Letters259 Letter CCLIX. To the same, for the same (A.D. 1145-)
Letter CCLIX. To the same, for the same (A.D. 1145-)
Although I at one time wished what you wished me not to, your condescending gentleness provokes me now not only to wish, but to wish eagerly for what you do. It is your pleasure that Brother Rualene should be Abbot of S. Anastasius, and this had been my wish before, but because he was much opposed to it I gave way. Again, since your will does not concur with mine I again, as is right, give way and return to my first mind. We can make the experiment. What you ordered has been done, not because you ordered it, but because you wished it. The speedy execution of your command, of free'will, and not grudgingly or of necessity, proves our obedience, and let my pen be examined as to my good-will. If I had not been content to execute your command should I not, according to the word of the Lord, have been an unprofitable servant in doing what I was bound to do? (S. Luke xvii. 10). But now, since I have acted with willingness also, I am no longer a servant but a son.
Etsi quid aliquando volui, quod velle me noluistis; mansuetudinis vestrae dignatio eo me provocat, ut quod vultis, non modo velim, sed et avide velim. Placet vobis ut frater Rualenus abbas sit apud Sanctum Anastasium? et mihi placuerat et ante: sed quia nimis ille nolebat, placitum in non placitum venit. Porro vestro beneplacito non connivente, rursum, ut justum est, non placitum in placitum redit. Experiri licet. Factum est quod praecepistis, non quia praecepistis, sed quia voluistis. Ex voluntate ergo, et non quasi ex tristitia, vel ex necessitate. Exsecutio maturata mandati obedientiam probat: de voluntate stilus interrogetur. Si contentus forem mandatum facere, nonne juxta verbum Domini servus inutilis essem, solvens debitum? Nunc autem quia adjeci velle; jam non servus, sed filius.