(Vol. vii., p. 549)
On referring to the passage cited by S. S. S. in Bishop Taylor's _Holy
Dying_, vol. iv. p. 345. (Heber's edit.), I find I had marked two passages
in St. James's Epistle as being those to which, in all probability, the
bishop alluded; one in the first chapter, and one in the third. In the
commencement of his Epistle St. James exhorts his hearers to exercise
patience in all the worldly accidents that might befal them; to resign
themselves into God's hands, and accept in faith whatever might happen. He
then proceeds:
"If any of you lack wisdom" (prudentia ad dijudicandum quid in singulis
circumstantiis agendum sit--_Grotius_), "let him ask of God" (postulet
ab eo, qui dat, nempe Deo: ut intelligas non aliunde petendum
sapientiam.--_Erasmus_).
Again, in chap. iii. 13., he asks:
"Who is a wise man, and endued with knowledge among you" ([Greek:
epistemon], _i. e._ sciens, sive scientia praeditus, quod recentiores
vocant scientificus.--_Erasmus_).
He bids him prove his wisdom by submission to the truth; for that cunning
craftiness which manifests itself only in generating heresies and
contentions, is--
"Not from above," [Greek: all' epigeios, Psuchike ] (animalis,--ista
sapientia a natura est, non a Deo) [Greek: daimoniodes].--_Vid._ Eph.
ii. 2., and 2 Cor. iv. 4.
These passages would naturally afford ample scope for the exuberant fancy
of ancient commentators; and it is not unreasonable to suppose that Bishop
Taylor may have had the remarks of one of these writers running in his
mind, when he quoted St. James as reprobating, with such minuteness of
detail, the folly of consulting oracles, spirits, sorcerers, and the like.
I have not, at present, access to any of the commentators to whom I allude;
so I am unable to confirm this suggestion.