rning made them doctors,
diligence made them profitable rectors of many congregations, and zeal
for the gaining of souls made them notable preachers as hath been found
in the case of many of them. O happy day on which that great Gherard was
born amongst us, for he was the fount and source whence flowed the waters
of salvation to our land, so that what before his time had been parched
became a pool, and the thirsty land, springs of water.

XI. _Of the multiplication of the devout, especially of virgins_.

From this time forth the fount that once was small began to grow by means
of the rivulets aforesaid into abundant waters, that is, monasteries
without number and congregations also which fed them, so that it should
seem that the saying in Exodus was fulfilled which saith of the sons of
Israel how that when Joseph died his seed was multiplied exceedingly and
filled the land. Thus it came to pass that the people, both men and
women, loved a life of virginity, and in chastity emulated the dwellers
in Heaven. But above all there was a vast band of women that were
virgins who despised the thought of motherhood, and spurned this flowery
world with contempt, ever showing by their thoughts, their deeds, and
their bearing, that they desired rather to be united to that Spouse Who
is in Heaven. What state is there to-day, what township or city in the
whole province of Cologne but rejoiceth to have known the savour and
scent of these same lilies? Yet was there diversity in their lots, for
as Paul doth testify of himself, so too was it with them; some having a
savour of life unto life, and some a savour of death unto death. But in
this the matter of their election is most clearly shown, and likewise the
fact that they were not of the world, because they ever bare the world's
hatred and persecution, sometimes suffering at the hands of parents and
kindred, sometimes from rulers and the common folk of the cities and
towns, beneath which persecution they bore themselves with all patience
and humility; yet they suffered most greatly from false teachers and
preachers who were zealous to assail with mad words, and to persecute a
manner of life that they knew not, yet did not they not prevail.

XII. _How a certain monk of Cologne was put to confusion_.

For example, one such was preaching in Cologne at the time of the Prague
heresy, and he said among other matter: "Ye do go to Prague to contend
with heretics whom ye might find rea