Letter CDXIV. To the Monk Alard on the same subject
[Formerly No. 328].
Bernard blames him for obstinately opposing the return of the before mentioned novice when expelled, although he was disposed to return and amend.
To his dear son Alard, Brother Bernard, health and paternal affection.
1. Brother Adamar complains that you have shown yourself too bitter against him: not only because he was expelled from the convent by your influence, but be- - cause the exercise of the same influence prevents his being re-admitted. I am quite willing to believe that you have acted throughout this matter only from the purest zeal; but when1 recollect that (former) obstinacy of yours which my friendly zeal for you causes me often to reproach you with, as you know, I fear lest this same zeal of yours is not according to knowledge. For even to lay aside the words of the Rule, what audacity is it in any one to strike and to excommunicate, much more to expel, any person when the Abbot was absent and knew nothing of it. 1 Would it not have been more a proof of your humility not to do to another what you would not wish done to yourself? And ought not the pursuit of your perfection to have brought you rather to imitate the Apostle when he says, To the weak become I as weak, that I might gain the weak (1 Cor. ix. 22) and again: If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of lenity, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted (Gal. vi. 1)? But the I 2 I Prior, you reply, expelled him and not I. I know that well, but he did so at your persuasion, and indeed yielded to your strong representations. But now when the Prior himself pitying him, wishes, as I have heard, to recall him, because you remain in the same harshness of feeling he is not suffered to amend a step taken without sufficient reflection, and under pressure from you. I demand of you how you dare, without fearing, to remain alone implacable, so that while all the others pity him, and the Lord Abbot himself is disposed to recall him, you cannot be brought to agree he shall be received again? Have you not read, He shall have judgment without mercy who has showed no mercy (S. James ii. 13)? or again, are you forgetful that With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again (S. Matt. vu. 2)? Do you in truth despise that which is promised to the merciful, They shall obtain mercy (Id. v. 7)?.
2. But you do not know, you reply, how justly he was expelled. To this I say, I do not inquire whether he was expelled justly or unjustly; that is not the point. That which alone I complain of, that which2 blame, that which I wonder at extremely, is that when the man humbly acknowledges his fault, when he asks pardon, when he patiently awaits your decision and promises amendment, he cannot obtain a favourable hearing; although the Apostle in such a case, would have love conjirmed towards him (2 Cor. ii. 8); and according to the giver of our Rule, he should have a new probation with all patience.1 At all events: if he were unfairly expelled, it is fair that he should be recalled; but if fairly, even then it would be a pious action to receive him again. Wherefore without wishing to go to the bottom of the affair, the course which I advise will, I consider, be a safe one for you: and thus whether you act from a sentiment of justice or of mercy, you are sure to act in union with our just and merciful God. I entreat you then, my dear son, not to refuse to my entreaties, which this man has come so far to ask for, that benefit, which you did not think fit to grant to his own.
Footnotes
Chapter 414 of 491