and who could present no claim for acceptance arising from anything
too. The two, indeed, are identical. And if God rejected the worship of the latter, will he accept that of the former? Is the first Cain to be cast off, and his offspring acknowledged and welcomed? No. God seeth not as man seeth : nor does he take the test of earthly balances, which can only weigh the visible and the external. He uses the balances of the sanctuary. And " the things which are highly esteemed among men are abomination in the sight of God." Man's religion has no more resemblance to God's religion, than have the sands of the desert to the groves of Eden. But let us mark more minutely the difference between the two worshippers.
1. Abel comes as a sinner, as one who had naturally no right to come, and who could present no claim for acceptance arising from anything about himself. Cain comes simply as a creature, as one who had a right to approach the God that made him. There is no acknowledgment of sin upon his lips or in his hand. He knew how his father had come before he fell, and he is resolved to come in that very way again. Confession of sin he will not stoop to. His desert of wrath he will not own. Yet still he comes to God. He does not think this unnecessary. Nay, perhaps he thinks it right and seemly. He must have a religion,—but the "religion of nature" is all that he will consent to. A recognition of God as Creator, and of himself as creature, he is willing to make; but no more. God's right to homage he admits; and he feels, perchance, a pride, it may be a pleasure, in rendering that homage. The favour of God he sees to be desirable, and he is willing to part with some of his substance to purchase it. But he will not stoop to confess that he has done aught to forfeit that favour. He will not approach God as one who has deservedly lost it. If God will receive him as a creature, and his gifts as thank offerings for favours bestowed, he will come; for by these gifts he thinks to keep himself from being wholly a debtor to God.