day ye shall haue youre deâ—â— â–ª cacion day that is yourâ— for deuoute 〈…〉 holy churche was ordeyned to be halowed fore god seythe thâ—â— Domua meâ— domus oroÌ„uis â—o cabitur Mâ— house is caâ—â—or an house of pre youres but hit is now made an house of rownyng whisperyng crying clatâ—â—â—â—g scoruyng taâ—es simple spekyng mockyng mowyng of vanite many simple wordes lewde Narracio We rede how seâ—â—t gregory was at masse on a ty me semt Austeyn was his dekon bad the people tourne to the â—opis blessing thaÌ„ he saw ij wymen â—own to gedir in the popis chapell the fende satte in her neckes wryting on a grete rolle yit lackyd parchament â—e drew hit oute with histe the so hit fill out of his clawis seâ—nt Austeyn saw 〈…〉 toke hit vp t 〈…〉 pe was wrothe 〈…〉 im why he laughed him to scorâ—â— he shewde him what the fende had wreton of the wymen than he come to the wymen askyd hem what han ye seyd all this masse tyme they seyde oure pater noster Than the pope bad rede the â—â—ll to hem that the fende had wreton seâ—nt Gregory redde hit there was neuer a good worde there in ThaÌ„ they knelid downe alkyd mercy be soughte the pope to prey for hem so he did bronghte hem oute of the fendes bokys Also for long resting to hooly churche for whan a man is dede he is bronght to the church to his reste Some tyme the people read beried at home as pore people and the riche were beried in hill toppes some at the foâ—e of the hill in tombes made of roâ—his But fore the sauour was so grete â—o greuous holy 〈◊〉 or deyned churche yerd is â—bery the people in â—ore ij causes on is to be preyde fore â—s holy chirche vsith A noâ—hir is for the body shall lye there with oute trauell â—or the fende hath no power to do no thynge with in cristeÌ„ beriellis but if so be that the body be not worthy to be beried there Johan Bellet tellith that there shuld no body be beried in the chirche but yf hit be the patâ—â—â— that defende hit froÌ„ bodely enemyes or the person 〈…〉 or clerâ—e â—â—â—â— deâ—â—â—dith the chirche 〈◊〉 gostely enemyes 〈…〉 preyoures for 〈…〉 be baried there 〈…〉 a yeu on the 〈…〉 all the cloth is left still in the graue An 〈…〉 ll come on a tyme to 〈…〉 of a church had him go to the bishop â—id him caste oute the 〈…〉 he hath beried 〈…〉 he shall be 〈…〉 dayes â—o 〈…〉 old not 〈…〉 Narracio 〈…〉 in the gestis of rome that an aÌ„gell tolde an holy bishop that hight Encres how that charles the kyng of frauÌ„ce was dampned he toke a wey holy chirchis righte that good peple had yeuen to fore bad hym go opyn his tombe se the sothe Than the bishoppe toke with him othir people openyd the tombe there come out a grete dragon fley forthe lefte tombe brenne with in as hit had be anouyn mouthe thus bery in holy place is but litill a vayle to hem that be daÌ„pned Also ther be many that walkyn on nyghtes whan they aren beried in holy place but that is not longe of the feude but of grace of god to gete hem helpe some be gilty hane no reste Narracio Hit happid be syde the Abbey of lilfill that iiij men stale â–ª Oxe of the abbotis of 〈◊〉 same place to her larder the