James 5:15

Here our apostle shews the good effects of this anointing and praying; yet note, that he ascribes the sick man's recovery, not to the oil, but to the prayer; the prayer of faith shall save the sick. The moral means is taken notice of before the ritual and ceremonial: the prayer of faith shall save the sick.

There was required to the miracle faith, both in the elder, and in the sick person, to save, that is, to recover the sick; yet mark, it is said, The Lord shall raise him up, to note, that the efficacy of faith lies in the object of faith; it is not faith properly, but God called upon in faith, that saveth the sick; the efficacy of faith is not from its own merit, but from God's power and grace.

If he have committed sins: why, is there any question to be made of that? No; but if he has committed such sins as brought this sickness upon him, they shall be forgiven him, upon this prayer of faith; if any special or particular sin has drawn down this disease upon him, it shall be remitted, and the disease removed; where the sickness is by way of chastisement, the healing is. testimony of God's forgiveness.

Learn hence, how absurd is the Popish sacrament of Extreme Unction: how can they gather. perpetual ordinance from an action that was extraordinary and miraculous, and long since ceased? Or apply. sacrament to dying persons, from. rite used upon persons who were not to die, but to be raised from sickness? Or how can they promise to him forgiveness of sins, to whom they cannot promise that recovery which was the token of it?