Letters303 Letter CCCIII. To Louis the younger, king of France
Letter CCCIII. To Louis the younger, king of France
Bernard advises the King how he ought to act in the cause of a certain Breton seigneur, who was adulterous and excommunicated.
If by the promise to absolve him from the excommunication which he has incurred, it would be possible to determine that seigneur from Brittany to send away the adulteress, permitting her to enjoy the lands which her father has left her according to the division which she has made with her brother; although she is unworthy of any such concession, perhaps it ought not to be refused, so that you may by this means obtain the support and aid of a powerful seigneur. Otherwise it is not the advice of your humble and faithful servant that either land should be granted to a stranger, or your favour accorded to a man excommunicated and incestuous: lest (which may God avert) you may one day hear the words applied to you: When thou sawest a thief thou consentedst unto him, and hast been partaker with the adulterers (Ps. 1. 18). Yet I would not advise precipitate action, or a sudden breach with the man. Action should be taken through some faithful and prudent agent, by whom, if possible, he may be led on, and time gained. It he will not listen to any proposal and remains obstinate, you may have confidence in the Lord that he will not prevail; since justice will be on your side and will be a powerful aid. I know not whether the Bishop of that district would be a fit and suitable person for this purpose: not that he is not faithful to you, for he is, on the contrary, most loyal; but on account of his position towards that seigneur, who detests him, and would not, I fear, have any confidence in him. He is, however, prepared to do everything in your service, which, with the will of God, might be in his power. If he should make any more private suggestion to you as from me you will know that it comes from me, and please to receive it as from my mouth. For he is a man whom I love much and in whom I have considerable confidence; you also may, I believe, safely confide to him whatever you think proper.
Si homo ille de Britannia dimittere vellet adulteram, ut posset solvi anathematis vinculo quo tenetur, et illa paternam haereditatem suam secundum divisionem suam, quam fecit cum fratre suo, a vobis requireret, etsi hoc ipso indigna, non esset forsitan recusandum, ut proinde potentis viri servitium et auxilium haberetis. Alioquin non est consilium humilis fidelis vestri concedi ullatenus aut terram extraneo, aut vestri favorem dominii excommunicato et incestuoso: ne (quod Deus avertat) quandoque et vos audiatis, Si videbas furem, currebas cum eo, et cum adulteris portionem tuam ponebas. Nec tamen verbum praecipitanter, et quasi ex abrupto rumpere consuluerim. Agendum autem per fidelem et prudentem nuntium, quatenus, si fieri potest, inducietur, et tempus redimatur. Quod si et hoc ille renuerit,, et malignari maluerit; fidendum in Domino quia non praevalebit: quoniam quidem justitia, quae cum rege est, erit pro rege. Nescio autem an episcopus ad hoc conveniens, satisque idoneus sit: non quia fidelis non sit, et quidem fidelissimus; sed quia odit illum, nec suum, ut vereor, consilium credet ei. Ipse tamen paratus est pro vestra voluntate ad omne, quod cum Dei voluntate facere poterit. Si quid est quod quasi ex parte mea vobis secreti suggerat, a me hoc illud accepisse sciatis, et tanquam ex ore meo id accipiatis. Homo est enim quem multum diligo, et satis credo ei: vosque illi, ni fallor, credere quod volueritis, secure potestis.