XV. Documenta quae pius rex ante mortem filio primogenito scripsit et quasi pro testamento reliquit

XV. Documenta quae pius rex ante mortem filio primogenito scripsit et quasi pro testamento reliquit

My dearest son, first of all, I instruct you to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your strength; for without this, there is no salvation. You must guard yourself against everything that you know displeases God, especially every mortal sin, so that you would rather allow yourself to be tortured in any kind of martyrdom than commit any mortal sin. Therefore, if the Lord allows you to experience any tribulation, you should bear it kindly and with gratitude, thinking that it is for your good, and that perhaps you have deserved this. Moreover, if the Lord grants you any prosperity, you should humbly give thanks to Him, being careful not to become worse because of it, whether through vain glory or in any other way; for you must not oppose or offend God with His gifts. I also urge you to confess frequently, and choose discreet and honest confessors who can teach you what to avoid and what you must do. And you should treat your confessors with such modesty that they and your other friends can safely correct you. Also, listen willingly and devoutly to the church's services; and as long as you are in church, be careful not to look around aimlessly or speak vainly, but pray to the Lord devoutly, whether with your mouth or in the meditation of your heart; and especially focus more on devotion in the secret of the Mass around the time of the consecration of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Moreover, have a heart of compassion for the poor, the miserable, and the afflicted, and help them according to your ability and comfort them. If you experience any desolation of heart, tell it to your confessor or to someone wise, and then you will bear it more lightly. Always seek to have good company with you, whether from the religious or the secular, and frequently engage in conversation with them, but be careful not to associate with the wicked. Also, listen gladly to sermons, both in public and in private, and be eager to seek the indulgences of our Mother the Church. In your dealings with others, always love what is good and hate what is evil. Do not allow any enticing words to be spoken in your presence that lead to sin, nor tolerate any slanderous words about others; especially do not permit any blasphemous words against God or the saints to be spoken by anyone, without ensuring that punishment is carried out. For all the benefits you receive from God, give thanks to Him in such a way that you may be worthy to receive even greater gifts. You should treat your subjects with such justice that you hold to the line of justice, not swerving to the right or to the left, and always lean more toward the cause of the poor than the rich, until you are certain of the truth. If anyone has a complaint against you, stand rather for the cause of your adversary until the truth is clear to you; and thus those who are of your counsel will more quickly stand for justice. If you are certain that you hold something that belongs to another, whether from your ancestors or from your own time, return it immediately. If something is unclear, make sure the truth is sought out by discreet individuals. Be diligent that all your subjects are treated with justice and peace, especially ecclesiastical and religious persons. It is said of King Philip, our grandfather, that one of his advisors told him that the clergy were inflicting many damages upon him by usurping his rights; and many were amazed that he tolerated this. To this, the king replied: "I believe what you say is true; but when I think of the benefits that the Lord has bestowed upon me, I would rather suffer than cause a scandal between myself and the Church." Therefore, my son, love the ecclesiastical persons, and maintain their peace as much as you can. Also, willingly assist the poor religious in their needs, especially those through whom God is more honored on earth. Honor your parents, and reverently keep their commandments. Also, grant ecclesiastical benefits to suitable persons as gifts based on the counsel of spiritual men, and to those who have no other benefice. Be careful not to start a war against any Christian without serious counsel; and if it must be done, take care that the innocent and the Church and their property are not punished unjustly. And as soon as you can, seek peace regarding your wars and disputes, and also about the wars that exist among your subjects, just as blessed Martin did, who considered it a good completion of his virtues if he restored peace among those in conflict. Also, be diligent to ensure that you have faithful leaders and bailiffs, and inquire carefully how they conduct themselves; likewise about those in your hospitality. Also, be devout and obedient to our Roman Church and to the Supreme Pontiff as your spiritual father. Also, work to remove all sin from your land, especially blasphemies and heresies. Also, remember to acknowledge and give thanks to God for all His benefits. Also, pay attention that the expenses of your household are made with moderation. Finally, I urge you, my son, that if I should pass away before you, you faithfully ensure that my soul is aided in the Masses and prayers, and that you send petitions through the holy congregations of our kingdom for the suffrages of prayers on my behalf, and that I may have a special share in all the good things you will do. O my dearest son, at the end I give you every blessing that a pious father can give to his son; and may the whole Trinity and all the saints keep you safe from all evil; and may the Lord grant you the grace to do His will in such a way that He may be served and honored through you, so that after this life we may together reach Him to see, love, and praise Him without end. Amen. Behold the testament of a pious father to his children! O testament of life and peace! This testament must not be erased by any oblivion, nor changed by any ordinance! The testament is not confirmed by the death of the testator, but by the attainment of immortal life! Indeed, the pious father established a testament concerning those things that were truly his; and what he possessed in himself, he bequeathed to others. For the virtues he delegated to his children, he had in himself completed, as he who first began to act in himself and finally to teach others. May we, dear ones, be heirs and legatees of this most holy general testament of our father and king according to our way, especially the princes and prelates. And let these suffice regarding the teaching and instruction of the children. Now, let’s discuss the nature of his repentance.