portrait of Samuel Pepys 
SAM PEPYS CAR ET JAC ANGL REGIB A SECRETIS ADMIRALIAE Mens cujusque is est Quisque    

¶ The help and grace of almighty god through the besechinge of his blessed more 〈…〉 saint marry be with us at our beginning/ help us and speed us here in our living/ and bring us unto the bliss that never shall have ending. Amen.  
Mine own simple understanding I feel weal how it fareth by other that been in the same degree. and have charge of souls. and holden to teach their parisshyns of all the principal feasts that come in the year. showing unto them what the holy saints suffered and did for god's sake and for his love. So that they should have the more devotion in good saints. & with the better will come unto the church▪ to serve god and pray his holy saints of their help But for many excuse them for default of books and also by simpleness of cunning Therefore in help of such this treatise is drawn out of Legenda aurea: that he that list to study therein. he shall find ready therein of all the principal feasts of the year. of eachone a short sermon needful for him to teach. and for other to serve And for this treatise speaketh of all the high feasts of the year I will and pray that it be called festival the which beginneth at the first sunday of the Aduent in worship of god and all his saints that been wretyn therein.  

¶ Incipit liber qui vocatur festialis..  
Good men and women this day is called the first sunday in advent. wherefore holy church maketh mention of the coming of christ. god's son into this world 〈…〉 mankind out of the devils bondage▪ & to bring all well doers into the bliss that evir shall last. And also of his other coming that shall be at the day of doom when he shall come to dame. all wacked doers into the pain of hell for evir. But the first coming of ●hū Criste into this world brought joy and bliss with him. Therefore holy church used songs of mirth as hallelujah and other And for the second coming of christ shall be so cruel that no tongue may tell Therefore holy church saith down songs of melody as Te deum. Gloria in excelsis▪ and wedding For after that day shall 〈◊〉 be wedding more in to 〈…〉 ynge of vengeance that cometh after Then after the the first coming of christ into this world saint Austyn saith there been there things ryf in this world that been 〈◊〉 the travail. and death This is the testament that Adam our form father made to all his offspring. after him that is to be borne in sickness. and for to live in travail. and for to die in dread. But christ he came to be our succour. of this testament: and was borne and travailed and died he was borne to bring men out of sickness into everlasting health. he travailed to bring man to evir lasting rest: he died to bring man to everlasting life. This was the cause of the first coming of christ into this world. wherefore h 〈…〉 will escape the doom that he shall come to in the second coming he must lay down all manner of pride of heart and know himself a wretch of earth and hold meknesse in his heart. he must travail his body in good works and get truly his livelihood with travail. of his body and put away all idleness For he that will not travail his body in good works▪ as saint bein. saith he shall travail evir with fiends in hell. and for dread of d●th he must make him evir ready to god when he will fiend for him that is to say. shrive 〈◊〉 e'en of all his sins and not 〈…〉 year to year but assoon as he 〈…〉 rise up. and meekly tak● 〈…〉 father. then shall 〈…〉 come have great worship 〈…〉 a knight she with his wound 〈…〉 had in battle in moche 〈…〉 to him Right so the sins 〈…〉 hath done and is shriven of 〈…〉 his penance shallbe much w●●ship to him and great confusion to 〈…〉 And that he hath not shryu● 〈◊〉 ●halbe showed openly to all the world in great sham● to him This is said for the first coming of christ in to this world unde. Dns veniet ad iudicium· The coming of christ is to the doom. Tunc videbunt filium hominis venientem in nubibus cum potestate magna et maiestate. And these comings shallbe so cruel. that fifteen days afore shall come tokens of great dread So that thereby the people may know that soon after cometh the doom Secundum jeronimun As jerom saith The first day the water shall rise upon the see and it shall be higher than any hill by xl. cubits The second day the see shall fall down so low that uneath it may be se●● The third day all the fish and beasts in the see shall make such a cry: and a roaring that no tongue may tell it but god himself The fourth day the see and waters shall brenne· The v day all trees▪ and herbs. shall sweet blood and all manner of fowls shall come together. and neither eat nor drink for dread of the doom that is coming The vi: day all great bildinges castle sys towers steeples and houses shall fall down and burn till the son rise again The seven. day all stones and rocks shall beat to gydre that each shall break other with an horrible noise which shallbe herd into heaven The eight day the earth shall quake so that there may no man stand thereon: but shall fall down The ix day the people shall go out of their dennys & go as they were myndlesse. and noon speak to other The tenth day hills and earth shall be even and plain The xi. day all graves and tombs shall open and the bodies shall stand upon them The tuelthe day stars shall fall from heaven. shooting out brenning beams a dreadful sign to see. The xiii. day they shall die that bearen life The xiiii day heaven and earth shall burn The xv. day heaven and earth shallbe made new and all people shall arise in the age of thirty. winter and come to the doom. Dominus veniet ad judicium cum multitudine angelorum. ¶ Then shall come to the doom our lord Ihesu Criste very god and man with his angels And show his wounds fresh bleeding as tha● day he died on the cross with all the instruments of his passion. ¶ The spear crown scourges nails hamer pynsones. and the garland of thorns to show what he suffered in his passion for mankind Then may they be sorry and feared that have sworn by his passion or wounds. or by any member of his body that shall be a great repress to them. But they amend them in this world or they die. then will our lord greatly thank them that have do mercy in this world for his sake to their even christian. And will say thus to them. Venite benedicti patris mei/ Come ye my faderis blessed children & receive ye the kingdom of heaven that is ordained to you: and so rehearse to them the seven. works of mercy. when I was hungry ye gaaf me mete. Sitivi et dedistis michi bibere when I was thirsty ye gave me drink. and when I was herberles ye herbered. and so forth all the works off mercy For when ye gaf any thing in my name it was to me. then shall our lord rebuke the rich people that would not do for his love: nor forgive no trespass for his sake. And say to them. ¶ Discedite a me maledicti in ignem eternum: Go ye cursed people in to everlasting pain of hell. For when I was a hungered ye gave me no meet etc. Than may they be full sorry and woe that ever our lord Ihesu Criste shall thus rebuke them. For there shall noman of law to plete nor for gold nor silver nor other yefts to help: For than shall neither master nor lordship help but all be set beside. but right as a man hath done so shall he have. And there shall be diverse accusers both above him and beneath him. and on every side above him shall be our lord Ihesu Criste his domes man. Iratus est furor domini in populo suo/ without mercy to them that deed no mercy. and so accuse them of the ●●st thought that ever was amiss. On the right side his angel telling 〈◊〉 where when and how oft he ●yde amiss. On that other side fiends challenging him theyres as by right for his wicked deeds. Under him ●elle ready if he be found in sin that day they shall be pained and in pain without end. That day pour people shall ●●●te with christ at the doom. And done the rich people for the great wrongs that they died to them and they might get none amends till the day off doom. Then they shall have they● will of the rich people. For when the rich done the poor wrong they can do no more But pray to god to quite them at the day of doom. And so he will for god saith thus. Michi vindict●m et ego retribuam/  
¶ Put all to me▪ and I yield every man after his deserving. Therefore while ye been here. make ye amends for your wickedness. And ma●e them your friends that shall be your domes men at the day of doom And trust not to them that shall come after you lest ye be beguiled. And dread the pain of hell that nevir shall have end.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ Saint Bede telleth how there was an husband man in england that fell seek and lay deed from the even till on the morrow Then he rose and departed his gods in four parties. & all his own part he gave to poor men and went and was a monk in an Abbey that was nigh the water side into the which water he went every night w●●●n nevir so cold. and stood therein long and suffered great penance And when he was asked why he did so to suffer that great penance. he said to 〈◊〉 we a greater pain that he had seen ●nd he would e●e but barley breed & drink water all his life after. and told two. religious men the pains that he had seen And they were so great that he could not tell them openly. He said that an angel lad him into a place there. that one side was so cold that no tongue might tell the pain thereof And the other was so hoot that no man might tell the pain thereof. And souls were cast out of that one into that other. & that was a great pain to them And the angel showed him the fire that came out of hell that was so hoot and so far as him thought he might see it he thought it brent him. and in the lea●●e thereof he saw souls boil up and down crying and wailing for wo● Also he heard fiends cry: cast out hot ●ede and brimstone to make their peines greater. and so they tormented the souls in pain Now lord for thy great mercy have mercy on us and keep us fro though peines and bring us to the bliss of heaven that nevir shall have ending Amen.   

¶ Dominica in septuagesima.  
GOod men & women this day is called in holy church the sunday in septuagesme for cause that holy church is mother of all christian people. she taketh good heed to the children as a good mother oweth to do. and forasmuch as she seeth him full sorry sek in sin and many of them wounded to the death with the sword of sin. the which sin hath caught all this year tofore. and namely this criste●●asse time that was ordained in holy church for great solemnity For every man should be busy to serve god with all his power because that christ himself showed that day sweetness of love to all christian people For man he was that time and in the same flesh and blood as one of us and laid in a cradyl more pourely than any of us and was christened in water as one of us And also he came to a wedding for to cleanse it from sin. and to make us holy and brethren to him and heirs to the kingdom of heveyn. ¶ For these causes all christian people owen to be full glad in their souls as in the time making solemnity and mirth and making them both clean in body and soul from all manner of sins And gronding them in great sadness of love to god and to all christian people/ doing great alms to them that have need:  
¶ But now the more harm is for that high and solemn feast is turned into filth sin and great sickness to the soul. as pride by diverse wise. in clothing and in many diverse guises using. into great covetise and into lechery. that suythe alway gluttony. in slewth in god's service. as ●apes and vanity singing rebaudrye speaking For vanity causeth moche sloth. for among such people: he is most worthy that most of harlotry can speak. Thus these solemn and high feasts that were ordained to great worship of god and of our lady and all the saints in ●●uyn. now been turned into great offence to god: ¶ wherefore our m●dre holy church saying her children in such despair as a moodre full of compassion sorry in he●●● her for them This day layeth down hallelujah and other songs of mirth and melody. and taketh Tractus. that been songs of morning Also for this holy sacrament of wedding is much defoiled by vanity of sin Therefore it is laid down. these days and in advente For many that been now wedded. giveth them all to lust and liking of the bodies of. fleshly lust of this world. And thinketh full little of the death that is full grievous that cometh so soon after but as it is red by great clerks It is more speedful to 〈◊〉 soul to 〈…〉 an house there as is a 〈◊〉 and weeping than to go to an●●●se there as is great revyll and moche ●yrthe For such things make a man to foryete his god and himself both But there as is a sight of a corpse. maketh a man to think on his death That is the spe●yall thing to p●tte away sin and vanity of the world For Solomon saith thus to his son. ¶ Fili memorare novissima. et ineternum non peccabis. son have in thy mind ●●at thou shall die and thou shall nevir sin deadly. Thus holy church having great compassion of her children. ordaineth three manner of salves to help her children. That been to think on death inwardly▪ to labour besily. and to chastise the body reasonably The first● is to thy 〈◊〉 on death inwardly Holy church 〈◊〉 ensample this day in the office of the m●ss● w●●che beginneth thus. Circumdederunt ●e. et cetera. The sickness of death hath biclepyd me Thus saith he ●●●hing every good child to have in mind how hard he is be stadde with death on each side In so much that he may not scape no way but evir death sueth him with a bow drawn and an arrow evir therein ready to shoot him he wot nevir what tyme. This is a principal salve to every man that taketh it to he●e to pu●t away all manner of vanity. and vain mirth: But for to understand this the better. I show this by ensample.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ I read of a ●ing that evir was in heavy sorrow and he would nevir laugh ne make merry but evir was in morning and in heaviness. Therefore his meinie and all other men were grieved there with they go to the kings brother praying him to speak to the king and said he grieved all though that were about him with his heavy ●here and counseled him to leave it and make light cheer in time coming then was this king wise and thought to chastise his brother by a wile and wrouthly bad him go home and do that he had to do Then was the manner of the country that when a man should be done to death should come trumpets and trump afore his gate Then said the king bidding them go trump afore his brother's gate and men go with them to arrest him & brin●● 〈◊〉 before there king. and in the me 〈◊〉 while the king called to him seven m●n that he trust on and bad them that when his brother was come to draw their swords and set them at his breast afore his heart So when his brother was come they did as the king bad them then the king commanded all men to dance and to make revel all that they could and so they did. Then said the king to his brother. why art thou so heavy of cheer Have up thy heed and be merry for all this mirth is made for the then answered he and said How should I be merry of cheer and see here six swords set to my heart and wot not who shallbe my death first then said the king put up your swords & spoke to his brother thus It fareth by 〈◊〉 the six ●ede●●● sins be evir ready to reave me of my soul to the heart and this maketh me that I may nevir be merry and make glad cheer but evyr am afeard of death. for my soul that is the life of my body. Then said the brother I cry the mercy for I knew nevir this till now & I shall be the wiser evir after: ¶ This I say boldly he that will take to heart he shall have better will to louvre than to laugh to sigh than to be glad to weep than to sing so that he shall find that mind of death. the principal salve of all manner of sin Also principally we must have in mind the painful death of our save our that he suffered for us all Of the which is made mention in the first chapiter of trene. Attendite et videte si est dolor similis sicut dolor meus That other salve is to labour besilye in this world Of this labour speaketh saint paul in the epistyll of this day and saith thus. Sic currite ut comprehendatis Renne ye so that ye may have the game By this running ye shall understand that he that runneth for the game enforcyth himself with all his might to run fast and so must every servant of god enforce him to labour besily in that degree that god ha●● set him in and men of holy church must labour in studing and praying and to teach the people the law of god Lords and rented men must labour. ●●  
¶ keep holy church in rest and pecek and other common people must labour to get living to these other degrees. and for 'em self both to the soul and body And for no man should excuse him from this labour. christ in the gospel giveth an ensample saying thus ¶ Primo mane conducere ●perarios. And husband men went in to his garden or vine yard at prime and again at undren or midday. and at evensong tyme. and he hired people to labour by all the tides of the day. this is to understand all the grease of the world For as job saith a man is borne to labour and travail in this world as a bird to flee And saint bernard saith he that will not labour here in this world. he shall labour with fiend's in hell for that is the testament of Adam that he left to all his offspring. labour and travail. To this labour he giveth ensample and rehearseth how god made adam and eve to labour to keep paradise: and bade them eat of all the fruits that was in paradise. except one tree that he kept for himself. so as oft as they saw the tree. they should think on him that made them. and know him for their god. ¶ And for they should not eat thereof in pain off death and of damnation. then the fiend saw them in so much joy that they were in and himself in so moche pain and woe that he had great envy to them. and went to Eve and asked why they e●e not of the fruit off that tree. And she said. god hath forbid us that tree in pain of death. Then said the fiend. he wot full well that and ye eat thereof. ye should 〈…〉 ●nowyng both good and ●●●lle. ¶ A●●● if ye will pr●●e that I say such. Eat thereof and assay. then to●e eve of the fruit and gaf adam and bade him eat thereof and assay. And adam lovelier well and would not wrath her. took an appell and 〈◊〉. And anon therewith either of them ●awe others shape. and were ashamed. And took leaves of a fig tree and so ●yuered her membres. Than came our lord to adam and said.  Quare fecisti hoc. 
¶ why hast thou do so. and he said.  Mulier quam dedisti nuch●. 
The woman bade me. then said our lord to eve. why didst thou thus. Serpens decepit me. The Serpent beguiled me. then for they might not die in paradise ne suffer no penance ther fore he drof hem naked out in to this world that is full wretched weeping and wailing full sore sighing to go get her meet with 〈◊〉 labour and travail and die at the last Than played adam our lord sore weeping be should not take great vengeance upon them but have merry on them and py●e for they were beguiled by envy and malice of the fiend. and by innocency off themself that they wist not what they died. Then had our lord ●u●●e on them. & for they were both naked he clothed them in p●●●he●. & bad them go labour and travail for their living. ¶ And said to Eve In dolore paries filios. In sorrow and woe thou shalt bear thy children And took adam instruments to labour with and left them there. ¶ By this ye shall understand & take ensample to labour busily. For and Adam and eve had laboured busily. the fiend had never overcome them For the fiend desireth no more when he would tempt a man. but for to find him idle: ¶ And therefore know ye well that it is a rich salve against sin for to labour busily. ¶ The third is to chastise the body discreetly unde paulus Castigo corpus meum et in servitutem redigo. I shall castyse my body. and dress it in service of soul. for man's flesh is so wild and so lusty to sin that it will not with no way leave his lust to serve god but if it be chastised with penance. For it must be chastised sometime with pain Thus died Adam & Eve in ensample that all other that shall come after hem should do the same for many years before her death either off them stood in water a nights up to the chin one far from another to suffer penance till her flesh was as green as grass for cold. Then come the fiend to eve also bright as an angel and said that god hath sent him from heaven and bad her go to Adam and say that god had sent him from heaven and bad her go to Adam and say to him that god bad him leave his penance for his trespass was for●yue. and Eve died so but Adam wist well that it come from the fiend and not from god He said to eve when god drove us out of paradise for our sin and had compassion on us for we wept sore on him. and prayed him meekly of mercy he setted us here to penance to our lives end and therefore go again for the more penance that we do the more shall be our meed. And therefore go again and do penance in God's name. yet the fiend come again the second time and said to eve. god of his grace hath take reward to your penance that ye suffer & hath forgive you. ¶ Then went eve to adam and told him so. Then said Adam I wot well that he that hath said so to the is our enemy. for our penance grieveth more him than us. & he would have us to leave of and so to lose our meed. But do we forth our penance to our lives end. For god taketh none heed to the beginning of a thing. but to the ending. yet the fend came again the third time to Eve and said ¶ Go thou to adam and say to him that he began foul and well fouler will end. for first he trespassed by innocency and disobeyed of the fiend And now he sinneth by good deliberation and will Not do as god biddeth him. wherefore your trespass is worthy damnation. ¶ Then was eve a feared and told adam so. then Adam siked sore and wept. and said to her vnauysed won in god made the of one of my rib for to help me and comfort me· And now by tycinge of the fiend thou art busy to cumber me again. ¶ But think how our first sin stank in the  
¶ sight off god that all our offspring shall be infect and have reproof thereof in to the worldis end. wherefore though we might do also moche penance as all our offspring might doo· yet it were to lytill to quite our lord god for our trespass But god of his special grace alloweth a good will Then went eve again to her penance as Adam bade and than said adam god will send us the oil of mercy when time of mercy is And so adam and eve died their penance to their lives end  
¶ And when Adam had lived ix. hundred years And thirty. and had thirty. sons and thirty. daughters they died and were both buried togydere adam and eve. Thus ye may see well that adam and eve were full hoolyor they died and thought on death full inwardly and laboured full busily & chastised her flesh full reasonably. & so must we do that come of them that will come to the joy of paradise in tokening here of this sunday is called the sunday in septuagesme a number of lxx. The which number beginneth this day and endeth on ester even so holy church is morning from this day till ester even. than she taketh comfort again in party of one hallelujah. with a tract. for it is not yet in full might till saturday in ester week. the which is called. Dominica in albis Than she layeth down the tract and grayell and singeth double hallelujah teaching all christian men to labour and do penance truly till the saturday that is to a man's lives end. that is till the soul go to rest. yet is not the soul in full rest till the s●terdaye in albis. that is till the day of 〈◊〉. when the body and the soul shall come together. and be clothed in albis that is in white seven times whetter than the son and than they shall sing double hallelujah that is to say lord make us saaf in everlasting bliss. To the which bring us he that for us all died on the road tree Amen.   

Dominica ¶ ly.  
●Ood men and women th●s day is called the sunday in se●agesme. that is the number of● lx: the which number holy church teacheth every man and woman to think how short our life is now in our days. for sometime people ●u●●d●y ●●yeres and more. And now three score o● iiii. score is a long lyff● But the grace off god and his mercy and goodness is so moche that if we will do our business and diligence to serve god and please him. he will give us asmuch joy and bliss in heyens as he gave to adam and eve that lived so long. But he that will have joy and bliss must do three things One is he must ●●te sin namely and suffer tribulation meekly And do alms deeds wilfully Than for our days been sho●● we must the more tribulation suffer meekly. And with patient heart an not grutching and disease cometh of special grace. For it is remedy for sins he●  
¶ re in this world for penance o● else for great increasing to his joy in another world wherefore God's apostle pole will that all christian people shall take ensample of him. For he suffered moche tribulation patiently that he rehearseth in the pistle of this day And said thus. In laboribus plurimis. Poull saith I have be in many great travails and often times in prison sore bounden with chains of iron. Quinque virgis cesus/ five times beton with rodis & scourgis on my bare body with paynemes Semel lapidatus/ And ones beaten with stones and three times in ship breaking. ¶ Nocte ac die in profundum maris fui/ And I was in the ground of the see a night and a day. Sepe in periculis fluuium/ Many times in peril of floods. Periculis latronum/ In peril of thieves and in peril off brethren that showed true love to me and were false and counseled other to doom disease and trouble. In fame et siti/ In hungers and in thirst. In ieiuniis multis/ In moche fasting. In multis vigiliis/ In long waking. In frigore/ In cold and in many other mischiefs and peril that were to long to tell. and all he suffered with good will. & ever thanked god of his sweet sand. For well he wist that all these tribulations & disease was for sin that he had do●● tofore. & to increase his merit & joy that should come after. wherefore all christ people that will please god what manner disease or tribulation that come to 'em be it sikenes loss of cattle or other goods or death of friends take it pacietly & meekly. & think it cometh for sin that thou hast do tofore or else for great increase of joy & bliss that thou shall have after for it cometh of special grace there as god visiteth & cometh there as god sendeth. but there as he suffereth all their will is no good sign that he loveth. & therefore thank god ever of his visitation & beseech him ever of his mercy. God knoweth our intent & therefore he forgiveth soon to all that asketh mercy with a meek heart. Thus must a man suffer tribulation patiently. he must also do alms discretely which be figured by thy see lx. days. for lx. is six ●ithes ten so that by vi. ye shall understand the seven. works of mercy. that comen out of the x. commandments the which been these to give meet & drink cloth herborow visit prisoners comfort the sick blind lame & to bury them that bended these been the seven: works of mercy. the which all christian people must do the will be saved and have mercy of god. wherefore sexagesme beginneth this day and endeth the wednesday in ester week. the which holy church speaketh of thus. Venite bendicti patris me● etc. Come ye my faders blessed children & take the kingdom of heaven that is ordained for you These same words god shall say to you at the day of doom. & to all that hath done alms deeds discretely. And fulfilled the works off mercy if they were of power. & that though that been not of power must do they good will & that shall fulfil the deed this must be do discreetly. And how god teach this day in the gospel by ensample and saith thus Exiit qui seminat seminare semen suum. ¶ A man went to sow his sedes. and as he sew. some fell by the way and fowls come and eat it. and some fell among thorns and was lost. and some fell in good earth & brought forth an C. fold increase. to this christ saith. thus himself. Ego sum via veritas et vita ¶ I am the very right true life and way to heaven. Then falleth his seed beside the way that giveth not his alms for christs sake discreetly. But for pride pomp and vain glory off the world. and so loseth his meed. and that I prove by ensample.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ There was in ireland a wonder rich man and deed much alms in his life. in so much that the people wend he had be a saint. But when he was deed he appeared to one that he loved well in his life as black as any pitch with an horrible stink. and said. ye ween that I be a saint. but now I am such as thou seest. then said he where be thy alms deeds. & he said the wind of vain glory hath blown them away. For he that doth his alms for vain glory of the world loseth his meed. and the fiends of the cry destroyeth it. Also he loseth his meed that giveth his alms to such as he know that been in deadly sin And so to maintain them in their sin. his s●de falleth among stones and weigheth d●ye. And so loseth his meed. his seed falleth among thorns that giveth his good to rich people that hath no need thereto and so loseth their meed. But his seed falleth in good earth. that giveth his alms to good true people. for they be God's earth▪ and that seed shall give an hundred fold increase in everlasting joy and bliss. and shall be everlasting food to them that done thus her alms discreetly. ye must also hate sin namely and flee it in all that ye may. for he that hateth and fleeth sin. loveth god and god loveth him. For god hateth sin in so much that he took vengeance on all the world for sin of lechery. and in special for the sin against kind For when god saw this sin running in all the world so unworthily he said thus. Me forethinketh that ever I made man and said to no. ¶ Fac tibi archam. Make the a ship of planed boards. as I shall teach the. and make chambers therein. and take of all clean beasts the couple by himself. and meet and drink with them. ¶ Than made no this ship as god taught him square in the bottom and iii C. cubytes of l●●ghthe. and l. cubits in breed and thirty cubytes of height: and this sheep was in making a C. years to show how merciable god is in tarrying to look if the people would amend 'em and how loath he was to do vengeance: But the people was ever longer the worse. then by help of angels all manner birds and bestis were brought to no And when all were brought to the ship our lord bade no and his wife and his three sons go in to the ship by 'em self And no's wife and her son's wives by 'em self for the men should not comen with the women. so when they were all in. god closed the door to hem without forth. Quadraginta diebus & quadraginta noctibus. aperti sunt celi. ¶ Then it rained xl. days and xl. nights that the water bore the ship higher than any hill by xl. cubytes. & stood still an C. days and xl. And drowned all the world both people & beasts save those that were in the ship yet josephus said in armany there is an hill. and that is called Barus that was higher than the water was. and therefore diverse people have opinion there was moche people saved. So Noahj was in the ship all a year. And then he put out a raven for to bring word to know if the rain water ceased or no. & he come not again. Then he sent out a dove and she come again and brought a branch of olive in her bill. And thereby no knew well that the water was ceased in some place: then as god bade no went out & took the unclean bestis from the clean and brent the unclean bestis in sacrifice to god. and that plysed god so well that he gaaff hem and all that come of 'em after leave to eat flesh of all clean beasts. and for to drink wine there as before the flood. the people eat and drank nothing but water. for th'earth was so fertile in itself tofore. that the people needed none other food. but such as come of the earth: Thus may ye see and understand how great vengeance god took on all the world for sin. & now there is asmuch sin as ever there was in thoo days and moche more in many degrees, where I dread lest god will take vengeance on us. and would or this time were not the prayers of holy church and good saints▪ and in especial by the prayers of our Lady and that ye shall here by ensample of saint domynyk as he was in his prayers he saw our lord Ihesu Crist holding three spears in his hand ready to shoot 'em in to this world for vengeance. and all for sin. Then come our lady kneeling before our lord. and said my deer son what will ye do. & he said my dear mother the world is so full of sin. of pride covetise lechery and other sins that I will shoot these three spears of vengeance on the people. Then said our lady. my dear son haver mercy on 'em. and abide a while for I have some true servants the which shall preach and teach the people to turn 'em from sin. & thus by prayer of our lady god spared to take vengeance. But now the world is so full of sin and cursed living of false extortion & oppression of the pour people. that they cry to god for succour and help. wherefore it is full like that we shall be smitten full soon with some grievous vengeance. other with derth· other with death of pestilence. wherefore it is needful for us to pray busily to our lady that she may pray for us to her dear son Our lord Ihesu Criste to spare us in our days that we may have grace and mercy now & ever Anon.   

Do● 〈…〉  
GOod men & women ●●●daye is cal● 〈…〉 in quiquagesme. This word quinquagesme 〈◊〉 a number of. ●. which number betokeneth remission and joy▪ For in the old law every l winter o● manner of people that were ovirsette with service of bondage when they come to the age they were made free in great joy and mirth to them. wherefore this number beginneth this day and endeth on Easter-Day showing that all christian people that be oppressed with any tribulation or disease here in this wo●●de shallbe made free and have remission at the day of doom and be heirs in the kingdom of heaven And yet in comforting of all christian people every. ●. winter the pope of Rome granteth full remission of all sins to all christian people that cometh to Rome that year And for all that may not come thydre to have this pardon. The pope of heaven Jesus christ of his special grace granteth to all christian people full pardon. of all sins in their last end So that they will ●epe three things here in this world Confession contrition and satisfaction Holy shrif● of mouth with contrition of heart and satisfaction in deed doing Also he must have charity without feigning. & stable faith without flattering And without these thermay no man have par●●●●e at Rome nor else where And therefore he that will be assoiled of the pope of heaven and have clean remission ne must be contri●e. sorry for his sins. and shrive him clean. & be in purpose nevir to sin more And they that 〈…〉 all the peyne● that 〈◊〉 were ordained▪ for for him Take an ensample by p●●ye that forsaken Christ 〈…〉 great oaths but he was after 〈◊〉 and sorry. Et 〈…〉. And wept full bitterly. and god that is full of mercy for gave him his trespass. and made better there to him after than he did tofore. For he should be in no despair & deed.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ we find of a great rich man that was so wicked in his life that moche people deemed him dampened to hell So he fell seek and feeled himself that he should be deed. and he ●●thoughte him how wicked he had be in his leaving and took such a contrition to him and so great sorrow that he wept night ● day evir when his sin came to his mind And so lay seven. days and v●: nygh●●● and shrove him clean and took great repentance to him. and evir cried god mercy So that all the people had great pity on him and than died▪ Thenne it happened that there was a mon●e ●● an abbey that died the same tyme. & wa● made by his abbot to come eyes to tell him how he fared▪ and so he did and said to the abbot when he was come Sir I am come to keep my promise I pray you give me leave to go again for I go to joy Then said the abbot was there any more that died when thou dydyst that went to joy but thou And he said ye forsooth one & no mo●. 〈…〉 was 〈◊〉 so●le● of such a man 〈…〉 name Then said th'abbot▪ Now I know well thou art not my monk but so●●e send is come to tempt me. For we know weal if any soul be in pain he is one of though Then said the monk full unworthy is any man for to know the privity of god's doom For that man had so great contrition and repentance and wept so bitterly for his sins that the water of his eyen pierced through all his clothes to the ground wherefore go thydre to morrow and when thou findest it true that I say than believe me: For I go now to everlasting joy. and bliss Then went th'abbot thither & found as it was true as the monk had said. and there kneeled th'abbot down & thanked god and bad all the people to be glad that god is so merciful and that he had the knowledge. Here ye may see that the great contricioun that this man had quenched the great pain that was ordained for him Thus ye may see how great help it is to a man's soul to be contrite and sorry for his sins. and to draw a man to the more contricioun▪ those L. days the psalm in the psalter Miserere mei deus. is more rehercid these days: than any other time of the year the which is thus moche to say. God for thy great mercy have mercy on me And when a man is sorry for his sins and saith thus with a soroful heart. god heareth his prayer and forgiveth his trespasses. so that he be nevir in full purpose to sin more. butt to amend him and be in perfect love and charity without any feigning. And but he have charity without feigning 〈…〉 sample.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ There wa● a man th●● had 〈…〉 and had found 〈◊〉 long to ●●le and cost him much good So on ● day he called his v sons ●ifore him▪ and said Children I have found you long to school and have spent much good upon you and I see no great ꝓfyt thereof. wherefore but ye will among you all assoyll me a question I will do no more cost on you ne find no lengre to school And they asked of their father what the question was and it should be assoiled And he said I am old and feeble and may not live long and therefore I would wite of you what thing would bring a man's soul soonest to heaven And anon the eldest son answered and said. Forsooth father preaching and teaching will bring a soul soonest to heaven of any thing. well quoth the father what says● thou to the second son. And he answered and said faith and true believe bringeth a soul assote to heaven. what sayest thou to the question my third son. And he said good prayers & alms deeds bringeth a soul soon to heaven. what sayest thou to the matter my fourth son And he said pilgrimage going and great penance suffering bringeth a soul sooner to heaven than any of these. what sayest thou my fift son And he said forsooth father there is an other thing that bringeth a soul sooner to heaven than all these. what is that said the father Forsooth father said he charity For 〈…〉 not to 〈◊〉 ward For though a man pray and do ●●mes deeds. go on pilgrimage. ha●e full faith and believe teach and preach fast and suffer penance nevir so moche: try and weep nevir so ●o●de & ●e out of charity god heareth him natt And hereto accordeth saint paul: in his epistyll and saith thus. Si linguis hominum loquar. Though I were so eloquent as any man or any angel. Et si habuero propheciam & omnem scienciam And though I had all the cunning in the world and knew the prophecy and the privity of god. Omnem fidem ut montes transferam. And though I had so moche faith that I might move hills Et si distribuerē in cibos pauperum. And though I dealed all my good to poor people for god's sake. Corpus meum ut ardeam. And my body to burn in hot fire. Caritatem autem non habeam nichill michi prodest. If I have not charity all this profiteth not to heaven wards. ¶ Wherefore it is needful and most necessary to every soul that will be saved to have charity But though a man say that he loveth god and loveth not. his eyn christian he is deceived. For he that loveth god loveth his nyghboure in good intent Thus must a man be full of charity that will be saved. Caritas cooperit multitudinem peccatorum For charity covereth the multitude of 〈…〉 dieth in 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 of charity shall be 〈…〉 And therefore of all 〈…〉 ●oost virtuous and most ●●●ssarye to a manny● soul: yet we must ●aue a stable faith without flattering and to believe sadly a● holy church teacheth and to believe faithfully in the father son and holy ghost. the father full god. the son full god. and the holy ghost full god And these three persons been but one god that made all thing of noghte This faith was ●●ste showed to the holy patriarch Abraham in the va●e of mambre There he saw three fair men coming toward him. but he worshipped but one giving ensample to all christian people to see in the spirit the father the son and the holy ghost three persons and oon in godhead and worship them as one god. Also ye must believe the incarnation of our lord Jesus Christ that our lady conceived in the holy ghost without w●●me of her body in flesh and blood as one of us and very god and man. and was deed and buried Tercia die resurr●●n a mortius. And on the third day he rose from death to live Ascends ad ●e●os And ●●yed up to heaven on holy thoursdaye. Jude venturus est judicare v●●os ● mor●●os And shall come again at the day of doom and dame the quick and the deed This is figured by Isaac. the son of Abraham that he gate on his wife Sara through the holy ghost when they were both passed age to bring for the any fruit For god said to Abraham he should have fruit as great 〈◊〉 multitude as were st●rres in the 〈◊〉. Then when this child was borne he was called Isaac. and when he was five and twenty year of age god said to Abraham in this wise take thy son Isaac & go to such an hill as he showed to him and offer him in sacrifice. that was to slay him as the manner was sometime then abraham had by hest of god to have great issue. & though he loved his son nevir somuch yet he took him anon without gruchinge. and went to the hill and made his son Isaac to bear wood to burn himself with And when they came to the hill top Abraham made an austere. of wood and set it on fire. and then he took his son Isaac and would have slain him and offered to god Thenne anon spoke an angel to abraham and bad him leave of and take the sheep that stood thereby and offer him in stead of thy son Isaac. ¶ By abraham ye may understand the father of heaven and by Isaac. his son Jesus Christ that spared not for no love that he had to him But suffered the ●ewys to lay wood upon his back that was the croce that he should be done on himself and lad him to the hill of calvary & there did him upon the alter of wood that was the croce that was made of four diverse manner of wood That was cedar. cypress olive and palm: and thereon he died for all mankind Thus may christ well be called Isaac that is to understand laughter for many a soul he brought out of hell laughing that went thither sore weeping then like as this was a figure of Christ's passion long or he was borne. Right so this day ●●iste himself in the gospel said 〈◊〉 to his disciples that he should be betrayed unde. Tradetur enim gentibus et illudetur et flagellabitur et conspuetur/ et postquam flagellaverunt eum die tercia resurge. And how he should be taken and be●en with scourges. spit upon. and after his scourging done upon the croce. & so slay him the third day shall rise again to life ●nd for they should have the better believe thereto and to his words anon to fore them he made a blind man to see that cried and said: jesu fili david miserere mei Iesu the son of david have mercy of me then said our lord to him what wouldest thou that I should do to the. & he said Domine ut videam. Lord give me sight Then said our lord. thy faith hath saved the And anon he had his sight and thanked god So must every christian man that will have pardon of god he must have contrition full of heart with shrift of mouth and satisfaction in deed. being in hole charity without feigning and in stable faith without flattering. And to fiere you more to the faith I will tell you this ensample following.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ There was somtym a bishop in England that hight by name grosthede. and was bishop of Lincoln & was holden the greatest clerk in England. or in the world. And whom he le● his death he● there came to him a great multitude of fiends & disputed with him of the faith insomuch that they had nigh turned him out of the believe and put him into despair Then was our lady ready and said to him. My servant believest thou not in holy church as it teacheth And anon he cried and said yes gracious lady I believe as holy church teacheth me And anon went the fiends away and he gave up the ghost to everlasting 〈◊〉. To the which bliss bring us 〈◊〉 ●hat bought us with his precious blood Amen   

¶ Dominica prima quadragesime  
Good men and women this day is called in holy church the first sunday in quinquagesme. A number of xl for from this day unto Esterdaye been xl. days And for because that every man sinneth more or less for to make satisfaction for trespase all christian people been bound by the law of god and holy church to fast these xl. days save though that law dispenseth with for reasonable cause Children that been within age. women that be with child. Old people that been myghtlesse to fast labouring people as pilgrames and seek people. Those the law● dispenseth with upon their conscience then for cause that sunday is no day of penance. therefore ye shall begin your fast on asshewednesday That day ye must come to holy church and take ashes of the priests hands and think on the words well that he saith over your heads▪ 〈…〉. Memento homo quod c●tis e● et in cinerem reverteris. Have mind man of ashes that thou art come of. and to ashes thou shall turn again. ¶ Then been there diverse skills why ye shall fast these forty days One is as the gospel tellythe this day thus Ductus est jesus in desertum ut temptaretur a dyabolo. How the holy ghost bade our Jesus christ go into desert between Jerusalem and ●herico to be tempted▪ of the fe●de▪ and was there xl. days fasting and xl. nights for your sake shewy●ge▪ to all christian people the virtue and the meed that cometh of fasting. the which been expressed in the preface of the mass that is said in holy church the xl. days that is thus. Qui corporali ie●unio vici● comprinus mentem elevas virtutem largiris. That holy fasting thrust●th down vices and lifteth up the thought of a man to virtues and to largeness of all goodness. and giveth great meed in ●euen that shall last evir▪ and get gra●●●●re in earth For as clerks tell the ●py●e● of a fasting man shall slay an ●dd●r. bodily Then much more it ●●eeth the might of the old adder that is the fend of hell that come to eve in paradise in likeness of an adder and tempted ●et to gluttony vain glory. and covetise. Right so the fiend came to christ in sy●nesse of a man left he had be known and tempted christ as saith the gospel Cum ieiunasset quadraginta diebus et quadraginta noctibus postea esuriit. ¶ when christ had fasted forty days and and forty nights. Then. by kind of manhood he hungered Thenne came the fiend to him and showed him stones and said thus: Si filius dei es/ dic ut lapides isti panes fiant. If thou be gods son of heaven make these stone's breed For right as eve was ravished when she saw the apple by temptation of the fiend to eat thereof. The same wise he went to have made christ to eat of the breed. For gluttony is not only in man's meet but in the foul lust and appetite of a man Then said Christ anon to him in this wise. Non ex solo pane vivit homo/ sed de omni verbo quod procedit de ore dei. 〈◊〉 liveth not only by breed but by 〈◊〉 word that cometh fro the mouth of god Then the fiend took him and set him upon the high pinnacle of the temple and said If thou be god's son. ●●nge thyself down without man's help or harm. that I may know the for gods son Then said our lord Non temptabis dnm deum tuum. Thou shalt not tempt thy lord god. yet he came again the third tyme. Assumpsit euz diabolus in montem excelsum et ostendit ei omnia regna mundi. He took him and set him on a high hill and showed him all the kingdoms and the richesses of the world and said to him on this wise. Hec omnia tibi dabo/ si caden● adoraveris me. All this I shall give the if thou will fall down and worship me. Than said our lord god unto him thus. Vade sathanas scriptum est eniz dominum deum tuum adorabis et ei soli seruies. Go sathanas it is written thou shall worship thy lord god and only him serve The●●● he left him. and went his way 〈◊〉. Angeli accesserunt ad jesum & ministrabant ei. Than angels came and brought him food For the fiend is most busy these xl. days to tempt people to three sins to pride covetise and gluttony. ¶ It is needful to have three remedies against them That is against gluttony abstinence. against pride meekness. and against covetise largeness. Against gluttony we must fast that is not to eat before time and at meet eat not greedily no more than another time and to fast both day & night as christ did But there is moche people will sytt and drink both day and night and fill their bodies with foul lust of gluttony Also ye must fast from all manner of flesh meet and white meet For jerom saith eggs is almost flesh and milk blood And when ye go to your meet take ensample by holy church. when the pressed goth to mass that is god's word: how he at his beginning boweth down his knees and biddeth all other do the same. in the mids of the mass & at th'end of the mass bow down your heads to god And therefore when ye go to your meet so worship god with a pater noster and an Aue. that sent you the food. and make a cross upon your meet. and after meet an other. and thank god highly that sent you that food at your need to your bodily sustenance. Thus ●urste ye fast against gluttony: Against pride that is but a vain glory of the world ye must put away all such thoughts of pride and highness in heart and be me●e and lowly in heart and think how a man is borne feeble. seek and full pour. and how he goeth every day a journey toward his death while he liveth in this world. and atte last cometh death and casteth him down in his bed and lieth there sighing and groaning and changeth both hide and hew Then stinketh his breath and his lips wexen black. his face pale and his eyen yellow. his tongue englymed. and his nose black. his teeth fallen away. his flesh wydereth and turneth to earth And then at the last with great sighing giveth up the ghost and then lieth there as earth and put into the earth Lito oblivisceris And so shall thou be soon forgotten. ¶ Therefore take this sadly in mind and I hope ye shall put away pride Then against covetise ye must have abstinence that is for to say. ye abstain yourself from worldly covetise and vanities. And they that have been hard in keeping of goods and evir hath gathered to aydre and fast hath kept it But now should ye be as ready to pay and content that ye be in debt unto both to god and to the world And also to restore again that ye have taken wrongfully And give to p●re people meet and drink and clothes. and other things such as is needful to them And the feet that hath gone all the year besily to get gods of the world. now must ye be also busy to go & give the poor people to them that have need as we have in the gospel. Da●e et dabitur vobis. give and god will give you For the hands that will not give alms. they be full unworthy to be acceptable unto god Also ye must go full besily unto god's service & in pilgrimage going and to all manner good deeds of alms. And he that hath be busy to gather goods now should he spare from his own mouth for to give the poor needy that is god's people for that pleaseth god full moche & greatly helpeth the soul. El●mos●a a morte liberat. Alms delivereth the soul from deth● Sicut aqua e●tinguit ignem ita elimosina extinguit peccatum For right as water quenchy●● fy●e Right so alms deed quencheth sin wherefore the prophet saith thus. Date et dabitur vobis. give ye and god will give to you. Dimittite et dimittittum forgive and god will forgive you· But now all is little enough to feed your bodies. that no thing ye may give to poor bodies for god's sake   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ we read there was a worthy knight a rich man of godis and a mighty man of his hinds. but he cherished much his body with delicate meats and dainties. But at the last he died and was buried in a tomb of stone Than had he a son that was a worthy man and used every day in custom to say Deprofundis for his faders ●soull. by his tomb So on a day he made a great feast to all the worthy estates in the country about him. when they should wash and go to meet this man bithought him how he had not said Deprofundis▪ and prayed the people to abide till he said his devotions. and they said they would go with him and did so. Then there fill such a lust in this man's heart that he must needs see his faders tomb oyned or else him thought he should die. and so made the people to eyen the tomb then anon he was ●●are of a great black toad also black 〈◊〉 any pitch with ●yn brenning like ●y●e that had b●●epyd his faders heart with her four claws and gnewe fast He said O father much good meet hath gone in thy throat and now art strangled with a foul hell hound and an horrible foul best And anon he let go close the tomb again and so go to mete. And when he had served all the people privily he went forth & left child and lordship and all his gods & went to jerusalem and lived there among beggars with other poor people in great poverty all his life and so died when god would and went to everlasting joy as I hope To the which joy god bring us all. Amen:   

Dominica secunda quadrageste  
good men and women this is the second sunday in clean lente wherefore like as ye have made all this year before you honest and well be seen in good array to your body Now should ye be assoon busy to make you a clean soul. wherefore this time of lente is ordained to cleanse your canscience. from all manner of rust and filth of sin So that ye may on Esterdaye with clean conscience receive the body of our lorde●esu christ. wherefore saint Poule in the epistyll of this day saith thus. He est voluntas dei. This is god's will that ye should be busy & holy to keep your bodies in cleanness for to please god moche & to pray to him to make his vessel clean against the coming of our lord Jesus Christ. then shall ye understand that this vessel is man's conscience and that is a good vessel that keepeth all good things that is put therein till the day of doom. For that day every man's vessel that is to say every man's conscience shallbe opened. and the world shall see what hath been kept therein be it better or worse fair or foul Than he that bringeth a clean vessel. bifore the high judge shallbe well allowed. Then how a man shall keep his vessel clean holy church teacheth by ensample of a holy patriarch jacob that is read in song all this week ¶ jacob had a father that was called Isaac and his mother Rebecca and she had two children at one birth. and that was first borne hight Esau and the other Jacob But for the story is long we shall ta●e at this time that is most needful and leave that other then had god give his patriarch Isaac such grace that what blessing he gave his blessed children they should have it Than for Isaac was old and blind and nigh his death he said to his son Esau. Aufer michi de venacione tua. Go and hunt and get me some meet that I might eat of.  Vt benedicam tibi priusquam moriar. et cetera. 
That I may give the my blessing or I die But when Esau was gone Jacob the yongre by teaching of his mother gate his faders blessing And his father said to him in this wise. Esto dominus fratrum tuorum Be thou lord of all thy brethren and so made him his heir and blessed all the blessed him then when esau was come home and wist this he hated jacob his brother and thought to slay him then Jacob by counsel of his mother went out of the country unto an uncle that he had that height Laban and as he went by the way in a country of evil people living he durst not long with them abide but lay all a night in the field by the way and layed a stone under his heed and slept. Viditque in sompnis scalam stantem super terram. And in this sleep he thought he saw a ledder that stood of th'earth and ●aught up to heaven and god joined to the ledder. unde. Angelo's quoque dei ascendentes. et descendentes And angels of god going up and down then god spoke to him and said I am god of Abraham and Isaac and I will give the this land and be thy kepar in thy way Then awoke jacob and said in this wise Vere dominus est in loco isto. et ego nesciebam. Forsooth god is in this place and I wist not and so went forth to his uncle and was with him xx. winter and more his servant and wedded his two. daughters that one hight rachel and the other Lya And when he had be there so long he desired to go home again into his own country And took with him his wife and his children. and all his cattles and went forth then came there to him a multitude of angels to help him then when jacob came to a ford he made all his main to go bifore with his cattle and himself abode bihinde in his prayers and as he prayed there came an angel to him in likeness of a man and wra●●●ed with him all the night till on the morn and took him by the great senowe of the thigh and made him to ha●●e evil after Then said the angel to jacob what is thy name. He said jacob nay said he thou shalt no longer height Jacob but israell shallbe thy name. And blessed him and left him there hasting. and thus he went home to his ow● country with great prosperity. ¶ This story is red in holy church in this ensample to all good servants that desire to get the blessing of the father of heaven and to have the heritage: that is there He must be Jacob and after israel For Jacob is to understand a wrasteler. & Israel a man that seeth god. for he that will see god. he must wrestle here in earth with the bad angel That is the fiend▪ & with his own flesh. as thus when he hath done a great horrible sin than the fiend putteth to him a great shame in heart. so that he dare not tell it out. then he must wrastele with the fiend and the flesh and overcome 'em. And tell out his sin openly▪ with all the circumstance of his sin. than will his flesh be afeard and ashamed thereof but than he must wrastel with his flesh strongly and make it to tell his since and to do● penance after the counsel of his ghostly father. taking then 〈…〉 woman of fer country that came to christ as the gospel saith Ecce mulier cananea a finibus 〈◊〉 egressa clamavit dicens ¶ How the woman of Canen●e came ● Criste to get hele for her daughter. 〈◊〉 was troubled with a fiend & said Ihesu fili david miserere mei. ¶ Ihesu the son of david have mercy on me Thenne our lord answered: Non est bonum sumere panem filiorum et dare canibus. ¶ It is not good to take breed of children. and give it to hounds Nam et catelli edent de mensa dominorum snorum. ¶ jes lord for why welpes eaten of the crumbs that fallen fro her lords board Then said our lord. Mulier magna est fides tua. fiat tibi sicut vis. ¶ O woman thou hast a great faith wherefore as thou wilt thy daughter be saved. and so was her daughter hole. This woman and her daughter betokeneth a man that his conscience traveleth with a fiend of deadly sin that may not be helped but he go to god. And there he shrive him to the priest. sparing for no rebuke noor shame ne for dread but meekly suffer all that the confessor saith to him. And take his penance meekly with a contrite heart. and do it with good devotion and so he shall be delivered of the fiend. that hath traveleth his conscience for a man that hath done an horrible sin. and shall be saved he shall never have rest in his conscience. till he be shriven thereof. For right as an hound gnaweth on a bone that is hard right so his sin gnaweth his conscience. Showing by experience how hounds of hell shall gnaw his soul ever more without rest that deyth wittingly in dely sin that he might have be shriven of▪ and would not. Ensample of a woman.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ There was a woman that had done an horrible sin. and would fain have be shriven there of and durst not. Then came our lord to her bodily & said. my daughter why shr●●est the not of thy sin. lord I may not for shame thenne said our lord take met●● hand. & put her hand in to his side even to his heart & said woman what feelest thou and she quaked for fere & said lord I feel 〈◊〉 heart Then said our lord be thou no more ashamed to show me thine heart than I to let the feel mine then this woman rose and with light saw her hand all bloody and would have wash it of but it would natte till on the morrow that she was shriven and then was her hand clean as it was tofore and she was clean of all her sins and thus she was made clean both of body and soul.   

Dnica tercia quadragesime.  
good men and women this is the third sunday in clean lent wherefore we read in the gospel of this day and saith thus Erat jesus eiciens demonium How our lord cast out a fiend of a dumb man and when the fend was loppen out. Locutus est mutus. Thenne the dumb man spoke By this dumb man ye shall understand all though that have no might to shrive them. with their tongues to tell their sin: but tarry as long as they may for shame of the people. and it were not for shame of the world in lenten nor out of lenten they would nevir came to shrift. & that maketh that fiend for he is in that man or woman whedyr it be that is so disposed Therefore ye that be behind. come and shrive you and make you cleave and have this dumb man out of your mind and cast away the fiend. But there be many that be not yet shrevyn what shall I do there they will say they can not shrive them they wo●e not whereof But I may say to you of many an idle word and many ●n evil thought. and many a cursed deed. many great oaths. many an evil word that ye have spoke I wot well ye can not tell all for ye have been so long fro confession But I say to you that unknewyngnesse shall not excuse you at the day of doom. For when ye have offended god in many trespasses that hurteth the soul. anon ye should make you clean and keep it in your mind But ye will not come till it be forgotten. And so yet when ye come to shrift ye be dumb for the fiend is within you For ye ween many times that it be no sin to speak an idle word▪ to make the people to laugh nor to swear a great oath it doth no harm Bu●●e saint Poule in his epistle forbiddeth every man to speak any 〈…〉 sayeth in this manner. Dico autem vobis quod omne verbum ociosuz quod locuti fuerunt omnes reddent ●acionem in die iudicu. Forsooth I say to you that ye shall give a reckoning for every ydyll word that ye speak And none shall pass vn●unysshed at the day of doom And therefore that all idle words and harlotry & rebaudry be And if ye do that is worship to god and profit to the speke● for there as harlotry is much spoken it is in mind For the tongue she with th'abundance of the heart so first in thought after ●n speaking it causeth moche sin in deed Vnusque temptatur a concupiscencia. first every man is tempted to sin by lust of thought thereon. ¶ Concupiscencia generat peccatum· ¶ And the lust engendereth sin. Peccatum cum consummatum fuerit generit mortem. ¶ And when the sin is done it causeth damnation. ever lasting death that is in speaking ribaldry and harlotry for the lust that a man hath in speaking is great sin.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ we find of an abbess: that was a clean woman▪ as for any deed of syn●e. But she had great lust to speak thereof So when she was deed and buried in the church. the night after ●ame fiends and took up the body. & all to beat it with brenning scourges from the navel upward that it 〈◊〉 black as any pitch. But from t●e navel down ward it shone as bright as the son. and the fiends ●yghte it do no harm. And ever as t●e fiends beat her she cried piteously. that two of her sisters that were sexs●ens were sore afeard. But either comforted other. so that they went near till they wist how it was. Then spoke the spirit to her sistren and said. ye know well that I was a clean maiden as for any deed but I had great lust to speak of sin. that party hath great pain as ye may see. wherefore I pray you cistern pray for me For by your prayers I may be holpen and beware by me in time coming Here by ye may see what peril it is to speak idle words and harlotry speech. wherefore this same pistle saith thus. Abstinetis vos a fornication. ¶ Abstain you from fornication & all sins. and walk with christ in love and peace. as christ deed. that suffered for us many scorns rebukes and dyspytes. and all he took meekly patiently and in charity giving ensample to all christian people to do the same: But he that will live in rest and peace shall have great persecution off evil people. But and he suffer it meekly. he is a martyr before god and in conferming of this holy church maketh mind and mention as thus. ¶ we read of an holy man that was called joseph that suffered great persecution. but he suffered it meekly. therefore god brought him to great worship and prosperity as ye shall here. ¶ But for this story is long therefore we shall take that is most needful at this tyme. This joseph had a father that height jacob. and had xi: sons. brethren to joseph. But his father loved him most specially of all tother And therefore his brethren hated him the more. and in especial for a dream that he dreamed. whereby they supposed all. that he should be lord of them all and all they should hem do worship And anon they took their counsel to guider and said: Venite itaque occidamus illum. ¶ let us go therefore and slay him But yet they durst not for dread of god and anon. ¶ Vendiderunt cum in egypto. ¶ They sold him in to Egipte to a man for thirty. pene as god was sold. And therefore god was with him. so a man that was steward to the king bought him the height putefar. but the fiend had great envy to joseph and tempted the Lady sore on him. Post multos itaque dies iniecit dna oculos in joseph et ait veni dormi mecum. ¶ So on a day the lady looked on joseph and took him by the mantle and said come and sleep with me. And assoon as joseph understood her meaning. anon he go and fled his way and left his mantel there. thenne this woman cried and told her husband how joseph would have leyen by her. And for he should not say nay she kept his mantel Therefore the lord made to cast joseph in prison. there as Pharaoh had put his butteler and his baker As they fell a sleep they dreamed. the which dream they told joseph And he said that the king would restore his botteler to his office again within three days and the baker should be hanged within three days and as he said it was Then happened so that the king dreamed himself▪ but there could noman tell what should fall there of. but by counsel of the butteler the king sent after joseph. And when the king had told him his dream joseph said that god hath sent him a fair warning to purvey him tofore that should come after. And he said there should come seven. plenteous years off come. and of all manner fruits and victuals. and after should come seven years in the which people should spends all that was gotten tofore. ¶ Thenne the king said. I know no man that could purvey so well for such a thing as thou cowdest wherefore. I make the greatest under me. off all my ●eame. And they shall do to the as to me at thy commandment  
¶ Thenne anon joseph let make the greatest bernes that ever was seen and gathered corn fast seven years. And soon after came seven years that all thing was scarce and dear then jacob joseph's father heard that there was corn to sell in Egypte. And he sent thither his ten sons for to buy corn. And when they came thither. and saw joseph▪ all fill down on her knees and did him worship like as his dream was for they knew not him. But wend that he had be lord of the country but he knew them well ynowhe: Then he ●●●ke to them in latin. ¶ Surge. ¶ And said they were s●●●es that were come to know of the land And they said nay they were all brethren and all one man's sons and another brother they had that was ●●me home with her father and there was another and they wist not whether he were a live or no And that they met by joseph and for to prove the trow the he made to bind one of them that hight simeon. And said that he should abide with him till they had fet him that was at home. And so he let fill her sacks with corn & privily put her money in to her sackis unwitting to 'em. And so when they came home to her father. and put out her corn. they fond her money: ¶ And they told her father. but then he was sorry for simeon his son. that was left behind in prison. And more over that he must needs. send for Him which he loneth most and that was Beniamyn. joseph. hole brother For these other were but half brethrens to joseph. but when jacob failed corn he must nediss send for more. And he sent forth Beniamyn. And when joseph saw his brother Beniamyn he might not forbear weeping And anon delivered him his brother symeon: and set 'em all to mete. and filled her sacks with corn. and privily put the cup that they drank of in Beniamyns sack. and bad 'em go her way But anon after joseph sent after them. and said they were to ●lame while they had so good chire 〈◊〉 bear away a cup that they drank of. Then they were heavy and sad and said it was not so. and he run ●aked hem by and by. ¶ And then they found it in Beniamyns sack. thenne came they again to joseph sore weeping. And when joseph saw 'em all weep and his own brother Beniamyn made most sorrow. For it was found with him. ¶ Thenne joseph bade 'em all be of good cheer. For I am joseph your brother. And be no thing dreaded. For god hath me sent heder for your profit and anon sent after his father: and so dwelled all to guider a great while in the land with moche prosperity. ¶ This story is red this week in holy church. For God's children should take ensample off old faders. to suffer tribulation and persecution meekly in perfit charity. for God's sake. As he suffered for us. ¶ For who that grucheth against tribulation and persecution that god sendeth. must shrive him and take his penance. For there is some people will say why doth god thus by me what have I trespassed again him. they be in great peril for her penance: For truly words may let moche grace.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ we find in miracles of wenefrede the virgin that a man came to her on a night upon two crotches full off many manner sickness and so by the help of god and this holy virgin. ¶ This man was hole and so went where he would an hole day in the abbey. and thanked highly god and this holy virgin of his heel. ¶ So at night he went to his bed in good heel. And on the morrow his sickness took him again sorer than it did before. and so lay crying. that it was great pity to here. Then came a monk to him and asked him what he had done that his sickness was come again. and he said nothing Thenne said the monk: were thou shriven sith thou were hole. and he said nay. I had no need. For I stolen neither ox nor cow. nor did no gryvous sin Then the monk thought. though a man do no deadly sin. he may do so many venial. that they may make a deadly sin. for right as a man may with many small corns charge a strong horse. so may he lad his soul with so many small sins that he may fall in the pit off hell. Then anon this man went to a priest and shrove him. and so was hole both in body and soul ever after by confession and preyers of this holy virgin Amen.   

¶ Dominica iiii. quadragesine.  
●Ood men and women this is the fourth sunday in lenten the which holy church maketh mention of an holy prophet that was called moyses. the which was a figure of our lord Ihesu Criste many years or our Lord was borne. then as we read in holy church. as Moses was in the desert of Synay. God spoke to him and said. ¶ Vidi afflictionem populi mei qui est in egipto clamorem eius audivi etc. ¶ Pharaoh the king of egypt oppresseth so the people of Israel with bondage and unreasonable works. And they for woe cried to me for succour & help. wherefore go thou thither. and bring 'em out of her bondage. and I shall be with the. then bring 'em and offer 'em to me. I will bring 'em in to a land of plenteousness off all goodis. So when he had taught Moses how he should do. Moses' went thither and gathered all th'old people to guider that knew the prophecy how they should be lad out of that land. and said to hem. as god bade him. then were they full glade and went with him old and young till they came to the red see. and god was evyr before hem in the day in a pillar as a cloud to refresh hem fro the heat of the son. And in the night in a pillar off fire to light 'em fro harm of venom beasts: But when that pharaoh heard that moyses had forth this people. he took three hundred Char●ottis of his own and three hundred of the land. and xl. thousand horsemen. and three hundred thousand foot men and went after. And when Moses saw this people come. he prayed to god for help And god himself bade him smite the see with his yard. Et percussit mari rubro And when he had smitten the see▪ he had way for him and his people. The see clove in two parties. So that the water stood still on every side as an hill and the ground was dreye sand then Moses go forth and all the people after him. then wend pharaoh to have passed also. and sewed after with all his oft but when he had his host within the see the water went to guider & drowned him & all his host And when moyses saw that he & his people were perished thus he thanked god & was there seven. days after. and every day they go to the see thanking god of her passage making great melody that our lord had done so to them And yet in mind hereof. all ester week we make solemn procession to the font that is the red see. ¶ Then went moyses forth with his people in to desert till he came to the hill of Synay. and there he left the people beneath.  Stabat moyses super montem. 
¶ And moyses stood upon the hill there as god was and there he was xl. days and xl. nights without meet and drink. ¶ then god gave him two tables of stone. in the which god wrote with his own fingers the ten. commandments and took them Moses. ¶ And bad him teach 'em to his people. And when Moses came down to the people his face was all bright as the son. and two spites standing on his heed. like two horns. so that the people might not speak with him for clearness.  Abscondit moyses faciem svam. 
¶ then moyses hide his face with a kerchiff. then in that one leef were written the three. commandments that longen to god and those been these. ¶ The first thou shalt worship thy god and love him above all thing. For thou shall direct all manner thing to God's will before thine own. And sue his and not thine own will. ¶ The second commandment is this Thou shalt not take his name in vain. that is for to say thou shall not be called God's child as christian man. And s● fiend. For thenne that name is to the but vain. ¶ Also thou shall not swear by god. Nor by no part off his body. not by no thing that he made. but in fordering of the truth. And yet when thou art constrained thereto. ¶ The third commandment is. thou shall keep thine holy day: that is for to say thou shall be early up and late down to serve god on the holy day as thou art on the werkedaye to thine own work: as busy shall thou be on the holy day to serve god.  
¶ The fourth commandment is thou shall worship thy father and thy mother that brought the in to this world. Also thy godfader and thy godmoder. that made the a christian man And thy father under god that hath cure and charge of thy soul. ¶ The fifth is. thou shall slay no man neither with tongue nor with thy hand nor with evil ensample. The sixth thou shall steel no man's gods The seven. is thou shalt do no lechery The viii: is thou shall bear no false witness The ninth thou shall not covet thy nyghboures' gods. ne no thing that longeth to him that is his against his will The tenth thou shall not desire thy neighbours wife ne counsel her in no way to do evil that should be harm or villainy to her husbonge these been the x: commandments the which every christian man & woman is bond to keep Thus was moyses a figure and a token of Christ Moyses came before and gave the law. and Criste came after and gave grace and mercy ¶ For in that same manner as moyses fet the people out off Egypte through the red see forth to the hill of Sinai. in the same wise Crist when he came by his preaching and miracles doing. He fet the people out of dearness of sin and of all evil living thorough the water of baptism to the hill of virtuous living  
¶ And therefore he that will shrive him clean. And leave his fowl living. and keep the commandments of god that he made covenant to keep in his cristning thenne shall he be increased higher than any hill in earth. that is in heaven: But he that will do thus he must be fed with five loves. & two fishes ¶ we read this day in holy church in the gospel. How Criste fed five thousand people with five loves and two fishes The first loff of the five. is contrition for sin The second is shrift of mouth. The third is satisfaction for the trespass. ¶ The fourth is not to turn again to his sin. For he that is oft afeard shall do well The fifth is perseverance in good living. And the two fishes been good orisons. and almsdeeds. For these be nourished in waters that is weeping tears in devotion. these two fishes getten of god what they will.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ It is written. that sometime was a man that was called pyers and was a rich man. But he was so hard that there was no beggar that might get 〈◊〉 of him. then on ● time it happened so that many beggars sat to guider in a place. and spoke off this Pyers how they might get no good of him. ¶ Then spoke one off them as a master. and said. what will ye lay with me that I shall not get no good of him So they made a wager. then went this man forth and came to Pyers place. and set him down in the porch at the hall door. & there abode till pyers came: and anon as he saw Pyers. he spoke so horrible to pyers. that for great anger. as his servants came by him with a basket of breed. he took a loof. And with all his might he cast it atte the beggars heed. and smote him on the breast. and said stop thy mouth there with. that the devil stop the. And anon the beggar caught the loof and ran his way to his fellows and showed his loof. And so he gate his wager. ¶ Thenne the next night after it happened so that this Pyers was shriven and brought to his bed▪ and so died. And anon fiends came to take his soul. But then was our lady ready. and bade them bring the soul to her. And so they died. then was there no thing to help the soul. But only that lof that he cast to the beggar then said the fiend's. he gaaf that against his will. therefore by right it should not help him. ¶ Then went our Lady to her son. praying him to grant the soul to go to the body ayent to look if he  
¶ would amend 〈◊〉. Then our lord bad vere the soul again to the body And when the soul was with the body anon he sat up. and gave a great sighing. and called to him all his servants. and told 'em at how hard a doom he was at. And he had be dampened had not that lof be that he cast at the beggar. ¶ Therefore anon he made to sell his good: and dealed it to pour people fore God's sake. And when he had done so he made himself an hermit. & after was an holy man. ¶ Here by ye may well wite how great is almsdeed and preyers. that made a man so privy with god. and so siker against the doom ¶ For all that have done almsdeed for God's sake shall be saved. if they be out of deadly sin. ¶ we find that a vowtry. that is for a man to take another man's wife. or a woman another man than her husband. it is a grievous sin. And that ye shall here by ensample.   

¶ Narracio.  
There was sometime a man that made charcoles in a wood and when he had made a great fire he lay down thereby all night. and so about midnight. there came a woman running afore a man on a black horse. as fast as he might ride. and hunted her about with a naked sword. all about the fire And so at last this man slew this woman. and hue her all to pieces and cast her in to the fire. and road again with all his might. So when this man saw this done many nights. then he went to his lord and told him all this matter. Then was the lord a bold knight. and sai● I will wite what all this mente: and 〈…〉 thither the night after and fond it as the man had told. then the knight asked the spirit why he died so then said he was such a man and told his name. that was his servant a little to sore. and that woman was and there knights wife and he haddeley by her husbands life. therefore they were both put to that penance. and said the horse that I ride on is the fiend that brenneth me a C. fold worse than any other fire might that is in earth. And that pain they must so suffer till they had help of good preyers masses and alms deeds. & told him many other things. Than this knight died all things that he said should be her help and so delivered 'em out of this pain to everlasting bliss. the which god bring us all to Amen.   

¶ Dominica in passione dni.  
GOod men and women this day is called the sunday In passion week. this day Our lord Ihesu Criste began his passion. For this 〈◊〉 the jews had such an envy ●o● by cause he told her defaults and ●●ces of mysliving. And so for this cause they reproved him. So this day they were full assented to do him to death. and so they were about oft before. But they were letted by some thing and most for fere of the comen people. For they held him a prophet. ¶ But this day they ●uytte hem together and fully accorded 〈◊〉 they would spa●● for no thing. but he should be deed. wherefore as the gospel telleth as christ preached in the temple the jews rebuked him spytously and said. Nunc cognovimus quia demonium habes. Now know we that thou haste a fiend with the And all was to tempt him to have made him speak some evil word by the which they might have put him to some repreefe And for he told them that he was gods son they were ready to have stoned him to death. But he knew well their malice. jesus autem abscondit se et exivit de templo. jesus hid himself and went out of the temple ¶ Thus our lord this day began his passion. wherefore holy church readeth this week in the book of jerom the prophet that first prophyced of Christ's passion and told how and what manner the jews should do him to death then ye shall understand. weal that in the same wise that the jews pursued christ to the death. In the same wise I fear greatly lest there been much false people that be christened that pursuen Christ in heaven now. ¶ saint Austyn saith that they sin more grievously. that pursue him in heaven that the jews did that pursued him in earth Then if ye will weet which be those Take heed how christ marked them and said thus. Oui ex deo est verba dei audit He that is of god. heareth the word of god For he heareth not the word of god that sweareth many great oaths full falsely Thi●● been tho that 〈…〉 in heaven that been glade in their 〈◊〉 when they have a foul deed done and be grounded in foul cursed living. of sin and w●ll not amend them for preaching nor teaching. but evir do foul deeds and anon been ready to fight and chide with them that tell h●● their defaults As it is showed by christ For the more harm is. the conditions of the people been such now a days. that he shall have many enemies. that will say truth And that I may prove by ensample.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ There was sometime a mammet. in a city that would tell where any thing was that was stole or missed and who had it So it hpped on a time that a young man had stole a thing and was afeard of this mammet. and anon he went to this mawment and said thus. well I wot thou mayst de●me a great shame and villainy But by god that I believe upon and thou discover me I will break thy head And so went forth his way Then soon after came they that miss this good praying the mammet to tell them who had it And when they had long prayed at the last the mammet spoke and said times be changed the people been worse than they were who saith the truth his heed shallbe broken: So he that will say truth he shallbe sh●●e. and so the true man shallbe d●●●ted and so plucked that he shall not wit to whom he shall speak nor to wh●● he may tell his counsel in trust. 〈◊〉 that will soonest describe him sometime speak most fareste ¶ It is wretyn in the book of kings ha● there were two knights great enemies one to the other That one hight joab. and that other amasa and this ioab said to amasa as they met Hail brother and kissed him. and with his other hand behind him he slew him with his knife and smote him to the heart Thus it fareth now a days by moche people. they freke full fair before the people And behind them they will slay them wit a shrewd knife. that is with the evil and cursed tongue These been they. that pursuyth him into heaven & set nought 〈◊〉 god's wo●de. For though they here it with their cries it sinketh not in their hearts where god plaineth him greuou●ly by his prophet jeremy and saith this. ¶ what gift found your fad●rs 〈◊〉 If I have trespassed to you in a 〈◊〉 manerthinge tell me Alas for sha● of your obstinate pride for god is 〈◊〉 the right and so he tretythe with us. tha● been in the wrong He proferith mer●●o● we ask it He maketh him merciful to them that displeasyth him. & showeth love there none is worthy Thus been their hearts harder than any stoon And thus been we worse than jews for we be unkind to him that showeth to us all kindness And evir he crieth to us and saith I have left on earth for ye should here my scripture Torn again to me and I will receive the Lo mine arms been all ready spread to clip the to me And mine heed is ready bowed to kiss the My side is all ready unlearned to show the mine heart. my hands my feet ●leden. to show the what I suffered for the and thou tornest away from me and thou be in perfect life I will give the treasure without number I shall advance the without comparison & give the rest without end So that all the fault shallbe found in the and natt in me Thus our lord proferith and teacheth us. and there been full few that will hear him but ●et all these words pass out of their hearts. And taketh noon heed but all their mind is in richesse and in this worlds prosperity in this present life and take full little heed of the life that is coming And how our lord Jesus Christ suffered death to bring us to everlasting bliss ¶ Therefore in Christ's passion. maketh the prophet a great lamentation for the get unkindness that he seeth in mankind and saith thus. Thou man for vanity thou stynkest for thy rusty sin And therefore I cry and weep for thou haste on thy heed a garland of flores and I for the have one of thorns.  
Thou haste on thy hands a peyrof white gloves. And I for the have my bloody wounds. Thou hast thy arms spread to lead karolles and dances And mine arms been nailed on a tree with sharp nails Thou haste thy clothes pinched full small. And my body for the is full of great whelies. And one thing grieveth me most of all thou settyst not by my passion that I suffered full sore for thy sake But with thine horrible swearing. thou up broydest me with many great oaths by my heed. eyen. arms. nails. sides. wounds. feet. bones. by mine heart. and by my passion that thou shouldest do worship to thou dooste great despite and repreef.   

¶ Narracio  
¶ we read in the gests of Romans that an emperor sent a great man to a land to be a judge And or he came there no man in the country could swear an oath but ye and nay But when this justice came among them he made the people to swear on books in sessiones. and gave them charges and so the people took ensample of this justice to swear as he & his men did. By our lords passion. sides. arms. nails. face. wounds. blood. heart. and so forth and took it so in use that the comen people swoore as they did then on a day as the justice sat in his office and charged the people. there came to fore him a fair woman clothed all in green and brought a fair child in her lap all bloody all to martyred his heed all to pricked his face disfigured. his eyen out. his arms broken. his hands smite through his nails cut and his feet cut from his legs. his sides all to rent his bowels and heart drawn onte of his body ¶ then said this woman to the justice what are they worthy to have that have thus do to my child And he said they were worthy to have death Than said she thou and thy men with their horrible oaths have thus dismembered my sweet son jesus christ that I am mother unto. and thus ye have taught all your country. ¶ wherefore thou shall have thine own doom And so in sight of all the people the earth 〈◊〉 and the justice fill down to hell. & than the people were sore a●ast. and they left all such oaths and did amend their lives. And so let us leave all our oaths and live as christian people should do. and reverence the passion of our lord Jesus christ that was cause of our ●●●ēpcion by the which we shall comm●●● everlasting blysshe that nevir shall have end.   

¶ Dominica palmarum  
good friends as ye know weal that this day is called palm sunday But for because ●hat the service of this day is long I will tell you why it is called Palmesonday as saint johan saith. Our lord Ihesu christ came to Betany where he saith: Venit jesus bethaniam ubi lazarus fuit mortuus. quem resuscitavit And there ●e raised Lazar from death to live that had lay iiii. days deed and this Lazar was brother to Mary magdaleyne and to Martha that was another sister then jesus wy●t that his passion was nigh. and took Lazar w● the him and rydinge on an ass came toward jerusalem And when the people heard thereof. the people went against him. Non propter jesum tautum sed ut Lazarum viderent quem resuscitavit a mortuis. Nat only for jesus but for to see Lazar that was risen from death to live and also for to see christ & do him worship Acceperunt ramos palmarum. et sternebant in via. They took branches of palm and other flowers and strewed in the way against his coming And some spread their clothes in the way and song Benedictus quivenit in nomine domini. blessed be he that cometh in the name of our lord king of Israel ¶ wherefore holy church maketh this day solemn procession in mind of the procession that was made against christ and also joy and mirth of our rising. from death to life that hath lay all this year in deadly sin. ¶ Now I trust to god that we be raised to good living And for angels of heaven make. ●oche joy of our resing out of syn● And thus we take palm and flou● 〈◊〉 procession as they did and go in ●ssion kneeling to the cross in wor● and mind of him that was done 〈◊〉 cross. worshipping and welcommynge him with song into the church 〈◊〉 the people died our lord into the city of jerusalem. ¶ Than john Byllet asketh a question and saith. that our lord had the gretyst worship riding on the ass. that evir he had in this world Then why worship we the cross and not the ass To this question he aunsweryth himself and saith that the worship of this world as solomon said all is but a vanity nought. and maketh a man to forget his god and himself There as is great tribulation disease and heaviness it causeth a man to think of god. and cry to him for succour and help and to know himself. And therefore all christian people should put away all worldly vanities that bringeth moche people to great mischief. and many to everlasting pain. we worship the cross for it was cause of our redemption & salvation. to bring us to everlasting joy and bliss that we hope all to come to. then anon when christ was come to the city of jerusalem he went to the temple and drove out all buyers. and sel●ers that he found therein and said Domus mea domus oraconnis vocabitur My house is a house of prayers and ye make it a den of thiefs Thus our lord gave all christian people ensample to leave buying and selling on the holy day and in especial in the church. ¶ Another is is why it is called Palm sunday For because that palm betoknyth victory wherefore all christian people should bear palm in procession in tokening that he had fought with the fiend and hath the victory on him. by shrift of mouth. satisfaction with deed. meekly done his penance with great contrition in heart And in this wise overcome the ghostly enemy the fiend.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ we read in the gests of Romans. that it was the manner sometime that if there were any land that were rebel against the Emperor anon the Emperor would send some worthy knight with great puissance to that lo●de and put them down and ma● them subgettes to the Empepoure of Rome And when this knight had done so than should he be set in a chair arrayed with clothes of gold in the best wise & a branch of palm in his hand in tokening that he had the victory and with great worship brought into Rome But when he came into any worthy city. then there should stand one by him and be●e him in the mouth with a ●nche of olive saying thus Know thyself. That is to understand. th●●u be great now. and have the ●y make not to much of thyself For ●ay fortune another time he ra● 〈◊〉 thou mayst have the worse and 〈…〉 moche villainy more than now to worship. wherefore be natt now to proud of thyself ¶ Thus should ye beat yourself. in the mouth of your soul wit the branch of olive. that is with the virtue of meekness And so hold you in love. and meek in heart. and evermore dreading and fearing lest ye fall again to sin And so to leave the worship that ye have now For trust this truly. meekness is that virtue that most and soonest ovircommeth your ghostly enemy the fiend and soonest gathereth a man to virtuous living That we may have this virtue of meekness patience and charity to ovyrcomme our ghostly ennymye. now and evir Amen.   

gOod friends ye shall understand that holy church useth these three days and saith service in the even tide that i● meekness. wherefore we call it tenebres But holy church calleth it tenebris Then why this service is thus done in me●enes holy faders tell for three causes One is the night before that our lord jesus christ was take he went into the mount of olyvete & prayed thus Pater mi si possibile est transeat a me calix iste. My father if it be possible that this bitter passion may pass fro me if it were the faders will and else not And for dread and fere of that byttre passion. that he fylte in spirit he sweat both blood and water And another cause is this that anon after mydnyghte came judas Scarioth with fifty knights and much other people to take Christ. And for it was dark and they could not we'll know him fro saint james he was so like to christ wherefore judas said Quem osculatus fuero cum tenete. Forsooth quoth he him that I shall kiss it is Take ye him for saint james was so like that mooche people called him Christ's brother And thus judas betrayed his master. and thus was christ take in meekness with all the spy●● that they could do to him bearing him and spitting in his face. The th●●d cause is when christ was naked on the cross feet and hands hanging three ours from undryn till none then the son with drew her light▪ and was dark through all the world. showing that the maker of light was at that time p●●ed to the death. For these three. causes the service in the night is done in darkness. The which service maketh mind How judas betrayed christ. and how the jews come as privily as they could. for dread of the comen people wherefore to the service is no bell rung. but a sound made of tree whereby all christian people may have knowledge to come to that service pryu●ly without making of any noise And all that the people should speak of coming and going should sound of tree. that is the cross that our lord god was done upon and of his passion. and of the words that our lord spoke hanging on the cross & how he said to his mother. Mulier ecce filius tuus. woman see thy son And how he comen did his mother to saint john the euāg●lyste in keeping. and what said the 〈◊〉 that hinge by him and said thus ●omine quando veneris in regnum tuum memento mei. Lord when thou commyst to thy kingdom have mind on me. And anon 〈◊〉 lord said to him. hody mecum eris in paradiso. This day thou shalt be with me in paradise. And how he betook his spirit into his faders hands and said In manus tuas commendo spiritum meum. And so he yield up the ghost Thus coming and going to the church all christian people shalde comen. and leave vanity and idle talking and speak only of the cross that is our redemption another cause is when that judas. had betrayed christ and saw by his treason that he should be deed. anon he fill in despair and hung himself on a tree And than he displeased more christ for that deed than for all the trespass that he had done tofore For christ is so merciful that and he had asked mercy he should have had mercy and forgiveness Also at this service be set certain candilles in the quere. after the use in some place more than in some other as the use is. the which been quenched one after another In tokning. of Christ's disciples how they went away e●he after other But when all these cād●llys been taken away and the light gone. yet one abideth still a while till clerks have song Kyloes and these verses the which betokeneth the women. that made lamentation at Christ's sepulchre then that candle is brought again and other lighted there. and that betokeneth our lady. For all the faith was lost save only our lady and of all other were informed and taught. Also it betokeneth christ himself that was in his manhood deed and laid in sepulchre And the third day arose from death to live again and gave light by love to all that were deed and quaint by despair ¶ The strokes that the priest giveth on the book betokeneth the claps of thunder when christ braced hell yates and despoiled them and set out Adam and Eve and all them that he had bought with his byttre passion.  
¶ Now have ye heard somewhat what this service betokeneth and think thereupon and be not unkind to your god that suffered all this for you. For unkindness is a sin that stinketh in the sight of god A● Saint ambrose saith that there may no man find a pain great enough to punish unkindness And that ye shall here by an ensample as thus.   

¶ Narracio  
¶ I find that. alexander Necham telleth how that there was sometime a knight that went out of his own country far in to a strange land. to seek adventures And it happened that he came into a great forest and there he heard a great noise of a beast that seemed in despair And then he would wit what it meant and went near & saw how that a great horrible adder and of great lengith. biclepyd A lion and bound him to a tree as he lay and slept And when the Lion work and fond himself bound & might not help himself he made a great horrible noise desiring help of the knight Then had this knight compassion of this Lyon. and would fain have helped him but he dread when he was louse lest he would have fallen to him. But because he was a knight. and the Lion was king of all beasts in that distress he took his sword and smote the adder asunder. then the Lion anon felt himself louse and fill down to the knights feet. and evir after night and day in every place he followed the knight.  
And every night. this lion lay at this knights beds feet. and in every battle this Lion was ready for to help his master In somuch that the people spoke to the knight of the Lion. yet by counsel of the people. he had the Lion in suspect. wherefore when he went into his own country again privily while the Lion slept he took the water and went to the ship and sailed forth And when this Lion a woke and missed his master a noon he gave a great roaring and wet after him into the see and swam after him as long as he might. & when his might failed him than was he drowned. By this knight ye may understand gods son of heaven that came out of far country. that was out of heaven into this world & was bound for mankind weth this old adder the fiend to a tree of inobedience wherefore with the sharp sword that was his passion he loosed mankind out of his bonds and made him free to go where he would. And therefore all christian people been bound to worship him and thank him for his lo●synge and to be buxum to him all the time that they have life and follow & sew the lore of holy church & he shall pass through the water that is to lay through the pain of death. and he seal come to the joy that evir shall last. without end the which god bring us all to Amen.   

¶ diverse questiones  
mAny will ask diverse questiones of the service of these days of such priests as they suppose can not make no ready answer But put him to shame and do him velony and repreef. wherefore I have tilled. which be needful for every priest to know. and if he will look on it and keep them readily in heart he may make ready answer. & so shall it be to him both worship and profit. ¶ first if a man ask why Sherethursdaye is called so ye may say that in holy church it is called thus. ¶ Cena domini. Our lords souper day For that day he souped with his disciples openly. And after souper he gave them his flesh and his blood to eat and to drink and said thus. Accipite & manducate Hoc est corpus meum. Take ye this and eat it for it is mine. own body. and anon after he wissh his disciples feet. showing what meekness that was in him. And for the great love that he had to them It is ●o in english called sherethursdaye For in old faders days the people would that day shear their heads and clip their beards and poll their heads and so make them honest against Easter-Day For on good friday they do their body's noon ●ase but suffer penance in mind of him. that that day suffered his passion for all mankind. On ester even it is time to here their service and after service make holy day It is wretyn in the life of a saint that he that was so busy on the saturday before noon that he made a man to shaave him at after none then was the fiend ready and gathered up the hairs. than this holy man saw that and commanded him to tell why he did so then said the fiend. thou dost no reverence to thy holy day Therefore I will keep these hairs till the day of doom in great repreef to the. Then anon he left of shaving and took these heres from the fend and made to bren them in his own hand to suffer penance. and so abode unshavyn till monday after This is said to all though in reproof that worship not the Saturday at after none Then as john bylet saith on shuthurday a man should do poll his here and clip his beard and a priest should shave his crown So that there should no thing be between god and him For hairs come of superfluity of veins and humours of the stomach. and they should pair her nails of hands and feet that come of superfluity of filth without forth and shrive them and make them clean within the soul as without. And thus make them clean both within and without The veil that all this lent hath be drawn between us and the quere betoknyth the passion that was hid and unknown till the days come the which these days be done away and the altar openly showed to all the people For these days christ suffered his passion openly that he had hanging upon the croce saying. Consummatum est. It is ended that is to say Now the prophecy of my passion hath an end wherefore the clothes of mine timber been take away For christs clothes were take fro him & so was done naked on the croce save our lady his mother wound a kirchef about him to cover his members The altar stone betokeneth christ's body that was drawn on the cross as a skin of parchment on a harowe. so that all his bonies might be told  
¶ The besoms that the altar is washen with. betokeneth the scourges that they beat our lords body with. and the thorns that he was crowned with. The water and the wine that it is washen with. betokeneth the blood and the water that run down from his wounds that was in his side perished with a spear. The wine that is poured upon the altar on the five crosses betokeneth the blood that ran down from his principal wounds of his body. ¶ Also this day is no pax given at the mass. for judas betrayed christ this night with a cross. Thus was the prophecy of his passion this day ended: wherefore this night when he had souped· he made the sacrament of his own body. and gave it to his disciples to eat and drink and began the sacrament of the mass and of the new law And after souper he wish his disciples feet that was a manner of the new law full out. For as he said to peter he that is wesshen and is clean of deadly sin: hath no need to be washen. It betokeneth thaffliction of deadly sins. Then if people ask why priests do not mass after souper as christ died It was turned in to more honest and more salvation to man's soul. For as haymo telleth upon the pistle of saint Poule. That many in the beginning of the faith come to church on she●thursdaye. And those that were rich brought meet and drink with 'em. and eaten and drank ner belies full and then at night to ●en her housel and said that christ gave 'em ensample But when the rich eat and drank to much. the pour people abideth without. till after the rich hath done sore an hungered: And then eat of the relief that they left. And so after the people took their housel: where as the epistle of this day telleth. ¶ Saint Poule rebuketh 'em thereof and turneth that foul use in to more honest cleanness and holiness. that is for to say at mass fasting all the people to take her housel fasting. on ester even the paschal is made the chief taper in the church. So is Crist chief above all the saints in heaven. The. paschal also betokeneth the pylar of light fire. that went before moyses and the children of israhel. when moyses lad them out of egypt in to the land of byheft. that is Iherusalem. and so they passed safe and found. And so seven. days after they come all unto the see: and thanked god for her passage. and in mind hereof holy church useth all the Ester week to go a procession to the fo●●e. that is now the red see to all christian people that been crystened in the font. For the water in the font betokeneth the red see. for blood and water is the wound that were in Christ's side in the which the power of pharaoh the sede of hell is drowned and all his might lost and christian people saved. and for the font is hallowed on Ester even and on whitsun even. for in the beginning all children abode to be christened unto these two days. and to be crystened at the font hallowing. But now for by cause that many in so long abiding were deed without christendom therefore holy church ordained now to christian all times of the year. save viii. days before these evyns. the child shall abide to the font hallowing if it may for peril of death: and else not. ¶ Thus is the paschal hallowed by light with the new fire. and of it all other tapres and candellis been light for all holiness and good teaching. & good living cometh of christ & teaching of holy church and lighteth 'em in crist●s passion with brenning love and charity. Pieces of enfence been sticked in the paschal in the manner of a cross those betoken the five wounds of our lord. As bede saith that he suffered in his body. that shall be fresh and swe●● as any incense till the day of dom to great repreef to all that shall be dampened that believe not in Crystis passion. and will not ask mercy and fo●yeuenesse of her sins. In the font hallowing the priest casted water in four parties of the font for christ had his disciples going preaching & teaching in four parties of christendom in the name of the father and the son & the holy ghost. And after the priest breatheth on the water. for the holy ghost in making of the world was borne upon waters. ¶ For when god for Adamis sin cursed th'earth and the land. he cursed not the water wherefore it is lawful to a man to eat in lenten that that cometh of the water. After he droppeth the wax in to the water off a candle brenning the which betokeneth the manhood of christ that was fulled in water. and putteth oil and cream in the water. For by the virtue of the sacrament those that been in heaven and in earth been joined to guider. and that was proved by christ's baptism. For there the father of heaven spoke and said. Hic est filius meus dilectus in quo michi bene complacui. This is my well beloved son that will please me and the holy ghost was seen Sicut columba As a white dove. thus was the font hallowed two times in the year. ¶ at wythsontyde. and at Ester. when all the people is brought out of thraldom by Crystis passion fro the dangeour of the fiend. and at wytsontide. For then is the holy ghost yeven in remission of all sins: ¶ Thenne from the font the people gone to the quere singing the tyranny praying all the saints in heaven to pray to god to give to all that been christian to keep that sacrament to God's pleysaunce. And the covenant that they have made in her crystening then the priest goth to mass. for christ that is heed off all holy church is not risen. Kyrieleyson is said for in every prayer. in especial in the mass. it is great need to ask help and succour of god to keep us from all manner off temptation that the fiend putteth in us and namely in God's service. Gloria in excelsis. Is said for the father of heaven hath great joy to be hold the people that his son hath bought with his passion. and to see 'em in rest peace and charity. eachone with other. The greyle is not said For those that been new christened been not yet perfit to walk in grace of virtues Alleluya is said. For it is gree joy to angels to see by christening the number of hem restored again. After hallelujah a tract is said. high sungen for though by christening they be wash from sin. yet must they travail busily to keep 'em from comberaunce of the fiend. that they fall not in deadly sin. The offertory is said for the women that comen with ointments to offer to christ's body. They fond him not in his tomb. Agnus dei. Is said no pax is given. For christ that is heed of peace is not risen. The postcomyn is not said. for those that been new crystened should not be housled this day but on the morrow. for in old time there come to christening people of great age. then a short evensong is done. for the children that were not christened whereof greatly they were noyed with sickness of cold of long service then is ended under a short colet. all the sacrament of cristening is ended in the passion of Crist. by the which all christian people were restored tor everlasting bliss to the which god bring us all to Amen.   

¶ In die paraceves.  
GOod friends this day is called good friday for all that Our Lord Ihesu christ suffered this day turned us to great joy For this day he suffered passion under pounce pilate for our sake. It is an old saw that a foul begnnning hath a fowl ending. Now see how this pilate began cursedly and ended full wretchedly. For as saint austin saith cursed living first asketh a cursed end: after he that forgetteth himself here in his living is full like to forget himself in his last end. This pilate was a knights son that was called Tyrus that he gate him on a woman that hight Pyle: And this woman's father hight Atte. So when this child was borne: they set the mothers name and the grandfather after. and so by both names called him pylat ¶ Thenne after when he was three years of age. his mother brought him in to the kings court. then had the knight another son nigh like to pilate's age. But for this knights son was in all his rule more gentyler more manfully more goodly more beloved that this pilate. so for hate and for envy thereof. This pilate on a d●y slew this knights son. then was the knight wonder sorry But yet he would not slay pilate and sent him to Rome to be there in hostage: for a trybut that the knight should pay to Themperor. ¶ Then it happened that the king of France had sent his son thither for the same cause. then for by cause  
¶ when pilate saw that he was more beloved and chereshed. Therefore this pilate slew him. Thenne for he was so cursed. th'emperor by counsel of the romans. sent pilate in to a country that was called pounce. where the people of that country where so cursed that they slew any that come to be thyr master over 'em. So when this pilate come thither. he applied him to her manners. so what with whiles and sotyltye he overcome 'em. and had the mastery & gate his name. and was called pilate of po●●ce● and had great domination and power. then the king of Iherusalem sent after him. and made him lyeuftenaunt under him of the land of Iury. And for pilate liked well ●●office privily he sent to th'emperor and had his office confirmed of him unwitting to the king Herod. King that tyme. wherefore when king Herod heard what he had done. he was so wroth that they were enemies unto the time that our Lord Ihesu christ was take. and then they become friends again and fill both in to one asent of Cristis death. Then it happened afterward that th'emperor fill sick & sent after christ for to hele him. For it was told him that christ healed all though that ever would come to him of all manner of sickness what so ever sickness it had so be. But then had pilate done him to death or the messenger come. Then when th'emperor understood that. he sent for pilate and made him come to him. ¶ And when pilate heard this he was sore afeard & take on Cristis cote. And so when he come to rome to th'emperor all those that were in presence made pilate good cheer all the while that he had on Christ's ●●te: And th'emperor swore before that he should be ded. Then took of the cote. and anon as the cote was off Themperor was sore wroth with pilate that he put him in to a prison till he had take counsel what death he should die on. then as soon as pilate witted and understood that he should be deed. he took his own knife and slew himself with all. And when the Emperor heard thereof and understood that he had slain himself. And then anon he made to bind a great stone about pylats' neck. and to cast him in a water that is called Tiber. Then when he was cast therein. the fiends made such a noise there about that all the Cite of Rome was sore afraided. ¶ Then when Emperor saw this. he made to take him up again. and then was he cast in to a water that was betwixt two high hills and so long time after there was in the water many horrible sights seen about that cursed man. Thus Our Lord Ihesu christ suffered passion and death for all mankind. and first when he was take they died buffet him. and striped him naked and beat him with scourgiss.  ¶ A vertice capitis usque ad plantas pedumnon fuit in eo sanitas. 
¶ That from the highest place of his heed to the sole of the feet was no thing left hole on him but all raw.  
And after made a crown off thorns and set it on his heed and beat it down with staves of reed. that it perished his brain: And when they had pained him so they lad him fo●h all bloody. Ad montem calvary. To the count of Calvary to th'end off death yet women of the city. when they see him so fowl fair with: & all to lougged and all to draw. for very pity they wept upon him. ¶ Then said our lord to hem. Nolite flere super me sed super vos et filios vestros. ¶ ye women of Iherusalem. weep ye not for me but upon you and your children·s For there shall days come in the which ye shall bliss the wombs that were barren. and the paps that never gave suck. Thus our Lord preached before the vengeance that fill after upon Iherusalem. The which prophecy jeremy the prophet spoke of. that is red in holy church these three days at tenebras. the which was so horrible of many diverse mischiefs and in especial off hunger deyde in the streets. Then was there a woman was come of great birth.  
Tthat for hunger took her own child that was fed with her paps and slew it and part it in two parties. and than roasted half. And tother half she kept till on the morrow.  
¶ Thenne as the people come by the street they had savour of the roast. and anon they come in to have had part thereof. and when they saw the mother roast her own child and soon. they were heavy and foul dissmayed and would not eat thereof. But went their way forth again: Then took the mother of that child and eat theroff and said in this manner wise: This is mine own son and mine own child that I bore of my body. and fed it with my paps. but I will rather eat it than die for hunger. Therefore I tell you this to show you somewhat of the vengeance that fill on Iherusalem after the death of our Lord Ihesu Criste. ¶ Then they lad him to the mount of calvary. And there they strained him so on the Cross: that every bone of his body might be known one from another And nailed him hand and foot to the cross and they lift up the Cross. and the body to guider. And with a great piece they le●e the cross and the body fall down to guider in to the mortesse. that all the body dashed. and his bonies craked. and his joints braced and veins and all wounds broke out of blood. Sides arms legs feet and hands so that there was no blood in him & yet they took a cloth while the blood was hot: & wound it a bout his body till the blood was cold. & thenne they drew away the cloth & pulled away the flesh fro the bonis this was a great pity. And so when he should die. he began as johan bellet saith. Deus meus respice in me. And so said all the verses si●●ng till he come unto the verse. In te dnen spavi And so at this verse. ¶ In manus tuas domine commando spiritum meum redemisti me domine deus veritatis· ¶ There he gave up the spirit This is a great ensample that our lord Ihesu Crist gave to all christian that every man should have in mind these verses. And he that can hem. say and if he say 'em every day. he shall not die no manner mischievous nor vengeable death. Thenne after this passion we say orisons and kneeling at every orison save at that orison. that is said for the jews at that orison holy church kneeleth not for by cause jews in scorn kneeling three times to christ when they scourged him. then these orisons holy church prayeth for all manner of people. For jews saracens cysmati●s heretics. But not for christian people. for while any man or woman standeth a cursed ●he is damned before god. And dampened shall be at his death. But he repent him. and amend him while he liveth in this present world: ¶ Si scirem pro certo quod pater meus esset in inferno non ora●ē pro illo nisi ut pro diabolo. ¶ If I wist for troth that my father were dampened in to hell. I would never pray for him. but as for the devil of hell for there is no prayer of holy church that helpeth a dampened man. then after these orisons the cross is brought forth to the which all christen people should worship this day in worship of him that this day died on the cross And pray our lord to forgive us our trespass as Criste prayed to his father of heaven to foryeve 'em that died him on the cross.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ There was a knight sometime and that was a great lord. and he had a worthy man unto his son. And so it happ●● that another knight and his man fell at debate. and so this knight clue him. wherefore the father off this man that was deed gathered a great multitude of people. and pursued that other knight. where somever he went to have slain him night and day. so that he might have no rest but ever he died flee for fere of his life ¶ Then it happened on a good friday this knight saw all christian people go to the church And he bethought him that christ died that day on the cross for all mankind. and put him only on the mercy of almighty god and went to the church with other people to serve god and when he was in the church anon this other knight had word and come with moche people in to the church and his sword drawn in his hand for to slay him. and when this other knight saw that and wist well that had trespassed to him & fill down to the ground with his arms spread abroad as our lord Ihesu Crist spread his arms on the cross. & said ¶ For his love that this day spread his arms on the Cross and suffered passion and died for the and me and all mankind have thou mercy on me. And forgive me thy sons death. ¶ Thenne this knight thought it had be to horrible a thing to smite him  
¶ while that he leye so. and cried him mercy so me●ely. and anon he put up his sword and said to him Now for his love that this day died on the cross for the & ●ne and all mankind I forgive the and to ve him up and kys●● him and anon went to do worship to the Cross kneeling. And when this knight would have kissed the feet of the cross. the image loseth his arms fro the cross And beclpped the knight about the neck and kissed him and spoke thus that all the people heard. I forgive the as thou hast forgiven for the love off me. ¶ And thus all christian people should do. & then they should have mercy and grace of god and bliss everlasting Amen.   

¶ In die pa●he.  
Good friends ye shall know well that this day is called in many places God's sondai ye know well that it is the manner in every place of worship at this day to do the fire out of the all: and the black winter brondis and all thing that is foul with smoke shall be done away and there the fire was shall be gaily arrayed with fair flowers and strewed with green risshes all about showing a great ensample to all crysten people. ¶ Like as they make clean her houses to the sight of the people in the same wise ye should cleanse your souls d●yng away the fowl brenning sin of lechery. put all these away and cast out all thy smoke dust. and strew in your soul's flowers of faith & charity and thus make your soul's 〈◊〉 to receive your lord god at the fest of ester. Deponentes omnem malicia● And put away all malice & all sorrow for right as ye will suff●e no thing in your house that stinketh and savoureth evil wherewith ye may be deceived. Right so Cryst when he cometh in to your house of your souls. and he find there any stink of wrath envy or any other deadly sin▪ he will not abide there. But anon he goth his way & then cometh the fiend in and bideth there. then may that soul be sorry that is so forsaken of god and betaken to the fend. thus it is w●th those that been in wrath and envy or in any deadly sin and will not forgive to hem that hath trespassed to 'em for no prayer he shall no forgiveness have: for our lord saith thus Dimittite et dinuttemi●. forgive ye & ye shall have forgiveness And therefore every christian man and woman should search well her conscience. and make 'em able to receive her saviour Ihesu christ very god & man   

¶ Narracio  
¶ There was sometime an holy bishop that prayed oft busily to god that he might have grace to see and know which were worthy to receive that holy sacrament. and come to God's board then on a time as he should housel the people. He saw some come with her faces as red as blood. and blood drop out of her mouth●●. And some her faces were as black as any pitch and some were fair and red and lusty to be hold. and some as bright as any snow. then among all other. he saw two common women came. and their faces shone and bright as the son than had the bishop great marvel of that sight. and preyed to god to give him revelation. to wy●e what all this betokened: thenne there came to him an angel & said those that have bloody faces and blood dropp●th out of her mouths be envious people and wrathful. and will not amend 'em thereof. and ever they been backbiting and slandering her neighbours. And been ever ready to swear oaths. therefore her mouths shall drop black blood till they come to amendment And those that haven black faces as pitch. been lecherous and will not leave her sin. and been grete· sinners in many degrees and will not amend 'em. They that have their faces white as any snow. those be they that have done great sin and been shriven thereof. And been sorry for her sins. for the weeping of her eyen had washed her souls and made 'em clean. & so they been in clean life. and truly labour for her living. ¶ And those two common women that shine so bright passing all other they were great sinners: and were sore afeard when they came to church. and took a great repentance in her hearts that they made a vow to god. preyeng him heartily to take no vengeance on hem And they would forsake her sin. and never do amiss more. wherefore god of his great grac● and 〈…〉 yonglove them her trespass and all her sins. and the sorrow of her hearts hath so washen her souls that they shine brighter than all other and then the angel wen●● his way and the bishop kneeled down and thanked god for his revelation. and therefore take ensample by these two comen women and be sorry for your sins and repent you in your hearts: and purpose nevyr to turn again to sin and then trust vereyly ye shall have grace mercy. and succour to everlasting joy and bliss. wherefore think for certain though ye make it glozing with words. for to deceive your ghostly father. and say that ye be in charity and be not ye beguile yourself. and trust truly: ye shall not beguile god. that seeth every corner of your hearts. ¶ And therefore deceive not yo●●e own souls for the love of god. And be also busy and ready to make your souls clean to the sight of god as ye been to make your houses to the sight of man. and as ye would array you in your best clothes that ye have against the coming of your best friends. so should ye array you now to receive your best friend. that is your maker our Lord Ihesu Criste. that this time suffered passion and death. to bring us to everlasting life. ¶ This day is called also a passing day. and in especial for two causes: One is for this day all christian people in reverence of god should forgive all them that have trespassed to hem. and be in par●●●e love and charity to all 〈…〉 should be amended with the sal●● that ●●●eth all so●● that is cha●●e. C●ritus cooperit multitudinem peccatorum charity covereth the multitude of sins It is also a passing day For this day should all god's children pass out of evil living into good living. out of vices into virtues out of pride into meekness. out of covetise. in largeness out of sloth into holiness out of envy into love and charity ou●e of wrath into mercy. out of gluttony into abstinence. out of lechery in to chastity. out of the fiends claws into god's arms. and of his great enemy make his dear friend And he that passeth thus is worthy to come to a good feast the which our lord jesus. maketh this day to all the people It is called also goddess sunday For this day goddies son rose from death to live and so gladdeth all his servants. with his up rising wherefore all holy church maketh mirth and melody. this day and singeth thus. Hec est dies quam fecit dominus exultemus et letemur in ea This is the day that our lord made. joy we and glad we in that with all our bertes for the father of heaven with all his aungelly● maketh so great melody of the uprising of his son that he ma● to day a passing great fest and by●●●th all christian people thereto. aswell those that been in heaven. as th●se that been in earth. and they shall be full welcome that come to this feast. 〈…〉 that is a g●de clothing that is in love and charity And also evil shall those be that shall come in the fiends leverye. clothed in wrath● and envy. For as the gospel telleth these shall be cast in prison of hell. And then while other laugh and ma●e merry they shall weep and be sorry. and wh●le some eat and dryn● at god's board they shall grin with their teeth and say. We/ ve/ ve/ quante sunt tenebre wo. wo. wo. many darkness been here For they shall think that they may feel the darkness it is so dark and the pains of hell shallbe so hard. for worms shall gnaw them for they eat her eyen christian here in this life in earth with false ba●bytynge. and s●laundrynge.  
¶ wherefore I charge you in god's name that noon of you come thus to god's board but if ye be in perfit love and charity and be clean shrevyn. and in full purpose to leave your sins For and I wist in certain which were out of charity and in deadly sin I must by the law of holy church with a loud voice say thus to them. in audience of all the people I give the not thy housyll to thy salvation b●●●e to thy damnation till thou come to amendment And therefore every christian man and woman should search well his conscience and make him able to re●●●ue his saviour jesus christ to the he●●●e of his soul that she may come after this final life to evirlustinge joy Amen.   

good friends the●e three days that is to say Monday. Tuysday and and wenesdaye: ye shall fast and go in procession man woman and servants for all we be sinners and have need to pray to god for help grace and mercy. for they may not excuse therein fro the procession that may lawfully be there Than he that withdraweth himself fro the commandment of holy church wilfully he sinneth full grievously. first he sinneth in pride for he is vnbu●um. Also he sinneth in sloth. that knoweth himself in sin and will not do his diligence to come out thereof & right as he withdrawyth him fro people that be gathered to serve god Right so will god put him from all the company of heaven and from all the prayers that be done in holy church till he come to amendment Therefore all christian people come only together & pray these three days to all the saints in heaven to pray to god for us For we have sinned many times in the year against the commandment of god And therefore these three days we shall fast and pray to god of mercy and remission of our sins. and put away all the power of the fiend. and keep us from all mischievous peril and dreads that fall this time of the year more than any other time For in this time many great thunders and lightning. and as Lyncolnyence saith There were fiends that fleteryn in the air for fere of the blast of thundering. when that Christ come to hell gates when he despoiled hell. And so yet when they here the thunder in the air they been so aghast thereof that they fallen down. and then go they not up again till they have done some cursed deeds For than they 〈…〉 tempests in the see and draw down ships and make debate among the people. and make one to slay another. and tend fire. and bren houses. and draw down steeples and trees. and cause women to ovirlye their children. and make people to hang themself. and drown themself in wanhope and in despair and do many cursed deeds And for to put away all such mischievous & the power of the fiend Holy church hath ordained that all christian people shall fast and go in procession these three days: and pray to god and to our lady and to all the saints of heaven. of help and succour. ¶ wherefore in these processiones bells be rung banners be spleyed. the cross cometh after. & the people sueth after. For right as a king when he goth to a battle his trumpets gone tofore Then the banners and then cometh the king and his oft following So in this procession the bells been gods trumpets. the banners come after then cometh the croce in cristes likeness as king of christian people and all sew him. and with her good prayers chase away the fiend's that they have no power. And like a cursed tyrant will be sore afeard and a dread when he herd the trumpets of a king that were his enemy and saw his banners splayed in the field with his host coming toward him. In the same wise the fiend the tyrant of hell is afeard and dreadeth him sore For when the bells ring and the banners been bore. and the cross with all the people come praying. Then he fleeth and dare not abide and 〈…〉 power that process●●●.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ we read at the city of Constantyne as the people went in procession for a disease that the people had as they song Litany Suddenly a child was plucked up into the air and borne into heaven and the angels taught him to sing this song▪ Sancte d● sancte fortis sancte et ●mo●● miserere nobis And anon he was let down again to the earth And then he song that same song and anon they were delivered of their diseases This is to say in english Holy god. holy strong god holy and nevir shall die. have mercy on us God that is holy and nevir shall die have mercy on us God willeth & and will that we be strong for to fight with the fiend. with the world. & with the flesh. And than will he have mercy on us. and bring us to the place then there as angels sing. Sancte deus/ sancte fortis. Holy god holy strong god have mercy on us and bring us to his bliss.   

¶ Ascensio domini.  
gOod friends such a day ye shall have an high and a solemn feast in holy church that is called thascension of our lord jesus christ For that day as the faith and believe techyth how god is very god and man and flyed up in to heaven. ¶ wherefore in ●oknyng of this the paschal that is the chief light in holy chirche that hath stand openly in the qui●e from Ester unto this day Now it is removed away in tokening that christ is chief light in holy church And so our lord● diverse times openly appeared to his disciples. and taught them the faith and the believe. and this day be stied up into heaven and there will abide till the day of doom But now ye shall here the manner of that ascension from Ester day till this day. he was not with his disciples always but diverse times appeared unto them. And he appeared to them as they fa●●e at there meet and eat with them to show them that he was very god and man. in flesh and blood as they were For some of them were in doubt left he had be a spirit that had neither flesh ●e blood And therefore to prove the troth he eat with them in their sight and bade them go to the hill of olyuete ● there in sight of all his disciples be blessed them and flyed up into heaven And left the steps of his feet theft down into the hard marble stone. for a token of his ascension Thenne ye shall understand that the hill of olyvete. betokeneth mercy wherefore christ ●●yed up at the hill of Olivet show weal that he is heed of mercy And he is evir ready to show mercy to all that ask mercy with meek heart then in his up flying as we call ascension angels made so moche melody. that no tongue may tell it so fain they were of his coming. ¶ Ascendit velociter she stied up swiftly For as it wer● a momment he was from earth to heaven A great clerk a philosopher that is called Rabymoyses he saith that it is as far fro heaven to earth. as a holy man might live a thousand year and every day go a thousand mile. But he that met this way knoweth best And this way shallbe met of a rightful and a good man. Then in his ascension he had a great multitude of soul●s. the which he set out of hell fro the fiends bonds He s●yed also with his wounds read fresh and bloody. And as bede saith for five causes first for to verify the faith of his resurrection For he rose in very flesh & blood that died on the cross for all mankind The second to show his wound●s to his father in great help and succour to all mankind The third is to show how rightful they be dampened that will not believe in his passion and in his resurrection The fourth to show how merciful he is to them that will believe and ask mercy The fift is that he bore with him a sign. of victory For a sickerness of all mankind For like as a lord is syker that hath a true advocate before a judge. to answer for him So in like wise to all mankind we find him our advocate evermore ready to answer for us at need that the fiend our ghostly enemy maketh against us. wherefore saith the holy scripture A sykerer attournay may no man be than god. Vbi matter ostendit filio pectus et ubera. wherefore the mother showeth the soon 〈…〉 and her papes. Fil●●s patri latus et vulnera. The sone showeth to the father his sides all to beaten and his wounds bleeding  
How should any thing be put away or denied there as such tokens of love be showed He may not far amiss that hath such two. friends in the country of heaven Also by the stying up into heaven of our lord Jesus christ man hath gotten a great dignity For a man to see his own kind and his own flesh and his blo●●●tting on the right side of the fad●●euyn in his throne. ¶ wherefore aun●●●lys considering the dignity of man. they would not suffer no man to do them worship as they did before the incarnation of christ But they worship man for god himself hath take mankind on him. and is now in heaven bodily Hereby may ye see how moche biholde is he to his god. what we that were boū●● before and thrall to the fiend of hell and no ●we been made free of all that and our lord Jesus Christ. have give to man a freedom above any angels and therefore we be bound unto him. to do him service reverence & worshhip And there as angels kept sometime the gates of paradise with brenning. swords that no soul might come in. Now by faith our lord jesus Christ. to mankind he hath cast up the gates and warneth no man to ●rin. that is of stedefaste believe 〈◊〉 ●aint austin saith. Aperuisti credentibus regna celorum· Thou haste unlearned the gates of heaven to them that believe Also ye shall believe right as a king of this world hath officers of diverse degrees some 〈◊〉 and some lower And some more ●●●u●er than some So our lord ●g up at this time the lawer angels for great wonder that they had in Christ's ascension when they saw him in flesh and blood stying up to heaven with so great multitude of souls with him And also for the great wonder that they had when they saw the fendis of the air flee away. for dread and fere of his strong coming. that before were wounte sparing no thing assail the souls that come by them And then they flew away for great fere of his coming Also the good angels come in all the haste that they might to do to our lord jesus Christ service reverence and worship Thus for great wonder that the lower angels had of his stying up They asked the higher angels and said. Quis est iste qui venit de edoz what is this now that cometh out of the world with bloody clothes as he were a king of joy This is he that with death suffering read in his scourging seek and dead in the cross strong in hell bodily in doing fearful in rising & thus hath ovircomme all his enemies. & now is king of glory in heaven. Then our lord jesus christ was stied up into heaven & then his disciples. standing with his mother for great wonder of that sight and also of the melody that they heard in the air. they looked up into heaven and suddenly two. angels clothed all in white stood by them and said to them in this wise. Viri galilei quid statis aspicientes in celum hic jesus qui assumptus est a vobis etc. Men of galilee what stand ye bihold●●ge into heaven It is jesus that is stied up from you And so he shall come at the day of doom again & dame all quick and deed And therefore all christian people left up your hearts to our lord jesus Christ that now is stied up into heaven and sitteth at his faders right. hand and is ready to give mercy to all them that will ask mercy with a meek heart And therefore there is no manner of man that may excuse himself nor have no manner excusation. but if that he will himself. and ask mercy to his lord god with a meek heart and he shall have mercy and shallbe saved. For though a man be nevir so sinful and he will ask mercy with a meek heart he will give him mercy. Cor contritum et humiliatum deus non despicies. A meek and a contrite heart god shall nevir despise For and he will ask mercy and be sorry for his sins our lord will take him to his mercy Thenne for to show his great goodness and compassion that our lord hath on mankind I shall tell you this ensample   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ we read in the life of saint carp. how a man of misbelieve turned a christian man out of his faith and forsook his believe and his cristendome wherefore this holy man carp was sore wroth that he fill in great sickness An● when he should have prayed god for amendment He prayed god night & day that they might have a bodily vengeance Thenne it happened at midnight as he prayed thus suddenly the house that he lay in cleaved in four parties And he looked up and saw one hanged so piteously that it was great pity to see. And then he looked up to heaven and there he saw our lord Jesus christ with a great multitude of angels sitting in his throne And he looked up again. and then he saw th●se two. men stondenge before an hot oven and tryml●ge for dread of fiends like adders and worms coming out of the ovyn. to draw these men into the ovyn. with them And so many other fiends come in diverse likeness to help that they were in to the ovyn Then was this holy man Carp fain to see these two have that vengeance and was wonder gla● thereof that he lost the sight of our ●●de jesus and his holy aungyllies for the heart was on these two men's vengeance. and was sorry that it was so long or they were put unto their pain And then he rose & went to himself and halpe all that evir he might and when they were into the ovyn thenne was he very glade thereof And then he looked up into heaven and there he saw our lord Jesus and he saw him rise. from his throne for great pity and compassion that he had on the two. men. & ●āme down to them and took them out of their pain and said thus. Carpe extend manus tuas contrame. Streche forth thy hands against m● and said thus I am ready and need were to die again for mankind rather than to lose them By this ensample ye may see how ●●y that our lord Jesus christ is to all that will ask mercy and foryenesse and deserve mercy. that is that every man amend and leave his sins and be in full will and purpose to s●ne no more And thus he shall come to the grace and mercy of our lord jesus Christ that suffered for us and all mankind on good Friday passion. & this day stied up to heaven. the which he will grant us & bring us all thereto Amen.   

Sequitur vigilia penticostes.  
good friends as ye know weal a saturday next coming Is wytsondaye even And that day ye shall fast and come to the church to here your service and make you clean to receive the holy ghost that the father of heaven sendeth among mankind wherefore I counsel you and charge you if there be any of you that fall to any sin that he come and amend him: thereof and I will be ready to do all that longeth to me For take this in certain. In the same wise as a man will not go to a place there as a stinking carreyn is but if he stop his nose & high him thence Right so the holy ghost fleeth from the soul that is cumbered with deadly sin. and angels will stop their noses. For much more fowler stinketh deadly sin in the sight of god than doth any carreyne to smell to people And as the holy ghost fleeth to them that bideth in good life and clen● and in perfect love and charity And hath pity and compassion of all those that been in disease or tribulation▪ to such the holy ghost visiteth a●● cometh to And with such as him listeth to come to abide and comforteth & teacheth them in all need But as the service of this feast is more praised then any other time For at this feast holy church calleth to them and saith. Veni sancte spiritus Come holy ghost specially to have help succour and grace. and to have part of the dole that he maketh at this time to all christian people. that been able to receive his yestes But ye shall understand that the holy ghost maketh his dole in other wise than other people. For they deal as it liketh them Butte the holy ghost delyth to all christian people that is needful. and speedful to them that gift and some more and some less one yefte. and some another some he giveth wisdom in holy scripture to understand holy scripture. he giveth grace to have great lust and liking therein That is for to say. they be lusty to preach and teach virtue and goodness. and inform the people to the health of their souls unto them that here it and beareth it away. But many had leveyr to here a song of Robin hood or a tale of Rebawdrye wherefore god's word shall not be preached to such And some he giveth grace so in understanding of diverse language as english. french wall she Irisshe without great travail. in learning It is a great yefte and a 〈◊〉 and a special grace of almighthy god that any man can understand or inspeking There been v. letters that make all the words of all the world and of all languages that been under heaven And without one of these lettries noon may make no word. And those been these A. E: I. O. and V And also some he giveth grace of counseyl for to do after good counsel And some he inspireth within. for they that he showeth them and maketh to know to fore what will come after and fall And giveth grace to dame the better fro the worse ¶ wherefore they do so wisely and discreetly that all the people be glad to hear them speak and to do after their counsel And some he pruce grace also to do after counseyl. As our lord jesus christ gave himself counseyling a man that will live a perfit life to leave that he hath and go into religion and be there governed by his wardens counseyl and by his own This counsel cometh of god And some he giveth grace of suffering. moche bodily sickness. great wrongs and moche disease both in body and in soul Loss of cattles lorshippes' masterships frendeshippes and all that ye suffereth with a meek heart thanking almighty god of his fond that cometh of the grace of the holy ghost Also he giveth some grace of learning in diverse sciences Some to learn one craft & some another so by the which he may get his living with truth So that a man will put to his good goodwill ● and his diligence and truly to labour and not to slumber and sleep slew●●ly and so unthrifthly. but in dew time to labour busily the holy ghost hath given every man some knowing to get his living with troth. Also some he giveth grace of pity and filleth there hearts so full of pite & compassion of her even christian that been in disease and adversity▪ that they give them of their goods to help and succour them at her need: and to comfort them in all that they may for Christ's sake. And also merciable that they forgive all that they trespassed to hem in any wise. Some he giveth also to dread god▪ in so much that they been ever a feared to dyspleyse almighty god. And ever think of great vengeance that god will take for sin at the day of doom.  Timor domini expellit peccatum. 
¶ The dread of god and the horrible pains of hell putteth away sin. And thus night and day. Some be ever afeard to offend god. And ever be busy to do well in privity as in open sight of people. He that hath this gift: he hath a special grace off the holy ghost. ¶ Hec sunt septem dona spiritus sancti. ¶ these been the seven gifts that the holy ghost departed among all mankind. and giveth to some more than some. But there may no man excuse him. but that the holy ghost assigneth to him some what of these in time of his cristening: where the bishop 〈…〉 confirmation rehearseth these w● 〈◊〉 of the sacrament. I will tell you 〈◊〉 ensample to fere you the more to the sacrament of Cristening. that is founden by the 〈◊〉 of saint james.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ There was an holy bishop that turned Lowies the King of France to christian faith. And so when the king come to the cristening at the hallowing of the font there was great press of people. that the clerk that bore the bishops crysmatory: might not bring ●t to the bishop. ¶ And so when the font was hallowed and come to the anointing. he might not come to his Crysmatory. then the bishop lift up his eyen to good. preyenge god devoutly for help. And anon there with. there come a dove as white as any milk. that was the holy ghost. bearing in her bylle a viol with oil and cream to the bishop. And when he opened the viol there come out thereof so sweet savour that all the people had wonder thereof. and were greatly comforted there by. and that continued till the service was done. Here loo ye may well see though the priest say the words: the holy ghost worcheth the sacrament and doth virtue of the words. Now that the holy ghost may descend and lighten us that we may come to receive him to our salvation Amen.   

¶ In die penticostes·s  
gOod men & women this 〈◊〉 is called ●●sondaye▪ 〈◊〉 the holy ghost brought wit 〈◊〉 visdome in to Christ's disciples And ●o by there preaching after 〈◊〉 cristendome Then may ye understand that many hath wit but not wisdom. For there been money that hath wit to preach we'll but there be few that have wisdom to do well There be many wise preachers and teachers but their living is no manner thing after their preaching Also there be many that labour to have wit and cunning. but there been few that travaileth to come to good living For who so hath wit and cunning to get gods with fair subtle words be they nevir so falls he is wise but wit of holiness is not set by For he that can get goods with knacks and mows he is a wise man but he that forsaketh the wit of this world is a fool But look what holy scripture saith Dominus recitavit nomen pauperis quia ipsum approbavit. et nomen eius in libro vite scriptum fuit. Our lord hath received the name of the poor man for he hath proved him in his poverty and took his name in the book of life. Sed nomen divitis tacuit qui a non approbavit. But he left the rich man. for he hath not proved him But though a man be nevir so rich at the last he shall be poor For though he bring with him but his good deeds & his bad. he that liveth well and teacheth well For a god●●sample in living is good doctrine This grace at this day was given to christs disciples for they taught weal. and lived weal for they gave good information in teaching of good ensample in living for their teaching. And their living is spread through out all the world Then how they come to this grace ye shall here. Post ascensionem domini. After when that our lord Jesus christ. was stied up to heaven his disciples. were in great heaviness and morning for they had lost their master that they loved full well and for hem had lost all their goods for his love and forsake all their friendship. And served him full poor in hope that should be greatly helped by him And thus they were all heavy and greatly astonied and sore afeard to be taken of the jews and cast into prison. and after to be put to death. This made them sorry y● that they durst not go. among the people for to get them meet and drink But yet as christ bad the●● in his ascension they went into the ●yte of jerusalem and there they were in ● hall of stage and there they sat to gyddre praying unto god with hole heart and one spirit of help and succour and some comfort in their disease then as they were thus praying to gydder Suddenly there was a great cloud made in the air like a blast of thunder▪ and even therewith the holy ghost come among them all. Et apparuerunt illis dispertite lingue tanquam ignis. ¶ And light come down among hem in likeness of tongues brenning and not smerting warming and not harming. lightening. and not flytering ¶ Et repleti sunt omnes spiritu sancto. ¶ And filled 'em full of ghostly wit For as they were tofore but lewd men of sight. and unlettered and very ydeottes. as of cunning and no thing could of clergy. Suddenly they were the wisest men in the world. And anon they spoke all manner languages under the son. And there as before her hearts weren cold for dread and fere of death. Then were they so comforted of the holy ghost. in brenning love. That they went and preached and taught the word of god. Sparing for no dread. but ready to take the death for Cristis sake Then at that time there were in Iherusalem people of all nations. and drew in to the temple for great fere of the blast. of thunder that was in the cry. And studied what it might be. Then come the apostles in to the temple and preached. And all manner of nations understood 'em And they understood all manner nations: and so they preached the word of god. Then were the people atoned when they heard the posteles speak all manner of language. Then said some. these have drunken so moche: that they wot not what they do say. Nother what they mean. for they been all drunken. then answered Peter and said we be not drunk but this was the prophecy of johel the prophet. ¶ How the holy ghost should be yeven plenteously to the people. so that they should speak with all tongues. that is to preach to all the world the laws of Ihesu Christ then the people turned fast. And so within few years the faith was in all the world. Now it is to wite why the holy ghost more appeared in to likeness of tongues rather than in other party of man's body why he come to hem sitting rather then standing. ¶ As to the first this is the cause a tongue is the best member of man's body: when it is in good rule. and well disposed But when it is out of good rule it is the worst. ¶ Venenum aspidum sub labiis eorum. Bitter venom is under the tongue that speaketh evil saith david in the psalter. And as saint james saith. A cursed tongue is fired with the fire of hell. and may not be chastised while the fire brenneth it. And also for tongues must speak words of fire. that is sharp and sperkeling to say troth. not spare in prechenge. And teaching to reprove misdeeds for as holy men in old time overcome and drove away the fire of lightening with holy words and good prayers. with the brenning love to god. ¶ Right for the fire of the holy ghost should drive away and overcome the fire off hell. that envy hath and evil living that reigneth now in the tongis of moche people. and in hearts. For the apostles and other preachers.  
That cometh after them should speak brenning words. that is neither to sharp. neither for d●ede ne for love to say the troth. and to 〈◊〉 the people her defaults: and to repre●e the sin that reigneth in 'em. in many diverse wise and so to do. and say the word of god and to reprove sin. ¶ And but they will leave sin they shall without remedy be dampened in to the fire of hell. For though thou shouldest dey. spar not to preach the words of god. and tell the truth Item deus est misericors penitentibus peccata sua. Also god is merciful to hem that be sorry for her sins and will leave them Cum vero confessus fueritet reliquerit ea misericordia consequatur. For though a man have done never so much sin and he will shrive him and forsake his sin. mercy shall follow him. And he shall have forgiveness. and so come to the bright fire everlasting bliss. ¶ That is the precious love of god that brenneth among the angels and saints in the kingdom of heaven: Also he cometh in likeness of tongues of fire for it is the kind of fire to make low that is high. And to wan that is cold to make soft that is hard And make hard that is soft And also the holy ghost maketh hearts that been high of pride and envy. he maketh them low and warm in love and charity And also hard hearts that have be gathering and holding of worldly goods The holy ghost maketh them soft. and liberal to give & deal alms deeds for the love of almighty god: And maketh them hard also in suffering of hard and strait living. & in doing of great penance for their sins Thus the holy ghost is ever ready to make salve for to hele all manner of sins That other skill is why the holy ghost come to the apostles rather sitting than standing. For syt●ynge betokeneth meekness in heart. wit●●●ste peace and unite The which any manner of man must needs have that will receive the holy ghost ¶ For ryg●●●s the dry wood will burn clearly with out ●●●ryng. So should every cryst●n man love other with brenning love and charity clearly without 〈◊〉 of wrath or envy. or any manner off malice each with other. And every man should be feign of otheris wes●●r And this maketh to have a good ●onge But as soon a● the brands been ●aste a twynny by dissension off ma● & envy Anon the fire of the holy gosse quencheth. And then 〈◊〉 up smoke of great wrath and envy between party and party. And also great grievance and heaviness for the soul and causeth it to fail gr●●●. that it may have no consydera●yon to reason. Then anon the wicked spirits been ready and ●●●se up smoke in the same man's heart: That is to say great wrath and envy. and evil will that it may have no manner of rest. But ever stody●ng and thinking also how he may ●uenge him. and do vengeance unto: ●is enemies. And so is a man ever troubled and busy ever in cursed deeds and likely to be dampened body & soul in hell to evyrlasting pain but if he have succour and help of the holy ghost and all such things that may come of cursed and wicked tongues. Therefore the holy ghost cometh in the likeness of tongues of brenning fire. to burn out the malice and envy and to anoint 'em with sweetness off grace. love and charity. And therefore we shall pray to the holy ghost to give us grace so to tempre our tongues that we may evermore speak. good. & that our hearts may be fed with meekness. that we may be able to be fed with the holy ghost. as saint Gregory was when he exponed the prophecy. he took to him his deacon saint Peter to write as he exponed and made draw between 'em For saint Peter should not see how he died in his stodyeng then as saint Gregory sat in his chair Holding up his hands and his eyen to heaven ward The holy ghost came like a white dove with foot and bylle brenning gold and sat on Gregory right shoulder. and put her bill in Gregoryes mouth. And when he withdrew it then he bad Peter write and so continued till he had made an end. But he exponed the gospel so boldly that Peter had marvel thereof and privily made a hole in the cloth that was between gregory and him and saw how the holy ghost fed him And anon the holy ghost showed Gregory how Peter had done then Gregory blamed Peter. And charged him that he should never say no thing while he lived: But when gregory was deed. an herety●● would have ●renned his books. That this holy man 〈◊〉 And then Peter withstood him: and said nay and told all how the holy ghost had done to him while he exponed the prophecy And so saved his books unbrenned that he had made by the grace of god and yeft of the holy ghost the which give us grace to be fed of him here in our living that we may have the bliss that never shall have end amen   

¶ In die sancte trinitatis.  
GOod men and women this day is an high and a solemn feast in holy church. For it is of the holy trinity. For as holy church at whitsuntide maketh mention how the holy ghost come to christ's disciples Now at this time is made mention of all three persons that is for to say Pater filius et spiritus sanctus. father son and holy ghost three persons and one god wherefore we been bound to do all the reverence and worship that we can or may to this holy trinity. Also ye shall understand why how And what the cause is. that this feast was ordained. This holy fest was worshipped for the trinity. first finding. for heretics confounding. and for the trinity worshipping. first it was ordained for the form of the trinity finding. And a great clerk johan belleth telleth that form. trinity was in the first man adam our so●● father that cometh of thenche one person. and eve of adam the second person of them both cometh the third person as her child. Thus the trinity was found in man wherefore man should have mind to do worship to the holy trinity For holy church ordained that in wedding of a man and woman to guider. so that the mass of the trinity is sungen. And atte his death one bell shall be rung in worship of the trinity wherefore all christen people been bound greatly to worship the holy trinity. The second cause is the feast is ordained in confunding of heretics and of lollers for to destroy them and her false opinions that they had against the holy trinity. For right as heretics in the beginning of the faith with her sweet words and false opinions were about to destroy the faith of the holy trinity. In the same wise lollers now a days with her false spice of guile be about also to withdraw the people from the true believe and faith of the holy trinity. & the believe & faith of the holy church Pope's martyrs and confessors to the death Right so now these lollers pursuen men of holy church & been about in all manner ways that they can and may find to destroy and undo h●m so. that they might have their purpose: And thus they show openly that they be not God's servants. For they been out of charity. and he that is out of charity: is far from god. But he that suffereth tribulation persecution and disease. for the love of all mighty god. And preyeth for his ●es and misdoers. And will do no vengeance: but put all in god almighty. and quite hem full well in everlasting bliss. For our Lord saith thus. Michi vindictam et ego retribuam. Put all thing to me. and I shall quite every man after his deserving. for though god suffer holy church to be pursued by such miss and proud he veries. at the last he ordaineth such a remedy that holy church is helped and her enemies confounded and shamed. Thus it happened on a time with th'emperor of rome that height Attylya▪ & he was made by heretics as johan bellet telleth. the which emperor pursued christian people sore and hated hem and holy church greatly. wherefore he made to burn all the books that might be found of christian faith. But as almighty god would▪ there was a good holy man. and that was a great clerk and the clerk was called Alpunous that in maintaining of the faith off holy church he made the story of the trinity▪ and the story all so of saint steven. and brought it unto the pope for to have 'em sungen and read in holy church. But by counsel of that gre● clerk. they took the story of saint steven. and left the story of the holy trinity till the time that saint Gregory was pope then for to prove 'em and do 'em shame that been such mysbyleving people. and would not believe in the trinity but made after her reason many heretics and in consideration  
¶ of hem ¶ Saint Gregory the pope ordained this feast to be hallowed. and this story to be song and red in holy church in worship of the trinity with all christian people. The third cause is for the high trinity worshipping and for all christian men should know how & in what manner they should believe in the trinity. for as holy church teacheth. he that believeth in the trinity shall be saved and they that done not shall be dampened. ¶ Then it is full expedient and needful to all christian people to know how they should live. ye shall understand that perfect love to god is the believe. For he that believeth perfectly maketh no questions. Fides non habet meritum ubi humana racio p●ebet experimentum. ¶ faith hath no meed ne merit where man's wit giveth experience: Thenne it is good for all christian people to make love to be mediator to the holy ghost praying him to lighten us within our souls that we may have grace to come to his perfit believe. Therefore this day was set next whitsunday. hoping that the holy ghost will be ready to all christian people that will call him. And specially in learning of the faith. but yet for man's wits be dull to learn. thenne they may not see nor hear▪ but they be brought in by great ensample. But that people is not most commendable if we may by ensample come the sooner to the believe. in the father and the son and the holy ghost. three persons and all one god take heed of this ensample▪ Of▪ ice. snow. and water. how that these three been diverse each in substance. and yet is all but water ye may understand by the water the father. by the ice. the son: and by the snow. the holy ghost. water is an element that hath great might and strength: & as the master Alisaunder saith. It is above heaven in the manner of ice side a castal and doth worship to heaven and anon it is under earth And th'earth is grounded upon water And david saith in the psalter it is all about the world. and in all thing. for in hard stones and iron sometime is sweet water for this water is so full of might that is to understand. the father that his power is so moche that he governeth all the world and knoweth all thing. & all thing is at his will and commandment. By the son Ihesu christ ye shall understand. ice that is water congealed hard and bretyll. that is Jesus christ very god and man. that took the substance and freilte of mankind ¶ when he was conceived of the holy ghost in the virgin Mary and borne of her body. god that suffered passion under ponce pilate done upon the cross died. and was buried and the third day rose from death to life. and after on holy thursday stied up in to heaven and shall come again at the day off doom. and dame the quick and the deed. By the snow ye shall understand the holy ghost. for right as snow is but water and ice. and light in thayre but how no man can tell. So cometh the holy ghost from the father & the son. Spiritus sanctus a patre et filio non factus nec creatus nec genitus sed procedens. But how it is for no man to study. for it excedith all men's wit to study thereupon. but sadly believe. the father is full god almighty and of him come the son full god and of 'em both cometh the holy ghost full god. This trinity was known in the fulling of christ as the gospel telleth· In baptismo cristi tota trnitas se manifestavit scilicet pater in voce filius in carne spiritus sanctus in columba et totum celum apertum erat. ¶ Thenne our lord Ihesu christ was baptized in the water of flom jordan And all the people nigh of the country there about were baptized there with him and as they were in her prayers. Et aperti sunt celi et spiritus sanctus descendit sicut columba The holy ghost come down in likeness of a white dove. And lighted on christ's heed: Et vox de celo dicens/ Hic est filius meus dilectus in quo michi bene complacui. And the father spoke in heaven and said Thou art my well-beloved son that pleaseth me well that was the holy trinity. that spoke in his person. and the son was bodily there in his person. Than johan baptist said to the people Ecce agnus dei. See the lamb of god. And the holy ghost was seen in his person. Sicut columbam descendentem. ●s a 〈◊〉 done come down and these three been but one god in trinity. wherefore it were full needful to all christian people to pray busily: so that we may have grace to have the perfect love to believe in the father the son and holy ghost three persons and one god in trinity.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ we find that the mother of Saint Edmund of pountney as he studied of this holy trinity she appeared unto him. and laid in his hand three rings each with in other And in the first was written: Pater. The father: In the second. Filius. The son. In the third Spiritus sanctus. The holy ghost. & said. My deer son. To such figures take heed. and learn what thou mayst. And take good heed to this ensample. For right as a ring is round without any beginning and ending. right so been three persons in one god But for to study how it might be. it is but folly. for it exceedeth any man's wit to muse there upon. but sadly believe there upon.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ we read of a clerk that was greatly learned in divinity. the which stodyeth busily to have brought this in a book why god would be believed one god ● three persons ● so as he walked on a day stodyeng on this matter by the see sonde. he was ware of a fair child sitting on the see sonde & had a little shell in his hand & therewith he took water out of the see and cast it in to al●tyl pit fast by. Then said this master to this child: son ●●at dost thou and he said. Sire I am about to have all this water that is in the see in to this little pit. Thenne said the master. that shalt thou never do it passeth any man's power. Sire said he. as soon shall I do this as thou shall do that thou art about to do. And anon the child vanished away. then this master thought it was not God's will. & left his stodyenge in that matter. and thanked god highly. By this ensample ye may see that it is not God's will that we should muse in that matter. But steadfastly believe in the father. the son. and the holy ghost. Veni per fidem trinitatis. Come by faith and love of this perfect faith of the trinity. Veni per opera misericordie. Come by the works of mercy doing. Veni per opera justice. Come to this believe by doing of works of rightwiseness and thus ye shall come to this perfit believe. father son & holy ghost. Et tunc conoraberis corona glory eterne. ¶ And then thou shalt be crowned with a crown of everlasting joy and bliss. to the which bring us to the holy trinity   

¶ De corpore cristi.  
GOod friends ye shall understand. that this day is an high And a solemn feast in holy church the feast of Corpus cristi. it is the feast of our lords own body. the which is offered to the high fa●er of heaven atte the altar in remission of our sins for all christian people that live here in perfit life and charity and great succour and help in releving hem that been in pains of purgatory. there abiding the mercy of god. ¶ ye shall understand that this feast was found by a pope that was called Vrban the v: the which had great grace and devotion in the sacrament of the altar considering the great meed help and succour to man's soul And to the fordering of living to all christian people here in this present world Therefore he ordained this present feast to be hallowed in the next thursday after the feast of the holy trinity: for all christian people that will be saved must have sad believe in the holy sacrament that is God's own body in form of breed made by the virtue of christ's words that the priest saith. & by working of the holy ghost. ¶ Thenne for this holy pope thought to draw people to more devotion and better will to this holy sacrament. and to do service this day. he granteth to all that been worthy. that be they that be very contrite and shreven of her sins. & be in the church at both evynsonges at matins and at mass. For each a ● days of pardon. and for each hour off the day xl. days of pardō● for every day of the utas a C. days of pardon in remission of all her sins. for evermore enduring then ye shall understand that Our lord Ihesu christ on sherethursdaye at night when he had souper and wist well in the morowe● that he should suffer his passion and death and pass out of this world unto his father in heaven He ordained a perpetual memory of his passion to abide for evir with all christian people in earth He took breed and wine and made his own flesh and blood and gave it to his disciples to eat and to drink & said Accipite. et manducate. hoc est corpus meum Take ye this and eat it for it is mine own flesh and blood And this he did. for they should have mind of him. & so he gave other presties power to make his body of breed and wine Thus every priest hath power to make the sacrament be he good or bad. For the sacrament may no man amend. nor pair but he that is a good man and a holy liver helpeth greatly them that he prayeth fore And he that doth the office of the priest worthily and truly. shallbe glad and joyful that evir he was borne. Fo●●●re lord hath yeven a priest a 〈…〉 power here in earth that he gave nevir to angel in heaven that is to make his own body in form of breed Therefore ye shall have worship more in heaven than any tongue can tell or heart think. And he that is an evil liver and knoweth himself in deadly sin and presumeth to minister that worthy sacrament and will not amend him. he may be sure of perpetual damnation with fiend's of hell in everlasting pain then shall ye understand that he granteth this sacrament to be used for evermore in holy church For four causes that be needful to all christian people The first is for man's great helping The second for Christ's passion minding. The third for great love showing And the fourth for great meed getting Nota quod propter novem raciones prodest homini audire. missam secundum augustinum. Saint Austyn saith it profytteth greatly all christian people to here mass and in especial for ix: causes ● saith thus. Quia illo die qua audieret missam necessaria cibaria conceduntur For that day that he heareth a mass. he shall not fail of no bodily food nor no necessary thing that shall be longing to. nor no let shall have in his journey where that he travaileth. The second is all venial sins: shall be forgive him and idle words The third is that if aman die it shall stand for his housel. The fourth he shall not that day lose his sight The fift all idle oaths that day shall be foryevyn The vi. that day he shall 〈◊〉 no sudden death The seven. as long as he heareth the mass he shall not w●● old The viii. all all his steps toward. and from ward the church h●● good aungyll reknyth to his salvation. The ninth all the while that he beholdeth the holy sacrament. all wicked spirits flee from him and have no power over him be he nevir so great a sinner This help and succour we have of the holy ghost and of the sacrament here in earth. and at our last end all christian people will send after the p●●este to come to him with god's body▪ and to receive it knowing well that he believeth steadfastly that it is the same flesh and blood that christ took of our lady saint marry and was born of her body very god & man. and after suffered passion and death on the cross for mankind. and laid in tomb and rose from death to live. and now sitteth on his faders right hand in heaven. and shall come again at the day of doom. and dame the quick and the deed every man after his deserving So with this perfect believe all christian people shall be armed and made strong to withstand the fiends that will come and assail at the departing. between the body and the soul for then fiends. come besily to bring him out of the believe then shall the sacrament that a man hath resc●yued in his life make him mighty and strong. that he shall set all the fiends at nought and so overcome thaym Another skill. that the sacrament is brought to a man to ask mercy of Christ and remission of his sins. having full trust and believe that christ is evir ready to forgive all them that will ask mercy with a meek heart as david saith. Cor contritum et humiliatum deus non despicies. A contrite heart and a meek our lord shall nevir despise. and that we may see by ensample when he hang upon the cross between two. thiefs that were men of cursed living And therefore they were ordained to be deed & that one asked mercy with a meek heart and said in this wise Domine duz veneris in regnum tuum memento mei. Lord quod he when thou commyste. to thy kingdom have mind of me. & anon at his first ask he gave him mercy & more ovir he said to him thus hody mecum eris in paradiso This day thou shalt be with me in paradise And that other thief would ask no mercy in no wise for pride he had in his heart and therefore he was dampened to hell Thus our lord jesus christ shed his blood on the cross in health of all mankind So in the mass he showeth his blood in great succour help and salvation to all mankind and the same flesh and blood is showed every day in the mass for we should believe steadfastly thereon And he that believeth not thereon verily that it is so shall not be saved at the day of doom   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ Therefore I tell you this ensample. that is in the life of Odo the bishop. of Caunterbury this bishop had with him clerks that bele●yd not perfectly in the sacrament of the altar and said they could not believe that the body and blood of christ might be ministered in the mass Then was this bishop sorry and prayed to god besily for her amendment And so on a day when he was at the mass and had made the fraction he saw the blood drop fro the host in the chalice Then he made a sign unto them that believed not. to come near him and to see And when they saw his fingers bloody & the blood ran from the host into the chalice anon for great fere they cried & said. O thou blessed man that hast this grace to hold Christ's body in thy hands that droppeth blood in the chalice. we believe verily thereupon and we beseech the verily to pray to him for us: that thou haste in thy hands that he take no vengeance on us for our misbileve and we cry meekly mercy And anon the oft turned into the form of breed. as it was before And then they were perfit men of believe evir after Another skill is that the sacrament is made in the altar to make a man by often sight thereof. the sooner have mind on Christ's passion. and to have it in mind. for it is the best defence against the temptation of the fiend For saint Austyne saith the mind of Christ's passion putteth away all temptaciones & the power of all wicked spirits And for this cause roads and images been set on high in the churches for as soon as a man cometh into the church. he should see it and have it in his mind and think on Christ's passion. wherefore croces. & other images be full necessary & needful. what somevir these lollers say. For and it had not be full profitable. holy faders would have destroyed them many years a gone For right as the people do worship to the kings seal. not for love of the seal but for reverence of the king that it cometh fro So roads and images be set for the kings seal of heaven and other saints in the same wise For images been lewd people books And as john Bellet sayeth there been many thousands of peo- that can not imagine in their hearts how christ was done on the cross but as they see by images in the churches and in other places there as they been. And for to have the better mind of Christ's passion I shall tell you this ensample.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ There was a christian man of england that went into the holy land and 〈…〉 red an heathen man to be his guide and as he came unto a fair forest and saw many fair things▪ but this cristened man marveled greatly that herd no noys of birds & thereof he had great marvel and said to this heathen man. I marvel moche that there is no song of birds in this wood Then said this heathen man This is the week that ye call passion week that your great prophet died in. wherefore on sunday yt●a●te was that ye call palm sunday all the fowls of this wooed died for sorrow & all this week shall lie as deed But on sunday next coming that ye call Easter-Day they quicken again & all the year after they make melody. whrefore 〈◊〉 up in to the trees and see and then he saw every bow of the trees lie full of birds as flat as they had be spread on the cross ¶ then scythe birds have mind of Christ's passion and make such morning and sorrow much more cause hath mankind. that was brought from everlasting damnation to everlasting salvation by his passion ¶ The third cause is why the sacrament is used in the altar For a man should by the sight thereof think on our lord jesus Christ father of heaven that hath but one son that he loveth passing all thing but he spared not to send him down into this world. to suffrer passion and death & to shed his precious blood for mankind to buy him out of the fiends bonds and to write a charter with his own precious blood of freedom for evermore to all mankind So that a man forfeit not his charter by deadly sin But he that loveth god will keep his charter. for god asketh a man but love where he saith thus Da michi cor tuum et sufficit michi: et cetera. son give me thy heart and it is enough for me then take heed of this ensample.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ There was an earl of venies that was called sir Ambright that loved the sacrament in the Auter passing well. & did it all the worship and reverence that he could and might. So when he lay seek and should be deed he might not receive the sacrament for casting. then was he sorry and made dole and then he let make clean his right side and to cover it with a fair cloth of fendyll and laid god's body therein and said thus to the host. Lord thou knowest that I love the with all my heart and would fain receive the with my mouth and I durst. And for I may not I lay the on that place that is next to mine heart and so I show the all the love of mine heart. that I can or may. wherefore I beseech the good lord have mercy on me and even therewith in sight of all the people that were about him his side opened and the host went in there to his side & then it closed again. and so anon after he died and departed out of this world. ¶ so let us love the sacrament in our life and do it reverence▪ and worship and then at our last end when we shall die. and pass out of this world. it will succour us and bring us to everlasting bliss Thus the sacrament is used for great meed getting to all that believe therein. For though it have the likeness of breed and the taste. it is flesh and seemeth breed. it is quick and seemeth deed. ye must believe verily that it is god's blessed body that took flesh and blood of the virgin marry and after died on the cross and rose fro death to live and stied up into heaven. and now sitteth on his faders right hand & shall come again at the day of doom to dame the quick and the deed And he that receiveth it here and believeth verily thereupon shall have everlasting life in the kingdom of heaven as the gospel saith. Qui manducat hunc panem vivet in eternum. who so eateth of this breed shall live evyr and nevir be deed And he that receiveth it and believeth not thus Reus erit in judicio At the day of doom he shall be dampened into everlasting pain. Augustinus in persona cristi. Manducas me/ non mutabis me inte sed tu mutaberis in me Saint Austyn saith in the person of christ Eat me but I shall not turn and change into the but thou shall turn & change into me  
¶ we read that there was a jew that went with a christian man. a fellow of his into a church of christian people and herd mass. Et post missam dixit judeus And after mass said the jew thus. Si ego tantum edissem quantum comedisti non esuriem ut puto in tribus diebus  
¶ If I had eaten asmuch as thou haste eaten I should not be a hungered. as I trow in three days And then said the christian man to the jew. Vere nichil comedi. Forsooth said the christian man to the jew I eat no manner meet this day Thenne said the jew. Ego vidi te comedere puerum pulcerimum/ qualem sacerdos elevauit ad altar. I saw the eat a child the which the pressed held up at the altar Et tunc venit pulcerimus homo habens multos pueros in gremio suo. Thenne came there a fair man that had many children in his lap Et dedit unicuique vestrum vnn̄ puerum talem qualem sacerdos. comedit And he gave each christian man a child. such as the priest eat. yet to sharp your believe the more to this holy sacrament I show you this ensample. ¶ we read in saint Gregoryes tyme. There was a woman that hight Lacyna and she made breed for the pope & other priests to sing with. & for to housel with the people Also the pope came to this woman with her housel & said take here god's body Then this woman smiled and laughed Then the pope withdrew his hand and laid the host upon the Altar and turned to this woman Lacyva and said to her. why smylest thou when thou shouldest receive christs body And she said why callest thou that Christ's body that I made with mine own hands Then was gregory the pope sorry for her misbelieve & bad all the people pray to god to show some miracle for this woman's help And when they had prayed long. Gregory went to the altar again and found thost turned into red flesh and blood bleeding and he showed it to this woman Then she cried and said Now lord I cry the mercy I believe that thou art very god and man and gods son of heaven in form of breed Then bad Gregory the people to pray again that it should turn again to bredes likeness and it did and with the same oft he housled this woman Lacyva. ¶ And therefore let us do all the worship that we may to the sacrament & be not in misbelieve ¶ Also we find that in devonshire. beside exbridge was a woman lay seek and was nigh deed and scent after a holy person about midnight to have her rights Thenne this man in all haste that he might arose and went to the church and took gods body in a box of ivory and put it into his bosom and went forth toward this woman And as he went through a forest in a fair meed that was his next way It happened that his box. fell out of his bosom to the ground. And he went forth and wist it not and came to this woman and heard her confession And then he asked her if she would be housted & she said ye sire. thenne he put his hand in his bosom & sought the box & when he found it not. he was full sorry and sad and said dame I will go after God's body and come anon again to you and so went forth sore weeping for his simpleness and so as he come to a welow tree he made there of a road & striped himself naked. & beat himself that the blood ran down by his sides and said thus to himself. O thou simple man. why hast thou lost thy lord god. thy maker thy saucour & creature. And when he had thus beaten himself he did on his clothes and went forth And thenne he was ware of a py●ar of fire: that lasted from earth to ●●uen and he was all astonied thereof ysche blessed him and went thereto: & there lay the sacrament fallen out off the box to the grass and the pylour shone as bright as any son and lasted from God's body to heaven. And all the ●estis of the forest were come about God's body and stood in compass round about it: and all kneeled on iiii. knees: save on black horse that kneeled but on that one knee. then said he. if thou be any best that may speak. I charge the in God's name here present in form of breed. tell me why thou knelest but on thy one knee Then said he. I am a fiend of hell. and will not kneel and I might. but I am made against my will. For it is written that every kneeling of heaven & of earth shall be to the worship to the lord god. why art thou like an horse & he said to make the people to steel me. & at such a town was on hanged for me & at such a town another Thenne said this holy person. I command the by God's flesh and his blood that thou go in to wilderness. and be there as thou shalt never disease christian people more. And anon he went his way. he might no longer abide. And thenne this man went forth to this woman and died her rights. By the which she was saved. and went to everlasting salvation. To the which bring us to. he that for us shed his blood upon the road tree Amen.   

De festo scin Andree appostoli.  
GOod men & women such a day ye shall have saint andrewis day and ye shall fast the even and come to god and to all holy church and worship this holy saint that day for iii special virtues. One is for his great holiness in his doing. The second for his good living The third for his great passion suffering. ¶ He was a man of holy living. for when he understood and heard of saint johan the Baptist that he was preaching in desert. Anon he left all his worldly occupation. and went to him and was his diciple and so after on a day as cryst come walking. by the way & saint johan baptist saw him walking he said to his disciyples.  Ecce agnus dei qui tollit peccata mundi. 
¶ See the lamb of god that shall do away the sin of all the world. And when Saint Andrew heard that. anon he leete saint johan baptist and sewed Criste. And when he heard Christ preach. It pleased him so well that anon he went and fett Petyr his brother to here christ preach. Then they cast great love to god and soon after as they were in the see of galilee fisshinge. Christ came and called them. and anon they left fysshinge ship & net and all that they had and sued christ evir after. & were with him till he stied up to heaven.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ Thenne after that saint Andrew preached among the people. then on a day as he preached It happened so there was a man among the people that was called nycoll that had lived many winters in lechery but yet by the grace of god he thought to amend his live And when he heard that the word of god was of so great virtue. that it should put away all temptaciones. of sin he let writ a gospel and bare with him whersoevir he went & with the virtue thereof he abstained himself fro sin But yet on a day by temptation of the fiend he forgot himself and went again to a brodellies house. as he was used to do before And when he come thither and the women looked upon him they cried out on him and said O thou old silly man what dost thou here. go home again For we see so many marvels on the that we may not have to do with the. Then this nycoll bethought him that he had the gospel upon him and anon he went to saint Andrew and told him all the caas & prayed saint Andrew to pray for him that his soul might be saved then saint Andrew would nevir eat nor drink till he wist whether nicoll should be saved or no Then saint Andrew fasted five days breed and water and prayed besily night and day Then came a voice & said As thou hast fasted and prayed make Nycol to do the same and then he shallbe saved Thenne saint Andrew bad nycol fast five days breed & water & pray besily unto god. and so he did And then come a voice to saint Andrew again and said. Thy prayers and thy fasting hath made Nycoll that was lost found again and he shallbe saved   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ Also another miracle that 〈…〉 young man come to saint Andrew in a time and said privily to him Sir my mother hath be long about me ● I should lie with her. and for I would not do her will she hath accused me to the bishop and say●● that I would have done that sinful deed with her. wherefore I wot well that I shall be deed. and yet I had levyt die ●e slander my mother so foul. therefore I beseek you pray for me that I may take my death patiently to the salvation of my soul Then said saint Andrew go forth to thy doom and I shall go with the. and so therewith the people come and fe●e him before the bishop And when his mother accused him He said no thing but held his peace▪ Then said saint Andrew. Innocens sanguis enis sure causa dampnabitur. This cursed woman for lust of her body wrongfully is about to damn her own child to death vengeance will come to thee: then said she. loo sire justice ever sith that he might not have his will he hath drawn to this man for counsel ● succour. then the justice commanded to cast this young man in to the water to drown him and to put saint Andrew in prison. till he were advised what death he should die. then saint andrew prayed busily unto god for help and succour. And then anon come a great thunder. and made all the people so afeard that they were feign to fet saint Andrew out of the prison. And even therewith come a lightning of fire & burned the mother of the young man in sight of all the people. ¶ And thus was this man saved and the justice by this great miracle turned to the christian faith. and moche people with him and ever after believed in god & saint Andrew. Thereby ye may see that he was holy in living. Also he was great in miracles wyrching. for one day as he went by the see side. he saw a drowned man cast out of the water thenne Andrew prayed to god to rear him again to life: and anon this man rose then andrew asked him where that he was drowned. and he said. we were x. men to guider: and heard of an holy man that height andrew and we were coming to here his preaching. And as we were in the see there come a great tempest and drowned us all to guider. But would god that we had be cast to land together. that we might have be raised to life to guider again. then saint Andrew prayed god that all the bodies might come together. and so they died. and were cast up in diverse countries. then saint Andrew made and ordained to gather them all to guider. Then he kneeled down and prayed god long. for them till they were raised all to life. then saint Andrew made them all to kneel down. and thanked god: and preached them and taught them the christian faith. & christened them all. And when they were steadfast in the faith. he sent them home to her own country. with moche joy to them And many other miracles he died. that were to long to tell thus ye may see that he was mighty in miracles working. that raised so many men to life. Also he suffered great passion for Christ's sake. For when he was in the city of pateas. there he turned to the faith the wife of egeas And this egeas was a great man. and made moche people to do sacrifice & offering to mawmentis. But for saint Andrew reproved him thereof. Anon he made to take him and would have made him to do sacrifice but he would not and steadfastly bode against him and proved by many ensamples by cause that he and all the people should worship god and not the fiends of hell. Then was Egeas wood for wroth And made men to take Andrew and stripe him naked. and beat him with scourges. that all his body ran on blood  
¶ And then made to bind him hand and foot. and made to do him  
¶ on a Cross. For he should pain thereon long or he died. But when Andrew come to the place there the cross was he kneeled down and said thus. Salue crux qui in corpore cristi dedicata es. Holy be thou cross that art hallowed and made holy by the precious body of our lord Ihesu Christ. I desire to clip the to me wherefore take me to the. For I yield me to my master Jesus christ that died on the cross. And then Andrew stood up and died off his clothes. and gave them to the tormentors. and bad them do as they were charged to do of the justice. Then they bound him to the cross hand and foot and his heed downewardis. And strained him. So that the blood braced out at every knot of the ropes. and so he hinge there three days alive preaching to the people. & so there come to the preaching many thousands of people· and for pity that they had of him they bade Egeas take him down or they would slay him. then for fere of the people Egeas come to take him down then saint andrew against stood him & said. Quid tu venisti ad me egeas. ¶ what comest thou to me Egeas. wite thou well that thou shalt have no might to take me down: For on this cross will I die. and even therewith Hiis enim dictis splendor nivis circuiens eum quasi per mediam horam/ A great light come about him that there no man might see him in space of half an hour and more. Then said saint Andrew. Obsecro te dne miserere mei. I beseek the lord have mercy on me. ● so in that light he gaaf up the ghost. And thenne when Egeas saw and knew this that he was deed. he went homeward. then after that deed. he waxed wode and died among all the people: And when maximilia his wife heard hereof anon she took Andrew 〈◊〉 body. & buried it in a tomb. and out of the tomb welleth manna and oil to guider. and by that people of the co●●tre know when it should be dear. and when great plenty: For when it shall be plenty it welleth plentifully & when it shall be dearth scarcely   

¶ Narracio.  
It fell so there was a bishop that loved well saint andrew: & for the fiend might in no wise bring him out of 〈◊〉 purpose. he come to the bishop in likeness of a fair woman praying him that she might speak with him in counseyl of confession & he granted her thereto. sire she said. I am a knights daughter. & have be moche cherished & nourished in great tenderness & for I see it is world is but a vanity to trust upon. I have avowed chassie & now my father would mary me to a worthy prince & I would not break my vow I am come privily away in poor array & thus I heard of your great holiness▪ & am ●o●he to have your counsel succour and help of you▪ wherefore I pray you ordain for me. that the fiend have no power to let me of my purpose.  
¶ Thenne the bishop comforted her. and bad that she should thank god that had set her in such purpose. And that he would send her grace therewith to continue. and said to her Esto secura filia▪ Be thou sicker daughter this day thou shalt dine with me. & then we shall by good advise when we have dined ordain so for you: that ye shall do right well Nay sire said she. lest the people would have any susspection off bad rule ye said the bishop. there off no charge. Plurima erimus et non soli. For there shall be so many in company. that there shall be no susspection Then she thanked him fair. and she was set to fore the bishop in a chair at meet And ever when the bishop looked on her. he seemed her so fair that he was greatly tempted on her so that he had almost forget himself. And then anon there come a pilgrim to the gate. And beat fast on the gate that all that were with in the hall were sore atoned of the noise▪ so he cried. let in let in. Then said the bishop. shall this man come in then said she let him answer to some question first whether he be worthy or none to come so nigh in your presence. Then said the bishop. I pray you make the question. for I am not advised at this time: Then said she to the messenger. Interroga quod est magis miraculum quod deus unquam in parva re fecit. ¶ Ask him what was the greatest miracle that ever god made in a foot broad of earth. Then when the pilgrym was asked this he answered. and said a manny● 〈◊〉 the which is but a foot & but a man's own face. For though all the men and women that our were borne stood afore me. yet should I know one from another. by some degree. when he gave this answer. He was greatly commended therefore. Then said she. I see that he is wise. bid him give another answer to another question Ask him. whether earth is higher than heaven. Then he answered and said thus. There as Cristis body is there is earth. for Christ's body is of our kind. and our kind is earth. therefore there is Christ's body is earth. Is higher than heaven when he had given that answer. he was well allowed. & was bid come in. Nay said she. let him a soil the third question. Ask him how far it is from heaven to hell. Then when he was opposed of this he answered the messenger. Go again to her that sitteth in the chair before the bishop. and bid her give this answer For she can better tell it than I. Quando de celo in abissun cecidit For she is a fiend that hath moten it & so died I never. she fill down with lucifer And when the messenger heard this he was all heavy But he gave this answer that all might here. then this fiend vanished away with an horrible stink. then the bishop bethought him off this temptation. and was sorry in his heart. And anon he made to send after this pilgrim. But or that the messenger come again to the gate he was gone· ¶ Thenne the bishop made all men to pray to god. 〈…〉 witting what the pylgrim was that so goodly halpe him at his need Then come a voice to him and said it was Saint Andrew that come to succour him. for 〈…〉 and service that he died to him: And bade him preach this miracle to the people to see and know how graciously he helpeth all that will pray him. and therefore let us worship and to pray him to be our succour and our help against the fiend now & ever.   

Festum sancti Nicolai.  
GOod men and women such a day ye shall have saint nycolas day. the which is praised in holy church. and specially for three causes The first for his meek living The second for his heavenly teaching. The third for his great compassion. having. First he was made lowly. Pater eius epiphan· matter eius johanna dicta est ¶ It is said that his father height Epyphanus and his mother johann the which in her yough goat saint Nycolas. And when he was borne they made her vows both to keep and to live in chastity: and no more come to guider: but hold 'em pleased of this one child that god had sent 'em the which they made him christian and called him Nycolas. that is a man's name But he keepeth the name of the child. For he chose to keep virtues meekness and simpleness and without malice ¶ Also we read while he lay in his cradle he fasted wenesday and friday these days he would s●e but 〈◊〉 of the day. and therewith he held him pleysed: thus he lived all his life in virtues. with this child's name. ¶ And therefore children done him worship before all other saints for he was ever meek without any malice. so that all the people praised him for his meek living here. ¶ Also he was made bishop of the city of Myrrh by a voice which come from heaven. For when the bishop was deed. all the bishops of the country come to guider. to ch●se another. then come a voice to one off them. and bade him rise early on the morrow and go to the church door. and make him bishop that ye find there that is called Nycolas. And so on the morrow he come to the church door and there he fond Nycolas. and then he said thus to him.  Quale nomen habes tu. 
¶ what is thy name. and lowtynge with his heed answered meekly & said Nycolas then said the bishop. Fili veni mecum. son come with me. I have to speak with the in counsel. & so lad him to tother bishops. & said lo fires here is he that god hath ordained to be bishop & so they made him bishop off myrrh by heavenly chesing He had also a great compassion of them that were in disease and peril for when his father & his mother died they left him worldly good enough the which that be spent on them that were pour and needy.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ It fell so that there was a rich man that had three fair daughters young women. But by mischief he fill in to poverty. so that for greate● need. he ordained his eldest daughter for to be a comen woman. and so after the two other daughters: for he might not find 'em. And so by this mean he ●h to get his living & hers both. For he wist not how to live for great poverty that he stood in. ¶ And when Nycolas heard thereof he had great compassion of 'em all and come privily in a night to this man's house. and at a window he cast a bag of gold in this man's chamber and on the morrow when this man rose and fond this gold. anon therewith he married his eldest daughter. Then come Nycolas and brought another soon after. And therewith he married the second daughter. then this man had great marvel how this gold come thither. and walked privily to know thereof. And the third time come Nycolas. And when this man heard the gold fall. anon he went out & overtook Nycolas and when he knew that it was he that had helped him so in his need: he kneeled down and would have kissed his feet but he would not suffer it but prayed him to keep counsel while he lived:   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ Also another time men were in the se likely for to be drowned in a great tempest. They cried to god & saint Nycolas. seeing thus. ¶ Domine rex eterne succurre nobis miseris. ¶ 〈◊〉 king evyrlasting sorrow 〈◊〉 wretch and anon Nycolas ●on● said. Vocastis m● adsun present Lo I am present at your 〈◊〉. And so brought 'em forth sauf● sound the land.   

¶ Narracio.  
Also there was in the country in a time great dearth of corn. Fames valida. And great hunger in so much that the people were almost lost for the fault of meet then it happened there come ships of th'emperors frayghte in to a haven with wheat in that country Thenne went saint Nycolas to them and prayed them that he might have of every ship C. bushels of her wheat for to relieve the people with and he would undertake that they should lack none of her met when they come home. then he had all his asking And when the ships come to th'emperor. they had her full measure. And lacked no thing of her corn that saint Nycolas had through his holy prayer.  O quam probat sanctum dei faris augmentacio 
¶ O how marvelously by the grace of god and prayer off this holy man this wheat was multiplied and increased. for of that wheat was so great plenty. that it found all the people to eat and drink. and to sow enough for three years after.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ Another miracle there were two. knights that were accused of treason. to th'emperor of a false matter and were commanded to prison for to have be put to death soon after Thenne they cried to god and saint Nicholas for help and succour so that the night before they should be deed Saint Nicholas come to the Emperor as he lay in his bed and said thus to him. why hast thou wrongfully dampened these knights to death. Arise up anon and deliver them out of prison Or else I will pray to god to raise battle up on the in the which thou shalt die and wild beasts shall eat the then said the Emperor to him what art thou. that so boldly speakest and so thretyste me then said he I am Nycolas the bishop of myrrh Then the Emperor anon sent after the knights & said to them. what witchcraft can ye that thus hath travailed me to night know ye any man that hight Nycholas bishop of myrrh Then assoon as they herd this name they fell down to the ground and held up their hands thanking god and saint nycholas ¶ when they had told the Emperor of his life & how holy he was the emperor bad them go to him & thank him of their lives and so they did. And he prayed the knights to pray nicholas to threaten him no more but pray to god for him and for his realm. Thus ye may see that he hath great compassion of them that were in disease. then after when saint Nicholas. should die he prayed to god to send him an angel to set his soul And when he saw this angel saint nicolas lo●●ed and said In manus tuas domine commendo spiritum meum. redemisti me domine deus verit 〈…〉 is. And so he yield up t 〈…〉 host: And when he was buried at the heed of his tomb sprang a well of oil that did medicines to all sores Thenne it happened many years after. that turks destroyed the city of myrrh there as saint nycolas lay And when the people of the city of Barus heard that the city of myrrh was destroyed xlvii. knights were ordained to go thydre. Then they arrayed ships and went thither and by telling of iiii. monks that were there. they knew saint nycholas tomb and undid it anon and there they found saint nycholas bones swiming in oil Then they took them up and brought them to the city of barus with great solemnity Thenne for miracles that were wrought there in the city of myrrh increased again And so after that saint nycholas was deed▪ they chose an other bishop in his stead And anon after by enuyte of the people was put down from his busshopriche and then anon the oil seized and ran no more then was the bishop called again to his city▪ thenne the oil sprang out again as it did before and did many miracles   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ There was a christian man borrowed a certain sum of money of a jew. & the jew said he would leave noon butt if he had a borrow. & this christian man said he had none but saint nycolas and he granted to take saint Nicholas to borrow Then this christian man swore upon the altar that he should weal and truly pay his money again and so departed and went their way till the day of payment came And when this day of payment was passed thenne the jew asked his money. And this christian man said that he paid him & the jew said nay he had not. and the other said he had and that he would do his law and swear upon a book And so when the day came that they should go to law the christian man made him on hollow staff. and put the golden 〈◊〉 and so come to the law. And w●●n 〈◊〉 swear while he went to the b●cke matoke the● we his s●af there the g●ld was in to hold And by 〈◊〉 me●ne swo●e he had paid the jew and when he had sworn he took his staff of the jew again and went homwardes And as he went by the way he was passing sleepy and he lay to sheep in the way Then happened that there come a cart running and went ovir this man and slew him and broke his staff that the gold was in and the gold fill out then people saw that this came of great vengeance for the falsehood that he had done And they set the jew and bade him take up his money Then was the jew sorry and said he would not but if they would pray saint nycholas to raise him again and thenne he would be christened. Relevauit a defuntis defunctum. Thenne this deed man was reared from death to live by the prayer of saint Nycholas that holy man. Baptizatur auri viso judeus judicio Then the jew that was out of the believe by the sight of this miracle. was christened.   

Narracio  
Also there was another jew that saw the great might of saint Nicholas in miracles wyrking And he let make an image of saint nicholas and set in his ship to keep his good and charged the image to keep well his good. while he was absent And when this man was gone there came thiefs of the see. and rob this man and bare away his goods And when this jew come home again and saw all good gone he was full wroth with saint nycolas and took a staaff and all to beat the image and said. Ecce omnia bona mea posui in vestra custodia. Lo quod he I took all my good to your keeping for great trust And it is stolen away. ye have deceived me and therefore thou shalt abye every day till I have my good again then as these thiefs parted the good saint nycolas come to them and said. Cur tam indirecte fecistis me flagellari. why have ye made me be beat thus so sore. then they said Quis es tu what art thou that speakest thus to us Thenne he said. Ego sum nicolaus servus dei. I am nicholas the servant of god. that ye have made thus sore to be beaten and showed them how sore that he was beaten for the good that they had borne away that was taken him to keep. And he bad them go and bear this good again anon. or else god's vengeance should fall upon you▪ and ye shallbe hanged in hell evirechoons Thenne they were sore a feared and bore again the good that same night And on the morrow when the jew came and saw his good brought again anon he was christened and after that he was an holy man And every year on saint nycholas day for the great love that he had to saint nycholas. and also of a son that he had that was a clerk he made a great feast on saint Nicholas day Thenn● it happened on a time upon saint nicholas day he bad many clerks to his fest Then come the fend to the gate in likeness of a pilgrame and asked some good for god's sake Then the good man that made the feast took his son alms to here the pilgrame So the child went ●o the gate. then was the pilgrame gone and the child followed after the fiend. and when he was a good way from his faders place the fiend caught the child and slew it. And when the father herd thereof he was full sorry and took the child and laid it in his chamber and cried for sorrow and said A saint Nicholas this is the reward and meed that I shall have for the great worship that I do to the And anon the child rose from death to live then this man was full glade and thanked god and saint nicholas.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ Another miracle: there was a man that prayed to god and to saint nicholas that he might have a child And if he had a child he would lead it to the church of saint nicholas And there he would offer a cup of 〈◊〉▪ and thenne soon after he had a ●de And when this child was of reasonable age his father did do make a cup of gold. And when it was made it liked him so well that he let make another and then he went toward saint Nicholas church and he must pass ovir the see So when they were in the se the father bade the son Take up soon water with the cup. & thenne the child would have caught water. the cup fill out of his hand into the see. and thenne the child would have caught the ●uppe again and fill after into the see & there was drowned. then the father made much sorrow. but yet he went forth with the other cup to do his pilgrimage And when he came to saint nicolas church and offered up his cup and set it on the aultre. anon it was cast from the altar. and he far it again. and it was cast further. & ye●e the third time he set it again. and thenne it was cast moche fe●●her Thenne come the child with that other cup in his hand. and said to all the people that saint nycholas took him up by the hand when he fill into the se and lad him safe out then was the father glade and offered up there both the cups and went home again with great joy and mirth.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ There was another rich man that by prayer of saint nycholas had a child and he made a fair chapel in the worship of god and of saint nycholas So it happened on a day this child was taken with enemies and lad into another strange country and there he was in service at the kings court And as it happened on saint nycholas day he bethought him of the great mirth and solemnity that was made that day in his faders chapel at home and he was heavy and sighed full sore then the king heard thereof then said the king Nicholas what menyst thou to sigh so sore Be merry for thou must needs abide here with us. and anon there came a great wind and smote the house and burst it And the child was ●aughte up with the cup that he bare 〈◊〉 his hand and was set before the ga●● of the chapel there as his father made his fest Then was there made great joy and mirth of this miracle Lo thus ye may see how great compassion that saint Nicholas had of them that were in mischief and disease. some books say this child was of Normandye and was taken with a sultan beyond the see and oft he was beaten. And one's when he was beaten on saint nicholas day and put into prison then he wept sore And with that he fill asleep. and when he awoke he was in his faders church   

¶ De concepcione beat marry virgins.  
good men and women such a day ye shall have the Conception of our lady. the which day & feast holy church maketh mind & mention of the conception of our lady for three special causes The first is for her father holiness The second for her mothers goodness And the third for her meekness She had a father that was called joachim that was so holy a man that when he was but xv year of age he departed all his gods in to three parts And one part he dealt to widows and to faderlesse children The second part he gave to poor. & needy The third part he kept to himself and to his household And when he was xxxii. year of age for the great goodness of anne he wedded her And when they were wedded they were to gydder xxii. year In the which tyme. anne nevir displeased him with no manner thing neither night nor day For she was so gentle to him and they were both good and holy. yet god sent them no fruit of their bodies but were barr●yn. wherefore they made a vow to god that if he would send them a child they would offer it unto him up to the temple for to serve god both night and day ¶ Thenne on a day as joachim went with his nyghboures to the temple to do his offerings The bishop that hight Isachar rebuked him openly before all the people & said joachim it falleth not for the that art barren and hast no fruit to do offerings with other people that god hath sent fruit in jerusalem Then was joachim sore dismayed and astonied with this rebuke Then he went home weeping and took his shepherd privily with his sheep and went forth in to a far country among monteyns and hills and purposed to have been there all his life and nevir more to come home to Anne his wife. ¶ Than when joachim was gone Anne was sorry and prayed to god and said Lord that me is woe I am barren and I may have no fruit And now more over my husband is gone away from me. and I know not whether he is gone Lord have mercy on me Thenne as she prayed thus an angel come down and comforted her and said Anne be of good comfort for thou shalt have a child in thine old age. there was nevir noon such ne nevir shallbe ¶ then was Anne afeard of this angels words and of the sight of him and lay alway in her prayers as she had be deed: Then went the same angel to joachim & said these words and bad joachim take a lamb and offer it in sacrifice to god and so he did & when he had done so fro midday to evensong time he lay on the gronde in his prayers thanking god with all his heart Thenne on the morrow as the angel bad he went homeward to anne his wife with his sheep. & when he came nigh home the angel came to anne and bad her go to the gate. that was called the golden gate and abide her husband there till he come. Then was she glad & took 〈◊〉 maydynes with her and went to the gate. & there she met with joachim and said Lord I thank for I was a widow & now I am a wife I was barrayn and now I shall bear a child I was woe and weeping. and now I shall be in joy liking And soon after anne conceived our lady. and when she was borne she was called Mary as the angel bad before then after that she was weened she was brought to the temple and left there among other virgins to serve god both night and day Then was she so meek among all other virgins in all her living that all virgins called her queen of virgins So she is meekest of all the saints that be in heaven. and most readiest to help all them that call to her in any need   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ we read in holy writ a miracle of our lady There was a lords man. that had gathered moche good of his lords. for he was his 〈◊〉 gathered & went to bear it to his loath then was there thiefs that set for to rob him▪ by the way in the wood there as he must needs go through So when be come into the wooed he bethought him that he had not said our lady saulter as he was wont to do and he kneeled down and began to say. Then come our lady like a fair maiden and set a garland on his heed. and at each ave maria. she set a rose in the garland that was so bright. that all the wood. shone thereof and when he had done he kissed the earth and went his way. Then come the thieves and took him and lad him to her master the which had seen all these doings. Then said to him. what woman was that that set the garland on the heed. and he said sire for sooth I see ne woman ne island then said the master thief. I wot well thou art a lords man and hast much good with thee: But I would fain wite what woman that it was that come to the. and why thou knelest down. And he said when I see you I was afeard. And also I bethought me that I had not said our lady falter. and kneeled down to say it praying our lady to help me at my need. Then said he. for her love go thy way and pray to her for us And so he went his way safe. and found by help and succour of our dear lady. ¶ But now ye shall here how this fest was first found: There was a king in England. that height wyllyam conqueror. he sent th'abbot off Ramsey to the king of denmark on his message. And when he come in to the see there come a tempest and a darkness that he and all that were with him wend to have be drowned. And every man prayed busily unto god & to our lady for succour and help. And other diverse saints. and this abbot pr●yed to god and to our lady full devoutly. Then come to them a fair woman and said to them. if ye will have the conception of our lady in worship: that is two. day after saint nycolas day. she will be ready to help ● succour you at this tyme. And thenne this abbot said ye with good will. & I wist what should be the service off of the fest. Then said she the same that is in my nativity. ●au● torn the nativity in to my conception and th'abbot said it should be done with full good will. Then anon the tempest ceased. and all was well. And they sailed forth. and th'abbot did his message and come again safe and sound. and sped well in every degree. and when he come home. he told the king this vision the king made him preach it in all the ream about. And thus it was allowed in all holy church.   

¶ Narracio.  
Also we find that there was a secular canon. that on a time went over a water to have do avowtry with a woman. And as he was about to begin to say our lady ma●yns. and as he was at the Inuytatory. that is ave maria. There with the fiend cast him down. and drowned him & would have had him to hell. Then come our lady and said. why hast thou take this man: the fiend said. for we find him in our service going to do avowtry. Then said our lady he was in my service. and anon restored him to life again: And bade him do no more sin and bade him hallow her conception. so he died & was a good man ever after all his life.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ Also there was a clerk that every day used to say the service of our lady Then it happened by counsel of his friends he should have a wife. & when he should been wedded. he bethought him that he had not said our lady service Then he made all the people to go out of the church while he said his service And thenne he kneeled a down and said his service. till he come to an antem of our lady. Quam pulcra es amica mea Thenne our lady appeared unto him and said. why saist thou that I am fair and honest why will thou then leave me and take another then said he unto our lady what wilt thou that I shall do Then said our lady If thou wilt leave thy fleshly wife and serve my son and me I shall be thy spouse and thou shalt have with me a crown of everlasting life in the kingdom of heaven. the which god & his blessed mother saint mary and all holy saints of heaven bring us all the dre now and evir Amen.   

Sequitur sermo brevis. de sancto thoma  
good men and women such a day ye shall have saint thomas day he was christs appostel and ye shall fast the even and do him worship specially for three causes The first is for the preving of our believe & and for great woundres in his way. and great miracles in his day This holy appostyll proved so our faith that he left no trouble For when the disciples said that our lord was risen fro death to live And they have seen him and spoke with him Thomas said he would not believe it till he had pull his hand into his side into the wound that the spear had made then viii days after when all the disciples were to giddre and thomas with them thenne our lord Jesus Christ come bodily to them and said Pay vobis. peace be with you. and than our lord said to thomas of ynde. Mitte manum tuam in latus men Put thy hand into my side in to the wound that was made with the spear that smote me to the heart. Et noli esse meredulus And be no lengre out of believe but be steadfast in the faith Thenne when Thomas had done so anon he cried and said for great wonder Dominus meus et deus meus My lord and my god I believe that thou art very god and man Then our lord said to him thus. Btin qui crediderunt & non viderunt Blessed be they that believe and see not For thou that hast seen thou believest But yet the tarrying of thomas brought us to fadder believe and to the blessing of our Jesus christ. Of this speaketh saint Gregory and saith Thomas of ynde thou haste holp more to the faith that wouldest not believe till thou hadst feeled his wounds then marry mawdeleyn that did believe. at the first sight. Minus est enim in maria magdalena que cicius credidit quam thomas qui diu dubitavit. Thus Thomas proved our faith. & believe. that we need nevir to vary ne to be in doubt. ¶ Also thomas did from death to life. & told to the king. that he had seen his pal●yse in paradise many marvels and great wonders. that were in his days.   

¶ Narracio.  
Hit happened that a king of ynde send his messenger Abbanus indy requirens artificem To seek some crafty men in to the country of cesar to seek a carpenter that could make him a palace to his pleasance Then our lord Ihu Christ met with this Abbanus. & sent with him thomas in to ynde. Also when thomas & abbanus were passed the see. they come to a city there as the kings daughter was wedded the same day. wherefore all manner of people were commanded to mete. So among all other people. thomas & abbanus come in And were set to mete. But thomas eat not for his thought was ever off god & had no lust to eat then come a boteler to thomas & smote thomas on the cheek. and bad him eat then said thomas to him: Non hunc surgam donec manus que me percussit a canibus aufertur. I shall not rise from this place till the hand that smote me be brought with a dog. Then anon after the boteler went after water: and a lion met with him and slew him & drank his blood and eat of his body. and then come a black dog & caught that hand that smote thomas. and brought it in to the hall in the sight of all the people. & laid it down before thomas. Then was there a woman that understood thomas words. & anon aneled dow●ne to thomas: and cried and said tho● art god. or else one of his disciples. For right as thou wilt so it is. Thenne the king prayed to thomas to bless his daughter and her husband. thenne thomas was glad thereof. ¶ Cepit ergo predicare beatus Thomas. Therefore the blessed thomas began to preach. and told them of our lord Jesus christ that he turned the man that was wedded the same day from his wife a none. and made him bishop of the same Cite & his wife anon and they were martyrs after for christ's sake.  
Thenne went thomas forth in to ind. to the king to make him a palace to his pleasance. So when Thomas was come to the king. he was glad.  
¶ And delivered thomas a great sum of gold to make a palace with Then road the king forth in the mean tyme. And when thomas should have made this palace. him thought it was better to make a palace in heaven than in earth. and dealed his gold among power people and converted them to the faith. Then come the king home and went that his palace had be ready And when he heard how Thomas and abbanus had done. he would have put them to death. But it happened that his own brother was deed the same time. ¶ And therefore he put them both in to prison in to the time that he had buried his brother. ¶ Thenne as god would when his brother had lay long deed. he rose that Thomas had made for him and prayed the king that he might have it. and he would give him as much gold as he took thomas Thenne the king took his counsel and said nay I will have it myself. let him make the another for his brother had seen the paleyce in paradise made with gold and arrayed with precious stones. and cloth of gold. ¶ Thenne the king took christendom and many a thousand with him. and when the bishop saw that the king and so much other people forsook her laws. and turned to Christendom they were sore wroth with thomas the one of them said he would venge his god. and with a spear smote thomas thorough the body and slew him. Then christian people buried him in a tomb of Crystal. And there god wrought many miracles for him For the hand that was in Crystis side would never come in to the tomb. but ever lay without: Also in his preaching and teaching he taught 
Duodecim gradus virtutum assignare. Primus est ut in deum crederent qui est unus in essencia et trinus in personis Dedit eis triplex exemplum sensibile quomodo sint in dividenci a una tres person. Primum est quia unum est in homine sapiencia et de una procedit intellectus. Memoria et in genium memoria est ut non obliviscaris intellectum. ut intelligas que ostendi possunt veldoceri. ingenium est ut quod didiceris invenias. Secundum est quia in una vinea tria sunt lignum folium et fructus. Et hec omnia tria sunt vinea. Tercium est quia capud nostrum e● quatuor sensibus constat. In uno autem capite sunt. Visus. auditus. Adoratus. et gustus.  
Et hec plura sunt et tamen unum capud.  
Secundus gradus est ut baptismum suscipiat.  
Tercius gradus est. ut a fornication abstineat.  
Quartus ut se ab avaricia temperet.  
Quintus ut gulam distringeret Sextus ut penitenciam teneret Septius ut in hiis perseverarent. Octauus ut hospitalitatem a marent. Nonus ut voluntatem dei requirant: Decimus est ut facienda quererent. Vndecimus ut caritatem amicis et mimicis impenderent. Duodecimus est ut custodiant ●iis vigilem curam exhiberent. Item appostolus Omnes qui oderant deum de tribus breviter instruxit scilicet ut ecclesiam diligerent. Sacerdotes honorarent Er assidue ad verbum dei convenirent.  Also there been many merueyles & wondered things done on this day for on that day all the country cometh thither to take pardonoff that hand. that lieth  
¶ out of the Tomb in their use▪ the bishop of the cite that goth to mass. And when he hath said Confiteor. then he taketh a brance of vine & putteth it in to thomas hand that is out of the tomb. and then he gooth forth to mass. and the brenche burgeneth out grapes. and by that time that the gospel be said the grapes been ripe. then the bishop taketh the grapes and wringeth the wine in the chalyce. and so singeth with the same wine and houseleth the people. And when any man or woman cometh that is not worthy to receive this housel. anon the hand closeth to guider and will not open till he be shriven: and thenne it will open Also if any people be in debate they shall be brought to thomas tomb. and there the cause shall be rehearsed. then will the hand torn to him that is in the right. and so they be made at one. Thus thomas proveth our believe. and died many wonders in his days.. ¶ Also johan gris●stomus saith. that Thomas come in to the country there as the three kings of coleyn were: and thomas christened them. For they had worship god in his birth. And therefore Thomas come to them: And taught them the faith & the believe of christ. to that believe that we may be saved god bring us all.   

¶ De Nativitate dni nostri Ihesu cristi  
GOod men and women as ye here and see all holy church maketh mind and mention of the great mirth and melody of the blessed birth of our lord Ihesu Christ. very god and man. that was this day borne of his mother marry in succour off all mankind. but in especial form causes. First to give peace to man off good will and to light 'em that were dark in sin. And for to draw v● with love to him. then as to the first cause. he was borne to give men peace of good will I may well prove this for when he was borne angels song thus. Gloria in excelsis deo. joy be to god in heaven & peace in earth to mankind of good will. At mydnyghte our lord was borne. for by kind all thing was in peace and rest. in showing that he was. and is Princeps pacis. Prince of peace: & come to make peace betwixt god and man. and between the angel and man. and betwixt man and man. And for to be true mediator betwixt god and man He took nature and kind of both. And was both very god and man & by his mediation. he knit the love of god to man. So sadly that the father of heaven spared not him that is his own son. But send him in to this world. to buy mankind with his precious blood through his great meekness to joy of paradise. that man had lost by covetise of unbuxsumnesse. Thus he made peace betwixt god and man: and man and man. For when angels saw her master wroth with man for his unbuxsumnesse. For it is a sin that angels haten greatly Therefore they kept the gates of paradise. and would let no soul come in. till they saw her lord borne of mankind. ¶ Thenne anon for love of our lord thangellis died mankind worship & spoke goodly to mankind. as to the shepherds that kepten her sheep in the country by They bad 'em go to the cite of Bethlem. and there they should find a child borne and laid in a ●ratche. & bad hem do him worship and so they dieden. and ever sin angels have been friendly to man and lowly. & have done reverence to mankind. for th'incarnation of our lord Ihesu christ Thus he made peace between angels and man. Also he made peace between man and man for against the time that our lord would be borne. he made so great peace. that in all the world there as kingdoms and countries were in debate. and warred each with other. Unto the time of our lords birth. Then there was so great peace. that a man that was called Octavian Emperor of Rome and he had the governance of the world. For all the world was subject to Rome. and it dured thirty. year in so much that there was a mandment sent out from Rome in to all the world commanding that all manner of people should go to the Cite that he drew lineage of. and lay a penny upon his heed. and so offer it up in knowleching. that he was subget●● to the emperor of Rome. then must joseph our ladies husbounde nedis go to the Cite of bethlem for to offer with other people. But for he had no money to offer: he took an ox with him to sell at the Cite to make money to do his duty with But for he durst not leave our lady behind him for she was nigh her time: and therefore he set her upon an ass and took her with him. And so when they come to the Cite of Bethlem. it was so full of people. so that joseph and our lady might have no lodging. but turned in to a cabon that was made betwixt two houses. there as the people of the country set her horses and their asses. and other bestis when they come in to the town to the marked. & so there they fond a cratch with hay. And there set thoy and thass thereto. and so there they tarried all that night And when it was a lytill before midnight. our lady bad joseph go in to the town. and look for her a midwife For the time was come she should be delivered. & so while joseph was in the town for the midwife our lady was delivered. and she lapped her son in clothes and laid it in the crache before the axe and thass. & anon they knew her lord and fill down on her knees and worshipped him. and eat no more of the hay: Then anon after come joseph with two mydwyfes' zebell and salome: and zebel fond that our lady was clean maiden. and cried and said. Virgo peperit filium A maiden hath borne a child▪ thenne salome would not believe it. But anon went to our Lady and bustously handled our lady. Probare vellet. And would prove it and even therewith her hands dried up.  
¶ then come an angel to her and bade her that she should go and touch the child. and so she died. and anon she was hole. Then went joseph and died his offering with other people and kept our lady in the same cabon while she was in child bed. Thus ye may understand that christ giveth peace to all people that be of good will. and calleth them his children. And in verefyeng of this. the first mass that is song that day. Is song soon after midnight and beginneth thus. Dominus dixit ad me filius meus est tu ego hody genuite. ¶ Our lord saith to me thou art my son Our Lord called him his son and his child. that loveth him in res●● and in peace: And when he departeth out of this world he will bring him to everlasting rest and peace And he that will not have here no rest nor peace. shalt go to everlasting pain▪ there as is never rest nor peace. nor never shall be. but everlasting woe. ¶ Thus he giveth peace to men of good will. He lighteneth them that liketh him. here by good men. ye shall understand. that christ healed not only them that were blind in the soul and cumbered with darkness of sinful living. ¶ For as saint Austyn saith. when our lord should be borne the world was full of darkness and specially of sin of lechery. and off the sin against kind. In so much that he had almost left to have be borne of mankind. wherefore all those that dieden sin against kind that time they died suddenly through out all the world. in shewing. how horrible and abominable that sin is in the sight of almighty god. Then looked they full dark in sin that had their thoughts all way in sy●●● and evil living. and had full great need for to be lightened. wherefore christ was borne at mydnighte And turned the darkness of the night in to the day light. and lightened all them that ever were covered. and cumbered with darkness of sin: Also the same time that our lord was borne as many doctors say. Crist appeared in a bright star. to the kings of theft. and bad them go to bethleem. and worship a little child that should be king of jews that was there new borne. and so they died. And ever the star showing before them till they come thither. Thus he lighteneth them that before were full dark in sin: ¶ For these kings were paynims before and believed in mammetry and in false God's. And after they believed in christ & were holy livers·s and now been at Coleyne. Thus the birth of Our Lord Ihesu christ. made many a man look full bright. that to fore were full dark in sin. For he is full dark in his soul: that ever setteth his heart. mind and thought in the prosperity worship and welfare of this world. and that maketh them blind that they have no grace of ghostly sight. but be made blind with worldly covetise. And so get their good. and have no desire to the richesse of heaven. ne to see the light that is there. For such things as man's heart is most on. that he maketh his god. For to destroy all such mammetry of sin. Our lord was borne. then king Herod pursued our lord: and would have slain him Thenne his 〈…〉 in to 〈…〉 joseph and ●●●de thus. Accipe p●●ium et matrem eius e● f●●ge in egiptum. Take the child and his mother and flee into egypt And assoon as he come thither all the mawmentes that were in the land fell down to the ground doing to understand that he was come in to the world that should cast down. the mawmentry of all manner synnet and evil leaving Pride covetise and all manner falsehood that is used now a days And therefore take heed how the lord that made all thing of nought and is lord of all lords where he was borne in a poor place and in a poor array and of a poor maiden giving ensample to all christian people to set nought by the worship richesse and vanity of this world▪ For have a man nevir so great worship, and nevir so much richesses yet he leaveth it here And shall ber no more with him but his good deeds Thus our lord showed many things in his birth And lightened many one that here before were full blind In tokening hereof the second mass this day is said in the dawning. when the night and the day departeth the which beginneth thus. Lux fulgebit. That is thus mooche to say Light shall shine to day upon us For the father of heaven sendythe the grace of the ghostly light to all christian people that believe truly that o●re lord was borne very god and man▪ of his mother mary very mother & may●en Thus they that believe truly in o●●e lord Jesus Christ and in his mother mary se●● f●●● little by the vanity of this world. but 〈◊〉 all their hope and auf in Christ 〈…〉 of our lord Jesus christ leaded many one▪ that before ●●●●ed full if Also he drew us to him with love. For children draw to them that make moche on them & play with them Thus our lord jesus christ was borne a child the fairest that evir was borne. to draw man's love to him For while a child is young and without sin he is more amiable and more loving than when he is at man's age and is passed innocency with doing Sithen the love is not only for his beauty but for the cleanness of his soul and also for the goodness Each man is bound. for to draw to him and to do him worship as did Delavyan the Emperor of Rome that pleased so much his people of his empire of Rome that they would have worshipped him as for their god But the Emporoure was wise and wist well that he was but a man as another was. and durst not take that upon him but anon he sent after Sybyll the sage. and asked her whedyr should after him any be borne that should be greater than he then at midday Sybyll looked on the son and there she saw a circle of gold about the son. Et in medio circu●● virgo pulcerima. And in the mids of the circle a fair maiden and a child in her a●●e with a crown of gold. ¶ And when Syble had showed this to the Emperor she said 〈◊〉 him▪ This child shallbe greater than thou art or evir were or evir shallbe And therefore do him worship and reverence Thenne anon the emperor took incense and did worship to him. and charged all the people to do the same and to call the child their god and him but a man as other were Thus all christian people may learn to do worship and survive to this child this day And therefore the third mass this day is said at midday in tokening that christian people should come & offer in the worship of this child and his mother and show him servant and subject to him and knowledge this child for their lord and god And each man should come to him for love and not for dread And therefore the office of the mass this day beginneth thus Puer natus est nobis. A child is borne to us he saith & not a man for all christian people should be bold and not afeard to come to him to have grace for he is full of grace and ready to give mercy to them that asketh it meekly with due reverence he is evyr ready to give mercy and grace In tokening that same day that christ was borne in Bethlem a well of water in Rome turned and ran oil all that day showing that the well of grace and mercy was borne that day that should give mercy and grace to all them that would come to him and ask mercy and grace and that ye shall here by ensample.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ we read of a woman that was defoiled in lechery and almost fill in despair or dread for when she bethought hereof the streitnesse of Christ's doom & great pains of hell that were ordained for such sinners as she. was sore afeard. and bethought her of Christ's passion▪ what love he showed to all christian people she thought she was unkind to him and he suffered so sore for her And thenne she bethought her how children be they nevir so wroth and show nevyr so great vengeance how lightly they will seize and forgive wherefore this woman cried to christ praying him for his childhood to forgive her and to have mercy on her. and anon she heard a voice on high in the air and said. thy trespass is forgiven the   

Sequitur brevis sermo/ de sancto stephano.  
good men and women such a day ye shall have a high & a holy feast in the church. of saint stevyn the martyr that suffered for god's sake after Christ's ascension then for to stir your devotion the more to this holy martyr I will tell you somewhat what that he suffered for Christ's sake as the book of appostels telleth. Post ascensionem domini. etc. After the ascension of our lord. that he was stied up into heaven. the appostels' labour was all to preach and to teach the word of god to christian people And for because they were to few. to serve the people that come. there come so many to torn to the faith Therefore they chose vi. holy men & good livers. for to help them in god's service of the which saint Stevyn was one of them And the first and the wisest. And was so full of grace and might of the holy ghost that he did many miracles and marvelous among the people But though a man be nevir so holy yet he shall have enemies. wherefore of diverse countries that had en●te to Stevyn and come against him & disputed with him for to have overcome him with disputation And for they might not they brought false witness against him and put him to death But when saint stevyn saw. and knew their malice anon he thought to seize them by one of these three ways Other by shaming in disputation. or by dread of revelation. or by prayer of holy orysones But first he said by shaminge in disputation For when they begun to dispute with him he was full of the holy ghost that they had no power. ne no might for to gain say him. and so he ovircome them in all their matters. and proved all their matter false that they said against And therefore he said he was ready to take the death in verifyenge of all that he said And so put them that were great clerks and knew the law and the prophecy to shame. & villainy But yet they would not believe but alway ayenstode him. But he was so full of the holy ghost. that he proved that he said by great reason and truth. yet would they not believe it. for all that the holy ghost spoke in him And yet for all that would they not believe in their conscience that they did amiss And there as they saw the commyte turn to the faith for words & miracles that god showed in their sight. yet they ayenstode him & set gods mir●●●es at nought by malice and enuyte of their cursed hearts and by none other reason of scripture And so they fretted their hearts within himself. and gruched with their teeth for anger and thought how they might overcome him with disputation Then they sought if they might have take him. with some word of christs death where by they might have made them a cause to have put him to death Then saint Stevyn knew their malice and lift up his eyn unto heaven. Et vidit celos apertos. And saw heaven open. and our lord jesus christ sitting on his faders right hand ready to help him And therewith his face shone as bright as it had be an angel of heaven But when they heard him speak then were they fain and stopped their cries as though they had heard him speak false sclaundri●ge words of god And so anon drew him out of the city to stone him to death▪ as for a disclaundre● Than they took two young men that could best cast stones And took of his clothes and laid him at the feet of a youngman that hight Saul and after was saint paul when saint. Stevyn saw that he might not seize their malice by revelation showing he turned to devout orisones praying. and yet it would not be And then they cast stones at him and smote out his brain And then he cried to god and said. Domine Jesus suscipe spm̄ meum. O thou lord take my spirit. For he would pray more devoutly for his ennymes than for himself. He kneeled down to the ground and s●yd. Pater ignosce illis quia nesciunt quid faciunt. father forgive them for they wot not what they do. and anon he slept in god. Now take heed what brenning love he had in his heart to god that prayed more devoutly for his enemies than for himself. In this he gave ensample to all christian people. to be in charity each one with other. and to pray for his enemies and them that pursued him and did him disease. Vinuersa delcā cooperit caritas charity hideth every trespass. For he that prayeth for his enemies that marrieth him with any disease and suffereth patiently is a martyr before god For there is three manner of martyrdoms The first is by passion and will thereto. by will without passion. by passion without will. The first is showed by saint Stevyn. that is set next the birth of Criste. for he suffered passion and had will thereto Saint john evangelist he had will but no passion The innocentes they sufred passion but no will thereto but against will. ¶ Thus may a man. be a martyr though he shed natt his blood. that is when he suffereth great wrong of cursed people and thanketh god thereof. and taketh it with good will and prayeth for his enemies devoutly in clean charity ¶ Now take heed and ye shall see how these. three were in perfit love and charity. saint stevyn when he should die. he kneeled down and prayed for his enemies Saint johan when he went toward his end he said oft to them that lad him. Children love to gyddre for charity is enough to your salvation ¶ The Innocentes for they were so young that they could not speak. yet they showed love by sign For they did laugh and play with their hands. when they saw the knights come with their bright swords: to slay them: then for saint stevyn was so glorious a martyr. god showed many fair miracles for him.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ There was an honest man that had six sons and three daughters. But in miss hap upon a day. all they wratched the mother at once And in anger she cursed them all at ones & anon there fill great vengeance upon them For there come such a sickness upon their privy members that they were so sore gnawn that they might no where abide for woe. But walked up and down in the country like mased beasts that all the people that saw them had great pity on them. ¶ Then it happened so. that one of the brethren that hight poule & a sister that hight pallida came into the church of saint Stevyn and there they heard Pearl tell how devoutly saint Stevyn prayed for his enemies that martyred him anon they kneeled down & prayed to saint Stevyn to pray to god for them & they would be his true servants and kneeled down in the church & prayed saint Steven heartily of his help And anon they fill a sleep. in sight of all the people and so were hole. And anon went after all the other brethren and susterne and they were helped all in the same wise.   

¶ Narracio.  
Another miracle saint austyne telleth how there was a senator of Rome that went to jerusalem. and there he made a fair chapel of saint Stevyn and there he died and was buried in the same chapel Then long after. his wife would home into her country and would fain have had her husbands bones with her▪ into her own country. and prayed the bishop that she might have them Then the bishop brought saint Steven'S bonies. & her husbands bones to her and said I know not thy husbands fro saint stevynes. Then she said I know my husbands bones well enough. and took saint Stevyns' bones in stead of her husbands then when she come fer in the see. angels song with great melody in the air and there was a passing sweet savour that came out fro the bones that passed any spicery in the world. And anon they heard fiends cry in the air and said. woe. wo. is us for stevyn betyth us and brennethe us bitterly and therewith raised a great tempest that the shipmen went for to have be drowned for great fere cried to saint Stephen and anon the tepeste seized then the people heard the fendys' cry thus Thou cursed prince or master thou nor we may do no thing for this ship. For Stevyn our adversary is therein Thenne the prince of fiend's send five fiends for to bren the ship But then gods angel was ready & drove the fiend's in to the ground of the see And when they come to the land with the ship fiends cried and said God's servant cometh that was stonyd to death with jews And then in worship of saint stevyn the people made a church and laid his bones therein where god wroghte many a fair miracle for him.   

De scon johann evangelista.  
good friends such a day ye shall have an high feast in holy church the feast of saint john evangelist the which was gods own darling. ¶ Wherefore all holy church maketh mind and mention of the specialty that our lord gave to him afore any other of his disciples our lord gave him grace to keep his virginity and of keeping of his mother. and our lord. showed him his privity He gave him grace to keep his virginity that is maidenhead For this story telleth & the people have opinion. ¶ When john should wed Mary mawdeleyn. christ called him and he come and showed him and john left the worlds vanity and sued our lord and so kept himself clean maiden till he passed out off this world. In praying of this. when dou●ycian th'emperor of Rome heard the people tell that johan preached in a conteey that was called Asia. And there johan made to build many churches. and when the emperor heard that he sent after johan and made him be put in a brazen ton full of sethinge oil. And when johan had long sod●n therein that all the people went that he had be all to sudden and deed. then th'emperor bade open the ton●● and when the ton was open Io●●n come ●ute of the ton. and as he was clean of all sin. So was he ●le●e of all brenning or harm in all ●●aityes of his body. Another hard ●●urmente he had on a day. johan sa●● a Temple of jews. and was full of mammetry And then he prayedst prayedst god to destroy it. & anon therewith it fell down to the ground. all to powder. wherefore Aristodimus the bishop of the temple was so wroth that he put johan in to prison. Then said johan yet wilt thou that I shall make the believe in Ihesu christ: Then said Aristodimus. I will make venom and make two men to drink it before the. And when thou seest 'em deed. drink thou there of without harm & than will I believe on thy god then said johan go and do as thou sayest then ordained the bishop poison. and set two men out of prison. that were damned. to drink of the poison and anon they were deed then said johan. if thou give me venom to drink I shall call to my god. And then johan took the poison and blessed it. & drank there of. And he was never the worse but rather seemed the better & the fayrrer. For as he was clean from sin. so was he clean from all grievance of the poysoun. yet said the bishop he would not believe unto the time he see these two men arreared from death to life that were deed Then johan cast of his cote & said. Vade et mitte hanc tunicam super corpora defunctorum. Go and lay this cote upon the deed bodies. and say thus. The apostle of Ihesu Christ sent me to you. and bad that ye should arise up in God's name. And anon they rose to life again. then the bishop with many other turned and believe in Jesus Christ. and johan christened them. And after the bishop was a full holy man Thus johan had grace to keep him clean both in body and in soul. And thus he was a martyr to fore god: In wythstonding of sin And also he was the keeper of the mother of god. For our lord Ihesu saw the great cleanness that was in johan before all other. when Our Lord should die: he said to johan. Ecce matter tua. See thy mother. and betook johan the keeping of his mother. And our Lord said to his mother. Ecce filius tuus. ¶ See thy son. And so by took either other: And when our lord was deed and laid in his tomb. johan took our lady home with him in to his house. and kept her till our lord Isun christ was risen from death to life again And when our lord was stied up into heaven he kept our lady in the same chamber while she lived. Thus he had geace of keeping of gods mother Also he had grace of knowing of christs privity. For this was first. when our lord sat at his souper. on sherethursday for great love that john had unto our lord Jesus christ. he laid his heed to Christ's breast And in the same wise as a man layeth his body down to a well and dryngeth his body full of water Right so john drank his soul full of ghostly wisdom at Christ's breast. and at the same time our lord showed him all his privity before all other And for he was old & would not leave to preach the word of god. The emperor exiled john himself alone into the isle of Patchemose And there god showed him the apocalipes of the world and of the day of doom. And as he saw it he wrote it in great infourmation of holy church But after when the Emperor was deed. john was called again to the city of Ephesee for there he was bishop and he come thither And there was a widow that hight Drusiana was deed & laid on a bear Then john saw much people weep for her and then he said Drusiana arise up and make me some meet and anon she rose and went forth as she had risen fro sleep   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ It happened on a time▪ there were two. youngmen by preaching of john. they sold all the good that they had and went forth with john For they were rich men Thenne on a day as they come to the city of pargame they that were their servants a little tofore were well arrayed and were rich men & they were poor men Thenne by temptation of the fiend. they forthoughte all their purpose and were sorry that they had lost their goods So anon by revelation of god john knew her purpose and their hearts And said he saw that the fend tempted you and maketh you to forthynke all your purpose▪ that ye were in to serve god But go ye to the wood and bring either of you a burden of small yards: and so they dy●▪  
then through the prayer of I●●n god turned the yards into gold And then said john to them thus Now take ye this gold and be as rich as ye were tofore. and know well that ye have lost the kingdom of heaven. Then happened it that there was a man deed the same. time & his mother saw john and anon fell down on her knees and prayed him that he would raise her son to life as he did the widow. Druciana Then prayed john to god and this deed man rose again to live. Then said he to him I bid the tell these two men what thou haste see● & what joy was ordained for them▪ & how they have lost it And then the man told of the joy of paradise. and of the pains of purgatory and of hell how strong. and how horrible. they were. And how glorious the place was ordained for them And  
¶ how sorry their good angels were. for they had lost the glorious bliss of heaven: and how much joy the fiends made of the turning of them. And thenne the same men were sorry & cried to johan. and prayed him to pray to god for 'em. and wept sore. & johan saw 'em weep he prayed to god for 'em. And gave 'em penance. And when he had done so. anon the gold turned in to yerdis again. & after they were holy men.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ Another holy revelation johan had showed by the privity of god. It happened on a day he saw a child. that was ●●ke to have be a man: wherefore johan brought him to a bishop. & bade him keep the child & teach him. For in time ●●●yng. he shall be a man. & so this bishop kept him. And when he come 〈◊〉 man's state he gave him all to fo●● & fell in company of thieves. And in a while after. he was a master belief and the leader of them. then by revelation of god. johan knew all this well enough. & come to the bishop. & asketh him where this child was. and the bishop told him. than johan blamed him & said that he had misgoverned the child. then johan was old & might not well go. he took an horse and road the●e as the thieves were. and when the thief saw johan. Anon he fled a way. then johan road after hym· and cried and said. Quid fugis o fili mi/ My son why fleest thou thy father. abide my deer son and speak with me thy father that is old. & may not well go and then at the last this man abode. then johan preached so that he left his folly. and after was so holy a man that he was a bishop Thus had johan revelation of God's privity.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ It is written in the life of saint Edward the confessor that lieth at west minster. the saint johan the evaagelist appeared to saint Edward as he went a procession at the hallowing of a church. saint johan appeared to him in likeness of a palmer. & prayed the king of good for saint johannis love the evangelist. for the king loved saint johan well. but it happened that the king had no thing ready there. but as he took a ring of his finger and gave him. & so saint johan had the ring seven. years after and then saint johan appeared to two knights that were beyond the see towards Iherusalem and asked them how the king fared. and bad great him well on this token. and took him the ring and ask the king for whose love he gave the ring a way: and bid him make him ready. For he shall die soon and so he died.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ Another fair revelation. he had when he was cx. winter old and seven then our lord come to him with his disciples and said thus. Veni dilect mi quia tempus est ut in mea mensa cum fratribus tuis epularis. Come well-beloved derlinge for now is it time that thou come & eat with thy brethren at my board or in my feast: ¶ Thenne johan rose up anon and would have gone forth with him. thenne said our lord to him up on sunday Thou shalt be with me. then by sunday he was passing feeble. Die dominica convenit ad johannem universa multitudo populi. So on the sunday. there come to johan a great multitude of people. and then johan made 'em to lead him to the church. and as he might speak he said to hem that led 'em thus. In fide sitis stabiles et in man datis dei feruentes Be ye stable and sad in the faith. & fervent in the commandments off god. Then said one of them why say ye thus oft to us. Then said he. if ye love to guider. and be in parfyghte charity. and stead fast in the faiths it is enough. to salvation. and therefore be ye stable in the faith and fervent in the commandments of god. And then he commanded to make him a grave be fore the altar. And when it was made he went in to it. and thenne come such a light about him a great while. that no man might see him: And when this light was gone. the grave was full of manna. and welled up. as doth sand in the water And thus he departed out of this world in to the bliss of heaven. that never shall have end. To that bliss bring us all to he that died on the road tree for all mankind. Amen.   

¶ Sanctorum Innocencium.  
GOod friends such a day is called Innocentes day some people call it childermas day for children were slain that day for Christ's sake. they be called innocentes that is to say without sin. for they died no sin. for god is ever greatly grieved with sin. and in especial with proud people. against her neyghbour● doing 'em wrong: these innocentes died never sin ne consenting to sin: wherefore I may well say that they lived here without shame. and died without blame. and were crystened in her own blood at home and some in her moders arms Holy church as this day singeth and readeth in the worship of these innocentes for they were with in two year of age. And therefore they were not ashamed of her own sha●● For they were not defouled with no manner spot of sin but the sin that they had of the drawte of kind of our father adam and eve. For adam ● eve ware in the same wise in paradise in the state of innocency. For they were naked. but they were not a shamed of her shape all the while they were without sin but when they had sinned they saw her own shape and were a shamed thereof. & covered her shap with levys of fig tree: Right so when sin beginneth to take ●o●e in a child. then innocency goth away fro him. for he knoweth good from ●●le. and ill from good. and leaveth the good and doth the evil. Then he sinneth and then he is not innocent no longer. For then grieveth he god. But these children lived not so long to know that one from that other but were slay within age of innocency. wherefore they lived her life without shame and blame. For king Herod the king of jews made to slay 'em without gift. For when the three kings come to king Herod and said to him. Vbi est qui natus est rex judeorum ¶ where is he that is borne king of jews. and bade him tell them. for they were come to worship him far out the est. Then was king Herod soul astonied of her words. and asked his clerks where this child should be borne. and they said in bethelem iude. And then king Herod told 'em so and bad hem go thither and worship him: and come again by me that I may go and worship him also. and so the kings went thither and worshipped christ. and when they had done her offryngiss to christ: Per aliam viam reversi sunt in regionem suam. By another way they turned home again. For the angel bade 'em do so in her sleep. Then was king Herod wonder wroth. And anon ordained to slay christ. and when he had made all ready thereto. it happened so that the Emperor of rome sent after him for to come to him in all the haste that he might. For two of his own sons had accused him to the emperor of treason  
Then Herod left all his purpose of christ. as at that tyme. and road to rome. and had the better of his sons. And come home again with more worship than he had tofore But yet always he thought to slay Criste. lest christ had come to man's estate. and would have put him out of his kingdom: Then sent he anon and bad hem slay of the children that were in bethelem and in all the country about. that were with in two years of age. and that were born the same day and so they died. For king Herod was going and coming. and so tarrying two years. & therefore he made slay all that ever were within two year of age: And for he was so vengeable. in party it fell on himself. For a child of his own was slain among other the same tyme. But there come an angel to joseph. and said to him. Accipe puerum et matrem eius et fuge in egiptum. Take the child & his mother & flee in to egypt. and be there and so he died. Thus innocentes were slain without blame. and they were not shamed off their own shape. and they were christened at home in their own blood. and not in no font. Therefore ye shall understand that there is three manner off crystening. One is in water. as we be christened in the font. Another is as these children were christened in her own blood. and a thousand martyrs more that shed her blood for christ's sake. The third christening is in the faith In the which all patriarchs and prophets and other holy faders. that were before the Incarnation of our lord Ihesu christ that believed verily in the coming of cryst·s they were crystened in the faith. Thus ye may see what enmity the tyrant king Herod had to shed so many children's blood for Christ's sake. that trespassed not to him nor to none other. There wept many a mode● for their he had to Thomas And also to se● the array and also the Reuy●● that was in Thomas household▪ for there spoke so moche people worship by Thomas And for more truer and also better love that then was between the king and Thomas. while it last. was nevir between two men wherefore I put this ensample It happened that it fill in a cold winter as the king & Thomas come riding to gydder in cheap side at London The king was ware of a pour man that was well near naked and had no clothes and was sore a cold. Then said the king to Thomas It were a great alms deed. to give to this poor man better clothes Sir said Thomas of such ye should take heed Then had thomas a cloak of good scarlet. and well furred with rich fur Thenne the king laid hand on his cloak And would have pulled it from Thomas for to have give to this poor man But Thomas held it fast And thus they wrestled long In so much that they were like. to fall to the ground But at the last by favour thomas suffered the king. to take his cloak of. And thenne the king cast it. to the poor man And bad him run away fast and sell it and buy him other And if thou beset it well. thou mayst far the better. evir while thou levyst Thenne Thomas feigned himself wroth. But in his heart he was well pleased that his rob was so we'll beset then the people marveled greatly first what was between the king thomas. when they saw what it menyd the people were glade and had great spot thereof. ¶ This I say to show you ensample how well they loved to giddre Thus thomas served the king manfully Also we must learn of our old patron saint Thomas to serve god devoutly. For he served god full devotly. for assoon as he was made Arshcbisshop of counterbury anon he turned his living into better living. and thought to serve the king of heaven aswell as he had the king of this world before Then anon he laid away scarlet and rich furs And wearied cloth of middle price & cast away silk and sandyll and weryd ●ere next his body that was right hard and a breach of the same in which was so moche vermyn that it was an horrible sight to see. but this knew but few people Also every wenesday and friday he made his confessor to beat him with a rod upon the ba●e body like as a child is beat in the school Also he wassed every day three poor men's feet kneeling on the ground And then he gave each of them four pen● And also much more penance he used in praying and waking that were to much to tell at this time ¶ then when thomas was in the Abbey of Pountnaye upon a day when he had said mass he kneeled down before the altar in his prayers Thenne the abot of the same place. had to speak with him And stood under a pylar and abode Thomas. & he saw how our lord jesus christ appeared to thomas and told him how he should be slain in Counterbury in his own church for his sake And bade him be steadfast and hold as he began Then come thomas out of his chapel. and anon the abbot fy●● down to the ground and said. S●re ye may bless the time and the our that evir ye were borne. & also blessed might she be that evir did bear you for to have such a visitation as I have herd you have. Then said Thomas I charge the that thou nevir tell it to no man while I am a live. no more he did. But w●●●ne thomas was deed he told it openly to all the people  
Thus I may well say that thomas served god devoutly. Also he died for the law of holy church mekly. For when he saw the king ●gyn to make laws to ●uirsette holy church and such laws as would have destroyed the land then thomas put himself forth. And reproved the king of his misdedys' then was the king wroth and made a parliament at northampton And for he would not set his scall to the cursed laws that the king and his sorry counsel had ordained and made Anon they called him a traitor to the king and exiled him out of the land: ¶ Thenne thomas went the to king of France for succour and help. and full goodly and meekly he received him and all his clerks. and fond them almost six years. all that they behooved then great disease and grievance Thomas had of the king of england and all he suffered meekly. ¶ Thenne by treatise: and counsel of the Pope. and of the king of France. there was maked a faint love day between the king & thomas. But when the king should have kissed thomas. he would not For he said he had made his oath he would nevir kiss him. But bad him go home to his church boldly then by counsel of the king of France. and bidding of the pope Thomas come home to Caunterbury. Then were there four cursed knights of living that thought to have a great thank of the king and made their avow to gyddre to slay thomas And so on childermas day almost all the night they went to come to Caunterbury And come in to thomas hall. Sire raynold Beriston Sir William Tracy Sir Richard Breton. and sir Hugh morley Tthenne Sir raynold Beriston for he was best of kind anon he said to thomas The king that is beyond the see sent us to the. and bad that thou should assoil the bishop. that thou cursedyste Thenne said thomas They be not accursed by me but by the pope. and I may not assoil yt. he hath accursed. we'll said raynold. then we see thou wilt not do the kings biding and sworn a great oath By the eyn of god thou shalt be deed Then cried the other knights Slay. slay. And they went down to the court and armed them then priests and clerks drew them to the church to thomas and spared the doors to them But when thomas heard the knights armed. and would come into the church and might not he went to the door and unbaryd it and took one of the knights by the hand and said It beseemeth not to make a castle of holy church and took them by the hands and said. Come in my children in god's name Then for it was dark that they might not see nor know Thomas they said. where is the tratoure Nay said thomas. no traitor but arsshebissop. then one said Flee for thou art deed Thenne said Thomas I come not to flee butt to abide Ego pro deo mori paratus sum. et pro defension justice/ et ecclesie liberate. I am ready to die for the love of god & for the right of holy church Thenne raynold with his sword point put of thomas cap and smote at his heed & cut of his crown that it hinge buy like a dish Then smote another at him and smote it all of. then fill he down to the ground on his knees. and elbows and said God in to thy hands I put my cause and the right of holy church and so died. thenthe third knight smote and half his stroke fill upon his clerks arm that held thomas cross bifore him and so the sword fill down to the ground. and broke of the point and he said go we hens he is deed And when they were at the door going out. Roberte Broke went again and set his foot to Thomas neck and thrust out the brain upon the pavement Thus for the right of holy church and the law of the land thomas took his death.  
¶ Then how this martyrdom: was known in jerusalem▪ ye shall here There was an abbey of Monks in the which that same day and 〈◊〉 me time that thomas died. A monk lay at the death then for he was a good holy man of living his abbot bad him If it were not to god's displeasure when he were deed he should come again and tell him how he feared. and so when he was deed he come again and told his abbot when he died an angel brought him before god. and as he stood there▪ he saw a bishop come with a great come any of angels and other saints. And he stood before god at his judgement and his heed dropped down of blood of wounds that he had Then said our lord to him▪ thus it besemy●h a man to come to his lords court. And anon our lord set a crown on his heed and said thus to him asmuch as I have give to Petyr and Poule so much joy I grant the. and the monk said Hereby I know well. that this is the greatest bishop in England▪ and is slain for god's sake And we●e ●e well that I go to everlasting bl●s●e This told the patriarch of Jerusalem sone after that thomas dyede▪ there came into England after people to fight again the heathen men.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ Also there was a bird that was taught to speak and could say saint thomas as she heard other pilgrims speak moche of saint thomas And it happened on a time this bird sat without his cage and there came a sparhawke. and would have slain him. and anon the bird cried on saint Thomas help. anon the sparhauke fell down deed Then saint thomas of his great gra●e and goodness heard the bird & witted not what she meant Moche more he would have herd a christian man or a christian woman that cried heartily to him for help and succour.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ Also we read. there was a man that thomas loved passing well in his live And it fill so that this man fell▪ seek on a time and come to saint thomas ●ombe praying him of succour and help. and anon he was hole But after. ●e bethought him that his sickness was increasing to his soul's health and so went again praying thomas that if it were more meed to his soul to be seek than hole that he might be seek again so he was & thanked god & saint thomas Then when the king heard how god wrought so many miracles for saint Thomas he went to Caunterbury barefoot and wolwarde and almost naked save a feeble cote to bind his body in going in the fen and in the lake as he had been a poor man in this land praying to saint Thomas of forgiveness of his trespass. and at the tomb he made all the covent to give discipline by and by on his bare body with a rod. And there he dampened all sorry customs and false laws that was cause of the debate between Thomas and the king before and granted the church her freedom again & went his way  
¶ Thenne these four knights when they heard how god had wrought for Thomas they were full sorry. of their cursed deeds. & cursed the time that evir it happened so with them and left all their lands and went to jerusalem into the holy land to were on god's enemies But william Tracy was letted by the way and fill seek and rooted all his body In so much that himself with his own hands. cast away his own flesh lomp meal and so died an horrible death And the other three also died a piteous death soon after And thus within three years after Thomas death they died all four But as long as they lived they cried evir mercy to god and to saint thomas and so I hope they had.   

De circumcisione domini.  
good friends such a day is called newyears' day and is the first day of the beginning of the new year that is coming and is the last day of the year that is gone And therefore this day ye shall come to god and holy church to here your divine. service for this year For like as a god● servant that hath a good master maketh his covenant but ones but holdeth forth from year to year having full trust in his master. that he will for his good service give him agode reward in his great need at his last end In the same wise god's servants maken covenant with him but ones. that is at the cristening at the font and there he maketh covenant to be god's servant having full trust in god. that at his great need that is at the day of doom will quite him for his service. in everlasting bliss of heaven And so will he do to all that be good true servants Thus this day is called new years day Also it is called. Circumcisio domini. The circumcision of our lord also this day is called Newyears' day for this day is the first day of the Calendar and the year gooth moche by the calendar. therefore it is called newyears' day Saint Austyn saith this day. & this night heathen people use many false opyniones and witch craft & false believe the which been not to tell among christian people lest they turn to that use. wherefore ye that been christian people. be well aware lest ye be deceived by any false sorcery as by taking coum: seyll of a man a fore another In buying or selling or leaning In the which have some diverse opyniones And if they be well shriven they be worthy for to have great penance for their misbelieve for that cometh of the fiend and not of god This day is called the circumcision of our lord For as holy church telleth this day he was circumcised and bled his blood for our sake For when the flesh was cut he bled fast and was full sore. for he was but young and tender and but viii days old and therefore he bled the more then ye shall understand that he bled v: times for us. Quinque enim vicibus sanguinem suum ꝓ nobis effudit. The first time that he shed his blood was as this day when he was circumcised Another was for fere of his passion For right as a child wepyth for fere when he seeth the rod & hath no harm So the flesh of our lord sweet blood for dread of astronger passion that was coming The third time was in his flagellation when he was beaten with scourges▪ so that all his body ran on read blood The iiii. time was when he was nailed hand and foot on the cross The v. time was when that longius perryd his heart with a spear. the water & the blood come out of his wounds. and then they took up the cross with the body and lift it up on high and suddenly they let the cross fall down in the mortar see that all the senouse veins and io 〈…〉 tes brake. and blood. and water. come out of every wound. this he suffered for us then sith christ was circumcised and shed his blood for us that was without sin and circumcision is for sin remedy & help why would he be circumcised that did no sin. Sanctus augustinud dicit ꝓpteer quatuor causas Saint Austyn saith it was for four causes The first was for to make a seethe with the jews For else they would and might have said that he had natt been of their law. wherefore they would not receive him nor consent to his teaching this was to deceive the fiend For right as the fend deceived Adam and eve & so all mankind was dampened. so it fell to christ to deceive the fend where through all mankind might. be saved Than when the fiend saw that he was circumcised as an other child, child. for if he had know him verily that he had come to have bought man kind. he would never have tysed the jews to have put him to death. And this was the cause that our lady was wedded to joseph for to deceive the fiend. for the fiend should ween that joseph had been his father. and not conceived of the holy ghost. The third cause why he was circumcised. that was in conferming of the old law in great comfort to the old faders that were of the old testament. For and if he had be christened and not circumcised it had be a great discomfort to all that were before th●●carnacioū of our lord Ihesu Christ: The fourth cause of his circumcision was for our lord wist well that there would come heretics after. that would have said that Criste ●ad a body of the earthly fantasy. and not of flesh and blood as one of us have for a body of thayre may not bleed And therefore to put away all such errors. Crist was circuncysed & bled in his cutting of his flesh the which flesh was cut from his member. And an angel after broghte it to king Charles for the most precious relyke in the world And for the greatest worship that he could do thereto brought it to rome. to a church that is called: Sancta sanctorum. For these iiii. causes Crist was cercuncysed. This day also it is called the utas of the nativity. that is the viii day of our lords birth in great tokening to all us that be God's servants to think on these viii. days that followen the birth. The first day is to think inwardly on the seed that we were conceived of that is fowl and abominable in itself▪ that a man or a woman be they never so fair that. and they saw the matter. they would be ashamed of 'em self to think that ever he were conceived of that soul thing. The second. day is to think how grievous he paineth his mother in his birth in so much that it is a great miracle of god that she may have her life. The third day is to think how feeble and how wretched he is borne for all the beasts of kind. some what they can help themself save only mankind he neither may ne can help himself in no degree. but die anon. But he had not help and succour of other. The iiii. day is to b●thynk how moche apparel and dread he liveth here fore in every place death followeth hymand is ever ready to fall on him. what time ne where no man knoweth. But only god himself.  Incertus est locus in quo mors te expectat. 
¶ It is incerteyn the place there as death abideth the. ¶ The v day. is for to think. how horrible death is: when he cometh for in short space & time he maketh a man to stink. that all the best friends that he hath: been advised to put him in earth And hide him there: ¶ The vi day is to think how rewfull is the departing of the body and the soul that may not be departed till the heart in the body break for dread off the sights that the soul shall see that for great fere the heart breaketh O mors quam amara est memoria tua O thou death how byttre is it to think upon. when thou art coming to any man The seven. is to think how dreadful. is the doom that he shall go to anon. and how straight his judgement shall be then he that will think on these seven. days besily on the viii. day I hope he shallbe circumcised. that is he shall be cut away fro the lust of his flesh and of sin. and so do departed from this worldis liking And thus cometh the viii. day that is the utas of christ. that is the joy of bliss that nevir shall have end To the which god bring. us all.   

In die epiphany.  
Good friends this day is called the xii. day. but it is xiii. day of Christ's birth the which day holy church calleth it Epiphania domini that is to say the showing of our lord jesus Christ very god and man For this day he was showed very god & man by three offerings. by his cristning and also by torning of the water into wine The xiii. day of his birth by offering of the three kings. & that same day thirty. winter and xiii. days after his birth He was christened in the water of flome jordane. And that same day xii. month he turned water into wine at the wedding at Chane galilee But the feast maketh most mind & mention of the three kings offering and therefore let us follow the form. of holy church. and ye shall here how it fill of their offering to our lord Jesus Christ very god and man Thus three kings were of the lineage that prophesied how a star should shine of jacob But they were no jews kind. but they had herd by prophecy of this. wherefore they had great desire & lust to see it And so often times when they might come together upon certain high hills then they would dispute among them of this star. So it happened upon christmas night the same time as our lord was borne they were to gyddre and were disputing of this star. Super montem. Upon the hill Dominus enim erat natus Our lord was borne E● apperuit illis And appeared to them in the star as a fair child. and under his heed a br●k●●●▪ cross of gold. and said thus to them Go ye anon in all the haste that ye may into the land of jury and take with you gold myrrh and incense and offer these three things to him that ye shall find there now born king of jews. very god & man And I shall be your guide and lead you to the way: Then anon for great haste they took best●●. that been called Dromedaries that been of such kind. they be so swift. that they will ten further in one day than any other be'st will ten or go in three days And so they come to jerusalem that was the chief city of all jury hoping that they should here there some tidings where that this child was borne But as soon as they turned into the city of jerusalem then they lost the sight of the star that lad the●●  
¶ evyr the way till that they come thither brighter than the son thenne when they come to the city of iherus●lem they road to king Herode. for he was there the same time: & said to hem Vbi est qui natus est rex judeorum  
¶ where is he that is borne that is king of jews. Vidimus enim stellam eius in oriente. we saw his star in the Este. Venimus adorare eum. we be come to worship him. then king Herod was troubled. and all the city with him but more for flattering of him. then for any love that they had to him then king Herod asked his clerks where this child should be borne. and they said in bethelem ●nde then king Herod asked the kings privily of the star. and bad hem go in Bethelem. and worship the child▪ and come again by him. & tell him where he might find the child that he might go worship him. Then when the kings were passed towards Bethelem. anon the star appeared to them And when they saw the star was come again they were glad in their hearts. and as it is in many place painted. the king that is in the middle for great joy of the star. he looked backward to his fellow behind him. and with his finger showed him the star & that is the cause that the middle king looked backwardly ¶ And thus the star brought them to bethelem. and when the star come over the house there as Our Lord was in it stood still. then the kings lighted down. and went in to the house. and with all the reverence that they could. kneeling ● down & offird each of them these three things: Aurum thus et mirram. Gold cence and my●●e. knowledging by the gold. that he was king of all kings. And by the 〈◊〉 that he was very god and by the myrrh that he wa● very man. and should be deed and laid in grave without rotynge. For gold is chief of all mettallis. incense is brent in holy church. in worship to god. Myrrh is an ointment. that keepeth the bodies from roting. Thus when the kings had done their offering by teaching of the angel. Per aliam viam reversi sunt in regionem suam. By another way they went toward their own londis. And left king he road. and the star vanished away fro them. ¶ Thenne as syant Bernard saith. joseph kept of this gold as much as him needed to his tribute that he should pay to the emperor. And also more to keep our lady with. while she lay in child bed· And the remnant he dealed to pour people such as had great need thereto. The cence he brent to put away the stench of the stable there as she lay in. and with the myrrh. Our lady anointed her child to keep him from worms and disease. But what befell of the kings after. I find no thing in certain but some people have an opinion. how the saint thomas of Ind christened them when he come in to that country of Ind. ¶ And then as the star lightened them to Christ's birth. So the holy  
¶ ghost lightened them in their soul and ●aught them the parfyghte way of the believe. And also of parfyghte. and gracious living. In so much that they left all their kingdom and went forth on pylgr●mages. that is to say. to Iherusal●m. & to many other places. And so they come forth to milan. and there they died all three. And so after that they were translated to Coleyne. and there they been. yet now have ye heard by these three kings. How Our Lord Ihesu Criste was this day showed very god and man. wherefore like as they offered with devotion. So should ye do your offerings when ye come to holy church. kneeling down with all reverence that ye can or may not on your one knee. as to a temporal lord. but on both your knees. And do worship him with good prayers. then offer ye precious gold. For there is no gold so precious. as is the good prayer devout. And then hold up your hands to him with all the reverence that ye can and with a devout heart pray to him. and show him all the love of your hearts. And thenne offer ye to him incense. For there is no incense savour that is so sweet brenning in the fire. as doth good prayers that is devoutly said· with a brenning love in clean charity. And if thou do thus. then thou offerest kneeling on thy knees. Make a cross on th'earth and kiss it and think well thou art but etthe. thenne must ye offer myrrh. For right as myrrh keepeth a body from rotting. so the mind of death keepeth a man's soul from deadly sin in this wise do ye your offence And then shall ye have as much meed as had these three kings Also he was showed both god and man atte his cristening. For he come to the water of flom jordan. he went in to the water and hallowed it: for right as he was circumcised to confirm the new law: and for no need that he had thereto. For he was clean without sin but for to make the sacrament. that sho●●● wash them. to●● christening in his name fro all sins. Then was johan baptist ready and moche people with him that come to the cristning. Then said johan to our lord all quaking and trembling blessed lord thou art God's lamb without sin: thou hast no need to be christened of me. But that I am a man gotten and bourn in sin have need to come and be christened of the in remission of sins. Then said our lord Ihesu. johan suffer at this tyme. For thus we must fulfil all rightwiseness. and johan christened our lord 〈◊〉 Criste and as it is credible. our Lady was christened after with other of Christ's diciples and all the people that were come thither: then when all were christened our lord went out of the water. And as he went out of the brink of the water and all the people with him. Aperti sunt celi. Heaven opened & a great light ●●●lipped him in sight of all the people. The holy ghost come down in likeness of a white dove. & lighted on Christ's heed. And the father spoke and said thu● in hearing of all the people: Hic est filius meus dilectus in quo michi bene complacui. This is my well-beloved son the which pleyseth me. This was to teach all christian people the faith of the believe of holy church. for all christian people be bound to believe stedfastli. in the father and the son and the holy ghost. In baptismo cristi tota trinitas se mainfestavit. scilicz pater in voce filius in carne spiritus sanctus in columba et totum celum apertum est. In christ's baptism. all the holy trinity was showed for the father spoke in voice. when ●e said.  Hic est filius meus dilectus. 
This is my well-beloved son: & was there bodily. when johan baptist said Ecce agnus dei. And the holy ghost was seen. Sicut columba. As a white dove. these been three persons in one godhead. For the father spoke above. and the son was there bodily. and the holy ghost in likeness of a dove. ye shall believe that these three persons be but one god in trinity. This believe ye shall know on the water brink. that is in your crystening at the font. wherefore he that believeth thus. and doth works of believe shall be saved. Qui crediderit et baptisatus fuerit saluus erit. He that believeth. & is christened shall be saved & followeth the works of believe Qui vero non crediderit condempnabitur. And he that believeth not nor doth not the works of believe shall be dampened The works of believe been meekness and charity. for with out these two. shall no man be saved. And he that hath these two. he is wreten in the gen●logye of our lord Ihesu christ. the which i● red in cristmasse. that beginneth above with abraham. and so cometh dounwardes to joseph and to our lady: In showing that he that is most meekest in heart is most next our lord Ihesu christ. and such he avaunseth in everlasting bliss. And therefore the genelogye this night beginneth at Ihesu christ. and goth upwards to abraham and so to god. Also he was showed very god in trinity. when he turned water into wine at the wedding It happened so the people lacked wine atte the meet. then bad our lord that they should take vi. stenes or pots that were empty and bad fill them with water. and they died so Thenne our lord blessed them. and bad that they should bear them to him that begun the table. & let him begin. and then he began and said it was the best wine that ever he drank. Thus our lord showed himself both god and man God that he turned water in to wine. and man in that he eat and drank with them. ¶ This miracle he showed at the wedding. in tokening that he blessed all weddyngiss: that be done after the law of holy church. and therefore keep your wedlock. and be in full faith and believe of holy church. as holy church teacheth. And so ye shall come to everlasting bliss Amen. ¶ De convercome scin Pauli. ●●tte a may●e 〈…〉 soon 〈…〉 the may●e anon by kind. he will ●all down and lay his he●● in her lap and then all his might and strength is gone And then they come and take him. Thus he saith saint paul was first so fierce in himself that they durst not preach there as he was ne speak to him for dread▪ when our lord Jesus Christ showed him sweetness of his grace, and this fair maiden that is the law of holy church. a none Poule fell down to the ground and was subject to all christian people. Herfore holy church was glad of his defending He is set also in high ensample of high mending for our lord is so gracious that all christian proplee. may be saved. that will forsake his miss living and he converted. Multo magis gaudiuz erit in celo de uno peccatore penitenciam agente quam de nonaginta novem qui non indigent penitencia et cetera. There is more joy in heaven upon one sinner doing penance then upon xcix that did nevir sin. and therefore our lord would that all were con●●●ted and saved wherefore in high ensample and comfort to all sinful people. he set saint paul to look upon. For though a man had do nevir so moche sin and he would forsake his sin and sin no more. then all the company of heaven maketh mirth and melody of his conversion. as we do here in earth of the conversion of saint Poule But there is moche people that lo●e more sin with lust and 〈◊〉 in this world than they do god: For there be many that will nevir leave sin neither for love of god nor for the desire of the bless of heaven nor for fere of the fiend nor for deed of the pains of hell But some say that god will never lose that he hath bought so dear. with his passion But they that say so been not wise. god will that noon were lost. but be ware thou lose not himself For all the while thou lovest more sin than god and hadst levys to serve the fiend than god thou art cause of thine own damnation For while thou haste more will to serve the fiend and be his child than god's child thou lesest ●hy self and god hath ordained fiends to torment them in everlasting pain But saint Gregory saith they that shallbe dampened begin her penance here in this world in party and after their death continueth for evir more. wherefore I tell you this ensample.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ There was a man that was an officer with a lord and stood a cursed And on a time as he road towards a manner of his lords he fell out of his mind and vnbrid●led his horse. and led him in to a manner of his lords. and then anon the bailyf perceived how it was with this man that he was distraught out of his mind And anon made the people to bind him▪ to a post in a barn So when the bailiff and his servants had souped he had one of his servants go lo●e how that this man did. And he wen●● to this man. and when he c●me there he saw three great black dogs plucking away this man's flesh fro the bones then was this servant so afeard that uneath he had his mind but went to his bed and lay seek there long after. And on the morrow when the people come thidre as this man was bound they found no more of this man but his bare bones and all his flesh was clean away Thus ye may see he that continually liveth. in sin may be full sure of a foul end And though his end seem fair in the sight of a man. yet it is right foul in the sight of almighty god. and all his angels: wherefore it is needful to every christian man and woman to amend him while he is here. into this life and hath time and space to amendment And he that doth so shall come to saint Poule and be there with him in everlasting bliss. to the which god bring us that died for us & all mankind. Amen   

Sequitur de purificatione beat marry virgins.  
Good freundes such a day ye shall have candelmasse day. that day maketh mind and mention of our lady and of her son. and specially in three things of our ladies purification In simeones meeting And in candles offering This day is called the Purification of our lady In english it is the cleansing of our lady. but for no need that she had thereto For she was enclensed with the wirkinge of the bodily ghost. in conceiving of her son. But there was in her no● manner spot of filth But for the day was the xl day from the birth of her son and was called in the jews law the day of the Purification. not only▪ for our lady but for all other wym●● wherefore we call it the purification of our lady The law of the jews was such that when that a woman was delivered of a man child she was h●●den unclean seven: days after Thenne th● law gave her leave to go to her husband But yet she was unclean xxxiii days. but till xliiii. days were fulfilled she should hold her without the church with her offering And the offering in those days was of a rich man a lamb. and for a poor man was a pair of tu●tyll doves or else other doves and so offered our lady with her son. and if a woman be delivered of a maiden child she should double all those same days aforesaid. that is for to say. the coming to her husband. and also the coming to the temple. and so this is the reason thereof For it is so that all great clerks say that it is seven. days after when a woman hath conceived a man-child or that the same seed turn into blood And it is also xxxiii. days after or it turn to any shap of men And then god sendeth life into it and if it be a maiden child it doubleth all the days both in turning into blood and also in shape of body and this is the cause Eve that was the first four mid woman that evir wrathed our lord more than the man Adam Therefore she is the longer in fourming. ¶ Thus for fleshly complexion of a man and woman she is unclean in herself Therefore this Purification is ordained But understand well that our lady had no nedde to this cleansing For ●he conceived not with complexion of man but only of the holy ghost. so that she was clean of all manner of filth touching consent of man But yet she went to the temple as other women did specially for foute causes The first was to fulfil scripture that sayeth thus Guanto maior es tanto te humiles The higher that thou art in degree: the mekar thou shouldest make the Thus did our lady. for she wist well that she was mother to god's son of heaven and had so great worship passing all other women. yet she made. her as the pourest woman that was in the company The second cause was as she fulfilled the law of circumcision of her son In the same wise she fulfilled the Purification and in offering of her son in the temple doing for him as other poor women did for their children The third cause was. for to stop the jews mouths lest they had said that she had not done the law. and so cast a great slander against her in time coming The fourth cause was to give ensample to all other women: that they should come to church. after the birth of their children. and thank god that he had saved them from death in their travailing. for in the time a woman is in great peril of death for theridamas is no sickness in the world. that gooth so nigh death For th●se causes holy church maketh mind of our ladies purification It maketh mind also of the coming of simeon & Anne Simeon ille senex dum vixerat etas comperatur anne. This simeon was a passing old man but he had prayed to god bes●ly all his life that he should nevir die. till ●e had seen christ bodily in this world▪ and so he did. and this anne prayed the same Also ye shall understand that this anne was not our ladies mother but another anne that had a husband seven. years. and when her husband was deed she would not be wedded no more but lived till she was lxxx. year old and served god in the temple night & day and prayed that she might see god or she died and our lord granted her then when our lady came into the temple with her son. the holy ghost warned simeon and anne And 〈◊〉. they with moche joy went against him and brought him into the temple. Et simeon accepit eum in ulnas suas et dixit. And simeon took him in his arms with all the reverence that he could and might and said. Nunc dimittis servum tuum domine secundum verbum tuum in pace ● et cetera. O thou lord now suffer thy servant after thy word in peace And so with all the worship and reverence that he could he loved and thanked him that he would let him live so long to see him bodily with his eyen where in mind of this. when a woman cometh to church. of a child she abideth at the church door till the priest come & cast holy water on her and taketh her in by the hand into the church giving her leave after to come to church & to go to her husband For and if they have comenyd together before they must both shrive 'em thereof and take their penance Also holy church maketh mind of candles offering And as ye see it is a comen use for all christian people that be of convenient age to come that day to church and bear a candle brenning in procession as though they went bodily with our lady But now ye shall here ●owe this worshipful feast was first found. ¶ Sometime when the Romans by great might and royal power conquered all the world. for they had great domination they were so proud that they forgot their god. and made them diverse gods after their own lust And so among all they had a god that they called. Mars that had be to fore a notable knight in battle And so they prayed to him for help And for they would speed the better of this knight the people prayed and did great worship. to his mother that was called Februa. after the which woman moche people have opunyon that this month is called february. wherefore the second day of this month is Candelmasse day The Romans this night would go about the city of Rome with torches and candles brenning in worship of this wom●n Februa for hope to have th● more help and succour of her son mara then was there a pope that was called Sergius and when he saw christen people draw to this false mammetry. and untrue believe He thought to unoo this foul use and custom and turn it into god's worship and our ladies And gave commandment that all christian people should come to church and offer up a candle brenning. in worship that they did to this woman februa and do worship to our lady and to her son our lord Jesus christ So that now this feast is solemnly hallowed through all cristendome. And each christian man and woman of covenable age to come to church and offer up their candle. as though they were bodily with our lady hoping for this reverence and worship that they do to our lady. to have a great reward in heaven. and of her son our lord jesus Christ and so they may be sure. and it be done in clean life & with good devotion A candle is made of week & wax So was christs soul. hid within the manhood Also the fire. betokeneth the godhead Also it betokeneth our lady: moderhode and maidenhead. light with the fire of love Also it betokeneth. every christian man & woman that doth good deeds with good intent and perfit love and charity to god and to all christian people. wherefore if there be any of you that his candle of charity be quenched. go anon & be accorded. with his neighbours and light his candle. And thenne offer it up for that is god's will And if ye do not thus ye shall lose all your meed and your merit in heaven.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ we read in the life of saint Dunstone how that his mother. when she was with child with him: She come to the church upon candelmasse day And when all the people had gone on pro●ession with their candles brenning and come into the church every man and woman with his light in his hand Suddenly all the candellies in the church went out And a great darkness come therewith that uneath one might see another And when they had stand so long full sore aghast There come a fair light from heaven And lighted the candle that saint Dunston's. mother had in her hands and then of her all other took light In tokninge that he was in her body that should tempt many men's charity that before were quaint.   

Narracio.  
Also there was a woman that was devout in our ladies service and many times for our ladies sake and love that she had to her she gave away all her best clothes and went into the worst herself. So it happened on a candelmasse day she would fain have gone to church but for she was not honestly arrayed she durst not for shame. for she had done away all her best clothing Then was she sorry that she should be without mass that day wherefore she went into a chamber that was nigh her place and there she was in her prayers & as she prayed she fell a sleep and then she thought she was in a fair church and saw a great company of maidens coming to the church. And one was passing all other moche fair and went tofore with a crown on her heed and she kneeled down & all the other by her then come there one with a great burden of candles and first he gave the maiden a candle that had the crown on her heed and so after all the other maidens that were in the church and then he came to th●s woman and gave her a candle Then was she glade & then she saw a priest and two. dekynes with two. serges b●●menge in their hands going toward t●e altar ready to go to mass. and as she thought christ was the priest. and the two. dekyns was Laurence and 〈◊〉 that bore the serges. and two. young men began the mass with a solemn note Then when the gospel was red the queen of heaven offered her candle first of all to the priest & then all other after her. & when all had offered the priest abode after this woman to come & offer her candle Then the queen sent after her and bad she should come. the pressed abideth her and the messenger bad● her come and she said nay she would not leave her candle but keep it for a great devotion Then sent the queen another messangre and bade him say to her that she was vncurt●ys for to tarry the priest so long & said. but she come with good will and offer it take it fro her. and she said nay Then would the messenger have take it fro her but she held it fast and so betwixt them two the serge broke in the mids. & the one half the messenger had and the other half the woman had with her. and in this wrestling the woman awak of her sleep and had half the serge in her hand And then she thanked god and our lady heartily that she was not without a gospel that day and offered that candle to holy church. Et ꝓ maximus reliquiis reseruatur/ And for a great relic it was kept evyr after.   

Narracio  
¶ Also there was a woman of evil living and she did nevir good deed in her life but only found a candle brenning before our lady So it happened when she was deed. fiends come to her and took her soul. and when they were going there came two. angels. & rebuked the fiends why they were so bold for to take the soul without the doom Then said they there needeth noon she did nevir good then said they take and bring the soul before our lady & so they did But when it was found that she did nevir good deed she must needs go to hell Then said our lady she fond a candle brenning before me. and was evir her will while she lived. & therefore I will be as kind ●o her as she was to me & bade an angel take a great serge and light it and set it bifore her in hell. and our lady charged and commanded that there should no fiend come there nigh Butt let it stand brenning for evermore to comfort all that been in hell Then said the fende● they had levyr le●e. the soul than do so Thenne bad our lady take the soul and bear it to the body again. so they did And when she was alive she bethought her on her straight doom there as she was at. and went and shrove her to a priest and lived long after and she amended her live and was evir after a good woman and a holy Amen.   

De sancto mathia apostolo.  
good friends such a day. ye shall have saint Mathies day that is gods appostyll which hath noon even in certain. But as clerks say all christian people owe to fast the even though it be not set vigell in the Calendre. ye shall understand when our lord was in earth he chose xii. appostels to here and to see all that he did here in earth For jews were so hard to him and against him that they would believe no thing that he did And also for they should bear witness after his ascension of that he did in earth For the jews would believe no manner thing but that might be proved by witness Then was iudas scariot one of the xii. that christ had chosen to him judas had a little tofore slain his own father. and lay by his mother. and then come to christ to be his disciple. But he was evir wont tofore to steel and could not leave it & he was weary anon of christ. of his holy living. & for great covetise of money he sold his lord unto the jews for thirty. plates. & when he had so done and saw that christ was take and deemed to death anon he fell in to despair. and went and hinge himself with a rope for the throat that spoke the words of treason and guile. the same throat was strangled For he that did so soul by his lords life would have said many an evil word after his lords death by him that did so foul by his life And for the fiend might not draw out his soul by his mouth for he had late kissed the mouth of christ Therefore the fiend broke his womb and shed out his guts and then they took his soul and bare it to hell But our lord is so rightful and gracious that he will every good deed reward and every sin punish. and that ye shall here by this ensample:   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ we find that saint Brandan as he sailed in the see he saw this judas sit upon a stone and a cloth hanging before him that lay in the water and oft beat him in the face Then Brandan we nid it had be some holy man that had suffered that for great penance and asked in the name of god what he was. Then answered he and said I am judas gods traitor that haf this place of gods great grace and curteysye for it refresheth me of the great heat that I suffer within me and for no merit that evir I did deserve For me thinketh that I am in paradise while that I am here Then said brendan. why hast thou that stone under the. & why doth that beat the in the face Then said he I laid this stone. in a high way there as the comen people should go & they were efyd thereby. & that is the cause that I am eased thereby now This cloth was not mine own that doth me this refreshing now but & it had be my o●ne it should have refreshed more for I gave it to a poor man Then said brandan how long hast thou this refreshing then said he every saturday fro evynsonge till evynsong on the morrow that evynsong be done & fro cristmas day till xii day & fro Ester day till wytsondaye & in th'assumption of our lady & candelmas day Then brandan thanked god that he is so merciful. & anon he bad sail fo●●●e fast that they were gone for they should hear tidings soon after. & even therw●the come out of an hill many fiends & casted many brenning gleams of fire in to the see after them that the see bret on every side. but god kept them so that they had no harm Then for this judas was one of the xii. appostels the nombre of them must be fulfilled then was christ ●●yed up to heaven & the xi. appostels were to gider with many other people in a place Then said petyr. Now all good man ● brethren it is well know to you that iudas was one of the xii. & because the number may not be imparfite it is need. to chose one of these two: men that hath be with our lord jesus christ fro the time that he was baptized unto his ascension to bear witness with us of his doing Then they set these two. men joseph barsabas & mathy & cast lot on them & said praying our lord O lord thou knowest the hearts of all men show to us which thou choosest of these two. & the lot fill on mathy & so he was in number with tother xi. Then mathy w●t into myrrh to preach the word of god: and for he had the grace of the holy ghost he did miracles & turned much people to the faith of christ Then was the fiend sorry & appeared to the bishop of the jews law. in likeness of a young child with long heres & hoar & bad him take mathy & do him to the death or else he will turn all the people to the christian faith. Then the bishop waxed nigh wooed for wreck & sent forth people to seek mathy & when they had him they bond his hands behind him & cast a rope about his neck & lad him to prison & their bond him fast with chy●nes of iron Then the night after our lord Jesus Christ come to 〈◊〉 with a great light & loosed his bō●● & when he had well cōfor●yd him opened the prison door & bade him pre●●e the faith & spare for no man Then 〈◊〉 as he preached were some that withcote him▪ & letted other that would have ●yd to the faith. then said mathy to 〈◊〉 I tell you before he shall fall down to hel●y● & so anon in sight of all men ther●● ●opned & he sank down. into hell body & soul & was nevir seen more of him Than was the people fore aghast of that sight & turned to the faith a great number of them Then when the bishop heard thereof they took him and bond him & set men to throw stones. at him And when he was nigh deed he bade christian people to bear the stones that he was stonyd with into the grave with him in witness of his martyrdom & held up his hands to god & said O lord I beseech the take my spirit and gave up the ghost. ¶ raynold of chestre in his chronicles telleth another miracle like this and saith. when saint wolstone visited his busshopriche. the people brought a man before him that did his neighbours moche disease & would nevyr be in peace praying the bishop. to chastise him. & when the bishop had preached. to this man he was evir leaguer the worse Than the bishop and all the people prayed to saint mathye to show some miracle by this man what he was worthy to have Then anon in sight of all the people there came out of the earth two. fiends with brenning hokes and plucked this quick man down to hell And when he was gone the people were relieved and had rest and peace evyr after Amen   

De annunciacione beat marry virgins.  
good friends such a day ye shall have an high and a solemn feast in holy church th'annunciation of our lady & he that hath avowed or joined in penance must fast the even ¶ ye shall understand that it is called th'annunciation for this cause For the fad of heaven sent his angel gabriel Missus est angelus gabriel/ a deo in civitatem cui nomen Nazaret. In the city that was called Nazareth to our lady that was new wedded by the bidding of god. and revelation of the holy ghost to a man called joseph And as she was in her chamber. in her prayers the angel gabriel come to her & said Our lord is with the Then was she greatly astonied of this greeting For there was in the country a man that could much witchcraft & so with help of fiends he made himself ly● an angel. & came to diverse maidens. & said he was sent from god to them on his message & so oft times lay by hem & died 'em great villainy. then when our lady heard tell of that man she was a dread lest it had be he For she had spoke with no angel before. nor there were no such words ne such greetings made never none to her before then gabriel the angel comforted her and said. ¶ Ne timeas maria invenisti graciam apud dnm. dread not marry forsooth thou hast found grace at our lord For among all the women our lord hath chosen the for to be mother of his son. And him thou shall conceive by faith. & by love of the holy ghost. without any deed of man that shall shadow the. & quench all fleshly lust. & tend the light of ghostly love that thou shalt conceive the son of the high god. And thus thou shall be mother & maid. & so was never none before. Then anon our lady heard these words. and anon therewith come a spiritual sweetness & joy in her heart that anon or any earthly man could tell it. & so with all the reverence of meekness that she could. She answered thus again and said. Ecce ancilla domini fiat michi secundum verbum tuum Lo here God's own maid ready to God's will praying it may be to me right as thou sayest. Thus that blessed body conceived our lord Ihesu christ in everlasting joy to all the world. Thus I maeye liken our lady to a precious stone called onyx. & it is as clear as any crystal & shall of kind when the son shineth hot on him. he openeth and receiveth a drop of the dew of heaven in to him. and closed again till ix. months after. & thenne it openeth and falleth out a stone of the same kind. and so closeth again as ever it was▪ and never openeth after. Thus our lady was as clean as any crystal for the hot love of the holy ghost: at the ix months end she was delivered of her son our lord Ihesu Christ: and was after as clean maiden. as she was tofore. Then when the angel had done h●s message. he went his way to heaven▪ And our lady went to her cousin elisabeth that was great with ch●ld with Saint johan baptist. And when she come to Elysabeth. she great her m●kely. And assoon as our lady spoke to Elysabeth. the child in elysabethiss womb played and made great joy. For he saw that our lord had take mankind and was come to save 'em that was lorn Then our lady dwelled there with Elysabeth her cousin till the time that saint johan was borne. and was midwife to Elysabeth and took saint johan from th'earth. and there she learned all that her needed for to know against the time that her son should be borne. And was perfit enough thereof. then meekly she took her leave and went home again to Nazareth Then thought joseph he would go look how his wife died. and went toward her And when our Lady heard of his coming she went against him and great him full meekly. But when joseph saw her great with child. he marveled greatly. how that might be For well he wist it was not his. for he had never part of her body in that degree. For he knew well that she had made a vow before that she would never have part of man's body. And thought how that he was made to wed her by the bidding of the holy ghost and great miracle showing & thought right in his heart he was not worthy to dwell in her company: & thought in his heart to have gone home again and to leave her there then come an angel to him and said. be not afeard to take marry thy wife to thy keeping. for it is of the holy ghost that is quick in her body. For thou shalt be kepar and norissher to her child & when it is borne. call it Jesus'. For he shall be saviour to all the world. Then ye shall understand that for iiii. causes. As saint Ambrose saith. Our lady was wedded to this old man joseph. The first was if she had conceived without wedlock. the jews would have said. that she had be an evil woman of her body: and so have stoned her to death. The second cause was for she was so shame fast. that and she had heard any have put any defam to her. she would have died for sorrow The third cause was. for joseph should bear witness of her maidenhead The fourth cause. for joseph should help her at her birth. and bring her to Bethelem. and after in to Egypte and so again in to her own country. For these four causes she was wedded to this old man joseph. and also to beguile the fiend that he should not know him fro another child. Now have ye heard of the Annunciation. There be some people that ask a question why there standeth a wine pot with lilies between our Lady and gabriel the angel at her salutation. This is the cause. For our Lady at her salutation conceived by faith.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ It befell thus upon a cristmas day that a christian man and a jew sat to guider. and spoke of the Conception of our lady. and as they were there stood a wine pot to fore them with a lily therein. Then said the christian man. we believe that our lady conceived like as this lily conceived colour of green. and after bringeth forth a white flower without craft of man or any peyring to the stalk. Right so our lady conceived of the holy ghost. and after brought her son our lord Ihesu christ without any wemme of her body. That is flower and chief of all women. Then said the jew. when I see a lily spring out of the deed stalk that standeth in this pot. then will I believe that thou sayest to be true. And anon there with sprang a white lily out of the deed stock. that stood in that same wine pot And when the jew saw that. anon he fell down to the ground upon his knees and said thus. Lady now I see well that thou conceived with the holy ghost our lord Ihesu Christ God's son of heaven And thou were clean maiden both before the birth. and so anon he was christened. & so after he was a full holy man: And this is the cause wherefore that the pot with the lily is set between our lady & the angel. For right as the jew disputed with the christian man of the manner of the Conception. So our lady disputed with the angel of the manner how she should conceive. & be both mother & maid or she consented thereto then ye that will fast the v. evens of our lady. in the worship of the v. joys that she had of her son. The first when she conceived of the holy ghost and knew that she was mother to God's son of heaven. The two. was on cristmasse day. when she was delivered of her son without any pain of her body. For as she conceived without lust of her body also she was delivered without pain of her body. The three joy was on ester day when her son rose from death to life. and come to her & kissed her and made her more joyful of his uprising. than she was sorry off his death The iiii. joy when he stied up to heaven on holy thursday in the same flesh and blood that he took in her body. The v. joy was in her assumption when she saw her son come with great multitude of angels and saints to fet her to heaven. & to crown her queen of heaven and emperes of hell and lady of the world and so all that been in heaven. shall do her reverence and worship. And all that been in earth shall do her service. these been the v. joys that our lady had of her son and ye shall understand that he that will great our lady with v. Aves shall never come in to the pains of hell.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ we find written of an holy maiden that was devout in our ladies service. and every day greeted her with v. joys: Thenne it happened so on a day. that she fell seek. & felt herself well that she should be deed. and for fere she sighed wonder sore. and made great moan. for by cause she wyft not whether she should go after her death. Then come our lady to her and said why art thou so sorry that hast made me so glad greeting me with joys that I had of my son therefore be not sorry but know mell that thou shall go with me in to everlasting bliss. and joy with out end Amen.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ we find of saint gilbert that on a time he was nigh deed of the quyn●● and when his throat was so great and well nigh deed that he might not take breath our lady come to him and said to him Gylbert my servant it were evil do that thy throat should suffer penance. that hath so oft time gladded me with joys. and anon she took her fair pap and milked on his throat and went her way. & anon therewith he was hole and thanked our lady ever after.   

De sancto Georgeo martyr  
●Ood friends such a day ye shall have saint George's day The holy martyr. It is written in 〈◊〉 ●●fe that there was an horrible dragon beside a city that was called C●●●e. of the which dragon men of the Cite were sore afeard. in so much that by counsel of the king every day they gave him a child and a sheep to eat. For fere lest he would have come in to the city. Then when all the children and the sheep were nigh eat. for by cause that the king himself gave them the counsel. they constrained him that he had but a daughter to give her to the dragon. then the king for fere of the people with weeping and great sorrow making. delivered hem his child. and sent her forth to the place. ●●ere as they were wont to set her own children. and a sheep with her to abide till the dragon come: But than by the ordinance of god. saint George come tiding that way. And when he saw this damosel in her array him thought she was a woman of great birth. and asked her why she stood therre with the sheep in such array so morning. Then answered she and said gentle knight well may I morn & make sorrow for I am a kings daughter of this Cite and now I am set here to be devoured of a dragon that hath eat all the children of this Cite & be now destroyed. and now he must have me. For my father gave hem counsel thereto. and therefore gentle knight ride hence fast and save thyself least the dragon slew both the and me. Then said George. damosel that were great shame and villainy to me. that am a knight well arrayed: And should i'll. and thou a woman and shouldest abide. Thenne with that the dragon put out his heed at an hole and spitted fire. & proffered battle to george. & he made a sign of the cross before him and set the spear in the rest. and with great might bare down the dragon to the grounde· And then he bade the damosel bind this dragon with her girdle about the neck. And lead it with her in to the Cite. and so the dragon followed after her as it had be a hand maid to bow paciently· But when the people of the city saw the dragon come. they fled for fere away then George called the people again and said to them. be not afeard. For and ye will belive in Criste and take cristendom I will save and slay this dragon and deliver you of your enemy then were they so glad that anon xx. thousand men without women and children were christened. And the king & the queen were first of all with all his household. And then George slew the dragon. and bade the people tie oxen to him and draw it out of the Cite that the favour of it died the people no harm. then George bade the king edefye churches in every corner of his land and be lusty to God's service. and to honour and worship all the people of holy church. and ever have compassion and be sorry for them that be pour or in any disease. Then when George had done thus and had turned all the land to christian faith he heard of an Emperor that height Dyoclesian. how he died many crasten men to death then he went to him and rebuked him of his cursed 〈◊〉  
Then the emperor commanded to put George anon in to prison. and to lay him upright. and to lay a millstone upon his breast to press him to death. then George prayed to god for help. and Our lady kept him that he had no harm in no part of his body▪ and when the Emperor heard thereof. he died make two wheels. and put 'em full of hokes. and George was set in the mids between them And thenne the wheels were turned and so to raze his flesh fro the bones. And when George was in this tourment. anon he prayed to god off succour and help anon he was holp And then they put him in to a hot limekylle and closed him there in. For he should have be brent. but our lord turned it to cold and there he was iii days. And then they went to have found him brent. and he was sauff fro all manner harms and was merry then he was brought forth and set before the Emperor. and George repre●ed him of his falls God's. & said to him. they were but fiends without might and power. then the Emperor made to beat his mouth with stones till he was to powned. & made to beat his bare body with dry besoms till the flesh fill from the bones. & the people might see his guts. yet after they made him drink venom that was made strong for the nonce. for to have pained him to death. And when George had made a sign of the cross he drank the poison without greeff. In so much that the man that made the poison turned to christian faith and anon he was done to death. ¶ Thenne the night after as George was in prison. god come to him and said. George be of good comfort. to morrow thou shalt make an end and come to everlasting joy and bliss. And set a crown on his heed▪ and gaff him his blessing. then on the morrow for he would not do worship to the false God's. The emperor made to smite of his heed. And then as the emperor would have gone to his ●●lays. there come a fire lightening. & brent him and all his people. ¶ we find in a story of Antioch written▪ that beside ●herusalem a fair young knight appeared to a priest. & said. I ●m saint George. and a leader of Crys●en people. and commanded the priest that he should bear with him his relics▪ & come with him to the siege of Iherusalem. But when they come to the walls▪ the heathen people therein were so strong. that the christian durst not come to the walls▪ then come saint george clothed in white & made a cross on his breast. and went up the ladder and bad the christian people come after him. And so with the help of saint george they gate the cite of Iherusalem: And slew all the heathen people that were found there. And therefore let us pray to saint George to help us against our ghostly enemy. now & ever Amen.   

¶ De sancto marco evangelista.  
GOod friends such a day ye shall have saint ●arke● day that was one of the four evangelists that wrote Christ's gospel and preached them to the people. Thenne mark was first an heathen man. And after he was crystened of saint peter & he made him to go & preach to the people God's word. And then for he was so holy a man. the people would have had him to be a pressed. But he was so meek in himself. that he made one of his thumbs to be cut of For he thought he was not worthy to be a pressed. but for god would have it foo. Saint peter with great instance made him take th'order of priesthood upon him. Then was he busy both day and night to preach the word of god And all that he said with word. He confirmed it with good ensample. and with doing of great miracle. Thus by the inspiration of the holy ghost. he went in to the city of Alisaunder. for to torn the people to the faith Then when he come to the cite uneath that he was entered in the Cite his shoe braced and thereby he wyft well that he should be deed. Then he saw a man sit & clout shone to pour people. and mark prayed him to mend his shoe. then for this man was pour. him thought it was alms to help him at that tyme. And took his shoe and began to sew. and anon with his nalle he hurt his hand and what for ache and for great pain he said god help and when mark heard that he called to god anon mark prayed to god for him. And then mark spitted on the earth and blessed it and anointed his hand therewith and said. In nomine patris Ihesu cristi filii dei vivi sanctur manus tu●▪ In the name of the father Ihesu christ the son of the quick god thy hand be whole. ¶ Vocabatur autem homo ille ananias. Forsooth that man was called ananya And when ananya saw such virtue in mark. he prayed him to dwell still with him. Comoratusque ibidem duobus annis. And there he dwelled two years. & christened him and all his household. and afterward for great holiness that mark saw in this man he made him arshebysshop: Thenne the people saw how mark preached in the cite. they took him & teyed a rope about his neck And drew him among stones: till the flesh fell to the earth and said. draw we the bugull to the bugull place. So when he was draw nigh to the death. then they put him in to prison till on the morrow. then the same night christ come to him in to prison and said. Pea● be to the mark mine evangelist. be not aghast for I am with the. Then on the morrow they come and fett him out of prison. And drew him till he was deed. And when he should die he said. In manus tuas. And so gave up the ghost. ¶ And afterward they would bre●●e his body. And then there came such an earth quake with a lightening & thundering that theridamas durst no man abide then in the night christian people come and took marks body & buried it. then fell it so that every christian land hallowed saint marks day save one country that is called appolonya the which country was so grieved with heat and drought that all the countrei failed them of fruit. so that they were well nigh famished. And there come a voice from heaven. and bade them hallow saint marks day. and thenne they should be comforted. and they deed so. and anon god sent 'em plente of all manner of fruits enough. ¶ Now it is to wite why we should fast this day. and go in procession. we read in the city of rome on this day fell such a qualm and a sudden death that when a man yaned or gaped or f●esed anon he died. and there died many suddenly. Then was there a pope that was called pellagius that commanded all christian people that when he yaned every man should make a Cross over his mouth. And when any man herd another f●ese. he should say christ help the. and so many were saved and there he made the people go a procession & so prayed to all the saints of heaven to pray to god for them. and so they died. Then come after saint Gregory and made them do the same on saint marks day to hallow and fast & go in procession. and canonized it to be done for ever more. Then come there a pope that was called Liberius. in his time all manner fruits in time of the year of great tenderness of itself. took great harm. so what by thunder lightening and unkind hetes. by storms myldewes. by worms. and by long taylde flies. for great vengeance that anon after ester day. the people journed again to her old sin having no reward of the sacrament which they have received. thrfore god sent more vengeance this time than in any other time of the year. wherefore this holy pope to put away all these things. & in especial God's wretch fro the people he commanded to all christian people to hallow and to fast and go in procession. and he that said that it is made by a constitution is accursed till he come to amendment. And therefore I charge you and counsel you all that think to be saved keep this day after the rule of the holy church.   

In die Philippi et jacobi.  
●Ood friends such a day ye shall have the fest of Philip and jacob the which were holy apostles. ¶ But for this f●st cometh wythen the fest of ester ye shall not fast the 〈◊〉 But ye shall come to the church and worship god and the holy apostles. Then ye shall know well that philippe was ordained by all other apostles to go in to the country that was called Sytha to preach to the unbyleved people. But when he came thither. and preached against the ma●●mentes. that they were fiends and no gods and so they took him & lad him to her temple & would have constrained him to do sacrifice. then as they  
¶ were busy to do him disease. suddenly a great dragon come out of the earth. and slew three of these misbelieved people and venemed the people so with his breathing. that there fell on 'em such a sickness. that the woe and the sorrow that they had. they cried after help. Thenne said philip to hem. if ye would be helped & heeled of your sickness. and also these men reared from death to life. first cast down the mametes. & set in their stead crosses there as our lord died upon. And do it worship. then they died so for they were glad to be helped off her sickness. and assoon as they had do so they were helped. And thenne philip prayed to god for these three men to raise from death to life. Tunc precepit philippus dracom ut in locum suum redescenderet ¶ Thenne phylyppe commanded the dragon to go down to his place again and never disease man more.  
then the cursed people of the city saw that phylyp would have turned all the people took him. and died him upon a cross. And so on a cross he died. & went to everlasting bliss.  
¶ Now shall ye here of jacob that was called among the apostles jacobus minor. The less james. for to knew from jacobus maior. james the more was saint johan evangelist brother. But when jacobus or james that is all one name. This was called Christ's own brother. for he was so much like to christ. thenne when the jews would have take Christ. they co●de not know 〈…〉 neither: But as judas betrayed 〈◊〉 with kissing of him. & by the kissing  
christ was known and taken. This james was so holy fro the time that he was borne. that as long as he lived he never drank wine ale ne cider. nor no manner of drink that might make a man drunk ne never eat flesh ne his heed was never shaven. ne used never to be baumed with oil. as the manner is of the country for heat of the son Nor he ware never linen cloth. And he lay upon his knees praying for the people. that his knees were so thick that they were bollen out like a camel. This was the first man that ever song mass in vestymentis as priests do now Thenne it fell so that time in the Cite of Iherusalem by the deed off Christ's death. that it must nediss be destroyed. wherefore this holy man james was made bishop of the Cite of Iherusalem and there he was left to preach and to turn the people to better living but for they were so cumbered with sin. that they had none other grace of amendment but needs for the prophecy of Crist must be fulfilled and the city destroyed. wherefore these men took saint james and set him to preach the faith of christ. For much of the people were turned to christ. And he stood up and preached by good reason: how all that believed not in christ should be damned at the day off doom in to hell pit. then the master of the 〈…〉 caste him down from the 〈…〉 that he stood in and with stones they beat him down till he was deed Then he ●nelyd on his knees praying to god to forgive. him his death. and therewith a cursed. man with a staff smote him on the hed● that the brain fill out and so in this wise he gave up the ghost. Then after for vengeance of Christ's death. & for this holy man's death the cite of Jerusalem. that was that time the gretyst city of the world and nevir like for to have be won soon after was destroyed unto the uttermost In so much that the stones of all the walls of the city was turned up side down. as our lord jesus christ said xl: winter bifore. that it should be so and it was & the jews were driven out into diverse contrees In so much that all the kingdoms were destroyed and yet been under other kings and evir shallbe subgettes & no possessioners ¶ yet ye shall here more of the destruction of this city of jerusalem to show how vengeable god is to them that be glad to shed christian men's blood as they were. when god would have take vengeance of the city It happened so that a man of Pilate'S the which did christ to death came fro jerusalem toward Rome. but the tempest in the see took him & drove him upon a land by a temple with great tempest and there duelled a great lord that was called Vespasian. And for this cause he was called so. for he had a malady in his nose threlles there dropped out of his nose worms like wasps Then said vespasian to this man From what country comest thou. & he answered him and said. fro jerusalem and would toward Rome Then said Vespasian I am glad thereof. for I have herd say that there be many great leches in that country. wherefore I would well that thou couldst hele me and if thou do not hele me thou shall be deed Then answered he and said I am no leech himself. but he that he lieth all seek and raiseth the deed to live he may hele the and if it be his will. who is that said Vespasian Sir said he Jesus of Nazereth that the jews slew And if thou will believe in him thou shalt have all that thou will desire: and be hole Then said vespasian I believe verily as thou saifte that he may hele me that raiseth men from death to life. and anon with that word he was hole. then was he glad. that he was hole Then anon he sent a man to the Emperor of Rome and gate licen●e. and leave to destroy the city of jerusalem And he gathered a great multitude of people. and Titus that was his own son with him and went to jerusalem then in the mean while that he besieged the city: the emperor died & then he was chosen Emperor and turned again to Rome and left Tytus his son there to destroy the city Then tytus lay so sore to the city that he 〈◊〉 famysshed them In so much that they eat their shone and their boats and the father took meet fro the son. and the son from the father. and either took it from others mouth. the husband fro the wife the wife fro the husband Then among all other there was a woman of great birth. and was come of gentle blood and haddde a young child and for hunger she said My dear child I have suffered more pain for the than than evyr thou dedyste for me. wherefore it is more reason that I ease my hunger on the than though I died and thou also. & so took her child and slew it and roasted half of it and kept half till on the morrow And so as the flesh roasted the savour went into the city▪ And when the people felt the savour they weaned there had be plenty of meet and come to have had part And thenne this woman would have hid it. but they said they would see what meet she had. and then she brought it forth and showed it and said. Loo here I have roasted mine own child & here is the other half against to morrow Then the people were aggrieved thereof and all amazed of that sight & went forth leaving the woman eting of her child Then hunger increased so greatly that there died within the city. so thick that they cast the body's ovir the walls out of the city into dyches and so filled the dyches full of deed bodies and the stench smote forth into the country and infected the people greatly  
¶ Then so at the last great ●ede made them to yield up the city: then Titus went in with his host. and right as the jews sold christ. for thirty. pens So in like wise he sold thirty. jews for one penny. and turned the city up side down In so much that they left not a stone standing upon an other But destroyed it to the uttermost part Lo thus may ye see though god almighty abide and suffer. long he smiteth sore at the last and taketh great vengeance on them that be lusty to shed christian men's blood ¶ wherefore every christian man and woman amend himself praying to this holy appostyll to be mediator between god and them that they may have ve●y repentance in their hearts here. with shrift of mouth and satisfaction in deed doing that we may come to the bliss that nevir shall have ending Amen.   

De invencione sancte crucis  
good friends such a day ye shall have the Invention. of the holy cross But ye shall not fast the even but come to god and to holy church as christian people should do in worship of him that died on the cross. Then ye shall understand why it is called thus. Inuencio sancte crucis. The finding of the holy cross the which was found in this wise as I shall tell you. when Adam our first fad. was seek for age and would fain haf be out of this world Adam sent Seethe his son to the angel of paradise praying the angel to send him the oil of mercy to anoint his body therewith when he were deed Then went Seethe to paradise and said his message to the angel Then answered the angel and said that he might not have it till the years be fulfilled But have this branch of the tree that thy father sinned in and set it on his grave. and when it beareth fruit then shall he have mercy and not erst. Then took sech this branch and come home and found his father deed Then he set this branch on his faders grave. as the angel. bad him do the which branch growed there till Solomon was king. and he made to fell it down for it was fair to the work of the temple: butt it would not accord with the work of his temple Solomon made to cast it down to the earth And was hid there  
Unto the tyme. that the bishop. of the temple let make a wayre in the same place there as the tree lay to wash in sheep that were offered to the temple Then when this wayre was made they called it in their language. Probatica piscina. To the water come an angel certain times fro heaven and did warship to the tree that lay in the ground of the wayre. and moved the water And what man or woman that come to the water next after the angel was made hole of what sickness that evir they had by virtue of the tree and so endured many winters to the time that christ was taken and should be done on the cross then this tree by the ordinance of god swam upon the water And when the jews haddde none other tree ready to make the cross of. for great haste that they had they took the same tree and made thereof a cross and so did our lord thereon And then the tree bore the blessed fruit Christ's body of the which welleth the oil of mercy to Adam and eve & all other of there offspring But when Christ was deed and was take down of the cross for e●●ye that the jews had to him they took the cross and two other croces that the thiefs were hanged in either side of christ and buried them deep in their the. for christian people should not wit where they were d●d● for to do it worship And there ● lay a year and more unto the time that Elyn the Emp●ce. mother of Constantyne gathered great people to fight with Maxencius ●●te a great water. ovir the which water lay a great bridge for deceit of constantyne Maxencius let make a trey. hoping for to have deceived constantyne that he should have fallen into the water And as constantyne lay in his bed sore afeard of maxencius. for he was moche byger of people than he was. then came to him an angel. with a sign of the cross shining as gold & said to him To morrow when thou goest to the battle Take this ●yne in thine hand and by the virtue th●● of thou shalt have victory. Then was constantyne wonder glad and anon let make a cross of tree: to bear it. to fore him to the battle But when maxencius saw him nigh the bridge he was so fierce of himself that he had forget the trap the which he had made himself and so came on the bridge and fill down to the water by the trap and was drowned Then was all his aste wonder fain to yield them to Constantyne with good will. Then for constantyne was not yet christened. And also he was healed of a Leperhode that he had Then anon by counsel of the pope he sent his mother queen Elene that was queen of Jerusalem. and prayed her to go and seek the cross that christ died on This Elene was a kings daughter of England. and the emperor of Rome wedded her for her beauty and so she was made empress of Rome But after her husbands death she had the kingdom of jerusalem to dowry where she made gather all the jews that might be found and said But if they would show her the cross they should all be brent Then was there one of them that hight judas. and all said that he knew best where the croce was Then said Elene to him Si vis vivere ostende michi lignum crucis. If thou wilt live show me the cross that god died upon or else thou shalt be brent. and so put him to great distress Then he saw he must needs tell or die and said to them. I biseche you lead me to the mount of Calvary there as I shall bid you and I shall show you the cross of Criste for he was blind and might not see And so when he was brought to the monte of Calvary he kneeled down and prayed long. and when he had prayed the place where the cross was moved and the earth quoke. and there came a sweet savour fro that place that the cross lay that was as sweet as any spicery in the world. and then they digged there long and at the last they found three crosses But then wist they not which was christs cross fro the other ●weyn. And then took they a deed. body and laid now on that one cross and then on that other. And when it come to christs cross anon the body rose to life and thanked god Thynne said judas thou art christ truly and saviour of the world. and after that judas was christened & was an holy man after Then took Elyne a part of that cross and sent it to her son Constantyne And the remanant thereof. she made to shrine it in silver and gold and left it in jerusalem with all the worship that she could: ¶ Thus holy church maketh mention this day that the holy cross was found then as we read we find in a city that was called Birectus A christian man hired a house of a jew to dwell in then had this man a road which Nicodemus had made in mind. of Christ Then took he this road and set it in a privy place of his house for sight of the jews and did it worship after his coming Then after it fell so that this man went into another house and happened to leave this road behind him unweting then come a jew. and duelt in the house there this christian man had been in. Then for to make him good cheer his neighbours come on a night and souped with him And as they sat at souper and spoke of this christian man that duelled there bifore. this jew looked beside him and in a corner he saw this road And when he saw that anon he began to grind with his teeth and to chide with this other jew his neighbour and said thou art turned to christian faith & haste a road & dooste it worship privily Then this other jew swore nay as deep as he could that it was not so ne nevir saw it before that thyme. yet not withstanding that other jew went & told his neighbours and said that this man was a privy christian man and had a road privily in his house Then anon come all his neighbours wooed for wrath & all to beat this man and drew him & tugged him in the worst manner that they could and so at the last they said all. this is the image that thou believest upon And they took the image and beat it and scourged it and crowned it with thorns. and at the last they made the strongest of them to take a spear and with all his might he smote it to the heart And anon therewith blood & water ran out by the sides Than were therefore afeard thereof and said. Take we pots and fill them with this blood and let us bear it into the temple there as the seek people is of diverse maladies & anoint them therewith. & if they be hole with the blood than cry we god mercy and anon let us be christened man and woman Then they anointed the seek people with this blood and anon they were hole Then went these jews. to the bishop of the city and told him all the caas & anon he kneeled down. on his knees & thanked god of this fair miracle And when he christened the jews he took vyolles of glass crystal & amber & put of this blood in them & sent about in diverse churches. & of this blood as many men understand come to the blood of hails. ¶ Mylites: telleth in his Crovyeles that many years after that jerusalem was destroyed the jews would have builded it again Then as they went thiderwardes early in a morning they found many croces by the way athey were afeard thereof and turned homeward again. yet on the morrow they went again then were the crosses full of blood: and then they fled homwardes again eachone yet would they not leave thereby. but went again the third day. then fire rose out of the earth and brent them evirechone to ashes.   

De scon iohen ante portam lati.  
good friends such a day ye shall have saint john's day. at the port latin. why is it called so It happened as this day this holy saint preached the word of god in a city that was called Ephesie▪ the justice of the city saw that he turned moche people to the believe of Criste and would have had him to do sacrifice to false gods. and for he would not but rather lose his life Then the justice let take him and commanded him to be set in person while he sent to the Emperor of Rome to know what he should do w● the him And so ●rēs came to them●eroure. in the which he called john all ●e worst that he could & said he was a false disceivour of the people Then wrote th'emperor again to the justice & bad that he should send john to him to come and so he did And th'emperor opposed him of his deeds and john stood stedefast in the faith. & for great scorn the emperor made to clip some of john's here of his heed. for he had a fair heed of here And when be was so clipyd all the people lough him to scorn and so did him great disease. & they led him to a gate of the town of Rome which is called port latin & there they put him in a ton of hot fervent oil and closed him therein and put under fire to have brent him therein but he was gods own darling He kept him so that he had no harm in no part of his body Then whanche people we nid that he had be deed they unclosed the ton and found him as hole and as found in all parties of his body. and clothes as no thing had touched him. Therefore christian people let make a church there in the worship of god & of his martyrdom that he suffered there Then for the Emperor might not overcome him by no way of martyrdom and penance he exiled him into an isle that is called Pathmos Then herd saint john's mother that her son was sent to Rome for to be deed For great sorrow and compassion of him she went after to Rome But when she heard that he was exiled she turned again & went homeward And so when she came to a city that was called vetulam and there she fill seek and died & there she was buried beside the city in a roche. And when she had lain there many years saint james her other son came thydre and took up his mothers body. & it smelled as sweet as any spycerye & brought it into the city and buried it. there with great worship and honour.   

De sancto Iohen baptista.  
good friends such a day ye shall have an high feast. and an holy that is called saint john's day the baptist. and it is called so for he baptised Criste in the water of slain jordan wherefore ye shall fast theven And ye shall understand and know how the euyn● were first found in old time In the beginning of holy church It was so that the people came to church with candles brenning and would wake and come with light toward night to the church in their devotions and after they fell to lechery songs. dances. harping. piping & also to gluttony and sin and so turned the holiness to cursedness. wherefore holy faders ordained the people to leave the waking and to fast theven. and thus turned the waking into fasting But it is called vigilia. that is waking in english and it is called the even for at even they were wont to come to the church But in worship of saint john the people waked at home and made three manner of fires. one. was clean bones and no wood. and that is called a bone fire Another is clean wood and no bones and that is called a wood fire for people to sit and wake thereby The third is made of wood and bones & that is called saint johnes fire The first fire as a great clerk. john Byllet telleth he was in a certain country So in the country there was so great heat the which causeth the dragon's to go to gydder in tokning that john died in brenning love to god & man And they that die in charity shall have part of all good prayers. & they that do not shall nevir be saved: ¶ Thenne as this dragon fleeth in the air. they shed down to the water●. froth of their kind and so enuenemed the waters and causeth moche people to t● their death thereby & many diverse ●esse then on a time there were many great clerks and radde of king alexander how on a time as he should have a batyll with the king of ynde And this king of ynde brought with him many elephants bearing castles of tree on their backs as the kind of them is to have armed knights in the castle for the battle Then knew alexander the kind of the elephants that they dread no thing more. than the jarring of swine. wherefore he made to gather to gydder all the swine. that might be gotten and caused them to be driven as nigh the elephants as they might well here the jarring of the swine And then they made a pygge to cry and when the swine heard the pyg cry anon they made a great jarring and assoon as the elephants herd that they began to flee eachone and cast down the castles and sleew the knights that were in them. and by this mean Alexander: had the victory Also these wise clerks know well that dragon's hate nothing more than the stench of burning bones Therefore they gathered as many as they might find and brent them. And so with the stench thereof they drove away the dragon's and so they were brought out of great disease The two. fire was made of wood for that will burn light and will be seen far for it is the chief of fires to be seen ferrre. and tokening that saint john. was a lantern of light to the people also. the people made blazes of fire for they should be seen far and specially in the night. saint jerom the prophet many a year or god was borne he prophesied and spoke thus with go●●es mo●the and said.  Priusquam te formavi in utero novi te. 
Bifore or thou were formed in thy modres womb I knew the.  Et antequam exires de vulua. sanctificavite. 
And before or thou yedest out of thy modres womb I hallowed the Et ꝓphām in gentibus dedi te. And I gave the a prophet to the people Then for saint john should be holy or he were borne god sent his angel gabriel to zacary saint johnes fad as he did sacrifice in s●●de of ab●a the bishop in the temple & prayed to god to have a child For both he & his wife were barren and old Then said the angel to zacary. Ne t●neas zacaria dread not zacary. god hath ●e●d thy prayer. Elizabeth uxor tua par●et filium et vocabitur nomen eius. johannes. Elizabeth thy wife shall have a child and his name shallbe called john. He shallbe fulfilled with the holy ghost Et multi in nativitate eius gaudebunt And many shall joy. in the birth of him Then for zacary was old he prayed the angel to have a token. of his behest Then said the angel to him he should be dumb till the child were borne & so he was Then conceived elyzabet And when she was quick with child our lady come with child also: to speak with Elizabeth: and anon▪ as she spoke to elisabeth saint johan played in his mothers womb. for joy of christ's presence that he saw & our lady was with elysabeth unto the time that johan was borne. and was midwife to elysabeth. & took saint johan from the earth and when neighbours heard that elisabeth had a son they were full glad and come thither as the manner was that tyme. to give the child a name. & called it zacary after the father. But elisabeth bad call him john. But for there was none of the kin of that name they asked zacary by synes what the child should height. Then he wrote to them. and bad call him johan. And therewith god loosed zacaryas tongue. & spoke readily & thanked god highly. Thus was johan holy or he was borne. And for he would give every man sight of grace and of good living. he gave 'em ensample for assoon as he was of covenable age he went in to desert & was there till our lord come to be christened of him johannes habuit vestimenta de pilis camelorum. johan had his cloth made of the here of the camel: and a girdle about him of the same skin. Esca autem eius erat locusta et mell silvester. Forsooth his meet was leaves & honysocles that hath a white flower that groweth in trees & he eat all manner of worms that were nourished in that desert among herbs and the worms be as great as a man's finger and sucked honey off flowers. that be called hanysocles. tha● pour people gatheren. and fry he● oil to her meet. Also johan eat 〈◊〉 round leaves. that grown in trees in that desert. And when they be bro●en between a manni● hands they be sweet as honey: and he drank water of the well that was in the desert. there was johnes life in that desert. till that our lord was thirty. winter of age. And thenne our lord and johan met at the water of flain jordan. And then johan told the people of christ. and said. Ecce agnus dei. See the lamb of god that I have told you of that shall fulfil you in the holy ghost Thenne went john in to the water. & there he baptized christ and when he was baptized Ecce aperti sunt celi. Heaven opened. Et vidit spiritum dei descentem sicut columba. And he saw the holy ghost come down as a dove. Et vox de celo dicens. And a voice from heaven spoke thus. Ecce filius meus dilectus. in quo michi bene complacui/ This is my well-beloved son that pleaseth me. Here learned johan first to know three persons in trinity & all this betokeneth two fires. The third fire of bones betokeneth johnes marterdom for his bones were brent and how ye shall here. ¶ we read the king Herod had a brother that hight Phylippe and he had a fair woman to his wife and Herod loved. her 〈◊〉 And held her under his wife. where John reproved him and said Non licet tibi habere uxorem fratris. tui It is not lawful to the to have thy brothers wife And therefore he put him in prison and ordained between him & his wife how john might be deed with out troubling of the people for the comen people loved john well Then Herod ordained to make a great feast. to all the states of the country for they should hold with him if the people had risen And so when the day was come that the feast should be hold and all the people were served at the meet herod's wife as covenant was between them though sent her daughter into the hall for to dance and to tumble afore the gests And that pleased her father so well that he swore a great oath and said Pete a me quod vis & dabo tibi Ask of me what thou wilt and I shall give it the. Then as her mother bade her say she said Caput johannis baptist. The heed of john baptist Then Herod feigned him wroth and sorry that he had made such an oath But he was glad in his heart & then sent into prison to smite of johnes heed without any other doom and was brought to the damosel Then the mother let bury it in a privy place far from the body ¶ Thenne the next night after johnes disciples came and took his body & buried it And there it lay till julyan. the appostita the emperor come that way Than he made take up. johnes bones & to burn them. & to window them in the wind hoping that he should never rise again to life ¶ Thus ye may understand how holy that this man was then an angel come fro heaven and told zacary of his conceyvig and was hallowed in his mothers womb and our lady took him from th'earth in his birth. and an angel brought his name fro heaven. and after he christ nid our lord Jesus Christ: this was an holy man ¶ ye shall understand tha● saint john the evangelist died the same day. but holy church maketh no mention thereof. For his day is hold in cristmas week Then for these two. john's beholden the worthiest saints in heaven Then there were two scolars of divinity the one loved. john baptist & the other john evangelist And on a day they purposed to dispute in this matter and the day was assigned but then the night bifore. either johnes appeared to their lovers and bad them leave their disputation for they were well accorded in heaven and made no strife And then on the morrow before all the people either told his vision that were come to here them dispute. ¶ And thenne all the people thanked god almighty and both saint john's of this fair miracle. ¶ also there were two meselles that loved weal these two johnes And so as they were in coming they spoke of these two. saints which were the greatest in heaven  
And so that one said that the one was greater than that other. and so they begannne to fight. Then there come a voice fro heaven and said. we fight not in heaven. and therefore fight not ye in earth for us. for we been in peace and so be ye. And therewith they were both hole of their sickness. and thanked god and both saint johannis and afterward they were holy men. ¶ And therefore let us worship these holy sayntes·s that they may pray for us that we may come to everlasting bliss.   

¶ Sctonrum Petri & Pauli.  
GOod friends such a day ye shall have the feast of saint Peter and Poule. and ye shall fast the even. and on the morrow come unto the church. And worship god and pray to these two saints that were holy apostles to pray for us. Our lord hath peter on the one side & paul on the other side. And he hath his wounds open and fresh bleeding. showing to all manner of christian people that he suffered those wounds for us. that be the v. wells of mercy. that he suffered for us. ¶ ye shall understand that these two apostles were first great sinners But for they left her sin: and were sorry and contrite. and sinned no more our lord took 'em in ensample to all other that will leave her sin they shall be saved. For he that is shriven and forsaketh his sin mercy followeth that and do his penance. He shall have meercy & grace: For as glad as the father is to see the son rise from death to life. also glad is our lord and moche gladder to see a man rise out of deadly sin. and never to do it more and therefore showing by ensample. Poule beareth a sword to all christian people to cut away the chains of sin with his sharp sword of confession for deadly sin bindeth a man sore to the fiend. & therefore cut away the chain Peter is also ready to open the gates of heaven to all christian people and to take them in that will forsake her sin. ¶ ye shall understand the poule was first so high & so feerse against all God's servants that there durst no preacher deal with him. but after he left great malice. and there as he was fierce. after he was gracious. And there as he was before high and proud of heart. he was meek and lowly to all God's servants. Peter also held himself most perfit & steadfast of all Christ's disciples wherefore he made boast by a vain glory that he was ready to go to death with christ. and said thus. It behoveth me to die with the· And when christ say that all his disciples should forsake him. Peter for the great boast said. though all men forsake him. he would not. And yet more over when christ was take. Peter drew out his sword and smote of a servants ere that hight malcus.  
But soon after when he saw that christ was take. and should be put to death then he sweared and stared. that he never knew him. and forsook christ. But when he heard the kocke crow. then he remembered of that our lord said to him. that or the kocke crew iii. thou shalt forsake me then Peter went forth. Et flevit amare. And wept bitterly and hid him in a cave durst not come among his brethren for shame till our lord sent to him by name. Then was peter ever after ashamed and sorry for his trespass and there as he was a boster and unstable of his words. afterward he was true and stable and grounded in stableness of parfyght living. In so moche that christ called him peter. that is a stone in english. For there as thou layest a stone. there thou shalt find it. So was peter so steadfast after that neither for we'll nor for woe he never flitered. But ever stood steadfast in Christ's law. And had ever his sin in mind and to amend that he had done amiss. And was afterward of great abstinence that he eat but breed and oil: wortes. and full selden flesh. and were but a syngyll kertyll with a mantel. And ever as often as he heard any man mind Jesus'. anon he began to weep full sore. and when he heard any kocke crow. anon he would rise up and go and pray and suffer penance: And he wept many times so bitterly that the tears of his eyen brent his face in so much that where he was he had a cloth in his bosom alway to wipe away the tears. Then so following he was so holy that where that ever he went. and he might shadow any sick body. anon they were hole.  
¶ So on a time he sent two of his disciples in to a far country to preach. And when they were gone two days journey. one of them died and that other turned again and told Peter. then peter took him his n1. and bade him go and lay the n1 on his fellow. and bade him arise in the name of god. and he rose anon. and went forth to guider and preached: Then were many wroth that Peter turned so moche people to the ferth And put him in to prison. and bond him fast with great chains of iron till he was nigh deed lest he soold be stolen away. wherefore the knights work it that he should not escape. And thus the common people took Ensample of hem and make fires in worship of saint Peter and watch. then Criste come to peter in prison And then come an angel to Peter with great light as our lord bad. And anon the chains break and fill fro his hands and feet. And so went he to Rome & was there pope xxxv years. and turned much people to Christ's faith. But soon after came the fiends limb. that was called Simon magus. that could moche of the fiends craft and made moche people like in diverse sykenesse· Some blind some lame. some deff so that the people what for fere and for wonder believed in him. then peter healed all those that Simon magus had buried. And bade they should not believe in him. Then was this Simon magus wroth with Peter that he might not have his will and in especial he might not raise a deed body to life that Peter raised. then this simon teyed a fiend in likeness of a great dog there as peter should come to slay peter but  
¶ Peter ●●sed him. & let this dog lose and then he leapt to simon and pulled him down under his feet and then peter bade leave and do him no harm of his body. but all to rent his clothes So that simon went almost naked away. then simon ordained all the ways that he could to have Peter deed thenne our lord appeared to Peter and said. ¶ Simon et nero contra te cogitant. Symonde nero and other have ordained thy death to morrow. I will send to the paul my servant in comfort to the and ye shall suffer martyrdom to guider for my sake and so come to me to everlasting bliss. then peter told his brethren his vision that he had in the night. and so took Clement by the hand and set him in his chair. and made him. pope and successor after him: then on the morrow come Poule and preached the people then this Simon had so charmed the Emperor in such a foolishness. that he wend that he had be God's son. So this symonde magus come to the Emperor and said There be two men of Galyle come in this city. that one height peter and that other paul. that do me so much disease that I may no longer abide here in earth. ¶ wherefore command such a day all manner of people to come to capytole. and there in sight of all the people I will fly up to my father in heaven. And when all the people were come to guider Simon went up in to a tower of the capitol Then come two fiends like two. angels. & set on his heed a garland off laurel. & bore him up in to the air. like as he had flown Then said peter to paul brother look up & see. thenne said paul. It falleth for me to pray & the to command: & anon peter said. I command you angelis of sathanas. that ye let that man go down. that all the people may see whom they have worshipped. then edmōd fell down & all to braced thenne was th'emperor wroth and made to lead peter & paul forth. And died peter on a cross and his head downward. and so put him to death. & paul for he was a gentleman born For the more worship. they smote off his heed. then the people saw angels standing on the cross there as peter hinge with crowns. And when Paul'S heed was smytte of there come out fair plenty of milk & after blood Then in the night after come christen people and laid her bodies to guider in a grave· & there they lay till christen faith was more open in rome. Thenne would they have boar either body to his church. but they could not know either bones fro other. Then come there a voice fro heaven & said. the more bones be of the preacher and the less of the fisher. So after when the christian faith come in to this land king ethelbert let make a great church at westmynstre in worship of Saint Peter. and another in london of saint paul. And so on a day when the church of saint Peter should be hallowed. in the night afore was a man fishing  
¶ in the tamyse under westmyn● And 〈…〉 ●em revesshed had up the 〈…〉 great dread and quaking. and there they fond a lityll writing here lieth and restech Thomas archbishop of caunterbury Primate of England. and the pope's legate slain for the right of holy church the fifth day of cristmasse. then for great devotion that they had of that syght·s all cried saint Thomas. And then they took the heed to the archbishop to kiss. and so they kissed it all And then they beheld his wounds and said they were ungracious that wounded the thus. And so laid him in shrine. and covered it with cloth of gold and set torches about it brenning. and the people to wake it all night. then on the morrow come all the states of this land: And bore the shrine to the place there as it is now with all the reverence and worship that they could. And there it is with worship Amen.   

De sancta maria magdalena.  
GOod friends such a day ye shall have the feast of Mary magdalen. that was so holy that our lord Ihesu christ loved her best of all women next his own mother wherefore ye shall come to god and to holy church. and pray to that holy woman that she will pray to our lord for us. that we may have grace. for she was the first in time of grace that died penance. for she had lost grace by fleshly lust. so she is made a mirror to all other sinners that will forsake sin. and do penance they shall have grace. the which was lost by sin. She had a father that was a great lord. and nigh of the kings blood and had a great lordship in Iherusalem. the which he gave to lazarus his son. and he gave marry the castle of mawdeleyne. with all the lordship longing thereto. of the which castle she had her name. and was called marry mawdeleyn for she was lady there of. then as many books say. Saint johan evangelist wedded her. And our lord bade him go with him and kep● his virginity. and so he died. and was clean virgin. And mawdelayne w●●t forth and gave her all to sin In so much she lost the name of mawdele●n and was called the sinful woman▪ But it was often seen that our lord made of the greatest sinner the hol●●st afterwards: And so when our lord saw time he gave this woman grace to ●●owe herself. & to have repentance for her sins: Then when marry herd the christ was at a man's house that was called Simon the pharisee. she took a box with ointment such as the people used the time for heat of the son & went thither. but she durst not for shame go tofore him. & heard him speak. & then she took a great sorrow in her heart. and wept tenderly. and with the tears of her eyen she washed Christ's fe●e And with the heres of her heed she weped 'em and with all the love of her heart she ●ysshed 'em & anointed hem but no word she spoke that any man might here. but softly in her heart she cried mercy. and made a vow to him that she would never trespass more. Then our lord had pity on her and cast out of her seven. fiends and forgave her all her sins in hearing of all that there were. then she took such a love to christ. that she left all her lordshyp● of mawdeleyn with all other goods. and sued him forth with great love. that in his passion there as his disciples fled from him. she left him never till she with help of other had laid him in his tomb. and when no man durst go thither for fere of the knights that keepeth him. she spared not. Cum tenebre essent. It was dark in the dawynge. she took with her sweet balms. to anoint Crystis body: with this she showed love both in will and in deed wherefore christ in his life for her love healed Martha her sister of the red flix that she had seven. year tofore and pained her full sore. ¶ Et resuscitavit Lazarum a mortuis. ¶ And raised Lazar her brother from death to life. that had lain iiii. days stinking in his grave. and when our lord rose from death to life. he appeared to her. and suffered her to touch him. & kissed his feet. Then when it was known to the jews. that christ showed her so many tokens of love before all other. Then when christ was stied up to heven· the jews took Mary and Martha her sister lazarus maxencius and many other. and put them in a ship that was old 〈…〉 ●a●e drowned them. but g● 〈…〉 so for all thing at his will and brought them safe to a land▪ called Marcyle And there they rested under a ba●●e. that was nigh the temple. then oswy saw moche people coming toward the temple to do sacrifice to her mammets. And the lord of the country come with 'em But mawdeleyn was gracious and with her gracious words turned him again Thenne this lord had great lust to hear her speak and said thus to her. that if god that thou speakest of be so gracious and so great of power as thou saist. pray to him that I may have a child by my wife that is barren. and then will I believe in him. then mary said she would: and within short time after the lady conceived and was with child Then this lord anon after ordained to go to Iherusalem to Peter to wite of him whether mawdeleyns preaching were true or no. and victualed his ship and made him ready. Then come his lady. praying him that she might go with him. So with great prayer the lord granted her. then by assent of hem both. they made marry mawdeleyn to keep her lordships and goods that they had and marry set a cross on either of their shoulders. and bad hem go in the name off god. when they had seyled a day and a night a great tempest arose. in so much that they wend all to have be drowned. Then was this lady sore afeard. And therewith she began to travail. And so was delivered of a 〈…〉 the birth fell down deed Then this lord made great sorrow and lamentation and said Alas alas I wretch what shall I do with this child Now is the mother deed and needs must the child die also. for here is no woman's help to keep it. Then he cried to mawdeleyn & said Alas mary why dost thou thus to me thou behete me a child And now is the mother deed and the child must needs die for fault of woman's help. and I himself look evir when I shall be drowned Help marry and have compassion on me and of my child. Then said the shipman Cast this deed body in the see for we shall nevir have rest while it is in the ship Then said. the lord she is natt deed: but lieth in a swoon for fere But I pray you let us have the ship to yonder roche. for I had levyr grave her yonder then to cast her into water And for theridamas was noon earth to make her a grave he left her hanging on a roche of stone and the child by the mother & covered them with his mantel And betook them to god and marry mawdelayn to keep and went his way So when he come to jerusalem he spoke with Petyr and he had him be of good comfort: though his wife were deed for god might restore her to life again then ●r showed him the places there as our lord was quick and deed: And told him of his birth and of his passion of his resurrection and his ascension and informed him of the faith. & made him steadfast to christ And when he had be there two year Petyr sent. him home again and bade him great well mawdeleyn and her fellowship. Then when the lord came far in the see and saw the place there his wife lay. he longed sore in his heart to go thydre. and then he prayed the shipman▪ to set him there Thenne he saw a little child sitting on the see sonde playing with small stones But assoon as the child saw him it ran forth to the roche and he followed till he come there he left his wife And he took up the man tell and found the child sucking on his moders papes. Then thanked he god and mary mawdeleyn Then he said Mary thou art great with god that hast kept a young child sucking upon a deed body in great comfort and joy to me But and thou wilt pray to thy lord that my wife might rise to life then were I evir bounden to be thy servant and will w●●ll I live Then with that word she spak●: said Blessed more thou be Marry that were medewyf to me and nor●● to me child while I have be in my pelgramage Then said this man wife art thou alive▪ and she said ye sir now I come fro my pilgrimage as ye do ● told him of every place that he had be all then he kneeled down and thanked god and mary mawdeleyn And when they come home they found Mary preaching and teaching the people▪ and anon they kneeled down and thanked her and told her what Petyr said and prayed her to tell what they should do and they would do it with good will Then marry bad they should destroy the temples of mammetry and build churches and make fontes and christian. the people: and so within short time all the land was christened then for mary gave her all to contemplation she went far into a wilderness. & was there thirty. winters unknown to any man or woman. Descendebant angeli et eam in ethera levabant.. An● angels come seven. times a day and bore her up into the air and there she was fed with heavenly f●de. but when god would that she should pass out of this world he made an holy pressed to see how angels bore her up. in the air Then went he near the place and asked in the name of god who was there. If it were a christian man he should speak and tell what he was. then answered mary mawdelen. I am the sinful woman that the gospel speaketh of that wish Christ's feet And she bad the priest go to maxencius the bishop. and bid him on Ester day in the morning to be in the church & there I will meet him & when he came to the church. he saw how mary was borne up two cubytes froo the ground with angels that he was sore aghast then marry called to him and bad him come near and go say a mass that she might be houseled then in sight of all the people when mass was done she was houseled. & received gods body in form of breed. and anon therewith she gave up the ghost Then took the bishop the holy body and laid it in a tomb of stone And wrote all her life in the worship of god that died so graciously by her. and all sinful people that will leave her sin. Thus ye may come to everlasting bliss. To the which god bring us all to Amen   

De festo sancti jacobi appostoli  
GOod friends such a day ye shall have saint james day th'apostle. and ye shall fast the even in the worship of god & this holy apostle. This james was a holy man for he come of an holy kind. he was our ladies sisters son. And brother to saint john evangelist and by th'assent of all thapostles he was sent in to spain to preach the word of god. for the people were so cumbered with the sin of mawmentry. that he might not turn but ix. persons of the which he left there two to preach and seven. he took with him in to jury For he heard that there was one called hermogynes. And he had a disciple that hight phylyp they two beguiled so the people that james had turned again to mammetry. then james blamed 'em to torn fro everlasting salvation to everlasting damnation Then hermogynes herd thereof and came and disputed with ●mes of the faith. hoping with th●●dis craft to have over come him. then james died so many miracles that Phylyp forsook hermogynes his master then was hermogynes wroth. and sent a company of fiends said go● ye and bring james. & phylip to me bound Then when the fiends come to james the angel of god was ready and bond the fiends that they cried james the appostyll have mercy on us for we be bound so sore with brenning chains that woe is us on every side Then said james wherefore he ye come hither. and they said Hermogynes sent us hither for to bring the and Philip bound to him and now god's angels have bound us. that woe is us to suffer this pain Then said james I will lose you so that ye go to hermogines & bring him hither bound to me and do him no more harm. Then said they to hermogines thou haste sent us where we have be bound with iron chains. but now we will bind the and bring the before james Then said they to james. this false. Hermogynes hath do to the & us much tribulation and disease. now give us leave to venge both the & us Then said james nay▪ My master jesus bad me do good against evil then jamas bad Philip unbynd Ermogines. Then said Hermogynes now I know their malice of the fiends I pray the james. give me some of thy power. or else these fiends will slay. me. then james took him his own staff and then he went boldly to his own house and took his books & cast them into the see and come to james and fell down on his knees & cried him mercy and prayed him to christian him then was james glad. and christened him and taught him the faith and afterward he was an holy man and god wrought many mira●●●● for him Then heard the jews thereof and took james and bound a roope about his neck and lad him to king Herod and prayed him to do james to death or else he would torn all her nation to Christ's faith and d●stroye her law Than Herod commanded to frayed of his heed. And when he was deed. Hermogines and philip with many other of his disciples took james body and for they durst not for the jews very it they took it with them into a sh●● and went into these praying god to b●●ge them there as he would that the body were buried Then god governed the ship so that they landed in spar●  
¶ There was a queen called lupa that is a she wolf and she was of cursed living then the● took the body and laid it upon a stone and that waxed so soft that the body sank down in to the stonelike as it had been ● tomb made therefore Thenne some of them kept the corfe while tother were to the queen Lupa and said. For she would not receive james in his ly●e. god sent her the body to be buried. wherefore we pray you of a place to berry his body in to his worship for such an holy man ¶ Thenne this queen did her wolves kind and wist well that the king of Spain was a cursed man of manners and would do them some harm and scent to the king praying him to ordain a place where this body might be buried: And he did as a cursed man should do he took them and put them into prison and bound them fast hand and foot with great ●●on chains. and while he sat at his meet an angel come and let hem out of prison and bad them go their way and so they did And when the king heard that he send two. knights. with moche people to bring them again And when the knights came to a bridge that they were gone ovyr. the knights would have go after. but the bridge brake and all the people were drowned then was the king afeard of vengeance & sent after them peaceably and prayed them to come again and they should have all their desire And when they come again the king commawnded all the city to be christened then when the queen herd that she was wroth and thought to do 'em all the harm and despite that she could and sent after them praying them to come to her ● she would ordain for them in the best wise. and when they were. come she said So to such an hill. & there I have oxen and bulls. take of them and yoke them in a wain and lay the corpse therein and let them cheese their way: and thydre as they lead the wain I grant you the place to bury the corpse in Thus she did for great malice hoping that the wild beasts would have destroyed them all. But when they made a croce to fore them the beasts stood still whyll they were yoked into the wain. and so let them go and in sight of all the people they lad the wain into the queens palaces & then she repented her and cried mercy: to god and saint james. and anon she was christened and gave the palaces with good will to saint james and that the longed thereto and made thereof a worthy church and laid saint james therein. and there did him all the reverence that she might or could. and there god showeth unto this day many fair miracles.   

Narracio  
¶ There was a man that hight barnard and happened to be take with enemies and put into prison in the ground. in a deep dungeon and was bound with as many great chains of iron as he might bear Then he cried heartily to god and saint james for help and succour Then came saint james to him and comforted him and anon the chains. broke and james hung 'em about his neck and said Veni sequere me. Come and follow me and lad him to a tour that was xl cubytes of hight. and bad him leap down and bear his chains into spain and offer them at saint james and so he did.   

Narracio.  
¶ Also there was a man that go to seinte james in the company of other pilgrames & helped a power woman that was seek to bear her scrip and anon after met with a seek man and for he might not go he set him on his horse to ride and went himself a foot bearing the poor woman's scrip. and the seek man's staff So for great heat and travail when he came to saint james he fell seek and lay three days and might not speak And then he gave up great sighing and spoke and said I thank god and saint james by his prayer I am delivered of a great multitude of fiends For right now come saint james to me with the poor womannes' scripe and the seek man's staff and hath drove away the fiends fro me Butte get me a priest anon for I shall not live but a while: and he said to one. of his fellows Good friend. go fro thy lord that thou servest for he is soothly dampened & shall die within a short time a foul death And when they come home they told the lord and he set nought thereby But within short time he was deed as the man said.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ Another miracle. there were threty. men in a company that plight their truth each to other to be true to go to saint james to gydder save one that would. not plight his truth. and in short time one of them fill seek and lay three days and spoke not and for he lay so long all his fellows went their way: save he that would not plight his troth he abode with him. and within a while he spoke and mended and his fellow carried him forth. but he might natt traveyll but soft and it happened that they abode all night under a hill. & were full fore afeard what for cursed people and wild beasts. there that man died then about midnight come saint james riding and said give me the deed body thy fellow bifore. me and come thou up behind me and by the morrow they had riden xv days journey and come to the mount joy half a mile from saint james & there he let hem down and bad this man go fet the chanones of saint james to bury his fellow & say to his fellows there pilgramage stand in no stead For they were false to their other fellow. And therefore let everyman and woman be true to other and we shall at the last come to the bliss of heaven.   

¶ De sancta Anna.  
good friends such a day ye shall have saint Anne's day that was our ladies mother that day ye shall come to god and holy church and pray to this holy woman to pray for us ¶ we read of v. holy women that hight Anna I will tell you of these v. women The first Anna was mother to the prophet Samuel that governed the people of israel Anna had a husband that hight El●ana. and he had no children by Anna long butt by great prayer to god at the last he had a son that was called Samuel Then was there another anna that was wife to a man called raguel. & they had a daughter that hight Sare the which had seven husbands. & evyr the first night the fiend strangled them when they would have communed with her only for lust of flesh & not to bring forth fruit to god's pleasance and for no children But soon after come young tobye. and by teaching of the angel Toby wedded this Sare and three nights and three days he forbore his wife and was in his prayers. and so after he had children The iii anna was the elder tobyes wife. This elder tobye was an old man and did the works of mercy full besily & to prove his meekness and sufferance. god made him blind For on a day as he buried many deed bodies that were slain he was weary and lay down in his house by the walls and as he looked up the dung of the swalous fell in his eyn and so he was blind But for he took it patiently and thanked god. of his visitation god restored him his sight again The iiii. anna was in the temple of jerusalem when joseph and our lady bare christ to the temple on candelmasse day For she prophesied of christ ●owe it should fall of him This amna was so holy that when she had been wedded seven. year her husband died & then went she into the temple & was there night and day till she was lxxx year old then had she grace of god to see him bodily or she died and had him in her arms The v. anna is our ladies mother So when our lady was of age and brought into the temple. & left there with other virgins of her age to learn moyses law & to serve god night and day This anna had a husband that was called joachim our ladies father and was come of the kindred of david For the prophets had told. long tofore how the kindred of david should descend down to christ and had written it in books that were kept in the treasury in the temple Then king Herod of jerusalem thought to torn the life of god to him and to his ey●●● and took the books out of the treasury. and made to burn them for the mind of christ should be forget & by this mean to have turned the lineage of david to him wherefore there be no books that tellit● how joachim descended fro david But when Herod had do this foul deed yet were there some good wise men that had copies of these books within them at home that told how joachim come of the kingdom of david For david had many children and one of them was called natan. of the which come Levy. and there was another called panther and of him come barbam that was joachymes father that married our ladies mother. Pater eius Ioachim matter vero anna ●ocati. This joachim that was our ladies. father and her mother anna when they. had this child she was give after in marriage to joseph Then died Ioachim and anna took another husband that was called Cleophas she had by him another daughter that was called marry cleophe and then he died and she took another husband that hight salome and by him she had another daughter that was called marry salome And when she had these three daughters in worship of the trinity. Then would she no more husbands but live in chastity and holiness. Then was this marry cleophe wedded to a man that was called alpheus and had iiii. sons james the less joseph that was barsabas simon and juda. The third marry was wedded to a man that was called zebedeus and she had by him two sons james the more and john. evangelist then as god saith that of a good tree cometh good fruit. so of this good woman come an holy offspring So let us serve this holy woman: that she may pray for us now. and evyr Amen.   

De sancto Laurencio martyr.  
good friends such a day ye shall have saint Laurence day gods own holy martyr His martyrdom as maximys saith shineth to all holy church. and lighteneth all the world. wherefore ye shall come to god and holy church and fast theven This saint was holy in living and great in compassion of fearing. Saint Austyn saith that ensampl●●nge is more commendable than is preaching and teaching Therefore saint Laurence gave all christian people to show against malice meekness. and against covetise largeness. against persecution and tribulation. love and sweetness. when sixtus the pope had be in spain he broghte Laurence with him to Rome and made him archdeken to serve holy chur and poor people Then had the Emperor envy to him and purposed to do him to death then Laurence to show meekness. against malice. inquired fast after poor people & went to them and gave them meet & drink and clothes and so he come to a widows house there as many poor people were lodged the which widow had been long seek of the heed ache then laurence had compassion on her and made her hole and meekly washed all the poor people's feet and serving them at meet and drink And for he heard that there was a poor man beside in a place that was blind he went thither and healed him So evir the more th'emperor showed malice to him the more he gave him to meekness and holy devotion He showed also against covetise largeness For when pope Sixtus had take to laurence the treasure of holy church to keep and to give to them that had need Then blessed Laurence followed his master and said Sancte pater noli me derelinquere. Holy father forsake not me. for I have dealed all the treasure that thou tookest to me. wherefore go not thou to thy passion assoon but let me go with the as we have served god to gydder So let us suffer death to gyddre Then said the pope I will go tofore and thou shall come after and suffer more penance than I may For I am old and thou art young and mayst suffer more than I. and therefore make the ready. for there is great tourment ordained for the Then were there some that heard Laurence speak of treasure Then the Emperou● sent after Laurence and said ostend michi thesauros ecclen Show me the treasure of the church or else thou shalt be put to such a torment that thou shall be fain to deliver it then how pope Sixtus and saint Laurence come to this treasure ye shall here ¶ we read that there was a holy man that hight origines that converted Philip the Emperor then the Realm of France was rebel against the emperor of Rome Then the emperor sent a knight of his into France with moche people to overcome france This knight was called decyus and in short time he made france subgettes to the Emperor as they were before Then when this emperor phylip heard that Decyus had done so well to great worship to Decius and to thank him for his journey The emperor took with him a few. men and road out of Rome against decius to welcome him home then decius saw that the Emperor did him so great worship he thought it had be for dread and not for love & thought to be emperor himself And so in the night next after as the Emperor. lay in his bed sleeping Decius slew him and took all his people to Rome. with him Then when the Romans & the senators heard thereof what for dread and what for love they made Decius Emperor Then when Philip'S son heard tell that his father was deed in this wise he was afeard that decius would have slain him and took all his faders treasure to holy church and bore it to pope Sixtus and to  
Laurence praying 'em if so were that Decius slew him they should deal this treasure to holy church and ●o poor people that had need Then decius made to slay philyps son for fere left he would avenge his faders death when he had come to man's state And this was the treasure that pope Sixtus and Laurence had. and for this treasure they put Laurence into prison Then was there a man that height Lucellus in prison that by great weeping had lost his sight. then Laurence made him to see again and christened him. wherefore many blind men & women come to Laurence and had their sight Then the Emperor sent to Laurence to deliver the treasure Than he prayed him of three days respite and thenne he would show him the treasure So these three days Laurence was let out of prison and went and gathered all the poor people to guider that he could find blind lame or crooked and the third day he brought them before the Emperor to his palaces and said Lo here is everlasting treasure. this will nevir fail for it will endure for ever in heaven So showed Laurence against covetise largeness for he dealed for god's sake all that he had and might have spent it invanyte and he had would Also in torment of his passion he showed love and sweetness Then th'emperor commanded to bring forth. all manner of tormentry scourges nails. stones. salt pyche brimstone brenning coals. iron shafts. bars of iron gredirens and commanded all should be spent upon Laurence but if he would show the treasure & forsake his god And to do sacrifice to mawmentes  
Thenne said Laurence thou unblessed man these meats and drinks have I evir desired For right as sweet meats and drinks please thy body So these torments please my soul. and maken me strong and mighty to suffer passion. for my lords sake. Then was th'emperor ●●●th and commanded to beat him with scourges full of knottiss. and leave not till the blood ran down on every side. and then they laid chains off iron brenning to his sides: that burned the flesh fro the bones. and ever laurence thanked god heartily. Then was decius wood for woe & said though thou with thy witch craft scornest my tourmentis. yet thou shouldest not scorn me. And then he commanded again to beat him with whips and knots of lead till the bones were bare. then laurence held up his heed and prayed to god then came a voice fro heaven and said. thou must suffer more tourmentis and passion for love of me This decius heard it himself. and thou shall come in to great joy and bliss. Then said decius to the people ye may here all how the fiends come and comfort him. go and beat him again with scourges then was there a knight of the emperors that height Romanus. that saw an angel with a sheet of silk come and wipe laurence sides. Then he forsook the emperor. & become the disciple of saint Laurence And laurence anon crystened him. then decius made to smite of Romanus heed. then decius did make a great fire and set a gredyren thereon to roast laurence. and thrested him down with fire forks Thenne laurence looked upon th'emperor & said. thou wretch that side that is ●osted enough. eat thereof while that other side roasteth. I dread not thy torments and cast his eyen up to god and said. Lord Ihesu Christ take my spirit. and so he yield up the go●● Then the tormentors went her way and left the body lying there. Then come christian people and took the body. and buried it with great lamentation. Thus Laurence showed meekness against malice and largeness against covetise. against passion. love & sweetness for the great love that he had to god▪ made him set nought by all his tourmentis that were do to his body. ¶ Saint gregory telleth how there was a pressed that hight staculus and was busy to amend a church of saint Laurence that was destroyed with lombards but he wanted breed to his work men and made moche sorrow therfore· and he prayed to god and to saint Laurence busily of help. And then he looked in to an oven and foude it full of new white breed. But he went it would have served 'em for a week. & it fond hem enough all the time that his work was a making. ¶ We find that there was an emperor that w●● a cursed man of living. And when he was deed. there come a legion of fiends to fetch him. and as they come by an holy hermits cell they made a great noise. thermit had great marvel thereof and opened a window & spoke to one of 'em that come behind. and asked in the name of god what they were And he said fiends that were sent to the emperor that was deed to luke if they might have him for her reward thenne the armyte commanded them to come again by him to know how. they sped. and he did so. and said when his sins were laid in the balance and was nigh overcome. Then come the brenning deacon laurence: & laid a great pot on the balance & it drew up altogether. this pot was a great chalice that th'emperor made to worship saint laure●nce. Thus ye may learn to suffer a yenst envious people. also what meed is in largeness. to give them that have need. and what joy and merit it is to suffer tribulation and persecution & disease patiently learn of the holy martyr saint laurence. and let us take him for a mirror. and pray to him that he will be mediator to god for us that we may come to everlasting bliss.   

¶ De assumpcione beat Marie virgins.  
GOod friends such a day ye shall have the Assumption of our lady. and it is called so. for the day her son took her up in to heaven body and soul. and crowned her queen of heaven. for thaungelis of heaven come to fett her up. Angellis singing come with procession against her with roses and lilies of paradise. in token that she is rose lily and flower of all women. and they did homage to her for all angels and saints in heaven made joy and melody in worship and honour of her: and so holy church maketh mind of her assumption. And yet the gospel of that day maketh no mention but of two sisters. that was Martha and Mary mawdalene and said thus. In●rauit ihesus in quoddle castellum et mulier quedam etc. ¶ Jesus' entered in to a castle: and a woman that was called Martha took him in to her house. And she had a sister that was called marry. that sat at Cristis feet. and heard him speak. Then was martha busy to serve christ and she said to him. Sire bid my sister arise and help me. then answered Criste. Maria meliorem partem elegit que non auferetur ab ea ¶ Mary hath chose the better part the which shall not be take away from her these been the words of the gospel of that day. And here be no words of our lady as be seeming. But he that readeth what saint ancelme saith. there he may see that the gospel pertaineth all to our lady and to the living of her For she was the castle that Jesus' entered in to. for right as a castle hath diverse properteis that longen to a castle. that it should be mighty and strong right so was our lady before all other women. For there as women be frail and feeble. and easy to overcome. our lady was strong as a castle. and ayenstode the cawtelis of the fiends engynis. and put them beside at all times. For right as a castle hath first a deep dyke. right so had our lady a deep meekness. in strength off the castle. in so much she passed other in virtue of meekness. wherefore god chose her to be mother to his son before all other wimmen and thereto christ beareth witness thus.  ¶ Quia respexit humilitatem ancille sue/ 
For god beheld the meekness of his hondmayden all generation shall bliss me This dyke if it be full of water it is the more stronger to the castle this water is compassion that a man should have for his sins. and for other people's disease. This water had our lady On this dyke lieth a draw bridge that shall be draw up against crunyes and let down against friends. By this bridge ye shall understand discrete obedience. for right as a man shall not let down the bridge to his enemy though he bid him. so man shall not let the fiend come to his soul though he tempt him. But anon as he is boden any thing. that is help and succour to his soul then shall he let down the bridge of obedience and the sooner the better. this died our lady when th'angel gabriel told her of her conception of her son. she let not down the bridge anon till she knew whether he was a friend or an enemy. and said she should conceive and be a maid. and kept the vow of chastity that she had made tofore. and as she heard yt. she let down the bridge of obedience and said. Ecce ancilla domini. Lo here God's own hand maiden. be it done to me after thy word. this castle is triple walled. ¶ The first wall betokeneth wedlock. for first she was wife to joseph. or else the jews would have stoned her as for a lecher if she had conceived without wedlock and so the further wall betokeneth patience and th'inner virginyte that is maidenhead but that is little worth but it be strengthened with the wall of pa●ience. and little help is for maidenhead it is little worth that can no thing suffer of persecution not disease: but ever pleyning and grudging. and to be a claterer a iangeler a curser. and a waryer and a scold of her tongue these defend not maidenhead. but rather cast it down. for maidenhead should be of few words. and that she speaketh should be honest and worship both to her own person. and to all them that been in her presence For it is an old english. a maiden should be seen. and not herd. this virtue had our lady. For saint Bernard saith. read all the gospel over. and thou shalt not find that our lady in all her life spoke but iiii. times. The first to gabriel the two. to Elizabeth. the three to her own son in the temple. and the iiii. at the wedding in the cave of galyle. Thus must the wall of patience defend the wall of maidenhead. This wall of maidenhead & it be well kept. it is passing all other. As bede saith. wedlock is ●ye▪ there as it is well kept but yet widow hood is higher. but virginity passeth all & hath worship in heaven passing all other. This wall kept our lady for she was clean both by free will & by vow & she had a degree passing all other maidens that ever were or ever shall be for she was both maid and mother. And in this castle is a gate. that betokeneth faith. for right as it is impossible for a man to go through a wall of steel. right so it is inpossible to a man to please god without faith. Thus faith had our lady passing ol other.  
¶ For as it seemeth impossible for a woman to conceive without carnal concupisbence of man for it was never seen before. But by teaching of an angel. she believed. And so came christ. and entered by the gate of believe in to the castle. that is in to the body of our lady. This gate had a tower above which betokeneth charity For that is above all thing and that virtue had our lady well may she be called a castle. For right as all manner of people i'll in to a castle both old and young for dread of enemies In so much that the lest child that can cry or speak that is afeard of any thing. anon crieth lady lady. for succour and help: For she is succour and help both to young and to old. less and more. in sickness and in health. The holy ghost is capiteyn of this castle. and his knights been holy angels that gone with our lady both night and day. ¶ In this castle been two sisters. Martha and mary mawdeleyne  ¶ Martha recepit illum in domum suam. 
¶ Martha received him in to her house and was busy to serve him & the other sat still & had great lust to hear him speak: By these two sisters. I understand two manner of living of the people. that one is active. and that other contemplative. Martha betokeneth active that is business in the world. But that should be for Christ's sake that is to take poor people in to his house and to give 'em meet and drink. cloth herborugh visit them that be in prison comfort the sick. blind and lame and to berye the deed By that other I ●nderstonde the contemplative life ● is to the people of holy church that should void in all that they may This world's besynessee. and give him to all spiritual occupation. and though they do thus. yet there be covetous people of this world that say that it is all lost that men of holy church have for it seemeth to them they do no good. but ever complain on hem and say. they do no good. ¶ Saint austin saith that all the world is holy church. and these worldly people hateth men of holy church. But yet god answereth for them & is her advocate & so will at all time while they live in rest & peace within 'em self. But now see how our Lady satysfyeth both these lives. she was first martha. for there as martha was busy to receive christ in her house. Our lady received him in to her body. and therein he was ix. months. and she fed him. & after come pour and naked in to this world. and she gave him meet & drink of her paps. and so fed him. and when he was naked she clothed him & nourished him. and when he was sick by kind of youth she healed him. And when he was bound hand & foot in his cradle as in prison she come to him & knbounde him & took him and healed his sores with the milk of her paps. And when he was deed. she holp to berry him in his tomb and thus she fulfilled the office of Martha. Performing the seven. works of mercy. And yet she was many times troubled in her heart when she must bear him fro country to country that was full of ma●mentes and there as she knew no man And when that she saw him taken and striped naked beaten with scourges that all his body ran with streams of blood. nailed. on the cross and so done to death that was a great trouble Thus was our lady active For as the gospel telleth. she gave so great delit to her sons words that she bore in her heart all the life and teaching of christ In so much that she taught the iiii. evangelists Mark. mathewe Luke and john. moche of the that they wrote. And nameley saint. Luke For he wrote moche of the manhood of christ and so fulfilled th'office of marrow for it was for the best when her son ascended into heaven. she left all her business & gave her to contemplation till her son fet her out of this world Thus every man that can understand may see that this gospel is convenient to be red for it toucheth the life off our lady. then for this day is th'end of her life in this world. therefore holy church readeth this gospel in ensample to all christian people to perform the same living in as much as they may and as god will give 'em grace to serve our lady I shall show you an ensample.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ we find of a clerk that loved our lady well. for he rad of her beauty. he had great lust to see her and prayed busily that he might once see her or that he died. then at the last come there an angel & said to him. for thou fer●●●te our lady so well thou shall have thy prayer. but one thing I tell the. if thou see her in this world thou shall lose thy sight for the great clearness of her. I will well so that I may see her. then said the angel. come to such a place. and thou shalt see her.  
Then he was glad & thought that he would hide his one eye. and look with that other. So when he come to the place: he laid h●s hand over that one eye and saw her with that other eye. & so come our lady & he saw her. and she went away anon. and he was blind on the one eye and saw with that other. then the sight liked him so well that he would feign see her again. and prayed night and day that he might see her again. then said th'angel if thou see her again. thou shall life thy sight of that other eye. and he said I will well though I had a thousand eyen. thenne come to such place and thou shall see her. so when he came he saw her. Thenne said our lady my good servant when thou saw me first thou lost one of th● eyen. how wilt thou do now when thou hast lost the other eye Then said our lady. for thou haste so great liking to me thou shalt have thy sight with both thine eyen again as well as thou ever hadst before▪ & better. and so he had. ¶ Then he served our lady ever afther to his lives end. and went to everlasting bliss. To which god bring us all Amen.   

¶ De sancto Bartholomeo.  
●Ood friends such a day ye shall have the feast of saint Barthylmew God's own apostle. & ye shall fast the e●en. & come to church and here your service in the worship of god and saint barthylmewe. ¶ ye shall understand. the barthylmewe is as much to say. as. Filius suspendentis nigh. That is to say the son hanging upon me or upon waters. Ten ye shall understand that god is he that hangeth upon the waters in two ways The first is when he hangeth upon the clouds in the firmament. till he seeth time to let hem down. Another way he hangeth upon the water when a man or a woman is sorry for his sins. and weeping sore fore his trespass bitterly. then god taketh his tears. and hangeth them on the high hill off heaven. where all the saints in heaven may have them in sight in great joy to all saints and to all the angelys that been in heaven. when they may see man or woman that hath do amiss in many trespasses to forsake her sin and do no more: therefore the tears of a man or a woman that is sorry for his sin in this manner quenchen the fire of hell: Of these tears speaketh john grisostome and saith. ¶ O thou teere that art meekly let in orison and prayer with good devotion. thy might is so great that thou goest to heaven and takest the word of the jews mouth making him to torn the to salvation. that before were in weigh off damnation. Also thou makest thy a● cusare dumb the fendes·s and so thou quenchest the fire of hell that fiends made ready against thy coming. and thus god hangeth upon waters. then for saint Barthylmewe was goddies son. as all been that serveth him. he was hanging up in four ways in devotion. of holy orisons praying. and in faithful monition. & in suffering off passion he was hanging to godward in devout orisons. for that he said with his mouth. he thought in his heart. So that his heart was alway hanging up toward god both in word and in deed. as the pressed sayhe in the mass. Sursum corda. Hold up your hearts to god. Thus this holy man saint barthylmew had ever his heart to god for great devotion ¶ We find written of him thus. that he kneeled a C. times on the day. and C. times on the night. for a great devotion that he had to god· But for he should not be weary of the travail. God sent an angel ever more to show him. and kept him thus hanged he up in holy orisons praying. ¶ He was also hanged up by the faithful monition in this wise. For god gave him so great power over all fiends that by his holy monition he suspended 'em. whether they were in man or woman. And also in other mawmentis we find written of saint Barthylmewe. how he come into ynd● in the temple In the which temple was a● image. & there in was a fiend a mammet that was called a●tar●th. and this image was made of gold thenne the fiend that was therein and spoke to him and died him worship. And by such words as he spoke he made the people believe that he was god. and yet to make 'em the more to believe he healed many sick men and women both blind and lame. and of many diverse sickness that he had cast upon hem tofore himself. And so seeming to them that they were heeled by him but such sickness as god sent upon 'em he could not hele: Then was the temple full of sick people that were brought to this mammet to be hole. but assoon as Barthylmewe come to the temple he suspended the fiends power. that he might he'll no man. Now there was another god called baruth. and they asked him why her god gave 'em none answer. He said barthylmew the apostle of god hath bound him so sore that he dare not once speak nor ●rake. Then he told him the features of Barthylmew and said he knoweth every word that we speak now for he hath an angel of god with him and telleth him all things that ever was said or done by him. And moreover though ye seek him ye shall not find him. but if he will himself ¶ then went they home again and sought Barthylmew and might not find him. then as barthylmewe walked among the people. a mad man that had a fiend within him: anon cried barthylmewe God's own apostle. thy prayers bind me so sore. & bren me also Then said barthylmewe hold thy peace thou fiend & go out of & with the word the fiend went his way and left the man and anon he was hole Then it happened that the king of that city had a daughter that was mad. and sore bound with chains.  
For harm that she did among the people And when the king heard how this man was healed he sent to Bar 〈…〉 mew● praying him that he would heal his daughter and so he did Then Barthelmewe preached so to the king that he turned the king to be christened And then anon he commanded to draw down the mawmentes that were in the temple. then the people tied ropes about the images necks & would have drawn down the mawmentes. but they might not for the fiends ware strong in them Then Barthelmewe commanded the fiends to come out of images and to pull them to powder. and so they did for they had no power to withstand his commandment And so they all to broke them. and for the temples were so full of seek people. Barthelmewe prayed god that they might be hole. and anon they were.  
¶ Then the knight▪ his wife his daughter and all his meinie and much other people turned to the faith of christ and then Bherthelmewe christened▪ them all. ¶ Thus Barthelmewe hangith by fe●thfull monition For he suspended the fiends power that they might do no thing. ¶ He was also hanged up by suffering of passion. For when the bishop. of the temple saw that the people were almost turned to the christian faith. ● ●ft● the fiends mawmentry. he went unto the Cite there as a king was called Astrages. and brother to the king Polunyes. and compleined to him sore. And said there was a man come to 'em that was called Barthylmew. that had turned his brother and all the people to the faith. that they set not by her God's: but had draw 'em down and all to broke 'em. and hallowed the temple only to christ. for this cause he preyed him of help. Then sent the king a thousand men after Barthylmewe then when barthylmewe was come he asked him why he had turned his brother. and made him believe on a deed man that was hanged on the Cross. Then said Barthylmewe. I have bound that god that thy brother believed on and showed that fiend: And if thou or he may do so to my god then will I believe as thou dooste. then the king commanded to hang barthylmew on a cross and long to torment him thereon and after took him down and fleye him quick and then to smite of his heed. Then come christian people & buried him with great reverence & worship And thus he was hanged up by great compassion suffering. we read in gestis romanorum. That when frederycke th'emperor had destroyed a great Cite. And therein was a fair church of saint Barthylmew and other more of diverse saints. And as a good holy man come by the city. and he saw a great company of men standing to guider. Then had this man great marvel of 'em. and asked what they were. and what was their counsel: Then said they that i● was say●● Barthylmew and other saints. that had churches in that city. that were destroyed and there they took her counsel what they might do with the empeperour. And they were in full purpose that he should come before god and answer for his deeds. And so the Emperor died a fowl death. and was damned. And also it is written in the life of saint goodlake. that first inhabited crowland in the fennys. And the first day that he come thither was on saint Barthylmewis daye· then he prayed to this holy apostle to be his patron against the wicked spirits that were in that place. For it was called thinhabitation of fiends for there durst no man dwell there for fiends thenne when this holy man was come thither almost lost his wits for fere. But then by great grace he had mind of saint Barthylmew. And prayed him with all his heart of help and succour. Then anon come saint Barthylmew and commanded the fiends to go from that place Then the fiends made a great horrible noise and went her way and said. Alas alas. for now have we lost our might and our habitation. and now shall we go to hell for evermore and so sorrowing and wailing they went their way. then this holy man thanked god and saint Barthylmew for the great help and succour that he had done to him. Hereby ye may see & understand that this holy apostle is ever ready to all that will call to him with good devotion. he will help them at their need.   

De state ●eate ma●●●.  
gOod● friends such a day ye shall have the nativity of our lady that is when she was borne. & ye shall fast the even: And come to god and holy church in the worship of our lady saint mary● joachim was her father and saint anne her madre There can no man tell. the joy that joachim and Anne had in their hearts when our lady was borne For they had prayed thirty. year to god night and day and dealed much alms And for the good deeds that they did they had revelation of god that they should be holy and please god and also by the birth of our lady. the reprove that they had before of their bareynesse should be put away And so Anne went out among other women So the birth of our lady gladded the father and the mother. wherefore god sent them fruit of their bodies more by grace than by kind Then all the neighbours come and comforted anne. & called her daughter marry as the angel bad or she were borne or begotten. ye shall understand that holy church. worshippeth three births One of our lord Jesus Christ That other of our lady. The third of saint john baptist showing openly that every man and wom●n that will be saved must be thrice borne. first of his mother in to this world The second from sin. by water washing And the third. out of this world to joy passing The first betokeneth by our lady th● second by saint john baptist. & the third by our lord 〈◊〉 criste For 〈◊〉 three births i● great joy ●●yn and 〈◊〉 Though a woman have great p●yne in the birth of her child I may 〈◊〉 believe saint Anne thenne our la●y●● mother had not so in her birth of her child our lady For ●he was hallowed in her mother: womb holy borne & ●oly evir after So when she was born and waned and was three year of age. joachim and anne and other friends. brought marry into the city of jerusalem to fore the temple as they had made their avow tofore Then the temple stood on an hill and was xv f●eyres up to the door and so they left marry at the nethermooste steyre while they made them ready to do their offering Then went marry to the vpperm●ste grece herself kneeling down and made her prayers to god as she had been of great age For the holy ghost was evir with her and gave her grace. Also god sent her an angel to keep. her and to teach her And when her father and her mother had offered ●●y w●nte home and left her there. and she changed no ●here b●● gave herself. all to spiritual occupation And every day fro morrow to undren she w●● in her prayers. & from undren to no●● she occupied her craft of weening of clothes in the temple. And anon the meet and the drink that was set to her she gave to the poor people & was in her devotion till an angel brought her mete. Then she l●●ed so clean and so honestly that all her fellows called her q●●ne of mayd●●●●. And when any man spoke to he● meekly she loured with her heed and said. ¶ Deo gracias. For that word was common in her mouth. and therefore she is likened to a spicers shop for she smelleth sweet for the presence of the holy ghost was with her and abundance of virtues. that she should bear the king of virtues And thus her birth daily is joy to all christian people. ¶ How this day was first found a great clerk john Byllet telleth There was an holy man that prayed to god oft by night time And so on a night as he was in his devotions he heard a song of an angel. in heaven that our lady was borne. of her mother and no more of all the year after So on a night he herd this melody in the air. wherefore this holy man prayed to god that he might have witting what was the cause that he herd that melody that certain night and no more of all the year after. Then came an angel to him and said That night our lady was borne of her mother and therefore the melody was made in heaven at that time Then went he to the pope and told him how the angel said then the pope commanded that day should be hallowed for evermore. ¶ Thus come this feast first into holy church. And so our lady is borne by water washing. that is by cristning For when our lord jesus christ was baptised in the water of flome jordan. Then our lady and the xii. appostelles. in that time were christened Therefore right as our lord. followed the old law and the new. law both and all that fill to a man of right and so our lady fulfilled both the laws and all that fill to a woman at that cristning For there her son took his right name and she both And as the gospel telleth when our lord jesus was christened the father of heaven spoke and said: Hic est filius meus dilectus etc. Here is my well-beloved son: but after he was called gods son▪ & afore the time our lady was called the wife. of joseph and after that she was called the mother of Jesus to much worship to her. ¶ The third time our lady was borne to joy passing. For when she should pass out of this world her son come with a great multitude of angels and brought her to heaven with moche joy and there crowned her queen of heaven Empress of hell and lady of all the world. so she is. in everlasting bliss.   

Narraico  
¶ we find of our lady how there was a jew that was borne in France. and come into England. for diverse matters that he had to do with other. people And come to gloucestre. and to Bristol and so would go into wyllshyre but he was take by the weigh with thiefs and lad into an old house & bound to a post and his hands behind him and so left him there all night and at the last he fill a sleep. & saw a fair woman clothed in white he nevir saw noon such and even therewith he awoke and felt himself lose. Then he saw our lady so bright that he thought she passed the son & said what art thou and she said I am mary that thou and thy nation despisen & say that I bore nevir god's son. But now I am come to bring the out of thy error and out of prison. that thou art in. & therefore come thou with me and stand yonder at the stone and look downward and so he did. and there he saw the horrible pains of hell that he was nigh out of his mind: Then said our lady to him: These be the pains that be ordained to all though that will not believe in my sons passion and in the faith of holy church. yet come forth and see more and she set him on a high hill: and showed a place of great joy and mirth. in so much that he was ravished with that sight. Then said our lady Lo these been ordained to all though that believe in the incarnation of god and that he was borne of me & I clean maid before and after And that my son shed his blood for all mankind. Now haste thou seen both joy and pain. choose which thou haste levyr Then he went moche of the night he wist not what way but walked forth And on the morrow he come to bath there he was christened and named john & after was a holy man ¶ Then to come again to our purpose of our lady what time that Ioachim had offered our lady into the temple to the bishop to keep her save in ward till she were xii. year of age and more then must the bishop ordain her an husband. and then they let cry all about in the country that kings. lords and other gentylles that were with out wives should come at a certain day for to know who were best worthy to wed that fair maid that was flower of all maidens For right as the lily is white and fair among briars and other flowers. Right so was our lady among other maidens So when they come to jerusalem to see the maiden that was of the best blood of the world The bishop ordained an old staff of ash. that had been kept in the temple many years & was all worm etyn and he said He that handleth that staff and burgeoned and bear flowers he should have the maiden. and she was brought forth into the temple. that all the people might see her Then ●ad the bishop bring forth the staff. and when any man handled it he bade him hold it up on high that the people might see if it burgened Then went it to kings princes lords knights and savyers and other gentlemen but it would. not be the first day ne the second day so the third day they should make an end Then came there an old man. into the temple and had herd of this but he saw it not and thought to go see how the people did & come thither and stood a far in a corner. and looked on this maiden Then he thought in himself he would not handle the staff for this maid is not for me that is so passing fair and I so passing old. Then come there a white dove & fall upon his heed with a golden bill and her feet shone as it had be bright burnysshed gold that all the people saw her and some would have caught her. but they might not Then was the bishop ware and bad joseph come up to him anon and joseph said nay she is not for me. she is to young and I am to old to govern her estate Then said the bishop handle this staff & he did. and anon it was green and began to burgyn and bare levys and blosomed and bare fruit. Then was the bishop glad and joseph sorry for to have her for he was full purposed nevir to have wife Then the bishop wedded them worshipfully and bad joseph take her home with him and so he did Then soon after the holy ghost lighted in her with greeting of the angel gabriel And so began to weigh great with child Then joseph looked on her and thought to have gone away privily fro her and leave her alone Then come an angel to joseph. and bad he should take marry to his keeping and study no more thereupon. and leave all such thoughts for it was god's will and god himself will that it be so. Then he left all such fantasies and kept her well as a man should do his wife:   

De exaltacione sancte crucis.  
good friends such a day ye shall have holy road day. in the which ye shall come to the church in worship of him. that was done on the cross: that day is called Exaltatio sancte crucis The exaltation of the cross. when saint Elyn had set the cross in jerusalem christian people did it great reverence But then come the king of Perce that was called Cosdre and he took the cross with him and made the city bare. and bore away. all that he might and went into the temple and took all the treasure jewels and precious stones and bore them away Thus this cursed man did destroy many kingdoms and so bare the holy cross into his own country Then the Emperor Eraclius heard hereof. and was full wroth and sorry And sent to this king cosdre to treat with him For eraclius was a christian man. Then cosdre answered cursedly and said he would not treat till he had all his people to forsake cristendome and to do sacrifice to his mawmentes Thenne this Emperor eraclius betook all to god. & gathered him an ooste of people to fight with this cursed king ydre. hoping in god to get the holy cross again. But when this cursed king Cosdre. come he fill in such a fantasy & madness that he took his son all the governance of his realm And let make an house for himself. in manner of an altar like unto heaven and made it all shining gold and precious stones And set himself in the mids in a chair of gold. and commanded that all the people should call him god and so sat and the holy cross in his right hand in stead of his son. and on the left hand a tame cock in stead of the holy ghost and himself in the mids. in stead of the trinity And thus he sat like a mad man Then when his son herd that Eraclius was coming. he went against him and met him at a great water over the which water. was a bridge Then by the assent of both their often the two. chief captains a mids the bridge should fight for 'em all and both the ends of the bridge. should be drawn up And which of them that had the victory should have both the kingdoms then was eraclius so full in faith of the cross & trusted in the prayer of the people that he ovircome his enemy Then cosdres people by strengith of the holy ghost. turned to the faith by free will of himself And when they were all christ nid then went Eraclius with both the ostes to the old king cosdre as he sat in his throne and said to him thus For by cause thou haste do worship to the holy cross thou shall choose if thou will be christened and have thy kingdom again for a little tribute in rest and peace. or else to be deed.. and he forsook to be christened then anon Eraclius. smote of his heed and made a cry that his treasure should be dealed among his men and precious stones and other jewels should be kept to restore the churches that were destroyed and bore the cross to jerusalem. And when he came to the mount of olyvete toward the city of jerusalem riding on a traped horse he would have riden into the city of jerusalem but suddenly the gates fell to gydder & was a plain wall. Then he was greatly astonied and marveled greatly of that vengeance and made a great moan Then come an angel and stood upon the gates & said. Quando rex noster. when the king of heaven come this way through this gates toward his passion he road on no trapped horse nor in no cloth of gold but meekly on a simple ●s●e giving ensample of meekness to all people Then the angel went his way then the king with all the devotion. that he could or might do. anon did of his clothes to his shirt and went bare foot and bare legged Then the gate opened & he went in to the city & so to the temple and offered the cross again as it was to fore then for the great joy. that the people had of that cross and for the great miracles that god showed it was more worshipped after than it was tofore: and the worship of the croce that was cast down after was life up. ¶ wherefore this day is called they altation of the cross For as saint Austyn saith the cross was first of great spite and villainy. now it is of so great worship that emperors kings worship it   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ we read in legenda aurea that a jew come to a church and for default that no man was in the church he went to the road and for great envy that he had to christ he cut the roads throat and anon the blood start out on his clothes and so his clothes were all red blood and then he hid the road in a p●●uye place And as he went home a christian man met him and said to him. Thou haste slain some man where hast thou done him. and he said nay. and the christian man said thy clothes been all bloody of him Thenne this jew kneeled down and said Forsooth the god that these christian people believe upon. is of great virtue & told him how he had done and cried mercy with all his heart and so he was christened & a holy man after. and so went to everlasting joy and bliss to the which god bring us all Amen.   

De quatuor temporum.  
good friends this week ye shall have ember days that is wednesday fridaye and saturday. the which C●l●xt the pope ordained iiii. times in the year to all that be of covenable age to fast. For certain causes as ye shall here Our old faders fasted four times in the year against four. high and solemn feasts. & if we will show us good children we must fast & follow the same rule that they used & therefore we fast iiii. times First in march The second at whitsuntide The third between harvest and seed time and the iiii. bifore cristmasse. March is a time that it drieth up the moistre that is in the earth. wherefore we fast that time to dry the earth of our body of the humours that be needful to the body and to the soul for that time the humours of lechery temteth a man most of any time of the. year Also we fast at wytsontide for to get grace of the the holy ghost that we may be in love and charity to god and to all the world. Caritas cooperit. multitudinem pec●atorum. charity covereth the multitude of sins Also we fast for to have meekness. in our hearts and to put away all pride that raineth within us Also we fast between harvest & sedetyme for to have grace to gather fruits of good wer●is into the house of our conscience: and so by ensample of good living among the people that we be comen with both rich and poor Also we fast in winter for to slay all stinking weeds of sin. and of foul earth of fleshly lusts: that make good angels and good people to withdraw them fro us. For right as the nettyll brenneth roses and other flowers that grow nigh him  
In the same wise a vicious man or woman steereth & setteth on fire them that be in their company And for these causes we fast four times in the year and every time three days that betoken three special virtues that help a man to grace that is fasting devout praying and almessededies doing And by opunion of moche people these days. be called ember days because that our elder faders would on these days eat no breed but cakes made under ashes so by the eting of that they reduced into their mind that they were but ashes: and so should turn again & wist natt how soon & by that they turned away from all delyciouse meats and drinks & took none heed. but that they had easy sustenance This caused them to think on death & that will cause a man to desire no more than he needeth. and abstain himself fro all manner. of bodily lusts And to increase in virtues by the which we may come to everlasting bliss. Amen.   

De sancto Matheo.  
good friends such a day ye shall have saint Mathewes. day which was christs appostyl and ye shall fast the even & come to god and holy church in the worship of god and saint mathewe He is greatly commended in holy church for certain. holy virtues that he had He was obedient to christ at the first calling the gospel he preached without feigning & he suffered passion without any denying. first he was obedient to christ. at the first calling for he sat at a certain place busy to get good and christ come that way and looked on him and bade him come and go with him. Then he cast so great love to christ that he left all his gods that he had. & sued christ forth full simple and full poor Also he fed christ gladly. for on a day he prayed christ to eat with him. and made Christ a great fest. not in delicate meats and drinks But in feeding christ and all his company. for he fed all that would come for Christ's sake for moche people sued Criste where soevir he went. Secute sunt cunturbe multe For divers causes many followed him Some to be heeled of her sores and of diverse sickness And some to see miracles that christ did show. Some to eat and to drink with him. and some that were his enemies that were learned in the law. if they might have taken him with any word whereby they might have accused him. and some to be reform in virtues & to here his doctrine and teaching as the appostylles & many other. unde v●●●●s 
Morbus signa cibus blasphemia doctrina fuere.  
Cause cur dominum turba secuta fuit   
¶ And wahnne matthew had fed christ thus. & all that come with him christ made him one of his descyciples and gave him knowledging. to preach the believe and god's word. so boldly evir after that he spared neither for love ne for dread So this matthew thappostell come on a time into 〈◊〉 and preached that was called ●●dabar and there he found moche people taught by the fiends craft in nygramancy and taught so many things & so marvelous that it was great wonder to here many men's wits and all for the people should believe in hem and do worship to them then mathewe delivered their nygramancy so that all the people knew openly that it was the fiends craft. wherefore these people that believed on this nygramancy made dragon's. by the fiends craft to spit fire out of their mouths and burn so that the stench of them slew much people And they brought this dragon to have devoured saint matthew And when matthew herd hereof he made a cross before hem and went against them: and anon the dragon's fell down deed before him  
then said matthew to the people If ye have any might raise them again to life but they had no power ¶ Thennne said mathewe if I were not god's servant. I would make were there two roches of stone on either side. that the work might not up. then saint mychael appeared to a man that height Haymo. and bad him go and put away the roche and dread no thing. So this man went thither and set to his shoulders. and bade the roche go utter in the name of god and saint Mychaell and so the hyllis went utter as much as needeth to the work.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ we read also in the life of saint Gregory, how there was a great multitude of people in rome. And they saw arrows of fire come 〈◊〉 of the air and slew moche people Then saint Gregory prayed to god to ●ease that pestilence. Then he saw an angel standing upon a castle wall. wiping his bloody sword. But that angel he said was saint mychaell that was sent thither to punish the people for sin. thus mychaell was marvelous in miracles working: Also he was victorious in fighting. For when the citizens of sepotine were oppressed with paynims & should give 'em battle. they prayed oft to saint Mychaell of help Then the night before as the battle should be. mychaell appeared to the bishop and said to him have no dread. but go to the battle boldly. and he would help him. & so on the morrow when the battle should be the hill of garganus was over covered with a great mist. and arrows come out of the mist fleeing off fire. and bolts of thunder. And hatred moche people of the paynim in so much that they slew that night many. And so many were slay. and they that were a live saw the great miracle of god and were crystened. saint john the evangelist saith in his apocalypse. how mychaell and his angels fought with lucifer in heaven. that is called the dragon and his angels. and with help of god mychaell had the better. and drove out the dragon and all his felisship in to the air between heaven and earth. and so they be there yet as thick as motes in the son And for cryst come to heaven in a blast of thunder. And therefore yet when they here thunder. they fall down to the earth for fere. and then they go not up again till they have done some harm For then they make ●ates strives and manslaughter and make great winds. both in land and in water. and do moche harm. and yet they would do moche more than they do near saint mychaell. For all their sorrow is to see souls. angels in heaven in the place there they were in to fore. Also there were other spirits. that stood not steadfast towards god. But flattering. the which saint mychaell drove out of heaven all in to an isle off of the see as ye shall here. As saint Brandon seyled in the see. he come to an isle and saw a tree that was right great both in height and in breed: that was wonder to tell on the which tree sat many birds. thicker than the bows. And were as white as snow Then he prayed to god to know what they were. Then come one off them and sat on the sh●ppis ●●●de & battered with his wings▪ and made a sown like an organ ●●●me said brandon▪ if thou become like a messenger speak. and tell what ye been. Then he said we were angels that stood not steadfast in the believe as mychael was and therefore we were driven out. when mychaell drove out lucyfer & his angels. But yet we have every day a remedy to worship god then was mychaell wonderful in appearing marvelous in miracles doing. wherefore let us worship this holy angel that he may be our shield in fight against our ghostly enemy the fiend. so that we may have the victory of him now and ever Amen.   

¶ De festo sancti Luce.  
●Ood friends such a day ye shall have saint Luke's day the evangelyst· ye shall understand the christ had four evangelists. that is mark matthew luke and john-thyse wrote the gospel. the gospel is no more to say but God's word. These holy evangelists wrote not only that god spoke. but also what he died & what he suffered for mankind. for it should be known to all mankind for ever more. to think on God's word and to do thereafter. These four be likened to four diverse beasts and so they been portured in four parties off the cross on every side of christ. For mark a lion. for matthew a man. for Luke an ox. and for john an Egle. But let noman suppose that they were such beasts. but likened to such beasts. for diverse causes. For by cause that Matthew wrote most of Christ's man heed. therefore he is likened to a man and luke wrote most of christ's sacrifice and his death ●herfore he is likened to an ox for an ox was offered in sacrifice of the old law. in tokening that christ should be offered for sin of the people in sacrifice in the altar of the cross. And mark wrote moche of the resurrection and therefore he is likened to a lion. For as the books say and tell when a lion hath young welpes they shall lie as deed three days after they been whelped. Then cometh the lion and seeth his whelps deed. Anon he maketh such a ●●●yng and a crying that the deed whelps wake therewith▪ and quyken and take life. So when christ had lay three days in his tomb thenne the father spoke to him & bad him rise. and so reared him from death to life Also john is likened to the Egle. For by kind ●e fleeth highest in to thayre. and next to the sonne● so john wrote most of the godhead. and but lityll of the manhood: these been the causes that they be likened to four deverse beasts. ¶ But now ye shall understand that luke was likened to an ox th●e manner of wise that is in thought word and deed he offered his thought to god For there as he was first busy to get goods of the world with his craft. For as books tell he was first a leech. and for covetise of god he slew many a man bodily thenne had he offended god so grievously. that anon he offered his thought in sacr●fice For as bo●es teach. god is highly pleised with thought. that is when a man is sorry for his sins in his heart. and thinketh verily to forsake them and amend him. Also he offered his word to god in sacrifice. for as he was wont to spend his speech in many idle words: or he come to the apostle after he turned his speech to the profit of all christian people. wherefore he went to our lady. and she taught him the gospel that he wrote. And for he was a clean maiden our Lady cherished him the more. And so taught him full goodly how the angel come to her in message. And what he said. & what answer she gave again. and so all thing that she died with her son. And of all her doing till our lord was stied up in to heaven. And when Luke had learned this perfectly thenne he looked what Mark had written and mathewe. and so took at them. ¶ And there as they wrote darkly. he wrote openly all thing Thus in preaching & teaching he offered his words to god in sacrifice. For he pained his body with diverse penance of fasting and of hard living in keeping and praying. Also he wrote all the persecution that the postles suffered of the jews in Iherusalem. when they had great pursuit and torments for God's sake. And he wrote all the perscution of saint Steven. how he was stoned to death. Then went saint Luke to saint paul. & showed him how many mischiefs and diseases that he had And in great dread and never dep●rted from him. till paul was deed. Then went Lu●● to a country that was called betany and there he preached the word of god. And was there till he was lxi. winter of age. then he died full fair full of the holy ghost. For he lived in holy virtues. And after his death God showed for him many fair miracles. and so ended in christ. And went to everlasting bliss. To the which god bring us all.   

¶ De Simone et juda.  
GOod friends such a day ye shall have the feast of Simon & jude. And ye shall fast the even & on the morrow come to church. and worship god and these holy apostles ye shall understand that either of these hath two names. that one was called Simon zelotes. and that other judas jacola. and judas thadeus. showing by these: how the name that a man hath in this world dieth and passeth out of mind when he is deed ¶ wherefore every christian man should be busy to take him a name that should be written in the book of life. that should last ever. And therefore these two apostles suffered great penance. travail tribulation and disease. and at the last pain of death for christ's sake with hearts meek and clean conscience. Simon is as much to say as obedience that maketh a man meek in heart. judas is as much to say as confession. that cleanseth a man's conscience of all manner off sin. And thus before or they died they gave to every man ensample how they took their death meekly for christ's sake and died with clean conscience. And then they shall be written in the book of life with great worship in the fraternity of heaven But they that grutchen in their hearts of disease and persecution. and ever pleynyngt they have need to pray to god to be heeled off that sickness. that they have in her spirytis.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ we find in the life of the apostle. how a king that was called Abagarus· and was a leper and herd how that our lord Ihesu christ did many miracles. and healed all that were sick: Thenne he wrote a letter in this wise king Abagarus greeteth Jesus' saviour well. that preacheth in the country off Iherusalem. And I have herd of thy miracles that thou dost and so thou helest all manner of sickness without any herbs or salves. blind. crooked & the lame. And that is more marvel that thou reysest deed bodies to life wherefore I think in my heart and in my believe that thou art very God's son and come down from heaven to earth. and livest here among the people as one of 'em. wherefore I write to the that thou will come to me and he'll me of my leprehede. that grieveth me full sore. And so I understand that the jews have ordained to do the to death. And I have a little city that is good and honest. and plenteous. & it is suffisant enough for us both to live by. and there shall we both live in rest and peace then christ wrote again and said. thou art blessed that believest on me. and hast not seen me and for thou wouldest that I should come to the. I say to the I must d●● that I come fore. and thenne 〈…〉 send some of my disciples to 〈◊〉 that shall hele the of thy leprehede. then for this that christ might not come to him. For great desire that he had to see him  
He sent to him a painter that was a master of t●at craft. to paint Christ's visage as he could. but when this painter come to Christ and looked on his visage▪ it 〈◊〉 so bright that he might not look t●●● on. Then he made great sorrow and mourning. that he was come so f●●re: and might not speed of his purpose. then Christ toke a cloth of the painter and wiped his face therewith and then was the form of his face thereon. and thenne the painter bore it to the king. Then was the king wonder glad and died it great reverence with all his heart. then after Christ's ascension Thomas of ynde. by the assent of the apostles was sent to this king Abagarus. And when he saw thomas he saw such a shining in his face that he went it had be christ. Then said thomas to the king. believe in Crist. and thou shall be hole. And he said I believe hole in him. and feign I would be wroke on them that haven do him to death and anon he was hole. then judas went to simon and went both to guider in to persy to preach. And there they did many miracles. so that they turned the king. and xlii. thousand to christian faith.  
And so the christian peaple increased strongly. So the king and all his many were crystened. and withdrew their offerings from the mawmentes. that was the bishops living. wherefore they were so wroth that they gathered 'em too gydre and took these apostles. and lad them in to their temples. to do sacrifice to their mawmentis. or else they should be deed. Then come an angel. and asked 'em if they would have her enemies deed or no. And they said they desired to have her enemies turned to the faith  
And the angel asked if they would suffer martyrdom for christ's sake. and they said they would suffer death. Thenne they commanded and turned to the mawmentes in the temple. and commanded the fiends in them to come out. and to pull the images all to pieces. and so they died. Then was the bishop wroth. that her gods fell so too pieces. And anon there come a thundering and a lightening and clove the temple in three parties down to the ground. and these bishops suddenly slew these apostles. then the king took their bodies. and buried 'em rially. And made ther● 〈◊〉 fair church in worship of god: and th●se holy apostles. Amen.   

¶ De fest● olm sanctorum.  
GOod frend●● such a day ye shall have all halowen day and ye shall fast the even: & on the morrow come to the church and worship god and our lady. and all halowyn. Friends ye shall understand that this feast was ordained for three special causes. and those been these ¶ First for the temple hallowing. for omyssion fulfilling. and also for negligent living. First for the temple hallowing for when the romans were lords of all the world. they made a temple in Rome like a doffehous and named it pantheon and set in the mids of the temple an image that was the chief mawment of Rome. and of every land in the world another image all about the walls. and the name of the land that the image was off written under the foot of the image. And all was made by nygrymancy. if that any land turned from th'emperor. Anon the image of the land would turn his ba●ke to the image of rome. and his face to the wall. So when the bishop come to the temple and found any image turned. anon they would go to the emperor and tell him. Then would they ordain an host of people and send in to that land. and set them at rest and peace. And so this temple endured thus unto the time that pope Boneface the fourth came then he went to th'emperor that was called foca. and prayed that he would give him that temple. that he might put out the multitude of mawmentis. And to hallow it in the worship of god and our lady and all h●lowen. & so he gave the pope the temple. Then come there another pope that was called Gregory. and commanded all holy church to hallow the fest. like as it was begun. Also this feast was ordained by the same pope to fulfil our omyssions. For many saints days in the year we leaven unserved. for there be so many that we may not serve eachone by himself. For as Iherom saith. that there been for each day in the year x. thousand martyrs. out take the first day of january. wherefore holy church ordained that this day we should fulfil. that we have left behind all the year. And thus every saints even hath his worship to god and our lady and all halowen. Also this feast is ordained to be hallowed to cleanse us of our negligence & vncunnynge. and also by worldly occupations doing. we be full reckless in keeping our holy days. and therefore this feast is ordained for we shall make amends asmuch as we maye· of that we have trespassed in other feasts And therefore understand ye that they been in great peril that break this feast. or any other in worldly occupations working. or in any sin doing. in buying or in selling. or in any other falsehood contriving. Also ye shall understand that this day our prayers shall be sooner heard than any other day. For this day all the saints in heaven come to guider to pray to god for us: and therefore ye may know well that all coming to guider shall be sooner heard than one or two by 'em self. The saints that been in heaven were some time as we been now. both in flesh b●ode body. and bone. And were our elder faders. & they been full glad & make moche joy when they may get any preyers or almsdeeds of us. with the which they may present god and our lady▪ praying for us. and to show you by ensample. how that all saints come to guider: as this day ye shall here.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ we find written in legenda aurea. that in the same year this fest was ordained to be hallowed there was a keeper of saint P●ters church in Rome that this day after matins at midnight. when all the people were gone from matins. for great devotion that he had▪ he went to every altar in the church & said his devotions. And when he had gone all about. then went he to the high altar: and there fell a sleep. & his spirit was ravished. and saw the father of heaven sitting in his majesty. and a great multitude of angels about him. And then come a fair queen with a crown on her heed richly arrayed and a great company of virgins and maidens s●ynge her ●●enne the king arose against her and ●adde to fetch a char of gold & set h●●in. Then come 〈◊〉 clothed 〈◊〉 kneels skinnis and him sued a great company of good men. Then come another ly●e a bishop. and after him many other bishops And then come a great multitude as it had been knights. and after him much other people and all they come before the king and died him worship Then the bishop began to say●●mate●s. then spoke this man to the angel that lad him. and asked what all these people were in that array. Then said the angel the king is god himself. And the Queen is our Lady. and he that was clothed in camels skynnis was johan baptist. & other patryarkis and prophets with him. The bishop was saint peter and other apostles and confessors with him The knight was saint George with other martyrs comyners that were good true livers and servants to god here upon earth. And they come all to thank god for the great worship that they had here in earth & prayed busily to god for them on earth. that he should have mercy on 'em. This is the cause that this feast was first found and therefore let us come to church & worship god and all halowen. that they may pray for us that we may at our last end be of the number that shall worship god. that the book speaketh of. and saith thus. Vidi turbam magnam qu●m nemo dinumerare poterat. ¶ For they been so many that no man can number hem. And all they pray for us evermore that we may 〈◊〉 to that bliss that they been in A●   

¶ In die Anin●aru●●.  
GOod friends such a day ye shall have all soul's day the day of the souls in purgatory there abiding the mercy of god and have moche need to help. And right as holy church worshippeth all saints to be helped by the prayers of hem right so holy church ordeynyth this day to sing and read. And to do almysdedes. having full believe to release them that been in purgatory of their peines. wherefore god will that christian people to their power this day relieve hem. For the lest prayer or almsdeed that is done greatly relieveth them. ¶ ye shall understnnde that there been four things that greatly helpen souls that been in purgatory & that been these. Fideliun amicorum oracon el● mosinarum largicio. salutaris hostia ieiuniorum obseruacio. ¶ That is prayers of friends devoutly said and almsdeed doing. And masses singing. & abstinence in fasting. prayers helpen moche a soul. For like as a lord that hath a man in prison or in any distress and at the prayers of him that he loveth. he releseth in party or all. ¶ And that is showed by ensample.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ we find written in legenda aurea. how that there was a man that had his house fast by a chircheya●●e side And that his door opened to the church and he used by custom as oft as he come or went to ●ay● every time Deprof●dis. for all christian souls. Then it happened so on a time that he was pursued with enemies. as he went homewards: But when he come in to the church yard. he kneeled down. and though 〈◊〉 say. Deprofundis. And this en●●●es come after. Anon the deed bodies rose everichone with such Instrumentis as they wrought with by her lives and anon they drove away his enemies. But when they saw that they cried god mercy and this man. and ever after prayed. and deed almsdeeds for them that were in pain. Thus ye may well prove that devout prayers helpen may a soul that been in purgatory. Also almsdeeds helpen many a soul. Sicut aqua extinguit ignem ita elemosina extinguit pctm. ¶ Right as water quencheth fire so almsdeed quencheth the sin that brenneth them in purgatory. if they been in good life & in parfyghte charity that done it. And if alms deed be done for them that been in joy. and have no need thereto. It is put to the treasure off holy church. And as gods will is so it is dealed and relieveth them that have most need thereto. and so god assigneth it to them: And thenne the souls that been holpen therewith. thank the soul that this was done for. Thus ye may know well that almsdeeds helpen greatly souls. that is done fore. & been in purgatory. For oft holy men have herd fiends cry▪ and make great sorrow. For with almsdeeds souls were taken from them.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ we read in old time good people would on all halowyn day bake breed & deal it for all christian souls. And yet there been some that usen it. but all to few. ¶ we find in legenda aurea. of a knight that should go to a battle and had a cousin that he loved passing well. And said to him thus. if he were slain in the battle. he should sell his horse. & deal the valour to pour people in alms to pray for all christian souls. So it happened that he was slain. and his cousin loved well the horse: and took him to his own use▪ Then soon after this knight appeared to his cousin and said thus to him these viii. days for my horse thou haste made me to burn in purgatory. And therefore god will take vengeance on the. Forsooth quoth he this day thy soul shall be in hell with the fiend. Et ego purgatus vado in regnum dei And I am purged & shall go to the kingdom of heaven. & anon an horrible noise was herd in thayre of fiends. & caught this man & bore him away. The third that helpeth is the mass for when any soul appeareth to any man to have any help. he desireth masses & prayeth to have masses sungen for him Right as meet and drink comforteth a man when he is feeble. so the sacrament of the altar comforteth the souls that the masses been done for. It is written in legenda aurea how a bishop suspended a priest. for he could say none other mass but of requiem but he song every day devoutly after his cunning. then on a day as the bishop went toward matins. it seemed to him that deed bodies rosin & roam a bout him. And said thou hast said no mass for us. and more over thou hast taken our pressed away from us· Look that this be amended▪ or else god will in short time take vengeance on the for our sake. Then was the bishop greatly afeard and anon he bade the priest sing mass off requyem▪ as he died tofore. and so he died as oft as he might.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ Also we find that fishers set her nets in harvest to fish. and they took up a great pese of ice. and that it was the coldest ice that ever they felt. And it would not melt for the son. Then brought they that ice to the bishop For he had a great brennyg heat in his foot. and it was the coldest that ever he felt then spoke there a voice to him out of the ice. and said. I am a soul that suffer my penance here in this ice for I have no friends that will do masses for me. I shall be delivered out of my penance. and thou shalt be hole of thy sickness. if thou wilt say mass for me. And he said he would sing for him. and bade tell him his name. and ever while he was at mass. he laid the ice under his fet. and ever as he said mass the ice melt away: And so within a while the ice was melted and the soul from pain. And the bishop was hole of his sickness. ¶ Thenne the soul appeared to him with moche joy▪ and said. with thy masses singing I am helped out off pain in to everlasting bliss And he told the bishop that he should die soon after and come to everlasting joy without end. to the which god bring us all Amen.   

¶ De festo scti Ma●●●in.  
GOod friends such a day ye shall have saint Martens day. when marten was xv. year of age he cut his mantel in two pieces. as he road among other knights. and was yet not crystened. and gave half his mantel to a pour man for God's sake that asked alms. then the night after god had the same cloth and said to his angel. Marten that yet is not crystened hath clothed me in this cloth. and marten herd this word out of heaven. and anon he was christened. And then anon he left this worlds occupation. And gave him all to holiness. So as he road on a time by the way. the fiend come in likeness of a man & met him & asked whether he would. and he said thither as god will thenne said the fiend I will be thy enemy in all that I can: then said marten. god is my help. and therefore I dread the not then Marten waxed so holy that he reared deed bodies to life. and so for his great holiness he was chosen bishop off turon. So on a time as men were in great peril & like to be spilled one of hem knew the holiness of marten. & said marten help & anon they were holpen Also he road on a time in visitation a hound ran at a hare under his horse feet then had he pity of this best. & bade the hound stand still & let the best go & anon the hound stood still as he had be put in to the earth. Also he saw an adder swimming in the water. & he said to thadder. In nomine dni vibeo te redire. In the name of god I command the to go again where thou comest fro and anon she turned again. then marten sighed wonder sore. & said I am sorry that serpent's hearen me: and men will not hear me. ¶ Another time he come by the gates of the city that height Paris. & there he kissed an horrible mesel & anon he was hole with the same kiss Also he was so patient that many times his own clerks mocked him. and yet he suffered it patiently & was not wroth. So on a time as he road by the way in his visitation: for that was his manner. he had a rough mantel of black. & came a cart by the way with carriage and the beasts in the cart saw the black wavering with the wind they fled away & all to broke her gear. then the carter with his whip all to beat marten & gave him many sore strokes. & all he suffered meekly & said no thing. Then would they have gone her way. But they might not steer fro the place till they know that it was marten. & thenne they ●ryed him mercy. & then anon he forgave them. & the beasts passed fai●● forth: & all the harness was safe enough Also on a time as marten sat in his set. the fiend come to him in likeness of a king with a shining crown and said I am come fro heaven to speak with the believe on me. Cristus ego sum▪ for I am christ And marten looked on him & said my lord Ihesu christ will not come in such array & thou be christ show me thy wounds And anon the fiend went his wai And left an horrible stench behind him. ¶ yet another time he come to marten. and reproved him that he took people to him that had sinned and were shriven & turned again to the sin that they had done tofore.  
And said though thou take them to they grace god will not Thenne said marten wretch and thou will leave the pursuit off christian people and ask mercy with a meek heart I trust to god he is so merciful that he will give the mercy & when marten should pass out of this world. and lay in his deed bed▪ the fiend come and sat by him disputing with him if he might have caught him in any word of miss believe in his end: marten said to him. Go hens thou cruel beast. for thou shall no thing find amiss with me. But god shall receive me. And then he made to lay him in ashes and heir. And then he said the seven spsalmes and the litany and gave up the ghost. & was buried in his own church with moche honour Then liv. winters after there come a bishop. and translated him. And when he made all thing ready he laid hand on Martens body to have borne it forth but he might not. Then thought the bishop it is not martens will to be removed. and left of. Then come a fair old man and bade him go to again. and he would help him. and then they bore the body in to the tomb without letting. And so when the service was done. this old man vanished away. And there by they knew well that it was saint marten. & then god showed many fair miracles for hym·   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ It happened on a tyme. that there were two beggars. that one was lame and might not go & that other was blind and might not see. And so to make the people to have the more compassion of them. the blind bore the lame. & the lame taught the blind where he should go. & thus they gate moche good and had an esy life. ¶ But they were ever afeard to meet with the shrine of saint marten. least he would have heeled 'em of their sickness. And so on a time at a streets end. at a turning sodeynli at a corner they met with the shrine of saint marten. and anon they were both hole. And the blind might see. and the lame might go: And then they cried to saint martin. & said. Marten we thank the for the good that we have had for thy sake here tofore. but we thank the not for our heel. For now we must go labour & travail. and so get our living. For the people will give us no more alms. & here to fore we lived full easily with little travail. and fared well. Alas alas ●hat we come here this day. For now our mirth and welfare is gone Thus this holy man did many miracles. ¶ wherefore ye may see that he may do moche with god. therefore let us pray to him that he may pray to god for us.   

¶ De sctae Katherine virginie  
GOod friends such a day ye shall have saint Katherins day the holy martyr she was a kings daughter. & come of great birth. But she set all her mind to god. and set nought by the pride vainglory and richesses of this world. For it is but a vanity. but she set her all only on ihu So when she had been at school & learned a while anon she would dispute with any clerk that would come. For she was inspired with the holy ghost. But when she heard on a time that maxencius was come to the town of alisaundre with so moche people and so rially. that the city dommed of them. For he come to make a solemn sacrifice to his gods that were of gold & silver. in likeness of bullis & calves & other beasts. then saint Katherine saw that. and blessed her: and went in to the temple. and rebuked th'emperor boldly and said that he died soul amiss. for to do that worship to fiends. & leave the worship of god in heaven that made all thing of nought. & sent man life wit & heel. and proved 〈◊〉 great reason how christ was ●oth 〈◊〉 and man. And how he bou● 〈…〉 kind with his passion on the cross with his death. And taught how every man should honour god. and leave false mawmentes. Then was the Emperor wroth And bad take her to ward till he might be at liefer. So in the mean time: he sent after the greatest masters and the wisest clerks that were in many countries far about him. And when they were comen he bade them go and dispute with Katherine. and overcome her. & they should have right well for their labour. Then were they wroth to come so far to dispute with a woman. And said the left scholar in the school had be enough to overcome her. But when Katherine had disputed with them with the help of the holy ghost she converted them everichone to the faith off our lord Ihesu Christ. In so much that they were ready to suffer death for Christ's sake. Then anon maxencius. commanded to make a great fire. & bren●e them in the fire. But by the help of the holy ghost the fire burned no party of their bodies neither the least cloth of them. and yet lay fair deed as they had be a sleep. then the emperor made do Katherine to be naked and to beat her with sharp scourges. that she was all bloody. & full of wounds. And thenne he put her in to prison seven days: without any manner meet or drink. Then had the queen great lust to speak with Katherine and took a knight with her that hight porphyries. and went to katheryne. and then they saw an angel set a crown of shynning gold on the queens heed. and another on porphiryus heed. and bad hem be steadfast. For within three days they should come to heaven. by suffering of martyrdom. then scent th'emperor after Katherine. and went to have found her nigh deed. but all that time god sent her meet from heaven. And when the emperor saw her a live. he was wood for wroth and made her to be set between two. wheels. and turned one upward and another downward. full of hokes & sword points for all to raze Katherine. them come an angel as it had be a wind. and all to broke them. and slew four thousand of the tyrants. Then saw the queen that miracle. and come before the king her husband. and rebuked him that he saw the might of god so openly. and would not believe thereon. then bad the king lead forth the queen. and cut of her paps from the body with hokes and then to smite of her heed. then for porphpryus buried her and lxxx. of her knights were martyred with her and porphyrius be heeded also: Then spoke the Emperor to Katherine. and said: that he would wed her. and she would forsake christ and believe in his God's. and she said she set nought by him nor by his God's. And when he saw that he made to smite of her heed. Then anon in stead of blood come out fair milk. And then came an angel and bare the soul in to heaven. And then angels come and bore the body in to the air. and so to the mount of Synay. and there buried it with worship And there god worketh many fair miracles to this day. At the foot of the mount there is an abbey of monks that lyven in great abstinence. and this abbey is strong and high walled. and barred about with iron for wild beasts And in that abbey lieth saint Katherine in a fair tomb of albester. for her bones were fetched thither for the more worship. & above the church is the bush their god stood in when he spoke to moyses. and wrote the law in two tables of stone and the bush is as green and fair. as it was the same day. Also in that abbey is a great marvel: and is this every monk hath a lamp with oil br●nnyng. and when he shall die they shall know by his lamp. For as he draweth to death so derketh his lamp And when the abbot dieth his brethren shall sing a mass of the holy ghost and berry him solempny. & when mass is done. they shall find a bill written on the altar who shall be abbot. & so they chose her abbot. Also on saint Katherins night all the birds in the country comen thither. and each off them bring a branch of olive in her bills to the place. and as pilgrims sainthe monks make oil of the branches to her lamps for all the year. ¶ we find & read of a man that served Katherine and fasted her even breed & water. & on a time he come in fellowship of reckless people & by comfort of them he left his fast & eat with 'em. and so in the night after he saw a great company of maidens coming by him. & among them there was one passing all other. and each of 'em had a crown but one had a passing fair crown & that was saint Katherine. So when she come by this man she hid her face from him. and would not look on him. then he asked one of them what they were and she said we been virgins. & the principal that thou seest is saint  
Katherine: that hid her face from the. by cause thou hast left thy devotion fro her even of fasting. then this man repented him sore that he had do this deed. and turned again to his devotion & fasted. and after was a holy man and therefore let us worship this holy virgin. that she may pray for us all Amen.   

¶ De dedicacione ecclesie.  
●Ood friends such a day ye shall have your dedication day. that is your church holy day. ye shall come to church and here your divine service in the worship of god. And for iii causes the which the church is hallowed for. that is for the church cleansing. for devout praying. & for the deed bodies bearing. the first is for the church cleansing the church is ordained for all the people that come thither should be in perfit charity. & there meet with god. for god is ever there present. and when all the people comen so to guider at this assignment. it pleyseth god to here hem & her good words in that place. But when the fiend seth any man busy thereto he is full sorry. & seeketh all the ways that he can or may to let him from the church for they should not come to the presence of god Then when holy faders knew the malice of the fiend. they ordained the church to be hallowed. And so by good preyers the fiend is ●reuen out: But if any cursed liver bring him in again that is out of charity. or in deadly sin is with the fiend. & the fiend with him. But how the fiend is driven away by hallowing. I will tell you by ensample. that is written in legenda aurea: ¶ Saint Gregory saith in a book that is called dyalogus. on a time as a church was on hallowing. a swine ran among the people to and fro. and so ran out of the church door. and that was a fiend that ran away. but yet the next night after he come again & made such anoyse as though all the church should have fall down. & then come never again more But there be many lewd people that say her prayers. they were as good at home as at church: For if there be any man or woman. that hath a matter to speak with his good friend. and would feign have his intent. he will go home to his house goodly and lowly in hope to speed the better. Right so if any man would pray to god devoutli he should come to church. there is god. for he that is in clean life and prayeth to god speaketh with him for many of you wot not how ye should pray. The setting of the church giveth you knowledge. for the church is set in the este. And so when ye pray. set your hearts in the est praying heartily for mercy with perfit charity. For though it be put out of your heritage by malice of the fiend▪ that is enemy to your souls. For we should not have the joy of paradise that he was in. and lost it by his pride Also we lost it by our fathers trespass adam. let us think that christ died in the est. And therefore let us pray busily in to the est that we may be of the number that he died fore.  
Also let us think that he shall come out of the East to the doom. wherefore let us pray heartily to him and busily that we may have grace of contrition 〈◊〉 our hearts of our misdeeds with shrift and satisfaction. that we may stand that day on the right hand of our lord Ihesu christ. and so be off the number that shall be saved & come to everlasting bliss and joy and that we may scape that horrible rebuke that shall be given to all them that shall be dampened and go to everlasting pain that will not be sorry & repent them and ask mercy in this world. And thus for devout prayers. holy church was ordained to be hallowed. For god saith thus. ¶ Domus mea damus oracionis vocabitur. My house is called an house of prayers But it is now made an house of rowning. whispering. crying clatering scorning. tales and simple speaking. mowing of vanity and many simple words and lewd.   

Narraico  
¶ we read how saint Gregory was at mass on a tywe. and saint Austyn was his deacon and bad the people turn to the pope's blessing. Then he saw two women rowne to guider in the pope's chapel. and the fiend sat in her ne●ke writing a great roll. and it lacked parchment and he drew it out with his teeth and so it fell out of his claws and saint Austyn saw it and went and took it up. then the pope was wroth and asked him. why that he loughe him to scorn.  
And he showed him what the fiend had written of the women and then he come to the women and asked them what they had said. all this mass tyme. and they said our Pater noster Then the pope bad read the roll to them that the fiend had written And saint Gregory red it. & there was nevir a good word therein then they kneeled down and asked mercy and besought the pope to pray for them and so he did and broghte them out of the fiends books also. for long resting to holy church for when a man is deed he is brought to the church to his rest ¶ Sometime the people were buried at home as poor people and the rich were buried in the hill tops. and some at the foot of the hill in tombs made of rocks. But for the savour was so great and grievous holy faders ordained church yards to bury the people. for two. causes One is to be prayed for as holy church useth And another is for the body shall lie there without travail For the fiends hath no manner of power. to any thing within christian buryelles But if so be that the deed body be not worthy to be buried in such holy ground For as john Byllet telleth that there should noon other body be buried in the church but if it be the patron that defendeth it fro bodily enemies: or the parson. vicary. priest or clerk that defend the church fro ghostly ennevyes with 〈…〉. For so● 〈…〉 buried the●● and cast out 〈◊〉 on the morrow and 〈…〉 in the grave. ¶ 〈…〉 come on a time to a warden of a church and bad him go to the b●shop. & bid him cast out the body that he had buried therr or else he shall be deed within threty days. and so he was for he would not do as he was bid.   

¶ Narracio.  
¶ Also we read in gestis of Rome that an angel told an holy bishop. that hight increases how that charles. the king of France. was dampened for he took away holy church right. that good people had given tofore and bade him go and open his tomb: and see it Thenne the bishop went with other people and opened the tomb and there came out a great dragon & sleep forth. and left the tomb brenning within as it had be an ovyn mouth  
¶ And thus to bury in holy place is but little avayll to them that be damned ¶ Also there be many that walk on nights when they be buried in holy place but that is not long of the fiend but of the grace of almighty god. which grace. he grant us all that for us shed his blood on the road tree Amen:   

¶ Per me Ricardum Pynson.  
T● 〈…〉 se 〈…〉 and the first distinction saith. that the sovereign cause why god made all creatures in heaven earth or water 〈◊〉 his own goodness by the which he would that some of them should have part and be communers of his everlasting bliss But for asmuch as no creature might come to that bliss without knowledge of him▪ Therefore he made reasonable creatures as angels & mankind of wit and wisdom. whereby they should know him and so through that knowledge come to the bliss that they were made to This manner of knowledge had our forefather Adam and eve in the state of their innocency without any travail. The which we should haf had also if they had not sinned But that knowledge that we have now is of hearing learning & teaching of other that can the law & the faith of holy church The which we that have the cure of souls be bound to teach or to do teach our parisshynes on pain of damnation of our souls ¶ And for asmuch as my will is not to offend god neither to lose mine own soul ne yours I purpose by his leave homely thus to show it and read it. to you in the book For to your learning it is as good as without And thus did Esdras moyses and Baruke. in the old law. and so did christ also in the new law▪ And right as I am thus bound to tell and to teach it you so be ye bound to learn it and to con it and so to teach it to other folk. the which be under you to your power. And how ye shall come to this knowledge of god these th●nges following. shall show you. ¶ This is the first petition of the Pater noster The first is the Pater noster the which our lord made and taught his disciples. which containeth sevyn short peticiones. The first is father our that art in heaviness hallowed be thy name By this ye be behold to love each other as sister and brother And also to yield him worship & d●ede for the great worthiness riches and farrnesse that he hath here yeven & lent to you For more worthiness may not be than to be called the son of god ne riches greater than to be air of the bliss of heaven. ne more fairness then to be like to such a father for we be all▪ brethren and susterne of one father. & mother that is god and holy church In tokening that noon of us should. scorn other as the proud doth the poor. 〈…〉 ¶ He is also in heaven not withstanding that he is in every place. but yet most propyrly he is in heaven Therefore hallow we so his naname in us here that we defoul natt his holiness by sin: But that by the yeft of wisdom we may so here be cleansed fro all filth of sin and so fulfilled of his love that all other Louis contrary to his will be byttre to us. ¶ The second. is thy gyngdome come to us 〈◊〉 is to say that he and his holiness so rain and govern all our life here. that we may after reign with him in bliss that evyr shall last. and by very charity thou shalt destroy the fo● sin of envy. ¶ The third is. thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven & though that grudge in sickness. loss of gods or other diseases against god do against this petition and greatly displease god Therefore pray we that as all angels and holy souls. please god in heaven so must we here in earth no thing asking against his will And thus by love thou shalt destroy. the foul sin of wrath. ¶ The fourth is Our every days breed give us to day. that is to say our full sustenance of body & soul Thus prayed the wise man that said Lord neither richesse ne poverty give me But that that is necessary to my livelihood. By this is covetise destroyed and the gift of compassion and pity brought in. ¶ The fift is and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us This is against the that beryst great rancour and malice against thy neighbour Or art to greedy of thy debts to the poor and wilt. not forgive him a little debt or trespass. there as god forgiveth the many grievous offences. for the which ne were his great mercy thou shouldst be dampened. To this therefore is knit the spirit of conn●nge▪ that showeth that what thou art. and what apparel thou standest in and what our lord suffered for the. ¶ The sixth is And lead us not in temptation It is not to pray here that no temptation assail us in that. the devil hath licence to tempt man as he did▪ christ and his appostels and us aldaye doth. so that his power may n●t be put away without the help and mer●y of god Therefore holy father by the help and grace of the spirit of pity keep our hearts in temptation that we consent not ne be ovircome with sin  
¶ The seven is But deliver us from all evil of sin amen. And this is the last petition to the which is yeven the spirit of dread that maketh a man to withdraw him from all evil of sin for the beginning of wisdom is to dread god and his right wysnes. These six peticiones thus with a clean heart asked removeth and putteth away the seven deadly synnnes. and endueth thy soul with many holy. virtues. ¶ ave maria. Furthermore as for the salutation of our lady pope Vrban and pope john to all being in clean life. that in the end of the ave maria say these words jesus amen. as oft as they say it they have granted of pardon lxxx: and four days. And so as often as thou saist our lady's sauter. so oft thou haste of pardon xxxiiii. year & thirty weeks. ¶ These be the xii. articles of the faith The first is Credo in deum patrem omnipotentem creatorem celi & terre. et cetera. ¶ The second thing that thou should know god by be the articles of the faith By the which grace and mercy be purchased of god and each virtuous deed strengthened. what this faith is these articles suing shall show you. ¶ The first is I believe in god father almighty maker of heaven and of earth To believe to god is one and to believe in god is another The devil believeth to god that is to say that he and his. words been true. yet many one faileth herein For and they did believe that the words of god were true that is to say that for their good deeds they should have everlasting life. and for their evil deeds the pains of hell they would either for dread or for love amend them  
To believe in god saith saint austin is to cleave to god by love fulfilling his will. this is very believe Thus and if thou sin against god it is for lack of believe. yet in that. he is of power to plenysshe the. If thou wilt not leave it The second is Et in jesum cristum filium eius unicum dominum nostrum. I believe in Jesus Christ his only son our lord understand here that Jesus christ the son is in heaven with the father. without beginning. and that the father doth nothing without the son ne the son without the father. And thus both they be almighty The third article is. Qui conceptus est de spiritu sconnatus ex maria vigrine I believe that he was conceived of the holy ghost and borne of the virgin mary Here Criste the second person. of the holy trynite took flesh & blood of our lady by the ●oly ghost with out meddling of man She being a maid after as she was tofore For as she conceived him with out sin. & bodily pain. She childed him very god and man The fourth is. Passus sub poncio pilato crucifixus mortuus et sepultus I believe that he suffered pain under. pounce pilate done on the cross deed. and buried Here Criste the son of god suffered meekly and threspaced nevir. for we should meekly suffer. that moche have trespassed He was also crucified for we should chastise our flesh by penance in withstanding sin & he was buried in token that we should hide our good deeds fro praising. & vainglory of the world & to have mind that earth is our heritage by kind of our bodily flesh The v. is Descendit ad inferna tercia die resurrexit a mortuis. I believe that he went down to hell: & the third day arose from death to live christ thus bodily deed lay in the sepulchre without the soul till the three day that he arose the godhead not parted fro the body He went down to hell & delivered the holy souls that were there through virtue of the godhead & the third day arose fro death to life in tokening that the light of his death hath destroyed our double death. and that we shall arise fro ghostly death by three manner of medicines. contrition confession. and satisfaction The vi. is Ascendi● ad erlos seder ad dexteram dei patris omnipotentis. I believe that he stied up into heaven and set him there on his faders right hand Thus Criste appearing to his disciples after his resurrection 〈◊〉 with them in tokening that he was very. man as he was tofore And so to sty. into heaven and highed mankind above all angels opening heaven gate to show man the way and to pray for mankind The seventh is. In de ventu●us est judicare vivos et mortuos. I believe that he is to come to dame the quick and the deed This Christ Jesus very god and man shall come to the doom and dame all mankind quick & deed good and evil after their deeds There shall some come to the doom & not be deemed as heathen men For they sin without law And therefore without law they must perish Some also shallbe deemed and damned as false christian men that believe in jesus christ without love & good works There shall subgettes accuse their evil curates that would not reprove. them of their sins ne teach them the commandments of god Also children unchastised shall there reprove their faders and moders that would not chastise them of their wantonness There shall the poor accuse the rich that would not help them in their mischief Amend all this therefore whiles thou art here and have mind how suddenly his vengeance falleth and as how he findeth the he shall dame the The viii. is: Credo in spiritum sanctum I believe in the holy ghost the third person of the trinity The holy ghost also without beginning or ending and even in wit might and goodness with the father and the son and all iii be one god almighty The lx. is Sanctam ecclesiam catholicam sanctorum communionem I believe in holy church and in comunyon of saints holy church throghe out the world is holy and one to all christian men that in in the sacraments of the church deal and commoneth to giddre Therefore it is forboden that in the church ne in the church yard be neither rumour ne strife dancing drynkynges ne non inhonest mirths ne occasion of sin should not be give there where as forgiveness should be asked Holy church is parted in three One is in this world of them that should be saved by the mercy of god▪ and this is evyr fighting against these three. enemies the world the flesh. & the devil And another is in purgatory of souls that abide there the great mercy of god The third is Christ of heaven heed of all other with his saints which is free fro all manner descensiones These three shall be one after the day of doom joining with jesus their heed in the bliss that nevyr shall have end Comoning saints when each of these three parties helpen other They in heaven helpen the other two with prayer And they in earth helpen them in purgatory with their prayer and alms And these two help 'em in heaven when their joy and bliss is increased. And thus each communeth with other. The x. is Remissionem peccatorum. I believe forgiveness of sins. they that amend their life here and do very penance. willing to leave their sins and end in charity. shall haf forgiveness of all their sins. For christ by his death and passion of his father gate us forgiveness & he himself by his godhead also forgiveth all original and actual sin of our baptism The xi. article. Carnis resurrectionem. I believe rising of body All mankind at the day of doom shall rise. from death to life in body and soul to gydder and after that nevyr be departed And then they that have ended. in deadly sin should go in body and soul to the everlasting pain of hell without mercy And they that have well lived. and ended in charity and out of deadly sin shall wend in body & soul to gyddre to bliss for evermore. Of this. bliss speaketh saint Mathewe. in the last article The xii. is Et vitam eternam Amen. I believe in everlasting life. ¶ these been the articles of the faiths the which but every man truly & sadly believe may not be saved For without faith it is impossible to please god Decem precepta domini: ¶ The third thing that thou should know god by be his x. commandments which he wrote in the two. tables of stoon. and took them to moyses. to teach his people promising to 'em that would keep them his blessing. wealth and welfare And to them that would not his curse great sorrow and mischief. ¶ A man asked of Criste what he might do to have everlasting life And he answered and said if thou will enter everlasting. life keep the commandments This proveth if thou keep his commandments thou fulfillest the law of god. & shalt have everlasting life. ¶ The first is he commandeth that thou have no god but h●m Ne that thou worship serve ne give thy trust to none other creature image ne thing graven but only to him In this is forboden▪ mammetry false enchantments wychecraftes false charms and dreams▪ and mysbelevys that any man or woman hopyth help in. without almighty god In this ye sin deadly that for sickness or loss of gods put your faith or believe that ye should have in your lord god by the devils mynystres false wytches. the which bring many a soul to the devil. For they believe more in the wyches words than in the words of scripture that the priest techyth them. All such▪ have gods curse at the least iiii. times a year in the great sentence And every day in our prime As for images  
¶ Also ye shall understand that as clerks see in her books how they should live and do so should lewd men learn by images whom they should worship and follow in living. to do god's worship to images every man is foreboden ¶ Therefore first when thou commyst to the church behold god's body under form of breed in the altar And thank him that he vouchsafe every day to come fro the holy heaven above for the health of thy soul Look thou on the cross. & thereby have mind in the passion that he thereon suffered for the. then the images of the holy saints. not believing on them but that by the sight of 'em thou may have mind of them. that been in heaven. an● so to follow their life asmuch as thou mayst. If thou thus worship love and serve god then shall all thing worship love & serve the and so thou shalt fulfil the first and most commandment.  
¶ The second is that thou take not in vain the holy names of god Thou takest the name of god in vain when thou turnest again to thy sin after thy baptism. Thou takest it in vain also when thou sweryst and fo●sweryst the and reckeste not how  
Afore all thing saith saint Jame swear ye not left ye fall under the come of god. It is only reserved to god saith saint john that thou swear by him and his truth and his rightwiseness Therefore or thou swear see that thou be compelled by doom. and that it be right not for envy love ne dread. but only for rightwiseness in declaring of truth And if any man of these fail it is perjury Beware therefore ye that use quests or consistory. and here what peril ye stand in that wittingly be forswore on the book. The book betokeneth all holy scripture and the suffrage of the church the which there thou forsakest when thou forsweryst the All the good works. that evir thou dydeste. the which thou forsakest when thou withdrawest it  
Thou forsakest also god almighty our lady saint marry and all the saints of heaven and the merits of the holy sacraments. and holy betakest himself to the devil of hell but if thou amend the or thou go hen●  
¶ If they then shall thus be punished for swearing how shall they be that blaspheme and dismember him swearing by his heart nails. wounds. and such other Some when they be reproved hereof say it is good to have god in mind. and with such lewdness they keep still their oaths And if thy servant did against thy bidding saying that he did it to have the in mind wouldest thou not be wrath with him much more must god: then with the when thou dooste against his bidding And some say I may well swear for I swear sooth This is a false excusation For and if thou shouldest alway swear when thou sayest sooth Then would not christ have forbidden swearing But in moche swearing is oft forswearing. Therefore he saith that he that mooche sweareth shall be replete with wickedness and sorrow ne vengeance shall not depart from his house Some say also that no man will believe them but if they swear This is a subtle excusation For thereby a false man may swear aswell as a true man and so should he be aswell believed as the true man For the falser that he is. the more he sweareth and forswerythe. and so beguileth Therefore if thou wilt be believed without swearing be true of thy word and left it be ye ye. & nay nay In token that thou sayest with thy mouth thou shouldest say it with thine heart and not say one and ●yn●e another. ¶ The third is. have in mind to hallow thine holidays that is to say Sundays and other that been commanded almighty god. in vi days made heaven earth and see. and all that in them is. And the seven. day he rested Therefore he blessed it. and made it holy But in stead thereof we christian men hallow the sunday which was the first day of the world. wherein god made light. and that day god gave to moyses the law That day he arose from death to live. That day the holy ghost gave wisdom. to the apostles to preach the truth of Christ's law And that day as clerks say shall also be domes day  
¶ Therefore shall every man in that day busy him to here god's service learn his law and i'll sin and fleshly lusts taverns and such chafferynges that lettith them to rest in our lord. ¶ yet many there be that such days be more busy in worldly works and sins than all the week after. and nevir will rest for no teaching ne lovene dread of god  
These be most like to them in hell that nevyr rest but evyr labour in pain They break also their holy day they spend their time in idleness. and in vain plays idle speaking & backbiting of their even christian  
why saith our lord have mind to hallow thine holy day But for thou shouldest put out of thine heart all worldly thoughts and occupy it with heavenly desires As to think what god hath done for the 〈◊〉 he made the of nought and like to him in soul How he 〈◊〉 so●ed the out of the pit of hell with his own precious blood How also of his goodness he keepeth the night and day in thy right wits and fro all bodily mischievous that many one aldaye falleth in. And how against all this thou givest him a drink of gall of byttre sin and breakest his commandments both in word thought and deed. ¶ Thus to have mind in all this He asked rest of body and soul▪ on the holy day. and thus rest signifieth the rest in bliss. that we shall have after this if we rest in him. On the holy day here gods sevyre and i'll sin.  
¶ The iiii. commaundmnet is worship thy father and mother Three manner of faders there be that thou must worship. The first is thy father of heaven that made the of nought and nourisheth thy body with earthly food comforteth thy soul with heavenly desire. Defendeth it fro the devil and maketh it heir of the bliss of vyn. Thus may noon do but he our father our lord and our god  
The second father is he that gate the and thy mother that bare the. to whom thou shall be subject and serviceable For they be the second cause of thy being in this present life. Then thou shalt also worship them and give them of thy gods freely if they have need and if thou have more. then they Comfort counseyl and teach them after thy cunning: followen usury. when thou lenest money to hem that have need for a certain wynnyg all the times end. And for the loon other thou takyst service. presentis or gifts. ¶ Another when thou lenest it. for the half winning. he to pay the whole. that thou lenest it to. though all be lost ¶ Another when thou buyest a thing: for much less then it is worth. ¶ Another when thou sellest thy chaffer the dearer for the lone. ¶ Another when thou hast a thing to fore the tyme. as corn or it be ripe. ¶ Another when thou takest the beast of a pour man with this condition. that if it die▪ it shall die to the pour man and not to the. ¶ So saith paryfyens: therefore use leeffull chaffer and win without subtlety or sleight not as much as thou mayst. But that. that is reasonable to thy sustenance. after thine estate is dew. This desired this wise man of our lord when he said. neither riches neither poverty lord give me. but only lord that is necessary to my livelihood.  
¶ The viii. thou shalt not bear falls witness. In this is foreboden all manner of lefynges: conspiracy. and forswearing. whereby that thy neighbour loseth his cattle. friendship. or good all such been called the children of the devil. For they put out truth. and bring in falsehood. Put out christ and bring in the devil. losing standeth not only in false words. But also in false works and if thou be a christian man live there after. or else thou liest. There be three manner of losings. one is when thou liest with full purpose to hurt thy neighbour. And thenne it is deadly sin. Another is when thou liest to further thy neighbour in a truth and then it is not so much evil. ¶ The third is when thou liest for the disport of them that be about the. not willing to hinder any person.  
¶ these two be venial. but thou have them in custom therforr beware of all manner losing. and neither for love ne hate ne for meed. bear no false witness. The ix. is thou shalt not desire thy neighbours wife. In the seventh commandment god forbiddeth the deed of lechery and their desire. In token that they be both deadly sin: yet some ween but they do the deed it is no sin christ therefore willing all such to be clean within. and without both in body and in soul saith this. All that sew a woman to the covetise of their lust. they do lechery with her in their heart. And thus by shrewd thoughtis. man is oft time departed from god. ¶ yet saith saint Byrgit in her visions. But if ill thoughtiss were sometime to man. He should ween himself rather angel then man. And so all evil thing cometh off himself. and none of god. ¶ Therefore that man should understand the infirmity that he hath off himself and the strength that he hath off god: it is necessary saith she. that he be suffered sometime of the great mercy of god. to be tempted with evil thoughts. To the which if he consent not. they be but a purgation to his soul and a kepar of his vert●●s. Therefore when shrewd thoughtis come to the withstand the first suggestion. and let thy soul alweye so labour. that he consent not to delight in them And then have in mind the bitter pains that Crist for the suffered. And the endless bliss of the joys of heaven that thou must lose if thou consent to them and the bitter pains of hell also that thou shalt have if thou die in them. and if thou thus do then shalt thou have in mind thy last end. and never do sin  
¶ The x. commandment and the last is. thou shalt not desire thy neighbours thing house land ox ass. neither no thing that is his. For such desires of covetise. as scripture maketh mention. Balaam Nacor. Anani Gyesy. Achab jesebel and many. other fill to great myschyeff. both off body: and of soul. Therefore be ye well war als of all such falls desire. And take no man's good against his will. lest it fall to you. as it did to them. And think also that without satisfaction. or having will to amend the thereof. The pope ne none by him may dispense with the. and yet thou stondyst accursed of all holy church in the great sentence. four times in the year what shall all such false desire them profit the. when the curse of god shall thus abide on the. there is no man that bredith the curse of god now. ¶ But when christ at the doom shall say that scripture maketh mention of. Go ye cursed in the everlasting fire of hell. then shall they both dread it. and feel it. For this word go ye cursed. shall be more painful as doctors say. then the pains off a thousand hellies: though they were all gathered in to one. All these ten b●hestis been brought in two: of the gospel that is love god above all thing And thy neighbour as thyself. first thou shalt love god with all thy heart that no thing be nearer thy heart then god In all thy soul that thou suffer no sin abide within thy soul for the love of god. And with all thy m●●de that thou spare not. for myschy●ff to please god. Thy neighbour also as thyself in good and not evil as much as thyself in health in seekenes in wealth and in woe. ¶ Thus for love thou shalt keep God's commaundementis and not only for dread of pain These commandments should e●●e man tell and teach his children. And thus bade our Lord to moyses. these words said he▪ the which I take here this day shall be in thy heart. Thou shalt tell them to thy sons▪ & think on 'em sleeping waking sitting. & going Thou shalt bind them as a sign to thy hand· and write them on the doories & lynter●●s of thy house And shalt rule all thy thoughtis words and deeds privy and apert in each place. by these commandments off god Foryete not these words saith he ne fall they not from thy heart all the days of thy life. Thus govern ye your meinie saith saint Austyn. For as we thus speak to you. here in the church. so should ye to yours at home. that ye may give tree. we reckoning to god of them. that be subjects to you. and tell them. saith he the love and the sweetness of heavenly things and the great bitterness of hell. for ye shall answer for them at the streyt day of doom. and counsel them all that they be not neglyent in no wise to learn these commandments for dread of this sentence that followeth if thou wilt not here the voice of thy lord god saith he. That thou keep his commandments all these curses shall come to the and take the thou shalt be cursed in city. in field. cursed shall be thy relics. the fruit of thy body. thy fruit of thy land. The drovys of thine oxyn and the flocks of thy sheep. thou shalt be cursed in the going in. and going out Thou shalt be smite with hunger seekenesse and pestilence. with adders. with fire. with heat. with cold. and with corrupt air. ¶ All these shall pursue the. and thou shalt perish. And if thou wilt here the voice of our Lord. that thou learn and keep his commandments He shall make the higher then all that dwelleth in earth And all these blessings. shall come to the and take thee: Thou shalt be bsissed in city and in field in the fruit of thy body. and fruit of thy land. in flockies of thy sheep. and drovys off thy beasts. in thy bernies and in thy celers. in thy going in▪ in thy going out and in all thy works of thy hands. So that every man shall see that the name of god is called upon the. and they shall dread the. I shall give rain in time saith he. the earth shall bring forth his seed. And trees shall be replete with fruit thou shalt have peace in thy country. and thou shalt sleep: And no man shall fere the. All these blessings shall take the. if thou learn and keep his commaundementis. Therefore have mind in the precepts of god. and in his biddings be ye most busy: For if thou keep them. they shall keep the and bring the to bliss. that never shall have end. which he us grant that with his blood bought us Jesus' christ Amen.   

¶ De septem sacramentis.  
THe fourth thing that thou shouldest know god by: is the seven sacramentis of holy church which be ministered to the people of persons and priests that have power thereto. of the which. five the first that is baptism confirmation shrift howsyll and anointing. Are every man and woman hold to do. in pein of cursing. incerteyn time as the law. giveth. The other two may no man take. as order and wedlock but at his own will. these sacraments took their beginning off the gracious well●. of the side off our lord Ihesu christ in his passion. For right as out of adamys side. while he slept was take out a rib that eve was made of: right so at the death of our lord there ran out of his side both blood and water. by the virtue of which passion the sacramentis of holy church took first their strentgh and their beginning. ¶ The first sacrament is baptism. in which original sin that we be born in & all other sins that we be defouled with they be washen a way thorough the passion of christ. and therewith is be taken us the faith and believe of holy church. without which. there may no man be saved. Therefore it is commanded that every christian woman that feeleth her quick with child· to keep her fro heaving and shoving. great travail and falling and all other mischevys that should myschyeve the child's life. and so be lost body and soul And that each woman byfor her travail of child. come to church and take shrift and housyl. for peril of death that might fall in the birth. Also the midwife & though that be about the child. if it be in parel of death. should christian it on this wise I christian the in the name of the father. and the son and the holy ghost. And thenne spring the child with water. & that thou foryete not these words. I christian the. and if it be crystened in the manner at home It shall not be crystened eftsone at church. For that were a great peril. as to nail god eftsoons on the rood. And if it live after this christening at home bring it to the church. and there it shall have all the whole service that it lacketh. In time of peril of death father and mother may christian their own children without harming of their spousehode. Godfaders and godmoders been borowies to fore god. for their godchildren And therefore they been bound to teach 'em to love rightwiseness. charity and chastity. to keep them from deadly sin and specially to teach them the commandments: and belive. A man and his wife. should not fonge at ones to a child at the font stone ¶ Ne they that fongith it there shall not fonge. it atte the confirming but at need  
¶ father ne mother notyse ne none other should suffer no young child by them a bed whiles they sleep. ne press them to fast in cradle ne suffer them lie sleeping: ne waking. with out a keeper. ¶ There is ghostly kindred thorough fonging of children at the fountf●on on ix. wise.  
¶ One is between the child and the godfaders. Another betwixt the children of the godfaders another b●wyxt the child and the wife of the godfaders fleshly known tofore. Another betwixt the godfader and the father. of him that is christened.  
¶ Another betwixt 〈…〉 him pardon 〈…〉 ●re. ¶ And with this accords saint gregore where he saith thus ●e saith thou makest never satysfac●ion for thy sin. But if thou fear of thy sin. every body will desire pardon. but few or none will do that they should have pardon for but through trust and colour of that pardon. They do many a cursed sin and do sin upon trust thereof. other any good deed. it is a great sin of pride. For be thou never so full of good virtues: unkindness to thy god may destroy all though virtues. More unkindness thou mayst not show. then for to displease god wilfully. Therefore i'll such unkindness. And think that the more acceptable thou art to god thorough thy good living. the more culpable thou shalt be: if thou return again to sin. It is aslyder hoop saith saint Austyn when a man sinneth upon trust to be saved. He that so doth. he neither dreadeth ne loveth god So that it is more profitable to hold thyself feeble and low: then to be hold strong. and for feebleness fall and be lost. Therefore take heed what goodness god putteth in the. and thank him. and pray him of countenance. And do no synnne upon trust off pardon or of any other good deeds. ¶ The fourth is the holy sacrament of the altar. The which is Christ's own body: his flesh and blood in form of breed. The same that was born off the virgin mary. and done on the road. This is made thorough virtue of God's word of priests that have power which 〈◊〉 neither angel ne a●chaungell h●dde. But only man 〈◊〉 mind of himself. this sacrament is every man and woman bound by the law once a year as a●●e e●ter. y● he be fourteen year of age. And have discretion to receive it when they be with shrift and penance made clean of their sins. And else to be put out of the church and of christian beryellies. But if it be for sickness. or for some other reasonable cause which cause he must certify his curate of. For he that unworthily receiveth this sacrament he receiveth his damnation Also as often as any man seeth that body at mass. or borne about to the seek. he shall devoutly kneel down and say his pater noster or sum other good prayer in worship of his sovereign lord. Also ye shall understand that the drink that ye receive in the chalice after your housel is no sacrament. But wine or water to bring the sacrament the lightlier in to thy body. But in form of breed it is hole God's body in flesh and in blood. Therefore thou shalt take it in. as holy as thou mayst left any part abide in thy teeth. For in the left part is hole God's body. that day thou hearest thy mass god granteth the needful and lawful things. that day idle oaths and forgetyn sins be forgiven. That day thou shalt not lose thine eye sight ne die in sudden death ne the time of the mass thou shalt not wax aged Every step thitherward and homeward an angel shall reckon Lewd men and women to dispute of this sacrament of'̄t utterly forbidden For it is enough to them to believe as holy church teacheth ●m The fift sacraments anointing of seek men the which is oil hallowed of a bishop and ministered by priests. to them that been of lawful age. in great peril of death. in lightness and abating of their sickness. if god will that they live And in forgiving of their venial sins and relesing of their pain if they shall die So that this sacrament may be yeven as oft as nedyth to every man and woman that be in point of death. ¶ The sixth is holy ordres which no man may take but at their own will. This giveth power to them that taketh it to serve in holy church after their estate is As to him that taketh the order. of priesthood for to make the sacrament of Christ's flesh and his blood. and for to minister other sacraments to the people These must have their crown shaven their heed tonsured. and their clothes honestly shapen. as falleth to her estate and namely in holy church. They must also in the quere sing. & read with cleanness of conscience. and great devotion of soul not ovyrhypping ne mombling. ne musing of vanities. not meddling with lewd ne shrewd tidings ne inhonest communication. ne coming to late to god's service: ne going out before the end. without a reasonable cause. not groaning ne slumbering. ne sparing her voice. but showing out the voice of the holy ghost with sown and whole speech And thus saith saint Bernard They must also dispose themself if they may to sing mass. & thereto they be bound For saint bernard saith. in the person of our lord to every man thus. Have I not made the and give the power to make. me & to make my son incarnate tofore the father of salvation of the world if thou haf power to sing. and syngest not saith he Thou benymmest the angels of heaven their joy. thou benymmyst mankind traveling in earth their help. and grace. and thou benymest the souls that are in great pains in purgatory their rest and their forgiveness. These be heavy words and little thought on with many of us Saint Austyn saith how worshipful is the dignity of priesthood saith he. betwixt. whose hands the son of god as in his mothers womb was incarnate. how blessed be the priest's saith he if that they prestly live. How heavenly a minister is that saith he that by the wycking of the father and the son and the holy ghost the same god that is in heaven. the same and self is in your hands▪ in the sacrament Therefore saith once lord be ye holy for I am holy. ¶ A rightful life to you is necessary. saith saint Austyn Therefore ye must so live so that your life accord with your name. so that if your order be holy. let your conversation be the same And if men say well of you saith he. see that your works. bear witness to the same And this is for us priests.  
¶ The seven sacrament is wedlock before the which the bany● must be asked thrice in holy church This is a lawful knytiing to gydder of man and woman in form of holy church by assent of them both. for to be together in the law of god and nevyr. to be departed whiles their life lastith in remission of sin and getting of grace. when it is taken to a true intent For though there be no truth plight ne flessh●y deed done. if they be of full age & accord in heart to gydder. to fore god they be wife and husband all privy covenants in truth plighting and forward making without assent of friends or knowledge are forboden. All that such make or been thereat been in great peril of soul Also it is forboden that no wedded man ne woman one without that others assent make vow of chastity. pilgrimage. ne fasting For if the wife avow the husband at the first we●yng may fordo it but if he consent and suffer it wittingly after the first knowing The man sinneth not. for the wife hath no power of her own body but the husband And if the man abstain him fro his wife by such wife without the will of his wife & she give him no leave. he is cause of her sin And the wife is in the same case if she do the same to her husband. Septem opera misericordie. ¶ The fift thing that thou shall know god by are the six dedye of mercy which every man is bound by the bidding of god to fulfil and to do to his power That is to say. Feed the hungry▪ give drink to the thirsty cloth the naked. herborowe the houseles visit the seek. deliver the prisoners. and bury the poor when they be deed These been needful to us plesing to god and helping to body & soul of all them that done them Therefore saith Criste give and it shallbe yeven to you. Alms saith Austyn is an holy thing For it everlasyth the that thou haste Lessith thy sins. It multiplieth thy years. and nobleth thy mind It lengtyth thy terms. and cleanseth al. thing It delivereth the fro death And joineth the to angels and departeth the from devils And is a wall inexpugnable about thy soul. Therefore give alms and all things shall be clean to you Three things he must consider that shall give alms. First who asketh it. what he asketh. & wherefore first I say that god asketh it. for he loveth so much poor men. that what ye do to them in his name he holdeth it done to himself He asketh his and not ours David saith all things be thine lord. and that we have take of thine hands we have give the He asketh us not for to give it him but for to leave it him. wherefore he will yield an hundredth fold: and the bliss of heaven Therefore saith saint Gregore poor men shall not be despyced but prayed as faders. And he that giveth the poor shall not be poor saith Solomon And he that stoppeth his ere fro the cry of the power. shall cry and not be herd  
Therefore to all that ask these he that asketh unrightfully. give it not. that he asketh but that that b●tt●● i● And that is correction jerom saith give the poor to sustain their riches There may no man excuse him of alms giving For an halfpenny of the poor sum time more pleaseth god than an hundredth shylinge of the rich If thou may not give him that give him words of comfort And what thou yevyst give it gladly For the glad giver god loveth. ¶ There be also seven other ghostly deeds of mercy The first is teach the vnconnynge. that he savour rightfully Another is give council to him that asketh it. that he work and do truly The third chastise him that trespassith. that is to say reprove. or beat. or do other due correction. The fourth comfort the sorry as with gifts words of comfort or such other Thr v. forgive them that trespass to the For if thou forgive 'em not god will not forgive the the rancour & the offence. thou must needs forgive. The action and the amends be at thy own will The vi. that thou suffer meekly when men trespass to the that they be not the more prompt to sin. but that they be the more fervent to do penance & good works and be more ready to suffer disease. than to do it If any man chide the. blame the. reprove the or do the wrong. keep silence & set before a sharp word the child of sufferance. and think that our lord jesus was bobbed and buffeted. spyr upon and scorned. and evermore he held his peace Therefore what disease: fall to the believe it cometh the for thy sin. and so thou shalt suffer it the lightlier if thou take heed wherefore it cometh The seventh is pray. that is to say for thine enemy and all though that been sinful And if thou mayst help them with noon of these seven afore. pray to god to help them. Criste saith love your enemies and do well to them that hate you And pray for them that do you persecution that ye may be the children of heaven. And thus may ye fulfil the deeds. of mercy both bodily and ghostly. Sequntur septem virtutes. ¶ The sixth thing that thou shouldest know god by be the seven principal virtues that every man and woman▪ should use The first is faith which is ground and beginning of our salvation And it standeth in three things In the unite of the godhead in three persons In the manhood of Crist and in the sacraments of the church This virtue is needful to all christian folk. For it is the beginning of all good works So that faith without good works Ne good works without true faith may no man please god almighty. The second is hope this is a trust by the mercy of god to be saved ¶ And it standeth in the grace of god and good works Nat only to hope in our good deeds but in hem both to gyddre For we shall not hope so little that is called wanhope that we shall hope to have bliss if we well done not so much trust in the mercy of god for to hope to be saved without good deeds The third is charity that is the end and perfection of all the commandements of god And understand in this that thou love god above all thing And thy neighbour as thyself So that. that one may not be loved without that other And thus saith saint john That he that loveth god. he loveth his brother. & he that loveth natt his brother which he may see how should he love god which he may not see.  
The fourth virtue is rightwiseness This is not else but a paing of duitye to each thing that it duly longeth to. as to god praising and than king. for the gods of kind fortune and grace that he hath yeven the & lent the. and thereof to give him his part. And many other benefettes as in preserving the fro many mischievous. & vengeance that thou hadst fall in. and alday seest many one fall in and shouldest happily thyself have fall in had not his gracious. keeping have been. To thy neighbour also thou must yield love and charity that is to say. that thou do right and reason to him in all thing as thou wouldest he did to the. & if thou would he should be true to the and pay his debts and beguile the not with subtleties and sleyghte● in buying and selling. do the same thyself to him If thou wouldest also he were not proud. envious wrathful. covetous gluttonous slothful ne lecherous. be thou the same And thus in all other tynges as thou wouldest thy neighbour do to the do thou to him And then thou kepyst rightwiseness to thyself Also thou must needs have business to learn and fulfil the commandments of god and to withstand sin. & shrewd living  
¶ The fift virtue is wisdom This virtue departeth good from evil. & teacheth us to be ware of sleights. of the world of the flesh and of the devil And to despise all that we may and of two. good to cheese the better But saint Austyn saith as many one doth. that thou must despise. the world and hate thy flesh for me where be the lovers of the world that little while a go were here with us. There is nothing left of them butt powder and worms. take heed what they be now And what they were than they were men as thou art saith he they eat they drank they laughed and led their life in earth in mirth and io light: and in a point they descended in to hell. what profiteth them now their vainglory: their short joy pomp of the world. lust of the flesh falls riches. great meinie and evil covetise. where is their laughter. their play their pride. their booste. after all this lust how great pain and sorrow. All that fill to them may fall to the saith he For thou art a man of earth as they were. and of the earth thou livest And to the earth thou shalt turn again These been the words of that holy doctor saint Austyn. This remembrance shall make you wise and hardy to despise your enemies the world the flesh. and the devil Saint ysoder saith that there is no thing better than wisdom. ne no thing thing swetter ne lustier then knowledge. no thing wrose than lewdness Therefore know thou what thou shall flee and whither thou shalt go love. wisdom and it shall be showed to the and it shall come to the. Be busy there about and it shall learn the ¶ The sixth virtue is strengith This maketh a man mighty and hardy to withstand many great mischiefs for the love of god For it standeth in suffering patiently adversity. and meekly to take prosperity. & to suffer evynly both well and woe that our heart be not to high for no welfare ne to much under for no evil fare. butt to be strong against our soon both of body and soul. that no temptation make us fall ne fail in our faith against god almighty ¶ The seventh virtue is measure which is a mean between to moche. and to little. and it standeth in taking sufficiently that needeth and refusing utterly that is to moche or to little Septem peccata mortalia. ¶ The seven thing and the last that thou shouldest know god by is the seven deadly sins that all men should refuse. for each of hem is an even way to hell Therefore saith the wise man as fro the face of the adder fond to i'll sin For as the venom of the adder. sleeth man's body. so the venom of the sin sleeth man's soul. The first sin is pride. which is a liking or an highness of man's heart of his high estate or noblesse. that he hath by fortune kind or by grace Or that he can passing another. or hath more than another Of this cometh many shrewd spices. as boast bacbyting despite of thy neighbour unbuxumnesse and hypocrisy▪ proud bearing displesing scorning and inobedience high heart good array. pride of great kin and of vainglory boldness of sin boasting of good deeds and avaunting of evil deeds indignation Shameleshede presumption. and sturdiness that is worst of all other. & so saith saint Austyn that none is worse ne more damnable sin then is the sin of pride In this been they guilty that list not to be reproved of her sins ne to here of their defaults But anon with a great sturdiness as a galled horse that is touched on the sore wyncheth and wryeth. And seke● how they might maintain such lewdness of sin. Thus did 〈◊〉 king david when Nathan the prophet of god came to him and told him his sin. and the vengeance that he should have therefore. he showed no sturdiness to the prophet ne rebuked him. ne chid him but meekly said. Our lord I have sinned: as who saith I am sorry for my sin I will amend it And therefore god took away moche of the vengeance that he should have had for his sin. Right thus should ye that here be reproved▪ of your sins meekly come to your curate as to the minister of god that occupieth his stead for the tyme. and say Sir I knowledge my default and wot well that I did amiss. my will. is to amend it. And so put away. sturdiness and the vengeance that thou deseruyst therefore This sin of pride saith saint Gregore is rote of all evil For right as ne were the rote of a tree. hid in the earth there should no branch spring out thereof Right so ne were pride first rotted in thine heart. there should no branch of sin break out thereof For thus was Lucifer that was the fairest angel in heaven made the foulest devil in hell. Also Chore Datan and Abyron and other fellowship they rose against moses and aron of great pride. and therefore the earth unlearned & swallowed hem all quick down into hell Also the people of Nynyue for the great boldness of pride that they had to turn again to their sin. there were an hundred score thousand people as the bible re●e●●yth destroyed by bodily enemies.  
Therefore every man beware of this sin and wisely look in the mirror of meekness. for that teacheth him what he was is and shallbe First consider that thou were made of foul stinking slime and filth of the sin of lechery borne of thy mother with great sorrow and pain. nourished with great labour and anger. and kept with great dread And now thou art but a lak of foul dung that no sweetness. ne fruit cometh of Of trees levys cometh flowers and fruit & of the Lice. nyttes & fleen Of herbs also cometh sweet smells. & of the above. beneath and all other parties. but stinking. filth and after thine end thou shall be but worms meet and turn again to earth till the day of doom. that thy body and soul shall rise again. to gyddre That day saith malachy shall burn as hot as a furnace fire And all proud men shall be as stubble which shallbe there so brent that there shall neither be rote ne r●nd Therefore saith Isodre by meekness make thyself least and lowest of all other Stretch not forth thy wings of pride by boost and enhansing thyself For the less thou settyst by thyself. saith he the more god setteth by the Be shamefast in cheer and dismayed to look proudly for shame of the sin. walk with allow cheer. a meek mode and sad visage In high worship have great meekness. and the higher that thou art the meeker thou shouldest make thyself And think how our sovereign lord Jesus meek himself to the death for thy sake Thus is meekness an utter remedy against pride and a savatyf salve for all manner mischievous of sin. for it maketh the to have mind of thy short abiding here. of the straight doom that thou shalt come to after for thy meekness that thou shouldest have had here. The second sin is envy. & this is when thou art sorry of thy neighbours welfare. and ioyest of his evil fare Of this wicked sin cometh many branches One is hatred. & that is when thou art loath to speak. or here spoken any thing. which that might turn thy neighbour to good Another is false deeming of his deeds The third is backbiting and that is to speak evil behind him which thou mayst not ne wilt not anome a fore him. or though thou speakest not evil thyself. thou hast liking to here evil speaking of him and so thou sinnest deadly For not only he that speaketh evil. but also he that will gladly here evil spoken are in default of sin So that if there were no hearer there were no backbiting ne backbiter Therefore saith Isodre Be not glad of the fall or evil far of thy neighbour. lest god turn his wrath fro him to the And so thou shouldest fall in the same or worse. but be glade to sorrow for him that is diseased. & evermore morn for his mischief as thou would thine own. love peace outward & inward peace with all men. & make peace there hate is Flee chyding. be ware and do away the occasion of strife. and live alway in peace Let nothing pass thy lips that may defoul the cries of the hearers. For a vain word is take of a vain conscience and such as the word is. such is the soul Therefore busy the not to speak that liketh but that. that nedyth. take heed what thou speakest. and what thou spekyst not: & both in speaking and not speaking be right well ware. for thou mayst not call again that thou haste said. put fro thy tongue the sin of backbiting. and defoull not thy mouth with another man's sin but that thou bacbytest in another. dread in thyself when thou blamest another. Think on thine own sin and look not on other men's. For thou shalt nevyr backbite. if thou wilt behold thyself Therefore here. ne listen to no such tytulers For they be like guilty the hearer. and the bakbyter Desire not to wit the parteynethe not to the Ask nevir what any man doth speaketh or saith leave yᵉ. pertaineth not to thee: and by as great business. amend thine own sin by asmuch as thou beholdest other men's For noman knoweth whether he be worthy hate or meed. that is for to say pain. or joy. For there is many that seemeth to us right good and yet against god happily are right nought. And many one also that seem to us right nought & yet be to him right dear. Therefore noman dame other but put all his judgement in god. Thus with charity that is knot of all virtues thou must destroy the foul sin of envy. Thus charity standeth in the love of god and in the love of thy neighbour. in which two. all the law of god abideth so that one may not be loved without the other For if thou love god thou wyste noon other have but him ne thou wilt not take his name in vain ne brecke thine holy days If thou love thy neighbour thou wilt do no manslaughter. ne thyfte ne false witness bear. ne lichery ne desire thy neighbours wife. ne his gods Thus is charity the fulfilling of god's love and the ending of all good works charity is patient and benign he hath noon envy He worcheth no shrewedenesse He loveth not to be with pride He coveteth no worldly worships He secheth no proper gods He is not wroth He thinketh noon evil He joyeth not of wickedness but of truth. He taketh all thing meekly. He believeth all that god saith▪ & hopyth of bliss He suffereth all harms & nevir is dis●onforted through gods help to abide long. He falleth nevyr down in this world ne in that other. He kepyth man in believe and maketh him stable under him waxith obedience And by him patience ovircomyth all wrongs without him no man pleaseth god and with him no man perisheth. Therefore against envy sekythe charity with great study that thou mayst have it in thy living and dwell perfitly therein to thine ending.  
¶ The third is the sin of wrath the which is the wicked steering of a man's heart whereby he will avenge himself upon his even christian Of this cometh many shrewd spices as fight chiding hurting beating grudching wa●ieng and cursing cruelness & man slaughter and desiring of vengeance. There be also other four. in special One when thou art soon moved and soon suaged. and that is easy when thou art not soon suaged and that is shrewd The third when thou art soon moved and not soon suaged and that is perilous The fourth is long or thou be moved and soon suaged and this is most easy Therefore against these branches thou must arm the with the virtue of patience. and think what pain & sorrow might fall to the of thy words and deeds Thenne put Christ's passion and pains between the and such pains as he might suffer And so shall thy wrath soon slake In four things spiritually it is necessary to have patience One is against thine enemy for the nodre cruel he is the more thou nedyst of patience and soft speech for that slaketh wrach Therefore if any adversity fall to the suffer it patiently whether thou have deserved it or not If thou have deserved it. thou art worthy that or more If thou have not thou haste thy reward of christ. when he saith blessed be they that be patient. for they shall be called the children of god when thy sovereign correctith thy defaults. Thou must be patient and draw in thy horns of pride as a snayll when he is touched And so did Adam at the voice of our lord Tye third is in loss of thy good as joob when all his good was gone meekly he said. Our lord gave it Our lord hath take it And as it liketh him so be it do. His name be blessed Amen The fourth is in sickness For our lord saith Thomas that I love I chastise. as the dear mother chastiseth her child for taking of harm when it nigheth fire or water. Right so the fad of heaven chastiseth the to be ware of fleeing away So our lord putteth away fro the richesse & strength One by poverty. another by sickness that thou shouldest not i'll fro him Therefore be patient and grudche not against the scourge of god For the more that thou grugest the more thou steryst god against the. saith Isodre.  
¶ The fourth sin is covetise. the which is a wrong desire that man hath to have any thing. but if he have right thereto.  
This standeth in two things principally. One is when thou wrongfully purchasist or getyst any manner thing by sacrilege. simony: stealth. usury. or by any other falsehood or guile. that worldy men use. which cast all their business so to covetise. that they ne reck: how they come to good. so they have it: In this sin be they guilty. that for money or other worldly wynningis use to play at dycis or tablis which is utterly forbade by holy church. For many sins that come thereof The first is for the covetise that thou hast to win. and to despoil thy fellow. Another is for the great usury as ix. for xii. or double or quit. ¶ The third is for increase of oaths. lesynges. and many other veyn words that there been used. in great despite of god and his faith. ¶ The fourth is. evil ensample that thou givest to other that beholdeth the ¶ The v. is losing of time in which thou mightest have wrought many good works. ¶ The sixth is despite and disobedience that thou dost to thy mother holy church. that forbiddeth the such play. ¶ The seven. is fraud and deceit that thou dost also to thy fellow in that play: The viii. is cursed wretch and strife that cometh thereof. whereby oft thou reynest god and lesyst thy kindly wit. The ix. is breaking of thy holy day. for in though days is it· most used. The x. is manslaughter that oft falleth in that game. The xi. is idolatry. that thou dost. for thou makyst it against the dice that is a token above thy god. these myscheue● and many more. cometh of this sorry play.  
All that that thou wynnest at this play. for all thy business that thou hast therewith. thou mayst not rejoice but needs thou must give it to your. And if thou have it of him. that thou makyst so play by strentgh or against his will thou art bound to restore it to him again. which hath lost h●● with this play. And also thou breakest all the commandments of god And whether thou win or lose it is all thine harm. for and thou lose thou lesest god and heaven. And if thou win thou wynnest the devil & hell  
¶ The law off Canon saith that a bishop priest or deken that 〈…〉 them to dyces or to drounkenes but if he leave it he is certainly dampened. Subdeken Clerk▪ or lewd man that doth the same He must other leave it or lack his how●yll. Therefore every man beware of this play. and that he suffer it in no wise be done where he may let it For they that consent thereto▪ or favour it. in any wise. be in as great peril as the doers. ¶ The second point is wrong wythholding▪ in which thou fallest as often as thou dost not to god almighty to thy neighbour and to holy church thy dewtees. that thou owest to do by duty and by God's law wilfully wythholdest them. For not only he that wrongfuly getteth. But also he that wrongfully wythholdeth. are in deadly sin. out of this sin also spryngyth many shrewd branches: As mammetry. ambition Nygardshyp treason. usury. simony Raveyn. theft. sacrilege & such other. these sins be so cursed as I said tofore. that in all thing. it contraryeth the will and the commandment of god ¶ The first commandment. it contraryeth. when thou wythdrawest fro god any thing that thou shouldest worship him with The second also when for a little winning thou takest his name in veyn. ¶ The third when by worldly business of getting of money. thou brekeste thine holy dare. ¶ The fourth when for covetise thou wythdrawyst fro father and mother bodily and ghostly their sustenance or livelihood.  
¶ The v. when thou sleest a man to have his good. ¶ The vi. when thou doyst lechery more for good thenne for true matremony. The seven. when for covetise thou stelyste thy neighbours good: ¶ The viii when in questis and consistories thou forswerest the. and be rest falls witness. ¶ The ix. and the x. when thou desirest falsely thy neighbours wife or any of his good. Thus falls covetise contraryeth all the commandments and will of god. Therefore i'll it and think that for all such falls getyn goods but thou make restitution and amend the here. or thou go hens.  
Thou shalt be hanged in hell with out end. mammona. which is the devil of covetise. he giveth four commaundedementis to his servants. One is that thou keep well thine own another that thou give not. Ne do no alms. the third that thou leave not to the power for dread of losing. the fourth is that thou withdraw the. and thy main fro meet and drink. to spare thy good. Of these four shrewd commandments each man beware. and i'll such covetise. and desire of good as solomon did. fo● he desired neither riches ne poverty. but that is needful to his livelihood. and according to his estate. and think though thou have never so moche. thou shall leave it here. for naked thou camest in to this world. And again naked save a rag thou shalt go out thereof. And thus all the care that thou hast here. is but for an old sheet at thy going hens.  
¶ The fift sin is gluttony the which is an unskilful liking or love that a man hath in taste or taking of meet or drenke to early or tolate. but if sickness or other great need excuse it. Out of this sin springeth. four branches. One is when thou etyst or drinkest to greedily. In this fall tho. that on the fasting days will not abide the hour of noon. and sit the longer at mete. and eat more at that tyme. then another time And oft time quench their hunger with breed spices or over moche drink for dread of hunger And thus they break vygylls ymber days fridays lenten and such other Another is when thou castis the to live in delights passing thine estate.  
And hast no joy but when thou mayst speak of such welfare. thinking all best beset that thou spen-  
¶ dyst thereon thou mayst well use such dainty metis and drinkies. and not sin. saith saint Gregore. For the sin is neither in meet ne drink: but it be appetite and talon of the. that delytist so much therein. The third is surfeit and that is when thou pomperist thy body with so much meet and drink that thou mayst not brook it. but lesyst thy sight. speech & wit. iangeling and boasting & weening to say well. and all is against reason In this fall they that make riot in rear sopers and destroy vyteyle that many a pour man might be relieved by. The fourth is curiosity & that is when thou canst not hold the paid with easy fare but gadriste many curious meats. more to increase thine appetite then to quench thine hunger. In this fall they that waste goods in eting and drinking and great feasts making Against all these cursed branches thou must keep abstinence in metis and drinks. For no thing more driveth away sickness ne destroyeth lust of flesh. then doth measurable taking of meet and drink. five manner of folk been excused fro fasting women with child. labourers pylgrymis. children. old folk and seek. all these sin not to eat twys on the day that is measurable to sustain nature and not their appetite: There is diverse abstinence also in divers persons. The seek abstaineth him for he may not eat. and for medicine. The needy where he hath not whereof. the covetous for he would not spend. The glutton to eat the more after. the hypocrite to be hold holy: and the virtuous man to deserve meed abstenneth him. both for excess of meet and lust of sin. This should each man keep to his power. This same teacheth saint Poule when he saith. I pray you as strangers & pylgrymis that ye abstain you from fleshly desires that fight against the soul. And also destroy the body. these mischiefs common of gluttony It ingendryth sores b●y●gyth in sekenes·s destroyeth virtues. dulleth the wit▪ it hastyth the to death. and that. that worse is. for it maketh the like a beast. for the fuller thy body is the emptier is thy soul of virtue Therefore use abstinence saith saint Aust●n and these virtues shall follow. abstynen●● saveth thy mind. it sharpeth thy wit it cleanseth thy soul. dressyth thy ●yght. maketh holy thy fame swagy●● thy sin. maketh strong thy blood & nourisheth thy marrow destroyeth lechery renewyth thy blood and le●g●●yth thine age.  
¶ The sixth sin is sloth And that is a grievance or aneye of ghostly deeds. out of this springeth many shrewd branches. ¶ O●● is to draw long and tarry the good deeds that thou shouldest do the which might turn to the health of thy soul. & of many other: ¶ Another is a dullness or heaviness of heart: that letteth the to love god. And maketh the. that thou haste no liking in God's service. For though thou pray. thine heart is not thereon. The third is. idleness the which is to much used. and that letteth us to begin any good works. and lightly maketh us to leave when we begin. & where we were made of kind to travail. the sin of flowth holdeth us in idleness. and ●as● against kind. Therefore and thou wilt be saved. thou must flee idleness. for it is enemy of christian souls. stepmother to goodness and all virtues. and the key of all vices. Alway do some good works saith saint Jerome that the devil find the occupied. for he is not lightly taken with temptation. that besyeth him about good labour And Solomon saith that he is most fool that followeth idleness. for in heaven he shall not be received For it is ordained only for them that have busied them here in virtue. In earthly paradise they shall never be. for they were not in man's labour here. ne in purgatory they shall not be scourged with men. But in hell with devils where never they shall have rest. therefore be busy here in virtue and alway think that no thing maketh a man so heavy. ne so soon to incline to sin as idleness. The seventh sin is lechery. And that is a fleshly sin that cometh of lust and liking off the flesh. Out of this springeth many branches. One is fornication. that is deadly sin done fleshly between syngell man and syngell woman. against the law of god and the teaching of holy church. Therefore holy church forbiddeth that no man child. ne woman child that pass seven. year of age. lie to guider in bed. for dread of fornication ne sister ne brother for dread off Incest. Another is called advoultries. and that is spouse breath. whether it be do bodily or ghostly. it is greater sin and more mischievous then that other. For therein thou dost sacrilege. that is to say. thou breakest the sacrament of wedlock whereof there cometh oft unrightful heyris and falls maryagis This sin dowblyth oft time when it is done by man married and woman married. For one of these four mischievous follow them that customably use this sin One is poverty. another is losing of some member. The third is perpetual prison. And the fourth sudden death. And this faileth not hardly. and it be customably vsyd ●as I said afore. another is incest and that is with thy kin or thine affinity. Another is when thou mysuseste thine own wife. & dost against kind or order of marriage. for ●s thou mayst slay thyself. with thin own sword So thou mayst with thine own wife For this sin was oname jacobys cousin smitten to death. And seven husboundis of sara also. ¶ This sacrament and all other should be done and used honestly & with great reverence. Another is when a man sinneth with the kin of his wife: & the contrary. this is right perilous For he may not after wed. noon off her kin. And if he do the marriage is nought. and that worse is. He may know his wife no more afterward in form of wedlock without deadly sin. But he be required of her: Another there is that is foulest & most stinking of all which is the sin against kind. That the devil teacheth both man and woman. The diversities of this sin be so abominable that they may not be named. But only in shrift of them that been fallen therein for the great and the more horrible thy sin is. the more avaylyth the shrift. so that the shame off the telling is a great part of thy penaunce· This sin was so displeysing to god. That he made to rain brimstone and fire that destroyed five cities of Sodom and gomer. The devil himself that causeth this sin. hath shame of the deed.  
these and many other fleshly sins which been deadly. And everychewers thenne other. common out of this foul sin of lechery. the which been well known to them that lyven in lusts of their flesh: Therefore i'll the occasions saith saint paul that is to say sight of women. kissing touching And such other. Thuswyse scaped joseph the sin of his lady. when he left his paul or mantel with hur & ran away. Think also on th'end and how nigh it is of the strait doom also that thou shalt come to. & off the horrible pains and turmentis that are in hell for such sin. and presume not of thyself. For david Solomon and sampson were over come with the sin. ¶ Also here ne speak any lecherous words but love holy scripture. For that draweth a man much therefro use also prayer: fasting. good and lawful occupations and withdraw the fro superfluities and excess of hot meats and drinks.  
¶ For if thou live after thy flesh thou shalt be deed saith scripture. that is to say dampened unto everlasting pain of hell Therefore shut the yates of thy body and thy soul from all these mischiefs of sin. that is to say thy five wits bodily and ghostly that they consent not with him. first thine eyen from shrewd & lewd things backbiting and evil words and counsels. Thy mouth from unlawful tas●● off gluttony. lewd kissings. and r●●aw dry words. ¶ Thy hands fro lewd touching of thyself and of other And from 〈◊〉 and unlawful taking of other men's goods against their will. Thy feet also from the pathiss of sin and all other wretched ways that thou might draw to. these be thy bodily wits. Then take thy ghostly wits as mind. understanding: will. reason and immagynation that is to say have mind of the kindness of god. and of thy last end. And thou shalt never sin. understand also Crystis loore & his teachings. and let ever thy will be ready to worship god in thought. word & deed without any weariness let ●●ason also rule all thy deeds ynward and outward by christ's lore & his teaching without any blindness. And alway have imagination of virtues living of needful works & of dreadful dediss of joy and bliss. that is ordained in heaven to them that leave their sin and shall be saved. And of the horrible painies and sorrows. that they shall suffer endlessly which for their synnies shall be dampened in to the dungeon of hell. In which be specially. ix. manner of horrible and hideous paineys. that ix. manner of people shul be tormented with as clerks say. The first is fire that ever brennyth & never giveth light. In which though all the water in the see were cast in it should not quench it· For as our fire passeth a fire payntid so doth that ouries. In this fire shall they ever burn. that here alway burned in the fire of falls covetise the second is so passing cold. that if a great hill of fire. were cast therein. It should turn to ice with this shall they be tormented there. that be cold in love by malice and envy of the fiend. The third pain is wormis and horrible serpents and dragons. that never shall die. but live in fire. as fishes in water. with these they shall be gnawn there that here gnawyn themself with the venomous hate of their even christian. ¶ The fourth is: abominable stink wherein they shall be lapped there that here delighten them in to foul stink of the sin of lechery. ¶ The v. shall be beating of mighty fiend's as it were with hamers on iron. wherewith they shall be pained & beat without ceasing. that would not here be chastised by the teaching of God's words. ¶ The sixth pain is derkene. the which is so thick. that as it were. it might be felt with hand. In these horrible darkness shulle they be bound ther. That liveth in earth in darkness of this foresaid sin. And would not ●ome to christ. that is very light: by holy living & leaving of sin whiles they might  
¶ The seventh pain is. open shendship or sha●e for sin. which shall be known and not hid in painful repreef of sinful folk. and specially to them that would not knowledge their sin here to god in dew manner. Ne were not ashamed of him. This shall be a full hard torment. The eight is. The horrible sight off devils roaring and crying with fearful and sorrowful voice. wherewith thus shall they be pained there. That here took no head of holy ensamplies & good deeds. ne of teaching ne preaching of God's words and biddings. The ix is fiery bondis wherewith them shulll be bound there hand and foot and other menbrys that here spendyn their menbris and limbs in the devils service after the lust & liking of their body. these ix. pains shall these sinful suffer there. that here forsook and left unwisely the fellowship of the ix ordres of Aungellis by their sinful living. but they amend 'em or they go hens. Therefore be sorry for thy sin. and amend the whiles thou art here. that thou mayst escape all these horrible paynis And reign with our lord Ihesu Crist in his high bliss of heaven where is ever mirth after travail. freedom after bondage. health after long sickness life after death. perfit love without dread. and ever day without night. therefore thou shalt have seven joys in thy body. and seven in thy soul: In thy body fairness. sweetness. strength. freedom. lust. health. and Inmor●alite And in thy soul wisdom friendship. accord. power. worship surety. And joy without end. to the which he us bring▪ that for us died on the rood Jesus' God's son.  
¶ On sunday that last was. I informed you. in homely wise of the worthiness of man's soul. what it is. when it is out of sin. what sin is And how it defowlyth thy soul. Of the sacrament of penance also. how it is. a salve sanatyf. for all manner sores of sin. when it is discreetly used. Now by the love of god: I shall declare you. the three parties of penance. contrition. confession and satisfaction. how by the fulfilling of them. your souls that thus have been wounded with sin mow be reformed and brought again to grace. ¶ first as for contrition. It is said but your hearts and not your clothes: For confession also showeth out your hearts afore the priest by open speech of mouth. And for satisfaction. Do ye worthy fruits of penance. ¶ Thus by these three things. this holy sacrament of penance is proved.  
For contrition also it is said in the sawter. I have traveled in my sorrows. I shall make moist my bed every nyght· with my tears. As who saith I have traveled to make satisfaction for my sins. with sorrow of mine heart. having in mind how long. I have lived. how I have spent my tyme. what goodness I have lest undo▪ how much evil I have do. and how by my sin I have lost the fellowship of heaven. and joined me to the fellowship of the fend that I am so here in the vale of tears. full off wretchedness. And my birth brought forth unto man's sins and sorrows and shall come to the dreadful doom and give a reckoning for the left and the most sin: that ever I did in word in deed or thought not knowing whether I shall be worthy hate or meed that I would also be in bliss. which I may not come to without great torment & sorrow. ¶ This considering thine ●arys and works. thou shalt well know. that thou art cause of thine own sorrow. and so for shame thou shalt fall to contrition And win the grace of god. it is a right hard heart saith saint bernard. that neither the benefettis of god may grind ne the pains of hell may fere Ne the joys of heaven may sustain ne the temporal tormentis ne sorrow may chastise many one there is that can not be contrite in that they know not what contrition is Therefore ye shall understand. that contrition is a sorrow off thy soul formed by grace which cometh of forthynkyng of sin & dread of the high doom with a steadfast purposes to be confessed & to do satisfation after the precept of the church. 〈◊〉 is also a conversion of thine heart from evil to good from the devil to god and from vices to virtue. There be many that have contrition but not perfit. as when the heart is touched with the hands of god. By inspiration to make the perfit sorrowful for thy sin. yet for hardness off thine heart haply thou yeldeste the not fully But somewhat art less in as much as thou beginnest to turn. This is called attrition  
¶ But when will and desire off sin in every part is fully forsaken with full sorrow of heart then it is contrition. And so very contrition is the search of sin ●rigeen saith also that very contrition is to abhor gay array and to desire the higher weeping And i'll laughter. to speak few And to work rightfully and ever to have dread & sorrow in thine heart for thy sin: for the more that thou lovest a thing. the more is the sorrow when thou lesyst it Above all creatures is god to be beloved. Then it is more sorrow of his loss. then of all other creatures. when thou dost deadly sin: them lefest thou thy god. therefore by great contrition thou must get him again For look how much thou hast of grace as saith saint Gregore. so much thou must have of sorrow for thy sin. The souls that are in bliss. they mow no contrition have. By cause their joys be plenteous. They that be in hell sorowen. but that sorrow is not formed with grace. The souls in purgatory have sorrow formed with grace. yet it is not merytory in as much as it should have be had here Thus in this 〈◊〉 mercy only helpyth. 〈◊〉 ●fter not. it is blamefully ●erd. 〈◊〉 saint Iero●● that can weep ●he 〈◊〉 of his friend o● 〈◊〉. of temporal loss. and can not weep and be sorry for sin. Thy contrition therefore must be sharp in that. that thou hast offended thine heavenly father. that bodily and ghostly feedeth the in many wise. and yet must thou be sharp in that that thou hast offended thy lord Ihesu God's son of heaven. that with his precious blood and by his mercy. delivered the fro the bonds of sin. cruelty of fiends. and bitterness of the pains of hell. And though our lord say to the. Not every man that saith lord lord. shall enter the kingdom of heaven. yet leave him not. but have him to the tavern of contrition: and say to him as david did. The meek and the contrite heart lord thou shalt not despise. And then he shall give the grace here. & joy when thou goest hens. ¶ The falcon when he hath take his pray. he desireth no more thereof but the heart. And there with he is content so our lord when he had raunsond us out of hell. he desired no more but a meek and a contrite heart of us Therefore as the falconer or he will give the heart unto his falcon. first he will kit it. and then take out the blood and wash it. So must thou give thine heart to our lord. first kit it with the knyff of contrition. & then take out the blood of sin by confession. And after wash it with satisfaction and so with the knyff of his passion but your hearts and not your clothes. having in mind that the blade of this ●nyf was made of the spear head and nails that his precious body and heart were thrilled with all The haste was made of the holy tree of the cross. and the virel was made of the crwone of thorn that was about his hed-whet this knife on his blessed body that so hard and cruelly was tormented on the Cross. that there left noon hool joint with other. make also the sheathe of thy knife of the whit skin of our lord Ihesu. That was painted with reed bloody wounds. so many that fro the top of the heed·· unto the sole of the foot. there was noon whole plot left of him unscourged. then with the cordis that he was bound with to the pillar Now bind this knyff to the girdle of thy heart. And I doubt not. be thy heart never so hard. & thou this faithfully print in thy mind his passion with thin hard heart. Hit will begin to break. Thus mayst thou le●ne to suffer reproofs For our lord Ihesu which for the suffered these and many more. There been six things that should steer the to great sorrow for thy sins. The first is that some time of the day or night as I said before. bethink the how thou hast lived. And when thy sins come to thy mind. have an Inward sorrow that thou hast so grievously offended thy god. ¶ The second that thou be ashamed of thy sin. and else at the day off doom they shall be showed to the and to all the world openly. unto thy great shame and confusion. ¶ The third that thou ha●e great abomination of the filth of sin that thou hast thus done both in the sight of god & man. Seneca saith though I wist that my sin should be unknown both to god and man. yet would I abhor and loath the filth of my sin. ¶ The fourth is that thou have dread of the day of doom and of the pains of hell. Of this day speaketh saint Peter thus uneath the right wise man that day shall be saved saith he whereshall then the sinful apere. As often as I behold that day saith saint Iherom. I quake in all my heart. And whether I eat or drink. or any other thing do ever me thinketh that the trump of god sow●●th in mine errs And biddeth me sinful wretch arise. and come to the doom. ¶ The fift is. that thou have sorrow for the loss of heaven. And the great of fence done to thy maker. ¶ The sixth that thou have a th●●fold hope. first of forgiveness that thy ●ynnes be clean foryeven the. hope also off grace to do good works after and in 'em alweye to increase. & then hope of bliss wherewith thou mayst afterward be rewarded for thy good works. he prophet said before that I should wash every night my bed with my tears. By this it seemeth that contrition after forgiveness should be continual To know this it is hard yet in thy will thou mayst have continual contrition ever in full purposes to leave and loath thy sin. and thus it is needful. ¶ For and a confessor knew such oon that cometh so continually being sorry inward and outward. Him needeth nevir to give him but little penance For though he had done great and horrible sins. he might so venge. & bewayll his sins here that after his death he should no pains suffer in purgatory ¶ yet this sorrow must be measurable with a trusty hope that thou fall not into heaviness of despair It must also be general and hole for all sins. yet more sharp for one. then for another after that the greatness is And it must be done for the offence done to god. & not only for dread of everlasting pain. This manner of contrition breaketh the s●ares and the chains of the devil & relisseth the bonds. and obligationes. of everlasting pain And delivereth the from the servage and horrible company of devils and maketh the child of god. and heir of the bliss of heaven that to fore were the child of the devil. and a brenning bronde of the pit of hell Only contrition also auayl●th not but there as confession and satisfaction may be had For as we offend god in three manner of wise. in heart speech and deed. So it needeth that we do our satisfaction in three manners and else the sins is not forgiven only contrition may avail also when thou art very contrite & purposest afterward to abstain the fro all manner of sin. as soon as thou mayst and dost Also due satisfaction after the doom of the church and this is the most sure way. ¶ The second washing is confession done of thy mouth right as thy soul is now wash & made white with soaking sorrow and salt freting tears of thine eyn So by lowly confession of thy mouth. thou must rub of the foul spots of sin that are rusted in thy soul Of this manner of weshing spekith the prophet David saying thus Thu shalt spring me lord with ysope and I shall be cleansed. Thou shalt wash me and I shall be made clean. and white as snow. Right thus loulye confession. done of thy mouth to thine own curate purgeth and maketh more white thy soul then is any snow in this world See therefore what confession is Confession after doctors saying is A lawful declaration of sin tofore done. and a thing whereby a privy ghostly sore or sickness is opened with hope of foryeue●●sse. ¶ Tre manner of Confessiones there be one is inward in the soul For or thou madest it. it was known to god The second tofore a judge in hope of forgiveness of god And the third tofore gods vycare where as privy sin is privily opened Of these speaketh scripture and saith Tell out if any thing thou have to say or show that thou may be instifyed The passion of our lord Jesus is a great remedy against sin be it original or actual The virtue whereof is expressed in the sacrament of holy church without which there may no man be hole Therefore that Confession is needful. proveth scripture saying thus. He that is proud and will not obey the precept of the priest. he shall be deed we have it also of our lord father of heaven. that every man and woman having years of discretion is bound by his own person to make confession once a year. of all his sins to his own Curate. That it is also needful reason proveth in this wise. and thou hadst trespassed to thy neighbour it were not rightful that thou shouldest set thine own pain at thy lust. ne he that hath wrong neither But a mean that could and might set it reasonably. after the wrong were declared The priest is ordained to be a mean and to set thy pains for the wrong that thou haste done to thy god by sin. It needeth then that thou show truly thy trespass unto him. that he may set the such penance whereby thou mayst be able to come to the presence of thy lord. god Also in every doom that is reasonable there must be a judge and a person that is guilty And the priest must either be by prevys or else by witness against thy will or by wilful knowledge. sithen the doom of penance is free and not against thy will. because that thou ghost thereto wilfully: then shall not the process of this doom be in promise. ne in witness. but freely in thy proper confession: And he must be judge that may both forgive and condemn. and that is god For he only releseth sins And so till he took mankind confession of heart sufficed But after he required and asked confession vocal. which is made of man to man.  
And for asmuch as he is not here in form of man Therefore he ordaineth men to be his vycaries' that thou shouldest confess the to. to whom he gave power to bind and to unbind. And thus is confession needful by reason promise and scripture Our lord gave power only to the priest to bind and to unbind when he said: whose sins ye forgive they been for give. and whose sins ye withhold▪ they be withhold. ¶ yet as by power & virtue god loseth For there is no power but of god christ. saith saint Austyn for us was crucified. by which and noon other. sins are forgiven  
Therefore our lord gave openly the holy ghost to men giving understanding that sins are not foryeve through merits of men. but through the goodness of the holy ghost. For when he arose from death he said to his disciples Taketh the holy ghost and whose sins ye forgive they are fory●uen as who saith the spirit that is go● forgiveth and not ye And so he that may forgive by man may forgive without man. The sacrament of grace saith saint Austyn god forgiveth sometime by evil men But grace alone he giveth but by himself. yet remission of sins he wo●cheth both by himself and by the holy ghost And thus noman doth away sin but Criste alone.  
¶ Saint Ambrose and other doctors say. that the word of god forgiveth sins The priest is the judge and yet of himself he hath no power. but of him alone that died for our sins. Saint jerom saith that the same power that Criste gave to his appostelles after his resurrection The same hath all holy church in bishops & priests. But specially petyr and his successors that all should understand that who parteth him fro unite of the faith may nevyr be loosed from sin. ne enter into the bliss of heaven The priest loseth noon verily. but god though that turnyth to penance Then he ministereth rightfully that ministereth of the virtue of god. what had it profited to Lazar that he went out of his tomb. but it had be said Loseth him and let him go Criste by voice raised him for his sepulchre And so he went forth that was bound not 〈◊〉 might of his feet but by virtue of 〈◊〉 that raised him This same is now 〈◊〉 done in the heart of a repentant m●n. when thou heryst a man repēt●●● for his sin than he beginneth. 〈◊〉 live again. when he confesseth. 〈◊〉 then he is brought out of his se●●●●re. but yet he is not loosed See ther●●●● of whom. and when he is loosed Criste saith Thomas that ye have loosed in earth shallbe loosed in heaven Here take heed how he said tho. that is to say. no man except but who so be repentant and ask forgiveness by the church he shall have forgiveness. yet though by the church sin may worthily be forgive. the deed may not rise but our lord cry within forth For that is done within us may natt be done of us but of him. The disciples losed him living whom the master raised fro death For & they should have reased him deed they should have showed more strength than virtue.  
Thus holy church hath authority of her spouse to lose from all manner of sin Saint Austyn saith that seventy times and seven. we be charged to forgive that is to say to every man that is repentant and asketh forgiveness. yet may not every priest generally do this. but in time of need. or by authority of the pope or of his bishop For right as a man hath power to eat and hath not whereof So it is of priests power. all they have power. yet it must be given them of their sovereigns. when where. & how much they shall execute There may no man cheese him a confessor. but the pope above. without authority of him or else of them that have power under him. but needs he must be shriven to his own curate. yet in certain causes by leave of his curate he may As when the Curate lacketh discretion Another when thou changest thine household. & art a vagabond. or in peril of death or when thou entryst into the see. in so great peril. thou mayst also by that confess the to a lay man and have forgiveness And they that thus here the if thou escape must charge the that thou show the same to thine own curate. Also pilgrames merchants and other goers about. in diverse countries in the same wise.  
¶ Other causes there be. that thy Curate must send the to fore the bishop whereto thou must needs obey And be sorry that thou haste more horribly offended god then other have: The tokens of very confession are these. The first to shame. when thou shrivest the saith saint jerom. wax a shamed of all the ways that thou haste gone in sin. not for thy confession but for the filth of sin that thou shewyst there. For not only our lord seeth it but also the holy company of heaven Therefore be ashamed for that maketh the sooner to have mercy of our lord Mary mawdeleyn shamed not to confess all her sins in presence of all that were a●t the feast Her confession and tearis therefore brought her to bliss The second is meekness in word looking & cheer. without any sturdiness. as the publican that thought himself unworthy to lift up his eyn to heaven And as paul also obeyed to the calling of our lord So shouldest thou to the bidding of thy ghostly father. and in no wise tarry thy shrift for these parels suing  
ye that be yet unshrevyn taketh good heed unto this lesson. and see what apparel ye stand in The first is for the uncertainty of the life Scripture saith that man knoweth not his end. ne the time ne place. ne how ne what manner he shall die. and all is for thou shouldest in every time and place be ready to thy death another is for increasing of thy sin. For sin that is not anon done away by shrift: he draweth another to him. as saith saint Austyne. And so as thou encresist thy sin. right so thou encresist thy pain Another is. for dread of turning again For the further that thou ghost fro god by thy long abiding in sin. the harder it is to the after to turn again to thy good life. And also in great sickness thy pain is sometime so great that thou must natt be very repentant. It must also be hole. not some to one and some to another This is a great spice of hypocrisy. and thus use much people And all for they would be hold holy and better than they be. Saint bernard saith that there is no confession but it be in truth of thy mouth profitable. and cleanness of thy heart if thou be seek and sweet in all parts of thy body it is a token of life. and if it be particular it is a token of death: Right so and thou tell all thy sins it is token of salvation. as when christ healed the man that the gospel speaketh of He made him not half hole but all hole So when he forgiveth he forgiveth all or nevir a deal Therefore. heeled out thine heart to fore thy lord. god as water not as oil. left the fa●nes abide Or as milk lest the whiteness appear. ne as wine left the favour abide Thou heldest out thy heart as oil. that shryvest the of thy small sins. and levyest the great & the far within the. Thou heldest out as m●l● that by colour of excusation makest thy sins white. As adam did by the woman. and the woman by the serpent. Thou beldest it out also as wine. that after the leaving of thy sin thou kepyst the savour. within the thereof. as when thou delytest the in lycherouse words. or hast joy to see vanities. or avantyste the of lewdness done tofore. and that is a sin that most grieveth god: Therefore held out thine heart as water that neither fatness colour ne savour abide after with all the circumstances As in what manner. what place. what cause what tyme. what age. what state. how moche how long. why and where. and all such that agree.  
¶ Thy sin also it must be naked. not made by a messangere. ne letter. but with thine own mouth. ne in gay terms. but in such wise. be it nevir so foul. that thy confessor may know thy meaning: & do it wilfully as the thief that hang on the cross. And not as anchor. it must also be faithful that thou have full hope of forgiveness of thy sin. by the mercy of god or thou go thence. accusing thyself and noon other. saying with joshua and david I am he that sinned I am he that did amiss. not excusing the by custom. fellowship or frailty. as some done Do it also in good intent for no vainglory. ne dread of pain. But specially for the offence done without any feigning. For diverse causes is confession profitable first for the peril of sin that thy confessor there showeth the. Also for the shame that thou hast there in thy confession which is a great release. of thy pain another for it showeth in thy conscience a sickerness of forgiveness. By confession also god is glorified and the devil confounded For who so useth oft time to be confessed in what temptation he be. He shall not be come with the devil. saint Austyn saith that the oftener that thou art confessed of thy sin in hope of forgiveness. the lightliar saith he thou shalt have grace and forgiveness of thy sins once a year it ●● speedful. to the. to make thy confession general & specially in the point of death. and the shame thereof shallbe there to the a great part of thy satisfaction.  De satisfaccione 
¶ The third part of penance. as I said tofore is satisfaction This is grounded in the words of the prophet. that where he said to Naman. Go and wash the six times in jordan. and thou shallbe cleansed. of that thou haste be defaced with spots of sin Though it be soaked with bitter sorrow of thine heart and clearly rubbed with confession. yet must it have many diverse rensynges after with satisfaction.. till▪ it be so clearly purged here or in purgatory that it may clearly appear after in the sight of our lord. If thy contrition be great here thy penance may be the less there And if it be little thy pains must needs be the greater And so great it may be here that it sufficeth to thy salvation Satisfaction after diverse doctoures. is a putting away of the cause of sin not taking heed of their suggestiones It is also an obligation done of god● works to god with meekness & lownesses of heart after the quality & quantity of thy sin. ¶ This satisfaction must be do wilfully without grudging And it must be plener and general for every sin reasonably.  
As privy penance for privy sin open penance for open sin. Three principal works there be of satisfation. alms prayer and fasting. These three our lord fulfilled in his passion for redemption of our sin. Therefore what alms is and how it should be done I shall tell. Alms is a lowing of thine heart with a wilful compassion to them that be in need. and it is a deed of mercy by compassion of neighbours mischief. There be three manner of alms. One is in the contrition of thine heart. for the sin that thou offeryst thyself with to god by giving of bodily treasoure with thine hand The third in pity and compassion having of thy neighbours mischief Temporal alms thou mayst sometime give of gods untruly gotten That is to say when thou knowest not to whom thou shalt restore it. and yet it must be done by council of thy ghostly father. and tithe not of that thou getyst by thyft for some time it is challenged. and thenne he that delivered it shall ask it again And sometime it is changed & shall. not be asked again as when it turneth not to the taker because they come by theft or robbrye. ravin. simony or vsu●ye And so of them shall no alms be given For they must be restored again But when the having is changed and shall not be asked again as gifts of comen women and jugglers or such other.. then shall they be given in alms Also if thou find a thing of any value. after time thou haste done thy business to wy●e duly who owed it Thou shalt spend it in alms by council of thy ghostly father to all that have need. Also thou shalt give thine alms to good and bad. friend and enemy. if thou be of power Our lord saith give to every man that asketh the & turn not away thy face from any poor man saith Toby. yet it is said give the good man and receive not the sinner. that is to say give that nature be sustained and not the sin nourished Thou norysshest the sin that givest thy good to iougelers and iapers and such that love to be idle and sufferest the power man to have hungres and mischief such manner of giving is forboden. If pity saith saint Ambrose shall not be sweet to all. Moche more plentovous must it thenne be to the good and virtuous in living Thou shalt rather give to thy kin or neighbour. in their need & they be virtuous. then to other Thou shalt also give to old. men and women with child. if they have need rather then to other And to them that be fall in great poverty. when such poverty falleth not through riot array or pomp of this world yet rather give. then the poor be unserved. Opyn thine heart to all them that ask the for the love of good without difficulty and give it with charity and with good will. Or else thou makest not due satisfaction for thy sin. Also with a glad cheer and a meek spirit So that thou do it for no vain glory. Ne d●spyse natt the power for he is a man as thou art And give it hastily. and tarry not fro him that suffereth anguish saith Solomon ¶ give it also with discretion. and if thou have moche. give moche. if thou have little. give little. gladly sayeth Thoby Thus bodily and ghostly every body may give alms ¶ Furthermore against concupiscence. of thy flesh. thou haste fasting hard going: and living. and bitter weeping. knocking on thy breast. of kneeling and sharp discipline with rods of thine own hands. travail in pilgrimage. tribulaciones. anguyssh sickness and such other bodily diseases patiently suffered of the scourge of god All such penance wilfully taken a discrete confessor will put to the in part of thy satisfaction and penance Fasting is a wilful abstinence fro meet and drink whereby thy sin is washen and thy flesh made low. for desire of everlasting bliss ghostly fasting is fro bodily sin and temporal joy. Saint Iherom saith that it profiteth natt to feeble thy body with fasting. when thy heart swelleth with pride: Some fast for sickness or for they may not eat. some for poverty. some for hypocrisy. and some to the worship of god. and thou must mother thy fasting that thy stomach be not grieved with to much excess. for little meet measurably tempreth and proufytteth both body and soul and disposeth the to ghostly travail. There be some that eat more delicate meats and more. when they fast then they do at two melies when they fast not. and in manner they break their fast There is also prayer against pride two manner One is inward in thy soul without showing of voice another also ordained for the three parties of satisfaction against pride Prayer is a loving desire of thy soul to god with speech of mouth or gathering of words to ask good of god with uttering of thy voice. ¶ Of four fruitful prayers saint Paul speaketh when he saith I pray you first of all thing that there be obsecraciones. orisones. postulaciones & yielding of thankings. Obsecraciones are when thou seest in thy soul the multitude of sin and little of thy merits: and seest the horrible pains of hell which thou mayst not void by thine own virtue. Ne darest not for thine own unworthiness make thy prayer thyself. but makest supplications by other means as when thou sayest. Sancta maria ora pro nobis Our lord by thy passion deliver us. Orison is when thou hast forsaken thy sin & askest forgiveness by open speche· Postulation is when after thy penance done thou haste a sad hope of forgiveness if thou pray also any thing against thine own speed As pole that prayed that his temptation might be put away then our lord will not grant it the. Some things thou mayst pray with condition And some things without condition. to have grace and bliss with our lord thou mayst ask without condition. Saint Bernard saith that thou mayst ask of our lord grace in all goodness. to please him. live in him. see his bliss and to able thyself to virtues to do him worship and to be with him withouten end ¶ yet afore this prayer thou must make ready thy soul in diverse wise. first thou must withdraw thine heart fro outward business being in will to keep thy thoughts after thy first intent. Thou must consider also how unworthy thou art. that prayest and how worthy he is thou prayest unto and how great thy sins be that thou prayest for Thou must also be clean in soul. & if thy prayer be short let it be done with steadfast hope. for a short prayer with a sad hope faithfully done is more acceptable to god than a long prayer faintly done without hope. yet to them that been occupied in divine service Long prayer is speedful To pray also with voice is more speedful than to think or whisper Grisostum saith thus. thou that with loud voice prayest and whysperyst thou suffryst noon other to pray about the And therefore thy sin and thy pain are increased if it be do wittingly. and thyself not herd of god. It must also be done without interruption. not to say now a verse or a Pater noster. and between jangle. and tell a tale without great need. ne to haste it to moche. Thou must also make it common to place time and persons Paul saith I will that men pray in every place. yet in the church principally For our lord saith my house shall be called the house of prayer All times are times of prayer yet in holy church been seven ours ordained for time of prayer which most specially longeth to religious men. Our lord afore his passion travailed all night in prayer Our lady and joseph also rose every night at midnight and said the psalms of commendation. And the same did David and his household Though all may not do thus y●t a●●yse them that be bound and have no letting. It must also be made w●ith other a●d not alway alone. In that it is more acceptable to god. more pleasant to angels. and more confusion to the devil. And the same that thou makest for another is better than that thou makest for thyself. ¶ And though our lord here not anon thy prayer at thy will. yet he heareth it and granteth the happily that that is more speedful. A thing that is long desired at the last it cometh. & that is the more dainty. ¶ It must also be done with devotion. Devotion as clerks say is a tenderness of heart whereby thou breakyst lightly into tears Also a will of love lift up to god or to his heavenly creatures m●uynge. the inward and outward to the service of god. Such devotion purgeth both body and soul. ¶ And thus devotion may be known by two principal tokens One by greatness of the voice outward as a great fire is known by the flame Another by teries For right as a fire driveth out moisture fro wet wood So devotion bringeth out tears of thine eyn in prayer. ¶ weal is him that hath such plenty. of tears. for he is disposed to grace. But there be some that have great plenty of tears. fro day to day in prayer devoutly reading or speaking: And yet will not leave their sin. ne travail to withstand their temptations. ne know ne keep the precepts of our lord. Such tears be not accept for due sacrifice before our lord If thou be full contrite saith aldrede and trustest in the mercy of god confessed and in will to do thy penance. and not in will to turn again to thy sin Then saith he such tears please god and wash away thy sins. and more torment the devil as saith saint bernard. then all other kinds of torments may do. Sithen devotion must be in every prayer yet the time thereof should be principally used. in the time of the mass and for four causes. one is for the presence of our lord god that is there. not only by his godhead but also by his manhood. that he took for the love of man's. soul The second is for the multitude of angels that there been evermore present to yield worship to almighty god. The third is for great profit and speed that the body and soul have by virtue of the sacrament both to them that been present. and specially to them that worthily receive him The fourth is for the wonderful worship that is there yeven to man. that through the virtue of words said of man. the presence of our lord is had. and the innumerable number of angels so many that no tongue can tell. ne heart think. Devotion also should be used in time of service that thou art bound to say But some for uncunning say their service the more hastily for their privy prayer that they have devotion to & the devotion is little or nought w●rth See now therefore how thy soul may be reformed and brought again to god Thy soul hath mind reason. & will mind for it should rest in god. reason for thou should know god and will. for thou should love god But by sin thy mind is unstable. thy reason blind. and thy will crooked. and all is for thou forsakest thy god.  
¶ The reformation therefore of thy mind is to bring again thy heart that was travailed with veyn thoughts by prayer. reading and often thinking of god As of his incarnation. passion. innumerable benefits and gracious yefts. Having great sorrow for thy great unkindness. that thou always shewedyst him The reformation of thy reason is to believe sadly in the faith of holy church Our lord for our great comfort hath yeven us knowledge in scripture: where we may find all that is necessary. & speedful to our soul he'll not to follow therein our natural will But to submit our wit to the rules of faith after the understanding of holy doctors And so ghostly to be cleansed by the sacrament of penance The reformation of thy will also is to withstand vices & with a good will truly. and faithfully increase and abide in virtues For god without any curiosity of will that there be no double desire ne none affection pleasing to the Butt such as is according with the will of god. ¶ Thus than considered the worthiness of thy soul. the horror of thy sin wherewith thy soul is thus wounded. Take this salve. of penance with these three plasters. Contrition confession and satisfaction And bind them sadly to thy sore with the bonds of hope. and dread: hope to have forgiveness of thy sin. hope of grace to live well after. And hope of glory without end to reign perpetually in hevyns' bliss. dread also of the pains of hell. if thou despair of his mercy For to him it is proper to have mercy and to spare So that for every sin as saith saint Austyn there is an absolution be it nevir so great.  
For what might be greater or worse then to slay our lord jesus Crist right as the jews did. yet there were some of them after that beleuyd ● now be saved Petyr and marry mawdleyn and many other also after they had sinned they were with the salve of contrition ma●● hole and now be in bliss Therefore be thy sins nevir so many ne so great. despair the not but say alway with David Have mercy on me lord after thy great mercy Do away lord my wickedness Man hath sinned saith saint Austyn And christ hath redeemed And so at our lord as saith the prophet is mercy and plenteous redemption And he shall redeem israell from all his wickedness Israel is asmuch to say as he that seeth god  
He seeth god then that l●thyth 〈◊〉 sin And by contrition and by confession and penance doing is converted to him ¶ That ye may thenne thus be converted and ●o penance for your sins grant he you and me that d●ed for us on the road tree: Amen:   

¶ The general sentence.  
good men and women I do you to understand that we that have cure of your souls be commanded of our ordinaries and by the constituciones and the law of holy church to show to you four times by the year in each a quarter of the year once. when the people is most plenary ●● holy church. the articles of the sentence of cursing So that nought for our default no man ne woman fall therein: And if any be therein fallen he may be through the help of god almighty. and all holy church with shrift and penance. making good for his sin: up rise and him amend. wherefore I do you to understand that cursing is such a vengeance taking that it departeth a man fro the bliss of heaven. fro housel shrift and all the sacraments of holy church & bet●keth him to the devil and to the pains of hell. without end. but if he have grace of him to amend But therefore see that no man nor woman say that I curse 'em for it longeth not to me but to show the points and the articles of the sentence of cursing For I do you well to wy●  
¶ who so doth against any of 〈◊〉 points that I shall you show. he is accursed in the deed doing of the day archebusshoppe and bishop. and of a●● holy church. And that god almighty give you grace. for to keep you out of cursing listen and here and I shall through the help of god father almighty to you thenne tell and show By the authority of god the son and the holy ghost and his glorious mother and maiden. our lady saint Mary. and the blessed appostelles' Petyr and Poule. and all the apostles martyrs confessors & virgins. and all the hallows of god I ●●nounce and show for accursed all though that franchise of holy church break or distrouble. or are against the peace or the state of holy church or thereto assent with deed or counsel And also all though that prive holy church of any right. 〈◊〉 make of holy church. any lay fee 〈◊〉 is hallowed or sanctified And all though that withhold the rights of any church that is to say offerings tithes rents. or freedom of holy church l●te. or distrouble or break. that is to say If any man flee to church or churchyerd who so him out draweth and all though that procure or assent And all though that purchase letters of any lords Court. wherefore letting is maked in christian. court that process of right may natt be determined or ended And all tho▪ that the peace of the land destrouble And all though that blood draw of man or of woman in violence or in villainy make to be drawn in church or in churcheyerde. wherefore the church or the churcheyerd is interdicted or suspē●●●  
And all though that been against the right of our lord the king. and also● them that sustain war against the king wrongfully And all though that are common robbers and re●e●s or manslayers but if it be 'em self defending. & though that be against the great char●●e of the king that is confirmed of the court of Rome And all though that falls witness bear wrongely namely in cause of matrimony in what court so it be or out of court And all though that any false witness bring forth in right of matrimony for to distrouble man or woman. or for to disherit any man of land or tenement or any other cattle And all false advocates that for meed put forth any false excepciones or quarrels. through the which the right of matrimony is fordoon. or any other manner of right in stead of judgement And all though that for meed or favour or for any other encheason maliciously. man or woman bring out of their good fame into wicked. or make them for to lose their worldly gods or honour or put them wrongfully to their purgation. of the which was 〈◊〉 ●ame before And all though that maliciously distroble or let the right presentment of any church. there the very patron. should present. and all that thereto procoure with word or deed or with false inquest or with other power. And all though that maliciously despisen the maundment of the king to take a cursed man fro the time that he hath lain in cursing xl. days & no remedy will seek And all though that captions distrouble with false judgement or false inquest. And all though that their lyveraunce purchase against the right of holy church & all though that me●e take for to distroble peace ther● love should be or charity Or strife maintain with word or deed. & till they have yelden again the meed. that they took of them. they may nevyr be assoiled And all though that hold houses manners granges of persons vicars or of any other man of holy church. against their will or their attorneys will. And all though that any manner gods movable or unmovable. away bear with strength. or wrongfully away draw or wasten. of the which ●synge they may not be assoiled till they have made satisfaction. to whom the wrong is done And all though that an● manner of gods with violence or ma●●●e bear out of holy church stead or abbey. or house of religion which that therein is laid or done. for warandise or succour or for to keep and all that thereto procour or 〈◊〉. and all though that them maintain or sustain And all though that have laid hand on priest or clerk with malice. butt it be himself defending And all though that 〈◊〉 council or help against cristendome And all that her children wrongfully father wittingly or their children wyten on any other man with malice And all though that weary or slay their generaciones. or their children destroy with drinks. or with any other craft And all though that false money make and thereto assent And all though that good money clip or shear. them to advantage to deceive any man with. & all though that false the pope's bulls or 〈◊〉 the kings sea●● And all though that buy or sell with false mesures or false weights. that is to say to buy with one and sell with another And all though that false the kings standard themself witting And all though that any testament distrouble or thereto procoure with word or with deed wherefore the deeds will is not fulfilled  
And all though that forswear 'em self upon the holydome willing and wittingly for meed or for hate. for to to do any man or woman to lose their worldly gods and honour And all rubbers and reverses openly or privily. by day or by night. or any man's goods steel. wherefore they were worthy to have judgement And all though that withhold any man's good. that hath been spyred thrice in holy church themself witting And all though that distrouble the peace of holy church. or of the land. And all the kings felones. and all though that them maintain And all false conspirators and all false forswerers in assizes or any other court And all though that any false pleyntes put forth. against the fraunchise of holychurche or of the king of the royalme And all though that offerings that are offered in holy. church or in churcheyerde or in chapel or in oratory or in any other stead with in the province of Caunterbury with holden or put away in any other place against the will of the parson or vycary. or their attorney in the parish that it is offered in. And all though that their goods. away give for dread of death in fraud of holy church or to forbarre their debts pay●●ge And all though that such gifts take. or thereto help or council And all though that let prelate's or ordinaries. for to hold consistory session or chapters. for to enquere of sins and of excess in good amendment of man's soul And all wyches and all that on them leave. and all heretics that leave not in the sacrament of the altar. that is gods own body in flesh and blood in form of breed. and other sacraments that toucheth help of man's soul And all iogelers usurers that is to say If any man or woman. leave their cattles to man or woman for any avauntage to take by covenant more or less 〈◊〉 their own. and if their be any such in town or city. the city or the. town should be interdict. by the old law. and neither done therein mass ne sacrament used till that he were out thereof And all that withhold tithes or withdraw their tithes wittingly. o● maliciously to the harm of holy ●●che. or tithes let to be given of 〈◊〉 goods which be commanded or ordained to be given by the law of holy. church that is to say. of all fruits of yerdes' corns herbs that wax. fruits of trees. of all manner beasts. that are newing: Of will lamb and cheese. in time of year. Of swans geese dovys ducks. of bees honey wax. Of hay olso often as it news. of flax of hemp. of wyndemylles. of all manner mills. of all manner merchandise. of chaffering men▪ and of men of craft And all though that any of these things maliciously or wittingly or any other things withhold ●che ought to be yeven to holy 〈…〉 by god's law to harm of hol●●che And though that thereto procour 〈◊〉 ●de or in deed. ¶ Modus fulminandi 〈◊〉· prelatus alba indutus cum 〈◊〉 ●acerdotibus in ecclesia existen●●●● auce erecta. candelis accensi● 〈◊〉 ●pulpito pronuncient verba que sequiltu●▪ ex auctoritate dei patri● o●●i● potentis et beat marry virgins et 〈◊〉 sanctorum excomunicamus anathe●atizamus. et dyabolo commendamus ●●●es supradict●s malefactores excomunicati sit ●ematizati et diabolo commendati sint in villis in campis. in viis semitis. in domibus. extra domos et in o●●●bus alus locis. stando. sedendo. iacendo. surgendo ambulando. currendo. vigilando. dormiendo. comedendo ●●●●●do. et all 〈◊〉 faciendo. & illos a luminibus et o●●●bus bonis ecclesie sequestramus et diabolo dampnamus: et in penis in ferni extinguimus. sicut extinguitur ista candela. nisi recipiscant & ad satisfactionem veniant. ¶ Finita sentencia ex● lumen. ad terrorem. pulsatis campanis.   

¶ The beads on sunday  
yE shall kneel down on your knees and lift up your hearts making your prayers unto almighty god for the good state and peace of all holy church that god maintain. 〈…〉 keep it For our holy father 〈…〉 and all his true college of car● 〈◊〉 that god for his mercy them ●●yntene and keep in the right believe and it hold and increase. and all misbelieve and herisye he less and destroy Also ye shall pray for the holy land & for the holy cross that jesus christ died on for the redemption of man's soul that it may come in●o the power of christian men. the more to be honoured for our prayers. Also ye shall pray for all archebusshoppes and bishops. and in especial for the archebusshop. of Ca●●terbury our metropolytayn and for the bishop of N. our dyocysan that god of his mercy give to hem grace so to rule holy church. that it may be to the honour & worship of him and salvation of our souls.  
Also ye shall pray for all abbots pryoures monks canons freres and for all men and women of religion in what order estate or degree they stand. in. from the highest estate to the lowest degree. ye shall also pray for all. them that have charge and cure of christian menn● souls as curates. persons vicaries. priests and clerks. and in especial for the person and curate of this church: and for all the priests and ministers that serve therein or haf served. and for all them that have. taken any order. that god give them grace well to keep and observe it to the honour and health of their souls ye shall also pray for the unity and peace of all christian realms. and in especial for the good state peace and tranquylite of this royalme of England. For our 〈…〉 for his great mercy send 〈◊〉 grace▪ so to govern and rule 〈…〉 that god ●e pleased and 〈◊〉 and profit and salvation o● this land Also ye shall pray for our stage lady the queen. my lord the prince and all the noble progeny of them For all Duke's Earls Barones knights and squires. and all other lords of the kings counsel which have any rule and governance in this land that god give them grace so to council rule and govern that god be pleased the land defended to the profit and salvation of all the realm. Also ye shall pray for the peace both on the land and on the water that god grant love and charity. among all christian people. ye shall pray for all our parisshenies whether they be on land or on water that god save them from all manner of perils. and for all the good men. of this parisshe. for their wives children and meinie. that god them maintain save and keep. ye shall also pray for all true tithers that god multiply her gods and increase For all true telers. that labour for our sustenance that teyle the earth. and also for all the greynes and fruits that be sown set or done on the earth. or shallbe done that god send such weathering that they may grow and multiply to the help and profit of all mankind. ye shall pray for all true shipmen. and merchants where that they be on the land or on the water that god keep 'em fro all perils: and bring them. ●●me in safety with their gods Ships and merchandises to the comfort and profit of this Realm. ¶ ye sha●● also pray for th●● that find any light in the church or give or bequeatheth book bell chalice or westment. lands rents lamp or light. whereby gods service is the better served. & maintained the god reward it them at their most need Also ye shall pray for all true pilgrames that have take their way to Rome jerusalem saint Katheryn or saint james. or to any other holy place that god of his grace. give them time and space: well for to go and come to the profit of their lives and souls Also ye shall pray for all them that be diseased in this parish that god send them health. the rather for our prayers For all women that been in our lady bonds. in this parisshe or in any other. that god lend the children cristendome and the moders purification And for all them that would be here and may not for sickness travail or other leeful occupation that they may have part of all the good deeds. that shall be done in this place or any other Also ye shall pray for all them that be in good life that god hold them long therein. and for them that be in debt or in deadly sin that Jesus christ bring them out thereof Also ye shall pray for him. or her that this day gave the holy breed and for him that first began and lengest holdeth thereon. ¶ Furthermore ye shall pray for your faders souls. & your moders souls. your godfaders souls your godmoders souls your sustern & brethren souls. and sa● 〈◊〉 friends souls. & all the souls 〈…〉 be dounde to pray fore. and for 〈◊〉 ●sten souls that god would have prayed fore ye shall say a Pater noster. & an ave maria. Deus misereatur. Gloria patri Kyrie leyson. Pater noster. Et ne nos. Ostende nobis domine: Domine exaudi oronnem meam. Dominus vobiscum Et. Ecclesie tue. Deus in evius manu. Vel aliter. De profundis.  
¶ Absolne quesumus domtue animas famulorum tuorum pontificum regum sacerdotum parentum parochianorum. amicorum benefactorum nostrorum & omnium fidelium defunctorum ab omni vinculo delictorum: ut in resurrectionis gloria inter sanctos et electos tuos resuscitati respirent. Per cristum dominum nostrum Amen.    

imprinted by me Richard Pinson.  
 printer's or publisher's device