Pastoral Rule, Dialogues & Letters 13

Let the ruler always be pure in thought, inasmuch as no impurity should pollute him who has undertaken this office, namely to wipe away the stains of pollution in the hearts of others also; because it is necessary that the hand be studious to be clean which takes care to wash away filth, lest it defile the worse whatever it touches, if, pursuing filth, it holds mud. For hence it is said through the prophet: Be ye clean, ye that bear the vessels of the Lord (Isai. 52:11). For they bear the vessels of the Lord who undertake to lead the souls of their neighbours to the eternal sanctuaries in the fidelity of their own conversation. Let them therefore behold within themselves how much they ought to be cleansed, who carry living vessels to the temple of eternity in the bosom of their own pledge. Hence it is enjoined by the divine voice (Exod. 28:15),

that upon Aaron's breast the rational of judgement be impressed with binding fillets, so that fleeting thoughts may by no means possess the priestly heart, but reason alone constrain it; nor let him think anything indiscreet or useless, who, set as an example to others, ought always by the gravity of his life to show how great a reason he carries in his breast. On which rational it is also vigilantly added, that the names of the twelve patriarchs be inscribed. For to bear the fathers always inscribed upon the breast is to ponder without intermission the life of the ancients.

For then does the priest walk irreprehensibly, when he unceasingly beholds the examples of the fathers who went before, when without cessation he considers the footsteps of the saints, and represses unlawful thoughts, lest he extend the foot of his work beyond the boundary of order. Which is also well called the rational of judgement, because the ruler ought always with subtle examination to discern good and evil things, and studiously to ponder what things are fitting, and for whom, when, and how; and to seek nothing of his own, but to reckon the good things of his neighbours as his own advantages. Whence it is there written:

And thou shalt put in the rational of judgement doctrine and truth, which shall be on Aaron's breast when he shall go in before the Lord; and he shall bear the judgement of the children of Israel on his breast in the sight of the Lord always (ibid. 30). For the priest to bear the judgement of the children of Israel on his breast in the Lord's sight is to examine the causes of his subjects for the sole intention of the inward Judge, so that nothing of humanity may mingle itself with him in this which, placed in God's stead, he dispenses, lest private grief exasperate the zeal of correction. And when he is shown a zealot against others' vices, let him pursue those things which are his own, lest either latent envy stain the tranquillity of judgement, or headlong anger disturb it.

But while the terror of Him who presides over all things is considered, namely of the inmost Judge, the subjects are not governed without great fear. Which fear, doubtless, while it humbles the mind of the ruler, purges it; lest either presumption of spirit lift it up, or delight of the flesh defile it, or the importunity of dusty thought obscure it through the desire of earthly things: which nevertheless cannot but assail the ruler's mind, but it is necessary that they hasten, so that they may be conquered by resistance, lest the vice, which through suggestion tempts, subdue by the softness of delight, and, when this is slowly repelled from the mind, slay by the sword of consent.