ul." If love have not sufficient evidences, yet
she believes if there be some probabilities to the contrary, as well as
for it. The weight of charity inclines to the better part, and so casts
the balance of hope and persuasion; yet being sometimes deceived, she hath
reason to be watchful and wise, for "the simple believeth every word." If
charity cannot have ground of believing any good, yet it hopes still. _Qui
non est hodie, cras magis aptus erit_,(412) says charity, and therefore it
is patient and gentle, waiting on all, if peradventure God may "give them
repentance to the acknowledging of the truth," 2 Tim. ii. 25. Charity
would account it both atheism and blasphemy, to say such a man cannot,
will not find mercy. But to pronounce of such as have been often approven
in the conscience of all, and sealed into many hearts, that they will
never find mercy, that they have no grace, because of some failings in
practice and differences from us, it were not in sobriety but madness. It
is certainly love and indulgence to ourselves, that make us aggravate
other men's faults to such a height. Self love looks on other men's
failings through a multiplying or magnifying glass, but she puts her own
faults behind her back. _Non videt quod in mantica quae a tergo est._(413)
Therefore she can suffer much in herself but nothing in others, and
certainly much self forbearance and indulgence can spare little for
others. But charity is just contrary. She is most rigid on her own behalf,
will not pardon herself easily, knows no revenge but what is spoken of 2
Cor. vii. 11, self revenge, and hath no indignation but against herself.
Thus she can spare much candour and forbearance for others, and hath
little or nothing of indignation left behind to consume on others.

"Charity never faileth." This is the last note of commendation. Things
have their excellency from their use and from their continuance; both are
here. Nothing so useful, no such friend of human or Christian society as
charity, the advantage of it reacheth all things. And then, it is most
permanent and durable. When all shall go, it shall remain. When
ordinances, and knowledge attained by means and ordinances, shall evanish,
charity shall abide, and then receive its consummation. Faith of things
inevident and obscure shall be drowned in the vision of seeing God's face
clearly. Hope of things to come shall be exhausted in the possession and
fruition of them. But love only remains in