EPISTLE

...lest he dwell too long [upon nature], he accomplishes this by leaving behind a principle original: "principio." In this philosophical context, it refers to the ultimate source or beginning of all things. that is better and higher than
Nature itself. Therefore, conversely, from this lowest center of the world, as it were,
he ascends. He considers us ourselves, just as he does all other natural
things, resolving them by his thoughts, as it were, into their simpler parts,
and proceeds even to the simplest elements. But these are still
bodies—nay, rather, they are members of a single body which we call the
World original: "Mundum." Gesner refers to the "Macrocosm," the universe viewed as a single, integrated living organism.. From the vigor,
harmony, motion, order, and beauty of these members—all of which are
admirable and, in their own kind, the best and
greatest—he easily reflects that this great body cannot
live its own life, be ruled,
moved, preserved, and endure without a
mind that is better and more perfect than the one which resides in
our own bodies. He finds rest in this very highest, best,
and greatest principle. Having left behind the lower steps of
Nature, he longs with an ineffable desire to be joined
perpetually with this highest good. But, conscious of his own
weakness and unworthiness, he does not hope that he can attain
that which he loves and desires. In this state of desperation and rejection, he would
clearly be far more unhappy and wretched than even the beasts themselves,
unless he heard the voice and word of the Son of God (for he himself is the Word of God) calling us to himself,
and felt the incredible power of the comforting Holy Spirit...