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But from holy Scripture it is evident that, in the first place, it was not through any weakness or want of
information but on the contrary through His own very wisdom that God did not prevent evil. In the second, that His
reason for not preventing it was that He is able, in consequence of His wisdom and power, so to subdue evil unto Himself
and so to overrule the evil deeds of men and devils that His purpose and object in permitting them should not be
rendered vain, but that by means of it He might the more clearly reveal His own wisdom, power, love and holiness.
Thirdly, since God, of His infinite love and mercy, had decreed the salvation of mankind before the creation of the
world, and since those who accept that salvation will attain to a higher degree of happiness than Adam enjoyed in the
beginning and through Christ will reach much greater glory, therefore, God is not the author and origin of evil, nor did
He treat man cruelly by not preventing evil. To know this much is sufficient to comfort people of understanding. But the
mystery of this matter will be completely disclosed in that world to those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and
through Him escape from sin and wickedness.
Since, however, the knowledge which it is most absolutely necessary, for every person to gain in this world is not
knowledge of the origin of evil but knowledge of the way of salvation, because sin is not only in the world but has made
its mark on man |
