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 fo••feted 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. Hear 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 inci••e 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 heavie 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 humble and sanctified. In his
book of Consideration he maketh a modest defence of him∣self;
whether 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
videt omnia.