Envy and emulation the original of all
strife and disorder. Examples of the
mischiefs they have occasioned.
FOR thus it is written,
And in process of time it came to
pass, that Cain brought of the fruit
of the ground an offering unto the
Lord. And Abel, he also brought
of the firstlings of his flock,
and of the fat thereof:
2 And the Lord had respect unto
Abel, and to his offering. But
unto Cain and unto his offering he
had not respect. And Cain was
very sorrowful, and his countenance
fell.
3 And the Lord said unto Cain,
Why art thou sorrowful? And
why is thy countenance fallen?
If thou shalt offer aright, but not
divide aright, hast thou not sinned?
Hold thy peace: unto thee shall
be his desire, and thou shalt rule
over him.
4 And Cain said unto Abel his
brother, Let us go down into the
field. And it came to pass, as
they were in the field, that Cain
rose up against Abel his brother,
and slew him.
5 Ye see, brethren, how envy
and emulation wrought the death
of a brother. For this, our father
Jacob fled from the face of his
brother Esau.
6 It was this that caused Joseph
to be persecuted even unto death,
and to come into bondage. Envy
forced Moses to flee from the
face of Pharoah king of Egypt,
when he heard his own countryman
ask him, "Who made thee a Judge,
and a ruler over us? Wilt thou
kill me as thou didst the
Egyptian yesterday?"
7 Through envy Aaron and Miriam
were shut out of the camp, from
the rest of the congregation
seven days.
8 Emulation's sent Dathan and
Abiram quick into the grave because
they raised up a sedition against
Moses the servant of God.
9 For this, David was not
only hated of strangers, but was
persecuted even by Saul the king
of Israel.
10 But not to insist upon ancient
examples, let us come to those
worthies that have been nearest
to us; and take the brave
examples of our own age.
11 Through zeal and envy, the
most faithful and righteous pillars
of the church have been persecuted
even to the most grievous deaths.
12 Let us set before our eyes,
the holy Apostles; Peter by unjust
envy underwent not one or two,
but many sufferings; till at last
being martyred, he went to the
place of glory that was due unto
him.
13 For the same cause did
Paul in like manner receive the
reward of his patience. Seven
times he was in bonds; he was
whipped, was stoned; he preached
both in the East and in the West;
leaving behind him the glorious
report of his faith:
14 And so having taught the
whole world righteousness, and
for that end travelled even to
the utmost bounds of the West;
he at last suffered martyrdom
by the command of the governors,
15 And departed out of the
world, and went unto his holy
place; having become a most
eminent pattern of patience
unto all ages.
16 To these Holy Apostles
were joined a very great number
of others, who having through
envy undergone in like manner
many pains and torments, have
left a glorious example to us.
17 For this, not only men but
women have been persecuted;
and having suffered very grievous
and cruel punishments, have
finished the course of their faith
with firmness; and though weak
in body, yet received a glorious
reward.
18 This has alienated the
minds even of women from their
husbands; and changed what was
once said by our father Adam;
This is now bone of my bones,
and flesh of my flesh.
19 In a word, envy and strife,
have overturned whole cities, and
rooted out great nations from off
the earth.