f their
union. Somewhere Calmana and Dibora are mentioned as daughters of
Adam, but I know not whether the authors are worthy of credence.
Inasmuch, therefore, as the birth of Seth is recorded as having taken
place a long time after this murder, it seems to me very probable that
the parents, distressed beyond measure at this monstrous crime in the
bosom of their family, refrained for a long time from procreation.
While Moses does not touch upon all these things, he intimates enough
to arouse in the reader a desire to dwell upon the noteworthy events
which the absence of detailed information permits us to survey only
from a distance.

149. But I return to the text before us. Cain is an evil and wicked
man, and yet, in the eyes of his parents, he is a divine possession
and gift. Abel, on the contrary, is in the eyes of his parents
nothing; but in the eyes of God he is truly a righteous man; an
appellation with which also Christ honors him when he calls him
"righteous Abel"! Mt 23, 35. This divine judgment concerning Abel,
Cain could not endure, and, therefore, he thought that by murder not
only the hatred against his brother could be satisfied, but also his
birthright be retained. But he was far from thinking that was sin; as
the first-born he thought he had exercised his right. He killed Abel,
not with a sword, as I think, but with a club or a stone, for I hold
that there were as yet no iron weapons.

150. After the murder, Cain remained unconcerned, for he thought the
deed could be concealed by hiding the body, which he buried, or
perhaps cast into a river, thinking that thus it would surely remain
undiscovered by his parents.

When Abel, however, had been from home a longer time than had been his
habit, the Holy Spirit prompted Adam to inquire of Cain concerning
Abel, saying, "Where is Abel thy brother?" The above-mentioned
utterance of Adam, "If not, sin lieth at the door," was a prophecy
which now began to come true. Cain thought he had laid his sin to
rest, and all would thus remain hidden. And true it was that his sin
did lie at rest, but it lay at rest "at the door." And who opens the
door? None other than the Lord himself! He arouses the sleeping sin!
He brings the hidden sin to light!

151. The same thing must come to pass with all sinners. For, unless by
repentance you first come to God, and yourself confess your sin to
God, God will surely come to you, to disclose your sin. For God cannot
endure that any