efuge.

191. In this manner the sin of Cain was visited with a threefold
punishment. In the first place he was deprived of all spiritual or
churchly glory; for the promise that the blessed seed was to be born
from his posterity, was taken from him. In the second place, the earth
was cursed, which is a punishment affecting his home life. The third
punishment affects his relations to the community, in that he must be
a vagabond without a fixed abode anywhere.

192. Notwithstanding, an open door of return into the Church is left,
but without a covenant. For, as has been explained, in the event that
any one of Cain's posterity should ally himself with the true Church
and the holy fathers, he was saved. Thus the Home is left, but without
a blessing; and the State is left so that he may found a city and
dwell there, but for how long, is uncertain. Without exaggeration,
therefore, he may be likened to a beggar in Church, Home and State.

193. This punishment is mitigated by the prohibition to slay him
forthwith after the commission of the murderous deed, a law providing
for the punishment of murderers which was reserved for a later day.
Cain was saved that he might be an example for others, to teach them
to fear God and to beware of murder. So much about the sin,
arraignment, and punishment of Cain.

194. But there are some who reply that, the godly, likewise sometimes
endure these same curses, while the wicked, on the contrary, are free
from them. Thus, Paul says that he also "wandered about and had no
certain dwelling-place," 1 Cor 4, 11. Such is even our condition
to-day, who are teachers in the churches. We have no certain
dwelling-place; either we are driven into banishment or we expect
banishment any hour. Such was the lot also of Christ, the apostles,
the prophets, and the patriarchs.

195. Concerning Jacob the Scriptures say "The elder shall serve the
younger," Gen 25, 23. But does not Jacob become a servant when we see
him, from fear of his brother, haste away into exile? Does he not, on
his return home, supplicate his brother and fall on his knees before
him? Is not Isaac also seen to be a most miserable beggar? Gen 6,
1-35. Abraham, his father, goes into exile among the Gentiles and
possesses not in all the world a place to set his foot, as Stephen
says, Acts 7, 1-5. On the other hand, Ishmael was a king, and had the
princes of the land of Midian as his offspring before Israel entered
into the land of promise,