Chapter I. Of the first Congregation of Clerks in Deventer heart, and prostrating the body lifted up their pure hands and the eyes of their soul to Heaven, seeking by prayer and lamentation to reconcile God to them through the Saving
(3) The first founder and the Spiritual ruler of this notable Community was Master Florentius, who was adorned with virtue and filled with Divine wisdom and understanding in his knowledge of Christ, because he, with his priests and clerks, humbly imitated the manner of the Apostolic life. These men, therefore, having one heart and mind in God brought every man what was his own into the common stock, and receiving simple food and clothing avoided taking thought for the morrow. Of their own will they devoted themselves to God and all busied themselves in obeying their Rector or his Vicar, and holding holy obedience as the highest rule, strove with all their strength to conquer self, to resist the passions, and to break down their own will, and besides this they sought earnestly to be gravely admonished for any acts of omission and neglect. For this reason there was in them much grace and and true devotion: and they edified many by their words and example; likewise, by patiently abiding the mockery of the world, they led many to despise the same, and those who had formerly contemned them and considered their life—which was without honour—as a folly, afterward being converted to God, and having experienced the grace of devotion, were compelled by their consciences to confess openly that these men were truly 172 servants and friends of God.
(4) Many persons therefore, both men and women, despising worldly felicity, were converted to the Lord, and were instant to keep His commandments and to practise acts of mercy to the poor with Christian devotion, relying upon the counsels of the beloved Father
Florentius. All the Brothers of his Order helped him, holding fast to the Word of Life, for they, like the luminaries of Heaven, gave light to a world growing old, dwelling in the midst of the turmoil thereof. Some who were priests and were learned in their knowledge of the Divine Law, preached earnestly in the Church, and by their preaching faithful people were wholesomely instructed to the practice of pious deeds and the hearing of holy discourses.