y of Holland with
the Frisians, they of Westphalia with the Saxons came in crowds to study
under him, and having borne themselves studiously in the school, returned
with their learning to their native places, men of Treves and Cologne,
Liege and Utrecht, Kleef and Geldria were found here; and youths that
were apt for learning gathered together from other villages and castles
and made great progress in knowledge. The richer paid their own expenses
out of their sufficiency, the poor gathered in bands to beg, giving
thanks to the hands that helped them. These did the Master instruct
gladly and without price when besought so to do for God's sake, for he
was a true father of the needy, and he exhorted them to strive to turn
their studies to God's service; but wandering and froward fellows he
would not admit nor endure, but either by correction changed them to a
better mind or drove them forth from his presence, lest the naughtiness
of such presumptuous persons might work ill to them that were well
disposed to obey, and disturb the peace of the studious flock and their
Rector. So he was a rod of fear to the idle, but a staff of protection
and safety to them that were well disposed to learn. Many of his
hearers, when they had laid fitting foundation of knowledge, flew higher
to loftier studies, and those who bore them diligently were promoted to
the degree of Masters in a short while, and certain of these applying
themselves to yet fuller knowledge were found worthy to be counted in the
number of the Doctors.

The great city of Paris doth know, holy Cologne and Erfurt do confess,
and the Curia at Rome is not ignorant of this, namely, the number of
learned men whom the school of Zwolle sent forth while Master John Cele
ruled her with all diligence, which thing he continued for a great while,
even until his hair grew white, for they say that this venerable Master
governed the scholars here for more than forty years.

This is his great glory, that so vast a multitude of his scholars speak
well of him, so many illustrious Clerks praise him, so devout a company
of monks still remember his name.

All things were well at Zwolle beneath his rule; they of the world were
not at enmity with the scholars, the devout might serve God freely where
they would, the Religious were under good supervision, and Priests of
honest life were accepted of the citizens.

They who governed the people feared God and were endowed with wisdom and
ri