Chapter XL.—Proved by the Success of the Wicked in This Life.

“Listen, then,” said Peter:  “Some men who are blasphemers against God, and who spend their whole life in injustice and pleasure die in their own bed and obtain honourable burial; while others who worship God, and maintain their life frugally with all honesty and sobriety, die in deserted places for their observance of righteousness, so that they are not even thought worthy of burial.  Where, then, is the justice of God, if there be no immortal soul to suffer punishment in the future for impious deeds, or enjoy rewards for piety and rectitude?”  Then Simon said:  “It is this indeed that makes me 125incredulous, because many well-doers perish miserably, and again many evil-doers finish long lives in happiness.”⁶⁹⁴⁶⁹⁴    [Comp. Homily XIX. 23.—R.]