The desire of the eye
The desire of the eye and the pride of life remain. If he does not keep himself every moment, he will again feel the desire of the eye, the desire to gratify his imagination with something great, or beautiful, or uncommon. In how many ways does this desire assault the soul? Perhaps with the poorest trifles, such as dress, or furniture, things never meant to satisfy the appetite of an immortal spirit. Yet how natural it is for us, even after we have tasted the powers of the world to come, to sink again into these foolish, low desires for things that perish as we use them. How hard it is, even for those who know the one in whom they have believed, to conquer even one branch of the desire of the eye, curiosity. How hard to trample it under their feet constantly. How hard to desire nothing merely because it is new.
1771 text
6. If he does not keep himself every moment, he will again feel the desire of the eye, the desire of gratifying his imagination, with something great, or beautiful, or uncommon. In how many ways does this desire assault the soul? Perhaps with regard to the poorest trifles, such as dress, or furniture: things never designed to satisfy the appetite of an immortal spirit. Yet how natural is it for us, even after we have tasted of the powers of the world to come, to sink again into these foolish, low desires of things, that perish in the using? How hard is it, even for those, who know in whom they have believed, to conquer but one branch of the desire of the eye, curiosity? Constantly to trample it under their feet? To desire nothing, merely because it is new?
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 14 in the 1771 Works. Mark 1:15. Dated at Londonderry, 24 April 1767.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.