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of tlio law. Tf, however, I accuse my brother, if I bring hirn to justice, it is plain that I thereby accuse the law of Jesus of insufficienc3 T: I accuse and judge the law. It is clear, then, that I do not prac tise the law, but that I make myself a judge of the law. " Not to judge, but to save " is Jesus declara tion. How then shall I, who cannot save, become n judge and punish? The entire passage refers to human justice, and denies its authority. The whole epistle is permeated with the same idea. In the cecond chapter we read:
"For he shall have judgment without mercy, that Lath shewed no mercy; and mercy is exalted above judgment." 1 (Jas. ii. 13.)
(The last phrase has been translated in such a way as to declare that judgment is compatible with Christianity, but that it ought to be merciful.)
James exhorts his brethren to have no respect of persons. If you have respect of the condition of persons, you are guilty of sin; you are like the untrustworthy judges of the tribunals. You look upon the beggar as the refuse of society, while it is (he rich man who ought to be so regarded. He it is \vho oppresses you and draws you before the judg ment-seats. If you live according to the law of love for your neighbor, according to the law of mercy (which James calls u the law of liberty" to distin guish it from all others) if you live according to
1 Count Tolstoi's rendering.
