Letter LIV. To the Same

(Circa A.D. 1136.)

He recommends the Abbot Vivian, and warns Haimenc to think seriously of the salvation of his soul.

I desire and entreat that you will assist in his business, for the love of God and for my sake, the bearer of this letter, the venerable Vivian, Abbot of Haute Combe,¹ for whom I have a most intimate friendship, on account of his piety. This is what I have to say on his behalf; the remainder of the letter is for yourself. What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul; or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (S. Matt. xvi. 26). Not the whole world would be sufficient. A soul, which has been redeemed with the blood of Christ, is a valuable thing. Great was the loss of the soul, which could not be repaired except by the Cross of Christ. If, again, it shall perish by sin even unto death, whence, then, shall it be restored? Is there either another Christ, or will He be crucified again for it? Upon this subject I would wish that you would never forget the counsel of the wise man: My son, remember thy latter end, and thou shalt not ever sin (Ecclus. vu. 36, 40, VULG.).