nd
alteration of the embryo of man until it reaches the degree of reason and
perfection. We will state it more clearly. Let us suppose that there was a
time when man walked on his hands and feet, or had a tail; this change and
alteration is like that of the fetus in the womb of the mother. Although
it changes in all ways, and grows and develops until it reaches the
perfect form, from the beginning it is a special species. We also see in
the vegetable kingdom that the original species of the genus do not change
and alter, but the form, color and bulk will change and alter, or even
progress.

To recapitulate: as man in the womb of the mother passes from form to
form, from shape to shape, changes and develops, and is still the human
species from the beginning of the embryonic period--in the same way man,
from the beginning of his existence in the matrix of the world, is also a
distinct species--that is, man--and has gradually evolved from one form to
another. Therefore, this change of appearance, this evolution of members,
this development and growth, even though we admit the reality of growth
and progress,(141) does not prevent the species from being original. Man
from the beginning was in this perfect form and composition, and possessed
capacity and aptitude for acquiring material and spiritual perfections,
and was the manifestation of these words, "We will make man in Our image
and likeness."(142) He has only become more pleasing, more beautiful and
more graceful. Civilization has brought him out of his wild state, just as
the wild fruits which are cultivated by a gardener become finer, sweeter
and acquire more freshness and delicacy.

The gardeners of the world of humanity are the Prophets of God.

50: SPIRITUAL PROOFS OF THE ORIGIN OF MAN

The proofs which we have adduced relative to the origin of the human
species were logical proofs. Now we will give the spiritual proofs, which
are essential. For, as we have proved Divinity by logical arguments, and
have also proved logically that man exists from his origin and foundation
as man, and that his species has existed from all eternity, now we will
establish spiritual proofs that human existence--that is, the species of
man--is a necessary existence, and that without man the perfections of
Divinity would not appear. But these are spiritual proofs, not logical
proofs.

We have many times demonstrated and established that man is the noblest of
beings, the sum o