The Institution of Christian Religion

But these cavillations or rather doting errors of phrenetike men, shall easily be shaken away, by godly and holy meditation of the Providence, which the rule of godliness teacheth us, so that thereof may grow unto us a good and most pleasant fruit. Therefore a Christian hart when it is most assuredly persuaded, that all things come to pass by the disposition of God, and that nothing happeneth by chance, will alway bend his eyes to him as to the principal cause of things, and yet will consider the inferior causes in their place. Then he will not ⟨p. 64⟩doubt that the singular Providence of God doeth watch for his preservation, which Providence will suffer nothing to happen, but that which shall turn to his good and salvation. And because he hath to do first of all with men, & then with the other creatures, he will assure him self that Gods Providence doth reign in both. As touching men, whether they be good or evil, he will acknowledge that all their counsels, wills, enterprises and powers are under the hand of God, so that it is in Gods will to bow them whether he list, and to restrain them so oft as pleaseth him. That the singular Providence of God doeth keep watch for the safety of the faithful, there are many & most evident promises to witness.¹ Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall nourish thee, and shall not suffer the righteous to fall for ever, because he careth for us. He that dwelleth in the help of the hiest, shall abide in the protection of the God of heaven. He that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of mine eye. I will be thy shield, a brazen wall: I will be enemy to thy enemies. Although the mother forget her children, yet will I not forget thee. And also this is the principal intent in the histories of the Bible, to teach that the Lord doeth with such diligence keep the ways of the Saints, that they do not so much as stumble against a stone. Therefore as a little before we have rightfully rejected their opinion which do imagine an universal Providence of God, that stoopeth not specially to the care of every creature: yet principally it shall be good to reknowledge the same special care toward our selves.

But these cauillations or rather dotyng errours of phrenetike men, shall easily be shaken awaye, by godly and holy meditation of ye Prouidence, whiche the rule of godlynesse teacheth vs, so that thereof maye growe vnto vs a good and moste pleasant fruite. Therfore a Christian hart when it is moste assuredly persuaded, that all thyngs come to passe by the disposition of God, and that nothyng happeneth by chaunce, wil alway bende his eies to hym as to the principall cause of thynges, and yet will consider the inferiour causes in their place. Then he wyll not