God
‹ 6 · Outline · 8 ›
7.Divine providence and the government of the world
7a.Providence over nature and the universal order
See also: Fate 9a
Confucius, The Sayings of ConfuciusVol. 44
- p. 59–60Heaven acts silently through the seasons.read · scan
Aeschylus, AgamemnonVol. 8
- p. 71–72Aegisthus says the gods above have care of men and heed earthly wrongs.read · scan
The Book of JobVol. 44
- p. 133–134God's questions to Job display his providence over light, snow, rain, stars and the beasts.read · scan
- p. 135God shows his providence and power in creatures Job cannot make or control; he withheld wisdom from the ostrich.read · scan
The Book of PsalmsVol. 44
- p. 282God commands the storm and calms it, turns land fertile or barren, humbles princes and raises the needy.read · scan
- p. 309–311Jehovah surrounds and protects those who trust him; unless he builds the house and keeps the city, human labor is vain.read · scan
Ecclesiastes; or, The PreacherVol. 44
- p. 342–343God made prosperity and adversity side by side so man cannot know the future; he who fears God escapes.read · scan
Luke, The Gospel According to LukeVol. 44
- p. 387–388God feeds ravens and clothes lilies; the Father cares for his own and gives the kingdom.read · scan
Epictetus, The Golden Sayings of EpictetusVol. 2
- p. 126The Disposer has ordered summer and winter, plenty and dearth, vice and virtue, opposites for the harmony of the whole.read · scan
- p. 129God's command governs the seasons and growth of trees; earthly and heavenly things are in unison under Him.read · scan
- p. 161–162God made all men for felicity and constancy of good.read · scan
- p. 168–169All that happens is directed by God for the good of one's true country.read · scan
- p. 171God made the world perfect and unhindered, its parts serving the whole; man should give thanks for all things.read · scan
- p. 175The gods govern the universe with goodness and justice, by perfect understanding.read · scan
Tacitus, GermanyVol. 33
- p. 114The grove is where the supreme Governor of the world resides, all things subject to him.read · scan
Marcus Aurelius, The Meditations of Marcus AureliusVol. 2
- p. 202Gods exist and care for human things, giving man the means to avoid real evils.read · scan
- p. 240He who rules all things will make right use of each person.read · scan
- p. 240A deity without forethought is hard to imagine; providence extends to the whole and would not desire to harm.read · scan
- p. 267Man, God and the universe each bear fruit in season.read · scan
- p. 269If there is a god all is well; the gods aid men by dreams and signs.read · scan
- p. 280He who rules all things is Law and assigns to every man what is fit.read · scan
- p. 286Zeus framed society and gave man the power to rejoin it.read · scan
- p. 296The gods are most excellent and just; disputing with them shows they would not neglect anything in the universe's order.read · scan
Saint Augustine, The Confessions of St. AugustineVol. 7
- p. 14–15God brings good out of the errors of teachers and pupil alike.read · scan
- p. 122–123God is everlastingly joy to himself and sets each thing in its place from angel to worm.read · scan
Chapters from the KoranVol. 45
- p. 918–919God guards his servants, drives ships at sea, and can drown or destroy the ungrateful.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, HellVol. 20
- p. 28God's wisdom created the heavens, gave them ruling powers, and ordained Fortune as guiding minister.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, ParadiseVol. 20
- p. 285Love rules the heavens; the order reflects eternal worth as the end of all.read · scan
- p. 285Providence keeps heaven calm with her own light.read · scan
- p. 325God lovingly watches over His work in universal order.read · scan
- p. 329–330Providence governs the world in unfathomable counsel, ordaining two guides for the Church, the bride of Christ.read · scan
Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of ChristVol. 7
- p. 284–285God's works are excellent, his judgments true, all things governed by Providence; all good gifts come from him.read · scan
Sir Thomas More, UtopiaVol. 36
- p. 224The world is governed by divine providence.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 140–141Quixote trusts God as provider for all creatures, who sends sun and rain on good and evil alike.read · scan
Sir Walter Raleigh, Preface to the History of the WorldVol. 39
- p. 99Creation implies Providence and Providence presupposes Creation; divine histories are continuous examples of providence.read · scan
Francis Bacon, Essays, Civil and MoralVol. 3
- p. 31–32God's example: sends rain on just and unjust but does not give wealth and honor equally.read · scan
- p. 42–43Divine protection lifts human nature above its frailty; Rome's greatness attributed to piety.read · scan
Pedro Calderón de la Barca, Life Is a DreamVol. 26
- p. 23One Will Supreme governs the stars and may overrule them by miracle.read · scan
Sir Thomas Browne, Religio MediciVol. 3
- p. 266–268God's providence works through ordinary means and a hidden path directing individuals.read · scan
- p. 271–272Epicurean denial of providence and Stoic necessity are recast as exalted conceptions of God's majesty and will.read · scan
- p. 294–295God's providence executes His will through creatures; our ends are obscure and only His hand explains them.read · scan
John Milton, AreopagiticaVol. 3
- p. 207God's providence commands temperance yet pours out desirable things profusely and gives minds that wander beyond limit, a manner books should follow.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 290–291God foretells the Son's victory over Sin and Death and renewal of all things.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise RegainedVol. 4
- p. 359The Father foreordains that the Son will be tempted and, by sufferance, overcome Satan's strength.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, Minor WorksVol. 48
- p. 387–388Epictetus makes God the principal object, governing all with justice and wisdom, to whom man submits voluntarily.read · scan
George Berkeley, Three Dialogues Between Hylas and PhilonousVol. 37
- p. 281One would not disbelieve God's Providence for lack of reconciling particular difficulties.read · scan
Alexander Pope, Solitude; On a Certain Lady at Court; Essay on ManVol. 40
- p. 407–411Providence is good and wise alike in what it gives and denies.read · scan
- p. 422In instinct God directs; in reason man does.read · scan
- p. 422God founds each being's proper bliss and built mutual happiness on mutual wants.read · scan
Hymns of the Christian Church: Modern HymnsVol. 45
- p. 561–564God works in mysterious ways, hiding his purposes behind frowning providence; his own interpreter.read · scan
Benjamin Franklin, His AutobiographyVol. 1
- p. 76Holds that God made and governs the world by Providence.read · scan
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Profession of Faith of a Savoyard VicarVol. 34
- p. 277Man is the instrument of a good superior being who governs all things justly.read · scan
- p. 279Contemplates the order of the universe and adores its wise Creator, whose providence maintains it.read · scan
John Woolman, The Journal of John WoolmanVol. 1
- p. 176Trust in the care and providence of the Almighty over creatures, especially man as most noble.read · scan
- p. 246–247Earth, seas and winds are works of him who is perfect wisdom and goodness and provides for those who trust him.read · scan
- p. 293–294God formed the deep and notices even a falling sparrow.read · scan
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, The Education of the Human RaceVol. 32
- p. 189–190God's being and providence over a people would stand even if there were no life after death.read · scan
- p. 205–206Addresses Eternal Providence, pleading not to despair in its inscrutable ways.read · scan
Thomas Carlyle, CharacteristicsVol. 25
- p. 350Assurance that God made the universe and that Providence leads mankind.read · scan
George Long, The Philosophy of AntoninusVol. 2
- p. 323–324He holds the universe wisely ordered and whatever the Deity has done is good, so men must conform to it.read · scan
- p. 333Universe is administered by divine Providence; admitting a Deity means admitting he orders all things wisely and well.read · scan
- p. 334–336God has not ordered things so that his purpose fails.read · scan
- p. 337The gods exist and care for human things, giving man power to avoid real evils.read · scan
- p. 340Whether or not gods determine individual fates, they provide for the whole; their providence is to be accepted.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, CompensationVol. 5
- p. 89–90The moral law is almighty and eternal; the dice of God are always loaded.read · scan
- p. 98–99'Put God in your debt'; nature guarantees every contract.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, WorshipVol. 5
- p. 274Divine Providence has hidden no human evil from us; a moral counterbalance underlies all facts and faith outweighs skepticism.read · scan
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1313–1314Thunder tells her God governs the world He created; she recalls the justice of Heaven and is soothed.read · scan
- p. 1329The clear heaven is likened to the protecting hand of God inverted above.read · scan
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 986God fulfils himself in many ways, and the whole earth is bound by gold chains about God's feet.read · scan
James Russell Lowell, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1371–1372God stands in the shadow watching over his own.read · scan
Matthew Arnold, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1128–1130A God ruled the severance between human islands.read · scan
7b.Providence in individual lives, deliverances and thanksgiving
See also: Miracles 8d · Fate 2c
The Book of PsalmsVol. 44
- p. 176–177God raised and healed the psalmist; his anger is momentary, his favor lifelong.read · scan
- p. 181Jehovah hears the poor, delivers the righteous from troubles, is nigh the broken-hearted and redeems his servants.read · scan
- p. 182Psalmist calls on Jehovah as warrior and deliverer to fight his persecutors and save the poor from the strong.read · scan
- p. 186–188God upholds, rescues and preserves the righteous who take refuge in him.read · scan
- p. 191–193Jehovah hears, lifts the psalmist from the pit, and works wonders too many to number; he is help and deliverer.read · scan
- p. 193–194Jehovah preserves those who consider the poor and upholds the psalmist; blessed be him forever.read · scan
- p. 224God dwells on his holy mountain, with chariots, deliverer from death, who bears our burden daily.read · scan
- p. 281–282God delivers those who cry in trouble, satisfying the hungry, breaking bonds, healing by his word.read · scan
- p. 291–292Jehovah hears prayers, is gracious and merciful, and delivers the psalmist from death.read · scan
- p. 305–307Jehovah as helper and keeper who made heaven and earth and will keep the soul from evil.read · scan
- p. 307–308Jehovah enthroned in heaven, on Israel's side, deliverer from enemies, maker of heaven and earth.read · scan
- p. 325Jehovah as rock, fortress and deliverer, coming down in lightning to rescue; blessed the people whose God he is.read · scan
Plato, The Apology of SocratesVol. 2
- p. 28–30The gods do not neglect the good man; only God knows whether death or life is better.read · scan
Luke, The Gospel According to LukeVol. 44
- p. 386God's providence numbers hairs and remembers sparrows; he has power to cast into hell.read · scan
Luke, The Acts of the ApostlesVol. 44
- p. 435Stephen recounts God's appearance to Abraham, his covenant and promise, and God's providential guidance and deliverance of Joseph and the patriarchs.read · scan
Epictetus, The Golden Sayings of EpictetusVol. 2
- p. 123–124God, like a good King and Father, gave faculties free of restraint to bear all events; men fail to acknowledge the Giver.read · scan
- p. 181God proclaims peace through reason and provides food, raiment and perception; death is His summons.read · scan
Marcus Aurelius, The Meditations of Marcus AureliusVol. 2
- p. 198Marcus thanks the gods for good family, teachers and circumstances, and for preserving him from offence.read · scan
- p. 198Gratitude to the gods for gifts and blessings.read · scan
- p. 198Gods' gifts, help, inspirations and instructions enabled him to live according to nature.read · scan
Saint Augustine, The Confessions of St. AugustineVol. 7
- p. 24God spoke through his mother though he thought Him silent.read · scan
- p. 72–73God orders events as determined beforehand, heals Augustine's sickness and binds Himself by His promises to the forgiven.read · scan
- p. 87God guides all things and works Alypius's cure through Augustine unknowingly, turning his heart and tongue to burning coals.read · scan
- p. 89Augustine sees God's providence in permitting Alypius's arrest as instruction for his future role as judge.read · scan
- p. 90God, sole witness of Alypius's innocence, succours him and prepares him to be a dispenser of the Word.read · scan
BeowulfVol. 49
- p. 15Hrothgar believes God in mercy sent Beowulf against Grendel.read · scan
- p. 20–23Wealhtheow thanks God that a hero has come for comfort.read · scan
- p. 28–30Hrothgar thanks the Sovran Ruler, who works wonder on wonder; Beowulf says the Maker willed the fiend's escape and will judge him.read · scan
- p. 32–34The Maker rules human kind, and wisest God averted destruction from Beowulf's men.read · scan
- p. 40Beowulf remembers the glorious gift God sent him and trusts his Maker's mercy for help.read · scan
- p. 43Hrothgar thanks God for the hero's brave words.read · scan
- p. 46Holy God, the wise Maker, wields the victory when armor alone barely saves Beowulf.read · scan
- p. 46–48The Lord of Heaven allowed Beowulf's cause; the true God, who loosens the ice and rules seasons, is credited.read · scan
- p. 48–50Beowulf credits the Lord with shielding him and guiding him to the giant sword; the giants' destruction was God's recompense.read · scan
- p. 53Hrothgar thanks the Eternal Lord for extended life and sight of Grendel's head.read · scan
- p. 80Beowulf thanks the Lord of Heaven for the grace of giving such treasure to his folk before death.read · scan
- p. 88Grace of heaven, not greed, guided the king; he lies safe in the shelter of sovereign God.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 236He attributes his deliverance from drowning to God, who supplied the bowl.read · scan
- p. 238–239He credits God with preserving him from drowning and bringing him to the king's city.read · scan
- p. 255–256Rescued sailor praises God who raised him to life after death and gave favours.read · scan
- p. 259Voyage proceeds by God's permission.read · scan
- p. 260Sailors supplicate God in the tempest and he aids Sindibad to a plank.read · scan
- p. 275Sindbad credits God with placing the plank in reach, and praises and glorifies Him for the island's fruits and water.read · scan
- p. 277He wonders whether God will preserve him, and the sailors say 'praise be to God' for his safety.read · scan
- p. 278–279He credits God's permission for his escape from drowning; the townsmen hope for a divine reward for helping a stranger.read · scan
- p. 279–281Sindbad thanks his benefactor, saying his reward is due from God, and is compensated by God with more than he lost.read · scan
- p. 281Sindbad relies on the blessing of God during the voyage and credits Him with restoring four times his loss.read · scan
- p. 359She credits the grace of God Most High with delivering her son from the sorcerer's wiles.read · scan
- p. 436–437Ali Baba credits God with delivering him from the robbers' snares through Marjaneh.read · scan
The Song of RolandVol. 49
- p. 174–175Charlemagne prays that God delay the sun, and God's angel answers that God sees France's flower laid low.read · scan
- p. 176–177God works a miracle, halting the sun so the Franks can pursue; Karl kneels to give thanks.read · scan
- p. 184–185Karl acts in faith in God the True; God aids him in victory.read · scan
- p. 191–193The outcome is left to God's decision; God spares Thierry from death.read · scan
- p. 193–194The Franks say God has done this marvel in Thierry's blow.read · scan
Sir Thomas Malory, The Holy GrailVol. 35
- p. 118Victory and healing are ascribed to God's power through belief in Christ.read · scan
- p. 148The high Lord miraculously preserves his servant from sword and fire.read · scan
Christopher Columbus, The Letter of Columbus to Luis de Sant Angel Announcing His DiscoveryVol. 43
- p. 21Columbus attributes his success to the Lord and names the first island San Salvador in honor of His Divine Majesty.read · scan
- p. 25He credits almighty God with victory over seemingly impossible things for those who walk in His way.read · scan
- p. 25–27The Redeemer has given victory to the sovereigns and their kingdoms.read · scan
Amerigo Vespucci, Amerigo Vespucci's Account of His First VoyageVol. 43
- p. 28Wounded recovered, God be thanked.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 9Father receives the unexpected son as God's gift, thanking the Lord with raised hands.read · scan
- p. 30–32Cellini and his father credit God's merciful intervention for the absence of harm; the father insists God's ordaining is unknown to the magistrate.read · scan
- p. 32Father blesses his son in God's power and thanks God for rescuing him, telling the magistrate God knew what would happen.read · scan
- p. 54–55Cellini attributes his escape to God's will and heartily thanks God.read · scan
- p. 192–194Cellini trusts in God's protection and the party gives thanks for being saved from great perils.read · scan
- p. 262–263Cellini ascribes his escape from an ambush at Monte Ruosi to God's ordinance and safe arrival to God's grace.read · scan
- p. 298–299He sees God's grace in being able to serve men of great position.read · scan
- p. 324Cellini invokes God's help and sees the outcome as God's promise to those who trust Him.read · scan
- p. 330–332Cellini thanks God and the King, believing God is not inclined to make him worthy of the service.read · scan
- p. 340–341Cellini sees God's power and goodness in the deliverance from his trials and appeals to Him as defender.read · scan
- p. 364He thanks God for withholding him from violence.read · scan
- p. 382He sees the hand of God arranging and controlling the perfect casting.read · scan
- p. 401–402Cellini credits his lord and immortal God for bringing the work to completion.read · scan
- p. 421Cellini says God rules all things for the good of those who believe and grants them protection.read · scan
- p. 426He says it pleased God that he reached home despite suffering.read · scan
- p. 426–427The physician tells him to thank God for winning the battle against the poison.read · scan
- p. 429–430He thanks God for the mercy of his prolonged life and the poison's beneficial effect.read · scan
- p. 433He refers his cause against the rogues to God, who has always defended him.read · scan
John Knox, Preface to the History of the Reformation in ScotlandVol. 39
- p. 58God, who brought light out of darkness, mercifully opened eyes and gave strength to resist.read · scan
Ambroise Paré, Journeys in Diverse PlacesVol. 38
- p. 17–18Guise is healed by the grace of God despite a terrible wound.read · scan
William Harrison, A Description of Elizabethan EnglandVol. 35
- p. 313Benefits of cattle are first referred to the grace and goodness of God.read · scan
- p. 341Freedom from noisome beasts counted a blessing God gave the island.read · scan
Sir Francis Drake, Sir Francis Drake RevivedVol. 33
- p. 128The reader is to observe God's power, justice, goodness and providence in raising a mean man from persecution to right himself against a mighty prince.read · scan
- p. 162Drake trusts God's providence, which never fails those who trust Him; the captured victuals are received as God's great mercy.read · scan
- p. 163The sickness and the recovery of the rest are attributed to God's visitation and favour.read · scan
- p. 165–166Health during the month of hiding is credited with praise to God.read · scan
- p. 175Drake's narrator attributes the failure to God's will, since the treasure was probably ill-gotten by the Treasurer.read · scan
- p. 180–181Drake and his company heartily praise God on seeing their pinnace again.read · scan
- p. 190–191Drake and the company attribute their rescue and success to God's giving sight of the pinnaces.read · scan
- p. 196God is thanked for providing rain water and for the voyage's success; the closing gives glory to God alone.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 495Canon says God furthers the good designs of the simple and disfavours those of the wittily wicked.read · scan
Edward Haies, Sir Humphrey Gilbert's Voyage to NewfoundlandVol. 33
- p. 289God is thanked for escape and credited with determining the fate of the drowned.read · scan
- p. 290God delivers from drowning yet appoints famine, giving limits to man's times and ordering the manner of dying.read · scan
- p. 296The captain is comforted by God's providence, which spares the surviving company while others are ruined.read · scan
Sir Walter Raleigh, The Discovery of GuianaVol. 33
- p. 372They put themselves to God's keeping and credit His pleasure for their safe arrival.read · scan
Francis Pretty, Sir Francis Drake's Famous Voyage Round the WorldVol. 33
- p. 199The narrator credits God's providence with preserving the ships from the storm's worst extremity.read · scan
- p. 213The natives supposed the English to be gods, and Drake attributes the safe bay to God's favor.read · scan
- p. 221The crew attributes their deliverance from the rock to God's mercy and protection.read · scan
- p. 222The wind's sudden change freeing the ship is credited to God's special grace, and the crew give praise and thanks.read · scan
Francis Bacon, Essays, Civil and MoralVol. 3
- p. 5Bacon credits God with the increase of his pen and labors, and prays that God lead the Duke by the hand.read · scan
Francis Bacon, The New AtlantisVol. 3
- p. 145God is invoked as the one who shows wonders in the deep and can discover land.read · scan
- p. 148–149Sailors remark that God is manifested in this land.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of King LearVol. 46
- p. 291Edgar claims the clearest gods have preserved Gloucester by doing what is impossible to men.read · scan
Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, Philaster, or Love Lies A-BleedingVol. 47
- p. 679Both attribute their passion and the boy's arrival to the gods, whose secret justice blesses their love.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Dr. John DonneVol. 15
- p. 363He sees God's providence and goodness directing his life, preventing worldly employment until the ministry.read · scan
John Milton, AreopagiticaVol. 3
- p. 189Credits God the deliverer for the liberty attained.read · scan
John Milton, Samson AgonistesVol. 4
- p. 415Chorus and Manoa hope God works miracles for his people, though Manoa doubts he will.read · scan
- p. 415God was not parted from Samson but favoured and assisted him to the end; wrath divine on the blinded Philistines.read · scan
Abraham Cowley, Of AgricultureVol. 27
- p. 61God rewarded Virgil as he did Solomon; retreat into the world as it is God's.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 224God showed by deliverances that He was able to save.read · scan
- p. 291God makes the accused convent His temple, healing children and overwhelming the nuns with favours.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 63–64Christian gives thanks and praise to God, who delivered him out of the mouth of the lion.read · scan
- p. 64–65Christian gives God thanks for deliverance and is refreshed by provision.read · scan
- p. 67–68Christian is comforted that God is with those who fear him even in the dark valley, and that God turns the shadow of death into morning.read · scan
- p. 68–69Christian sees the sunrise as God's mercy and deliverance, quoting that his candle shines on his head.read · scan
- p. 69–70Christian blesses the divine hand that delivered him.read · scan
- p. 195–196The Lord protects his pilgrims, gives timely help, and Mercy confesses he does all things well.read · scan
John Dryden, Dedication of the AeneisVol. 13
- p. 47Christians attribute wonders to God's special providence and guardian angels; Roman gods flattered the vanity of the Romans.read · scan
William Penn, More Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 393Rank and wealth are favors from God that call for gratitude.read · scan
Benjamin Franklin, His AutobiographyVol. 1
- p. 6He thanks God and attributes his past happiness to divine providence, hoping for its continuance or help bearing reverse.read · scan
- p. 12–13The epitaph urges readers not to distrust Providence.read · scan
John Woolman, The Journal of John WoolmanVol. 1
- p. 193–194Ascribes his strength and the meetings' favor to divine goodness and the Heavenly Father.read · scan
- p. 249He gives thanks for the Lord's favors and protection on the journey.read · scan
- p. 300God as Fountain of goodness and Father of Mercies who delivers from danger.read · scan
Edmund Burke, A Letter to a Noble LordVol. 24
- p. 410–411Men of talent are gifts of Providence, but once they throw off the fear of God they become a calamity.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, The Tragedy of Faust, Part IVol. 19
- p. 45–46Faust redirects thanks to Him above who prompts the helper and sends help.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, EgmontVol. 19
- p. 322–323She imagines God sending an angel to free Egmont from his bonds.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Hermann and DorotheaVol. 19
- p. 346–347Woman says only in need do we see God's hand leading the good to goodness; a spirit from heaven speaks to the good.read · scan
Friedrich Schiller, William TellVol. 26
- p. 423Reding: God only helps when man can help no more.read · scan
- p. 448–449Tell points his son to Heaven, trusting God will succour him; Stauffacher sees God's hand revealed.read · scan
- p. 452–453Tell attributes his escape from bonds and storm to God's gracious providence, praying for assisting grace.read · scan
- p. 453–456The fisher hails Tell's deliverance as a miracle; Tell thanks Heaven and leaves the boat to drift as Heaven ordains.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 88–89Heaven is felt to have given a visible token of protection.read · scan
- p. 363He attributes the wonder to God, who supplies the weakness of his unworthy servants.read · scan
- p. 575Renzo thanks Providence for his escape and prays to be delivered from his deliverers.read · scan
- p. 576Renzo takes finding himself on the right road as a token of Divine guidance and good omen.read · scan
William Cullen Bryant, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1221–1223A Power guides the wandering bird's pathless flight and will lead the speaker's steps aright.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, English TraitsVol. 5
- p. 428–429Pepys praises God for his coach, showing a transactional, providential view of deity.read · scan
Hans Christian Andersen, TalesVol. 17
- p. 268–269Eliza trusts that Heaven will not forsake her, and that God lets wild apples grow for the hungry.read · scan
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1013–1014She trusts the Lord looked into her care and means her to be happyread · scan
Frank Aretas Haskell, The Battle of GettysburgVol. 43
- p. 391Meade's impressive exclamation 'Thank God' at the victory.read · scan
7c.God's rule over nations, kings and history
See also: Race and Nationality 7a · Monarchy 9a · Government 2c
The Book of JobVol. 44
- p. 88–89God's hand rules all living things, tears down and builds, and brings judges, priests and kings to nothing.read · scan
The Book of PsalmsVol. 44
- p. 145–146God laughs at the rebellious nations and sets his anointed king; serve Jehovah with fear.read · scan
- p. 164–166Jehovah saves his anointed and destroys his enemies in wrath.read · scan
- p. 166–169God hears the afflicted; his kingdom rules over all nations; the earth and world are his, founded on the seas.read · scan
- p. 196God gave the land and victory, not human arms; yet now seems to have cast off and sleeping, his people ask him to awake.read · scan
- p. 199–200God is refuge, king of all the earth, exalted among the nations, seated on his holy throne.read · scan
- p. 239–240God works wonders, dividing the sea, leading by cloud and fire, and bringing water from the rock.read · scan
- p. 242God's anger and restraint: he remembers man is flesh, shows wonders and plagues in Egypt, and shepherds his people.read · scan
- p. 242–244God awakes, smites his adversaries, chooses Judah and Zion and David as shepherd of his people.read · scan
- p. 246–247God delivered Israel from Egypt, pleads for obedience, yet let them follow their own counsels; God judges among the gods.read · scan
- p. 255God's covenant faithfulness to David, his oath, and his apparent rejection of the anointed.read · scan
- p. 275–277God's power over nature and Egypt through plagues, deliverance, providing quail, bread and water for his people.read · scan
Herodotus, An Account of EgyptVol. 33
- p. 58He holds the divine power intended Troy's destruction so that great wrongs would show great chastisements from the gods.read · scan
- p. 70The god appears in a vision to the distressed priest-king, promises helpers, and the mice deliver Egypt; the inscription urges fear of the gods.read · scan
Saint Augustine, The Confessions of St. AugustineVol. 7
- p. 95God derides their plans and prepares His own counsel, which stands forever.read · scan
Chapters from the KoranVol. 45
- p. 951–952God gives and strips kingdoms, honours and abases, turns night to day and brings the living from the dead; He knows all hidden things.read · scan
BeowulfVol. 49
- p. 50Almighty God sends wisdom, estate and high station and sways all things.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 302–304The Deity's purpose prevails over the king's power.read · scan
Jean Froissart, The Chronicles of FroissartVol. 35
- p. 42Prince says victory lies not in multitude but where God will send it, invoking God and Saint George.read · scan
Niccolò Machiavelli, The PrinceVol. 36
- p. 38Such princedoms are set up by God, so it would be presumptuous to discuss them.read · scan
- p. 83Italy prays God to send a rescuer; the Medici house is favoured by God and Church.read · scan
Martin Luther, Address to the Christian Nobility of the German NationVol. 36
- p. 263Insists no good work succeeds by trusting in human strength and wisdom; God destroys such endeavours.read · scan
- p. 328God tosses kingdoms about at will, giving them even to the undeserving, as Daniel says, so no one should be proud of one.read · scan
- p. 329God's ordering lies behind the empire however obtained; He requires it be governed honestly in His fear, as Babylon was by holy princes.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 147Quixote takes death by God's hand as removing his need to avenge, and says the same could befall him.read · scan
- p. 387Some judge Providence did Spain a favour by destroying a useless fortress.read · scan
Edward Haies, Sir Humphrey Gilbert's Voyage to NewfoundlandVol. 33
- p. 264God's providence and appointed time govern when infidels receive His word and when discovery and possession succeed.read · scan
- p. 264–265God assists honourable enterprise, reserved the northern lands for the English, and set limits on the Spanish.read · scan
- p. 266God's hand is said to withstand other nations' enterprises and defend English right.read · scan
Sir Walter Raleigh, Preface to the History of the WorldVol. 39
- p. 77–79Crown and union received from God's hand; thankfulness owed for his blessings.read · scan
- p. 86–89God's vengeance falls on scheming kings; he destroys the wisdom of the wise.read · scan
- p. 98God appoints the parts men play, impartial to the mightiest princes.read · scan
Christopher Marlowe, Edward the SecondVol. 46
- p. 62–63Isabella thanks the God of kings for victory to those who fight in right.read · scan
Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, Philaster, or Love Lies A-BleedingVol. 47
- p. 719The King complains that the gods set kings above others so they believe they hold divine thunder.read · scan
Thomas Hobbes, Of Man, Being the First Part of LeviathanVol. 34
- p. 383–384God is king of all by power but of his chosen people by covenant.read · scan
John Winthrop, Arbitrary Government Described and the Government of the Massachusetts Vindicated from That AspersionVol. 43
- p. 95Trust in God's providence and assistance to judges appointed according to Him.read · scan
Sir Thomas Browne, Religio MediciVol. 3
- p. 268–269Holland's success is ascribed to God's mercy and providence.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 341–342God descends to watch men's doings and derides their tower.read · scan
- p. 342God withdraws from wicked nations and selects one peculiar nation.read · scan
- p. 342God sends plagues on Pharaoh, parts the sea and guides Israel by cloud and fire.read · scan
Sir Henry Vane, A Healing QuestionVol. 43
- p. 118The cause is God's, and he can revive it when instruments fail.read · scan
- p. 126Union should be sought first in the Lord, following his providence and will.read · scan
- p. 128God's blessing on the armies is to serve his people's welfare; misusing it withdraws his presence.read · scan
- p. 132Providence has prepared tried and refined men; God is hoped to be chief judge and lawgiver.read · scan
- p. 134God stood silent as looker-on while men, left to politic contrivances, made noise and disorder.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 200God is sole ruler and hope of His people.read · scan
- p. 201God restores His Church by extraordinary acts whenever it is near destruction.read · scan
- p. 206After creation and deluge God established a people to last until the Messiah's people.read · scan
- p. 206–207God arranges the preservation of the historical record.read · scan
- p. 214–215God made visible things to show He could form a holy people with invisible holiness and eternal glory.read · scan
- p. 250–251The spread of the Spirit of God is credited for the change; temples fell and kings submitted to the cross.read · scan
- p. 308God's providence visibly protects the Church from corruption.read · scan
- p. 308–309God's providential care for His Church shown even in its corrupt members.read · scan
The Fundamental Orders of ConnecticutVol. 43
- p. 60Divine providence has ordered their settlement, and God's word requires orderly government where a people gathers.read · scan
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, A Discourse upon the Origin and the Foundation of the Inequality among MankindVol. 34
- p. 220The will of the Almighty interposed to make sovereign authority sacred and inviolable.read · scan
John Woolman, The Journal of John WoolmanVol. 1
- p. 190–191God rules the kingdoms of men; his love exceeds that of natural parents; trust in the Lord alone.read · scan
- p. 230–231Epistle praises God's power over kingdoms, his providence and tender mercies toward the colonists.read · scan
- p. 231God deals with nations in judgment as recorded in Holy Writ.read · scan
- p. 232God's voice cries to the country through troubles, calling people to serve him faithfully.read · scan
Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in FranceVol. 24
- p. 158Parliament thanked God's marvellous providence for preserving the monarchs, treating the escape from election as providential.read · scan
- p. 233God rules the world, willed the state as means to man's perfection, and his will is the law of laws.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Hermann and DorotheaVol. 19
- p. 342–343Landlord sees God's mercy shielding the town like the apple of his eye; he chastised and then blessed it.read · scan
- p. 343–344Nature, the Germans and the Lord together protect against the French; no cause for despondency.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 260–262Invokes a dread Power whose hand has shielded the land.read · scan
The Declaration of IndependenceVol. 43
- p. 153–155Appeals to the Supreme Judge of the world and relies on Divine Providence.read · scan
Articles of ConfederationVol. 43
- p. 166–167Ascribes the states' approval to the Great Governor of the World inclining their hearts.read · scan
George Washington, Washington's First Inaugural AddressVol. 43
- p. 226Washington invokes the Almighty who rules the universe and whose providential aid supplies human defects.read · scan
- p. 226–227Heaven ordains eternal rules of order and right; its favor cannot be expected for a nation disregarding them.read · scan
Thomas Carlyle, Inaugural Address at EdinburghVol. 25
- p. 365Nations grounded in belief in an omnipotent, all-just Being superintending all men.read · scan
- p. 370–371Historians for whom God has fallen asleep give only temporary explanations.read · scan
Abraham Lincoln, Lincoln's First Inaugural AddressVol. 43
- p. 321Appeals to the Almighty Ruler of Nations and reliance on Him who has not forsaken the land.read · scan
Abraham Lincoln, Lincoln's Second Inaugural AddressVol. 43
- p. 424Both sides pray to the same God; the Almighty has His own purposes and judgments are true and righteous.read · scan
- p. 425Right is discerned as God gives us to see it.read · scan
James Russell Lowell, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1370–1371Great causes are God's Messiah, and crises his winnowers.read · scan
- p. 1390God, through the nation's enemies, taught wisdom and wrought peace; the land is called to prayer and praise.read · scan
William Ernest Henley, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1211England is chosen daughter of the Lord; the Word's menace sounds from heaven.read · scan
Robert Louis Stevenson, Samuel PepysVol. 28
- p. 286Pepys says God's blessings were more operative in the age of the Armada than his judgments in ours.read · scan
7d.Chastisement, affliction and trial as divine ends
See also: Pleasure and Pain 6c
The Book of JobVol. 44
- p. 71Jehovah holds Job up as perfect and God-fearing and permits Satan to test him.read · scan
- p. 72–73Jehovah allows Satan to afflict Job but spares his life.read · scan
- p. 77–78Happy is the man God corrects; he wounds and heals, delivers from famine and war.read · scan
- p. 128Elihu speaks on God's behalf: mighty, despises none, makes righteous kings and afflicted men heed instruction.read · scan
Epictetus, The Golden Sayings of EpictetusVol. 2
- p. 173–174God is like a trainer testing men.read · scan
Saint Augustine, The Confessions of St. AugustineVol. 7
- p. 23God teaches by sorrow, wounds to heal.read · scan
- p. 85God corrects and heals him, making him feel his misery so he may convert to Him.read · scan
Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of ChristVol. 7
- p. 253God sometimes forsakes the sufferer and wills that tribulation be borne without consolation.read · scan
- p. 333–334God alone is comforter and helper, ordering all trials, temptations and adversities to man's good.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 17–18Cellini attributes Pierino's misfortune to God's might and the prophecy to God speaking through a wronged worthy man.read · scan
- p. 221Cellini believes God chastised his vainglory a second time for his own good.read · scan
- p. 230In the condemned cell he prays to God, wonders why God tries him, and commends himself to His kingdom.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 385God disposes events and permits enemies as scourges.read · scan
Edward Haies, Sir Humphrey Gilbert's Voyage to NewfoundlandVol. 33
- p. 297–298God's bounty draws good from evil; afflictions refine Gilbert toward the image of God before he is resumed to Him.read · scan
Sir Walter Raleigh, Preface to the History of the WorldVol. 39
- p. 96In adversity we discern God better than in the light of worldly glory.read · scan
John Webster, The Duchess of MalfiVol. 47
- p. 809Heaven's heavy hand is seen in her afflictions.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Mr. George HerbertVol. 15
- p. 384–385His poem 'Affliction' reflects on God's providence, which thwarts his worldly path and draws him to service.read · scan
Sir Thomas Browne, Religio MediciVol. 3
- p. 303–304God's mercy pervades life; afflictions are hidden favours, and His justice and mercy must be distinguished.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 163–164The cruelest war is to be left without the war God brings.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, LettersVol. 48
- p. 330–331God's providence is the sole true cause of what we call evils; seek consolation in him, not creatures.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, Minor WorksVol. 48
- p. 370God made man to suffer for the salvation of mankind.read · scan
William Penn, Some Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 325–326Disappointments are trials from Heaven; God's providence and arms sustain us however low we fall.read · scan
Thomas Gray, PoemsVol. 40
- p. 449–451Adversity is the daughter of Jove, who sends Virtue to earth and appoints her nurse.read · scan
John Woolman, The Journal of John WoolmanVol. 1
- p. 197–198God is perfect goodness, directing the use of contagions like a kind parent who disciplines.read · scan
- p. 234–235Small-pox regarded as a messenger from the Almighty to assist virtue.read · scan
- p. 236–237God's care exceeds a father's; chastisement is for instruction, and sore judgments follow neglect of gentle warnings.read · scan
- p. 237God speaks through gentle and heavy chastisements; he is perfect wisdom and goodness and afflicts not without purpose.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, The Tragedy of Faust, Part IVol. 19
- p. 20–22The Lord permits Mephistopheles to tempt Faust, claiming a good man remains conscious of the right path; He bears no hate for the devil.read · scan
Thomas De Quincey, Levana and Our Ladies of SorrowVol. 27
- p. 320–321The sisters are God's servants, who like God utter their pleasure by signs in heaven and changes on earth.read · scan
- p. 321–322God rewards the pious child by recalling her to himself.read · scan
7e.Providence, free will and human agency
Dante Alighieri, ParadiseVol. 20
- p. 301God gave liberty of will from free bounty as the sign of His goodness.read · scan
Niccolò Machiavelli, The PrinceVol. 36
- p. 84Divine favour is shown by miracles, yet God does not do everything so as to preserve free will and human glory.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 164All depends on God's blessing, who gives only to things done for him and in his ways.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, LettersVol. 48
- p. 338God's wisdom arranges salvation; without him we can do nothingread · scan
Alexander Pope, Solitude; On a Certain Lady at Court; Essay on ManVol. 40
- p. 430God does not suspend his general laws for favorites; no one can tell who the good are who merit special care.read · scan
Percy Bysshe Shelley, The CenciVol. 18
- p. 288–290Cenci invokes God and Providence as witness, claiming Heaven specially favours him in his sons' deaths, a blasphemous perversion of providence.read · scan
- p. 318–320Cenci takes his sons' deaths after cursing as favor from above and says more depends on God than on him.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, English TraitsVol. 5
- p. 324Faith is necessary to reconcile God's foreknowledge with human evil.read · scan
‹ 6 · Outline · 8 ›