Here, 1. It is supposed that a man may walk in his uprightness and yet
be poor in this world, which is a temptation to dishonesty, and yet may
resist the temptation and continue to walk in his uprightness--also
that a man may be perverse in his ways, injurious to God and man, and
yet be rich, and prosper in the world, for a while, may be rich, and so
lie under great obligations and have great opportunities to do good,
and yet be perverse in his ways and do a great deal of hurt. 2. It is
maintained as a paradox to a blind world that an honest, godly, poor
man, is better than a wicked, ungodly, rich man, has a better
character, is in a better condition, has more comfort in himself, is a
greater blessing to the world, and is worthy of much more honour and
respect. It is not only certain that his case will be better at death,
but it is better in life. When Aristides was by a rich man upbraided
with his poverty he answered, Thy riches do thee more hurt than my
poverty does me.