The holy thing
Do not give that which is holy to dogs. Beware of thinking that any deserve this name until there is full and incontestable proof, such as you can no longer resist. But when it is clearly and indisputably proved that they are unholy and wicked men, not only strangers to but enemies of God, to all righteousness and true holiness: do not give that which is holy, the holy thing, emphatically so called, to these. The holy, the peculiar doctrines of the gospel, such as were hidden from the ages and generations of old and are now made known to us only by the revelation of Jesus Christ and the inspiration of his Holy Spirit (Colossians 1:26), are not to be prostituted to these men, who do not know if there is any Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2). Not indeed that the ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20) can refrain from declaring them in the great congregation, in which some of these may probably be. We must speak, whether men will hear or whether they will forbear (Ezekiel 2:7). But this is not the case with private Christians. They do not bear that awful character, nor are they under any manner of obligation to force these great and glorious truths on those who contradict and blaspheme, who have a rooted enmity against them. No, they ought not to do so, but rather to lead them as they are able to bear. Do not begin a discourse with these upon remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. But talk with them in their own manner and upon their own principles. With the rational, honorable, unjust epicure, reason of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come (Acts 24:25). This is the most probable way to make Felix tremble. Reserve higher subjects for men of higher attainments.
1771 text
16. Give not that which is holy unto dogs. Beware of thinking, that any deserve this appellation, till there is full and incontestable proof, such as you can no longer resist. But when it is clearly and indisputably proved, that they are unholy and wicked men, not only strangers to, but enemies to God, to all righteousness and true holiness: give not that which is holy, τὸ ἅγιον, the holy thing, emphatically so called, unto these. The holy, the peculiar doctrines of the gospel, such as were hid from the ages and generations of old, and are now made known to us, only by the revelation of Jesus Christ, and the inspiration of his holy Spirit; are not to be prostituted unto these men, who know not if there be any Holy Ghost. Not indeed that the ambassadors of Christ can refrain, from declaring them in the great congregation, wherein some of these may probably be. We must speak, whether men will hear or whether they will forbear. But this is not the case with private Christians. They do not bear that awful character: nor are they under any manner of obligation, to force these great and glorious truths, on them who contradict and blaspheme, who have a rooted enmity against them. Nay, they ought not so to do, but rather to lead them, as they are able to bear. Do not begin a discourse with these, upon remission of sins, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. But talk with them in their own manner, and upon their own principles. With the rational, honourable, unjust epicure, reason of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come. This is the most probable way to make Felix tremble. Reserve higher subjects for men of higher attainments.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 30 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 7:1-12.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.