There is no doubt that those which represent
to me substances are something more, and contain so to speak
more objective reality within them [that is to say, by
representation participate in a higher degree of being or
perfection] than those that simply represent modes or
accidents; and that idea again by which I understand a supreme
God, eternal, infinite, [immutable], omniscient, omnipotent,
and Creator of all things which are outside of Himself, has
certainly more objective reality in itself than those ideas by
which finite substances are represented.
Now it is manifest by the natural light that there must
at least be as much reality in the efficient and total cause
as in its effect. For, pray, whence can the effect derive its
reality, if not from its cause? And in what way can this
cause communicate this reality to it, unless it possessed it
in itself? And from this it follows, not only that something
cannot proceed from nothing, but likewise that what is more
perfect?that is to say, which has more reality within
itself?cannot proceed from the less perfect.
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