For if ther mighte been a variaunce

To wrythen out fro goddes purveyinge,

Ther nere no prescience of thing cominge;

142. But it were rather an opinioun

Uncerteyn, and no stedfast forseinge;

990

And certes, that were an abusioun,

That god shuld han no parfit cleer witinge

More than we men that han doutous weninge.

But swich an errour up-on god to gesse