Ante-Nicene Fathers/Volume VIII/Pseudo-Clementine Literature/The Clementine Homilies/Homily II/Chapter 36

Chapter XXXVI.&#8212;All for the Best.

But he (Peter) saw me disheartened, and asked the reason; and being told that it proceeded from no cause but the postponement of the inquiry, he said:&#160; &#8220;He who has apprehended that the world is regulated by the good providence of God, O beloved Clement, is not vexed by things howsoever occurring, considering that things take their course advantageously under the providence of the Ruler.&#160; Whence, knowing that He is just, and living with a good conscience, he knows how by right reason to shake off from his soul any annoyance that befalls him, because, when complete, it must come to some unknown good.&#160; Now then, let not Simon the magician&#8217;s postponement of the inquiry grieve you; for perhaps it has happened from the providence of God for your profit.&#160; Wherefore I shall not scruple to speak to you as being my special friend.