There are, as our Saviour saith, in the house of his father many
mansions. And happy shall he be who shall have the grace to dwell
even in the lowest. It seemeth verily by the gospel that those who
for God's sake patiently suffer penury, shall not only dwell in
heaven above those who live here in plenty in earth, but also that
heaven in some manner of wise more properly belongeth unto them and
is more especially prepared for them than it is for the rich. For
God in the gospel counseleth the rich folk to buy (in a manner)
heaven of them, where he saith unto the rich men, "Make yourselves
friends of the wicked riches, that when you fail here they may
receive you into everlasting tabernacles."
But now, although this be thus, in respect of the riches and the
poverty compared together, yet if a rich man and a poor man be
both good men, there may be some other virtue beside in which the
rich man may peradventure so excel that he may in heaven be far
above that poor man who was here on earth in other virtues far
under him. And the proof appeareth clear in Lazarus and Abraham.
Nor I say not this to the intent to comfort rich men in heaping up
riches, for a little comfort will bend them enough thereto. They
are not so proud-hearted and obstinate but what they would, I
daresay, with right little exhortation be very conformable to that
counsel! But I say this for those good men to whom God giveth
substance, and the mind to dispose it well, and yet not the mind
to give it all away at once, but for good causes to keep some
substance still.
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