f thy right eye causeth thee to
stumble pluck it out and cast it from thee; for it is
profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish
and not thy whole body be cast into hell. And if thy right
hand causeth thee to offend, cut it off and cast it from
thee, for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members
should perish and not thy whole body go into hell. It was
said also, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give
her a writing of divorcement, but I say unto you that every
one that putteth away his wife, saving for the cause of
fornication, maketh her an adulteress, and whosoever shall
marry her when she is put away committeth adultery."
(_Matt. 5:27-32._)

In this passage, Jesus expressed the abhorrence of all advanced
occultists for the abuse of the functions of sex. Not only the act,
but the thought behind the act was condemned by him. The advanced
occult teaching is that the function of the sex organization is
entirely that of procreation--aught else is a perversion of nature.
Jesus speaks in strong words to men and women, in this passage,
regarding this great question. The concluding portion of the passage
is a condemnation of the abuse of the marriage relation, and the
privilege of divorce, which was being strongly agitated in His time.
He aimed a blow at the careless contracting of marriages, and the
consequent careless dissolution of the tie. Jesus believed in the
sacredness of the home life, and the welfare of the family. His
utterance on this subject is unmistakably clear and forcible.

"Again, ye have heard that it was said to them of old time,
Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the
Lord thine oaths: but I say unto you, Swear not at all;
neither by the heaven, for it is the throne of God; nor by
the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet; nor by
Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King; neither
shall thou swear by thy head, for thou canst not make one
hair white or black. But let your speech be Yea, yea, Nay,
nay: for whatever is more than these is of the evil one."
(_Matt. 5:33-37._)

Here Jesus attacks the custom of swearing, which was so prevalent in
His time among the Jews and other Oriental peoples. He urges
simplicity and moderation of speech. In this He is true to the Occult
traditions, which teach the value of simple thought and simple sp