Page 16     

Backward                                                                                                                        Index                                            `                                                                                    Forward

always united to God, in like manner the damned
can never turn their will to good, and consequently
will always be unhappy, because they are
obstinately and irrevocably opposed to the divine will.

Do the Damned Wish Evil to Others?

Because of this evil will of the damned, the question might be asked: 'Do the damned wish that all
men be damned?' St. Thomas responds in the affirmative because of the hatred which the
reprobate bear to all men. But here a difficulty presents itself. As the number of the damned
increases, the punishment of each individual is aggravated: how, then, can they desire an increase
of torment for themselves? St. Thomas says that such is their hatred and envy that they would pre­
fer to suffer more cruelly with many others than to suffer less alone. And it matters little to
them that among those whose loss they desire are some whom they loved dearly during life. For the
Holy Doctor remarks that all affection which is not based upon love of God vanishes easily;
otherwise the order of justice and right would be reversed in Hell.

Case of the Rich Man in Hell

If such be the case then how can we explain the solicitude of the poor rich man in Hell, who
besought Abraham to send Lazarus to his brothers on earth, to warn them to do penance lest they