Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
Ver. 15. Is it not lawful for me, &c.] This is God's speech (who is the great Proprietary of all); it may not be ours, who have nothing of our own, but all in trust: so that when we present anything to God, we must say as David did, 1 Chronicles 29:14, and afterwards Justinian the emperor, τα σα εκ των σων σοι προσφερομεν οι δουλοι σου. Of thine own we give thee; for all that is in the heaven and the earth is thine. St Bernard reports of Pope Eugenius, that meeting with a poor but honest bishop, he secretly gave him certain jewels wherewith he might present him. If God did not first furnish us, we should have nothing wherewith to honour him, or do good to others.
Is thine eye evil, because I am good] It is commonly observed that witches, and those that are in league with the devil to do mischief, are never given over so to do, till they come to have an evil eye. (Βασκαινω quasi φαεσι καινω .) Hence that, nescio quis teneros, &c., and those that are bewitched are said to be overseen, that is, to be looked upon with an envious eye. Envy is a quick-sighted and sharp-fanged malignity, Proverbs 27:4, and doth de alieua mente tam prompte quam prave coniecere, as one saith, nimbly and naughtily guess at another man's meaning.