was converted by one of those noble restorers of monastic discipline-a Carthusian of the Low Countries. Though the narrative be simple, and bordering on quaintness, yet there is a charm in its simplicity, a fervour in its devotion, and an unction in its spirit, that assures us that he that penned it, must indeed have been himself a follower and imitator of Christ in the evangelical counsels; and in all gives warrant enough to attract our attention, even though it came not before us with the name of the B. Thomas à Kempis, to recommend itself to our serious peruзal. The quaintness of life, the simplicity of thought and expression, the devout tenderness that runs through all, making holy the very commonest occurrences of life-have to us, and we trust to our readers also, an exceeding charm; and as the events therein recorded took place before the great northern heresy, so the mind is left to dwell in the serenity of the Christian faith, without being painfully reminded at every turn, that a new and faithless philosophy has since sprung up, and spread its leaven of poison so widely over Christendom, that even in the household of faith traces may be seen, if not of its virulence or influence, at least of its mis-liked presence. It is true that remissness of discipline among both the clergy and religious, and a general laxity of morals, was prevalent previous to the great heresy, especially in those countries that fell an easy prey to the machinations of the enemy. But still, though lightness and immorality prevailed extensively, yet the student of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries knows well that these were ages of much faith, and the reader of the following narrative will observe that all, even the most minute actions recorded therein, have their foundation and aim, laid and directed with singleness of heart, on the faith alone.

Though this be the life of a religious, and written by a religious, yet it is pleasing to observe, that wherever the laity are incidentally introduced, their words and actions are, like those, equally squared by the rule of faith alone. The times were those when men seemed not to have forgotten that the sole spring of their action should proceed from the faith alone, nor had those come when man threw off the yoke, and said "I will not serve;" religion had not become like a cloak, to be worn at stated times, to be cast aside and assumed at caprice; not as a motive of action, but as a troublesome service, that could not be decently nor entirely shaken off. Among the modern sophists such a state has long been sadly prevalent; and perhaps, though in a less degree, the faithful who live amongst them are not altogether guiltless, since by having imbibed the infection insensibly, they give more

equivocal signs of being directed in all the affairs of life by that one idea, which every monument of the ages of faith so forcibly proves to have influenced the conduct and bearing of our Catholic forefathers.

But nevertheless, a better spirit has of late sprung up amongst ourselves; and that not only here, but in every country in Europe-more especially among those nations who have so long lain in heresy-and this not only in the hearts of the faithful, but even among those who as yet know that there is no way of slaking their devotional thirst but at the pure fountains of the Church, from which alone flow all the means of being devout but yet cheerful, ascetic but not morose, strict but not taskmasters, severe to oneself, but charitable to others, religious without hypocrisy or pretence, retiring but not cynics, recollected but not severe, learned but full of humility, and so guided by the faith that every action is moulded after its standard, yet so that though it everywhere shines through—it is nowhere offensive, nor obtrusive on others. The human heart abhors that practical scepticism which has been the worst consequence of the abandonment of the faith. Three hundred years of penance have passed away, and as if by a natural re-actionthough assuredly from supernatural influence-men in our days look back with regret, and forward in an undefined hope, that their desires of unity and peace may be fulfilled-that a palpable and practical devotion may be attained, whereby not only the mind but the body may be made instrumental towards worshipping GOD; as if in happy accordance with the voice of the Church, when she prays-"Protect us, O Lord, assisting at thy mysteries; that fixed upon divine things, we may serve THEE both in body and in mind.”*

It is a happy sign when we see men's eyes directed to the cloister. It is a happy proof of good, when we hear admiration expressed for the virtues that flourished there, and when we see the evangelical counsels no longer despised as superstitions, but sought after and appreciated, as godly means of attaining perfection. It is by such study that the heart will be converted. Men may wade deep in the controversy of early or later heresies, and remain unhappily unchanged; but as St. Pambo, one of the early eastern anchorites, said to one who consulted him,— "My son, if thou hast a heart thou mayest be saved." So in the lives and writings of the monastic period, we may say to the student, thou hast a heart thou mayest be converted."

"If

The eyes of many, thank GOD, directed by their hearts, are on the

*Secret pro Eccles. in 1 Dom. in Adv.

progress of the faith in England. In this respect, we look for much from the monastic institute. Like Moses on the mount, while they lift up their pure hands in prayer, we know that the true Israel shall prevail, "Sicut Dei templum, in civitate est," says St. Gregory, "ita in plebi fideli, vita religiosorum."*

Let us hope that the leaven of their heroic virtues may be found in the hearts of the faithful, and thus assuredly the advancement of our faith shall keep pace with our mutual prayer and practice.

In Fest. Ste Margarite, Scot. Reg. 1842.

LIFE OF THE VENERABLE GERARDUS MAGNUS, VULGARLY CALLED GERARD GROOT, FROM THE ORIGINAL OF THE B. THOMAS A KEMPIS.

CHAP. I.-OF HIS BIRTH, AND OF THE INTERPRETATION OF HIS NAME.

1. The Venerable Master Gerard, surnamed Magnus, or vulgarly Groot, was a citizen of Daventry, and born of honourable parents, the chief persons of the place, by whom he was brought up tenderly and with diligent care. His name (Gerard) was fitly given to him by his earthly parents, but by a heavenly foresight it seemed to tell of the better things that were awaiting him; for when he changed his old manner of life for a new state and conversation, his name worthily deserved to have a pious interpretation given to it for the lustre of his virtues, as the following narrative will prove.

2. For he might have been named Gerard, as one that was deeply versed in the art (quasi gerens artem), seeing he was given to the study of letters, and most learned in the liberal arts and many sciences. Or for the ardour of his disposition (quasi gerens ardorem), because being mercifully prevented by the grace of GoD, he burned inwardly with the love of Christ, and was wonderfully inflamed in the divine praises. Or he might well have been called Gerard from his performing lofty things, (quasi gerens ardua), since when he was wholly turned to GOD, he performed many great and high things in life, whilst he continually raised up his mind to heavenly things, and by his preaching brought many to amendment of life. For all our native country, he

* Sti. Gregorii Pap. Super Evang. 9 post Pent.

enlightened and set on fire by his life, by his word, by his morals, and by his teaching. Wherefore was he Great both in deed and in name, rich in wealth, in honours, in knowledge, and good works, but greater still did he show himself in his contempt of the world, and his imitation of the humble life of JESUS Christ, as well as in the manifold fruit of his disciples in Christ, as the traces thereof that remain behind so plainly show.

3. In perpetual memory, then, will be that man who in these our days taught the regular following of the orthodox faith, and built up again by his devout example the state of holy religion. For although he walked long proudly and idly in a secular life, nevertheless having turned most humbly and devoutly to the way of holy poverty, and much abstinence, he spent a life so exemplary, that afterwards he ended it most excellently by a happy death.

CHAP. II.-ON HIS QUICK PROGRESS IN STUDY AT PARIS.

1. He was sent to study at Paris in the years of his youth, and though abounding in copious supplies above his fellow-scholars, yet was he steady in fulfilling the purpose for which he had come, and made diligent progress; nevertheless at that time he sought not in his studies the glory of Christ, but following after the shadow of a great name, bent all his care towards acquiring a human reputation.

2. In a short time he had made such progress in the common course of the higher classes, that by vote he was promoted to a mastership in his eighteenth year. Having attained this height while he was still in the heyday of his wit, and puffed up with worldly pride, he was distinguished by ecclesiastical benefices, and amongst others was invested as canon of the church of Aix (Aquensis?) But yet unilluminated, he wandered in the broad ways of the world, till by God's mercy he was changed into another man.

CHAP. III.-HOW HIS CONVERSION WAS REVEALED TO A CERTAIN

RECLUSE AT COLOGNE.

1. But when the omnipotent and merciful God, who alone doeth great wonders, had decreed that this learned and most famous master should be loosed from the meshes of this present world, He also brought about in this wise the manner of his conversion. Nevertheless this conversion, so unlooked-for, and unknown to men, was revealed and foretold by a certain recluse in Cologne.

2. For when he was at Cologne on a certain occasion, and wandering about seeking his amusement in secular sports, the above-mentioned recluse, expressly pointing out the name and habit of Master Gerard, foretold, and this to many, that his conversion should shortly take place. On which some one who knew this went to where he was standing and said, "Why stand you here intent on these vain shows? You ought to become another man." But he regarded this as said in jest, and at that time took little notice thereof. But God, who knoweth things to come, and deceiveth not, in a short time fulfilled the words of the prophecy, recalling to himself his beloved Gerard from the way of iniquity to the state of holy conversion, by the means of a certain religious of the Carthusian order.

CHAP. IV.-HOW HE WAS DRAWN TO GOD BY A CARTHUSIAN MONK.

1. There was then in Gueldres, in the town of Arnheim, a certain religious, prior of the Carthusian order in Monchusen, a learned and devout man, who had formerly intimately known Master Gerard when in the world. He, full of the bowels of charity, and inflamed with a zeal for the souls of his neighbours, began to think how he might have speech with Master Gerard, and discourse with him in secret of his salvation, being anxious that such a man and so learned a master, might not perish in the world, but snatched by GoD's help from the snares of the devil, be joined to the number of the elect. The more so especially at that time, as the state of the world seemed to be set in the power of the evil one; so that there were few that proclaimed the word of life by their morals and their words; still fewer who followed continence; and what was much to be grieved for, the name of holy religion, and the state of devotion, through lack of spirit, halted too much from the footsteps of their forefathers. Nevertheless, among the Carthusians, the light of the heavenly light lay hid; which though it seemed most severe to the carnal-minded, yet was most pleasing to GOD, and both desirable and pleasant to the fervent of spirit.

2. Meanwhile it fell out, that the before-mentioned prior, on some cause of emergency, went to Utrecht; and perceiving that his beloved master Gerard was there, anxiously seeks to have a conference with him; and hoping forthwith to draw out this great fish from the waters of this world, he opportunely lets down the net of holy exhortation. He goes up to him, therefore, as a familiar friend, he salutes him as an old companion, he exhorts him wisely as a kind guest; with the learned