These words may be considered wither relatively or absolutely. Consider them, 1. With relation to the Jews, to whom they were written immmediately, and they are. prediction or denuncitation of that judgment which was coming upon the right men in the Jewish nation; which prediction, Josephus assures... [ Continue Reading ]
The next sin which our apostle convicts the rich of, and condemns them for, is the sin of oppression, and that of the worst sorts, even of labourers and servants; their covetousness was the cause of this oppression. There is no sin so heinous and base but covetousness may be. mother or. nurse to it:... [ Continue Reading ]
The next sin he charges upon them, is sensuality, luxury, lasciviousness, their eating and drinking to excess in their feasts, pampering themselves for the slaughter and the shambles. These are sins very natural to corrupt nature, but chiefly incident to the rich. Pride, idleness, fulness of bread,... [ Continue Reading ]
By the JUST, may be understood JESUS CHRIST, that JUST ONE whom the nation of the Jews condemned and killed; and also such of his members, orthodox Christians, who the judaizing Christians persecuted. By their CONDEMNING THE JUST, understand how they proceeded against them under. pretence and colour... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The duty exhorted to, PATIENCE: BE PATIENT, BRETHREN. Patience is. sense of afflictions without murmuring, and of injuries without revenge. It is the duty of Christians to be patient under their sufferings, though they be long and sharp. Observe, 2. The argument to enforce this dut... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. prohibiton, GRUDGE NOT ONE AGAINST ANOTHER; that is, do not murmur or repine, groan or grieve, as impatient men use to do under their pressure; complain not of God, because the time of your deliverance is delayed: thirst not after revenge against your persecutors, and envy not those... [ Continue Reading ]
Here the apostle exhorts suffering Christians to patience, by the example of the Old Testament saints, who were exceeding dear to God, employed in special services for God, yet exercised with long and sharp afflictions for him. Now, their nature was as tender and as frail as ours, and we have the sa... [ Continue Reading ]
That is, all persons do judge and pronounce those that have suffered death, for righteousness sake, to be in. very happy condition; though they live persecuted, yet they die sainted. Living saints are an eye sore; by the strictness of their lives, and the severity of their reproofs, they torment. wi... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe, that an oath here is not absolutely forbidden, but restrained: ABOVE ALL THINGS, MY BRETHREN. Note, with what vehemency and earnestness the apostle speaks, SWEAR NOT, that is, swear not vainly and rashly, swear not lightly and profanely, swear not unduly, by any of the creatures, (but by t... [ Continue Reading ]
Here observe, 1. That affliction is. praying season. Prayer is. duty never out of season, but never more in season than in and under affliction. Observe, 2. That though the time of affliction be. special time when. saint prayeth, yet it is not the only time, he prays at all times, because he loves... [ Continue Reading ]
Some observe, 1. That St. James doth not say, "Is any man sick? let him pray;" but let him send for others to pray with him, and for him: plainly supposing, that the sick man is very unfit to pray himself, or to pray for himself; in other afflictions let him pray, but in sickness let others pray for... [ Continue Reading ]
Here our apostle shews the good effects of this anointing and praying; yet note, that he ascribes the sick man's recovery, not to the oil, but to the prayer; THE PRAYER OF FAITH SHALL SAVE THE SICK. The moral means is taken notice of before the ritual and ceremonial: THE PRAYER OF FAITH SHALL SAVE T... [ Continue Reading ]
Note here, 1. That there is. time and season when it is our duty to confess our sins, not only to God, but to one another, to. pious and prudent minister, to an injured and wronged neighbour, to those that have been tempted by us, and have consented with us in sinning. Note, 2. How absurdly the Papi... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle in these words proves the general proposition he had laid down, that the fervent prayer of. righteous man availeth much, by. particular instance, the example of Elias: who seemed to carry the keys of heaven at his girdle, to shut and open the heavens at his pleasure. AS THE LORD LIVETH,... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle concludes his epistle with an exhortation to the duty of fraternal correction and Christian admonition: "If, says he, any one among you, who hath made an outward profession of Christianity, shall, for fear of persecution, or otherwise turn aside from the rule of the gospel, whether in ma... [ Continue Reading ]