Letters271 Letter CCLXXI. To Theobald, count of Champagne. (A.D. 1151)
Letter CCLXXI. To Theobald, count of Champagne. (A.D. 1151)
Bernard warns him that he ought not to advance his young son to dignities in the Church.
You know how much I love you, but how much God knows better than you. I do not doubt also that for the sake of God I am beloved by you. And if I should offend Him you ought no longer to love me, for God would not be on my side. For who am I that so great a prince as you should care for one so small as I, unless it is that you believe God to be in me? Therefore to offend Him will not be good for you. And this I shall certainly do, if I do what you ask. For I am not unaware that honours and ecclesiastical dignities are the due of those who have both the will and the power to administer them worthily, and for God. Moreover, you must know that it is neither right for you, nor safe for me, that those should be acquired for your little 1 Reynold died A.D. 1151, and was succeeded by Goswin, Abbot of Bonneval.
boy by my prayers, or by yours. And, moreover, in most churches it is unlawful even for an adult to hold pluralities, except under dispensation given, either because of some great necessity of the Church, or great individual benefit. Wherefore, if this reply seem to you ungracious, and you are determined to carry out what you have in your mind, spare me in this matter, for, unless I mistake, you can easily obtain what you want by yourself and by your other friends. And so you will none the less gain what you wish, and I shall not have sinned. Assuredly, I wish well in all things to our little William,- but, above all, that he may have the favour of (iod. Thence it is that I am unwilling that he should have anything against the law of God, lest he lose God's favour. And if another wish differently, I am unwilling that he should gain it through me, lest I, too, lose God. But when he wants anything which he can have according to God's will, I will prove myself a friend, and, if need be, will not withhold my efforts. I need not labour much to excuse my righteous dealing before a lover of righteousness. Please excuse me to your Countess, in accordance with this reply of mine.
Scitis quia diligo vos: sed quantum, novit Deus melius quam vos. Me quoque diligi a vobis non dubito, sed propter Deum: quem si offendero, non erit quod me diligere debeatis, cum jam non fuerit in causa Deus. Quis enim ego sum, ut de me tantillo tantus princeps curetis, nisi quandiu Deum in me esse creditis? Ergo ut offendam eum, fortassis nec vobis expedit. Offendo autem procul dubio, si facio quod requiritis. Nam honores et dignitates ecclesiasticas non ignoro deberi his, qui eas digne secundum Deum administrare et velint, et possint. Porro eas acquiri parvulo filio vestro precibus meis, vel vestris, nec vobis justum, nec mihi tutum esse noveritis. Nam nec cuiquam, vel adulto, plures in pluribus ecclesiis habere licet, nisi dispensatorie quidem, ob magnam vel Ecclesiae necessitatem, vel personarum utilitatem. Quamobrem si vobis videtur hic durus sermo, et placet quod cogitastis implere; parcite mihi in hoc: nam vos satis, ni fallor, per vos et per alios amicos vestros istud obtinere potestis. Ita nec vos minus quod vultis, efficitis; nec ego peccavi. Sane Willelmulo nostro cupio bene per omnia: sed ante omnia Deum. Hinc est quod contra Deum nolo aliquid habeat, ne non habeat Deum. Quod si alius secus voluerit, nolo per me habeat, ne perdam et ego Deum. Ubi vero emerserit quod secundum Deum habere possit, probabo me amicum; et operam meam, si opus fuerit, non negabo. Apud amatorem justitiae in excusando eo quod pro justitia est, non multum mihi laborandum. Vos autem apud comitissam per ea quae vobis rescripsi, habete me excusatum. Valete.