So all that good
merit groweth to the wealthy man not by his wealth but by the
diminishing of his wealth with wholesome tribulation.
The most colour of comparison is in the other two; that is, in the
conformity of man's will unto God, and in thanks given unto God.
For as the good man, in tribulation sent him by God, conformeth his
will to God's will in that behalf, and giveth God thanks for it; so
doth the wealthy man, in his wealth which God giveth him, conform
his will to God in that point, since he is well content to take it
as his gift, and giveth God also right hearty thanks for it. And
thus, as I said, in these two things can you catch the most colour
to compare the wealthy man's merit with the merit of tribulation.
But yet that they be not matches, you may soon see by this: For no
one can conform his will unto God's in tribulation and give him
thanks for it, but such a man as hath in that point a very
specially good disposition. But he that is truly wicked, or hath in
his heart but very little good, may well be content to take wealth
at God's hand, and say, "Marry, I thank you, sir, for this with all
my heart, and I will not fail to love you well--while you let me
fare no worse!" _Confitebitur tibi, cum benefeceris ei._ Now, if
the wealthy man be very good, yet, in conformity of his will and
thanksgiving to God for his wealth, his virtue is not like to that
of him who doth the same in tribulation.
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