he month of April,
died that reverend man Everard of Eza, the Curate of Almelo and a great
master in physic. He often gave the benefits of his healing art without
price to many that were sick, but especially to the poor. Likewise he
founded and in a special way provided for the Monastery of the Blessed
Virgin in the Wood near Northorn, in the Countship of Benthem, and he
procured that some of the Clerks who lived with him should be invested
there. Amongst physicians he had a great reputation; of the nobles he
was honoured, by worldlings he was feared, by the religious he was
beloved, and for a long while his fame was good in the land. Moreover,
he had been a close friend to Florentius, the Vicar of the Church at
Deventer, and rejoiced to visit him; and he often succoured him in his
infirmities and expended anxious care upon him; likewise he said of
Florentius that it was a thing above human nature that a man so weak
should live so long, unless it were that God preserved him.

But let it not be a marvel to any how it came about that these two
reverend Fathers and Masters were thus of one heart in the service of
God, for He who brought together the Blessed Peter and Paul to preach in
Rome did also unite Florentius and Everard in Deventer, to be as it were
two bright lights in the world, to dwell together as Brothers like minded
in the House and there to comfort themselves and others.

But the conversion of this reverend Master Everard came about after this
manner, and was brought by the co-operation of God to an wholesome
effect. When the venerable Master Gerard, of whom mention is made above,
was preaching the Word of God to the people outside the walls of
Deventer, Everard hastened to come to his preaching, for he had heard
Gerard's fame and was puffed up with the wisdom of this world; so he came
not of brotherly love, but out of a curious mind, desiring to know
whether the Master's teaching was consonant with his fame, for he did not
hunger for uprightness but rather would catch him in his talk. Yet he
stood not openly among the common and simple folk, but behind a pillar,
as one that hideth; and behold Almighty God Who knoweth the heart,
neither can any hide from His face, did fill the quiver of the preacher
with sharp arrows wherewith in secret he pierced through the heart of
this curious hearer, who, being pricked thereby, laid aside all the
naughtiness of his former vanity, and became a devout disciple of the