oubt thereof. And so
you may perceive that there be many a one that breaketh this card, "Thou
shalt not kill," and playeth therewith oftentime at the blind trump,
whereby they be no winners, but great losers. But who be those now-a-
days that can clear themselves of these manifest murders used to their
children and servants? I think not the contrary, but that many have
these two ways slain their own children unto their damnation; unless the
great mercy of God were ready to help them when they repent there-for.

Wherefore, considering that we be so prone and ready to continue in sin,
let us cast down ourselves with Mary Magdalene; and the more we bow down
with her toward Christ's feet, the more we shall be afraid to rise again
in sin; and the more we know and submit ourselves, the more we shall be
forgiven; and the less we know and submit ourselves, the less we shall be
forgiven; as appeareth by this example following:

Christ, when he was in this world, amongst the Jews and Pharisees, there
was a great Pharisee whose name was Simon: this Pharisee desired Christ
on a time to dine with him, thinking in himself that he was able and
worthy to give Christ a dinner. Christ refused not his dinner, but came
unto him. In time of their dinner it chanced there came into the house a
great and a common sinner named Mary Magdalene. As soon as she perceived
Christ, she cast herself down, and called unto her remembrance what she
was of herself, and how greatly she had offended God; whereby she
conceived in Christ great love, and so came near unto him, and washed his
feet with bitter tears, and shed upon his head precious ointment,
thinking that by him she should be delivered from her sins. This great
and proud Pharisee, seeing that Christ did accept her oblation in the
best part, had great indignation against this woman, and said to himself,
"If this man Christ were a holy prophet, as he is taken for, he would not
suffer this sinner to come so nigh him." Christ, understanding the
naughty mind of this Pharisee, said unto him, "Simon, I have somewhat to
say unto thee." "Say what you please," quod the Pharisee. Then said
Christ, "I pray thee, tell me this: If there be a man to whom is owing
twenty pound by one, and forty by another, this man to whom this money is
owing, perceiving these two men be not able to pay him, he forgiveth them
both: which of these two debtors ought to love this man most?" The
Pharisee said, "That man o