brother Abel. " He talked with Abel his brother." What the subject of the conversation was, it would be foolish to conjecture : but that it was of a friendly nature, there can be no doubt. It was evidently with a design to allure him into a place of solitude, where he might effect his murderous pur- pose without difficulty or detection. Had he disclosed the sentiments of his heart, he would have put his brother on his guard : whereas by feigning affection towards him, he would remove all fear or suspicion from his brother's mind, and faci- litate the accomplishment of the fatal deeda. To similar means assassins have had recourse in all ages. It was thus that Joab slew both Abner and Amasa: " he sent messengers after Abner, and took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly* :" " to Amasa he said, Art thou in health, my bro- ther? and took him by the beard to kiss him0 :" but his pre- tences to friendship were only to secure access to them, that he might strike with effect the dagger to their heart. It was thus that Absalom also contrived to murder his brother Amnon : he made a feast for all his family, and expressed particular solicitude to have the company of Amnon : but the whole was a cover, to effect the destruction of his brother in the midst of his convivial mirth d.
The murder of a brother is such an atrocious act, that it scarcely admits of being aggravated by any circumstances : but if any thing can aggravate it, surely the treachery of Cain must awfully enhance its guilt. Had it been the effect of sudden wrath, it had even then been criminal beyond the power of language to express : but being the result of pre- meditation and contrivance, of deceit and treachery, its enor- mity is increased an hundred-fold.]
2. The motive to the commission of it —
[Gladly would we, if possible, find somewhat to extenuate the guilt of this transaction : but the more minutely we ex- amine it, the more heinous it appears. The Scripture informs us, that Cain, in the commission of this act, was impelled only by envy and hatred. God had been pleased to testify his acceptance of Abel and of his sacrifice, while no such token of approbation was vouchsafed to Cain. The effect of this should have been, to lead Cain into a close examination of his spirit and conduct, and to make him earnest in prayer, that he might know wherefore this preference had been given to Abel, and how he also might obtain the favour of his God. But, alas ! his heart was filled with envy and wrath, insomuch that his whole countenance was changed. In vain did God
a Ps. lv. 21. b 2 Sam. hi. 26, 27.
c 2 Sam. xx. 9, 10. <i 2 Sam. xiii. 26—28.