Those Possessed by Sin Are Worse Off

Yet in fact those men are more grievously and severely troubled who seem to be very little affected by the demons in the body, but are possessed in spirit in a far worse way, entangled as they are in their sins and lusts. For as the apostle says, “By whom a man is overcome, to him he is also enslaved.” Only in this respect they are more dangerously ill: though they are the demons’ slaves, they do not know that they are being attacked by them and are under their rule. But we know that even holy men have been handed over in the flesh to Satan and to great afflictions for some very slight faults. For God’s mercy will not allow the least spot or stain to be found in them on the day of judgment, and purges away in this world every spot of their filth, as the prophet, or rather God himself, says, so that he may commit them to eternity as gold or silver refined, needing no cleansing by punishment. “And I will purge away your dross completely,” he says, “and I will take away all your sin; and after this you will be called the city of the righteous, a faithful city.” And again: “As silver and gold are tested in the furnace, so the Lord chooses hearts.” And again: “Fire tests gold and silver, but man is tested in the furnace of humiliation.” And this also: “For whom the Lord loves he disciplines, and he scourges every son whom he receives.” [a]