3 2 Againflfpiritnal rvickednef mayeft flew it in the very feeming to efcape it, but go in the ftrength ofGod againft it ; there is more hope ofovercoming it byobedience then difobedience. Thirdly, in envying the gifts of others, when they fame to blinde our own, that they are not fo faire a profpc.61 as we de- fire. This is a weed maygrow too rank in a good bile. 4aron and .11,1riam could not bear Rofes his honour, Numb. 12. 1. that was the bufineffe, though they pick a quarrel with him a- bout his wife, (becaufe an Ethiopian) as appears plainly, v. 2. "lath the Lord indeedfpoken only by Mofes ? hath he not fpcken al by ? They thought Mores went away with too much ofthe ho- nour, and did repine that God fhould ufe himmore then them- felves. And 'Lis obfervable, that the lulling for flefh broke out among the mixt multitude and baler fort of people, Artsmb. I. 4, 5, but this ofpride and,envie took fire in the bofomes of the molt eminent for place and Piety. 0what need then have we, poor creatures, to watch our hearts when we fee fuch precious fervants ofGod led into temptation ? The Spirit that krelleth Iselleth to envy, James 4. 5. Our corrupt nature is ever putting on to this fin. 'Tis as hard to keep our hearts and this fin alunder, as it is to hinder two lovers frommeetingtogether: Thatch is not more ready to be fired with every flafh of lighten ing, then the heart to be kindled at the fhining forth ofany ex- celling gift or grace in another. It was one of the first windows that corrupt nature look't out at, a fin that fled the firit blood ; Cams envy twat Abets murder. Now if ever thou meaneft to, get the rnallery of this fin; Fitft, call in help from heaven. No fooner bath the Apoffle let forth, how big and teeming full the heart of man is with en- vy,but he fhews where a fountain ofgrace is infinitely exceeding- that of lull ; The Spirit within it4 lufteth to emir, but he giveth .mortgrace, v. 5. And therefore fit not down tamely under this fin, ir is not unconquerable. God can give thee more grace then thou haft fin, more humility then thou haft pride. Be but fo hum- ble as cordially to beg his grace, and thou fhalt not be fo proud, as wickedly to envy his gifts or grace in others. Secondly, make this fin as black and ugly as thou canft pof., ably to thy thought,that when it is prcfented to thee thou mayeft abhor it the more. Indeed there needs no more then its own, face,
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