7. *Is there any other fruit of the grace of God, with which he was eminently endowed, and the want of which among the children of God he frequently and passionately lamented? There is one, that is, _Catholic love_: that sincere and tender affection, which is due to all those, who, we have reason to believe, are children of God by faith: in other words, all those in every persuasion, who _fear God and work righteousness_. He longed to see all who had _tasted of the good word_, of a truly _Catholic spirit_, (a word little understood and still less experienced by many, who have it frequently in their mouth.) Who is he that answers this character? Who is a man of a _Catholic spirit_? One who loves as friends, as brethren in the Lord, as joint partakers of the present kingdom of heaven, and fellow-heirs of his eternal kingdom, all of whatever opinion, mode of worship, or congregation, who believe in the Lord Jesus; 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 a man of a truly Catholic spirit, who bears all these continually upon his heart: who having an unspeakable tenderness for their persons, and an earnest desire of 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 to be spent_ for them; yea, _to lay down his life for his brethren_.
8. How amiable a character is this? How desirable to every child of God! But why is it then so rarely found? How is it, that there are so few instances of it? Indeed, supposing we have tasted of the love of God, how can any of us rest, ’till it is our own? Why, there is a delicate device, whereby Satan persuades thousands, that they may stop short of it, and yet be guiltless. It is well, if many here present are not in this _snare of the devil, taken captive at his will_. “O yes, says one, I have all this love for those I believe to be children of God. But I will never believe, he is a child of God, who belongs to that _vile congregation_! Can he, do you think, be a child of God, who holds such _detestable opinions_? Or he that joins in such senseless and superstitious, if not idolatrous _worship_?” So we justify ourselves in one sin, by adding a second to it! We excuse the want of love in ourselves, by laying the blame on others. To colour our own devilish temper, we pronounce our brethren children of the devil. O beware of this! And if you are already taken in the snare, escape out of it as soon as possible. Go and learn that truly Catholic love, which _is not rash or hasty_ in judging: that love which _thinketh no evil_, which _believeth and hopeth all things_: which makes all the allowances for others, that we desire others should make for us. Then we shall take knowledge of the grace of God, which is in every man, whatever be his opinion or mode of worship. Then will all that fear God be near and dear unto us, _in the bowels of Jesus Christ_.
9. Was not this the spirit of our dear friend? And why should it not be ours? O thou God of love, how long shall thy people be a bye-word among the Heathen? How long shall they laugh us to scorn, and say, “See how _these_ Christians love one another?” When wilt thou roll away our reproach? _Shall the sword devour for ever? How long will it be, ere thou bid thy people return from following each other?_ Now at least, _let all the people stand still, and pursue after_ their brethren _no more_! But whatever others do, let all of us, my brethren, hear the voice of him that _being dead, yet speaketh_! Suppose ye hear him say, “Now at least, _be ye followers of me as I was of Christ_! Let brother _no more lift up sword_ against brother, neither _know ye war any more_! Rather _put ye on, as the elect of God, bowels of mercies, humbleness of mind, brotherly kindness, gentleness, long-suffering, forbearing one another in love_. Let the time past suffice for strife, envy, contention; for _biting and devouring one another_. Blessed be God, that ye have not long ago been _consumed one of another_! From henceforth hold ye _the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace_.”