Mirror of Sinners on the Contempt of the World

Exhortation to penitence for many

True penitence is effective

...may seem to have bitterness, it must nevertheless be lightened by considering the immensity of such glory; therefore, let him do penitence who wishes to rejoice in eternal good. To which the Savior urges us in Matthew, chapter 3, saying: "Do penitence, for the kingdom of God is at hand." original: "videat habere asperitatem. debet tamen leuigari: considerando tante glozie immensitatem: ergo penitentiam agat qui eterno vult gaudere bono. Ad quod hortat nos saluator Mathei iii. dicens Penitentiam agite: appropinquabit enim regnum dei."
Regarding which penitence Scripture says: "O happy is the penitence and the morning conversion, because it is secure." original: "De qua penitentia dicit scriptura. O felix penitentia et conuersio matutina: quia secura."
But he who converts himself late to penitence will be doubtful and uncertain, because whether he truly or falsely repents is unknown. original: "Qui autem tarde se ad penitentiam conuertit: dubius et incertus erit: quia vtrum vere an ficte peniteat."
Whence Gregory in Homily 12: "He who promised forgiveness to the penitent did not promise the morrow to the sinner." original: "Vnde Gregorius in Omelia xii. Qui penitenti venia spopondit peccanti diem crastinum non promisit."
For true penitence frees the soul from the servitude of the devil, sanctifies it, adorns it with the gifts and virtues of the Holy Spirit, places it under the protection of God, presents it to be crowned in paradise, and pleads for it. original: "Vera nanque penitentia animam a seruitute diaboli liberat: ipsam sanctificat: spiritus sancti donis et virtutibus exornat: sub protectione dei collocat in paradisum coronandam representat: et pro ipsa allegat."
Which, alas, the lovers of this world hardly notice: the avaricious, the luxurious, the gluttonous, the voluptuous, those greedy for vain glory, the irascible, the lovers of their own will, the contemptuous of the divine will, choosing to make a short feast in this world and a long vigil in hell. original: "Quod heu minime aduertunt mundi huius amatores: et auari: luxuriosi: gulosi: voluptuosi: inanis glorie cupidi: iracundi: amatores proprie voluntatis: contemptores diuine voluntatis: eligentes facere breue festum in hoc mundo: et longam vigilia in inferno."
For thus says Blessed Gregory: "Momentary is that which delights, but eternal is that which tortures." original: "Sic enim dicit beatus Gregorius. Momentaneum est quod delectat: eternu vero quod cruciat."
Alas, alas, how many are among us, among whom these things aforesaid profit little. I speak to the lovers of the world: they turn away their face so that they do not see the end; for they have eyes but do not see, they have ears but do not hear; while they think they live, and because they do not fear the death prepared for them, therefore the miserable neglect to foresee their losses; they are to be considered similar to the foolish who lived impiously until death, and did things worthy of death, nor yet do they fear the nearby death. original: "Heu heu quam multi sunt apud nos: apud quos ista predicta parum proficiunt. Loquor mundi amatoribus: auertunt faciem suam ne videant in finem. oculos enim habent sed no vident aures habent sed no audiunt: dum se viuere arbitrant et quia mortem eis disposita non metuunt: ideo miseri damna eorum preuidere contempnunt: insipientibus similes censendi sunt: qui impie vsque ad mortem virerunt: et que digna sunt morte egerunt: nec tamen mortem timent vicinam."
They are blind and similar to foolish beasts, not foreseeing their last things and what is to come after death. original: "ceci sunt et iumentis insipientibus similes. nouissima sua et que post morte ventura sunt no prouidentes."
Whence Augustine: "Many are damned eternally and are finally held in sins, who do not correct themselves at the voice of the Lord, saying 'tomorrow, tomorrow,' for the reason that tomorrow the door suddenly closes, and the sinner remains outside before the ark of the celestial father with a hollow voice, because he did not want to groan for sins at the time he should have, with a dove-like voice; this is Augustine." original: "Vnde Augustinus. Multi eternaliter damnant et finaliter in peccatis detinentur: qui se ad vocem domini non corrigunt dicentes: cras cras eo quod cras subito hostium claudit et remanet peccator foris ante archam celestis patrie cum voce cor viua: quia pro peccatis gemere noluit tempore quo debuit cu voce columbina hec Augustinus."
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