Gen 25, 16. Thus, as we shall see a little
later, Cain first built the city of Enoch, and, furthermore, became
the ancestor of shepherds, workers in metals, and musicians. All this
appears to prove that it is a mistake to attribute to Cain and his
posterity a curse. The curse seems to rest with weight upon the true
Church, while the wicked appear to thrive and flourish.

196. These things are often a stumbling-block, not to the world only,
but even to the saints, as the Psalms in many places testify. And the
prophets, also, are frequently found to grow indignant, as does
Jeremiah, when they see the wicked possess freedom as it were from the
evils of life, while they are oppressed and afflicted in various ways.
Men may therefore inquire, Where is the curse of the wicked? Where is
the blessing of the godly? Is not the converse the truth? Cain is a
vagabond and settled nowhere; and yet Cain is the first man that
builds a city and has a certain place to dwell in. But we will answer
this argument more fully hereafter. We will now proceed with the text
of Moses.

VI. CAIN'S CONDUCT WHEN PUNISHED.

1. How he despaired. "My punishment is greater" etc.

a. These words have greatly perplexed interpreters 197.

b. The way Augustine explains them 197.

c. The explanation of the rabbins 198.

* How the rabbins pervert the Scriptures and whence their false
comments 198-199.

d. Why the rabbins' interpretation cannot be accepted 200.

e. The true understanding of these words 201.

* The punishment troubles Cain more than his sin 201.

f. What makes these words difficult 202.

* The right understanding of the words "Minso" and "Avon"
202-203.

* Grammarians cannot get at the right meaning of the Scriptures
204.

* How we should proceed in interpreting Scripture 204.

2. How Cain viewed his political punishment 205.

3. How he viewed his ecclesiastical punishment 206.

* Why Cain was excommunicated by Adam 206-207.

* In what sense Cain was a fugitive and a wanderer 208-209.

* Adam received his punishment in a better way 210.

* The meaning of being a fugitive and a wanderer. How the same is
found among the papists 211-212.

* The grace of God was guaranteed to Seth and his posterity 212.

* Why no temptation can harm believers 212.

4. Cain's fear that in turn he wou