CCXXIX. Corollary XXV

COROLLARY XXV.

The riches and abundance of restoration extend so widely that they are not contained within the circuit, though most ample, of the threefold supernatural, preternatural, and natural order. For they pour themselves forth more widely still and comprehend, besides, a twofold order: first, the order of those evils which we call physical, and then the order of those punishments which we call temporal. For it is a most fully attested doctrine of the Christian name¹ that physical evils no less than the temporal punishments of this present mortality are so tempered by God that, as far as pertains to him, they are at length directed toward ethical good and the utility of salvation. God permits physical evils and inflicts temporal punishments according to the exact rule of his equity and justice; but whether he permits the former—

—or inflicts the latter, so long as men live he finally looks to this: that they either return to soundness or become better and be aided in attaining salvation. But if physical evils themselves and temporal punishments are subject to the power and efficacy of the restored state, and if the force and ἐνέργεια, operation, of restoration converts physical evils themselves and temporal punishments into utility and salvific good, will there be those who can doubt the sincerity and efficacy of the restored order? Certainly, in this administration of physical evils and temporal punishments are contained both a sign and an effect of sincere and active restoration: a sign indeed, as will easily become known to anyone who looks into the matter a little more attentively; but an effect, because the reason for such an administration can be deduced from no other source than sincere and active restoration.