For without that a man be disposed in such wise finally, he may not doubtless[1] be saved everlastingly. And what man that is disposed as is abovesaid, let him commend and commit himself, all in fear, fully to the passion of Christ; and continually — as much as he may, and as his sickness will suffer him — think on the passion of Christ; for thereby all the devil's temptations and guiles be most overcome and voided.
CHAPTER IV
THE FOURTH CHAPTER CONTAINETH AN INSTRUCTION: WITH CERTAIN OBSECRATIONS[2] TO THEM THAT SHALL DIE
Furthermore, forasmuch as Saint Gregory saith: Every doing of Christ is our instruction and teaching; therefore such things as Christ did dying on the cross, the same should every man do at his last end, after his cunning[3] and power. And Christ did five things on the cross. He prayed, for He said these psalms: Deus, Deus meus, respice in me; and all the psalms following unto that verse: In manus tuas, Domine. [Ps. 24;16; Ps 30:6] Also He cried on the cross, as the apostle witnesseth. Also He wept on the cross. Also He committed His soul to the Father on the cross. Also wilfully He gave up the ghost on the cross.
First He prayed on the cross. So a sick man, that is in point of death, he should pray; namely in his heart, if he may not with his mouth. For
