Julian Period, 4775. Vulgar Era, 62. kindleth-And the Tongue is a Fire kindling a Mass Jerusalem. по 1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2 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. 8 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 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. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 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. 7 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: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Julian Pe 12 Can the fig-tree, my brethren, bear olive-berries? Jerusalem, riod, 4775. either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt Vulgar Æra, 62. water and fresh. § 7. JAMES iii. 13, to the end. The Apostle exhorts the Jews, who were great_Pretenders 13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17 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. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. The Apostle after having described the Effects of that Wis- Julian Period, 4775. Valgar Era, 62. whose Fruit was Peace and Harmony, but from that Wisdom Jerusalem. which is from beneath-the Cause of all their Wars and Fightings proceeding from their own sensual Appetites and Passions, which war in their Members against their Knowledge and Conscience-They lust for Dominion over the Heathen, and freedom from Tribute, but their sensual Desires are not gratified-They kill the Heathen in their Zeal to destroy Idolatry, but they cannot obtain this Object of their earnest Desire-They fight and war for Dominion over them, yet their Attempts are unsuccessful, because they do not ask if it is the Will of God-And when they pray they do not receive the Things for which they petition, because they ask them for wicked Purposes, They have broken their marriage Contract with God, for loving the World more than him—And know they not that the inordinate Love of the present World is open Enmity against God-Do they think that the Scripture falsely condemns such a worldly Temper (Rom. viii. 7.) that the Spirit of God, from which the true Wisdom proceeds, produces Envy, Covetousness, and Worldly-Mindedness?By no means; for his Spirit gives greater Degrees of Grace, imparting Humility and Love to Man, and Moderation as to earthly Things, according to the Words of Scripture (Prov. iii. 34. the LXX.) They are called upon to submit to the Dispensations and the Will of God, to resist the great Enemy of their Salvation, the Author of their Wars and Strife-He will flee from them if they are holy in their Conduct-To draw nigh to God with pure, humble, and devout Affections. 1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? 2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. 4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world, is the enemy of God. 5 Do ye think that the Scripture saith in vain, The 6 But he giveth more grace: wherefore he saith, God 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. VOL. II. M m Julian Pe- Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye Jerusalem. riod, 4775. double-minded. Vulgar Era. 62. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laugh- The Apostle cautions them against all detraction, more par- He that 11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. 12 There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to $ 10. JAMES iv. 13, to the end. The Apostle next reproves them for placing too much de- 13 Go to now, ye that say, To-day or to-morrow we 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow: For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. 16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. 17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. The Apostle having reminded the Jews of the Uncertainty Julian Pe riod, 4775. Vulgar Era, 62. Pursuits, more particularly addresses himself to the Un- Jerusalem. believing part of the Nation, who were extremely addicted to covetousness, and to the amassing of Wealth, and represents to them with the Spirit and Energy of a Prophet, the dreadful Desolation and Calamities that were coming upon them, and to shew the Folly of trusting in these Things which they must so soon lose-When the anful Judgments of God pronounced against their Nation shall be poured out, they will be plundered of their ill-gotten Wealth-The cry of the Labourers they have defrauded (Deut. xxiv.; Lev. xix. 13.) has ascended into Heaven, requiring Vengeance from the Deity-They have lived in the full Indulgence of all their sensual Appetites-They have pampered their Hearts as Beasts are fed for a Day of Slaughter-They have condemned and killed the Just One, and God has not as yet resisted them. 1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. 2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. 4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. 5 Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter, 6 Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you. § 12. JAMES V. 7-12. From the consideration that the unbelieving Jews had not as |