605 chapter 9: the ornaments of the mystical temple these, salvation cannot be assured, especially since they cannot be virtues if they are separated from one another. “For man had received mercy, namely as his guardian and follower, that it may come before him and follow him, to also protect him and safeguard him everywhere. You can see what sort of guardian God gave His little child, and what sort of follower He gave the newly born man. But he is in need of a teacher, since he is a free and rational creature, not to be tended like some beast of burden, but to be educated like a little child. No one more fitting of course, could be found for this ministry than truth itself, to lead him at last to the knowledge of the highest Truth. In the meantime he also received justice for his direction, lest he be found wise to do evil and be overcome by sin, as if knowing what is good and not doing it. But the most kind hand of the Creator moreover added peace, by which he might be encouraged and delighted: certainly a twofold peace, to have neither contention within nor fears from outside, so that the flesh should not covet against the spirit, and that he should not fear any creature. What did he lack, whom mercy guarded, truth taught, justice directed and peace encouraged? Yet alas! This man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, who, as we read, first of all stripped him [cf. Lk 10:30]. But was he not also stripped who, as the Lord was coming, complained that he was naked?”83 “I was afraid,” he said, “because I was naked” (Gen 3:10). We too were naked; yet God has clothed His Temples with the most noble and splendid coverings, those natural and supernatural gifts, namely the virtues. Of these indeed the Theological Virtues are preeminent, since without them eternal salvation cannot be obtained, so they can deservedly and in a proper sense be called, the Robes of salvation. For “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb 11:6): “and hope does not disappoint” (Rom 5:5): Charity finally takes possession of God.84 Only in our present lives 83 Bernard, Sermon on the Feast of the Annunciation BVM, in: PL 183, 385-386 (n. 973s). 84 The words: “Charity ... God” are here indicated as a quotation, but in probability they originate from the author himself (they are not found in Holy Scripture).
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