temperance, and judgment to come_. This is the most probable way to make _Felix tremble_. Reserve higher subjects for men of higher attainments. 17. _Neither cast ye your pearls before swine._ Be very unwilling to pass this judgment on any man. But if the fact be plain and undeniable, if it is clear, beyond all dispute, if the swine do not endeavour to disguise themselves, but rather glory in their shame, making no pretence to purity either of heart or life, but working all uncleanness with greediness: then _cast_ not _ye your pearls before_ them. Talk not to them of the mysteries of the kingdom: of the things _which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard_; which of consequence, as they have no other inlets of knowledge, no spiritual senses, it cannot enter into their hearts to conceive. Tell not them of the _exceeding great and precious promises_, which God hath given us, in the Son of his love. What conception can they have, of being _made partakers of the divine nature_, who do not even desire to _escape the corruption that is in the world thro’ lust_? Just as much knowledge as swine have of pearls, and as much relish as they have for them, so much relish have they for the deep things of God, so much knowledge of the mysteries of the gospel, who are immersed in the mire of this world, in worldly pleasures, desires and cares. _O cast not_ those _pearls before_ these, _lest they trample them under their feet_, lest they utterly despise what they cannot understand, and speak evil of the things which they know not. Nay, ’tis probable, this would not be the only inconvenience which would follow. It would not be strange, if they were, according to their nature, to _turn again, and rent you_: if they were to return you evil for good, cursing for blessing, and hatred for your good-will. Such is the enmity of the carnal mind against God and all the things of God. Such the treatment you are to expect from these, if you offer them the unpardonable affront, of endeavouring to save their souls from death, to pluck them as brands out of the burning!