“Conscience is an evil beast which makes a man take a stand against himself.” The Italians also have a common saying: “It is necessary to kill one’s conscience and to say that it is nothing.” But how long will this evil be lulled to sleep? Until the Law comes. When it accuses and terrifies, I am killed; and I persecute, attack, and torture myself with vain thoughts that amount to nothing. Thus over and above the fact that we sin gravely against God, we also afflict ourselves; we take a stand against ourselves and fight until a brother comes up to console and buoy us up with the Word and say: “Why are you insane? Why are you imagining things in your dreams? You are mistaken. God is not angry with you; He has taken away your sin, etc.” For a heart that tortures itself needs such a remedy and the comfort of a brother."
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