The Institution of Christian Religion

That this difference may the better appear, it is to be known, that the Providence of God, such as it is taught in the Scripture, is in §2comparison set as contrary to fortune and chances that happen by adventure. Now forasmuch as it hath been commonly believed in all ages, and the same opinion is at this day also in a manner in all men, that all things happen by fortune, it is certain, that that which ought to have been believed concerning Providence, is by that wrong opinion not only darkened but also in manner buried. If a man light among thieves, or wild beasts, if by wind suddenly risen he suffer shipwreck on the sea, if he be killed with the fall of a house or of a tree: if an other wandering in desert places find remedy for his poverty, if having been tossed with the waves, he attain to the haven, if miraculously he escape but a finger breadth from death: all these chances as well of prosperity as of adversity the reason of the flesh doeth ascribe to fortune. But whosoever is taught by the mouth of Christ, that all the hairs of his head are numbered,¹ will seek for a cause further of, and will firmly believe that all chances are governed by the secrete counsel of God. And as concerning things without life, this is to be thought, that although every one of them have his own property naturally put into it, yet do they not put forth their power but only so far, as they be directed by the present hand of God. They are therefore nothing else but instruments, whereby God continually poureth in so much effect as pleaseth him, and at his will boweth and turneth them to this or that doing. Of no creature is the power more marvellous or more glorious than of the sun. For beside that it giveth light to the whole world with his brightness, how great a thing is this that he cherisheth and quickeneth all living creatures with his heat? that he breatheth fruitfulness into the earth with his beams? that out of seeds warmed in the bosom of the ground, he draweth a budding greenness, and sustaining the same with new nourishments doth increase and strengthen it, till it rise up in stalks? That he fedeth it with continual vapour till it grow to a flour, and from a flour to fruit? That then also with baking it he bringeth it to ripeness?

That thys difference maye the better appeare, it is to be knowē, that the Prouidence of God, suche as it is taughte in the Scripture, is in §2