“Is it possible?”
“‘Possible’ is a Divine word, not fit for the lips of men. What God wills is possible. And it is not often that He lets us see long beforehand what He means to do.”
“Then you think all lies with God?” I said—I am afraid, in a rather hopeless tone.
“Does not everything, at all times, lie with God? That means hope, Cary, not despair. ‘Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did He.’”
“Oh dear! that sounds as if—Ephraim, I don’t mean to say anything wicked—as if He did not care.”
“He cares for our sanctification: that is, in the long run, for our happiness. Would you rather that He cared just to rid you of the pain of the moment, and not for your eternal happiness?”
“Oh no! But could I not have both?”
“No, Cary, I don’t suppose you could.”
“But if God can do everything, why can He not do that? Do you never want to know the answers to such questions? Or do they not trouble you? They are always coming up with me.”
“Far too often. Satan takes care of that.”