Editorial comment: Now and then in translating this, my perspective is strongly different from the author's. Where he sees us facing justice where we each bear our burden alone, I see Christ in that picture with forgiveness and mercy, and will voice some amazement that he makes no mention of that. I'll skip the Lutheran comments about purgatory; they would be predictable and therefore hardly necessary. He anticipates Dante in some imaginative turns. Take from this section what you will; there are still some useful thoughts in it.
Always keep an eye on how things will end. You will stand before a strict judge. Nothing is hidden from him. He won't be bribed. He doesn't take excuses. Whatever is justice, that is his judgment. O most miserable and foolish, what will you answer to God, who knows every evil done? You sometimes fear the face of an angry man. Can't you foresee yourself on the day of judgment? The day when no one can be excused or defended by someone else, but each shall bear his burden himself alone? Not then but now is the time when your labor can bear fruit, when your tears are acceptable, your groans are heard, your sorrow is satisfying to God and cleansing to your soul.
There is a great and healthy purification for the patient man -- who when he is injured, is more grieved by the other's malice than by his own injury; who willingly prays for those who are against him, and forgives from the heart; who does not delay in asking forgiveness from others; who is more easily moved to pity than anger; who frequently denies himself and in all things strives for his flesh to be subject to his spirit. It is better to purify ourselves from sins, to cut off our vices now, than to save those sins and vices for later, from which we must be purified hereafter. Truly, we are fooling ourselves with that unhealthy love we have towards the flesh.
Let me ask you, what will that fire of judgment devour, except for your sins? The more you spare yourself and chase after the flesh, the harder you are making it for yourself, and the more fuel for the fire. In whatever way a man has sinned, he shall be punished more seriously. There shall the idle(?) be purified with burning spurs, and the gluttons be tormented with unbearable hunger and thirst. There shall the lovers of luxury and pleasure be covered with burning pitch and stinking brimstone. And like mad dogs, the envious will howl.
There won't be a single sin that doesn't have its own punishment. There the cocky will be confused, and the greedy will be held back by poverty. There, one hour will be a more severe punishment than a hundred years on earth of the bitterest penance. In that place there is no rest for the lost or comfort for the condemned. Here, sometimes there is rest from labors and enjoyment of the comfort of friends. Now is the time to be concerned about your vices and sorrowful for your sins, so that on the day of judgment you may be immediately secure among the blessed. In that day the righteous will stand in great steadiness against them, who have caused affliction and distress. Then will he stand up to judge, who now humbly submits himself to the judgments of men. Then the poor and humble will have great confidence, while fear on every side will overtake the proud.
Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis, 1.24 (first part).
Translation focused on contemporary English and preservation of rhetorical force and art
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