The six books of Proclus, the Platonic successor, on the theology of Plato (vol. 1 of 2) : $b translated from the Greek, to which a seventh book is added, in order to supply the deficiency of another book on this subject, which was written by Proclus, but since lost, also, a translation from the Greek of Proclus' Elements of theology, to which are added a translation of the treatise of Proclus, On providence and fate, a translation of extracts from his treatise, entitled, Ten doubts concerning
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to its cause, and a departure from the first principle.
Again therefore, in addition to what has been said, we shall assert
this which possesses the most indubitable truth, that prior to the
causes which are participated, it is every where necessary that
imparticipable causes should have a prior subsistence in the whole
of things. For if it is necessary that a cause should have the same
relation to its progeny as _the one_ to all the nature of beings, and
that it should naturally possess this order towards things secondary;
but _the one_ is imparticipable, being similarly exempt from all
beings, as unically producing all things;--if this be the case, it is
requisite that every other cause which imitates the transcendency of
_the one_ with respect to all things, should be exempt from the natures
which are in secondary ranks, and which are participated by them. And
again, as equivalent to this, it is requisite that every imparticipable
and primary cause should establish monads of secondary natures similar
to itself, prior to such as are dissimilar. I say, for instance, it
is requisite that one soul should distribute many souls to different
natures; and one intellect participated intellects to many souls. For
thus the first exempt genus will every where have an order analogous
to _the one_. And secondary natures which participate kindred causes
will be analogous to these causes, and through the similitude of these
will be conjoined with their imparticipable principle. Hence prior
to the forms which are in other things, those are established which
subsist in themselves; exempt causes prior to such as are coordinate;
and imparticipable monads prior to such as are participable. And
consequently (as that which is demonstrated at the same time with this)
the exempt causes are generative of the coordinate, and imparticipable
natures extend participable monads to their progeny. And natures which
subsist from themselves produce the powers which are resident in other
things. These things therefore being discussed, let us consider how
each of the divine genera subsists through analogy,[161] and survey
following Plato himself, what are the first and most total orders of
the Gods. For having discovered and demonstrated this, we shall perhaps
be able to perceive the truth concerning these several orders.