But because these things enter not into the heart, and we still love the things of the world, therefore we remain cold and slothful.

Miserable thou_art, wheresoever thou be, or whithersoever thou turnest, unless thou turn to God. Who is in the best case? He who can suffer something for God.

O brother, quit not thy hope of profiting in spiritual things. There is yet time, the hour is not yet past.

5. Why wilt thou defer thy good purpose? Arise, begin this instant, and say, Now is the time to be doing, now is the time to be striving, now is the time to amend.

But unless thou doest violence to thyself, thou shalt never get the victory over sin,

CHAPTER XVII.

Of the Meditation of Death.

THIS life will soon be at an end! Consider, therefore, how thy affairs stand as to the next.

Man is here to-day, to-morrow he is soon forgotten. Thou shouldest so order thyself in all thy thoughts, and all thy actions, as if thou wert to die to-day.

Hadst thou a clear conscience, thou couldest not fear death. It were better to avoid sin, than to flee death.

If thou art not prepared to-day, how wilt thou be to-morrow? To-morrow is uncertain, and how knowest thou that thou shalt live till to-morrow?

2. What availeth it to live long, when we are so little the better.

Alas! long life does not always mend us; but often increaseth guilt.

O that we had spent but one day well in this world.

3. When it is morning, think thou mayest die before night.

When evening comes dare not to promise thyself the next morning.

Be, therefore, always in readiness; and so live, that death may never take thee unprepared.

Many die suddenly, and when they look not for it; for "in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh." (Mat. xxiv. 44.)

When that last hour shall come, thou wilt have a far different opinion of thy whole life.

4. How wise and happy is he, that laboureth to be such in his life, as he wisheth to be found at the hour of his death.

Whilst thou art in health, thou mayest do much good, but when thou art sick, I know not what thou wilt be able to do.

Few by sickness grow better: and they who travel much are seldom sanctified.

5. Trust not in friends and kindred, neither put off the care of thy soul till hereafter; for men will sooner forget thee than thou art aware of.

If thou art not careful for thyself now, who will be careful for thee hereafter?

The time present is very precious; now is the day of salvation, now is the acceptable time.

But, alas! that thou shouldest spend thy time no better here, where thou mightest purchase life eternal! The time will come, when thou shalt desire one day or hour to amend in; and I cannot say it will be granted thee.

6. Ah, fool! why dost thou think to live long, when thou canst not promise to thyself one day. How many have been deceived, and suddenly snatched away!

How often dost thou hear, such a man is slain, another is drowned, a third has broke his neck with a fall; this man died eating, and that playing!

One perished by fire, another by sword, another of the plague, another was slain by thieves. Thus death is the end of all; and man's life suddenly passeth away, like a shadow.

7. Who shall remember thee when thou art dead? Do, do now, my beloved, whatsoever thou art able to do for thou knowest not when thou shalt die, nor yet what shall be after thy death.

Now, while thou hast time, lay up for thyself everlasting riches.

Think of nothing but the salvation of thy soul; care for nothing but the things of God.

8. Keep thyself as a stranger and pilgrim upon earth, who has nothing to do with the affairs of this world.

Keep thy heart free, and lifted up to God, because thou hast here no abiding city. Send thither thy daily prayers, and sighs, and tears, that after death thy spirit may happily pass to the Lord. Amen.

CHAPTER XVIII.

Of Judgment, and the Punishment of Sin.

IN all things remember the end, and how thou wilt be able to stand before that severe Judge, from whom nothing is hid; which is not pacified with gifts, nor admitteth any excuses; but will judge according to right.

O wretched and foolish sinner, who sometimes hast feared the countenance of an angry man ; what answer wilt thou make to God who knoweth all thy wickedness?

Why dost thou not provide for thyself against that great day of judgment, when no man can excuse or answer for another, but every one shall have enough to answer for himself?

2. What is it which that infernal fire feeds upon but thy sins?

The more thou sparest thyself now, and followest the flesh; so much the more hereafter shall be thy punishment, and thou stowest up greater fuel for the flame

In what thing a man hath sinned, in the same shall he be punished.

There is no quiet, no comfort for the damned there. Here we have some intermission of our labours, and enjoy the comfort of our friends.

Be now solicitous and sorrowful because of thy sins, that at the day of judgment thou mayest be secure with the blessed.

For then shall the righteous stand with great boldness before such as have vexed and oppressed them.

Then shall he stand to judge, who doth now humbly submit himself to the judgment of others.

Then shall the poor and humble have great confidence; but the proud shall be compassed with fear on every side.

3. Then will it appear, that he was wise in this world, who had learned to be a fool and despised for Christ's sake.

Then shall every affliction, patiently undergone, delight us; and the mouth of iniquity shall be stopped.

Then shall the devout rejoice, and the profane

mourn.

Then shall he more rejoice, that hath mortified his flesh, than he that hath abounded in all pleasure. Then shall the poor attire shine gloriously, and the precious robes appear vile.

4. Suppose thou hadst hitherto lived always in honour and delights; what would this avail thee, if thou wert to die this instant? All, therefore, is vanity, but to love God and serve him only.

For he that loveth God with all his heart, is neither afraid of death nor judgment, nor hell.

CHAPTER XIX.

Of the Zealous Amendment of our whole Life.

WHEN one that was in great anxiety of mind, often wavering between fear and hope, did once humbly