The Conferences of John Cassian. Part I. Containing Conferences I-X 145A question on the union of the soul with devils.

John Cassian · The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers Series II Volume XI: Sulpitius Severus, Vincent of Lerins, John Cassian by Philip Schaff

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A question on the union of the soul with devils.

Germanus: What, I pray you, is that indiscriminate and common union of the soul with those evil spirits, by which it is possible for them to be (I will not say joined with but) united to it in such a way that they can imperceptibly talk with it, and find their way into it and suggest to it whatever they want, and incite it to whatever they like, and look into and see its thoughts and movements; and the result is so close a union between them and the soul that it is almost impossible without God's grace to distinguish between what results from their instigation, and what from our free will.