"Now we know, that the Soul was infused into us from Heaven, which even to our sense is round and circular: seeing then her heauenly habitation is round before she be infused, it was likewise requisite, that her mansion here below should be orbicular also."
— Crooke, Helkiah (1576-1648)
Author
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed by William Iaggard
Date
1615
Metaphor
"Now we know, that the Soul was infused into us from Heaven, which even to our sense is round and circular: seeing then her heauenly habitation is round before she be infused, it was likewise requisite, that her mansion here below should be orbicular also."
Metaphor in Context
And now, least those that are skilfull and learned, should want any thing in our discourse that belongeth to the dignity of Man, and his admirable and wonderfull frame and composition; let vs proceede vnto such other things, as the diuine wisedome, the Mother and Gouernor of all things hath vouchsafed only to man, and see in what and how much the body of man differeth from the rest of the creatures. As in man & other creatures there is the same manner of life and nourishment, so the frame and structure of the vitall & naturall organes or instruments is not vnlike in them both; but as for the sences and power of motion, wherein the Nature of the Animality (you must giue leaue to a Philosopher to vse his owne tearmes) or liuelyhood consisteth, forasmuch as in man they do attend vpon, and serue a more noble Forme, and are prepared to more diuine vses, then for the auoiding of euill, and such other obiects of the appetite; it was therefore requisite, that they should haue Organs framed and made with more curious and exquisite workemanship. There are therefore in man, ouer and besides those things that are already handled, namely, his vpright figure, and his Hands, which no other creatures haue; there are I say, many things in the structure and composition of the animall organes, proper and peculiar to man, which do yet more demonstratiuely prooue, yea and expresse also the dignity of his bodie. For to run through all, from the head to the feet. First, of al liuing creatures, only man hath a head made into a round and circular forme, as it were turned on a wheele, both that it might be the more capeable to receiue a greater quantity of braynes, and lesse apt to be ouer-taken with danger either from without or within; as also, for the more ease in moouing and turning about; and lastly, because it was to be the mansion house of Reason, that is, the soule. Now we know, that the Soule was infused into vs from Heauen, which euen to our sence is round and circular: seeing then her heauenly habitation is round before shee be infused, it was likewise requisite, that her mansion heere below should bee orbicular also; yet is the head of man not exquisitely round as a Bowle is, but after a sort somewhat long also, rising vp in the two crownes, and on the sides it becommeth depressed and flatted. Onely Man of all liuing creatures, hath for his bignesse, a braine very large and spacious, and also very moyst and watery, the better to performe the varietie of the Animal functions and offices; for the Soule doth not execute hir offices without the helpe of the Spirits: the matter and the substance of the Spirits is blood, now plenty of blood is not conteyned, nor cannot be concluded within a little and small body.
(I.iv, p. 10)
(I.iv, p. 10)
Categories
Provenance
Reading in EEBO
Citation
Helkiah Crooke, ΜΙΚΡΟΚΟΣΜΟΓΡΑΦΙΑ: A Description of the Body of Man (London: Printed by William Iaggard, 1615). <Link to EEBO>
Date of Entry
09/27/2011
