St James succeedeth St Peter, as being one of Christs Beloved Disciples. He was one of the Sons of Zebedee, the Brother of S. John the Evangelist, called James the Great, becaus he was Bishop of Jerusalem, Great in Courage, Great in Zeal. tho his Courage was not Exempt from Ambition, nor his Zeal from Excess. Notwithstanding his failings, great were his Perfections, and great was the favor which he had with his Master : which continued all his Life. Being one of the Three at the Transfiguration, one of the Three at the raising of Jairus Daughter, and one of the Three, He took with Him to Prayer in the Garden. He was faithfull in his Life, and Constant to his Master after his Death : being Diligent with the rest of the Apostles, to Serv Him ; and one among them when our Savior appeared after His Resurrection. He went with his Master to the Mount of Olives when He Ascended : and was present when the H. Ghost Descended : After which he went abroad to preach the Gospel in divers Countries : in Jewry, Samaria, and Spain : And at last for his Excellent Pains, he wore his Masters Livery, being led with a Rope about his Neck, by Herod Agrippa the Son of Archelaus, to the place of Execution, and Beheaded for his Masters sake. for (as the Scripture witnesseth) Herod the King slew James the Brother of John with the Sword. Act. 12.1.

He was the first Bishop of Jerusalem.

He was the first among the Apostles, that Died for the Lov and Profession of Jesus.

He was fild with the zeal of gaining Souls.

He was a Stable Pillar of the Church in Jewry. of whom S. Paul speaketh in his Epistle to the Galatians. being, as he was Great among the Three by our Savior, by Him also reckoned among them. for saith he, When James Cephas and John who seemed to be Pillars, perceived the Grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go unto the Heathen, and they unto the Circumcision. Gal. 2.9. So that to these Three, that which was Spoken of Saul and Jonathan may be applied, Lovly and Pleasant were they in their lives, and in their Death they were not Divided.