Thomas a Kempis, The Imitation of Christ 1.23

Of meditation upon death

1. Very quickly will there be an end of you here; take heed therefore how it will be with you in another world. Today man is, and tomorrow he will be seen no more. And being removed out of sight, quickly also he is out of mind. O the dullness and hardness of man's heart, which think only of the present, and look not forward to the future.You ought in every deed and thought so to order yourself, as if you were to die this day. If you had a good conscience you would not greatly fear death. It is better for you to watch against sin, than to fly from death. If today you are not ready, how shall you be ready tomorrow? Tomorrow is an uncertain day; and how know you that you shall have a tomorrow?

2. What does it profit to live long, when we amend so little? Ah! long life does not always amend, but often the more increases guilt. O that we might spend a single day in this world as it ought to be spent! Many there are who reckon the years since they were converted, and yet oftentimes how little is the fruit thereof. If it is a fearful thing to die, it may be perchance a yet more fearful thing to live long. Happy is the man who has the hour of his death always before his eyes, and daily prepares himself to die. If you have ever seen one die, consider that you also shall pass away by the same road.

3. When it is morning reflect that it may be you that shall not see the evening, and at eventide dare not to boast to yourself of the morrow. Always be you prepared, and so live that death may never find you unprepared. Many die suddenly and unexpectedly. For at such an hour as you think not, the Son of Man comes. When that last hour shall come, you will begin to think very differently of your whole life past, and will mourn bitterly that you have been so negligent and slothful.

4. Happy and wise is he who now strives to be such in life as he would fain be found in death! For a perfect contempt of the world, a fervent desire to excel in virtue, the love of discipline, the painfulness of repentance, readiness to obey, denial of self, submission to any adversity for love of Christ; these are the things that shall give great confidence of a happy death.While  you are in health you have many opportunities of good works; but when you art in sickness I know not how much you will be able to do. Few are made better by infirmity, even as they who wander much abroad seldom become holy.

5. Trust not your friends and kinsfolk, nor put off the work of your salvation to the future, for men will forget you sooner than you think. It is better for you now to provide in time, and to send some good before you, than to trust to the help of others. If you are not anxious for yourself now, who, think you, will be anxious for you afterwards? Now the time is most precious. Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation. But alas! that you spend not well this time, wherein you might lay up treasure that should profit you everlastingly. The hour will come when you shall desire one day, yes, even one hour, for amendment of life, and I know not whether you shall obtain it.

6. Oh, dearly beloved, from what danger you might free yourself, from what great fear, if only you would always live in fear, and in expectation of death! Strive now to live in such a way that in the hour of death you may rather rejoice than fear. Learn now to die to the world, so shall you begin to live with Christ. Learn now to condemn all earthly things, and then may you freely go unto Christ. Keep under your body by penitence, and then shall you be able to have a sure confidence.

7. Ah, foolish one! why think you that you shall live long, when you are not sure of a single day? How many have been deceived, and suddenly have been snatched away from the body! How many times have you heard how one was slain by the sword, another was drowned, another falling from on high broke his neck, another died at the table, another while at play! One died by fire, another by the sword, another by the pestilence, another by the robber. Thus comes death to all, and the life of men swiftly passes away like a shadow.

8. Who will remember you after your death? And who will entreat for you? Work, work now, O dearly beloved, work all that you can. For you know not when you shall die, nor what shall happen unto you after death. While you have time, lay up for yourself undying riches. Think of nothing but of your salvation; care only for the things of God. Make to yourself friends, by venerating the saints of God and walking in their steps, that when you fail, you may be received into everlasting habitations.

9. Keep yourself as a stranger and a pilgrim upon the earth, to whom the things of the world appertain not. Keep your heart free, and lifted up towards God, for here have we no continuing city. To Him direct your daily prayers with crying and tears, that your spirit may be found worthy to pass happily after death unto its Lord.