Chapter IX. Of his labours, and his patience toward his enemies CHAPTER IX Of his labours, and his patience toward his enemies
(1) T were a long task to tell of the labours which he underwent in preaching, the conflicts of disputation which he maintained against subverters of the faith, and the exhortationsI which he delivered to strengthen in their holy purposes the brethren and sisters who had given themselves to the devout life. These things are most clearly shown in the letters which he wrote to divers persons for their consolation. Thus he says in one letter written to the priests in Amsterdam, who were very well known to him. "Be not afraid, my most beloved, if ye have heard my evil report from the men of Kempen. All things are turning out as I hope in accordance with the will of God. Let Charity burn within us with no sluggish flame but fiercely. Let us despise these filthy communications and be ensamples of the Most High, to the Glory of our Creator."
When he perceived that many prelates of the Church were opposed to him, and that his preaching was being hindered by the envy of his enemies, and that he was forbidden to preach by an edict craftily obtained, he yielded in a spirit of humility to this rage and envy, being unwilling to stir up a tumult amongst the people against the clergy. Moreover, he said to the^common folk who took ill this inhibition as having been obtained by falsehood:
"They are our prelates, and as is fitting and due we wish to obey their edicts; for we seek not to hurt any, nor to stir up a scandal. The Lord well knoweth His own whom He hath chosen from the beginning, and He will also call them by His grace, without our aid, in what manner 21 soever He will." He therefore held his peace for a time, and meanwhile gave himself to private exhortation, counting out the riches of the Word of Consolation with an eager heart to all who came to him,—as also the blessed Paul saith:—"and I myself will be spent for your souls, seeking not what is profitable to myself but to many."
(2) He also caused several books of sacred theology to be written out by the pupils whom he attracted to him by his excellent discourses: he paid them wages, inviting them to come to his own house and hear the Word of God more often, that so he might dispose them to chastity, and to the amending of their lives, by which means they might become partakers of everlasting blessedness, being fashioned to a new and holy life, if they should renounce worldly courses. Meanwhile with Godly prudence he did not pay all their wages at one time, but divided the money into several portions, in order that they might often come, and with such opportunities for intercourse with him might find grace; and these men came the more gladly as they saw beneficent acts of holiness abounding in him—for Gerard earnestly strove to win some of these writers to Christ, a purpose which by the favour of God was shortly brought to pass. He loved to speak with such simpleminded and less learned men rather