A judgment whereby to discern whether an impulse in the soul comes from the good spirit (God or angel), or from the evil one; a free gift of God and infallibly certain, when resting on a special supernatural illumination; an act of prudence, more or less perfect, when based on reflection and experience. In well disposed souls the action of the good spirit is recognized by the effect of tranquillity and a consistent tendency toward good, that of the evil one by disturbance, and a more or less hidden tendency towards evil. An opposite course is adopted by both spirits towards sinners.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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