WhoistherewhodoesnotknowthatthesacramentsofGod’sblessingspertainingtotheChurchareparticularlyascribedtotheoperationofdivinegrace，bywhichismeanttheHolySpirit？ForsoothwearebornagainofwaterandoftheHolySpiritinbaptism，andthusfromtheverybeginningisthebodymade，asitwere，aspecialtempleofGod。Inthesuccessivesacraments，moreover，theseven—foldgraceoftheSpiritisadded，wherebythissametempleofGodismadebeautifulandisconsecrated。Whatwonderisit，then，iftothatPersontoWhomtheapostleassignedaspiritualtempleweshoulddedicateamaterialone？OrtowhatPersoncanachurchbemorerightlysaidtobelongthantoHimtoWhomalltheblessingswhichthechurchadministersareparticularlyascribed？Itwasnot，however，withthethoughtofdedicatingmyoratorytoonePersonthatIfirstcalledittheParaclete，butforthereasonIhavealreadytold，thatinthisspotIfoundconsolation。Nonetheless，evenifIhaddoneitforthereasonattributedtome，thedeparturefromtheusualcustomwouldhavebeeninnowayillogical。CHAPTERXIIOFTHEPERSECUTIONDIRECTEDAGAINSTHIMBYSUNDRYNEWENEMIESOR，ASITWEREAPOSTLES
ANDsoIdweltinthisplace，mybodyindeedhiddenaway，butmyfamespreadingthroughoutthewholeworld，tillitsechoreverberatedmightily——echo，thatfancyofthepoet’s，whichhassogreatavoice，andnoughtbeside。Myformerrivals，seeingthattheythemselveswerenowpowerlesstodomehurt，stirredupagainstmecertainnewapostlesinwhomtheworldputgreatfaith。Oneofthese（NorbertofPrémontré）tookprideinhispositionascanonofaregularorder;theother（BernardofClairvaux）madeithisboastthathebadrevivedthetruemonasticlife。
Thesetworanhitherandyonpreachingandshamelesslyslanderingmeineverywaytheycould，sothatintimetheysucceededindrawingdownonmyheadthescornofmanyamongthosehavingauthority，amongboththeclergyandthelaity。Theyspreadabroadsuchsinisterreportsofmyfaithaswellasofmylifethattheyturnedevenmybestfriendsagainstme，andthosewhostillretainedsomethingoftheirformerregardformewerefaintodisguiseitineverypossiblewaybyreasonoftheirfearofthesetwomen。
GodismywitnessthatwhensoeverIlearnedoftheconveningofanewassemblageoftheclergy，Ibelievedthatitwasdonefortheexpresspurposeofmycondemnation。Stunnedbythisfearlikeonesmittenwithathunderbolt，Idailyexpectedtobedraggedbeforetheircouncilsorassembliesasahereticoroneguiltyofimpiety。ThoughIseemtocompareafleawithalion，oranantwithanelephant，inverytruthmyrivalspersecutedmenolessbitterlythanthehereticsofoldhoundedSt。Athanasius。Often，Godknows，IsanksodeepindespairthatIwasreadytoleavetheworldofChristendomandgoforthamongtheheathen，payingthemastipulatedtributeinorderthatImightlivequietlyaChristianlifeamongtheenemiesofChrist。Itseemedtomethatsuchpeoplemightindeedbekindlydisposedtowardme，particularlyastheywoulddoubtlesssuspectmeofbeingnogoodChristian，imputingmyflighttosomecrimeIhadcommitted，andwouldthereforebelievethatImightperhapsbewonovertotheirformofworship。CHAPTERXIIIOFTHEABBEYTOWHICHHEWASCALLEDANDOFTHEPERSECUTIONHEHAD
FROMHISSONSTHATISTOSAYTHEMONKSANDFROMTHELORDOFTHELAND
WHILEIwasthusafflictedwithsogreatperturbationtoofthespirit，andwhentheonlywayofescapeseemedtobeformetoseekrefugewithChristamongtheenemiesofChrist，therecameachancewherebyIthoughtIcouldforawhileavoidtheplottingsofmyenemies。ButtherebyIfellamongChristiansandmonkswhowerefarmoresavagethanheathensandmoreeviloflife。Thethingcameaboutinthiswise。TherewasinlesserBrittany，inthebishopricofVannes，acertainabbeyofSt。GildasatRuits，thenmourningthedeathofitsshepherd。Tothisabbeytheelectivechoiceofthebrethrencalledme，withtheapprovaloftheprinceofthatland，andIeasilysecuredpermissiontoacceptthepostfrommyownabbotandbrethren。
ThusdidthehatredoftheFrenchdrivemewestward，evenasthatoftheRomansdroveJerometowardtheEast。Never，Godknows，wouldIhaveagreedtothisthinghaditnotbeenformylongingforanypossiblemeansofescapefromthesufferingswhichIhadbornesoconstantly。
Thelandwasbarbarousanditsspeechwasunknowntome;asforthemonks，theirvileanduntameablewayoflifewasnotoriousalmosteverywhere。
Thepeopleoftheregion，too，wereuncivilizedandlawless。Thus，likeonewhointerroroftheswordthatthreatenshimdashesheadlongoveraprecipice，andtoshunonedeathforamomentrushestoanother，Iknowinglysoughtthisnewdangerinordertoescapefromtheformerone。Andthere，amidthedreadfulroarofthewavesofthesea，wheretheland’sendleftmenofurtherrefugeinflight，ofteninmyprayersdidIrepeatoverandoveragain:\"FromtheendoftheearthwillIcryuntoThee，whenmyheartisoverwhelmed\"（Ps。lxi。2）。
Noone，methinks，couldfailtounderstandhowpersistentlythatundisciplinedbodyofmonks，thedirectionofwhichIhadthusundertaken，torturedmyheartdayandnight，orhowconstantlyIwascompelledtothinkofthedangeraliketomybodyandtomysoul。IhelditforcertainthatifI
shouldtrytoforcethemtoliveaccordingtotheprinciplestheyhadthemselvesprofessed，Ishouldnotsurvive。Andyet，ifIdidnotdothistotheutmostofmyability，Isawthatmydamnationwasassured。Moreover，acertainlordwhowasexceedinglypowerfulinthatregionhadsometimepreviouslybroughttheabbeyunderhiscontrol，takingadvantageofthestateofdisorderwithinthemonasterytoseizeallthelandsadjacenttheretoforhisownuse，andhegrounddownthemonkswithtaxesheavierthanthosewhichwereextortedfromtheJewsthemselves。
Themonkspressedmetosupplythemwiththeirdailynecessities，buttheyheldnopropertyincommonwhichImightadministerintheirbehalf，andeachone，withsuchresourcesashepossessed，supportedhimselfandhisconcubines，aswellashissonsanddaughters。Theytookdelightinharassingmeonthismatter，andtheystoleandcarriedoffwhatsoevertheycouldlaytheirhandson，totheendthatmyfailuretomaintainordermightmakemeeithergiveuptryingtoenforcedisciplineorelseabandonmypostaltogether。Sincetheentireregionwasequallysavage，lawlessanddisorganized，therewasnotasinglemantowhomIcouldturnforaid，forthehabitsofallalikewereforeigntome。Outsidethemonasterythelordandhishenchmenceaselesslyhoundedme，andwithinitswallsthebrethrenwereforeverplottingagainstme，sothatitseemedasiftheApostlehadhadmeandnoneotherinmindwhenheIsaid:\"Withoutwerefightings，withinwerefears\"（IICor。vii。5）。
Iconsideredandlamentedtheuselessnessandthewretchednessofmyexistence，howfruitlessmylifenowwas，bothtomyselfandtoothers;
howofoldIhadbeenofsomeservicetotheclericswhomIhadnowabandonedforthesakeofthesemonks，sothatIwasnolongerabletobeofusetoeither;howincapableIhadprovedmyselfineverythingIhadundertakenorattempted，sothataboveallothersIdeservedthereproach，\"Thismanbegantobuild，andwasnotabletofinish\"（Lukexiv。30）。MydespairgrewstilldeeperwhenIcomparedtheevilsIhadleftbehindwiththosetowhichIhadcome，formyformersufferingsnowseemedtomeasnought。
FulloftendidIgroan:\"JustlyhasthissorrowcomeuponmebecauseI
desertedtheParaclete，whichistosaytheConsoler，andthrustmyselfintosuredesolation;seekingtoshunthreatsIfledtocertainperil。\"
Thethingwhichtormentedmemostwasthefactthat，havingabandonedmyoratory，Icouldmakenosuitableprovisionforthecelebrationthereofthedivineoffice，forindeedtheextremepovertyoftheplacewouldscarcelyprovidethenecessitiesofoneman。ButthetrueParacleteHimselfbroughtmerealconsolationinthemidstofthissorrowofmine，andmadealldueprovisionforHisownoratory。Foritchancedthatinsomemannerorother，layingclaimtoitashavinglegallybelongedinearlierdaystohismonastery，myabbotofSt。DenisgotpossessionoftheabbeyofArgenteuil，ofwhichIhavepreviouslyspoken，whereinshewhowasnowmysisterinChristratherthanmywife，Heloise，hadtakentheveil。Fromthisabbeyheexpelledbyforceallthenunswhohaddweltthere，andofwhommyformercompanionhadbecometheprioress。Theexilesbeingthusdispersedinvariousplaces，IperceivedthatthiswasanopportunitypresentedbyGodhimselftomewherebyIcouldmakeprovisionanewformyoratory。
Andso，returningthither，Ibadehercometotheoratory，togetherwithsomeothersfromthesameconventwhohadclungtoher。
OntheirarrivalthereImadeovertothemtheoratory，togetherwitheverythingpertainingthereto，andsubsequently，throughtheapprovalandassistanceofthebishopofthedistrict，PopeInnocentIIpromulgatedadecreeconfirmingmygiftinperpetuitytothemandtheirsuccessors。
Andthisrefugeofdivinemercy，whichtheyservedsodevotedly，soonbroughtthemconsolation，eventhoughatfirsttheirlifetherewasoneofwant，andforatimeofutterdestitution。ButtheplaceproveditselfatrueParacletetothem，makingallthosewhodweltroundaboutfeelpityandkindlinessforthesisterhood。Sothat，methinks，theyprosperedmorethroughgiftsinasingleyearthanIshouldhavedoneifIhadstayedthereahundred。Trueitisthattheweaknessofwomankindmakestheirneedsandsufferingsappealstronglytopeople’sfeelings，aslikewiseitmakestheirvirtueallthemorepleasingtoGodandman。AndGodgrantedsuchfavourintheeyesofalltoherwhowasnowmysister，andwhowasinauthorityovertherest，thatthebishopslovedherasadaughter，theabbotsasasister，andthelaityasamother。Allalikemarvelledatherreligiouszeal，hergoodjudgmentandthesweetnessofherincomparablepatienceinallthings。Thelessoftensheallowedherselftobeseen，shuttingherselfupinhercelltodevoteherselftosacredmeditationsandprayers，themoreeagerlydidthosewhodweltwithoutdemandherpresenceandthespiritualguidanceofherwords。CHAPTERXIVOFTHEVILEREPORTOFHISINIQUITY
BEFORElongallthosewhodweltthereaboutsbegantocensuremeroundly，complainingthatIpaidfarlessattentiontotheirneedsthanImightandshouldhavedone，andthatatleastIcoulddosomethingforthemthroughmypreaching。Asaresult，Ireturnedthitherfrequently，tobeofservicetotheminwhatsoeverwayIcould。Regardingthistherewasnolackofhatefulmurmuring，andthethingwhichsincerecharityinducedmetodowasseizeduponbythewickednessofmydetractorsasthesubjectofshamelessoutcry。TheydeclaredthatI，whoofoldcouldscarcelyenduretobepartedfromherIloved，wasstillswayedbythedelightsoffleshlylust。ManytimesIthoughtofthecomplaintofSt。JeromeinhislettertoAsellaregardingthosewomenwhomhewasfalselyaccusedoflovingwhenhesaid（Epist。xcix）:\"Iamchargedwithnothingsavethefactofmysex，andthischargeismadeonlybecausePaulaissettingforthtoJerusalem。\"
Andagain:\"BeforeIbecameintimateinthehouseholdofthesaintlyPaula，thewholecitywasloudinmypraise，andnearlyeveryonedeemedmedeservingofthehighesthonoursofpriesthood。ButIknowthatmywaytothekingdomofHeavenliesthroughgoodandevilreportalike。\"
WhenIponderedovertheinjurywhichslanderhaddonetosogreatamanasthis，Iwasnotalittleconsoledthereby。Ifmyrivals，Itoldmyself，couldbutfindanequalcauseforsuspicionagainstme，withwhataccusationswouldtheypersecuteme！Buthowisitpossibleforsuchsuspiciontocontinueinmycase，seeingthatdivinemercyhasfreedmetherefrombydeprivingmeofallpowertoenactsuchbaseness？Howshamelessisthislatestaccusation！Intruththatwhichhadhappenedtomesocompletelyremovesallsuspicionofthisiniquityamongallmenthatthosewhowishtohavetheirwomenkeptundercloseguardemployeunuchsforthatpurpose，evenassacredhistorytellsregardingEstherandtheotherdamselsofKingAhasuerus（Estherii。5）。Weread，too，ofthateunuchofgreatauthorityunderQueenCandacewhohadchargeofallhertreasure，himtowhoseconversionandbaptismtheapostlePhilipwasdirectedbyanangel（Actsviii。27）。
Suchmen，intruth，areenabledtohavefarmoreimportanceandintimacyamongmodestanduprightwomenbythefactthattheyarefreefromanysuspicionoflust。ThesixthbookoftheEcclesiasticalHistorytellsusthatthegreatestofallChristianphilosophers，Origen，inflictedalikeinjuryonhimselfwithhisownhand，inorderthatallsuspicionofthisnaturemightbecompletelydoneawaywithinhisinstructionofwomeninsacreddoctrine。Inthisrespect，Ithought，God’smercyhadbeenkindertomethantohim，foritwasjudgedthathehadactedmostrashlyandhadexposedhimselftonoslightcensure，whereasthethinghadbeendonetomethroughthecrimeofanother，thuspreparingmeforatasksimilartohisown。Moreover，ithadbeenaccomplishedwithmuchlesspain，beingsoquickandsudden，forIwasheavywithsleepwhentheylaidhandsonme，andfeltscarcelyanypainatall。
Butalas，Ithought，thelessIthensufferedfromthewound，thegreaterismypunishmentnowthroughslander，andIamtormentedfarmorebythelossofmyreputationthanIwasbythatofpartofmybody。Forthusisitwritten:\"Agoodnameisrathertobechosenthangreatriches\"（Prov。
xxii。1）。AndasSt。Augustinetellsusinasermonofhisonthelifeandconductoftheclergy，\"Heiscruelwho，trustinginhisconscience，neglectshisreputation。\"Againhesays:\"Letusprovidethosethingsthataregood，astheapostlebidsus（Rom。xii。17），notaloneintheeyesofGod，butlikewiseintheeyesofmen。Withinhimselfeachone’sconsciencesuffices，butforourownsakesourreputationsoughtnottobetarnished，buttoflourish。Conscienceandreputationaredifferentmatters:conscienceisforyourself，reputationforyourneighbour。\"MethinksthespiteofsuchmenasthesemyenemieswouldhaveaccusedtheveryChristHimself，orthosebelongingtoHim，prophetsandapostles，ortheotherholyfathers，ifsuchspitehadexistedintheirtime，seeingthattheyassociatedinsuchfamiliarintercoursewithwomen，andthisthoughtheywerewholeofbody。OnthispointSt。Augustine，inhisbookonthedutyofmonks，provesthatwomenfollowedourLordJesusChristandtheapostlesasinseparablecompanions，evenaccompanyingthemwhentheypreached（Chap。4）。\"Faithfulwomen，\"hesays，\"whowerepossessedofworldlywealthwentwiththem，andministeredtothemoutoftheirwealth，sothattheymightlacknoneofthosethingswhichbelongtothesubstanceoflife。\"AndifanyonedoesnotbelievethattheapostlesthuspermittedsaintlywomentogoaboutwiththemwheresoevertheypreachedtheGospel，lethimlistentotheGospelitself，andlearntherefromthatinsodoingtheyfollowedtheexampleoftheLord。ForintheGospelitiswrittenthus:\"Anditcametopassafterward，thatHewentthroughouteverycityandvillage，preachingandshowingthegladtidingsofthekingdomofGod:andthetwelvewerewithHimandcertainwomenwhichhadbeenhealedofevilspiritsandinfirmities，MarycalledMagdalene，andJoannathewifeofChuza，Herod’ssteward，andSusanna，andmanyothers，whichministereduntoHimoftheirsubstance\"
（Lukeviii。1—3）
LeotheNinth，furthermore，inhisreplytotheletterofParmenianusconcerningmonasticzealsays:\"Weunequivocallydeclarethatitisnotpermissibleforabishop，priest，deaconorsubdeacontocastoffallresponsibilityforhisownwifeonthegroundsofreligiousduty，sothathenolongerprovidesherwithfoodandclothing;albeithemaynothavecarnalintercoursewithher。Wereadthatthusdidtheholyapostlesact，forSt。Paulsays:
’Havewenotpowertoleadaboutasister，awife，aswellasotherapostles，andasthebrethrenoftheLord，andCephas？’（ICor。ix。5）。Observe，foolishman，thathedoesnotsay:’havewenotpowertoembraceasister，awife，’buthesays’toleadabout，’meaningtherebythatsuchwomenmaylawfullybesupportedbythemoutofthewagesoftheirpreaching，butthattheremustbenocarnalbondbetweenthem。\"
CertainlythatPhariseewhospokewithinhimselfoftheLord，saying:
\"Thisman，ifHewereaprophet，wouldhaveknownwhoandwhatmannerofwomanthisisthattouchethHim:forsheisasinner\"（Lukevii。39），mightmuchmorereasonablyhavesuspectedbasenessoftheLord，consideringthematterfromapurelyhumanstandpoint，thanmyenemiescouldsuspectitofme。OnewhohadseenthemotherofOurLordentrustedtothecareoftheyoungman（Johnxix。27），orwhohadbeheldtheprophetsdwellingandsojourningwithwidows（IKingsxvii。10），wouldlikewisehavehadafarmorelogicalgroundforsuspicion。AndwhatwouldmycalumniatorshavesaidiftheyhadbutseenMalchus，thatcaptivemonkofwhomSt。Jeromewrites，livinginthesamehutwithhiswife？Doubtlesstheywouldhaveregardeditascriminalinthefamousscholartohavehighlycommendedwhathethussaw，sayingthereof:\"TherewasacertainoldmannamedMalchus，anativeofthisregion，andhiswifewithhiminhishut。Bothofthemwereearnestlyreligious，andtheysooftenpassedthethresholdofthechurchthatyoumighthavethoughtthemtheZachariasandElisabethoftheGospel，savingonlythatJohnwasnotwiththem。\"
Why，finally，dosuchmenrefrainfromslanderingtheholyfathers，ofwhomwefrequentlyread，nay，andhaveevenseenwithourowneyes，foundingconventsforwomenandmakingprovisionfortheirmaintenance，therebyfollowingtheexampleofthesevendeaconswhomtheapostlessentbeforethemtosecurefoodandtakecareofthewomen？（Actsvi。5）。Fortheweakersexneedsthehelpofthestrongeronetosuchanextentthattheapostleproclaimedthattheheadofthewomanisevertheman（ICor。
i。3），andinsignthereofhebadehereverwearherheadcovered（ib。
5）。ForthisreasonImarvelgreatlyatthecustomswhichhavecreptintomonasterieswhereby，evenasabbotsareplacedinchargeofthemen，abbessesnowaregivenauthorityoverthewomen，andthewomenbindthemselvesintheirvowstoacceptthesamerulesasthemen。Yetintheserulestherearemanythingswhichcannotpossiblybecarriedoutbywomen，eitherassuperiorsorinthelowerorders。Inmanyplaceswemayevenbeholdaninversionofthenaturalorderofthings，wherebytheabbessesandnunshaveauthorityovertheclergyandevenoverthosewhoarethemselvesinchargeofthepeople。Themorepowersuchwomenexerciseovermen，themoreeasilycantheyleadthemintoiniquitousdesires，andinthiswaycanlayaveryheavyyokeupontheirshoulders。Itwaswithsuchthingsinmindthatthesatiristsaid:\"Thereisnothingmoreintolerablethanarichwoman。\"
（Juvenal，Sat。VI，v459）CHAPTERXVOFTHEPERILSOFHISABBEYANDOFTHEREASONSFORTHEWRITINGOF
THISHISLETTER
REFLECTINGoftenuponallthesethings，IdeterminedtomakeprovisionforthosesistersandtoundertaketheircareineverywayIcould。Furthermore，inorderthattheymighthavethegreaterreverenceforme，Iarrangedtowatchovertheminperson。AndsincenowthepersecutioncarriedonbymysonswasgreaterandmoreincessantthanthatwhichIformerlysufferedatthehandsofmybrethren，Ireturnedfrequentlytothenuns，fleeingtherageofthetempestastoahavenofpeace。There，indeed，couldI
drawbreathforalittleinquiet，andamongthemmylabourswerefruitful，astheyneverwereamongthemonks。Allthiswasoftheutmostbenefittomeinbodyandsoul，anditwasequallyessentialforthembyreasonoftheirweakness。
ButnowhasSatanbesetmetosuchanextentthatInolongerknowwhereImayfindrest，orevensomuchaslive。Iamdrivenhitherandyon，afugitiveandavagabond，evenastheaccursedCain（Gen。iv。14）。Ihavealreadysaidthat\"withoutwerefightings，withinwerefears\"（IICor。
vii。5），andthesetorturemeceaselessly，thefearsbeingindeedwithoutaswellaswithin，andthefightingswheresoevertherearefears。Nay，thepersecutioncarriedonbymysonsragesagainstmemoreperilouslyandcontinuouslythanthatofmyopenenemies，formysonsIhavealwayswithme，andIameverexposedtotheirtreacheries。TheviolenceofmyenemiesIseeinthedangertomybodyifIleavethecloister;butwithinitIamcompelledincessantlytoendurethecraftymachinationsaswellastheopenviolenceofthosemonkswhoarecalledmysons，andwhoareentrustedtomeastheirabbot，whichistosaytheirfather。
Oh。howoftenhavetheytriedtokillmewithpoison，evenasthemonkssoughttoslaySt。Benedict！Methinksthesamereasonwhichledthesainttoabandonhiswickedsonsmightencouragemetofollowtheexampleofsogreatafather，lest，inthusexposingmyselftocertainperil，ImightbedeemedarashtempterofGodratherthanaloverofHim，nay，lestitmightevenbejudgedthatIhadtherebytakenmyownlife。WhenIhadsafeguardedmyselftothebestofmyability，sofarasmyfoodanddrinkwereconcerned，againsttheirdailyplottings，theysoughttodestroymeintheveryceremonyofthealtarbyputtingpoisoninthechalice。Oneday，whenIhadgonetoNantestovisitthecount，whowasthensick，andwhileIwassojourningawhileinthehouseofoneofmybrothersintheflesh，theyarrangedtopoisonmewiththeconnivanceofoneofmyattendantsbelievingthatI
wouldtakenoprecautionstoescapesuchaplot。ButdivineprovidencesoorderedmattersthatIhadnodesireforthefoodwhichwassetbeforeme;oneofthemonkswhomIhadbroughtwithmeatethereof，notknowingthatwhichhadbeendone，andstraightwayfelldead。Asfortheattendantwhohaddaredtoundertakethiscrime，hefledinterroralikeofhisownconscienceandoftheclearevidenceofhisguilt。
Afterthis，astheirwickednesswasmanifesttoeveryone，IbeganopenlyineverywayIcouldtoavoidthedangerwithwhichtheirplotsthreatenedme，eventotheextentofleavingtheabbeyanddwellingwithafewothersapartinlittlecells。IfthemonksknewbeforehandthatIwasgoinganywhereonajourney，theybribedbanditstowaylaymeontheroadandkillme。
AndwhileIwasstrugglinginthemidstofthesedangers，itchancedonedaythatthehandoftheLordsmotemeaheavyblow，forIfellfrommyhorse，breakingaboneinmyneck，theinjurycausingmegreaterpainandweaknessthanmyformerwound。
Usingexcommunicationasmyweapontocoercetheuntamedrebelliousnessofthemonks，IforcedcertainonesamongthemwhomIparticularlyfearedtopromisemepublicly，pledgingtheirfaithorswearinguponthesacrament，thattheywouldthereafterdepartfromtheabbeyandnolongertroublemeinanyway。Shamelesslyandopenlydidtheyviolatethepledgestheyhadgivenandtheirsacramentaloaths，butfinallytheywerecompelledtogivethisandmanyotherpromisesunderoath，inthepresenceofthecountandthebishops，bytheauthorityofthePontiffofRome，Innocent，whosenthisownlegateforthisspecialpurpose。Andyeteventhisdidnotbringmepeace。ForwhenIreturnedtotheabbeyaftertheexpulsionofthosewhomIhavejustmentioned，andentrustedmyselftotheremainingbrethren，ofwhomIfeltlesssuspicion，Ifoundthemevenworsethantheothers。Ibarelysucceededinescapingthem，withtheaidofacertainnoblemanofthedistrict，fortheywereplanning，nottopoisonmeindeed，buttocutmythroatwithasword。EventothepresenttimeIstandfacetofacewiththisdanger，fearingtheswordwhichthreatensmynecksothatIcanscarcelydrawafreebreathbetweenonemealandthenext。Evensodowereadofhimwho，reckoningthepowerandheaped—upwealthofthetyrantDionysiusasagreatblessing，beheldtheswordsecretlyhangingbyahairabovehishead，andsolearnedwhatkindofhappinesscomesastheresultofworldlypower（Cicer。5，Tusc。）ThusdidItoolearnbyconstantexperience，Iwhohadbeenexaltedfromtheconditionofapoormonktothedignityofanabbot，thatmywretchednessincreasedwithmywealth;
andIwouldthattheambitionofthosewhovoluntarilyseeksuchpowermightbecurbedbymyexample。
Andnow，mostdearbrotherinChristandcomradeclosesttomeintheintimacyofspeech，itshouldsufficeforyoursorrowsandthehardshipsyouhaveenduredthatIhavewrittenthisstoryofmyownmisfortunes，amidwhichIhavetoiledalmostfromthecradle。Forso，asIsaidinthebeginningofthisletter，shallyoucometoregardyourtribulationasnought，oratanyrateaslittle，incomparisonwithmine，andsoshallyoubearitmorelightlyinmeasureasyouregarditasless。TakecomforteverinthesayingofOurLord，whatheforetoldforhisfollowersatthehandsofthefollowersofthedevil:\"Iftheyhavepersecutedme，theywillalsopersecuteyou（Johnxv。20）。Iftheworldhateyou，yeknowthatithatedmebeforeithatedvou。Ifyewereoftheworld，theworldwouldlovehisown\"（ib。18—19）。Andtheapostlesays:\"AllthatwilllivegodlyinChristJesusshallsufferpersecution\"（IITim。iii。12）。Andelsewherehesays:\"Idonotseektopleasemen。ForifIyetpleasedmenIshouldnotbetheservantofChrist\"（Galat。i。10）。AndthePsalmistsays:\"Theywhohavebeenpleasingtomenhavebeenconfounded，forthatGodhathdespisedthem。\"
Commentingonthis，St。Jerome，whoseheirmethinksIamintheenduranceoffoulslander，saysinhislettertoNepotanius:\"Theapostlesays:’IfIyetpleasedmen，IshouldnotbetheservantofChrist。’Henolongerseekstopleasemen，andsoismadeChrist’sservant\"（Epist。2）。Andagain，inhislettertoAsellaregardingthosewhomhewasfalselyaccusedofloving:\"IgivethankstomyGodthatIamworthytobeonewhomtheworldhates\"（Epist。99）。AndtothemonkHeliodorushewrites:\"Youarewrong，brother。YouarewrongifyouthinkthereiseveratimewhentheChristiandoesnotsufferpersecution。Forouradversarygoesaboutasaroaringlionseekingwhathemaydevour，anddoyoustillthinkofpeace？Nay，heliethinambushamongtherich。\"
Inspiredbythoserecordsandexamples，weshouldendureourpersecutionsallthemoresteadfastlythemorebitterlytheyharmus。Weshouldnotdoubtthateveniftheyarenotaccordingtoourdeserts，atleasttheyserveforthepurifyingofoursouls。Andsinceallthingsaredoneinaccordancewiththedivineordering，leteveryoneoftruefaithconsolehimselfamidallhisafflictionswiththethoughtthatthegreatgoodnessofGodpermitsnothingtobedonewithoutreason，andbringstoagoodendwhatsoevermayseemtohappenwrongfully。Whereforerightlydoallmensay:\"Thywillbedone。\"AndgreatistheconsolationtoallloversofGodinthewordoftheApostlewhenhesays:\"WeknowthatallthingsworktogetherforgoodtothemthatloveGod\"（Rom。viii。28）。ThewisemanofoldhadthisinmindwhenhesaidinhisProverbs:\"Thereshallnoevilhappentothejust\"（Prov。xii。21）。Bythisheclearlyshowsthatwhosoevergrowswrathfulforanyreasonagainsthissufferingshasthereindepartedfromthewayofthejust，becausehemaynotdoubtthatthesethingshavehappenedtohimbydivinedispensation。Evensucharethosewhoyieldtotheirownratherthantothedivinepurpose，andwithhiddendesiresresistthespiritwhichechoesinthewords，\"Thywillbedone，\"
thusplacingtheirownwillaheadofthewillofGod。Farewell。