[Sidenote: Thus, then, are all things well conducted, since that invariable order of cause has its origin in the simplicity of the Divine mind, and by its inherent immutability exercises a restraint upon mutable things, and preserves them from irregularity.]
{ and} þus ben þe þinges ful wel ygouerned. yif þat þe symplicite dwelly{ n}ge *in þe deuyne þou[gh]t sheweþ furþe þe ordre of causes. vnable to 3948 be I-bowed. { and} þis ordre constreyneþ by hys p{ ro}pre stablete þe moeueable þinges. or ellys þei sholde fleten folily
[Sidenote: To those who understand not this order, things appear confused--nevertheless, the proper condition of all things directs and inclines it to their true good.]
for whiche it is þat alle þinges semen to be confus { and} trouble to vs men. for we ne mowe nat co{ n}sider{ e} 3952 þilke ordinaunce. ¶ Naþeles þe p{ ro}pre manere of euery þing dressynge hem to goode disponit hem alle.
[Sidenote: For there is nothing done for the sake of evil, not even by the wicked, who, in seeking for felicity, are led astray by crooked error.]
for þere nis no þinge don for cause of yuel. ne þilke þing þat is don by wicked[e] folk nis nat don for yuel 3956 þe whiche shrewes as I haue shewed [ful] plentiuously seken goode. but wicked errour mysto{ ur}niþ he{ m}.
[Linenotes: 3928 _seyne_--seyn _þinge cleueþ_--thing clyueth _stedfastnesse_--stydefastnesse 3930 _swiche_--swych 3931 [_it_]--from C. 3932 _to_ (2)--MS. of, C. to 3937 _enterchaungable_--MS. enterchau{ n}gyngable, C. entrechaungeable 3939 _a-doune_--a-down _sembleables_--semblable 3942 _bonde_--bond 3943 _ben vnbounden_--be vnbownde 3944 _oute_--owt 3948 _furþe_--forth 3949 _I-bowed_--MS. vnbounde{ n}, C. I-bowed 3950 _sholde_--sholden 3951 _whiche_--which 3952 _mowe_--mowen 3956 _wicked[e]_--wykkede 3957 [_ful_]--from C. 3958 _goode_--good]
[[pg 138]] [Headnote: NOTHING DONE FOR EVIL'S SAKE.]
[Sidenote: But the order proceeding from the centre of supreme goodness does not mislead any.]
¶ Ne þe ordre comynge fro þe poynt of souereyne goode ne declineþ nat fro hys bygynnynge.
[Sidenote: But you may say, what greater confusion can there be than that both prosperous and adverse things should at times happen to good men, and that evil men should at one time enjoy their desires and at another be tormented by hateful things.]