50. To Rainald

To Rainald, to him who wisely prefers truth to vanity, who for the sake of virtue bravely spurns transitory glory, manfully endures poverty, Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury, sends greeting; and may he ever be protected and consoled by the grace of God.

Your affection desires I should send you some consolation: which I do willingly, in the manner I think most suitable for you and most profitable for you in God's sight. Let your conscience, your virtue, your perseverance, be the comfort of your heart in God's sight. You acted bravely when you rejected for the truth's sake the bishopric into which, uncalled by God, you had been thrust. Let not your heart desire that God should give you as a reward of your virtue that which you spurned for righteousness' sake. The rectitude you preserved is far more precious than that which for it you rejected. So you greatly tarnish your brightness in God's sight if you look for that which is vile and transitory as a reward and consolation from Him. I say not that you ought not to have the bishopric, or that you do not deserve it, but advise you to rejoice inwardly on account of the grace in which God made you to stand, and to commit your sufferings and your comfort to the will of God alone. Remember what the Holy Spirit says: "Tarry thou the Lord's leisure: be strong, and He shall comfort thine heart; and put thou thy trust in the Lord." When you feel want and poverty closing around you, then be sure that the Lord is greatly multiplying His grace upon you. This would I have to be your consolation: hereby I would have you to strengthen your hope: "He shall make thy righteousness as clear as the light: and thy just dealing as the noon-day." Since I know not how God is about to dispose of me, I dare not promise you any compensation from myself, but I can display the good-will God has given me towards you, and which you have deserved. Of a certainty, I long, should I by God's gift have the opportunity, to be of use to you both bodily and spiritually. May Almighty God ever cause you to rejoice in His protection and comfort, my dearest brother. Amen.