CHAPTER XVIII.

_Of judgment and the punishment of sins._

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

O wretched and foolish sinner, who sometimes fearest 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.