Since we have fallen into the subject of vices, it will not be out of place at the conclusion of this section to reveal the mystical meanings of the wicked man. For according to the vices that occupy him, a man may be called a beast of burden, a serpent, a viper, or a fox. Thus, in Matthew, the man not wearing a wedding garment represents the criminal man, and consequently all those surrendered to vice. Likewise, in the 115th Psalm, every man is called a liar, yet this is according to his natural condition, as he does not reach those things pertaining to faith. Hence, Paul, writing to the Galatians, states that he speaks "according to man" when he teaches those who are unrefined.

Similarly, in Paul’s writing to the Romans, we read of the "old man," namely one devoid of faith, just as conversely the "new man" is mentioned in the same passage as one directed toward the right path of life through faith. The man "unfit for redeeming," as read in the 48th Psalm, is interpreted as the pure or mere man, who himself stands in need of redemption. For this reason, no man is permitted to be in the Tabernacle of the Covenant when the High Priest enters the Holy of Holies; for since they are able to be there, they are no longer merely men—that is, mortals—but have become as gods, as is held in Leviticus. The term "man" is also taken to mean a mere mortal in Jeremiah, when he brought forth these words: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man." Furthermore, the man in Matthew who, descending from Jerusalem to Jericho, fell among thieves, is explained by Saint Thomas as Adam, who, overcome by the Devil, fell from a state of peace into calamity. The "enemy man," who in Matthew sowed tares over the field, indicates the Devil, who is sometimes called the enemy man. Likewise, the man in the same Gospel through whom scandal comes signifies the Jewish people, who not only denied Christ but also compelled others to that denial. This same Jewish people is shown by the man having an unclean spirit in Luke, although in Exodus a Jew is also called "man" to differentiate him from the Heathens. The "man of peace" in the 40th Psalm refers to Judas, who betrayed Christ with a kiss of peace. Again, the man preparing to send the goat into the desert, as read in Leviticus, who afterward washed himself, is interpreted by Lauretus in his *Forest of Allegories* as Pilate, who had decreed to send Christ to the Cross; nevertheless, he washed himself to show his works as clean. Finally, the man who in Deuteronomy does not raise up the seed of his Father indicates heretical discourse, which, though arising from the sacred pages, fails to beget sons for Christ.

MORAL LESSONS

drawn from the human parts.

JUST as the human body, composed of various parts, uses them as instruments suitable for different tasks, so too is the Church of God constituted of various men as its parts, through whom, as through suitable instruments, it performs various functions. Indeed, just as some parts of the human body are called "animate," communicating motion and sensation to the whole body; others are called "spiritual," imparting life to the body; and others are called "natural," preparing nourishment for the whole; so in the Church there are animate parts—namely the Prelates, who rule others. The spiritual parts are the perfect men dedicated to God in religious service, who communicate the life of grace to others through their prayers. Finally, the natural parts are the Preachers of the Gospel, who nourish the souls of men with divine precepts. Furthermore, since in the human body the parts destined for generation are ascribed to the natural parts, likewise in the Church all men distinguished by learning are said to perform this duty of generation, for by restoring the criminal to divine grace, it is as if they were generating them anew. To this point, the Apostle wrote to the Corinthians: "Through the Gospel, I have begotten you."

Since, therefore, all parts of the human body are to serve moral instruction, we have deemed it worthwhile to begin with the hair, and thereafter proceed through the other parts to the plan