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 would be utterly unable to judge as to the sinfulness of such thoughts. In spite of all these disgraceful suggestions and representations, your soul may be pure and white and stainless as a lily.

A mere thought, on account of which we are not to blame, and in which we take no pleasure, and which we do not desire, is no sin, but only a temptation, only an opportunity for conflict and conquest, a cause and source of eternal merit.

4. St. Augustine compares evil thoughts to the first sin in paradise, in which these three took part, viz., the serpent, Eve, and Adam. The serpent suggested to the mind of Eve the idea of breaking the command of God; Eve took pleasure in the thought, and advised Adam to carry it into action; Adam followed her advice and sinned.

The first beginning of an evil thought may be compared to the suggestions of the serpent. Eve represents the lower nature, which takes delight in the contemplation of sin; in the person of Adam we see the human will, which, agreeing to the proposal of Eve, completes the sinful act. If an impure thought enters our mind, it is not a sin, so long as our free will definitely refuses its consent, and we take no pleasure in it.

5. There are two ways in which our free will may give its consent.

In the first place we may sin through desire if we wish to have the opportunity of