Chapter XII. Of his devoutness in prayer and in hearing Holy things CHAPTER XII Of his devoutness in prayer and in hearing Holy things
(1) HO can tell how devout and fervent he showed himself in prayer? Often while reciting the "Hours" he broke forth with the voice of joy through the superabundance of graceW which was shed upon him, and in sweet sounding hymns poured forth his inward rejoicing; and as he sang softly within his heart, his spirit, as a flame, was borne upward to God. He had more delight in holy discourse and devout prayer than he had had of old in worldly revellings or in the varied strains of singing men. He had one John of Zutphen to minister 31 to him, who was surnamed Brinckerinc, a devout clerk of stablished character and one dedicated to God from his youth: he was wont to recite the "Hours" with Gerard, and to accompany him hither and thither when he preached, and Gerard loved him with the love of a father for his son, for indeed he was a youth of an excellent spirit, well beloved of God and man, and scarcely could be torn from his master's side. (2) Upon a time when they had made an end of reading the "Hours," Gerard said to him: "Of what thinkest thou? Understandest thou what thou readest? Tell me what is in thy mind." But he replied to his master:
"How should I understand except some man should guide me." Then said Gerard to his disciple: "To me there come divers and mystic interpretations, and they lead my mind secretly from one meaning to another so that I could feel no weariness in reading, but should rejoice to dwell some while longer upon these good words." When he was upon a journey and had been received into a guest chamber, after saying Compline he spoke to his two companions, Florentius and the aforesaid John: "Let us say each one of us our daily suffrages"; and this too was a pious custom with them, that each one should tell the other of his own failings if he had seen anything worthy of blame in himself: they freely admonished one another in turn, gladly submitting themselves to censure, and acknowledging their sins with humility asked pardon therefor; and being thus corrected in brotherly love, they went to rest.
(3) Once when the people of Deventer were going out armed against their enemies, this 32 man of God prayed earnestly for the safety of his fellow citizens, and it happened by a dispensation of God that as the foe drew near, a thick cloud rose between the armies by which the opposing host was terrified and took to flight, but the men of Deventer returned to their city with speed and in safety—for the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Every morning before he began to be about his worldly business, or to reply to those who questioned him, he would rekindle his mind by reading the Scriptures, for he ever studied to preface all that he should do with devout meditations and prayers according to