James 4

James 4:1

OF your lusts] from the turbulent desires and passions for the goods and pleasures of this world, which do swell and breed a tumult within you against the Spirit of God, Galatians 5:17. yea even against natural reason, and against one another Members] namely the internal, and external parts of the bodie and the soul.

James 4:2

Ye aske not] namely of God, with humble and holy prayers of Faith.

James 4:4

Adulterers] namely, spiritual ones, which depart from the true love of God, and of Christ, the onely Bridegroom of the soul to settle your affection upon the world, namely, upon the pleasures, concupiscences, and sinnes which reigne in it, see Psal. 73. 27.

James 4:5

The Scripture] this passage, as well as some others are not found in the holy Scripture: it may peradventure be taken out of some ancient book of pietie, though not canonical, which may be was in use in those dayes The Spirit] the meaning seemes to be, that the devil which worketh in the children of rebellion, Ephes. 2. 2. doth excite these two violent passions in men, the one of unsatiable covetousnesse of worldly goods for himselfe, the other of a malicious envie against others, but God in such a great corruption of mankinde, causeth his grace to abound in pardoning of sinnes, Romans 5:20. but to be partakers thereof, we must humble our selves before him by Repentance and calling upon him.

James 4:6

Wherefore] namely, to teach men how to make themselves capable of Gods grace Resisteth] that which is here spoken of proud men, Solomon, Proverbs 3:34. speakes it of scorners, because that scorn proceedeth from contempt of others, and from great pride in ones selfe.

James 4:8

Draw nigh] by conversion, faith, and prayer, Zechariah 1:3. Will draw nigh] that is to say, He will make us finde that he is neer unto us with his favour and blessing.

James 4:12

Speak not] namely, blame no man, nor speak evill of him, or curse him He that speaketh] that is to say, Whosoever speaks evill of his neighbour, or condemneth him according to his own will and sense, and not according to Gods Law, takes upon him a rash superiority, not onely over his neighbour, but even above the very Law of God But a judge] because thou doest indirectly tax it of imperfectnesse, and wouldest be wiser and severer then it, and so shewest that thou wilt not submit unto it.

James 4:13

Go to now] an abrupt kinde of speech, which ought to be thus applied, What doe ye, or what think ye?

James 4:16

But now ye] that is to say, Though ye be laden with so many sinnes, yet you boast that ye are very holy and understanding. &c.

James 4:17

Therefore to him] in conclusion know ye, that knowledge without obedience doth no way free from sinne, but doth rather aggravate sinne before God.