The historie of the holy vvarre; by Thomas Fuller, B.D. prebendarie of Sarum, late of Sidney Colledge in Cambridge

Chap. 30. An apologie for S. Bernard, whom the vulgar sort condemned for the murderer of those that went this voyage.

SLander (quicker then Martiall law) arraigneth, condemneth, and executeth all in an instant. This we may see in poore S. Bernard, who was the mark for every mans tongue to shoot ar∣rows against: and when this voyage had miscarried, many con∣demned him, because his perswasion set this project not onely on foot but on wings; as if he had thrust so many men, as one morsel, into the jaws of death.

But much may be alledged truly to excuse this good man:

First, he was but an instrument imployed by Pope Eugenius and a Provinciall Councel of French Bishops to forward the designe. Rather then should they have blamed his Holinesse who set him on work: But the saddle oftentimes is not set on the right horse, because his back is too high to be reached; and

we see commonly that the instruments are made skreens to save the face of the principall from scorching.

Secondly, the true cause of the ill successe was the vitious∣nesse of the undertakers. For Germany at this time surfeted of lewd people; and those grew the fattest which lived on the high-wayes. But this voyage robbed the whole countrey of her theeves; and then no wonder if they found their death in A∣sia, who deserved it in Europe. Heare what Otho Frisingen∣sis, who went this voyage, speaketh impartially in the matter:

If we should say that Bernard that holy Abbot was inspired by Gods Spirit to incite us to this warre, but we through our pride and wantonnesse not observing his holy commands deservedly brought on our selves the losse of our goods and lives, we should say nothing but what is agreeable to reason, and to ancient examples.

However, it was an heavy afflicti∣on to S. Bernards aged back to bear the reproch of many peo∣ple: it being a great grief for one to be generally condemned as guilty, for want of proof of his innocency. And though God set his hand to S. Bernards testimoniall by the many miracles which that Father wrought, yet still some challenged him for a counterfeit.

And surely this humiliation was both wholesome and neces∣sary for him. For the people, who cannot love without doting, nor approve without admiring, were too much transported with an high opinion of this man and his directions; as if that arrow could not misse the mark which came out of S. Bernards bow. Wherefore this miscarriage came very seasonably to a∣bate their over-towring conceits of him; and perchance his own of himself. And no doubt he made a good use of this bad accident. The lesse his fame blazed, the more his devotion burned; and the cutting off of his top, made him take deep root, and to be made more truly humbled and sanctified. In his book of Consideration he maketh a modest defense of him∣self; whither we referre the reader. To conclude; The devoti∣on of this man was out of question so neglecting this world, that he even did spit out that preferment which was dropped into his mouth: But as for his judgement, it was not alwayes the best; which gave occasion to the proverb, Bernardus non vidit omnia.

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Notes

• Goffridus, in vita Bern. lib. 3. cap. 4.
• Baron. an∣nal. Eccl. in anno 1140. Insistens ope∣ri sibi com∣misso ab Eu∣genio.
• Germania tunc latroci∣nus frequens purgabatur ••o genere homi∣num, Krantz. 6. Sax. cap. 13
• In vita Fred. lib. 1. cap. 6. in fine.
• Goffrid. ut priús.
• Lib. 2. cap. 1.