Letters223 Letter CCXXIII. To the bishop of Soissons (A.D. 1143)

Bernard excuses himself courteously to the Bishop, who had replied to his former letter in such a way that this was the salutation, "Health in the Lord and not the spirit of calumny."

1. I do not think that I have in me anything of the spirit of calumny, but I know certainly that I have never wished nor wish now to curse anyone, especially a prince of my people. But whatever that may be by which your dignity thinks itself wronged, for it I ask pardon, for I know who said, Being defamed we entreat (1 Cor. iv. 13). I say, then, with blessed Job, Would that I had not said what I have, and I will say no more (Job xl. 5). When I lately wrote to my lord the Abbot of S. Denys about your common complaint I answered both of you, and I thought that I had done enough, and since I see that your anger is not yet appeased, which more justly, perhaps, would have been kindled against the oppressors of the Church, I also say to you that I never said, wrote, or believed that you were schismatics or promoters of scandal, and I say so with an easy mind, for I am not afraid that my letter will convict me of falsehood. Examine it, if you please, and if you find that I said so I will confess that I have been guilty of great profanity, and that what you say is true, that I wrote the letter impelled by a spirit of calumny.

2. But lest my humble explanation seem to exclude the spirit of liberty, let me say that I grieved, and I do still, to find that you do not yet avenge the wrongs of Christ or defend the liberty of the Church with the liberty that is fitting. That grief compelled me to write severe things, but they were not of the spirit that you complained of. I thought certainly, and I would still think if I were not afraid that this would offend you, that it is by no means enough for you not to be the authors of the schism. You should, with all your strength, freely restrain those who are the authors, whatever their rank may be, and condemn their counsel and society. I should think it an honour to you if you too could say, have hated the congregation of the wicked, and will not sit among the ungodly (Ps. xxvi. 5). Was it that prophet alone that zeal befitted, and is it not as much required now from a priest of the Lord to say with him, Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate Thee, and am not I grieved with those that rise up against Thee? (Ps. cxxxix. 21). I much wish (and with no wish to anger your Serenity I will say it) that you had exercised this zeal against the young King, who, more like a cruel tyrant than a boy, has gone against your advice and his own promises, who, without cause, is disturbing his kingdom, stirring up all round him wars in heaven and earth, laying waste the churches, laying an impious hand on sacred things, exalting the wicked, persecuting the good, and destroying the innocent. I repeat that I wish you were sorry for these things, that you would withstand and resist them to the best of your power. But it is not my place to teach such an one as Magister Joscelyn, much less to rebuke a Bishop, who should rather punish me and other sinners and correct those who err. You see how much I fear you. Since you thought ill of my last letter being open I send you this one sealed, for certainly I meant nothing else by it than to follow the usual practice of not sealing with wax a letter sent to different people. I now ask your pardon for so doing also.