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Previous: From The Parson's Tale, paragraph 6-7: About contrition, the first part of penitence |
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© Librarius
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© Librarius All rights reserved. |
| § 8 The causes that oghte moeve a man to contricioun been sixe. First a man shal remembre hym of his synnes; but looke he that thilke remembraunce ne be to hym no delit by no wey, but greet shame and sorwe for his gilt. For Job seith, "synful men doon werkes worthy of confusioun." And therfore seith Ezechie, "I wol remembre me alle the yeres of my lyf in bitternesse of myn herte." And God seith in the Apocalipse, "remembreth yow fro whennes that ye been falle"; for biforn that tyme that ye synned, ye were the children of God, and lymes of the regne of God; but for youre synne ye been woxen thral, and foul, and membres of the feend, hate of aungels, sclaundre of hooly chirche, and foode of the false serpent; prepetueel matere of the fir of helle: and yet moore foul and abhomynable, for ye trespassen so ofte tyme as dooth the hound that retourneth to eten his spewyng. And yet be ye fouler for youre longe continuyng in synne and youre synful usage, for which ye be roten in yore synne, as a beest in the dong. Swiche manere of thoghtes maken a man to have shame of his synne, and no delit, as God seith by the prophete Ezechiel: "ye shal remembre yow of youre weyes, and they shuln displese yow." Soothly synnes been the weyes that leden folk of helle. | § 8 The causes that ought to move a man to Contrition are six. First a man shall remind himself of his sins; but let him take care that this remembrance not be to him any delight in any way, but great shame and sorrow for his guilt. For Job says, "Sinful men do works worthy of damnation." And therefore says Ezekiel, "I will remember all the years of my life in the bitterness of my heart." And God says in the Apocalypse, "Remind yourself why that you are fallen"; for before that time that you sinned, you were the children of God and limbs of the reign of God; but for your sin you have become enslaved, and foul, and members of the fiend, hated by angels, slander of holy church, and food of the false snake, perpetual matter of the fire of hell; and yet more foul and abominable, for you trespass as many times as does the hound that returns to eat his vomit. And yet are you fouler for your long continuing in sin and your sinful usage, for which you are rotten in your sin, as a beast in his dung. Such manner of thoughts make a man to have shame of his sin, and no delight, as God says by the prophet Ezekiel, "You shall remind yourself of your ways, and they shall displease you." Truly sins are the ways that lead folk to hell. |
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Next: From The Parson's Tale, paragraph 9: The second move to contrition |
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