Alway ought [it] to be taken heed that the interrogations be made before or that the sick man lose the usage of speech; and if the answers of the sick person appear not sound nor sufficient to his salvation, let there be put thereto remedy — by necessary information — by the best manner that may be.
And also [it] ought to be showed to the sick person the great peril that might fall and come to him, notwithstanding though he thereby should be afeared. For better it is that by fear and wholesome dread he have compunction and be saved, than by blandishing dissolution,[1] or by noyous comfort, he be damned. In truth this thing is much strange and over perilous, and contrary to the faith and Christian religion, but it is a thing diabolical, that to a Christian man, being in the article of death, for to hide from him the peril of the death of his soul, and that by human dread men dare not trouble him.
Contrary to this did Isaye the prophet when he feared[2] wholesomely the King Ezechias, lying sick unto the death, saying to him that he should die of that sickness; and nevertheless yet he died not. In like wise did Saint Gregory, when he feard wholesomely his monk — which was constituted in the article of death — for his propriety.[3]
Item [there] ought to be presented to the sick person the image of the crucifix, which alway should be among the sick people, and also the image of our Blessed Lady, and of other saints which the sick man
