exclusive right. There is no age, no situation, exempt. Even those who possess the most, as well as those who are wholly destitute, are open to its assaults ]
2. An active principle —
[Whatever is an object of desire, is also an object of envy: for envy is nothing but a regret that another should possess that which we ourselves would wish to enjoy. Usually indeed the things which persons most envy, are such as are proper to their own age or condition in life ; and such as they think themselves in some measure entitled to. Those in whom beauty or strength is highly valued, look not with complacency on one who is reckoned to surpass them : nor do those who desire fame on account of mental qualifications, love to acknow- ledge the intellectual superiority of others. All are happy to hear their rivals depreciated, and themselves preferred. Nor is it respecting natural endowments only that this principle exerts itself: it shews itself no less in reference to acquired distinc- tions, of whatever kind. Riches and honours are amongst the objects which most powerfully excite this corrupt feeling : and it is difficult for any one to behold the more rapid advancement of his rival, and not to feel in himself some workings of this malignant disposition.
But this principle operates even where personal considera- tions appear very feeble and remote. The exaltation of a party, for instance, will call it forth in those who belong to an oppo- site party. There scarcely ever is a popular election, but the partisans of rival candidates are open to its assaults, as much as the principals themselves. Parties in the Church are no less agitated by this corroding passion, insomuch that they will endeavour to outstrip each other in things to which they have no real inclination, in order by any means to gain an ascen- dency for their own side. In the days of the Apostles, " some preached Christ of envy and strife ; " and there is but too much reason to fear, that many also in this day have no better motive for their benevolent and religious exertions, than the strength- ening and increasing of a party in the Church.]
3. A deep-rooted principle —
[One would suppose that religion should presently and entirely extirpate this principle : but it is not so easily rooted out. We find it working in persons who profess to have a zeal for Godd; yea, in persons also of whose piety we cannot doubt. The disciples of John were alarmed for the honour of their master, when they heard that Jesus had more disciples than hee: and the Apostles themselves forbade a person to persist in the work of casting out devils, because he did not attach
d 1 Cor. iii. 1 — 4. e John iii. 26.
152.1 Joshua's envy reproved. 43
himself to themf. This was the very spirit by which Joshua was actuated : he was afraid lest the honour and influence of Moses should be weakened by others rising into popularity around him. Of course, this disposition is not wilfully indulged by any who truly fear God : but it is so rooted in the heart, that all have need to be on their guard against it.]
The hatefulness of such a principle may be seen by, II. The reproof it met with —
Moses appears truly as a man of God. Behold, in his answer to Joshua,
1. His fidelity —
[He had a peculiar regard for Joshua : but that did not cause him to overlook his faults, much less to countenance him in what was wrong. Young men in general are apt to be led away by their feelings, and not to be sufficiently aware of their own corruptions. This was the case with Joshua : and Moses, like a father, watched over him with care, and reproved him with tenderness. Moses pointed out to him the principle by which he was actuated, and that higher principle by which he ought rather to be governed. It would be well if all religious people were equally on their guard, to check, rather than en- courage, the growth of evil. If a person be of our party, and more especially if he be our friend, we are ready to receive his reports, without very strict inquiry, and to accede to his pro- posals, without sufficient care. Hence one person in a society sometimes diffuses throughout the whole a spirit of strife and contention, when, if the erroneousness of his views had been pointed out at first, the peace of the whole body might have been preserved. Great attention therefore do we recommend to all in this particular. More especially would we remind professing Christians of their duty; " Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy brother, and not suffer sin upon him g." We should not be contented with a specious suggestion. We should dread the incursion of an evil principle in the Church, as much as we do the introduction of fire in a place filled with combustibles. We should ever remember, that " a little leaven will soon leaven the whole lump."]