Letters476 Letter CDLXXVI. To a certain nobleman named Ebal.

To his friend Ebal of Florennes, Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, health, and that he may avoid evil and do good.

You have bestowed upon me a degree of confidence in remonstrating with you when it should be necessary, from the fact that you have commended yourself so humbly to my prayers, that you have associated yourself so fervently with our community, and especially that you did not hesitate to incur lately the great fatigue of a long and fruitless journey [to visit me. But of what advantage do you suppose my prayers can be to you when you daily oppose them by your bad actions! For you, as I heard, besides other innumerable bad actions which you do not cease to commit, interfere with the free action of the monks of Liesse, 2 which monastery your pious mother built, not for the purpose that.... and that they should 1 The MS. is illegible here.

2 [Laetiensis or Lesciensis; a monastery in Flanders (Nord). See Note to Letter CD.]

relinquish it again and depart. Of what advantage would that be to you? This liberty which you seek with respect to that monastery is worse than any servitude. If you have any confidence in me, or will acquiesce in my advice; if you desire the benefits you have already obtained by my prayers, I do not say to be of any advantage to you, but not to do you harm instead of good, you will lay down this obstinate disposition of mind and without any delay, and putting aside every objection, you will confirm the free gift, just as it was made by your mother to the holy brethren: yet in such a manner that they promise always so many monks out of their number, to the same monastery, as may be sufficient to perform the accustomed duties fully and fittingly.

Do you also and your mother, make provision from your own resources, for their clothing and sustenance in the service of God. Farewell.