Saint John Cassian (360-433)

The truest test of penitence and witness of pardon is found in our own conscience, which even before the day of judgment and of knowledge, while we are still in the flesh, discloses our acquittal from guilt, and reveals the end of satisfaction and the grace of forgiveness…. We believe that the stains of past sins are forgiven us when the desires for present delights as well as the passions have been expelled from our heart.