Page:The Philosophy of Creation.djvu/98

 law. Law is not a power, but a rule according to which power acts. Consequently law alone is not the Creator, for a mere principle is essentially nothing; that is, a principle abstracted from its subject is without substantial existence. Yet there is nothing that escapes law. It comprehends every particle of matter as well as the universe. Since law characterizes every created thing, it is conclusive that law is an attribute of the Creator; but as creation itself is more than law, for it has a substantial being, so must be the Creator. If the Creator were naught but law, there would be no way to account for the power inherent in matter and in material forms that manifests itself according to law. Nature is more than law, for it has a substantial existence. The Creator is greater than the thing created, consequently we may know that while law is an attribute of the Creator's acting, the Creator, like nature, is more than law.

Is the Creator, or First Cause, a quality? Qualities cannot exist apart from substance. If the Creator were but a quality, He would be nothing. Yet the Creator, whatever He is, gives to created things their respective qualities, which we at once see would be impossible if the Creator