XXXVIII. Let us cleanse every member,
Brethren, let us purify every sense; let nothing in us be imperfect or
of our first birth; let us leave nothing unilluminated. Let us
enlighten our eyes, Prov. iv. 25. that we may look
straight on, and not bear in ourselves any harlot idol through curious
and busy sight; for even though we might not worship lust, yet our soul
would be defiled. If there be beam or mote, Matt. vii. 2. let us purge it away, that we may be able to
see those of others also. Let us be enlightened in our ears; let
us be enlightened in our tongue, that we may hearken what the Lord God
will speak, Ps. lxxxv. 8. and that He may
cause Ib. cxliii.
8. us to hear His lovingkindness in the
morning, and that we may be made to hear of joy and gladness, Ib. li.
8. spoken into godly ears, that we may not be a
sharp sword, nor a whetted razor, Ib. lvii.
4; lii. 2. nor turn under
our tongue labour and toil, Ib. x.
7. but that we may
speak the Wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden Wisdom, 1 Cor. ii. 7. reverencing the fiery tongues. Acts ii. 3. Let us be healed also in the smell,
that we be not effeminate; and be sprinkled with dust instead of sweet
perfumes, Isa. iii. 34. but may smell the
Ointment that was poured out for us, Cant. i.
3. spiritually
receiving it; and so formed and transformed by it, that from us too a
sweet odour may be smelled. Let us cleanse our touch, our taste,
our throat, not touching them over gently, nor delighting in smooth
things, but handling them as is worthy of Him, the Word That was made
flesh for us; and so far following the example of Thomas, John xx. 28. not pampering them with dainties and sauces,
those brethren of a more baleful pampering, Quia gula est parens
immunditiæ et luxuriæ.
but tasting and learning that the Lord is good, Ps. xxxiv. 8.
with the better and abiding taste; and not for a short while refreshing
that baneful and thankless dust, which lets pass and does not hold that
which is given to it; but delighting it with the words which are
sweeter than honey. Ps. cxix. 103.