Love hopes all things
And when it can no longer believe, then love hopes all things. Is any evil reported of any person? Love hopes that the report is not true, that the thing reported was never done. Is it certain that it was? But perhaps it was not done in the circumstances that are reported, so that, allowing the fact, there is room to hope it was not so bad as it is represented. Was the action apparently and undeniably evil? Love hopes the intention was not so. Is it clear that the design was evil too? Yet might it not have sprung from a settled temper of the heart, but from a start of passion, or from some violent temptation, which hurried the person beyond himself? And even when it cannot be doubted that all the actions, designs, and tempers are equally evil, still love hopes that God will at last bare his arm and get himself the victory, and that there will be joy in heaven over this one sinner who repents (Luke 15:7), more than over ninety-nine just people who need no repentance.
1771 text
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 might it 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 repentance.
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 22 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 5:5-7.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.