The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

Secondly, Continuing long in this sin, at last he comes to fall into the sin of lust, and from men he looks to women, and this is as dear to him as his right eye; it may be God keeps him from the act of Whoredom, but wanton looks, lascivious thoughts, speculative uncleanness, self-pollution (which he commits when the candles are out, and none but God sees) and yet God spares him; and this follows him to the Church, to the streets, whiles he is awake, nay, when asleep, and thinks it is no sin for a time, or if he doth, Oh the horror that he hath sometimes for it ! Scholars of Westminster have been directed from twelve or fourteen years of age to live in this sin. This is the second: Hence Prov. 2. 16. first wisdom keeps from the evil man, next from evil women.

Secondly, Continuing long in this sin, at last he comes to fall into the sin of lust, and from men he looks to women, and this is as deat to him as his right eye; it may be God keeps him from the act of Whoredom, but wanton looks, lascivious thoughts, speculative uncleanness, self-pollution (which he commits when the candles are out, and none but God sees) and yet God spares him; and this follows him to the Church, to the streets, whiles he is awake, nay, when asleep, and thinks it is no sin for a time, or if he doth, Oh the horror that he hath sometimes for it ! Scholars of Westminster have been derected from twelve or fourteen years of age to live in this sin. This is the second: Hence Prov. 2. 16. first wisdom keepes from the evill man, next from evil women.

Thirdly, It may be a man marrieth, and then this sin is out of season; now therefore another comes in its place, and that is, immoderate love of, and dropsy desires after the world, and the wealth of it, for now charge is like to increase, and it is a shame to walk in rags; and hence now a man begins to look upon the estates of others, and to admire at them, and then he looks upon what he hath, and what labour, care, and providence in a saving way may bring him unto; and hence burieth himself alive in the earth, and feeds upon clods of earth, and uncertain hopes. And this is the next sin which grows up (though I know some men will not come to this) but I speak of them that go on in the fairest way; hence