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Bernard of Clairvaux: Sermons on the Song of Songs

The 86 sermons on the Song of Songs, Bernard's masterpiece on the love between Christ and the soul.

Edition: Internet Archive · archive.org

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From the opening: Opening

BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX: SERMONS ON THE SONG OF SONGS Bernard of Clairvaux

Translated by Samuel J. Eales. Date: 1135–1153; translation 1896. Public domain. Source: https://archive.org/details/LifeWorksOfSBernardClairvauxV4

This text was produced by optical character recognition from a scan of the printed book and has not been proofread; expect occasional scanning errors.

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Contents (289 sections)

  1. Opening
  2. Manuals Op Canon Law
  3. By the Same Author, Papers Read Before the Exeter Diocesan Society
  4. Of Saint Bernard
  5. Introductory Essay
  6. XVM
  7. Introductory Essay Xx1h
  8. Sermon
  9. Sermon Page
  10. Sermon
  11. Sermon Page
  12. Sermon Page
  13. Letter of Eberwin, Provost of Steinfeld, to Abbot Bernard
  14. Sermon
  15. Sermon
  16. (To Vol. IV. of His Second Edition)
  17. On the Title of the Book: ‘ the Song of Songs, Which Is
  18. The Title of the Book
  19. The Title of the Book
  20. Of the Incarnation of Christ, Which Was Announced by the Patriarchs and Prophets, and…
  21. The Incarnation of Christ
  22. The Incarnation of Christ 15
  23. The Incarnation of Christ
  24. What It Is to Kiss the Feet, the Hand, and the Lips of the Lord
  25. What It Is to Kiss the Feet of the Lord 1 9
  26. The Threefold Progress of the Soul
  27. Of the Threefold Progress of the Soul, Arising from the Kiss of the Foot, the Hand, and…
  28. The Threefold Progress of the Soul
  29. Of the Four Orders of Spirits— Namely, the Spirit of God, of the Angels, of Man, and of…
  30. The Four Orders of Spirits
  31. The Four Orders of Spirits
  32. Of the Supreme and Infinite Spirit, Who Is God; and of the Sense in Which Mercy and…
  33. The Supreme and Infinite Spirit 3 1
  34. The Ardent Love of the Soul for God
  35. Of the Ardent Love of the Soul for God; and of the Care and Attention That Ought to Be…
  36. The Ardent Love of the Soul for God
  37. The Ardent Love of the Soul for God 37
  38. That the Kiss of God Is the Holy Spirit; and That the Church Asks for This Kiss That She…
  39. That the Kiss of God Is the Holy Spirit 39
  40. That the Kiss of God Is the Holy Spirit 4 1
  41. That the Kiss of God Is the Holy Spirit
  42. Sermon IX
  43. The Breasts of the Bridegroom
  44. The Breasts of the Bridegroom
  45. The Three Spiritual Perfumes
  46. Of the Three Spiritual Perfumes — Namely, Penitence, Devotion, and Piety
  47. The Three Spiritual Perfumes
  48. The Three Spiritual Perfumes
  49. Of Two Principal Facts in the Redemption of the Human Race; the Manner in Which It Is…
  50. Facts in the Redemption of the Human Race 57
  51. Facts in the Redemption of the Human Race
  52. Of the Perfume of Piety, Which Is the Most Excellent of All; and of the Respect Which…
  53. The Perfume of Piety
  54. The Perfume of Piety
  55. The Perfume of Piety
  56. That Praise and Glory Is Always to Be Rendered Unto God, for All the Good Gifts Which We…
  57. Praise and Glory Is Always to Be Rendered Unto God 7 1
  58. Of the Church of Faithful Christians, and of the Synagogue of Perfidious Jews
  59. The Church of Faithful Christians
  60. The Church of Faithful Christians
  61. The Church of Faithful Christians
  62. In What Manner the Name of Jesus Is a Salutary Medicine to Faithful Christians in All…
  63. In Wkat Manner the Name of Jesus Is a Salutary Medicine 8L
  64. In What Manner the Name of Jesus Is a Salutary Medicine 83
  65. In What Manner the Name of Jesus Is a Salutary Medicine 85
  66. Of Contrition of Heart, and of the Three Kinds of True
  67. Contrition of Heart
  68. Contrition of Heart
  69. Contrition of Heart
  70. Contrition of Heart 93
  71. That It Is Needful to Observe with Care the Approach and the Departure of the Holy…
  72. Approach and Departure of the Holy Spirit
  73. Approach and Departure of the Holy Spirit 99
  74. Of the Two Operations of the Holy Spirit, of Which the One Is Called Effusion, and the…
  75. The Two Operations of the Holy Spirit
  76. The Two Operations of the Holy Spirit I03
  77. Of the Nature, Manner, and Properties of the Angelical Love Towards God, According to the…
  78. The Angelical Love Towards God I05
  79. The Angelical Love Towards God 107
  80. The Angelical Love Towards God Ioç
  81. Of the Three Ways in Which We Love God
  82. The Three Ways in Which We Love God
  83. The Three Ways in Which We Love God 113
  84. The Three Ways in Which We Love God 115
  85. In What Manner the Bride, That Is, the Church, Asks That She May Be Drawn to Follow After…
  86. The Bride Follows After Her Spouse, Who Is Christ 117
  87. The Bride Follows After Her Spouse, Who Is Christ 119
  88. The Bride Follows After Her Spouse, Who Is Christ 12 1
  89. The Bride Follows After Her Spouse, Who Is Christ 1 23
  90. Of the Four Perfumes of the Bridegroom, and of the Four Cardinal Virtues
  91. The Four Perfumes of the Bridegroom
  92. The Four Perfumes of the Bridegroom 1 27
  93. The Four Perfumes of the Bridegroom 1 29
  94. Of Three Wavs of Contemplating God, Represented Under the Figure of Three Storerooms
  95. Three Ways of Contemplating God T3i
  96. Principally against the Detestable Vice of Detraction: and in What Rectitude in a Man…
  97. Against the Detestable Vice of Detraction 145
  98. Against the Detestable Vice of Detraction I47
  99. Against the Detestable Vice of Detraction 1 49
  100. That the Bride, Namely, the Church, Is Black, Yet Comely
  101. The Bride, Namely, the Church, Is Black, Yet Comely 1 5 1
  102. The Bride, Namely, the Church, Is Black, Yet Comely 153
  103. Sermon Xxvi.1
  104. Of the Adornment of the Bride: and in What Sense the Holy Soul Is Called Heaven
  105. Of the Blackness, Yet Beauty, of the Bride: and in What Manner Hearing, Rather Than…
  106. The Blackness, Yet Beauty, of the Bride 1 77
  107. The Blackness, Yet Beauty, of the Bride 1 79
  108. The Blackness, Yet Beauty, of the Bride L8l
  109. The Blackness, Yet Beauty, of the Bride 1 83
  110. The Blackness, Vet Beauty, of the Bride 1 85
  111. Of the Complaint of the Church against Her Persecutors; That Is to Say, against Those Who…
  112. Sermon XXX
  113. The Faithful People, or the Souls of the Elect 1 93
  114. The Faithful People, or the Souls of the Elect 1 95
  115. The Faithful People, or the Souls of the Elect 1 97
  116. The Faithful People, or the Souls of the Elect 199
  117. Sermon XXXI
  118. The Excellency of the Vision of God 303
  119. The Excellency of the Vision of God
  120. The Excellency of the Vision of God
  121. Sermon XXXII
  122. Christ Communicates Himself to the Holy Soul 209
  123. Christ Communicates Himself to the Holy Soul
  124. Christ Communicates Himself to the Holy Soul 213
  125. Sermon XXXIII
  126. Those Things Which a Devout Soul Ought to Seek 21 7
  127. Those Things Which a Devout Soul Ought to Seek 2Iç
  128. Of Humility and of Patience
  129. Humility and Patience
  130. Humility and Patience
  131. Of the Sharp Reproof Which the Bridegroom Gives to the Bride, and of Two Kinds of…
  132. Sharp Reproof Which the Bridegroom Gives to the Bride 2 2Ç
  133. Sharp Reproof Which the Bridegroom Gives to the Bride 231
  134. Sharp Reproof Which the Bridegroom Gives to the Bride 233
  135. The Knowledge of Literature Is Good for Our Instruction, but the Knowledge of Our Own…
  136. Knowledge of Literature Is Good for Our Instruction 235
  137. Knowledge of Literature Is Good for Our Instruction 237
  138. Of the Two Kinds of Knowledge and the Two Kinds of Ignor- Ance: the Evils or Injuries…
  139. How from Ignorance of God Comes Despair: and How the Bride Is Called the Fairest Among…
  140. From Ignorance of God Comes Despair 245
  141. Of the Chariots of Pharaoh, That Is, the Devil; and of the Chiefs of His Army, Who Are…
  142. The Chariots of Pharaoh
  143. The Chariots Qf Pharaoh
  144. What Is Meant by the Face of the Soul; What Constitutes Its Beauty or Its Deformity, Its…
  145. What Is Meant by the Face of the Soul 253
  146. What Is Meant by the Face of the Soul
  147. Of the Great Consolation Which the Bride Feels from the Contemplation of the Divine Glory…
  148. The Great Consolation Which the Bride Feels 257
  149. Two Kinds of Humility
  150. Of Two Kinds of Humility: the One Born of Truth, the Other Warmed by Charity
  151. Two Kinds of Humility
  152. Two Kinds of Humility
  153. Two Kinds of Humility
  154. Sermon XLIII
  155. The Bride Meditates on the Sufferings of Jesus Christ 267
  156. The Bride Meditates on the Sufferings of Jesus Christ 269
  157. Sermon XLIV
  158. Correction to Be Adapted to the Character of Offenders 273
  159. Correction to Be Adapted to the Character of Offenders 275
  160. Of the Twofold Beauty of the Soul: How the Soul Speaks to God the Word, and the Word to…
  161. The Twofold Beauty of the Soul 277
  162. The Twofold Beauty of the Soul
  163. The State and Composition of the Whole Church 28 1
  164. Sermon XLVI
  165. The Manner in Which, by an Active Life Spent Under Obedience, the Life of Contemplation…
  166. The State and Composition of the Whole Church 283
  167. The State and Composition of the Whole Church 285
  168. Of the Threefold Flower Of Holiness , Namely, of Virginity, of Martyrdom, and of Good…
  169. The Threefold Flower of Holiness 289
  170. The Threefold Flower of Holiness
  171. Of the Praises Which the Bride and the Bridegroom Address Reciprocally to Each Other; and…
  172. The Shadow of Christ
  173. The Shadow of Christ
  174. The Shadow of Christ
  175. Sermon XLIX
  176. Members of the Church, That Is, the Elect, Are Held Together by Mutual Bonds
  177. How Charity Is Regulated by Discretion 299
  178. How Charity Is Regulated by Discretlon 301
  179. Of Two Kinds of Char It V — Namely, That of Feeling and That of Action — and How They Are…
  180. Two Kinds of Charity
  181. Two Kinds of Charity
  182. Two Kinds of Charity
  183. How the Bride Makes Petition That the Fruits of Good Works and the Perfumes of Faith May…
  184. The Bride Makes Petition
  185. The Bride Makes Petition
  186. The Bride Makes Petition
  187. Of That Ecstasy Which Is Called Contemplation, in Which the Bridegroom Causes the Holy…
  188. That Ecstasy Which Is Called Contemplation 315
  189. That Ecstasy Which Is Called Contemplation
  190. Sermon Lui
  191. By ‘Mountains’ and ‘Hills Are Signified Heavenly Spirits 32 1
  192. By ‘Mountains' and ‘Hills Are Signified Heavenly Spirits 323
  193. Sermon LIV
  194. How It Is Possible, Through a True Penitence, to Escape the Judgment of God
  195. How to Escape the Judgment of God
  196. How to Escape the Judgment of God
  197. That Sins and Vices Are as Walls Interposing Between God and the Sinner
  198. Sins and Vices Are as Walls
  199. Sins and Vices Are as Walls
  200. That the Visitations of the Lord Are to Be Carefully and Reverently Observed, and by What…
  201. Visitations of the Lord to Be Reverently Observed 34 1
  202. Visitations of the Lord to Be Reverently Observed 343
  203. Visitations of the Lord to Be Reverently Observed 345
  204. Sermon LVIII
  205. The Rule and Training of Souls
  206. The Rule and Training of Souls 35 1
  207. The Rule and Training of Souls
  208. Of the Groans of the Soul,. Which Sighs for Its Heavenly Fatherland; and of the…
  209. Of the Incredulity of the Jews, and of Their Slaying Christ, by Which They Filled Up the…
  210. The Incredulity of the Jews
  211. The Incredulity of the Jews
  212. The Incredulity of the Jews
  213. How the Church Finds the Riches of Divine Mercy in the
  214. Of the Martyrs, Which They Have Received of Christ
  215. The Fortitude of the Martyrs
  216. The Fortitude of the Martyrs
  217. The Fortitude of the Martyrs
  218. Sermon LXII
  219. Sermon LXIII
  220. The Pious and Wise Man Ought to Cultivate His Vineyard 379
  221. The Pious and Wise Man Ought to Cultivate His Vineyard 38 1
  222. Sermon LXIV
  223. The Temptations of More Mature Monks 385
  224. The Temptations of More Mature Monks
  225. Letter of Eberwin, Provost of Steinfeld, to Abbot Bernard
  226. Letter of Eberwin to Abbot Bernard 389
  227. Letter of Eberwin to Abbot Bernard 39 1
  228. Letter of Eberwin to Abbot Bernard
  229. Of Secret Heretics, Whose Perverse Doctrines and Studied Care to Hide Their Mysteries St.…
  230. To the Baptism of Infants, to Purgatory, to Prayers for the Dead, and to the Invocation…
  231. Of the Wonderful Expression of the Love of the Bride, Which Is Called Forth by the…
  232. Sermon LXVIII
  233. How Christ the Bridegroom Inclines Unto His Bride 417
  234. How Christ the Bridegroom Inclines Unto His Bride 419
  235. Sermon LXIX
  236. Sermon LXX
  237. Why the Bridegroom Is Called Beloved 427
  238. Why the Bridegroom Is Called Beloved 429
  239. Why the Bridegroom Is Called Beloved
  240. Sermon LXXI
  241. Spiritual Lilies, That Good Works
  242. Sermon LXXII
  243. ‘The Day Breaks and the Shadows Flee Away 445
  244. How Christ Shall Come to Judge in Human Form, That He May Appear Delightful to the Elect…
  245. How Christ Shall Come to Judge in Human Form 449
  246. How Christ Shall Come to Judge in Human Form 45 1
  247. How Christ Shall Come to Judge in Human Form 453
  248. Sermon LXXIV
  249. God Is to Be Sought in Due Time, Place, and Manner 46 1
  250. Sermon LXXV
  251. Sermon LXXVI
  252. The Glory of the Bridegroom
  253. The Glory of the Bridegroom
  254. The Glory of the Bridegroom
  255. Sermon LXXVII
  256. Concerning the Bad Pastors of the Church 475
  257. Concerning the Bad Pastors of the Church 477
  258. Sermon Lxxviii
  259. The Church of the Elect
  260. The Church of the Elect
  261. Sermon LXXIX
  262. The Return of the Bridegroom
  263. The Return of the Bridegroom
  264. Sermon LXXX
  265. The Image or Word of God
  266. The Image or Word of God
  267. The Image or Word of God
  268. Of the Similarity and Likeness of the Soul to the Word, in Respect of Its Identity of…
  269. How the Soul, While Still Remaining Like Unto God, Loses by Sin a Portion of Its Likeness…
  270. The Soul’s Likeness to God
  271. The Soul’s Likeness to God
  272. The Soul’s Likeness to God 507
  273. Sermon Lxxxiii
  274. The Soul Recovers Its Resemblance to Christ 509
  275. The Soul Recovers Its Resemblance to Christ 51i
  276. That the Soul, Seeking God, Is Anticipated by Him; and in What Consists That Search for…
  277. The Soul, Seeking God, Is Anticipated by Him 513
  278. The Soul, Seeking God, Is Anticipated by Him 5 1 5
  279. Sermon LXXXV
  280. The Seven Needs of the Soul
  281. The Seven Needs of the Soul
  282. The Seven Needs of the Soul
  283. The Seven Needs Ok the Soul
  284. The Praise of Modesty
  285. Of the Caution and Modesty Becoming to the Soul in Seeking the Word, and of the Praise of…
  286. The Praise of Modesty
  287. The Praise of Modesty (continued)
  288. The Praise of Modesty (continued)
  289. Abbot of Clairvaux

How to cite it

Chicago
Bernard of Clairvaux. Bernard of Clairvaux: Sermons on the Song of Songs. Translated by Samuel J. Eales. Internet Archive, 1135–1153; translation 1896. https://archive.org/details/LifeWorksOfSBernardClairvauxV4
MLA
Bernard of Clairvaux. Bernard of Clairvaux: Sermons on the Song of Songs. Translated by Samuel J. Eales, Internet Archive, 1135–1153; translation 1896. https://archive.org/details/LifeWorksOfSBernardClairvauxV4
APA
Bernard of Clairvaux (1135–1153; translation 1896). Bernard of Clairvaux: Sermons on the Song of Songs (Samuel J. Eales, Trans.). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/LifeWorksOfSBernardClairvauxV4

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