HERE BEGINNETH A LITTLE TREATISE SHORT AND ABRIDGED: SPEAKING OF THE ART AND CRAFT TO KNOW WELL TO DIE
When it is so that what a man maketh or doeth, it is made to come to some end, and if the thing be good and well made, it must needs come to good end; then by better and greater reason every man ought to intend in such wise to live in this world, in keeping the commandments of God, that he may come to a good end; and that out of this world — full of wretchedness and tribulations — he may go to heaven, unto God and His saints, into joy perdurable.
But now in these days few there be that advise[1] them of their end so much as they ought to do, though they be sick, ancient or old; and to them cometh this folly by a foolish hope that every man, in what estate he be, hath an hope to live long. And therefore hath this present treatise been made; composed in short terms for to teach every man well to die whilst he hath understanding, health and reason, to the end that it is needful to him to be the better warned, informed and taught.
- ↑ i.e. consider, ponder on.
