WhoistherewhodoesnotknowthatthesacramentsofGod’sblessingspertainingtotheChurchareparticularlyascribedtotheoperationofdivinegrace，bywhichismeanttheHolySpirit？ForsoothwearebornagainofwaterandoftheHolySpiritinbaptism，andthusfromtheverybeginningisthebodymade，asitwere，aspecialtempleofGod。Inthesuccessivesacraments，moreover，theseven—foldgraceoftheSpiritisadded，wherebythissametempleofGodismadebeautifulandisconsecrated。Whatwonderisit，then，iftothatPersontoWhomtheapostleassignedaspiritualtempleweshoulddedicateamaterialone？OrtowhatPersoncanachurchbemorerightlysaidtobelongthantoHimtoWhomalltheblessingswhichthechurchadministersareparticularlyascribed？Itwasnot，however，withthethoughtofdedicatingmyoratorytoonePersonthatIfirstcalledittheParaclete，butforthereasonIhavealreadytold，thatinthisspotIfoundconsolation。Nonetheless，evenifIhaddoneitforthereasonattributedtome，thedeparturefromtheusualcustomwouldhavebeeninnowayillogical。CHAPTERXIIOFTHEPERSECUTIONDIRECTEDAGAINSTHIMBYSUNDRYNEWENEMIESOR，ASITWEREAPOSTLES
　　ANDsoIdweltinthisplace，mybodyindeedhiddenaway，butmyfamespreadingthroughoutthewholeworld，tillitsechoreverberatedmightily——echo，thatfancyofthepoet’s，whichhassogreatavoice，andnoughtbeside。Myformerrivals，seeingthattheythemselveswerenowpowerlesstodomehurt，stirredupagainstmecertainnewapostlesinwhomtheworldputgreatfaith。Oneofthese（NorbertofPrémontré）tookprideinhispositionascanonofaregularorder;theother（BernardofClairvaux）madeithisboastthathebadrevivedthetruemonasticlife。
　　Thesetworanhitherandyonpreachingandshamelesslyslanderingmeineverywaytheycould，sothatintimetheysucceededindrawingdownonmyheadthescornofmanyamongthosehavingauthority，amongboththeclergyandthelaity。Theyspreadabroadsuchsinisterreportsofmyfaithaswellasofmylifethattheyturnedevenmybestfriendsagainstme，andthosewhostillretainedsomethingoftheirformerregardformewerefaintodisguiseitineverypossiblewaybyreasonoftheirfearofthesetwomen。
　　GodismywitnessthatwhensoeverIlearnedoftheconveningofanewassemblageoftheclergy，Ibelievedthatitwasdonefortheexpresspurposeofmycondemnation。Stunnedbythisfearlikeonesmittenwithathunderbolt，Idailyexpectedtobedraggedbeforetheircouncilsorassembliesasahereticoroneguiltyofimpiety。ThoughIseemtocompareafleawithalion，oranantwithanelephant，inverytruthmyrivalspersecutedmenolessbitterlythanthehereticsofoldhoundedSt。Athanasius。Often，Godknows，IsanksodeepindespairthatIwasreadytoleavetheworldofChristendomandgoforthamongtheheathen，payingthemastipulatedtributeinorderthatImightlivequietlyaChristianlifeamongtheenemiesofChrist。Itseemedtomethatsuchpeoplemightindeedbekindlydisposedtowardme，particularlyastheywoulddoubtlesssuspectmeofbeingnogoodChristian，imputingmyflighttosomecrimeIhadcommitted，andwouldthereforebelievethatImightperhapsbewonovertotheirformofworship。CHAPTERXIIIOFTHEABBEYTOWHICHHEWASCALLEDANDOFTHEPERSECUTIONHEHAD
　　FROMHISSONSTHATISTOSAYTHEMONKSANDFROMTHELORDOFTHELAND
　　WHILEIwasthusafflictedwithsogreatperturbationtoofthespirit，andwhentheonlywayofescapeseemedtobeformetoseekrefugewithChristamongtheenemiesofChrist，therecameachancewherebyIthoughtIcouldforawhileavoidtheplottingsofmyenemies。ButtherebyIfellamongChristiansandmonkswhowerefarmoresavagethanheathensandmoreeviloflife。Thethingcameaboutinthiswise。TherewasinlesserBrittany，inthebishopricofVannes，acertainabbeyofSt。GildasatRuits，thenmourningthedeathofitsshepherd。Tothisabbeytheelectivechoiceofthebrethrencalledme，withtheapprovaloftheprinceofthatland，andIeasilysecuredpermissiontoacceptthepostfrommyownabbotandbrethren。
　　ThusdidthehatredoftheFrenchdrivemewestward，evenasthatoftheRomansdroveJerometowardtheEast。Never，Godknows，wouldIhaveagreedtothisthinghaditnotbeenformylongingforanypossiblemeansofescapefromthesufferingswhichIhadbornesoconstantly。
　　Thelandwasbarbarousanditsspeechwasunknowntome;asforthemonks，theirvileanduntameablewayoflifewasnotoriousalmosteverywhere。
　　Thepeopleoftheregion，too，wereuncivilizedandlawless。Thus，likeonewhointerroroftheswordthatthreatenshimdashesheadlongoveraprecipice，andtoshunonedeathforamomentrushestoanother，Iknowinglysoughtthisnewdangerinordertoescapefromtheformerone。Andthere，amidthedreadfulroarofthewavesofthesea，wheretheland’sendleftmenofurtherrefugeinflight，ofteninmyprayersdidIrepeatoverandoveragain:"FromtheendoftheearthwillIcryuntoThee，whenmyheartisoverwhelmed"（Ps。lxi。2）。
　　Noone，methinks，couldfailtounderstandhowpersistentlythatundisciplinedbodyofmonks，thedirectionofwhichIhadthusundertaken，torturedmyheartdayandnight，orhowconstantlyIwascompelledtothinkofthedangeraliketomybodyandtomysoul。IhelditforcertainthatifI
　　shouldtrytoforcethemtoliveaccordingtotheprinciplestheyhadthemselvesprofessed，Ishouldnotsurvive。Andyet，ifIdidnotdothistotheutmostofmyability，Isawthatmydamnationwasassured。Moreover，acertainlordwhowasexceedinglypowerfulinthatregionhadsometimepreviouslybroughttheabbeyunderhiscontrol，takingadvantageofthestateofdisorderwithinthemonasterytoseizeallthelandsadjacenttheretoforhisownuse，andhegrounddownthemonkswithtaxesheavierthanthosewhichwereextortedfromtheJewsthemselves。
　　Themonkspressedmetosupplythemwiththeirdailynecessities，buttheyheldnopropertyincommonwhichImightadministerintheirbehalf，andeachone，withsuchresourcesashepossessed，supportedhimselfandhisconcubines，aswellashissonsanddaughters。Theytookdelightinharassingmeonthismatter，andtheystoleandcarriedoffwhatsoevertheycouldlaytheirhandson，totheendthatmyfailuretomaintainordermightmakemeeithergiveuptryingtoenforcedisciplineorelseabandonmypostaltogether。Sincetheentireregionwasequallysavage，lawlessanddisorganized，therewasnotasinglemantowhomIcouldturnforaid，forthehabitsofallalikewereforeigntome。Outsidethemonasterythelordandhishenchmenceaselesslyhoundedme，andwithinitswallsthebrethrenwereforeverplottingagainstme，sothatitseemedasiftheApostlehadhadmeandnoneotherinmindwhenheIsaid:"Withoutwerefightings，withinwerefears"（IICor。vii。5）。
　　Iconsideredandlamentedtheuselessnessandthewretchednessofmyexistence，howfruitlessmylifenowwas，bothtomyselfandtoothers;
　　howofoldIhadbeenofsomeservicetotheclericswhomIhadnowabandonedforthesakeofthesemonks，sothatIwasnolongerabletobeofusetoeither;howincapableIhadprovedmyselfineverythingIhadundertakenorattempted，sothataboveallothersIdeservedthereproach，"Thismanbegantobuild，andwasnotabletofinish"（Lukexiv。30）。MydespairgrewstilldeeperwhenIcomparedtheevilsIhadleftbehindwiththosetowhichIhadcome，formyformersufferingsnowseemedtomeasnought。
　　FulloftendidIgroan:"JustlyhasthissorrowcomeuponmebecauseI
　　desertedtheParaclete，whichistosaytheConsoler，andthrustmyselfintosuredesolation;seekingtoshunthreatsIfledtocertainperil。"
　　Thethingwhichtormentedmemostwasthefactthat，havingabandonedmyoratory，Icouldmakenosuitableprovisionforthecelebrationthereofthedivineoffice，forindeedtheextremepovertyoftheplacewouldscarcelyprovidethenecessitiesofoneman。ButthetrueParacleteHimselfbroughtmerealconsolationinthemidstofthissorrowofmine，andmadealldueprovisionforHisownoratory。Foritchancedthatinsomemannerorother，layingclaimtoitashavinglegallybelongedinearlierdaystohismonastery，myabbotofSt。DenisgotpossessionoftheabbeyofArgenteuil，ofwhichIhavepreviouslyspoken，whereinshewhowasnowmysisterinChristratherthanmywife，Heloise，hadtakentheveil。Fromthisabbeyheexpelledbyforceallthenunswhohaddweltthere，andofwhommyformercompanionhadbecometheprioress。Theexilesbeingthusdispersedinvariousplaces，IperceivedthatthiswasanopportunitypresentedbyGodhimselftomewherebyIcouldmakeprovisionanewformyoratory。
　　Andso，returningthither，Ibadehercometotheoratory，togetherwithsomeothersfromthesameconventwhohadclungtoher。
　　OntheirarrivalthereImadeovertothemtheoratory，togetherwitheverythingpertainingthereto，andsubsequently，throughtheapprovalandassistanceofthebishopofthedistrict，PopeInnocentIIpromulgatedadecreeconfirmingmygiftinperpetuitytothemandtheirsuccessors。
　　Andthisrefugeofdivinemercy，whichtheyservedsodevotedly，soonbroughtthemconsolation，eventhoughatfirsttheirlifetherewasoneofwant，andforatimeofutterdestitution。ButtheplaceproveditselfatrueParacletetothem，makingallthosewhodweltroundaboutfeelpityandkindlinessforthesisterhood。Sothat，methinks，theyprosperedmorethroughgiftsinasingleyearthanIshouldhavedoneifIhadstayedthereahundred。Trueitisthattheweaknessofwomankindmakestheirneedsandsufferingsappealstronglytopeople’sfeelings，aslikewiseitmakestheirvirtueallthemorepleasingtoGodandman。AndGodgrantedsuchfavourintheeyesofalltoherwhowasnowmysister，andwhowasinauthorityovertherest，thatthebishopslovedherasadaughter，theabbotsasasister，andthelaityasamother。Allalikemarvelledatherreligiouszeal，hergoodjudgmentandthesweetnessofherincomparablepatienceinallthings。Thelessoftensheallowedherselftobeseen，shuttingherselfupinhercelltodevoteherselftosacredmeditationsandprayers，themoreeagerlydidthosewhodweltwithoutdemandherpresenceandthespiritualguidanceofherwords。CHAPTERXIVOFTHEVILEREPORTOFHISINIQUITY
　　BEFORElongallthosewhodweltthereaboutsbegantocensuremeroundly，complainingthatIpaidfarlessattentiontotheirneedsthanImightandshouldhavedone，andthatatleastIcoulddosomethingforthemthroughmypreaching。Asaresult，Ireturnedthitherfrequently，tobeofservicetotheminwhatsoeverwayIcould。Regardingthistherewasnolackofhatefulmurmuring，andthethingwhichsincerecharityinducedmetodowasseizeduponbythewickednessofmydetractorsasthesubjectofshamelessoutcry。TheydeclaredthatI，whoofoldcouldscarcelyenduretobepartedfromherIloved，wasstillswayedbythedelightsoffleshlylust。ManytimesIthoughtofthecomplaintofSt。JeromeinhislettertoAsellaregardingthosewomenwhomhewasfalselyaccusedoflovingwhenhesaid（Epist。xcix）:"Iamchargedwithnothingsavethefactofmysex，andthischargeismadeonlybecausePaulaissettingforthtoJerusalem。"
　　Andagain:"BeforeIbecameintimateinthehouseholdofthesaintlyPaula，thewholecitywasloudinmypraise，andnearlyeveryonedeemedmedeservingofthehighesthonoursofpriesthood。ButIknowthatmywaytothekingdomofHeavenliesthroughgoodandevilreportalike。"
　　WhenIponderedovertheinjurywhichslanderhaddonetosogreatamanasthis，Iwasnotalittleconsoledthereby。Ifmyrivals，Itoldmyself，couldbutfindanequalcauseforsuspicionagainstme，withwhataccusationswouldtheypersecuteme！Buthowisitpossibleforsuchsuspiciontocontinueinmycase，seeingthatdivinemercyhasfreedmetherefrombydeprivingmeofallpowertoenactsuchbaseness？Howshamelessisthislatestaccusation！Intruththatwhichhadhappenedtomesocompletelyremovesallsuspicionofthisiniquityamongallmenthatthosewhowishtohavetheirwomenkeptundercloseguardemployeunuchsforthatpurpose，evenassacredhistorytellsregardingEstherandtheotherdamselsofKingAhasuerus（Estherii。5）。Weread，too，ofthateunuchofgreatauthorityunderQueenCandacewhohadchargeofallhertreasure，himtowhoseconversionandbaptismtheapostlePhilipwasdirectedbyanangel（Actsviii。27）。
　　Suchmen，intruth，areenabledtohavefarmoreimportanceandintimacyamongmodestanduprightwomenbythefactthattheyarefreefromanysuspicionoflust。ThesixthbookoftheEcclesiasticalHistorytellsusthatthegreatestofallChristianphilosophers，Origen，inflictedalikeinjuryonhimselfwithhisownhand，inorderthatallsuspicionofthisnaturemightbecompletelydoneawaywithinhisinstructionofwomeninsacreddoctrine。Inthisrespect，Ithought，God’smercyhadbeenkindertomethantohim，foritwasjudgedthathehadactedmostrashlyandhadexposedhimselftonoslightcensure，whereasthethinghadbeendonetomethroughthecrimeofanother，thuspreparingmeforatasksimilartohisown。Moreover，ithadbeenaccomplishedwithmuchlesspain，beingsoquickandsudden，forIwasheavywithsleepwhentheylaidhandsonme，andfeltscarcelyanypainatall。
　　Butalas，Ithought，thelessIthensufferedfromthewound，thegreaterismypunishmentnowthroughslander，andIamtormentedfarmorebythelossofmyreputationthanIwasbythatofpartofmybody。Forthusisitwritten:"Agoodnameisrathertobechosenthangreatriches"（Prov。
　　xxii。1）。AndasSt。Augustinetellsusinasermonofhisonthelifeandconductoftheclergy，"Heiscruelwho，trustinginhisconscience，neglectshisreputation。"Againhesays:"Letusprovidethosethingsthataregood，astheapostlebidsus（Rom。xii。17），notaloneintheeyesofGod，butlikewiseintheeyesofmen。Withinhimselfeachone’sconsciencesuffices，butforourownsakesourreputationsoughtnottobetarnished，buttoflourish。Conscienceandreputationaredifferentmatters:conscienceisforyourself，reputationforyourneighbour。"MethinksthespiteofsuchmenasthesemyenemieswouldhaveaccusedtheveryChristHimself，orthosebelongingtoHim，prophetsandapostles，ortheotherholyfathers，ifsuchspitehadexistedintheirtime，seeingthattheyassociatedinsuchfamiliarintercoursewithwomen，andthisthoughtheywerewholeofbody。OnthispointSt。Augustine，inhisbookonthedutyofmonks，provesthatwomenfollowedourLordJesusChristandtheapostlesasinseparablecompanions，evenaccompanyingthemwhentheypreached（Chap。4）。"Faithfulwomen，"hesays，"whowerepossessedofworldlywealthwentwiththem，andministeredtothemoutoftheirwealth，sothattheymightlacknoneofthosethingswhichbelongtothesubstanceoflife。"AndifanyonedoesnotbelievethattheapostlesthuspermittedsaintlywomentogoaboutwiththemwheresoevertheypreachedtheGospel，lethimlistentotheGospelitself，andlearntherefromthatinsodoingtheyfollowedtheexampleoftheLord。ForintheGospelitiswrittenthus:"Anditcametopassafterward，thatHewentthroughouteverycityandvillage，preachingandshowingthegladtidingsofthekingdomofGod:andthetwelvewerewithHimandcertainwomenwhichhadbeenhealedofevilspiritsandinfirmities，MarycalledMagdalene，andJoannathewifeofChuza，Herod’ssteward，andSusanna，andmanyothers，whichministereduntoHimoftheirsubstance"
　　（Lukeviii。1—3）
　　LeotheNinth，furthermore，inhisreplytotheletterofParmenianusconcerningmonasticzealsays:"Weunequivocallydeclarethatitisnotpermissibleforabishop，priest，deaconorsubdeacontocastoffallresponsibilityforhisownwifeonthegroundsofreligiousduty，sothathenolongerprovidesherwithfoodandclothing;albeithemaynothavecarnalintercoursewithher。Wereadthatthusdidtheholyapostlesact，forSt。Paulsays:
　　’Havewenotpowertoleadaboutasister，awife，aswellasotherapostles，andasthebrethrenoftheLord，andCephas？’（ICor。ix。5）。Observe，foolishman，thathedoesnotsay:’havewenotpowertoembraceasister，awife，’buthesays’toleadabout，’meaningtherebythatsuchwomenmaylawfullybesupportedbythemoutofthewagesoftheirpreaching，butthattheremustbenocarnalbondbetweenthem。"
　　CertainlythatPhariseewhospokewithinhimselfoftheLord，saying:
　　"Thisman，ifHewereaprophet，wouldhaveknownwhoandwhatmannerofwomanthisisthattouchethHim:forsheisasinner"（Lukevii。39），mightmuchmorereasonablyhavesuspectedbasenessoftheLord，consideringthematterfromapurelyhumanstandpoint，thanmyenemiescouldsuspectitofme。OnewhohadseenthemotherofOurLordentrustedtothecareoftheyoungman（Johnxix。27），orwhohadbeheldtheprophetsdwellingandsojourningwithwidows（IKingsxvii。10），wouldlikewisehavehadafarmorelogicalgroundforsuspicion。AndwhatwouldmycalumniatorshavesaidiftheyhadbutseenMalchus，thatcaptivemonkofwhomSt。Jeromewrites，livinginthesamehutwithhiswife？Doubtlesstheywouldhaveregardeditascriminalinthefamousscholartohavehighlycommendedwhathethussaw，sayingthereof:"TherewasacertainoldmannamedMalchus，anativeofthisregion，andhiswifewithhiminhishut。Bothofthemwereearnestlyreligious，andtheysooftenpassedthethresholdofthechurchthatyoumighthavethoughtthemtheZachariasandElisabethoftheGospel，savingonlythatJohnwasnotwiththem。"
　　Why，finally，dosuchmenrefrainfromslanderingtheholyfathers，ofwhomwefrequentlyread，nay，andhaveevenseenwithourowneyes，foundingconventsforwomenandmakingprovisionfortheirmaintenance，therebyfollowingtheexampleofthesevendeaconswhomtheapostlessentbeforethemtosecurefoodandtakecareofthewomen？（Actsvi。5）。Fortheweakersexneedsthehelpofthestrongeronetosuchanextentthattheapostleproclaimedthattheheadofthewomanisevertheman（ICor。
　　i。3），andinsignthereofhebadehereverwearherheadcovered（ib。
　　5）。ForthisreasonImarvelgreatlyatthecustomswhichhavecreptintomonasterieswhereby，evenasabbotsareplacedinchargeofthemen，abbessesnowaregivenauthorityoverthewomen，andthewomenbindthemselvesintheirvowstoacceptthesamerulesasthemen。Yetintheserulestherearemanythingswhichcannotpossiblybecarriedoutbywomen，eitherassuperiorsorinthelowerorders。Inmanyplaceswemayevenbeholdaninversionofthenaturalorderofthings，wherebytheabbessesandnunshaveauthorityovertheclergyandevenoverthosewhoarethemselvesinchargeofthepeople。Themorepowersuchwomenexerciseovermen，themoreeasilycantheyleadthemintoiniquitousdesires，andinthiswaycanlayaveryheavyyokeupontheirshoulders。Itwaswithsuchthingsinmindthatthesatiristsaid:"Thereisnothingmoreintolerablethanarichwoman。"
　　（Juvenal，Sat。VI，v459）CHAPTERXVOFTHEPERILSOFHISABBEYANDOFTHEREASONSFORTHEWRITINGOF
　　THISHISLETTER
　　REFLECTINGoftenuponallthesethings，IdeterminedtomakeprovisionforthosesistersandtoundertaketheircareineverywayIcould。Furthermore，inorderthattheymighthavethegreaterreverenceforme，Iarrangedtowatchovertheminperson。AndsincenowthepersecutioncarriedonbymysonswasgreaterandmoreincessantthanthatwhichIformerlysufferedatthehandsofmybrethren，Ireturnedfrequentlytothenuns，fleeingtherageofthetempestastoahavenofpeace。There，indeed，couldI
　　drawbreathforalittleinquiet，andamongthemmylabourswerefruitful，astheyneverwereamongthemonks。Allthiswasoftheutmostbenefittomeinbodyandsoul，anditwasequallyessentialforthembyreasonoftheirweakness。
　　ButnowhasSatanbesetmetosuchanextentthatInolongerknowwhereImayfindrest，orevensomuchaslive。Iamdrivenhitherandyon，afugitiveandavagabond，evenastheaccursedCain（Gen。iv。14）。Ihavealreadysaidthat"withoutwerefightings，withinwerefears"（IICor。
　　vii。5），andthesetorturemeceaselessly，thefearsbeingindeedwithoutaswellaswithin，andthefightingswheresoevertherearefears。Nay，thepersecutioncarriedonbymysonsragesagainstmemoreperilouslyandcontinuouslythanthatofmyopenenemies，formysonsIhavealwayswithme，andIameverexposedtotheirtreacheries。TheviolenceofmyenemiesIseeinthedangertomybodyifIleavethecloister;butwithinitIamcompelledincessantlytoendurethecraftymachinationsaswellastheopenviolenceofthosemonkswhoarecalledmysons，andwhoareentrustedtomeastheirabbot，whichistosaytheirfather。
　　Oh。howoftenhavetheytriedtokillmewithpoison，evenasthemonkssoughttoslaySt。Benedict！Methinksthesamereasonwhichledthesainttoabandonhiswickedsonsmightencouragemetofollowtheexampleofsogreatafather，lest，inthusexposingmyselftocertainperil，ImightbedeemedarashtempterofGodratherthanaloverofHim，nay，lestitmightevenbejudgedthatIhadtherebytakenmyownlife。WhenIhadsafeguardedmyselftothebestofmyability，sofarasmyfoodanddrinkwereconcerned，againsttheirdailyplottings，theysoughttodestroymeintheveryceremonyofthealtarbyputtingpoisoninthechalice。Oneday，whenIhadgonetoNantestovisitthecount，whowasthensick，andwhileIwassojourningawhileinthehouseofoneofmybrothersintheflesh，theyarrangedtopoisonmewiththeconnivanceofoneofmyattendantsbelievingthatI
　　wouldtakenoprecautionstoescapesuchaplot。ButdivineprovidencesoorderedmattersthatIhadnodesireforthefoodwhichwassetbeforeme;oneofthemonkswhomIhadbroughtwithmeatethereof，notknowingthatwhichhadbeendone，andstraightwayfelldead。Asfortheattendantwhohaddaredtoundertakethiscrime，hefledinterroralikeofhisownconscienceandoftheclearevidenceofhisguilt。
　　Afterthis，astheirwickednesswasmanifesttoeveryone，IbeganopenlyineverywayIcouldtoavoidthedangerwithwhichtheirplotsthreatenedme，eventotheextentofleavingtheabbeyanddwellingwithafewothersapartinlittlecells。IfthemonksknewbeforehandthatIwasgoinganywhereonajourney，theybribedbanditstowaylaymeontheroadandkillme。
　　AndwhileIwasstrugglinginthemidstofthesedangers，itchancedonedaythatthehandoftheLordsmotemeaheavyblow，forIfellfrommyhorse，breakingaboneinmyneck，theinjurycausingmegreaterpainandweaknessthanmyformerwound。
　　Usingexcommunicationasmyweapontocoercetheuntamedrebelliousnessofthemonks，IforcedcertainonesamongthemwhomIparticularlyfearedtopromisemepublicly，pledgingtheirfaithorswearinguponthesacrament，thattheywouldthereafterdepartfromtheabbeyandnolongertroublemeinanyway。Shamelesslyandopenlydidtheyviolatethepledgestheyhadgivenandtheirsacramentaloaths，butfinallytheywerecompelledtogivethisandmanyotherpromisesunderoath，inthepresenceofthecountandthebishops，bytheauthorityofthePontiffofRome，Innocent，whosenthisownlegateforthisspecialpurpose。Andyeteventhisdidnotbringmepeace。ForwhenIreturnedtotheabbeyaftertheexpulsionofthosewhomIhavejustmentioned，andentrustedmyselftotheremainingbrethren，ofwhomIfeltlesssuspicion，Ifoundthemevenworsethantheothers。Ibarelysucceededinescapingthem，withtheaidofacertainnoblemanofthedistrict，fortheywereplanning，nottopoisonmeindeed，buttocutmythroatwithasword。EventothepresenttimeIstandfacetofacewiththisdanger，fearingtheswordwhichthreatensmynecksothatIcanscarcelydrawafreebreathbetweenonemealandthenext。Evensodowereadofhimwho，reckoningthepowerandheaped—upwealthofthetyrantDionysiusasagreatblessing，beheldtheswordsecretlyhangingbyahairabovehishead，andsolearnedwhatkindofhappinesscomesastheresultofworldlypower（Cicer。5，Tusc。）ThusdidItoolearnbyconstantexperience，Iwhohadbeenexaltedfromtheconditionofapoormonktothedignityofanabbot，thatmywretchednessincreasedwithmywealth;
　　andIwouldthattheambitionofthosewhovoluntarilyseeksuchpowermightbecurbedbymyexample。
　　Andnow，mostdearbrotherinChristandcomradeclosesttomeintheintimacyofspeech，itshouldsufficeforyoursorrowsandthehardshipsyouhaveenduredthatIhavewrittenthisstoryofmyownmisfortunes，amidwhichIhavetoiledalmostfromthecradle。Forso，asIsaidinthebeginningofthisletter，shallyoucometoregardyourtribulationasnought，oratanyrateaslittle，incomparisonwithmine，andsoshallyoubearitmorelightlyinmeasureasyouregarditasless。TakecomforteverinthesayingofOurLord，whatheforetoldforhisfollowersatthehandsofthefollowersofthedevil:"Iftheyhavepersecutedme，theywillalsopersecuteyou（Johnxv。20）。Iftheworldhateyou，yeknowthatithatedmebeforeithatedvou。Ifyewereoftheworld，theworldwouldlovehisown"（ib。18—19）。Andtheapostlesays:"AllthatwilllivegodlyinChristJesusshallsufferpersecution"（IITim。iii。12）。Andelsewherehesays:"Idonotseektopleasemen。ForifIyetpleasedmenIshouldnotbetheservantofChrist"（Galat。i。10）。AndthePsalmistsays:"Theywhohavebeenpleasingtomenhavebeenconfounded，forthatGodhathdespisedthem。"
　　Commentingonthis，St。Jerome，whoseheirmethinksIamintheenduranceoffoulslander，saysinhislettertoNepotanius:"Theapostlesays:’IfIyetpleasedmen，IshouldnotbetheservantofChrist。’Henolongerseekstopleasemen，andsoismadeChrist’sservant"（Epist。2）。Andagain，inhislettertoAsellaregardingthosewhomhewasfalselyaccusedofloving:"IgivethankstomyGodthatIamworthytobeonewhomtheworldhates"（Epist。99）。AndtothemonkHeliodorushewrites:"Youarewrong，brother。YouarewrongifyouthinkthereiseveratimewhentheChristiandoesnotsufferpersecution。Forouradversarygoesaboutasaroaringlionseekingwhathemaydevour，anddoyoustillthinkofpeace？Nay，heliethinambushamongtherich。"
　　Inspiredbythoserecordsandexamples，weshouldendureourpersecutionsallthemoresteadfastlythemorebitterlytheyharmus。Weshouldnotdoubtthateveniftheyarenotaccordingtoourdeserts，atleasttheyserveforthepurifyingofoursouls。Andsinceallthingsaredoneinaccordancewiththedivineordering，leteveryoneoftruefaithconsolehimselfamidallhisafflictionswiththethoughtthatthegreatgoodnessofGodpermitsnothingtobedonewithoutreason，andbringstoagoodendwhatsoevermayseemtohappenwrongfully。Whereforerightlydoallmensay:"Thywillbedone。"AndgreatistheconsolationtoallloversofGodinthewordoftheApostlewhenhesays:"WeknowthatallthingsworktogetherforgoodtothemthatloveGod"（Rom。viii。28）。ThewisemanofoldhadthisinmindwhenhesaidinhisProverbs:"Thereshallnoevilhappentothejust"（Prov。xii。21）。Bythisheclearlyshowsthatwhosoevergrowswrathfulforanyreasonagainsthissufferingshasthereindepartedfromthewayofthejust，becausehemaynotdoubtthatthesethingshavehappenedtohimbydivinedispensation。Evensucharethosewhoyieldtotheirownratherthantothedivinepurpose，andwithhiddendesiresresistthespiritwhichechoesinthewords，"Thywillbedone，"
　　thusplacingtheirownwillaheadofthewillofGod。Farewell。