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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012
We must not criticize the ordinary way of speaking about providence. The principal general laws by which God governs the world. God's providence in the infallibility He preserves for His church.
I. ARISTES. Ah, Theodore! How beautiful and noble the idea of providence you have given me appears! But, further, how fertile and luminous it is, how suited to silencing the freethinkers and the impious! Never has a principle had more advantageous consequences for religion and morality. What light is spread by this wonderful principle, what difficulties it dispels! All those effects which contradict one another in the order of nature and in that of grace indicate no contradiction in the cause which produces them; on the contrary, they are so many evident proofs of the uniformity of God's conduct. All those ills which afflict us, all those disorders which appal us, all this accords easily with the wisdom, the goodness, the justice of Him who rules everything. I would have the wicked removed who live among the good, but I patiently await the consummation of time, the day of the harvest, that great day destined to render to all according to their deeds. God's work must be executed by ways which bear the character of His attributes. At present I admire the majestic course of general providence.
THEODORE. I see, Aristes, that you have closely and happily followed the principle which I have explained to you over these few days, for you still appear quite affected by it.
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