How do you know? Have you any letter or document to prove what you say? All those who have been drowned, or have fallen dead on the spot, or been carried off by an apoplectic fit, or have died by some other accident, have thought that death would not come to them so soon; but they were mistaken.
Shown by an example. Such was the case with that nobleman in England of whom Bartoli writes. When the Catholics were bitterly persecuted in every part of the country and cruelly tortured, he said to himself: At heart I will remain a Catholic and keep all the laws of the true religion; but outwardly I will conform to the heretics. So I will save my goods, my honor, and my life. The good God, who sees my heart, will not let me die without giving me a chance of confessing my sins and getting rid of them by true repentance, so that I may save my soul. I generally live in the town where there is a priest concealed, who is ready to absolve me; if I go into the country, there is another there; so I cannot be disappointed. Death will not come upon me in the public streets, like a robber. No, there is no fear of my dying without confession. And yet he was surprised by death as he was on the way from the town to his property in the country. His servants, seeing that he was grievously ill, ran, one into the town, the other to his country-house, to bring the priest; but to no purpose, for their master was dead before they arrived. Thus, concludes Bartoli, he who had two priests to live badly could not find one to help him to die well. The same fate has happened to thousands of others, who left this world in the state of sin, thinking that they were still safe enough from death.
The same may happen to any one: therefore no one should run the risk.
Therefore I ask you again: Sinner! if you were to fare as they did? If death came to you now and that is quite possible—what would become of you? Oh, if he comes, let him come! I therefore no must only -have patience. Patience? If death surprises you in the state of sin and you die impenitent, will you suffer that patiently? If he hurls you into the depths of hell, will you suffer that patiently? If you have to weep and howl and gnash your teeth, curse God and yourself, and burn in that lake of fire forever, will you suffer that patiently? Will you then commit your fate and fortunes to such a blind and uncertain chance? You would not lend your money to any one of whom you could say: perhaps he may give it back to me. Before parting with it you must have some surety that it will be returned. You would not venture your life in a leaky vessel, of which you could say:
