ADVERSITY AND PROSPERITY.

Jovian Pontanus says of Antony Panormita Antony Panormita was a learned and distinguished Sicilian writer of the 15th century. ¹⁷, that he was always cheerful, whether his affairs went well or ill; his principle was to refer all to God, and to

suppose that the causes of good or ill fortune were hidden from us, and that many accidents are thought unhappy, which are not really so, since they are only occasions which Providence offers us to show our constancy. “Who could be more pleasant than Antonius was in prosperity? or more cheerful in adversity? There was a wonderful force in his speech, inducing us to despise worldly affairs, and to bear misfortunes patiently, for he referred all to God, and said we are ignorant of the causes of good and evil. That many things seem evil, which are not really so, but are opportunities given us by Providence to show our constancy and courage. For what man would be found steady, if all things were quiet and secure? Men are born to acquire virtue, and to improve their minds, and none can do this without much labour; but we are deceived in our notions, and deal too meanly and effeminately with ourselves; running water is more wholesome and agreeable; standing water is noxious and pestilent. Providence therefore offers to every brave and virtuous man, troubles and afflictions, that he may exert and distinguish himself above others. Generals commit the most difficult and dangerous enterprises to those they love best, and whose courage is most unquestionable. And indeed, this kind of warfare is the most glorious, not that which seeks for booty and spoil. But it is the part of a weak and cowardly soul to hate labour, to shun trouble, and to languish in sloth and idleness.”

There is nothing finer than these common places, according to the condition of men; but at the same time, it must be acknowledged, that they suppose that condition to be a very strange one; for what can he more astonishing and incomprehensible, than to see a man reduced to such a state, that he must be unhappy to avoid greater evils? Why is he not

conducted from one good to another, until he arrives at perfection? Why should vexation, grief, and misery, be the least inconvenient way that he can take? The Pagans could answer nothing that was good to this difficulty, and they were stupid enough hardly to think of it; revelation alone can solve it.

The inconstancy of men’s reasonings with respect to Adversity and Prosperity.

The reasonings of men upon this subject are quite opposite; for you will be told, that they who will live godly, must suffer persecution, and that godliness has the promise of this life, as well as of that which is to come. It is asserted both, that God suffers the wicked to prosper in this life, and that, if we observe it narrowly, we shall find the maxim of Livy true,— that those who fear God, succeed in their designs, and that fortune is an enemy to the ungodly. Nor is this all; for as to the general thesis, it is agreed that we should not judge of things by the event, and that those who do so, deserve to be unhappy,

-----------careat successibus opto
Quisquis ab eventu facta notanda putat.—Ovid.Ep.

May he still want success in all his deeds,
Who thinks no action good but what succeeds.

Let us represent to ourselves two great opposite parties, one of which has formed an important enterprise; if it succeed, they fail not to infer that it is just; and to maintain, that this good success is a mark of God’s approbation. The other party, on the contrary, will assert, that we must keep to the general thesis, and to the “ careat successibus opto,” &c., and that God, for the punishment of men, very often permits the wicked to succeed in their pernicious designs. But if the party who gives such lessons of morality, soon

after forms an enterprise of consequence, and sees it successful, you shall no longer hear it speak of the general thesis; but assert in its turn, that good success is a mark of the justice of that affair, and that it is plain God has approved it, since he has so visibly accompanied it with his holy benediction. The former party will then not be ashamed to say, that we must not judge of things by the event, “ careat successibus opto,” &c., and to vent a hundred fine commonplaces. Is any thing more convenient than this? Is it not to be furnished with principles, as we are with clothes, some for summer, and some for winter?—Arts.Panormita,andMahomet II.