Works of Hermes Trismegistus
Attributed sayings of the legendary Egyptian sage Hermes Trismegistus, described as "nearly contemporary with Moses." Lapide cites his cosmological metaphor of the universe as a book of divinity.
Preface and Praise of Sacred Scripture
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Section One
— Hermes Trismegistus quoted: the universe is a book of divinity
"That famous Egyptian Theologian, nearly contemporary with Moses, Mercury, in the opinion of the Gentiles called Trismegistus, long pondering within himself by what method he might most fittingly describe the universe, at last burst forth with this: "The universe," he said, "is a book of divinity, and this dimly-lit age is a mirror of divine things.""
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Moses as the Most Ancient Theologian, Philosopher, Poet, and Historian
— Mercury Trismegistus identified as the most ancient of all Gentile sages, grandson of the elder Mercury, contemporary of Moses
"For this Mercury Trismegistus, says Saint Augustine, in book 18 of The City of God, chapter 39, was the grandson of the elder Mercury, whose maternal grandfather was Atlas the astrologer, and a contemporary of Prometheus, and he flourished at the time when Moses lived."
Chapter I (The Six Days of Creation)
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God (Elohim): Thirteen Definitions
— Quoted on matter being subtler than air, soul than air, mind than soul, God than mind
""Matter is more subtle than air, the soul more than air, the mind more than the soul, God Himself more than the mind," says Hermes Trismegistus."