own fortress, preparing them to be used by
the enemy. Thus learning from our past, we know how to guard ourselves
for the future. Present faithfulness is the pledge, and the only
pledge, of future security.[4]

{112}

Or it may be that Satan, accustomed to success in leading us astray in
certain things, is encouraged to suggest like evil to our minds again.
However this may be, whether the suggestion arises from the evil bent
that our minds have received through former yielding, or whether it be
Satan's device and unprovoked solicitation, _there is no sin in the
mere fact that evil is suggested to our minds, however persistently or
strongly_.[5]

In any case it had its origin outside of us, and unless we have
deliberately run into the occasion of sin, or in some culpable way
invited it, we are in the immediate case not responsible for the
suggestion.

Therefore, the suggestion can in no way be regarded as sin, for unless
our wills have brought it about, or consciously encouraged it, our
souls are unstained. Without the action of the will, no sin can enter
the heart. "What is done without, or against, our will, rather takes
place in us, than is done _by_ us."[6]

{113}

"No risings, then, of any passion, yea, though it should rise again and
again, against thee, and by rising weary thee, and almost wear thee
out: no thought by night when thou hast not power over thy soul, and
thy will is not conscious: no thoughts by day, which come to thee again
and again, and besiege thee and torment thee, and would claim thee for
their own: no distractions in prayer, even if they carry thee away, and
thou lose thyself and awake, as it were, out of a dream, and thy prayer
be gone,--none of these things are thine. Nothing without thy will is
thine, or will be imputed to thee. It is not the mere presence with
thee of what thou hatest: it is not the recurrence, again and again, of
what thou loathest, which will hurt thee: not even if it seems to come
from thy inmost self, unless thy will consent to it."[7]

II. _The Response of the Natural Heart_

Following upon the suggestion, a Kempis tells us there comes "a strong
imagination." The undisciplined soul does not instantly turn from the
suggestion. It allows a vivid picture of it to attract and hold the
attention. This may be quite involuntary, and, if so, is not in itself
sin, but unless the attention be speedily withdrawn {114} there follows
the second stage of tem