And therefore in this kind of tribulation is
there good occasion for a double comfort; but that is, I say,
diversely to sundry diverse folk, as their own conscience is
cumbered with sin or clear. Howbeit, I will advise no man to be so
bold as to think that his tribulation is sent him to keep him from
the pride of his holiness! Let men leave that kind of comfort
hardly to St. Paul, till their living be like his. But of the rest
men may well take great comfort and good besides.
X
VINCENT: The third kind of tribulation, uncle, remaineth now--that
is, that which is sent a man by God, and not for his sin either
committed or which otherwise would come, and therefore is not
medicinable, but is sent for exercise of our patience and increase
of our merit, and therefore better than medicinable. Though it be,
as you say (and as indeed it is) better for the man than any of the
other two kinds in another world, where the reward shall be
received, yet I cannot see by what reason a man can in this world,
where the tribulation is suffered, take any more comfort in it than
in any of the other twain that are sent him for his sin. For he
cannot here know whether it be sent him for sin before committed,
or for sin that otherwise should befall, or for increase of merit
and reward after to come.
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