whereas, he that attentively considers the perfect law of liberty, and is attach'd thereto, he is not a forgetful hearer, but reduces it to practice, and his conduct is crown'd with hapiness.

was it not likewise for her actions, that Rahab, formerly a loose liver, was accounted as just, for having entertain'd the messengers of Joshuah, and dismiss'd them the securest way?

hark! what a noise there is of hire, of which you cheated the labourers, who gather'd in your harvest! the cries of the reapers have reach'd even the Lord of the celestial militia.

you have liv'd on the earth in voluptuousness and luxury: you have indulg'd your selves as in a day of sacrifice:

we pronounce those happy, who have so endur'd. you have heard of the constancy of Job, you know with what success he was crown'd by the Lord, who is all mercy and compassion.

then be pray'd again: the heavens sent its showers, and the earth push'd out its fruit.

James a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the TWELVE TRIBES dispers'd thro' the world, sends greeting.

the sun is up and darts its rays, the grass is wither'd, its flowers droop, and all their beautiful appearance vanishes away. just so the rich man fades with all his projects.

a man is instigated, and drawn into the snare by his own vicious passions, which once indulg'd, are productive of sin,

every thing that is valuable, every gift that leads to perfection is deriv'd from heaven, it descends from that original light, which knows no change, no shadow, or decline:

'tis he that has voluntarily renew'd us by the oracles of truth, that we might be the first converts of the new creation.

for a bare auditor without practice is like one who sees his image form'd by a mirror:

when any one, adorn'd with a gold ring, and a splendid dress, enters into your assembly; and a poor man comes in meanly habited:

but you, who despise the poor, are not you oppress'd by the rich? is it not they who drag you to their tribunals?

they who blaspheme that sacred name by which you are distinguish'd?

for he that has not shewed mercy, shall be condemn'd without mercy: while the merciful shall triumph at his trial.

don't you see his actions and his faith conspir'd, and that his faith had its perfect effect in his conduct?

for we are all liable to frequent mistakes. he that does not give too great a loose to his tongue, is an accomplish'd person and fit to moderate the whole church.

the tongue is a brand that sets the world in a combustion: it is but one of the numerous organs of the body, yet it can blast whole assemblies: tipp'd with infernal sulphur it sets the whole train of life in a blaze.

but who could ever tame the tongue? arm'd with deadly poison, the mischief scorns restraint.

By that we give praises to God the father: and that pronounces curses even against men, who are form'd after the divine resemblance.

from the same mouth shall blessing and cursing proceed? this ought not to be practis'd, my brethren;

but wisdom deriv'd from heaven is first dispassionate, then pacific, equitable, and obsequious: full of beneficence, and all social virtue, free from partiality, and hypocrisy.

your wealth is wasted, your wardrobe is devour'd by the worm,

and your gold and silver by rust: that rust shall convict you: that rust shall corrode your flesh like a caustic, which you have treasur'd up against the last days.

you have condemn'd the just, you have put him to death, though he did not oppose you.

don't repine, my brethren, against one another, for fear you should be condemn'd. behold, the judge is at the gate.

let the prophets, my brethren, who were commission'd by the Lord, be your examples; suffer persecution with constancy like them.