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.
ANTHONY: Those that make toward the mark and light far too short,
when they are shot, shall I take up for you.
To prove that perpetual wealth should be no evil token, you say
first that for princes and prelates, and every man for others, we
pray all for perpetual prosperity, and that in the common prayers
of the church, too.
Then say you secondly, that if prosperity were so perilous and
tribulation so profitable, every man ought to pray God to send
others sorrow.
Thirdly, you furnish your objections with examples of Solomon, Job,
and Abraham.
And fourthly, in the end of all, you prove by experience of our own
time daily before our face, that some wealthy folk are good and
some needy ones very wicked.
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