EPISTLE.

...words, "That which is known of God is manifest in them" original: "Quod notum est Dei manifestum est in illis" — Romans 1:19, we seem to be reminded that everything that can be known about God can be shown by reasons drawn from no other source than our own mind. Therefore, I did not think it foreign to my purpose original: "à me esse alienum" — meaning it is within his area of concern as a philosopher to inquire how this occurs, and by what path God may be known more easily and certainly than the things of this world original: "res saeculi" — temporal or material things.

And as for the soul, although many have judged that its nature cannot be easily investigated, and some have even dared to say that human reasoning suggests the soul perishes along with the body and that the contrary is held by faith alone; nevertheless, the Lateran Council The Fifth Lateran Council (1512–1517), held under Pope Leo X in its eighth session, condemns these people. It expressly commands Christian philosophers to dismantle their arguments and prove the truth to the best of their ability. For this reason, I did not hesi-