A09977:549
Life eternalLife eternall
Life eternal or, A treatise of the knowledge of the divine essence and attributes Delivered in XVIII. sermons. By the late faithful and worthy minister of Jesus Christ, John Preston, D. in Divinity, chaplain in ordinary to his Majesty, master of Emmanuel College in Cambridge, and sometimes preacher of Lincolns Inn.Life eternall or, A treatise of the knowledge of the divine essence and attributes Delivered in XVIII. sermons. By the late faithfull and worthy minister of Iesus Christ, Iohn Preston, D. in Divinity, chaplaine in ordinary to his Majestie, master of Emmanuel Colledge in Cambridge, and sometimes preacher of Lincolns Inne.
London: printed by Richard, 1631
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1In regard of his simplicity; because, if there be nothing in him but what is himself, but what is his essence, unless his essence should be annihilated, (which is impossible) he is not subject to change. Now all the creatures, besides their essence, have quantity in them, and that may be greater or less in the creature; and besides, they have quality, and therefore they may be better or worse: but God is great without quantity, and good without quality; and therefore in regard of his simplicity, seeing there is nothing in him, but what is himself, he cannot admit of any shadow of turning.
1In regard of his simplicity; because, if there be nothing in him but what is himselfe, but what is his essence, unlesse his essence should be annihilated, (which is impossible) he is not subject to change. Now all the creatures, besides their essence, have quantity in them, and that may be greater or lesse in the creature; and besides, they have quality, and therefore they may be better or worse: but God is great without quantity, and good without quality; and therefore in regard of his simplicity, seeing there is nothing in him, but what is himselfe, he cannot admit of any shadow of turning.
- 1Reas. 3.
1Because he is infinite; you know, an infinite thing is that which extends it self, which fills all things, to which nothing can be added: and therefore seeing he is infinite at the utmost extent, he cannot extend himself any further. Again, nothing can be taken from him, whereby ⟨p. 75⟩he should be changed; for, Infinitum est, cui nec addi, nec adimi potest: and therefore seeing he is most infinite, he is also unchangeable. For whatsoever is infinite, cannot be greater or lesser, nothing can be added or taken from it: and therefore unchangeable.