HERE BEGINNETH THE ONE AND FORTIETH CHAPTER
That in all other works beneath this, men should keep discretion; but in this
none.
AND furthermore, if thou ask me what discretion thou shalt have in this work,
then I answer thee and say, right none! For in all thine other doings thou shalt
have discretion, as in eating and in drinking, and in sleeping and in keeping of
thy body from outrageous cold or heat, and in long praying or reading, or in
communing in speech with thine even-christian. In all these shalt thou keep
discretion, that they be neither too much nor too little. But in this work shalt
thou hold no measure: for I would that thou shouldest never cease of this work
the whiles thou livest.
I say not that thou shalt continue ever therein alike fresh, for that may not
be. For sometime sickness and other unordained dispositions in body and in soul,
with many other needfulness to nature, will let thee full much, and ofttimes
draw thee down from the height of this working. But I say that thou shouldest
evermore have it either in earnest or in game; that is to say, either in work or
in will. And therefore for God's love be wary with sickness as much as thou
mayest goodly, so that thou be not the cause of thy feebleness, as far as thou
mayest. For I tell thee truly, that this work asketh a full great restfulness,
and a full whole and clean disposition, as well in body as in soul.
And therefore for God's love govern thee discreetly in body and in soul, and get
thee thine health as much as thou mayest. And if sickness come against thy
power, have patience and abide meekly God's mercy: and all is then good enough.
For I tell thee truly, that ofttimes patience in sickness and in
other diverse tribulations pleaseth God much more than any liking devotion that
thou mayest have in thy health
our kind sponsors.
