• Luth. Prajf. in banc epistolam, ubi dicit, llac verba Mosis riolcntcr a Jacobo trahi ct torqturi, tie.
2 ' Fides, nisi bonorum opennn fructibus perficiatur, jastificationein perfectam ac salu- tem Bempiteruam conciliare Loininibus non potest, ut apertissime testatur Jacobus. — Volkcl de Vera Religione, lib. iv, cap. 3, 139.
•' Spanbern. Dub. Evang., pai.s 2. — Dub. 04, ct alibi.
* An al.so the author of the book of Maccabees saith it was now fulfilled : 'Appaa/x if Treipaafj.i2 (vpiOrj nlcrros Kal iXoyiaOv aimi) ds diKaioaOvTjv. — 1 Mac, ii. 62
JaS. II. 23. J UPON THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. 2.57
liis doctrine tendednotto press men to renounce the righteousness of f;iilh, but to get their interest therein cleared, the testimony of Abraham's tighteousness being so every way compliant with the doctrine proposed.
AhraJiam believed God, and it zuas counted to liim for righfeous- Qiess. — The original meaning of that phrase, ' it was counted to liim ibr righteousness,' is only to show that the thing was approved and accepted by God : and so it is often used in the Old Testament ; as Phinehas' zeal is said to be 'counted in him for righteousness:' Ps. cvi, 30, 31, ' He stood up and executed judgment ; and that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore.' And therefore in this phrase the scripture doth not declare what is the matter of our justification, but only what value the Lord is pleased to put upon acts of faith or obedience, when they are performed in the face of difficulty and discouragement. It is true, it is quoted by the apostle to prove the righteousness which is of faith, without that of works: Eom. iv. 3, 'What saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.' But I suppose the apostle doth not quote the rigour of the expression, as if he would infer that faith is the matter of our righteousness, but only that the first testimony and solemn approbation which Abraham had from God was because of his faith. When scriptural expressions are rigorously urged, without considering their first and constant use, no wonder that mistakes and controversies do arise. For those great disputes about the matter of justification, I would not intermeddle; let it suffice to note, that the general current of Paul's epistles i carrieth it for the righteousness of Christ, which being imputed to us, makethusjustand acceptable before God ; and this righteousness we receive by faith. So that faith justifieth not in the Popish sense as a most perfect grace, or as a good work done by us, but in its relation to Christ, as it receiveth Christ and his satisfactory righteousness ; and so whether you say it justifieth as an instrument, a sole- working instrument, or as an ordin- ance, or relative action, required on our parts, all is to the same issue and purpose : to contend about mere words and bare forms of speech is to be too precise and critical.
And he luas called the friend of God. — The apostle saith 'he was called ;' that is, he was ; as Isa. xlviii. 8, ' Thou wast called a trans- gressor from the womb ;' that is, thou wast a transgressor. So in the New Testament: 1 John iii. 1, ' To be called the sons of God ;' that is, to be the sons of God. Or it alludeth to the solemn appellation wherewith Abraham is invested in scripture ; as Isa. xli. 8, ' Thou Israel are the seed of Abraham my friend.' So2 Chron. xx. 7, ' Thou art our God, and thou gavest this land to the seed of Abraham thy friend.' 2 And this title was given to Abraham because of his frequent communion with God — he had often visions ; and because of his fre- quent covenanting with God — a great condescension, such as the kings of the earth use only to their equals and friends : and therefore, in the places where this title is given to Abraham, there is some respect to tlie covenant ; and here it is said to be given to him upon that testi-
ij See Eom. iv. 23-25 ; Eom. v, 19 ; 1 Cor. i. 30 ; 2 Cor. v. 21 ; Phil. iii. 9. - ' Efj.paTvpT^$r] /xeydXus kfipaafi ko.1 rpiXos irpo'j-q-yopeiidT) tov Qeou.' — Ckm. in Epist. ad Cor.
VOL. IV. R
258 AN EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [J AS. 11. 23.
mony of his faith and ohedionce in offering Isaac, when the covenant was solonnily renewed and confirmed to him hy oath.
Ohs. 1. Works ratify the Spirit's witness. The apostle saith, 'Then it was fulfilled ;' that is, seen that Abraham was a believer indeed, ac- cording to the testimony of God. The Bj)irit assureth us sometimes by expressions, speaking to us by some inward whisper and voice ; sometimes by impressions, implanting gracious dispositions, as it were writing his mind to us. It is well when both are sensible, and with the witness of the Spirit we have that of water, 1 John v. 8. To look after works is the best way to prevent delusion. Here is no deceit, as in flashy joys. Fanatic spirits are often deceived by sudden flashes of comfort. Works, being a more sensible and constant pledge of the Spirit, beget a more solid joy : 1 John iii. 29, ' Hereby we know we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him ;' that is, by real acts of love and charity. The way of immediate revelation is more flitting and inconstant ; such actings of the Spirit being like those outward motions that came upon Samson — ' the Spirit came upon him at times ;' and so upon every withdrawment new scruples and doubts do arise. But the trial by grace is most constant and durable, it being a continual real pledge of God's love to us. Flashes of comfort are only sweet and delightful Avliile felt ; but it is said of grace, ' the seed abidethin him,' 1 John iii. 8, and ' the anointing, ez^ uyLtti^ /xevet, abideth in you,' 1 John ii. 7. This is a standing glory, and the continual re- past of the soul ; whereas those ravishings are like delicacies which God tendereth to his people in the times of festivity and magnificence. Well, then, learn — (1.) That good works are not a doubtful and liti- gious evidence. Men of dark spirits and great fancy will be always raising scruples ; but the fault is in the persons, not the evidence. (2.) Learn to approve yourselves to God with all good conscience in times of trial ; this will ratify and make good those imperfect whispers and muttcrings in your souls concerning your interest in Christ. Do as Abraham did : upon a call he forsook his country ; though he were childless, he believed the promise of a numerous issue ; when God tempted him, he offered Isaac. When God trieth your faith or obedience with some difficulty, then is the special time to gain assur- ance by being found faithful.