Page:Busbecq, Travels into Turkey (1744).pdf/269

 Father. We do so, said the Chiaux, and with Reason; for the Event shew'd, that what he did, was by God's Approbation, and predestinated in Heaven. If you argue from Success, said I, then the wickedest Fact, if it prosper, may be imputed to God as the Author; and then he may be made the Author of Sin, if Good and Evil must be interpreted only by Events. We dwelt a while on this Discourse, and were very eager upon it, whilst either of us defended his own Opinion. We alledg'd many places of Scriptures; ''Can the Vessel say to the Potter, why hast thou made me thus? I will harden Pharaoh's Heart: Jacob have I loved; but Esau have I hated'': and others of like import. Turks, that were not far from us, wonder'd what we were so earnest about; and after we rose from the Table, my Chiaux went to them. They gathered themselves in a Ring about him, and I saw them hearkening to the Discourse he made, with great Attention; and at last, at Noon, they were all silent, and worshipped God according to their Custom. I thought it long till my Chiaux returned to me, that I might know why he prated so amongst his Comrades; I was afraid, though I had ever found him a good Man, that he might represent what I had spoken to him, to my Prejudice: At last, when the Wind ceased, we went aboard again, and followed our intended Course. The first thing I did, was, to ask of my Chiaux, what serious Discourse he held with his Country-men? He smil'd, and made me this Answer: We were disputing about Predestination, and I told them what you had alledg'd Pro and Con; by which it was plain, that you had read our Books, and was well read in the Scriptures, so that there was nothing wanting to your Happi-*