Prologue to the Life of Lydwine

To the Religious Brethren, Canons Regular of the monastery of St. Eliza beth, near Briel in the country of Zeeland. Brother N., a poor pilgrim, humbly begging the suffrages of your prayers. Most beloved brothers in Christ, since we profess the same Order and Rule, it is just that according to the saying of St. James the Apostle we pray for one another, and adorn our faith with good works, and keep the bond of charity in true love. May your fraternity then deign to know that at the request of your brethren I have read through the book1 of the life of the 1 Brugman's first Life, founded chiefly on John Gerlac's German MS. See Introduction.

ST. LYDWINE of SCHIEDAM holy and most patient virgin Lydwine: and as you have long desired I now out of charity send you the same to read composed in a style more brief and clear. Do not take it ill that I have delayed ; nor attribute to presump tion what I have done: because the counsel of your venerable Prior came and urged me to the doing. For what seemed at first difficult to me, by the help of God through your prayers has at length arrived at completion. I have divided the whole matter of the book into two parts, and to each part I have prefixed its own chapters. Also by the advice of certain religious I have omitted many things which seemed liable maybe to cause doubt or nice questioning to some simple souls. I have chosen therefore from many things to write and gather rather those which might instruct in virtue and clearly show a way of humble imitation to those who should read. But they are almost all fit subject for wonder, surpassing my experience ; and I leave the judgment of them to my betters. But I trust that the prayers of the humble will be more pleasing and acceptable to God and the holy virgin herself, than to ST. LYDWINE of SCHIEDAM search into lofty things, and foolishly gossip of the secrets of God. Let it not disturb anyone if the name is spelt sometimes Lydia or Lydwine, for this is found in other histories of the saints : as Agna is suitably written for Agnes, Walburga for Walburgis. We read of a Lydia in the Acts1 of the Apostles, whom Paul the Apostle converted, and in whose house he received hospitality ; and our Lydia willingly received many religious to discourse of things divine : and taught by a holy angel she very often brought the grace of heavenly comfort to the troubled of heart.

Chap. Page I. Of the birthplace and birth of the virgin Lydwine, and the probity of her parents 51 II. Of her devotion to the image of the Blessed Virgin 54 III. Of her strong purpose in the state of virginity 56 IV. Of the beginning of her weakness, and the occasion of her long illness 58 V. Of the opinion of a certain doctor, and the miracle that befell her . 60 VI. Of the scantiness of her nourishment VII. Of the various illnesses and pains that tormented her day and night . 65 VIII. Of the severity of her fever, and a fresh disease in her leg ... 70 IX. Of the hardness of her bed, and the cold she suffered in winter . . 73 X. Of her watchings and struggle Chap. Page XI. Of the poverty and endurance of her father 79 XII. Of the illusion of Satan who cast her XIII. Of the death of her father on the vigil of the Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 83 XIV. Of the death of John Peters her grandfather, and his long conti nence 85 XV. Of the death of Petronilla her mother 87 XVI. Of her state after her mother's death, and her pity for the poor . . 89 XVII. Of the burning of her bed, which she put out with one hand without any injury 90 XVIII. Of the ashes ministered to her by an angel at the beginning of Lent . 91 XIX. Of the wine miraculously placed in her cup 93 XX. Of the money paid for her brother, and multiplied in her purse . . 95 XXI. Of the ham given to the poor, and miraculously replaced by another . 97 XXII. Of the meat and peas given to the poor, and multiplied ... 99 XXIII. Of the vision of a heavenly table, filled