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.

St. Anselm · 56 of 57

IV. To Alexander, King of Scots.

To Alexander, King of Scots.

TO Alexander by the of God King of Scots, Anselm servant of the Church of Canterbury wishes health and promises his faithful prayers and sends him the blessing of God and, for what it is worth, his own also.

Both I and the whole society of Christ Church, Canterbury, thank God and rejoice that God has advanced you by right of inheritance to your father’s kingdom after your brother’s decease, and has adorned you with a character worthy of your royal dignity. As to your brother who by his holy living deserved to make a good end at his departure by God’s mercy out of this life, we pray and will pray for him, as you request us, as for one who loved us and whom we loved, that God may grant to his soul eternal joy in His glory among His , and everlasting happiness.

I know that your Highness loves and desires my counsel. And so first praying God that He Himself may so guide you by the of His Holy Spirit and give you His counsel in all your acts, that He may bring you after this life to His heavenly kingdom, I advise you earnestly to preserve by His help, from whom you received them, that fear of God and those good and pious habits, which you began to have in youth and even in childhood. For kings reign well when they live according to God’s will and serve Him in fear; and when they reign over themselves and do not become the servants of their own vices, but master the impetuosity of these by courageous constancy. For there is no inconsistency between constancy in virtue and royal courage in a king. For some kings, like David, at once lived a holy life and also governed the people committed to their charge with vigorous justice and gentle kindness, according as the matter in hand required. Do you show your self such that the wicked may fear you and the good love you; and, that your life may ever be pleasing to God, let your mind ever remember the punishment of the wicked and reward of the good which shall be after this life. May Almighty God entrust you and all your actions to none other than to His own gracious government.

As to our brethren, whom we have sent into Scotland at the desire of your brother, who has departed, as we trust, from the labours of this life into his rest, we have not thought it necessary to request your kindness for them, because we know well your good will toward them.