definite application; or displayed in its bearing on the grand total — the entire course of human
history。 But to explain History is to depict the passions of mankind; the genius; the active powers;
that play their part on the great stage; and the providentially determined process which these
exhibit; constitutes what is generally called the “plan” of Providence。 Yet it is this very plan which
is supposed to be concealed from our view: which it is deemed presumption; even to wish to
recognise。 The ignorance of Anaxagoras; as to how intelligence reveals itself in actual existence;
was ingenuous。 Neither in his consciousness; nor in that of Greece at large; had that thought been
further expanded。 He had not attained the power to apply his general principle to the concrete; so
as to deduce the latter from the former。 It was Socrates who took the first step in prehending
the union of the Concrete with the Universal。 Anaxagoras; then; did not take up a hostile position
towards such an application。 The mon belief in Providence does; at least it opposes the use of
the principle on the large scale; and denies the possibility of discerning the plan of Providence。 In
isolated cases this plan is supposed to be manifest。 Pious persons are encouraged to recognise in
particular circumstances; something more than mere chance; to acknowledge the guiding hand of
God; e。g。 when help has unexpectedly e to an individual in great perplexity and need。 But
these instances。 of providential design are of a limited kind; and concern the acplishment of
nothing more than the desires of the individual in question。 But in the history of the World; the
Individuals we have to do with are Peoples; Totalities that are States。 We cannot; therefore; be
satisfied with what we may call this “peddling” view of Providence; to which the belief alluded to
limits itself。 Equally unsatisfactory is the merely abstract; undefined belief in a Providence; when
that belief is not brought to bear upon the details of the process which it conducts。 On the contrary
our earnest endeavour must be directed to the recognition of the ways of Providence; the means it
uses; and the historical phenomena in which it manifests itself; and we must show their connection
with the general principle above mentioned。 But in noticing the recognition of the plan of Divine
Providence generally; I have implicitly touched upon a prominent question of the day; viz。 that of
the possibility of knowing God: or rather — since public opinion has ceased to allow it to be a
matter of question — the doctrine that it is impossible to know God。 In direct contravention of
what is manded in holy Scripture as the highest duty; — that we should not merely love; but
know God; — the prevalent dogma involves the denial of what is there said; viz。 that it is the Spirit
(der Geist) that leads into Truth; knows all things; perates even into the deep things of the
Godhead。 While the Divine Being is thus placed beyond our knowledge; and outside the limit of all
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