Desire of the eye
And so is the desire of the eye (1 John 2:16), the desire of the pleasures of the imagination. These arise either from great, or beautiful, or uncommon objects, if the two former do not coincide with the latter. For perhaps it would appear upon diligent inquiry that neither grand nor beautiful objects please any longer than they are new, that when the novelty of them is over, the greatest part at least of the pleasure they give is over, and in the same proportion as they become familiar, they become flat and insipid. But let us experience this ever so often, the same desire will remain still. The inbred thirst continues fixed in the soul. Indeed the more it is indulged, the more it increases, and incites us to follow after another, and yet another object, although we leave every one with an abortive hope and a deluded expectation. Yes:
1771 text
10. *And so is the desire of the eye, the desire of the pleasures of the imagination. These arise either from great, or beautiful, or uncommon objects: if the two former do not coincide with the latter; for perhaps it would appear upon a diligent enquiry, that neither grand nor beautiful objects please, any longer than they are new: that when the novelty of them is over, the greatest part, at least, of the pleasure they give is over; and in the same proportion as they become familiar, they become flat and insipid. But let us experience this ever so often, the same desire will remain still. The inbred thirst continues fixt in the soul: nay the more it is indulged, the more it increases, and incites us to follow after another, and yet another object; altho’ we leave every one with an abortive hope, and a deluded expectation. Yea
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 44 in the 1771 Works. Genesis 6:5.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.