3Nu, broþerr Wallterr, broþerr min
4Affterr þe flæshess kinde;
5& broþerr min i Crisstenndom
6Þurrh fulluhht & þurrh trowwþe;
7& broþerr min i Godess hus,
8Ȝet o þe þride wise,
9Þurrh þatt witt hafenn takenn ba
10An reȝhellboc to follȝhenn,
11Unnderr kanunnkess had & lif,
12Swa summ Sannt Awwstin sette;
13Icc hafe don swa summ þu badd,
14& forþedd te þin wille,
15Icc hafe wennd inntill Ennglissh
16Goddspelles hallȝhe lare,
17Affterr þatt little witt þatt me
18Min Drihhtin hafeþþ lenedd.
19Þu þohhtesst tatt itt mihhte wel
20Till mikell frame turrnenn,
21Ȝiff Ennglissh follc, forr lufe off Crist,
22Itt wollde ȝerne lernenn,
23& follȝhenn itt, & fillenn itt
24Wiþþ þohht, wiþþ word, wiþþ dede.

page DED.L23

25& forrþi ȝerrndesst tu þatt icc
26Þiss werrc þe shollde wirrkenn;
27& icc itt hafe forþedd te,
28Acc all þurrh Cristess hellpe;
29& unnc birrþ baþe þannkenn Crist
30Þatt itt iss brohht till ende.
31Icc hafe sammnedd o þiss boc
32Þa Goddspelles neh alle,
33Þatt sinndenn o þe messeboc
34Inn all þe ȝer att messe.
35& aȝȝ affterr þe Goddspell stannt
36Þatt tatt te Goddspell meneþþ,
37Þatt mann birrþ spellenn to þe follc
38Off þeȝȝre sawle nede;
39& ȝet tær tekenn mare inoh
40Þu shallt tæronne findenn,
41Off þatt tatt Cristess hallȝhe þed
42Birrþ trowwenn wel & follȝhenn.
43Icc hafe sett her o þiss boc
44Amang Goddspelless wordess,
45All þurrh me sellfenn, maniȝ word
46Þe rime swa to fillenn;
47Acc þu shallt findenn þatt min word,
48Eȝȝwhær þær itt iss ekedd,
49Maȝȝ hellpenn þa þatt redenn itt
50To sen & tunnderrstanndenn
51All þess te bettre, hu þeȝȝm birrþ
52Þe Goddspell unnderrstanndenn;
53& forrþi trowwe icc þatt te birrþ
54Wel þolenn mine wordess,

page DED.L53

55Eȝȝwhær þær þu shallt findenn hemm
56Amang Goddspelless wordess.
57Forr whase mot to læwedd follc
58Larspell off Goddspell tellenn,
59He mot wel ekenn maniȝ word
60Amang Goddspelless wordess.
61& icc ne mihhte nohht min ferrs
62Aȝȝ wiþþ Goddspelless wordess
63Wel fillenn all, & all forrþi
64Shollde icc wel offte nede
65Amang Goddspelles wordess don
66Min word, min ferrs to fillenn.
67& te bitæche icc off þiss boc,
68Heh wikenn alls itt semeþþ,
69All to þurrhsekenn illc an ferrs,
70& to þurrhlokenn offte,
71Þatt upponn all þiss boc ne be
72Nan word ȝæn Cristess lare,
73Nan word tatt swiþe wel ne be
74To trowwenn & to follȝhenn.
75Witt shulenn tredenn unnderrfot
76& all þwerrt ut forrwerrpenn
77Þe dom off all þatt laþe flocc,
78Þatt iss þurrh niþ forrblendedd,
79Þatt tæleþþ þatt to lofenn iss,
80Þurrh niþfull modiȝnesse.
81Þeȝȝ shulenn lætenn hæþeliȝ
82Off unnkerr swinnc, lef broþerr;
83& all þeȝȝ shulenn takenn itt
84Onn unnitt & onn idell;

page DED.L83

85Acc nohht þurrh skill, acc all þurrh niþ,
86& all þurrh þeȝȝre sinne.
87& unnc birrþ biddenn Godd tatt he
88Forrȝife hemm here sinne;
89& unnc birrþ baþe lofenn Godd
90Off þatt itt wass bigunnenn,
91& þannkenn Godd tatt itt iss brohht
92Till ende, þurrh hiss hellpe;
93Forr itt maȝȝ hellpenn alle þa
94Þatt bliþelike itt herenn,
95& lufenn itt, & follȝhenn itt
96Wiþþ þohht, wiþþ word, wiþþ dede.
97& whase wilenn shall þiss boc
98Efft oþerr siþe writenn,
99Himm bidde icc þatt het write rihht,
100Swa summ þiss boc himm tæcheþþ,
101All þwerrt ut affterr þatt itt iss
102Uppo þiss firrste bisne,
103Wiþþ all swillc rime alls her iss sett,
104Wiþþ all se fele wordess;
105& tatt he loke wel þatt he
106An bocstaff write twiȝȝess,
107Eȝȝwhær þær itt uppo þiss boc
108Iss writenn o þatt wise.
109Loke he well þatt het write swa,
110Forr he ne maȝȝ nohht elless
111Onn Ennglissh writtenn rihht te word,
112Þatt wite he wel to soþe.
113& ȝiff mann wile witenn whi
114Icc hafe don þiss dede,

page DED.L113

115Whi icc till Ennglissh hafe wennd
116Goddspelless hallȝhe lare;
117Icc hafe itt don forrþi þatt all
118Crisstene follkess berrhless
119Iss lang uppo þatt an, þatt teȝȝ
120Goddspelless hallȝhe lare
121Wiþþ fulle mahhte follȝhe rihht
122Þurrh þohht, þurrh word, þurrh dede.
123Forr all þatt æfre onn erþe iss ned
124Crisstene follc to follȝhenn
125I trowwþe, i dede, all tæcheþþ hemm
126Goddspelles hallȝhe lare.
127& forrþi whase lerneþþ itt
128& follȝheþþ itt wiþþ dede,
129He shall onn ende wurrþi ben
130Þurrh Godd to wurrþenn borrȝhenn.
131& tærfore hafe icc turrnedd itt
132Inntill Ennglisshe spæche,
133Forr þatt I wollde bliþeliȝ
134Þatt all Ennglisshe lede
135Wiþþ ære shollde lisstenn itt,
136Wiþþ herrte shollde itt trowwenn,
137Wiþþ tunge shollde spellenn itt,
138Wiþþ dede shollde itt follȝhenn,
139To winnenn unnderr Crisstenndom
140Att Godd soþ sawle berrhless.
141& ȝiff þeȝȝ wilenn herenn itt,
142& follȝhenn itt wiþþ dede,
143Icc hafe hemm hollpenn unnderr Crist
144To winnenn þeȝȝre berrhless.

page DED.L143

145& I shall hafenn forr min swinnc
146God læn att Godd onn ende,
147Ȝiff þatt I, forr þe lufe off Godd
148& forr þe mede off heffne,
149Hemm hafe itt inntill Ennglissh wennd
150Forr þeȝȝre sawle nede.
151& ȝiff þeȝȝ all forrwerrpenn itt,
152Itt turneþþ hemm till sinne,
153& I shall hafenn addledd me
154Þe Laferrd Cristess are,
155Þurrh þatt icc hafe hemm wrohht tiss boc
156To þeȝȝre sawle nede,
157Þohh þatt teȝȝ all forrwerrpenn itt
158Þurrh þeȝȝre modiȝnesse.

160Goddspell onn Ennglissh nemmnedd iss
161God word, & god tiþennde,
162God errnde, forrþi þatt itt wass
163Þurrh hallȝhe Goddspellwrihhtess
164All wrohht & writenn uppo boc
165Off Cristess firste come,
166Off hu soþ Godd wass wurrþenn mann
167Forr all mannkinne nede,
168& off þatt mannkinn þurrh hiss dæþ
169Wass lesedd ut off helle,
170& off þatt he wisslike ras
171Þe þridde daȝȝ off dæþe,
172& off þatt he wisslike stah
173Þa siþþenn upp till heffne,

page DED.L171

174& off þatt he shall cumenn efft
175To demenn alle þede,
176& forr to ȝeldenn iwhillc mann
177Affterr hiss aȝhenn dede.
178Off all þiss god uss brinngeþþ word
179& errnde & god tiþennde
180Goddspell, & forrþi maȝȝ itt wel
181God errnde ben ȝehatenn.
182Forr mann maȝȝ uppo Goddspellboc
183Godnessess findenn seffne
184Þatt ure Laferrd Jesu Crist
185Uss hafeþþ don onn erþe,
186Þurrh þatt he comm to manne, & þurrh
187Þatt he warrþ mann onn erþe.

189Forr an godnesse uss hafeþþ don
190Þe Laferrd Crist onn erþe,
191Þurrh þatt he comm to wurrþenn mann
192Forr all mannkinne nede.
193Oþerr godnesse uss hafeþþ don
194Þe Laferrd Crist onn erþe,
195Þurrh þatt he wass i flumm Jorrdan
196Fullhtnedd forr ure nede;
197Forr þatt he wollde uss waterrkinn
198Till ure fulluhht hallȝhenn,
199Þurrh þatt he wollde ben himm sellf
200Onn erþe i waterr fullhtnedd.
201Þe þridde god uss hafeþþ don
202Þe Laferrd Crist onn erþe,

page DED.L199

203Þurrh þatt he ȝaff hiss aȝhenn lif
204Wiþþ all hiss fulle wille,
205To þolenn dæþþ o rodetre
206Sacclæs wiþþutenn wrihhte,
207To lesenn mannkinn þurrh his dæþ
208Ut off þe defless walde.
209Þe ferþe god uss hafeþþ don
210Þe Laferrd Crist onn erþe,
211Þurrh þatt hiss hallȝhe sawle stah
212Fra rode dun till helle,
213To takenn ut off helle wa
214Þa gode sawless alle,
215Þatt haffdenn cwemmd himm i þiss lif
216Þurrh soþ unnshaþiȝnesse.
217Þe fifte god uss hafeþþ don
218Þe Laferrd Crist onn erþe,
219Þurrh þatt he ras forr ure god
220Þe þridde daȝȝ off dæþe,
221& let te posstless sen himm wel
222Inn hiss mennisske kinde;
223Forr þatt he wollde fesstnenn swa
224Soþ trowwþe i þeȝȝre brestess
225Off þatt he, wiss to fulle soþ,
226Wass risenn upp off dæþe,
227& i þatt illke flæsh þatt wass
228Forr uss o rode naȝȝledd;
229Forr þatt he wollde fesstnenn wel
230Þiss trowwþe i þeȝȝre brestess,
231He let te posstless sen himm wel
232Well offte siþe onn erþe,

page DED.L229

233Wiþþinnenn daȝȝess fowwerrtiȝ
234Fra þatt he ras off dæþe.
235Þe sexte god uss hafeþþ don
236Þe Laferrd Crist onn erþe,
237Þurrh þatt he stah forr ure god
238Upp inntill heffness blisse,
239& sennde siþþenn Haliȝ Gast
240Till hise Lerninngcnihhtess,
241To frofrenn & to beldenn hemm
242To stanndenn ȝæn þe defell,
243To gifenn hemm god witt inoh
244Off all hiss hallȝhe lare,
245To gifenn hemm god lusst, god mahht,
246To þolenn alle wawenn,
247All forr þe lufe off Godd, & nohht
248Forr erþliȝ loff to winnenn.
249Þe seffnde god uss shall ȝet don
250Þe Laferrd Crist onn ende,
251Þurrh þatt he shall o Domess daȝȝ
252Uss gifenn heffness blisse,
253Ȝiff þatt we shulenn wurrþi ben
254To findenn Godess are.

256Þuss hafeþþ ure Laferrd Crist
257Uss don godnessess seffne,
258Þurrh þatt tatt he to manne comm,
259To wurrþenn mann onn erþe.
260& o þatt hallȝhe boc þatt iss
261Apokalypsis nemmnedd

page DED.L257

262Uss wrat te posstell Sannt Johan,
263þurrh Haliȝ Gastess lare,
264Þatt he sahh upp inn heffne an boc
265Bisett wiþþ seffne innseȝȝless,
266& sperrd swa swiþe wel þatt itt
267Ne mihhte nan wihht oppnenn,
268Wiþþutenn Godess hallȝhe Lamb
269Þatt he sahh ec inn heffne.
270& þurrh þa seffne innseȝȝless wass
271Rihht swiþe wel bitacnedd
272Þatt sefennfald godleȝȝc þatt Crist
273Uss dide þurrh hiss come;
274& tatt nan wihht ne mihhte nohht
275Oppnenn þa seffne innseȝȝless,
276Wiþþutenn Godess Lamb, þatt comm,
277Forr þatt itt shollde tacnenn
278Þatt nan wihht, nan enngell, nan mann,
279Ne naness kinness shaffte,
280Ne mihhte þurrh himm sellfenn þa
281Seffne godnessess shæwenn
282O mannkinn, swa þatt itt mannkinn
283Off helle mihhte lesenn,
284Ne gifenn mannkinn lusst, ne mahht,
285To winnenn heffness blisse.

287& all all swa se Godess Lamb,
288All þurrh hiss aȝhenn mahhte,
289Lihhtlike mihhte & wel inoh
290Þa seffne innseȝȝless oppnenn,

page DED.L285

291All swa þe Laferrd Jesu Crist,
292All þurrh his aȝhenn mahhte,
293Wiþþ Faderr & wiþþ Haliȝ Gast
294An Godd & all an kinde,
295All swa rihht he lihhtlike inoh
296& wel wiþþ alle mihhte
297O mannkinn þurrh himm sellfenn þa
298Seffne godnessess shæwenn,
299Swa þatt he mannkinn wel inoh
300Off helle mihhte lesenn,
301& gifenn mannkinn lufe & lusst,
302& mahht & witt & wille,
303To stanndenn inn to cwemenn Godd,
304To winenn heffness blisse.
305& forr þatt haliȝ Goddspellboc
306All þiss godnesse uss shæweþþ,
307Þiss sefennfald godleȝȝc þatt Crist
308Uss dide þurrh hiss are,
309Forrþi birrþ all Crisstene follc
310Goddspelless lare follȝhenn.
311& tærfore hafe icc turrnedd itt
312Inntill Ennglisshe spæche,
313Forr þatt I wollde bliþeliȝ
314Þatt all Ennglisshe lede
315Wiþþ ære shollde lisstenn itt,
316Wiþþ herrte shollde itt trowwenn,
317Wiþþ tunge shollde spellenn itt,
318Wiþþ dede shollde itt follȝhenn,
319To winnenn unnderr Crisstenndom
320Att Crist soþ sawle berrhless.

page DED.L315

321& Godd Allmahhtiȝ ȝife uss mahht
322& lusst & witt & wille,
323To follȝhenn þiss Ennglisshe boc
324Þatt all iss haliȝ lare,
325Swa þatt we motenn wurrþi ben
326To brukenn heffness blisse.
327Amaen . Amaen . Amaen ;
328Icc þatt tiss Ennglissh hafe sett
329Ennglisshe menn to lare,
330Icc wass þær þær I crisstnedd wass
331Orrmin bi name nemmnedd.
332& icc Orrmin full innwarrdliȝ
333Wiþþ muþ & ec wiþþ herrte
334Her bidde þa Crisstene menn,
335Þatt herenn oþerr redenn
336Þiss boc, hemm bidde icc her þatt teȝȝ
337Forr me þiss bede biddenn,
338Þatt broþerr þatt tiss Ennglissh writt
339Allræresst wrat & wrohhte,
340Þatt broþerr forr hiss swinnc to læn
341Soþ blisse mote findenn.
342Amaen .

page DED.L335

343Þa Goddspelless alle þatt icc
344Her o þiss boc maȝȝ findenn,
345Hemm alle wile icc nemmnenn her
346Bi þeȝȝre firrste wordess.
347& tale wile icc settenn to,
348To don ȝuw tunnderrstanndenn,
349Hu fele sinndenn o þiss boc
350Goddspelless unnderr alle.

353Þiss boc iss nemmnedd Orrmulum
354Forrþi þatt Orrm itt wrohhte,
355& itt iss wrohht off quaþþrigan,
356Off Goddspellbokess fowwre;
357Off quaþþrigan Amminadab,
358Off Cristess Goddspellbokess.
359Forr Crist maȝȝ þurrh Amminadab
360Rihht full wel ben bitacnedd;
361Forr Crist toc dæþ o rodetre
362All wiþþ hiss fulle wille.
363& forrþi þatt Amminadab
364O Latin spæche iss nemmnedd
365O Latin boc Spontaneus,
366& onn Ennglisshe spæche
367Þatt weppmann þatt summ dede doþ
368Wiþþ all hiss fulle wille,
369Forrþi maȝȝ Crist full wel ben þurrh
370Amminadab bitacnedd;
371Forr Crist totoc dæþ o rodetre
372All wiþþ hiss fulle wille.

page PREF.L21

373Þatt waȝȝn iss nemmnedd quaþþrigan
374Þatt hafeþþ fowwre wheless;
375& Goddspell iss þatt waȝȝn, forrþi
376Þatt itt iss fowwre bokess;
377& Goddspell iss Jesusess waȝȝn
378Þatt gaþ o fowwre wheless,
379Forrþi þatt itt iss sett o boc
380Þurrh fowwre Goddspellwrihhtess.
381& Jesuss iss Amminadab,
382Swa summ icc hafe shæwedd,
383Forr þatt he swallt o rodetre
384All wiþþ hiss fulle wille.
385& Goddspell forr þatt illke þing
386Iss Currus SalomonissCurrus Salomoniss,
387Forr þatt itt i þiss middellærd,
388Þurrh Goddspellwrihhtess fowwre,
389Waȝȝneþþ soþ Crist fra land to land
390Þurrh Cristess Lerninngcnihhtess,
391Þurrh þatt teȝȝ i þiss middellærd
392Flittenn & farenn wide,
393Fra land to land, fra burrh to burrh,
394To spellen to þe lede
395Off soþ Crist & off Crisstenndom,
396& off þe rihhte læfe,
397& off þatt lif þatt ledeþþ menn
398Upp inntill heffness blisse.
399Þurrh swillc þeȝȝ berenn Hælennd Crist
400Alls iff þeȝȝ karrte wærenn
401Off wheless fowwre, forr þatt all
402Goddspelless hallȝhe lare

page PREF.L51

403Iss - alls icc hafe shæwedd ȝuw,
404O fowwre Goddspellbokess.
405& forrþi maȝȝ Goddspell full wel
406Ben Salemanness karrte,
407Þiss iss to seggenn opennliȝ
408Þe Laferrd Cristess karrte.
409Forr Jesu Crist Allmahhtiȝ Godd,
410Þatt alle shaffte wrohhte,
411Iss wiss þatt soþe Salemann
412Þatt sette griþþ onn erþe
413Bitwenenn Godd & menn, þurrh þatt
414He ȝaff hiss lif o rode,
415To lesenn mannkinn þurrh hiss dæþ
416Ut off þe defless walde.
417& forrþi maȝȝ soþ Crist ben wel
418Þurrh Salemann bitacnedd,
419Forr Salomon iss onn Ennglissh
420Þatt mann þatt soþ sahhtnesse
421& trigg & trowwe griþþ & friþþ
422Reȝȝseþþ bitwenenn lede,
423& follȝheþþ itt wiþþ all hiss mahht,
424Þurrh þohht, þurrh word, þurrh dede.
425All þuss iss þatt hallȝhe Goddspell,
426Þatt iss o fowwre bokess,
427Nemmnedd Amminadabess waȝȝn
428& Salemanness karrte;
429Forr þatt itt waȝȝneþþ Crist till menn
430Þurrh fowwre Goddspellwrihhtess,
431Rihht alls iff itt wære þatt waȝȝn
432Þatt gaþ o fowwre wheless.

page PREF.L81

433& tuss iss Crist Amminadab
434Þurrh gastliȝ witt ȝehatenn,
435For þatt he toc o rode daeþ
436Wiþþ all hiss fulle wille.
437& Salomon he nemmnedd iss,
438Swa summ icc hafe shæwedd,
439Forr þatt he sette griþþ & friþþ
440Bitwenenn heffne & erþe,
441Bitwenenn Godd & menn, þurrh þatt
442Þatt he toc dæþ o rode,
443To lesenn mannkinn þurrh hiss dæþ
444Ut off þe defless walde.
445& all þuss þiss Ennglisshe boc
446Iss Orrmulum ȝehatenn,
447Inn quaþþrigan Amminadab,
448Inn Currum SalomonisCurrum Salomonis.
449& off Goddspell icc wile ȝuw
450Ȝet summ del mare shæwenn;
451Ȝet wile icc shæwenn ȝuw forrwhi
452Goddspell iss Goddspell nemmnedd.
453& ec icc wile shæwenn ȝuw
454Hu mikel sawle sellþe
455& sawle berrhless unnderrfoþ
456Att Goddspell all þatt lede,
457Þatt follȝheþþ Goddspell þwerrt ut wel
458Þurrh þohht, þurrh word, þurrh dede.

461All mannkinn, fra þatt Adam wass
462Þurrh Drihhtin wrohht off eorþe,
463Anan till þatt itt cumenn wass
464Till Cristess dæþ o rode,
465All for till helle forr þatt gillt
466Þatt Adam haffde gilltedd,
467Þurrh þatt he Godess bodeword
468Forrlet forr litell nede.
469Forr wel he mihhte lokenn himm,
470Ȝiff þatt he wollde himm lokenn,
471Fra þatt anlepiȝ treo þatt himm
472Drihhtin forrbodenn haffde,
473Þær þær he fand off oþre treos
474Full gode treos inoȝhe.
475& forrþi þatt he bracc onnȝæn
476Drihhtin all hise þannkess,
477Forr þattForrþi wass mikell wræche sett
478Onnȝæn þatt woh wiþþ rihhte.
479ForrþiForr þatt wass mikell wræche wiss
480Þatt all follc for till helle,
481To ben a butenn ende þær
482Forr aness manness gillte.
483& itt wass þohh full mikell rihht,
484Þatt witt tu wel to soþe,
485Þatt all follc wass forrgillt, þurrh þatt
486Þatt Adam wass forrgilltedd.
487Forr all follc wass þatt illke streon
488Þatt Adam haffde strenedd,

page INTR.L29

489& all follc wass forrþi forrgillt
490Þær Adam wass forrgilltedd.

492Adam wass wurrþenn deofless peoww
493Þurrh þatt he dide hiss wille,
494& all þatt streonedd wass þurrh himm
495Wass streonedd to þatt illke,
496To ben unnderr deofless þeowwdom,
497To farenn all till helle.
498& tatt wass rihht tatt mannkinn wass
499Unnderr þe deofless walde,
500All swa summ Adam wurrþenn wass,
501Þatt haffde hemm alle streonedd,
502& all se iss her bitwenenn þe
503& tin eorþlike laferrd;
504Forr all swa summ þu þeowwtesst himm,
505Swa shall þin sune himm þeowwtenn,
506Butt iff he wurrþe lesedd ut
507Off hiss þeowwdomess bandess.
508Nu mihht tu sen þatt tatt wass rihht
509Þatt mannkinn for till helle,
510All affterr þatt tatt Adam for,
511Þatt haffde hemm alle streonedd;
512& alle forenn all forrþi
513Till helless þeossterrnesse,
514Ȝa þa þatt wærenn gode menn,
515Ȝa þa þaa wærenn ille.
516Þær wærenn fele gode menn
517Biforenn Cristess come,

page INTR.L57

518Þatt cwemmdenn Godd þurrh haliȝ lif,
519& þurrh unnshaþiȝnesse,
520& tohh ne mihhte naniȝ mann
521Þurrh hise gode dedess
522Utbresstenn off þe deofless band,
523& ut off helle walde.
524Acc son se time comm þærto
525Þatt Godd itt wollde betenn,
526Godd ræw off mann, & tatt forrþi
527Þatt he wass wrohht off eorþe.
528Off all þatt enngleflocc þatt fell
529Off heoffness ærd till helle
530Ne ræw himm nohht, swa þatt he þeȝȝm
531Fra pine wollde lesenn;
532Forrþi þatt teȝȝ ne gilltenn nohht
533Þurrh flæshess unntrummnesse,
534Acc þurrh þatt laþe modiȝleȝȝc
535Þatt comm all off hemm sellfenn,
536Forrþi ne ræw himm nohht off hemm,
537Ne nohht off here pine;
538Acc Drihhtin ræw off mann, forrþi
539Þatt he wass wrohht off eorþe.
540& son se time comm þærto
541Þatt Godd uss wollde lesenn
542Ut off þe laþe gastess band,
543Ut off þe deofless walde,
544He sennde uss sone hiss word, hiss witt,
545Hiss sune, hiss mahht, hiss kinde,

page INTR.L85

546To takenn ure mennisscleȝȝc,
547To wurrþenn mann onn eorþe,
548To lesenn mannkinn þurrh hiss dæþ
549Ut off þe deofless walde.

551Acc ȝuw birrþ unnderrstanndenn her
552Þatt Sannt Johan Bapptisste
553Wass borenn i þiss middellærd
554Þurrh Godess lefe wille,
555To cumenn forþ bitwenenn menn,
556To spellenn & to fullhtnenn
557Biforenn Crist Allmahhtiȝ Godd,
558To ȝarrkenn hise weȝȝess.
559Rihht swa summ bidell birrþ ben sennd,
560To ȝarrkenn & to greȝȝþenn
561Onnȝæn hiss laferrd tær þær he
562Shall cumenn swiþe newenn,
563Rihht o þatt wise comm Johan
564Biforenn Cristess come,
565To ȝarrkenn follc onnȝæness Crist,
566To takenn wiþþ hiss lare.
567& her icc wile shæwenn ȝuw
568Hu Sannt Johan Bapptisste
569Wass sennd þurrh Godd biforenn Crist,
570To ȝarrkenn Cristess weȝȝess;

571Þa seȝȝde Zacariass þuss
572Till Godess enngell sone;
573Þurrh whatt maȝȝ icc nu witenn þiss
574Þatt itt me muȝhe wurrþenn?
575Witt sinndenn off swillc elde nu
576Þatt witt ne muȝhenn tæmenn.
577& Godess enngell seȝȝde þuss
578Till Zacariȝe efft sone;
579Witt tu þatt icc amm Gabriæl
580Þatt æfre & æfre stannde
581Biforenn Godd, to lutenn himm,
582To lofenn himm & wurrþenn;
583& hiderr amm icc sennd to þe,
584Þiss blisse þe to kiþenn.
585& fra þiss daȝȝ þu shallt ben dumb
586Till þatt itt shall ben forþedd,
587Forrþi þatt tu ne wolldesst nohht
588Nu trowwenn mine wordess,
589Þatt filledd shulenn ben þurrh Godd
590Att heore rihhte time.
591& all þe follc þær ute abad,
592& þuhhte mikell wunnderr

page I,5

593Forrwhi þe preost swa lannge wass
594Þatt daȝȝ att Godess allterr.
595& tanne comm he siþþenn ut
596All dumb & butenn spæche,
597& toc to becnenn till þe follc,
598& spacc he nohht wiþþ tunge.
599& ta þeȝȝ wisstenn sone anan
600Forr whatt he dwelledd haffde;
601Þeȝȝ wisstenn þatt himm wass þatt daȝȝ
602Summ unncuþ sihhþe shæwedd.
603& Zacariȝe for himm ham
604Affterr þa daȝhess sone.
605& siþþenn warrþ Elyzabæth
606Off himm þurrh Godd wiþþ childe;
607& ȝhot forrhall fif moneþþ wel,
608Þatt witt tu wel to soþe,
609& tuss ȝho seȝȝde inn hire þohht
610Off hire dærne sellþe;
611Þuss hafeþþ Drihhtin don wiþþ me,
612Þurrh hiss orrmete millce,
613Þatt icc ne beo mang wimmannkinn
614Till hæþinng butenn chilldre.
615Her endenn twa Goddspelles þuss,
616& uss birrþ hemm þurrhsekenn,
617To lokenn whatt teȝȝ lærenn uss
618Off ure sawle nede.
619Her habbe icc shæwedd ȝuw summ del
620Hu Sannt Johan Bapptisste

page I,6

621Þurrh Godess ȝife streonedd wass
622Off faderr & off moderr,
623Onnȝæness kinde þohh swa þehh,
624Forr baþe wærenn alde.
625& her icc wile shæwenn ȝuw
626Off þise twa Goddspelless,
627Hu mikell god teȝȝ lærenn ȝuw
628Off ȝure sawless nede;

630Þiss Goddspell seȝȝþ þatt Sannt Johan
631Wass her to manne streonedd
632Upponn Herode kingess daȝȝ;
633& tatt wass Godess wille;
634Forr Godess Gast itt haffde seȝȝd
635Þurrh hiss profetess tunge,
636Full mikell fresst biforenn þatt
637Þatt crist comm her to manne,
638Þatt Godess follc, Judisskenn follc,
639Þatt Godess laȝhess heldenn,
640Aȝȝ sholldenn habbenn allderrmenn
641& kingess off hemm sellfenn,
642Aȝȝ - till þatt Godess Sune Crist
643Himm shollde onn eorþe shæwenn.
644& swa itt wass aȝȝ-till þatt Crist
645Wass borenn her to manne.
646Forr aȝȝ þeȝȝ haffdenn allderrmenn
647& kingess off hemm sellfenn,
648Till þatt Herode wass hemm sett
649Hæþene mann to kinge,

page I,7

650Þurrh Rome burrȝhess Kaserrking,
651Þatt tær wass oferrlaferrd.
652& o þatt illke Herodess daȝȝ
653Comm Jesu Crist to manne,
654Hallf ȝer affterr þatt Sannt Johan
655Wass borenn off hiss moderr.
656& swa wass filledd opennliȝ
657Þatt word tatt ær wass cwiddedd,
658Þatt Godess follc, Judisskenn follc,
659Þatt Godess laȝhess heldenn,
660Aȝȝ sholldenn habbenn allderrmenn
661& kingess off hemm sellfenn,
662Aȝȝ - till þatt Godess Sune Crist
663Himm shollde onn eorþe shæwenn;
664& ec þiss Goddspellwrihte seȝȝþ,
665Þatt Zakariȝess macche
666Elysabæþ wass an wifmann
667Off Aaroness dohhtress.
668& Aaron wass þe firrste preost
669Off Issraæle þeode,
670& Aaron, þatt seȝȝþ soþ boc,
671Wass Moysæsess broþerr.
672& Moysæs wass hæfedd mann
673Off Issraæle þeode,
674& Aaron wass hæfedd preost
675Amang Judisskenn þeode.
676& tiss wif wass off þeȝȝre kinn,
677Swa summ þe Goddspell kiþeþþ.
678& tohh þatt tiss Elysabæþ,
679Þatt we nu mælenn ummbe,

page I,8

680Wass þuss off Aaroness kinn,
681Þohh seȝȝþ þe Goddspellwrihhte
682Þatt ȝho wass Sannte Marȝe sibb,
683Þe Laferd Cristess moderr,
684Þatt wass off Davið kingess kinn,
685& Daviþ king þohhwheþþre
686Nass nohht off Aaroness kin
687Noff Aaroness birde,
688& forr þatt all iss þwerrt ut soþ,
689& all þwerrt ut to trowwenn,
690Þatt stanndeþþ o þe Goddspellboc
691Þatt þwerrt ut nohht ne leȝheþþ,
692Uss birrþ heroffe witenn wel
693& seon & unnderrstanndenn,
694Þatt Daviþ kingess kinness menn
695Off weress oþþr off wifess
696Wiþþ Aaroness kinness menn
697Off siþre wærenn sammnedd,
698To streonenn streon, to wurrþenn sibb
699Wiþþ kingess & wiþþ preostess.
700Tacc nu þiss streon þatt tuss wass sibb
701Wiþþ preostess & wiþþ kingess,
702& let itt streonenn streon inoh
703All i þatt illke birde,
704All all swa summ itt streonedd be
705Off kingess & off preostess,
706& let itt siþþenn streonenn forþ
707Elysabæþ to manne,
708& let itt siþþenn streonenn forþ
709Þe lafdiȝ Sannte Marȝe;

page I,9

710& tacc hemm baþe ut off þatt streon
711& eȝȝþerr sibb wiþþ oþerr,
712& eȝȝþerr streonedd i þiss lif
713Off kingess & off preostess;
714& tacc þe Laferd Jesu Crist
715Þurrh Sannte Marȝe hiss moderr,
716Þatt hallȝhe streon þatt streonedd wass
717Off kingess & off preostess,
718Þatt streon þatt wass Allmahhtiȝ Godd,
719& King off alle kingess,
720& Preost off alle preostess ec,
721& Shippennd allre shaffte,
722& lac to wurrþenn offredd her
723O rodetreowwess allterr,
724To lesenn mannkinn þurrh hiss dæþ
725Utt off þe deofless walde,
726& forr to sahhtlenn hemm towarrd
727Hiss Faderr upp off heoffne,
728Þatt all wass wraþ wiþþ all mannkinn,
729& haffde itt all forrworrpenn
730Aȝȝ fra þatt Adam Godd forrlet,
731& toc himm to þe deofell.
732& forrþi wass þe Laferrd Crist
733Off preostess kinn onn eorþe,
734Forr þatt he wollde wurrþenn lac
735Þatt preostess unnderrfangenn,
736& ec forrþi þatt he wass Preost
737Hæfedd off alle preostess,
738To biddenn forr hiss aȝhenn follc
739Upponn hiss Faderr are;

page I,10

740& ec þiss illke Goddspell seȝȝþ,
741Swa summ ȝe littlær herrdenn,
742Þatt Zacarie, Godess preost,
743& ȝho þatt wass hiss macche
744Wærenn rihhtwise & gode menn
745Biforenn Godess eȝhne.
746& ȝuw maȝȝ ben þiss illke word
747God lare hu ȝuw birrþ libbenn.
748He seȝȝde þatt teȝȝ wærenn ba
749Biforenn Godd rihhtwise.
750& tatt wass alls he seȝȝde þuss
751Wiþþ all full openn spæche,
752Þeȝȝ baþe samenn cwemmdenn Godd
753Þurrh heore rihhtwisnesse.
754& swa ne don nohht alle þa
755Þatt follȝhenn rihhtwisnesse,
756Ne cwemenn þeȝȝ nohht alle Godd
757Wiþþ heore rihhtwisnesse.
758Forr mann maȝȝ findenn i þiss lif
759Bitwenenn uss inoȝhe
760Þatt ledenn hemm swa dærneliȝ
761Biforenn menness eȝhne,
762Þatt mann hemm hallt forr gode menn
763& forr full wel rihhtwise,
764& sinndenn þohh biforenn Godd
765Unngode & unnrihhtwise;
766Forrþi þatt teȝȝ forr idell ȝellp
767& all forr menness spæche

page I,11

768Shæwenn biforrenbiforenn oþre menn
769Godnesse & rihhtwisnesse,
770& sinndenn þohh swa þehh i þohht
771& ec i dærne dedess
772Biforenn Drihhtin fule menn,
773Þurrh sinness unnclænnesse.
774Acc þa þatt all forr lufe off Godd
775Aȝȝ follȝhenn rihhtwisnesse
776Biforenn menn, bihinndenn menn,
777O daȝȝess & o nihhtess,
778& nohht forr eorþliȝ loff, acc all
779Forr heofennlike mede,
780Þa sinndenn wiss biforenn Godd
781Rihhtwise menn & gode,
782& shulenn habbenn heore læn
783Forr heore rihhtwisnesse,
784A butenn ende blisse inoh
785Wiþþ alle Godess enngless.
786& ȝet tiss Goddspell seȝȝþ off hemm,
787Forr uss þurrh hemm to lærenn,
788Þatt eȝȝþerr heore ȝede swa
789Rihht affterr Godess lare,
790Þatt fand mann nan þing upponn hemm
791To wreȝenn, ne to tælenn,
792Noff whatt menn mihhtenn habbenn niþ,
793Ne wraþþe ȝæn heore owwþerr.
794& her þu mihht nu sen þatt teȝȝ
795Full cweme wærenn baþe
796Biforenn Godd inn heoffne, & ec
797Biforenn menn onn eorþe.

page I,12

798& tu shallt findenn swillke nu
799Bitwenenn uss well fæwe;
800Forr swa we don unnhaȝherrliȝ
801Whattse we don to gode,
802& swa we don itt wiþþ unnskill
803Þatt itt maȝȝ anngrenn oþre.
804Acc swa ne didenn nohht ta twa
805Þatt we nu mælenn ummbe;
806Forr fand mann nan þing upponn hemm
807Þatt mihhte ohht anngrenn oþre;
808Þurrh whatt tu mihht nu sen þatt teȝȝ
809Rihhtwise & gode wærenn.
810& swa þeȝȝ leddenn heore lif
811Till þatt teȝȝ wærenn alde,
812Þatt naffdenn þeȝȝ nan child till þa;
813& tatt wass Godess wille.
814Forr Godd itt haffde lokedd swa
815Þatt Sannt Johan Bapptisste
816Þatt time shollde streonedd ben
817Þatt wære onnȝæness kinde,
818Þatt hise frend mihhtenn off himm
819All þess te mare blissenn,
820& tatt te follc all þess te bett
821Hiss lare shollde follȝhenn,
822Þurrh þatt tatt teȝȝ himm sholldenn sen
823Ben borenn her to manne
824Þurrh Godess wille, & þurrh hiss mahht,
825& nohht þurrh moderr kinde.

page I,13

826Forr ȝho wass swa bifundenn wif
827Þatt naffde ȝho nohht tæmedd,
828& ȝho wass þa swa winntredd wif
829& off swa mikell elde,
830Þatt naffde ȝho nan kinde þa
831Onn hire forr to tæmenn.
832& forrþi wass itt all þurrh Godd
833Þatt ȝho wass þa wiþþ childe,
834Forr þatt ȝho shollde childenn an
835Utnumenn child to manne.

837Þiss gode mann, þiss gode prest,
838Þatt we nu mælenn offe,
839Wass, alls I seȝȝde nu littlær,
840Ȝehatenn Zacaryas;
841& he wass, alls icc hafe seȝȝd,
842God prest, & Godd full cweme.
843& he wass i þatt shifftinng sett
844Þatt nemmnedd wass Abya,
845Forr prestess þanne & dæcness ec
846Shifftedenn hemm bitwenenn
847Whillc here shollde serrfenn firrst,
848Whillc siþþenn i þe temmple.
849& he, þiss Zakaryas, wass
850Bitwenenn oþre prestess
851I þatt shifftinng to serrfenn sett
852Þatt nemmnedd wass Abya,
853Affterr an hæfedd prest tatt wass
854Off Aarones chilldre,

page I,14

855Þatt ta bi name nemmnedd wass
856Abyuþþ oþþr Abyas.
857Unnderr all þalde laȝhess fresst
858Wærenn alle þe prestess
859Off tweȝȝenn prestess, & tatt an
860Off tweȝȝenn wass nemmnedd
861Eleazar, & Ytamar
862Wass he þatt oþerr nemmnedd.
863& ta twa prestess wærenn
864Aarones suness baþe.
865& talde laȝhess presteflocc
866Comm all off þa twa prestess;
867Forr Drihhtin haffde þanne sett,
868Þatt nan ne shollde wurrþenn
869Þa sett to wurrþenn prest, butt iff
870He prestess sune wære.
871& alle þa prestess þatt off
872Þa tweȝȝenn prestess comenn,
873Shifftedenn hemm bitwenenn þa
874Wiþþ lott, whillc shollde serrfenn
875Allmahhtiȝ Godd att allterr firrst,
876Whillc siþþenn i þe temmple.
877& Daviþþ king hemm haffde sett
878I lotess fowwre & twenntiȝ,
879Þatt illc an shollde witenn wel
880Whillc lott himm shollde reȝȝsenn,
881To cumenn inntill Ȝerrsalæm,
882To serrvenn i þe temmple.
883Þær wærenn fowwre & twenntiȝ menn
884Þatt wærenn hæfedd prestess,

page I,15

885& off illc an off alle þa
886Comm an god flocc off prestess,
887Sprungenn off himm, strenedd þurrh himm,
888& wass hiss hird ȝehatenn.
889& iwhillc an serlepess off
890Þa fowwre & twenntiȝ hirdess
891Wass nemmnedd affterr an mann off
892Þa fowwre & twenntiȝ prestess
893Þatt wærenn hæfedd prestess off
894Þa fowwre & twenntiȝ hirdess,
895& illc an hird serlepess, off
896Þa fowwre and twenntiȝ hirdess,
897Wisste full wel whillc lott an, off
898Þa lotess fowwre & twenntiȝ,
899Himm badd ben bun his sefennnahht
900To þewwtenn i þe temmple.
901Forr illc an hird wel wisste inoh,
902Wheþþr itt to serrfenn shollde
903Prest senndenn i þe firrste lott,
904Oþþr i þatt comm þæraffterr,
905Oþþr i þe þridde lott, oþþr i
906Þe ferþe, oþþr i þe fifte.
907& off þa fowwre & twenntiȝ menn,
908Þatt wærenn hæfedd prestess
909& allderrmenn & hirdess off
910Þa fowwre & twenntiȝ gengess
911Þatt wærenn prestess, Drihhtin Godd
912To þewwtenn wukemalumm,
913Off þa twa siþe twellfe menn
914Wass an Abyas nemmnedd

page I,16

915Oþþr Abyud, & inn hiss hird
916Wass Zakaryass fundenn,
917& off hiss kinn an haliȝ prest,
918& Drihhtin Godd full cweme.
919& i þehhtennde lott comm þiss
920Abyȝess hird to serrfenn,
921To findenn prest hiss sefennnahht
922To þewwtenn i þe temmple.
923& aȝȝ whannse þatt presteflocc,
924Þatt fowwre & twenntiȝ wærenn,
925Ann siþe þewwtedd haffdenn all
926Abutenn i þe temmple,
927Aȝȝ haffde þeggþeȝȝ off wukess þa
928Rihht fowwre & twenntiȝ filledd.
929& aȝȝ þeȝȝ tokenn efft forrnon
930To serrfenn wukemalumm.
931& ȝuw birrþ witenn þatt te king
932Þa fowwre & twenntiȝ hirdess
933Todæledd haffde þane o twa,
934To settenn tweȝȝenn hirdess,
935An hird tatt off Eleazar
936Wass sprungenn & wass strenedd,
937An oþerr þatt off Ytamar
938Wass strenedd her to manne.
939& eȝȝþerr hird & eȝȝþer hus
940Todæledd wass þohhwheþþre
941Onn hirdess rihht sextene, & ec
942Onn hirdess twiȝȝess fowwre.
943& tatt hird tatt todæledd wass
944Onn hirdess rihht sextene,

page I,17

945All þatt hird off Eleazar
946Wass strenedd her to manne;
947& tatt, forr þatt Eleazar
948Sextene suness haffde,
949& off illc an serlepess wass
950An hird to manne strenedd.
951& tatt hird tatt todæledd wass
952Onn hirdess twiȝȝess fowwre,
953All þatt hird wass þurrh Ytamar
954To manne onn erþe strenedd;
955& tatt, forrþi þatt Ytamar
956Rihht ehhte suness haffde,
957& off illc an serlepess wass
958An hird to manne strenedd;
959& ta sextene þatt Eleazar
960her haffde strenedd,
961Þa hirdess þatt, witt tu full wel,
962Haffdenn an hird onn hæfedd,
963Haffdenn an hæfedd hird tatt wass
964Abufenn alle þoþre,
965Alls iff itt wære laferrdflocc
966Offr alle þoþre flockess.
967& tatt tatt swa wass hæfedd hird,
968Þatt hird wass i þatt time
969Nemmnedd Eleazaress hus,
970Eleazaress hewenn.
971& all se itt for onn oþerr hallf
972Inn Ytamaress chilldre.
973Forr Ytamaress hird wass ec
974Þatt illke wise dæledd

page I,18

975Onn hirdess ehhte, seȝȝþ þe boc,
976& haffde an hird onn hæfedd,
977& haffde an hæfedd hird tatt wass
978Abufenn alle þoþre,
979Alls iff itt wære laferrdflocc
980Offr alle þoþre flokkess.
981& tatt tatt swa wass hæfedd hird,
982Þatt hird wass i þatt time
983Ȝehatenn Ytamaress hus,
984& Ytamaress hewenn.
985& illc an hird wass nemmnedd aȝȝ
986Bi name, inn all þatt time,
987Affterr summ aþell mann & god
988Þatt i þatt hird wass hæfedd.
989& illc an hird wel wisste inoh
990Whillc lott badd hise prestess
991I Godess temmple serrfenn Godd.
992& aȝȝ comm Zacaryas
993Unnderr þehhtennde lott wiþþ lac
994To þewwtenn i þe temmple.
995& o þatt illke wise comm
996Aȝȝ dækenn affterr dækenn,
997All affterr þatt his lott himm fell
998To þewwtenn i þe temmple.

999Annd o þatt illke nahht tatt Crist
1000Wass borenn her to manne,
1001Wass he ȝet, alls hiss wille wass,
1002Awwnedd onn oþerr wise.

page I,118

1003He sette a steorrne upp o þe lifft
1004Full brad, & brihht, & shene,
1005Onn æst hallf off þiss middellærd,
1006Swa summ þe Goddspell kiþeþþ,
1007Amang þatt follc þatt cann innsihht
1008Off maniȝ þing þurrh steorrness,
1009Amang þe Calldeowisshe þeod
1010Þatt cann innsihht o steorrness.
1011& tatt þeod wass hæþene þeod
1012Þatt Crist ȝaff þa swillc takenn;
1013Forrþi þatt he þeȝȝm wollde þa
1014To rihhte læfe wendenn.
1015& son se þeȝȝ þatt steorrneleom
1016Þær sæȝhenn upp o liffte,
1017Þreo kingess off þatt illke land
1018Full wel itt unnderrstodenn,
1019& wisstenn witerrliȝ þærþurrh
1020Þatt swillc new king wass awwnedd,
1021Þatt wass soþ Godd & soþ mann ec,
1022An had off twinne kinde.
1023All þiss þeȝȝ unnderrstodenn wel
1024Forr þatt itt Godd hemm uþe,
1025& comenn samenn alle þreo,
1026& settenn hemm bitwenenn,
1027Þatt illc an shollde þrinne lac
1028Habbenn wiþþ him o lade,
1029& tatt teȝȝ sholldenn farenn forþ
1030To leȝȝtenn & to sekenn

page I,119

1031Þatt newe king, þatt borenn wass
1032Amang Judisskenn þeode.
1033& sone anan þeȝȝ forenn forþ
1034Illc an wiþþ þrinne lakess,
1035Forr þatt ta lakess sholldenn uss
1036Well mikell god bitacnenn.
1037& teȝȝre steorrne wass wiþþ hemm
1038To ledenn hemm þatt weȝȝe,
1039Forr aȝȝ itt flæt upp i þe lifft
1040Biforenn hemm a litell,
1041To tæchenn hemm þatt weȝȝe rihht
1042Þatt ledde hemm towarrd Criste.
1043Acc fra þatt Kalldewisshe land,
1044Þatt teȝȝ þa comenn offe,
1045Wass mikell weȝȝe till þatt land
1046Þatt Crist wass borenn inne;
1047& forrþi wass hemm ned to don
1048God þraȝhe to þatt weȝȝe,
1049Forr rihht onn hiss þrittende daȝȝ
1050Þeȝȝ comenn till þatt chesstre,
1051Þær ure Laferrd Jesu Crist
1052Wass borenn her to manne;
1053Þuss wass þe Laferrd Jesu Crist
1054Awwnedd o twinne wise
1055Forrþrihht anan, i þatt tatt he
1056Wass borenn her to manne,
1057Forr þatt menn sholldenn cnawenn himm
1058& lofenn himm & wurrþenn,
1059& cumenn till þe Crisstenndom
1060& till þe rihhte læfe,

page I,120

1061& winnenn swa to cumenn upp
1062Till heofennrichess blisse.
1063Her endenn twa Goddspelless þuss,
1064& uss birrþ hemm þurrhsekenn,
1065To lokenn whatt teȝȝ lærenn uss
1066Off ure sawle nede.

1068Forrþrihht anan se time comm,
1069Þatt ure Drihhtin wollde
1070Ben borenn i þiss middellærd
1071Forr all mannkinne nede,
1072He chæs himm sone kinness menn
1073All swillke summ he wollde,
1074& whær he wollde borenn ben
1075He chæs all att hiss wille.
1076&, alls hiss lefe wille wass,
1077Hiss moderr Sannte Marȝe
1078Comm rihht inntill þatt illke tun
1079& till þatt illke bottle,
1080Þatt he wollde inne borenn ben
1081& awwnedd her onn eorþe.
1082& forrþi þatt maȝȝþhadess lif
1083Iss heȝhesst allre life,
1084Forrþi chæs ure Laferrd Crist
1085An maȝȝdenn himm to moderr,
1086Forr þatt he lufeþþ alle þa
1087Þatt soþ clænnesse follȝhenn.

page I,121

1088& forr þatt he wass borenn her
1089Sahhtnesse & griþþ to settenn
1090Bitwenenn Drihhtin, heoffness king,
1091& mannkinn her onn eorþe,
1092Forrþi chæs he to wurrþenn mann
1093O þatt Keȝȝseress time,
1094Þatt held wiþþ mikell griþþ & friþþ
1095Hiss kinedom onn eorþe.
1096& forr þatt he wass wurrþenn mann
1097To ȝifenn menn onn eorþe
1098Hiss aȝhenn hallȝhe flæsh & blod,
1099Soþ bræd to þeȝȝre sawle,
1100Forrþi chæs he þatt illke tun
1101To wurrþenn borenn inne,
1102Þatt wass ȝehatenn Beþþleæm,
1103Forrþi þatt itt bitacneþþ
1104Þatt hus þatt bræd iss inne don,
1105& tatt iss Cristess kirrke;
1106Forr Cristess flæsh & Cristess blod
1107Iss hallȝhedd inn hiss kirrke,
1108Forr þær to wurrþenn lifess bræd
1109Till alle Cristess þeowwess.
1110& all all swa se þa wass sett
1111Þurrh þatt Kaseress hæse,
1112Þatt illc mann shollde cumenn ham
1113Inntill hiss aȝhenn birde,
1114Forr þær to reccnenn till þe king
1115An peninng forr himm sellfenn,
1116& tatt mann shollde hiss name þær
1117Att hame o write settenn,

page I,122

1118All all swa biddeþþ ure king,
1119Þe Laferrd Crist off heffne,
1120Þatt illc mann shule cumenn ham
1121Inntill hiss aȝhenn birde,
1122Þatt iss inntill rihht Crisstenndom,
1123& inntill rihhte læfe,
1124Inntill þatt soþfasstnessess ham
1125Þatt mann wass shapenn inne,
1126& reccnenn himm þatt peninng þær
1127Þatt tacneþþ rihhtwisnesse;
1128& he shall writenn alle þa
1129Þatt cwemmdenn himm o life
1130Onn eche lifess bokess writt,
1131To brukenn heoffness blisse.
1132& ec þurrh þatt tatt Josæp comm
1133Wiþþ ure laffdiȝ Marȝe
1134Till Beþþleæm, Daviþess burrh,
1135Forr sillferr þær to reccnenn
1136Forr Marȝe, & forr himm sellfenn ec,
1137Affterr þe kingess hæse,
1138Þurrh þatt we muȝhenn sen full wel,
1139Þatt Jesuss nohht ne wollde
1140Ben borenn nowwhar i þe land,
1141Butt inn hiss aȝhenn birde;
1142Forr ure laffdiȝ Marȝe wass
1143Þatt illke kingess meȝhe,
1144Forr ȝho wass off Daviþess kinn
1145Þatt Drihhtin wass full dere.

page I,123

1146& hire sune wass himm lic
1147O fele kinne wise;
1148Forr Crist wass strang wiþþ hannd inoh
1149To werrpenn dun þe deofell,
1150& Crist wass æfre swillc to sen
1151& a beoþ butenn ende,
1152Þatt gode ȝeorrndenn himm to sen,
1153& æfre shulenn ȝeorrnenn.
1154& tiss iss þatt uss opennliȝ
1155Daviþess name tacneþþ;
1156Forr itt uss tacneþþ strang wiþþ hannd
1157& lufsummluffsumm onn to lokenn,
1158& Crist iss baþe - strang wiþþ hannd,
1159& luffsumm onn to lokenn.
1160& Crist iss all se Daviþþ wass
1161Shephirde, & king, & kemmpe,
1162Forr Crist iss allre kinge King,
1163& alle shaffte Laferrd.
1164& Daviþþ king sloh Goliat,
1165Hæþene follkess kemmpe,
1166& Crist band uss þe laþe gast,
1167All hellewaress strenncþe.
1168& Daviþþ, whanne he ȝung mann wass,
1169Þa wass he shepess hirde,
1170& Crist iss hirde off hise shep,
1171Off hise dere þeowwess.
1172& Crist wass hirde god inoh
1173Þatt ȝaff hiss aȝhenn sawle,
1174To lesenn hise shep þærwiþþ
1175Ut off þe deofless walde.

page I,124

1176Þa gode menn þatt lufenn Crist,
1177& hise laȝhess haldenn,
1178Þeȝȝ alle sinndenn Cristess shep,
1179Forr þatt teȝȝ sinndenn alle
1180Æddmode & meoke & milde menn,
1181All affterr shepess kinde.

1183& tatt te Laferrd Jesu Crist
1184Wass borenn her to manne,
1185Þatt time þatt hiss moderr wass
1186I þeowwdom unnderr laferrd,
1187Þatt dide he forr to shæwenn swa
1188Unnseȝȝenndliȝ meocnesse,
1189To tæchenn þurrh himm sellfenn swa,
1190& þurrh hiss hallȝhe bisne,
1191Þatt ȝuw birrþ berenn bliþeliȝ
1192Þeowwdom off ȝure laferrd;
1193& ec forr þatt he wollde swa
1194Þurrh hiss þeowwdom utlesenn
1195Off deofless þeowwdom alle þa,
1196Þatt wel himm sholldenn follȝhenn.
1197& tatt te laffdiȝ Marȝe warrþ
1198I Nazaræþ wiþþ childe,
1199& tatt ȝho comm off Galileow
1200Till Beþþleæmess chesstre,
1201Þatt time þatt ȝho Jesu Crist
1202To manne shollde childenn,

page I,125

1203Þatt iss nu filledd illke daȝȝ
1204Þurrh Jesu Cristess þeowwess.
1205Forr Nazaræþ onn Ennglissh iss
1206Alls iff þu nemmne blosstme,
1207& Galileow bitacneþþ wheol,
1208Swa summ soþ boc uss kiþeþþ,
1209& Beþþleæm tacneþþ þatt hus
1210Þatt lifess bræd iss inne,
1211& Godess þeowwess blomenn aȝȝ
1212Inn alle gode þæwess,
1213Her i þiss middelærdess lif
1214Þatt þurrh þe wheol iss tacnedd.
1215Forr all þiss middellærdess þing
1216Aȝȝ turrneþþ her & wharrfeþþ
1217Nu upp, nu dun, swa summ þe wheol,
1218& nohht ne stannt itt stille.
1219& Cristess þeowwess aȝȝ occ aȝȝ
1220Forrhoȝhenn & forrwerrpenn
1221All weorelldshipess fule lusst,
1222& alle fule þæwess,
1223& cumenn ut off Galileow
1224Gastlike o swillke wise,
1225& cumenn inntill Beþþleæm,
1226Þatt tacneþþ Cristess kirrke,
1227Þatt Cristess flæsh & Cristess blod
1228Þe sawle bræd iss inne.
1229& Jesu Crist iss borenn þær
1230Swa summ itt wære off moderr,
1231Þurrh þatt tatt hise þeowwess þær
1232Wiþþ spell off Godess lare

page I,126

1233Don læwedd follc to sen summ del,
1234& don hemm tunnderrstanndenn,
1235Þatt Crist iss Godd, & Crist iss mann,
1236An had off twinne kinde.

1238Forrþrihht anan se Jesu Crist
1239Wass borenn off hiss moderr,
1240Ȝho wand himm sone i winndeclut,
1241& leȝȝde himm inn an cribbe.
1242Acc uss birrþ witenn þatt he warrþ,
1243All wiþþ hiss aȝhenn wille,
1244Unnorne & wrecche & usell child
1245Inn ure mennisscnesse,
1246Forr þatt he wollde inn heoffness ærd
1247Uss alle makenn riche.
1248& he þatt all þiss middelærd
1249Onn alle wise shrideþþ,
1250He wollde wundenn ben forr uss
1251I wrecche winndeclutess,
1252Forr þatt he wollde shridenn uss
1253Wiþþ heofennlike wæde.
1254& he þatt all þiss weorelld shop
1255& alle shaffte stereþþ,
1256He let himm baþe bindenn her
1257Wiþþ bandess fet & hande,
1258Forr þatt he wollde unnbindenn uss
1259Off hellepiness bandess.

page I,127

1260& heoffne & lifft & land & sæ
1261Wiþþ Goddcunndnesse filleþþ
1262Þatt illke child, tatt tær wass leȝȝd
1263Inn an full naru cribbe,
1264Forr þatt he wollde ȝifenn uss
1265All heoffness rume riche.
1266& he þatt fedeþþ enngleþeod
1267& alle cwike shaffte,
1268He laȝȝ all, alls hiss wille wass,
1269Biforenn asse i cribbe,
1270Swa summ he wære ȝifenn himm
1271To wurrþenn himm to fode,
1272Forr þatt he wollde brinngenn uss
1273Upp inntill heoffness blisse,
1274& ȝifenn uss himm sellfenn þær
1275Wiþþ enngless eche fode.
1276Þuss Godess Sune, Allmahhtiȝ Godd,
1277Wass wrecche mann onn eorþe,
1278Forr swa to brinngenn mannkinn onn
1279To ȝeornenn affterr litell,
1280Forr þatt he lufeþþ alle þa
1281Þatt hise laȝhess haldenn,
1282& lufenn, forr þe lufe off himm,
1283To libbenn her onn eorþe
1284Full wrecchelike inn uselldom
1285Off metess & off claþess.
1286& tatt te Laferrd Jesu Crist
1287Wass leȝȝd inn asse cribbe,
1288Þatt tacneþþ uss, þatt he comm her
1289To wurrþenn mann onn eorþe

page I,128

1290Wiþþ mannkinn þatt wass stunnt, & dill,
1291& skilllæs swa summ asse.
1292& asse - þohh itt litell be,
1293Itt hafeþþ mikell afell
1294To berenn upp well mikell sæm,
1295Ȝiff mann itt doþ þæronne.
1296& swa wass neh all follc þatt daȝȝ
1297Þatt Crist comm her to manne,
1298Neh all itt wass þa strang inoh
1299To þeowwtenn laþe gastess,
1300To berenn upp þatt laþe sæm,
1301To don alle þeȝȝre wille.
1302& þurrh þatt Godd wass wurrþenn mann
1303Forr ure miccle nede,
1304Þurrh þatt wass he, þatt witt tu wel,
1305All wiþþ hiss lefe wille
1306Niþþredd & wannsedd wunnderrliȝ,
1307& laȝhedd inn himm sellfenn,
1308Forr o þatt hallf þatt he wass mann,
1309Mann mihhte himm fon & pinenn
1310Wiþþ hat & kald, wiþþ nesshe & harrd,
1311Wiþþ pine off þrisst & hunngerr,
1312& cwellenn himm mann mihhte wel
1313Inn ure mennisscnesse.
1314& Godd wass wurrþenn swa forr uss
1315Ȝet lasse þann an enngell;
1316Forr mann ne maȝȝ nohht enngell seon
1317Ne takenn himm ne bindenn,

page I,129

1318Ne pinenn himm, ne cwellenn himm,
1319Forr he ne deȝeþþ næfre.
1320Acc Drihhtin Godd warrþ her forr þe
1321Ȝet lasse þann hiss enngell,
1322& lahȝhre inoh, forrþi þatt he
1323Þe wollde ȝifenn bisne,
1324Þatt te birrþ aȝȝ þe sellfenn her
1325Þurrh soþ meocnesse laȝhenn,
1326& lætenn swiþe unnorneliȝ
1327& litell off þe sellfenn.

1329Þatt hirdess wokenn o þatt nahht
1330Þatt Crist wass borenn onne,
1331Þatt wass swa summ hiss wille wass,
1332Forr þatt itt shollde tacnenn
1333Þatt he forrþi wass wurrþenn mann,
1334Forr þatt he wollde sammnenn
1335An flocc off menn till Crisstenndom,
1336& till þe rihhte læfe,
1337Þatt sholldenn wurrþenn hise shep
1338Þurrh heore unnshaþiȝnesse,
1339& sholldenn habbenn oferr hemm
1340Bisscopess, preostess, dæcness;
1341Forr þatt teȝȝ sholldenn hirdess ben
1342To ȝemenn hemm & gætenn,
1343& ec forr þatt he wollde ben
1344Himm sellf utnumenn hirde,
1345Swa þatt he wollde hiss aȝhenn lif
1346Forr hise shep forrlætenn.

page I,130

1347Þatt Godess enngell comm o nihht,
1348Swa summ þe Goddspell kiþeþþ,
1349To spekenn wiþþ þa wakemenn
1350Þatt wokenn heore faldess,
1351& tatt he comm þatt nihht till hemm
1352Wiþþ heoffness lihht & leome,
1353& tatt teȝȝ wærenn forr þatt lihht,
1354& forr þatt enngless sihhþe,
1355Forrdredde swiþe fasste anan,
1356Swa summ þe Goddspell kiþeþþ,
1357& ec þatt Godess enngell toc
1358To frofrenn hemm wiþþ worde,
1359All þatt wass don þurrh Jesu Crist
1360Forr mikell þing to tacnenn.
1361Itt tacneþþ uss þatt ure Godd
1362Well offte senndeþþ enngless
1363Inntill þiss middellærd, tatt iss
1364All full off þeossterrnesse,
1365Þatt iss off all þatt ifell iss
1366Inn alle kinne sinne.
1367Itt tacneþþ þatt he senndeþþ hemm
1368Inntill þiss þeossterrnesse,
1369To frofrenn þa þatt wakenn wel
1370Onnȝæness laþe gastess,
1371& stanndenn inn to shildenn hemm
1372Fra deofless swikedomess.
1373& all þatt flocc þatt hemm iss set
1374To ȝemenn & to gætenn,

page I,131

1375To frofrenn swillke senndeþþ Godd
1376Enngless & hallȝhe sawless,
1377& aȝȝ þeȝȝ cumenn dun till þa
1378Wiþþ heoffness lihht & leome,
1379Þatt iss wiþþ witt & god innsihht
1380Inn alle kinne þinge,
1381Forr Drihhtin ȝifeþþ her hiss þeoww
1382God witt, & mahht, & wille,
1383To stanndenn ȝæn þe laþe gast
1384& ȝæn all þatt he læreþþ.
1385Acc aȝȝ þeȝȝ sinndenn þohh swa þehh
1386Well swiþe sare offdredde
1387Off domess daȝess starrke dom,
1388& off þe Demess irre,
1389All all swa summ þa wakemenn
1390Well swiþe offdredde wærenn
1391Off heoffness brihhte lihht & leom,
1392& off þatt enngless sihhþe;
1393Acc hihht & hope o Drihhtin Godd
1394& onn hiss mildheorrtnesse,
1395Þatt frofreþþ hemm & beoldeþþ hemm
1396To follȝhenn Godess lare,
1397To fandenn, ȝiff þeȝȝ muȝhenn swa
1398Þe Demess are winnenn.
1399& tatt wass uss bitacnedd wel
1400Þurrh þatt tatt Godess enngell
1401Toc sone anan wiþþ milde word
1402Þa wakemenn to frofrenn,
1403Forr þatt he wisste wel þatt teȝȝ
1404Off himm forrdredde wærenn;

page I,132

1405Forr Godess enngell frofreþþ mann,
1406Ȝiff þatt he seoþ himm færedd;
1407Forr Godess enngell iss full meoc,
1408& soffte, & milde, & bliþe,
1409& deofell iss all full off niþ,
1410& full off grammcunndnesse,
1411& full off hete towarrd mann.
1412& full off modiȝnesse,
1413& ȝiff he seoþ þe mann forrdredd,
1414He wile himm skerrenn mare,
1415& ræfenn himm hiss rihhte witt,
1416& shetenn inn hiss heorrte.
1417Acc whas itt iss þatt wæpnedd iss
1418Wiþþ fulle trowwþe o Criste,
1419Þohh þatt he grissliȝ deofell seo,
1420Niss he rihht nohht forrfæredd.
1421Þatt enngell seȝȝde þatt he wass
1422Þa cumenn forr to kiþenn,
1423O Godess hallfe, þær till hemm
1424An swiþe mikell blisse,
1425Þatt shollde ben till all þe follc;
1426Þatt seȝȝde he forr þatt tanne
1427Wass cumenn i þiss middellærd
1428Full mikell blisse & sellþe,
1429Till alle þa þatt sholldenn wel
1430O Godess Sune lefenn,
1431O Jesu Crist tatt borenn wass
1432Þatt illke nahht to manne.

page I,133

1433He seȝȝde þatt te Laferrd Crist
1434Wass borenn her to manne
1435Nohht o þe nahht, acc o þe daȝȝ,
1436Forr mikell þing to tacnenn;
1437Forr daȝȝess lihht bitacneþþ uss
1438All eche lifess blisse,
1439& nahht bitacneþþ all þatt wa
1440Þatt iss inn hellepine.
1441& Crist wass borenn i þiss lif
1442To lesenn uss off helle,
1443Forr þatt he wollde ȝifenn uss
1444Wiþþ enngless eche blisse.
1445& tatt wass uss bitacnedd ec
1446Þurrh þatt, tatt Godess enngell
1447Wass awwnedd till þa wakemenn
1448Wiþþ heoffness lihht & leome;
1449Forr Godess Sune Jesu Crist
1450Wass wurrþenn mann onn eorþe,
1451To ȝifenn heoffness lihht & leom
1452Þatt follc þatt shollde himm follȝhenn.

1454Þatt Godd Allmahhtiȝ wurrþenn wass
1455Ȝung child inn ure kinde,
1456& wrecche child off wrecche kinn,
1457Þatt doþ uss tunnderrstanndenn
1458Þatt uss birrþ mikell lufenn Crist,
1459& lofenn himm & wurrþenn,
1460Off þatt he wollde himm sellfenn swa
1461Forr ure lufe laȝhenn,

page I,134

1462& off þatt he warrþ wrecche mann
1463Forr uss to makenn riche,
1464Wiþþ enngless upp inn heoffness ærd,
1465Wiþþutenn ende i blisse.
1466Annd þurrh þatt, tatt tær awwnedd wass
1467An here off Godess enngless,
1468Þatt time þatt te Laferrd Crist
1469Wass borenn her to manne,
1470Þurrh þatt wass uss don þær full wel
1471To sen & tunnderrstanndenn,
1472Þatt enngless stanndenn aȝȝ occ aȝȝ
1473To lofenn Godd & wurrþenn.
1474& þurrh þatt illke wass uss ec
1475Don full wel tunnderrstanndenn,
1476Þatt uss birrþ lofenn Drihhtin aȝȝ
1477Wiþþ innwarrd heorrtess tunge,
1478& þannkenn himm þatt miccle god
1479Þatt he doþ uss onn eorþe.
1480& þurrh þatt illke wass uss ec
1481Don full wel tunnderrstanndenn,
1482Þatt Crist, all enngleþeode king,
1483Wass borenn her to manne,
1484Alls iff he ȝæn þe laþe gast
1485Wiþþ here wollde fihhtenn,
1486To winnenn Adam & hiss kinn
1487Ut off þe deofless walde,
1488& settenn enngless oferr hemm
1489To ȝemenn hemm & gætenn,

page I,135

1490& forr to shildenn hemm onnȝæn
1491Þe deofless laþe wiless.
1492Annd Godess enngless wærenn þa
1493Well swiþe glade wurrþenn
1494Off þatt, tatt Godd wass wurrþenn mann,
1495Forr þatt teȝȝ wisstenn alle,
1496Þatt teȝȝre genge shollde ben
1497Wiþþ gode sawless ekedd,
1498& wurrþedd ec, & all forrþi
1499Þeȝȝ wærenn swiþe bliþe,
1500& all forrþi þeȝȝ sungenn þa
1501Þiss sang wiþþ mikell blisse,
1502Si Drihhtin upp inn heoffness ærd
1503Wurrþshipe, & loff, & wullderr,
1504& upponn eorþe griþþ & friþþ,
1505Þurrh Godess mildheorrtnesse,
1506Till iwhillc mann þatt habbenn shall
1507God heorrte & aȝȝ god wille.
1508Þiss sungenn þeȝȝ, forrþi þatt teȝȝ
1509Full wel þær unnderrstodenn,
1510Þatt teȝȝre genge shollde ben
1511Þurrh hallȝhe sawless ekedd,
1512Þurrh whatt biforenn Drihhtin Godd,
1513Ȝiff þatt itt waxenn mihhte
1514Wurrþshipe & wullderr shollde ben,
1515Swa summ itt waxenn wære,
1516& ec forr þatt teȝȝ wisstenn wel
1517Þatt Godd comm her to manne,
1518Forr þatt he wollde griþþ & friþþ
1519& soþ sahhtnesse settenn

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1520Bitwenenn Drihhtin, heoffness king,
1521& mannkinn her onn eorþe,
1522Þatt mannkinn shollde muȝhenn wel
1523Upp cumenn inntill heoffne,
1524Þatt heoffness here mihhte swa
1525Þurrh hallȝhe sawless waxenn,
1526Þurrh whatt biforenn Drihhtin Godd
1527Wurrþshipe waxenn shollde,
1528Ȝiff þatt himm mihhte waxenn ohht
1529& wurrþenn bettre & mare.
1530Þatt griþþ wass sett till alle þa,
1531Swa summ þe Goddspell kiþeþþ,
1532Þatt sholldenn wurrþenn gode menn,
1533& habbenn aȝȝ god wille
1534Till þa þatt sholldenn unnderrfon
1535Wiþþ blisse Cristess come,
1536& nohht till þa þatt sholldenn himm
1537Forrhoȝhenn & forrwerrpenn;
1538Forr niss nohht Godess griþþ wiþþ þa
1539Þatt wiþþrenn Godd onnȝæness,
1540Acc hellewawenn iss till þa
1541All affterr þeȝȝre wrihhte.
1542& her mann unnderrstanndenn maȝȝ,
1543Whillc mann iss Drihhtin cweme,
1544Þatt illke mann iss Drihhtin lef
1545Þatt hafeþþ gode wille;
1546Forr whase itt iss þatt illke mann
1547Þatt hafeþþ aȝȝ god wille,

page I,137

1548Þatt illke mann ne sinnȝheþþ nohht,
1549Ne gillteþþ hise þannkess,
1550Ne towarrd Godd, ne towarrd mann,
1551Ȝiff þatt he maȝȝ himm lokenn.
1552& ȝiff þatt iss þatt he missdoþ
1553Onn aniȝ kinne wise,
1554Itt reoweþþ himm, & sone anan
1555He stannt itt inn to betenn.

1556An mann amang Judisskenn þed
1557Wass Nicodem ȝehatenn,
1558Off þatt Farisewisshe follc
1559Þatt læredd wass o boke,
1560An allderrmann, an hæfedd mann
1561Inn Issraæle þede,
1562To lærenn & to spellenn hemm,
1563To wissenn & to ȝemenn.
1564& he comm onn an nahht till Crist,
1565Forr þatt he wollde lernenn

page II,225

1566All stilleliȝ summwhatt att himm
1567Off hiss goddcunnde lare.
1568& tuss he toc forrþrihht anan
1569To mælenn wiþþ þe Laferrd;
1570Maȝȝstre, - we witenn sikerrliȝ
1571Þatt tu þurrh Godess wille
1572& all o Godess hallfe arrt sennd
1573Larfaderr her to manne;
1574Forr niss nan mann þatt wirrkenn maȝȝ
1575Þa tacness þatt tu wirrkesst,
1576Butt iff þatt Drihhtin be wiþþ himm
1577All opennlike onn erþe.
1578& ure Laferrd Jesu Crist
1579Himm ȝaff anndswere & seȝȝde;
1580To fulle soþ I segge þe,
1581Þatt niss nan mann onn erþe
1582Þatt muȝhe Godess riche sen
1583Butt he be boren twiȝess.
1584& Nicodem ȝaff sone þuss
1585Anndswere till þe Laferrd;
1586Hu maȝȝ ald mann ben borenn efft
1587Onn elde off moderr wambe?
1588Maȝȝ aniȝ ald mann cumenn efft
1589Inntill hiss moderr wambe,
1590To wurrþenn borenn to þiss lif
1591Efftsoness off hiss moderr?
1592& ure Laferrd Jesu Crist
1593Himm ȝaff annswere & seȝȝde;
1594To fulle soþ I segge þe,
1595Loc ȝiff þu willt itt trowwenn,

page II,226

1596Þatt niss nan mann þatt cumenn maȝȝ
1597Upp inntill Godess riche,
1598Butt iff he be rihht laȝheliȝ
1599Efft borenn her onn erþe,
1600Off waterr & off Haliȝ Gast
1601Wiþþ all þe rihhte læfe.
1602All þatt tatt borenn iss off flæsh
1603Iss flæsh & flæshess kinde,
1604& all þatt borenn iss off Gast
1605Iss gast & gastess kinde.
1606Ne þinnke þe na wunnderr nu
1607Off - þatt I þe nu seȝȝde,
1608Þatt ȝuw iss alle mikell ned
1609To wurrþenn borenn twiȝess;
1610Gast ȝifeþþ herrte, & wille, & mahht,
1611Þær þær himm sellfenn likeþþ,
1612& tu mahht herenn gastess rerd
1613Wiþþ erþliȝ flæshess ære,
1614Acc þu ne mahht nohht witenn her
1615Þohhwheþþre o flæshliȝ wise,
1616Fra wheþennwarrd gast cumeþþ forþ
1617Ne whiderrwarrd he wendeþþ.
1618& o þatt wise iss illc an mann
1619Weppmann & wimmann baþe,
1620Þatt borenn iss off Haliȝ Gast,
1621Loc ȝiff þut unnderrstanndesst.
1622& Nicodem ȝaff sone þuss
1623Anndswere till þe Laferrd;

page II,227

1624Hu shall mann unnderrstanndenn þiss,
1625Whatt gate maȝȝ þiss wurrþenn?
1626& ure Laferrd Jesu Crist
1627Himm ȝaff anndswere, & seȝȝde;
1628Whatt gate arrt tu forr maȝȝstre tald
1629Inn Issraæle þede,
1630Ȝiff þatt tu nohht ne cannst off þiss
1631Þatt icc her habbe shæwedd?
1632To fulle soþ I segge þe,
1633We spellenn þatt we cunnenn,
1634& tatt we sæȝhenn opennliȝ
1635Þærto we wittness sinndenn,
1636& tohh swa þehh niss ȝuw nohht off
1637To takenn ne to trowwenn
1638Þatt wittness, þatt we berenn forþ
1639Off þatt we wissliȝ sæȝhenn.
1640Ȝiff þatt I spacc off erþliȝ þing,
1641& ȝet rihht nohht ne trowwenn,
1642Hu shule ȝe me trowwenn wel,
1643Ȝiff þatt iss þatt I mæle
1644Till ȝuw off hefennlike þing,
1645Þatt all iss dep & dærne?
1646& niss nan mann þatt stiȝheþþ upp
1647Inntill þe burrh off heffne,
1648Wiþþutenn himm þatt stah forr menn
1649Off heffne dun till erþe,
1650Þe manness Sune fuliwiss
1651Þatt wuneþþ upp inn heffne.
1652& all all swa se Moysæs
1653Hof upp þe neddre i wesste,

page II,228

1654All swa bihofeþþ fuliwiss
1655Þe manness Sune onn erþe,
1656To wurrþenn hofenn upp mang menn
1657Forr all mannkinne nede,
1658Þatt wha se trowwenn shall onn himm
1659Wel muȝhe wurrþenn borrȝenn.
1660Swa lufede þe Laferrd Godd
1661Þe werelld, tatt he sennde
1662Hiss aȝhenn Sune, Allmahhtiȝ Godd,
1663To wurrþenn mann onn erþe,
1664To lesenn mannkinn þurrh hiss dæþ
1665Ut off þe defless walde,
1666Þatt wha se trowwenn shall onn himm
1667Wel muȝhe wurrþenn borrȝhenn;
1668For Drihhtin Godd ne sennde nohht
1669Hiss Sune forr to demenn
1670Þiss werelld, acc to lesenn itt
1671Ut off þe defless walde.
1672& wha se lefeþþ upponn himm,
1673Þatt mann iss all unndemedd;
1674& wha se onn himm ne trowweþþ nohht,
1675Þatt mann iss nuȝȝu demedd,
1676Forrþi þatt he ne trowweþþ nohht,
1677Swa summ himm birrde trowwenn,
1678Uppo þatt name, þatt iss sett
1679O Godess Sune onn erþe,
1680Onn himm, þatt iss off Drihhtin Godd
1681Ankennedd Sune strenedd.

page II,229

1682Þatt iss þe dom, þatt lihht & lem
1683Iss cumenn upponn erþe,
1684& menn ne lufenn nohht te lihht
1685Acc lufenn þessterrnesse,
1686Forrþi þatt teȝȝre dede iss all
1687Unngod & all unnclene.
1688Forr wha sitt iss þatt ifell doþ,
1689He shuneþþ lihht & leme,
1690& fleþ to cumenn to þe lihht,
1691Þatt he ne wurrþe tæledd
1692Þurrh þa þatt sen hiss fule lasst
1693& hiss unnclene dede.
1694& wha se follȝheþþ soþ & rihht
1695Inn alle gode dedess,
1696He cumeþþ gladdliȝ to þe lihht
1697To shæwenn þatt hiss dede
1698Iss all i Godd, & all þurrh Godd
1699& þurrh hiss hellpe forþedd.
1700Her endenn twa Goddspelless þuss,
1701& uss birrþ hemm þurrhsekenn,
1702To lokenn whatt teȝȝ lærenn uss
1703Off ure sawle nede.