74
On the Uncertainty of Death.
science burdened by sin? In the very moment in which I commit sin (ah, may God protect me from such an evil!) I may and perhaps shall fall dead on the spot; how then could I dare to sin?
How foolish those sinners who are afraid to die and yet continue to sin!
Would I now, in the state in which I am, would you, my dear brethren, in your present state, be ready to open the door to the Lord, if He should knock, and to travel with Him into eternity? Let each one consider his own case, and ask himself: am I now ready to die? Reflect a little…. If not, why then do I not at once remove the obstacle out of the way, and place my soul in safety; for I can never be sure of the hour at which Our Lord will come. Do you dare, O unjust man, to await the coming of death, while you still have in your possession that which you obtained by dishonest means? Truly not! Why then should you be so foolhardy as to keep those ill-gotten goods, I will not say an hour, but years and years? Would you, unchaste man, like to be surprised by death while your mind is filled with impure images and desires, your heart full of unchaste love? Would you wish for death while the pen is still in your hand to write a letter to the object of your unlawful affection, while you are in that company in which you allow your eyes all liberty, and keep your ears and mouth open to sinful discourses? Would you like death to come for you in that secret place in which you gratify your impure passions? Oh, no, you think; that is certainly not the time nor the place to die in. How then can you dare to continue your wicked ways? Would you, O vindictive man, wish to die in the moment when your heart is full of bitterness and hatred, anger, and revenge, and your mouth with curses, oaths, and imprecations against your neighbor, and your whole idea is to have satisfaction from him who, as you imagine, has injured you? Oh, no, indeed! And why do you not then at once begin, according to the Christian law, to pardon your neighbor from your heart, to be reconciled to him, and to give up the abominable habit of cursing? Would you, O drunkard, wish to die when you come home completely intoxicated, and ill-treat and tyrannize over your poor wife as if she were a dog? Would you, O sinner, wish to be surprised by death with those secret sins on your conscience, which you have not confessed through shame, or which you have not really repented of, or are not firmly resolved to amend? Would you, I ask, like to die then? Ah, God forbid! Is that your idea? If so, then why do you wait? Why do you not at once seek an experienced confessor, who will