not rejoice when his adversary makes a false step, which he thinks will advantage his own cause? Only a man of love. He alone weeps over either the sin or folly of his enemy, takes no pleasure in hearing or in repeating it, but rather desires that it may be forgotten for ever. 13. But he "rejoiceth in the truth," wheresoever it is found," in the truth which is after godliness," bringing forth its proper fruit, holiness of heart, and holiness of conversation. He rejoices to find, that even those who oppose him, whether in regard to opinions, or some points of practice, are nevertheless lovers of God, and in other respects unreprovable. He is glad to hear good of them, and to speak all he can consistently with Truth and Justice. Indeed, good, in general, is his glory and joy, wherever diffused throughout the race of mankind. As a citizen of the world, he claims a share in the happiness of all the inhabitants of it. Because he is a man, he is not unconcerned in the welfare of any man; but enjoys whatsoever brings glory to God, and promotes peace and good-will among men. 14. This "Love covereth all things." (So, without all doubt navla seye should be translated: for otherwise it would ξεγει be the very same with παντα υπομενει, endureth all things.) Because the merciful man rejoiceth not in iniquity, neither does he willingly make mention of it. Whatever evil he sees, hears, or knows, he nevertheless conceals, so far as he can, without making himself" partaker of other men's sins." Wheresoever or with whomsoever he is, if he sees any thing which he approves not, it goes not out of his lips, unless to the person concerned, if haply he may gain his brother. So far is he from making the faults or failings of others the matter of his conversation, that of the absent he never does speak at all, unless he can speak well. A talebearer, a back-biter, a whisperer, an evil-speaker, is to him all one as a murderer. He would just as soon cut his neighbour's throat, as thus murder his reputation. Just as soon would he think of diverting himself by setting fire to his neighbour's house, as of thus "scattering abroad arrows, fire-brands, and death, and saying, 'Am I not in sport?" " He makes one only exception. Sometimes he is convinced, that it is for the glory of God, or (which comes to the same) the good of his neighbour, that an evil should not be covered. In this case, for the benefit of the innocent, he is constrained to declare the guilty. But even here, 1, He will not speak at all, till love, superior love, constrains him. 2, He cannot do it from a general confused view of doing good, or of promoting the glory of God, but from a clear sight of some particular end, some determinate good which he pursues. 3, Still he cannot speak, unless he be fully convinced, that this very mean is necessary to that end: that the end cannot be answered, at least not so effectually by any other way. 4, He then doth it with the utmost sorrow and reluctance, using it as the last and worst medicine, a desperate remedy in a desperate case, a kind of poison never to be used but to expel poison. Consequently, 5, He uses it as sparingly as possible. And this he does with fear and trembling, lest he should transgress the law of love by speaking too much, more than he would have done by not speaking at all. 15. "Love believeth all things." It is always willing to think the best; to put the most favourable construction on every thing. It is ever ready to believe whatever may tend to the advantage of any one's character. It is easily convinced of (what it earnestly desires) the innocence or integrity of any man; or, at least, of the sincerity of his repentance, if he had once erred from the way. It is glad to excuse whatever is amiss: to condemn the offender as little as possible, and to make all the allowance for human weakness, which can be done without betraying the truth of God. 16. And when it can no longer believe, then "Love hopeth all things." Is any evil related of any man? Love hopes, that the relation is not true, that the thing related was never done. Is it certain it was?" But perhaps it was not done with such circumstances as are related; so that allowing the fact, there is room to hope it was not so ill as it is represented. Was the action apparently, undeniably evil? Love hopes the intention was not so. Is it clear, the design was evil too?—" Yet it might not spring from the settled temper of the heart, but from a start of passion, or from some vehement temptation, which hurried the man beyond himself." And even when it cannot be doubted, but all the actions, designs, and tempers are equally evil : still Love hopes that God will at last make bare his arm, and get himself the victory; and that "there shall be joy in heaven over this one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons that need no repent ance." 17. Lastly: "It endureth all things." This completes the character of him that is truly merciful. He endureth not some, not many things only, not most, but absolutely all things. Whatever the injustice, the malice, the cruelty of men can inflict, he is able to suffer. He calls nothing intolerable; he never says of any thing, "This is not to be borne." No: he can, not only do, but suffer all things through Christ who strengtheneth him. And all he suffers does not destroy his love, nor impair it in the least. It is proof against all. It is a flame that burns even in the midst of the great deep. Many waters cannot quench his love, neither can the floods drown it." It triumphs over all. It never faileth, either in time or in eternity. "In obedience to what Heaven decrees, Knowledge shall fail and prophecy shall cease, And endless good diffuse, and endless praise receive." So shall the merciful obtain mercy:" not only by the blessing of God upon all their ways, by his now repaying the love they bear to their brethren, a thousand fold into their own bosom: but likewise by "an exceeding and eterVOL. VII. A a nal weight of glory," in the "kingdom prepared for them from the beginning of the world." 18. For a little while you may say, "Woe is me that I am constrained to dwell with Mesech, and to have my habitation among the tents of Kedar!" You may pour out your soul, and bemoan the loss of true, genuine love in the earth. Lost indeed! You may well say, (but not in the ancient sense) "See how these Christians love one another!" These Christian kingdoms, that are tearing out each other's bowels, desolating one another with fire and sword! These Christian armies, that are sending each other by thousands, yea, by ten thousands, quick into hell! These Christian nations, that are all on fire with intestine broils, party against party, faction against faction! These Christian cities, where deceit and fraud, oppression and wrong, yea, robbery and murder go not out of their streets! These Christian families torn asunder with envy, jealousy, anger, domestic jars, without number, without end! Yea, what is most dreadful, most to be lamented of all, these Christian Churches!-Churches, ("Tell it not in Gath"-But, alas! how can we hide it, either from Jews, Turks, or Pagans ?) that bear the name of Christ the Prince of Peace, and wage continual war with each other! that convert sinners by burning them alive! that are "drunk with the blood of the saints!"-Does this praise belong only to "Babylon the Great, the Mother of harlots and abominations of the earth?" Nay, verily; but Reformed Churches (so called) have fairly learned to tread in her steps. Protestant Churches too know to persecute, when they have power in their hands, even unto blood. And mean while, how do they also anathematize each other! Devote each other to the nethermost hell! What wrath, what contention, what malice, what bitterness, is every where found among them! Even where they agree in essentials and only differ in opinions, or in the circumstantials of Religion. Who "follows after only the things that make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another?" O God! How long? Shall thy promise fail? Fear it not, ye little flock. Against hope, believe in hope. It is your Father's more." good pleasure, yet to renew the face of the earth. Surely all these things shall come to an end, and the inhabitants of the earth shall learn righteousness. "Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they know war any "The mountain of the Lord's house shall be established on the top of the mountains:" and all the kingdoms of the world shall become the kingdoms of our God. 66 They shall not then hurt or destroy in all his holy mountain;" but "shall call their walls salvation, and their gates praise." They shall all be without spot or blemish, loving one another, even as Christ hath loved us.-Be thou part of the first-fruits, if the harvest is not yet. Do thou love thy neighbour as thyself. The Lord God fill thy heart with such a love to every soul, that thou mayest be ready to lay down thy life for his sake! May thy soul continually overflow with love, swallowing up every unkind and unholy temper, till he calleth thee up into the region of love, there to reign with him for ever and ever! |