Wise. Envy flows from Ignorance indeed. And this Mr. Badman was so envious an one, where he set against, that he would swell with it, as a Toad, as we say, swells with poyson. He whom he maligned, might at any time even read envy in his face wherever he met with him, or in whatever he had to do with him.
His envy was so rank and strong, that if it at any time turned its head against a man, it would hardly ever be pulled in again: He would watch over that man to do him mischief, as the Cat watches over the Mouse to destroy it; yea, he would wait seven years, but he would have an opportunity to hurt him, and when he had it, he would make him feel the weight of his Envy.
Envy is a devilish thing, the Scripture intimates that none can stand before it. A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty, but a fools wrath is heavier than them both. Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous, but who can stand before envy? [138d] [138e]
This Envy, for the foulness of it, is reckoned [138f] among the foulest Villanies that are, as adultery, murder, drunkenness, revellings, witchcrafts, heresies, seditions, &c. Yea, it is so malignant a corruption, that it rots the very bones of him in whom it dwells. A sound heart is life to the flesh, but envy the rottenness of the bones. [139a]
Atten. This Envy is the very Father and Mother of a great many hideous and prodigious wickednesses: I say, it is the very [139b] Father and Mother of them; it both besets them, and also nourishes them up, till they come to their cursed maturity in the bosom of him that entertains them.
Wise. You have given it a very right description, in calling of it the Father and Mother of a great many other prodigious wickednesses: for it is so venomous and vile a thing, that it puts the whole course of Nature out of order, and makes it fit for nothing but confusion, and a hold for every evil thing. For where envy and strife is, there is confusion, and every evil work. [139c] Wherefore, I say, you have rightly called it, The very Father and Mother of a great many other sins. And now for our further edification, I will reckon up some of the births of Envy.
1. Envy, as I told you before, it rotteth the very bones of him that entertains it. And, [139d]
2. As you have also hinted, it is heavier than a Stone, than Sand; yea, and I will add, It falls like a Mill-stone upon the head. Therefore,
3. It kills him that throws it, and him at whom it is thrown. Envy slayeth the silly one. [139e] That is, him in whom it resides, and him who is its object.
4. ’Twas that also that slew Jesus Christ himself; for his adversaries persecuted him through their envy. [139f] [139g]