Biography and Criticism
(A Selection)
Auger, A.—De Doctrina et Meritis Joannis van Ruysbroeck (Louvain, 1892).
Engelhardt, J. G. von.—Richard von St. Victor und J. Ruysbroeck (Erlangen, 1838).
Useful for tracing the correspondences between the Victorines and Ruysbroeck.
Maeterlinck, Maurice.—Ruysbroeck and the Mystics. Translated by Jane Stoddart (London, 1908).
An English version of the Introduction to L’Ornement des Noces Spirituelles, above-mentioned; with many fine passages translated from Ruysbroeck’s other works.
Pomerius, H.—De Origine Monasterii Viridisvallis una cum Vitis Joannis Rusbrochii.
Printed in Analecta Bollandiana, vol. iv. (Brussels, 1885). The chief authority for all biographical facts.
Scully, Dom Vincent.—A Mediæval Mystic (London, 1910).
A biographical account, founded on Pomerius, with a short analysis of Ruysbroeck’s works. Popular and uncritical.
Vreese, Dr. W. L. de.—Jean de Ruysbroeck (Biographie Nationale de Belgique, vol. xx.) (Brussels, 1907).
An important and authoritative article with analysis of all Ruysbroeck’s works and full bibliography.
——Bijdragen tot de Kennis van het Leven en de Werken van Jan van Ruusbroec (Gent, 1896).
Contains Gerard Naghel’s sketch of Ruysbroeck’s life, with other useful material.
——De Handschriften van Jan van Ruusbroec’s Werken. 2 vols. (Gent, 1900).
An important and scholarly study of the manuscript sources by the greatest living authority.
Notices of Ruysbroeck will be found in the following works:—
Auger, A.—Étude sur les Mystiques des Pays Bas au Moyen Age (Académie Royale de Belgique, vol. xlvi., 1892).
Fleming, W. K.—Mysticism in Christianity (London, 1913).
Inge, Very Rev. W. R., D.D., Dean of St. Paul’s.—Christian Mysticism (London, 1899).
Jones, Dr. Rufus M.—Studies in Mystical Religion (London, 1909).
Applications of his doctrine to the spiritual life in:—
Baker, Venerable Augustin.—Holy Wisdom; or Directions for the Prayer of Contemplation (London, 1908).
Blosius, F. V.—Book of Spiritual Instruction (London, 1900); A Mirror for Monks (London, 1901); Comfort for the Faint-hearted (London, 1903); Sanctuary of the Faithful Soul (London, 1905).
Denis the Carthusian.—Opera Omnia (Monstrolii, 1896), in progress.
Petersen, Gerlac.—The Fiery Soliloquy with God (London, 1872).
Poulain, Aug., S.J.—The Graces of Interior Prayer (London, 1910).
Underhill, E.—Mysticism, 5th ed. (London, 1914).
Influences
Much light is thrown on Ruysbroeck’s doctrine by a study of the authors who influenced him; especially:
St. Augustine; Migne, P.L., xxvii.-xlvii.; Eng. Trans., edited by M. Dods (Edinburgh, 1876).
Dionysius the Areopagite; Migne, P.G., iii., iv.; Eng. Trans., by Parker (Oxford, 1897).
Hugh and Richard of St. Victor; Migne, P.L., clxxv.-clxxvii. and cxcvi.
St. Bernard; Migne, P.L., clxxxii.-clxxxv.; Eng. Trans., by Eales (London, 1889-96).
St. Thomas Aquinas; Opera (Romæ, 1882-1906); Eng. Trans., by the Dominican Fathers (in progress).
St. Bonaventura; Opera (Paris, 1864-71).
Meister Eckhart; Schriften und Predigten (Leipzig, 1903).
Suso; Schriften, ed. Denifle (Munich, 1876). Eng. Trans., Life, ed. by W. R. Inge (London, 1913); Book of Eternal Wisdom (London, 1910).
Tauler, Predigten (Prague, 1872); Eng. Trans., Twenty-five Sermons, trans. by Winkworth (London, 1906); The Inner Way, edited by A. W. Hutton (London, 1909).