St John of Damascus: Chapter 28. Concerning what is not in our hands.
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Lessons by our Holy Fathers
Of things that are not in our hands some have their beginning or cause in those that are in our power, that is to say, the recompenses of our actions both in the present and in the age to come, but all the rest are dependent on the divine will.
For the origin of all things is from God, but their destruction has been introduced by our wickedness for our punishment or benefit.
For God did not create death, neither does He take delight in the destruction of living things. Wisdom 1:13 But death is the work rather of man, that is, its origin is in Adam's transgression, in like manner as all other punishments. But all other things must be referred to God.
For our birth is to be referred to His creative power; and our continuance to His conservative power; and our government and safety to His providential power; and the eternal enjoyment of good things by those who preserve the laws of nature in which we are formed is to be ascribed to His goodness.
But since some deny the existence of Providence, let us further devote a few words to the discussion of Providence.
St John of Damascus
An Exposition of the Orthodox Faith
