Letters381 Letter CCCLXXXI. To Abbot Suger. (Circa A. D. 1150)

Bernard assures him that he himself is far from attributing the evils under which the Kingdom suffers, to him: and that he regrets that others should do so. He advises Suger to decline lo share {by associating with them)

the unpopularity of those who are the real cause of these evils.

To the Reverend father, and my very dear friend, Suger, by the grace of God Abbot of S. Denys, Brother Bernard,’ called Abbot of Clairvaux, wishes health and gives assurance of his humble prayers.

I reply briefly to the letter' of your Paternity, being somewhat pressed for time: it was towards evening when I received the letter, and I have to set forth to-morrow to attend the general chapter at Citeaux. In few words then, I beg you to put entirely out of your mind the idea, which had not even occurred to me, that I could think you responsible for the evils under which we are labouring.

It is true that in my zeal I have written to you with an eager warmth: but this was only because I was striving to impress your Holiness with my sentiments and to induce you to share them. Another reason for it was, that LETTER CCCLXXXII.

although I was quite sure of your good intentions, yet I was greatly pained by the evil reports dealing with your name, which have given scandal to the Church. Why do you continue to have relations with people who are not willing to conform to your manner of life and especially in matters of this kind? Why do you shelter them with your name? Is it not your bounden duty to separate yourself altogether from those sacrilegious, and to keep them at a distance; so that you may be able with good conscience, to say with the Psalmist: I have hated the congregation of the wicked, and will not sit among the ungodly (Ps. xxvi. 5): and thus the entire Church and all the Saints may know that you are entirely guiltless, and free from their company and their companionship. Remember the opening words of the Lord by the Prophet: Blessed the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly (Ps. i. I.) But pray believe that I have never thought any harm whatever of you: for I know you well, and the purity of your intentions. Farewell; and pray for us.