631 chapter 18: the bell of the mystical temple CHAPTER 18 The Bell of the Mystical Temple What other thing is this, except a Good Name? When a statesman (Saavedra149) wished to portray it, he drew a bell with the epigram: “It is recognized by its stroke” (in Symb.).150 The striking indicates whether the bell is whole or cracked. Although the sound of reputation should be attended to rather seldom, since it increases or decreases in accordance with men’s feelings, and nobody should be immediately considered worthless on the basis of popular bias, yet every servant and follower of Jesus Christ should strive to procure for himself a good name among all, as far as he is able. The Apostle advises this, writing to the Romans, that we should provide good things not only before God, but also before all men (cf. Rom 12:17). This he also urged upon the Philippians: “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Phil 4:8). That chosen Instrument151 wanted us all to be instruments of glory, so with God, as with men; he wanted us all to be the good fragrance of Christ, not degenerate shoots of the Vine, not members of the Head in disagreement; finally he wished that everywhere we should be renowned for the way we live, and holy in our conduct, and that none should be found among us whose disrepute would not maliciously be spread. 149 Saavedra Fajardo, Diego De (d. 1648): “Spanish writer and diplomat [who] passed much time at Rome...” Anon., Saavedra, Fajardo, Diego De, in: “New Times”(Grand Univers. Enc.), XVI, 8913. “The principal work of S. is The ideal of a Christian Political Prince Represented in One Hundred Designs (Patterns), published at Münster in 1640. The work was translated into many European languages and into Latin. As the premise to the disquisition of each chapter there is a ‘device,’ a symbolical allegorical design, accompanied by a Latin motto, of moral or political significance, each indicating the subject matter and argument offering a comment on the moral and political qualities that should adorn an imaginary perfect Christian.” Giannini Alfredo, Saavedra Fajardo, Diego, in: EI XXX, 370. 150 Saavedra Faxardo A. Didaco, Ideal of the Christian Statesman Expressed in 101 Symbols, Amsterdam 1651, p. 83: Symbol XI. 151 St. Paul the Apostle; cf. Acts 9:15.
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