Incipit Liber Quintus

Dixerat Oracionisq Ue Cursum.

She hadde seid and tourned[e] þe cours of hir resoun to
somme oþer þinges to ben tretid and to ben ysped.
þan seide I. Certys ryȝtful is þin amonestyng and ful
digne by auctorite. but þat þou seidest som tyme þat
þe questioun of þe deuyne purueaunce is enlaced wiþ
many oþer questiouns. I vndir-stonde wel and proue it
by þe same þinge. but I axe yif þat þou wenest þat hap
be any þing in any weys. and if þou wenest þat hap be
any [thing] what is it. þan quod she. I haste me to
ȝelden and assoilen þe to þe dette of my byheste and
to shewen and opnen þe wey by whiche wey þou maist
come aȝein to þi contre. ¶ but al be it so þat þe þinges
whiche þat þou axest ben ryȝt profitable to knowe.
ȝitte ben þei diuers somwhat fro þe paþe of my purpos.

And it is to douten þat þou ne be maked weery by
mysweys so þat þou ne mayst nat suffise to mesuren þe
ryȝt weye. ¶ Ne doute þe þer-of no þing quod I. for
forto knowen þilke þinges to-gidre in þe whiche þinges
I delite me gretly. þat shal ben to me in stede of reste.
Syn it nis nat to douten of þe þinges folwynge whan
euery side of þi disputisoun shal be stedfast to me by
vndoutous feiþ. þan seide she. þat manere wol I don
þe. and bygan to speken ryȝt þus ¶ Certys quod she
yif any wyȝt diffinisse hap in þis manere. þat is to seyn.

DEFINITION OF CHANCE.

þat hap is bytidynge y-brouȝt forþe by foelyshe
moeuynge. and by no knyttyng of causes. ¶ I conferme
þat hap nis ryȝt nauȝt in no wise. and I deme al
outerly þat hap nis ne dwelliþ but a voys. ¶ As who
seiþ. but an ydel worde wiþ outen any significacioun of
þing summittid to þat vois. for what place myȝt[e] ben
left or dwellynge to folie and to disordinaunce. syn þat
god lediþ and streyniþ alle þinges by ordre. ¶ For þis
sentence is verray and soþe þat no þinge ne haþ his
beynge of nouȝt. to [the] whiche sentence none of þise
olde folk ne wiþseide neuere al be it so þat þei ne
vndirstoden ne moeueden it nauȝt by god prince and
gynner of wirkyng. but þei casten as a manere foundement
of subgit material. þat is to seyn of [the] nature
of alle resoun. and ȝif þat ony þinge is woxen or comen
of no causes. þan shal it seme þat þilke þinge is comen
or woxen of nouȝt. but yif þis ne may nat ben don.
þan is it nat possible þat þere haþ ben any swiche þing
as I haue diffinissid a litel here byforne. ¶ How shal
it þan ben quod I. nis þer þan no þing þat by ryȝt may
be cleped eyþer happe or ellis auenture of fortune. or is
þer ouȝt al *be it so þat it is hidd fro þe poeple to
whiche þise wordes ben couenable.

Myn aristotul quod
she. in þe book of his phisik diffinisseþ þis þing by
short resoun and neyȝe to þe soþe. ¶ In whiche manere
quod I. ¶ As ofte quod she as men don any þing for
grace of any oþer þing. and an oþer þinge þan þilke
þing þat men ententen to doon bytideþ by som[e] causes
it is ycleped happe. ¶ Ryȝt as a man dalf þe erþe by
cause of tylienge of þe felde. and fond þere a gobet of
golde by-doluen. þan wenen folk þat it is fallen by fortunous
bytydyng. but for soþe it nis nat for nauȝt for
it haþ hys propre causes of whiche causes þe cours vnforseyn
and vnwar semiþ to han maked happe. ¶ For
yif þe tilier in þe erþe ne delue nat in þe felde. and yif
þe hider of þe golde ne hadde hidd þe golde in þilke
place. þe golde ne had[de] nat ben founde. þise ben
þan þe causes of þe abreggynge of fortune hap. þe whiche
abreggynge of fortune hap comeþ of causes encountrynge
and flowyng to-gidre to hem selfe. and nat by þe entencioun
of þe doer. ¶ For neiþer þe hider of þe gold.

ne þe deluer of þe felde ne vndirstanden nat þat þe
golde sholde han be founde. but as I seide. it bytidde
and ran to-gidre þat he dalf þere as þat oþer hadde hidd
þe golde. Now may I þus diffinissen happe. ¶ Happe
is an vnwar bytydyng of causes assembled in þinges þat
ben don for som oþer þinge. but þilke ordre procedynge
by an vneschewable byndynge to-gidre. whiche þat
descendeþ fro þe wel of purueaunce þat ordeineþ alle
þinges in hire places and in hire tymes makeþ þat þe
causes rennen and assemblen to-gidre.

4294 seid—MS. seide, C. seyd
þe—by

4297 som tyme—whilom

4298 þe (2)—thy

4300 þinge—thing

4302 [thing]—from C.

4303 ȝelden—yilden
assoilen—MS. assailen, C. assoylen
byheste—byhest

4304-6 whiche—which

4306 ben—MS. bene

4307 paþe—paath

4312 stede—styde

4314 disputisoun—disputacioun
be—han ben
stedfast—stydefast

4317 seyn—seyng

4318 forþe—forth

4322 worde—word

4323 myȝt[e]—myhte

4324 left—lefte

4325 streyniþ—constreynyth

4326 soþe—soth
no þinge—nothing
haþ—MS. haþe

4327 [the]—from C.

4330 gynner—bygynnere

4331 [the]—from C.

4332 ȝif—MS. ȝit, C. yif
þinge—thing

4335 þat——ben—þat hap be
haþ—MS. haþe
swiche—swych

4338 happe—hap

4339 hidd—MS. hidde, C. hidd

4340 whiche—which

4342 neyȝe—nehg
whiche—which

4343 don—MS. done, C. don

4344 þinge—thing

4345 som[e]—some

4346 happe—hap

4347 of (1)—to
fond—MS. fonde, C. fownde

4348 golde—gold
fallen—byfalle

4349 for (2)—of

4350 haþ—MS. haþe
hys—hise

4351 happe—hap

4352 tilier—tylyere
delue—dolue

4353 hider—hydere
golde—gold
hidd—MS. hidde

4353-4 golde—gold

4354 had[de]—hadde

4355 fortune—fortuit
whiche—which

4356 fortune—fortuit
comeþ—comth

4357 flowyng—MS. folwyng, C. flowynge
selfe—self

4358 doer—doere
hider—hidere

4359 deluer—deluere
felde—feeld
vndirstanden—vndirstoden

4360 golde—gold

4361 hidd—MS. hidde, C. hyd

4362 happe (both)—hap

4365 whiche—which

4366 descendeþ—MS. defendeþ, C. descendith
wel—welle

Rupis Achemenie.

TIgris [and] eufrates resoluen and spryngen of a welle in
þe kragges of þe roche of þe contre of achemenye þere
as þe fleenge [batayle] ficchiþ hire dartes retournid in
þe brestes of hem þat folwen hem. ¶ And sone aftre
þe same ryueres tigris and eufrates vnioygnen and departen
hire watres. and yif þei comen to-gidre and ben
assembled and clepid to-gidre in to o cours. þan moten
þilke þinges fletyn to-gidre whiche þat þe water of þe
entrechaungyng flode bryngeþ þe shippes and þe stokkes
araced wiþ þe flood moten assemble. and þe watres
ymedlyd wrappiþ or implieþ many fortunel happes or
maneres. þe whiche wandryng happes naþeles þilke enclinyng
lowenes of þe erþe. and þe flowynge ordre of
þe slidyng water gouerniþ. ¶ Ryȝt so fortune þat
semeþ as [þat] it fletiþ wiþ slaked or vngouerned[e]
bridles. It suffriþ bridles þat is to seyn to ben gouerned
and passeþ by þilke lawe. þat is to sein by þe deuyne
ordinaunce.

4369 [and]—from C.
a—oo

4371 [batayle]—from C.

4373 þe—tho

4374 to-gidre—to-gyderes

4376 whiche—which

4377 flode—flod

4378 assemble—assemblyn

4380 enclinyng—declynynge

4381 lowenes—lownesse

4383 [þat]—from C.
vngouerned[e]—vngouernede

4385 þe—thilke

ON FREE WILL.

A N I M Aduerto Inq Ua M.

Þis vndirstonde I wel quod I. and accorde wel þat it
is ryȝt as þou seist. but I axe yif þer be any liberte
or fre wil in þis ordre of causes þat cliuen þus to-gidre
in hem self. ¶ or ellys I wolde witen yif þat þe
destinal cheine constreiniþ þe moeueuynge of þe corages
of men. yis quod she þer is liberte of fre wille. ne þer
ne was neuer no nature of resoun þat it ne hadde liberte
of fre wille. ¶ For euery þing þat may naturely vsen
resoun. it haþ doom by whiche it discerniþ and demiþ
euery þing. ¶ þan knoweþ it by it self þinges þat ben
to fleen. and þinges þat ben to desiren. and þilk þing
þat any wyȝt demeþ to ben desired þat axeþ or desireþ
he and fleeþ [thilke] þing þat he troueþ ben to fleen.

PROVIDENCE SEES ALL THINGS.

¶ wher-fore in alle þinges þat resoun is. in hem also is
libertee of willyng and of nillynge. ¶ But I ne ordeyne
nat. as who seiþ. I ne graunte nat þat þis libertee be
euene like in alle þinges. forwhi in þe souereyns deuynes
substaunces. þat is to *seyn in spiritȝ ¶ Iugement is
more clere and wil nat be corumped. and haþ myȝt
redy to speden þinges þat ben desired. ¶ But þe soules
of men moten nedes ben more free whan þei loken hem
in þe speculacioun or lokynge of þe deuyne þouȝt. and
lasse free whan þei sliden in to þe bodies. and ȝit lasse
free whan þei ben gadred to-gidre and comprehendid in
erþely membris. but þe last[e] seruage is whan þat þei
ben ȝeuen to vices. and han yfalle fro þe possessioun of
hire propre resoun ¶ For after þat þei han cast aweye
hir eyen fro þe lyȝt of þe souereyn soþefastnesse to lowe
þinges and dirke ¶ Anon þei dirken by þe cloude of
ignoraunce and ben troubled by felonous talentȝ. to þe
whiche talentȝ whan þei approchen and assenten. þei
hepen and encresen þe seruage whiche þei han ioigned
to hem self. and in þis manere þei ben caitifs fro hire
propre libertee. þe whiche þinges naþeles þe lokynge of
þe deuyne purueaunce seeþ þat alle þinges byholdeþ
and seeþ fro eterne. and ordeyneþ hem eueryche in her
merites. as þei ben prodestinat. and it is seid in grek.
þat alle þinges he seeþ and alle þinges he hereþ.

4389 or—of

4390 hem—hym

4392 yis—MS. yif, C. yis

4392-94 wille—wil

4395 whiche—which

4397 þilk—thilke

4399 [thilke]—from C.

4405 haþ—MS. haþe

4411 last[e]—laste

4412 fro—from

4415 cloude—clowdes

4418 whiche—which

4423 seid—MS. seide, C. seyd

GOD’S FOREKNOWLEDGE AND MAN’S FREE WILL.

Puro Claru M Lumine.

HOmer wiþ þe hony mouþe. þat is to seyn. homer
wiþ þe swete dites syngeþ þat þe sonne is cleer by
pure lyȝt. naþeles ȝit ne may it nat by þe inferme lyȝt
of hys bemes breken or percen þe inwarde entrailes of
þe erþe. or ellys of þe see. ¶ so ne seeþ nat god makere
of þe grete worlde to hym þat lokeþ alle þinges from on
heye ne wiþstandiþ nat no þinges by heuynesses of erþe.
ne þe nyȝt ne wiþstondeþ nat to hym by þe blake
cloudes. ¶ þilke god seeþ in o strook of þouȝt alle
þinges þat ben or weren or schullen come. ¶ and þilke
god for he lokeþ and seeþ alle þinges al oon. þou maist
seyn þat he is þe verray sonne.

4425 mouþe—Mowth

4428 percen—MS. perten, C. percen
inwarde—inward

4430 worlde—world
on heye—an hegh

4431 nat—omitted

4434 schullen come—shollen comyn

4435 al oon—alone

Tamen Ego En Inq Ua M.

ÞAn seide I now am I confounded by a more harde
doute þan I was. what doute is þat quod she.
¶ For certys I coniecte now by whiche þinges þou art
troubled. It semeþ quod I to repugnen and to contrarien
gretly þat god knoweþ byforn alle þinges. and
þat þer is any fredom of liberte. for yif so be þat god
lokeþ alle þinges byforn. ne god ne may nat ben
desseiuid in no manere. þan mot it nedes ben þat alle
þinges bytyden þe whiche þat þe purueaunce of god haþ
sein byforn to comen. ¶ For whiche yif þat god
knoweþ by-forn nat oonly þe werkes of men. but also
hir conseils and hir willes. þan ne shal þer be no
liberte of arbitre. ne certys þer ne may ben noon oþer
dede ne no wille but þilke whiche þe deuyne purueaunce
þat ne may nat ben desseiued haþ feled byforn ¶ For
yif þat þei myȝten wryþen awey in oþer manere þan þei
ben purueyed. þan ne sholde þer ben no stedfast prescience
of þinge to comen but raþer an vncerteyn
oppinioun. þe whiche þinge to trowen on god I deme it
felonie and vnleueful. ¶ Ne I ne proeue nat þilk
same resoun. as who seiþ I ne allowe nat. or I ne preise
nat þilke same resoun by whiche þat som men wenen
þat þei mowen assoilen and vnknytten þe knot of þis
questioun. ¶ For certys þei seyn þat þing nis nat to
come for þat þe purueaunce of god haþ seyn it byforne.
þat is to comen but raþer þe contrarie. ¶ And þat
is þis þat for þat þe þing is to comen þat þerfore
ne may it nat ben hyd fro þe purueaunce of god.
*and in þis manere þis necessite slydiþ aȝein in to þe
contrarie partie. ne it ne byhoueþ [nat] nedes þat þinges
bytiden þat ben ypurueid. [but it by-houeth nedes /
þat thinges þat ben to comyn ben yporueyid] but as it
were ytrauailed. as who seiþ. þat þilke answere procediþ
ryȝt as þouȝ men trauailden or weren bysy to
enqueren þe whiche þing is cause of whiche þinges. as
wheþer þe prescience is cause of þe necessite of þinges to
comen. or ellys þat þe necessite of þinges to comen is
cause of þe purueaunce. ¶ But I ne enforce me nat now
to shewen it þat þe bytidyng of þinges y-wist byforn is
necessarie. how so or in what manere þat þe ordre of
causes haþ it self. al þouȝ þat it ne seme nat þat þe
prescience brynge in necessite of bytydynge of þinges
to comen. ¶ For certys yif þat any wyȝt sitteþ it byhoueþ
by necessite þat þe oppinioun be soþe of hym
þat coniectiþ þat he sitteþ. and aȝeinward. al so is it of
þe contrarie. yif þe oppinioun be soþe of any wyȝt for
þat he sitteþ it byhoueþ by necessite þat he sitte ¶ þan
is here necessite in þat oon and in þat oþer. for in þat
oon is necessite of sittynge. and certys in þat oþer is
necessite of soþe but þerfore ne sitteþ nat a wyȝt for þat
þe oppinioun of sittyng is soþe. but þe oppinioun is
raþer soþe for þat a wyȝt sitteþ by-forn. and þus al
þouȝ þat þe cause of soþe comeþ of [þe] syttyng. and
nat of þe trewe oppinioun. Algates ȝitte is þer comune
necessite in þat oon and in þat oþer. ¶ þus sheweþ it
þat I may make semblable skils of þe purueaunce of god
and of þinges to come. ¶ For al þouȝ for þat þat þinges
ben to comen. þer-fore ben þei purueid. nat certys for
þei ben purueid. þer-fore ne bytide þei nat. ȝit naþeles
byhoueþ it by necessite þat eiþer þe þinges to comen
ben ypurueied of god. or ellys þat þe þinges þat ben
purueied of god bitiden [.s.] by necessite. ¶ And þis
þing oonly suffiseþ I-nouȝ to distroien þe fredome of
oure arbitre. þat is to seyn of oure fre wille ¶ But now
[certes] sheweþ it wel how fer fro þe soþe and how vp
so doun is þis þing þat we seyn þat þe bytidinge of
temporel þinges is þe cause of þe eterne prescience.
¶ But forto wenen þat god purueiþ [the] þinges to comen.
for þei ben to comen. what oþer þing is it but forto
wene þat þilke þinges þat bitiden som tyme ben causes
of þilke souereyne purueaunce þat is in god. ¶ And
her-to I adde ȝitte þis þing þat ryȝt as whan þat I woot
þat o þing is it byhoueþ by necessite þat þilke self þing
be. and eke þat whan I haue knowe þat any þinge shal
bitiden so byhoueþ it by necessite þat þilk[e] same
þing bytide. so folweþ it þan þat þe bytydynge of þe
þinge Iwist by-forn ne may nat ben eschewed. ¶ And
at þe last[e] yif þat any wyȝt wene a þing to ben oþer
weyes þan it is. it nys nat oonly vnscience. but it is deceiuable
oppinioun ful diuerse and fer fro þe soþe of
science. ¶ wher-fore yif any þing be so to comen so þat
þe bytydynge of it ne be nat certeyne ne necessarie.
¶ who may weten [byforn] þat þilke þing is to come.

FREEDOM OF THE HUMAN WILL.

¶ For ryȝt as science ne may nat be medelyd wiþ falsnesse.
as who seiþ þat yif I woot a þing. it ne may nat
be fals þat I ne woot it. ¶ Ryȝt so þilk þing þat
is conceyued by science ne may [nat] ben noon
oþer weyes þan [as] it is conceiued. For þat is þe cause
whi þat science wantiþ lesynge. as who seiþ. whi þat
witynge ne receyueþ nat lesynge of þat it woot. ¶ For
it byhoueþ by necessite þat euery þinge [be] ryȝt as science
comprehendiþ it to be. what shal I þan sein. ¶ In
whiche manere knoweþ god byforn þe þinges to comen.
¶ yif þei ne be nat certeyne. ¶ For yif þat he deme
þat þei ben to comen vneschewably. and so may be þat
it is possible þat þei ne shullen *nat comen. god is
desseiued. but nat only to trowen þat god is desseiued.
but for to speke it wiþ mouþe it is a felonous synne.
¶ But yif þat god woot þat ryȝt so as þinges ben to
comen. so shulle þei comen. so þat he wit[e] egaly. as
who seiþ indifferently þat þinges mowen ben don or
ellys nat don. what is þilke prescience þat ne comprehendiþ
no certeyne þinge ne stable. or ellys what difference
is þer bytwixe þe prescience. and þilke iape-worþi
dyuynynge of Tiresie þe diuinour þat seide. ¶ Al þat
I seie quod he eyþer it shal be. or ellys it ne shal nat
be. Or ellis how moche is worþe þe diuyne prescience
more þan þe oppinioun of mankynde yif so be þat it
demeþ þe þinges vncerteyne as men don. of þe whiche
domes of men þe bytydynge nis nat certeyne. ¶ But
yif so be þat noon vncerteyne þinge may ben in hym
þat is ryȝt certeyne welle of alle þinges. þan is þe
bytydynge certeyne of þilke þinges whiche he haþ wist
byforn fermely to comen. For whiche it folweþ þat þe
fredom of þe conseils and of þe werkes of mankynde nis
non syn þat þe þouȝt of god seeþ alle þinges with outen
errour of falsnesse byndeþ and constreiniþ hem to a
bitidynge by necessite. and yif [this] þing be on-is
grauntid and receyued. þat is to seyn. þat þer nis no
fre wille. þan sheweþ it wel how gret distruccioun and
how grete damages þer folwen of þinges of mankynde.

FATE UNDER THE CONTROL OF PROVIDENCE.

¶ For in ydel ben þer þan purposed and byhyȝt medes
of goode folk. and peynes to badde folk. syn þat no
moeuynge of free corage uoluntarie ne haþ nat deserued
hem. þat is to seyn neiþer mede nor peyne. ¶ And it
sholde seme þan þat þilke þinge is alþer worste whiche
þat is nowe demed. for alþer moste iuste and moste
ryȝtful. þat is to seyn þat shrewes ben punyssed. or
ellys þat good[e] folk ben ygerdoned. þe whiche folk
syn þat þe propre wille [ne] sent hem nat to þat oon ne
to þat oþer. þat is to seyn. neþer to good[e] ne to
harme. but constreineþ hem certeyne necessite of þinges
to comen. ¶ þanne ne shollen þer neuer ben ne neuer
weren vice ne vertue. but it sholde raþer ben confusioun
of alle desertes medlid wiþoute discresioun. ¶ And
ȝitte þer folweþ an oþer inconuenient of þe whiche þer
ne may ben þouȝt ne more felonous ne more wikke. and
þat is þis þat so as þe ordre of þinges is yledd and
comeþ of þe purueaunce of god. ne þat no þing nis
leueful to þe conseils of mankynde. as who seiþ þat
men han no power to done no þing. ne wilne no þing.
þan folweþ it þat oure vices ben refferred to þe mak[er]e
of alle good. as who seiþ þan folweþ it. þat god auȝt[e]
han þe blame of oure vices. syn he constreiniþ by
necessite to don vices. þan nis þer no resoun to han
hopen in god. ne forto preien to god. ¶ For what
sholde any wyȝt hopen to god. or whi sholde he preien
to god. syn þat þe ordenaunce of destine whiche þat ne
may nat ben enclined. knytteþ and streiniþ alle þinges
þat men may desiren. ¶ þan sholde þere be don awey
þilke oonly alliaunce bytwixen god and men. þat is to
seien to hopen and to preien. but by þe preis of ryȝtfulnesse
and of veray mekenesse we deserue þe gerdoun
of þe deuyne grace whiche þat is inestimable. þat is to
sein þat it is so grete þat it ne may nat ben ful ypreised.
and þis is oonly þe manere. þat is to seyen hope and
prayeres. for whiche it semeþ þat [men] mowen speken
wiþ god. and by resoun of supplicacioun ben conioigned
to þilk clernesse þat nis nat approched no raþer or
þat men byseken it and emprenten it. And yif men
ne wene [nat] þat [hope] ne preiers ne han no strengþes.
by þe necessite of þinges to comen y-resceiued. what
þing is þer þan by whiche we mowen be conioygned
and clyuen to þilke souereyne prince of þinges. ¶ For
whiche it byhoueþ by necessite þat þe lynage of mankynde
as *þou songe a litel here byforne ben departed
and vnioyned from hys welle and faylen of hys bygynnynge.
þat is to seien god.

4437 harde—hard

4445 haþ—MS. haþe

4446 whiche—which

4450 wille—wil
whiche—which þat

4451 haþ—MS. haþe

4453 stedfast—stydefast

4454-55 þinge—thing

4455 on—of

4456 þilk—thilke

4458 whiche—which

4459 knot—knotte

4461 come—comyn
haþ—MS. haþe

4464 hyd—MS. hydde, C. hidde

4466 [nat]—from C.

4467-8 [but——yporueyid]—from C.

4471 þinges—thing

4477 haþ—MS. haþe

4480-82 soþe—soth

4486 soþe—sooth

4487 soþe—soth

4488 soþe—sooth

4489 soþe comeþ—sooth comth
[þe]—from C.

4490 comune—MS. comme, C. comune

4493 come—comyn

4494 to—omitted

4494-95 purueid—MS. purueide, C. purueyid

4498 [.s.]—from C.

4499 fredome—freedom

4500 wille—wil

4501 [certes]—from C.

4504 purueiþ—MS. purueiþe
[the]—from C.

4506 bitiden—bytydden
som tyme—whilom

4509 o—a
self—selue

4510 þinge—thing

4511 þilk[e]—thilke

4513 þinge—thing

4514 last[e]—laste

4515 nys—is

4518 it—hit

4519 [byforn]—from C.

4522 fals—false

4523 [nat]—from C.
ben—MS. by, C. ben

4524 þan [as] it is—MS. þan it is be

4527 [be]—from C.

4529 whiche—which

4534 mouþe—Mowth

4536 shulle—shullyn
wit[e]—wite

4538 don—MS. done, C. y-doon

4543 moche—mochel
worþe—worth

4549 haþ—MS. haþe

4550 whiche—which

4551 mankynde—man-kynd

4554 [this]—from C.

4555 grauntid—ygraunted

4558 medes of—Meedes to

4560 haþ—MS. haþe

4562 alþer worste whiche—alderworst which

4563 nowe—MS. newe, C. now
alþer moste iuste—alder moost Iust
moste—most

4565-67 good[e]—goode

4566 wille—wil
[ne]—from C.

4571 wiþoute—with-owten

4573 þouȝt—thoght

4574 yledd—MS. yledde, C. yled

4575 comeþ—comth

4577 done—doon

4578 mak[er]e—makere

4579 auȝt[e]—owhte

4584 whiche—which

4588 preis—prys
ryȝtfulnesse—Rihtwessenesse

4589 deserue—desseruyn

4590 deuyne—MS. deuynes, C. dyuyne

4590-93 whiche—which

4591 grete—gret

4593 [men]—from C.
speken—speke

4595 þilk—thilke

4596 emprenten—impetrent

4597 [nat]—from C.
[hope]—from C.

4601 whiche—which

4602 byforne—by-forn

THE UNKNOWN CANNOT BE DESIRED.

Que Nam Discors

What discordable cause haþ to-rent and vnioigned þe
byndyng or þe alliaunce of þinges. þat is to seyne
þe coniunccioun of god and of man. ¶ whiche god
haþ establissed so grete bataile bitwixen þise two soþefast
or verray þinges. þat is to sein bytwixen þe purueaunce
of god and fre wille. þat þei ben synguler and
diuided. ne þat þei ne wolen nat ben medeled ne
coupled to-gidre. but þer nis no discorde to [tho] verray
þinges. but þei cleuen certeyne al wey to hem self. but
þe þouȝt of man confounded and ouerþrowen by þe dirke
membris of þe body ne may nat by fir of his dirk[ed]
lokynge. þat is to seyn by þe vigour of hys insyȝt while
þe soule is in þe body knowen þe þinne subtil knyttynges
of þinges. ¶ But wherfore eschaufiþ it so by so
grete loue to fynden þilke note[s] of soþe y-couered. (glosa)
þat is to sein wherfore eschaufiþ þe þouȝt of man by so
grete desir to knowen þilke notificaciouns þat ben yhidd
vndir þe couertours of soþe. woot it ouȝt þilke þinges
þat it anguissous desireþ to knowe. as who seiþ nay.
¶ For no man ne trauaileþ forto witen þinges þat he woot.
and þerfore þe texte seiþ þus. ¶ [Glosa] Si enim anima
ignorat istas subtiles connexiones. responde. vnde est
quod desiderat scire cum nil ignotum possit desiderare.
¶ But who traua[i]leþ to wyten þinges y-knowe. and yif
þat he ne knoweþ hem nat. what sekiþ þilke blynde
þouȝt. what is he þat desireþ any þinge of whiche he
woot ryȝt nat. as who seiþ who so desiriþ any þing
nedis som what he knoweþ of it. or ellys he ne couþe
nat desire it. or who may folwen þinges þat ne ben nat
ywist ¶ and þouȝ [þat] he seke þo þinges where shal
he fynden hem. what wyȝt þat is al vnknowynge and
ignoraunt may knowe þe forme þat is yfounde. ¶ But
whan þe soule byholdeþ and seeþ þe heye þouȝt. þat is
to seyn god. þan knoweþ it to-gidre þe somme and þe
singularites. þat is to seyn þe principles and eueryche
by hym self. ¶ But now while þe soule is hidd in þe
cloude and in þe derknesse of þe membris of þe body.
it ne haþ nat al forȝeten it selfe. but it wiþholdeþ þe
somme of þinges and lesiþ þe singularites. þan who so
þat sekeþ soþenesse. he nis in neiþer nouþir habit. for
he not nat alle ne he ne haþ nat alle for-ȝeten. ¶ But
ȝitte hym remembriþ þe somme of þinges þat he wiþholdeþ
and axeþ counseil and tretiþ depelyche þinges
ysein byforne. [Glosa] þat is to sein þe grete somme in
hys mynde. [textus] so þat he mowe adden þe parties
þat he haþ forȝeten. to þilke þat he haþ wiþholden.

4605 haþ—MS. haþe

4606 seyne—seyn

4607 whiche—which

4608 haþ—MS. haþe
grete—gret
soþefast—soothfast

4610 wille—wil

4612 discorde—discord
[tho]—from C.

4613 cleuen—clyuen

4615 dirk[ed]—derkyd

4616 while—whil

4617 knowen—knowe

4619-21 grete—gret
note[s]—notes

4619 soþe—soth

4621 yhidd—MS. yhidde, C. Ihyd

4622 soþe—sooth
þinges—thing

4625 [Glosa]—from C.

4630 þinge—thing
whiche—which

4631 woot—not
nat—nawht

4632 couþe—kowde

4634 [þat]—from C.
where—wher

4635 what—MS. þat, C. what
vnknowynge—vnkunnynge

4639 eueryche—euerych

4640 while—whil
þe—MS. þe þe
hidd—MS. hidde, C. hidde

4641 derknesse—derkenesse

4642 haþ—MS. haþe
selfe—self

4644 nouþir habit—nother habite

4645 alle (both)—al
haþ—MS. haþe

4648 [Glosa]—from C.

4649 [textus]—from C.

4650 haþ (both)—MS. haþe

ANSWERS TO OBJECTIONS AGAINST PROVIDENCE.

Tamen Illa Uetus Inq U It Hec Est.

Þanne seide she. þis is quod she þe olde questioun of
þe purueaunce of god. and marcus tulius whan he
deuided[e] þe deuinaciouns. þat is to sein in hys booke
þat he wroot of deuinaciouns. he moeued[e] gretly þis
questioun. and þou þi self hast souȝt it mochel and
outerly and long[e]. but ȝit ne haþ it nat ben determined
ne yspedd fermely and diligently of any of yow.
¶ And þe cause of þis derkenesse and [of this] difficulte
is for þat þe moeuynge of þe resoun of mankynde ne
may nat moeuen to. þat is to sein applien or ioygnen to
þe simplicite of þe deuyne prescience. ¶ þe whiche
symplicite of þe deuyne prescience ȝif þat men [myhten
thinken it in any manere / þat is to seyn / þat yif men] myȝte
þinken and comprehenden þe þinges as god seeþ hem.
þan ne sholde þer dwellen outerly no doute. þe whiche
resoun and cause of difficulte I shal assaie at þe laste
to shewen and to speden. ¶ whan I haue *firste
[yspendyd / and] ansewered to þo resouns by whiche þou
art ymoeued. ¶ For I axe whi þou wenest þat þilk[e]
resouns of hem þat assoilen þis questioun ne ben nat
spedeful ynouȝ ne sufficient þe whiche solucioun or þe
whiche resoun for þat it demiþ þat þe prescience nis nat
cause of necessite to þinges to comen. þan ne weneþ it
nat þat fredom of wille be distourbed or ylett by prescience.

NECESSITY AND PRESCIENCE.

for ne drawest þou nat argumentes from ellys
where of þe necessite of þinges to comen. As who seiþ
any oþer wey þan þus. but þat þilke þinge[s] þat þe prescience
woot byforn [ne] mowen nat vnbitide. þat is to
seyn þat þei moten bitide. ¶ But þan yif þat prescience
ne putteþ no necessite to þinges to comen. as þou þi self
hast confessed it and byknowen a litel herbyforne. ¶ what
cause [or what] is it. as who seiþ þere may no cause be.
by whiche þat þe endes (exitus) uoluntarie of þinges
myȝten be constreyned to certeyne bitydyng. ¶ For
by grace of possessioun. so þat þou mowe þe better vndirstonde
þis þat folweþ. ¶ I pose (inpossibile) þat
þer ne be no prescience. þan axe I quod she in as
moche as apperteniþ to þat. sholde þan þinges þat
comen of frewille ben constreined to bytiden by
necessite. Boicius. nay quod I. þan aȝeinward quod
she. I suppose þat þere be prescience but þat ne putteþ
no necessite to þinges. þan trowe I þat þilk self fredom
of wille shal dwellen al hool and absolut and vnbounden.
but þou wolt sein þat al be it so þat prescience
nis nat cause of þe necessite of bitidynge to þinges to
comen. ¶ Algates ȝitte it is a signe þat þe þinges ben
to bytiden by necessite. by þis manere þan al þouȝ þe
prescience ne hadde neuer yben. ȝit algate or at þe
lest[e] wey. it is certeyne þing þat þe endys and þe
bitydynges of þinges to comen sholde ben necessarie.

¶ For euery sygne sheweþ and signifieþ oonly what þe
þing is ¶ but it ne makiþ nat þe þing þat it signifieþ.
¶ For whiche it byhoueþ firste to shewen þat no þing
ne bitidiþ [þat it ne bytydith] by necessite. so þat it
may apere þat þe prescience is signe of þis necessite
¶ or ellys yif þere nere no necessite. certys þilke prescience
ne myȝt[e] nat ben signe of þinge þat nis nat.

NOT ALL THINGS CONTROLLED BY NECESSITY.

¶ But certys it is nowe certeyne þat þe preue of þis
susteniþ by stedfast resoun ne shal nat ben ladd ne
proued by signes ne by argumentys ytaken fro wiþ oute.
but by causes couenable and necessarie ¶ But þou
mayst sein how may it be þat þe þinges ne bitiden nat
þat ben ypurueyed to comen. but certys ryȝt as we
trowen þat þo þinges whiche þat þe purueaunce woot byforn
to comen. ne ben nat to bitiden. but [þat] ne sholde
we nat demen. but raþer al þouȝ [þat] þei schal bitiden.
ȝit ne haue þei no necessite of hire kynde to bitiden.
and þis maist þou lyȝtly aperceyuen by þis þat I shal
seyn. but we seen many þinges whan þei ben don byforn
oure eyen ryȝt as men seen þe karter worken in þe
tournynge and in attempryng or in adressyng of hys
kartes or chariottes. ¶ and by þis manere as who seiþ
mayst þou vnderstonde of alle manere oþir werkemen.
¶ Is þere þanne any necessite as who seiþ in oure lokynge
[þat] constreineþ or compelliþ any of þilke þinges
to ben don so. b. nay quod I ¶ For in ydel and in
veyne were alle þe effect of crafte yif þat alle þinges
weren moeued by constreynynge. þat is to seyn by constreynynge
of oure eyen or of oure syȝt. P. þise þingus
þan quod she þat whan men don hem ne han non
necessite þat men don hem. eke þo same þinges first or
þei be don. þei ben to comen wiþ out necessite. for whi
þer ben somme þinges to bytide of whiche þe endys
and þe bitidynges of hem ben absolut *and quit of alle
necessite. for certys I ne trowe nat þat any man wolde seyn
þis. þat þo þinges þat men don now þat þei ne weren
to bitiden. first or þei were ydon ¶ and þilk same
þinges al þouȝ þat men hadden ywyst hem by-forn.
ȝitte þei han fre bitidynges. for ryȝt as science of
þinges present ne bryngeþ in no necessite to þinges
[þat men doon // Ryht so the prescience of thinges to
comen ne bryngeth in no necessite to thinges] to bytiden
but þou mayst seyn þat of þilke same it is ydouted. as
wheþer þat of þilke þinges þat ne han non endes and
bytidynges necessaryes yif þer-of may ben any prescience

THE NATURE OF TRUE KNOWLEDGE.

¶ For certys þei seme to discorde. for þou
wenest þat yif þat þinges ben yseyn byforn þat necessite
folweþ hem. and yif (et putas) necessite faileþ hem þei ne
myȝten nat ben wist byforn. and þat no þinge ne may
ben comprehendid by science but certeyne. and yif þo
þinges þat ne han no certeyne bytidynges ben ypurueied
as certeyn. it sholde ben dirkenesse of oppinioun nat
soþefastnesse of science [and þou weenyst þat it be diuerse
fro the hoolnesse of science / þat any man sholde deme
a thing to ben oother weys thanne it is it self]. and þe
cause of þis errour is. þat of alle þe þinges þat euery
wyȝt haþ yknowe. þei wenen þat þo þinges ben y-knowe
al oonly by þe strengþe and by þe nature of þe þinges
þat ben ywyst or yknowe. and it is al þe contrarie. for
alle þat euere is yknowe. it is raþer comprehendid and
yknowen nat after his strengeþ and hys nature. but after
þe faculte þat is to seyn þe power and [the] nature of
hem þat knowen. and for þat þis shal mowe shewen by
a short ensample þe same roundenes of a body .O. oþer
weyes þe syȝt of þe eye knoweþ it. and oþer weyes þe
touching. þe lokynge by castynge of his bemes waiteþ
and seeþ fro afer alle þe body to-gider wiþ oute mouynge
of it self. but þe touchinge cliuiþ and conioigneþ to þe
rounde body (orbi) and moueþ abouten þe environynge.
and comprehendiþ by parties þe roundenesse.

SENSE, REASON, AND INTELLIGENCE.

¶ and þe man hym self oþer weies wyt byholdiþ hym. and
oþerweyes ymaginacioun and oþer weyes resoun. and
oþer weyes intelligence. ¶ For þe wit comprehendiþ
fro wiþ outen furþe þe figure of þe body of þe man. þat
is establissed in þe matere subiect. But þe ymaginacioun
[comprehendith only the figure with owte the matere /

Resoun surmounteth ymaginacioun] and comprehendeþ
by an vniuersel lokynge þe commune spece (speciem)
þat is in þe singuler peces. ¶ But þe eye of intelligence
is heyȝer for it sourmounteþ þe envirounynge of þe
vniuersite and lookeþ ouer þat by pure subtilite of þouȝt.

þilk same symple forme of man þat is perdurably in þe
deuyne þouȝt. in whiche þis auȝt[e] gretely to ben considered
þat þe heyest strengþe to comprehenden þinges
enbraceþ and conteyneþ þe lower[e] strengþe [but the
lowere strengthe ne arysith nat in no manere to heyere
strengthe]. for wit ne may no þinge comprehende oute of
matere. ne þe ymagynacioun ne lokeþ nat þe vniuerseles
speces. ne resoun ne takeþ nat þe symple forme. so as
intelligence takeþ it. but þe intelligence þat lokeþ al
abouen whan it haþ comprehendid þe forme it knoweþ
and demeþ alle þe þinges þat ben vndir þat forme. but
she knoweþ hem vndir þilke manere in þe whiche it
comprehendiþ þilke same symple forme þat ne may
neuer be knowen to non of þat oþer. þat is to seyn to
non of þo þre forseide strengþes of þe soule. for it
knoweþ þe vniuersite of resoun and þe figure of þe ymaginacioun.
and þe sensible material conseiued. and þou
wenest þat it be diuerse fro þe hoolnesse of science. þat
any man sholde deme a þing to ben oþerweyes þan it is
it self and þe cause of þis errour etc’. vt supra. by wit.
ne it ne vseþ nat nor of resoun ne of ymaginacioun ne
of wit wiþ oute forþe but it byholdeþ alle þinges so as I
shal seye. by a strok of þouȝt formely wiþ oute discours
or collacioun ¶ Certys resoun whan it lokeþ any þing
vniuersel it ne vseþ nat of ymaginacioun nor of wit and
algates ȝit [it] comprendiþ þe þinges ymaginable and
sensible. for resoun is she þat *diffinisseþ þe vniuersel
of hir conseite ryȝt þus. ¶ Man is a resonable t[w]o-footid
beest. and how so þat þis knowynge [is] vniuersel.
ȝit nys þer no wyȝt þat ne woot wel. þat a man is [a thing]
ymaginable and sensible ¶ and þis same considereþ wel
resoun. but þat nis nat by ymaginacioun. nor by witte.
but it lokiþ it by [a] resonable concepcioun.

¶ Also ymaginacioun
al be it so. þat it takeþ of wit þe bygynyngus
to seen and to formen þe figures. algates al þouȝ þat wit
ne ware not present. ȝit it envirouniþ and comprehendiþ
alle þinges sensible. nat by resoun sensible of demynge.
but by resoun ymaginatif. ¶ sest þou nat þan þat alle
þe þinges in knowynge vsen more of hir faculte or of hir
power. þan þei don of [the] faculte or of power of þinges
þat ben yknowen. ne þat nis no wronge. for so as euery
iugement is þe dede or þe doynge of hym þat demeþ. It
byhoueþ þat euery wyȝt performe þe werke and hys entencioun
nat of forein power; but of hys propre power.

4653 deuided[e]—deuynede
booke—book

4654 moeued[e]—moeuede

4655 souȝt—I-sowht

4656 long[e]—longe
haþ—MS. haþe

4657 yspedd—MS. yspedde, C. Isped
fermely—MS. feruently, C. fermely

4658 derkenesse—dirknesse
[of this]—from C.

4662-3 [myhten——men]—from C.

4663 myȝte—myhten

4667 firste—fyrst

4668 [yspendyd and]—from C.
þo—the
whiche—which

4669 art—MS. arte
þilk[e]—thilke

4671 spedeful—spedful

4672 whiche—which

4674 wille—wyl

4677 þinge[s]—thinges

4683 whiche—which

4685 better—betere

4688 moche—mochel

4689 frewille—free wyl

4691 þat ne—þat is ne

4692 þat—MS. þan
þilk self—thilke selue

4693 wille—wil

4699 lest[e]—leeste

4700 sholde—sholden

4703 whiche—which
firste—fyrst

4704 [þat——bytydith]—from C.

4707 myȝt[e]—myhte
þinge—thing

4708 nowe—now

4709 susteniþ—ysustenyd
stedfast—stydefast
ladd—MS. ladde, C. lad

4714 whiche—which

4715 [þat]—from C.
sholde—sholden

4716 demen—MS. denyen
[þat]—from C.

4717 necessite—MS. necessites

4721 hys—hise

4725 [þat]—from C.

4727 veyne—veyn
alle—al
crafte—craft

4729 þise—MS. þise þise, C. the

4732 wiþ out—with-owte

4733 bytide—bytyden
whiche—which

4737 were—weeren
ydon—MS. ydone, C. I-doon
þilk—thilke

4741-2 [þat——thinges]—from C.

4744 endes—issues

4746 seme—semyn
discorde—discorden

4749 þat—yif

4753-5 [and——self]—from C.

4757 haþ—MS. haþe

4760 alle—al

4763 mowe—mowen

4764 roundenes—Rowndnesse

4765 syȝt—sihte

4767 alle—al

4769 abouten—abowte

4770 roundenesse—Rowndnesse

4774 fro wiþ outen furþe—with owte forth

4776-7 [comprehendith——ymaginacioun]—from C.

4777 comprehendeþ—MS. comprehendynge

4778 an—omitted

4780 heyȝer—heyere

4783 whiche—which
auȝt[e]—owhte

4784 heyest—heyiste

4785 lower[e]—lowere

4785-7 [but——strengthe]—from C.

4787 wit—witte
oute—owt

4791 haþ—MS. haþe

4793 whiche—which

4795-6 non—none

4796 strengþes—thinges

4798-4801 and þou——vt supra—omitted

4805 collacioun—MS. callacioun, C. collacioun

4806 wit—witte

4810 [is]—from C.

4813 witte—wit

4821 don—MS. done, C. doon
[the]—from C.

4822 yknowen—Iknowe]
no wronge—nat wrong

4824 werke—werk

4825 forein—foreyne

HOW OUR KNOWLEDGE OF OUTWARD THINGS IS GAINED.

Quondam Porticus Attulit.

ÞE porche þat is to sein a gate of þe toune of athenis
þer as philosophres hadde hir congregacioun to dispoyten.
and þilke porche brouȝt[e] somtyme olde men ful
derke in hire sentences. þat is to sein philosophers þat
hyȝten stoiciens. þat wenden þat ymages [and] sensibilites
þat is to sein sensible ymaginaciouns. or ellys ymaginacioun
of sensible þinges weren inprentid in to soules
fro bodies wiþ oute forþe. ¶ As who seiþ þat þilke
stoiciens wenden þat þe soule hadde ben naked of it
self. as a mirour or a clene parchemyn. so þat alle
fygures mosten [fyrst] comen fro þinges fro wiþ oute in to
soules. and ben inprentid in to soules. Textus. Ryȝt
as we ben wont some tyme by a swift poyntel to ficchen
lettres emprentid in þe smoþenesse or in þe plainesse of
þe table of wex. or in parchemyn þat ne haþ no figure
[ne] note in it. Glosa. But now arguiþ boece aȝeins þat
oppinioun and seiþ þus. but yif þe þriuyng soule ne
vnplitiþ no þing. þat is to sein ne doþ no þing by hys
propre moeuynges. but suffriþ and lieþ subgit to þe
figures and to þe notes of bodyes wiþ oute forþe. and
ȝeldeþ ymages ydel and veyne in þe manere of a
mirour. whennes þriueþ þan or whennes comeþ þan
þilke knowyng in oure soule. þat discerniþ and byholdeþ
alle þinges. and whennes is þilke strengþe þat
byholdeþ þe syngulere þinges. or whennes is þe strengþe
þat dyuydeþ þinges yknowe. and þilke strengþe þat
gadereþ to-gidre þe þinges deuided. and þe strengþe þat
cheseþ hys entrechaunged wey for som tyme it heueþ
vp þe heued. þat is to sein þat it heueþ vp þe entencioun
to ryȝt heye þinges. and som tyme it discendiþ in
to ryȝt lowe þinges. and whan it retourniþ in to hym
self. it repreuiþ and destroieþ þe false þinges by þe
trewe þinges. ¶ Certys þis strengþe is cause more
efficient and mochel more myȝty to seen and to knowe
þinges. þan þilke cause þat suffriþ and resceyueþ þe
notes and þe figures inpressed in manere of matere algates
þe passioun þat is to seyn þe suffraunce or þe wit
in þe quik[e] body goþ byforne excitynge and moeuyng
þe strengþes of þe þouȝte. ryȝt so as whan þat
clerenesse smyteþ þe eyen and moeuiþ hem to seen. or
ryȝt so as voys or soune hurtliþ to þe eres and commoeuiþ
hem to herkne. þan is þe strengþe of þe þouȝt
ymoeuid and excitid and clepeþ furþe þe semblable
moeuynges þe speces þat it halt wiþ inne it self. and
addiþ þo speces to þe notes and to þe þinges wiþ out
forþe. and medeleþ þe ymages of þinges wiþ out forþe
to þe forme[s] yhid wiþ inne hym self.

4827 hadde—hadden
dispoyten—desputen

4828 brouȝt[e]—browhte

4830 [and]—from C.

4837 inprentid—aprentyd

4838 some tyme—somtyme
swift—swyfte

4840 haþ—MS. haþe

4843 vnplitiþ—vnpleyteth
doþ—MS. doþe

4845 þe—tho

4863 quik[e]—qwyke
goþ—MS. goþe

4864 þouȝte—thoght

4865 clerenesse—cleernesse

4866 soune—sown

4868 furþe—forth

4870 out—owte

4871 out forþe—owte forth

4872 forme[s]—formes
yhid—I-hidde

INTELLIGENCE A DIVINE ATTRIBUTE.

Q Uo D Si in Corporib Us Senciend Is .

*Questio.

But what [yif] þat in bodies to ben feelid þat is
to sein in þe takynge of knowelechinge of bodyly
þinges. and al be it so þat þe qualites of bodies þat ben
obiect fro wiþ oute forþe moeuen and entalenten þe instrumentes
of þe wittes. and al be it so þat þe passioun
of þe body þat is to seyn þe witte [or the] suffraunce
[goth to-forn the strengthe of the workynge corage / the
which passioun or suffraunce] clepiþ furþe þe dede of
þe þouȝt in hym self. and moeueþ and exiteþ in þis
mene while þe formes þat resten wiþ in forþe. and yif
þat in sensible bodies as I haue seid oure corage nis nat
ytauȝt or enprentid by passioun to knowe þise þinges.
but demiþ and knoweþ of hys owen strengþe þe passioun
or suffraunce subiect to þe body. Moche more þan þoo
þinges þat ben absolut and quit fram alle talentȝ or
affecciouns of bodies. as god or hys aungels ne folwen
nat in discernynge þinges obiect from wiþ oute forþe.
but þei accomplissen and speden þe dede of hir þouȝt by þis resoun.
¶ þan þere comen many manere knowynges
to dyuerse and differyng substaunces. for þe wit
of þe body þe whiche witte is naked and despoyled of
alle oþer knowynges. þilke witte comeþ to bestes þat ne
mowen nat moeuen hem self here ne þere. as oystres
and muscles and oþer swiche shelle fysshe of þe see.
þat cliuen and ben norissed to roches. but þe ymaginacioun
comeþ to remuable bestes þat semen to han talent
to fleen or to desiren any þinge. but resoun is al only to
þe lynage of mankynde ryȝt as intelligence is oonly þe
deuyne nature. of whiche it folweþ þat þilke knowyng
is more worþe þan [th]is[e] oþer. syn it knoweþ by hys
propre nature nat only hys subiect. as who seiþ it ne
knoweþ nat al oonly þat apperteiniþ proprely to hys
knowynge. but it knoweþ þe subgitȝ of alle oþer knowynges.

THE POWERS OF SENSE AND IMAGINATION.

but how shal it þan be yif þat wit and ymaginacioun
stryuen aȝeins resonynge and sein þat of þilke
vniuersel þinges. þat resoun weneþ to seen þat it nis
ryȝt nauȝt. for wit and ymaginacioun seyn þat þat. þat
is sensible or ymaginable it ne may nat ben vniuersel.
þan is eiþer þe iugement of resoun [soth]. ne þat
þer nis no þinge sensible. or ellys for þat resoun woot
wel þat many þinges ben subiect to wit and to ymaginacioun.
þan is þe consepcioun of resoun veyn and fals
whiche þat lookeþ and comprehendiþ. þat þat is
sensible and synguler as uniuersele. and ȝif þat resoun
wolde answeren aȝein to þise two þat is to sein to wit
and to ymaginacioun. and sein þat soþely she hir self.
þat is to seyn þat resoun lokeþ and comprehendiþ by
resoun of vniuersalite. boþe þat þat is sensible and þat
þat is ymaginable. and þat þilke two þat is to seyn wit
and ymaginacioun ne mowen nat strecchen ne enhaunsen
hem self to knowynge of vniuersalite for þat
þe knowyng of hem ne may exceden nor sourmounten
þe bodyly figure[s] ¶ Certys of þe knowyng of þinges
men auȝten raþer ȝeue credence to þe more stedfast and
to þe more perfit iugement. In þis manere stryuynge
þan we þat han strengþe of resonynge and of ymaginynge
and of wit þat is to seyn by resoun and by ymaginacioun
and by wit. [and] we sholde raþer preise þe cause
of resoun. as who seiþ þan þe cause of wit or ymaginacioun.

REASON SHOULD SUBMIT TO INTELLIGENCE.

semblable þinge is it þat þe resoun of mankynde
ne weneþ nat þat þe deuyne intelligence byholdeþ or
knoweþ þinges to comen. but ryȝt as þe resoun of mankynde
knoweþ hem. for þou arguist and seist þus.

þat yif it ne seme nat to men þat somme þinges han certeyne
and necessarie bytidynges. þei ne mowen nat ben wist
byforn certeynely to bytiden. þan nis [ther] no prescience
of þilke þinges. and yif we trowen þat prescience
ben in þise þinges. þan is þer no þinge þat it ne
bitidiþ by necessite. but certys yif we myȝten han þe
iugement of þe deuyne þouȝt as we *ben parsoners of
resoun. ryȝt so as we han demed. it byhoueþ þat ymaginacioun
and wit ben byneþe resoun. ryȝt so wolde
we demen þat it were ryȝtful þing þat mans resoun
auȝt[e] to summitten it self and to ben byneþe þe deuyne
þouȝt. for whiche þat yif we mowen. as who seiþ.
þat yif þat we mowen I conseil[e] þat we enhanse vs in
to þe heyȝt of þilke souereyne intelligence. for þere shal
resoun wel seen þat þat it ne may nat by-holden in it
self. and certys þat is þis in what manere þe prescience
of god seeþ alle þinges certeins and difinissed al þouȝ þei
ne han no certein issues or by-tydynges. ne þis is non
oppinioun but it is raþer þe simplicite of þe souereyn
science þat nis nat enclosed nor yshet wiþinne no boundes.

4873 [yif]—from C.

4878 [or the]—from C.
suffraunce—MS. suffisaunce, C. suffraunce

4879-80 [goth——suffraunce]—from C.

4883 seid—MS. seide, C. seyd

4887 quit—quite

4888 hys—hise

4889 discernynge—MS. discryuyng, C. discernynge
from—fro

4893-94 witte—wit

4895 mowen—mowe
here ne þere—her and ther

4901 whiche—which

4902 [th]is[e] oþer—thise oothre

4907 aȝeins—ayein

4908 vniuersel—vniuersels

4911 [soth]—from C.

4914 fals whiche—false which

4917 wit—witte

4918 soþely—soothly

4923 knowynge—knowy

4926 ȝeue—yeuen
stedfast—stidefast

4930 [and]—from C.

4931 or—and of

4938 [ther]—from C.

4939 trowen—trowe

4942 parsoners—parsoneres

4945 mans—mannes

4946 auȝt[e]—owte

4947 whiche—which

4948 þat yif—yif þat

4949 heyȝt—heihte
þere—ther

4952 þouȝ—MS. þouȝt

4955 no—none

Quam Uariis Figuris.

ÞE bestes passen by þe erþes by ful dyuerse figures
for somme of hem han hir bodies strauȝt and
crepen in þe dust and drawen after hem a trais or a
forghe contynued. þat is to sein as addres or snakes.
and oþer bestes by [the] wandryng lyȝtnesse of hir
wenges beten þe wyndes and ouer-swymmen þe spaces
of þe longe eyer by moist flee[y]nge. and oþer bestes
gladen hem to diggen her traas or her stappes in þe
erþe wiþ hir goynge or wiþ her feet. or to gone eyþe[r]
by þe grene feldes or [elles] to walken vnder þe wodes.
and al be it so þat þou seest þat þei alle discorden by
dyuerse formes. algate hire [faces] enclini[n]g heuieþ hire
dulle wittes. Onlyche þe lynage of man heueþ heyest hys
heyȝe heued and stondeþ lyȝt wiþ hys vpryȝt body and
byholdeþ þe erþe vndir hym. [and] but-ȝif þou erþely man
wexest yuel oute of þi witte. þis figure amonesteþ þe þat
axest þe heuene wiþ þi ryȝt[e] visage. and hast areised
þi forhede to beren vp on heye þi corage so þat þi þouȝt
ne be nat yheuied ne put lowe vndir foot. sen þat þi
body is so heye areised.

4957 somme—som

4959 forghe contynued—forwh Ikonntynued
addres—nadris

4960 [the]—from C.

4963 hem—hem self
stappes—steppis

4964 or to gone—and to gon
eyþe[r]—eyther

4965 [elles]—from C.

4967 [faces]—from C.
algate—algates
enclini[n]g—enclynyd

4968 Onlyche—Oonly
heyest—heyeste

4970 erþe—erthes

4971 oute—owt
witte—wit

4972 ryȝt[e]—ryhte
hast—MS. haþe, C. hast

4973 forhede—foreheuyd
on heye—a heygh

4974 foot sen—foote syn

DEFINITION OF ETERNITY.

Pr O Sa Vlti M A.

Quonia M Igitur Uti Paulo Ante.

ÞEr-fore þan as I haue shewed a litel her byforne þat
al þinge þat is ywist nis nat knowen by hys nature
propre. but by þe nature of hem þat comprehenden it.
¶ Lat vs loke now in as moche as it is leueful to vs. as
who seiþ lat vs loken now as we mowen whiche þat þe
estat is of þe deuyne substaunce so þat we mowen [ek]
knowen what his science is. þe comune iugement of alle
creatures resonables þan is þis þat god is eterne. lat vs
considere þan what is eternite. For certys þat shal
shewen vs to-gidre þe deuyne nature and þe deuyne
science ¶ Eternite þan is perfit possessioun and al
togidre of lijf interminable and þat sheweþ more clerely
by þe comparisoun or collacioun of temporel þinges. for
al þing þat lyueþ in tyme it is present and procediþ fro
preteritȝ in to futures. þat is to sein. fro tyme passed
in to tyme comynge. ne þer nis no þing establissed in
tyme þat may enbracen to-gidre al þe space of hys lijf.

THE WORLD IS NOT ETERNAL.

for certys ȝit ne haþ it nat taken þe tyme of þe morwe.
and it haþ lost þat of ȝister-day. and certys in þe lijf
of þis day ȝe ne lyuen no more but ryȝt as in þis moeueable
and transitorie moment. þan þilke þinge þat suffriþ
temporel condicioun. a[l]þoughe þat [it] bygan neuer
to be. ne þoughe it neuere cese forto be. as aristotle
demde of þe worlde. and al þouȝ þat þe lif of it be
strecchid wiþ infinite of tyme. ȝit al*gates nis it no
swiche þing þat men myȝten trowen by ryȝt þat it is
eterne. for al þouȝ þat it comprehende and embrace þe
space of life infinite. ȝit algates ne [em]braceþ it nat þe
space of þe lif alto-gidre. for it ne haþ nat þe futures
þat ne ben nat ȝit. ne it ne haþ no lenger þe preteritȝ
þat ben ydon or ypassed. but þilke þing þan þat haþ
and comprehendiþ to-gidre alle þe plente of þe lif interminable.
to whom þere ne failiþ nat of þe future.
and to whom þer nis nat of þe preterit escapid nor
ypassed. þilk[e] same is ywitnessed or yproued by ryȝt
to ben eterne. and it byhoueþ by necessite þat þilke
þinge be alwey present to hym self and compotent. as
who seiþ alwey present to hym self and so myȝty þat al
by ryȝt at hys plesaunce. and þat he haue al present
þe infinit of þe moeuable tyme. wherfore som men
trowen wrongefully þat whan þei heren þat it semid[e]
to plato þat þis worlde ne had[de] neuer bygynnynge
of tyme. ne þat it neuere shal haue faylynge. þei wenen
in þis manere þat þis worlde ben maked coeterne wiþ
his makere. as who seiþ. þei wenen þat þis worlde and
god ben maked to-gidre eterne. and it is a wrongful
wenynge. for oþer þing is it to ben yladd by lif interminable
as plato graunted[e] to þe worlde. and oþer
þing is it to embracen to-gidre alle þe presence to þe lif
interminable. þe whiche þing it is clere and manifest
þat it is propre to þe deuine þouȝt. ne it ne sholde nat
semen to vs þat god is elder þan þinges þat ben ymaked
by quantite of tyme. but raþer by þe proprete of hys
symple nature. for þis ilke infinit[e] moeuyng of temporel
þinges folwiþ þis presentarie estat of þe lijf inmoeueable.

GOD IS ETERNAL.

and so as it ne may nat contrefeten it ne feynen
it ne ben euene lyke to it. for þe inmoeueablete. þat is
to seyn þat is in þe eternite of god. ¶ it faileþ and
falleþ in to moeuynge fro þe simplicite of [the] presence
of god. and disencresiþ to þe infinite quantite of
future and of preterit. and so as it ne may nat han togidre
al þe plente of þe lif. algates ȝitte for as moche as
it ne cesiþ neuere forto ben in som manere it semeþ
somde[l] to vs þat it folwiþ and resembliþ þilke þing
þat it ne may nat attayne to. ne fulfille. and byndeþ it
self to som manere presence of þis litel and swifte
moment. þe whiche presence of þis lytele and swifte
moment. for þat it bereþ a manere ymage or lykenesse
of þe ay dwellynge presence of god. it graunteþ to
swiche manere þinges as it bitidiþ to þat it semeþ hem
þat þise þinges han ben and ben and for [þat] þe presence
of swiche litel moment ne may nat dwelle þer-for
[it] rauyssid[e] and took þe infinit[e] wey of tyme. þat
is to seyn by successioun. and by þis manere it is ydon.
for þat it sholde continue þe lif in goynge of þe whiche
lif it ne myȝt[e] nat embrace þe plente in dwellynge.
and for þi yif we willen putte worþi name[s] to þinges
and folwen plato. lat vs seyn þan soþely þat god is
eterne. and þat þe worlde is perpetuel. þan syn þat
euery iugement knoweþ and comprehendiþ by hys owen
nature þinges þat ben subiect vnto hym. þere is soþely
al-wey to god an eterne and presentarie estat. and þe
science of hym þat ouer-passeþ alle temporel moe[ue]ment
dwelliþ in þe symplicite of hys presence and embraceþ
and considereþ alle þe infinit spaces of tymes
preteritȝ and futures and lokeþ in þis symple knowynge
alle þinges of preterit ryȝt as þei weren ydoon presently
ryȝt now ¶ yif þou wolt þan þenke and avisen þe
prescience by whiche it knoweþ al[le] þinges *þou ne
shalt nat demen it as prescience of þinges to comen.

DEFINITION OF PRESCIENCE.

but þou shalt demen [it] more ryȝtfully þat it is science
of presence or of instaunce þat neuer ne fayleþ. for
whiche it nis nat ycleped prouidence but it sholde raþer
be cleped purueaunce þat is establissed ful fer fro ryȝt
lowe þinges. and byholdeþ from a-fer alle þinges ryȝt as
it were fro þe heye heyȝte of þinges. whi axest þou þan
or why disputest þou þan þat þilke þinges ben don by
necessite whiche þat ben yseyen and yknowen by þe
deuyne syȝt. syn þat for soþe men ne maken nat þilke
þinges necessarie. whiche þat þe[i] seen be ydoon in
hire syȝt. for addiþ þi byholdynge any necessite to þilke
þinges þat þou byholdest present. ¶ Nay quod I. p.
Certys þan yif men myȝte maken any digne comparisoun
or collacioun of þe presence diuine. and of þe presence
of mankynde. ryȝt so as ȝe seen somme þinges in þis
temporel presente. ryȝt so seeþ god alle þinges by hys
eterne present. ¶ wherfore þis dyuyne prescience ne
chaungeþ nat þe nature ne þe proprete of þinges but
byholdeþ swyche þinges present to hym ward. as þei
shollen bytiden to ȝow ward in tyme to come. ne it ne
confoundeþ nat þe Iugementȝ of þinges but by of syȝt
of hys þouȝt he knoweþ þe þinges to comen as wel
necessarie as nat necessarie. ryȝt so as whan ȝe seen togidre
a man walke on þe erþe and þe sonne arysen in
[the] heuene. al be it so þat ȝe seen and byholden þat
oon and þat oþer to-gidre. ȝit naþeles ȝe demen and
discerne þat þat oon is uoluntarie and þat oþer is necessarie.

THE NATURE OF DIVINE PRESCIENCE.

¶ Ryȝt so þan [the] deuyne lokynge byholdynge
alle þinges vndir hym ne troubleþ nat þe qualite of
þinges þat ben certeynely present to hym ward. but as
to þe condicioun of tyme for soþe þei ben future. for
whiche it folwiþ þat þis nis non oppinioun. but raþer a
stedfast knowyng ystrengeþed by soþenes. þat whan
þat god knoweþ any þinge to be he ne vnwoot nat þat
þilke þinge wanteþ necessite to be. þis is to seyn þat
whan þat god knoweþ any þinge to bitide. he woot wel
þat it ne haþ no necessite to bitide. and yif þou seist
here þat þilke þinge þat god seeþ to bytide it ne may
nat vnbytide. as who seiþ it mot bitide. ¶ and þilke
þinge þat þat ne may nat vnbytide it mot bitide by
necessite. and þat þou streine me to þis name of necessite.
certys I wol wel confessen and byknowe a þinge of
ful sadde trouþe. but vnneþ shal þere any wyȝt [mowe]
seen it or comen þer-to. but yif þat he be byholder of þe
deuyne þouȝte. ¶ for I wol answere þe þus. þat þilke
þinge þat is future whan it is referred to þe deuyne
knowyng þan is it necessarie. but certys whan it is vndirstonden
in hys owen kynde men sen it [is] vtterly fre
and absolut from alle necessite. for certys þer ben two
maneres of necessites. þat oon necessite is symple as
þus. þat it byhoueþ by necessite þat alle men be mortal
or dedely. an oþer necessite is condicionel as þus. yif
þou wost þat a man walkiþ. it byhoueþ by necessite þat
he walke. þilke þinge þan þat any wyȝt haþ yknowe to
be. it ne may ben non oþer weyes þan he knoweþ it to be.

PRESCIENCE AND NECESSITY.

¶ but þis condicioun ne draweþ nat wiþ hir þilke
necessite symple. For certys þis necessite condicionel.
þe propre nature of it ne makeþ it nauȝt. but þe adieccioun
of þe condicioun makiþ it. for no necessite ne constreyneþ
a man to [gon / þat] gooþ by his propre wille. al be it
so þat whan he gooþ þat it is necessarie þat he gooþ.

¶ Ryȝt on þis same manere þan. yif þat þe purueaunce
of god seeþ any þing present. þan mot þilke *þinge be
by necessite. al þouȝ þat it ne haue no necessite of hys
owen nature. but certys þe futures þat bytyden by fredom
of arbitre god seeþ hem alle to-gidre presentȝ. þise
þinges þan [yif] þei ben referred to þe deuyne syȝt.
þan ben þei maked necessarie to þe condicioun of þe
deuyne knowynge. but certys yif þilke þinges ben considred
by hem self þei ben absolut of necessite. and ne
forleten nat ne cesen nat of þe liberte of hire owen
nature. þan certys wiþ outen doute alle þe þingus
shollen be doon whiche þat god woot by-forn þat þei
ben to comen. but somme of hem comen and bitiden of
[free] arbitre or of fre wille. þat al be it so þat þei bytiden.

PROVIDENCE AND HUMAN INTENTIONS.

ȝit algates ne lese þei nat hire propre nature ne
beynge. by þe whiche first or þat þei were doon þei
hadden power nat to han bitidd. Boece. what is þis
to seyn þan quod I. þat þinges ne ben nat necessarie by
hire propre nature. so as þei comen in alle maneres in
þe lykenesse of necessite by þe condicioun of þe deuyne
science. Philosophie. þis is þe difference quod she. þat
þo þinges þat I purposed[e] þe a litel here byforn. þat
is to seyn þe sonne arysynge and þe man walkynge þat
þerwhiles þat þilke þinges ben ydon. þei ne myȝten nat
ben vndon. naþeles þat oon of hem or it was ydon it
byhoued[e] by necessite þat it was ydon. but nat þat
oþer. ryȝt so it is here þat þe þinges þat god haþ present.
wiþ outen doute þei shulle ben. but somme of hem descendiþ
of þe nature of þinges as þe sonne arysynge.
and somme descendiþ of þe power of þe doers as þe man
walkynge. ¶ þan seide I. no wronge þat yif þat þise
þinges ben referred to þe deuyne knowynge þan ben þei
necessarie. and yif þei ben considered by hem selfe þan
ben þei absolut from þe bonde of necessite. ryȝt so [as]
alle þinges þat appiereþ or sheweþ to þe wittes yif þou
referre it to resoun it is vniuersel. and yif þou referre
it or look[e] it to it self. þan is it synguler. but now
yif þou seist þus þat yif it be in my power to chaunge
my purpose. þan shal I voide þe purueaunce of god.
whan þat perauenture I shal han chaunged þo þinges
þat he knoweþ byforn. þan shal I answere þe þus

GOD’S KNOWLEDGE FIXED AND UNCHANGED.

¶ Certys þou maist wel chaungen þi purpos but for as
mochel as þe present soþenesse of þe deuyne purueaunce
byholdeþ þat þou mayst chaungen þi purpose. and
wheþir þou wolt chaunge it or no. and whider-ward
þat þou tourne it. þou maist nat eschewen þe deuyne
prescience ryȝt as þou ne mayst nat fleen þe syȝt of þe
present eye. al þouȝ þat þou tourne þi self by þi fre
wille in to dyuerse accioun. ¶ But þou mayst seyn
aȝeyne how shal it þan be. shal nat þe dyuyne science
ben chaunged by my disposicioun whan þat I wol o
þing now and now an oþer. and þilke prescience ne
semeþ it nat to enterchaunge stoundes of knowynges.
as who seiþ. ne shal it nat seme to vs þat þe deuyne
prescience enterchaungeþ hys dyuers stoundes of knowynge.
so þat it knowe somme tyme o þing and somme tyme
þe contrarie. ¶ No for soþe. [quod I] for þe deuyne syȝt
renneþ to-forne and seeþ alle futures and clepeþ hem aȝein
and retourniþ hem to þe presence of hys propre knowynge.
ne he ne entrechaungeþ nat [so] as þou wenest þe
stoundes of forknowyng [as] now þis now þat. but he
ay dwellynge comiþ byforn and enbraceþ at o strook
alle þi mutaciouns. and þis presence to comprehenden
and to sen alle þinges. god ne haþ nat taken it of þe
bitydynge of þinges forto come. but of hys propre symplicite.

AN ANSWER TO FORMER OBJECTIONS.

¶ and her by is assoiled þilke þing þat þou
puttest a litel her byforne. þat is to seyne þat it is vnworþi
þinge to seyn þat oure futures ȝeuen cause of þe
science of god ¶ For certys *þis strengþe of þe deuyne
science whiche þat enbraceþ alle þinge by his presentarie
knowynge establisseþ manere to alle þingus and it
ne awiþ nat to lattere þinges. and syn þat þise þinges
ben þus. þat is to seyn syn þat necessite nis nat in
þinges by þe deuyne prescience. þan is þer fredom of
arbitre. þat dwelleþ hool and vnwemmed to mortal men.
ne þe lawes ne purpose nat wikkedly meedes and peynes
to þe willynges of men þat ben vnbounde and quit of
alle necessite.

¶ And god byholder and forwiter of
alle þinges dwelliþ aboue and þe present eternite of hys
syȝt renneþ alwey wiþ þe dyuerse qualite of oure dedes
dispensyng and ordeynynge medes to good[e] men. and
tourmentȝ to wicked men. ne in ydel ne in veyn ne ben
þer nat put in god hope and prayeres. þat ne mowen
nat ben vnspedful ne wiþ oute effect whan þei ben ryȝtful

¶ wiþstond þan and eschewe þou vices. worshippe
and loue þou vertus. areise þi corage to ryȝtful hoopes.
ȝelde þou humble preiers an heyȝe. grete necessite of
prowesse and vertue is encharged and comaunded to
ȝow yif ȝe nil nat dissimulen. ¶ Syn þat ȝe worchen
and doon. þat is to seyn ȝoure dedes and ȝoure workes
by-fore þe eyen of þe Iuge þat seeþ and demeþ alle
þinges. [To whom be goye and worshipe bi Infynyt
tymes / AMEN.]

EXPLICIT LIBER QUINTUS. ET VLTIMUS.

4977 al þinge—alle thinges

4979 moche—mochel

4980 loken—loke
whiche—which

4981 [ek]—from C.

4987 clerely—cleerly

4989 al—alle

4993-4 haþ—MS. haþe

4993 þe (2)—to

4994 þat—the tyme

4997 a[l]þoughe—al-thogh
[it]—from C.

4999 worlde—world

5001 swiche—swych

5002 eterne—from C., MS. eternite

5003 life—lyf

5004-5-6 haþ—MS. haþe

5006 ydon—MS. ydone, C. I-doon

5007 alle—al

5008-9 nat—nawht

5010 þilk[e]—thilke
or—and

5014 by—be

5016 semid[e]—semede

5017 worlde—world
had[de]—hadde

5018 haue—han

5019-20 worlde—world

5022 yladd—MS. yladde, C. I-lad

5023 worlde—world

5024 embracen—enbrace
alle—al
presence to—present of

5025 clere—cleer

5032 lyke—lyk

5034 [the]—from C.

5039 somde[l]—somdel

5040 fulfille—fullfyllen

5041 litel—from C., MS. lykly

5042 whiche—which
lytele—from C., MS. lykly

5046 ben (1)—yben
[þat]—from C.

5047 swiche—swych

5048 [it]—from C.

5051 myȝt[e]—myhte

5052 willen putte—wollen putten
name[s]—names

5053 soþely—sothly

5054 worlde—world

5055 owen—owne

5056 soþely—sothly

5057 al-wey—al-weys

5058 alle—al
moe[ue]ment—moeuement

5063 þenke—thinken
avisen—auyse

5064 whiche—which
al[le]—alle

5066 shalt—shal
[it]—from C.

5068 whiche—which

5074-76 syȝt—syhte

5075 whiche—which
þe[i]—they

5085 come—comyn

5086 of syȝt—O syhte

5087 he knoweþ—MS. repeats

5090 [the]—from C.

5092 discerne—discernen

5093 [the]—from C.

5097 whiche—which

5098 stedfast—stidefast
soþenes—sothnesse

5102 haþ—MS. haþe

5104 bitide—bide

5108 sadde—sad
vnneþ—vnnethe
[mowe]—from C.

5109 comen—come

5110 þouȝte—thoght
answere—answeren

5113 sen—MS. sene, C. sen
[is]—from C.

5117 dedely—dedly

5119 haþ—MS. haþe

5121 condicioun—from C., MS. necessite

5123 nauȝt—nat

5125 [gon þat]—from C.
wille—wil

5128 mot—MS. mote, C. mot

5131 presentȝ—present

5132 [yif]—from C.
syȝt—syhte

5137 wiþ outen—with-owte

5138 whiche—which

5139 somme—som

5140 [free]—from C.

5141 ne (2)—C. in

5142 whiche—which
were doon—weeryn Idoon

5143 bitidd—MS. bitidde, C. bityd

5148 purposed[e]—purposede

5150 ydon—MS. ydone, C. I-doon
myȝten—myhte

5151 vndon—MS. vndone, C. vndoon

5151-2 ydon—MS. ydone, C. I-doon

5152 byhoued[e]—houyd

5153 haþ—MS. haþe

5154 wiþ outen—with-owte
shulle—shollen

5156 doers—doeres

5157 wronge—wrong

5159 selfe—self

5160 from—fro
bonde—bond
[as]—from C.

5163 look[e]—loke

5166 þo—the

5169 soþenesse—sothnesse

5170 chaungen—chaunge

5173 syȝt—syhte

5175 wille—wyl

5177 wol—wole

5179 enterchaunge—MS. enterchaungyng, C. entrechaunge

5181 hys—hise

5182 somme (1)—sum
somme (2)—som

5183 syȝt—syhte

5184 to-forne—to-forn

5186 [so]—from C.

5187 [as]—from C.

5188 comiþ—comth

5190 haþ—MS. haþe

5193 seyne—seyn

5196 whiche—which

5198 awiþ—oweth

5199 þat is to——prescience—omitted

5203 vnbounde—vnbownden
quit—quite

5206 syȝt—sihte

5207 good[e]—goode

5211 wiþstond—MS. wiþstonde, C. withstond

5213 an heyȝe—a heygh
grete—Gret

5215 worchen—workyn

5216 and (2)—or

5217 by-fore—by-forn

5218 [To whom——Amen]—from C.; MS. reads et cetera after ‘þinges.’ C. ends with the following rubric:

Explicit expliceat ludere scriptor eat

Finito libro sit laus et gloria Christo

Corpore scribentis sit gratia cunctipotentis

ÆTAS PRIMA.