Westminster Annotations, James 1 – Matthew 2
The ARGUMENT of the Epistle of JAMES.
THe Author of this Epistle, was the Apostle James, not the Son of Zebedeus, and the Brother of John Matth. 10. 2. (as some have supposed) who was slain not long after our Saviour Christs Ascension, Act. 12. 2. But James the son of Alpheus, Matth. 10. 3. called James the lesse, Mark 15. 40. and the Brother of the Lord, Gal. 1. 19. Commended for a principall Pillar in the Church of God, Gal. 2. 9. Who abiding at Jerusalem after that most of the Apostles were departed thence, as having a more speciall care and charge of his own Nation, the Jewish people, wrote this Epistle in generall to such of them, as were dispersed into severall Countreys and Provinces abroad: And it is probable, That he wrote it after sundry of Saint Pauls Epistles, and in particular of those two to the Romans, and to the Galathians: And observing how many professing the Faith of Christ, perverted that wholesome and comfortable Doctrine by him in those Epistles delivered, concerning free Justification by Faith without Works; taking thereby occasion to neglect the practise of god Works, he presseth the necessity of them, for the Justification of sound and sincere Profession. In the course of this Epistle, First he perswades them to patience, cheerfulnesse, and wise carriage under the Crosse, and a sanctified use thereof. Secondly, To shew the soundnesse of their Profession, and the sincerity of their Faith, by an exemplary course of life, in the practise of all Christian duties, and fruitfulnesse in well doing. Thirdly, disswades from censorious taxing of others, and bitter contentions with them, either by foul language, or injurious courses. Fourthly, Denounceth Gods Judgements against the rich, cruelly oppressing the poor. Fifthly, Exhorts the faithfull to patient carriage under such oppressions, and to a Christian demeanour, answerable to their severall estates, and conditions, and a brotherly care of the spirituall welfare, one of another, wherewith he choseth his Epistle.
The ARGUMENT of the first Epistle of PETER.
THe Apostle Peter having by a speciall agreement of the Apostles among themselves, the charge of those of the Circumcision committed unto him, Gal. 2. 7, 8, 9. Was accordingly carefull (because he could not visit them all in person, being dispersed into so many, and so remote Regions) to write unto them this Epistle, which might reach to them in their severall places of abode. Therein his principall scope is, to perswade them unto patience, and holy carriage, under those afflictions, that either at present they were exercised withall, or were further to expect; And that by Arguments taken from the example of Christ, Gods calling them thereunto, the Glory that thereby should redound unto God, and the good issue thereof, in regard of themselves. And amidst generall Exhortations to such Religious courses, and unblameable conversation, as might adorn their Christian Profession, and stop the mouths of malignant Adversaries, he intermixeth Admonitions concerning the duties of severall persons in their speciall places; as of Subjects towards Magistrates, Servants towards their Masters, Husbands and W…ves, either to other, and of the Ministers of God towards the People of God, committed unto their charge, the younger sort towards the elder, and of equals one to another; Concluding all with Benedictions and Salutations.
The ARGUMENT of the second Epistle of PETER.
IT seems, that after the writing of the former Epistle, wherein the Apostle had laid down the true Doctrine of Salvation by Christ alone, and some Rules for good life, becoming such as should be saved by him; there arose certain men, who were remisse in their lives, others who were fearfull of Gods Truth, laid down in the Scriptures; as also, false Teachers, who living loosely themselves, misled and corrupted others, and scoffers at the coming of Christ to judgement. The Apostle therefore after salutation, Chap. 1. 1, 2. and mention of the riches of Gods Mercy to true Christians, Vers 3, 4. Perswades to good works, from Verse 5. to Verse 12. from thence, to the end of the first Chapter: He being very old, and neer unto death, Verse 14. before his departure, mindes them of Truths forgotten by many of them. In the second, he arms them against false Teachers, and deters them from Apostacy. In the ten first Verses of the third Chapter, he confutes such as scoff at the coming of our Saviour, and the end of the World: From thence to the 17. Verse, he stirs them up to prepare for that day, and to sit themselves for that glorious eternall Habitation that is prepared for them. In the two last Verses, he exhorts them to take heed of being misled, and to increase in Grace, and in the knowledge of Christ; which the Lord give us Grace also to do, through Jesus Christ our onelyonly Lord and Saviour, Amen.
The ARGUMENT of the first Epistle of JOHN.
THe beloved Apostle John living longer then the rest of the Apostles, and observing the decay of Truth, Godlinesse, and Charity, in many Christians, writes this Epistle as a salve for the sores of the Church. He enterveans Truth of Doctrine, with Godlinesse of life, and love of the Brethren throughout the Epistle. Fit subjects for him to write of, who was an Apostle, and eminent for Piety, and chiefly beloved by Christ himself. Great reason therefore, that all Christians should hearken to him in all these things.
This first Epistle is called generall, because it is not directed to any particular persons, as the second and third are: The one to a singular Woman, the eldest Lady; The other to a choice man, called Gaius. God grant that by reading of it, we may get Grace to increase in Faith, Pietie, and Charitie. Amen.
The ARGUMENT of the second Epistle of JOHN.
THis is the onelyonly Epistle in Scripture written to a Woman. And to one eminent no doubt in favour with God, and respect in the Church: Wherein after salutation of her, and her children, he shews his joy in their Gracious carriage, warns them to take heed of deceivers, and concludes with a promise of a pious visitation, and salutation from her Sisters children.
The ARGUMENT of the third Epistle of S. JOHN.
THis Epistle is inscribed to Gaius, to whom the Apostle first wisheth all happinesses, then commends him for his zeal to the Truth, and hospitality to the Brethren, advising him not to be discouraged by the proud and perverse carriage of Diotrephes, but to follow the good example of Demetrius. Lastly, he concludes with a resolution to see him quickly, and confer with him lovingly of these things; and salutations from Gaius his friends with him, and to his friends with Gaius.
The ARGUMENT of the Epistle of S. IƲDE.
THis Apostle serviving many of his Colleagues, as it seems, Verse 17. writes this generall Epistle, wherein after he hath wished much good to all Gods people, he exhorts them to maintain Truth of Doctrine, with purity of life and conversation, lest they should be seduced by false Teachers, whose manners he describes, and threatens damnation to them. Afterwards, he exhorts them to remember the Apostles doctrine, though they were dead; to build up themselves in grace, to stick close to God, to seek to save others, and concludes all, with the praise of God.
The ARGUMENT of the REVELATION of Saint JOHN.
THis last Book is of singular use for Christians to the end of the World. The division of it is to be found, Chap. 1. 19. The things that John had seen, contain the glorious vision of Christ among the Golden Candlesticks, Chap. 1. The things which are, are the Epistles to the seven Churches then in being, Chap. 2. and 3. The things which shall be hereafter, are the Prophecies following, wherein God frames himself a Church to worship him to the worlds end, and shews the patern of it to John, Chap. 4. Preparation is made for the opening of the Seals, Chap. 5. Six whereof are opened, Chap. 6. and the story brought down to Constantines time. The Heathen persecution being then ceased, and a more bitter to come under the Popes; God prepares him a Church, and Seals such as should stand out this storm in a more privat course of worship in the Wildernesse, Chap. 7. The seventh Seal being opened, six Angels blow their Trumpets, and foretell the miseries that should fall on Popish Rome, before the time of Reformation, Chap. 8. 9. The little Book containing the residue of the Revelation, is brought forth, Chap. 10. The Church in the Wildernesse persecuted, is set out; and the seventh Angel blowing the Trumpet, proclaims liberty of Religion again, Chap. 11. The beginning of this troublesome time is set out to be a little before Constantines time, when the Church was in labour to bring forth a Christian Emperour; and the end of it foretold to be after a thousand two hundred and threescore yeers, Chap. 12. which falls out to be the time of the establishing of the Protestant Religion in the Empire, as appears in the Notes. The two great Beasts that shall persecute the Church all this while, are set out Chap. 13. The restauration of Religion, and ruine of Popery, Chap. 14. Gods people praising him for the same, Chap. 15. The seven Vials containing the plagues of God, beginning from the time of Reformation, whereby God will by degrees destroy Babylon and Antichrist, are poured out, Chap. 16. The Whore, the City of Rome, to be destroyed under the fifth Viall, is described, Chap. 17. Her destruction is set out, Chap. 18. The conversion of the Jews, and utter subversion of Antichrist, which come under the sixth Viall, are set down, Chap. 19. The happy estate of the Church afterwards for a thousand yeers, with the overthrow of the Turks after it, and the day of judgement after that, which come under the seventh Viall, are spoken of, Chap. 20. The everlasting happinesse of Gods Saints in soul and body in Heaven with God and Christ, is set out, Chap. 21. and in the five first Verses of Chap. 22. The conclusion consists of confirmations, exhortations, promises, threatnings, prayers, Chap. 22. Further satisfaction in particulars, the Reader may finde in the Notes.
The great God and our Saviour, who hath revealed these excellent Mysteries to us, Give us Grace to walk worthy of so great a favour in this World, and a portion in the eternall happinesse herein foretold, in the World to come. Amen.