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286 CITY OF GOD
demons inflict new accidental torments upon all that
live in those dungeons of dismay and horror. Thus
heaven and hell are affected at the same time in contrary
ways by the conversion and justification of the sinner.
Whenever the souls justify themselves through the Sac
raments, especially by a truly sorrowful confession, it
often happens that the devils for a long time dare not
hours even
appear before the penitent, nor for many
presume to look at him, if he himself does not again
encourage them by losing the divine favor and returning
again to the dangers and occasions of sin; for then the
demons quickly cast off the fear inspired by true peni
tence and justification.
305. In heaven there can be no sorrow or pain; but if
there could be, then the saints would feel it on account
of nothing in the world so much as to see the justified
souls falling back and losing grace, and the sinner
drawing away further or making it impossible for him
to regain divine favor. Sin of its own nature is just as
powerful to move heaven to sorrow and pain as penance
and virtue are to torment hell. Consider then, my dear
est,
in what dangerous ignorance mortals ordinarily live,
depriving heaven of its
joy in the justification of souls,
hindering the external glory connected therewith, hold
ing up the punishment due to the demons, and affording
them on the contrary the joyful triumph of the fall and
perdition of men. I desire that thou, as a faithful and
prudent handmaid, be guided by thy higher knowledge,
labor in compensating these evils. See that thou always
approach the sacrament of Confession with fervor,
esteem and veneration, and with a heartfelt sorrow for
thy sins; for this Sacrament inspires the dragon with
great terror and he exerts himself diligently to hinder
souls by his deceits, in order to cause them to receive
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