A second volume of discourses or sermons on several scriptures

First, When ordinarily it proves an occasion of Evil; such Actions there be, that are in themselves possibly lawful; but yet they prove occasions of Sin to most that venture upon them, because hereby many times they are brought within the Verge and Compass of a Temptation; which Temptation overcomes them. It was not simply unlawful in it self for Achan to look upon the Babylonish Garment, and the Wedge ⟨p. 117⟩of Gold; but yet hereby the Devil got an Advantage upon him, and made that an occasion to stir up his Covetousness; and therefore, because it was probably to be feared and presumed, that this might be an occasion of Sin to him, therefore he ought to have refrained even his very Eyes from looking upon them.

Secondly, When an Action is ordinarily done to an evil End, then it hath in it the appearance of Evil, grounded upon a probable Presumption. Thus to enter silently into another Man's House in the dead of the night, carries in it a presumption of Theft. And to enter into the Temples of Idols at the time of Idolatrous Worship, carries in it a presumption of Idolatry: and so our Intimacy, Familiarity, and Friendship with those that are wicked, is a grounded presumption that we are like them, and that we do as they do. And the reason of this is, because, when we do those Actions that commonly tend to a bad and sinful end, it is an ill sign that we intend the end it self to which those Actions lead. Now from every such Appearance of Evil, we ought in all Cases ⟨p. 118⟩to abstain; and that for these Two following Reasons.

First, Because all such Appearances of Evil always prove Scandals unto others. A Scandal is twofold; either the Scandal of Sin, or the Scandal of Sorrow: Now this venturing upon the presumed Appearance of Evil, proves a Scandal in both respects; it proves a Scandal of Sin to the weak, and it proves a Scandal of Sorrow to the strong.