18 All the senses especially the eyes, as they are most singular instruments to receive1 good things by, if they by Gods spirit be directed: so if they be not well ordered, do bring greatest evils, and therefore David prayeth that his eyes might be guided aright, and Job 2maketh a covenant with his eyes, under which the other parts are included, as also when David maketh a covenant with his mouth. Joseph his mistress first offended in looking without a cause: for the wantonness of vain looks bewray the corruption of the heart, we must then strive to have a lawful cause of all our doings, that so we may be assured of Gods providence to watch over us, least if any harm happen unto us, we be the just occasion thereof. Secondly, she offended in not keeping a measure: for whosoever seeth his own corruptions truly, will be afraid of the very appearance of evil, as Job, although he was never adulterer, yet privy to his corruption he made a covenant with his eyes. Josephs mistress spake to him day by day and he refuseth, she abideth still in her evil purpose, but he still refuseth her, and here is the difference between Gods children and the wicked, the one continueth still in wickedness and would have all others such, the other persevere in godliness, and would bring all men to the same, she was convinced of her fault, and yet sorrowed not but continued. Where note, the oftener sin the less grief, a note of the children 3of the devil. But contrarily, the oftener sin the more grief, a note of the child of God. Joseph was young about thirty four years, and yet chaste, contrary to those that say, fornication is but a trick of youth. Joseph was enticed and yet yielded not, a sign of a pure heart, for although temptations be offered of those, yet it proceedeth of our corruption that we yield to them. As Bathsheba yielded to David because she was corrupted: Joseph yielded not to his mistress, because his heart was pure. If we will be clean in all, let us first know our hearts, and see where we are weakest, and get a special defence against that, otherwise we4 shall take too much liberty, and indeed the chastest in heart, will be chastest in look, because they know their own corruption and strive against it, for whosoever hateth sin truly, will hate the garment defiled with sin:
18 All the senses especially the eyes, as they are most singular instruments to receiue1 good things by, if they by Gods spirit be directed: so if they be not well ordered, do bring greatest euils, and therefore Dauid prayeth that his eyes might be guided aright, and Iob 2maketh a couenant with his eyes, vnder which the other parts are included, as also when Dauid maketh a couenant with his mouth. Ioseph his mistresse first offended in looking without a cause: for the wantonnesse of vaine lookes bewray the corruption of the heart, we must then striue to haue a lawfull cause of all our doings, that so we may be assured of Gods prouidence to watch ouer vs, least if any harme happen vnto vs, we be the iust occasion thereof. Secondly, she offended in not keeping a measure: for whosoeuer seeth his owne corruptions truely, will be afraid of the very appearance of euill, as Iob, although he was neuer adulterer, yet priuie to his corruption he made a couenant with his eyes. Iosephs mistresse spake to him day by day and he refuseth, she abideth stil in her euill purpose, but he still refuseth her, and here is the difference betweene Gods children and the wicked, the one continueth still in wickednesse and would haue all others such, the other perseuere in godlinesse, and would bring all men to the same, she was conuinced of her fault, and yet sorrowed not but continued. Where note, the oftner sinne the lesse griefe, a note of the children 3of the diuell. But contrarily, the oftner sinne the more griefe, a note of the child of God. Ioseph was young about thirtie foure yeeres, and yet chast, contrarie to those that say, fornication is but a tricke of youth. Ioseph was entised and yet yeelded not, a signe of a pure heart, for although temptations be offered of those, yet it proceedeth of our corruption that we yeeld to them. As Bathshaba yeelded to Dauid because she was corrupted: Ioseph yeelded not to his mistresse, because his heart was pure. If we will be cleane in all, let vs first know our hearts, and see where we are weakest, and get a speciall defence against that, otherwise we4 shall take too much libertie, and indeed the chastest in heart, will be chastest in looke, because they know their owne corruption and striue against it, for whosoeuer hateth sin truly, will hate the garment defiled with sin:
- 1Occasions of sin.Occasions of sinne.
- 2Government of the eyes.Gouernment of the eyes.
- 3A note of the devils child and Gods. Verse 12.A note of the di•els child and Gods. Verse 12.
- 4Hearts.
