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Previous: From The Parson's Tale, paragraph 103-108: About bodily pains, abstinence, staying vigil, discipline, prayers and confession |
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© Librarius All rights reserved. |
| § 109 Now for to speken of the hope of hem that been necligent and slowe to shryven hem, that stant in two maneres. That oon is that he hopeth for to lyve longe and for to purchacen muche richesse for his delit, and thanne he wol shryven hym; and as he seith, hym semeth thanne tymely ynough to come to shrifte. Another is of surquidrie that he hath in cristes mercy. Agayns the firste vice, he shal thynke that oure life is in no sikernesse, and eek that alle the richesses in this world ben in aventure, and passen as a shadwe on the wal; and , as seith Seint Gregorie, that it aperteneth to the grete righwisnesse of God that nevere shal the peyne stynte of hem that nevere wolde withdrawen hem fro synne, hir thankes, but ay continue in synne; for thilke perpetueel wil to do synne shul they han perpetueel peyne. | § 109 Now to speak of the hope of them that are negligent and slow to shrive themselves, which consists of two sorts. That one is that he hopes to live long and to obtain much riches for his delight, and then he will confess himself; and, as he says, it seems to him then timely enough to come to confession. Another is of presumption that he has in Christ's mercy. Against the first vice, he shall think that our life is in no security, and also that all the riches in this world are at risk and pass as a shadow on the wall; and, as says Saint Gregory, that it pertains to the great righteousness of God that never shall the pain stint of them that never would withdraw themselves from sin, voluntarily, but ever continue in sin; for that perpetual will to do sin shall they have perpetual pain. |
| § 110 Wanhope is in two maneres; the firste wanhope is in the mercy of Crist; that oother is that they thynken that they ne myghte that longe persevere in goodnesse. The firste wanhope comth of that he demeth that he hath synned so greetly and so ofte, and so longe leyn in synne, that he shal nat be saved. Certes, agayns that cursed wanhope sholde he thynke that the passion of Jhesu Crist is moore strong for to bynde than synne is strong for to bynde. Agayns the seconde wanhope he shal thynke that as ofte as he falleth he may arise agayn by penitence. And though he never so longe have leyn in synne, the mercy of Crist is alwey redy to receiven hym to mercy. Agayns the wanhope that he demeth that he sholde nat longe persevere in goodnesse, he shal thynke that the feblesse of the devel may nothyng doon, but if men wol suffren hym; and eek he shal han strengthe of the help of God, and of al hooly chirche, and of the proteccioun of aungels, if hym list. | § 110 Despair is of two sorts: the first despair is in the mercy of Christ; that other is that they think that they might not long persevere in goodness. The first despair comes from that he supposes that he has sinned so greatly and so often, and so long lain in sin, that he shall not be saved. Certainly, against that cursed despair should he think that the passion of Jesus Christ is more strong to unbind than sin is strong to bind. Against the second despair he shall think that as often as he falls he may arise again by penitence. And though he never so long have lain in sin, the mercy of Christ is always ready to receive him to mercy. Against the despair that he supposes that he should not long persevere in goodness, he shall think that the feebleness of the devil can do nothing, unless men will allow him; and also he shall have strength of the help of God, and of all holy church, and of the protection of angels, if he wishes. |
| § 111 Thanne shal men understonde what is the fruyt of penaunce; and, after the word of Jhesu Crist, it is the endelees blisse of hevene, ther joye hath no contrarioustee of wo ne grevaunce; ther alle harmes been passed of this present lyf; ther as is the sikernesse fro the peyne of helle; ther as is the blisful compaignye that rejoysen hem everemo, everich of otheres joye; ther as the body of man, that whilom was foul and derk, is moore cleer than the sonne; ther as the body, that whilom was syk, freele, and fieble, and mortal, is inmortal, and so strong and so hool that ther may no thyng apeyren it; ther as ne is neither hunger, thurst, ne coold, but every soule replenyssed with the sighte of the parfit knowynge of God. This blisful regne may men purchace by poverte espiritueel, and the glorie by lowenesse, the plentee of joye by hunger and thurst, and the reste by travaille, and the lyf by deeth and mortificacion of synne. | § 111 Then shall men understand what is the fruit of penance; and, according to the word of Jesus Christ, it is the endless bliss of heaven, where joy has no contrary of woe nor grievance; where all harms of this present life are passed; there is the safety from the pain of hell; there is the blissful company that rejoice themselves evermore, every one of others' joy; there the body of man, that formerly was foul and dark, is more clear than the sun; there the body, that formerly was sick, frail, and feeble, and mortal, is immortal, and so strong and so healthy that there can no thing injure it; there is neither hunger, thirst, nor cold, but every soul replenished with the sight of the perfect knowing of God. This blissful reign may men purchase by poverty spiritual, and the glory by lowness, the plenty of joy by hunger and thirst, and the rest by travail, and the life by death and mortification of sin. |
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