The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Watch thy senses; These are the Cinque-ports, as one calls them, of the Isle of man, which if not well garrisoned, will let in strangers and disturbers ⟨p. 743⟩of our peace. At these Havens much of Satan's lading is taken in. Jo• made a Covenant with his eyes, he would not suffer them to gad and gaze at random, lest they should return defiled. Democritus walking abroad, would shut his eyes, lest by their wandering, his mind should be taken off from the contemplation of honest things. Actaeon became, as the Poet fancieth, meat for his Dogs, by suffering his eyes to wander. Lusting hath often been the issue of looking, witness Josephs Mistress, David, Achan, the Israelites, Numb. 15. 39. Stratonice took Mithridates with a Song. The heart hath often been angled into sin by the ear, and led into temptation by the eye• therefore Cassian relates that to preserve the cleanness of the heart, the Egyptian Masters taught that men must be Surdi, Caeci, Muti; Deaf, Blind, and Dumb. If those out-works be well guarded, the Royal Fort is in the less hazard. Shut up the five windows (i. e. guard the five senses) that the whole house may be full of light, according to the Arabian Proverb.

Watch thy senses; These are the Cinque-ports, as one calls them, of the Isle of man, which if not well garrisoned, will let in strangers and disturbers ⟨p. 743⟩of our peace. At these Havens much of Satans lading is taken in. Io• made a Covenant with his eyes, he would not suffer them to gad and gaze at random, lest they should return defiled. Democritus walking abroad, would shut his eyes, lest by their wandring, his mind should be taken off from the contemplation of honest things. Acteon became, as the Poet fancieth, meat for his Dogs, by suffering his eyes to wander. Lusting hath often been the issue of looking, witness Iosephs Mistriss, David, Achan, the Israelites, Numb. 15. 39. Stratonice took Mithridates with a Song. The heart hath often been angled into sin by the ear, and led into temptation by the eye therefore Cassian relates that to preserve the cleanness of the heart, the Egyptian Masters taught that men must be Surdi, Caeci, Muti; Deaf, Blind, and Dumb. If those out-works be well guarded, the Royal Fort is in the less hazard. Shut up the five windows (i. e. guard the five senses) that the whole house may be full of light, according to the Arabian Proverb.