him in his
house, and thereupon arrayed him in silk and gave him a great bag
by his side, filled even with gold, but giving him this catch
therewith: that, within a little while, out he should go in his
old rags again, and bear never a penny with him--if this beggar
met his fellow now, while his gay gown was on, might he not, for
all his gay gear, take him for his fellow still? And would he not
be a very fool if, for a wealth of a few weeks, he would think
himself far his better?

VINCENT: Yes, uncle, if the difference in their state were no
other.

ANTHONY: Surely, cousin, methinketh that in this world, between
the richest and the most poor, the difference is scant so much. For
let the highest look on the most base, and consider how they both
came into this world. And then let him consider further that,
howsoever rich he be now, he shall yet, within a while--
peradventure less than one week--walk out again as poor as that
beggar shall. And then, by my troth, methinketh this rich man much
more than mad if, for the wealth of a little while--haply less than
one week--he reckon himself in earnest any better than the beggar's
fellow.

And less than thus can no man think, who hath any natural wit and
well useth it. But now a Christian man, cousin, who hath the light
of faith, he cannot fail to think much further in this thing. For
he will think not only upon his bare coming hither and his bare
going hence again, but also the dreadful judgment of God, and upon
the fearful pains of hell and the inestimable joys of heaven. And
in the considering of these things, he will call to remembrance
that peradventure when this beggar and he are both departed hence,
the beggar may be suddenly set up in such royalty that well were
he himself that ever was he born if he might be made his fellow.
And he who well bethinketh him, cousin, upon these things, I
verily think that the arrow of pride flying forth in the day of
worldly wealth shall never so wound his heart that ever it shall
bear him up one foot.

But now, to the intent that he may think on such things the
better, let him use often to resort to confession. And there let
him open his heart and, by the mouth of some virtuous ghostly
father, have such things often renewed in his remembrance. Let him
also choose himself some secret solitary place in his own house,
as far from noise and company as he conveniently can, and thither
let him sometimes secretly resort alone, imaginin