14. This trial, that now the bowels, relaxed into a constant flux, discharge the bodily strength; that a fire originated in the marrow ferments into wounds of the fauces; that the intestines are shaken with a continual vomiting; that the eyes are on fire with the injected blood; that in some cases the feet or some parts of the limbs are taken off by the contagion of diseased putrefaction; that from the weakness arising by the maiming and loss of the body, either the gait is enfeebled, or the hearing is obstructed, or the sight darkened;—is profitable as a proof of faith. What a grandeur of spirit it is to struggle with all the powers of an unshaken mind against so many onsets of devastation and death! what sublimity, to stand erect amid the desolation of the human race, and not to lie prostrate with those who have no hope in God; but rather to rejoice,33    Some read, “rather it behoves us to rejoice.” and to embrace the benefit of the occasion; that in thus bravely showing forth our faith, and by suffering endured, going forward to Christ by the narrow way that Christ trod, we may receive the reward of His life34    Or, “of the way.” and faith according to His own judgment! Assuredly he may fear to die, who, not being regenerated of water and the Spirit, is delivered over to the fires of Gehenna; he may fear to die who is not enrolled in the cross and passion of Christ; he may fear to die, who from this death shall pass over to a second death; he may fear to die, whom on his departure from this world eternal flame shall torment with never-ending punishments; he may fear to die who has this advantage in a lengthened delay, that in the meanwhile his groanings and his anguish are being postponed.

XIV. Hoc quod nunc corporis vires solutus in fluxum venter eviscerat, quod in faucium vulnera conceptus medullitus ignis exaestuat, quod assiduo vomitu intestina quatiuntur, quod oculi vi sanguinis inardescunt, quod quorumdam vel pedes vel aliquae membrorum partes contagio morbidae putredinis amputantur, quod per jacturas et damna corporum prorumpente 0591C languore vel debilitatur incessus, vel auditus, 0592A obstruitur, vel caecatur aspectus, ad documentum proficit fidei. Contra tot impetus vastitatis et mortis inconcussi animi virtutibus congredi, quanta pectoris magnitudo est! quanta sublimitas inter ruinas generis humani stare erectum, nec cum eis quibus spes in Deum nulla est jacere prostratum! Gratulari magis oportet et temporis munus amplecti quod, dum nostram fidem fortiter promimus, et labore tolerato ad Christum per angustam Christi viam pergimus, praemium vitae ejus et fidei ipso judicante capiamus. Mori plane timeat, sed qui, ex aqua et Spiritu non renatus, gehennae ignibus mancipatur. Mori timeat qui non Christi cruce et passione censetur: mori timeat qui ad secundam mortem de hac morte transibit: mori timeat quem, de saeculo recedentem, perennibus 0592B poenis aeterna flamma torquebit: mori timeat cui hoc mora longiore confertur, ut cruciatus ejus et gemitus interim differatur.