Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
Ver. 14. Is any man sick?] "Behold, he whom thou lovest is sick," said Martha to our Saviour, John 11:3. Si amatur, quomodo infirmatur, saith Augustine. If Christ's friend, how comes he to be sick? Well enough; it is no new thing for Christ's best beloved to be much afflicted.
Let him send for the elders] This help God hath provided for such as are by sickness disabled to pray for themselves. Sick Abimelech was sent to Abraham (a prophet) for prayers.
Anointing him with oil] As an extraordinary sign of an extraordinary cure. From mistake of this text, the Church instead of pastors had ointers and painters in times of Popery, who did not only ungere, to annoint, but emungere, to wipe, anneal inflame men, but beguile them of their monies, and of their souls. Neither want there at this day, that hold this anointing the sick as a standing ordinance for Church members among us; and they tell of strange cures too effected thereby. I hope they aim better than Ptiugius and Sidonius, authors of that wicked piece called the Interim, did; for they defended the Popish chrism and extreme unction, ut ipsi discederent unctiores (as one saith), that they might get fat bishoprics thereby. The Popish ointment differeth much from St James's oil, used as an outward symbol and sign till miracles ceased. See Mark 16:17; Acts 3:16. Proculus, a Christian, healed Severus the emperor on this wise, as Tertullian testifieth. (Advers. Scapulam.)