The Amending of Life: A Modern English Version of the Emendatio Vitae

OF CONVERSION.

| Dees delay to be converted to our Lord, nor put it off from day to day; for frequently the agony of death seizes the unhappy man, and bitter pains suddenly devour those that seek to avoid conversion. We cannot reckon how many worldly people have been led astray by sinful presumption.

Truly it is a great sin to trust in God’s mercy and not cease from sin, believing God’s mercy to be so great that He will not give to sinners the punishment they deserve. Work ye therefore “‘ while it is day, the night cometh when no man can work.’ “Light or day ” he calls this life, in which we ought never to cease from good works, knowing that our death is certain, but the hour of its approach uncertain. “‘The night” He calls death, in the which our members grow stiff and knowledge is laid aside, and we can no longer do any good work, but only receive joy or torment according to our deeds. For a moment of time we live—indeed less than a moment; for our life is nought if we compare it to life everlasting.