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 If you  do,  you  are  lost. To understand  this  truth,  and to see  the  danger  of  venial  sins,  particularly  when  they are deliberate  and  habitual,  it  is  necessary  to  consider that the  habit  of  light  faults  inclines  the  soul  to  grievous transgressions. Thus the  habit  of  slight  aversions disposes the  will  to  mortal  hatred,  the  habit  of  small thefts to  gross  rapine,  and  the  habit  of  sensual  attachments to  impure  affections. St. Gregory  says  that  "  the soul  never  remains  where  it  falls;"    no,  she  always  sinks still lower. As mortal  diseases  frequently  proceed  from slight indisposition,  so  grievous  transgressions  often have their  origin  in  habitual  venial  sins. " Trivial  detractions," says  Father  Alvarez,  "slight  aversions,  culpable curiosity,  acts  of  impatience  and  intemperance,  do not  kill  the  soul;  but  they  render  her  so  weak,  that when  assailed  by  any  grievous  temptation  she  has  not strength  to  resist  it,  and  falls."

Venial sins  do  not  indeed  separate  the  soul  from  God, but they  estrange  her  affections  from  him,  and  thus  expose her  to  great  danger  of  losing  his  grace. When Jesus was  taken  in  the  garden,  St.  Peter  did  not  wish  to abandon  his  Master,  but  followed  him  afar  off.  Many, though unwilling  to  be  separated  from  Jesus  Christ  by mortal  sins,  will  follow him  only  at  a  distance,  and  will make no  effort  to  abstain  from  venial  faults. But how many of  that  class  of  Christians  have  imitated  the  conduct of St.  Peter,  who  three  times  denied  that  he  was  a  disciple of  the  Redeemer,  and  to  his  denial  added  the  guilt of perjury? St. Isidore  says,  that  in  punishment  of their  indifference,  and  the  tepidity  of  their  love  to  him, God justly  permits  those  who  disregard  venial  faults  to