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THE LIFE OF DOM. FLORENTIUS.

BY THE B. THOMAS À KEmpis.

THE PROLOGUE TO THE LIFE OF THE REV. DOM. FLORENTIUS, A DEVOUT PRIEST, AND VICAR OF THE CHURCH OF DAVENTRY.

1. METHINKS it deserving, to write in set order, some few things respecting the life and morals of the reverend father, of pious memory, Dom. Florentius, priest of the church of Daventry, and formerly the disciple of Master Gerard, of whom I have already given a narration above. And in good sooth, this order is right well, seeing that as I have already displayed the richness of the tree, in master Gerard, who was the founder of our devotion; so should I also, in the holy Florentius his disciple, lay open the sweetness of the comely flower, which this imitator of his devotion, and most flourishing shoot, produced. For his humble and gentle manners are indeed medicinal flowers for the languishing soul; and his holy virtues are suitable for the instruction both of the novice and of the far advanced.

2. Now, I beseech thee, good brother, distort not the simplicity of my speech to the hurt of this illustrious priest, who was a lover of humility and simplicity, that thou mayst look on the good things thou mayst hear with the pious eye of consideration, and in like manner read the same. Be thou as the most wise bee, that sucketh sweet honey out of fair flowers, in the green meadow, and for the edification of thy state and order, gather ye the germs and examples of thy father, our Florentius, and lay them up diligently as flowers of roses and sweetscented lilies in the garden of thy heart, that thou mayest ever make progress in what is good, and burn more and more in the love of Christ. For he was, indeed, a famous glass of virtue, and a help to all that desire to serve God, to bring them to the heavenly Kingdom. Of whom I can speak the more confidently, since I knew him so well, and have so often stood before, and ministered unto him.

3. THE NOVICE.-The work which, at mine and others' request, thou hast at once undertaken, carry on for the glory of GOD. For it will be a delight for those that come after us to hear how bright the lights were that shone within our bounds; of whose merits mayst thou also be a partaker, if in thy charity, thou endeavour to impart to others those things which thou hast freely received.

THE SENIOR. It is a laborious task which I apply to; and one

which surpasses my knowledge and weak powers. For I would rather read what was dictated by others in silence, than, by my clownishness, obscure the brightness of illustrious men through my rude speech. But thou who seekest not the height of learning, but the virtues of good morals, in thy study, oughtest not through my want of fluent words, to despise the pearls in their mean shells. For I confess that my want of skill, cannot be sufficient for describing the life of so great a father, but I offer to the temple of GOD, goat's hair for the covering of the tabernacle, who possess not precious stones wherewith to adorn the garment of the priest. And lastly, it seems churlish and ungrateful in me, to remain silent respecting the virtues of so dear a father, who did so much good to me and others during his lifetime; and first drew me to God's service, and at length guided me to the porch of the monastery, wherefore, as a token of thanksgiving, and for his sweet remembrance, I will willingly, in the stead of a gift, make this amends, by making this little work after his decease.

4. Let my great love, then, for this reverend father, whose memory I desire both now and ever to keep flourishing among the devout, be somewhat an excuse for my presumption. But may my Lord JESUS, who despised not the two mites of the poor widow, recompense my small work, in the time to come, which now, with a pious intention, is cast from my hand into his treasury, leaving more exalted things to the more learned. For knowing also mine own littleness, I bow to the correction of those above me. May the devout soul, I beseech thee, help me by thy prayers, that if it draw any edification from reading what is here written, it may praise GOD for all his gifts, and be grateful even for such as are small.

END OF THE PROLOGUE.

CHAP. I.-ON THE HUMILITY OF CHRIST, WHICH DOM. FLORENTIUS STUDIED TO IMITATE.

1. The flower of all virtues, and of all knowledge, our Lord and Master JESUS Christ, first began the rule of living from humility, and meekness, which also he delivered to his disciples, as a statute and rule to be observed, saying, “Learn of me, because I am meek and humble of heart, and you shall find rest to your souls." (St. Matt. ii. 29.)

2. Now this virtue of true humility, which is the most direct way to deserving the heavenly kingdom, did this devout and humble priest of Christ, follow, even Master Florentius, the son of Radewin, which,

also, even to the end of his life, and amid many spiritual trials, he kept by living in a long emaciation of the flesh, most continently, till, being rewarded by God for his holy and righteous labours he entered into the rest of everlasting beatitude. But how he attained to this way of humility I shall, with God's blessing, relate in the following narrative. For the omnipotent and merciful GOD, who, from eternity, chose him to be his consecrated priest, and who knew beforehand that he would be illustrious for his higher gifts, even HE snatched and withdrew him, in his wondrous mercy, from the shipwreck of the world, and regene rated him effectually by his word of truth, in the state of a more holy life, so as to become a vine-branch of his new offspring.

CHAP. II.-OF THE THREEFOLD INTERPRETATION OF THE NAME FLORENTIUS, AND OF HIS PRAISE THEREON.

1. Truly it was not without a presage of his future worth, that the son of Radewin was called Florentius, for the declaring more brightly the glory of his heavenly Father, and the fame of his own race. For it is a praiseworthy thing, if the life agree with the name, and if his fame disagree not with his virtues; which indeed was shown and proved in his sincere actions. For the name Florentius is sweet to the pious, seeing he indeed proved himself such in this life as he was held by all, both religious and secular, in the greatest love and reverence.

2. Now well might he be called Florentius, as one gathering flowers (quasi flores legens), on account of the liberal arts which he once taught, wherein he did so well, and made such progress, that he was called, and became a master thereof. Or he might be so named, on account of his knowledge of the divine law, and the books of sacred theology which, before all other sciences, he most gladly read,* and which, above all worldly treasures, he loved most dearly; as the prophet saith in the psalm, "Therefore have I loved thy commandments, above gold and the topaz." (Ps. cxviii. 127.) But much better is he called Florentius, as one holding a flower (quasi florem tenens) seeing that he followed Christ, the flower of all virtues, and the lover of chastity; for whose love he despised this flourishing world, and clove most firmly to the sincerity of the faith and Catholic peace; saying with the Spouse in the canticle of canticles, "My beloved to me, and

* The reader hardly needs to be reminded that lego has the two-fold sense of to gather, as well as to read.

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I to my beloved, who feedeth among the lilies. I will hold him, and I will not let him go." (Cant. ii. 16.)

3. But yet in a more sacred sense, and in riper fruit, he might be called Florentius, as one gathering flowers (quasi flores colligens), seeing he gathered together, to live with him in one house, many brethren, clerks who flourished as in the primitive age, and having despised the vanity of this world, served Highest GOD devoutly and humbly, in chastity of life, and brotherly love, according to what holy David sings with a voice overflowing with delight. "Behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." (Ps. cxxxii. 1.) And these he ruled and brought up, with such discipline and spiritual fervour, that the house of Florentius became a school of heavenly exercise, a mirror of holiness, an adornment of morals, an example of virtues, the home of the poor, a convent of clerks, the instruction of laymen, the refuge of the devout, and the beginning and advancement of all good. For from this house did many honourable and learned men receive the spirit of devotion; and, like bees laden with the sweetness of honey, they went forth from their hive, to produce fruit far away in other places, and who, by GOD giving them a blessing, they begat no small fruit, so that it may be well said of them, quasi flores apparuerunt in terrâ nostrâ (Cant. ii. 12), as flowers they have appeared in our land."

CHAP III. ON THE INTERPRETATION OF HIS FATHER

RADEWIN'S NAME.

1. But let it not seem absurd, if the name of his father be also expounded in a mystic sense; seeing that this seems to tend not a little to the praise of so great a man. Well, then, may Radewin (Radevinus) be so called as a divine ray (radius divinus). By which name Christ is rightly understood, who is the splendour of the Father; enlightening the world with the light of his wisdom, by his pure life, true doctrine, holy miracles, and many revelations. Who also sent his apostles as rays of the true sun, into the world to preach his word, and to give a good example to all the faithful, as he said to them, "So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven." (St. Matt. v. 16.)

2. Well, then, was Florentius called the son of Radevine (ray divine), who, having been born again from Christ, deserved to be irradiated and inflamed by Him. so that he should despise earthly, and with fer

vour love heavenly, things. Moreover, also, the name Radewin, if translated out of the Teutonic into the Latin tongue, expresses counsel and wine; which two are admirably applicable to Florentius, who left behind the counsel of worldly wisdom, and made himself subject to the commands of the divine law, according to that of the Psalmist: "For thy testimonies are my meditation; and thy justifications my counsel." (Ps. cxviii. 24.) To him, also, did Christ, in the stead of the vain and carnal delights which the world offers to its lovers, vouchsafe a taste of that interior sweetness which the world deserves not to receive; and did fill to the fullest his heart and soul, when he celebrated the divine mysteries, with the wine of spiritual gladness, so that all his interior glowed with the flame of his divine love, and with the voice of exultation, he rejoiced exceedingly with the most devout prophet, saying, "My heart and my flesh have rejoiced in the living GOD." (Ps. lxxxiii. 3.) For then wholly recollected within himself, and rapt in spirit above himself, he offered himself a living sacrifice well pleasing unto God, and very faithfully, and suppliantly interceded for Holy Church, and all Christian people. In which sacred feast, tasting the sweetness at its very fountain, and melting with love through the greatness of the Divine Bounty, with much thanksgiving he meditated on these mystic words: “How great is the multitude of thy sweetness, O Lord, which thou hast laid up for those that love thee."

Now, having premised these things, let us turn our pen to the task we have yet before us.

CHAP. IV.-OF HIS COUNTRY AND HIS PROGRESS IN STUDY

AT PRAGUE.

1. This reverend father and devout priest of Christ was vicar of the church of Daventry, having been converted by the preaching of the venerable master Gerardus Magnus, by the help of divine grace, whose humble hearer he became, in all things striving to be his imitator. And having gladly received his salutary counsels, he loved him as his most dear father, and the parent of his salvation; and, with the utmost reverence as was becoming, ever after and in every place honoured him. Wherefore, he deserved to be loved by him more than his other disciples, and to be commended before the rest, on account of the special beauty and modesty of his manners, with which he was eminently en، dowed, and shone as a religious.

2. He received his birth in the city of Leyderdam, in the fair lord