se, to die; but they are in peace. We
resemble them that die, nor is the outward appearance of our
dying unlike that of others; but the thing itself is different,
because for us death is dead. In like manner all our sufferings
are like the sufferings of other men; but it is only in the
appearance. In reality our sufferings are the beginning of our
freedom from suffering, as our death is the beginning of our
life. This is that which Christ saith in John viii, "If a man
keep my saying he shall never see death." [John 8:51] How shall
he not see it? Because when he dies, he begins to live, and so
he cannot see death for the life that he sees. For here the night
shines as the day; [Ps. 139:12] since the life that breaks upon
him is brighter far than departing death. These things are
assured to all who believe in Christ, to the unbelieving they are
not.

Therefore, if you kiss, caress, and embrace, as most sweet
relics,[31] consecrated by His touch, the robe of Christ, the
vessels, waterpots, and what things soever He touched and used;
why will you not the rather caress, embrace, and kiss the pains
and evils of this world, disgrace and death, which He not only
hallowed by His touch, but sprinkled and blessed with His most
holy blood, yea, embraced with willing heart, and great
constraining love?[32] The more, since in these there are for you
far greater merits, rewards, and blessings than in those relics;
for in them there is offered to you the victory over death, and
hell, and all sins, but in those relics nothing at all. O could
we but see the heart of Christ, when, hanging on the Cross, He
was so eager to slay death, and hold it up to our contempt! With
what grace and ardor He embraced death and pain for us timid
ones, who shrink from them! How willingly He first drinks this
cup for us sick ones, that we may not dread to drink it after
Him! For we see that naught of evil befell Him, but only good, in
His resurrection. Could we see this, then doubtless that
precious myrrh, dropping from Christ's lips, and commended by His
words, would grow most sweet and pleasant unto us, even as the
beauty and fragrance of lilies. Thus saith also St. Peter, I.
Peter iv, "Forasmuch as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh,
arm yourselves likewise with the same mind." [1 Pet. 4:1] And St.
Paul, Hebrews xii, "Consider Him that endured such contradiction
of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your
minds." [Heb. 12:3