God's terrible voice in the city

22. The twenty second sin of London is envying. And this sin was to be found not only in Women, which envied others that exceeded them, in beauty of body, in clothes, and dressing, and such like toys; but also in men, who envied them who were of the same trade, which had better houses and shops, more custom and wealth than themselves, as Hesiod [Greek or Hebrew]: [Greek or Hebrew].

22. The twenty second sin of London is envying. And this sin was to be found not only in Women, which envied others that exceeded them, in beauty of body, in cloaths, and dressing, and such like toyes; but also in men, who envied them who were of the same trade, which had better houses and shops, more custome and wealth than themselves, as Hesiod 〈non-Latin alphabet〉: 〈non-Latin alphabet〉.

Yea this envying was to be found among many Ministers, who envied others that had better parts, and more learning, greater applause, and more auditors than themselves. There was a ⟨p. 179⟩spirit among us which lusted to envy, Jam. 4. 5. which besides the great torment that it brings to the spirit where it reigns, is a very great provocation to the Lord.

23. The twenty third sin of London is slandering and backbiting, which hath been the consequent of the former. The ninth commandment hath been exceedingly broken in London, especially in a private way of bearing false witness against the neighbour, and wounding his reputation by a slanderous tongue: some inventing lies, and raising slanders, which they have in their consciences known to be false; others taking up slanders, readily believing them without any just proof. This sin you have set forth with a caution to take heed of such persons,