Page:King Alfred's Version of the Consolations of Boethius.djvu/230

 in those things that it can shine upon, is he able to shine upon them all alike, nor to shine through them within. But it is not thus with Almighty God, that is Creator of all things. He seeth and gazeth into all His creatures equally, and He may without untruth be called the True Sun.'

When Philosophy had sung this song, she was silent a little while.

Then said I, 'A doubt has sorely perplexed me.'

P. What is it?

M. It is this. Thou sayest God give to each man free choice to do as he pleases, whether good or evil, and thou sayest also that God knoweth everything before it comes to pass; further thou sayest nothing happens unless God will or suffer it, and lastly thou sayest that all must turn out as He hath appointed. Now I marvel why He suffereth wicked men to have freedom to do good or evil at will, when He knoweth beforehand that they will do evil.

P. I can answer this point very easily. How would it please thee if there were an exceeding mighty king that had no free man in all his realm, but all were slaves?

M. I should think it unjust, and not at all seemly, if he were served by slaves.

P. Yet it were still more unmeet if God had in all His kingdom no free creature under His rule. For He created two reasonable creatures free, angels and men; to them He gave the great gift of freedom, that they might do good or evil, whichever they pleased. To