ptation, namely, Pleasure. _Deletatio_ is the
word a Kempis uses, which has the sense of a pleasure which entices one
from the right way.

Here again, however, we must make the careful distinction between
temptation and sin, if we would not be entangled in a fatal network of
scruples. Though there may spring up in our hearts a distinct sense of
delight at the thought of committing the sin suggested, yet in this
delight itself there is no sin, unless the will enters in to confirm it.

This is not the kind of delight that St. Paul speaks of in his terrible
condemnation of those "who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in
unrighteousness";[8] for if the will comes in promptly to resist the
sense of delight, we are free from blame. The pleasure which often
follows the suggestion of sin to a faithful soul, while definite, and
perhaps even long continued, has its seat in our lower nature, in what
spiritual writers call the "inferior will" of which we shall speak
presently. So long as it does not capture the higher will, no sin has
been committed.

A simple illustration will suffice to show what is here meant. One is
walking with a companion on the street. Some one appears in sight who
{115} has recently wronged him. All the memory of the wrong surges up
in the heart instantly, and there comes a sharp suggestion to say some
unkind, revengeful thing. The heart responds to the suggestion, and it
would be a real pleasure to speak this unloving thought. But,
realizing the sin of it, we refrain; we even say to ourselves, "It
would be an intense satisfaction to speak, nothing would give me so
much pleasure; but I know it is not the will of God, and therefore
nothing will induce me to do it."

Here is the Satanic suggestion, followed by a definite sense of
pleasure therein, and yet so met and disposed of that no sin, but
rather the blessing of a victory, results. And this victory is more to
God's honour than it would have been had we rejected the temptation
with disgust, having found no sort of pleasure in it. When we found
pleasure in it, but refused it, there was a greater victory over self
and Satan.

III. _The "Inferior" and "Superior" Wills_

The existence of the two operations of will in man is proved from Holy
Scripture. St. Paul, writing to the Roman Christians, lifts the veil
from his own spiritual experience and shows us how they operated in
him. His experience we all recognize as our own.

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