The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…

Thirdly, Such are subject to Envy, who because they cannot abide the good of others, they therefore study all the ways to disparage, and obscure the name, and excellency of such: If they have any failings, if there be any weaknesses, they rake in them, talk of them, neglecting the good, as the Kite that flieth over the pleasant meadows, and delights upon the dunghills, and Carrion; therefore an envious man discovers himself by his talk, his words; though such a man hath never so much worth, and excellency, in him, yet that he will never mention; or if he do, it's only craftily, that others may not think, he doth it out of envy. Thus where charity covereth a multitude of sin, envy covereth a multitude of graces.

Thirdly, Such are subject to Envy, who because they cannot abide the good of others, they therefore study all the wayes to disparage, and obscure the name, and excellency of such: If they have any failings, if there be any weaknesses, they rake in them, talk of them, neglecting the good, as the Kite that flyeth over the pleasant meadows, and delights upon the dunghills, and Carrion; therefore an envious man discovers himself by his talk, his words; though such a man hath never so much worth, and excellency, in him, yet that he will never mention; or if he do, it's only craftily, that others may not think, he doth it out of envy. Thus where charity covereth a multitude of sinne, envy covereth a multitude of graces.

Use 1. Of all envyings, take heed of that which is against men, because they are godly, because they live more holily then thou dost, their lives condemn thy life, their purity thy uncleanness, their pure worship of God thy superstition; and this makes the• as full of poison, as a Serpent. Oh if there were an opportunity! Never did Paul once, or Bonner, or any persecutor, more greedily destroy those that fear God, then thou couldst! Never comfort thy self, that thou dost not envy, or hate them for their godliness, but thou condemnest ⟨p. 29⟩them for this fault, and that fault! for the Pharisees that were so moved with envy against Christ, they said, it was not for his good works, they pretended he spake blasphemy, he broke the Sabbath, you see they had religious pretexts. Take heed of this sin, that bordereth so near upon the unpardonable sin! it's too rife, it's too common amongst men: if God give thee not grace to be godly thy self, if God give thee not a heart to be holy, yet let not the Devil so far fill thy heart, as to make thee envy, rage, and blaspheme, at godliness in other. Oh there is a great deal of difference between that sinner, whom carnal pleasures or love to the world doth keep from godliness! and that sinner whom envy and a secret rancour against godliness, makes keep off from the practise of it!