3. We have sent back to you Christian, our very dear son, and yours. We have instructed him more fully, as far as we could, in the things which belong to the [Cistercian] Order, and henceforth, as we hope, he will be more careful concerning its obligations.[974] Do not be surprised that we have not sent any other brothers with him; for we did not find competent brothers who were ready to assent to our wishes, and it was not our plan to compel the unwilling. Our much-loved brother, Robert,[975] assented on this occasion also to our prayers, _as an obedient son_.[976] It will be your part to assist him that your house may now be set forward, both in buildings and in other necessaries. This also we suggest to your fatherhood, that you persuade religious men and those who, you hope, will be useful to the monastery, to come into their Order, for this will be of the greatest advantage to the house, and to you they will pay the greater heed. May your holiness have good health, being always mindful of us in Christ.
To the Brothers in Ireland. November 1148.[977]
To the religious brothers who are in Ireland, and especially to those communities which Malachy the bishop, of blessed memory, founded, Brother Bernard, called to be abbot of Clairvaux, [wishing them] _the consolation of the Comforter_.[978]
1. If _here we had a continuing city_ we should rightly mourn with most abundant tears that we had lost such a fellow-citizen. But if _we_ rather _seek one to come_,[979] as befits us, it is nevertheless no small cause of grief that we are bereaved of a guide so indispensable. We ought, however, to regulate passion with knowledge and to mitigate grief with the _confidence of hope_.[980] Nor does it become any one to wonder if love compels groaning, if desolation draws forth tears: yet we must set a limit to these things, nay in no small measure be consoled while we gaze _not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal_.[981] First, indeed, we ought to rejoice with the holy soul, lest he accuse us of want of charity, saying also himself what the Lord said to the apostles, "_If ye loved me ye would rejoice because I go unto the Father._"[982] The spirit of our father has gone before us to _the Father of spirits_,[983] and we are convicted, not only as wanting in charity, but even as guilty of ingratitude for all the benefits which came to us through him, if we do not rejoice with him who has _departed_ from labour to rest, from danger to safety, from _the world unto the Father_.[984] Therefore, if it is an act of filial piety to weep for Malachy who is dead, yet more is it an act of piety to rejoice with Malachy who is alive. Is he not alive? Assuredly he is, and in bliss. _In the eyes of the foolish he seemed to have died; but he is in peace._[985]
