20. Of a woman freed by the merits of the blessed Virgin Mary from the gulf of despair

In the city of Schiedam was a certain woman timid and fearful whom the devil had almost cast into the abyss of despair. For he very often put before her during sleep a sheet with a certain sin formerly committed by her, as if not yet forgiven by God nor to be forgiven, although nevertheless she had very often ST. LYDWINE of SCHIEDAM confessed it sacramentally, had received absolution, and had performed the penance enjoined. She often therefore exposed the anguish of her heart to this virgin, and she comforted the desolate soul with loving counsels, and neverthe less did not succeed with her as she would have desired, because the prince of death troubled her as before in sleep with ever fresh terrors, saying : " By no means shalt thou be able to escape my hands, for by these letters I have thee confirmed and subject to me." It happened therefore on one occasion that the virgin, engaged in prayer, rapt to Heaven, saw the demon carrying this very document in his hand, but by the hand of the Blessed Virgin Mary it was violently taken away and snatched from his hand. For the merciful Lady was able to destroy all the machinations of the devil; and to comfort the sad soul with the trust of a good hope. These things afterwards the virgin, restored to her bodily senses, related to her con fessor John Walters, showing that the devil's malice was frustrated by the compassion of the Blessed Virgin. After this the aforesaid woman as before laid the complaints of her desolation ST. LYDWINE of SCHIEDAM before the virgin ; whom she, gently consoling, without mentioning however the destruction of the paper, bade to be henceforth secure, nor to fear any evil would befall her thereby. Yea and offer ing herself a hostage for her conscience on the day of judgment and trusting through all in the divine mercy, she rendered her free and at rest from all the former fear.