Give not that which is holy unto the dogs] Apply not the promises of the Gospel to profane men: or, speak no more of them to such as persecute you for your message: or, reprove not such Proverbs 9:8. for they are mischievous, like dogs, and holy things are too good for them. neither cast ye your pearls before swine] Those precious promises that belong to you, and such as you are, apply not to swinish men, that regard not holy things any more then swine do pearls, the use whereof they know not. lest they trample them under their feet] As swine do pearls: so will they reject the promises of the Gospel, or precious reproofs, with scorn. and turn again and rent you] As dogs do sometimes to those that feed them: so will some men persecute their teachers, especially if reproofs go along with promises.