The books used in the
cathedral schools were similar. Such schools and such
libraries were for the glory of God and the increase of
clergy and religious. At first, especially, the ideal of the
monks was high, if narrow. It is epitomised in the
untranslatable epigram--Claustrum sine armario (est)
quasi castrum sine armamentario.[1] "The library is the
monastery's true treasure," writes Thomas a Kempis;[2]
"without which the monastery is like . . . a well without
water . . . an unwatched tower." Again: "Let not the
toil and fatigue pain you. They who read the books
formerly written beautifully by you will pray for you
when you are dead. And if he who gives a cup of cold
water shall not lack his guerdon, still less shall he who
gives the living water of wisdom lose his reward in
heaven."[3] St. Bernard wrote in like terms. Books were
their tools, "the silent preachers of the divine word," or
the weapons of their armoury. "Thence it is," writes a
sub-prior to his friend, "that we bring forth the sentences
of the divine law, like sharp arrows, to attack the enemy.
Thence we take the armour of righteousness, the helmet
of salvation, the shield of faith, and the sword of the
Spirit which is the Word of God.
Pages:
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327