Hate the one, love the other
How vain is it for any man to aim at this, to attempt the serving of two masters? Is it not easy to foresee what must be the unavoidable consequence of such an attempt? Either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. The two parts of this sentence, although separately proposed, are to be understood in connection with each other. For the latter part is a consequence of the former. He will naturally hold to him whom he loves. He will so cleave to him as to perform to him a willing, faithful, and diligent service. And in the meantime he will so far, at least, despise the master he hates as to have little regard to his commands, and to obey them, if at all, in a slight and careless manner. Therefore, whatever the wise men of the world may suppose, you cannot serve God and mammon (Matthew 6:24).
1771 text
3. How vain is it for any man to aim at this? To attempt the serving of two masters. Is it not easy to foresee, what must be the unavoidable consequence of such an attempt? Either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. The two parts of this sentence, altho’ separately proposed, are to be understood in connexion with each other. For the latter part is a consequence of the former. He will naturally hold to him whom he loves. He will so cleave to him, as to perform to him a willing, faithful, and diligent service. And in the mean time, he will so far, at least, despise the master he hates, as to have little regard to his commands, and to obey them, if at all, in a slight and careless manner. Therefore, whatsoever the wise men of the world may suppose, Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
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 29 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 6:24-34.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.