Article II: Concerning Sins against the Holy Spirit

— Notions. In the dogmatic treatise concerning Penance, theologians are accustomed laboriously to inquire what sin in Sacred Scripture is stated to be irremissible, as being against the Holy Spirit ¹. That controversy is not ours.

But, relying on various places of St. Augustine, after Peter Lombard (2) and Alexander of Hales, theologians are accustomed to number six sins which are particularly opposed to the Holy Spirit, because they resist more the action of grace. Wherefore they are blotted out with greater difficulty. St. Thomas ³ says that they are remitted as if miraculously.

They are: Presumption; Despair; attack on known (religious) truth; envy concerning grace granted to a brother; obstinacy; impenitence.

Today those are guilty of this sin who enter upon a wicked pact which we can call one concerning final impenitence, when they mutually promise each other assistance for closing to themselves, at the end of life, the way of reconciliation with Christ and the Church.

The discussion will return concerning the two former kinds in the treatise on Hope. The others are understood of themselves.

¹ Cf. St. Matt. 12, 31 ff.; St. Mark 3, 28; St. Luke 12, 10. - (2) 2 Sent., d. 43, 6.

³ Summa, 2, 2, q. 14, art. 3.