f the soul, as stated in _Phys._ ii.

Reply Obj. 3: Penance opens the door to the other virtues, because it
expels sin by the virtues of faith, hope and charity, which precede
it in the order of nature; yet it so opens the door to them that they
enter at the same time as it: because, in the justification of the
ungodly, at the same time as the free-will is moved towards God and
against sin, the sin is pardoned and grace infused, and with grace
all the virtues, as stated in the I-II, Q. 65, AA. 3, 5.
_______________________

QUESTION 86

OF THE EFFECT OF PENANCE, AS REGARDS THE PARDON OF MORTAL SIN
(In Six Articles)

We must now consider the effect of Penance; and (1) as regards the
pardon of mortal sins; (2) as regards the pardon of venial sins;
(3) as regards the return of sins which have been pardoned; (4) as
regards the recovery of the virtues.

Under the first head there are six points of inquiry:

(1) Whether all mortal sins are taken away by Penance?

(2) Whether they can be taken away without Penance?

(3) Whether one can be taken away without the other?

(4) Whether Penance takes away the guilt while the debt remains?

(5) Whether any remnants of sin remain?

(6) Whether the removal of sin is the effect of Penance as a virtue,
or as a sacrament?
_______________________

FIRST ARTICLE [III, Q. 86, Art. 1]

Whether All Sins Are Taken Away by Penance?

Objection 1: It would seem that not all sins are taken away by
Penance. For the Apostle says (Heb. 12:17) that Esau "found no place
of repentance, although with tears he had sought it," which a gloss
explains as meaning that "he found no place of pardon and blessing
through Penance": and it is related (2 Macc. 9:13) of Antiochus, that
"this wicked man prayed to the Lord, of Whom he was not to obtain
mercy." Therefore it does not seem that all sins are taken away by
Penance.

Obj. 2: Further, Augustine says (De Serm. Dom. in Monte i) that "so
great is the stain of that sin (namely, when a man, after coming to
the knowledge of God through the grace of Christ, resists fraternal
charity, and by the brands of envy combats grace itself) that he is
unable to humble himself in prayer, although he is forced by his
wicked conscience to acknowledge and confess his sin." Therefore not
every sin can be taken away by Penance.

Obj. 3: Further, our Lord said (Matt. 12:32): "He that shall speak
against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in th