14. *This love _covereth all things_. (So without all doubt πάντα στέγει should be translated: for otherwise it would be the very same with πάντα ὑπομένει. _endured 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 backbiter, 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, firebrands 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 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 means 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, least 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 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_.
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.”