In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and earthenware, and some unto honour, some unto dishonour (2 Tim. ii, 20). Yes, but we should like to have every vessel good of its kind; sound earthenware as well as 22-carat gold. Per se it is so, per accidens often not. The human spirit ever finds some retort upon these justifications. Investigable up to a certain point, the dark continent of evil stretches away beyond into mystery; and there is nothing for it but to trust God.

Of God and His Creatures: 3.71