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.