A decorative woodcut headpiece features symmetrical floral scrolls and a central heart motif. Below it, a large ornamental drop cap 'W' entwined with foliage begins the first paragraph.

P R E F A C E.

When we observe the visible world with its essence, and observe the life of the Creaturen creatures: we find therein the likeness of the invisible spiritual world, which is hidden in the visible world like the soul in the body. We see thereby that the hidden God is near to everything and through everything, yet remains entirely hidden to the visible essence.

2. We have an example in the human Gemühte mind/disposition, which is an invisible fire that is inclined toward light and darkness, as well as toward joy and sorrow, yet in itself is neither of these. Instead, it is merely a cause for them: an invisible, intangible Quäl-feuer tormenting fire, and yet in its own essence closed in nothing, save only in the will of life.

3. The body cannot grasp the mind, but the mind grasps the body and leads it to love and sorrow: thus it is also to be understood concerning God's Word and power, which is hidden from the visible, sensitive elements and yet dwells through and in the elements, and works through the sensitive life and essence, as the mind does in the body.

4. For the visible, sensitive things are an essence of the invisible: from the invisible, incomprehensible [source] has come the visible, comprehensible [world]. From the speaking or breathing out of the invisible power has come the visible essence. The invisible spiritual Word of the Divine Power works with and through the visible essence, as the soul does with and through the body.

5. The inner spiritual soul-man original: "Seelen-Mensch" has been spoken into the visible image through the speaking in or breathing in of the invisible Word of the...