OF THE JUDGMENT AND PUNISHMENT OF THE WICKED
“Be you anxious now and sorrowful for your sins, that in the day of judgment you may have boldness with the blessed. For then shall the righteous man stand in great boldness before the face of such as have afflicted him and made no account of his labours. Then shall he stand up to judge, he who now submits himself in humility to the judgments of men. Then shall the poor and humble man have great confidence, while the proud is taken with fear on every side. Then shall it be seen that he was the wise man in this world who learned to be a fool and despised for Christ. Then shall all tribulation patiently borne delight us, while the mouth of the ungodly shall be stopped. Then shall every godly man rejoice, and every profane man shall mourn. Then the afflicted flesh shall more rejoice than if it had been always nourished in delights.
Then the humble garment shall put on beauty, and the precious robe shall hide itself as vile. Then the little poor cottage shall be more commended than the gilded palace. Then enduring patience shall have more might than all the power of the world. Then simple obedience shall be more highly exalted than all worldly wisdom. Then a pure and good conscience shall more rejoice than learned philosophy. Then contempt of riches shall have more weight than all the treasure of the children of this world. Then shall you find more comfort in having prayed devoutly than in having fared sumptuously. Then you will rather rejoice in having kept silence than in having made long speech. Then holy deeds shall be far stronger than many fine words. Then a strict life and sincere penitence shall bring deeper pleasure than all earthly delight.
Learn now to suffer a little, that then you may be enabled to escape heavier sufferings. Prove first here, what you are able to endure hereafter. If now you are able to bear so little, how will you be able to endure eternal torments? If now a little suffering makes you so impatient, what shall hell fire do then? Behold of a surety, you are not able to have two Paradises, to take your fill or delight here in this world, and to reign with Christ hereafter. If even unto this day you have ever lived in honours and pleasures, what would the whole profit you, if now death came to you in an instant?
All, therefore, is vanity, save to love God and to serve Him only. For he who loves God with all his heart, fears not death, nor punishment, nor judgment, nor hell, because perfect love gives sure access to God. But he who still delights in sin, no marvel if he is afraid of death and judgment. Nevertheless it is a good thing, if love as yet cannot restrain you from evil, that at least the fear of hell should hold you back. But he who puts aside the fear of God, cannot long continue in good, but shall quickly fall into the snares of the devil.”
Thomas a Kempis
The Mark Of God: Understanding Your "I AM Presence" 