The Morning exercise [at] Cri[ppleg]ate, or, Several cases of conscience practically resolved

2. There are others, that by right eye, and right hand understand beloved lusts, as hard to be parted with, as right hands, or right eyes: our Saviour mentions the right eye, and the right hand, because they are most prized, as having more then ordinary of spirits and natural heat, ⟨image 29⟩and so more fit for action; I am sure this may be said concerning the right hand.

Indeed I conceive it an hard matter to prove, that by divine appointment one hand should be more useful then the other: but as God hath given us two eyes, and two ears, so two hands, to use both indifferently, and that if need required the one might supply the loss of the other: if any, methinks the left hand should be preferred, because it is nearest the heart, the fountain of life, and activity: but Christ takes them, as he finds them, as he doth in many other cases, and as we have ordered the matter, the right hand is more active and strong then the other, and so more precious: but to our purpose.

Indeed I conceive it an hard matter to prove, that by divine appointment one hand should be more useful then the other: but as God hath given us two eyes, and two ears, so two hands, to use both indifferently, and that if need required the one might supply the loss of the other: if any, methinks the left hand should be preferred, because it is neerest the heart, the fountain of life, and activity: but Christ takes them, as he finds them, as he doth in many other cases, and as we have ordered the matter, the right hand is more active and strong then the other, and so more precious: but to our purpose.

Some, I say, by the right eye, and the right hand, understand our beloved lusts; it is the usage of the Spirit of God in the Scriptures, in a figurative way to express corruption by the parts and members of our bodies: so St. Paul,