ffor now I passe forthe into wyldernes,
The Holy Gost xal be my gyde.
Hic Jhesus transit in desertum, dicens, etc.
In whylsum place of desertnes,
XL.^{ti} days, a terme ful wyde,
And ffourty nyghtes, bothe more and lesse,
Withowtyn bodyly ffode ther to abyde;
ffor man thus do I swynke.
Into deserte I passe my way,
ffor mannys sake, as I ȝow say,
XL.^{ti} nyghtes and xl.^{ti} day,
I xal nowther ete nor drynke.
Johan Baptyst. In place where I passe wyttnes I bere,
The trewthe xal I telle wheresoevyr I go,
That Cryst, the Sone of God, is become oure fere,
Clad in oure clothynge to sofer for us wo!
I baptyȝid with myn owyn handys Cryst Jhesu ryght here,
And now he is to wyldyrnes penawns ther to do,
Informyng so alle us that Lord that hath no pere,
To do for oure trespace penawnce here also;
Of penawnce do I preche.
In wyttnes ryght be this,
That what man for his mys,
Doth penawns here, i-wys,
His sowle he dothe wel leche.
Alle men on ground that be ȝitt on lyve,
ffor ȝour grett offens loke ȝe be repentaunt;
Of alle ȝour venym synne I rede that ȝe ȝow shryve,
ffor God is ful redy mercy for to graunt.
Be contryte for ȝour trespas, and penauns do belyve,
Reconsyle ȝourself and be to God plesaunt;
With contryscion, schryffte, and penauns, the devil may ȝe dryve,
