It is scarcely necessary to add that the views and sentiments which the Christian doctrine of Providence inspires are widely different from those which must be generated by a belief either in Chance or in Fate, as the supreme arbiter of our destiny. The doctrine which teaches us to look up and to say, with childlike confidence, "Our Father which art in heaven," is worth more than all the philosophy in the world! Could we only realize it as a truth, and have habitual recourse to it in all our anxieties and straits, we should feel that, if it be a deeply serious and solemn fact that "the Lord reigneth," it is also, to all his trusting and obedient children, alike cheering and consolatory; and he who can relish the sweetness of our Lord's words when he spake of "the birds of the air" and the "flowers of the field," will see at once that Stoicism is immeasurably inferior, both as a philosophy and a faith, to Christian Theism.[223]
FOOTNOTES:
[217] Dr. Cudworth, "Intellectual System," I. 75, 82, 106, 151; II. 77, 334. Gassendi, "Syntagma." Dr. J. M. Goode, "Lucretius," Preface.
[218] La Place, "Des Probabilities."
[219] Eccles. 9: 11; Luke 10: 31; Deut. 19: 5
[220] Dr. Cudworth, "Intellectual System," I. 33. American Edition.
[221] Dr. John Collinges, "On Providence." Dr. Price, "Dissertations." Samuel Rutherford, "De Providentia Dei." Dr. Charnock, "On Providence."
[222] James 1: 13, 14. See M'Laurin's profound discourse on this text.
[223] Michelet has presented a graphic portrait of a Stoic:—"L'individu sous la forme du Stoicisme,—ramassé soi,—appuyé sur soi,—ne demandant rien aux dieux,—ne les accusant point,—ne daignant pas même les nier."—"Introduction à l'Historie Universelle."