Chapter LXII. How to prepare ourselves against the Enemies who assault us when we are Dying

ALTHOUGH our whole life is a continual warfare on earth, yet the chief and most signal struggle is at the last hour of the great passage, since he who falls at that moment does not rise any more.

This is what you have to do now, that you may be found well prepared then; you must in the present time which is given you fight manfully, for he who fights well in life will, by the good habit which he has already formed, easily gain the victory in his last moments.

Besides this, think often on death with careful consideration, so, when it comes upon you, you will fear it less, and your mind will be free and ready for the conflict.

Worldly men fly from this thought, lest it disturb their delight in earthly things, on which they have willed to set their affections, so that the thought of having to quit them gives them pain. Thus the inordinate affection for them does not diminish, but on the contrary takes more and more possession of them, so that the idea of separation from this life, and from things so dear to them, is unspeakably distressing, and often most so to those who have longest made them their delight.

That you may be able to make this important preparation the better, imagine yourself sometimes to be alone, without any help, and in the anguish of death, and gather before your mind the following things which are likely to give you uneasiness at that time; then think over the remedies, which I shall bring you, so that you may be able to use them the better in that last strait; for the blow which can be given but once should be well learnt beforehand, lest an error be committed which cannot be repaired.