To lust after her. — The intent is more strongly marked in the Greek than in the English. It is not the passing glance, not even the momentary impulse of desire, but the continued gaze by which the impulse is deliberately cherished till it becomes a passion. This noble and beautiful teaching, it has often been remarked, and by way of disparagement, is found elsewhere. Such disparagement is out of place. By the mercy of God the Light that “lighteth every man” has led men to recognise the truth thus asserted, and parallels to it may be found in the writings of Conlucius, Seneca, Epictetus, and even of the Jewish Rabbis themselves. The words of Juvenal closely express the general sentiment: —
“ Scelus intra se tacitus qui cogitat ullum,
Facti crimen habet.”
[“Who in his breast a guilty thought doth cherish,
He bears the guilt of action.”]
Our Lord’s words speak primarily of “adultery,” but are, of course, applicable to every form of sensual impurity.