Si usque in hodiernum diem semper in honoribus et voluptatibus vixisses, quid totum tibi profuisset, si jam in instanti mori contingeret? Omnia ergo vanitas, præter amare Deum, et illi foli servire. Qui enim Deum ex toto corde amat, nec mortem, nec supplicium, nec judcium, nec infernum metuit, quia perfectus amor securum ad Deum accessum facit. Quem adhuc peccare delectat, non mirum, si mortem, judicium timeat. Bonum tamen est ut, si necdum amor a malo te revocat, saltem timor gehenæ te coerceat. Qui vero timorem Dei postponit, diu stare in bono non valebit, sed diaboli laqueos citius incurret.
If even unto this day you had ever lived in honors and pleasures, what would the whole profit you if now death came to you in an instant? All therefore is vanity, save to love God and to serve Him only. For he who loves God with all his heart fears not death, nor punishment, nor judgment, nor hell, because perfect love gives sure access to God. But he who still delights in sin, no marvel if he is afraid of death and judgment. Nevertheless it is a good thing, if love as yet cannot restrain you from evil, that at least the fear of hell should hold you back. But he who puts aside the fear of God cannot long continue in good, but will quickly fall into the snares of the devil.
Imitation of Christ, I, 24:7
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