The Chronicle of the Canons Regular of Mount St. Agnes | Page 4

many devoutly submitted themselves to his counsel,
for sometimes he would preach two sermons in one day so as to water
the chosen vineyard of the Lord. And if he had determined to preach
after the midday meal, he would remain praying in the Church or
walking in meditation in the churchyard, taking no food himself, while
he awaited the return of the people. For this reason they that loved his
holy discourse were unwilling to stay away too long, but would sit
them down in the churchyard or in the Church, and take beforehand
places that were convenient and near the pulpit, so that at the proper
hour they might the more readily hear and understand the Word of God.
And when Gerard had done his faithful preaching, each would return to
his own concerns rejoicing with eager heart, and praising God for all
the things he had heard. And they marvelled above measure at the
humble bearing of the Master, and were edified thereby, that he, a man
of so great fame and knowledge, one that had friends great and famous,
should go about the streets with so meek an aspect, and showing little
care for his attire; for he cared not at all about worldly things, and
sought only to gain a great usury of souls for God. He was well
favoured, kindly in word, and courteous to all, so that any man
whatever, whether a stranger or born in the land, even though poor and
unknown, might speak to him and receive from him some discourse
upon the things of God. The good saw this and rejoiced thereat, but the
froward gnashed with their teeth and spake evil of Gerard. A certain
man, therefore, one of the great ones of the State, came near to him,
and rebuked his words and deeds, for the man himself took more
pleasure at that time in worldliness than in the things of God. "Why,"
said he, "dost thou disquiet us, and bring in new customs? Cease from
this preaching, and do not disturb or frighten men." But Gerard made
answer with wisdom and constancy: "I would not willingly suffer you
to go to Hell," and the man said again with indignation: "Let us go
thither in peace," but the kindly and good Master replied: "I will not do
so; if thou wilt not hear, there will be some who will gladly give
ear"--but we must return to our history.

When the most beloved Master was sojourning in Zwolle for the
purpose of preaching the Word, some of his disciples aforementioned
who dwelt together there came to him secretly and confessed that they
desired to live a life further removed from that of the world, for they
could not bear to mingle with worldlings without suffering hurt to their
spiritual life; and they said that they would choose to dwell without the
City if he should agree thereto. They begged him therefore, as loving
sons speaking to their father, to condescend to go with them some little
space outside the City to look for a place convenient wherein to live
quietly. Then Gerard assented to their pious prayers, and when the next
day dawned he prepared for the journey and taking with him the
brothers Wychmann, Reyner, Henry and James Wittecoep, he went
with them towards the mountains of Nemel to a place that was
foreordained of God, and separated from the multitude; for men were
seldom seen to come thither or to pass by, and patches of thorns and
nettles grew here and there upon the hills and valleys. So as they went
forth the wind beat against them, hut neither rain nor wind could stay
the Master from the straight course, and he went on rejoicing and said
pleasantly to his companions: "I will go before you and shield you from
the wind with my cloak." But as they drew near to the place, they went
up to the top of an hill, and having made a circuit round the mountains
for some little space, they at last beheld a valley, that was narrow and
deep, upon the northern side of the mountain, and Gerard's disciples
asked him a question, saying: "See! most beloved Master, how good is
this place, and how private; here we may hide for the love of Christ, as
of old the holy Eremites did hide in the mountains and in caves in the
earth." But this they said in simplicity of heart out of the fervent zeal of
their devotion, and their desire for a life more remote from the world,
for they thought there they could be hid, screened by the thickets of
brushwood. But the Master being most discreet and wise in counsel
soon dissuaded them from this purpose, for a place