James 5

James 5:1

WEep] he describes Gods judgement upon evill rich men, as if it were already come.

James 5:2

Your riches] you have rather chosen to let those goods which you had laid up be corrupted and spoiled, then to use any liberalitie therewith, nor employ them in holy and righteous uses.

James 5:3

Shall be a witnesse] shall be an evident proof of your avarice, for which you shall be condemned to everlasting punishment Ye have heaped] whereas you thought to have laid up a great treasure of goods for the time to come, you shall in effect finde that you have laid up Gods wrath against the day of judgement, Romans 2:5.

James 5:4

Cryeth] requires vengeance at Gods hands of you, and calleth upon him for to execute it, see Gen. 4. 10. and 18. 20 Exodus 3:7.

James 5:5

Of slaughter] the Italian, of solemn feasting; the Greek, of sacrifice or slaughter of beasts: for in solemn sacrifices of thanksgiving they used to make great feasts with the flesh of them, see Prov, 7. 17. and 17. 1.

James 5:7

Be patient] seeing the last judgement is at hand, when violent men shall bee punished, and those that were afflicted, relieved and rewarded, see 2 Thessalonians 1:6. He receive] untill the harvest be come to maturity in its proper season, and by ordinary means.

James 5:8

Stablish your] namely, in constancy and perseverance.

James 5:9

Grudge not] the Italian, sigh not; do not you require vengeance at the hands of God, that you may obtain pardon from him, who hath promised forgivenesse to them which do forgive, Matth. 6. 14, 15.

James 5:11

We count them] the whole Christian Church with unanimous consent, doth acknowledge and celebrate them to be happy before God, which is a certain feeling imprinted in our hearts by Gods Spirit, to induce us to imitate them.

James 5:12

Other oath] namely, no unnecessary oath, being not required to swear by him that hath power to minister an oath But let your] let your affirmation and negation be simple and pure, alwayes grounded upon the plain truth, rather then strengthned with unlawfull oaths.

James 5:14

The elders] namely, the pastors and guides Over him] this hath a relation to the Ceremonie which was used of holding the hands over the sicke mans head whilest they were praying, Mark 16 18. With oil] according to Christs own order, Mark 6:13. for a signe of the miraculous grace of healing of bodies, which was in those primitive dayes, Mark 16:18. In the name] by Christs authority, by vertue of his order, beleeving his promise, and calling upon him, to have him operate that by his power which is signified by the outward Ceremonie.

James 5:15

The prayer] that is to say, God called upon in faith, see Acts 3 16. Sinnes] for punishment and reformation whereof, the Lord hath punished him with sicknesse.

James 5:20

Shall save] that is to say, Shall be the instrument of another mans salvation, and of grace for himself, because that the Lord will reward this his charity by a more expresse and abundant feeling of his pardon towards him, who peradventure is laden with many sinnes, see Rom. 11. 14. 1 Corimb. 9. 22. 1 Timothy 4:6.