ches; moreover, amongst them were many learned magistrates who had been
of old disciples of John, and as was fitting, they ever held him in love
and reverence. He had collected many books for his own use, both of
philosophy and divinity, and he directed that after his death these
should be distributed for pious uses; for some he left as a pious
bequest, and for the good of his own soul, to churches, some to
monasteries, and some to the poor. So this is that revered and justly
praised Master John Cele, a native of the town of Zwolle, a man well
taught, learned, not puffed up by knowledge, sober, chaste, humble, and
devout.

Once he had gone to the country of Brabant with the venerable Master
Gerard Groote to see face to face that man most dear to God, John
Ruesbroeck, one that was illustrious for his life and doctrine, for he
had known him from afar, since his fame was noised abroad, and this
journey he made out of love for his devout and holy life. John
Ruesbroeck received them both in fatherly wise, and after a few days they
returned to their own habitation, greatly refreshed by the words of his
mouth and by his living example. This is more fully set forth in the
book of the life of that memorable Father. From this time forth the
flame of brotherly love burned yet more vehemently in the heart of each,
and, indeed, John Cele did wondrously love Gerard from the very beginning
of his preaching, ever holding him dear, and a man of one heart with him
in Christ, one that did treat well of the Word of God before the people,
showed a pattern of life in his own conduct, and was very fervent in his
zeal for souls. For this reason Master John bore the reproach of men and
much evil speaking from the froward, who never fail so to entreat them
that do well; and this befell him because he encouraged and praised the
acts of the Master and the glorious words of his preaching, yet was he
not overcome by the snarls of envious folk, nor ceased greatly to extol
Gerard, but before the magistrates and the people he spake freely on
behalf of the Religious. To him did Gerard address certain friendly
letters, and John, who loved the Master's words with all his heart, did
collect the whole number of his epistles, because of his delight in
reading them. Likewise he did often mention the venerable Master by name
to his scholars, as one whom he knew well, and in his own pleasant voice
did recount his deeds for an example to them. This is th