Charles Spurgeon on Roman Catholics who love Jesus
In 1859 Charles Spurgeon noted in a sermon, "I have been struck lately, in reading works by some writers who belong to the Romish Church, with the marvelous love which they have towards the Lord Jesus Christ."
Apparently, Spurgeon did not think this could be true earlier in his life as he explains:
"I did think, at one time, that it could not be possible for any to be saved in that church, but, often, after I have risen from reading the books of those holy men and have felt myself to be quite a dwarf by their side, I have said, 'Yes, despite their errors, these men must have been taught of the Holy Spirit. Notwithstanding all the evils of which they have drunk so deeply, I am quite certain that they must have had fellowship with Jesus, or else they could not have written as they did.'"
Spurgeon concluded: "Such writers are few and far between but, still, there is a remnant according to the election of Grace even in the midst of that apostate church!"
What amazes me about Spurgeon's statement is that it is somewhat commonplace. During the Reformation and after it, the relationship between the Roman church and Protestants was tenuous but also porous. There was a hope that Roman Christians would reform. And Protestants as a whole read the works of their Roman cousins—they even spoke to each other!
Granted, the Religious Wars in Europe eventually put an end to most of this. But that does not mean there is no Roman Church member who has fellowship with Jesus.
As Spurgeon said:
"Yes, despite their errors, these men must have been taught of the Holy Spirit. Notwithstanding all the evils of which they have drunk so deeply, I am quite certain that they must have had fellowship with Jesus, or else they could not have written as they did."
Here is a link to the full sermon, "Christian Resignation," published on February 24, 1901.