---

I. EXPLICATION.

1. That we ourselves must engage in the mortifying of our lusts. It is not enough to cry to God, and be idle.

2. That we must be willing in this as in other duties.

3. It is not said, "If thine eye offend thee, observe it more than ordinarily," but "pluck it out."

4. It must be renounced for ever — "cast it from thee."

II. OBSERVATIONS.

1. That the eye and hand are useful parts of the body of man.

2. That offences are from ourselves.

3. That sin is to all intents and purposes our own.

I. WHY SIN IS EXPRESSED IN SCRIPTURE BY PANTS AND MEMBERS OF OUR BODY.

1. The whole mass of corruption in Scripture is called "the old man," and "the body of sin" (Romans 6:6).

2. As the natural body makes use of its several parts in work, so corruption makes use of several lusts.

3. Sin is, according to some, conveyed into the soul by means of the body.

4. Corruption shews itself by the sinful actions of the body, and therefore may have its denomination by the parts of it.

II. THAT EVERY MAN HATH HIS PARTICULAR INIQUITY.

III. How IT COMES TO PASS THAT PARTICULAR PERSONS HAVE THEIR PARTICULAR SINS.

1. Men have particular temperaments, and therefore sins suitable to their constitutions.

2. There are distinct and peculiar periods of times and ages that incline to peculiar sins.

3. Men have distinct and particular callings that incline to particular sins.

4. Men have distinct and particular ways of breeding and education, and upon that account have particular sins.

IV. THE USE AND APPLICATION.

1. Examination: how this sin may be discovered —

(1)  By the love the sinner bears it;

(2)  The sin which distracts us in holy worship is our beloved sin;

(3)  It may be known by its commanding power over other sins;

(4)  The sin that conscience doth most chide for;

(5)  It may be known by being impatient of reproof;

(6)  It makes a man notoriously partial in his own case;

(7)  it may be known by the fair pretences that the sinner hath for it;

(8)  The sin which a man wishes were no sin;

(9)  The sin we think of first in the morning and latest at evening;

(10)  The sin which most infests us in our solitudes;

(11)  The sin we are willing to endure greatest hardship for.

2. Press upon you the mortification of your beloved sin;

(1)  Seek holy courage and resolution against it;

(2)  Let your repentance be against it;

(3)  Beware of those things that occasion it;

(4)  Pray to God that thou mayest not fall into that condition favourable to it;

(5)  Learn to suspect things that are delightful;

(6)  Labour to act that grace that is contrary to thy beloved sin;

(7)  Keep watch over thy heart;

(8)  Get respect to all God's laws;

(9)  Lay hold on God's strength.

V. MOTIVES.

1. Bight-eye sins are the greatest hindrances to the soul's closing with Christ.

2. They are a great trouble to the soul afterwards.

3. It is a choice evidence of regeneration.

(B. Needler, B.C. L.)

---

---

KJV: And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

WEB: If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna.