fleshly affection through the joy of a raised thought."
_Strength_ is; enduring to fulfil good purpose, that it be not left,
neither for weal nor for woe. _Pity is_: that a man be mild: and gainsay
no holy Writ when it smites his sins, whether he understand it or not;
but with all his might that he purge the vileness of sin, in himself and
in others. _Knowledge_ is that (which) makes a man in good hope, not
making him quake for his righteousness, but sorrowing for his sin; and
that a man gather earthly good only to the honour of GOD, and to other
men's advantage more than to his own. The _Fear of God_ is: that we
turn not again to our sin for any egging on: and then is fear perfect in
us and holy, when we dread to anger GOD in the least sin that we can
know, and flee it as poison.

CHAPTER XII.

Two lives there are that Christian men live. One is called Active life,
for it is more in bodily work. Another, contemplative life, for it is in
more ghostly sweetness. Active life is greatly outward, and in more
travail and in more peril, because of the temptations that are in the
world. Contemplative life is largely inward, therefore it is more
enduring and more certain, restfuller, more delectable, lovelier and
more rewarding. For, it has joy in GOD'S love, and savour in the life
that lasts aye, in this present time, if it be rightly led. And that
feeling of joy in the love of JESUS passes all other merits in earth.
For it is so hard to come to, because of the frailty of our flesh, and
the many temptations that we are beset with, which hinder us night and
day: all other things that come are light in regard thereof; for that
may no man deserve, but only it is given of GOD'S goodness to them who
verily give themselves to contemplation and to quiet for Christ's love.
To men and women who betake themselves to _active life_, two things
befall. One: to appoint their household in fear and in the love of GOD,
and to find them in necessaries, and themselves keep GOD'S commandments
entirely. Doing to their neighbours as they will that they do to them.
Another is that they do, so far as they can, the seven works of mercy.
The which are: to feed the hungry: to give the thirsty a drink; to
clothe the naked: to harbour them that have no housing: to visit the
sick, to comfort them that are in prison; to bury dead men.

All that can and who have property, they may not be quit with one or two
of these; but it behoves them to do them