They who die in the Lord are blessed, on account of two things which
immediately follow. For they enter into most sweet rest, and enjoy
most delicate refreshment. Concerning their rest it immediately
follows. "Even so saith the spirit" (that is, says the gloss, the
whole Trinity), for they rest from their labors. "And it is a
pleasant bed on which they take their rest, who, as is aforesaid,
die in the Lord." For this bed is none other than the sweet
consolation of the Creator. Of this consolation he speaks himself by
the Prophet Isaiah: "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I
comfort you, and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem." Of the
second,--that is, the delicate refreshment of those that die in
Christ,--it is immediately subjoined, and their works do follow
them. For every virtue which a man has practiced by good works in
this world will bring a special cup of recompense, and offer it to
the soul that has entered into rest. Thus, purity of body and mind
will bring one cup, justice another, which also is to be said
concerning truth, love, gentleness, humility, and the other
virtues. Of this holy refreshment it is written in Isaiah: "Kings
shall be thy nursing fathers, and queens thy nursing mothers." By
kings we understand the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, who, in
inseparable unity, possess the kingdom of heaven; by queens, the
virtues are expressed, which, as has been said, receive the cups of
refreshment from the storehouse of the Trinity, and offer them to
the happy souls. Pray, therefore, dearly beloved, to the Lord, that
he would so grant us to live according to his will, that we may die
in him, and may evermore be comforted and refreshed by him.