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"That which man judges to be perfect, in the sight of God is
defect. For all the works of man, which appear faultless when he
considers them feels, remembers, wills and understands them, are,
if he does not refer them to God, corrupt and sinful. For, to the
perfection of our works it is necessary that they be wrought in us
but not of us. In the works of God it is he that is the prime
mover, and not man.
"These works, which God effects in the soul by himself alone,
which are the last operations of pure and simple love in which we
have no merit, so pierce and inflame the soul that the body which
envelops her seems to be hiding a fire, or like one in a furnace,
who can find no rest but death. It is true that the divine love
which overwhelms the soul gives, as I think, a peace greater than
can be expressed; yet this peace does not in the least diminish
her pains, nay, it is love delayed which occasions them, and they
are greater in proportion to the perfection of the love of which
God has made her capable.
"Thus have these souls in purgatory great pleasure and great pain;
nor does the one impede the other."
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