Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New Testament

² And in these words which I have spoken, “Live well, that you may not die ill,” do not think of those who it may be have lived evilly, and have died in their beds; and the pomp of their funeral has been displayed, and they have been laid in costly coffins, in sepulchres prepared with exceeding beauty and labour; nor because each one of you perhaps is saying, “I should wish so to die,” do ye think that it is a vain thing I have chosen to say; when I said that I would that you should live well, that you may not die ill?

On the other hand, the case of some one, it may be, occurs to you, who has both lived well, and according to the opinion of men has died ill; perhaps he has died from the fall of a house, has died by shipwreck, has died by wild beasts; and each carnal man is saying in his heart, “What good is it to live well? See this man has so lived, and in this wise has he died.” “Return therefore to your heart;” and if you are faithful ones, you will find Christ there; He speaks to you there.

For I cry aloud, but He in silence gives more instruction. I speak by the sound of words; He speaks within by the fear of the thoughts. May He then engraft my word in your heart; for I have taken upon me to say, “Live well, that you may not die ill.” See, for faith is in your hearts, and Christ dwells there, and it is His place to teach what I desire to give utterance to.