Concerning Lubert Berner
(1)
AMONGST those who in earlier days gave light to the devout in Deventer there shone one Lubert the son of John Berner, a native of Zwolle. He was a priest whose character was truly humble and entirely obedient; that his life was earnest in Christ is known to me and to divers of the Brethren of Windesheim, Mount St. Agnes, and the Fountain of the Blessed Virgin near Arnheim, of whom many survive unto this present, but some are fallen asleep in the Lord.
What can I, poor creature that I am, say of so great a man as to whose life such a multitude of the devout bear witness? Nay, even men of the world, magistrates and councillors, as well as those who at that time were canons and vicars at Deventer knew him for a man of great virtue; that he was so may be proved by his many acts of humility, some of which I will bring forward here as examples, and as it were sweet smelling branches sprung from a good tree.
(2) When this Lubert was in the flower of his youth, and had learned the rudiments of the art of grammar, he went with some companions of his own age to the University of Prague, and soon having taken his Bachelor’s degree returned to Zwolle, where his friends received him with great joy. Not long afterwards, attracted by the kindliness of the Devout Brothers, his heart was softened by the inspiration of God to the amending of his life, and resolving to be the servant of Christ he retired from the world (but secretly, because his parents and friends were opposed to his design) and gladly exchanged worldly pursuits for spiritual warfare. He came to Deventer to Florentius, who was then in the full vigour of his holy life, and being received with fatherly love he learned wholly to renounce the pomps and cares of the world and to imitate the lowly life of Christ. He submitted himself beneath the yoke of obedience with the fervour of his whole heart, and was zealous in taking hold upon the discipline of the new life, and offering himself daily as a living sacrifice to God he quickly rose to the highest perfection by breaking down his own will.
(3) But Berner, his father, who was a powerful Councillor at Zwolle, took it ill that his son had become a follower of Florentius, and turned to so owly a condition of life, so he sent several messengers to dissuade Lubert from his holy purpose, thinking that he was utterly astray in thus foolishly relinquishing his parents and worldly wealth. But Lubert being constant in mind stood unmoved, choosing rather to follow the counsel of Christ than to do the will of his earthly father, for God is greater than man, and hath bidden us to love Him above all things, saying: “He that loveth Father or Mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.” Meanwhile it happened that his father fell sick, and his weakness was very heavy on him so that he could not even speak. Therefore Lubert was bidden to come quickly if he desired to see him alive; for through God’s mercy the father in his utmost need was to receive the counsel of salvation through his son. So he went in haste to his father’s house, to further the salvation of his soul, being filled with filial sympathy for his sickness and remembering the commandment of the Lord rather than the injury which had been done formerly to himself.
(4) So he who had lately fled before his father’s persecution now visited him safely when he was sick, and spoke gently to him whose opposition he had lately endured; but the father, looking upon his beloved son, was greatly rejoiced at the sight of him, and wonderful to say, though he had been dumb and unable to open his mouth, he now for joy began to speak.
Forthwith he sought pardon from Lubert and begged him of his mercy to forgive him for that he had once sought to hinder him from walking in the way of God. And Lubert overflowing with love gladly forgave him all. So the father being reconciled unto his son now followed more wholesome counsels, and not wishing Lubert to be defrauded of his patrimony, ordered all those things to be given him which fell to him by the right of succession. These things he set in order during his lifetime that after his death he might find mercy from God and be effectually assisted by his son’s prayers. A few days afterwards he died, and Lubert, remembering his kindness, poured forth fervent prayers with many tears for him, and he did not take the portion which fell to him to be expended upon his own desires but delivered it all into the hands of Florentius to be spent in the pious service of the Brotherhood.
Florentius did not keep the goods entrusted to him for his own use but laid them out in the building of the House and in paying the expenses thereof. This is that Monastery of Florentius, which is distinguished by being called after his name and by the favour of the Councillors of the State was founded for a Community of Religious Clerks in the year 1391.
(5) In the same year Lubert and his friend Henry Brune, who was a devout man, were ordained to the priesthood. These two were as twin brethren, having been nurtured in that House with the milk of holy devotion, and being adorned alike with great virtues were thought worthy of the honour of the Priesthood. Both were men who were well born as the world judgeth, and as God judgeth pre-eminent for their devotion, humble, sober, chaste, kindly, earnest, zealous, loving, docile, simple, and obedient.