of the soul. Wouldest thou know what the death of the soul is? Understand the Prophet who
saith, “Let the ungodly be taken away, that he may not see the glory of the Lord.” 2233 Let
the soul then fear its proper death, and not fear the death of its body. Because if it fear its
own death, and so live in its God, by not offending and thrusting Him away from him, it
will be found worthy2234 to receive its body again at the end; not unto everlasting punish-
ment, as the ungodly, but unto life eternal, as the righteous. By fearing this death, and loving
that life, did the Martyrs, in hope of the promises of God, and in contempt of the threats of
persecutors, attain2235 themselves to be crowned with God, and have left to us the celebration
of these solemnities.
2233 Isa. xxvi. 10, Sept.
2234 Merebitur.
2235 Meruerunt.
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On the words of the Gospel, Matt. x. 28, ‘Be not afraid of them that kill…