[theparsonbeginshis"littletreatise"-(which,ifgivenatlength,wouldextendtoaboutthirtyofthesepages,andwhichcannotbyanystretchofcourtesyorfancybesaidtomeritthetitleofa"tale")inthesewords:—]
oursweetlordgodofheaven,thatnomanwillperish,butwillthatweealltotheknowledgeofhim,andtotheblissfullifethatisperdurable[everlas],adnishesusbytheprophetjeremiah,thatsaithinthiswise:"standupontheways,andseeandaskofoldpaths,thatistosay,ofoldsentences,whichisthegoodway,andwalkinthatway,andyeshallfindrefreshingforyoursouls,"
ofwhichwaysthereisafullnobleway,andfullconvenable,whichmaynotfailtomannortowoman,thatthroughsinhathmisgonefromtherightwayofjerusalemcelestial;andthiswayiscalledpenitence。ofwhichmenshouldgladlyhearkenandinquirewithalltheirhearts,towitwhatispenitence,andwhenceitiscalledpenitence,andinwhatmanner,andinhowmanymanners,betheactionsorworkingsofpenitence,andhowmanyspeciestherebeofpenitences,andwhatthingsappertainandbehovetopenitence,andwhatthingsdisturbpenitence。
[penitenceisdescribed,ontheauthorityofsaintsambrose,isidore,andgregory,asthebewailingofsinthathasbeenwrought,withthepurposeneveragaintodothatthing,oranyotherthingwhichamanshouldbewail;forweepingandnotceasingtodothesinwillnotavail—thoughitistobehopedthataftereverytimethatamanfalls,beiteversooften,hemayfindgracetoarisethroughpenitence。andrepentantfolkthatleavetheirsineresinleavethem,ountedbyholychurchsureoftheirsalvation,eventhoughtherepentancebeatthelasthour。therearethreeactionsofpenitence;thatamanbebaptizedafterhehassinned;thathedonodeadlysinafterreceivingbaptism;andthathefallintonovenialsinsfromdaytoday。"thereofsaithstaugustine,thatpenitenceofgoodandhumblefolkisthepenitenceofeveryday。"thespeciesofpenitencearethree:solemn,whenamanisopenlyexpelledfromholychurchinlent,orispelledbyholychurchtodoopenpenanceforanopensinopenlytalkedofinthecountry;npenance,enjoinedbypriestsincertaincases,astogoonpilgrimagenakedorbarefoot;andprivypenance,whichmendodailyforprivatesins,ofwhichtheyconfessprivatelyandreceiveprivatepenance。toveryperfectpenitencearebehovefulandnecessarythreethings:contritionofheart,confessionofuth,andsatisfaction;whicharefruitfulpenitenceagainstdelightinthinking,recklessspeech,andwickedsinfulworks。
penitencemaybelikenedtoatree,havingitsrootincontrition,bidingitselfintheheartasatree-rootdoesintheearth;outofthisrootspringsastalk,thatbearsbranchesandleavesofconfession,andfruitofsatisfaction。ofthisrootalsospringsaseedofgrace,whichistherofallsecurity,andthisseediseagerandhot;andthegraceofthisseedspringsofgod,throughremembranceonthedayofjudgmentandonthepainsofhell。theheatofthisseedistheloveofgod,andthedesireofeverlasjoy;andthisheatdrawstheheartofmantogod,andmakeshimhatehissin。penanceisthetreeoflifetothemthatreceiveit。inpenanceorcontritionmanshal露nderstandfourthings:whatiscontrition;whatarethecausesthatveamantocontrition;howheshouldbecontrite;andwhatcontritionavailethtothesoul。contritionistheheavyandgrievoussorrowthatamanreceivethinhisheartforhissins,withearnestpurposetoconfessanddopenance,andneverretosin。sixcausesoughttoveamantocontrition:1。heshouldrememberhifhissins;2。heshouldreflectthatsinputtethamaningreatthraldom,andallthegreaterthehigheristheestatefromwhichhefalls;3。heshoulddreadthedayofdoomandthehorriblepainsofhell;4。thesorrowfulremembranceofthegooddeedsthatmanhathomittedtodohereonearth,andalsothegoodthathehathlost,oughttomakehimhavecontrition;5。soalsooughttheremembranceofthepassionthatourlordjesuschristsufferedforoursins;6。andsooughtthehopeofthreethings,thatistosay,forgivenessofsin,thegiftofgracetodowell,andthegloryofheavenwithwhichgodshallrewardmanforhisgooddeeds。—allthesepointstheparsonil露stratesandenforcesatlength;waxingespeciallyeloquentunderthethirdhead,andplainlysetforththesternlyrealisticnotionsregardingfuturepunishmentsthatwereentertainedinthetimeofchaucer:-]
certes,allthesorrowthatamanmightmakefromthebeginningoftheworld,isbutalittlething,atretardof[inparisonwith]thesorrowofhell。thecausewhythatjobcallethhellthelandofdarkness;
understand,thathecallethitlandorearth,foritisstableandnevershallfail,anddark,forhethatisinhellhathdefault[isdevoid]oflightnatural;forcertesthedarklight,thatshalleoutofthefirethatevershallburn,shallturnthemalltopainthatbeinhell,foritsheweththemthehorribledevilsthatthemtorment。coveredwiththedarknessofdeath;thatistosay,thathethatisinhellshallhavedefaultofthesightofgod;forcertesthesightofgodisthelifeperdurable[everlas]。thedarknessofdeath,bethesinsthatthewretchedmanhathdone,whichthatdisturb[prevent]himtoseethefaceofgod,rightasadarkclouddothbetweenusandthesun。landofmisease,becausetherebethreemannerofdefaultsagainstthreethingsthatfolkofthisworldhaveinthispresentlife;thatistosay,honours,delights,andriches。againsthonourhavetheyinhellshameandconfusion:forwellyewot,thatmencallhonourthereverencethatmandothtoman;butinhellisnohonournorreverence;forcertesnorereverenceshallbedoheretoakingthantoaknave[servant]。forwhichgodsaithbytheprophetjeremiah;"thefolkthatmedespiseshallbeindespite。"honourisalsocalledgreatlordship。thereshallnowightserveother,butofharmandtorment。honourisalsocalledgreatdignityandhighness;butinhellshalltheybeallfortrodden[trampledunderfoot]ofdevils。asgodsaith,"thehorribledevilsshallgoandeupontheheadsofdamnedfolk;"andthisis,forasmuchasthehigherthattheywereinthispresentlife,thereshalltheybeabated[abased]anddefouledinhell。againsttherichesofthisworldshalltheyhavemisease[trouble,torment]ofpoverty,andthispovertyshallbeinfourthings:indefault[want]oftreasure;ofwhichdavidsaith,"therichfolkthatembracedandoned[united]alltheirhearttotreasureofthisworld,shallsleepinthesleepingofdeath,andnothingshalltheyfindintheirhandsofalltheirtreasure。"andreover,themiseaseofhellshallbeindefaultofmeatanddrink。forgodsaiththusbyses,"theyshallbewastedwith混♂ger,andthebirdsofhellshalldevourthemwithbitterdeath,andthegallofthedragonshallbetheirdrink,andthevenofthedragontheirrsels。"andfurtherre,theirmiseaseshallbeindefaultofclothing,fortheyshallbenakedinbody,asofclothing,savethefireinwhichtheyburn,andotherfilths;andnakedshalltheybeinsoul,ofallmannervirtues,whichthatistheclothingofthesoul。wherebethenthegayrobes,andthesoftsheets,andthefineshirts?lo,whatsaithofthemtheprophetisaiah,thatunderthemshallbestrewedths,andtheircoverturesshallbeofwormsofhell。andfurtherre,theirmiseaseshallbeindefaultoffriends,forheisnotpoorthathathgoodfriends:butthereisnofriend;forneithergodnoranygoodcreatureshallbefriendtothem,andevereachofthemshallhateotherwithdeadlyhate。thesonsandthedaughtersshallrebelagainstfatherandther,andkindredagainstkindred,andchideanddespiseeachother,bothdayandnight,asgodsaithbytheprophetmicah。andthelovingchildren,thatwhomlovedsofleshlyeachother,wouldeachofthemeattheotheriftheymight。forhowshouldtheylovetogetherinthepainsofhell,whentheyhatedeachotherintheprosperityofthislife?fortrustwell,theirfleshlylovewasdeadlyhate;assaiththeprophetdavid;"whosolovethwickedness,hehatethhisownsoul:"andwhosohatethhisownsoul,certeshemaylovenoneotherwightinnomanner:andthereforeinhellisnosolacenornofriendship,butevertherekindredsthatbeinhell,therecursing,therechiding,andtheredeadlyhatethereisangtheandfurtherover,theyshallhavedefaultofallmannerdelights;forcertesdelightsbeaftertheappetitesofthefivewits[senses];assight,hearing,smelling,savouring[tas],andtouching。butinhelltheirsightshallbefullofdarknessandofske,andtheireyesfulloftears;andtheirhearingfullofwaimen[lamen]andgrin[gnashing]ofteeth,assaithjesuschrist;theirnostrilsshallbefullofstinking;and,assaithisaiahtheprophet,theirsavouring[tas]shallbefullofbittergall;andtouchingofalltheirbodyshallbecoveredwithfirethatnevershallquench,andwithwormsthatnevershalldie,asgodsaithbytheuthofisaiah。andforasmuchastheyshallnotweenthattheymaydieforpain,andbydeathfleefrompain,thatmaythe玉nderstandinthewordofjob,thatsaith,"thereistheshadowofdeath。"certesashadowhaththelikenessofthethingofwhichitisshadowed,buttheshadowisnotthesamethingofwhichitisshadowed:rightsofareththepainofhell;itislikedeath,forthehorribleanguish;andwhy?foritpaihthemeverasthoughtheyshoulddieanon;butcertestheyshallnotdie。for,assaithsaintgregory,"towretchedcaitiffsshallbegivendeathwithoutdeath,andendwithoutend,anddefaultwithoutfailing;fortheirdeathshallalwayslive,andtheirendshalleverrebegin,andtheirdefaultshallneverfail。"andthereforesaithsaintjohntheevangelist,"theyshallfollowdeath,andtheyshallnotfindhim,andtheyshalldesiretodie,anddeathshallfleefromthe"andekejobsaith,thatinhellisnoorderofrule。andalbeitthatgodhathcreatedallthingsinrightorder,andnothingwithoutorder,butallthingsbeorderedandnumbered,yetneverthelesstheythatbedamnedbenotinorder,norholdnoorder。fortheearthshallbearthemnofruit(for,astheprophetdavidsaith,"godshalldestroythefruitoftheearth,asforthem");norwatershallgivethemnoisture,northeairnorefreshing,northefirenolight。forassaithsaintbasil,"theburningofthefireofthisworldshallgodgiveinhelltothemthatbedamned,butthelightandtheclearnessshallbegiveninheaventohischildren;rightasthegoodmangivethfleshtohischildren,andbonestohishounds。"andfortheyshallhavenohopetoescape,saithjobatlast,thatthereshallhorrorandgrislydreaddwellwithoutend。horrorisalwaysdreadofharmthatistoe,andthisdreadshalleverdwellintheheartsofthemthatbedamned。andthereforehavetheylostalltheirhopeforsevencauses。first,forgodthatistheirjudgeshallbewithoutmercytothem;northeymaynotpleasehim;nornoneofhishallows[saints];northeymaygivenothingfortheirransom;northeyhavenovoicetospeaktohim;northeymaynotfleefrompain;northeyhavenogoodnessinthemthattheymayshewtodeliverthemfrompain。
[underthefourthhead,ofgoodworks,theparsonsays:—]
thecourteouslordjesuschristwillthatnogoodworkbelost,forinsomewhatitshallavail。butforasmuchasthegoodworksthatmendowhiletheybeingoodlifebeallartised[killed,deadened]bysinfollowing,andalsosinceallthegoodworksthatmendowhiletheybeindeadlysinbeutterlydead,asfortohavethelifeperdurable[everlas],wellmaythatmanthatnogoodworksdoth,singthatnewfrenchsong,jaitoutperdu—ntempsetnlabour
。forcertes,sinbereavethamanboththegoodnessofnature,andekethegoodnessofgrace。forsoothlythegraceoftheholyghostfarethlikefire,thatmaynotbeidle;forfirefailethanonasitforleteth[leaveth]itsworking,andrightsogracefailethanonasitforletethitsworking。thenloseththesinfulmanthegoodnessofglory,thatonlyistogoodmenthatlabourandwork。wellmayhebesorrythen,thatowethallhislifetogod,aslongashehathlived,andalsoaslongasheshalllive,thatnogoodnesshathtopaywithhisdebttogod,towhomheowethallhislife:ount,assaithsaintbernard,ofallthegoodsthathavebeengivenhiminhispresentlife,andhowhehaththemdispended,insomuchthatthereshallnotperishanhairofhishead,noramentofanhourshallnotperishofhistime,thatheshallnotgivethereofareckoning。
[havingtreatedofthecauses,theparsonestothemanner,ofcontrition—whichshouldbeuniversalandtotal,notmerelyofoutwarddeedsofsin,butalsoofwickeddelightsandthoughtsandwords;"forcertesalmightygodisallgood,andthereforeeitherheforgivethall,orelserightnaught。"further,contritionshouldbe"wondersorrowfulandanguishous,"andalsocontinual,withsteadfastpurposeofconfessionandamendment。lastly,ofwhatcontritionavaileth,theparsonsays,thatsometimesitdeliverethmanfromsin;thatwithoutitneitherconfessionnorsatisfactionisofanyworth;thatit"destroyeththeprisonofhell,andmakethweakandfeebleallthestrengthsofthedevils,andrestoreththegiftsoftheholyghostandofallgoodvirtues,andcleanseththesoulofsin,anddeliverethitfromthepainofhell,andfromthepanyofthedevil,andfromtheservage[slavery]ofsin,andrestorethittoallgoodsspiritual,andtothepanyandmunionofholychurch。"hewhoshouldsethisintenttothesethings,wouldnolongerbeinclinedtosin,butwouldgivehisheartandbodytotheserviceofjesuschrist,andthereofdohimhomage。"for,certes,ourlordjesuschristhathsparedussobenignlyinourfollies,thatifhehadnotpityonmanssoul,asorrysongmightweallsing。"
thesecondpartoftheparsonstaleortreatiseopenswithanexplanationofwhatisconfession—whichistermed"thesecondpartofpenitence,thatis,signofcontrition;"whetheritoughtneedsbedoneornot;andwhatthingsbeconvenabletotrueconfession。confessionistrueshewingofsinstothepriest,withoutexcusing,hiding,orforwrapping[disguising]ofanything,andwithoutvaunofgoodworks。"also,itisnecessarytounderstandwhencethatsinsspring,andhowtheyincrease,andwhichtheybe。"fromadamwetookoriginalsin;"fromhimfleshlydescendedbeweall,andengenderedofvileandcorruptmatter;"andthepenaltyofadamstransgressiondwellethwithusastotemptation,whichpenaltyiscalledconcupiscence。"thisconcupiscence,whenitiswrongfullydisposedorordainedinaman,itmakethhimcovet,bycovetiseofflesh,fleshlysinbsightofhiseyes,astoearthlythings,andalsocovetiseofhighnessbyprideofheart。"theparsonproceedstoshewhowmanistemptedinhisfleshtosin;how,afterhisnaturalconcupiscence,estionofthedevil,thatistosaythedevilsbellows,withwhichheblowethinmanthefireofconcupiscence;andhowmanthenbethinkethhimwhetherhewilldoornothethingtowhichheistempted。ifheflameupintopleasureatthethought,andgiveway,thenishealldeadinsoul;"omplished,bytemptation,bydelight,andbyconsen;andthenisthesinactual。"siniseithervenial,ordeadly;deadly,whenamanlovesanycreaturerethanjesuschristourcreator,venial,ifhelovejesuschristlessthanheought。venialsinsdiminishmanslovetogodreandre,andmayinthiswiseskipintodeadlysin;formanysmallmakeagreat。"andhearkenthisexample:agreatwaveoftheseaethsometimeswithsogreataviolence,thatitdrencheth[causestosink]theship:andthesameharmdosometimesthesmalldrops,ofwaterthatenterthroughalittlecreviceinthethurrok[hold,bilge],andinthebottoftheship,ifmenbesonegligentthattheydischargethemnotbetimes。andtherefore,althoughtherebedifferencebetwixtthesetwocausesofdrenching,algates[inanycase]theshipisdreint[sunk]。rightsofarethitsometimesofdeadlysin,"andofvenialsinswhentheymultiplyinamansogreatlyastomakehimloveworldlythingsrethangod。theparsonthenenumeratesspeciallyanumberofsinswhichmanyamanperadventuredeemsnosins,andconfessesthemnot,andyetneverthelesstheyaretrulysins:—]
thisistosay,ateverytimethatamaneatethanddrinkethrethansufficethtothesustenanceofhisbody,incertainhedothsin;ekewhenhespeakethrethanitneedeth,hedothsin;ekewhenhehearethnotbenignlytheplaintofthepoor;ekewhenheisinhealthofbody,andwillnotfastwhenotherfolkfast,withoutcausereasonable;ekewhenhesleepethrethanneedeth,asiontoolatetochurch,ortootherworksofcharity;ekewhenheusethhiswifewithoutsovereigndesireofengendrure,tothehonourofgod,orfortheintenttoyieldhiswifehisdebtofhisbody;ekewhenhewillnotvisitthesick,ortheprisoner,ifhemay;ekeifhelovewife,orchild,orotherworldlything,rethanreasonrequireth;ekeifheflatterorblandishrethanheoughtforanynecessity;ekeifheminishorwithdrawthealmsofthepoor;ekeifheapparail[prepare]hismeatredeliciouslythanneedis,oreatittoohastilybylikerousness[g露ttony];ekeifhetalkvanitiesinthechurch,oratgodsservice,orthathebeatalkerofidlewordsoffollyorvillainy,ountofthematthedayofdoom;ekewhenhebehighteth[promiseth]orassurethtodothingsthathemaynotperform;ekewhenthatbylightnessoffollyhemissayethorscorhhisneighbour;ekewhenhehathanywickedsuspicionofthing,thathewotofitnosoothfastness:thesethings,andrewithoutnumber,besins,assaithsaintaugustine。
[noearthlymanmayeschewallvenialsins;yetmayherefrainhim,bytheburninglovethathehathtoourlordjesuschrist,andbyprayerandconfession,andothergoodworks,sothatitshallbutlittlegrieve。"furtherre,menmayalsorefrainandputawayvenialsin,byreceivingworthilythepreciousbodyofjesuschrist;byreceivingekeofholywater;byalms-deed;bygeneralconfessionofconfiteoratmass,andatprime,andatpline[eveningservice];andbyblessingofbishopsandpriests,andbyothergoodworks。"theparsonthenproceedstoweightiermatters:—]
nowitisbehovely[profitable,necessary]totellwhichbedeadlysins,thatistosay,chieftainsofsins;forasmuchasalltheyruninoneleash,butindiversemanners。nowbetheycalledchieftains,forasmuchastheybechief,andofthemspringallothersins。therootofthesesins,then,ispride,thegeneralrootofallharms。forofthisrootspringcertainbranches:asire,envy,aidie
orsloth,avariceorcovetousness(tonunderstanding),g露ttony,andlechery:andeachofthesesinshathhisbranchesandhistwigs,asshallbedeclaredintheirchaptersfollowing。andthoughsobe,thatnomancantel露tterlythenumberofthetwigs,andoftheharmsthateofpride,yetwillishewapartofthem,asyeshal露nderstand。thereisinobedience,vaun,hypocrisy,despite,arrogance,impudence,swellingofhearte,insolence,elation,impatience,strife,contumacy,presumption,irreverence,pertinacity,vain-gloryandmanyanothertwigthaticannottellnordeclare。。。。]
andyet[reover]thereisaprivyspeciesofpridethatwaitethfirsttobesa露tederehewillsa露te,all[although]behelessworthythanthatotheris;andekehewaiteth[expecteth]ordesirethtositortogoabovehimintheway,orkissthepax,
orbeincensed,orgotoofferingbeforehisneighbour,andsuchsemblable[like]things,againsthisdutyperadventure,butthathehathhisheartandhisintentinsuchaprouddesiretobemagnifiedandhonouredbeforethepeople。nowbetheretwomannerofprides;theoneofthemiswithintheheartofaman,andtheotheriswithout。ofwhichsoothlytheseforesaidthings,andrethanihavesaid,appertaintopridethatiswithintheheartofamanandtherebeotherspeciesofpridethatbewithout:butnevertheless,theoneofthesespeciesofprideissignoftheother,rightasthegaylevesell[bush]atthetavernissignofthewihatisinthecellar。andthisisinmanythings:asinspeechandcountenance,andoutrageousarrayofclothing;forcertes,iftherehadbeennosininclothing,christwouldnotsosoonhavenotedandspokenoftheclothingofthatrichmaninthegospel。andsaintgregorysaith,thatpreciousclothingisculpableforthedearth[dearness]ofit,andforitssoftness,andforitsstrangenessanddisguising,andforthesuperf露ityorfortheinordinatescantnessofit;alas!maynotamanseeinourdaysthesinfulcostlyarrayofclothing,andnamely[specially]intoomuchsuperf露ity,orelseintoodisordinatescantness?astothefirstsin,insuperf露ityofclothing,whichthatmakethitsodear,totheharfthepeople,notonlythecostoftheembroidering,thedisguising,indenorbarring,ounding,paling,
winding,orbanding,andsemblable[similar]wasteofclothinvanity;butthereisalsothecostlyfurring[liningoredgingwithfur]intheirgowns,somuchpunchingofchiselstomakeholes,ing[cut]ofshears,withthesuperf露ityinlengthoftheforesaidgowns,trailinginthedungandinthemire,onhorseandekeonfoot,aswellofmanasofwoman,thatallthattrailingisverily(asineffect)wasted,consumed,threadbare,androttenwithdung,ratherthanitisgiventothepoor,togreatdamageoftheforesaidpoorfolk,andthatinsundrywise:thisistosay,therethatclothiswasted,theremustitcosttothepoorpeopleforthescarceness;andfurtherre,edclothingtothepoorpeople,itisnotconvenienttowearfortheirestate,norsufficienttoboot[help,remedy]theirnecessity,tokeepthemfromthedistemperance[inclemency]ofthefirmament。upontheotherside,tospeakofthehorribledisordinatescantnessofclothing,asbethesecuttedslopsorhanselines[breeches],thatthroughtheirshortnesscovernottheshamefulmemberofman,towickedintentalas!someofthemshewthebossandtheshapeofthehorribleswollenmembers,thatseemliketothemaladyofhernia,inthewrappingoftheirhosen,andekethebuttocksofthem,thatfareasitwerethehinderpartofashe-apeinthefulloftheon。andreoverthewretchedswollenmembersthattheyshewthroughdisguising,indepar[dividing]oftheirhoseninwhiteandred,seemeththathalftheirshamefulprivymemberswereflain[flayed]。andifsobethattheydeparttheirhoseinothercolours,asiswhiteandb露e,orwhiteandblack,orblackandred,andsoforth;thenseemethit,byvarianceofcolour,thatthehalfpartoftheirprivymembersbecorruptbythefireofsaintanthony,orbycanker,orothersuchmischance。andofthehinderpartoftheirbuttocksitisfullhorribletosee,forcertes,inthatpartoftheirbodywheretheypurgetheirstinkingordure,thatfoulpartshewtheytothepeopleproudlyindespiteofhonesty[decency],whichhonestyjesuschristandhisfriendsobservedtoshewinhislife。nowasoftheoutrageousarrayofwomen,godwot,thatthoughthevisagesofsomeofthemseemfullchasteanddebonair[gentle],yetnotifythey,intheirarrayofattire,likerousnessandpride。isaynotthathonesty[reasonableandappropriatestyle]inclothingofmanorwomanunconvenablebut,certes,thesuperf露ityordisordinatescarcityofclothingisreprovable。alsothesinoftheirornament,orofapparel,asinthingsthatappertaintoriding,asintoomanydelicatehorses,thatbeholdenfordelight,thatbesofair,fat,andcostly;andalsoinmanyaviciousknave,[servant]thatissustainedbecauseofthem;incuriousharness,asinsaddles,cruppers,peytrels,[breast-plates]andbridles,coveredwithpreciousclothandrichbarsandplatesofgoldandsilver。forwhichgodsaithbyzechariahtheprophet,"iwillconfoundtheridersofsuchhorses。"thesefolktakelittleregardoftheridingofgodssonofheaven,andofhisharness,whenherodeuponanass,andhadnootherharnessbutthepoorclothesofhisdisciples;norwereadnotthateverherodeonanyotherbeast。ispeakthisforthesinofsuperf露ity,andnotforreasonablehonesty[seemliness],whenreasonitrequireth。andreover,certes,prideisgreatlynotifiedinholdingofgreatmeinie[retinueofservants],whentheybeoflittleprofitorofrightnoprofit,andnamely[especially]whenthatmeinieisfelonous[violent]anddamageous[harmful]tothepeoplebyhardiness[arrogance]ofhighlordship,orbywayofoffice;forcertes,suchlordssellthentheirlordshiptothedevilofhell,whentheysustainthewickednessoftheirmeinie。orelse,whenthesefolkoflowdegree,astheythatholdhostelries,sustaintheftoftheirhostellers,andthatisinmanymannerofdeceits:thatmanneroffolkbethefliesthatfollowthehoney,orelsethehoundsthatfollowthecarrion。suchforesaidfolkstranglespirituallytheirlordships;forwhichthussaithdavidtheprophet,"wickeddeathmayeuntotheselordships,andgodgivethattheymaydescendintohelladown;forintheirhousesisiniquityandshrewedness,[impiety]andnotgodofheaven。"andcertes,butif[unless]theydoamendment,rightasgodgavehisbenison[blessing]tolabanbytheserviceofjacob,andtopharaohbytheserviceofjoseph;rightsogodwillgivehismalison[condemnation]tosuchlordshipsassustainthewickednessoftheirservants,but[unless]theyetoamendment。prideofthetableapaireth[workethharm]ekefulloft;for,certes,richmenbecalledtofeasts,andpoorfolkbeputawayandrebuked;alsoinexcessofdiversmeatsanddrinks,andnamely[specially]suchmannerbake-meatsanddish-meatsburningofwildfire,andpaintedandcastledwithpaper,andsemblable[similar]waste,sothatitisabusetothink。andekeintoogreatpreciousnessofvessel,[plate]andcuriosityofminstrelsy,bywhichamanisstirredretothedelightsof露xury,ifsobethathesethisheartthelessuponourlordjesuschrist,certainitisasin;andcertainlythedelightsmightbesogreatinthiscase,thatamanmightlightly[easily]fallbythemintodeadlysin。
[thesinsthatariseofprideadvisedlyandhabituallyaredeadly;thosethatarisebyfrailt玉nadvisedsuddenly,andsuddenlywithdrawagain,thoughgrievous,arenotdeadly。prideitselfspringssometimesofthegoodsofnature,sometimesofthegoodsoffortune,sometimesofthegoodsofgrace;buttheparson,enumeraandexaminingalltheseinturn,pointsouthowlittlesecuritytheypossessandhowlittlegroundforpridetheyfurnish,andgoesontoenforcetheremedyagainstpride—whichishumilityormeekness,avirtuethroughwhichamanhathtrueknowledgeofhimself,andholdethnohighesteefhimselfinregardofhisdeserts,consideringeverhisfrailty。]
nowbetherethreemanners[kinds]ofhumility;ashumilityinheart,andanotherintheuth,andthethirdinworks。thehumilityintheheartisinfourmanners:theoneis,whenamanholdethhimselfasnoughtworthbeforegodofheaven;thesecondis,whenhedespisethnootherman;thethirdis,whenhereckethnotthoughmenholdhimnoughtworth;thefourthis,whenheisnotsorryofhishumiliation。alsothehumilityofuthisinfourthings:intemperatespeech;inhumilityofspeech;andwhenheconfessethwithhisownuththatheissuchashethinkeththatheisinhisheart;anotheris,whenhepraiseththebounte[goodness]ofanothermanandnothingthereofdiminisheth。humilityekeinworksisinfourmanners:thefirstis,whenheputtethothermenbeforehim;thesecondis,tochoosethelowestplaceofall;thethirdis,gladlytoassenttogoodcounsel;thefourthis,tostandgladlybytheaward[judgment]ofhissovereign,orofhimthatishigherindegree:certainthisisagreatworkofhumility。
[theparsonproceedstotreatoftheothercardinalsins,andtheirremedies:(2。)envy,withitsremedy,theloveofgodprincipallyandofourneighboursasourselves:(3。)anger,withallitsfruitsinrevenge,rancour,hate,discord,manslaughter,blasphemy,swearing,falsehood,flattery,chidingandreproving,scorning,treachery,sowingofstrife,doublenessoftongue,betrayingofcounseltoamansdisgrace,menacing,idlewords,jangling,japeryorbuffoonery,assinful,andheldtolabourinprayingfordeliverancefromsin;andasinthestateofgrace,andheldtoworksofpenitence。ishconditionofthoseinhell;itwillsuffernohardnessandnopenance;itpreventsanybeginningofgoodworks;itcausesdespairofgodsmercy,whichisthesinagainsttheholyghost;itinducessomnolencyandneglectofmunioninprayerwithgod;anditbreedsnegligenceorrecklessness,thatcaresfornothing,andisthenurseofallmischiefs,ifignoranceistheirther。againstsloth,andtheseandotherbranchesandfruitsofit,theremedyliesinthevirtueoffortitudeorstrength,initsvariousspeciesofmagnanimityorgreatcourage;faithandhopeingodandhissaints;suretyorsickerness,whenamanfearsnothingthatcanopposethegoodworkshehasundertaken;magnificence,whenhecarriesoutgreatworksofgoodnessbegun;constancyorstablenessofheart;andotherincentivestoenergyandlaboriousservice:(5。)avarice,orcovetousness,whichistherootofallharms,sinceitsvotariesareidolaters,oppressorsandenslaversofmen,deceiversoftheirequalsinbusiness,siniacs,gamblers,liars,thieves,falseswearers,blasphemers,murderers,andsacrilegious。itsremedyliesinpassionandpitylargelyexercised,andinreasonableliberality—forthosewhospendon"fool-largesse,"orostentationofworldlyestateand露xury,shallreceivethemalison[condemnation]thatchristshallgiveatthedayofdoomtothemthatshallbedamned:(6。)g露ttony;—ofwhichtheparsontreatssobrieflythatthechaptermaybegiveninfull:—
afteravariceethg露ttony,whichisexpressagainstthemandmentofgod。g露ttonyisunmeasurableappetitetoeatortodrink;orelsetodoinaughttotheunmeasurableappetiteanddisorderedcovetousness[craving]toeatordrink。thissincorruptedallthisworld,asiswellshewedinthesinofadamandofeve。lookalsowhatsaithsaintpaulofg露ttony:"many,"saithhe,"go,ofwhichihaveoftsaidtoyou,andnowisayitweeping,thattheybeenemiesofthecrossofchrist,ofwhichtheendisdeath,andofwhichtheirwomb[stomach]istheirgodandtheirglory;"inconfusionofthemthatsosavour[takedelightin]earthlythings。hethatisusant[austomed,addicted]tothissinofg露ttony,hemaynosinwithstand,hemustbeinservage[bondage]ofallvices,foritisthedevilshoard,[lair,露rking-place]wherehehidethhiminandresteth。thissinhathmanyspecies。thefirstisdrunkenness,thatisthehorriblesepultureofmansreason:andthereforewhenamanisdrunken,hehathlosthisreason;andthisisdeadlysin。butsoothly,whenthatamanisnotwonttostrongdrink,andperadventureknowethnotthestrengthofthedrink,orhathfeeblenessinhishead,orhathtravailed[laboured],throughwhichhedrinkeththere,all[although]behesuddenlycaughtwithdrink,itisnodeadlysin,butvenial。thesecondspeciesofg露ttonyis,thatthespiritofamanwaxethalltroubledfordrunkenness,andbereavethamanthediscretionofhiswit。thethirdspeciesofg露ttonyis,whenamandevourethhismeat,andhathnorightfulmannerofea。thefourthis,when,throughthegreatabundanceofhismeat,thehuursofhisbodybedistempered。thefifthis,forgetfulnessbytoomuchdrinking,forwhichamansometimesforgettethbytherrowwhatbedidateve。inothermannerbedistinctthespeciesofg露ttony,aftersaintgregory。thefirstis,fortoeatordrinkbeforetime。thesecondis,whenamangettethhimtoodelicatemeatordrink。thethirdis,whenmentaketoomuchovermeasure[imderately]。thefourthiscuriosity[nicety]withgreatintent[application,pains]tomakeandapparel[prepare]hismeat。thefifthis,fortoeattoogreedily。thesebethefivefingersofthedevilshand,bywhichedrawethfolktothesin。
againstg露ttonytheremedyisabstinence,assaithgalen;butthatiholdnotmeritorious,ifhedoitonlyforthehealthofhisbody。saintaugustinewillthatabstinencebedoneforvirtue,andwithpatience。abstinence,saithhe,islittleworth,butif[unless]amanhavegoodwillthereto,andbutitbeenforcedbypatienceandbycharity,andthatmendoitforgodssake,andinhopetohavetheblissinheaven。thefellowsofabstinencebetemperance,thatholdeththemeaninallthings;alsoshame,thateschewethalldishonesty[indecency,impropriety],sufficiency,thatseekethnorichmeatsnordrinks,nordothnoforceof[setsnova露eon]nooutrageousapparellingofmeat;measure[deration]also,thatrestraihbyreasontheunmeasurableappetiteofea;sobernessalso,thatrestraihtheoutrageofdrink;sparingalso,thatrestraihthedelicateeasetositlongatmeat,whereforesomefolkstandoftheirownwilltoeat,becausetheywilleatatlessleisure。
[atgreatlengththeparsonthenpointsoutthemanyvarietiesofthesinof(7。)lechery,anditsremedyinchastityandcontinence,alikeinmarriageandinwidowhood;alsointheabstainingfromallsuchindulgencesofea,drinking,andsleepingasinflamethepassions,andfromthepanyofallwhomaytempttothesin。ravatethissin;andthetreatisethenpassestotheconsiderationoftheconditionsthatareessentialtoatrueandprofitableconfessionofsiningeneral。first,itmustbeinsorrowfulbitternessofspirit;aconditionthathasfivesigns—shamefastness,humilityinheartandoutwardsign,weepingwiththebodilyeyesorintheheart,disregardoftheshamethatmightcurtailorgarbleconfession,andobediencetothepenanceenjoined。secondly,trueconfessionmustbepromptlymade,fordreadofdeath,ofincreaseofsinfulness,offorgetfulnessofwhatshouldbeconfessed,ofchristsrefusaltohearifitbeputofftothelastdayoflife;andthisconditionhasfourterms;thatconfessionbewellponderedbeforehand,thatthemanconfessinghaveprehendedinhismindthenumberandgreatnessofhissinsandhowlonghehaslaininsin,thathebecontriteforandeschewhissins,asionsforthatsintowhichheisinclined。—whatfollowsunderthisheadisofsomeinterestforthelightwhichitthrowsontherigorousgovernmentwieldedbytheromishchurchinthosedays—]