Page:TheYoungMansGuide.djvu/359

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doing, seeing, or hearing that which is wrong, or we may sin in reference to the past if we reflect with satisfaction on sins into which we have fallen, and wish to commit them over again. These voluntary wishes and desires are grievous sins, as both faith and reason plainly tell us.

In the second place, the will may give its consent by merely finding pleasure in impure images and thoughts. And this taking delight, willingly and wittingly, this actual pleasure of the will in such images, not the mere impression on the senses, is also a grievous sin. Hence it follows that you must never fail to be on your guard against this enemy in your own heart, and not be careless in regard to impure thoughts.

@How blest is he who ne'er consents To any evil deed; How pure and beauteous is his life Who to God's law pays heed.

LXIII. The Enemy in Your Eyes

I. Sight is one of the greatest blessings which God has bestowed upon His creatures. The unfortunate man who has lost this precious gift, and is on this account doomed to spend his days in perpetual darkness, can alone appreciate its value aright.

And yet, in the case of how many persons would it net be the greatest benefit, and save