The which treatise is divided into six parts : of which the first treateth of the praising of death, and how one ought to die gladly.
The second treateth of the temptations that they have which be or lie in the article[1] of death.
The third treatise is of the questions that ought [to] be made to them then.
The fourth containeth a manner of instructions and of teaching that ought to be made to them.
The fifth of the remembrance that God hath won and suffered for us.
The sixth and last treateth of certain orisons and devout prayers that they ought to say if they may; or else ought to be said before them, by some that be assistant or present.
CHAPTER I
OF THE ALLOWING OR PRAISING OF THE DEATH: AND HOW ONE GLADLY OUGHT FOR TO DIE
As then the bodily death is the most fearful thing of all other things, so yet is the death of the soul of as much more terrible and reproachable,[2] as the soul is more noble and more precious than the body. And the death of sinners is right cursed and evil; but the death of just and true people is precious before God;
