Book V - Snyder Bible

240
goodness, a Father; in respect of power, a Creator. Neither can
the power of creating cease in the Infinite, nor the goodness
be quiescent; but He is impelled by goodness to change existing
things, and by power to arrange and strengthen them.
Therefore some things, as we have said, are changed, and
composed of two or three, some of four, others of more elements.
But since our inquiry at present is concerning the method
of the world and its substance, which, it is agreed, is
compounded of four elements, to which all those ten differences
belong, which we have mentioned above, let us begin at
these lower steps, and come to the higher. For a way is afforded
us to intellectual and invisible things from those which
we see and handle; as is contained in arithmetical instructions,
where, when inquiry is made concerning divine things, we rise
from the lower to the higher numbers; but when the method
respecting present and visible things is expounded, the order
Chapter X: Creation Implies Providence
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the method of the world, of which the first inquiry is divided
into two parts. For it is asked whether it has been made or
not? And if it has not been made, itself must be that Unbegotten
from which all things are. But if it has been made, concerning
this again the question is divided into two parts, whether it
was made by itself, or by another. And if indeed it was made
by itself, then without doubt providence is excluded. If providence
is not admitted, in vain is the mind incited to virtue. In
vain justice is maintained, if there be no one to render to the
just man according to his merits. But even the spirit itself will
not appear to be immortal, if there be no dispensation of providence
to receive it after its escape from the body.
Chapter XI: General or Special Providence