ill
has not yielded to the temptation. An army does not direct its
assaults against an enemy who has already surrendered. So rather than
be frightened, we should draw comfort from the fact of continued
temptation.

"It is a good sign," wrote St. Francis de Sales to Madame de Chantal,
"when the enemy storms so lustily at the door; it proves that he is not
attaining his end. If he had attained it, he would {157} not clamour
any more; he would go in and be satisfied. Keep this in mind so as to
avoid scruples."[11]

But although Satan's fiercer malignance of attack be a sign that the
soul has not yielded, it is far from being the kind of sign that
justifies our pausing in the struggle. If the tempter uses renewed
energy and fierceness in his assaults, the soul, in order that it may
continue in safety, must also employ a corresponding increase of energy
in bringing into action the increased grace that the Holy Spirit stands
always ready to give to those who ask Him. It is just for this that
the Blessed Spirit waits upon and presides over the conflict. "Hence
gather we this comfort," writes the saintly Andrewes for our
consolation, "that the Holy Ghost is not a stander-by as a stranger
when we are tempted, _tanquam otiosus spectator_, but He leads us by
the hand, and stands by as a faithful assistant."[12]

(2) A sense of fear that we have consented, or at the thought of the
possibility of consenting, is an excellent indication that we are, as
yet, free from the sin to which we are being tempted. He who has
actually entered into the sin and made it his own by a deliberate
operation of his will, {158} has not ordinarily the attitude of fear
towards his sin. The act of consent brings a certain complacency with
respect to the sin, and a blindness of spiritual vision, which leaves
no room for fear, and which is only disturbed by penitence.

"You will not yield to the temptations which you know and fear; for the
fear of falling is one of the best gifts of the Holy Spirit. Through
that holy fear He arms His servants against danger, and teaches them
how to conquer themselves.... If you had no fear I should fear for
you.... Fear then, and let your holy fear be lifelong. 'Blessed is
the man that feareth always.' But keep that fear within due limits, so
that you do not become discouraged and forsake your work; let it rather
move you to renewed hope, and more earnest watchfulness, self-mistrust,
and confidence in God.