one should deny his sin. To this fact the psalmist
testifies: "When I kept silence, my bones wasted away through my
roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon
me; my moisture was changed as with the drouth of summer." Ps 32, 3-4.
For, although sin has its sleep and its security, yet that sleep is
"at the door"; it cannot long last, and the sin cannot remain hidden.
152. When Moses introduces Jehovah as speaking, I understand him to
mean, as above, that it was Adam who spoke by the Holy Spirit in the
place of God, whom he represented in his relation as father. The
expression of the Holy Spirit, therefore, is intended to set forth the
high authority of parents; when children dutifully hear and obey
these, they hear and obey God. And I believe Adam knew by the
revelation of the Holy Spirit that Abel had been slain by his brother;
for his words intimate the commission of murder at a time when Cain
still dissembled as to what he had done.
V. CAIN PUNISHED FOR HIS MURDER.
A. CAIN'S PUNISHMENT IN GENERAL.
1. By whom and how he is punished 153.
2. Why he was not put to death 153.
* The double grief of the first parents 154.
* What was Adam's church and altar 155.
3. How Cain was excommunicated 156.
* God's inquiry about Abel's blood.
a. How unbelievers refer to it 157.
b. How a theologian should use it 158.
c. It is a great and important matter 159.
* How Abel's death is to be viewed 159.
d. Why God does not inquire after the blood of beasts
160-161.
e. Whether this inquiry was from God direct or made through
Adam 162-163.
f. How Cain felt upon this inquiry 164.
* The result of sin to murderers and other sinners 165-166.
* An evil conscience the result of evil-doing 166.
g. How to understand the statement that Abel's blood crieth
to heaven 167.
* How God's children are to comfort themselves when the
world oppresses them and seemingly God refuses to help
168-171.
h. This inquiry is a sign of God's care for Abel 169.
* The blood of many Evangelical martyrs cry to the Papists
170.
* How God opportunely judges the afflictions of believers
171.
* Why God's vengeance does not immediately f
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