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Sin provoking wrath.
2. This is seen in the judgments on cities for their crimes—Nineveh, Babylon, etc., and above all, Sodom and Gomorrah—all figures of the end of the world.
3. And especially eras—the deluge—the Christian era [Note 14]—the end of the world. And they are compared together in Scripture, Matt. xxiv., etc.
4. What sin (provoking wrath)? Sensuality.
As the loss of vital powers brings on dissolution of [the] body, so when passion emancipates itself from conscience, the death of the world.
5. The truth is, that the flesh is so strong, it is always struggling against conscience. It is like a wild beast in a cage, ever trying to get out, and but slowly subdued. Heavy things fall; steam rises up. So with concupiscence; and hence St. Peter [speaks of] 'The corruption of that concupiscence which is in the world,' 2 Peter i. 4.
6. Now as this goes on in a state, reason becomes infidel and the conscience goes, and then there is nothing to restrain concupiscence.
7. Hence we are sure (exceptis excipiendis) that wherever there is not religion there is immorality. What is to keep a man from indulgence?
8. Statesmen see this so well that they advocate religion.
9. Hence [came the] deluge—[the] Christian era [Note 15]. {95} [hence will come the] end of the world, [i.e. when] infidelity [has] brought in sensuality.
10. This age [is] an impure age.
11. Hence [the] B[lessed] V[irgin] M[ary] [is] attacked.
12. Hence [the devotion to] the Immaculate Conception is so apposite.
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