CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

3. Men may through their corruptions actively take an occasion to speak against the ways of Religion, or else there may be a passive occasion administered to them, and we are greatly to distinguish between these two, Divines call it Scandalum acceptum, and Scandalum datum; There are a generation of men so devilish and malicious, that they will take an occasion to condemn the way of Religion even for good things, for necessary duties, or at least when they have no just occasion: Thus our Saviour himself though never so holy, so humble, so godly in his doctrine and life, yet the Pharisees took all occasion to calumniate him, They say he wrought by the devil, and called him a Friend to Publicans and Sinners; There are some wretched men that do what you can they will be prejudiced against the Truth and Godliness, They will look upon all the ways of Christ as so many deceits and impostures, and this offence is called Scandalum Phariseorum by the Casuists; But then there is a Scandal given, or scandalum Pusillorum, when those who appear for Religion do such things as are indeed inconsistent with holiness, that can never be made good by the Scripture, and of such it is that our Saviour saith, Woe be to him by whom offences come, Mat. 18.7. Whosoever shall offend one of these little ones, it had been better a Millstone were hung about his neck, and he thrown into the sea; For although it be also a sin in any man to be prejudiced and alienated from Godliness, because of the sins of those that profess it, neither will that be an excuse to them, yet because such put a stumbling block in the way, therefore is the transgression great: Distinguish then between such as through their wilful obstinacy will be offended, and from such who are so through weakness and a real occasion given.

3. Men may through their corruptions actively take an occasion to speak against the waies of Religion, or else there may be a passive occasion administred to them, and we are greatly to distinguish between these two, Divines call it Scandalum acceptum, and Scandalum datum; There are a generation of men so devilish and malicious, that they will take an occasion to condemn the way of Religion even for good things, for necessary duties, or at least when they have no just occasion: Thus our Saviour himself though never so holy, so humble, so godly in his doctrine and life, yet the Pharisees took all occasion to calumniate him, They say he wrought by the devil, and called him a Friend to Publicans and Sinners; There are some wretched men that do what you can they will be prejudiced against the Truth and Godlinesse, They will look upon all the waies of Christ as so many deceits and impostures, and this offence is called Scandalum Phariseorum by the Casuists; But then there is a Scandal given, or scandalum Pusillorum, when those who appear for Religion do such things as are indeed inconsistent with holinesse, that can never be made good by the Scripture, and of such it is that our Saviour saith, Wo be to him by whom offences come,