The Booke of Thenseygnementes and Techynge that the Knyght of the Towre made to his Doughters/Chapter 33
OF THE GOOD CONDYCIONS THAT BEN IN DYUERSE AND MANY MANERS AMONGE FOLKE.
LSO ther be other that ben sage and wyse, whiche haue al their herte and truste in god. And for the loue and drede that they haue toward hym they hold them clenly and fro synne, alwey fyghtynge ageynste the fire of lecherye. Also they hold them sobirly fro etynge of delycious metes and wynes, kepyng good dyete, for suche delycates ben but the bronde that lyghteth and sparkleth the fire of lecherye. Other ther ben that haue grace, wytte, and suffisaunce ageynste couetyse, and other that haue a fre hert and pyteous vpon other men's peynes, and ben trewe and rightful toward their neyghbours, and also ben peasyble. And therfor oure lord god maketh them to lyue in pees and peasybly, for who that the euyll and the Ryote seketh, anguysshe and doloure shal soone folowe hym. Many men by their grete jre and angre beten them self with their owne staf, and euery day ben aboute to purchace to them self grete peyne and sorowe. And therfore oure lord God in the Euangely blesseth alle them that ben debonaire and peasyble of herte. Alle suche folke that so cĺerly and feruently byhauen and mayntene them self in the loue and drede of god and of theyr neighbours shewe wel that they be wel lyke theyr mayster, that is, god the fader, of whome they holden and kepe the hooly commaundementes as hooly chirche techeth them, & they haue a fre herte to witholde them after thexamplayre of his sone, whiche is thexemplaire of life and of ioye perdurable, and is the swete welle or fountayn wherynne men maye fynde alle goodnesse and sauement. And therfore, fayre doughters, haue ye euer youre herte in hym, and loue and drede hym, and he shalle saue yow fro alle peryles and fro all euylle temptacions. Wherfore, my faire doughters, I wylle shewe and declare vnto yow by this book the trewe women and good ladyes that oure lord god preyse so moche in his byble, by whoos hooly dedes and operacions were and shalle be euermore preysed, wherby ye may take good Ensample of honest and clenly lyuynge. And also I shalle shewe yow somme euyl wymmen that were furyous and replenysshed of alle malyce, the whiche fynysshed theyr lyf in grete sorowe and heuynesse, to thende ye take of them goode Ensample to kepe yow fro all euylle and fro the perdycyon wher as they fallen in.