Philonis Judaei Opera Omnia (Vol. 8)

20 PHIL. IUD. ON PROV. BOOK I. §. 30—33.

§. 31. Furthermore, sensible things are the most certain argument for intelligible things. For it is not permitted to assert that the parts of the universe are wise and provident, but that the Father and Prince of the whole world shows no providence. Who gave the counsels of prudent providence to Him who desires virtue? If there is no providence, why do we not also do all things without diligent care, thoughtlessly, and without prior knowledge?

§. 32. For if providence is to be taken away, music, philosophy, geometry, nautical science, and every wise invention of intelligence will cease, and nature will become totally senseless and immobile. For it is not fitting to think with foolish thought that the parts of the universe are prudent and provident; yet that the providence which resides in the universe from the beginning is idle and incurious among created things, since all things are from one universal harmony and composition. For those things which depend on each other do not obtain their action without the motion of both. Therefore, the wise parts, through the perfect acts which arise from their symphony, provide an argument and declaration of universal providence moving all things invisibly.

§. 33. Will the production of fruits, the marvelous disposition of the stars, the invariable course of the sun and moon, the site of the sea according to law, the height of the mountains not exceeding measure; finally, the concord of all sensible things obeying the law of providence, not show wisdom? Do not these things manifestly demonstrate a completely immutable series of order from the law of providence and like a soul moving the universe of things?