Thomas a Kempis - The Chronicle of the Canons Regular of Mount St. Agnes

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Once it happened that the elder Reyner was sent out with some other
Brothers to guard the reeds, lest the cattle that passed by might chew
and injure them. But when the time for the midday meal came all the rest
went in, and Reyner alone remained on watch in the fields, and afterwards
he, too, went in to take his sustenance. Then he was asked wherefore he
had not come in with the others at the appointed hour, and he answered
that he had remained outside thinking to do the more good thereby, and
prevent danger to their stuff. But Father John replied, "Would that the
beasts had despoiled all our goods so that thou hadst come in with the
rest as in duty bound. This would have pleased me better." Then was
Reyner deeply penitent, and groaning he prostrated himself humbly on the
ground asking for pardon, and saying that he would never do the like
again. But yet John was full of comfort and kindness to those that were
tempted or oppressed with any weighty matter, for he had the gracious
power of consoling all, whatever might be the cause for which they came
to him. Master Gerard himself often sent divers persons to be instructed
by him in the way of God, saying to them, "Go to blind John of Ummen,
that devout and upright man, and whatsoever he saith unto you, do it." He
also bore this witness about John, saying "That blind man hath better
sight than all that are in Zwolle," meaning that though he lacked natural
sight, yet was he illumined inwardly by the radiance of truth, and showed
the way of eternal salvation to many that resorted to him, and gave them
the guidance of the true light.

Among these early Brothers so great was the zeal of their love that each
strove to surpass the other in doing work that was humble; and they were
eager in lowly service one to the other. So while one was asleep another
would rise up earlier than was customary and finish his work; but if any
were somewhat slower in going forth to his labour, some other that was
quicker would take his place, and it was often found that some task was
finished though none knew who had done it. By this means was charity
shown in deed, and humility of heart was preserved, according to the
saying, "Love to be unknown."

All that dwelt in the House were stirred up by a like devotion to do
menial tasks and fulfil humble offices. Wherefore the clerks and weavers
would not avoid the work in the fields, but when called thereto at
harvest time they would go forth with the rest to gather in the sheaves
of corn. Following the rule of obedience, and acting for the common
good, they made the hay, or dug the ground, or planted herbs, whenever
such work must needs be done. So, too, holy David doth praise them that
fear God, and doth minister sweet words of consolation to them that
labour well, saying: "Thou shalt eat the labour of thy hands, well is
thee and happy shalt thou be."

CHAPTER IV.

_Of the scanty food and raiment of the Brothers, and how wondrously God
did provide for them_.

Who can tell how poor was their food while they laboured at their daily
toil? Their victual was coarse, their drink ungenerous, their raiment
simple and rude, so that naught did minister to the lusts of the flesh,
but the needs of the body were satisfied soberly enough. They were often
compelled to eat food that was of evil savour through lack of better
victual; but constant toil and hunger made herbs and pulse to be pleasant
to the taste. Fish was given to the community seldom, and eggs more
rarely still, but yet of their goodwill the Brothers would give these to
the sick, or to strangers, if by any means they could get such things.
Wherefore one hath said, "When the reign of poverty is long, pleasure
doth endure but a little space."

On certain days the rule allowed them to eat flesh meats, but if at such
times a larger mess was set before them, yet was it not more daintily
cooked. Furthermore, certain amongst them, who while they dwelt in the
world had been taught to love a very different fare, were now content
with scanty and coarse food, doing great violence to their lusts thereby;
but yet they bore all these things patiently after that saying of Christ,
"The Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by
force." Sometimes when supper was ended scarce aught did remain to be
divided amongst them on the day following; at other times there was lack
of utensils or cooking pots, or suitable food would fail; but God the
Maker of all things, who of old did feed the people in the wilderness,
did not desert the Brothers on the Mount. So it once came about that
when they had consumed almost all their food, Gerard the cook being
anxious for the morrow, made his lack known to Father John, saying sadly
"What shall I set before them to-morrow?" But John consoled his sadness
with kindly words, and exhorted him to have faith in the Lord, who doth
not fail them that hope in Him. And when that day had drawn on to
evening, Everard of Eza, Curate of Almelo, came unexpectedly in his
chariot as if sent by God to comfort the poor. He was received by the
Brothers eagerly and reverently, and they brought him in as if the
Hospice was his own, for he loved the House and all that dwelt therein by
reason of their utter poverty and their simple manner of life, and
because their desire was to hinder none, but to profit all men; moreover
he was united to Father John by a special bond of love. Wherefore, when
he had determined to travel to Windesem, or had business at Zwolle, he
delighted to come first to the Brothers on the Mount; and being a mighty
shepherd of souls as well as a most skilful physician, he alighted from
his carriage and fed souls that were in want thereof with the fodder of
the Holy Word, and likewise cheered the faint of heart by giving them the
food they lacked. He had brought with him fine meal, and flesh, and he
gave the same to the Brothers for their common use; and they receiving
the gifts he offered were all comforted by their better fortune, and gave
thanks to God and to Everard that of his bounty he had provided for them
and succoured them in their so great need. At another time, also, divers
poor Clerks had been called from Zwolle to help them in some work,
wherefore certain of the Brothers went down to fish in the brook Vecht,
whose course is near to the mountain. So they let down their nets in the
name of Jesus, and by the grace of God, who made all waters, there were
taken of the fish called bream a number equal to the number of their
guests.

At that time Gerard Bronchorst, a Canon of Utrecht, and a great friend to
the devout, was in authority at Deventer, and he gave two cows to our
Brothers on the Mount, but forasmuch as God would prove their patience
and increase their faith, one of the cows died, though the other one
remained whole. And the wondrous goodness of God provided that the one
should give so large a yield of milk as to suffice for all the Brothers,
though they would have thought that they would scarce get enough from
two. Then was seen the fulfilment of the word of the prophet Esaias, who
saith: "It shall come to pass in that day that a man shall nourish a
young cow, and for the abundance of the milk he shall eat butter."

At the beginning of their common life the Brothers were despised by
worldlings, and they bore patiently the derision of them that passed by;
also they were called by vile names in scorn, and suffered much evil
speaking and many injuries from the envious; but the patience of the good
overcame the malice of the froward, and the freedom of their good
conscience gave them the greater joy because of the scorn that was cast
upon them. For although men that were ill-disposed would insult these
poor little ones of Christ, and blushed not to speak evil of the
innocent, yet many that feared God would praise their holy conversation;
such men assisted them with kindly deeds and help, being moved thereto by
pious reasons.

One of the community, a Lay Donate and an upright man, was employed in
feeding the cattle, and as he was driving an herd of swine in the field
he met an ancient crone, who began to abuse him and to hurl unseemly
words at him. And the devout Brother answered her gently, saying, "Good
dame, tell me my faults freely, and chide me sternly, for I greatly lack
such chastisement," but the woman hearing this was smitten with inward
remorse, and said in a changed voice: "What should it profit me to help
you to the kingdom of heaven, but myself to hell!" for she perceived that
by her chiding the Brother earned fresh merit, but she punishment for her
frowardness.

It came to pass that as two of the Brothers were at work together out of
doors, one by mischance did unwittingly hurt the other somewhat, and he
who had done the injury prayed the other to pardon him for God's sake.
But the Brother who was hurt in body was whole in heart, and said: "Even
if thou hadst slain my father I would freely pardon thee," and those that
stood by and heard his saying were edified, and glorified God for the
gracious words that proceeded from the sufferer's mouth. May these few
things that I have told of the early deeds of our elders be pleasing to
the reader.

CHAPTER V.

_Of the consecration of the first chapel and altar at Mount St. Agnes_.

On the Vigil of the Feast of St. John the Baptist, and in the year of our
Lord 1395, was consecrated the first chapel on the Mount of St. Agnes the
Virgin, and the first altar therein was dedicated in honour of that
saint, and of the most blessed Mary Magdalene, by Hubert, the Suffragan
and Vicar-General for Pontifical Acts to our most Reverend Father and
Lord, Frederic, Bishop of Utrecht.

And after the rite of Consecration, when the Dedication Festival was at
hand, being the Sunday after the Nativity of St. John, Reyner, the Curate
of Zwolle, came and was the first to sing a Solemn Mass in the chapel,
wherein he offered the sacrifice of perpetual praise to God, for he was
friendly disposed to the Brothers, and at unity with them. So from that
day forward the Holy Mysteries of our Redemption were celebrated there by
Priests and Clerks, and on festivals, hymns to the praise of God were
sung to stir up devotion of heart.

Having made this holy beginning, the lowly band of Brothers was kindled
to a still greater love of the worship of God, but in after time, when
the new and larger church in the monastery was builded and consecrated,
the dedication of this former chapel was transferred to the latter by
licence of the Bishop, but as was more seemly, it was dedicated first to
St. Mary and afterward to St. Agnes. After this, when nearly three years
had gone by, the desire of the Brothers to build a monastery burned
fiercely within them, and the elder amongst them especially, with their
Rector, were eager to do this work and carry it forward with all speed,
for certain urgent reasons did compel them. They saw that without
monastic discipline the way of life in the House could not continue to be
ordered duly, and therefore they determined that the habit of an holy
order must be their refuge, for they were instant to make prudent
provision for themselves and those that should come after, and to stop
the mouths of them that spoke evil, because such men did strive with the
cunning of this world to disturb the lowly and simple lives of the
Brothers. Moreover, though they were still poor and had not things
suitable to their need--either proper buildings or service books--yet did
they try to begin the work, trusting in the mercy of God and heartened by
the help of good men. And one spake of them and marvelled that men so
poor should wish to build a monastery and to take religious vows, though
they had no hope of increase, but Father John of Ummen, ever a lover of
poverty, answered him, saying: "I have always heard from holy men that
poverty is good, being both the cause of all good and the means of
increasing the same."

CHAPTER VI.

_Of the year and place in which the first four Brothers were invested_.

In the year of the Lord 1398, on the 18th day of January, being the Feast
of St. Prisca, Virgin and Martyr, our Right Reverend Lord Frederic of
Blanckenhem, the renowned Bishop of Utrecht, issued his license to the
devout priests, Egbert van Lingen, and Wolfard, the son of Matthias, and
to the other Clerks and Lay Brothers that dwelt on Mount St. Agnes, in
Nemel, near Zwolle, for it was his desire to increase the glory of God,
and to promote the cause of Holy Religion. By the full authority vested
in him he gave them leave to build a monastery for the Order of Canons
Regular in any fit and proper place in his diocese, so that they might
worthily and devoutly serve as the soldiers of Almighty God in the
Regular Order, following the rule of the blessed Augustine. So having
obtained this licence in their favour, they chose a place in the freehold
land that is called Westerhof, in the district of Gherner and the parish
of Dalvessen, the curate of which parish, who was an honourable man named
Frederic Denter, giving his assent to their purpose. They determined to
set their monastery here because they had found no other site that was
fitting, although they sought anxiously elsewhere a place of habitation.
At this time the men of Zwolle would not suffer a monastery to be builded
upon the Mount at Nemel, though this was done in after days by the favour
of God, but Egbert Mulart had given them this land at Westerhof. He was
a most upright man, and one in authority, being of gentle lineage in
Hasselt, and he was a trusty friend and a special patron of the devout.
Here then they builded for their first need a small chapel, which they
let consecrate in honour of Mary, the most Blessed Mother of God, and
also other buildings of moderate size, and they reverently called the
place "The Garden of the Blessed Mary," in honour of Christ's gentle
Mother. When these things were done, the day drew nigh on which the
Brothers of this House should be invested there. Now on the day of the
Lord's Annunciation, which is the solemn Feast of the Blessed Mary ever
Virgin, Mother Church doth celebrate throughout all the world the first
act of our Redemption. So that when that holy day had dawned with fair
sunshine there came the Reverend Lord Hubert, Bishop of Yppuse, and
Suffragan to our Lord Bishop of Utrecht, for he had been summoned thither
upon that day. And when the waxen tapers and crosses and the other
ornaments were ready, he there consecrated the burial ground, and the
three altars, and then at the High Altar, which he had dedicated, he sung
Mass with solemn music.

Afterward, in his reverend presence, and in the face of a large company
of other religious, both Clerks and Lay, Brothers who had come together
from every quarter to keep this Festival, the first four Brothers of our
House were invested by that reverend and devout man, John Wale, Prior of
the Regulars in the state of Zwolle, for he had been summoned for this
very purpose. This number four did mystically signify the number of the
four Evangelists, and the names of these Brothers, which are worthy to be
cherished by them that come after, are here set down. The first was
Brother Egbert of Lingen, who had been chosen for the priesthood by the
Brothers on the Mount three years before this time.

The second was Brother Wolfard, son of Matthias of Medenblike, a priest
of great age.

The third was John Ummen, a Clerk who came from Campen, a kinsman of John
of Ummen, our first founder. The fourth was Dirk of Kleef, a Clerk who
came from that state. These four made their profession on the same day,
and when the Divine Mysteries had been celebrated, and their bodies had
been refreshed, they spent the day in spiritual rejoicing and brotherly
love. Brother Egbert was the Senior in standing and took the place of
Rector of the House until a new Rector appointed by the Chapter should
come; then he gave place to Brother Wolfard and stood humbly behind him.
The Clerks who were not yet invested with the habit of the Order were
these:--Wichbold, son of John of Deventer, Henry Huetinc of Deventer,
John of Kempen, of the diocese of Cologne, Hermann of Kempen, of the same
diocese.

After Easter, when a general Chapter was held by the Fathers at Windesem,
these were received into the Order, and their names were set down and
written as members of the Fellowship of Houses belonging to us: the
Fathers also provided them a suitable Rector, and after a little space
that religious and devout Brother, Egbert Lingen, was sent to them. He
had been a member of the Monastery of St. Saviour, at Emsten, and for
about a year, that is, until the coming of the new Prior, he ruled over
the House, as will be shown hereafter. Throughout the summer of this
same year the Pestilence was heavy at Deventer, Zwolle, Campen, and the
neighbouring towns and districts, so that it often happened that twenty
or thirty men were buried in one day in the divers parishes of these
towns.

About this time and on the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist,
died Reyner, Curate of Zwolle, and two priests that were his chaplains.
He was a good man and pitiful to the poor, and ever cherished a special
devotion to St. John the Baptist. At this time also died many devout
persons, both men and women.

CHAPTER VII.

_How the monastery was removed from Westerhof to Mount St. Agnes_.

In the same year of the Lord 1398, on the 26th day of the month of
August, two days before the Festival of our Holy Father Augustine, did
that most kindly Lord Frederic, by the grace of God, Bishop of Utrecht,
issue a further licence. He did ever most faithfully promote the
interests of our House, and was our special patron, and he had compassion
upon the Brothers who were invested a short time before at Westerhof, in
that they were ill-content with the place, and ill-provided for there, by
reason of divers hindrances and impediments that were not agreeable to
the religious life. The Bishop therefore, hearing of these hindrances
and the true causes thereof, gave them licence to transfer themselves and
all their goods from the aforesaid place to Mount St. Agnes, so soon as
might be convenient, and to retain the same rights and privileges as he
had before conferred upon them. Thus for the second time they obtained
his full and gracious consent to their desires, and Conrad Hengel, then
Vice-Curate of Zwolle, likewise assented to their pious wishes.

Therefore on the eve of the day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross they
returned to the place that they had long possessed and where the greater
number of their friends still continued to dwell, with blind John of
Ummen; they left, however, some few Lay Brothers at Westerhof to arrange
their affairs.

Moreover the Bishop of Utrecht had given them a licence for the
consecration of a burial-ground for the use of the monastery that they
should found on Mount St. Agnes. But when Hubert, the Bishop Suffragan,
came for this purpose and entered into Zwolle, he was not allowed to
continue his journey to the Mount until the Magistrates had first spoken
with the Lord Bishop of Utrecht, for they thought to dissuade him from
his opinion. From this cause the consecration of the burial-ground was
delayed for the space of a year, until the return of the Bishop of
Utrecht, for the said Bishop during the year had gone to the Curia at
Rome, and he ordered that the cause of both parties should be put off and
await his coming and presence on his return. But when he had come back
from Rome and entered his own country in safety, certain of our Brothers
came to him and asked him once more to give permission for the
consecration of the burial-ground, and he, yielding to the importunity of
his friends, did freely grant their petition. So he issued his commands
again and ordered the consecration of this place, for he loved it and
paid no heed to the complaints of the adversaries, since he preferred the
honour of God and the progress of religion rather than the unjust words
of worldlings, who, as is well-known, do often oppose the desires of good
folk. From that time forward he showed special love to the House on the
Mount, and extended to it yet fuller patronage, so that one day when he
was riding round the mountain on his way to Zwolle, he asked one of his
companions, saying: "What is this place, and what manner of men dwell
here?" and his Vicar answered him: "Beloved Lord, dost thou not yet know
that place? This is thy monastery, this is Mount St. Agnes, and the
Brothers of the Mount dwell there." And the Bishop made answer: "It is
well--may God preserve them."

It came to pass in this same year, 1398, in the month of September, when
the Plague was still amongst us that a well-disposed Lay Brother named
John, son of Faber, who was smitten with the pestilence, came from Zwolle
to the mountain, and sought hospitality in the name of God. And being
received in charity, his disease grew heavy upon him, and he died on the
Feast Day of St. Maurice the Martyr. But after his death certain of the
Clerks and Lay folk, being infected with the Plague, were taken from this
life after a little while, but several others grew whole of their
sickness, for the Lord had mercy upon them.

Lastly, on the day after the Feast of St. Francis the Confessor died
John, son of Nicolas of Campen, a Lay Brother of great age, who had been
the gardener.

On the day of the translation of our holy Father, Augustine Gerard Bou
left this bodily life. He was a man of great strength, who had been a
farmer, and his native land was Holland.

On the Feast of St. Calixtus, Pope and Martyr, died Hermann Restikey, a
Clerk of the diocese of Cologne; he was born in the town of Kempen, and
was well learned and skilled in singing and in binding books. When he
drew near to death he asked that a taper might be lighted quickly and
given into his hands, and holding this above his breast he began to say
devoutly and often to repeat: "Mary, Mother of Grace, Mother of Mercy, do
thou protect us from the enemy and receive us in the hour of death," and
having said this, he breathed forth his soul.

On the day after the Feast of the Eleven Thousand Holy Virgins, John of
Kempen fell asleep in the Lord; he was a devout Clerk of the diocese of
Cologne who had just been received into the Religious Order, but he died
or ever he could take the habit, for death was beforehand with him. He
was kinsman to the aforesaid Hermann, whom he had persuaded to withdraw
from the life of the world when he was Sublector in the town of Campen.
These greatly loved one another in life and death, they came from one
city and province, they were of one heart in their good purpose, and
alike steadfast therein. This John, who continued a longer space in the
service of God, was a man of great kindliness and sobriety, and was well
skilled in the work of husbandry. For at harvest time when all must
labour more than usual he was diligent in helping therein. And sometimes
at night he would gather in the crops of the poor, and often wearied
himself by this work of piety; but in this year the weather was very
rainy, and the crops were in such danger that he gathered in those that
grew in the watery places, and binding them into sheaves carried them on
his own shoulders out of reach of the waters.

On the Feast Day of the Saints Crispin and Crispian died Wichbold, son of
John of Deventer, a man of good lineage. For a long time he lived a
devout life in Zwolle, but afterward finished his days yet more devoutly
on the Mount. Being an eager lover of the Scriptures he edified many by
his holy discourse. On the Feast Day of St. Martin the Confessor, Henry
of Deventer fell asleep in Christ; he was a Clerk and the companion and
fellow citizen of Wichbold, and likewise a very humble and gentle man.
One day he was plastering the inner walls of the cells in the dormitory
of the Brotherhood with soft mortar in company with another Clerk. But
it happened that as the mortar was somewhat violently dashed on to the
wall some did come through the cracks of the battens into Henry's face
(for he was standing on the other side of the wall) and befouled him
greatly. But he who had done the deed, looking to see who had been
bespattered by the mortar, and seeing the Brother who was so greatly
loved with his face befouled, implored his pardon in dolorous wise. But
Henry was rather merry than vexed, and answered: "There is no hurt done,
be not disturbed. I care not for it." So gentle was he that none ever
saw him angered or heard him complain.

The day after the Feast of Brixius, Confessor and Bishop, died Hermann of
Laer, a man of great age who came from Campen.

On the Vigil of St. Thomas the Apostle, died Gerlac ten Water, a Clerk of
the town of Kampen. He had a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin, and
was still in the flower of his youth, but in this same year he left the
world and his parents and entered the monastery with joy, and he made a
good end to his life when came the time appointed for him to die. These
were buried in the Chapel of St. Agnes, which afterward became the
Chapter House, because there was no other consecrated ground in the which
they could be buried. But as the space was very narrow, some were buried
in a neighbouring spot, because it was hoped that a burial-ground would
soon be consecrated there.

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