7. And evil examples are the commonest sort of scandals:[135] not as they offend, or grieve, or are apparently sinful; but as they seem good, and therefore are temptations to the weak to imitate them. So apt are men to imitation, especially in evil, that they will do what they see another do, without examining whether it be justifiable or not. Especially if it be the example either of great men, or of learned men, or of men reputed eminently godly, or of a multitude, any of these the people are apt to imitate: this therefore is the common way of scandal. When people do that which is evil as if it were good, and thereby draw the ignorant to think it good, and so imitate them. Or else when they do that which is lawful itself, in such a manner as tendeth to deceive another, and draw him to that which is indeed unlawful; or to hinder him in any thing that is good.
8. Lastly, Even silence and omissions also may be scandalous, and draw another into error and sin. If by silence you seem to consent to false doctrine, or to wicked works, when you have opportunity to control them, hereby you draw others to consent also to the sin: or if you omit those public or private duties, which others may be witnesses of, you tempt them to the like omission, and to think they are no duties, but indifferent things: for in evil they will easily rest in your judgment, and say that you are wiser than they; but they are not so ductile and flexible to good.
5. Scandals also are distinguishable by the effects; which are such as these:
1. Some scandals do tempt men to actual infidelity, and to deny or doubt of the truth of the gospel.
2. Some scandals would draw men but into some particular error, and from some particular truth, while he holds the rest.
3. Some scandals draw men to dislike and distaste the way of godliness; and some to dislike the servants of God.
4. Some scandals tend to confound men, and bring them to utter uncertainties in religion.
5. Some tend to terrify men from the way of godliness.
6. Some only stop them for a time, and discourage or hinder them in their way.
7. Some tend to draw them to some particular sin.