...will acknowledge more fervently that God will be propitious to us, unless perhaps we imprudently incur His indignation through the stumbling block of sin. That [rational] was also woven with four colors and gold, and here, as has been premised, the reasons for the varieties in ecclesiastical things and offices are colored by four senses: allegorical, historical, tropological, and anagogical. It is distinguished, however, into eight parts which we shall follow in order, with the Lord favoring. In the first of these, it will be treated of the church and ecclesiastical places, and ornaments, and consecrations, and of the sacraments. In the second, of the ministers of the church and their offices. In the third, of the priests and other vestments. In the fourth, of the individual things that are done therein. In the fifth, of other divine offices in general. In the sixth, specifically of the individual Sundays and weekdays and feasts pertaining to the Lord. In the seventh, of the feasts of the saints and of the feast and office of them and the dedication of the church and of the dead. In the eighth, of the computation and the calendar.

Here begins the first book concerning the church and ecclesiastical places and ornaments and concerning consecrations and sacraments.

In this first part of this work, therefore, we foresee to treat of certain general things, namely:
Concerning the church and its parts.
Concerning the altar.
Concerning paintings and images and ornaments of the church.
Concerning bells.
Concerning cemeteries and other sacred places.
Concerning the dedication of the church.
Concerning the consecration of the altar.
Concerning consecrations and anointings.
Concerning the ecclesiastical sacraments.
Concerning the church and its parts.

A large decorative initial 'P' in red ink. Inside the loop of the 'P' is a standing human figure, possibly a cleric or saint, holding an object.
1 It is first necessary that we see about the church and its parts. It must be noted, therefore, that of churches, one is corporal, in which, namely, divine offices are celebrated; another is spiritual, which is the gathering of the faithful or the people called together by ministers and gathered into one by Him who makes them dwell of one mind in the house. For just as the corporal [church] is constructed from gathered stones, so also the spiritual [church] is gathered from diverse men. Therefore, ecclesia Church is convocatio calling together in Latin, because it calls all from themselves. Which name more properly suits the spiritual church than the corporal, since men, not stones, are called. Yet often the name of the thing signified is attributed to the signifier. The material church, however, designates the spiritual, as will be said where it deals with its consecration. Again, ecclesia is called catholica universal in Greek, because it is established or diffused throughout the whole world, because all believing in God ought to be in one congregation, or because in it is the general doctrine for the instruction of all the faithful. A synagoga synagogue is also called a congregation in Greek, which name the Jewish people held as their own; for it is usually called a synagogue properly for them, although it is also called a church. The Apostles, however, never [called it] a synagogue but always a church, perhaps for the sake of distinction. The present church is also called Sion Zion, in that it is placed far from this pilgrimage and contemplates the promise of heavenly things, and therefore received the name Sion, that is, contemplation. For the future peace of the homeland, it is called Iherusalem Jerusalem. For Jerusalem is interpreted as the vision of peace. The church is also called the house of God, so named from dogma, which is called "right" in Greek, as if to say "giving to remain of one mind in Him." It is also sometimes called kiriaca the Lord's, that is, dominical. Sometimes basilica, which word sounds like "royal" or "regal" in Latin, from Basileus King, namely. For the palaces of carnal kings are so named. Our house of prayer, however, is called royal because in it the King of kings is served. Sometimes a templum temple, as if a wide covering in which sacrifices are offered to God the King. And sometimes the tabernacle of God because in the present life it is a pilgrim and proceeding on a journey to the homeland, as will be said. Or it is called a tabernacle as if a tent, or as will be said under the dedication of the church. Why it is also called a tabernacle or ark of testimony under the altar will be said. Sometimes truly a martyrium martyr's shrine, which may have been made in honor of some martyr. Sometimes a capella chapel, as will be said in the second part under the treatise on the priest. Sometimes a cenobium monastery. Sometimes a sacrarium sacristy. Sometimes a satellium enclosure. Sometimes a house of prayer. Sometimes a monasterium monastery, and sometimes an oratorium oratory. Generally, however, any place established for prayer can be called an oratory. Again, the church is sometimes called the body of Christ. Sometimes also it is called a virgin, according to that: "For I have espoused you, etc." Sometimes a spouse whom Christ has betrothed in faith, of which in the Gospel: "He who has the spouse is the spouse." Sometimes a mother, because she daily brings forth spiritual children to God in baptism. Sometimes a daughter, according to that prophet: "Instead of thy fathers, sons are born to thee." Likewise, sometimes it is posited as a widow because it darkens on account of pressures and, like Rachel, is not consoled. Sometimes a harlot is figured because of the church gathered from the Gentiles. Sometimes it is called a city because of the communion of saints, whose walls [are] because of the fortification of the scriptures, by which heretics are warded off, having stones and wood of diverse kinds, because the merits of individuals are diverse, as will now be said. Whatever the synagogue received through the Law, this the church now receives through grace from Christ, whose spouse she is, and has changed it for the better. Certainly, the institution of the oratory or church is not new. For the Lord commanded Moses on Mount Sinai that he should make a tabernacle fabricated of marvelously made items. For it was divided by an interposed veil into two parts, of which the prior part was the holy [place] where the people sacrificed; the inner one, however, was the holy of holies, where the priests and Levites ministered, as will be said in the preface of the fourth part. After that was consumed by age, the Lord commanded a temple to be made, which Solomon built with marvelous work, having two parts as...