R231: Kanoniker H. von Utrecht an Hildegard von Rupertsberg
Salutation and Blessing
The canon H. of Utrecht greets Hildegard, honoring her imitation of Christ's poverty and the divine Spirit at work in her.
A canon of Utrecht. To Hildegard. To Hildegard, who imitates the poverty of the poor Christ in her fragile womanhood! Longing for the riches of the rich Christ. H. A canon of Utrecht. Greeting in the Lord, who commands greeting in Jacob. The Spirit of God, speaking in you and writing through you in a wondrous and ineffable way!
Personal Longing and Humble Request
The writer expresses his desire for firsthand experience of God's work and humbly asks Hildegard to share divine revelations for his soul's benefit.
I want to test it in my own experience. God forbid that any doubt about you should take root in me. For God's Spirit speaks in you. But rather, wonder in those who wonder at you. And devotion with the devout. moves and stirs me toward the desire for a firsthand experience. In humility, then, I beg your humility: please, [share] the secrets of divine revelation concerning my state, especially as it concerns my inner life. to me in the mystery of your manifestation, for the teaching and guarding of my soul.
Appeal to Promise and Farewell
The writer appeals to a prior promise, recalls a past kindness, and closes with a prayerful blessing.
Indeed, you ought to do this by virtue of your promise! because when I was making my journey toward Rome. I have obtained this from your kindness. May the Spirit of the Lord remain with you. Amen.
Read the original Latin
Canonicus traiectensis. hildegardi. Pauperis christi paupertatem in fragili sexu imitanti hildegardi! diuitis christi diuitias exoptans. h. traiectensis canonicus! salutem in domino qui mandat salutem in iacob. Spiritus dei miro et inestimabili quodammodo in te loquentis et per te scribentis!
experimentum in meipso habere desidero. Absit a me ut ulla dubitatio in me sit de te. quia spiritus dei loquitur in te. sed magis cum admirantibus admiratio. et cum deuotis deuotio. me ad familiaris experimenti desiderium mouet et prouocat. In humilitate itaque supplico humilitati tuę quatenus archana diuinę reuelationis de statu meo precipue secundum interiorem hominem. mihi in misterio tuę manifestationis ad doctrinam et cautelam spiritus mei exhibeas.
quod debes quidem ex promisso! quia cum in transitu meo uersus romam irem. hęc a tua caritate impetrauerim. Spiritus domini perseueret tecum Amen.
Epistolae: Letters to Frederick Barbarossa and Henry II of England companion
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