BENEDICT DE SPINOZA AND GOD

"Therefore, a Being absolutely infinite, such as God, has from Himself an absolutely infinite power of existence, and hence He does absolutely exist. "

(Elwes, 1951, 53)

"Therefore, we cannot be more certain of the existence of anything, than the existence of a being absolutely infinite or perfect -- that is, of God."

(Ibid, 53)

"As God is a being absolutely infinite, of whom no attribute that expresses the essence of substance can be denied, and He, necessarily exists, if any substance besides God were granted, it would have to be explained by some attribute of God, and thus, two substances with the same attribute would exist, which is absurd; therefore, besides God no substance can be granted, or, consequently, be conceived. If it could be conceived, it would necessarily, have to be conceived as existent; but this...is absurd. Therefore, besides God no substance can be granted or conceived."

(Ibid, 5)

"Besides God no substance is granted or can be conceived."

(Ibid, 55)

"God is the efficient cause of all that can fall within the sphere of an infinite intellect."

(Ibid, 59)

"Without God nothing can be conceived."

(Ibid, 60)

"Wherefore the omnipotence of God has been displayed from all eternity, and will for all eternity remain in the same activity."

(Ibid, 61)

"The intellect of God is...the cause of things, both of their essence and of their existence."

(Ibid, 61)

"God and His attributes are eternal."

(Ibid, 63)

"God and His attributes are unchangeable."

(Ibid, 63)

"God must be the sole cause, inasmuch as to Him alone does existence appertain."

(Ibid, 66)

"Things have been brought into being by God in the highest perfection, inasmuch as they have necessarily followed from a most perfect nature."

(Ibid, 71)

"Whatsoever exists expresses God's nature or essence in an even conditioned matter; That is, whatsoever exists, expresses in an even conditioned manner God's power."

(Ibid, 74)

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