ON JEALOUSY AND ENVY. SO day of anger and vengeance shallcome, we may not be punished with the impiousand sinners,but may be honoured with therighteousand thosethatfearGod. TKEATISE X. ON JEALOUSY AND ENVY. Argument. — The deacon Pontius thus brieflysuggeststhe purpose of thistreatisein his Life of Cyprian: " Who was thereto restrainthe illbloodarisingfrom the en venomed malignityof envy with thesweetnessof a whole some remedy?" A fterpointingoutthatjealousyor envy is a sinallthemore heinousin proportionas itswicked ness is hidden,and thatitsoriginis to be tracedtothe devil,he givesillustrationsof envy from the Old Testa ment,and gathers,by referencetospecialvices,thatenvy istherootof allwickedness. Thereforetoithreasonwas fraternalhatredforbiddennot in one placeonly,bothby Christand His apostles.Finally,exhortingtotheloveof ones enemiesby God"s example,he dissuadesfrom thesin of envy,by urgingtherewardssetbeforetheindulgenceof love. 1. To be jealousof what you see to be good, and to be enviousof thosewho are betterthan yourself,seems,beloved brethren,in the eyesof some peopleto be a slightand petty wrong ; and being thought triflingand of smallaccount,itis not feared; not being feared,it is contemned ; being con temned, itisnot easilyshunned : and itthus becomes a dark and hidden mischief,which,as itisnot perceivedso as to be guarded againstby the prudent,secretlydistressesincautious^ minds. But, moreover, the Lord bade us be prudent,and charged us to watch with carefulsolicitude,lestthe adver sary,who is always on the watch and always lyingin wait, should creep stealthilyinto our breast,and blow up a flame from the sparks,magnifying small things intothe greatest: and so, while soothingthe unguarded and carelesswith a