The Proof of God’s Existence

“Words are like leaves, and where they most abound,
Much fruit of sense beneath is rarely found.” Alexander Pope, An Essay on Criticism.

The aim below, ’tis my wish and my hope:
Comply with the decree of Master Pope,
And squander not words, nor waste precious time,
And blight not Doctrine put to verse and rhyme.
For Canons ought not the foolish to bear;
So, please God, as I write this prayer,
Give content, balance, junction to each part,
And let faith be enhanc’d by reason’s art.

Ye Gods of Science: Haste! to reason, fly!
Lest tyrant, Madame Hubris, blind thine eyes.
The Anarch Chance hath sapp’d thy wits.
Hap bangs, self-mintage account not a whit.
Make haste, end affair soiling all thy gains.
Molt cocksure plume, the ordure of big brains.
“For fools rush in where angels fear to tread.”
Let meekness guide thee safely in pride’s stead.
And understand, please, there must needs be here
Much more than objects of sense, matter mere.
Muse on it, thy reflection will assess
Materialism, crass guide, you’ll soon love less.
If there be doubt, consider please anew,
From gentle censure, this we plead to you:
Here proofs of God’s existence thee to sift,
Which, if no more, persuasion’s burden shift
To ye agnosticks, scepticks, cav’lers still,
We offer the Angelic Doctor’s Bill;
Particulars his, set précis in form,
Hark! Oyez! Lo! Aquin’s exordium,
His a posterioris, from effect, cause.
When effect’s better perceiv’d than the cause,
We learn causation via consequences.
If effect exist, some cause predispenses.
So far as God be not self-evident,
Here demonstrations quia, five anent:
First Motion, next Efficient Cause present’d,
Necessary and Possibles augment’d,
Perfection and Gradations fourth averr’d,
Intelligent Design he fifth inferr’d.
Neglect we not the other proofs devis’d
Two ontologicals, a prioris.
From Anselm first, and second à la Descartes.
From cause to effect reasonings impart
And one from conscience Newman had assay’d
Eight short refreshers that ought you persuade.