IT hath bene saied in time gone and past , That what so euer doth in custome grow , Uery harde it is that away to caste , Be it good or yll this all men dothe knowe , Experience partly dothe the profe showe , And some custome there is which is indefferent , And that in my selfe , I see euident , For to walke abrode my custome oft hath bene Because in songe of byrdes I had a delite , Musinge ofte times what I had hearde & sene , Amonge all degrees of worldly apetite , Some of whiche groslie in booke I did write , But euer with one byrde happely I met , Whiche caused me my penne , to the booke to set . Callinge to my minde , in my bedde as I laye , This my former custome taken of olde , Knowing it was the mery moneth of Maye , The luste of slepe could me no longer holde , But that abrode for my pastyme I woulde , Immediatly into the feldes I went , Where I thought moost byrdes to be resident . And as I there walked by a woode syde , Where pleasauntly al kindes of birdes did singe , For whose pleasaunt noyse I did their abide , To here their notes not from nature altringe , But kepte tune and time , to kinde accordinge , Which hering many thiges to my mide brought , Cheiflye what nature , God in them had wrought . In their kinde our lord thei praise night & day . Keping perfection in their degree , In whiche study for a time I did stay , And laying me downe a while to rest me , Under the shadowe of a Cypresse tree , What with this study and the birdes singingē , Into a sounde slepe these two dyd me bryng . Now than as I in to this slepe ded fall , Anone by vision appered to me , The byrde whiche of olde I had talkte withall : Aryse man arise for very shame quod she , And remember where of thou diddist bethike the , When thou diddist lye down , & auoide the blame , Whiche maye turne thy thought , to thine owne shame . Thou did dist while eyre quod she reuolue in thy minde , The perfection of vs in our estate , Now if thou thy selfe accordinge to kinde , Wilt not labour that way to emytate , Which mought bring the vnto a perfite rate , What great shame shal we byrdes bring y● vnto , If thou praise in vs that thy selfe wylte not do . With that word than me thought I did awake , And asked her what I shoulde do in this : Mary sir quod she if thou paine wilt take , I wil soone bring the where thou shalt not misse , To walke in the pathe that moost perfite is , Shall I go quod I and knowe not whither , Thou shalt know quod she or thou come thither . I wyll know first quod I or ●…s ye sall , Go alone for me where euer it be , A well quod she , nowe I knowe thy minde all , Because of the paine , thou art lothe to agree , To go with me , but hardly chuse the , Whether thou wylt in slouth , haue short ioy here , Or els by short paine , haue longe ioy els where . Longe ioy after this , I rather require , Then after short ioy , quod I , to haue a long pain Then quod she if thou wylt haue thy desyre , Ryse and go with me it is for thy gaine , Nay tary a while , quod I , for I thinke plaine , Their is no ioy to this to here these byrdes sing , And to lie wher so many swet floures doth sprig O foolishe man quod she this pleasure is vaine , And shall haue an ende thou knowest not howe soone Wilt thou the euerlasting ioy disdaine , For this shadowe of ioy , than I haue done , All worldly pleasures thou oughtest to shonne , And rather to my counsell to applye , Then in vaine vanites thus for to lye . Call for grace quod she that thou maist arise , ●…race is euer at hande to all those that call for it . I stande at the Dore & knocke A ●…oc . 〈◊〉 . From all worldly pleasures transitorie , She is redy and at thine elbowe lyese , Profringe hir helpe to bringe the to glory , Plaint these my wordes man in thy memorie . Refuse not Gods grace whyle she may be taken , For she bydeth not where she is forsaken . O lorde quod I ho●…de this moueth my harte , Faine woulde I go but I haue great hindraunce , The sprite is redy ●…way to departe , The fleshe ●…usteth against the sprite . 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . But to the fleshe it is a great greuaunce , But o lorde by grace be thou my gouernaunce , Then grace me thought to ●…e me by the hande fast : saiyng I am thine , tyll thou me of caste . Than vp I rose streight , by the helpe of grace , To take this iornay to me farre vnknowen , Now ꝙ I to the birde , I am in such case , That I am mete to walke while grace is mine own , Yet take hede quod she thou be not ouer thrown , Remembre the saiyng of holy sainte Paule : Let him that thinkes he standes take hede lest he fal . 〈◊〉 . C●… y. Nowe come on quod she , & I wyll flye before , Not to faste quod I , and if thou loue me , So frowarde quod she , thou art euer more , To do that whiche to thy great comforte shal be , Thy corrupte nature by this thou maiste se : With that towarde the East she toke her flight , And I went after as fast as I mighte . And euer as she had flowne a good waye , But yet neither out of heringe nor syght , She would syt downe and for my comminge stay : Telling me that I my nature showde right , In vaine iornaies quod she , thou canst go lyght , But now thou goest as thou were shod with leede , Me thinke thou canst scarsly holde vp thy head . With muche a do quod I , I may tell the , Than forth she flewe farther ouer hyll & dale , Alas quod I , for paine nowe wo is me , Myne owne foolishnesse I may here bewale , With out any comforte that may me auale , To take this hard iornay what mad man was I. Then for verie faintnesse downe I ded lye . Nowe as I there lay , which was but a while , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 A woman anone vpon me layde holde : Wilt thou all ioy , quod she , from thee excyle : Whiche hearinge , for feare it made my hart cold , Her heyre lay out brayded shininge lyke golde , Gorgiously decked , with necke and brest baire , Me thought I neuer sawe woman so faire . She enbrased me saying their with all : I am thy darlyng and euer hath bene , It greueth me to se the thus farre to fall , In the fondest foly that euer was seene , All pleasures bodyly thou hast loste cleane , But those shall enioye it , whiche doth it seeke , Take this waye & you shall haue it next weeke . What man would leue me onles he were mad , Whiche am so swete , farre and amiable , My rest and ease I take , moost mete to be had , This paine I abhore as moost excecrable , Of swete meates I feede , which are delectable , And in suche pleasures as nature requiere , I lyue , and s●…liue at my hartes desyre . Therfore leue this thy mad foolishenes , And come backe to the place which thou dost know The pleasures wherof thy proffe doeth expresse , Lykewise this paine , these paines partly showe , Therfore sith such paines i this path doth grow , Go nowe no farther but come backe with me , For of this iornay , the best thou doest se. And that is quod I , badde inoughe in dede : Bad inoughe quod she , nay thou knowest not al , The paine & trouble , that this way doth breede , Wyll surely cause the in myserie to fall : The byrde this hearing to me ded call , Saying remembre man and call for grace , Her wicked counsell to flye in this case . All her inticementes be detestable , As by her punishmentes doth wel appere , To shewe all her mischeifes I am not able , Howe be it some examples thou shalt here , The whiche may ingender in the a feare , To folowe her waies , as they did before , For whiche some were damned for euermore . First of Sodome & Gomore marke the ende , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Se what vengaunce God on them did take , Fyre & brimstone from heauen ded discende , Consuming them all as in a fyrie lake , Because her beastlines they would not for sake , And after that , they sounke all downe in to hell , With the fiue cities which about them ded dwell . She caused iust Loth to commit inceste , With his owne doughters by drinkinge excesse , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Israelites whom God chose for the best , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 By her mocion fell vnto wyckednes , And Sampson whose strength no tonge can expresse , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . By her was conquered and cleane ouercome , And vsed by his enmies , as a beast domme . Dauid whom God so entierly did loue , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . By her intisement did committe adultrie , And was plaged therfore the proffe did wel proue : Salomon his sonne of wisedome so hye , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 By her was ouercome and fell to great folye , Frequenting such fondnes , that I dare not say , Whether that he was , saued , ye or nay . All these thou maiest se , by her intisement , Did fall into gods great indignaciou , Of the which though some were therfore penitent Yet some did incurre vtter dampnacion , And euen so shalt thou , if by instigacion , Of this fylthy fleshe doest folowe her delite , Thou arte in daunger of losse of heauen quite . Alas wretched man that I am quod I , In what wofull case do I nowe stande , For grace quod she to God do thou crie , Whiche I did , and then she was at my hande , who 〈◊〉 〈◊〉meth vnto me saith Christ I cast not out of the doore . 〈◊〉 ●…it . saying , man dost thou not thinke on the bande , And promise , the whiche I made vnto the , That til thou cast me of thou shouldest inioy me . Then by helpe of grace , & godly instruction , The whiche the good birde did gyue vnto me , I rose vp auoyding the false seduction , Of the fleshe , the whiche before me I did se , Lying on the grounde , seming dead to be , Gladde was I then of that great victorye , Then the byrde calling me , furth againe did flie . After that we went through a woode longe & thicke , Among raginge beastes which were very wyld , Where thornes to the very bones did me pricke , So that my strength was almost cleane excyld , Alas quod I howe thou hast me begyld , Ys this the true way vnto perfection , Ye for sothe quod she , by Christes derection . Then no meruaile quod I , though so few doth it go , Considring the paines that it doth containe , It behoued Christe quod she , to suffer great wo , 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 And so to enter heauen , scripture is plaine , Nowe then if the head , did entre by payne , Ought not the members to suffer lykewyse , Onles their soules health they clearly dispyse . Alas quod I that euer God did ordaine , This way , for I thinke I shall it neuer passe , Then past I this woode , at last with great paine , Beinge as wery as euer I was : O mad man quod she why doest thou trespasse , Against God so sore , come forwarde for shame , I must needes rest me , quod I , I am lame , Then euen at the entring in to a medowe , Which with swet flowers was goodly garnished Upon the grene grasse I laide me full lowe , Lyinge lyke one with paynefulnes punished , But this pleasaunt reste my harte refresshed , And as I there lay I sawe sodainly , A man of hye stature standinge me by . Aparaled he was in ryche aray , As though he had been a great prince or kinge , The ●…tion of the wor●…de . Alas man quod he what doest thou this way , Behold what plesures in that pathe doth spring Wherin I do walke , and with that saying , He toke me vp streyght and helde me on hye , Tell me now quod he what dost thou there spie . O lorde quod I what great ryches I se , What castels & towers with bildiges sumptuous , What parks what pastours of great fertilite , What corne what fruit with woodes plentious , What oxen , what shepe with catell commodious , What golde and syluer with iewelles most pure , O that all were mine for euer to endure . They be all mine , quod he , and I then possesse , Howe be it if thou wilt come backe with me , The pleasure of them are thine neuertheles , And thou shalt enioy them after suche degre , That thou euen alone a lorde of them shal be , I were mad quod I , if I would this forsake , Then come on quod he , and my way let us take , Then he turned backe , and I with him also , The whiche the byrde seing , fast on me did call , Alas man quod ●…he whither doest thou go , Mary quod I , his pleasures passeth all , When I them possesse as he saieth I shall , For he hath showed me , that is my hartes delite Therfore farewell now , I for sake the quite . O man quod she , yet call vnto thy mynde , What God in his worde vnto the doth say , Who that loueth this world from gods loue is bl●… And iustly shall perishe , this reade thou may , Io●… . 〈◊〉 . Wilt thou with the worlde cast thy selfe away , If thou wylfully my counsell wilt refuse , And if thou perishe thou canst make none excuse , The worlde is all set vpon wickednes , Io●… . v. 〈◊〉 . xvit . The worlde hath not knowe God , nor neuer will , The worlde hateth all that loueth godlines , 〈◊〉 . Ioan. 〈◊〉 . The world all the lustes of the fleshe doth fulfyl , The world is cursed , for occasions of yll , 〈◊〉 . v. ●…ath . xvi●… . 〈◊〉 . vi●… . The worlde therfore if thou folowe nowe , God his blessed eare to the wyll not bowe , The world by his wicked temptation , Doth drawe the from the pathe of ryghtwisnes , Wherin thou shouldest fynde great consolacion , But contrary the world full of wyckednes , Wyl bring the to sorowe and paines endles . By his fained ioyes , and crafty decite , Which colourably he dothe counterfeite . If thou call not for grace therby to resiste , This temptacion to whiche he dothe moue thee , Of heauenly ioy thou shalt be dismist , Warned thou art , nowe say I loue the , O lord quod I how these wordes doth moue me Graunt me grace lorde the world to withstand , And delyuer me , out of his wicked bande . Then drewe grace neere and vnto me did say , Because quod she thou didest to the world icline I coulde not abide , he droue me away , But nowe thou seest what came of it in fyne , I confesse quod I , the foly was myne , So should the paine haue been at last quod she , Come backe fro the world to the right path with me , Then vnto the worlde I had no respecte , But turninge with grace she saied againe , Nowe forwarde quod she and thine eyes erecte , To the place the whiche thou hopest to attaine , Then the byrde seinge me begane to complaine , Of my frailnes and vnstabelite , Chyde no more quod I , my foly I do se. Then she flewe before & bade me come after , Whiche I did through a marise very softe , Wher as I thought I should sure haue lefte her , For in that grounde I stumbled wonderous ofte , Alas quod I that I were paste this crofte , And if it be longe I shall it not indure , Well inough quod she , kepe thy footing sure . Alas quod I , who can kepe footing here , Yt is so slyppery and so softe with all , I thinke this grounde wyll me not through bere , he●…●…ye 〈◊〉 this 〈◊〉 . At euery steppe I am lyke to fall : Be content quod she , passe it anone thou shall , The whiche I did at last with muche a do , The wourst place it was that euer I came to . Such a iornay quod I , I neuer went before , Nor wyll not do againe if this were ones paste , Alas for paine quod I , al my bones be sore , I thinke my good dayes be nowe at the last , Then came I within a lytle stones cast , Of a faire grene , whiche when I did spye , Yonder is a good place to reste me thought I. And when I there came I laye downe in dede , There for to rest me amonge the swete flowers : Iwys quod the byrde this is more then neede , To go farther quod I , passeth al my powers , He that had suffred so many sharpe showers , As I haue done , woulde scant go on his feete , The hope of ioy quod she , shuld make the paines swete . 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . Then thinking of that ioy my hart did reuiue , And with that one be hinde me did apeire , Whiche in proporcion had suche prerogatiue , That to tell it plaine I can go nothing neere , But his voice and wordes right wel I did here , O happy man quod he howe blessed arte thou , The 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 . that such paines doth take which god doth alow Thou oughtest quod he in this act to reioyce , Because thou doest in this , thy tyme so wel sped , Glorie therein , for blessed is thy choyce , Thine act , in to al coostes shall extende , And hyely the worlde wyll it commende , To thy great fame and praise perpetuall , In hope wherof , procede thou furth with all . Thy wordes quod I doth set my hart on fyre . Nothinge shall let me forwarde to procede , That fame is it whiche nature doth require , Then do thou quod he , folowe it in dede , For vnto perfection , it wyll the lede , And if any do aboue the take place , Thinke that he dothe it thy fame to deface . With that I neither hard nor sawe him more , Then rose I wel eased and forwarde made hast , The byrde than beheld me beyng before , Stay thou foole quod she , thy time thou doest wast Forsoth thou hast had a goodly repaste , Wherby as great a profite thou shalt fynde , As of the duste borne aboute with the wynde , The property of whiche is to blinde the eyes , And so hath his counsell done vnto the , So redye thou arte thy selfe to exercise , In that whiche thy hole distruction shal be , I promise the quod I , I do not that se , For me thought that all his counsell was good , As thy foolishe fancy quod she vnderstoode . For if of grace thou were not destitute , Thou mightest at the first him perceiue wel , For he vsed the meanes whiche doth confute , Eche kinde of vertue as scripture doth tell , ●…ash . v●… . and x●… . 〈◊〉 say . xiii●… . The deuill by pryde , thought him selfe to excell , Aboue the moost hyest whiche is God eterne , And 〈◊〉 folowe him he did the nowe lerne . But what came of him that so hye did looke , When he had thought to be hyest of all , God for his pryde suche vengaunce on him toke , That by and by in to hell he did fall , There to remaine in paines perpetuall , Nowe as he in him selfe gaue him selfe praise , So doth he moue the to bringe the that waies . Then marke at the last with what he did end , Not only did he prouoke the to pryde , But to enuy those , that to vertue ascende , In whiche his owne nature he doth not hyde , For whan in heauen he coulde no lenger abide , He seinge man after wa●…de in paradise , ●…eue . 〈◊〉 . For enuy to synne he did than intise . Now thou or suche like , that enuiouslie , Hath enuy at those whiche passe the in grace , Wherby in some gyftes their knowledge is hye , Thou doest , I say , reseble in that case , The deuill whiche laboreth all vertue to deface , And as he in euerlastinge paine shall reste , So shalt thou with him haue a free intreste , Enuy moued Cayne , to sle iuste Abell , ●…ene 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . ●…ene 〈◊〉 ●…ene . 〈◊〉 . ●…ath . 〈◊〉 . Enuy moued Saull , Dauid to persue , Enuy moued Iacobs sonnes , there brother to sel , Enuy moued Rachell against Lya true , Enuy moued the Iewes against Christ Iesu , Enuy of vertue well neuer iudge ryght , Enuy blindeth men , from all heauenly sight , By pryde thus thou seest how Lucyfer did fall , And what enuy worketh where he doth raine , Eschewe them therfore or perishe thou shall , With the deuill and his in eternall paine : Wylt thou nowe lose thy labour all in vaine , And chaunge the praise of men for heuens reward , Which as a blast of wide thou oughtist to regard Now chose the thou arte at thy lib●…te , Which of these rewardes for thi paines thou wilt take , The one is all an endles felicitee , The other is burninge in th infarnall lake , In suche flaminge fyer as neuer shall slake , Alas quod I , howe all my bones shake for fere , These horable thretninges of thee thus to here . With hell paines in dede I threten that quod she , Because I perceiue no loue wyll the drawe , To leue thy wyckednes whiche in the I se , Rebelling against both God and his lawe , Oh quod I how this my consience doth gnawe : Praye for grace quod she , so I do quod I , I am redy quod grace , repente thy folye , Thus our lorde God preserued me by grace , And then I thought my selfe in case wonders wel , Nowe quod I to the byrde go forwarde a pace , For myne enimies whiche caused me to rebell , Be now ouer throwne , I thynke downe in to hel Nay nay , man quod she , they are as redy all , As euer they were , to cause the to fall . Therfore quod she thou must thy selfe prepare , Their suttell assautes , to with stande alway , Or els they wyll sure take the againe in snare , Againe quod I , alas what shall I saye , Forsoth quod she , to God styll thou must praye , That wyl I do quod I , them come forth quod she , And the towre of perfection anone thou shalt se , But first quod she I wyll tell the one thinge , Thou must prepare thy selfe some paines to take For vnto the towre or I can the bring , Thou shalt mete with those whom thou maist not forsake For they must saue the from a perilous lake , Which standes in the way very brode and wide , In whiche thou shalt fall , onles they the gyde . Alas quod I , haue I yet more a do , That thou hast quod she , there is no remedy , Then that towre quod I , shall I neuer come to , I warant the quod she , stande manfully , Then with in a while , the pyt I did espye , And at the brinke therof stoode the same thre , ●…he world the ●…the and the ●…uyll . The whiche before that , had assauted me . What callest thou yonder pyt tell me quod I : The pyt quod she of disperacion , And they thre stande there to the ende only , To drawe the in , to thy condemnacion , I bade the therfore to make preperacion , To resiste them , for they wyll the assaile , But stande fast and it shall turne to thine auaile , With that the world , the fleshe & the deuil also , Sprede all my synfull dedes before my face , The Deuyll woulde bringe man to disperacion . And accused me , saiinge thou wretched man loo , What wretch art thou , offending god in such case To thinke that God wyll gyue to the his grace , Remembre how he hath sith the world beganne , Condemned all suche , as from his lawe ranne , That is false ꝙ the birde , god condemneth none , The truepreacher of the wo●…e of God . But such as in to that wicked pyt doth fall , Or suche as by errour from true faith are gone , Or suche as repent not their lyues beastiall , Therfore man quod she for helpe of God call , That thou maist haue grace , which most perfite is To resist the deuill so full of malice . Then vnto heauen I did lifte vp myne eyes , Saying , o lorde thy grace vnto me sende , Beholde a wretched man , which for mercy cries , Euen redy to perishe onles thou extende , Thy mercy on me , so greatly I offende , And therfore vnworthy , thy mercy to haue , Sauing for thy promise , in which mercy I craue Then came grace to me the whiche with her brought , Two deuout ladyes of vertu excellent , Here is faith & hope ꝙ grace , take no thoughte , For God by me nowe , hath them to the sent , To bringe the out of thy daunger present , I gaue the lyght quod faith , the ryght waye to se The office of Fa●…th . For one foote thou couldest not go with out me . Althoughe presently I did not a pere , Yet was it I that first to this did the moue , And I quod hoope did thy hart alway chere , The office of ●…oope . For by me thou didest trust to ascende aboue , To the place which thy soule naturally doth loue Yet the world the fleshe & the deuil most wicked , Yf I were not had the here confounded , Oh good lord quod I , how happy am I now , M●… naturally abhorre●…h al bodi●…y payne and therfore wolde come to heauen with out paine That faith and hoope I haue thus optained , I trust that by the onlye helpe of you , I shall not be nowe any more pained , As before I was , but now retained , With you twaine I trust , I shall be , And so with out pain to yonne towre to bring me . O vaine man quod faith how thou art deceiued , what auaileth it a man to say he hath fayeth when he hathe no workes , can fayth saue him Iac. it . Thinkest thou I am sent for thy bodily ease , To coloure or clooke thy foule sinnes committed , By which thy lord god thou dost daily displease , Though with out me thou canst not his wrathe apease Yet hauing me if thou dost me abuse , To bring the thither I do here refuse . And all though ꝙ hoope , that I am only she , Whiche am thy comforte in this thy progresse , And if thou to do goddes wyll wilt not agree , Thou shalt not by me haue any good successe , Because thou turnest me by thy wylfulnesse , From true hoope vnto vaine presumtion , I shall the rather be thy confucion , Ye haue brought me now ꝙ I vnto my wittes ende I am in case now , worse than euer I was , Thou shalt know by vs quod thei , how to ascend , Unto perfection , and if thou doest passe , On our counsell , but me thinke alas , Thou regardest not thy soules health at all , For whiche I feare the daunger of thy fall , Then shew me quod I what shal I do here in , The byrde ꝙ faith which doth lede the the way , Will teach the wher thou shalt after this begine , Whose counsell refuse in no wyse thou may , And now thou arte preserued this day , From disperacion , we wyll leue the here . And yet bide with the , though we not thus apere With that they vanisht fro my syght corporall , And I stoode & much on their sainges did muse , Than came the byrde and vnto me did call , What wilt thou do quod she , take or refuse , There counsell gyuen , or els wylt thou vse , Thy frowarde custome , and go backe againe . Nay rather quod I , I will take a great paine . For by faith and hoope me thinke I dose , The great ioy and pleasure which doth remaine . In the towore of perfection : a well quod she , I am glad I haue you in so good a traine , I haue no cause nowe on the to complaine , Come on , for anone thou shalt come so nere , That the sight of the towre to the shall appere . Shall I yet quod I , but come to the syght , No forsoeth quod she , and that is well I trowe , Doest thou set thy most sinfull dedes so lyght , The whiche the deuill before the did showe , But what thou shalt do first anon thou shalt know I am content quod I then come forth quod she , With that we came where I a great stone walle did se. This wall was made of very ragged stone , In the whiche stoode a do●…e wonderfull straite , What wall is this quod I , I neuer sawe none , So full of sharpe stone and so natowe a gate : By this dore quod she all people of eche estate , Doth enter , or els come they neuer shall , Unto the towre , for it standes with in this wal . For this is the straite & narow way quod she , 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . The ●…raite gace . To the whiche Christ hath all people exhorted , And this wall in closeth , as thou anone shalt see , The felde of penaunce , in thre partes deuided , Through whiche to passe by grace thou shalt be gided Lord graunt me grace ꝙ I , that enter I may , I am at hand ꝙ grace I wyl lede thee , the way . Then by the hand to the gate she brought me , In at the which I entred with great paine , Then euen by and by , a woman I did se , 〈◊〉 . Which of my synfull dedes did sore complaine , The whiche to morne & weepe did me constraine , Considring my sinnes of which then I thought : O lord what sorow them in my hart she wrought . This is quod grace perfite contricion , Whiche doth moue the thy sinne to lament , This is quod she the first perticion , By whiche all true christians euer went . With that the nexte gate I sawe euident , With in whiche a wofull lady did stande , The whiche helde her hart openly in her hande . 〈◊〉 . Whom when I beheld , she made my hart quake : Alas quod I , let not me come neere her , Thou maiest in no wise quod grace her forsake Painful though she be thou maist not forbere her For by her from sinne , thou shalt be made clerer , Then what is her name tell me true quod I , Her selfe quod grace shall tell the by and by . With that this woman of me had a syght , Come nere man quod she and be not afraied , Thou seist how I shewe my hart in the lyghte , So must thou also thy sinnes beinge waied , Shewe forth thy hart man , why hast thou staied , For of all vyces I am a confounder , And in thy soule , of vertue a grounder . Who art thou quod I of so great vertue , I am quod she pertite confession , Which doth mannes soule truly renewe , Beinge penitent for his transgression , And to folowe Christe hatn an affection , My hart here therfore I shewe openly , No sinne I do hyde●… I sygnyfye therby . Our lorde whiche is auctor of all goodnes , ●…ene . 〈◊〉 . Ordained me when the first man did sinne , Causinge him his faute plainly to confesse , Seeke the scripture thou shalt finde it therin : Shall I quod I , nay my wyt is to thin , Then wyll I quod she make a relacion , Of certaine places for my probacion . Dauid the prophet did his faute confesse , 〈◊〉 . Reg. 〈◊〉 . and ●…salm . xixi. And did therfore very greatly lament , And Cayn whiche committed so great wickednes , ●…ne . ●…tit . Confessed his sinne though not penitent , And in the law wryten by Gods commaundement , 〈◊〉 . iii●… . & . vi . Men came before God their sinnes confessinge , Whose sinnes the people knew by their kinde of offring . Also in the Gospell , for to come more nere , Diuerse whiche herde Iohn the Baptest preach , 〈◊〉 . iii. Asked what they shuld do which when he did here Euery man in his degree he did teache , To reforme their fautes like a good soules leach And this did he not in a generalite , But one by one eche after their qualite . By whiche it doth apere that they confessed , 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . Their sines to him first , his answeres declareth , And by saint Iames it is plainly expressed , 〈◊〉 . v. Where he of the calling of the preistes speaketh , To anoynt the sycke , euen anone therwith , Confesse your sinnes one to an other saith he , Which is the sycke man to the preist , that muste nedes be , Thus I am nedefull and also aunciente , And therfore I trowe thou wylt me not refuce , To alowe the quod I , I am content , But yet at thin age somwhat I do muse , For some wryt that men of olde did the not vse , Thou wast made they say in Latrense counsell , Thei are deceiued quod she , which that tale doth tel . For auncient writters diuerse ther be , Whiche wrot before that councell many daies , The whiche for very godly doth alowe me , Beinge ryghtly vsed as the doctours saies , But that counsell stablisht me , no man denaies , And vsed I am nowe as I euer haue bene , But whan I first began fewe hath seene . The cause in dede of the counselles stablishment , Was because the people slacke and loth were . To confesse their sinnes so maliuolent , They thought a great shame in a mans eare , To shewe their sinnes , by whiche did apeare , Many stoode in feare any synne to commit , Remembrynge that to a man they should shew it . That it bridled men from sinne the church foresaw And what confort to , come to mens soules therby The councell bounde men therto by a lawe , Because it shoulde be obserued truly , As it had bene before auryculerly , Thus howe I was vsed in the lawe olde , And howe in the newe I haue the plaine tolde . Then forwarde I went grace conducting me , Passinge that walke with much shamfastnes , the sacrament ●…f penaunce . A preiste then comminge to me I did se , Whiche semed to be of great holynes , Because quod he thou comest thy sines to confesse Losed from them thou shalt be forth with all , And rec●…iue absolucion sacramentall . Then I kneled downe and after confession . I did receiue of him this holy sacrament , To my great comforte and consolacion , Gyuing me salues for my sores corespondent , Commaunding me my sinnes styll to lament , Now come on quod grace , & forwarde procede , For to the nexte gate I wyll the streight lede . Then or euer that , I came to this gate , One lady I met whiche brought with her thre , Charitee . Other women whiche were of a straunge estate , With whom I had , had small familiarite , For truly they were straungers vnto me : These be quod grace thre Ladies good and iust , Which in at yonder gate nedes bere thou must . Bere them quod I , it is not posseble , The gate is to narowe and strait a great waye , And I beinge redy bothe weake and feble , I can not se howe , bere them in I may , To bere them quod grace do thou not denay , Yet first quod I let me know who they be : Praier , fastinge , and almes dedes quod she . At that word I began both to shrug & shrinke , Alas thought I what a burthen is this , Then came faith & hoope saiing , man the bethinke Of the ioy , whiche prepared for the is , By Christe thy lorde , and thou shalt finde iwys , My yocke 〈◊〉 swee●… 〈◊〉 my 〈◊〉 then is lyghte . Math. 〈◊〉 . That this hurthen shal be to thy paine but small Nay rather thou shalt thinke it no paine at all , Then began my sprytes here with to reuiue , Seinge , Faith , Hoope , and also Charite , Standinge me by , no payne could me dryue , To go back therfro , but rather thei so moued me That long I thought tyl I the towre should se , What cal ye yonder gate ꝙ I , fain I wold here , Where throughe these thre on my backe I must bere This is quod grace the gate of Satisfaction : Satisfaction . Ys it quod I , mary the worlde dothe saye , That of Christes death it is a detraction , Therfore enter there , by no meanes I maye , Those that so saith , qd faith , taketh it the wrong way , f●… is not vnderstande , that man shall satysfye , As though Christ had not done it sufficiently . But because his lawes man hath not duly kept And then by these vertues wil please him again , The ●…ue vn●…anding of satisfaction on ●…ans pa●…te to 〈◊〉 warde . Of his great goodnes he dothe it accepte , As a satisfaction on mans parte plaine : Doth this proue christes death isufficiēt & vain , Nay it settes furth his glory , syth he wyll thus , Crown his own workes wrought by him in vs . Come therfore ꝙ faieth for enter needes thou must And labour there in truly with al thy hole powre Yea quod hoope or els by me thou canst not trust To atcheue thy purpose in the perfite towre , Thou must not qd charite , thinke thy pain sowre For if thou doest I will for sake the quite , And then in all thy workes God will not delite . Therfore come furth quod she & to enter make hast With all my hart quod I , I therto consent , They would not suffer me any tyme to wast , Then on me I toke , these vertues continent . And tyll I came to the gate I did not stent : Then met me corrupt nature which trouble me so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 That he stopte me at the gate in I could not go . O Blessed God quod I , now I se right well . Such m●…make not there workes there sauiour . Without thou helpe neuer enter I shall . Then harde I a swete texte of the Gospell , Which was , come to me you that labour al , Math. xi . And I wyll refreshe you : at the whiche call , My hart did reioyce , then faith pointed me , To loke in at the gate what I could there se. Ther me thought I saw christ with his wounds bl●…dīg 〈◊〉 the mercy of 〈◊〉 and the 〈◊〉 fi●…e of 〈◊〉 deathe . Which said eōe to me , th●… lacke I wil supply , In my bitter death , because thou accordinge , Unto my holy worde , doest thy wyll apply , Though nature hinder the , I graunt the mercy , And because thou hast done thy deligence , Come in I pardon the for natures offence . Oh with what ioy then this did my hart perce , To here of my sauiour these wordes confortable , With a thowsande tonges I could it not reherce If with so many to speake I were able , I being a wretche in case miserable , Worthy dampnation , oh wonderfull kindenes , That my louing lorde to me did expresse . Then at his feete prostrate I fell humbly , And for very ioy , braste out on wepynge : Saiynge , oh my soule , thy lorde magnifye , And thou my sprite also , reioyce accordinge , In God my sauiour , to me most louinge , Whiche of his great mercy , hath had a respecte , To me a poute wretche , with sinfulnes infecte . Come forward quod Christ & now folow me , For I am the light , the lyfe , the truth & the way , Then perfitly the towre before me I did se , The glory wherof expresse I ne may , I repented muche that so longe a delaye , I made by my foly , more regardinge , The vanites worldly then this heauenly thinge . Then with dilygence , after Christ I went , Euen as nye as nature woulde suffer me , Which was farre behinde , but faith then present . Did comforte me saying , thine imbiselite , Shal from yonder towre , not muche hinder the , Sith to go forward thou applyest thy good will , And doest kepe me , and my systers with the styl . By helpe of grace quod I , I trust I so shall , Then walking thetherward , the towre I did vew Which had but onlye one gate or portall , To enter in by , on which was Iesu , Deckt with precious stones from which did insew . So glorious a lyght , that the day might well , Be called derkenes , this lyght did so excell . Then saw I before me diuers bye wayes , In the whiche diuers men diuersly did go , Making in the way many stoppes and stayes , Lyke people ouerseene , wandryng to and fro , What meane youn folke quod I , to walke those pathes so , Thei are men ꝙ faith of inconstant mide , Which are ouerthrown , with eche blast of wide . Some again which sawe their way comberous Full of sharpe thornes which did vexe them sore , They thought it should not be , to them so troblous Lyke wytty men they spred carpetes them before , Upon the which of folke went many a score , So deintely and nicely as though they wo●…de , Not offende the fleshe , for a great deale of golde . Tell me quod I , I pray you who be those , Which maketh their way so pleasant to go vpon , 〈◊〉 ▪ 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . Thei be such ꝙ she , as be their own foose , These la●… al on christes back , paines the●… wil tak●… none , Thei frame them selues a faith , lettig christ alone , And assure them selues in to heauen to be take , By a promise whiche Christ did neuer make . An other way I saw which very painful was And yet all those people which in it went , 〈◊〉 . Letted for no payne but through it did pas : Yonder folke quod I , hath muche labour spent , And styll in one place they be permanent , Thold prouerbe quod she , true in them thou maiest finde , The faster they go the farther behinde . Why so quod I , mary because quod she , These are those whiche for worldly praise dothe loke , They seme forwarde to go , as farre as men se , Unto perfection , but God did neuer brooke , Any suche walkers , but them alway forsooke , Therfore stand they styll , and do no farther go , But take their rewarde here , their request is so . An other sort I saw which kept no path at al , But ran among bushes wher thei their clothes rêt These are spoken of by 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . in his Epistle . an●… . 〈◊〉 . ●…e . 〈◊〉 . Contem●… of all good orders and also of men in authoritie . And some time among floures wher thei oft did fal And some time stucke fast i the mier wher the●… went Yonder folke ꝙ I , to take paines do not stent , Like mad men me thinke : these be those quod she Whiche to honest order will neuer agree . Then sawe I an other great tablement , Whiche busseled togither out of quietnes , Sondry ●…tes of 〈◊〉 . Not one of them was with another content , Many pathes thei had which I can not expresse Going out of that , where they went ther progresse Of the which eche of them contrariely , Affirmed to be the right way to the towre hye . Yonder folke quod I , me thinke can not agree , No maruaile quod she for as it doth appere , Many wayes out of one going thou doest see , That one wai is error , which al men ought to fere And those pathes are opinions , going nothig nere Towardes perfection , and yet they do all , Eche to defend his own wa●… , striue chide & braul . Then in an other pathe , I sawe men discrete , The heathe●… 〈◊〉 . Walkinge soberly , the way being harde , And eche of them , looked wysely to his feete , For feare of fallyng , they had so good regarde , In kepyng their walke , to this hye towre ward , Then beholding them , I sawe they were blynd , And therfore the ryght pathe , could they neuer fynde . Of all sortes quod I , that I did yet see , These men were most like in this towre to dwel They were so quod she , for these men only be , Those whiche in morall vertues did hye excell , As their lyues in writing doth vs painly tell , But yet because of faith they neuer had the light Ascende to this towre trulye they neuer myght . Then in this thornye way wherin I did go , I sawe some people walke , but in number smal , 〈◊〉 a●…e but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the wic●…ed . Alacke quod I for paine , that I see no mo , Walke the right pathe to the lyfe eternall , A great sort I see walke the way infarnall , Many 〈◊〉 , but o●…e 〈◊〉 ●…th the 〈◊〉 Remember quod she , what Christes sayinges be Many their be calde , but fewe chosen saith he . And againe , strait and narow is the gate , The which doth lede vnto saluacion , And very fewe therby which goeth in the rate , Lyke wyse the way leding to dampnation , Is a very large ambulacion , And many there be which doth go that way , Therfore wonder not though many do decay . Then praised I God for his great mercy , Because he forgiueth sinners theri sinfulnes , Namely all those that do penitently , Do true penaunce , for their sinfull wickednes , And againe I praised him for his rightwisenes , Wherby he doth iustly condemne al those , The which wilfully , their owne soules wyl lose . With that to the towre I came very nye , The discription of the towre of perfection . The lowest part where of was humilite , Upon the which was set two pillers great & hie Iustice was the one staied vp by equite , Iustice . Lawe , correction , iudgement and verite , This pyller one corner of this towre did vphold , The goodnes wherof by me can not be tolde . The other pyller was force or fortitude , Fortitude . Which was strongly staide by magnifisence , With constaunce also whiche dothe exclude , Al wauering thoughtes which troubleth conscience Toleraunce , which bereth & forgiueth ech offence And perseueraunce kept all these from seperacion This of vertue is worthy commendacion , The other corners had two pillers lyke case , Of the whiche the one was called Prudence , Prudence . Whiche doth all rude rashenes clearlye deface , Strongly it was bildid by honest prouidence , The feare of God , and counselles intelligence , With memory which doth bere al this in minde , This piller wil not moue with any blast of wide . The fourth and last pyller , was temperaunce , Temperaunce . The chiefe stay of whome was called discretion , Moralite also whiche maketh no vttraunce , Against the vertue of nature at no season , Fasting and sobernes ioyned with reason , Taciturnitee , to rule the tonge ryghtly , And dispising worldly thiges not vsed discretly . On these foure pillers stood this godly toure , And all the vertues which on them did depende , Made the walles betwyxt vnto the hyest floore Aboue whiche to looke I did mine eyes extende , Foure turretes I sawe which I cold not comprehend Which was perfit charite , faith , hope & grace , Fro whom spred the vertues which couerd al the place From grace did procede all the other thre , And betwyxt al foure stoode the batilmetes hye : The rooffe of this towre , then well did I se , Came from faith , hoope and charite truely : From faith I saw procede euidently , Religion , clennes , and obedience , Chastite , virginitee and holy continence . From charite came petie , peace and swetnes . Mercy compassion and benignitee , Concorde vnite and fre forgyuenes , Amitee vnfained with liberalitee , Praier , Almyse and Hospitalitee , These were of suche vertue that they had power , To couer thre partes of the roffe of this towre . From hoope did procede holy contemplacion , True confession , ioy and honeste , Compunction of hart the soules consolacion , Pacience also and longanimitee , These couerde this towre of hye felicitee , And to garnishe it godly , I sawe on the wall , The foure Euangelistes and the Apostels all . Prepare thy selfe quod faith , now to enter in Sith thou hast come the pathe perfite and good , And therfore by Christ art vnlade of sinne , Thou must receiue Christes very fleshe & bloud , Which is of thy soule the moost precious foode , With ioyfull hart quod I , I do therto consent , Thou shalt receiue him quod hoope continent . O man quod charite remember the great loue , Exortation . Whiche thy sauiour Christ hath showed vnto the , He being Gods eternall sonne aboue , woulde for thy sake discende to the degree , Of thy mortall state , vexed with myserie , Only synne excepte , and yet besyde this , Woulde dye a shamefull death , for thy faute and not his . And yet which this vile death his loue did not cease , But ordained him selfe at his last supper , To be eaten of the , thy faith to increase , What greater loue coulde euer , any man vtter , To his derest frende , but his loue muche further , He extended to the , ( being his ennimie ) , By gyuinge to the , his owne blessed body . For the he died , for the he rose againe , For the he did ascende , for the to make the waye , And as he did ascende , to make the certaine , To ascende with him , he gaue him selfe I saye , To be eaten of the , because he woulde staye , Thy faith , that thou shuldest , not thike his death frustrat He wold haue y● truly , in him , incorporate . Then of heauen ꝙ hoope , nedes thou must be sure If thou dwell still in him , and he lyke case in the , He beinge the head , and thou a member pure , Must folowe the head , this can non other be , Thou must be sure ꝙ faith , that thy hart agre , That christes own fleshe is ther , as hi selfe doth say Orels thou art begyld , & shal be cast away . Now for as much quod faith , as thou hast done thy best To enter this towre of perfection , By eatinge his fleshe thou shalt haue intrest , For he is of him selfe , thy only derection , Unto this towre , therfore thine affection , Set thou in him , for with out him be thou sure , Enter here , thou coldist not , with corrupt nature Then out of this towre came a priest deuout , Whiche brought with him the holy sacrament , With many Angels compassinge him about , Which songe swet himmes with voices excellent . Henoring their kinge whom they knew present . Then faith bade me on my knees to knele down , Whiche I did , then for ioy , I was lyke to sowne . Then after my confession generall , And other praiers mete , gynen me by grace , I did receiue this sacrament principall , Wherby I chaunged to a perfite case , Then the Angels drue about me apace , Usinge me muche hyer then felowe lyke . The whiche a great ioy to my hart did strike . Then begane the Angels with great ioye to synge , Praysing God hyely for my conuersion , Fro my synfull lyfe , and so did me bringe , With more ioy then euer I can thinke vpon , Into this godly towre , oh what ioy alone , It was to be there , my tonge can not tell , The blessednes therof did all my wittes excell . If with a thowsande pennes at ones I could writ And with as many tonges , the same time could speake Yea , if al lyuing men , woulde the ioyes indite . Which I had in this towre , thei were al to weake What should I herein my wittes farther breake , It pleased me so that I wished sure , Euermore in the same towre to indure . Thus in ioying this ioy euen sodainly , Out of this traunce , then I did awake , And found my self ther wher I first down did lye For sorowe and shame all my bones did shake , Because this iournay on me I do not take , And as I homewarde went , to God I did pray , That he would graunte vs all to walke this true way The whiche if we do , then no doute we shall . First haue ioye here by peace of conscience , And after this ioy , the ioyes perpetuall , The which to expresse doth passe all science , God graunte vs all to do our diligence , To serue him here in perfite vnite , And then to enioye endles felicitee . Amen .