The second part.
Vers. 13. Who is a wise man and endued with know∣ledge amongst you? let him shew out of a good con∣versation, his workes with meeknesse of wis∣dom.
The other Admonition, wherein he exhorts to wisdom, joyned with meekness, which remedies the evils and emu∣lations of the tongue. The proposition is propounded in this verse: If any man will shew himself a prudent Christian, he ought to shew it in works of innocency and meekness: The Arguments are six.
Vers. 14. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lye not against the truth.
Argum. 1. If any man laying aside his meekness, che∣risheth contrary vices in his heart, emulation and conten∣tion, there is no matter of glorying, but rather of shame: Therefore ye ought to study the wisdome of meek∣nesse.
Lye] Argum. 2. They that lay aside meekness, and cherish in their hearts envying and strife, are lyars a∣gainst the truth, i. e. they falsly boast themselves to be wise, or to be Christians, who indeed shew themselves to be wicked: Therefore ye must study wisdom joyned with meekness.
Vers. 15. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devillish.
Argum. 3. The wisdom of contention, envying, re∣venging of private injuries, is not that which descends from Heaven, from God, but is earthly, sensual and de∣villish, having its original from corrupt nature and the Devil: Therefore ye ought to study the wisdom of meek∣ness.
Vers. 16. For where envying and strife is, there is con∣fusion and every evil work.
Argum. 4. Confirming the former; where there is not wisdom with meekness, but envy and contention, there tu∣mults, seditions, and every wickedness reigns: There∣fore we ought to endeavour after wisdom with meek∣ness.
Vers. 17. But the wisdom that is from above, is first pure, and then peaceable, gentle, and easie to be en∣treated, full of mercy, and good fruits, without par∣tiality, and without hypocrisie.
Argum. 5. From the eight proprieties of that heaven∣ly wisdom which is joyned with meekness, that wisdom which joyned with meek: (1.) Is pure and chaste, i. e. holding fast truth and holiness, lest it be any ways pol∣luted. (2.) Peaceable, and avoiding contentions. (3.) En∣deavouring after equity. (4.) Easily giving place to right reason. (5.) Full of mercy towards those that erre and sin. (6.) Full of good fruits, omitting nothing of those things which become a good and pious man. (7.) Not enquiring suspiciously into the blemishes of o∣ther men. 8. Without hypocrisie, wherein chiefly car∣nal wisdom is delighted: Therefore we ought to en∣deavour after wisdom joyned with meekness.
Vers. 18. And the fruit of righteousness is s••wn in peace of them that make peace.
Argum. 6. They that endeavour after this wisdom joyned with meekness, do the whilest endeavour to make peace, or to be peaceable themselves: (1.) They are in peace. (2.) They work righteousness, or encrease their holiness. (3.) They sow to themselves for time to come, and for life eternal, that they may reap the fruit of righ∣teousness in due time: Therefore ye ought to endeavour for this wisdom.