Letters395 Letter CCCXCV

on his behalf to the Apostolic See. But how could I resolve to do that, without having first addressed myself directly to you, my lord and very dear father? I address myself to you then in the interest of peace, you whose honour and reputation have always, been a matter of interest to me; and intreat you to recall that hasty sentence and to restore the Abbot to his station, until his cause shall be re-examined with greater care. This I advise as your servant, and in your interests. 1 have no desire to declare against you, but to be on your side both before God and before men.

To Alvisus, Bishop of Arras.

Bernard represents to the Bishop that there would be injustice in requiring him to send back to the monks of S. Bertin, Thomas of S. Omer, who had made profession at Clairvaux, but whom they made claim to as having been destined to their Abbey by the vow of his parents.

To his venerable father and friend, Alvisus, by the grace of God, Bishop of Arras, Brother Bernard, called Abbot, health and the assurance of his poor prayers.

1. You have made a request of me on behalf of the Abbey of S. Bertin, which you love, and which I love too, and have loved from its foundation. Would that your Prudence had more carefully considered what it is that the 1 The same person who, as Abbot, is addressed in Ep. 65. He was Bishop from 1131 to 1148, and died the 8th October of that year at Philippopolis, according to the necrology of S. Denys at Rheims.

Mention is made of his death in a letter of Louis le Jeune (Bpp. Sugerian. no. 22. See Ep. 339).

venerable Abbot of that monastery asks; and what a thing it is, I do not say to do, but even to ask to be done? For I do not doubt that you would have blamed him as one who was doing a grave wrong, not only to us his friends, but to the man whose soul he seeks for: yea, and also against God, whose Providential counsels he seeks to alter. What my lord and father, could he persuade you, to make such a request as that, of your friend? God makes his voice heard from heaven by Thomas, bids him leave his country and his friends and his father’s house, and come to the place where He shall show him. Who am I that I should thwart the Spirit of God? What right have I to hinder Him, who calls His own sheep by name, who Himself leads them forth, so that they may follow Himself and no other? Thomas has chosen poverty; am I to send him back to riches and pleasures?

2. I am not ignorant that at S. Bertin the brethren are able to work out their salvation: let those whom God has called thither remain in that vocation in which they have been called. I know well where I have read: No man having put his hand to the plough and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God (S. Luke ix. 62). For no reason whatever would I be willing to put a stumbling-block in the way of my dear son Thomas, or to grieve a soul which God has entrusted to me. And I am beyond measure astonished, that a prelate of such good judgment as yourself, should allow himself to be persuaded to make such a request of me. For I am tempted to reply, presuming on your friendship, as you know, as the Lord did to the sons of Zebedee: Ye know not what ye ask (S. Matt. xx. 22). But I reflect that my affection must not make me presume so far as to forget that I owe deference to the dignity of a Bishop.

3. Act then as you are accustomed to do: honour your function in this matter also, and bravely give assistance