| ### QUESTION 44 ### THE PROCESSION OF CREATURES FROM GOD, AND OF THE FIRST CAUSE OF ALL THINGS ###  |

| #### Prologue |

| #### #### 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: #### (1) Whether God is the efficient cause of all beings? #### (2) Whether primary matter is created by God, or is an independent coordinate principle with Him? #### (3) Whether God is the exemplar cause of beings or whether there are other exemplar causes? #### (4) Whether He is the final cause of things? ####  |