Chapter XVI. Of his happy death and burial CHAPTER XVI Of his happy death and burial (1) HIS faithful and prudent servant of the Lord perceiving that the end of his days was at hand—for he was smitten by the bolt that must fall upon all men—asked for and receivedT the Viaticum of Salvation. He bore with patience the stroke from the Hand of the Lord, and like the elect, strove not to avoid His scourge, knowing that the more humbly and gladly he bore this present chastisement, the more readily should he appease the wrath of the Judge
Almighty. Resigning himself therefore wholly to the Divine Will, and readily submitting himself to the ordinance from above, he committed the issue of his strife to God in faith 47 and spoke these few words to the brethren who stood about him:
"Lo! I am called of the Lord, and the time of my dissolution is at hand. Augustine and Bernard are knocking at the door; and I may not go beyond the bounds which God hath set to my life. I must pay the debt of the flesh like other mortals; may God protect my going forth, and may my spirit return to Him Who gave it; let the earth cover this poor body which was taken from it, but might not long abide thereon; and may He for Whose love I have laboured, written, and preached, grant that I find peace after death."
(2) But his disciples were grieved to the heart, and said to him with bitter sighing: "What shall we do from henceforth, and who shall teach us in time to come? Thou hast been our father and our defender, and hast drawn us to God. Now shall our adversaries rejoice, and they of the world shall laugh us to scorn, saying: "These have no leader nor chief, therefore shall they soon be brought to naught." If when thou wert here they dared to mock us and speak evil of us, what shall they do when thou art gone? Let prayers for us fall from thy lips, and bring aid speedily to the sons whom thou dost leave behind. Through thy counsel have we begun to amend; help us that we may persevere."
The good and pitiful Master, seeing that the hearts of his sons were in heavy sorrow for his departure, gave them kindly comfort, saying: "Have faith in God, my most beloved, nor fear them of the world that prate against you. Stand firm in your holy purpose, for God shall be with you where ye are; man shall not prevail to break down that which God hath determined shall be builded. So soon as I am come to God, I hope I shall cast down upon you 48 flowers out of Heaven, that ye may know the Grace of God and produce fruit in the world; and to Him and to His saints do I commend you all."
(3) "Behold Florentius, my beloved disciple, in whom the Holy Spirit hath found a resting place, shall be to you a father and ruler. Take him in my stead, hear him, and obey his counsel. I know none like him, none whom I esteem so highly, or in whom I have such confidence. Him must ye love and reverence as a father."