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"If by repentance the souls in purgatory could purify themselves,
a moment would suffice to cancel their whole debt, so overwhelming
would be the force of the contrition produced by the clear vision
they have of the magnitude of every obstacle which hinders them
from God, their love and their final end.
"And, know for certain that not one farthing of their debt is
remitted to these souls. This is the decree of divine justice; it
is thus that God wills. But, on the other hand, these souls have
no longer any will apart from that of God, and can neither see nor
desire aught but by his appointment.
"And if pious offerings be made for them by persons in this world,
they cannot now note them with satisfaction, unless, indeed, in
reference to the will of God and the balance of his justice,
leaving to him the ordering of the whole, who repays himself as
best pleases his infinite goodness. Could they regard these alms
apart from the divine will concerning them, this would be a return
to self, which would shut from their view the will of God, and
that would be to them like hell. Therefore they are unmoved by
whatever God gives them, whether it be pleasure or pain, nor can
they ever again revert to self.
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