_A saint, whose very name I have forgotten, had a vision, in which he
saw Satan standing before the throne of God; and, listening, he heard
the evil spirit say, "Why hast Thou condemned me, who have offended
Thee but once, whilst Thou savest thousands of men who have offended
Thee many times?" God answered him, "Hast thou_ once _asked pardon of
me?"_
_Behold the Christian mythology! It is the dramatic truth, which has
its worth and effect independently of the literal truth, and which even
gains nothing by being fact. What matter whether the saint had or had
not heard the sublime words which I have just quoted! The great point
is to know that pardon is refused only to him who does not ask it._