For the first , there are two things to be considered ; his name who he was , and his office . His name he expresseth that it was Iames. I find that among some ancient Writers , there hath beene some controuersie heereabout ; some affirming , that there were three of his name , and all viri Apostolici , Apostolicall men , and that it is vncertaine to which this Epistle is to bee ascribed : the first they say was Iames the brother of Iohn , and sonne of Zebedee , whom Herod killed with the Sword . Acts 12. The other they would haue to be the sonne of Alphaeus , who had to his brethren the Apostles , Simon and Iude. The third they thinke was one of the 72. Disciples , and called , the Brother of the Lord ; and to this opinion seemeth to leane Eusebius , and citeth for his proofe Clemens Alexandrinus , & Hegisippus , to which Epiphanius and Ambrose consenteth . But against these , we oppose the vniuersal consent of the whole Church , which proueth , that there were only but two of this name of the number of the Apostles & Disciples , Hier. contr. Heluidium . Beda super 1. Act. so doth Saint Hierome and Beda . To this agreeth ( besides many other ) the sixt generall Councell of 227. Bishops , and other Greek Fathers assembled Anno Dom. 684. and the whole consent of the Greek and Latin Church . This Iames then was sonne of Alphaeus a holie man , and Mary the daughter of Cleopha , cosin-germane to the Virgine Mary , as Saint Hierome in many places affirmeth . He was called Iames the Lesse , as the Greekes vse the word in the Positiue degree , not that he was inferiour in zeale or authoritie vnto the rest of the Apostles , but because he was lesse of body , and shorter of stature then the other Iames the brother of Iohn . Hee was also called Iames the Iust , by reason of the most excellent gifts of the Holy-ghost , and most singular vertues that shined forth in him . Hegisippus For as Hegisippus witnesseth , who succeeded the Apostles , that he was holy from his Mothers wombe , after the maner of the Nazarites , hee neuer dranke wine nor strong drinke , the Rasor neuer came vpon his head , he abstained from Oile and Baths , hee neuer wore a Wollen , but a Linnen vesture called a Syndon , with continuall praier his knees were growne so hard as a Camels skinne : he was had in such holy reputation among the people , that they pressed to touch the hem of his vesture . He was called also the Brother of the Lord , Galat. 1. not as some Greeke Writers vntruely suppose that hee was the sonne of Ioseph , by his first wife , before hee tooke the blessed Virgine , but because he was the sonne of Mary Cleopha cosin germane to the Virgine Mary , and so CHRISTS kinsman , and therfore his Brother after the manner of the Hebrews , which call them that are of their next bloud , Brethren , as Abraham calleth his nephew Lot , Genes. 13. Brother . and Laban calleth Iacob , his Cosin , Brother . Genes. 29 Thus the Hebrewes called them Brethren , that were of affinitie and kindred , in which respect Iames is called the Lords Brother , only because hee was his kinseman after the flesh . He was the first Bishoppe of Hierusalem , appointed by the Lord himselfe , as Clemens writeth , and constituted by the rest of the Apostles . The Iewes , Clemens . for his admirable holinesse of life , permitted him to come into the Sanctum Sanctorum : he wore on his head , the Petalon , that is , Episcopi insigne , the Bishops marke or attire , as Hegisippus and Clemens write ; he gouerned the Church with great praise for the space of thirtie yeares , and was at last martyred , being cast from a Pinnacle of the Temple , and afterward his braines dashed out with a clubbe . This testimonie ( Brethren ) should procure no little authoritie with the hearers of this Epistle ; & attention : for who is so blockish and foolish which will not reuerence so great an Apostle , an Ambassadour of the eternall Sonne of GOD , by the testimony of the Iewes themselues a most holie man , the first Pastor of the first Church , ordained by Christ himself to preach his Gospel ? Notwithstanding there haue not wanted some ( such is the policie of Sathan ) which haue gone about to discredite the authoritie of this Epistle , as if it should not proceede from Iames the Apostle , Tertul. libr. Praescript . that ( as I may say with Tertullian ) Firmos fatigarent , infirmos caperent , medios cum scrupulo dimitterent : That they might weaken the strong , insnare the weak , and the rest let goe with suspense .

First ( say they ) he calleth not himselfe an Apostle , Their first reason . but a Seruant of Iesus Christ . This reason is very friuolous : Saint Iohn calleth himselfe neither the Seruant nor Apostle of Christ , should wee therefore conclude , 1 Ioh. 1. that Iohn was neither the Apostle nor the Seruant of Christ ? Were not this absurd ? By the like reason we might inferre , that Saint Iude was no Apostle , because hee termeth himselfe the Seruant of Christ , and brother to this Iames. If a King in his Title should call himselfe the Seruant of God , and omit the name of his Kingdome , were he not therefore a King ? Away with such friuolous reasons .

Another as foolish a reason they haue , Their other reason . that this Stile sauoureth not of the Haebraismus , or Hebrew phrase , as is expected of so great an Apostle , and first Bishop of Hierusalem . To this I answer , as Cicero did once ; vappis , ac lippis & in tenui farragine mendacibus : To the rabble of liars , dizzards , and pur-blinde persons it seemeth so , but to such as are well acquainted with the Hebrew Idiome , it seemeth farre otherwise . Indeede , it was not expedient , that hee being by Nation and Tongue an Hebrew , and yet writing in Greeke , should be tyed to the tropes of the Hebrew tongue : Againe , Actes 2. seeing hee had receiued of the Holie-ghost , the gift of all Tongues , it was no hard thing for him to abstaine from the obscure Hebraismus , and to vse the more plaine Greeke phrase ; and lastly , it is false , that hee vseth no Hebrew phrase : for gignere verbo veritatis , Verse 18. To beget with the word of Trueth , is a plaine Hebraismus , vsed for the true doctrine , as filius perditionis , the son of perdition , for filio perdito . Againe , hee calleth the Gospel the Law of Libertie , Verse 25. after the Hebrew phrase , for a perfect Law which bringeth true liberty to the beleeuers and followers thereof . Againe , generare mortem , after the manner of the Hebrew phrase , to bring certaine and present destruction , and such like .

Next , he expresseth his office and profession , which is the second part of this Epigrapha , The Seruant of God . But why ; omitting the name of Apostle or Disciple , calleth he himself The Seruant of God ? Surely ( as the Learned do answer to this question ) when he might haue termed himselfe an Apostle , an Ambassadour of the high God , the brother of our Lord , or any more lofty Title ; he chooseth rather the title of a Seruant , aswell for that he is delighted with humilitie , after the example of Christ , who made himselfe of no reputation , Phil. 2. taking on him the forme of a Seruant , and commanded all men to learne of him humilitie : As also , Matth. 11. that hee might reproue the arrogancy and pride of the Scribes and Pharises , which arrogated to themselues prowd and glorious titles ; and that by this moderation of minde , hee might allure the hearts of men to loue him . Cicero . For as Cicero saith , Modestia claram & stabilem comparat authoritatem : Modestie procureth an euident , famous , and sure authority to any matter . Greg. 7. mor. Superbia odium generat , humilitas amorem : Pride begetteth hatred , humilitie loue . The vse . Here ( Brethren ) we are taught humility , to thinke humbly of our selues , & to speak modestly , & wisely , that all pride be farre off from our words and writings . The Pharises are condemned of our Sauiour , because They loued greetings in the markets , Mat 23.6 . the highest roomes in the Synagogues , and to be called Rabbi . And are not many nowadayes subiect to the same reprehension , which being puffed vp with conceit of themselues , of their birth , riches or dignitie , affect these glorious Titles , and rage , stamp and chafe , if they bee denied them . How far off were the Saints of God from this humour ? Saint Paul gloried in his infirmities , stripes , imprisonments , & in the Crosse of Christ , whereby the world is crucified vnto him , Galat. 6.14 Luke 1.38 . Apoc. 19 10 and he vnto the world : the blessed virgine calleth her selfe , The Seruant of the Lord , and the glorious Angells , Our fellow Seruants .

There be two kinds of Seruants ; Seruants by condition and profession . Aug. 19. Ciuit. dei c. 15 Seruants by Condition , and Seruants by Profession : by condition , as borne by nature , caught in warre , bought with mony , and therefore Saint Augustine deriueth the Latine word , à seruando , because they were reserued and kept aliue , being taken in warre , when they might haue beene slaine . Of this seruitude speaketh the Apostle : Let as many Seruants as are vnder the yoke , count their Maisters worthie of all honour : but of this kinde our Apostle speaketh not heere .

The Seruant by Profession , 1 Tim. 6.1 . Col. 3.22 . is euery good Christian which makes profession sincerely to serue God and his Sonne Iesus Christ , Ephes. 6.5 . 1. Pet. 2.18 in holinesse and righteousnesse all the daies of their life . This is the generall calling of Christianitie ; in this generall calling , Prince and people , yoong and olde , learned and vnlearned , bond & free , honourable and base , if they be true professors of Iesus Christ , are the Seruants of God : this title is more glorious then the diademe of Emperors , then the Crowne of Princes , The Seruant of Christ an honorable Title . then any dignitie of a Duke , more honourable then the stately Titles of anie Peere , and more magnificent then the name of the greatest monarch , to be dignified with the title of the Seruant of Christ : Therefore the princely Prophet maketh protestation heereof to God before the title of his kingdom , as his chiefest glory : Behold Lord , for I am thy Seruant , I am thy Seruant , and the sonne of thine hand-maide ; so all the holy Patriarchs & godlie Kings of Iuda , as their chiefest honour , intitle themselues the seruants of God . As in generall , so also in speciall , men are called the Seruants of God , who in their special charge do serue God , and further his kingdome : so Princes in their places , Preachers in their functions , are the Seruants of Christ in their seuerall callings , and speciall seruice in the Church and Common-wealth , in which respect our Apostle heere calleth himselfe The Seruant of God : 1. Cor. 1.1 . Phil. 1.1 . Tit. 1.1 . So Paul calleth himselfe the Seruant of Iesus Christ . So againe he calleth himselfe and Timotheus , the Seruants of Iesus Christ , and to Titus he vseth the same Title .

It is meet then ( Brethren ) that we should all acknowledge our selues the Seruants of Iesus Christ , and labour faithfully to performe our duetie towardes him . Wee are his Seruants by the right of our creation , for all things were made through him . Wee are his Seruants by the right of our conseruation , Iohn 1.4 . for in him wee liue , mooue , Acts 17 28 and haue our being : by the right of our redemption , for he bought vs with the price of his owne precious bloud : by the right of his empire & rule ouer vs , for all rule is giuen vnto him in Heauen and in Earth : by the right also of his iudicial power , Iohn 5.22 . for the Father hath giuen all iudgement vnto the Sonne . Seeing then ( Brethren ) that in so manifold a bond of duetie wee are bound vnto our Christ , let vs so serue him in sinceritie of heart , that wee be neuer numbred among the number of stubborne and disobedient seruants , of whom our Sauiour speaketh , Mat. 25.30 Cast the vnprofitable Seruant into vtter darkenesse , there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth . The duety of a good Christian shewed by the duetie of a profitable Seruant . But let vs now a little examine the duetie of a profitable Seruant , that wee may perceiue how farre off most men are from the regard of this duetie . The profitable Seruant employeth the chiefest part of his time , not in his owne , but in his Maisters businesse : but now men spend the whole race of their life in the seruice of the world and the diuell , and the things pertaining vnto God are least of their care . Seruants possesse little , and that but things necessary , and which they receiue from the hands of their Maisters : but now men catch and scrape whatsoeuer they may , and by what meanes soeuer , and what they can not catch , they still couet it in heart , and enuy it vnto others . Good Seruants , though they suffer many stripes , they answer not againe , but vse gentle words , & take it patiently : but now in crosses and aduersities , many will murmure against the highest God , yea sometimes blaspheme and despaire . Good seruants hearing the threatnings of their masters , doe feare , and are the more wary how they offend : but now adayes , Gods threatnings for sinne of many are despised : Good Seruants vse no familiarity with their maisters enemies , but now , men enter into deep league and friendship with the world and the Diuell , which haue continuall enmity with God , yea , They haue made a couenant with death , Esay 28.15 and with hell are at an agreement : Good Seruants doe not their owne willes , but execute the willes and commandements of their maisters : but now the commaundements of God are kicked at , and trodden vnder foote : Is this to be the Seruants of Christ ? are these the markes of our Christian profession ? All couetous wretches then are not the Seruants of Christ , but of their god Mammon : the glutton and drunkard are not the Seruants of God but of their belly , which they make their god : all filthy and carnall liuers , serue not God , but the vncleane spirit : All prowd and ambitious men , are not the Seruants of Christ , but doe homage vnto Sathan . But for what stipend and reward doe they serue ? Bernard . li. Senten . Saint Bernard sheweth , Quatuor sunt , quorum in hac vita , obsequijs , deseruimus : caro , mundus , diabolus , Deus : habent singuli principes isti dona propria , &c. There are foure maisters , to whom men in this life yeelde their seruice , the flesh , the world , the diuell , or God . The flesh giueth to hir seruitours a little momentany pleasures , full of stings and remorse : the world transitorie aduancements : the Diuell perpetuall captiuitie ; but God eternall felicitie : quibus ergo potiùs aut impensiùs seruiendum ? saith he . Which of these , now ( tell mee ) oughtest thou rather , or more earnestly to serue ?

Of these words ( The Seruants of God , and of our Lord Iesus Christ ) among the learned Expositors I finde two Interpretations ; first , that the Apostle speaketh coniunctim , that he is the Seruant of Christ , who is God and Lord , as well of the Apostle , as of all men . Heretikes confuted . And heere hee meeteth with the heresie of the Ebionites , Cerinthians , Carpocratians , Arrians , and the Iewes , which affirmed Christ to be onely man , the sonne of Ioseph , and not God the Lord ; whose blasphemies , in few , but in most effectuall words he confuteth , teaching that the same Lord Iesus Christ is both God and Man , the very consubstantiall Sonne of the Father .

The other Interpretation is of the later Writers , which read the word disiunctim , Seruus Dei , & Domini nostri , the seruant of God , and of our Lord Iesus Christ ; where he hath respect vnto two of the Persons in Trinitie , the Father and the Sonne , whose seruant our Apostle here professeth himselfe to be . And this interpretation proueth also the Diuinity of Christ , seeing that equally he professeth himselfe to be the seruant of God the Father , and of his Sonne Iesus Christ , and both his God and his Lord . And heere the heresies of the Sabellians and Priscilians are refuted , &c.