I commande stedfastly and straitly too all the bretherne that in no wise
they resceive any maner of coyne or money, nother by them self nor by
none other meane person. Neuertheles for the necessite of the seke
bretherne, and for the other bretherne to be clothid or nedynge
clothinge, by goostly and spiritualle frendis, the mynysters oonly and
the custodyes or wardens shalle haue diligent cure and charge accordyng
to the placis, too the tymes or seasons, and to the colde cowntreis and
regions; lyke as yt shall seme them expedient too ther necessite or
nede. Savyng this alwaies that lyke as yt is before saide they may nat
resceive ony maner of coyne or money.
V. The maner how the bretherne shall use and occupie them self in bodily
labour.
The bretherne too whom God hath gyven grace and strengthe to labowr
shall laboure truly and deuoutly, so and in suche wise that Idlenes, the
enemy of the soule, excluded and put awey, they quenche not the inward
feruour and sprite of holy prayer and devoycoun whereunto alle
transetory and temporalle thyngis oughte deserne[14] and geve place. As
of the hier and availe for ther laboure, they may resceive for them self
and for ther bretherne, those thinggis that be necessary and nedefulle
to ther bodies, except coyne or money. And that louly and mekely, as
appartainith and belongith the saruauntis of God and the trewe folouaris
of most parfyte and holy pouerte.
VI. Howe that the bretherne may not appropre to them ony thinge in any
maner of wyse:
The bretherne shall nothynge appropre to them, nother in howsing nor in
londis, nor in rent nor in any maner of thynge, but lyke pilgrimis and
strangers in this world, in pouerte and mekenes, saruyng Almyghty God.
They shalle feithefully, boldly, and surely and mekely goo for almys.
Nor they shalnot nor owghte not to be ashamed, for our Lord made hym
self poor in this worlde.
[11] Property.
[12] Fit for.
[13] Condemn.
[14] Yield.