"In the eyes of the world the righteous are despised, spurned, and thrust aside. Their death seems exceedingly sad. But they are sleeping a most pleasant sleep. When they lie down in their beds and breathe their last, they die just as if sleep were gradually falling upon their limbs and senses. For previously they have been humbled by various trials, and they have become peaceful and quiet, so that they say: “Lord God, I shall die gladly if this seems best to Thee.” They do not dread death as do the ungodly, who tremble and are horribly afraid. This they do to awaken us, in order that we may learn to obey God when He calls us out of this wretched state and may be able to say: “I do not want one hour to be added to my life, Lord Jesus Christ. Come when Thou wilt.” In this way Abraham dies full of days, when he was well content."
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