tion." And God also threateneth folk
with tribulation in this world for sin, not because worldly
tribulation is evil, but that we should well beware of the sickness
of sin for fear of the thing to follow. For that thing, though it
be indeed a very good wholesome thing if we take it well, is yet,
because it is painful, the thing that we are loth to have. But this
I say yet again and again, that the scripture undoubtedly so
commandeth tribulation as far the better thing in this world toward
the getting of the true good that God giveth in the world to come,
that in comparison it utterly discommendeth this worldly wretched
wealth and discomfortable comfort. For to what other thing tend the
words of Ecclesiastes that I rehearsed to you now, that it is
better to be in the house of heaviness than to be at a feast?
Whereto tendeth this comparison of his, that the wise man's heart
draweth thither where folk are in sadness, and the heart of a fool
is where he may find mirth? Whereto tendeth this threat of the wise
man, that he who delighteth in wealth shall fall into woe?
"Laughter," saith he, "shall be mingled with sorrow, and the end of
mirth is taken up with heaviness." And our Saviour saith himself,
"Woe be to you that laugh, for you shall weep and wail." But he
saith, on the other hand, "Blessed are they that weep and wail, for
they shall be comforted." And he saith to his disciples, "The world
shall rejoice and you shall be sorry, but your sorrow shall be
turned into joy." And so it is now, as you well know, and the mirth
of many who then were in joy is now turned all to sorrow. And thus
you see plainly by scripture that, in matter of true comfort,
tribulation is as far above prosperity as the day is about the
night.

Another pre-eminence of tribulation over wealth, in occasion of
merit and reward, shall well appear upon certain considerations
well marked in them both. Tribulation meriteth in patience and in
the obedient conforming of the man's will unto God, and in thanks
given to God for his visitation. If you reckon me now, against
these, many other good deeds that a wealthy man may do--as, by
riches to give alms, or by authority to labour in doing many men
justice--or if you find further any other such thing; first, I say
that the patient person in tribulation hath, in all these virtues
of a wealthy man, an occasion of merit which the wealthy man hath
not. For it is easy for the person who is in tribulation to be well