(17) To make such an affirmation
about a being absolutely infinite and supremely perfect, is absurd;
therefore, neither in the nature of God; nor externally to his nature,
can a cause or reason be assigned which would annul his existence.
(11:18) Therefore, God necessarily exists. Q.E.D.
Another proof.- (11:19) The potentiality of non-existence is a negation
of power, and contrariwise the potentiality of existence is a power, as
is obvious. (20) If, then, that which necessarily exists is nothing but
finite beings, such finite beings are more powerful than a being
absolutely infinite, which is obviously absurd; therefore, either nothing
exists, or else a being absolutely infinite necessarily exists also.
(11:21) Now we exist either in ourselves, or in something else which
necessarily exists (see [A.i] and [vii] ) (22) Therefore a being
absolutely infinite, in other words, God ([D.vi] ), necessarily exists.
Q.E.D.
Note. - (11:23) In this last proof, I have purposely shown God's existence
a posteriori, so that the proof might be more easily followed, not because,
from the same premises, God's existence does not follow a priori.
(11:24) For, as the potentiality of existence is a power, it follows that,
in proportion as reality increases in the nature of a thing, so also will
it increase its strength for existence. (25) Therefore a being absolutely
infinite, such as God, has from himself an absolutely infinite power of
existence, and hence he does absolutely exist.
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