Proslogion

In this brief work the author aims at proving in a single argument the existence of God, and whatsoever we believe of God. — The difficulty of the task. — The author writes in the person of one who contemplates God, and seeks to understand what he believes. To this work he had given this title : Faith Seeking Understanding. He finally named it Proslogium, — that is, A Discourse. After I had published, at the solicitous entreaties of certain brethren, a brief work (the Monologiutii) as an example of meditation on the grounds of faith, in the person of one who investigates, in a course of silent reasoning with himself, matters of which he is ignorant ; considering that this book was knit together by the linking of many arguments, I began to ask myself whether there might be found a single argument which would require no other for its proof than itself alone ; and alone would suffice to demonstrate that God truly exists, and that there is a supreme good requiring nothing else, which all other things require for their existence and well-being ; and whatever we believe regarding the divine Being. Although I often and earnestly directed my thought to this end, and at some times that which I sought ANSKLM. v ust within my roach, while again it ,.u! :i.y mental vision, at last in despair I .v* .-j .isc. as if from the search for a thing .'. -.^-l L»c found. But when I wished to ex- ..:o^ht altogether, lest, by busying my ^ : v:rpose, it should keep me from other i \v;i:ch I might be successful; then more ..v^h I was unwilling and shunned it, it .■;cc itself upon me, with a kind of impor- . ^uo o.iy. when I was exceedingly wearied ;, .;s importunity, in the very conflict of :.>, :>e proof of which I had despaired .•., >o ::»at I eagerly embraced the thoughts .» >w»e:*uously repelling. lr% . : a out ore, that what I rejoiced to have ... . .: :v.t in writing, be welcome to some . . *..« \e».…