After treating of the procession of the divine persons, we must consider the procession of creatures from God.
This consideration will be threefold: (1) of the production of creatures; (2) of the distinction between them; (3) of their preservation and government.
Concerning the first point there are three things to be considered: (1) the first cause of beings; (2) the mode of procession of creatures from the first cause; (3) the principle of the duration of things.
Under the first head there are four points of inquiry:
A[1] Whether God is the efficient cause of all beings?
A[2] Whether primary matter is created by God, or is an independent coordinate principle with Him?
A[3] Whether God is the exemplar cause of beings or whether there are other exemplar causes?
A[4] Whether He is the final cause of things?
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