ALFRED PLUMMER, M.A., D.D.

MASTER OF UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, DURHAM
FORMERLY FELLOW AND SENIOR TUTOR OF TRINITY COLLEGE, OXFORD

SIXTH EDITION

HODDER AND STOUGHTON
LONDON MCMVII

Printed by Hazell, Watson & Vincy, Ld., London and Aylesbury.

CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTORY.
PAGE
CHAPTER I.
THE CATHOLIC EPISTLES[1]
THE EPISTLE OF ST. JAMES.
CHAPTER II.
THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE EPISTLE OF ST. JAMES[13]
CHAPTER III.
THE AUTHOR OF THE EPISTLE: JAMES THE BROTHER OF THE LORD[25]
CHAPTER IV.
THE PERSONS ADDRESSED IN THE EPISTLE: THE JEWS OF THE DISPERSION[42]
CHAPTER V.
THE RELATION OF THIS EPISTLE TO THE WRITINGS OF ST. PAUL AND OF ST. PETER.—THE DATE OF THE EPISTLE.—THE DOCTRINE OF JOY IN TEMPTATION[55]
CHAPTER VI.
THE RELATION OF THIS EPISTLE TO THE BOOKS OF ECCLESIASTICUS AND OF THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON.—THE VALUE OF THE APOCRYPHA, AND THE MISCHIEF OF NEGLECTING IT[68]
CHAPTER VII.
THE EXALTATION OF THE LOWLY, AND THE FADING AWAY OF THE RICH.—THE METAPHORS OF ST. JAMES AND THE PARABLES OF CHRIST[80]
CHAPTER VIII.
THE SOURCE OF TEMPTATIONS, AND THE REALITY OF SIN.—THE DIFFICULTIES OF THE DETERMINIST[89]
CHAPTER IX.
THE DELUSION OF HEARING WITHOUT DOING.—THE MIRROR OF GOD'S WORD[99]
CHAPTER X.
THE CHRISTOLOGY OF ST. JAMES.—THE PRACTICAL UNBELIEF INVOLVED IN SHOWING A WORLDLY RESPECT OF PERSONS IN PUBLIC WORSHIP[111]
CHAPTER XI.
THE INIQUITY OF RESPECTING THE RICH AND DESPISING THE POOR.—THE SOLIDARITY OF THE DIVINE LAW[124]
CHAPTER XII.
FAITH AND WORKS: THREE VIEWS OF THE RELATION OF THE TEACHING OF ST. JAMES TO THE TEACHING OF ST. PAUL.—THE RELATION OF LUTHER TO BOTH[135]
CHAPTER XIII.
THE FAITH OF THE DEMONS; THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM; AND THE FAITH OF RAHAB THE HARLOT[149]
CHAPTER XIV.
THE HEAVY RESPONSIBILITIES OF TEACHERS.—THE POWERS AND PROPENSITIES OF THE TONGUE.—THE SELF-DEFILEMENT OF THE RECKLESS TALKER[165]
CHAPTER XV.
THE MORAL CONTRADICTIONS IN THE RECKLESS TALKER[179]
CHAPTER XVI.
THE WISDOM THAT IS FROM BELOW[191]
CHAPTER XVII.
THE WISDOM THAT IS FROM ABOVE[203]
CHAPTER XVIII.
ST. JAMES AND PLATO ON LUSTS AS THE CAUSES OF STRIFE; THEIR EFFECT ON PRAYER[214]
CHAPTER XIX.
THE SEDUCTIONS OF THE WORLD, AND THE JEALOUSY OF THE DIVINE LOVE[226]
CHAPTER XX.
THE POWER OF SATAN AND ITS LIMITS.—HUMILITY THE FOUNDATION OF PENITENCE AND OF HOLINESS[238]
CHAPTER XXI.
SELF-ASSURANCE AND INVASION OF DIVINE PREROGATIVES INVOLVED IN THE LOVE OF CENSURING OTHERS[250]
CHAPTER XXII.
SELF-ASSURANCE AND INVASION OF DIVINE PREROGATIVES INVOLVED IN PRESUMING UPON OUR FUTURE.—THE DOCTRINE OF PROBABILISM[261]
CHAPTER XXIII.
THE FOLLIES AND INIQUITIES OF THE RICH; THEIR MISERABLE END[274]
CHAPTER XXIV.
PATIENCE IN WAITING.—THE ENDURANCE OF JOB.—THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE MENTION OF JOB BY ST. JAMES[289]
CHAPTER XXV.
THE PROHIBITION OF SWEARING.—THE RELATION OF THE LANGUAGE OF ST. JAMES TO RECORDED SAYINGS OF CHRIST[302]
CHAPTER XXVI.
WORSHIP THE BEST OUTLET AND REMEDY FOR EXCITEMENT.—THE CONNEXION BETWEEN WORSHIP AND CONDUCT[315]
CHAPTER XXVII.
THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH.—THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK AND EXTREME UNCTION[323]
CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CONFESSION OF SINS.—THE LAWFULNESS OF PRAYERS FOR RAIN[335]
CHAPTER XXIX.
THE WORK OF CONVERTING SINNERS; ITS CONDITIONS AND REWARDS[350]
THE GENERAL EPISTLE OF ST JUDE.
CHAPTER XXX.
THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE EPISTLE OF ST. JUDE[365]
CHAPTER XXXI.
THE PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE.—THE FAITH ONCE FOR ALL DELIVERED AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE[377]
CHAPTER XXXII.
THE PERSONS DENOUNCED IN THE EPISTLE.—ITS RELATION TO 2 PETER[388]
CHAPTER XXXIII.
DOUBTFUL READINGS AND THE THEORY OF VERBAL INSPIRATION—THREE PALMARY INSTANCES OF DIVINE VENGEANCE UPON GRIEVOUS SIN[401]
CHAPTER XXXIV.
RAILING AT DIGNITIES.—"THE ASSUMPTION OF MOSES."—ST. JUDE'S USE OF APOCRYPHAL LITERATURE[415]
CHAPTER XXXV.
THE DESCRIPTION CORRESPONDING TO CAIN. THE LIBERTINES AT THE LOVE-FEASTS.—THE BOOK OF ENOCH[426]
CHAPTER XXXVI.
THE DESCRIPTION CORRESPONDING TO BALAAM: THE IMPIOUS DISCONTENT AND GREED OF THE LIBERTINES.—THE APOSTOLIC WARNING RESPECTING THEM[442]
CHAPTER XXXVII.
THE DESCRIPTION CORRESPONDING TO KORAH: MAKING SEPARATIONS.—EXHORTATIONS TO THE FAITHFUL TO BUILD UP THEMSELVES, AND THEN RESCUE OTHERS[450]
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
THE FINAL DOXOLOGY: PRAISE TO GOD, THE PROTECTOR OF HIS SERVANTS[463]
Index[471]

INTRODUCTORY.

CHAPTER I.
THE CATHOLIC EPISTLES.