Letters274 Letter CCLXXIV. To Hugh, abbot of Trois-fontainks, when he was at Rome. (A.D. 1151)
Letter CCLXXIV. To Hugh, abbot of Trois-fontainks, when he was at Rome. (A.D. 1151)
Bernard regrets to have recommended the nephew of the Bishop of Anxerre.
I am sorry that I wrote on behalf of that youth, and I wish, if possible, my prayer to be recalled, for by it I seem to have approved the decision of my friend about the office of provost conferred by him, and badly assigned, too. And this I do not approve, nor have ever done so. But I was induced, I admit, by the great affection with which I was bound to the youth's uncle, an affection very great indeed, but in this case not spiritual enough. I was urged on, too, by my sorrow for his recent death. I may seem to have acted carelessly, but I would rather be thought by my lord to have written too hastily than be suspected before God of having been guilty of falsehood. Although indeed, it would be no excuse even if I had written with caution and foresight, for I knew for a certainty that" his two predecessors had ordered it otherwise, and had confirmed it otherwise by their authority. But if you have any influence with him you will do a good work if you can restore her 1 Hugh, Bishop of Auxcrrc.
privileges to the Church, and give force to those privileges. Would that we could purge the holy Bishop from this blot on his line, and provide for the youth in other ways.
Poenitet me scripsisse pro juvene illo; et velim, si fieri possit, revocari precem, per quam videor approbasse judicium amici super collata et male collocata ab eo praepositura, quod utique non facio, nec feci unquam. Sed vicit me, fateor, ut sic scriberem, dilectio qua tenebar, vehementer astrictus avunculo adolescentis, affectu grandi nimis, sed minus spirituali in hac parte. Urgebat maxime plaga recens de morte illius. Videar levitate usus: sed malo periclitari apud dominum meum praecipitatione scribendi, quam apud Deum suspicione mendacii. Quamquam caute ac provide de praepositura scripsi, nihil ad ipsum; quod indubitanter scirem duos ut memini, praedecessores ejus ipsam aliter ordinasse, atque alias suo confirmasse privilegio. Tu autem si efficere potueris apud ipsum, ut Ecclesiae privilegium, et privilegio efficaciam reddat, bonum opus operatus es. Utinam a naevo sanguinis hujus sanctum purgaret episcopum, et adolescenti in aliis provideret!