James 1

James 1:1

JAmes] according to some it is James of Alpheus the Apostle: according to ohers James the brother of the Lord, Acts 15:13. Galatians 1:19. Which are scattered] namely, amongst the Gentiles, see Iohn 7. 35.

James 1:2

Temptations] that is to say, tryals, and exercises through afflictions, and adversities.

James 1:4

Have her] that is to say, let it persevere unto the end, and be accompanied with other Christian vertues Be perfect] that is to say, furnished with all necessary vertues, though never in a perfect degree in this World.

James 1:5

Wisedome] namely, spirituall wisedome to judge rightly of afflictions, of their causes, end, and fruit, &c. to moderate in them the afflictions of the soule, keeping it in an immoveable tranquillity Liberally] or benignely, the Greeke simply, see 2 Corinthians 8:2. Upbraided not] that is to say, disdainfully rejecting, or upbraiding the asker, with his unworthinesse.

James 1:6

Is like a] hath not the constancie of the soule: nor is not perswaded of Gods grace by the Holy Ghost: whereby wanting the first foundation of faith, God doth not build the fabricke of his other gifts in him. According to the saying of the Gospell, that to him that hath, is given Matth. 25. 29.

James 1:8

A double minded] the Italian, a double hearted; because that his inward part, doth not agree with his outward profession, whereby his thoughts, motions, and actions, floating continually, he is uncapable of patience, and perseverance, vertues which require a constant and firme posture of the soule.

James 1:9

the brother] the meaning is, that Christian patience, ought not onely to beare afflictions, but also to glory in it, see Romans 5:3. That he is exalted] spiritually, being the Sonne of God, member of Christ, made worthy of participating of his afflictions, Acts 5:41. Revelation 2:9.

James 1:10

That he is made low] that is to say, if he does not exalt himselfe in pride for his goods and honours, but containes himselfe in holy humility before God, and modesty towards men: and if acknowledging the vanity thereof he doth with his heart renounce them, as if he possessed them not He shall passe] namely this his worldly prosperity.

James 1:11

In his waies] namely, in this his state and condition.

James 1:12

Tried] the Italian, approved] namely, of God for his obedience to his will, order, and condition established by him.

James 1:13

Let no man] now he goeth on to the other kind of temptation, which is the inducement, and allurement to sinne, which doth not proceed from God, as the other of afflictions doth.For God] as he hath no inclination, nor taketh no delight in evill; so can he not induce others unto it, as the divell doth.

James 1:15

When lust] namely, mans depraved, and corrupted will, which is the first spring of all vicious appetites Hath conceived] namely, after it hath by the apprehension of some unlawfull object, fixed in it selfe a wicked desire, it doth afterwards bring it to effect: whence followeth the punishment of eternall death.

James 1:16

Doe not erre] either in attributing to God the cause of your sins, or not having recourse to him in your wants, as to the authour of all good things.

James 1:17

From the father] namely, from God, the authour and fountaine, of all light of knowledge, grace and spirit, without ever changing, or diminishing Shadow] a terme taken from the celestiall lights, which by reason of their resolutions, and vicissitudes, doe not alwaies shine in the same degree, and some of them do also suffer eclipses, decreases, and failings.

James 1:18

His owne will] of his grace, and free will, to oppose this spirituall regeneration of grace, to that of nature, and everlasting, of the onely begotten Sonne With the word] which is as it were the seed of this new generation, revived by the Spirit, see 1 Cor. 4. 15. 1. Pet. 1. 23. First fruits] namely, a part of the whole masse of mankind, which is consecrated unto him, as the first fruits were under the Law, see Ier. 2. 3. Revelation 14:4.

James 1:19

Wherefore] seeing you have received from God the gift of spirituall regeneration, worke you the true workes, and performe the true duties thereof, keeping your selves especially from your most common and sudden sinnes, which are those of rash speaking and wrath.

James 1:20

For the wrath] Though wrath in man be moved naturally with some resemblance of justice, against a wrong and offence, yet that is not the right way to do the Will of God (wherein consists true righteousnesse and justice) which contrariwise is performed with mildnesse and patience, &c.

James 1:21

Wherefore] This is a second consequence drawn from Verse 18. The meaning is, that likewise also because God hath regenerated us, let us put off all vices, even as little children that are newly borne, are washed and cleansed from the pollutions which they brought from their mothers wombe Receive] Give it more way, authority, and absolute command over you.Ingrafted] which God hath not onely outwardly propounded unto you, but hath also rooted it in your heart by his Spirit, to live and operate in it, see Jeremiah 31:31.

James 1:22

Doers] True and real observers in heart, and in effect, in faith and obedience.

James 1:23

If any] that is to say, for want of will and zeal to performe Gods Word the knowledge of it becomes unprofitable to salvation, making no lively impression, but serving onely to represent its own deformitie, and contrarietie unto the conscience, and that so sleightly, that man is not thereby brought to Repentance.

James 1:25

Who so looketh] that is to say, hath by a deep meditation, and lively Faith, taken hold of Gods Word, to be by it changed into the same image, 2 Corinthians 3:18. Law] He calleth the Gospel so, which containeth the accomplishment of what the ancient Law had but onely begun, that is to say, Christs perfect righteousnsse, by which all believers are freed from the curse and from death, and also teacheth and by the power of the Spirit worketh the true perfection of an holy life, consisting in a continuall Regeneration to Gods Image, by which the believer serves God with a free will, and is no more subject to the devil nor sin, see Romans 8:2. Galatians 4:22; Galatians 4:31. A dor] by Faith which is the first worke of the Gospel, John 6:29. 1 John 3:23. and the foundation and root of all the rest, then by new obedience and holinesse of life.

James 1:26

Seem to be] or thinkes to be Deceiveth] doth falsly deceive and flatter himselfe by this vain shew of pietie.

James 1:27

Is this] that is to say, is alwayes joyned with true charitie and holinesse, and by these vertues sheweth what it is To visit] under this kinde are contained all the duties of Christian charitie.