Ch. 16
Of providence.
Be not surprised if other animals have all things
necessary to the body ready provided for them,
not only meat and drink, but lodging; if they want
neither shoes nor bedding nor clothes, while we
stand in need of all these. For they not being made
for themselves, but for service, it was not fit that they
should be so formed as to be waited on by others.
For consider what it would be for us to take care,
not only for ourselves, but for sheep and asses too,-
how they should be clothed, how shod, and how they
should eat and drink. But as soldiers are furnished
ready for their commander, shod, clothed, and armed,
- for it would be a grievous thing for a colonel to be
obliged to go through his regiment to put on their
clothes, - so nature has furnished these useful animals, ready provided, and standing in need of no fur-
ther care; so that one little boy, with only a crook,
drives a flock.
But we, instead of being thankful for this, complain
of God that there is not the same kind of care taken
of us likewise; and yet, good Heaven! any one
thing in the creation is sufficient to demonstrate a
Providence, to a humble and grateful mind. Not to
instance great things, the mere possibility of producing milk from grass, cheese from milk, and wool from
skins,- who formed and planned this? No one, say
you. O surprising irreverence and dulness! But
come, let us omit the primary works of nature; let us
contemplate her merely incidental traits. What is
more useless than the hairs upon one's chin? And yet
has she not made use even of these, in the most becoming manner possible? Has she not by these distinguished the sexes? Does not nature in each of us
call out, even at a distance, I am a man; approach
and address me as such; inquire no further; see the
characteristic? On the other hand, with regard to
women, as she has mixed something softer in their
voice, so she has deprived them of a beard. But no;
[some think] this living being should have been left
undistinguished, and each of us should be obliged to
proclaim, " I am a man ! " But why is not this characteristic beautiful and becoming and venerable? How
much more beautiful than the comb of cocks; how
much more noble than the mane of lions! Therefore
we ought to preserve the characteristics made by the
Creator; we ought not to reject them, nor confound,
as much as in us lies, the distinct sexes.
Are these the only works of Providence with regard to us? And what speech can fitly celebrate their
praise? For, if we had any understanding, ought we
not, both in public and in private, incessantly to
sing and praise the Deity, and rehearse his benefits?
Ought we not, whether we dig or plough or eat, to
sing this hymn to God, - Great is God, who has supplied us with these instruments to till the ground;
great is God, who has given us hands and organs of
digestion; who has given us to grow insensibly, to
breathe in sleep? These things we ought forever to
celebrate; and to make it the theme of the greatest
and divinest hymn, that he has given us the power to
appreciate these gifts, and to use them well. But because the most of you are blind and insensible, there
must be some one to fill this station, and lead, in behalf of all men, the hymn to God; for what else can I
do, a lame old man, but sing hymns to God? Were
I a nightingale, I would act the part of a nightingale
were I a swan, the part of a swan; but since I am a
reasonable creature, it is my duty to praise God. This
is my business; I do it; nor will I ever desert this
post, so long as it is permitted me; and I call on you
to join in the same song.