Give his hand to all
If then we take this word in the strictest sense, a man of a Catholic spirit is one who in the manner above mentioned gives his hand to all whose hearts are right with his heart. One who knows how to value, and praise God for, all the advantages he enjoys — with regard to the knowledge of the things of God, the true scriptural manner of worshipping him, and above all his union with a congregation fearing God and working righteousness (Acts 10:35). One who, retaining these blessings with the strictest care, keeping them as the apple of his eye (Deuteronomy 32:10), at the same time loves as friends, as brethren in the Lord, as members of Christ and children of God, as joint partakers now of the present kingdom of God and fellow heirs of his eternal kingdom, all of whatever opinion or worship or congregation who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ; who love God and men; who, rejoicing to please and fearing to offend God, are careful to abstain from evil and zealous of good works (Titus 2:14). He is the man of a truly Catholic spirit who bears all these continually upon his heart; who, having an unspeakable tenderness for their persons and longing for their welfare, does not cease to commend them to God in prayer, as well as to plead their cause before men; who speaks comfortably to them, and labors by all his words to strengthen their hands in God (1 Samuel 23:16). He assists them to the uttermost of his power in all things, spiritual and temporal. He is ready to spend and be spent for them (2 Corinthians 12:15); yea, to lay down his life for their sake (1 John 3:16).
1771 text
5. *If then we take this word in the strictest sense, a man of a Catholic spirit, is one who in the manner above-mentioned, gives his hand, to all whose hearts are right with his heart. One who knows how to value, and praise God, for all the advantages he enjoys; with regard to the knowledge of the things of God, the true scriptural manner of worshipping him; and above all, his union with a congregation, fearing God and working righteousness. One who retaining these blessings with the strictest care, keeping them as the apple of his eye, at the same time loves as friends, as brethren in the Lord, as members of Christ and children of God, as joint-partakers now of the present kingdom of God, and fellow-heirs of his eternal kingdom, all of whatever opinion or worship or congregation, who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ; who love God and man; who rejoicing to please and fearing to offend God, are careful to abstain from evil and zealous of good works. He is the man of a truly Catholic spirit, who bears all these continually upon his heart, who having an unspeakable tenderness for their persons, and longing for their welfare, does not cease to commend them to God in prayer, as well as to plead their cause before men: who speaks comfortably to them, and labours by all his words, to strengthen their hands in God. He assists them to the uttermost of his power in all things, spiritual and temporal. He is ready to spend and be spent for them; yea, to lay down his life for their sake.
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 39 in the 1771 Works. 2 Kings 10:15.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.