Galatians 1:19

It might happily be obiected against the former verse, that Paul might be taught of some other Apostle beside Peter, and that at Ierusalem: to this he answers two things. One, that there was none of the Apostles at Ierusalem but Iames: (beside Peter before named:) the second, that he did but see Iames.

Here I gather that if there be any mother church in the world, it is rather Ierusalem then Rome, because the Gospel was first preached there & went thence into the whole world: and Ierusalem was for a time guided by two of the cheefe Apostles, Iames, and Peter.

In that Iames is called our Lords brother three things may be demanded. One, which Iames this was? Answer. It was Iames the sonne of Alpheus: for he liued 14. yeares after this, Gal. 2. 9. whereas Iames the sonne of Zebedeus liued not so long, because he was put to death by Herod. The second thing is, how Iames should be the Lords brother? Answer. In scripture, children of the same wombe, are brethren: men of the same bloud, are brethren; as Abram and Lot. Gen. 13. 8. Men of the same countrie are brethren, thus Sauls countrimen are called his brethren. 1. Chron. 12. 2. And Iames is called our Lordes brother, not beacuse he was of the same wombe, but because he was of the same bloud or kindred: for Elie had two daughters, Marie espoused to Ioseph, & Marie Cleophas, who afterward was maried to Alpheus of whome came Iames here mentioned. Iames therefore was the cosin-german of Christ. Therefore Heluideus failed when he went about to infringe the perpetuall virginitie of the virgin Marie out of this place, as if she had more sonnes beside Christ. The third thing is, what benefit Iames had by beeing the Lords brother? Answer. He is here called the Lords brother only, for distinctions sake in respect of the other Iames the sonne of Zebedeus: and this brother-hood doth not make him the better Apostle, or the better man. Outward things doe not commende vs to god. And it is the spirituall kindred, by meanes of faith, and our new birth, that bringes vs into fauour with God. Mathew. 12. 49.