Reply Obj. 1:  As Augustine says (Contra Faust. iv, 2), “in these temporal promises were figures of spiritual things to come.  For the carnal people were adhering to the promises of the present life; and not merely their speech but even their life was prophetic.”

Reply Obj. 2:  These rewards are said to have been divinely brought about in relation to the Divine motion, and not in relation to the malice of their wills, especially as regards the King of Babylon, since he did not besiege Tyre as if wishing to serve God, but rather in order to usurp dominion.  So, too, although the midwives had a good will with regard to saving the children, yet their will was not right, inasmuch as they framed falsehoods.

Reply Obj. 3:  Temporal evils are imposed as a punishment on the wicked, inasmuch as they are not thereby helped to reach life everlasting.  But to the just who are aided by these evils they are not punishments but medicines as stated above (Q. 87, A. 8).

Reply Obj. 4:  All things happen equally to the good and the wicked, as regards the substance of temporal good or evil; but not as regards the end, since the good and not the wicked are led to beatitude by them.

And now enough has been said regarding morals in general.