No More Learning

e_--soth
1272 _outwardes_--owtward
1276 _fair_--fayr{e}
_if_--yif]

[Headnote:
IGNORANCE CRIMINAL IN MAN. ]

[Sidenote: Inferior things are satisfied with their own
endowments, while man (the image of God) seeks to adorn his nature
with things infinitely below him, not understanding how much he
dishonours his Maker. ]

? And certys al o? {er} ? i{n}ges ben appaied of hire owen
beautes. but ? e men ? at ben semblable to god by ? our{e}
resonable ? ou? t desiren to apparaille ? our{e} excellent 1280
kynde of ? e lowest[e] pinges. ne ?
e ne vndirstonde nat
how gret a wro{n}g ? e don to ? oure creato{ur}.

[Sidenote: God intended man to excel all earthly creatures, yet
you debase your dignity and prerogative below the lowest beings. ]

for he
wolde ? at man kynde were moost wor? i {and} noble of
any o? er er? ely ? inges. and ? e ? resten adou{n} ? oure [[pg 49]]
dignitees by-ne? en ? e lowest[e] ?