Tolle lege

Theodicy primary

Leibniz illustrates how small circumstances can redirect salvation, recounting St. Augustine’s “Take and read” moment and related accounts of Steno, then proposes that chance can decisively affect eternal outcomes.

107. Hitherto I have devoted myself to giving a full and clear exposition of this whole subject: and although I have not yet spoken of M. Bayle's objections in particular, I have endeavoured to anticipate them, and to suggest ways of answering them. But as I have taken upon myself the task of meeting them in detail, not only because there will perhaps still be passages calling for elucidation, but also because his ar…