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 sea.  This investiture, with indelible and perpetual vows to live the life of the cloister, was conferred by the Reverend Fathers and the Priors of our Order, namely, John Vos of Huesden, Prior of Windesem, and William Vorniken of Utrecht, Prior of Mount St. Agnes near Zwolle.  To these the care and visitation of the House, and likewise of the house at Diepenvene that lieth without Deventer, were afterward committed by the General Chapter.  But the number of these Sisters who were first invested in this place was fourteen, of whom ten became nuns, and four Converts; and of the ten nuns four did make their profession on the same day; the other six, and the four Converts remained for a year as Novices.

In the year of the lord 1412, a General Chapter was holden and the houses of the nuns at Diepenvene and Bronope were incorporated as members of the said Chapter.

CHAPTER XIX.

The death of Wermbold the Priest.