A rectangular decorative headpiece featuring a repeating pattern of stylized flowers and acanthus leaves arranged within oval frames.

PREFACE

How greatly those people are deceived who remain only in the literal sense original: "Sensu literæ" of the text, and do not seek the internal sense original: "Sensum Internum" from other places where it is explained in the Word, can be clearly seen from the many heresies that exist. Every one of these heresies confirms its own dogma from the literal sense of the Word.

This is especially evident in that great heresy which a mad and infernal love of self and the world has introduced, based on the Lord's words to Peter: "I say to you, that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it: and I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 16:15–19). original: "Ego tibi dico, quod tu sis Petrus..."

Those who insist upon the literal sense think these things were said about Peter personally, and that such great power was given to him. They think this even though they know that Peter was a very simple man, that he never exercised such power, and that to exercise it would be contrary to the Divine. Nevertheless, because of a mad and infernal love of self and the world—by which they wish to claim for themselves supreme power on earth and in heaven and to make themselves gods—they explain this according to the letter and fiercely defend it.

Yet the internal sense of those words is that FAITH in the Lord itself has that power—a faith which exists only among those who are in love with the Lord and in charity toward their neighbor. And even then, it is not Faith, but the LORD from whom that power comes.