Prologus
A Letter to the Soldier of Christ
Bernard addresses Hugo, master of the knighthood of Christ, as a fellow contender in the spiritual fight.
To Hugo, soldier of Christ and master of Christ's knighthood, Bernard of Clairvaux, abbot in name only, to fight the good fight.✦
The Pen Instead of the Spear
Bernard explains that since he cannot fight alongside Hugo in arms, he will take up the pen to exhort him and his fellow soldiers.
Once, and a second time, and a third time, unless I'm mistaken, you've asked me, dearest Hugo, to write you and your fellow soldiers a word of exhortation; and since I'm not permitted to brandish a spear against hostile tyranny, I'd take up my pen instead — assuring you that it would be of no small help, if I could encourage with letters those whom I cannot arm with weapons.
Hesitation and Humble Obedience
Bernard recounts his initial delay out of humility and fear of inadequacy, yet finally writes out of obedience to Hugo's repeated request.
I did put it off for a while — not because your request seemed worth dismissing, but so that my agreement wouldn't be criticized as thoughtless and rash, if I, inexperienced, were to undertake something that a better person could fulfill more competently, and a matter of the greatest necessity were handled less ably through me. But seeing myself frustrated by waiting long enough of this kind, I finally at least did what I could — lest I now seem more unwilling than unable: let the reader judge whether I've satisfied the request. Although it may perhaps not please someone at all, or not be enough — still, that's not my concern: I, who for all my limited judgment, did not fail your will.
Read the original Latin
HUGONI militi Christi, et magistro Militiae Christi, BERNARDUS Clarae-Vallis solo nomine abbas, bonum certamen certare.
Semel, et secundo, et tertio, ni fallor, petiisti a me, Hugo charissime, ut tibi tuisque commilitonibus scriberem exhortationis sermonem; et adversus hostilem tyrannidem, quia lanceam non liceret, stylum vibrarem: asserens vobis non parum fore adjutorii, si quos armis non possum, litteris animarem. Distuli sane aliquandiu: non quod contemnenda videretur petitio, sed ne levis praecepsque culparetur assensio, si quod melius melior implere sufficeret, praesumerem imperitus, et res admodum necessaria per me minus forte commoda redderetur. Verum videns me longa satis hujuscemodi exspectatione frustratum, ne jam magis nolle, quam non posse viderer, tandem ego quidem quod potui feci: lector judicet, an satisfeci. Quanquam etsi cui forte aut minime placeat, aut non sufficiat; non tamen interest mea, qui tuae pro meo sapere non defui voluntati.
Scripture echoes
- ↩1Tim.6.12 — Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession before many witnesses.
Liber ad milites templi de laude novae militiae (In Praise of the New Knighthood) companion
Discipline needs a daily drill
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Bernard's insistence on daily, ordered discipline continues in the Chosen Portion app's fixed morning devotional rhythm
- Finish Bernard's full treatise in 14 days, about 8 minutes a day
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