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The triumph of the cross

Chapter 17: CHAPTER XII. THE END TO WHICH MAN IS GUIDED BY DIVINE PROVIDENCE.
By Girolamo Savonarola
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About This Book

A four-part theological apologetic that defends core Christian doctrines through philosophical argument and scriptural exposition. The first section presents proofs for God’s existence, attributes, providence, and the soul’s immortality. The second argues that Christian faith coheres with truth and reason. The third examines central mysteries, asserting they are not intrinsically impossible nor contrary to rational thought. The fourth affirms the truth of Christian teaching while rebutting the claims and errors of rival philosophers, pagan practices, followers of other religions, and assorted heretical positions, combining intellectual argumentation with pastoral intent to instruct and vindicate the faith.

CHAPTER XII.
THE END TO WHICH MAN IS GUIDED BY DIVINE PROVIDENCE.

Since it is the work of Divine Providence to move all things to their end, and, since all things have their different proximate ends, they must be moved by different means. Irrational things are led by natural instinct, and are rather ruled by others than self-governing. Man, however, having free will, can take thought for himself, and is moved towards his end by God, in such a way that he governs himself, by working together with God. It is, therefore, essential that he should diligently strive to discover what is the last end to which he is destined by Divine Providence; and what the means are whereby he must attain to it; that so he may be enabled to order his life conformably to the designs of God.

Philosophers have studiously endeavoured to search out the End of Man. In course of time, as their reasoning became more profound, and their investigation approached nearer to the truth, they concluded that the end of human life is the contemplation of Divine things. For this alone is the proper operation of the human soul, and it is not directed to any other thing as to its end, but is desired for itself, and unites man to God. Again, man so far suffices in himself to this operation, that for it he needs but few external aids.

This, in fact, is the end of all things that pertain to man. For all natural things are ordered for the body of man; his body is ordered for his soul; and all the powers of his soul serve to this contemplation, which requires that calm and freedom from passion which art and civil government are intended to procure for us.

It is thus evident that all things, both natural and artificial, are ordered to this contemplation, as to the last end to which Providence moves all men by means of moral virtues. It influences them, however, in such a way, as to leave them the freedom of their will. It is, likewise, clear, that if they will co-operate with the impulse of Providence, they will, by using the fitting means, attain to their desired end.