"How could all be well, for the great harm that is come by sin to the
creature?"
But in this I stood beholding things general, troublously and mourning,
saying thus to our Lord in my meaning, with full great dread: _Ah! good
Lord, how might all be well, for the great hurt that is come, by sin,
to the creature?_ And here I desired, as far as I durst, to have some
more open declaring wherewith I might be eased in this matter.
And to this our blessed Lord answered full meekly and with full lovely
cheer, and shewed that Adam's sin was the most harm that ever was
done, or ever shall be, to the world's end; and also He shewed that
this [sin] is openly known in all Holy Church on earth. Furthermore
He taught that I should behold the glorious Satisfaction[1]: for this
Amends-making[2] is more pleasing to God and more worshipful, without
comparison, than ever was the sin of Adam harmful. Then signifieth our
blessed Lord thus in this teaching, that we should take heed to this:
_For since I have made well the most harm, then it is my will that thou
know thereby that I shall make well all that is less._
[1] "asyeth" = _asseth_, Satisfying, Fulfilment. See p. 2.
[2] "asyeth making". See preceding note.