olic or Universal, as formerly were also the
two Epistles of St. Peter, the first of St. John and that of St. Jude,
because they were not written to any peculiar people or particular
person, but to the faithful in general. It was written by the apostle
St. James, called the Less, who was also called the brother of our Lord,
being his kinsman (for cousins german with the Hebrews were called
brothers). He was the first Bishop of Jerusalem. In this Epistle are set
forth many precepts appertaining to faith and morals; particularly, that
faith without good works will not save a man and that true wisdom is
given only from above. In the fifth chapter he publishes the sacrament
of anointing the sick. It was written a short time before his martyrdom,
about twenty-eight years after our Lord's Ascension.

James Chapter 1

The benefit of tribulations. Prayer with faith. God is the author of all
good, but not of evil. We must be slow to anger and not hearers only,
but doers of the word. Of bridling the tongue and of pure religion.

1:1. James, the servant of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the
twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

1:2. My brethren, count it all joy, when you shall fall into divers
temptations:

Into divers temptations... The word temptation, in this epistle, is
sometimes taken for trials by afflictions or persecutions, as in this
place: at other times, it is to be understood, tempting, enticing, or
drawing others into sin.

1:3. Knowing that the trying of your faith worketh patience

1:4. And patience hath a perfect work: that you may be perfect and
entire, failing in nothing.

1:5. But if any of you want wisdom, let him ask of God who giveth to all
men abundantly and upbraideth not. And it shall be given him.

1:6. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is
like a wave of the sea, which is moved and carried about by the wind.

1:7. Therefore let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of
the Lord.

1:8. A double minded man is inconstant in all his ways.

1:9. But let the brother of low condition glory in his exaltation:

1:10. And the rich, in his being low: because as the flower of the grass
shall he pass away.

1:11. For the sun rose with a burning heat and parched the grass: and
the flower thereof fell off, and the beauty of the shape thereof
perished. So also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

1:12. Blessed is the man that endur