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

6. Envy and sinful emulation to the gifts and abilities of others that have been above them. This hath made men bring in strange Doctrines.¹ This worm is apt to breed in the finest spirits: You see John: Disciples were soured with it: Master (say they) Him to whom thou bearest witness baptizeth, and all go after him: That this was envy appeareth by the remedy John giveth, He must increase, and I must decrease, John 3.31. Thus among the Disciples, there was often emulation, Who should be greatest amongst them. Oh this hath eaten like a Gangrene in the body of the Church, and hath made the Church to have such a deformed face, as envy it self is said to have! Pallor in ore sedet macies in corpore toto. So then, as some sharp thorny bushes have pleasant blossoms on them; so many specious and fair opinions, that are set out with much glory, may yet grow upon such thorny and corrupt causes

6. Envy and si•full emulation to the gifts and abilities of others that have been above them. This hath made men bring in strange Doctrines.¹ This worme is apt to breed in the finest spirits: You see John: Disciples were soured with it: Master (say they) Him to whom thou bearest witnesse baptizeth, and all goe after him: That this was envy appeareth by the remedy John giveth, He must increase, and I must decrease, John 3.31. Thus among the Disciples, there was often emulation, Who should be greatest amongst them. Oh this hath eaten like a Gangrene in the body of the Church, and hath made the Church to have such a deformed face, as envy it self is said to have! Pallor in ore sedet macies in corpore toto. So then, as some sharp thorny bushes have pleasant blossomes on them; so many specious and fair opinions, that are set out with much glory, may yet grow upon such thorny and corrupt causes

1. 16. Envy.