Commentary on the Epistles and Revelation of John, Commentary 15
A COMMENTARY OR EXPOSITION VponUpon the Epiſtle generall of Saint JAMES.
CHAP. I. Verſe 1. To the twelve Tribes]
ONce very devout, Act. 26.7. ſtill the moſt nimble and Mercuriall wits in the world, but light, acriall and f…aticall, apt to work themſelves into the fools Paradiſe of a ſublime dotage.
Which are ſcattered abroad] Baniſhed from Rome by the Emperour Claudius, Sueton. cap. 25.Act. 18.1. and called by S. Peter, Strangers of the disperſion, 1 Pet. 1.1. The Jews at this day are a disjected and deſpiſed people, according to Deut. 28.64. having neither countrey nor reſting-place; even in Jeruſalem there be not to be found at this day an hundred houſholds of them.Breen v. Enqui
Verſe 2. Count it all joy] The world wondreth (ſaith Maſter Phi…pot the Martyr) how we can be ſo merry in ſuch extream miſery. But our God is omnipotent, who turneth miſery into felicity. Believe me there is no ſuch joy in the world as the people of Chriſt have under the croſſe;Act. and Mon. fol. 1668. I ſpeak it by experience, &c.
Into divers temptations] Croſſes ſeldome come ſingle (Catenata piorum crux) as neither do mercies,Ali… ex ali… m…lum. Terent. but trooping and treading one upon the heels of another. After rain cometh clouds, Eccl. 12.2. As in April, no ſooner is one ſhore unburdened, but another is brewed.
Verſe 3. The triall of your faith] Yea ſuch a well knit patience, as maketh a man ſuffer after he hath ſuffered, as David did from Shimei, but firſt from Abſolom. Tile-ſtones till baked are not uſefull: but well burnt and hardened they ſtand out all ſtorms and ill weather. See my Love-tokens, p. 170.
Verſe 4. Let patience have her perfect work] Patience muſt not be an inch ſhorter then the affliction. If the Bridge reach but half way over the Brook, we ſhall have but ill-favoured paſſage. It is the devils deſire to ſet us on a hurry: he knows his temptations will then work beſt.
Verſe 5. If any of you lack wiſdome] That is,Qui placidè ſortem ferre ſcit ille ſapit. Patience to bear afflictions as he ought, chearfully, thankfully, fruitfully, ſo as to be able to ſay, Well for the preſent, and it will be better hereafter, which is the patient mans Motto.
Let him ask it of God] It hath been queſtioned by ſome,Aquin. 2.2 q. 136. Whether a man can have patience, ſine auxilio gratiae, without the help of Gods grace. But Chriſtians know they cannot. It is not patience but pertinacy in godleſſe men.
And upbraideth not] Neither with preſent failings, nor former infirmities. Qui exprobrat, repoſcit. So doth not God;Tacit. unleſſe in caſe of unthankfulneſſe. For then he will take his own, and be gone, Hoſ. 2.8, 9.
Verſe 6. But let him ask in faith] See the Note on Heb. 11.6.
Nothing wavering] We are too ready in temptation to doubt, yea to hold it a duty to doubt. This (ſaith one) is to light a candle before the devil, as we uſe to ſpeak.
Verſe 7. That he ſhall receive] Unleſſe he ſtrive againſt his doubting, and wade out of it, as the Moon doth out of a cloud, Qui timidè rogat negare docet. He that praieth doubtingly, ſhuts heaven gates againſt his own praiers.
Verſe 8. Ʋnſtable in all his waies] As he is that ſtands on one leg, or as a … on a ſmooth table. Contrariwiſe, a believer is as a ſqu…re-ſtone ſet into the building, 1 Peter 2.7. Shaken he may be, but he is rooted as a tree, wagge he may up and down as a ſhip at anchour, but yet he removes not.
Verſe 9.foreign. Rejoyce in that be is exalted] Gr. In his ſublimity, in that hig… honour of his, John 1.12. This ſhould make him hold up his head, but not too high, be chearfull, but not withall ſcornfull. Laetiſimus, ſed non ſ…ri, gandentes in Domino, ſed caventes a recidivo.B…rn.
Verſe 10. In that he is made low] Drawn from that high eſteem of outward excellencies. He is now made a greater man, becauſe be ſeems too bigge for them: Or low, that is lowly.
Verſe 11. Shall the rich man fade] Periſh eternally, if he truſt in uncertain riches, and not in the living God. See Jam. 5.1. Thus that ſapleſſe fellow Nabal faded, when his heart died within him, not could his riches any more relieve him then they did that rich and wretched Cardinall, Henry Beanford Chancellour of England, in the raign of Henry the ſixt, who murmured at death, that his riches could not reprieve him till a further time. Fire (qu…th he) will not death be hired? Will money do nothing? No: money here bears no maſtery.Act. and Mon. …, 925.
Verſe 12. Bleſſed is the man] Provided that God teach him, as well as chaſtiſe him, Pſ. 94.12. inſtruct him as well as correct him. See my Love-tokens, par. 2.
He ſhall receive the crown] A man can be content to have his head broken with a bag of gold, ſo he may have it, when its done.
Verſe 13. I am tempted of God] The inclination of mans heart to good, is of it ſelf and properly of God, as light is of the Sun. His inclination to evil is by accident only of God, like as darkneſſe is of the Sun-ſet by accident, being properly not of the Sun, but of the earth.
Verſe 14. Drawn away of his luſt] Satan hath only a perſwading …l…ght, foreign quaſi foreignnot an …f…rcing might. Our own concupiſcence carries the greateſt ſtroke.
And entiſed] As the ſilly fiſh is by the bait covering the hook, being firſt drawn aſide into the clear water.
Verſe 15. When luſt hath conceived] As the plot of all diſeaſes lies in the humours of the body; ſo of all ſin, in the l…ſt of the ſoul. There is in it a foreign, a tacite conſent, a ſeed-plot of all ſin.Emp…doclis vocabu um apud A…iſtot. The Papiſts ſay (but falſly) that it is the ſmalleſt of all ſins, not deſerving any more of Gods wrath, then only a want of his beatificall preſence, and that too without any pain or ſorrow of minde from the apprehenſion of ſo great a leſſe. There are alſo of ours that ſay, That it is not forbidden by the law: but ſure we are, it is curſed and condemned (and therefore forbidden) by the Law.
Verſe 16. Do not erre] Winder not, as wandering ſtarres,foreign. to whom is reſerved the blackneſſe of darkneſſe for ever, Jude 13. by ſeeking to father your faults upon God, as Adam did, Gen. 3.12.
Verſe 17. Every good gift, &c.] An Hexameter verſe in the Greek: as little intended perhaps by the Apoſtle, as the firſt line in Tacitus, which yet may be ſcanned a long verſe.
And perfect giving] Not temporals only (which are good Gifts,) but ſpirituals alſo, thoſe perfect givings. The greateſt excellencies in us do as much depend upon G…, as the effigies in the glaſſ… doth upon the face that cauſeth it; or as the light doth upon the Sunne that father of all the light in the lower world.
With whom is no variableneſſe] No Parallax, foreign.as there is with the Sun, when he d…clines and leaves us darkling. This word notes the Suns motion from Eaſt to Weſt, as the following word …, turning, notes his motion every year from North to South. that which the Apoſtle would here aſſent is, that God tempts no man to evil, becauſe he is unchangeably good, and can be no other.
Verſe 18. Of his own will begat …e us] Gr. Brought he us forth, foreign.as a ſpeciall inſtance of his free grace and fatherly goodneſſe, Epheſ. 1.4, 5.
Verſe 19. Swift to hear] Reaching after that word of truth, the Goſpel, ver. 18. and drinking it … as the dry earth doth the dew of heaven. Life doth now enter in to the ſoul at the ear, as at firſt death did. Gen. 3.
Slow to ſpeak] We reade oft, He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear, but never, He that hath a tongue to ſpeak, let him ſpeak: for this we can doe faſt enough without bidding.
Slow to wrath] Slow to ſnuffe at thoſe that reprove you▪ See the Note on Heb. 13.22. Rage not when touched, though to the quick.
Verſe 20.Exod. 32. Mark 6. For the wrath of man] Unleſſe it be as Moſes and Chriſts anger was, pure and free from guile and gall, prompting us to pity, and pray for the party.
Verſe 21.foreign. All filthineſſe] Gr. The ſtinking filth of a peſtilent ulcer. foreign.Sinne is the devils vomit, the ſouls excrement, the ſuperfluity or garbage of naughtineſſe, as it is here called, by an al…uſion to the garbage of the ſacrifices caſt into the brook Kidron, that is, into the Town-ditch. Retentio excrementorum eſt parens morborum. Out with it therefore.
Receive with meeknes] It is ill ſowing in a ſtorm: ſo a ſtormy ſpirit will not ſuffer the Word to take place.foreign.
The engraffed word] Engraffed upon the heart, as the ſcience upon the ſtock: or ſowed in the ſoul, and mingled with faith, that it may bring forth fruit to God.
Verſe 22.Iſidor. l. 11. c. 3. And not hearers only.] The Panotij in Scythia are ſaid to have ſuch large ears, as that therewith they cover their whole bodies. Such are our hearers only.
Deceiving your own ſouls] Either as by falſe reckoning, or falſe reaſoning.foreign.
Verſe 23. His naturall face] Gr. The face of his nativity, that wherewith he was born into the world.
Verſe 24. Straightway forgetteth] Naturaliſts make mention of a certain creature called Cervarius, that though he be feeding never ſo hard and hungerly, if he caſt but back his head, he forgets immediately the meat he was eating, and runs to look after new.
Verſe 25.foreign. Whoſo looketh into, &c.] As into a glaſſe wiſhtly and intently with the body bowed down. Get thee Gods law as a glaſſe to …oot in,Ser. of repent. ſaith M. Bradford: So ſhalt thou ſee thy face foul arraied, and ſo ſhamefully ſawcy, mangy, pocky and ſcabbed, that thou canſt not but be ſorry at the contemplation thereof. It is ſaid of the Baſilisk that if he look into a glaſſe, he preſently dieth▪ Sin doth. Phyſitians in ſome kinde of unſeemly convulſions wiſh the patient to view himſelf in a glaſſe, which will help him to ſtrive the more, when he ſhall ſee his own deformity: So reflect, &c.
Not a forgetfull hearer] Some are as hour-glaſſes, no ſooner turned up, but running out immediately.
Verſe 26. But deceiveth] The heart firſt deceiveth us with colours, and when we are once a doating after ſin, then we j…yn and deceive our hearts by fallacious reaſonings.
Verſe 27. And widdows] A vine whoſe root is uncovered thrives not: a widdow, whoſe covering of eyes is taken away, joyes not.
CHAP. II. Verſe 1. The Lord of glory]
OR, Have not the glorious faith of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, &c. Faith is a glorious grace indeed.
With respect of perſons] i. e. Of their outward quality or conditions, as rich, poor, of this ſide or that, &c. Zanchy relates of a certain Frenchman, a friend of his, and a conſtant hearer of Calvins at Geneva, Zanch Miſcel. praeſat.that being ſollicited by him to hear Viret an excellent Preacher, who preached at the ſame time that Calvin did, he anſwered, If S. Paul himſelf ſhould preach here at the ſame hour with Calvin, Ego, relicto Paulo, aud…r…m Calvinum, I would not leave Calvin to hear Paul. This is not only partiality but anthropolatry or Man-worſhip, ſaith he. Grynaeus reports a ſpeech of George Duke of Saxony: Although I am not ignorant,Lect. in Hag. p. 41. ſaid he, that there are divers errours and abuſes cr…pt into the Church, Nolo tamen amplecti Evangelium quod Lutherus annunciat, yet I will no… of that Goſpel-reformation that Luther preacheth, Compertum eſt, It is for certain, ſaith Eraſmus, that many things are condemned as hereticall in Luthers writings,Eraſm epiſt. ad Cardin Mogunt that in Austins and Bernards books are approved for ſound and pious paſſages.
Verſe 2. For if there come, &c.] It is probable ſaith an Interpreter here, that the Primitive Chriſtians, the better to ingratiate with the richer Pagans, gave them very great reſpect, contrary to that Pſal. 15.4. But I rather think the Apoſtle ſpeaketh in this text of wealthier Chriſtians, unworthily preferred before better, but poorer perſons.
Verſe 3 That weareth the gay cloth.] As Hoſpinian tels us of the dogs that kept Vulcans Temple, and as others ſay of the Bohemian curres, that they will fawn upon a good ſute, but flie upon one that is in ragged apparrel: So is it with many. Veſtis virum.
Verſe 4.foreign. Are ye not then partia… ] Or, Are ye not f…r ſo doing, condemned in your own conſciences? Or, Neither have ye ſo much as once doubted or gueſtioned the matter within your ſelves, whether in ſo doing you have not done amiſſe.
Verſe 5. Ch…ſen the poor] This the world wonders and ſtumbles at. … Heathen Romans would not receive Chriſt (though they heard of his miracles and mighty works) into the number of their gods, becauſe he preached poverty, and made uſe of poor perſons. Aig…land King of Saragoſſa in Arragon, refuſed to be baptized,…. becauſe he ſaw many Lazars and poor people expecting alms from Char…mains table: and asking what they were, was anſwered, That they were the meſſengers and ſervants of God. And can he keep his ſervants no better, ſaid he? I'le be none of his ſervants.Revel. …. But what ſaith Chriſt? I know thy poverty: but (that's nothing) thou art rich. And, The poor are Gospellized; not only receive it,Mat. 11. but are changed by it.
Heirs of the Kingdom] Heads deſtinated to the diadem, ſaith Tertullian.
Verſe 6.foreign. Oppreſſe you] Subjugate you, and bring your heads under their gi…dles: trample upon you with the feet of pride and cruelty; yea, devour you, as the greater fiſh do the leſſer.
Draw you before the judgement ſeats] Vex you with lawſutes, and by might rob you of your right. Cedit viribus aequum.
Verſe 7.Am. Marc. lib … cap. 2. Doe not they …ſpheme] That is, Cauſe to be blasphemed, as Rom. 2.24. 1 Tim. 1.20, Marcellinus a Heathen Hiſtorian, taxeth the Chriſtians of his times for their diſſenſions; biting and devouring one another, till they were even conſumed one of another. A ſad thing that a Heathen ſhould ſee ſuch helliſh miſcarriages among Chriſts followers.
Verſe 8. If ye fulfill the royall law] Acknowledging Gods ſoveraignty, and ſending a lamb to the Ruler of the earth, Iſa. 16.1. ſeeking the help of that free or noble ſpirit of his, Pſalme 51.13. that royall, ruling ſpirit, as the Greek verſion there hath it.
Verſe 9. Ye commit ſin] That's flat: though ye have thought otherwiſe. See the Note on Verſe 4.
Verſe 10. He is guilty of all] The whole Law is but one copulative, Exod. 16.18. Ezek. 18.10, 11, 12, 13.I …yr. Clavit. He that breaketh one Commandment habitually breaketh all: not ſo actually. The godly keep thoſe Commandments, that actually they break: But a diſpenſatory conſcience keeps not any commandment.
Verſe 11. For he that ſaid] God ſpake all thoſe words, Exod. 20.and ſaid: there is the ſame divine authority for one Commandment as another. The Phariſees had their minutula legis: but Chriſt cries them down, Mat. 5. The Jews at this day ſet ſ…eſly argue, Curſed is he that abides not in all things, therefore he is not curſed, that abides in ſome things only.
Verſe 12. As they that ſhall be judged] Or, As they that ſhould judge by the law of liberty; which is ſo called, becauſe it doth freely and fully diſcover unto every man, without reſpect of perſons, the errours and evils of his life. And we ſhould walk as paterns of the rule. See the Note on Matthew 11.19.
Verſe 13. For he ſhall have merciemercy] See the Note on Matthew 5.7.
And mercy rejoyceth againſt judgement] That is,foreign, ab … Cervix, …eadeth on the neck of judgement. The mercifull man glorieth, as one that hath received mercy, and ſhall not come into condemnation: for Gods mercy rejoyceth againſt ſuch a mans ſins, as againſt an adverſary, which he hath ſubdued and trampled on.
Verſe 14. Though a man ſay he hath faith] Saying ſerves not the turn. Livy telleth us of the Athenians, Liv. de… 4.that they waged Word-warre againſt Philip King of Macedony. Quibus ſ…lis valebant, and that was all they could doe. M…n may word it with God, and yet miſcarry, Iſa. 58.2, 3. He is too wiſe to be put off with words: he turns up our leaves, and looks what fruit: whereof if he mi…e, he laies down his basket, and takes up his ax, Luk. 13.7. Chriſtianity is not a talking, but a walking with God, and at the laſt day it ſhall be required of men, non quid legerint, ſed quid egerint, non quid dixerint, ſed quomodò vixerint, Not what they have ſaid, but how they have acted.
Can faith ſave him?] That is, An ineffectuall faith, that worketh not by love, ſuch as is the faith of the Solifidians.
Verſe 15. If a brother or a ſister] As it may b…all the beſt to be: and they are not of the Cameleon-kinde to live (with Ephraim) upon winde, Hoſ 12.1. to be fed with fair words, or to be cloathed with a ſute of complements. Sion ſhould be taken by the hand, Iſa. 51.18. And Tyrus converted, leaves hoarding and heaping up wealth, and fals to feeding and cloathing Gods poor people, Iſa. 23.18.
Verſe 16. And one of you ſay] This age aboundeth with mouth mercy, which is good cheap. But a little handfull were better then a great many ſuch mouth-fuls.
Be you warned] But with what? with a fire of words. Be filled: But with what? with a meſſe of words. Away with theſe aiery courteſies.
Verſe 17. Is dead, being alone] That is, Being workleſſe: for life diſcovers it ſelf by action; ſo doth true faith by truſt in God, and love to men. A tree that is not for fruit, is for the fire.
Verſe 18. My faith by my works] It appeared by the fruits it was a good land, Numb. 13.23. It appeared that Dorcas was a true believer by the coats ſhe had made: ſo here.
Verſe 19.foreign. Believe and tremble] Gr. Roar as the ſea, and ſhrike horribly, Act. 16.29. Mar. 6.49. Their hearts ake and quake within them: and ſhall any man mock at Gods menaces?
Verſe 20. But wilt thou know] Interrogatio docturientis, ſaith Piſcator. A queſtion made by one that is deſirous to teach.
Verſe 21. Justified by works] ſc. Declarativè & in foro humano, but not before God, Rom. 3.2. It is ſaith that juſtifieth the man: but they are works that juſtifie faith to be right and reall, ſaving and juſtifying.
Verſe 22, Wrought with his works] Or, Was a help to his works, and was her own midwife to bring them forth of her ſelf, into the open light, Heb. 11.17.
Was faith made perfect] That is, Declared to be operative and effectuall.
Verſe 23. And it was imputed] See the Note on Gen. 15.6. on Rom. 4.3. and on Gal, 3.6.
The friend of God] A very high ſtile. If Euſebius held it ſuch an honour to be the friend of Pamphilus, and Sir. Fulk Greevill Lord Brook, to be friend to Sr Philip Sidney, cauſing it to be ſo engraven upon his tomb: What is it to be the friend of God? And yet ſuch honour have all the Saints.
Verſe 24. By works a man is justified] Declaratively, as by faith apprehenſively, by God effectively.
Verſe 25. The Meſſengers] Gr. The Angels, ſo Luk. 7.24. Act. 12.15. See the Notes there.
Verſe 26. As the body, &c.] Yet is not charity the ſoul of faith, but the vitall ſpirit only.
CHAP. III. Verſe 1. Be not many maſters]
MAſters of opinions, that boldly obtrude upon others their own placits, and will not have them diſputed or debated:Praeſat, in…. Sent. Eſt ipſiſſimum Dei verbum. Hoſius. Such are the Sorboniſts, who rejoyce to be called, Magistri notri Pariſienſes, our Maſters of Paris. Bacon the Carmelite was called, Doctor reſolutiſſimus, becauſe he would endure no gueſſing or may be's. The Popes paraſites perſwade the people, that what interpretation ſoever he gives of Scripture, be it right or wrong, it is without further triall to be received, as the very word of God.
Verſe 2. For in many things, &c.] This is,Euphormio. Triste mortulitatis privilegium, the ſad priviledge of man-kinde, as one phraſeth it, to have leave to offend ſometimes. Every Pomgranate hath at leaſt one rotten grain within it, ſaid Crates. foreign.And it is the honour of God alone to be perfect, ſaith Plato. Hierom pronounceth a curſe upon him that ſhall ſay, that the fulfilling of the whole law is impoſſible to any. But Patres legendi eum venia; Hierome was out in this, and too blame.
A perfect man] That is, A prudent man, Pſ. 37.30, 31.
Verſe 3. That they may obey us] Horſes, aſſ…s, camels, elephants, God in great wiſdome for the uſe of man, hath made without galls, that they might with the more eaſe be made tame and ſerviceable.
Verſe 4. Whither ſoever the governour]Johnſton. de Nat. conſtant. Peterent coelum navibus Belgae, ſi navibus petipoſſet, ſaith one.
Verſe 5. Boasteth great things] Gr.foreign. It doth magnifically lift upit ſelf, as an untamed horſe doth his head. It exalts it ſelf and exults of great things. It walketh thorow the earth, and faceth the very heavens, Pſal. 73.9. It can run all the world over, and bite at every body: being as a ſharp raſour, that doth deceit, that inſtead of ſhaving the hair cutteth the throat, Pſalms 52.2.
Verſe 6. A world of iniquity] A new found world. Not a city or a countrey only, but a world of iniquity, a ſink, a ſea of ſin, wherein there is not only that Leviathan, but creeping things innumerable.
The courſe of nature] Gr.Pſ…l. 104.46. The wheel of our nativity. Their breath as fire devoureth, Iſa. 33.10.
And it is ſet on fire of hell] That is, of the devil (called elſwhere the gates of hell) as the holy Ghoſt (on the other ſide) ſet on ſire the Apoſtles tongues with zeal, that flame of God, Cant 86. Act. 2.3. Evil ſpeech is the devils drivell: a ſlanderer carries the devils pack.
Verſe 7. For every kinde of beasts, &c.] See the Note on Heb. 2.7.
Verſe 8. But the tongue, &c.] Where then are our Juſticiaries with their pretended perfection? Davids heart deceived him, Pſal. 39.1. I ſaid I will look to my waies, I will bridle my tongue. But preſently after, he ſhews how ſoon he brake his word, My heart was hot, &c. and I ſpake with my tongue. Pambus in the eccleſiaſticall hiſtory, could never take out that one leſſon read him out of Pſal. 39.1.
An unruly evil] There be but five vertues of the tongue reckoned by Philoſophers. But there are 24. ſeverall ſinnes of the tongue, as Peraldus recounteth them. The Arabians have a proverb, Cave ne feriat lingua tua collum tuum. Take heed thy tongue cut not thy throat. An open mouth is oft a purgatory to the maſter.
Verſe 9. Therewith bleſſe we God] And ſo make our tongues our glory.
Therewith curſe we men] Yea the beſt of men; as Co…e and his complices fear not to object to Moſes the meek, with one breath, pride, ambition, and uſurpation of authority.
Verſe 10. Out of the ſame mouth] As it did once out of the mouth of Pope Julius the ſecond: who in the battle of Ravenna on Eaſter-day between him and the French, as he ſate by the fire reading of his praiers,Annal Gallic. and having news of the defeat, he ſlung away his book, ſaying, Sit ergo gallus in nomine diabolorum. The devil take the French. Is not this that mouth that ſpeaketh great things, and blaſphemies? Rev. 13.5.
Verſe 11. Doth a f…untain ſend forth] The fountain or rather the botch of ſenſuall and ſinfull pleaſure doth. Sin is a bitter-ſweet,foreign. the poiſon of aſpes, which firſt tickleth, and then killeth. All creature comforts are dulcis acerbitas, ſaith one.Tertull. Amariſſima voluptas, ſaith another.
Principium dulce eſt, at finis amor is amarus:
Leata venire Venus, triſtis abire ſolet.
Verſe 12. Both yeeld 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, miles,Abbots his Geog. they keep themſelves unmixt with the ſalt water: ſo that a very great way within the ſea, men may take up as freſh water, as if they were near the land. But that is as ſure as ſtrange that an eye witneſſe reporteth of the Danuby and Sava (two great rivers in Hungary) that their waters meeting mingle no more then water and oyl:Blunts vo…age. p. 10. ſo that near the middle of the river I have gone in a boat (ſaith mine authour) and taſted of the Danuby, as clear and pure as a well: then putting my hand not an inch further, I have taken of the Sava, as troubled is a ſtreet-channel, taſting the gravel in my teeth. Thus they run 60 miles together, &c.
Verſe 13. Who is a wiſe man] Not he that words it moſt: for in multiloquio ſtultiloguium, and as any one is more wiſe, he is more ſparing of his cenſures, but every fool will be medling.
With meekneſſe of wiſdome] As it is ſaid of Athanaſius, that he was high in worth, and humble in heart; N…zianz, in en…om Athana.a Load-ſtone in his ſweet, gentle, drawing nature, and yet an Adamant in his wiſe and ſtout deportment towards thoſe that were evil.
Verſe 14. Bitter envying] Properly ſo called; for it ſlows from the gall, it ſhews that the man is in the gall of bitterneſſe, and of kinne to the ſtar called Wormwood, Revel. 8.11. It is alſo an evil, wherein is ſteeped the venome of all other vices.
Glory not] viz. Of your wiſdome.
Lie not againſt the truth] As if ye were true Chriſtians, when in truth you are not ſo.
Verſe 15. Earthly, ſenſuall] Here's a true character of carnall wiſdome: The world is a pearl in its eyes, in cannot ſee God.
Verſe 16. Eaſie to be entreated] Tractable, docible, not as horſe and mule that muſt be ruled with rigour, not with reaſon, Pſal; 32.9.
Verſe 18. Is ſown in peace] Only we muſt not think to ſow and reap, all in day.
CHAP. IV. Verſe 1. From whence come warres]
THat is,foreign. Word-wars, needleſſe and endleſſe ſtrifes and contentions.
Even of your luſts] Gr. Of your pleaſures: for wicked men take pleaſure in unrighteouſneſſe; it is their meat and drink, Pro. 4.17. they cannot ſleep, nay live without it, verſ. 16. Look how Tartarians feed upon carrion with as great delight, as we do upon veniſon: as the Tuckiſh gally-ſlaves eat opium, as it were bread: and as the maid in Pliny fed on ſpiders. and digeſted them into nouriſhment: ſo do ſenſualiſts feed upon ſins murthering morſels, and ſwallow them down with delight.
Verſe 2. Ye luſt and have not] viz. To the ſatisfying of your luſts; for that's an endleſſe piece of work. Luſt ſtill cries Give, Give: and is ever ſick of a ſpirituall dropſie: the barren womb, the horſleeches daughter, the grave, is nothing to this gulf, to this cu…ſe of unſatisfiableneſſe.
Becauſe ye ask not] He muſt be of a ſedate ſpirit that praies to purpoſe. How ſhall we think God will hear us when we hardly hear our ſelves? Married couples muſt agree, that their praiers be not hindered, 1 Pet. 3.7.
Verſe 3. Ye ask and receive not] Ye ask and miſſe, becauſe ye ask amiſſe. It is the manner that makes or marres an action.
Verſe 4. Yea adulterers and adultereſſes] You that have your hearts full of harlotry, that go a whoring from God after the creature, that minde only earthly things, Phil. 3.19. and wooe this Mundus immundus, this Propudium, this vile ſtrumpet the world, that laies forth her two breaſts of profit and pleaſure, and enſnareth many: for the which ſhe muſt be burnt, as a whore, by the fire of the laſt day.
Verſe 5. That the Scripture ſaith in vain] No: it doth not only ſay, but do: not only convince us that an evil and an envious ſpirit poſſeſſeth us (ſuch a ſpirit as luſteth to have other mens abilities eclipſed, that ſo our candle might ſhine alone) but alſo it giveth more grace: it not only convinceth, but converteth the ſoul, Pſal. 19.7. It cauſeth a man to rejoyce heartily in the good parts of others; and this is more then to excell others in any excellency, if this be wanting.
Verſe 6. But he giveth] Or, It, that is, The Scripture giveth, &c. transforming us into the ſame image, and conforming us to the heavenly patern by the ſpirit that breatheth in it.foreign.
God reſiſteth the proud] Gr. Setteth himſelf in Battle-array againſt ſuch, above all other ſorts of ſinners, as invaders of his territories, and forragers or plunderers of his chief treaſures. Pray therefore to be preſerved from the perilous pinalce of ſelf-exaltation: God defieth ſuch as deifie themſelves; the knoweth them afar off, Pſ. 138.6, he cannot abide the ſight of them.
But giveth grace to the humble] Humility is both a grace, and a veſſel to receive grace. God poureth the oil of his grace into broken veſſels, contrite ſpirits.
Verſe 7. Reſiſt the devil] i. e. Worldly and fleſhly luſts ſtirred up by the devil, Epheſ. 4.26. Luſt reſiſted is ſin materially, not formally: for the guilt is done away, in that we do not allow it,M Ca…e… of Temp…. but abhor it, as ſome are of opinion.
And he will flee from you] He is but a coward therefore: for like the Crocodile, if you follow him he fleeth, if you flee from him he followeth you. In all other fights, the firſt encounter is ſharpeſt; but here, eaſieſt: for the old ſerpent having his head bruiſed and cruſhed, cannot now ſo eaſily thruſt in his mortall ſting, unleſſe we dally with him, and ſo lay our ſelves open.
Verſe 8. Draw night to God] viz. In duty, and he…'l draw nigh to you in mercy. Sanctifie him, Levit. 10.3. and he will ſatisfie you, Pſal. 91.16. The very Turks are remorſeleſſe to thoſe that bear up: but they receive humiliation with much ſweetneſſe.
Cleanſe your hands] For elſe there's no coming near God, Joſh, 24.19.
Ye double-minded] Ye that have your hearts divided betwixt two, and as it were cloven aſunder: Out with the corruption that cleaveth to your hearts: and then there will be a conſtancy and an evenneſſe in your mouths and manners.
Verſe 9.foreign. Be afflicted] Or, Be miſerable: Ye are ſo, but ſee your ſelves to be ſo. Or, Afflict your ſelves, viz. with voluntary ſorrows for your ſins. See that ye be active here.
And mourn]foreign. Savouringly and ſoakingly, with a deep and down tight ſorrow, ſo as a man would do in the death of his deareſt friend. The Greek work imports a funeral-gri…f.
And …p] In judgement at leaſt: and then, dry ſorrow may go as for as we…, where teats will not come.
Let your laughter be turned] Turn all the ſtreams into this one cha…, that may drive the mill, that may grinde the heart Meal was offered of old, and not whole corn.
And your joy to heavineſſe]foreign Tr…ſt… cum vul…s …. Bu…as. Such as makes a man hang down his head, and go heavily through grief and ſhame.
Verſe 10. Humble your ſelves] He beats oft upon this moſt needfull, but much neglected duty of humiliation: and all's little enough; there being nothing that more goes againſt the heart and the hair with us, then to go downward; and yet it muſt be done, or we are undone.
And he ſhall lift you up] The lion of Judah rents not the proſtrate prey.Da…ie…s Chro. … Bat as William the Conquerour ever held ſubmiſſion ſatisfactory for the greateſt offences, and often received rebels into grace: ſo doth Chriſt much more. The Sun in the morning gathereth clouds, but then it ſoon ſcattereth them again: ſo doth the Sun of righteouſneſſe caſt men down, that he may raiſe them up again.
Verſe 11. Speak not evil, &c.] As Ezekiels hearers did of him By the walls, and in the doors of the houſes, Chap. 33.30. and as too many of ours do; for the which they will be full dearly accountble. The tale-bearer hath the devil in his tongue, the tale-hearer in his ear.
Speaketh evil of the law] Which flatly forbiddeth detraction.
And judgeth the Law] As not ſevere enough, or as overſtrait.
Verſe 12. There is one law-giver] What doſt thou then do pierking into his place, by cenſuring and defaming another? Is not this to be a Pope in thine own cauſe, exalting thy ſelf above God, 2 Theſſ. 2.4. or at leaſt appealing from him to thy ſelf?
Verſe 13. We Will goe into ſuch, &c.] As if they were pettygods within themſelves, and needed not to call God into counſel, or to take his leave along with them. But ſuch confident exchange language became not the mouths of ſcattered exiles. And yet it is the common ſin in the diſperſed Jews in all places to this day.
Verſe 14. Ye know not What, &c.] God delights to croſſe ſuch vain boaſters, and to confute their confidences, that speak and live, as if their lives were riveted upon eternity. They might eaſily obſerve that many things fall out betwixt the cup and the lip, betwixt the chinne and the challice. Ne glorietur igitur accinctus quaſi diſcinctus. Sell not the hide before ye have taken the beaſt. Who knows what a great bellied day may bring forth? Proverbs 27.1. Whiles a woman is yet with childe, none can tell what kinde of birth is will be, Luke 12.16, 17.
It is even a vapour] Thy breath is in thy noſtrils, ever ready to puff out: at the next puff of breath thou maiſt blow away thy life. Petrarch relates of a certain holy man,Lib 3. Memor. that being invited to a feaſt on the morrow, he anſwered, I have not had a morrow-day to diſpoſe of, this many a year: If you would any thing of me now, I am ready.
Verſe 15. If the Lord will, &c.] So Socrates taught Alcibiades to ſay, If God Will, &c. And another could ſay,foreign.
Nullius eſt foelix conatus & utilis unquam,
Conſilium ſi non det que juvet que Deus.
Verſe 16. In your boastings] Of long life and ſutable ſucceſſe.Pſ…l. 64.9. God will ſhoot an arrow at ſuch ſuddenly, as he did at the rich fool, Nebuchadnezzar, Haman, Herod, Senacherib, and other bragadochio's.
Verſe 17. To him that knoweth] Leſt they ſhould reply, We know all this, that except we live and God liſt, we can do nothing: Do ye know to do well, ſaith he, and do it not? this encreaſeth your guilt.
CHAP. V. Verſe 1. Go to now ye rich men]
THoſe rich wrethes mentioned, Chap. 2.6, 7. That blaſphemed God, and oppreſſed men. Magna cognatio ut reiſic nominis, divitijs & vitijs.
Weep and howl] Better weep here, where there are wiping-handkerchiefs in the hand of Chriſt, then to have your eyes whipt out in hell. Better howl with men, then yell with devils.
That ſhall come upon you] Gr. That are even now ſtealing upon you.foreign.
Verſe 2. Your riches are corrupted] Being ſubject to vanity and violence, Mat. 6.19. See the Note there. Provide your ſelves therefore bags, that wax not old; treaſure that faileth not, &c, Luk 12.33.
Verſe 3. And ſhall eat your fleſh] i.e. With hell-fire, which ſhall conſume your fleſh, nay your ſouls with eternall torments. Some ſtrong poiſon is made of the ruſt of mettals: none worſe then that of money.
For the laſt daies] Wrath for the day of wrath: or ſtore for old-age, it being the old mans care, as Plutarch obſerves, foreign, That he ſhall not have what to keep him while alive, and what to bury him honeſtly when dead.
Verſe 4. Kept back by fraud crieth] Bloudſhed, Gen. 4.10. unnaturall luſt, Gen. 18.21. and oppreſſion (whether by force or fraud) cry to God, and he will hear, for be is gracious, Ex 22.27.
Lord of ſabbath] Who hath all power in his hand, and can eaſily reach you.foreign. Verſe 5. Ye have lived in pleaſure] Ye have lain melting in ſenſuall delights, which have drawn out your ſpirits, and diſſolved them.
Ʋpon earth] No place of pleaſure to good men, but of purgatory, baniſhment and bondage. A place of that nature, that (as it is reported of the Straits of Magellan) which way ſoever a man bend his courſe (if home-ward) he is ſure to have the winde againſt him.… 16.…5 It was a heavy charge laid upon Dives, Sonne, remember that thou in thy life time receivedſt thy good things, &c.
And been Wanton] Fulneſſe breeds forgetfulneſſe, Deut. 32.15.
As in a day of ſlaughter] For ſacrifice; when they uſed to have good chear, Prov. 7.14. And hereunto the Wiſeman alludeth, Pro 17.1. The Apoſtle here ſeemeth to intimate, that theſe rich ſenſualiſts lived upon the cream of ſinning, and had ſuch plenty, that they pickt out none but the ſweeteſt bits to nouriſh their hearts withall.
Verſe 6. Ye have condemned and killed] Take it either properly or metaphorically, or uſurers and extortioners, that not only …ob, but raviſh the poor, that are fallen into their nets, Pſal. 10.9. that is, their bonds, debts, morgages, as Chryſostome interpreteth it: there is neither equity nor mercy to be had at their hands; hence they are called men-eaters, Cannibals, &c.
And be doth not reſist you] Meekneſſe of ſpirit commonly draws on injuries and indignities from unreaſonable men.Veteremf…rendo injuriam invitas novam. A Crow will ſtand upon a ſheeps-back, pulling of wooll from her ſide, ſhe durſt not doe ſo to a Wolfe or a Maſtiffe.
Verſe 7. Be patient therefore] q. d. You poor oppreſſed ones, hold out faith and patience. You ſhall ſhortly have help As the mothers breſts ake to be ſuckling, ſo doth Gods heart yern to be helping.
Ʋnto the coming of the Lord] ſc. By particular deliverance: and not only by the generall judgement. Let patience have line and rope.
Waiteth for the precious fruit] Being in novum annum ſemper dives, as the proverb is, ever rich againſt the next year. Spes alit agricolas. Hope holds up the husbandmans heart.
And hath long patience] He looks not to ſow and reap in a day, as the Hyperboreans are ſaid to do, that ſow ſhortly after the Sunne-riſing with them, and reap̄,Heresbach. de re …uſtic. before the Sun ſet: becauſe the whole half year is one continuate day with them.
Verſe 8. For the coming] See Verſe 7. And he when he comes, ſhall ſet all to rights: We ſhall ſee ſo much reaſon in his proceedings, which now we comprehend not, that we ſhall yeeld him the only Wiſe God.
Verſe 9. Grudge not, &c.] Groan not, Grumble not,foreign. grow not ſowr, and ſullen one to another.
Leſt ye be condemned] As Sarah had been, if the Lord had come, as ſhe deſired him, to judge bewixt her and her huſband. The moſt guilty are commonly moſt querulous and complaint-full.
The Judge ſtandeth before the door] If the Magiſtrate be preſent we may not offend another, to defend our ſelves. Ecce judex pro foribus: Therefore, Hold a blow, as wee ſay.
Verſe 10 For an example of ſuffering] Examples very much affect us, as they did many of the Martyrs. See the Note on Mat. 5.12.
Above majori diſcit arare min…r.
Verſe 11. We count them happy] If they ſuffer as they ſhould doe, not elſe: Mithridates ſhew'd long patience, ſuch as it was, forced and fained. He was in a kinde of fever called Epialis, wherein men be cold without, but hot as fire within. This feaver he quenched with his vitall bloud, ſhed with his own hand.
Ye have heard of the patience of Job] His impatience is not once mentioned againſt him: but he is crowned and chronicled here for his patience. God paſſeth by infirmities, where the heart is upright.
And have ſeen the end of the Lord] That is, how well it was with Job at the laſt. Or (as others will have it) what a ſweet end the Lord Chriſt made, whereunto you were ſome of you eye-witneſſes, and ſhould be herein his followers.
Verſe 12. But above all things] Swear not in jeſt, leaſt ye go to hell in earneſt. See the Note on Mat. 5.34, 35. and on Mat 23.16, 18.
Verſe 13. Is any among you afflicted] Any one may: for grace is no target againſt affliction.
Let him pray] Not only becauſe praier is ſutable to a ſad diſpoſition, but becauſe it is the conduit of comfort, and hath virtutem pacativam, a ſetling efficacy.
Is any man merry]foreign. Gr. Is he right ſet, Well hung on, as we ſay? All true mirth is from the rectitude of the minde, from a right f…ame of ſoul, that ſets and ſhews it ſelf in a chearfull counte…ance.
Let him ſing Pſalmes] So that in all eſtates we muſt be doing ſomewhat for God, T'am Dei meminiſſe opus est, quam respirare.
Verſe 14. Is any man ſick?] Behold he Whom thou loveſt is ſick, ſaid Martha to our Saviour, Mat. 11. Si amatur, quomodo infirmatur, ſaith Auguſtine? If Chriſts friend, how comes he to be ſick? Well enough: Its no new thing for Chriſts beſt beloved to be much afflicted.
Let him ſend for the Elders] This help God hath previded for ſuch as are by ſickneſſe diſabled to pray for themſelves. Sick Abimelech was ſent to Abraham] (a Prophet) for praiers.
Anointing him with oyl] As an extraordinary ſign of an extraordinary cure. From miſtake of this text, the Church in ſtead of Paſtours had Ointers and Painters in times of Popery, who did not only ungere, but emungere, anel… men, but beguile them of their monies, and of their ſouls. Neither want there at this day, that hold this anointing the ſick as a ſtanding ordinance for Church-members amongſt us: and they tell of ſtrange cures too effected thereby.
Verſe 15. And the praier of faith] The Greek word for praier hath its denomination, from well pouring out the heart,foreign. or from well cleaving to God. Afflictions (ſaith one) cauſe us to ſeek out Gods promiſe, the promiſe to ſeek faith, faith to ſeek praier, and praier to finde God.
They ſhall be forgiven him] And ſo he ſhall be cured on both ſides.
Verſe 16. Confeſſe your faults] To any ſuch godly friend, as can both keep counſel, and give counſel. Often times the very opening of mens grievances eaſeth: the very o…ening of a vein cools the bloud. Howbeit, it is neither wiſdome nor mercy (ſaith a good Divine) to put men upon the rack of confeſſion, further then they can have no eaſe any way elſe. For by this means we …aiſe a jealouſie in them towards us, and oft without cauſe: which weakneth and tainteth that love that ſhould unite hearts in one.foreign.
The effectuall ſervent praier] Gr. The Working praier, that ſets the whole man a work to do it, as it ſhould be done, and ſo works wonders in heaven and earth; being after a ſort omnipotent, as Luther ſaid.
Verſe 17. Subject to like paſſions] For he fled at the threats of Jezabel, Factus ſeipſo imbecillior, ſaith one: and he would have died, when under the Juniper, diſcontented.
Verſe 18. And the earth brought forth] When the roots and fruits ſeemed all dried up, and the Land paſt recovery. But praier never comes to late, becauſe God never doth.
Verſe 19. If any do erre from, &c.] Erre about fundamentals, fall into deadly hereſie, Damnable, Peter calleth it, 2 Epist. 2 1.
Verſe 20. Shall ſave a ſoul] A high honour to have any hand in ſuch a work.
Cover a multitude] i.e. He ſhall be a means that God ſhall cover them.