n and follows not the Word,
but its own lusts, which it tries to smooth over by a show of
uprightness. The prophets and the apostles stand before us as
examples, and our own experience is instructive, also. Our
adversaries, so often warned and convicted, know they are doing wrong,
and yet they do not lay aside their murderous hate.

115. Learn, then, what a hypocrite is; namely, one who lays claim to
the worship of God and to charity, and yet, at the same time, destroys
the worship of God and slaughters his brother. And all this semblance
of good-will is only intended to bring about better opportunities of
doing harm. For, if Abel had foreseen the implacable wrath and the
truly diabolical anger, he would have saved himself by flight. But as
Cain betrayed no such anger, uttered a friendly greeting and
manifested his usual courtesy, Abel perished before he felt any fear.

116. There is no doubt that Abel, when he saw his brother rising up
against him, entreated and implored him not to pollute himself with
this awful sin. However, a mind beset by Satan pays no regard to
entreaties, nor heeds uplifted hands, but as a father's admonition had
been disregarded, so now the brother is spurned as he pleads upon his
knees.

117. Light is cast here upon the bondage to Satan by which our nature,
entangled in sins, is oppressed. Hence Paul's expression, "children of
wrath," Eph 2, 3, and the declaration that such are taken captive by
Satan unto his will, 2 Tim 2, 26. For when we are mere men; that is,
when we apprehend not the blessed seed by faith, we are all like Cain,
and nothing is wanting but an opportunity. For nature, destitute of
the Holy Spirit, is impelled by that same evil spirit which impelled
wicked Cain. If, however, there were in any one those ample powers, or
that free will, by which a man might defend himself against the
assaults of Satan, these gifts would most assuredly have existed in
Cain, to whom belonged the birthright and the promise of the blessed
seed. But in that very same condition are all men! Unless nature be
helped by the Spirit of God, it cannot maintain itself. Why, then, do
we absurdly boast of free-will? Now follows another remarkable
passage.

B. How Cain Had to Give an Account, and His Conduct.

V. 9. _And Jehovah said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he
said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?_

118. Good God! into what depth of sin does our miserable nature fall
when driven o