72. To Godfrid

Anselm the archbishop to Godfrid: greeting and God's blessing, and his own.

Your nephew Juhel has told me about your mode of life, and he asked me from you to give you advice as to how you should live. But when I heard what your way of life was, I could not think of anything I should add to it, either of psalms, prayers, fastings, bodily seventies, beyond what you have by the grace of God undertaken and do now fulfil. What therefore you now do, keep to as long as you can do it and retain your bodily health. But should you feel that it is causing you to be ill, then I advise you to moderate it as you shall find to be advisable. For it is better to do part only with healthy body and a cheerful spirit, than by sickness to be reduced from that which you did joyously and well, to nothing at all; neither do you despise in any degree those who do it not, or think them to be any less meritorious than yourself in God's sight. For bodily exercise is good; but far more doth God love a heart full of piety, love, humility and longing to get as far as it can and to enjoy the fruition of God Himself. May Almighty God teach and strengthen and console you. I send you absolution from God — and if it avail aught — my own — for all your offences. I beg you, pray for me.