Friendship and opposition

Meaning

Friendship and opposition express a person’s relation to God in an argument about successful work. The artist only sows, plants and waters; God alone gives increase. Heaven, earth and the elements are consequently said to assist God’s friend, while Nature opposes the person opposed by God. The English makes the latter relation explicit rather than treating Nature as an independently hostile force. This is a theological claim about dependence and conduct, not a promise that declaring oneself pious guarantees a material result. Knowledge of the true matter and renewed prayer are still required in the surrounding passage.