Finally, good uncle, this we find before our eyes, and every day we prove it by plain experience that many a man is right wealthy and yet therewith right good, and many a miserable wretch is as evil as he is wretched.  And therefore it seemeth hard, good uncle, that between prosperity and tribulation the matter should go thus, that tribulation should be given always by God to those that he loveth, for a sign of salvation, and prosperity sent for displeasure, as a token of eternal damnation.

XVI

Anthony:  I said not, cousin, that for an undoubted rule, worldly prosperity were always displeasing to God or tribulation evermore wholesome to every man—­or else I meant not to say it.  For well I know that our Lord giveth in this world unto either sort of folk either sort of fortune.  “He maketh his sun to shine both upon the good and the bad, and his rain to fall both on the just and on the unjust.”  And on the other hand, “he scourgeth every son that he receiveth,” yet he beateth not only good folk that he loveth, but “there are many scourges for sinners” also.  He giveth evil folk good fortune in this world to call them by kindness—­and, if they thereby come not, the more is their unkindness.  And yet where wealth will not bring them, he giveth them sometimes sorrow.  And some who in prosperity cannot creep forward to God, in tribulation they run toward him apace.  “Their infirmities were multiplied,” saith the prophet, “and after that they made haste.”  To some that are good men, God sendeth wealth here also; and they give him great thanks for his gift, and he rewardeth them for the thanks too.  To some good folk he sendeth sorrow, and they thank him for that too.  If God should give the goods of this world only to evil folk, then would men think that God were not the Lord thereof.  If God would give the goods only to good men, then would folk take occasion to serve him but for them.  Some will in wealth fall into folly:  “When man was in honour, his understanding failed him; then was he compared with beasts and made like unto them.”  Some men with tribulation will fall into sin, and therefore saith the prophet, “God will not leave the rod of the wicked men upon the lot of righteous men, lest the righteous peradventure extend and stretch out their hands to iniquity.”  So I deny not that either state, wealth or tribulation, may be matter of virtue and matter of vice also.

But this is the point, lo, that standeth here in question between you and me:  not whether every prosperity be a perilous token, but whether continual wealth in this world without any tribulation be a fearful sign of God’s indignation.  And therefore this mark that we must shoot at, set up well in our sight, we shall now aim for the shot and consider how near toward, or how far off, your arrows are from the mark.

Vincent:  Some of my bolts, uncle, will I now take up myself, and readily put them under my belt again!  For some of them, I see well, are not worth the aiming.  And no great marvel that I shoot wide, while I somewhat mistake the mark.