73. On adulteries resulting from faith separated from charity

I was in the company of those who have convinced themselves of faith separated from charity, not only as a matter of doctrine but also in their lives, believing that they were to be saved by faith alone, even [in the hour] of death, however they had lived; and thus that all evils are either not regarded by God the Father, or are excused on account of man's weakness, or are forgiven, and when forgiven are also wiped out, having regard to the Lord's merit by the fulfilment of the law. They also believe that by the passion of the cross He took away the sins of the world and the condemnation of the law, and other things which their doctrine dictates. I noticed when I was in their company that, when we talked of that faith, there appeared among those with whom they were in communication the most obscene representations of unspeakable adultery, such as that of a son with his mother. The actual sphere is such that it is perceived by spiritual communication. They act upon the back of the head, and thus enter the thought. Their presence causes pain in the left knee.