Letters393 Letter CCCXCIII

make distinctions more clearly: but modesty withholds me.

I will do so, when I shall have leisure to write to greater length; provided that I am assured that these few words have given you pleasure. In conclusion, I earnestly entreat, that if I have as much favour and interest with you as is generally supposed, those soldiers of God, who dwell in the Temple at Jerusalem, may find that they are still more in your; favour henceforth because of my commendation In so doing be assured that you will act acceptably towards God and at the same time agreeably to men.

To W., Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Bernard exhorts him to humility.

To the venerable Lord and beloved Father, W., by the grace of God, Patriarch, of Jerusalem, Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, wishes health and the Spirit of truth, who proceeded from the P'ather.

1. Having an opportunity of sending by a trustworthy man, a friend of ours, who is the bearer of this, I, although busied about many things, write a few words to you, who art also busy. If indeed it seem to any presumptuous and I be judged for this, yet it is a light presumption that proceeds from affection. But that I may not write much when I - promised little, let me come to the point. When it pleased the Creator of the universe to make known the depth of the wisdom of his plan for the salvation of the human race, He so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, who was made man for men, and He called to Himself those of the sons of men whom He would; both chosen out of the rest, and beloved above the rest. And again one of these, as if elected 'William, to whom letter 175 was written; which see.

from the elect, and beloved beyond the beloved, He separated for the special favour of his love: to whom, when lifted up from the earth, He offered with out-stretched hands His evening sacrifice, before He commended His spirit into His Father’s Hands; He, like a Brother to a brother, a virgin Himself, committed His virgin Mother to a virgin in His stead. To what end such a beginning? Listen carefully.

2. The Lord has chosen many, and made them princes among His people, that they might have the dignity of the Episcopate; but thee by a special grace He placed in the house of His servant David. To thee also of all the bishops in the whole world has been committed that land, whence sprang the green herb, and the fruit of the earth after its kind; from which sprang also the Rose of Sharon and the lily of the valley. Thee alone, I say, the Lord chose above thy fellows, to be to Him as it were a bishop for His household, day by day to enter into His Tabernacle, and to adore Him in the very place, where His feet once stood. We read that it was said to holy Moses when he received a command from the Lord to make known to the sons of Israel: Loose thy shoe from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground (Exod. iii. 5). That place is also holy, but it was sanctified by type and figure; while this has been hallowed by the very Truth Himself. That spot was holy, but this is holier. What comparison is there between the figure of the truth, which is seen only as in a glass and darkly, and that glory which shall be revealed when the veil is at length taken away. And yet when all these things were shown in figure and as still future, it was said to Moses: Loose thy shoe from off thy feet; for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. And I say to you: loose thy shoe from off thy feet, for the place where thou standest is holy ground. If hitherto your affections have been in any degree set on dead works—give them up quickly: for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. O how fearful is that place, in which first through the mercy of our God the Dayspring from on high hath visited us! O how fearful is that place, in which first the Father met the Son returning from a region so little worthy pf Him, and falling upon His neck clothed Him with a robe of glory! O how fearful is that place, in which the sweet and righteous Lord poured into our wounds both oil and wine, in which the Father of mercies, and the God of all consolation, made with us a covenant of peace. Thanks to Thee, O Lord, thanks to Thee, because Thou hast worked a good work in the midst of the earth, in the midst of the years, making this a mark of law and grace. For when Thou wert angry, Thou didst remember pity. Behold, a place far more sacred than that on which Moses stood, and far more noble: for it is the place of the Lord, the place, I say, of Him who came by Water and Blood; not only by water, as Moses, but by Water and Blood. Behold the place, where they laid Him! Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord, or who shall stand in His holy place? He alone ought to ascend, who has learnt from the Lord Jesus Christ to be meek and lowly of heart.

3. The humble can alone ascend securely; because humility has no exaltation from whence it can fall; the proud, although he climb, yet cannot stand for long, like one who wishes not to stand on his own feet, but has taken to himself that of another, like him of whom the Prophet says in detestation: Let not the foot of pride come against me (Ps. xxxvi. 11). For pride has only one foot, the love of its own excellence. And so the proud cannot stand for long, like one who only leans on one foot. For who LETTER CCCXCIV.

can stand on that foot, on which have fallen those who worked iniquity as an Angel in heaven, and a man in paradise? If God spared not the natural branches; the man, I mean whom He crowned with glory and honour, and set over all the works of His Hands; nor a angel, who was the beginning of His works, full of wisdom and of perfect beauty: much more is it to be feared lest He spare not me when I boast myself; being no longer in the garden of pleasure, nor in the realm of heaven, but in the vale of tears. Therefore that you may stand firm, stand in humility; stand not on the one foot of pride, but on the feet of humility, that your footsteps be not shaken. For humility has two feet, the consideration of Divine Power, and of its own weakness. O beautiful feet and firm, neither wrapped in the darkness of ignorance, nor stained with the slippery soil of luxury! Do you, then, who are placed on high, refrain from high thoughts, but fear; and humble yourself under the powerful Hand of Him, who will bow down in His strength the necks of the proud and lofty. Think of the Church committed to your hands, not as a servant into those of a master, but, to go back to the beginning of my letter, as a mother to the care of a son, as Mary to John, so that of thee also it may be said to her, Mother, behold thy Son. And of her to thee, Behold thy mother. For so shalt thou be safe in thy coming in and in thy going out; and in thy approach to His Majesty, who although He be high and inhabiteth eternity, yet has regard to the humble both in heaven and in earth.