more_o be_v the_o thought_n of_o the_o unsearchable_a god_n high_o than_o our_o thought_n the_o more_o sober_a and_o weighty_a part_n of_o the_o schoolman_n do_v conclude_v this_o question_n in_o the_o negative_a and_o assert_v that_o almighty_a god_n by_o one_o eternal_a act_n know_v all_o thing_n from_o all_o eternity_n and_o by_o the_o like_a eternal_a act_n will_v from_o all_o eternity_n what_o he_o any_o way_n will_v and_o though_o the_o termination_n of_o that_o will_v respect_v object_n that_o neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v eternal_a yet_o his_o knowledge_n and_o will_n be_v eternal_o the_o same_o as_o ever_o and_o he_o begin_v not_o to_o know_v any_o thing_n which_o he_o do_v not_o eternal_o know_v nor_o to_o will_v any_o thing_n which_o he_o do_v not_o eternal_o will_v though_o the_o execution_n of_o that_o will_n respect_v thing_n to_o be_v do_v in_o time_n and_o futurity_n and_o certain_o as_o this_o be_v the_o most_o probable_a opinion_n so_o it_o take_v away_o the_o pretence_n of_o the_o objection_n the_o immanent_a act_n and_o operation_n of_o the_o glorious_a god_n be_v eternal_a and_o without_o change_n it_o be_v true_a some_o late_a schoolman_n and_o after_o they_o clara_n in_o his_o 4_o the_o problem_n seem_v to_o assert_v that_o divina_fw-la voluntas_fw-la potest_fw-la velle_fw-la aliquid_fw-la novum_fw-la sine_fw-la mutatione_n svi_fw-la but_o suppose_v that_o this_o supposition_n be_v admissible_a yet_o this_o will_v not_o any_o way_n be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o eternity_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o essence_n 1._o this_o be_v no_o physical_a change_n in_o almighty_a god_n but_o a_o voluntary_a and_o free_a operation_n of_o his_o will_n which_o possible_o be_v so_o at_o first_o will_v by_o he_o to_o be_v change_v according_a as_o he_o see_v cause_n in_o his_o infinite_a wisdom_n 2._o that_o this_o which_o be_v here_o call_v a_o change_n of_o his_o will_n be_v not_o in_o truth_n a_o change_n of_o his_o will_n but_o a_o change_n in_o the_o object_n which_o only_o seem_v to_o make_v a_o diversification_n of_o the_o will_n but_o indeed_o be_v the_o same_o will_n diversify_v only_o in_o the_o habitude_n to_o the_o object_n the_o will_n of_o god_n be_v like_o a_o straight_o unalterable_a rule_n or_o line_n but_o the_o various_a comportment_n of_o the_o creature_n either_o thwart_v this_o rule_n or_o hold_v conformity_n to_o it_o occasion_n several_a habitude_n of_o this_o rule_n unto_o it_o we_o need_v no_o better_a explication_n hereof_o than_o that_o of_o the_o prophet_n ezechiel_n chap._n 33._o from_o the_o twelve_o to_o the_o twenty_o verse_n 4._o a_o change_n of_o action_n and_o operation_n in_o relation_n to_o some_o external_a object_n or_o terminate_v therein_o and_o such_o a_o change_n as_o this_o be_v consistent_a with_o a_o eternal_a be_v though_o the_o change_n happen_v in_o any_o give_a portion_n of_o time_n thus_o the_o almighty_a and_o eternal_a god_n create_v the_o world_n by_o his_o power_n and_o will_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o time_n and_o order_n govern_v and_o dispose_v of_o the_o thing_n by_o his_o providence_n in_o all_o the_o period_n of_o time_n and_o yet_o without_o any_o physical_a or_o real_a change_n in_o himself_o and_o thus_o he_o begin_v to_o be_v a_o creator_n when_o before_o he_o be_v not_o a_o creator_n and_o begin_v to_o be_v a_o governor_n of_o the_o world_n after_o it_o be_v make_v and_o exercise_v divers_a external_a act_n of_o his_o providence_n daily_o which_o before_o he_o do_v not_o for_o those_o various_a act_n of_o his_o be_v terminate_v in_o such_o object_n as_o neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v eternal_a namely_o the_o world_n and_o the_o government_n thereof_o and_o although_o he_o thereby_o gain_v a_o change_n of_o relation_n or_o relative_a denomination_n yet_o it_o be_v no_o real_a or_o physical_a change_n in_o himself_o for_o all_o relation_n arise_v from_o the_o supposition_n of_o existence_n of_o both_o the_o term_n of_o relation_n as_o between_o the_o creator_n and_o the_o thing_n create_v and_o the_o governor_n and_o thing_n govern_v and_o therefore_o although_o one_o of_o the_o term_n of_o that_o relation_n namely_o the_o eternal_a god_n have_v a_o eternal_a existence_n in_o his_o own_o absolute_a nature_n yet_o the_o world_n that_o be_v the_o other_o term_n of_o relation_n have_v no_o eternal_a existence_n but_o be_v create_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o time_n and_o the_o relation_n of_o a_o creator_n or_o governor_n must_v necessary_o therefore_o arise_v in_o time_n and_o not_o from_o eternity_n because_o one_o of_o the_o term_n of_o the_o relation_n namely_o the_o world_n have_v not_o any_o existence_n before_o time_n begin_v but_o in_o the_o eternal_a generation_n of_o the_o son_n and_o procession_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n the_o termini_fw-la relationis_fw-la be_v all_o eternal_a and_o consequent_o the_o relation_n of_o paternity_n and_o filiation_n between_o the_o first_o and_o second_o person_n and_o the_o relation_n between_o the_o sacred_a person_n of_o the_o trinity_n and_o the_o denomination_n thereof_o must_v needs_o be_v eternal_a because_o the_o term_n of_o relation_n between_o who_o that_o relation_n arise_v be_v eternal_a but_o it_o be_v not_o so_o between_o the_o eternal_a god_n and_o a_o temporary_a world_n for_o the_o relation_n can_v not_o arise_v till_o the_o world_n have_v a_o existence_n and_o a_o change_n or_o acquest_n of_o a_o new_a relation_n be_v not_o at_o all_o any_o real_a change_n in_o god_n but_o be_v a_o accident_n result_v from_o the_o existence_n of_o both_o the_o termini_fw-la and_o can_v be_v no_o ancient_a than_o the_o coexistence_n even_o of_o the_o late_a and_o new_a of_o those_o term_n which_o if_o begin_v in_o time_n must_v necessary_o produce_v a_o new_a relation_n yet_o without_o any_o real_a change_n in_o the_o pre-existing_a and_o eternal_a god_n and_o thus_o i_o have_v do_v with_o those_o physical_a and_o metaphysical_a evidence_n of_o the_o inception_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o mankind_n and_o against_o the_o eternity_n of_o both_o and_o although_o i_o shall_v descend_v in_o the_o ensue_a section_n to_o moral_a evidence_n of_o probability_n strong_o persuade_v the_o same_o truth_n yet_o i_o lay_v the_o principal_a weight_n and_o stress_n of_o this_o argument_n upon_o what_o be_v say_v in_o the_o precede_a chapter_n of_o this_o first_o section_n which_o though_o perchance_o they_o may_v have_v something_o of_o obscurity_n as_o be_v bottom_v upon_o and_o fetch_v from_o the_o true_a nature_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o and_o therefore_o not_o so_o obvious_a and_o plain_a to_o all_o capacity_n yet_o they_o have_v a_o concludency_n in_o they_o not_o inferior_a or_o at_o least_o little_a inferior_a to_o demonstration_n sect_n ii_o cap._n i._n the_o proof_n of_o fact_n that_o seem_v with_o the_o great_a moral_a evidence_n to_o evince_v the_o inception_n of_o mankind_n and_o first_o touch_v the_o antiquity_n or_o novity_n of_o history_n i_o have_v now_o do_v with_o those_o evidence_n that_o in_o my_o understanding_n seem_v quasi_fw-la ab_fw-la intrinseco_fw-la to_o evince_v the_o inception_n of_o mankind_n from_o that_o intrinsical_a incompossibility_n and_o inconsistency_n that_o the_o supposition_n of_o the_o eternal_a existence_n thereof_o bear_v with_o his_o nature_n i_o now_o descend_v to_o the_o examination_n of_o those_o evidence_n of_o fact_n which_o do_v or_o may_v seem_v to_o contribute_v to_o the_o proof_n of_o what_o be_v design_v namely_o novitatem_fw-la generis_fw-la humani_fw-la and_o although_o that_o evidence_n of_o fact_n of_o thing_n remote_a from_o our_o sense_n can_v be_v say_v infallible_a and_o demonstrative_a because_o the_o nature_n of_o such_o matter_n of_o fact_n simple_o as_o they_o be_v matter_n of_o fact_n be_v not_o capable_a as_o such_o of_o demonstration_n yet_o they_o may_v be_v evidence_n of_o high_a credibility_n and_o such_o as_o no_o reasonable_a man_n can_v with_o any_o just_a reason_n deny_v his_o assent_n unto_o they_o that_o which_o have_v be_v have_v as_o certain_o and_o infallible_o yea_o and_o as_o necessary_o be_v as_o that_o which_o be_v omne_fw-la quod_fw-la est_fw-la dum_fw-la est_fw-la necessariò_fw-la est_fw-la &_o omne_fw-la quod_fw-la fuit_fw-la cum_fw-la jam_fw-la preteriit_fw-la necessariò_fw-la fuit_fw-la quando_fw-la fuit_fw-la &_o in_o praeteritis_fw-la non_fw-la est_fw-la contingentia_fw-la only_o that_o which_o be_v and_o be_v obvious_a to_o sense_n have_v this_o advantage_n of_o evidence_n which_o that_o which_o have_v be_v want_n namely_o the_o immediate_a evidence_n of_o sense_n wherein_o though_o it_o be_v not_o universal_o impossible_a but_o that_o sense_n may_v be_v deceive_v yet_o because_o it_o be_v the_o best_a evidence_n that_o we_o have_v of_o matter_n of_o fact_n we_o give_v credit_n to_o it_o as_o a_o sensible_a evidence_n and_o we_o have_v reason_n so_o to_o do_v but_o of_o thing_n transact_v before_o our_o time_n and_o out_o of_o the_o
the_o learned_a philosopher_n know_v not_o a_o production_n ex_fw-la nihilo_fw-la by_o creation_n by_o the_o almighty_a god_n which_o break_v and_o tear_n in_o piece_n all_o those_o petite_fw-fr axiom_n and_o superstruction_n thereupon_o which_o they_o have_v be_v long_a time_n in_o weave_v and_o by_o which_o they_o form_v much_o of_o their_o philosophical_a speculation_n as_o the_o necessity_n of_o eternal_a matter_n because_o nothing_o be_v make_v of_o nothing_o the_o necessity_n of_o eternal_a motion_n because_o every_o motion_n must_v have_v some_o motion_n antecede_v the_o nature_n of_o possibility_n which_o and_o many_o more_o be_v desume_v from_o generation_n as_o it_o stand_v in_o the_o settle_a course_n of_o nature_n and_o fit_v and_o appropriate_v to_o it_o be_v no_o way_n applicable_a to_o the_o first_o origination_n and_o production_n of_o be_v by_o creation_n 5._o he_o give_v we_o the_o true_a efficient_a of_o be_v and_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o operation_n namely_o almighty_a god_n a_o most_o wise_a intelligent_a and_o free_a efficient_a and_o one_o that_o in_o the_o first_o production_n of_o thing_n do_v not_o work_v per_fw-la modum_fw-la naturae_fw-la or_o necessary_o or_o as_o a_o natural_a or_o necessary_a cause_n as_o the_o sun_n produce_v light_a but_o per_fw-la modum_fw-la intentionis_fw-la volitionis_fw-la &_o electionis_fw-la for_o he_o be_v before_o he_o create_v his_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n be_v in_o the_o beginning_n namely_o of_o time_n and_o create_v nature_n but_o he_o be_v before_o that_o beginning_n namely_o without_o all_o beginning_n but_o to_o pursue_v a_o little_a more_o distinct_o the_o order_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o thing_n positive_o and_o not_o bare_o negative_o the_o moysaicall_a history_n touch_v the_o creation_n seem_v to_o be_v as_o follow_v 1._o that_o in_o the_o beginning_n the_o first_o apex_n of_o time_n which_o begin_v with_o the_o be_v of_o matter_n almighty_a god_n create_v in_o one_o indivisible_a moment_n the_o first_o and_o common_a matter_n of_o all_o this_o mundus_fw-la aspectabilis_fw-la the_o heaven_n and_o earth_n verse_n 1._o 2._o that_o in_o that_o first_o creation_n and_o for_o some_o continuance_n of_o time_n or_o duration_n after_o this_o common_a matter_n of_o all_o thing_n lay_v indistinct_a and_o confuse_a together_o without_o any_o order_n or_o distinction_n express_v by_o those_o word_n gen._n 1.2_o and_o the_o earth_n be_v without_o form_n and_o void_a and_o darkness_n be_v upon_o the_o face_n of_o the_o deep_a and_o in_o this_o common_a mass_n and_o chaos_n be_v contain_v the_o constituent_a matter_n of_o the_o celestial_a and_o elementary_a world_n which_o salve_v the_o dispute_n touch_v the_o disparity_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o heavenly_a and_o elementary_a world_n which_o appear_v here_o to_o be_v the_o same_o in_o kind_n 3._o that_o this_o common_a matter_n have_v these_o deficiency_n in_o it_o in_o and_o for_o some_o time_n after_o its_o production_n 1._o it_o be_v without_o form_n and_o order_n 2._o it_o be_v without_o light_n 3._o it_o be_v without_o activity_n life_n or_o motion_n and_o 4._o all_o that_o superficies_n which_o it_o have_v bear_v the_o great_a analogy_n to_o water_n though_o in_o that_o vast_a abyss_n there_o be_v a_o confuse_a mixture_n of_o other_o matter_n 4._o that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n move_v upon_o the_o face_n of_o this_o great_a abyss_n incubavit_fw-la super_fw-la abyssi_fw-la faciem_fw-la what_o this_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v whether_o the_o essential_a spirit_n the_o third_z person_n in_o the_o holy_a trinity_n or_o whether_o it_o be_v a_o create_a spirit_n the_o spirit_n of_o nature_n or_o as_o some_o will_v have_v it_o the_o anima_fw-la mundi_fw-la create_v by_o god_n to_o digest_v inspire_v and_o communicate_v a_o active_a nature_n to_o this_o confuse_a mole_n as_o some_o earnest_o contend_v or_o whether_o this_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v any_o other_o than_o the_o emanation_n of_o his_o power_n i_o shall_v not_o determine_v but_o whatever_o it_o be_v this_o motion_n of_o the_o spirit_n upon_o the_o face_n of_o this_o abyss_n have_v these_o great_a intention_n and_o effect_n upon_o this_o confuse_a mole_n 1._o it_o derive_v into_o it_o motive_n power_n or_o energy_n whereby_o the_o part_n of_o it_o be_v agitate_a or_o move_v or_o at_o least_o render_v more_o obsequious_a to_o the_o agitation_n and_o motion_n of_o that_o active_a nature_n which_o be_v afterward_o create_v namely_o light_n or_o fire_n 2._o it_o do_v gradual_o digest_v and_o separate_v its_o part_n whereby_o they_o become_v more_o capable_a of_o disposition_n and_o order_n according_a to_o their_o several_a design_v and_o destine_v place_n position_n and_o use_n 3._o it_o do_v transfuse_v into_o this_o stupid_a dead_a and_o unactive_a mole_n certain_a activity_n and_o vital_a influence_n whereby_o it_o do_v in_o general_n affect_v that_o which_o aristotle_n call_v the_o common_a life_n of_o body_n namely_o motion_n and_o the_o several_a part_n thereof_o be_v impregnate_v with_o several_a kind_n of_o vital_a influence_n vary_v and_o diversify_v according_a to_o their_o several_a part_n and_o use_n as_o the_o gentle_a heat_n of_o the_o hen_n seem_v to_o communicate_v a_o vital_a influence_n to_o the_o egg_n only_o with_o this_o difference_n that_o the_o heat_n of_o the_o hen_n seem_v to_o excite_v a_o pre-existing_a vital_a principle_n in_o the_o egg_n rather_o than_o to_o give_v it_o but_o the_o incubation_n of_o this_o spirit_n of_o god_n do_v not_o so_o much_o excite_v as_o give_v a_o new_a vital_a power_n to_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o chaos_n as_o the_o vital_a soul_n in_o nature_n communicate_v vitality_n and_o activity_n to_o the_o seminal_a particle_n and_o this_o give_v we_o a_o account_n how_o activity_n and_o active_a form_n power_n or_o quality_n be_v derive_v into_o matter_n namely_o not_o from_o matter_n itself_o or_o such_o which_o be_v mere_o unactive_a and_o passive_a but_o from_o another_o principle_n namely_o the_o vigorous_a influx_n of_o this_o spirit_n that_o move_v upon_o the_o face_n of_o the_o water_n whereby_o it_o be_v apparent_a that_o the_o vis_fw-fr vigour_n activity_n or_o energy_n that_o be_v in_o natural_a body_n and_o in_o the_o universe_n as_o it_o come_v from_o no_o other_o principle_n than_o matter_n so_o it_o be_v a_o entity_n of_o a_o distinct_a nature_n from_o matter_n or_o material_a substance_n simple_o as_o such_o and_o indeed_o a_o entity_n of_o a_o noble_a extraction_n and_o nature_n than_o bare_a matter_n or_o material_a substance_n so_o that_o in_o this_o description_n hitherto_o contain_v the_o first_o stamina_n or_o rudiment_n of_o the_o universe_n we_o have_v 1._o the_o efficient_a thereof_o almighty_a god_n 2._o the_o manner_n of_o his_o efficiency_n herein_o namely_o creation_n ex_fw-la non_fw-la praeexistentibus_fw-la 3._o the_o matter_n of_o the_o universe_n thus_o by_o creation_n produce_v the_o confuse_a mole_n contain_v in_o itself_o the_o matter_n of_o all_o thing_n 4._o the_o disposition_n or_o rather_o indisposition_n of_o this_o matter_n dark_a stupid_a and_o unactive_a 5._o the_o plastic_a formative_a digest_v principle_n that_o pervade_v it_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n move_v upon_o the_o face_n of_o the_o water_n totósque_fw-la infusa_fw-la per_fw-la artus_fw-la mens_fw-la agitat_fw-la molem_fw-la the_o first_o rudiment_n of_o the_o world_n be_v thus_o lay_v and_o thus_o prepare_v and_o influence_v by_o the_o powerful_a energy_n and_o incubation_n of_o this_o spirit_n of_o god_n this_o divine_o inspire_v historian_n give_v we_o in_o the_o next_o place_n the_o next_o succeed_a order_n of_o almighty_a god_n produce_v and_o effectual_o raise_v out_o of_o this_o matter_n the_o great_a integral_n of_o the_o universe_n namely_o the_o etherial_a and_o elementary_a nature_n verse_n 3_o 4_o 5_o 6_o 7_o 8_o 9_o 10._o as_o in_o the_o order_n of_o reason_n it_o be_v but_o fit_a and_o convenient_a that_o the_o production_n and_o influence_n of_o the_o matter_n shall_v precede_v the_o division_n and_o distribution_n and_o orderly_o dispose_v thereof_o so_o it_o be_v equal_o reasonable_a and_o convenient_a that_o the_o great_a and_o more_o extensive_a part_n thereof_o shall_v be_v first_o lay_v out_o and_o dispose_v into_o their_o several_a station_n and_o order_n before_o the_o small_a and_o lesser_a portion_n of_o nature_n shall_v be_v either_o produce_v or_o settle_v and_o that_o the_o simple_a part_n of_o this_o great_a chaos_n shall_v be_v first_o extract_v before_o the_o mix_a and_o compound_v existence_n shall_v be_v settle_v for_o as_o the_o chaos_n and_o common_a lump_n of_o matter_n be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o first_o matter_n of_o all_o thing_n so_o the_o more_o simple_a and_o uncompounded_a part_n thereof_o the_o etherial_a and_o elementary_a nature_n be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o materia_fw-la secunda_fw-la or_o proxima_fw-la of_o the_o ensue_a production_n and_o in_o conformity_n to_o this_o first_o divine_a ordination_n of_o thing_n
while_n rest_v unmoveable_a and_o keep_v the_o same_o unaltered_a site_n or_o position_n in_o itself_o so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o coexistence_n of_o successive_a being_n with_o the_o indivisible_a fix_v permanent_a state_n of_o the_o glorious_a god_n but_o in_o all_o this_o there_o be_v nothing_o that_o answer_v or_o weaken_v the_o reason_n before_o give_v against_o the_o eternity_n of_o successive_a generation_n or_o individual_n which_o be_v not_o upon_o this_o account_n that_o that_o which_o be_v eternal_a can_v be_v extend_v to_o a_o great_a extent_n at_o the_o hithermost_a and_o conclude_a extreme_a as_o i_o may_v call_v it_o for_o at_o the_o hither_o end_v it_o be_v quasi_fw-la quid_fw-la finitum_fw-la but_o that_o those_o being_n that_o must_v by_o their_o successive_a existence_n excrescere_fw-la in_o multitudinem_fw-la sive_fw-la numerum_fw-la can_v be_v eternal_a upon_o a_o certain_a intrinsic_a incongruity_n between_o multitude_n and_o number_n of_o the_o one_o part_n and_o infinite_a of_o the_o other_o part_n but_o in_o the_o eternal_a duration_n of_o the_o glorious_a god_n there_o be_v neither_o multitude_n nor_o so_o much_o as_o succession_n and_o this_o be_v my_o second_o answer_n 3._o my_o three_o answer_n be_v this_o that_o although_o it_o may_v be_v and_o certain_o be_v consistent_a with_o a_o eternal_a duration_n that_o it_o may_v be_v short_a or_o it_o may_v be_v long_o upon_o the_o hither_o end_v thereof_o namely_o that_o extreme_a wherein_o it_o be_v finite_a as_o be_v before_o show_v yet_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o very_a notion_n of_o a_o eternal_a duration_n to_o be_v long_o or_o short_a à _fw-la parte_fw-la ante_fw-la in_o the_o extreme_a or_o remote_a part_n thereof_o as_o i_o may_v call_v it_o for_o upon_o that_o supposition_n it_o shall_v be_v utrinque_fw-la clausa_fw-la terminate_v in_o the_o moment_n wherein_o i_o write_v and_o terminate_v or_o limit_v by_o a_o antecedent_n be_v or_o duration_n of_o something_o else_o with_o reverence_n be_v it_o speak_v if_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o compass_n of_o nature_n may_v bear_v a_o eternal_a creation_n yet_o if_o that_o creation_n be_v but_o a_o moment_n after_o the_o divine_a existence_n that_o create_v be_v can_v not_o be_v eternal_a because_o it_o have_v a_o pre-existence_n of_o the_o divine_a be_v before_o it_o nay_o though_o i_o use_v the_o expression_n of_o a_o antecedent_n moment_n to_o render_v my_o conception_n yet_o that_o very_o imaginable_a moment_n must_v be_v a_o infinite_a duration_n antecedent_n to_o that_o create_v be_v and_o it_o can_v not_o possible_o be_v otherwise_o for_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v otherwise_o it_o will_v consequent_o deny_v the_o eternity_n of_o god_n himself_o for_o that_o create_v be_v be_v impossible_a to_o be_v eternal_a since_o it_o must_v ex_fw-la suppositione_n have_v a_o pre-existing_a moment_n of_o the_o divine_a existence_n if_o that_o mora_fw-la prae-existentiae_a divinae_fw-la be_v not_o eternal_a but_o a_o moment_n or_o any_o limit_a duration_n less_o than_o eternal_a and_o infinite_a it_o will_v be_v but_o a_o addition_n of_o a_o limit_a time_n to_o a_o limit_a or_o non-eternal_a time_n and_o therefore_o can_v be_v eternal_a and_o here_o by_o the_o way_n the_o eternal_a incomprehensible_a generation_n of_o the_o son_n and_o procession_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n be_v no_o way_n concern_v in_o this_o dispute_n which_o be_v not_o create_v being_n nor_o distinct_a from_o the_o divine_a essence_n or_o essential_o distinct_a from_o one_o another_o but_o one_o incomprehensible_a god_n bless_v for_o ever_o though_o under_o a_o personal_a distinction_n this_o therefore_o be_v the_o true_a state_n of_o the_o matter_n the_o reason_n herein_o give_v do_v not_o at_o all_o infirm_a the_o important_a reason_n against_o the_o eternity_n of_o mankind_n because_o necessary_o there_o will_v upon_o such_o a_o supposition_n follow_v a_o eternity_n that_o have_v a_o beginning_n a_o eternity_n that_o be_v puisne_n to_o some_o other_o thing_n or_o some_o other_o eternal_a and_o that_o although_o that_o duration_n which_o be_v infinite_a in_o one_o extreme_a namely_o à _fw-la parte_fw-la ante_fw-la and_o finite_a at_o another_o extreme_a namely_o by_o the_o present_a time_n may_v have_v a_o increase_n accession_n or_o addition_n in_o that_o part_n in_o which_o it_o be_v finite_a yet_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o it_o shall_v have_v any_o thing_n before_o it_o in_o that_o extreme_a wherein_o it_o be_v infinity_o and_o eternity_n consist_v this_o be_v the_o chief_a stress_n of_o the_o former_a debate_n which_o be_v no_o way_n impugn_a by_o the_o instance_n here_o give_v for_o the_o glorious_a god_n and_o his_o eternal_a existence_n be_v such_o that_o it_o have_v not_o can_v have_v any_o thing_n antecedent_n to_o it_o neither_o be_v it_o measure_v by_o successive_a part_n but_o be_v simple_o eternal_a infinite_a before_o all_o thing_n without_o beginning_n of_o be_v or_o duration_n as_o well_o as_o without_o end_n and_o such_o a_o duration_n as_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o suppose_v any_o thing_n before_o it_o or_o any_o thing_n equal_o ancient_a to_o it_o but_o ever_o be_v and_o ever_o have_v be_v or_o existence_n that_o be_v eternal_o and_o immutable_o the_o same_o what_o once_o he_o be_v he_o ever_o be_v still_o be_v and_o ever_o shall_v be_v 5._o a_o five_o objection_n be_v this_o that_o because_o we_o have_v former_o suppose_v that_o nothing_o can_v possible_o be_v eternal_a and_o together_o with_o it_o have_v variety_n of_o operation_n the_o glorious_a eternal_a god_n have_v variety_n of_o operation_n in_o all_o the_o work_n of_o creation_n and_o providence_n his_o emanant_fw-la action_n and_o also_o in_o the_o counsel_n and_o determination_n of_o his_o will_n his_o immanent_a action_n and_o therefore_o the_o position_n seem_v to_o be_v derogatory_n to_o the_o eternity_n of_o almighty_a god_n i_o have_v not_o insert_v this_o objection_n but_o for_o the_o full_a vindication_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o to_o show_v that_o it_o no_o way_n in_o the_o least_o imaginable_a degree_n derogate_v from_o the_o truth_n concern_v god_n i_o therefore_o answer_v that_o when_o we_o be_v speak_v of_o alteration_n or_o change_n it_o may_v reasonable_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v one_o of_o these_o kind_n 1._o a_o alteration_n that_o with_o it_o carry_v a_o change_n of_o the_o nature_n or_o essence_n of_o a_o thing_n and_o thus_o in_o a_o large_a sense_n generation_n or_o corruption_n or_o the_o essential_a change_n of_o any_o thing_n or_o be_v into_o another_o thing_n thus_o corporeal_a matter_n under_o any_o determinate_a form_n be_v changeable_a and_o such_o a_o mutability_n be_v impossible_a to_o be_v consistent_a with_o eternity_n and_o it_o be_v thus_o impossible_a for_o the_o glorious_a god_n to_o be_v subject_a to_o any_o change_n for_o he_o necessary_o and_o therefore_o eternal_o exist_v and_o must_v ever_o exist_v 2._o a_o alteration_n of_o state_n or_o condition_n of_o any_o be_v which_o yet_o as_o to_o its_o essential_a condition_n persist_v as_o before_o thus_o body_n be_v every_o moment_n change_v sometime_o in_o quality_n as_o from_o hot_a to_o cold_a sometime_o in_o figure_n sometime_o in_o dimension_n as_o the_o motion_n of_o augmentation_n and_o diminution_n a_o child_n grow_v unto_o the_o stature_n of_o a_o youth_n and_o then_o of_o a_o man_n and_o such_o being_n as_o these_o can_v sustain_v a_o eternal_a duration_n à _fw-la parte_fw-la ante_fw-la and_o in_o this_o respect_n the_o ever-glorious_a god_n be_v perfect_o unchangeable_a without_o so_o much_o as_o a_o shadow_n of_o change_n but_o eternal_o and_o immutable_o the_o same_o 3._o a_o change_n of_o the_o internal_a and_o immanent_a act_n of_o the_o understanding_n and_o will_n in_o a_o be_v endue_v therewith_o as_o to_o know_v that_o which_o before_o it_o know_v not_o to_o will_v purpose_n or_o determine_v what_o before_o it_o will_v not_o or_o purpose_v not_o the_o schoolman_n be_v indeed_o many_o of_o they_o a_o generation_n of_o man_n that_o think_v they_o can_v give_v a_o estimate_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o divine_a operation_n even_o those_o that_o be_v immanent_a when_o yet_o god_n know_v it_o be_v more_o possible_a for_o the_o infant_n of_o a_o span_n long_o to_o discern_v and_o understand_v and_o define_v and_o determine_v the_o most_o sublime_a and_o abstruse_a notion_n of_o the_o most_o seraphical_a doctor_n than_o for_o such_o a_o doctor_n to_o give_v a_o estimate_n of_o the_o hide_a operation_n of_o the_o divine_a intellect_n and_o will_n and_o therefore_o they_o be_v too_o bold_a to_o adventure_v upon_o such_o determination_n touch_v these_o operation_n of_o the_o glorious_a god_n and_o in_o the_o upshot_n arrive_v at_o nothing_o touch_v they_o but_o presumptuous_a uncertain_a and_o dangerous_a speculation_n and_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v so_o for_o as_o the_o heaven_n be_v high_a than_o the_o earth_n so_o and_o much_o