52. Frere, what charitè is this--to begyle children or they 270 commen to discrecion, and binde hem to youre orders, that been not grounded in goddes lawe, against hir frendes wil? Sithen by this foly ben many apostatas, both in will and dede, and many ben apostatas in hir will during all hir lyfe, that wolde gladly be discharged if they wist how; and so, many ben apostatas that 275 shulden in other states have ben trewe men. 53. Frere, what charitè is this--to make so mony freres in every countrey, to the charge of the people? Sith persounes and vicares alone, ye, secular prestes alone, ye, monkes and chanons alone, with bishops above hem, were y-nough to the 280 church, to do prestes office. And to adde mo than y-nough is a foul errour, and greet charge to the people; and this is openly against goddes will, that ordeined all thinges to be don in weight, nomber, and mesure. And Christ himself was apayed with twelve apostles and a few disciples, to preche and do prestes office to all 285 the hole world; than was it better don than it is now at this tyme by a thousand deel. And right so as foure fingers with a thumbe in a mannes hande, helpeth a man to worche, and double nomber of fingers in one hond shuld lette him more; and the more nomber that there were, passing the mesure of goddes ordinaunce, 290 the more were a man letted to worke: right so, as it semeth, it is of these newe orders that ben added to the church, without grounde of holy writ and goddes ordinaunce. 54. Frere, what charitè is this--to lye to the people, and saye that ye folowe Christ in povertè more than other men don? 295 And yet, in curious and costly howsinge, and fyne and precious clothing, and delicious and lykinge fedinge, and in tresoure and jewels and riche ornamentes, freres passen lordes and other riche worldly men; and soonest they shuld bringe hir cause aboute, be it never so costly, though goddes lawe be put abacke. 300 55. Frere, what charitè is this--to +gader up the bokes of holy writ and putte hem in tresory, and so emprisoune hem from secular prestes and curates; and by this cautel lette hem to preche the gospell freely to the people without worldly mede; and also to defame good prestes of heresy, and lyen on hem openly, 305 for to lette hem to shew goddes lawe, by the holy gospell, to the Christen people?