Of envy at another's spiritual good

Q. WHAT is meant by envy at another's spiritual good? A. To repine and be sad that others have more grace, more virtue and perfection, than ourselves.

INSTRUC.—This is the sin chiefly of all sectaries, who through envy, and scoff are grieved at the religious orders, devotions, fasting, and piety of the Catholic church; because they have not such perfections among themselves: they would serve God at their ease, and enjoy him at their ease; and thus envy those that act better than themselves: this is the root of all their invectives against the church. This sin is rather the property of Devils than man, who being impatient at seeing the first parents of mankind in such grace and favour with God, envied this divine good, both sought and contrived their ruin. This was the sin of Cain against Abel. It was the sin of the Pharisees and Scribes, who seeing the great sanctity and miracles of our Saviour, imputed them to Beelzebub and the power of the devil. It was also the sin of some of the new converted Jews, who envied the conversion of the Gentiles, because they would not be circumcised, and observe the Mosaick law: a sin most displeasing to the Holy Ghost, who is all love and charity.

EXHOR.—As charity envieth not, it rather rejoices at another's spiritual good, and is more for encouraging than lessening it. O that there were more charity and less envy in the world! Virtue would gain more ground. That man must be void of all virtue and sense of God's honour, who is uneasy and makes a banter of another's promoting it. Can God be served by too many? Can he be served with too much fervour, or at too high a rate? Such are like to the men hired into the vineyard, who murmured and envied those that were called at the last hour, to receive equal with them that were called at the first. Must your eye be bad, because God is good? Value not, you that are virtuous, the envious sayings of others against the good you aim to do; in your well-doing you are not to please men, but God. And you, O envious man, who would deprive God of all honour and glory, what can you expect? Let us pity and pray for these indolent men, who will do nothing for heaven themselves, and envy the virtues of others. What are such to be compared to, but the barren fig-tree with leaves and no fruit? Like the five foolish virgins, who neglected to supply their lamps with oil. If there can be no rewards where there are no good works done, how can they expect a reward who hate and envy good works?