orld and laid upon them the gentle
yoke of Christ. Likewise he resigned all his ecclesiastical benefices,
but he kept some small portion of his father's goods to provide for his
own necessities. Much he gave to the Religious, and his dwelling-house
and homestead lie bequeathed for ever to the poor Sisters, or Beguines,
whom he had gathered together in that same place. Of his humility he
took upon him the rank of a deacon so that he might be able to preach,
but he would not take priestly orders because of the awe in which he held
the same.

On a time he went toward Zwolle in company with Peter, Curate of the
Church of Deventer, and his companion questioned him with friendly
boldness, saying: "Beloved Master, why wilt thou not be made Priest,
since thou art well lettered and fitted to rule others?" But Gerard made
answer: "I would not be Curate of Zwolle, no, not for a single night, for
my cap full of golden florins." And Peter being astonished said: "What
then shall we feeble and wretched folk do, for our knowledge and our life
are less worthy than thine?" And this word of Master Gerard had so great
weight that this same Peter did afterward renounce his pastoral charge
and did maintain himself upon a single benefice, and that one to which no
cure was attached. Gerard, moreover, wrote profitable treatises, and
many letters to divers persons, and from these writings one may see
readily enough how great a zeal for souls was in him, and how deep an
understanding of the Scriptures. He translated two books of John
Ruesbroeck from the Teutonic into the Latin tongue, and these are
entitled: "Ecce Sponsus" and "De gradibus amoris." Likewise he
translated "The Hours of the Blessed Virgin," and certain of the Hours
from the Latin into the Teutonic tongue, so that simple and unlearned
Laics might have in their mother tongue matter wherewith to occupy
themselves in prayer on holy days; and also that the faithful, reciting
these Hours, or hearing them recited by other devout persons, might the
more readily keep themselves from many vanities and from idle talking,
and so, being assisted by these holy readings, might make progress in the
love of God and in singing the divine praises. Once a certain man who
was united to him in the bonds of friendship, asked him, saying: "Most
beloved Master, of what use are all these books which you carry on so
great journeys?" And Gerard answered: "For good living a few books are
enough; but