Synopsis "Cur Deus Homo (in English)"
"A NSELM, Archbishop of Canterbury from 1093 to 1109, while William Rufus and Henry the First ruled England, was neither Norman nor Saxon, but Italian, born in 1033 at or near Aosta, the chief place in a mountain valley near the St Bernard Passes." Thus begins the life of Saint Anselm, which precedes this book. SAINT ANSELM'S PREFACE. I was obliged to complete the work hereto subjoined more quickly than was advisable, and therefore to make it briefer than I could wish, on account of some who had transcribed the first portions for themselves before it was as yet finished and ripely considered. For I should have inserted and added many things that I have left out, had I been allowed to produce it in quiet and with sufficient time. But in great trouble of spirit (which how and why I have suffered, God knoweth), I began in England, and finished it while a wanderer in the Capuan province. I have called it, from the matter whereof it treats, "Why was God made man?" and have divided it into two books. The first of these contains certain objections of unbelievers who reject the Christian faith because they think it contrary to reason, with the answers of the faithful; and finally, setting Christ aside, (as though He had never been) proves by logical arguments that it is impossible for any man to be saved without Him. In a like manner, in the second book, (as though nothing were known of Christ) it is shown no less plainly by reason and in truth, that human nature was made to this end, that at some time man in his completeness, i.e. in body and soul, should enjoy a blessed immortality; and that it is necessary that, what man was made for, to that he should come: but that only by one who is man and God, and of necessity by all which we believe of Christ, could this be done. I request all who choose to transcribe this book, to place at the beginning of it this little preface, with the chapters of the whole work; so that into whosesoever hands it may come, he may see as in its countenance whether there be in the whole form aught which he will not disdain.
