Bernard of Clairvaux, Sermon 65.2 On the Song of Songs

Bernard of Clairvaux, Sermon 65.2 On the Song of Songs.

Written c. 1135 - 1153 CE.

Source: Bernard of Clairvaux, 1979. On the Song of Songs, Vol 3, p. 180-182. (Cistercian Fathers, No 31). Trans: K. Walsh & I. Edmonds. Cistercian Publications.

2. What shall we do with those foxes, the most malicious of all, who would rather inflict injury than win a victory in open fight? How shall they be caught, when they do not even allow themselves to be seen, but prefer to creep about like snakes? The one aim of all heretics has always been to gain renown for the remarkable extent of their knowledge. But this particular heresy is more tainted by malice and subtlety than all the rest, for it feeds upon the destruction of others and is not concerned with its own renown. Instructed, I think, by the examples [of heresies] of old, which could not escape once they were discovered, but were caught right away, it is careful to keep secret the nature of its wickedness. The less suspicion it arouses, the more freedom it is allowed. Then these men have appointed hiding-places for themselves, as it is written: ‘They hold fast to their evil purpose.’ ‘Swear, or be foresworn, but do not betray the secret.’ But at other times they will not consent to swear at all, even in the slightest degree, because of the saying of the Evangelist [Matthew]: ‘Swear not at all, neither by heaven nor by earth.’ and so on. O foolish and slow of heart, filled with the spirit of the Pharisees, straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel! You may not swear, yet you may be forsworn? Or are both permissible in this one instance? In what passage of the Gospels, not even one iota of which you falsely boast you do not pass over, do you find this exception? Obviously you have superstitious scruples about taking an oath, but in your wickedness you take perjury lightly. What perversity! What was given me as a counsel of perfection, ‘Swear not’, that is, they observe as minutely as if it were a positive command; but committing perjury, which is forbidden by natural law (which is unchangeable) they dismiss at will as unimportant. ‘No,’ they say, ‘we must not reveal our secret.’ As though it were to the glory of God not to reveal teaching. Are they jealous for the glory of God? I think it more likely that they would blush to expose their secret, knowing it to be shameful. For it is said that they practice unspeakable obscenities in private; just so the hinder parts of foxes stink.