Spiritual Doctrine · 16th century

Introduction of the Symbol of Faith — Part One

Name: Introduction of the Symbol of Faith — Part One
Author: Fray Luis de Granada, O.P.

Fray Luis de Granada, O.P. (1504–1588) · translated from the Spanish

The author's name is also rendered Luis de Granada · Louis of Granada · Ludovicus Granatensis

The First Part of Fray Luis de Granada's Introduction of the Symbol of Faith — the masterpiece of the greatest spiritual writer of Spain's golden age. In thirty-eight chapters Granada walks through the theater of creation as through the house of its Maker: the heavens and the sun, the four elements, the fertility of the earth, the abilities of the animals, the fashioning of the human body, and the soul with its senses and powers — that from the greatness and providence seen in the works, the reader may rise to the knowledge and love of the Creator. In English for the first time.

Download PDF Download EPUB

❧

Contents

The Index of Chapters
Introduction
Chapter I. Of the fruit that is drawn from the consideration of the works of nature. And of how the saints joined this consideration with that of the works of grace
Chapter II. There follows a devout meditation, in which it is declared that, although God is incomprehensible, nevertheless something of him is known by consideration of the works of his hands, which are his creatures
Chapter III. Of the foundations that the philosophers had for attaining by natural light that there is God
Chapter IV. Of the consideration of the greater world and of its most principal parts
Chapter V. Of the sun and of its effects and beauty
Chapter VI. Of the four elements or elemental region
Chapter VII. Of the element of air
Chapter VIII. Of the element of water
Chapter IX. Of the fourth element, which is the earth
Chapter X. Of the fertility and plants and fruits of the earth
Chapter XI. Preamble for beginning to treat of the animals, chiefly of those that they call perfect
Chapter XII. Of the common properties of animals
Chapter XIII. Of the particular abilities and faculties that all animals have for their conservation
Chapter XIV. Of the abilities that animals have for maintaining themselves
Chapter XV. Of the abilities that animals have for curing themselves in their illnesses
Chapter XVI. Of the abilities and arms that animals have for defending themselves
Chapter XVII. Of the abilities and faculties that divine providence gave to all animals for the rearing of their children
Chapter XVIII. How the wisdom and providence of the Creator shines forth more in small things than in great
Chapter XIX. Of the fruit of bees and of the worm that makes silk
Chapter XX. Of the republic and order of the bees
Chapter XXI. Of the worms that spin silk
Chapter XXII. Of other very notable properties of diverse animals
Chapter XXIII. Prologue on the fabric and principal parts of the lesser world, which is man
Chapter XXIV. Of the fabric and frame of the human body upon the bones
Chapter XXV. Of some general notices that it is fitting to presuppose in order to treat of the first faculty of our soul, which pertains to the nutrition and sustentation of the body
Chapter XXVI. Of the members necessary for the digestion and purification of food
Chapter XXVII. Introduction for treating of the sensitive soul and of the animal spirits
Chapter XXVIII. Of the animal spirits that are engendered in the head
Chapter XXIX. Of the interior senses that are in the head
Chapter XXX. Of the five exterior senses, and first of the eyes
Chapter XXXI. What tully says of the exterior senses of our body
Chapter XXXII. Of the fittingness of the other exterior parts of our body
Chapter XXXIII. Of the affective part of the sensitive soul, that is: of the passions and affections that are in our heart
Chapter XXXIV. Of the intellective soul and of its offices
Chapter XXXV. For how many reasons man is said to be made to the Image and Likeness of God
Chapter XXXVI. Of the special providence that our Lord has of human things
Chapter XXXVII. Of the immensity and greatness of the divine perfections by the testimony of the Holy scriptures
Chapter XXXVIII. Of the immensity and greatness of the perfections of our Lord God as it is gathered from the greatness of his works