instead of longing for death, are filled with fear and dread at the
comparison to the latter, it is to be despised and scorned. If heaven is our true homeland, what can the earth be but a place of exile? If departing from this world is entering into life, then the world is but a tomb, and residing in it is being immersed in death. If being freed from the body is gaining true freedom, then the body itself is a prison. If the ultimate happiness lies in the presence of God, then how miserable is life without it? Yet, while we are still in this earthly body, we are absent from the Lord. Therefore, when we compare the earthly life to the heavenly life, it can be truly despised and trampled underfoot. However, we should never hate it except insofar as it keeps us enslaved to sin. And even in this hatred, we should not direct it towards life itself. Nevertheless, we should approach it with weariness or disdain, longing for its end and being ready to continue in it according to the will of the Lord, keeping far from murmuring and impatience. It is as if the Lord has assigned us a post, which we must faithfully maintain until He calls us back. Paul, in his lament, acknowledges his condition of still being bound to the body and earnestly yearns for redemption. Yet, he declared his readiness to obey God's command, prepared for either life or death, recognizing it as his duty to glorify God's name whether through life or through death, while leaving it to God to determine what is most conducive to His glory. Therefore, if it is our purpose to live and die for the Lord, let us surrender the length of our life and the timing of our death to His disposal. Let us eagerly long for death, meditate upon it constantly, and despise this life in comparison to the future immortality. Let us long to renounce it because of the bondage of sin, whenever it pleases the Lord to do so.
5. But it is truly remarkable that many who claim to be Christians, instead of longing for death, are filled with fear and dread at the mere mention of it. It is not surprising that our natural inclinations are somewhat unsettled by the thought of our own dissolution. However, it is utterly unacceptable that the light of piety should not shine so brightly in the hearts of Christians as to overcome and suppress that fear with greater consolation. When we reflect upon the transient, defective, corruptible, fading, withering, and decaying
nature of our earthly bodies, knowing that they will be dissolved only to be renewed in a sure, perfect, incorruptible, and heavenly glory, shouldn't our faith compel us to eagerly desire what nature fears? When we contemplate that death is our return from exile to our true homeland, a heavenly country, shouldn't this bring us comfort? After all, everything yearns for lasting existence. I acknowledge this, and therefore argue that we ought to fix our gaze on future immortality, where we may attain the permanence that eludes us in this earthly realm. The apostle Paul rightly urges believers to eagerly embrace death, not because they wish to be unclothed, but because they long to be clothed with the heavenly garments of resurrection (2 Corinthians 5:2). Shall the lower animals, and even inanimate creatures like wood and stone, who are conscious of their present vanity, eagerly anticipate the final resurrection and liberation from vanity alongside the sons of God (Romans 8:19)? And shall we, endowed with the light of intellect, and more than intellect, enlightened by the Spirit of God, when our very essence is at stake, fail to rise above the corruption of this earth? However, this is not the time or place for me to argue against this great perversity. From the outset, I declared that I did not intend to engage in an extensive discussion of common topics. My advice to those whose hearts are filled with such timidity is to read the short treatise of Cyprian, "On Mortality," unless they are more deserving of being sent to the philosophers, that by examining their teachings on the contempt of death, they may begin to blush. Let us firmly hold this truth, however, that no one has truly advanced in the school of Christ unless they look forward with joy to the day of death and the final resurrection (2 Timothy 4:18; Titus 2:13). For Paul distinguishes all believers by this mark, and the consistent message of Scripture directs us to that glorious hope whenever it seeks to stir us up to genuine and abounding joy. "Look up," says our Lord, "and lift up your heads, for your redemption draws near" (Luke 21:28). Is it reasonable, I ask, that what He intended to have a powerful effect in stirring us up to alacrity and exultation should only produce sadness and consternation? If that were the case, why do we still boast of Him as our Master? Therefore, let us regain a sound mind, and no