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"I see that the souls in purgatory behold a double operation. The
first is that of the mercy of God; for while they suffer their
torments willingly, they perceive that God has been very good to
them, considering what they have deserved and how great are their
offences in his eyes. For if his goodness did not temper justice
with mercy (satisfying it with the precious blood of Jesus
Christ), one sin alone would deserve a thousand hells. They suffer
their pains so willingly that they would not lighten them in the
least, knowing how justly they have been deserved. They resist the
will of God no more than if they had already entered upon eternal
life.
"The other operation is that satisfaction they experience in
beholding how loving and merciful have been the divine decrees in
all that regards them. In one instant God impresses these two
things upon their minds, and as they are in grace they comprehend
them as they are, yet each according to her capacity. They
experience thence a great and never-failing satisfaction which
constantly increases as they approach to God. They see all things,
not in themselves nor by themselves, but as they are in God, on
whom they are more intent than on their sufferings. For the least
vision they can have of God overbalances all woes and all joys
that can be conceived. Yet their joy in God does by no means abate
their pain."
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