The Argument of the Epistle of S. James

This Epistle (as the rest following) is directed specially, as S. Augustine saith, against the error of only faith, which some held at that time also, by misconstruing S. Paul's words. Yea not only that, but many other errors (which then also were annexed unto it, as they are now) doth this Apostle here touch expressly. He saith therefore, that not only faith, but also good works are necessary: that not only faith, but works do justify: that they are acts of Religion and service and worship of God: that to keep all the commandments of God, and so to abstain from all mortal sin, is not impossible, but necessary: that God is not author of sin, no not so much as of temptation to sin: that we must stay ourselves from sinning, with fear of our death, of the Judgement, of hell: and stir ourselves to doing of good, with our reward that we shall have for it in heaven. These points of the Catholic faith he commendeth earnestly unto us, inveighing vehemently against them that teach the contrary errors.

Howbeit he doth withal admonish not to neglect such, but to seek their conversion, shewing them how meritorious a thing that is. Thus then he exhorteth generally to all good works, and dehorteth from all sin. but yet also namely to certain, and from certain: as, from acception of persons, from detraction and rash judging, from concupiscence and love of this world, from swearing: and, to prayer, to alms, to humility, confession and penance: but most copiously to patience in persecution.

Now, who this James was that writeth this Epistle? It is not he, whose feast the Church keepeth the 25 of July, which was S. John's brother, and whose martyrdom we have Act. 12. but he, whom the Church worshippeth the first of May, whom we read Act. 15 and 21. and also Gal. 1. Frater Domini, our Lord's brother, and brother to Jude, and which was the first Bishop of Jerusalem, of whose wonderful austerity and purity of life, the Ecclesiastical stories do report. Euseb. li. 2. c. 22.. Jerome in Catalogo.

Therefore as the old High-priest had power and charge over the Jews, not only in Jerusalem and Jewry, but also dispersed in other Countries (as we understand Act. 9. v. 1, and 2.) so S. James likewise, being Bishop of Jerusalem, and having care not only of those Jews with whom he was resident in Jewry, but of all the rest also, writeth this Epistle, To the twelve tribes that are in dispersion. and in them, to all Christians universally dispersed through the world.