v. 7 And a sensual life is called, a "walking in the ways of our heart

and in the sight of the eyes," Eccles. xi. 9. An ungoverned eye doth show the power of the ungoverned senses. Abundance of good or evil entereth in by these doors: all lieth open if you guard not these.

_Direct._ IV. Remember that as your sin or duty, so your sorrow or joy, do depend much on the government of your eyes; and their present pleasure is the common way to after-sorrow. What a flood of grief did David let into his heart by one unlawful look!

_Direct._ V. Remember that your eye is much of your honour or dishonour, because it is the index of your minds. You see that which is next the mind itself, or the most immediate beam of the invisible soul, when you see the eye. How easily doth a wandering eye, a wanton eye, a proud eye, a luxurious eye, a malicious eye, a passionate eye, bewray the treasure of sin which is in the heart![392] Your soul lieth opener to the view of others in your eye, than in any other part: your very reputation therefore should make you watch.

_Direct._ VI. Remember that your eye is of all the senses most subject to the will, and therefore there is the more of duty or sin in it; for voluntariness is the requisite to morality, both good and evil. Your will cannot so easily command your feeling, tasting, hearing, or smelling, as it can your sight; so easily can it open or shut the eye in a moment, that you are the more unexcusable if it be not governed; for all its faults will be proved the more voluntary. Ham was cursed for not turning away his eyes from his father's shame, and Shem and Japheth blessed for doing it. The righteous is thus described, "He that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; he shall dwell on high," &c. Isa. xxxiii. 15. Men's idols which they are commanded to cast away are called, "The abomination of their eyes," Ezek. xx. 7. Covetousness is called, "The lust of the eyes," 1 John ii. 16. It is said of the unclean, that they have "eyes full of adultery," 2 Pet. ii. 14. And as sin, so punishment is placed on the eye:[393] "The eyes of the lofty shall be humbled," Isa. v. 15. Yea, the whole bodies of the daughters of Zion are threatened to be dishonoured with nakedness, scabs, and stink, and shame, because they walked with "wanton eyes, haughtily, and mincing as they go," &c. Isa. iii. 16.

_Direct._ VII. Therefore let believing reason, and a holy, resolved, fixed will, keep a continual law upon your eyes, and let them be used as under a constant government. This Job calleth, the "making a covenant with them," Job xxxi. 1. Leave them not at liberty; as if a look had nothing in it of duty or sin; or as if you might look on what you would. Will you go to foolish, tempting plays, and gaze on vain, alluring objects, and think there is no harm in all this? Do you think your eye cannot sin as well as your tongue? undoubtedly it is much sin that is both committed by it, and entereth at it: keep away therefore from the bait, or command your eye to turn away.

_Direct._ VIII. Remember still how much more easy and safe it is, to stop sin here at the gates and outworks, than to beat it out again when it is once got in: if it have but tainted your very fantasy or memory, (as tempting sights will almost unavoidably do,) it hath there spawned the matter for a swarm of vain and sinful thoughts. It is almost impossible to rule the thoughts without ruling the eye: and then the passions are presently tainted; and the citadel of the heart is taken before you are aware. You little know when a lustful look, or a covetous look, beginneth the game, to how sad a period it tendeth. Many a horrid adultery, and murder, and robbery, and wickedness, hath begun but with a look: a look hath begun that which hath brought many a thousand to the gallows, and many millions to hell!

_Direct._ IX. Keep both eye and mind employed in continual duty, and let them not be idle, and have leisure to wander upon vanity. Idleness and neglect of spiritual and corporal duty is the beginner and the nurse of much sensuality. Let your spiritual work and your lawful bodily labours, take up your time and thoughts, and command and keep your senses in their services.

_Direct._ X. Beg daily of God the preserving assistance of his grace and providence. Of his inward grace to confirm you and assist you in your resolutions and watch; and of his providence and gracious disposals of you and objects, to keep the temptations from before your eyes: and when others will run and go on purpose, to gaze on vain or tempting shows, or to admire like children the vanities of the playful, pompous world, do you go to God with David's prayer, "Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity: and quicken me in thy way," Psal. cxix. 37. And imitate him: "Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word," ver. 148. And make every look a passage to thy mind, to carry it up to God, and pray, "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law," Psal. cxix. 18. Observe these, with the general directions forenamed.