2. The object is expressed in the word oppressor, or man of violence; in the 32d verse, the ' fro ward.' The one noteth the disposition of his heart ; he is froward : the other the evil of his practice ; he oppresseth, or seeketh to bear down others by violence. The froward, prce/ractus ; the hard, inflexible man, that is, confirmed and settled in his evil purpose ; refractory opposers of the ways of God. Mark, it is not the wicked or undeserving in the general; a man may be tempted to envy them ; but the froward and oppressors, such as are maliciously and obstinately bent to do mischief to us. Though the advancement of such may be apprehended as a burden and judgment, and so com- plained of to God, especially as it is likely not only to prejudice our interest and comfort of life, but as contrary to God's honour and interest, or as it tendeth to the increasing or confirming of wickedness, yet we should not fret at it ; first, as if they were happier than the godly, lest we be tempted to let go our innocency ; secondly, as if we did tax the providence of God of injustice; thirdly, to be stirred up thereby to any undue practice ; fourthly, that our quarrel should not »be the main reason of that sense we have of this disorder, our ease, our credit, our revenge, lest it be like Jonah's anger, Jonah iv. ; not so much ■for God's honour, as his own, lest he should be accounted a false ■prophet.
IL That the people of God are subject to fall into this distemper of 'Cnvy at the prosperity of the wicked the scripture everywhere witness- ■^th. David is an instance : Ps. Ixxiii. 3, ' I was envious at the foolish when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.' So Jeremiah, so Job, so Habakkuk, so all the saints. Here in this lower world, where our hopes ^re unseen and to come, and our trials are so many, and the flesh is so importunate to be pleased, and the wicked, being of the earth, have so much of earthly happiness, as nettles, that grow of their own accord, •will thrive better than choicer plants ; especially when we ourselves are burdened and straitened. Now this troubleth the children of God, that bastards should be better fed than sons, that they whom God liateth should seem to have more of the Father's love, care, and blessina
SERMON UPON PROVERBS III. 30, 31. 379
III. That there is little reason yet why the people of God should be so affected, if you consider — (1.) The condition of the wicked; (2.) The state of the suffering godly ; (3.) The mischievous nature and effects of this envy.
1. The condition of the wicked, though never so much exalted. That is represented in tlie text : ' Envy not ; for the froward are an abomination to the Lord.' Mark, it is not only said, God hateth them, but abominateth them. There is not only odium mimicitice aut offensionis, a hatred of enmity, but abomination and abhorrence ; when a thing is done contrary to our will, or when a thing or person is contrary to our nature. So God is not only angry with them, but hateth them, and that is enough to make them miserable.
[1.] Observe here, that the suffering godly, the spiritual blessings which they have, they have with God's love, and cannot but have them 80, for these are not given in anger ; but we cannot say so of the wicked's prosperity and success, that they have this with the love of God ; they have it from the hand of his providence, but his heart is not with them, for the froward are an abomination to the Lord ; which showeth that their felicity is no true felicity, for it is such as may con- sist with God's hatred. This consideration, that the Lord abhorreth wicked men, as it showeth that they themselves can have no solid satisfaction in their estate, be it never so high, plentiful, and prosperous, for they cannot for all this say that God loveth them : Eccles. ix. 1, ' No man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them.' Yea, they may determine by the word, if wicked, that God hateth them ; they are but fattened to destruction, as swine for the slaughter. The curse of God sticketh to them when they" eat their plentiful morsels of meat, put on their gorgeous apparel; they have this thought to sour all, God hateth them. I say, as this consideration lessens the comfort and satisfaction of wicked men, so should it abate, yea, take away, the envy of the children of God. God is displeased with them, what plenty and pomp of living soever he affordeth them by the bounty and indulgence of his providence. Surely those whom God hateth are objects of pity rather than envy, if their condition were well considered; still they are under the wrath of God. Certainly the people of God, when appointed by man as sheep to the slaughter, being under the love of God, are in a happier condition than wicked men, that are fat- ted for destruction, and under the wrath of God ; ' for it is not the wrath of man, or the favour of man, that maketh us miserable or happy, but the love and hatred of God. Who was in the better condition, Daniel among the lions, or Nebuchadnezzar among the beasts ? In a flober mood, which would you choose ? The love of God can sweeten the bitterest cup that ever a believer drank off; but, if it were rightly apprehended, to be liable to his hatred is the saddest thing in the world ; it is the sting of miseries and the curse of blessings.