First, sin is very often chosen (by a mistake) for that which is good. They who (as the Apostle speaks, Heb. 5.12.) are u• skilful in the word of righteousness, they who have not senses exercised to discern between good and evil, are very apt to choose evil in stead of good, that is, thinking it to be good. Thus error in opinion is chosen, upon a mistake, for truth; and iniquity in practise, is chosen, upon a mistake, for duty. Of such the Prophet speaks (Isa. 5.20.) They call evil good, and good evil, they put darkness for light, and light for darkness: which, as some do knowingly, out of perverseness of spirit; so others ignorantly, out of unsoundness of judgement, imagining that to be good which is evil, and that to be light which is nothing else but darkness, that to be sound doctrine which is error, and that holy worship which is superstition. So did Paul before he was converted, he chose iniquity, and thought he had done very well; I thought (saith he) I ought to do many things against the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 26.) I thought it my duty, I verily thought I ought to persecute and vex those who believed in Jesus, where-ever I found them. And Jesus Christ himself forewarns his Disciples (John 16.2.) that the time was coming, that whosoever killed them would think they did God service. Thus many do not understand what is right, and so choose what is wrong.
First, sin is very often chosen (by a mistake) for that which is good. They who (as the Apostle speaks, Heb. 5.12.) are u• skilful in the word of righteousness, they who have not sences exercised to discern between good and evil, are very apt to choose evil in stead of good, that is, thinking it to be good. Thus error in opinion is chosen, upon a mistake, for truth; and iniquity in practise, is chosen, upon a mistake, for duty. Of such the Prophet speakes (Isa. 5.20.) They call evil good, and good evil, they put darkness for light, and light for darkness: which, as some do knowingly, out of perverseness of spirit; so others ignorantly, out of unsoundness of judgement, imagining that to be good which is evil, and that to be light which is nothing else but darkness, that to be sound doctrine which is er•our, and that holy worship which is superstition. So did Paul before he was converted, he chose iniquity, and thought he had done very well; I thought (saith he) I ought to do many things against the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 26.) I thought it my duty, I verily thought I ought to persecute and vex those who beleeved in Jesus, where-ever I found them. And Jesus Christ himself forewarns his Disciples (John 16.2.) that the time was coming, that whosoever killed them would think they did God service. Thus many do not understand what is right, and so choose what is wrong.
