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Of things that are not in our hands some have their beginning or cause
in those that are in our power, that is to say, the recompenses of our
actions both in the present and in the age to come, but all the rest
are dependent on the divine will. For the origin of all things is from
God, but their destruction has been introduced by our wickedness for
our punishment or benefit. For God did not create death, neither
does He take delight in the destruction of living things. But death
is the work rather of man, that is, its origin is in Adam's
transgression, in like manner as all other punishments. But all other
things must be referred to God. For our birth is to be referred to
His creative power; and our continuance to His conservative power;
and our government and safety to His providential power; and the
eternal enjoyment of good things by those who preserve the laws of
nature in which we are formed is to be ascribed to His goodness. But
since some deny the existence of Providence, let us further devote a
few words to the discussion of Providence.
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