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was Shem, one of the sons of Noah, who had been given the
courage to do so. And Shem continued in this way and strove,
so that by his wisdom he rediscovered one part of astronomy.
After him was Abraham, who also found a large part of it,
and after that there were others, who committed their lives
as best they could to the task until they had the principles
and the reasons of the seven arts. After that came Plato
the wise and most superior in philosophy, and his student (see note),
named Aristotle the wise. This Plato was the most expert of
all those doing scholarship in the world, whether those who came
before him or after him. He proved, first of all, that
there is only one sovereign Lord, who makes all things
and from whom all things come. And again, his books
show convincingly (see note) that, as there is but one sovereign Lord,
it is indeed Our Lord God who makes all things.
And in this one truth he proved the right truth,
for he proved His power, wisdom, and goodness.
These three kinds of grace (see note) are claimed by all Christians to
be the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Of the Father,
he spoke of power. Of the Son, wisdom. Of the Holy
Spirit, goodwill. And Aristotle, who came afterwards,