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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secondary natures together with a firm establishment in their causes,
make a progression from them. There is likewise one series and
alliance of all things; secondary natures always subsisting from those
prior to them, through similitude. After what manner, therefore, the
intelligible and at the same time intellectual Gods, unfold themselves
into light from the intelligible Gods, may through these things be
recollected.
CHAPTER III.
In the next place, let us show how they are divided in their
progressions, and what difference the triads of these Gods are allotted
with respect to the intelligible triads. These Gods, therefore,
are also divided triply, after the above mentioned manner; being
conjoined indeed to the intelligible, through their summit; but to the
intellectual through their end; and through the middle bond of the
extremes, being allotted the peculiarity of each equally, and extending
to both the intelligible and intellectual genera of Gods, as the centre
of these twofold orders, uniformly containing the communion of wholes.
They are likewise divided triply, because in these all things, viz.
essence, life, and intellect, are vitally, in the same manner as they
are intelligibly in the Gods prior to them, and intellectually in the
Gods that derive their subsistence from these. And essence indeed is
the intelligible of life; but life is the middle and at the same time
the peculiarity of this order; and intellect is the extremity, and that
which is proximately carried in intellectuals as in a vehicle. All
things therefore subsisting in these Gods, there will be a division of
them into first, middle, and last genera. And in the third place, they
are divided triply, because it is necessary that life should abide,
proceed, and be converted to its principles; since of beings, the first
triad was said to establish all things, and prior to other things
the second triad. Eternity, therefore, abides stably in the first
triad. But the triad posterior to this, is the supplier to wholes [and
therefore to all things,] of progression, motion, and life according
to energy. And the third triad is the supplier of conversion to the
one, and of perfection which convolves all secondary natures to their
principles. Hence it is necessary that the intelligible and at the
same time intellectual Gods, should primarily participate of these
three powers, and should abide indeed in the summit of themselves; but
proceeding from thence, and extending themselves to all things, should
again be converted to the intelligible place of survey, and conjoin to
the beginning of their generation the end of their whole progression.