61. To Fulk, Abbot-Elect.
The Letters of St. Anselm
61. TO FULK, ABBOT-ELECT.
Anselm promises his humble prayers for Fulk, the abbot-elect of Saint-Pierresur-Dives. He advises him to refuse the burden being placed on him to the point of risking the sin of disobedience, but if he cannot refuse any longer, to accept it, perceiving God's will in it.
TO THE LORD AND REVEREND FATHER, HIS DEAREST FRIEND FULK1:
BROTHER ANSELM WISHES THAT HE MAY BE SO ASSISTED BY
DIVINE GRACE IN THIS LIFE THAT HE MAY DESERVE TO BE PLACED
AMONG THE SAINTS IN THE LIFE TO COME.
YOUR HOLINESS, DEAR TO ME, forces me by your prayers to promise to bring about as well as I can what my humble service is always ready to do even without promis ing. For I know my prayers are reduced by such great worth lessness in God's sight that 1 am ashamed to offer them to anybody; and I have dedicated myself to you in such a way that I strive to pray for you daily to the best of my ability.
Wherefore, both in the matter your love informed me about recently in your letter and in all things which concern you, you should know that my prayers—whatever they may be worth—will never fail you.
Although your prudence may indeed not need our ad vice, yet, because you command, let the present page show the matter briefly. We know, in fact, that it is safer for a man to flee such a burden as much as possible, fearing his weakness, than lightly to take it on his shoulders, trusting in his strength. But since it is written: No one lives for him self, and no one dies for himself but whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's;2 thus we ought so to walk in the path of righteousness between the fear of our own weak ness and obedience to the Lord's will that we are seen to disregard neither. First of all, therefore, commend yourself by pure affection of mind to divine Mercy, that he may ar range your life according to his good will. And then with a simple mind and humble effort, in whatever way you can—excepting only by sin—refuse to take on the burden.