Mixture of Scholastical Divinity with Practical Part 2, Introduction
Our Apostle directs us, in the verse immediately preceding this Text, concerning Good; in this Text concerning Evill. Towards Good he exacts a prudent warinesse; towards Evill a scrupulous fearfulnesse. Towards good, a prudent warinesse, Prove all things, and then, hold fast that which is good. Nothing, how colourable soever, is to be received hand over head, before triall and examination by the ballance of the Sanctuary: for, Vitia virtutes mentiuntur (saith Gregory) vice is maskt under the skin of virtue; falshood, disguised under the face of truth: so that one is often mistaken for the other. The grossest enormities have been glast and coloured over with the name, and face of virtues: the most poisonous heresies have often gained the esteeme and applause of Orthodox Tenents, and therefore as we must stedfastly retaine that which is truely true and good; so must we prudently discerne, and carefully distinguish between that which is so indeed, and in truth and that which is so only in shew, and colour; this we must reject, that keep, and hold fast: Prove all things, hold fast that which is good. But he requires now towards evill a farre different carriage: there he looks for a scrupulous fearfulnesse. Though we must not hold fast any thing that hath but the appearance of good, yet we must abstaine from but the appearance of evill.
Abstaine from all appearance of evill: or from every evill appearance the Words may be rendred indifferently, either way, both rendring being equally consonant to the truth, and Originall.
In the words our Apostle meets with a cavill, rise among the Libertines of our, and former times, who when their scandalous courses are charged upon thē, baffle of all with this plea: that they are not intrinsecally sinfull. Could I (will the prosanest Libertine say) once see such and such things proved to be unlawfull: why I would make no more words of the matter, but soone forbeare them. I, but have they the blush, the appearance of evill? that should be motive enough to shun them.