The Ayenbite of Inwyt (Remorse of Conscience): A Translation of Parts into Modern EnglishMichel, Dan, active 14th century
Religion
The Ayenbite of Inwyt (Remorse of Conscience): A Translation of Parts into Modern English
Michel, Dan, active 14th century
Christian life -- Early works to 1800; Devotional literature
The gifts of hap are exalted stations, riches, delights, and
prosperities, whereof one thinks in many ways. For when the lady of hap
has turned her wheel to the man, and raised and set (him) to the height
of her wheel, like the mill to the wind, and (he has) climbed high
there, there blow all the twelve winds of idle bliss. For when he that
is arisen so high in prosperity thinks in his heart first of the
dignity, afterwards of his prosperity, after that of his riches,
afterwards of his lusts that his body has, after that of the great
fellowship that follows him, afterwards of the fair company that serves
him, after that of his fair manner, afterwards of his fair ridings,
afterwards of the plenty of fair robes, after that of the adorning of
his house with lustful ease and other kinds of equipment, (so) that so
much is fair and noble, afterwards of the great presents and of the
great feasts that one makes him everywhere, after that of his good fame,
and of his praises, that fly everywhere. Thus the wretch rejoices and
glories in his heart, so that he knows not where he is. These are the
gifts that come of idle bliss, (that is) to wit, twelve kinds of
temptation of idle bliss, which those in high estate have, either in the
world or in religion, either cleric or layman.
The gifts of grace are virtues and good works. And against these gifts
idle bliss often blows the more strongly, and often fells the great
trees and the highest, which are the best men. And [thou] shalt know
that in virtues and in good works the devil tempts by idle bliss in
three ways. The one is within in the heart, when one hears of the good
things that one does privily, as of prayers or of privy works, and the
man thinks that he is better with God than he is. The second is when he
has a foolish bliss in him because he hears or sees of his good renown,
and that he is praised and holden for a good man. The third is when he
desires and seeks and obtains fame and renown, and in such understanding
doth his good deeds, not for God properly, but for the world.
THE SIXTH BOUGH OF PRIDE.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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