Christian Classics
‹ Devotions of Saint Anselm
Contents
Introduction.Preface.Proslogion or Address to God Concerning His Existence. · Chapter I.Proslogion or Address to God Concerning His Existence. · Chapter II.Proslogion or Address to God Concerning His Existence. · Chapter III.Proslogion or Address to God Concerning His Existence. · Chapter IV.Proslogion or Address to God Concerning His Existence. · Chapter VProslogion or Address to God Concerning His Existence. · Chapter VIProslogion or Address to God Concerning His Existence. · Chapter VIIProslogion or Address to God Concerning His Existence. · Chapter VIIIProslogion or Address to God Concerning His Existence. · Chapter IXProslogion or Address to God Concerning His Existence. · Chapter XProslogion or Address to God Concerning His Existence. · Chapter XIProslogion or Address to God Concerning His Existence. · Chapter XIIProslogion or Address to God Concerning His Existence. · Chapter XIIIProslogion or Address to God Concerning His Existence. · Chapter XIVProslogion or Address to God Concerning His Existence. · Chapter XVProslogion or Address to God Concerning His Existence. · Chapter XVIProslogion or Address to God Concerning His Existence. · Chapter XVIIProslogion or Address to God Concerning His Existence. · Chapter XVIIIProslogion or Address to God Concerning His Existence. · Chapter XIXProslogion or Address to God Concerning His Existence. · Chapter XXProslogion or Address to God Concerning His Existence. · Chapter XXIProslogion or Address to God Concerning His Existence. · Chapter XXIIProslogion or Address to God Concerning His Existence. · Chapter XXIIIProslogion or Address to God Concerning His Existence. · Chapter XXIVProslogion or Address to God Concerning His Existence. · Chapter XXVProslogion or Address to God Concerning His Existence. · Chapter XXVINote on the Argument of the Poslogion.Preface to the Meditations and PrayersI. That we were created in the Image and Likeness of God.II. That the End for which we were created was to glorify God for ever.III. That wheresoever we are, we live and move and have our being in God, so long as we have Him within usIV. That all we, who have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ.V. That we are the Body of Christ.VI. That we are one in Christ, and one Christ with Christ Himself.VII. A Commemoration of our Sins, for which our Conscience doth reproach us, and whereby we have lost all these things.VIII. A Commemoration of the Incarnation of our Lord, whereby we have recovered all these things.IX. That we must pray to be delivered out of the horrible pit, out of the mire and clay.X. A Meditation on the Miseries of this Life.XI. Of the Body, after the Departure of the Soul.XII. Of the Soul after her Separation from the Body.XIII. A Meditation on the Day of Judgment, wherein the Goats shall be set on the Left Hand.XIV. A Meditation on the Joy which shall be where the Sheep shall be set on the Right Hand.Meditation II. Concerning the Terrors of the Day of Judgment. An Incentive to Tears.Meditation III. To encourage the spirit not to fall into despair, since if we truly repent, we shall without doubt find mercy for all our sins.Meditation IV. Concerning the Redemption of Mankind.I. A Prayer of Praise and Thanksgiving to God.II. A Prayer to the Holy SpiritIII. A Prayer to Christ for my friends.IV. A Prayer to Christ for my Enemies.Introductory Note.I. To Ralph.II. To Herlwin, Gondulf, and Maurice, Monks of Bec sojourning in Christ Church, Canterbury.III. To Burgundus and his Wife Richera, on Burgundius’ departure as a Pilgrim to Jerusalem.IV. To Alexander, King of Scots.V. To Robert and the Devout Women under his Care.

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XII. Of the Soul after her Separation from the Body.

Of the Soul after her Separation from the Body.

O GOOD God, what is it that I behold? Lo, there cometh fear upon fear, sorrow upon sorrow. After she is separated from the body, the soul shall be beset by a multitude of evil spirits, who shall hasten to meet her and shall magnify their accusations against her. And inquisition shall be made concerning all things whereof they accuse her, even to the least of the negligences that she hath committed. There shall come the prince of this world with his companions, raging with fury, cunning in deceit, skilful in lying, malignant in accusing, bringing forth against the soul all that he can of the evils that she hath done, and devising falsely many beside that she hath not done. O terrible hour, O severe judgment! On the one hand will be a Judge most strict in judgment; on the other adversaries most wanton in accusing. The soul shall stand alone with none to comfort her, except she be defended by the consciousness of good works. But in that great severity of judgment, wherein all things shall be laid open, who shall boast that his heart is clean?If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?Then shall idle gladness depart, the pomp of place shall be put to flight, the pursuit of greatness shall be proved deceitful.

Blessed is the soul, which in that judgment a good conscience defendeth, and the remembrance of a holy life protecteth; which, while she was yet in the flesh, was often cleansed by the water of , adorned with earnestness of confession, enlightened by meditation on God’s holy law; which humility made gentle, and patience quiet, and obedience free from seeking her own will, and in the performance of every virtue. Such a soul shall not fear that dreadful hour, and shall not be ashamed when she speaketh with her enemies in the gate. For she will have fellowship with them, of whom the Scripture saith: When He hath given His beloved sleep, behold the inheritance of the Lord.