14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.



Ver. 14. Bitter envying] Properly so called; for it flows from the gall; it shows that the man is in the gall of bitterness, and of kin to the star called Wormwood, Rev_8:11. It is also an evil wherein is steeped the venom of all other vices. It is the observation of a late reverend divine, that, Gen_38:29, Pharez was the son of Tamar, division, of a palm tree, which hath its name ab amaritudine, from bitterness, saith Pagnine. Division comes from bitterness, and envy drinks up the most part of its own venom. It infecteth also others with her venomous breath; as that maid mentioned by Avicen, who fed upon poison.



Glory not] viz. Of your wisdom.



Lie not against the truth] As if ye were true Christians, when in truth you are not so; Jesuits you may be (those great boutefeans of the world), but Christians ye are none; ye have not so learned Christ.