PHILIP

ST., AND ST. JAMES’S DAY. A festival of the Christian Church, observed on the first day of May. I. St. Philip was a native of Beth said a, in Galilee, and probably a fisherman, the general trade of that place. He had the honour of being first called to be a disciple of our ble ed Saviour . It was to Philip our Saviour proposed that question, what they should do to procure so much bread as would feed the vast multitude that followed him? It was to him the Gentile proselytes addre ed themselves, when desirous to see Jesus . And it was with Philip our Lord had that discourse concerning himself before the last supper. The Upper Asia fell to this apostle’s lot, where he took great pains in planting the gospel, and by his preaching and miracles made many converts. In the latter end of his life, he came to Hierapolis in Phrygia, a city very much addicted to idolatry, and particularly to the worship of a serpent or dragon of prodigious bigne . St. Philip, by his prayers, procured the death, or, at least, the disappearing, of this monster, and convinced its worshippers of the absurdity of paying Divine honours to such odious creatures. But the magistrates, enraged at Philip’s succe , imprisoned him, and ordered him to be severely scourged, and then put to death; which, some say, was by crucifixion; others, by hanging him up against a pillar. St. Philip is generally reckoned among the married apostles; and it is said, he had three daughters, two whereof persevered in their virginity, and died at Hierapolis; the third, having led a very spiritual life, died at Ephesus. He left behind him no writings. The Gospel, under his name, was forged by the Gnostics, to countenance their bad principles, and worse practices. II. St. James the Le is styled, in Scripture, our Lord’s brother; and by Joseph us, eminently skilful in matters of genealogy, expre ly called the brother of Jesus Christ : by which the ancient Fathers understand, that he was Joseph’s son by a former wife. He was surnamed the Le , to distinguish him from the other St. James; and that either from the stature of his body, or the difference of his age. But he acquired a more honourable appellation from the piety and virtue of his life; which was that of St. James the Just, by which he is still known. After our Saviour’s ascension, St. James was chosen bishop of Jerusalem. St. Paul, after his conversion, addre ed himself to this apostle, by whom he was honoured with the right hand of fellowship. It was to St. James, St. Peter sent the news of his miraculous deliverance out of prison. This apostle was principally active at the Synod of Jerusalem, in the great controversy concerning the Jewish rites and ceremonies. He was of a meek and humble disposition. His temperance was admirable; for he wholly abstained from flesh, and drank neither wine nor strong drink, nor ever used the bath. Prayer was his constant busine and delight, and by his daily devotions his knees were become as hard and brawny as camels. St. Paul having escaped the malice of the Jews, by appealing to Cæsar, they resolved to revenge it upon St. James, who was accused before their council of transgre ing the Law, and blaspheming against God . The scribes and Pharisees endeavoured, by flattering speeches, to engage him, at the confluence of the paschal solemnity, to undeceive the people concerning Jesus Christ ; and, that he might be the better heard, they carried him with them to the top of the temple. There they addre ed him in these words; “Tell us, O just man, what are we to believe concerning Jesus Christ , who was crucified?” He answered with a loud voice; “He sits in heaven on the right hand of the Majesty on high, and will come again in the clouds of heaven.” Enraged at this reply, they threw him down from the place where he stood; and being very much bruised, though not killed, he recovered strength enough to get upon his knees, and pray for his murderers, who loaded him with a shower of stones, till one with a fuller’s club beat out his brains.