perhaps she may make the voyage in safety; but you would seek out the strongest and safest ship. And yet, foolish man that you are! you intrust your soul and its salvation to such an uncertainty!
Shown by another example. Arnulph, Count of Flanders, was suffering the most violent pains. The doctors tried every means to give him relief, but fruitlessly, and at last they determined to perform an operation on him. They proposed this to the count, but he objected to being the first on whom they should try the experiment of a new operation. At the time there were in the place twenty people who had been operated on for the same disease as that from which the count was suffering, and of the twenty only one died. The doctors told the count of this, and advised him to submit to the operation. But he, hearing that one of the persons operated on had died, grew pale and began to sigh deeply. And, said he to the doctors, can any of you assure me that it will not be the case with me also? Although nineteen were cured, how do I know that I will be as lucky as they? Perhaps I shall be the second case of failure? The mere thought of this is enough to hinder me from risking the operation. Suppose, now, that out of the number of patients only the half of them had been healed, nay, that the greater part had lost their lives, and only a few had recovered health; what do you think the prudent count would have done in such circumstances? Would he not have sent away the doctors in anger? But you, presumptuous man, how do you dare to act in a matter in which the eternal happiness or misery of your immortal soul is concerned? Very many who have been of the same opinion as yourself have been hurried off by a sudden death, and most of those who are in the same state as yourself have been thereby consigned to everlasting torments; yet you flatter yourself that you will escape that misfortune? Will you then commit your eternal salvation to such an uncertain event?
Conclusion and exhortation to be always ready for death.
Ah, my dear brethren, I beg of you for the sake of your souls, think often and deeply on this truth: I shall die but once, There is but one moment in which I shall die; on that moment depends my salvation or damnation. It is absolutely uncertain when that moment will come; it may come to-day, this very hour, nay, at once. And what other resolution can such a thought inspire me with but this: therefore I will be always ready to die; therefore I will not remain a minute in a state in which I should