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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III. To Burgundus and his Wife Richera, on Burgundius’ departure as a Pilgrim to Jerusalem.

To Burgundus and his Wife Richera, on Burgundius’ departure as a Pilgrim to Jerusalem.

ANSELM by the of God Archbishop of Canterbury to his dear brother and friend Burgundius and his wife Richera, his own sister, health and the blessing of God, and to the best of his power, his own also.

You have sent me word, my dearest Sir and friend Burgundius, that you purpose to go to Jerusalem for God’s service and the health of your soul, and that you wish to have my consent to this, and that of your son, my nephew, Anselm.

I am glad to hear of your good intention and advise and entreat you, if you make this journey, neither to carry with you the sins you have committed nor to leave them behind at home, and to make a resolve of living well for the future, as befits a Christian of your degree. Make then a confession by name of all your sins from childhood upwards, so far as you can remember them. See that you have no sin to charge yourself with in respect of your wife, whose goodness you know better than I; but leave her so that she may have the means of counsel and support, whatever God may do with you, and that she be not driven from your house and estate against her will so long as she lives, but may be able to serve God for the safety of your body and soul, and for her own soul and that of your children. Dispose therefore of all your property as you would do if you knew you were just about to die and to give account of all your life to God.

You ask my consent; I pray God you may always and everywhere have God’s consent and counsel and aid and protection in all things.

I charge you, my dearest sister, turn your whole heart and mind to God’s service and, as God hath taken from you all pleasure in this life, consider that He has done this so that you may have pleasure in none but Him; love Him, desire Him, think upon Him, serve Him at all times and in all places.

God Almighty ever bless you both.