it find him ready, so that he receive it gladly, without any withdrawing; right as he that bideth the desired coming of his well-beloved fellow. But alas, for sorrow thou shalt find among some religious, as well as in vain seculars, full many that hate so much the death that unneth[1] they will have it in mind, or hear speak thereof; for they would not go from this world. And the cause is for they learn not to con die. For they spend much of their time in vain speaking, playings, and in vain occupations and curiosities; and other such vain things. And therefore what time death cometh suddenly, for as much as he findeth them unready, he draweth out of the body the wretched soul and leadeth it to hell; as he would oftentimes have done to thee, had not the great mercy of God withstood him.
Wherefore leave you vain things to them that be vain, and give good intent to my doctrine; the which shall profit thee more than choice gold, and than the books of all the philosophers that have been. And [that] this doctrine of me may more fervently move thee, and that it be alway dwelling and fixed in thy mind, (and) therefore under a fellowable ensample, I shall give thee the mystery of this doctrine; the which shall profit thee greatly to the beginning of ghostly health, and to a stable fundament of all virtues.
See now therefore the likeness of a man dying and therewith speaking with thee.
And then the disciple hearing this began to gather
- ↑ scarcely
