'Picture to yourself a young princess beloved of her
husband, to whom some evil wretch should send a messenger to tempt her
to infidelity. First, the messenger would bring forth his propositions.
Secondly, the princess would either accept or reject the overtures.
Thirdly, she would consent to them or refuse them. Even so, when Satan,
the world, and the flesh look upon a soul espoused to the Son of God,
they set temptations and suggestions before that soul, whereby -- 1. Sin
is proposed to it. 2. Which proposals are either pleasing or
displeasing to the soul. 3. The soul either consents, or rejects them.
In other words, the three downward steps of temptation, delectation, and
consent. And although the three steps may not always be so clearly
defined as in this illustration, they are to be plainly traced in all
great and serious sins. If we should undergo the temptation to every sin
whatsoever during our whole life, that would not damage us in the Sight
of God's Majesty, provided we took no pleasure in it, and did not
consent to it; and that because in temptation we do not act, we only
suffer, and inasmuch as we take no delight in it, we can be liable to no
blame.'
