A man may have a large portion in things of this life, and yet be kept in the love of God but he who sets his heart upon the world, who will conform to it rather than lose its friendship, is an enemy to God. An enemy may be reconciled, but 'enmity' never can be reconciled. Here is a decided warning to avoid all criminal friendships with this world. Unbelieving and cold desires beg denials and we may be sure that when prayers are rather the language of lusts than of graces, they will return empty. If we thus seek the things of this world, it is just in God to deny them. And let us beware that we do not abuse or misuse the mercies received, by the disposition of the heart when prayers are granted When men ask of God prosperity, they often ask with wrong aims and intentions. Sinful desires and affections stop prayer, and the working of our desires toward God. Wordly and fleshly lusts are distempers, which will not allow content or satisfaction. (11-17)1-10 Since all wars and fightings come from the corruptions of our own hearts, it is right to mortify those lusts that war in the members. (1-10) Exhortations to undertake no affairs of life, without constant regard to the will and providence of God. Here are cautions against corrupt affections, and love of this world, which is enmity to God. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.ġ5 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.ġ6 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.ġ7 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.ġ2 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?ġ3 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:ġ4 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners and purify your hearts, ye double minded.ĩ Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.ġ0 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.ġ1 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.Ĩ Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.

Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.ħ Submit yourselves therefore to God.

1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?Ģ Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.ģ Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.Ĥ Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.ĥ Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?Ħ But he giveth more grace.

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