Then shall good works avail more than many goodly words.
Then a strict life and severe repentance shall be more pleasing than all earthly delights.
Accustom thyself now to suffer a little, that thou mayest then be delivered from more grievous pains.
Prove first here what thou canst endure hereafter.
If now thou canst endure so little, how wilt thou then be able to support eternal torments?
If now a little suffering make thee so impatient, what will everlasting fire do hereafter?
Assure thyself thou canst not have two joys; it is impossible to take thy pleasure here in this world, and after that to reign with Christ?
7. Suppose that thou hadst up to this day lived always in honours and delights, what would it all avail thee if thou wert doomed to die at this instant?
All therefore is vanity, except to love God and serve Him only.
For he that loveth God with all his heart is neither afraid of death, nor of punishment, nor of judgment, nor of hell; for perfect love gives secure access to God.
But he that takes delight in sin, what marvel is it if he be afraid both of death and judgment?
Yet it is good, although love be not yet of force to withhold thee from sin, that at least the fear of hell should restrain thee.
But he that layeth aside the fear of God, can never continue long in good estate, but falleth quickly into the snares of the devil.
