A rectangular decorative headpiece featuring a repeating interlaced knotwork pattern (guilloche) in dark ink, flanked by stylized floral or fleur-de-lis finials at the corners and top center.

+ THE BEGINNING OF A SUMMARY CONCERNING THE CONSTRUCTION OF MAN:

An ornamental red ink drawing of a stylized cross or candelabra-like structure with scrolling flourishes.

The present knowledge of human nature, being diligent and continuous, appears to be beneficial not only to our bodies but also to our souls; both for knowing perfectly and thus glorifying God who created us, and His wisdom and unsearchable providence, which is manifested through His wondrous works to those who are lovers of learning and lovers of labor. Since many of the wise have written much in the past concerning the nature of man—some from an external perspective and others more accurately, as each of them was able and as the grace of the Spirit provided for them—nevertheless, for the same reason and as far as is possible for us, we have desired to set forth in writing with diligence and zeal not only the things said by them, but also our own observations, as much as the grace of God has granted. This we do not that we might receive glory from men, but that we might leave to those who come after some benefit and knowledge of His divine mysteries. Among these [topics], we speak first concerning the formation of man, and how, having been fashioned from the earth by God, he received a living soul by a divine breathing—not as many of the Greek philosophers supposed, who said that all things come to be irrationally and without order, but as the divine Scripture has taught us. Then also concerning the formation of the body and the members within it, and the activity and use of each of them, and how and why they were thus constructed by the wise Demiurge. Moreover, we treat of the soul and its powers, and how it is bound together with the body, and how through the body it manifests its own activities. To speak simply, we include in this book all things contributing to the knowledge of man. Wherefore we exhort all who encounter it to read the things written with attention and reverence, so that they too may reap some spiritual benefit and may entreat a prayer from God for us who have toiled.

And first, concerning the nature of man: that it is composed of two opposites—I mean soul and body—and that the soul is immortal and intellectual, while the body is mortal and material. And how the soul dwells in the body and is in no way outside of its essence, but is present in all its parts, whole in the whole. And how through the senses it perceives and distinguishes things falling upon it from without. And again, concerning the constitution of the body: from what elements it is composed, and how through nourishment it grows and is preserved. And concerning the temperament of the humors, and how an irregularity in these brings diseases upon the body. And concerning the formation of the members, and the use and activity of each of them. And what is the position of the internal organs, and how through the arteries and veins the blood and the spirit are distributed to the whole body. And how the brain, just like a kind of acropolis, holds within itself the governing part of the soul. And what is the spoken word, and what the internal. And how the voice is sent forth, and how the hearing receives it. And concerning the rest of the senses: sight, smell, taste, and touch; and how the mind through these knows the things that exist. And simply, concerning all things pertaining to man.