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sins thou didst confess。 Now dost thou resolve to avoid a fault； and
within an hour thou behavest thyself as if thou hadst never resolved at all。
Good cause have we therefore to humble ourselves； and never to think
highly of ourselves； seeing that we are so frail and unstable。 And quickly
may that be lost by our negligence； which by much labour was hardly
attained through grace。
7。 What shall become of us at the end； if at the beginning we are
lukewarm and idle？ Woe unto us； if we choose to rest； as though it were
a time of peace and security； while as yet no sign appeareth in our life of
true holiness。 Rather had we need that we might begin yet afresh； like
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good novices； to be instructed unto good living； if haply there might be
hope of some future amendment and greater spiritual increase。
（1） Psalm xxv。 17。
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CHAPTER 22
Very quickly will there be an end of thee here； take heed therefore how
it will be with thee in another world。 Today man is； and to…morrow he
will be seen no more。 And being removed out of sight； quickly also he is
out of mind。 O the dulness and hardness of man's heart； which thinketh
only of the present； and looketh not forward to the future。 Thou oughtest
in every deed and thought so to order thyself； as if thou wert to die this
day。 If thou hadst a good conscience thou wouldst not greatly fear death。
It were better for thee to watch against sin； than to fly from death。 If to…
day thou art not ready； how shalt thou be ready to…morrow？ To…morrow
is an uncertain day； and how knowest thou that thou shalt have a to…
morrow？
2。 What doth it profit to live long； when we amend so little？ Ah！ long
life doth not always amend； but often the more increaseth guilt。 Oh that
we might spend a single day in this world as it ought to be spent！ Many
there are who reckon the years since they were converted； and yet
oftentimes how little is the fruit thereof。 If it is a fearful thing to die； it
may be perchance a yet more fearful thing to live long。 Happy is the man
who hath the hour of his death always before his eyes； and daily prepareth
himself to die。 If thou hast ever seen one die； consider that thou also
shalt pass away by the same road。
3。 When it is morning reflect that it may be thou shalt not see the
evening； and at eventide dare not to boast thyself of the morrow。 Always
be thou prepared； and so live that death may never find thee unprepared。
Many die suddenly and unexpectedly。 For at such an hour as ye think not；
the Son of Man cometh。（1） When that last hour shall come； thou wilt
begin to think very differently of thy whole life past； and wilt mourn
bitterly that thou hast been so negligent and slothful。
4。 Happy and wise is he who now striveth to be such in life as he
would fain be found in death！ For a perfect contempt of the world； a
fervent desire to excel in virtue； the love of discipline； the painfulness of
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repentance； readiness to obey； denial of self； submission to any adversity
for love of Christ； these are the things which shall give great confidence of
a happy death。 Whilst thou art in health thou hast many opportunities of
good works； but when thou are in sickness I know not how much thou wilt
be able to do。 Few are made better by infirmity： even as they who
wander much abroad seldom become holy。
5。 Trust not thy friends and kinsfolk； nor put off the work of thy
salvation to the future； for men will forget thee sooner than thou thinkest。
It is better for thee now to provide in time； and to send some good before
thee； than to trust to the help of others。 If thou art not anxious for thyself
now； who； thinkest thou； will be anxious for thee afterwards？ Now the
time is most precious。 Now is the accepted time； now is the day of
salvation。 But alas！ that thou spendest not well this time； wherein thou
mightest lay up treasure which should profit thee everlastingly。 The hour
will come when thou shalt desire one day； yea； one hour； for amendment
of life； and I know not whether thou shalt obtain。
6。 Oh； dearly beloved； from what danger thou mightest free thyself；
from what great fear； if only thou wouldst always live in fear； and in
expectation of death！ Strive now to live in such wise that in the hour of
death thou mayest rather rejoice than fear。 Learn now to die to the world；
so shalt thou begin to live with Christ。 Learn now to contemn all earthly
things； and then mayest thou freely go unto Christ。 Keep under thy body
by penitence； and then shalt thou be able to have a sure confidence。
7。 Ah； foolish one！ why thinkest thou that thou shalt live long； when
thou art not sure of a single day？ How many have been deceived； and
suddenly have been snatched away from the body！ How many times hast
thou heard how one was slain by the sword； another was drowned； another
falling from on high broke his neck； another died at the table； another
whilst at play！ One died by fire； another by the sword； another by the
pestilence； another by the robber。 Thus cometh death to all； and the life
of men swiftly passeth away like a shadow。
8。 Who will remember thee after thy death？ And who will entreat for
thee？ Work； work now； oh dearly beloved； work all that thou canst。 For
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thou knowest not when thou shalt die； not what shall happen unto thee
after death。 While thou hast time； lay up for thyself undying riches。
Think of nought but of thy salvation； care only for the things of God。