Chapter I. Of the first Congregation of Clerks in Deventer CHAPTER I Of the first Congregation of Clerks in Deventer (1) HE righteousness of good men, as reason doth dictate, everywhere deserveth due praise.
For those who lived lives worthy of praise ought not after their death to be given overT to forgetfulness. The deeds of such should be held in remembrance if only for the consolation of them that survive; and should be set up as a pattern to other faithful people. Wherefore it behoves us above all to commend those who studied to serve God in humility and devotion in the House of our reverend Father Florentius from the time of the foundation of that House, and remained with all constancy under the rule of holy obedience with great fervency of Spirit unto their lives' end. Yet I do not purpose to write of the virtues of all of them, a thing which is by no means possible, but as concerning several of them I desire to record a few things that are within mine own knowledge.
(2) When I had come to study in Deventer, in the days of my youth, I sought the way to the Regulars at Windesheim, and having found there the Canons Regular, amongst whom 170 was my brother, I was led by his advice to approach that most reverend man Master
Florentius, who was Vicar of the Church of Deventer, a devout priest, whose most excellent fame had already reached the Upper Provinces, and had drawn my mind to love him: for a great multitude of scholars used to praise him for his conduct of holy things. Both his appearance and his words confirmed his righteous reputation, and he was in favour in the sight of all men, for indeed he was a true worshipper of God and most devoted in his reverence for our Holy Mother the Church.
When I came into the presence of the reverend Father he kept me for a while with him in his house, being moved thereto by fatherly affection; and he placed me in the School, and besides this gave me the books which he thought I needed. Afterwards he obtained for me a lodging, at no cost to myself, with a certain honourable and devout matron, who often showed kindness to me and many other Clerks. So being associated with this man who was so holy, and with the Brothers of his Order, I had their devout lives daily in my mind and before my eyes, and I took pleasure and delight in the contemplation of their godly conduct, and in the gracious words which proceeded from the mouths of these humble men. Never before could I recollect to have seen such men, so devout and fervent were they in the love of God and of their neighbour. Living in the world they had no part in the life thereof, and seemed to take no heed to worldly business. Remainingat home they laboured carefully in copying books, being instant continually in sacred study and devout meditation. In the hours of labour they had recourse to ejaculatory prayer for their consolation; in the morning, 171 having said Matins, they went to the Church, and during the Celebration of Mass they poured forth as an offering to God the first fruits of their mouth and the aspirations of their