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Away from me are those who deny the Divinity, who do not attribute this inexpressible goodness in the universe to any all-creating and all-containing Essence! Away from me also are those who recognize a whole swarm of gods, or the dominion of good and evil spirits! Away from me are those who deny Providence, as if they are afraid to receive salvation from God; but on the contrary, everything in the world is either attributed to fickle striving, or subordinated to the movement of the stars. But how and by whom are the stars set in motion? If God moves them, then why is it that God moves first? He who has tied something can also untie it. And if it is not God who moves; How can they establish themselves in the absence of beginning, or in the struggle with the Most Perfect? And how can there not be a struggle here? For denial of Providence is rebellion against God. Can you really say that God is subject to fate and involuntarily bears violent bonds on Himself? Thus, these speculators become entangled in their own teachings. But we have one God who rules this universe as He pleases; He Himself, according to His own movements and laws, wisely sets everything in motion and mutual connection, although, apparently, not everything goes well. For, both in ancient times and now, many of the wisest people found the inconsistencies noticeable in life here difficult. And is it necessary to list everyone? Look what David experiences within himself (Psalm 73)! Seeing that the evil ones act, in their opinion, successfully, he comes into strong hesitation, and is afraid that another will leave the very nature of things to blind striving, and think that there is no one in charge over us. However, David also knows the solution to the problem. He says: look at the end of every person, how it corresponds to life. You have sown; You will also see the ear of your crop. And if you don’t know the laws; this does not mean that the Word does not know them either. For if you do not know painting; It should not be that the painter does not know it either. Or, if you are unfamiliar with the properties of lines; they should not be as unknown to the geometer as they are to you. You yourself have comprehended some things, but you have agreed with others wisely. And that is already a sign of reason, to submit to reason. If everything is clear; then tell me: where is the place for faith? For faith is unquestioning agreement. And I (and perhaps wisely) reason this way: when you joined, I promised you not this, not wealth, not carelessness, not bodily health, or prosperity, but a blessed life and expected benefits, so that you, in return for the present, would expect more for yourself. Will it be fair, for example, when buying something, to demand the purchased item and keep its price? Do you alone need such preference over everyone else? But this would mean excessive insatiability and extraordinary pretentiousness. Either give back what you bought, my dear, or pay the price, if you must stand by your word, and you do not give up on excellent conditions. You will say: why did the ancients have these benefits? “Then faith had not yet taken root; the present served as evidence of the mental image: in the same way, infants are fed milk until they grow up. And the proof of this is that at that time very important crimes were in some way excusable; and not very high virtues were respected, so that the dignity on both sides was balanced; the punishments imposed by the wise exceeded the measure. David, Moses and Elisha, whose name I pronounce with trepidation, will convince you of this. One was easily punished for his sins; another, for small merits, was awarded the sight of God, accepted the law from God, and saved a great army; the third, for a minor insult, and, moreover, the children, beyond expectation, rewarded them with a severe punishment. The law was so secret back then! Thus, cleansing was accomplished by the blood of victims, and cleansing of defiled flesh by unimportant sprinkling! So it was considered perfection to avoid the bad, even if nothing else was added! And all this because piety for those who lived then was confined within narrow limits. Should I tell you something more important than what has been said so far? And I will say this. They did not have the gift that we have in the sufferings of God, in the Lamb slain for my sins. Therefore their labor was greater; and if more, then agree that they should have received a greater reward for their labors; but we should do less because we have more funds. But instead of everything and first of all, it is also necessary to say: Do not praise too much the well-being of this life, as one has been taught to think about what is more important than what is visible. Look: isn’t the difficult path leading me to the heights, and the convenience of the path leading you to the rapids? For me, emaciated flesh is better than your fat one. Have you sometimes seen oxen in the corral? One is tall, fierce, shiny with fat, holding his head high; the other has his head down to the ground, is wrinkled, ugly, wears the signs of agriculture: and the first is saved for slaughter; and the second feeds both himself and the master. Which of them, in your opinion, has the best lot: is it not the emaciated one, or the broken one? This goes without saying. But you love what is broadened, even if it in itself is bad and leads to bad things. Will you really begin to praise the thickness of someone suffering from waterborne illness? Will a man with a crazy mind really seem like a strong man to you? Do sweets really have to be a life-saving medicine? Bitter often saved many people, but sweets often make matters worse. For a smart son, isn't the parental rod worthy of respect? But isn’t condescension evil for him? He who is not a son does not know even the blows of the rod. What if you, like Job, strive for crowns? Repeat this to yourself more often, and it will not be difficult for you to find consolation for yourself in your labors, and gain hope through your gratitude. Only a thin slave can show respect to his master when he smiles, and consider him evil when he strikes. I must accept without grumbling, wherever the helm is turned, with which God drives me out of struggle and life, until I enter a quiet harbor, unless He built this ship in vain, but for a good and successful end. You might be interested in: