2 The eye is such a thing, that the Scriptures speaking of it, by a synecdoche (as we say) under this one sense, it comprehendeth all other things of the same kind: as under one principal thing bidden or forbidden in the Decalogue, many other inferior things of the same kind, be either commanded or inhibited. I will never believe, when David prayed that his eyes might be turned from beholding of vanity, that he was negligent touching his ears, and regarded not that they should be open to hear what they would. And there is no sense to think, that when Job made a covenant with his eyes, he had no care of his ears. But both of these were holy men, and were acquainted with the dialect of the holy Ghost. It is a rule in policy: To watch on all sides, where assault is made on all sides. And1 for as much as we stand in the midst to be assaulted with principalities, and not only with spiritual wickednesses, but also with worldly wickedness in every sense, and power of the mind, we ought to defend all ports, and make all the commandments as* large as we can: for we know that in a city if one gate be open, it is as good that all be open. For at one gate it may be taken. So that all the senses ought to be kept, but especially the eye,3 which order is in the commandments. For though in every commandment God doth but name one sin, yet it is captain sin, and a general sin. And surely from the senses corruptions are drawn indifferently, yet from the eye most of all. Take an example, let a man see a strange punishment of God for any sin, and he is moved: but let relation of it be made unto him, and half the efficacy thereof is lost. But indeed the example of all examples to make short is this: The joys of heaven, which are to be revealed to the children of God, let them be told and preached, as they are preached and4 taught, it is a marvel to see how soon we are a sleep, yet the least sight of it seen of the Apostles, did drive them into an ecstasy. Besides, this sense moveth so much the more, in that it goeth to work immediately, but the ear goeth to work by means, and standeth upon credit, or else it will not believe, and this credit standeth to be examined, ⟨p. 676⟩and it may light upon such an examiner as Thomas was. Secondly it is soon gone, though we hear it never so well, yet we desire to see it.
2 The eye is such a thing, that the Scriptures speaking of it, by a synecdoche (as we say) vnder this one sense, it comprehendeth all other things of the same kinde: as vnder one principall thing bidden or forbidden in the Decalogue, many other inferior things of the same kinde, be either commanded or inhibited. I will neuer beleeue, when Dauid praied that his eyes might be turned from beholding of vanitie, that hee was negligent touching his eares, and regarded not that they should be open to heare what they would. And there is no sense to thinke, that when Iob made a couenant with his eyes, he had no care of his eares. But both of these were holy men, and were acquainted with the di•lect of the holy Ghost. It is a rule in policie: To watch on all sides, where assault is made on all sides. And1 for as much as we stand in the midst to be assaulted with principalities, and not only with spirituall wickednesses, but also with worldly wickednes in euery sense, and power of the minde, we ought to defend all ports, and make all the commandements as* large as wee can: for we know that in a citie if one gate be open, it is as good that all be open. For at one gate it may be taken. So that all the senses ought to be kept, but especially the eye,3 which order is in the commandements. For though in euery commandement God doth but name one sinne, yet it is captaine sinne, and a generall sinne. And surely from the senses corruptions are drawne indifferently, yet from the eye most of all. Take an example, let a man see a strange punishment of God for any sinne, and he is moued: but let relation of it bee made vnto him, and halfe the efficacie thereof is lost. But indeed the example of all examples to make short is this: The ioyes of heauen, which are to be reuealed to the children of God, let them bee tolde and preached, as they are preached and4 taught, it is a maruaile to see howe soone wee are a sleepe, yet the least sight of it seene of the Apostles, did driue them into an extasie. Besides, this sense moueth so much the more, in that it goeth to worke immediately, but the eare goeth to worke by meanes, and standeth vpon credit, or else it will not beleeue, and this credit standeth to be examined, ⟨p. 676⟩and it may light vpon such an examiner as Thomas was. Secondly it is soone gone, though we heare it neuer so well, yet we desire to see it.
- 1Note.
- *Ampliare praecepta.
- 3Simile.
- 4Una gutta, limbus tantum. Matth. 17.Vna gutta, limbus tantum. Matth. 17.
