Chapter III.
Concerning the miserable condition of man, who is daily under fear; and how foolishly he thinks that he can deceive God's knowledge of his sins: likewise, how wretched it is for us to be troubled in bed, which is given for rest, and to rise empty and naked from it, which is the image of this life.
6. How wretched is the condition of man, who labors for others like a hireling, is in need of himself, and unless sustained by the mercy of others, cannot support himself! Every day, enduring heavy servitude under fear and dread, and fearing to be discovered by the Lord, he thinks that he can hide himself in the wandering and fleeting shadow of this world. Consider him of whom it says in Ecclesiasticus: Every man transgressing on his own bed, despising and saying in his soul: Who sees me? Darkness surrounds me and the walls, which I fear (Eccli. XXIII, 25 and 26)? Does it not seem to you that he is truly a hireling who spends his own, like that young man in the Gospel (Luke XV, 13 and following), who is said to have received a portion of substance from his father, and being needy and destitute, to satisfy his hunger, began to feed swine, so that he could exercise his acquired means? But he, however, was eventually converted; for he returned to his father, and did not suppress his sins, but revealed them. But he who thinks himself hidden from Him who sees all things, and believes that his secret actions can be concealed in darkness, is pretending a shadow. But in vain does he think he can hide, for the eye of the Lord is brighter than the sun, and it perceives all hidden things, illuminates the darkness, and penetrates the conscience of the innermost heart, descending into the depths. Therefore, it is empty to think that one is safe in darkness, when one cannot avoid the light that shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not comprehend it. Therefore, like a fugitive and an evil hireling, he is apprehended, and before he conceals himself, he is recognized; because to the Lord, all things are known before he seeks them, not only things done, but also things that are to come.
7. Therefore, he who thinks that he can hide his own crime in empty hope perishes: that is a fable, not the truth. In short, the story of sinners is idle, having no fruit but lamentation. For the foolish narrative is a burden on the way. For what else is sin but a burden that weighs down the traveler of this world with the heavy load of guilt; if he did not wish to be subject to the burden, he should have listened to the one who said: Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you (Matthew 11:28).
8. But what is more distressing than when our own bed, assigned to provide us with rest, inflicts a grievous wound? For then we are accustomed to recall the things we have done, and the inner conscience is stung by the pricks of our actions. Hence, Scripture says of such people: 'What you say in your hearts, and are convicted of in your beds' (Psalm 4:5). It offers a remedy, but at the same time wounds the conscience. But suppose that sleep comes upon the weary at times, we are terrified by dreams, agitated by visions, so that rest is no longer a repose but a punishment. For so the riches of the world depart, as if the dream of one waking. Someone has awoken from the sleep of this body, and possessed nothing, and even lost what they thought they had.
9. Now, consider for me that rich man who was accumulating daily gains and various profits, and was driven by his own desires, suddenly coming to his senses and reflecting to himself that he will not take everything with him when he dies, nor will the glory of his house descend with him; and that the things he possesses in this life may have some pleasure, but not in the future: opening his eyes to heavenly things. Does it not seem to you like someone who drank in his dreams, drank; and like someone who feasted in his dreams, feasted; but upon opening his eyes, realized that his soul had hoped in vain, and still is hungry and thirsty; for greed has no limit, nor is it satisfied by seizing, but it is spurred on the more in need it becomes, the more it seeks? And here he arose, and the dream is empty.