opposition to the errors and vices which then prevailed among them. The principal source of these errors and vices was a misinterpretation of St. Paul's doctrine of justification by faith without the works of the Law, that is, as the Apostle meant it, without the observance of the rites and ceremonies of the Mosaic dispensation; but hence, some had most unwarrantably inferred, that moral duties were not essential to salvation, and had therefore abandoned themselves to every species of licentiousness and profligacy.

St. James begins by shewing the benefits of trials and afflictions, and by assuring the Jewish Christians that God would listen to their sincere prayers for assistance and support; he reminds them of their being the distinguished objects of Divine favour, and exhorts them to practical religion (s); to a just and impartial regard for the poor, and to an uniform obedience to all the commands of God, without any distinction or exception; he shews the inefficacy of faith without works, that is, without a performance of the moral duties (t); he inculcates the necessity of a strict government of the tongue, and cautions them against censoriousness, strife, malevolence, pride, indulgence of their sensual passions,

passions, and rash judgment (u); he denounces threats against those who make an improper use of riches; he intimates the approaching destruction of Jerusalem; and concludes with exhortations to patience, devotion, and a solicitous concern for the salvation of others (x).

This Epistle is written with great perspicuity and energy, and it contains an excellent summary of those practical duties and moral virtues, which are required of Christians.

PART II.

CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FIFTH.

OF THE FIRST GENERAL EPISTLE OF ST. PETER.

I. History of Peter.-II. Genuineness of this Epistle.III. To whom it was addressed.-IV. Whence it was written.-V. Its Date.-VI. Design and Substance of it.

I. SIMON PETER was born at Bethsaida (a), a city of Upper Galilee. His father's name was Jonas, and he had a brother called Andrew, but it is not known which was the elder (b). He was a married man, and lived at Capernaum, and he and his brother were fishermen upon the Lake of Gennesareth. Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist, and hearing him declare Jesus to be the Lamb of God, he followed Jesus, and continued with him the rest of that day. Andrew, having found his brother, carried him to Jesus, who, when he saw him, said, "Thou art Simon

(a) John, c. 1. v. 44.

(b) Epiphanius says that Andrew, and Chrysostom and Jerome say that Peter, was the elder brother.

Simon the son of Jonas; thou shalt be called Cephas (c)" or Peter, "which is by interpretation a stone" or rock (d). Though Peter and Andrew seem to have been now convinced that Jesus was the Messiah, yet they continued to carry on their trade of fishing, till Christ called them to attend constantly upon himself, and promised to make them "fishers of men (e)," in allusion to the success which they should have in making converts to the Gospel. They were afterwards appointed of the number of the twelve Apostles. Peter enjoyed the favour of his Divine Master in a peculiar degree; and the many remarkable circumstances recorded concerning him in the Gospels and Acts seem to point him out as the chief of the twelve Apostles. Our Saviour is supposed to have had no other fixed residence, after he began his ministry, but with St. Peter at Capernaum; and probably upon that ground application was made to him for the tribute money due from Christ (f). In the history of St. John I have mentioned three occasions on which only Peter and the two sons of Zebedee were allowed to accompany our Saviour, namely, when

(c) Cephas is a Syriac word.

(d) John, c. I. v. 42.

(e) Matt. c. 4. v. 18 & 19. Mark, c. I. v. 17. Luke, c. 5. v. 10.

(f) Matt. c. 17. v. 24, &c.

when he restored to life the daughter of Jairus (g), when he was transfigured on the Mount (h), and when he endured his agony in the garden (i). Peter was one of the four Apostles to whom our Saviour delivered his predictions relative to the destruction of Jerusalem (k). Peter and John were sent to prepare the last passover for Christ (1). The angel at the holy sepulchre commanded that the disciples, and Peter in particular, should be informed of Christ's resurrection (m); and Peter was the first man (n), as Mary Magdalene was the first woman (0), to whom Christ appeared after he rose from the dead. Our Saviour said to him, in explanation of the name which he himself had given him, "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock will I build my church: and I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven (p).” And after his resurrection, three several times, and with great earnestness, he commanded him to feed

(g) Mark, c. 5. v. 37.
(h) Matt. c. 17. v. I.

v. 28.

Luke, c. 8. v. 51.
Mark, c. 9. v. 2. Luke, c. 9.

(i) Matt. c. 26. v. 36. Mark, c. 14. v. 32, &c.

(k) Mark, c. 13. v. 3.

(1) Mark, c. 14. v. 13. Luke, c. 22. v. 8.

(m) Mark, c. 16. v.7.

(n) Luke, c. 24. v. 34. 1 Cor. c. 15. v. 5. 'Ev åvoparı

τούτῳ πρώτῳ τῷ μαλισα αὐτῶν ποθεντι ιδειν. Chrys.

(0) John, c. 20. v. 15. (p) Matt. c. 16. v. 18.