unworthy of God's ncceptance, but because, in presenting them, he virtunlly J.>r0• claimed his disbelief in God's promise and repudiation of God's way of salvntion, (2) V~'.bly proclaimed. By some outward sign God expressed in the one case hie approbatio_n, and i!1 the other hie displeasure. By the gospel he now solemnly declares his reception of the true and rejection of the false worshipper (John iii. 36). More reliable are the announcements which God now makes through his word thnn those which he then delh·ercd through the medium of signs. (3) Distinctly ,md~1·stood. Neither Cain nor Abel was in any dubiety as to his position. The mind of God bad been explicitly revealed. The one wns assured that he wns righteous ; the other knew that he was reprobate. So may every one ascertain his standing in God's sigh!_~·ho li~tcns to the inspired declarations of the Divine word (John iii. 18: Rom. m. 20; n-. 5). n'. T11E DROTHERS AT VARIANCE. Divided in daily toils, religious worship, Divine nccept;mce, they were now also divided in fraternal regards, This estrnngement was-( 1) Unseernly in its character, existing, as it did, between brothers. Where, if not within the hallowed circle of home, should mutual love prevail? Who, if not brothers, should preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace? (Ps. cxx.xiii. 1 ). Brothers were meant for friendship nnd helpfulness, not for envy and destruction. Let us thank God there is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother (Prov. niii. 24.). (2) l!nJustiji,able in its cause. It sprang from religion. Alas, that which was heralded as the bringer of pence on earth and good-will among men has often been the cause of strife and contention, separation and estrange- ment, as Christ foretold (Matt. x. 34--36). What a signal proof of the corruption of the human heart I It was occasioned through envy. Cain was wroth because his brother was accepted. Unbelievers often take offence at believers because of blessings they affect to despise. (3) Wrathful in its manifestatfor,. Because his brother's person and service were approved Cain grew enraged; bec.PJBe himself and bis offerings were refused he was angry with God. Hypocrites and sinners are always displeased with those who are better than themselves. (4) Mu.r~rous in its termination. EnYJ, wrath, murder-the beginning, middle, end of a w.icked man's life. The last act lies enfolded in the second, and the second in the firdt 1 as the fruit in the tree, and the tree in the seed. Hence wrath is murder in the thought (1 John iii. 15); and "who is able to stand before envy?" (Prov. xxvii. 4). Therefore obsta pri11cipi,is. Cultivate fraternal affection. Let brotherly love continue. Follow younger brothers in their piety rather than hate them for their prayers. V. TrrE BROTHERS AT THE JUDGMENT BAB. 1. Both went there. The spirit of the first martyr ascended to God, and God came to arraign the red-handed murderer. So must we all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ. 2. Both were juclged there. The righteous Abel's character and conduct were approved ; for God espoused bis cause, and heard the cry of his innocent blood. The guilty Cain was condemned. So will all before the great white throne be judged according to their works ; of every one of which God is now a witness, as he was of the fratricidal act of Cain. 3. Both were sentenced there. .Abel was received into glory, and his blood avenged; Cain banished from God's presence, transformed into a wandering fugitive, in mercy spared from immediate destruction, but in reality, with his scarred brow, doomed to a lifetime of woe-fit emblem of the doom of the ungodly; as the award of righteous Abel was of the honour of the righteous (Matt. x.xv. 46). Lessons :-1. Value the Divine gift of home. 2. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 3. Serve the Lord with gladness. Present your bodies a living sacrifice. Come into his courts, and bring an offering with you, 4. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. 5. Live in anticipation of, and preparation for, the judgrnent-doy. 6. Learn that nothing will keep a man right in life and safe in death excep~ faith in .a~oning blood; Cain had pious parents a good home, an honourable callmg, a rehg1ous profession, and yet was loijt. Abel had a short life and a sad death, but he was safe, Faith in Chri11t (foe woman's seed) made the difference.
Ver. 9.-.Jm I my brotl.er's keeper'/ I. The world says, No I 1. Every man's brother ought lo keep himself. 2. If a man's brother cannot keep himself, h11 on. 1v. 1-16.J TilE nooK OF GENESIS. 845
tleaerveR to perish, 3. No man'R brother will be at the trouble to keep him. 4, Every man has enough to do to keep himself. Such is the gospel of sel.fishneas pro- clnimed and practised by the world. II. God says, YES I 1. Because he is your brother. Affection should prompt yon. 2. Because he may get lost without your keeping. Humanit'/1 should incline you. 3. Because I expect you. Religion commands yolL Such 1s the gospel oj love which God preaches and charges us to practise.