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On the Nature of Man
Nemesius of Emesa, tr. Wither, 1636
This Chapter declares, what Providence is; and that it is necessary & convenient the…
Very plainly may it be manifested that there is a providence; both by arguments already produced, and by others which wee shall have occasion to mention hereafter: wee will now therefore, declare what providence is.
Providence is a heedfull provision for all things, proceeding from GOD. Some thus define it. Providence is the will of GOD, whereby all created things receive a government fit for them.
Now if Providence be the will of GOD, it is necessary that all things should be ordered as reasonably, as excellently, and as decently as the nature of the God-head requires; which is after so good and perfect a maner as that nothing may possibly receive a better order: For neither is it a thing of good cōsequence nor agreeable to decency, that one should make things, and another take the care of their preservation and government; seeing it were but an argument of weakness to have it so.
Many types and expressions of that which we have said, are ingraffed in living-creatures: For every thing which breedeth ought, provides food also for the thing bred thereby; and man provides for all other things also, belonging to the life of him whom hee hath begotten, so far forth as his ability doth extend. And all creatures which make not provision for their young, doe therefore not make it, because their weaknesse is a hinderance thereunto.
Therefore it is truely declared, that GOD is he whose Providence concerneth all: and that Providence is the will of GOD.