oof of the power of the Eternal Almighty
One, because, if there were no power, weakness could not be imagined. Then
the weakness of the creature is a proof of the power of God; for if there
were no power, there could be no weakness; so from this weakness it
becomes evident that there is power in the world. Again, in the contingent
world there is poverty; then necessarily wealth exists, since poverty is
apparent in the world. In the contingent world there is ignorance;
necessarily knowledge exists, because ignorance is found; for if there
were no knowledge, neither would there be ignorance. Ignorance is the
nonexistence of knowledge, and if there were no existence, nonexistence
could not be realized.

It is certain that the whole contingent world is subjected to a law and
rule which it can never disobey; even man is forced to submit to death, to
sleep and to other conditions--that is to say, man in certain particulars
is governed, and necessarily this state of being governed implies the
existence of a governor. Because a characteristic of contingent beings is
dependency, and this dependency is an essential necessity, therefore,
there must be an independent being whose independence is essential.

In the same way it is understood from the man who is sick that there must
be one who is in health; for if there were no health, his sickness could
not be proved.

Therefore, it becomes evident that there is an Eternal Almighty One, Who
is the possessor of all perfections, because unless He possessed all
perfections He would be like His creation.

Throughout the world of existence it is the same; the smallest created
thing proves that there is a creator. For instance, this piece of bread
proves that it has a maker.

Praise be to God! the least change produced in the form of the smallest
thing proves the existence of a creator: then can this great universe,
which is endless, be self-created and come into existence from the action
of matter and the elements? How self-evidently wrong is such a
supposition!

These obvious arguments are adduced for weak souls; but if the inner
perception be open, a hundred thousand clear proofs become visible. Thus,
when man feels the indwelling spirit, he is in no need of arguments for
its existence; but for those who are deprived of the bounty of the spirit,
it is necessary to establish external arguments.

3: THE NEED OF AN EDUCATOR

When we consider existence, we see that the miner