themselves servants of a present Christ, not the vicars of an absent
one!

Perhaps I am shamelessly bold in seeming to teach so great a head, by
whom all men ought to be taught, and from whom, as those plagues of
yours boast, the thrones of judges receive their sentence; but I imitate
St. Bernard in his book concerning Considerations addressed to Eugenius,
a book which ought to be known by heart by every pontiff. I do this, not
from any desire to teach, but as a duty, from that simple and faithful
solicitude which teaches us to be anxious for all that is safe for
our neighbours, and does not allow considerations of worthiness or
unworthiness to be entertained, being intent only on the dangers or
advantage of others. For since I know that your Blessedness is driven
and tossed by the waves at Rome, so that the depths of the sea press
on you with infinite perils, and that you are labouring under such a
condition of misery that you need even the least help from any the least
brother, I do not seem to myself to be acting unsuitably if I forget
your majesty till I shall have fulfilled the office of charity. I will
not flatter in so serious and perilous a matter; and if in this you do
not see that I am your friend and most thoroughly your subject, there is
One to see and judge.

In fine, that I may not approach you empty-handed, blessed Father, I
bring with me this little treatise, published under your name, as a good
omen of the establishment of peace and of good hope. By this you may
perceive in what pursuits I should prefer and be able to occupy myself
to more profit, if I were allowed, or had been hitherto allowed, by your
impious flatterers. It is a small matter, if you look to its exterior,
but, unless I mistake, it is a summary of the Christian life put
together in small compass, if you apprehend its meaning. I, in my