Chapter XI.
Of the marks of satisfaction, and the removal of past
sins.
But
we know, as we have often
said, that then only have we made satisfaction for past sins, when the
very motions and feelings, through which we were guilty of what we have
to sorrow for, have been eradicated from our hearts. But no one should
fancy that he can secure this, unless he has first with all the fervour
of his spirit cut off the opportunities and occasions, owing to which
he fell into those sins; as for instance, if through dangerous
familiarity with a woman he has fallen into fornication or adultery, he
must take the utmost pains to avoid even looking on one; or if he has
been overcome by too much wine and over-eating, he should chastise with
the utmost severity his craving for immoderate food. And again if he
has been led astray by the desire for and love of money, and has fallen
into perjury or theft or murder or blasphemy, he should cut off the
occasion for avarice, which has allured and deceived him. If he is
driven by the passion of pride into the sin of anger, he should with
all the virtue of humility, remove the incentive to arrogance. And so,
in order that each single sin may be destroyed, the occasion and
opportunity by which or for which it was committed should be first got
rid of. For by this curative treatment we can certainly attain to
forgetfulness of the sins we have committed.