This page needs to be proofread.

things heavenly and supernal. And that at every hour, when the death shall come to the person, that he be found ready; and that he receive it without any contradiction, but also joyfully, as he should abide the coming of his good friend. To this purpose saith the Philosopher: That natural reason well counselled judgeth that the good death ought better to be chosen than the evil life, and that one ought sooner to choose the bodily death than do anything against the weal of virtue.

Thus then it appeareth of the praising of the death; and that every good person and religious ought to desire departing of the body and soul for to be with our Lord Jesu Christ, and for to leave this present world for the better to live in the world to

CHAPTER II

THE TEMPTATIONS THAT THE PERSON HATH AT THE HOUR OF THE DEATH

It ought to be known and be believed certainly that they that be in the article of death have many grievous and strong temptations; verily such that in their life they never had like. And of these temptations there be five principal.

I, The First is of the Faith; for because that faith is foundation of all health, and that without faith it is impossible to please God. Therefore it is that then in this point the devil with all his might en-