§14Hoc quod nunc corporis uires solutus in fluxum uenter euiscerat, quod in faucium uulnera conceptus medullitus ignis exaestuat, quod adsiduo uomitu intestina quatiuntur, quod oculi ui sanguinis inardescunt, quod quorundam uel pedes uel aliquae membrorum partes contagio morbidae putredinis amputantur, quod per iacturas et damna corporum prorumpente languore uel debilitatur incessus uel auditus obstruitur uel caecatur aspectus, ad documentum proficit fidei.
That the belly, relaxed into a flux, drains the strength of the body, that the fire conceived in the marrow rages into wounds of the throat, that the intestines are shaken by continuous vomiting, that the eyes grow red with the force of blood, that the feet or some parts of the limbs of certain people are amputated by the contagion of diseased putrefaction, that through the losses and damages of the bodies, as the disease breaks out, either the gait is weakened, or the hearing is obstructed, or the sight is blinded—all this profits as a proof of faith.
contra tot inpetus uastitatis et mortis inconcussis animi uirtutibus congredi quanta pectoris magnitudo est, quanta sublimitas in ruinis humani generis stare rectum nec cum eis quibus spes in Deum nulla est iacere prostratum et gratulari magis et temporis munus amplecti, quod dum nostram fidem firmiter promimus et labore tolerato ad Christum per angustam Christi uiam pergimus, praemium uiae eius et fidei ipso iudicante capiamus.
What greatness of heart it is to clash with unshaken virtues of the soul against so many onslaughts of devastation and death! What sublimity to stand upright amid the ruins of the human race, and not to lie prostrate with those who have no hope in God, but rather to rejoice and embrace the gift of the time, because, while we firmly put forth our faith and, having endured the labor, proceed to Christ through the narrow way of Christ, we may receive the reward of His way and faith under His own judgment!
mori plane timeat, sed qui ex aqua et spiritu non renatus gehennae ignibus mancipatur.
Let him indeed fear to die, but only he who, not reborn of water and the Spirit, is delivered up to the fires of Gehenna.
mori timeat qui non Christi cruce et passione censetur.
Let him fear to die who is not reckoned to the cross and passion of Christ.
mori timeat qui ad secundam mortem de hac morte transibit.
Let him fear to die who will pass from this death to the second death.
mori timeat quem de saeculo recedentem perennibus poenis aeterna flamma torquebit.
Let him fear to die whom, as he departs from the world, the eternal flame will torment with everlasting punishments.
mori timeat cui hoc mora longiore confertur, ut cruciatus eius et gemitus interim differatur.
Let him fear to die to whom a longer delay is granted for this purpose, that his torture and groaning may meanwhile be deferred.
§15Multi ex nostris in hac mortalitate moriuntur, hoc est multi ex nostris de saeculo liberantur.
Many of ours are dying in this mortality, that is, many of ours are set free from the world.
mortalitas ista Iudaeis et gentibus et Christi hostibus pestis est, Dei seruis salutaris excessus est.
This mortality is a plague to the Jews, to the gentiles, and to the enemies of Christ, but to the servants of God it is a saving departure.
hoc quod sine ullo discrimine generis humani cum iniustis. moriuntur et iusti, non est quod putetis malis et bonis interitum esse communem.
As for this fact, that the righteous die along with the unrighteous without any distinction of the human race, there is no reason for you to think that destruction is common to the evil and the good.
ad refrigerium iusti uocantur, ad supplicium rapiuntur iniusti: datur uelocius tutela fidentibus, perfidis poena.
The righteous are called to refreshment, the unrighteous are snatched away to punishment; protection is given more quickly to the faithful, punishment to the faithless.
inprouidi et ingrati sumus, fratres dilectissimi, ad beneficia diuina nec quid nobis conferatur agnoscimus.
We are improvident and ungrateful, most beloved brothers, toward divine benefits, nor do we recognize what is conferred upon us.
excedunt ecce in pace tutae cum gloria sua uirgines uenientes antichristi minas et corruptelas et lupanaria non timentes.
Behold, virgins depart in peace, safe with their glory, not fearing the threats, corruptions, and brothels of the antichrist.
pueri periculum lubricae aetatis euadunt, ad continentiae adque innocentiae praemium feliciter ueniunt.
Boys escape the danger of their slippery age and happily arrive at the reward of continence and innocence.
tormenta iam non timet delicata matrona metum persecutionis et manus cruciatusque carnificis moriendi celeritate lucrata.
The delicate matron no longer fears torments, having gained by the swiftness of her dying an escape from the fear of persecution and the hand and tortures of the executioner.
pauore mortalitatis et temporis accenduntur trepidi, constringuntur remissi, excitantur ignaui, desertores conpelluntur ut redeant, gentiles coguntur ut credant, uetus fidelium populus ad quietem uocatur, ad aciem recens et copiosus exercitus robore fortiore colligitur pugnaturus sine metu mortis, cum proelium uenerit, qui ad militiam tempore mortalitatis accedit.
By the fear of mortality and of the time, the trembling are inflamed, the remiss are bound tight, the sluggish are aroused; deserters are compelled to return, gentiles are forced to believe; the old people of the faithful are called to rest, and a fresh and numerous army is gathered with stronger vigor for the battle line, about to fight without fear of death when the battle comes, having entered the service in the time of mortality.
§16Quid deinde illud, fratres dilectissimi, Quale est, quam pertinens, quam necessarium, quod pestis ista et lues quae horribilis et feralis uidetur explorat iustitiam singulorum et mentes humani generis examinat, an infirmis seruiant sani, an propinqui cognatos pie diligant, an misereantur seruorum languentium domini, an deprecantes aegros non deserant medici, an feroces uiolentiam suam conprimant, an rapaces auaritiae furentis insatiabilem semper ardorem uel metu mortis extinguant, an ceruicem flectant superbi, an audaciam leniant inprobi, an pereuntibus caris uel sic aliquid diuites largiantur et donent sine herede morituri.
What then of that, most beloved brothers, of what nature is it, how pertinent, how necessary, that this plague and pestilence, which seems horrible and deadly, explores the justice of individuals and examines the minds of the human race: whether the healthy serve the sick, whether relatives dutifully love their kinsmen, whether masters pity their languishing slaves, whether physicians do not desert the sick who entreat them, whether the fierce restrain their violence, whether the rapacious extinguish the insatiable ardor of their raging avarice, always burning, even by the fear of death, whether the proud bend their necks, whether the wicked soften their audacity, whether the rich, about to die without an heir, at least in this way distribute and give something to their dying dear ones?
ut nihil aliud mortalitas ista contulerit, hoc christianis et Dei seruis plurimum praestitit quod martyrium coepimus libenter adpetere, dum mortem discimus non timere.
Even if this mortality had brought no other benefit, it has provided this most of all to Christians and servants of God, that we have begun willingly to seek martyrdom, while we learn not to fear death.
exercitia sunt nobis ista, non funera: dant animo fortitudinis gloriam, contemptu mortis praeparant ad coronam.
These are exercises for us, not funerals; they give to the soul the glory of fortitude, and by contempt of death they prepare us for the crown.