There are two things to be considered with regard to sin and its remission:
1. the guilt, with the naturally inexhaustible consequences or punishment;
2. the temporal or exhaustible impressions and punishments which survive its forgiveness, and which are expiated by works of satisfaction. In the Sacrament of Penance, the guilt and extreme penalty are remitted by the absolution; the penance imposed remits part of the temporal consequences; but there remains another part to be expiated by other good works. The wound has lost its mortal character, but some scars and blemishes remain. For the completion of the expiation, we are not left entirely to our own merits and sufferings; there is a further application of the blood and merits of Jesus Christ, which supplements the Sacrament of Penance, and this is the Indulgence. The power of binding and loosing in earth and heaven includes not only the greater power of remitting guilt, but the lesser and supplementary power of purging away the last remnants of sin. Indulgences are the necessary corollary of the Sacraments. How wonderfully God's care extends to all your needs! The blood of Jesus suffices for every purpose; it does not stop short of a completed work; and, through the medium of your good works, it is capable of saving you from all the penal consequences of sin.
