Chapter IV.--Many evils have already flowed from this source in ancient times.
For thus it is written: "And it came to pass after certain days, that Cain brought of the fruits of the earth a sacrifice unto God; and Abel also brought of the firstlings of his sheep, and of the fat thereof. And God had respect to Abel and to his offerings, but Cain and his sacrifices He did not regard. And Cain was deeply grieved, and his countenance fell. And God said to Cain, Why art thou grieved, and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou offerest rightly, but dost not divide rightly, hast thou not sinned? Be at peace: thine offering returns to thyself, and thou shalt again possess it. And Cain said to Abel his brother, Let us go into the field. And it came to pass, while they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him." [18] Ye see, brethren, how envy and jealousy led to the murder of a brother. Through envy, also, our father Jacob fled from the face of Esau his brother. [19] Envy made Joseph be persecuted unto death, and to come into bondage. [20] Envy compelled Moses to flee from the face of Pharaoh king of Egypt, when he heard these words from his fellow-countryman, "Who made thee a judge or a ruler over us? wilt thou kill me, as thou didst kill the Egyptian yesterday?" [21] On account of envy, Aaron and Miriam had to make their abode without the camp. [22] Envy brought down Dathan and Abiram alive to Hades, through the sedition which they excited against God's servant Moses. [23] Through envy, David underwent the hatred not only of foreigners, but was also persecuted by Saul king of Israel. [24]
[18] Gen. iv. 3-8. The writer here, as always, follows the reading of the Septuagint, which in this passage both alters and adds to the Hebrew text. We have given the rendering approved by the best critics; but some prefer to translate, as in our English version, "unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him." See, for an ancient explanation of the passage, Irenæus, Adv. Hær., iv. 18, 3.
[19] Gen. xxvii. 41, etc.
[20] Gen. xxxvii.
[21] Ex. ii. 14.
[22] Num. xii. 14, 15. [In our copies of the Septuagint this is not affirmed of Aaron.]
[23] Num. xvi. 33.
[24] 1 Kings xviii. 8, etc.
Chapter V.--No less evils have arisen from the same source in the most recent times. The martyrdom of Peter and Paul.
But not to dwell upon ancient examples, let us come to the most recent spiritual heroes. [25] Let us take the noble examples furnished in our own generation. Through envy and jealousy, the greatest and most righteous pillars [of the Church] have been persecuted and put to death. [26] Let us set before our eyes the illustrious [27] apostles. Peter, through unrighteous envy, endured not one or two, but numerous labours and when he had at length suffered martyrdom, departed to the place of glory due to him. Owing to envy, Paul also obtained the reward of patient endurance, after being seven times thrown into captivity, [28] compelled [29] to flee, and stoned. After preaching both in the east and west, he gained the illustrious reputation due to his faith, having taught righteousness to the whole world, and come to the extreme limit of the west, [30] and suffered martyrdom under the prefects. [31] Thus was he removed from the world, and went into the holy place, having proved himself a striking example of patience.
[25] Literally, "those who have been athletes."
[26] Some fill up the lacuna here found in the ms. so as to read, "have come to a grievous death."
[27] Literally, "good." [The martyrdom of St. Peter is all that is thus connected with his arrival in Rome. His numerous labours were restricted to the Circumcision.]
[28] Seven imprisonments of St. Paul are not referred to in Scripture.
[29] Archbishop Wake here reads "scourged." We have followed the most recent critics in filling up the numerous lacunæ in this chapter.
[30] Some think Rome, others Spain, and others even Britain, to be here referred to. [See note at end.]
[31] That is, under Tigellinus and Sabinus, in the last year of the Emperor Nero; but some think Helius and Polycletus are referred to; and others, both here and in the preceding sentence, regard the words as denoting simply the witness borne by Peter and Paul to the truth of the gospel before the rulers of the earth.