tch over his own conscience, and
guarded his good reputation and humility of life. On a time, as he was
passing through the street in a city that is far away, some boys whom he
knew not seized him from behind by his cloak, and mocked him with jests
because it was his wont to go clad in very simple attire, and a long sad-
coloured cloak, for he seemed to take no thought of any outward thing,
nor to desire honour. So being thus entreated and disturbed he looked
back and said to himself: "Here ought we to dwell, for at Zwolle they say
unto us, 'Sir, sir,' yet what merit do we gain thereby?"

Likewise he came sometimes to Mount St. Agnes, and sought to speak with
the Brothers in their cells, and as he was holding converse with a
certain one of them, he said, amongst many other good things, "Very good
is the life that ye pass here, and the more safe is the road that ye
traverse in that ye abide in the cloister afar from the multitude of men.
I, who almost every day do traffick with worldlings, what can I learn
thereby save the acts of worldly men? I am a man untaught, neither have
I knowledge of the life of contemplation, nor do I seek to take hold on
lofty matters--but sometimes I can preach in simple words to untaught and
common folk--yet henceforth I purpose to amend myself with more
diligence, and by God's favour to apply myself to things of greater
moment." When he said this, that Brother was greatly edified at the
humble words that proceeded from his mouth. It is said also in his
preaching he uttered this notable saying: "Why should I say more? Words
do beget a multitude of words--and acts beget their kind. The fruit of
the Word is its fulfilment in deed."

He was buried in the church at Windesem, where also certain other devout
Brothers and Priests do sleep, and after him John Haerlem was preferred
to rule over the Sisters in Zwolle, since the well-being of the House so
determined it; he was one that was sufficiently skilled in sacred
learning, and he had lived long and devoutedly in Deventer, and moreover
had ruled the House of Florentius for several years.

CHAPTER XVIII.

_How the Sisters in Bronope were invested_.

In the year of the Lord 1411, on the day of the Conception of the Blessed
Virgin Mary, the Sisters of the Order of Canons Regular in Bronope were
first invested. This House lieth outside the town of Campen, which town
is near the bank of the Yssel where that river runneth down to the s