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النشر الإلكتروني

LECTURE XIX.

CHRISTIANS EXHORTED TO MUTUAL LOVE AND PATIENCE.

JAMES V. 9-11.

9. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.

The selfishness of human nature requires this warning: that selfishness which often lingers long, and is among the last evils subdued by divine grace. "Be pitiful, be courteous," says St. Peter: "Love as brethren." This would prevent all grudging of one against another.

The parable of the labourers supplies an example of the fault here censured, (Matt. xx. 10.) "When they came who had been early hired into the vineyard, they supposed that they should have received more; and they murmured against the good man of the house, saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal with us, who have borne the trouble and heat of the day."

The "elder brother," in another parable, is also an example. (Luke xv. 25-29.) He is jealous of the favour shown to his brother. And he said to his father, "Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends."

In the early history of the church, this sort of grudging threatened danger to its peace. We are

told, (Acts vi. 1,) that "there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration."

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Another cause of grudging existed amongst the Christians, which, as was lately shown, tempted them to "think evil one of another." Some observed the customs of the Jewish law, and some observed them not. This produced a difference amongst them, which St. Paul frequently reproves, (as Rom. xv. 1 :)" We that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves." And he enforces this duty on the same motive as St. James: " Every one of us shall give account of himself to God." Behold, the judge standeth before the door, ready to condemn whatever has been done harshly and uncharitably; to reject all who have not lived according to his commandment, and are not known as his disciples by this sign, "that they have love one towards another."

There might be also, and there often was in those times, an occasion of grudging and murmuring, from the different circumstances among Christians. Some were exempt from suffering and persecution, while others were bowed down under oppression. Some had advantages of which their brethren were deprived, and some had trials from which their brethren were free. Guarding against this cause of envyings and complainings, the apostle suggests a consolation to such as were subject to these trials. When they were harassed, reviled,

1 Ch. iv. 11, 12.

brought before judgment-seats, despoiled of their goods, deprived of their liberty, deserted by their friends, they might call to mind that such had been the lot of the servants of God in the days of their forefathers.

10. Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in former times, for an exumple of suffering affliction, and of patience.

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Such had been the argument of their Lord himself, (Matt. v. 12,) "Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven:" for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." Micaiah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, were all examples of affliction and of patience. And so, no doubt, were many others, whose names, though not recorded on earth, are written in heaven." So that the conclusion is, Behold, we count them happy which endure. As was said in a preceding chapter, having their faith thus proved, and having thus proved their faith," they shall receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to them that love him." "Their light affliction, which is but for a moment, shall work for them a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." They need only look back to their own scriptures for encouragement.

11. Behold, we count them happy that endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

They had seen, in the case of Job, the end of the Lord: the end to which the Lord brings the afflic

2 Ch. i. 12.

tions of the righteous. Such afflictions had borne heavily upon Job. Greater burthens than he had endured could scarcely be laid on man.3 It required strong faith to believe that God was "dealing with him as with a son, even a son whom he receiveth." * But in all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly." And at the end he experienced that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy." The Lord turned the captivity of Job; also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. And the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than the beginning."

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Now here was the example for the Christian: the living proof, that God knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, though now for a season they are in heaviness. Scripture compares such trials to the refiner's fire, to which the goldsmith so submits his gold, that it seems to change its nature, and even to destroy its substance. A spectator might imagine that he held it in no esteem; but in the end it is restored, brighter and more precious than before and we see that for an especial purpose it has been so treated, that, being purified and refined, it may be worthy to form the conqueror's diadem or the monarch's crown. In the same way those are to be counted happy that endure. The trial is ordered for them, that they may enjoy a brighter crown hereafter; that the trial of their faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” 6 And thus the end of the

3 Job i. 22.

4 See Heb. xii. 7—6.
6 1 Pet. i. 7.

5 Job xlii. 10.

Lord displays his tender mercy. The prosperity which blessed the conclusion of Job's earthly life, is a very feeble emblem of that everlasting recompense reserved in heaven for those "who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality ;" and of whom the Lord has declared, "To him that overcometh, will I give to sit with me on my throne."

Behold, then, why we count them happy which endure. Because, though "no suffering is for the present joyous, but grievous;" yet "the time is short," and can bear no comparison with eternity: and “what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"

LECTURE XX.

SUNDRY RULES OF PRACTICE RECOMMENDED.

JAMES V. 12-15.

12. But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by the heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

When the Lord Jesus came, among other violations of the divine law, he found the Jewish people addicted to swearing. The third commandment had forbidden the rash use of the name of God. They had invented other oaths; they called "the

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