Page:King Alfred's Version of the Consolations of Boethius.djvu/175

 Then I told thee I knew not how He ruled all creation; but thou hast now set it very plain before me, as if thou hadst plucked open the door I had been seeking.

Then she made answer unto me, and said: 'I know that I once put thee in mind of this very matter, and now methinks thou art getting to know better and better about the truth. Nevertheless I would further show thee an instance, as plain as that which I mentioned before.'

'What is it?' I said.

Then said she: 'No man can doubt that God reigneth over all creatures by their own consent, and they humbly turn their wills to His will. Thereby it is evident that God wieldeth everything with the helm and rudder of His goodness, for all creatures naturally of their own will strive to reach God, as we have already often said in this very book.'

M. Who can doubt this? for God's power would not be full happiness, if creatures obeyed Him against their will.

P. There is no creature that thinks it must resist its Creator's will, if it would be true to its nature.

M. No creature wishes to resist its Creator's will save foolish man or the rebellious angels.

P. How thinkest thou, if any creature deemed itself bound to fight against His will, what would it avail against One so mighty as we have shown Him to be?

M. They cannot do so, even though they wish it.