THE HABIT OF SIN HARDENS THE HEART.

His heart shall be as hard as a stone and as firm as a smith's anvil. God does not indeed harden the habitual sinner, but He withdraws His grace in punishment of his ingratitude for past favours; and thus his heart becomes as hard as a stone. And St. Thomas of Villanova says: "Hardness of heart is a sign of damnation."  St Alphonsus De Liguori