s as were
Clerks and when they were so drawn and converted, to send them to the
several monasteries and congregations, there to serve the Lord. Moreover,
the conversion of these and their conversation was a cause and means of
salvation to many, as we found out afterward in the case of divers of
them. So much of their calling Clerks to Christ.

X. _Of the names of the Fathers and Rectors of the first congregation_.

Furthermore, with regard to the Fathers of the former congregations (to
go back a little to my former subject), I, in the hearing of Christ
Jesus, without whom nothing can be begun or founded duly, do say as
followeth:

"Through what act of grace or miracle came it to pass that as Master
Gherard Groet was preaching and sowing the seed everywhere, there were
added to him so suddenly and unexpectedly men of such kind and so great,
for these were of one mind with him, and every one of them in each city
and place burned with the zeal with which he also burned to exhort and
convert a people that was stiff necked. Yet with all diligence they set
them to the task of gathering together virgins as pearls from the shells
and most pure lilies from the thorns. These were in their days true
bridesmen and friends of the bridegroom, who hear and rejoice because of
the bridegroom's voice: who strove with emulation in God's behalf to
present the whole body of plighted virgins whom they had gathered
together as one chaste virgin to one husband, even to Christ.

Thou dost ask, perhaps, "Who are they whom thou dost so commend, and what
are their names?" Hear then:

In Deventer, John Brinckerinc ruled over the virgins that were first
gathered together there, and from these in after days sprang the House at
Dyepenween, which was under the same Rector.

In Zutphen was Henry of Huesden; in Doesborch, Tric Gruter; in Zwolle,
Henry of Gouda; in Kampen, Tric of Gramsberch; in Utrecht, Werembold. In
Amersfoort, William son of Henry; in Leyden, Peter of Poel; in Harlem,
Hugo Goltsmit; in Amsterdam, Ghijsbert of Oude; in Horn, Paul of
Medenblic. Likewise in Enchusen, Paul of that city; in Pormereynde,
Nicolas of that city; in Almelo, Everard of Eza; likewise in Schutdorp,
Henry of that city. These are the holy men whom the Lord chose with love
unfeigned to carry on and complete His work which Master Gherard Groet
had begun in wholesome wise by His inspiration, as hath been set forth
already. Holiness made them priests, lea