(Chapters 2, 10, 11; selections)

This early fifteenth-century literal translation of Willem Jordaens’ Latin version of Ruusbroec's Vanden blinckenden Steensurvives in one devotional miscellany, BL MS Add. 37790. Not for beginners in contemplation, Ruusbroec's terse, abstruse original was for the ‘hidden sons of God’, whose reward shall be mystical union with Him.

(2) … Wherfore us behoves to grownde oure lyfe upon a profounde depenesse and so we maye in everlastynge love drowne, and alle of oure selfe into inserchable depnesse be drown[d]ea,” in the whiche love we schalle be alterate into ane incomprehensible heyght. And also with that love whiche is wantynge maner we schalle grope, and it schalle lede us and brynge us agayne into the gate of the incomprehensible depnesse of charite, in the whiche we schalle flowe frome oureselfe, and flow[e]b agayne in unknawyn swetnesses thorowe the spirit of the goodnes of God, in the whiche we schalle be made liqued and stable everlastyngly be the joye of God. So that I schewe than that in eche of thees symylitudes is exercyse to be contemplatyfe. …

(10) … For sothly, yyf we hafe fay the, hope and charite, than withowt dowte we hafe takyn God, for he with his grace dwellys in us, and sendys us furthe as trewe servantys to kepe his commawndmentis. And he callys us ayayne inwarde as his secrete frendes, yif alonely we folowe his counseyles and be that he schewes us that we are his sonnys, yif onely we knowe oure lyfe contrary to the worlde.