Distinction of Providence

Saint Augustine distinguishes two 'forms' of divine providence at work.

1) 'Natural' providence whereby the Lord works in a mysterious, inward manner to create, sustain and order according to natural processes. He writes:

'If all existing things would cease to be if form were taken from them, the unchangeable form by which all mutable things exist and fulfill their functions...is to them a providence. If it were not, they would not be'

2)'Voluntary' providence occurs most of all because of the plight of fallen man. In this 'form', He in His gracious mercy converts men from sin and turns them to Him through no merit of their own. He sustains order despite the corrupt nature of man and his predisposition to evil. He acts in space and time, to judge and punish evil, and to reward those who act according to justice. However, most importantly of all, He accomplices His saving work by sending prophets to preach repentance, and at the summit of the story of redemption, He sends the Logos to assume flesh in the womb of the Holy Virgin. Even today through His Catholic Church, He works by the interior illumination and cleansing of the Holy Spirit to bring men from the 'old man' to put on gradually the 'new man' Who is Christ Jesus. He in His wisdom orders creation to His glory and His will could never be frustrated.