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THE PEARL AMONG THE VIRTUES
in many respects, the most learned of all the Latin fathers, still the devil did not desist from tempting him most violently to sins against holy purity. He himself says of these severe afflictions: "My face was pale with fasting, and yet my body felt violent assaults of irregular desires; and though I vigorously repressed all their sallies, they strove always to rise again. I, often, joined whole nights to days, crying, sighing, and beating my breast till the desired calm returned. The Lord is my witness, that after so many sobs and tears, after having looked in such sorrow up to Heaven, I experienced most delightful comfort and interior sweetness, and these were so great,
