Objections of infidels and replies of believers.
Boso. Infidels ridiculing our simplicity charge upon us that we do injustice and dishonor to God when we affirm that he descended into the womb of a virgin, that he was born of woman, that he grew on the nourishment of milk and the food of men; and, passing over many other things which seem incompatible with Deity, that he endured fatigue, hunger, thirst, stripes and crucifixion among thieves.
Anselm. We do no injustice or dishonor to God, but
give him thanks with all the heart, praising and proclaiming the ineffable
height of his compassion. For the more astonishing a thing it is and beyond
expectation, that he has restored us from so great and deserved ills in which
we were, to so great and unmerited blessings which we had forfeited; by so much
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How these things appear not decisive to infidels, and merely like so many pictures.
Boso. These things must be admitted to be beautiful,
and like so many pictures; but, if they have no solid foundation, they do not
appear sufficient to infidels, as reasons why we ought to believe that God
wished to suffer the things which we speak of. For when one wishes to make a
picture, he selects something substantial to paint it upon, so that his picture
may remain. For no one paints in water or in air, because no traces of the
picture remain in them. Wherefore, when we hold up to infidels these harmonious
proportions which you speak of as so many pictures of the real thing, since
they do not think this
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Anselm. Does not the reason why God ought to do the things we speak of seem absolute enough when we consider that the human race, that work of his so very precious, was wholly ruined, and that it was not seemly that the purpose which God had made concerning man should fall to the ground; and, moreover, that this purpose could not be carried into effect unless the human race were delivered by their Creator himself?