On Eternity

1. Were it true that eternity did not exist,

whatever does exist would have its origins within itself

and non-being would constitute its <own> potentiality.

 

2. Without doubt, then, does eternity exist,

wherein must reside

<the> eternifier, <the> eternifiable and eternifying.

 

3. Were eternifying not to obtain within eternity,

the power <of the latter> would be too meagre as well as idle,

and it would fail to be loveable and glorious.

 

4. To eternify must pertain to eternity,

in the absence of which <former> the understood and the beloved

would not suffice for eternifying.

 

5. It is pleasing to remember

within eternity <the act of> eternifying

in relation to generation and spiration.^[1]

 

6.  It is dreadful to consider

<having to> abide in eternal fire,

under the wrath of God without <the prospect of> forgiveness.

 

7. By virtue of His eternity God enjoys greater power

over the goodness of His nature

than <He does> over any good that He has created.

 

8. Were it true that eternity had its equal,

in virtue of the latter God would not be singular,

and infinitising would be of greater worth than would eternifying.

 

9. Whoever says that the world is not created

has no knowledge of eternity,

<inasmuch as> he does not know the equality <that obtains> between the infinite and the eternal.

 

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