Reflections on the concluding section of St. James. verse 173 the truth, that so they may be converted from their wandering SECT. ways, that their understanding being convinced of the truth and viii. importance of the gospel, their conduct may be practically influenced by it; and that upon such steady principles, as may effectually prevent their return to their wanderings again. Thus may a multitude of sins be hidden, and the glory of God, and the salvation of men, be effectually promoted. 20, Whatever trials we may meet with in these charitable efforts, or in any other path of duty, may we take the prophets of old, and 10 the apostles of our Lord, for examples of suffering adversity and patience; especially remembering their Lord, and ours; remembering how abundantly the patience of good men has been rewarded, the end of the Lord with respect to holy Job, and many 11 others, who have trod in his steps in succeeding ages; and remembering especially, that the Judge stands at the door, that in a 9 very little time he will appear, not only to put an end to the trial of his servants, but to crown their virtues and graces. In the mean time the bowels of his compassion are abundant, and he will not be wanting in communicating all necessary consolations 11 and supports. May we be so happy, as to be acquainted with those of devotion, that in our affliction we may pray, and in 13 our cheerfulness, sing psalms, that we may know by blessed experience the efficacy of such a temper to soften the sor. rows of life, and to sweeten its enjoyments. And as we desire to be visited of God in our afflictions, may we with Christian sympathy be ready to visit and relieve others in their 14 sickness, or other kinds of distress. It is indeed the special office of the elders of the church, who should be sent for upon such occasions with readiness, and who, if they be worthy of their 15 office, will attend with pleasure. But it is not their office alone. Let us all be ready to pray for each other, in faith and charity; and 19 where offences have been committed, let there be a frank and candid acknowledgment of them on the one side, and as hearty a forgiveness on the other. In a word, let the efficacy of the fervent prayer of the righteous be often reflected on, to excite fervour, and to engage to righteousness, and to lead us to honour those who maintain such a character, and who offer such petitions and 17, 18 supplications; that God may in answer to their requests, shower down his blessings upon us, that our land may yield its increase, that righteousness may spring up out of the earth, and that in every sense, God, as our own God, may bless us. (Psal. lxvii. 9; lxxxv. 11.) The END of the FAMILY EXPOSITOR on the CATHOLIC THE FAMILY EXPOSITOR; OR, A PARAPHRASE ON THE FIRST CATHOLIC EPISTLE OF THE APOSTLE PETER; WITH CRITICAL NOTES, AND A PRACTICAL IMPROVEMENT OF EACH SECTION. A GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE PARAPHRASE AND NOTES ON THE FIRST CATHOLIC EPISTLE OF ST. PETER. THE Apostle Peter makes a very eminent and illustrious figure on the theatre of the evangelical history, and was, on several occasions, favoured by our Lord with peculiar and distinguishing marks of honour. One instance, which I shall alone recite, among the many which might be recited, if it was needful, and which happened very soon after our Lord's ascension, is, that he was deemed worthy, under the impulse and inspiration of the Holy Ghost, to open the gospel dispensation, and first to preach salvation through a crucified Redeemer to the Jews, (Acts ii.) and Gentiles, (Acts x.) And I the rather suggest this instance, because it affords some colour to my own opinion, that this epistle was written both to the Jewish and Gentile converts, who were dispersed in vari ous regions of the world. The sentiments of learned men upon this question, To whom was this epistle written? are very various. The principal and most remarkable are these; that it was to the converted Jews of the dispersion; or to the converted Gentiles; or lastly, (which is the opinion of Lord Barrington, embraced and defended by Dr. Benson,) to the converted proselytes of |