for the dead men be well happy that die in our Lord.
To this purpose saith Plato: That continual remembrance of the death is sovereign wisdom. Also for truth the bodily death of good people alway is none other thing but the issue, or going out, of prison and of exile, and discharging of a right grievous burden, that is to wit of the body; finishing of all things, and end of all maladies and sicknesses, and also of all other strifes mortal. It is the voiding of this present wretchedness; it is consumption of all evils, and the breaking of all the bonds of this cursed and evil world; it is the payment of the debt of nature, return into the country, and entry into joy and glory. Therefore saith the wise man: That the day of the death is better than the day of the birth. But this word ought to be understood for them that be good only.
And therefore every good Christian man, and also every sinner verily contrite, ought not to be sorrowful nor trouble him of the temporal or bodily death, nor he ought not to fear nor doubt[1] it, for whatsomever matter or cause be laid to him, but he ought to suffer and receive it patiently and in thanks and gladly; in conforming himself plainly,[2] and in committing wholly his proper[3] will to God's will, like as (he) is bounden to him.
For well to die is gladly to die: and to con die is to have in all times his heart ready and apparelled to[4]
