Peterssen, GERLAC (GERLACUS PETRI), b. at Deventer, 1377 or 1378; d. November 18, 1411. He entered the Institution of the Brethren of Common Life, and devoted his time to calligraphy, transcription of manuscripts, education, and prayer. He became connected with many illustrious contemplative men, e.g. John Ruysbroeck; Florent Radewyn; Henry Kalkar; Gerard of Zutphen; Thomas and John a Kempis, and John Vos of Huyden. When Radewyn founded a monastery of regular canons at Windejheim, in 1386, Gerlac followed him, and remained there till 1403 as a simple clerk; he had no other employment than that of a sexton. He has been called another Kempis, and several critics have ascribed to Kempis words or theories which belong to Gerlac. Gerlac left his brethren to come back to his cell, where, as he said, “somebody was waiting for him”. It has been maintained that the “Imitation” reproduced several ideas and the general spirit of Gerlac’s ascetic works. In fact, Thomas a Kempis inserted into the work, a copy of which he wrote in 1441, the passage of the “Soliloquies” where Gerlac says that he would feel no pain, if necessary for the greater glory of God, to be in hell for ever. This passage is an interpolation, which was soon deleted from the “Imitation”. The difference between the ascetic theories of Gerlac and those of the author of the “Imitation” are numerous and deep enough to make any similarities apparent.
Works: “Breviloquium de accidentiis exterioribus” (before 1403); “De libertate spiritus”; “Soliloquium cum Deo ignitum” (Cologne, 1616; Flemish tr., 1623; Fr., 1667; It., 1674; Sp., 1686).
JOSEPH DEDIEU