The Heretic’s Apprentice

The Heretic’s Apprentice (1989) Ellis Peters (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael #16)

Set in Shrewsbury, England in 1143

‘There is no sin unless through a man’s own will, and hence the reward when we do right things also of our own will.’ Let Elave commit that to memory, and he could quote it in his own defence. More than likely Anselm would take him at his word, and feed the suspect all manner of quotations supportive to his cause. It was a game any well-read student of the early fathers could play, and Anselm better than most.

‘I do believe we have been given free will, and can and must use it to choose between right and wrong, if we are men and not beasts. Surely it is the least of what we owe, to try and make our way towards salvation by right action. I never denied divine grace. Surely it is the greatest grace that we are given this power to choose, and the strength to make right use of it. And see, my lord, if there is a last judgement, it will not and cannot be of God’s grace, but of what every man has done with it, whether he buried his talent or turned it to good profit. It is for our own actions we shall answer, when the day comes.’

It is native to man to have an aim, and labour towards it. And God he knows, better than any, that grace and truth and uprightness are as good aims as any. What else is salvation? It is no bad thing to feel obliged to earn it, and not wait to be given it as alms to a beggar, unearned.’

Characters: Brother Cadfael, Abbot Radulfus, Prior Robert, Brother Anselm, Brother Haluin, Brother Jerome, Brother Denis, Brother Edmund, Brother Rhun, Brother Winfrid, Brother Benedict, Brother Oswald, Brother Haluin, Brother Porter, Canon Gerbert, Aldwin, Conan, Elave, Father Boniface, Father Eadmer, Young Eadmer, Father Elias, Hugh Beringar, Aline and Giles Beringar, William of Lythwood, Jevan of Lythwood, Girard of Lythwood, Fortunata, Margaret, Madog of the Dead-Boat, Serlo, William Warden, Bishop Roger de Clinton

Publisher: Mysterious Press

Rating: 9/10

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