Mirror of Sinners on the Contempt of the World

...a vigil for the feast that they had here, where they will weep eternally. original: "vigiliam pro festo: quod hic habuerunt vbi eternaliter lugebunt."
Blessed Gregory well intimates this in homily 11 on that word which is written in Matthew, chapter 13, "There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth," saying thus: "Present joys follow with perpetual laments; therefore, brothers, flee vain joy here, but dread to weep and mourn there." original: "Quod bene innuit beatus Gregorius in omelia .rj. super illo verbo quod scribitur Math. riij. ibi erit fletus et stridor dentium sic inquiens: presentia gaudia sequuntur perpetua lamenta ideo hic fratres vanam letitiam fugite sed illic flere et lugere formidatis."
No one can rejoice here with this world and reign there with God. original: "Nemo potest hic gaudere cum hoc seculo et illic regnare cum deo."
Likewise, Blessed Gregory: "There are also some who would wish to come from feast to feast; this is, from the joy of the present life to the joys of eternal happiness," to whom Blessed Jerome speaks, saying: "It is very difficult, or rather impossible, that one should enjoy present goods and eternal delights; that one should pass from delights to delights; that one should fill the belly here and the mind there; that one should be first in both worlds and appear glorious in both." original: "Nec beatus Gregorius: aliqui etiam sunt qui vellent venire de festo ad festum: hoc est de gaudio vite presentis ad gaudia felicitatis eterne quibus loquitur beatus Hieronimus dicens. difficile nimium est immo impossibile vt quis presentibus fruatur bonis et eternis delicijs: vt de delicijs ad delicias tranfeat: vt hic ventrem et illic mente impleat vt in vtroque seculo sit primus et in vtroque appareat gloriosus."
Whence Holy Scripture says: "It is impossible that those who have worldly glory and live in the delights and pleasures of the world should bear heavenly fruit." original: "Vnde dicit sancta Cicla sic. Impossibile est vt secularem gloriam habentes in delicijs ac voluptatibus mundi viuentes celestem faciant fructum."
Therefore, the Savior threatens eternal punishment to such people for their temporal consolation, saying in Luke, chapter 6: "Woe to you who have your consolation here." original: "Saluator ergo talibus pro temporali consolatione comminatur eternum supplicium dicens Luce .vj. ve vobis qui hic habetis consolationem vestram."
Hence Blessed Bernard says: "The austerity of the conversation of Saint John the Baptist is a harsh messenger of eternal death to delicious sinners." original: "Hinc dicit beatus Bernardus. Austeritas conuersationis sancti Johannis baptiste peccatoribus deliciosis durus eterne mortis est nuntius."
For why are we, so little and irrational creatures, almost reptiles of the earth, so mad, when He, than whom no one greater has risen among those born of women, afflicted his most innocent body so much, and we hasten to be clothed in precious garments and to feast splendidly, lavishly, and delicately? original: "Quid enim nos tantilli et irrationales fere reptilia terre insanimus: cum ille qui inter natos mulier nemo maior surrexit: innocentissimum corpus suum sic afflixit et nos preciosis vestibus festinamus indui et splendide laute ac delicate epulari."
Not so the wicked; not so is the way to the stars. original: "Non sic impij non sic itur ad astra."
Regarding what Blessed Augustine says: "Christ despised earthly goods to show that all earthly things are to be despised, and he sustained the evils of the world so that he might teach how to sustain evils; so that happiness might not be sought in those, nor adversity feared in these." original: "quod dicit beatus Augustinus bona terrena Christus contemsit vt omnia terrena contemnenda monstraret et mala mundi sustinuit vt sustinere mala doceret vt neque in illis quereretur felicitas neque in istis timeretur aduersitas."
Hence listen to Saint Bernard saying thus: "O man, how lovable is your soul, and how heavy were its wounds, for which it was necessary for Christ to be wounded. If these had not been to eternal death, would the Son die for a remedy? Do not therefore despise the passion of your soul, for which in such..."