On the Mysteries of the Egyptians - Pimander - Asclepius

...within the first principles, and superior things lead the inferior as models original: "exemplaria." In Neoplatonism, physical things are mere copies of perfect, divine "exemplars" or Forms.. Certainly, the inferior is produced by the superior, and essence essence: the fundamental nature or "what-ness" of a being and species original: "species." This refers to the formal structure or "look" that defines what a thing is. are simultaneously present in the inferior; and in general, subsequent things are produced first within the better things. Therefore, order and measure in subsequent things depend upon those superior things, and not the reverse. Thus, the properties of the superior are not to be defined by the inferior. An incorporeal essence, therefore, cannot be distinguished by corporeal qualities with which it has nothing in common. Divine principles original: "principia diuina" grant to their works not only essence, but their entire distinction and formal order. Essence, which is present in bodies non-locally original: "non localiter." Iamblichus is arguing that spirit does not take up physical space like a liquid in a jar., is not distinguished by physical locations; and because it is not restricted by the specific boundaries of its subjects, it is not contained in any particular way by the parts of the world. Incorporeal nature is suddenly present wherever it wishes, with nothing anywhere to hinder it.

Much more so is divinity, which is not confined by any limit from being everywhere. Furthermore, the things which exist among us cannot come to be or be formed unless a certain single demiurgic power original: "virtus opifex." The power of the "Demiurge" or divine craftsman who shapes the material world. and a participation in the formal species is spread through all things. Finally, unless divine things were everywhere, the efficacy of sacrifice original: "sacrificij virtus" would be destroyed, for sacrifice consists in a certain communion of the gods with men original: "communione deorum ad homines." This is a central theme: if gods are too distant or local, the rituals of the Egyptian religion would not work.. The gods from this...