sweetly' (Wisd. viii. 1). — Example: Deliverance of the Jews through Esther.
54. What do we call this supreme care of God in preserving and governing the world?
His Divine Providence.
55. But if God orders and directs all things in the world, why, then, is there so much evil done? Does He will it?
No, God wills not the evil; but He permits it, 1. Because He has created man free; and 2. Because He knows also how to turn evil into good.
Examples: The history of Joseph in Egypt: ' You thought evil against me; but God turned it into good' (Gen. 1, 20). Thus God, the Almighty, turned even the murder of our Saviour by the Jews to the salvation of the world, and the impenitence of the same Jews to the conversion of the heathens. And thus He still avails Himself every day of the designs of the wicked in order to glorify His Church; 'for there is no wisdom, there is no prudence, there is no counsel against the Lord' (Prov. xxi. 30).
56. And if God takes care of all things, why are we subject to so many sufferings?
1. That the sinner may acknowledge the chastisement of God and mend his ways, and not perish for ever; and 2. That the just man may be more and more purified, and more abound in merits, and thus obtain a greater reward in Heaven.
1. Examples: The brothers of Joseph: 'We deserve to suffer these things, because we have sinned against our brother' (Gen. xlii. 21), Manasses (2 Paral. xxxiii.); Jonas (Jonas ii.). 2. 'Gold and silver are tried in the fire, but acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation' (Ecclus. ii. 5). 'Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake. Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in Heaven' (Matt. v. 11, 12).
57. But why does God often permit the wicked to prosper, whilst evil befalls the good?
1. Because He will not only deter the sinner from his evil ways by punishment, but will also win him by bene-
