A cabinet of choice jewels, or, A box of precious ointment being a plain…A cabinet of choice jevvels, or, A box of precious ointment being a plain…

Thirdly, This is the way of ways for a man to keep himself clear from other mens sins, that man that abstains from the appearance of sin, is very rarely guilty of other mens sins, Men many times by venturing upon the appearances of sins, come to wrap themselves up in the guilt of other mens sins. Effeminate Dalliance is an appearance of evil, and had Joseph been toying, and playing, and sporting with his Mistress in a wanton manner, how soon might he have wrapped himself up in the guilt of his Mistresses burning Lusts. He that would not tempt nor entice others to sin, must keep off from the very appearance of sin. Certainly there is not the holiest man in the World, but has sins enough of his own to sad him, though not to sink him; to humble him, though not to damn him; to abase him, though not to deject him; and therefore how much does it concern the best men in the World to abstain from the very appearance of sin, that so ⟨p. 119⟩they may not bring upon themselves the guilt and burden of other mens sins. 'Tis very well observed by some, that a more grievous punishment is reserved for them which cause others to sin, than for them which sin by their occasion; thus the Serpent was punished more than Eve, ¹and Eve more than Adam. And so Jezebel who tempted and provoked Ahab to sin, was punished with a far greater and sorer punishment or Judgment than Ahab himself was. To sin (saith one) hath not so much perdition in it, as to make others to sin; and therefore as you would never draw others to sin, keep off from all appearance of sin; O that all Superiors, Inferiors, and equals, would lay this counsel to heart. But,

Th•rdly, This is the way of wayes for a man to keep himself clear from other mens sins, that man that abstains from the appearance of sin, is very rarely guilty of other mens sins, Men many times by venturing upon the appearances of sins, come to wrap themselves up in the guilt of other mens sins. Effeminate Dalliance is an appearance of evil, and had Joseph been toying, and playing, and sporting with his Mistris in a wanton manner, how soon might he have wrapt himself up in the guilt of his Mistresses burning Lusts. He that would not tempt nor entice others to sin, must keep off from the very appearance of sin. Certainly there is not the holiest man in the World, but has sins enough of his own to sad him, though not to sink him; to humble him, though not to damn him; to abase him, though not to deject him; and therefore how much does it concern the best men in the World to abstain from the very appearance of sin, that so