Anselm's Proslogion, end of Chapter 1:
Bent as I am, Lord, I am able only to look downward; straighten me up so that I may be able to stretch out upward. Gathered upon my head, my iniquities wrap around me, and as a heavy burden they make me heavy. Unwrap me, unburden me, lest the well of my iniquities close its mouth over me. Allow me to look upon your light, from afar or from the deep. Teach me to seek you and show yourself to the one seeking, because I am able neither to seek you unless you teach nor to come upon you unless you show yourself. May I seek you by desiring, may I desire you by seeking. May I come upon you by loving, may I love you by coming upon you.
I confess, Lord, and I give thanks, because you have created in me this your image, that remembering you, I may think you, may love you. But it is so effaced by the rubbing of vices, so darkened by the smoke of sins, that it is not able to make that for which it was made unless you renew and reform it. I do not attempt, Lord, to penetrate your depth, because in no way do I compare my understanding to it; but I desire in some way to understand your truth, which my heart believes and loves. For I do not seek to understand so that I may believe, but I believe so that I may understand. For I believe this also: that unless I will have believed, I will not understand.
