A second volume of discourses or sermons on several scriptures

Secondly, Another Reason is, because all such Occasions of Sin, and such Appearances of Sin have guilt in them also, as being against the same Commandment that that Sin violates and tends unto; for the same Commandment that forbids the Sin it self, forbids all occasions, and all appearances of that Sin. That Commandment that forbids Theft, forbids also whatever may induce, though but remotely, thereunto. And that Commandment that forbids Adultery, forbids also all remote occasions thereof. Hence it is that Solomon gives the young man that scrupulous Caution against a strange Woman, in Prov. 5.8. Come not near the door of her House. Why, to ⟨p. 120⟩pass by the door of her House, is not in it self unlawful; but yet when this may be justly feared to prove an occasion of Sin, or when by going near a House, it may be strongly presumed by others, that we are guilty of any Sin, then it must be carefully avoided and abstained from. So again, When the Wine looks red in the Cup, Solomon bids us that we should not then look upon it: Why, to look upon the Wine in the Cup, is not a thing that is unlawful; but because this may be an occasion of Intemperance, and Drunkenness, or the like; therefore we must abstain from this very appearance and occasion of Evil. So then, in the appearance of Evil, there is not only the evil of Scandal given to others, but there is also the evil of guilt in it self. And therefore let us all examine our selves what at any time hath proved a snare to us, and what hath been an occasion of sinning. Have you not often said it, and resolved it, that you will venture but so far and no farther, and though you do approach near to Sin, yet you will keep your selves within your Duty, and have you not found it, that when you have ventured thus ⟨p. 121⟩upon the occasions of Sin, you have stopped no where short of the commission of those Sins? This is to put your selves out of God's way, and to put your selves from under his protection; for God doth not usually keep them from the commission of Sin, who do not keep themselves from the Occasions and Appearances of Sin. And so much for the First Position.

Secondly, Another Reason is, because all such Occasions of Sin, and such Appearances of Sin have guilt in them also, as being against the same Commandment that that Sin violates and tends unto; for the same Commandment that forbids the Sin it self, forbids all occasions, and all appearances of that Sin. That Commandment that forbids Theft, forbids also whatever may induce, though but remotely, thereunto. And that Commandment that forbids Adultery, forbids also all remote occasions thereof. Hence it is that Solomon gives the young man that scrupulous Caution against a strange Woman, in