Love endures all things
Lastly, it endures all things. This completes the character of the person who is truly merciful. He endures not some things, not many things only, not most, but absolutely all things. Whatever the injustice, the malice, the cruelty of people can inflict, he is able to suffer. He calls nothing intolerable. He never says of anything, This is not to be borne. No. He can not only do, but suffer, all things through Christ who strengthens him (Philippians 4:13). And all he suffers does not destroy his love, or impair it in the least. It is proof against all. It is a flame that burns even in the middle of the great deep. Many waters cannot quench his love (Song of Solomon 8:7), nor can the floods drown it. It triumphs over all. It never fails, either in time or in eternity.
In obedience to what heaven decrees, knowledge shall fail, and prophecy shall cease. But lasting love's more ample sway, neither bound by time nor subject to decay, in happy triumph shall for ever live, and endless good diffuse, and endless praise receive.
1771 text
17. Lastly, It endureth all things. This compleats 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 thro’ Christ which strengtheneth him. And all he suffers does not destroy his love, not 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. But lasting charity’s more ample sway, Nor bound by time, nor subject to decay, In happy triumph shall for ever live, And endless good diffuse, and endless praise receive.”
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.