needs to come into conflict with the stormy winds and the rough waves of the ocean if he is to become a skilful mariner. The very effort which he puts forth to overcome them makes him more fit for his calling. So men must have temptation in order to test their powers of resistance; the struggle against sin, if successful, strengthens the moral character. +II. The elements which form the strength of the temptation.+ 1. _The secresy promised by the tempter._ "Let us _lay wait_ for blood," let us _lurk privily_ for the innocent, etc. No one commits a crime against his fellow man, without an underlying hope that he will not be found out; he even persuades himself that it is hidden from God. "They say, how doth God know, and is there knowledge in the Most High?" (Ps. lxxiii. 11). 2. _The hope of gain._ Advantage of some kind is supposed to be the fruit of every sin. That which the tempter uses here is an increase of wealth. "We shall find all precious substance," etc. This temptation is most common. A man is persuaded that by a very slight risk he can make a large fortune, that the deed will never come to light, and these two persuasions have been the ruin of hundreds. 3. _The number of the tempters._ Here several are represented as tempting one. "Come with us." Numbers always influence us even when no persuasion is used. Men are naturally inclined to do what the many do, to go with the multitude. There is an undefined feeling that safety is with the majority, or, at least, that the being involved with many others lessens personal responsibility. This element of temptation is very powerful in a world where "the many" go in at the gate which leadeth to destruction, and "few" walk in the way which leadeth to life (Matt. vii. 13, 14).