THE LIFE OF THE REVEREND MASTER GERARD THE GREAT COMMONLY CALLED GROOTE

Preface: The Preface to the life of the venerable Master Gerard the Great, commonly called “Groote”

Of the origin and interpretation of Gerard’s name

Of his rapid progress at the University of Paris

How his conversion was revealed to a hermit in Cologne

How he was drawn to God by the Carthusian

Of his change of garb and character

How he separated himself from fellowship with worldlings

Of his abstinence, and the shirt of hair which he wore

How, by the advice of the Monks, he began to preach the word of God

Of his labours, and his patience toward his enemies

Of his journey to the parts about Brabant

Of his austerity in food and clothing

Of his devoutness in prayer and in hearing Holy things

Of his great love of reading the Holy Scriptures

Of the abundant fruit which he bore in the conversion of men

Of the devout communities and monasteries which arose through him

Of his happy death and burial

Of the noble eulogy passed upon Gerard by a Cantor at Paris

Of his public profession of faith, and of his delivering the true Gospel in his preaching

Appendix to the Life of Gerard Groote

THE LIFE OF THE REVERED FLORENTIUS, A DEVOUT PRIEST, AND VICAR OF THE CHURCH OF DEVENTER

Of the humility of Christ which Florentius studied to imitate

Of the interpretation of the name Florentius and its three glorious meanings

Of the interpretation of his father’s name Radewin

Of his native land, and how he went to study at Prague

Of his honourable character in the world

Of his conversion through the preaching of Master Gerard

How he despised the life of the world and joined himself to Master Gerard

How Florentius himself, now fully converted, did convert many others

Of the burdens that he bore, and the wrongs that he suffered

Of his promotion to the priesthood and the abasement of his humility

How seldom he went out, and of his instructive demeanour as he stood in the Choir

Of the simplicity of his garb

Of his humble service among the Brothers

How he laboured with his hands for the common good

Of his compassion toward the poor, the sick, and the friendless

Of his feeding the poor, and washing beggars

Of his abstinence and the infirmities which came upon him by reason of his austerity

How he often recovered by the aid of the prayers of the devout

How upon an Easter Even he was healed by a Vision of Angels

Of one who fell into a well and was drawn out unhurt

Of the vision of the Rood which appeared over his house

Of his patience, gentleness, and love toward all men

Of his devout exhortation to spiritual prayer

Of his effectual preaching and his knowledge of the Scriptures

How he set a guard upon his tongue and avoided oaths

Of three temptations that are full of peril to the devout

Of his sending forth the Brothers to gather fruit in divers places

Of his happy passing from this world and his burial in the Church

Of a vision which was seen after his death, and of the great glory which he attained

A Letter and certain Notable Sayings of Florentius

LIVES OF THE FOLLOWERS OF FATHER FLORENTIUS

Of the first Congregation of Clerks in Deventer

Concerning John Gronde