Filth and offscouring
Add to this, that they are not noble, not honorable men (if they were, you might bear with their folly). They are men of no interest, no authority, of no account in the world. They are mean and base, low in life, and such as have no power, if they had the will, to hurt you. Therefore there is nothing at all to be feared from them, and there is nothing at all to hope. For the greater part of them may say, Silver and gold have I none (Acts 3:6): at least a very moderate share. No, some of them have scarcely food to eat or clothing to put on. For this reason, as well as because their ways are not like those of other men, they are everywhere spoken against, are despised, have their names cast out as evil, are variously persecuted, and treated as the filth and offscouring of the world (1 Corinthians 4:13). So that both your fears, your hopes, and all your desires (except those which you have immediately from God), yes, all your natural passions continually incline you to return into the broad way.
1771 text
10. Add to this, that they are not noble, not honourable men: (if they were, you might bear with their folly.) They are men of no interest, no authority, of no account in the world. They are mean and base, low in life; and such as have no power, if they had the will to hurt you. Therefore there is nothing at all to be feared from them: and there is nothing at all to hope. For the greater part of them may say, silver and gold have I none: at least a very moderate share. Nay, some of them have scarce food to eat or raiment to put on. For this reason, as well as because their ways are not like those of other men, they are every where spoken against, are despised, have their names cast out as evil, are variously persecuted, and treated as the filth and offscouring of the world. So that both your fears, your hopes, and all your desires, (except those which you have immediately from God) yea, all your natural passions continually incline you to return into the broad way.
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 31 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 7:13-14.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.