第4章

"Ourcommonfaith，"hesaid，holdsandsetsforththattheThreearealikeomnipotent。"AcertainTirric，aschoolmaster，hearingthis，sarcasticallyaddedtheAthanasianphrase，"AndyettherearenotthreeomnipotentPersons，butonlyOne。"

Thisman’sbishopforthwithbegantocensurehim，biddinghimdesistfromsuchtreasonabletalk，butheboldlystoodhisground，andsaid，asifquotingthewordsofDaniel:"’Areyesuchfools，yesonsofIsrael，thatwithoutexaminationorknowledgeofthetruthyehavecondemnedadaughterofIsrael？Returnagaintotheplaceofjudgment，’（Daniel，xiii。

48TheHistoryofSusanna）andtheregivejudgmentonthejudgehimself。

Youhavesetupthisjudge，forsooth，fortheinstructionoffaithandthecorrectionoferror，andyet，whenheoughttogivejudgment，hecondemnshimselfoutofhisownmouth。Setfreetoday，withthehelpofGod’smercy，onewhoismanifestlyinnocent，evenasSusannawasfreedofoldfromherfalseaccusers。"

Thereuponthearchbishoparoseandconfirmedthelegate’sstatement，butchangedthewordingthereof，asindeedwasmostfitting。"ItisGod’struth，"hesaid，"thattheFatherisomnipotent，theSonisomnipotent，theHolySpiritisomnipotent。Andwhosoeverdissentsfromthisisopenlyinerror，andmustnotbelistenedto。Nevertheless，ifitbeyourpleasure，itwouldbewellthatthisourbrothershouldpubliclystatebeforeusallthefaiththatisinhim，totheendthat，accordingtoitsdeserts，itmayeitherbeapprovedorelsecondemnedandcorrected。"

When，however，Ifainwouldhavearisentoprofessandsetforthmyfaith，inorderthatImightexpressinmyownwordsthatwhichwasinmyheart，myenemiesdeclaredthatitwasnotneedfulformetodomorethanrecitetheAthanasianSymbol，athingwhichanyboymightdoaswellasI。AndlestIshouldallegeignorance，pretendingthatIdidnotknowthewordsbyheart，theyhadacopyofitsetbeforemetoread。AndreaditIdidasbestIcouldformygroansandsighsandtears。Thereupon，asifIhadbeenaconvictedcriminal，IwashandedovertotheAbbotofSt。Médard，whowastherepresent，andledtohismonasteryastoaprison。Andwiththisthecouncilwasimmediatelydissolved。

Theabbotandthemonksoftheaforesaidmonastery，thinkingthatI

wouldremainlongwiththem，receivedmewithgreatexultation，anddiligentlysoughttoconsoleme，butallinvain。OGod，whodostjudgejusticeitself，inwhatvenomofthespirit，inwhatbitternessofmind，didIblameevenTheeformyshame，accusingTheeinmymadness！FulloftendidIrepeatthelamentofSt。Anthony:"KindlyJesus，wherewertThou？"Thesorrowthattorturedme，theshamethatoverwhelmedme，thedesperationthatwrackedmymind，alltheseIcouldthenfeel，butevennowIcanfindnowordstoexpressthem。ComparingthesenewsufferingsofmysoulwiththoseI

hadformerlyenduredinmybody，itseemedthatIwasinverytruththemostmiserableamongmen。Indeedthatearlierbetrayalhadbecomealittlethingincomparisonwiththislaterevil，andIlamentedthehurttomyfairnamefarmorethantheonetomybody。Thelatter，indeed，Ihadbroughtuponmyselfthroughmyownwrongdoing，butthisotherviolencehadcomeuponmesolelybyreasonofthehonestyofmypurposeandmyloveofourfaith，whichhadcompelledmetowritethatwhichIbelieved。

Theverycrueltyandheartlessnessofmypunishment，however，madeeveryonewhoheardthestoryvehementincensuringit，sothatthosewhohadahandthereinweresooneagertodisclaimallresponsibility，shoulderingtheblameonothers。Nay，matterscametosuchapassthatevenmyrivalsdeniedthattheyhadhadanythingtodowiththematter，andasforthelegate，hepubliclydenouncedthemalicewithwhichtheFrenchhadacted。

Swayedbyrepentanceforhisinjustice，andfeelingthathehadyieldedenoughtosatisfytheirrancourheshortlyfreedmefromthemonasterywhitherIhadbeentaken，andsentmebacktomyown。Here，however，I

foundalmostasmanyenemiesasIhadintheformerdaysofwhichIhavealreadyspoken，forthevilenessandshamelessnessoftheirwayoflivingmadethemrealizethattheywouldagainhavetoenduremycensure。

Afterafewmonthshadpassed，chancegavethemanopportunitybywhichtheysoughttodestroyme。Ithappenedthatoneday，inthecourseofmyreading，IcameuponacertainpassageofBede，inhiscommentaryontheActsoftheApostles，whereinheassertsthatDionysiustheAreopagitewasthebishop，notofAthens，butofCorinth。Now，thiswasdirectlycountertothebeliefofthemonks，whowerewonttoboastthattheirDionysius，orDenis，wasnotonlytheAreopagitebutwaslikewiseprovedbyhisactstohavebeentheBishopofAthens。HavingthusfoundthistestimonyofBede’sincontradictionofourowntradition，Ishoweditsomewhatjestinglytosundryofthemonkswhochancedtobenear。WrathfullytheydeclaredthatBedewasnobetterthanaliar，andthattheyhadafarmoretrustworthyauthorityinthepersonofHilduin，aformerabbotoftheirs，whohadtravelledforalongtimethroughoutGreeceforthepurposeofinvestigatingthisveryquestion。He，theyinsisted，hadbyhiswritingsremovedallpossibledoubtonthesubject，andhadsecurelyestablishedthetruthofthetraditionalbelief。

Oneofthemonkswentsofarastoaskmebrazenlywhichofthetwo，BedeorHilduin，Iconsideredthebetterauthorityonthispoint。IrepliedthattheauthorityofBede，whosewritingsareheldinhighesteembythewholeLatinChurch，appearedtomethebetter。ThereuponinagreatragetheybegantocryoutthatatlastIhadopenlyprovedthehatredIhadalwaysfeltforourmonastery，andthatIwasseekingtodisgraceitintheeyesofthewholekingdom，robbingitofthehonourinwhichithadparticularlygloried，bythusdenyingthattheAreopagitewastheirpatronsaint。TothisIansweredthatIhadneverdeniedthefact，andthatI

didnotmuchcarewhethertheirpatronwastheAreopagiteorsomeoneelse，providedonlyhehadreceivedhiscrownfromGod。Thereupontheyrantotheabbotandtoldhimofthemisdemeanourwithwhichtheychargedme。

Theabbotlistenedtotheirstorywithdelight，rejoicingathavingfoundachancetocrushme，forthegreatervilenessofhislifemadehimfearmemoreeventhantherestdid。Accordinglyhesummonedhiscouncil，andwhenthebrethrenhadassembledheviolentlythreatenedme，declaringthathewouldstraightwaysendmetotheking，byhimtobepunishedforhavingthussulliedhiscrownandthegloryofhisroyalty。Anduntilheshouldhandmeovertotheking，heorderedthatIshouldbecloselyguarded。

InvaindidIoffertosubmittothecustomarydisciplineifIhadinanywaybeenguilty。Then，horrifiedattheirwickedness，whichseemedtocrowntheillfortuneIhadsolongendured，andinutterdespairattheapparentconspiracyofthewholeworldagainstme，Ifledsecretlyfromthemonasterybynight，helpedtheretobysomeofthemonkswhotookpityonme，andlikewiseaidedbysomeofmyscholars。

ImademywaytoaregionwhereIhadformerlydwelt，hardbythelandsofCountTheobald（ofChampagne）。Hehimselfhadsomeslightacquaintancewithme，andhadcompassiononmebyreasonofmypersecutions，ofwhichthestoryhadreachedhim。IfoundahometherewithinthewallsofProvins，inaprioryofthemonksofTroyes，thepriorofwhichhadinformerdaysknownmewellandshownmemuchlove。Inhisjoyatmycominghecaredformewithalldiligence。Itchanced，however，thatonedaymyabbotcametoProvinstoseethecountoncertainmattersofbusiness。AssoonasIhadlearnedofthis，Iwenttothecount，theprioraccompanyingme，andbesoughthimtointercedeinmybehalfwiththeabbot。Iaskednomorethanthattheabbotshouldabsolvemeofthechargeagainstme，andgivemepermissiontolivethemonasticlifewheresoeverIcouldfindasuitableplace。Theabbot，however，andthosewhowerewithhimtookthematterunderadvisement，sayingthattheywouldgivethecountananswerthedaybeforetheydeparted。ItappearedfromtheirwordsthattheythoughtI

wishedtogotosomeotherabbey，athingwhichtheyregardedasanimmensedisgracetotheirown。Theyhad，indeed，takenparticularprideinthefactthat，uponmyconversion，Ihadcometothem，asifscorningallotherabbeys，andaccordinglytheyconsideredthatitwouldbringgreatshameuponthemifIshouldnowdeserttheirabbeyandseekanother。Forthisreasontheyrefusedtolisteneithertomyownpleaortothatofthecount。

Furthermore，theythreatenedmewithexcommunicationunlessIshouldinstantlyreturn;likewisetheyforbadethepriorwithwhomIhadtakenrefugetokeepmelonger，underpainofsharingmyexcommunication。WhenweheardthisboththepriorandIwerestrickenwithfear。Theabbotwentawaystillobdurate，butafewdaysthereafterhedied。

Assoonashissuccessorhadbeennamed，Iwenttohim，accompaniedbytheBishopofMeaux，totryifImightwinfromhimthepermissionI

hadvainlysoughtofhispredecessor。Atfirsthewouldnotgivehisassent，butfinally，throughtheinterventionofcertainfriendsofmine，Isecuredtherighttoappealtothekingandhiscouncil，andinthiswayIatlastobtainedwhatIsought。Theroyalseneschal，Stephen，havingsummonedtheabbotandhissubordinatesthattheymightstatetheircase，askedthemwhytheywantedtokeepmeagainstmywill。Hepointedoutthatthismighteasilybringthemintoevilrepute，andcertainlycoulddothemnogood，seeingthattheirwayoflivingwasutterlyincompatiblewithmine。Iknewittobetheopinionoftheroyalcouncilthattheirregularitiesintheconductofthisabbeywouldtendtobringitmoreandmoreunderthecontroloftheking，makingitincreasinglyusefulandlikewiseprofitabletohim，andforthisreasonIhadgoodhopeofeasilywinningthesupportofthekingandthoseabouthim。

Thus，indeed，diditcometopass。Butinorderthatthemonasterymightnotbeshornofanyoftheglorywhichithadenjoyedbyreasonofmysojournthere，theygrantedmepermissiontobetakemyselftoanysolitaryplaceImightchoose，providedonlyIdidnotputmyselfundertheruleofanyotherabbey。Thiswasagreeduponandconfirmedonbothsidesinthepresenceofthekingandhiscouncellors。ForthwithIsoughtoutalonelyspotknowntomeofoldintheregionofTroyes，andthere，onabitoflandwhichhadbeengiventome，andwiththeapprovalofthebishopofthedistrict，IbuiltwithreedsandstalksmyfirstoratoryinthenameoftheHolyTrinity。Andthereconcealed，withbutonecomrade，acertaincleric，I

wasabletosingoverandoveragaintotheLord:"Lo，thenwouldIwanderfaroff，andremaininthewilderness"（Ps。iv。7）。CHAPTERXIOFHISTEACHINGINTHEWILDERNESS

NOSOONERhadscholarslearnedofmyretreatthantheybegantoflockthitherfromallsides，leavingtheirtownsandcastlestodwellinthewilderness。Inplaceoftheirspacioushousestheybuiltthemselveshuts;

insteadofdaintyfaretheylivedontheherbsofthefieldandcoarsebread;theirsoftbedstheyexchangedforheapsofstrawandrushes，andtheirtableswerepilesofturf。inverytruthyoumaywellbelievethattheywerelikethosephilosophersofoldofwhomJerometellsusinhissecondbookagainstJovinianus。

"Throughthesenses，"saysJerome，"asthroughsomanywindows，doviceswinentrancetothesoul。Themetropolisandcitadelofthemindcannotbetakenunlessthearmyofthefoehasfirstrushedinthroughthegates。

Ifanyonedelightsinthegamesofthecircus，inthecontestsofathletes，intheversatilityofactors，inthebeautyofwomen，intheglitterofgemsandraiment，orinaughtelseliketothese，thenthefreedomofhissoulismadecaptivethroughthewindowsofhiseyes，andthusisfulfilledtheprophecy:’Fordeathiscomeupintoourwindows’（Jer。ix。21）。Andthen，whenthewedgesofdoubthave，asitwere，beendrivenintothecitadelsofourmindsthroughthesegateways，wherewillbeitsliberty？whereitsfortitude？whereitsthoughtofGod？Mostofalldoesthesenseoftouchpaintforitselfthepicturesofpastraptures，compellingthesoultodwellfondlyuponrememberediniquities，andsotopracticeinimaginationthosethingswhichrealitydeniestoit。

"Heedingsuchcounsel，therefore，manyamongthephilosophersforsookthethrongingwaysofthecitiesandthepleasantgardensofthecountryside，withtheirwellwateredfields，theirshadytrees，thesongofbirds，themirrorofthefountain，themurmurofthestream，themanycharmsforeyeandear，fearinglesttheirsoulsshouldgrowsoftamidluxuryandabundanceofriches，andlesttheirvirtueshouldtherebybedefiled。Foritisperiloustoturnyoureyesoftentothosethingswherebyyoumaysomedaybemadecaptive，ortoattemptthepossessionofthatwhichitwouldgohardwithyoutodowithout。ThusthePythagoreansshunnedallcompanionshipofthiskind，andwerewonttodwellinsolitaryanddesertplaces。Nay，Platohimself，althoughhewasarichmanletDiogenestrampleonhiscouchwithmuddyfeet，andinorderthathemightdevotehimselftophilosophyestablishedhisacademyinaplaceremotefromthecity，andnotonlyuninhabitedbutunhealthyaswell。Thishedidinorderthattheonslaughtsoflustmightbebrokenbythefearandconstantpresenceofdisease，andthathisfollowersmightfindnopleasuresaveinthethingstheylearned。"

———————————Suchalife，likewise，thesonsoftheprophetswhowerethefollowersofEliseusarereportedtohaveled。OftheseJeromealsotellsus，writingthustothemonkRusticusasifdescribingthemonksofthoseancientdays:"Thesonsoftheprophets，themonksofwhomwereadintheOldTestamentbuiltforthemselveshutsbythewatersoftheJordan，andforsakingthethrongsandthecities，livedonpottageandtheherbsofthefield"（Epist。iv）。

EvensodidmyfollowersbuildtheirhutsabovethewatersoftheArduzon，sothattheyseemedhermitsratherthanscholars。Andastheirnumbergrewevergreater，thehardshipswhichtheygladlyenduredforthesakeofmyteachingseemedtomyrivalstoreflectnewgloryonme，andtocastnewshameonthemselves。Norwasitstrangethatthey，whohaddonetheirutmosttohurtme，shouldgrievetoseehowallthingsworkedtogetherformygood，eventhoughIwasnow，inthewordsofJerome，afarfromcitiesandthemarketplace，fromcontroversiesandthecrowdedwaysofmen。Andso，asQuintiliansays，didenvyseekmeouteveninmyhidingplace。Secretlymyrivalscomplainedandlamentedonetoanother，saying:"Beholdnow，thewholeworldrunsafterhim，andourpersecutionofhimhasdonenoughtsavetoincreasehisglory。Westrovetoextinguishhisfame，andwehavebutgivenitnewbrightness。Lo，inthecitiesscholarshaveathandeverythingtheymayneed，andyet，spurningthepleasuresofthetown，theyseekoutthebarrennessofthedesert，andoftheirownfreewilltheyacceptwretchedness。"

Thethingwhichatthattimechieflyledmetoundertakethedirectionofaschoolwasmyintolerablepoverty，forIhadnotstrengthenoughtodig，andshamekeptmefrombegging。Andso，resortingoncemoretotheartwithwhichIwassofamiliar，Iwascompelledtosubstitutetheserviceofthetongueforthelabourofmyhands。ThestudentswillinglyprovidedmewithwhatsoeverIneededinthewayoffoodandclothing，andlikewisetookchargeofthecultivationofthefieldsandpaidfortheerectionofbuildings，inorderthatmaterialcaresmightnotkeepmefrommystudies。

Sincemyoratorywasnolongerlargeenoughtoholdevenasmallpartoftheirnumber，theyfounditnecessarytoincreaseitssize，andinsodoingtheygreatlyimprovedit，buildingitofstoneandwood。AlthoughthisoratoryhadbeenfoundedinhonouroftheHolyTrinity，andafterwardsdedicatedthereto，InownamedittheParaclete，mindfulofhowIhadcomethereafugitiveandindespair，andhadbreathedintomysoulsomethingofthemiracleofdivineconsolation。

Manyofthosewhoheardofthisweregreatlyastonished，andsomeviolentlyassailedmyaction，declaringthatitwasnotpermissibletodedicateachurchexclusivelytotheHolySpiritratherthantoGodtheFather。Theyheld，accordingtoanancienttradition，that’itmustbededicatedeithertotheSonaloneorelsetotheentireTrinity。TheerrorwhichledthemintothisfalseaccusationresultedfromtheirfailuretoperceivetheidentityoftheParacletewiththeSpiritParaclete。EvenasthewholeTrinity，oranyPersonintheTrinity，mayrightlybecalledGodorHelper，solikewisemayItbetermedtheParaclete，thatistosaytheConsoler。

ThesearethewordsoftheApostle:"BlessedbeGod，eventheFatherofourLordJesusChrist，theFatherofmercies，andtheGodofallcomfort;

whocomfortethusinallourtribulation"（IICor。i。3）Andlikewisethewordoftruthsays:"Andheshallgiveyouanothercomforter"（Greek"anotherParaclete，"John，xiv。16）。

Nay，sinceeverychurchisconsecratedequallyinthenameoftheFather，theSonandtheHolySpirit，withoutanydifferenceintheirpossessionthereof，whyshouldnotthehouseofGodbededicatedtotheFatherortotheHolySpirit，evenasitistotheSon？Whowouldpresumetoerasefromabovethedoorthenameofhimwhoisthemasterofthehouse？AndsincetheSonofferedHimselfasasacrificetotheFather，andaccordinglyintheceremoniesofthemasstheprayersareofferedparticularlytotheFather，andtheimmolationoftheHostismadetoHim，whyshouldthealtarnotbeheldtobechieflyHistowhomaboveallthesupplicationandsacrificearemade？IsitnotcalledmorerightlythealtarofHimwhoreceivesthanofHimwhomakesthesacrifice？WhowouldadmitthatanaltaristhatoftheHolyCross，oroftheSepulchre，orofSt。Michael，orJohn，orPeter，orofanyothersaint，unlesseitherhehimselfwassacrificedthereorelsespecialsacrificesandprayersaremadetheretohim？Methinksthealtarsandtemplesofcertainonesamongthesesaintsarenotheldtobeidolatrouseventhoughtheyareusedforspecialsacrificesandprayerstotheirpatrons。

Some，however，mayperchancearguethatchurchesarenotbuiltoraltarsdedicatedtotheFatherbecausethereisnofeastwhichissolemnizedespeciallyforHim。ButwhilethisreasoningholdsgoodasregardstheTrinityitself，itdoesnotapplyinthecaseoftheHolySpirit。ForthisSpirit，fromthedayofItsadvent，hashaditsspecialfeastofthePentecost，evenastheSonhashadsinceHiscominguponearthHisfeastoftheNativity。

EvenastheSonwassentintothisworld，sodidtheHolySpiritdescenduponthedisciples，andthusdoesItclaimItsspecialreligiousrites。

Nay，itseemsmorefittingtodedicateatempletoItthantoeitheroftheotherPersonsoftheTrinity，ifwebutcarefullystudytheapostolicauthority，andconsidertheworkingsofthisSpiritItself。TononeofthethreePersonsdidtheapostlededicateaspecialtemplesavetotheHolySpiritalone。HedoesnotspeakofatempleoftheFather，oratempleoftheSon，ashedoesofatempleoftheHolySpirit，writingthusinhisfirstepistletotheCorinthians:"ButhethatisjoineduntotheLordisonespirit。"（ICor。vi。17）。Andagain:"What？knowyenotthatyourbodyisthetempleoftheHolySpiritwhichisinyou，whichyehaveofGod，andyearenotyourown？"（ib。19）。