My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. Ver. 1. _Be not many masters_] Masters of opinions, that boldly obtrude upon others their own _placits, _ and will not have them disputed or debated. Such are the Sorbonists, who rejoice to be called _Magistri... [ Continue Reading ]
For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same _is_ a perfect man, _and_ able also to bridle the whole body. Ver. 2. _For in many things, &c._] This is _triste mortalitatis privilegium, _ the sad privilege of mankind, as one phraseth it, to have leave to offend sometimes.... [ Continue Reading ]
Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Ver. 3. _That they may obey us_] Horses, asses, camels, elephants, God in great wisdom, for the use of man, hath made without galls, that they might with the more ease be made tame and serviceable.... [ Continue Reading ]
Behold also the ships, which though _they be_ so great, and _are_ driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Ver. 4. _Whithersoever the governor_] _Peterent caelum Belgae si navibus peti posset, _ Ley them ask for the skys of Belge... [ Continue Reading ]
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! Ver. 5. _Boasteth great things_] Gr. μεγαλαυχει. It doth magnifically lift up itself, as an untamed horse doth his head. It exalts itself and exults of great things. It walketh throu... [ Continue Reading ]
And the tongue _is_ a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. Ver. 6. _A world of iniquity_] A newly found world. Not a city or country only, but "a world of iniquity," a... [ Continue Reading ]
For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: Ver. 7. _For every kind of beasts, &c._] _See Trapp on "_ Heb 2:7 _"_ Some creatures indeed may be taken, but not tamed, as the tiger, panther, monoceros, of which last it is... [ Continue Reading ]
But the tongue can no man tame; _it is_ an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Ver. 8. _But the tongue, &c._] Where then are our justiciaries with their pretended perfection? David's heart deceived him Psalms 39:1; "I said, I will look to my ways, I will bridle my tongue." But presently after, he s... [ Continue Reading ]
Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Ver. 9. _Therewith bless we God_] And so make our tongues our glory. _ Therewith curse we men_] Yea, the best of men; as Korah and his accomplices fear not to object to Moses the meek,... [ Continue Reading ]
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Ver. 10. _Out of the same mouth_] As it did once out of the mouth of Pope Julius II, who in the battle of Ravenna on Easter Day, between him and the French, as he sat by the fire reading his prayers... [ Continue Reading ]
Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet _water_ and bitter? Ver. 11. _Doth a fountain send forth_] The fountain, or rather the botch, of sensual and sinful pleasures doth. Sin is a bitter sweet, γλυκυπικρον, the poison of asps, which first tickleth, and then killeth. All creature comfort... [ Continue Reading ]
Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so _can_ no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. Ver. 12. _Both yield salt water and fresh_] That is strange that is reported of the rivers of Peru, that after they have run into the main sea, yea, some write 20 or 30 mile... [ Continue Reading ]
Who _is_ a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. Ver. 13. _Who is a wise man_] Not he that words it most; for _multiloquio stultiloquium; _ follish excessive talking and as any one is more wise, he is more sparing of... [ Continue Reading ]
But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. Ver. 14. _Bitter envying_] Properly so called; for it flows from the gall; it shows that the man is in the gall of bitterness, and of kin to the star called Wormwood, Revelation 8:11. It is also an ev... [ Continue Reading ]
This wisdom descendeth not from above, but _is_ earthly, sensual, devilish. Ver. 15. _Earthly, sensual_] Here is a true character of carnal wisdom; the world is a pearl in its eyes, it cannot see God. Earthly it is called, as managing the lusts of the eyes unto the ends of gain; sensual, managing t... [ Continue Reading ]
For where envying and strife _is_, there _is_ confusion and every evil work. Ver. 16. _For where envying and strife is, &c._] The number of two hath been therefore accounted accursed, because it was the first that departed from unity. Divisions (saith one) are like the torrid zone, nothing prospers... [ Continue Reading ]
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, _and_ easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. Ver. 17. _Easy to be entreated_] Tractable, docile, not as horse and mule that must be ruled with rigour, not with reason, P... [ Continue Reading ]
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. Ver. 18. _Is sown in peace_] Only we must not think to sow and reap all in a day. By the fruit of righteousness may be meant the crown of righteousness,2 Timothy 4:8, which Christ (the Prince of peace) shall put upon all the s... [ Continue Reading ]