^ See Melchior Adamus in Vita Staupicii.
35G AX EXPOSITION, WITH NOTES, [JaS. IV. 7.
stay for tlie call of providence, it is but an untimely desire of pro- motion, which either God crosseth, or else it proveth a curse and snare to us.
Use 2. The next use is, that we should not envy a proud person, no more than we would a man upon the gallows ; they are but lifted up that they may be cast down for ever. We arc apt to pity the drunkard, but envy the proud :^ it is Chrysostom's observation. You had need pity them too, for they are near a fall : Prov. xvi. 19, ' Better be of a meek spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud ;' that is, better be of the depressed party than to cry up a confederacy with those that grow proud upon their successes.
Use 3. Observe the instances of God's displeasure against pride upon yourselves, or those that are near you. Paul took notice of that thorn that was in his flesh, ' Lest,' saith he, ' I should be exalted above measure,' 2 Cor. xii. 7. So you may often say. This was an affliction to correct and abate my pride, a prick at the bladder of my flatuous and windy spirit. So on others related to you ; near experiences do more work upon us, and leave the greater impressions of awe : See Dan. V. 22, ' And thou, 0 Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this.' God taketh it ill when we do not improve the marks of vengeance upon our nearest friends: we see others how their gifts are blasted for pride ; children taken away for pride, estates wasted for pride, and we do not lay it to heart.
Ohs. 2. God's grace is given to tlie humble. We lay up the richest wine in the lowest cellars ; so doth God the choicest mercies in humble and lowly hearts. Clirist did most for those that were most humble ; as for the centurion, ' I am not worthy that thou shouldst come under my roof;' so for the Syrophenician woman, ' I am a dog,' &c. There is excellency enough in God ; he requireth only sense of emptiness in us. God loveth to make all liis works creations; and grace worketh most freely when it worketh upon nothing. It is not for the honour of God that the creatures should i-eceive aught from morcy till they are brought upon their knees ; the condition which he proposeth is, 'only acknowledge thine iniquities," Jer. iii. 13. Jjumps of unrelent- ing guiltiness are as vessels closed up, and cannot receive grace ; humility fitteth a man to receive it. and maketh a man to esteem it. The humble are vessels of a larger bore and size, flt to receive what grace giveth out. You may learn hence why humble persons are most gracious, and gracious persons most humble. God delighteth to fill up such ; they are vessels of a right bore. The valleys laugh with fatness when the hills are barren ; and the laden boughs will bend thoir heads, t'vrc.
Ver. 7. Submit yourselves therefore to (iod. Resist the devil, and lie loill Jlee from you.
The connection is illative; he applieth the former promise, and by a just inference enforceth tlie duty therein specified: ' Submit your- selves therefore to God.' But you will say, Wherein doth the force of the reason lie ?
I answer — 1. It may be inferred out of the latter part of the sen-
' ' 'Affurrovi iiroKaXovai dvarvxfh, ipiXorinovi Kul <pi\o56^ovs iiraivoOaiv lij Xdjiirpovs,' &c. — Cknjsost. OrcU. GO dc Gloria.
JaS. IV. 7.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. 357
tence thus : ' God givetli grace to the humble, therefore do you submit yourselves ;' that is, do you come humbly, and seek the grace of God. The note thence is : —
Ohs. That general hints of duty must be particularly and faithfully ap])lied, or urged upon our own souls.
Doctrine is but the drawing of the bow, application is the hitting of the mark. How many are wise in generals, but vain ev hcaXoyia-fxoi'i, in their practical inferences ! Rom. i. 22. Generals remain in notion and speculation ; particular things work. We are only to give you doctrine, and the necessary uses and inferences ; you are to make appli- cation. Whenever you hear, let the light of every truth be reflected upon your own souls ; never leave it till you have gained the heart to a sense of duty, and a resolution for duty. (1.) A sense of duty : ' Know it for thy good,' Job v. 27. If God hath required humble addresses, I must submit to God ; if the happiness and quiet of the creature con- sisteth in a nearness to God, then ' it is good for me to draw nigh to God,' Ps. Ixxiii. 28. Thus must you take your share out of every truth ; I must live by this rule. When sinners are invited to believe in Christ, say, ' I am chief,' 1 Tim. i. 15. (2.) A resolution for duty, that your souls may conclude, not only I must, but I will : Ps. xxvii. 8, * When thou saidst. Seek ye my face, my heart said. Thy face. Lord, will I seek.' The command is plural. Seek ye ; the answer is singular, I will. The heart must echo thus to divine precepts. So Jer. iii. 22, ' Return, 0 backsliding children : ' ' Behold, we come, for thou art the Lord our God.'