Chapter XVI. Of his happy death and burial Thus with kindly words did he comfort his disciples in their bitter grief, promising that the help of God should be most surely with them. As a bequest he left them neither gold nor silver nor rich estates, but only his holy books, his few poor garments, and some worthless and ancient vessels in token of his contempt of the world, and to help them the more easily to strive after the Kingdom of God.
At this time there came also to him certain devout scholars who had been smitten with the sickness of the Plague, desiring to hear from him some wholesome word as a medicine for their souls. To these he spoke with clemency, saying: "By continuing ever in the Service of God, if ye are well disposed thereunto, ye can meet death with confidence; all those lectures which ye have heard shall be counted to you as prayers to God, by reason of the pious intention which ye have had toward Him in your studies."
Hearing this the young men were comforted, and returning to their own hospice, departed this life having made a good confession, commending their souls, which were redeemed 49 by the Blood of Christ, to God and to the Holy Angels.
(4) After the Festival of the Assumption of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, when the Feastday of St. Bernard (to whom Gerard was especially devoted) had dawned, this reverend father, then in the forty-fourth year of his age, delivered up to God his soul fortified by the Sacraments of the Church, made precious by faith, and ennobled by many virtues. He died as the sun was sinking, between the fifth and sixth hours in the thirteen hundred and eightyfourth year after our Lord's Incarnation, during the reign of Pope Urban the Sixth, and while that most revered lord Florentius de Wevelichoven was Bishop of Utrecht, a notable man and adorned by many excellent deeds.
(5) When the sad report of his death went forth to the people, many faithful persons came together to attend the burying of a man so worthy of love, and so devoted to God: and the monks and nuns shed pious tears performing the due rites for the departed, with prayer and the celebration of Masses according to custom. Every rite of the Church being duly performed, his body was carried to the Church of the Blessed Mary, and was reverently buried therein, where, as all men know, his living voice had often preached the Word of God. There he rests in peace, not far from the Sanctuary, to rise with the rest of the faithful on the last day, through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord who shall judge both the quick and the dead, and this world with fire.
These words concerning a few out of the many glorious acts of the reverend Master Gerard have been written for the edification of the brethren who now are, or in time to 50 come shall be, of our community: may they tend to the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I ask pardon for any error or defect in my discourse, for I know mine own unskilfulness and submit myself humbly to the correction of the brethren, attributing to the Grace of God any good thing that may be found herein written.
(6) (A novice speaks)