James 2

4. Motive. The kingdom of grace enriches the soul: a kingdom has its riches. A believer is said to be rich in faith (James 2:5). How rich is he who has God for his God, who is heir to all the promises (Hebrews 6:17).

First, works of charity evidence grace. 1. Faith. James 2:18. I [reconstructed: will] show you my faith by my works. Works are faith's letters of credence to show. We judge of the health of the body by the pulse, where the blood stirs and operates. Christian, judge of the health…

He would not dare speak it with his tongue, but said it in his heart; he wished it. Sure none can be speculative atheists: The devils believe and tremble (James 2). I have read of one Arthur a professed atheist, who when he came to die, cried out, he was damned.

How can they expect mercy from God whose hearts are shut up, and are merciless to their trespassing brothers? (James 2:13): "He shall have judgment without mercy, that has showed no mercy." "I cannot forgive," said one, "though I go to hell."

Faith in the word of God is specially of three sorts: Historical, Miraculous, Justifying or saving faith. 1. Historical faith, is not only a knowledge of the word, but an assent of the heart to the truth of it: and this faith is general not only to all men, good and bad, but eve…

Further, in that this fact of offering up Isaac, was only Abraham's trial; we may observe, that it did not make him just before God, but only served to prove his faith, and to declare him to be Just. And therefore, whereas Saint James says, James 2:21, That Abraham was justified…

Now this is not a prerogative of Prophets alone, or of such as were extraordinary men as Abraham was: but the secrets of the Lord are amongst such as fear him, Psalm 25:14. All that fear the holy name of God; are God's friends, and of his Counsel: and therefore not Abraham only…

The third thing to be considered in this example, is the testimony of her faith, in receiving the Spies peaceably. This was a notable work of faith, as Saint James notes, James 2:25; and the more commendable, because she received them into her house, and entertained them: yea, s…

Blind people play with the Lord's prayer, as the fly does with the candle till she be burnt: for the more they pray these words, the more they call for vengeance against themselves. (James 2:13) Neither will it help to omit this clause, as some have done in Chrysostom's days: fo…

Works are the touchstone of faith. Show me your faith by your works, James 2. 18. Works are faith's letters of credence to show.

It is reported of the young Lord Harrington, that he gave the tenth part of his yearly revenue to charitable uses: as Mary brought her sweet ointments to anoint Christ's dead body; so a gracious soul brings his ointments of charity to anoint the saints which are Christ's living…

Again, works are to be done in regard of men: that our neighbor may be helped in worldly things — Luke 6:38; that he may be won by our example to godliness — 1 Peter 3:14; that we may prevent in ourselves the giving of any offense — 1 Corinthians 10:32; that by doing good we may…

3. We hold and believe, that the righteous man, is in some sort justified by works: for so the Holy Ghost speaks plainly and truly (James 2:21), that Abraham was justified by works. Thus far we join with them: and the very difference is this.

But it is not so with you. Though you are poor in this world, yet you are rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which God has promised (James 2:5). O learn to set spiritual riches over against temporal poverty!

That faith that's not affected with God's dishonor out of love to Him, and that can endure to look upon the difficulties, sufferings and afflictions of the children of God, without sympathizing and being kindly affected therewith, is not to be taken for a sound faith, but to be…

There may be, I say, in this Historical Faith of divine truths, a higher or greater assent than there is in believing of any human history, which may be the reason why many mistake Historical Faith, and yet it is but of the same kind, and a thing which many reprobates have, as J…

2. All the scriptures that charge us to try ourselves (1 Corinthians 11:28), to examine ourselves, whether we be in the faith, and to know ourselves, that Jesus Christ is in us, except we be reprobates (2 Corinthians 13:5), and to know the things that are freely given us of God…

By this allegory Christ signifies, that the eye, that is to say, the doctrine ought to be most simple, clear and sincere, having in it no darkness, no cloud. And James the Apostle says: He that fails in one point is guilty of all (James 2:10). This place therefore makes very muc…

Sometimes again, the word justify, signifies the act of the party judged, or of the witnesses: and then it imports as much, as to give testimony, or to declare and approve. Thus James says, Abraham was justified by works (James 2:22): that is, declared, and approved to be a just…

The end of teaching is love out of a pure heart, good conscience, and faith unfeigned. It is objected, that as the body is dead without the soul, so is faith without works (James 2:26): and therefore that works are the life of faith. Answer: Saint James by faith, understands a p…

All the parts of it are linked one to another. He that is bound to one commandment, is bound to all: he that keeps one indeed, keeps all: he that breaks one, in respect of the disposition of his heart, is a breaker of all (James 2:10). He that makes no conscience to keep some on…

Besides, it meets with the practice of those men, which sow nothing but cockle, and yet expect a crop of wheat: or nothing but darnel, and yet look to reap a barley harvest: that is, such as sow nothing but the cursed seeds of a damnable life, and yet look to reap the harvest of…

To whom will you flee?] He shows how they shall rest upon their forces in vain, because they shall avail them nothing at all to resist the hand of God. He also shows, that as they have been cruel toward others, so it should be a most just recompense, that in their need they shou…

Blessed is he, says David, which judges wisely of the poor and needy, the Lord shall deliver him in the time of trouble (Psalm 41:1). Whereas on the contrary there shall be judgment merciless to him that shows no mercy (James 2:13). Now in that the Lord calls the Jews here his b…

Moreover we are diligently to observe, that men ought not to abuse their victories, to handle their prisoners hardly, as often it falls out, for when they cast off all humanity, they become like wild beasts, and spare neither old nor young, men nor women, when they have gotten t…

But I view it more simply, as an admonition that, even among men, it is usually advantageous for us to come to an early agreement with adversaries, because, with quarrelsome persons, their obstinacy often costs them dear. At the same time, I admit, that the comparison is justly…

2 Corinthians 8. 8. 'I speak not by Commandment, but by Occasion of the Forwardness of others, and to prove the Sincerity of your Love.' James 2. 13, 14, 15, 16. 'For he shall have Judgment without Mercy, that has shown no Mercy. What does it profit my Brethren, though a Man say…

Section 3. God's commands for holiness may be considered two ways: first, as they belong to and are parts of the covenant of works; second, as they belong to and are inseparably annexed to the covenant of grace — in both respects they are materially and formally the same, that i…

None are so low, or so inferior, but Christ's condescension is sufficient to take a gracious notice of them. He condescends not only to the angels, humbling himself to behold the things that are done in heaven, but he also condescends to such poor creatures as men; and that not…

If you come honestly by them, they are the gift of God: If you come dishonestly by them, they are the gifts of Satan, and you ought to be ashamed of them and restore them, not to boast or be proud of them. Then secondly, it will cure the rich of all contempt of others; what the…

Had they never been guilty of any one sin, but only what is left upon Record concerning them in Holy Writ, yet they could be saved no other way. For he that transgresss the law in any one point is guilty of the breach of the whole, James 2:10. What shall we now say?

By Friends and Beloved, are understood believers, there are none other capable of these titles, and it was she that prayed, that is here understood by Friends and Beloved, and so he answers her. Hence we see, the believer is [reconstructed: a] Friend, as Abraham (James 2:23) and…

Now that bond which runs through them, and knits them thus together, is the authority and sovereignty of God enjoining their observance; so that whoever fails in his due obedience to any one, does virtually and interpretatively transgress them all. Thus we find it expressly affi…

What Zeuxes the famous limner said of his work, may be truly said of all our works; Aeternitati pingo, I paint for eternity. O, how careful should men be of what they speak and do, while they are commanded so to speak, and so to do, as those that shall be judged by the perfect l…

Many think they believe, but never tremble. The devils are further on than these (James 2:19). Make sure to yourself that you are above ordinary professors.

Noah was an heir of the righteousness which is by faith: which Peter calls a being heir of the grace of life (1 Peter 3:9). And James puts both these together (James 2:6), heirs of the kingdom which God has promised: that is, of the kingdom of grace, and the righteousness thereo…

This Account of things gives a plain Reason why the Gospel justifies and accepts those Persons who perform an honest and sincere, but a very poor, inconstant and imperfect Obedience to the Commands contained in it, although those Duties are there commanded in Perfection, (namely…

Answer 5. Another Use of Good Works is to evidence the Truth of our Faith, and our Interest in this Salvation, James 2:20, 24. For Faith which does not produce good Works is dead, and cannot save us.

Here all the children are heirs, male and female, every son and daughter, an heir, and joint-heirs with Christ. We do as it were divide heaven between us; we have a great, blessed, and glorious inheritance; poor despicable creatures, chosen heirs of a kingdom (James 2:5). 4. You…

I shall not speak of the external, political government of the church, (which questionless is monarchical, I mean in regard of Christ the Head; though it be aristocratical, in regard of officers, and (in some respect) democratical, with reference to the consent of the people in…

Would a man allow himself liberty of vain speeches, idle talk, and suffer his tongue to run riot, if he did consult with the rule, and remembered that light words would weigh heavy in God's balance? These are condemned by the law of liberty (James 2:12). So speak, and so do, as…

1. Occasional: We are not left at random in our ordinary discourse to speak as we will; but at all times, and with all persons we should have an eye to the good of those with whom we speak (Colossians 4:6): Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may k…

3. Faith. (James 2:5) Has not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith? He is a rich man that is emptied of himself, that he may be filled with God.

This was one of the Pharisees' arguments, Do any of the rulers believe in him? (John 7:48) but this people that know not the law, are accursed. Alas! men of authority and great place may be often against God's interest (James 2:1): Have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, th…

Faith that works by love, Galatians 5:6. It sets the soul at work by apprehending the sense of God's love, whereas otherwise it is but a dead faith. James 2:16. Then for love, what is the influence of that, it constrains the soul, it takes the soul along with it, 2 Corinthians 5…

First, what it is to fear God. There is a servile and a filial fear — a fear of wrath which the worst may have (James 2:19): 'The devils believe and tremble' — and a fear of offending which the best must have (Proverbs 28:14): 'Blessed is he that fears always' — a reverent dispo…

These are the graces wherein life consists; and as these are acted and excited to God, so we are lively; and when these decay we are dead. When faith is dead all spiritual activity is lost (James 2:26). For as the body without the Spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead a…

It is no such great wonder in God that he stretches out the heavens like a curtain, since he is omnipotent, that he formed the earth or the waters, since he is strong, that he distinguished times, adorned the heavens with so many stars, decked the earth with such variety of plan…

[It is a fruit of faith] and supposes it planted in the heart, for an act cannot be without a habit: I suppose a man to have this grace before I require the exercise of it. [And it looks upon God in Christ] as the fountain of blessings, for otherwise God to the fallen creature i…

As he cannot walk stoutly that has a stone in his shoe, so he that has sin in his conscience — obmutescit facundia si aegra sit conscientia (says Ambrose) — a bad conscience stops the mouth. 4. With sincerity without dissimulation and guile, profession without answerable duty is…