The  good  and  merciful  Lord  is  wont  to  console  His
faithful  servants  with  prosperity,  and  to  instruct
them  through  adversity.  For  as  we  read  in  Holy
Scripture,  which  is  His  letter  from  heaven  directed  to
us  on  earth  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  He  smiteth  and  healeth
and  chasteneth  every  son  He  loveth.  And  why  ?


Speech  of  the
pope.
(1)  "Regis  enim  Ludovici  filius,
floridus  et  amoemis  puer,  Philippus,
bonoru.ni  spes  timorquemalorum,  cum
quadam  die  per  civitatis  Parisiensis
suburbium  equitaret,  obvio  porco


diabolico  offensus  equiis,  gravissime
cecidit,  sessoremque  suum  nobilissi-
nrnm  pueram  silice  consternatum,
mole  ponderis  sui  conculcatum  con-
trivit."— Sugerius,  Vita  Lud.  Gros.
CHAP.  I.]  OF   SAINT   BERNARD.  177

Lest  man,  who,  made  in  the  image  of  God,  through  A.D.  mi.
the  transgression  of  sin  has  fallen  into  the  shadows  AETAT- 40-
of  this  mortal  life,  should  mistake  for  his  country  j^h  of  the
the  land  of  his  exile.  For  we  are  all  strangers  and
sojourners,  as  our  fathers  were,  nor  have  we  here  an
abiding  city,  but  we  seek  that  which  is  to  come.
To  that  city  your  child,  full  of  purity  and  innocence,
has  departed.  David,  the  model  and  exemplar  of
kings,  while  his  son  lay  sick  wept  most  bitterly,  but
when  he  was  told  that  his  child  was  dead,  he  arose
from  the  sackcloth  and  ashes,  changed  his  garments,
washed  his  hands,  and  called  his  household  to  a
feast.  The  holy  man  knew  how  great  would  be  his
sin  if  he  withstood  the  Divine  ordinances  even  in
thought.  Lay  aside,  therefore,  this  sadness  of  mind.
