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Think of nought but of thy salvation； care only for the things of God。
Make to thyself friends； by venerating the saints of God and walking in
their steps； that when thou failest； thou mayest be received into everlasting
habitations。（2）
9。 Keep thyself as a stranger and a pilgrim upon the earth； to whom the
things of the world appertain not。 Keep thine heart free； and lifted up
towards God； for here have we no continuing city。（3） To Him direct thy
daily prayers with crying and tears； that thy spirit may be found worthy to
pass happily after death unto its Lord。 Amen。
（1） Matthew xxiv。 44。 （2） Luke xvi。 9。 （3） Hebrews xiii。 14。
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CHAPTER 23
Of the judgment and punishment of the wicked
In all that thou doest； remember the end； and how thou wilt stand
before a strict judge； from whom nothing is hid； who is not bribed with
gifts； nor accepteth excuses； but will judge righteous judgment。 O most
miserable and foolish sinner； who art sometimes in fear of the countenance
of an angry man； what wilt thou answer to God； who knoweth all thy
misdeeds？ Why dost thou not provide for thyself against the day of
judgment； when no man shall be able to be excused or defended by means
of another； but each one shall bear his burden himself alone？ Now doth
thy labour bring forth fruit； now is thy weeping acceptable； thy groaning
heard； thy sorrow well pleasing to God； and cleansing to thy soul。
2。 Even here on earth the patient man findeth great occasion for
purifying his soul。 When suffering injuries he grieveth more for the
other's malice than for his own wrong； when he prayeth heartily for those
that despitefully use him； and forgiveth them from his heart； when he is
not slow to ask pardon from others； when he is swifter to pity than to
anger； when he frequently denieth himself and striveth altogether to
subdue the flesh to the spirit。 Better is it now to purify the soul from sin；
than to cling to sins from which we must be purged hereafter。 Truly we
deceive ourselves by the inordinate love which we bear towards the flesh。
3。 What is it which that fire shall devour； save thy sins？ The more
thou sparest thyself and followest the flesh； the more heavy shall thy
punishment be； and the more fuel art thou heaping up for the burning。
For wherein a man hath sinned； therein shall he be the more heavily
punished。 There shall the slothful be pricked forward with burning goads；
and the gluttons be tormented with intolerable hunger and thrist。 There
shall the luxurious and the lovers of pleasure be plunged into burning pitch
and stinking brimstone； and the envious shall howl like mad dogs for very
grief。
4。 No sin will there be which shall not be visited with its own proper
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
punishment。 The proud shall be filled with utter confusion； and the
covetous shall be pinched with miserable poverty。 An hour's pain there
shall be more grievous than a hundred years here of the bitterest penitence。
No quiet shall be there； no comfort for the lost； though here sometimes
there is respite from pain； and enjoyment of the solace of friends。 Be
thou anxious now and sorrowful for thy sins； that in the day of judgment
thou mayest have boldness with the blessed。 For then shall the righteous
man stand in great boldness before the face of such as have afflicted him
and made no account of his labours。（1） Then shall he stand up to judge；
he who now submitteth himself in humility to the judgments of men。
Then shall the poor and humble man have great confidence； while the
proud is taken with fear on every side。
5。 Then shall it be seen that he was the wise man in this world who
learned to be a fool and despised for Christ。 Then shall all tribulation
patiently borne delight us； while the mouth of the ungodly shall be stopped。
Then shall every godly man rejoice； and every profane man shall mourn。
Then the afflicted flesh shall more rejoice than if it had been always
nourished in delights。 Then the humble garment shall put on beauty； and
the precious robe shall hide itself as vile。 Then the little poor cottage
shall be more commended than the gilded palace。 Then enduring
patience shall have more might than all the power of the world。 Then
simple obedience shall be more highly exalted than all worldly wisdom。
6。 Then a pure and good conscience shall more rejoice than learned
philosophy。 Then contempt of riches shall have more weight than all the
treasure of the children of this world。 Then shalt thou find more comfort
in having prayed devoutly than in having fared sumptuously。 Then thou
wilt rather rejoice in having kept silence than in having made long speech。
Then holy deeds shall be far stronger than many fine words。 Then a
strict life and sincere penitence shall bring deeper pleasure than all earthly
delight。 Learn now to suffer a little； that then thou mayest be enabled to
escape heavier sufferings。 Prove first here； what thou art able to endure
hereafter。 If now thou art able to bear so little； how wilt thou be able to
endure eternal torments？ If now a little suffering maketh thee so
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impatient； what shall hell…fire do then？ Behold of a surety thou art not able
to have two Paradises； to take thy fill or delight here in this world； and to
reign with Christ hereafter。
7。 If even unto this day thou hadst ever lived in honours and pleasures；
what would the whole profit thee if now death came to thee in an instant？
All therefore is vanity； save to love God and to serve Him only。 For he
who loveth God with all his heart feareth not death； nor punishment； nor
judgment； n