269. Those who think concerning the Divine Providence from worldly things, conclude thence that it is merely universal, and that the singulars are with the man. Yet they are unacquainted with the arcana of heaven; for they draw their inferences solely from the loves of self and the world, and their pleasures. When, therefore, they see the wicked exalted to posts of honour, and acquire riches, in preference to the good; and again, when they see the wicked successful in the pursuit of their plans, they say in their hearts, that this would not be the case, if the Divine Providence were in each and all things; not considering that the Divine Providence has no regard for that which passes away shortly, and terminates with a man's life in the world, but that it has respect to that which endures to eternity, and which, consequently has no end. That which has no end, has being; but that which has an end, comparatively has no being. Let him who is able consider whether a hundred thousand years, when compared to eternity, are anything, and he will perceive that they are not. What then are some years of life in the world?