Part I, Chapter XXI

Inferences Drawn from the Foregoing Protestation

Having made this protestation, open the ears of your heart to hear the sentence of absolution, which the Saviour of your soul, seated on the throne of his mercy, will pronounce before all the angels and saints in heaven, at the same instant that the priest, in his name, absolves you here upon earth; so that all this blessed company, rejoicing at your conversion, will sing a spiritual canticle with incomparable joy, and each of them give the kiss of peace and fellowship to your heart, now restored to grace and sanctity.

Good God! Philothea! what an admirable contract, what a happy treaty do you here enter into with the divine Majesty! By giving yourself to him, you not only receive himself in exchange, but eternal life also. Nothing, therefore, further remains but cheerfully to sign, with a sincere heart, the act of your protestation; then approach with confidence to the altar, where God will reciprocally sign and seal your absolution, and the promise he makes you of his heavenly kingdom, putting himself, in the blessed sacrament, as a seal or signet upon your renovated heart.

Thus shall your soul, O Philothea! be not only purged from sin, but from the affections thereto. But as these affections easily spring up again in the soul, as well through the weakness of depraved nature as through concupiscence, which may be mortified, but can never die whilst we dwell in this mortal body, I will give you some instructions, which, if diligently practised, will preserve you so effectually from mortal sin and all affection to it, that they will never find place in your heart hereafter; but, in order that they may contribute to a still more perfect purification, I will previously say something of that absolute purity to which I am desirous of conducting you.

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