Genesis 4

Genesis 4:1

CAin] that is gotten or getting, from the Lord] by his favour and power.

Genesis 4:3

Brought] God even at that time had ordained this manner of service; in token that man oweth unto God a fee out of the goods he hath bestowed on him: and to figure and represent continually before ones eyes Christs sacrifice, the ground of all true Religion, and of all his actions.

Genesis 4:4

Of the firstlings] which questionlesse God had reserved to himself by expresse command, which was afterwards renewed by Moses, Exodus 13:2. Numbers 3:13. even then intending, as it is very likely, to figure out the sacrifice of Christ the great first borne: Had respect] by some visible signe, as by fire sent from heaven: Le9. 24. 1. Kings 18. 38. 1. Chron. 21. 26. he shwed that Abels person was acceptable unto him; because of his lively aith in the promised Redeemer: and the sacrifice, because of his person: Hebrews 11:4. Now it seemeth that this sacrifice was an act for th election, and consecration of one of the two brethren, whom God did chuse for his servant, and for head of the blessed race. See Genesis 4:7; Genesis 25:26. And thereupon grw Cains anger, to see his younger brother preferred to this dignitie, which he thought to belong to him by right of eldership: see Numbers 16:7.

Genesis 4:5

Fell] through sorrow and confusion.

Genesis 4:7

Shalt thou not] that is to say, thou mayst hope to be restored into thy degree of eldership, if thou beest converted from thy wickednesse and malice: see ponGen 49. 3. others have it shall there not be acceptance?] that is, shall not God accept of thy services? others, shall there be no pardon?] [Sin] that is as much as if he said: Besides the being deprived of this dignitie, the punishment of thy malice is also ready, and hangeth over thee His] that is Abels, as if he said: My preferring him before thee in this belonging to my service, doth not take away the civill honour which he oweth thee, and doth willingly yeeld unto thee, as his elder; and thou being sensuall, and worldly shouldest content thy self therewith, see Genesis 3:16.

Genesis 4:12

When] that is to say I will withdraw that remnant of blessing from thy Land, which I have left unto it since sin; and will increase the curse; Under these corporall punishments are comprehended the spirituall, to be deprived of the grace of God, and to be banished out of his Church in this world, and from his glory in heaven Strength] that is her fruit, which is the effect of that power and blessing, which I have given it: Joe 2:22. Vagabond] an outcast of my Church, disquieted in thy minde, tossed up and down in thy body.

Genesis 4:13

My] words of despaire in the acknowledgement of his extreame sin.

Genesis 4:14

From] Giving mee no place of secure rest From thy] that is from thy Church, where thy name is called upon, and where thou dost manifest thy selfe by spirituall Revelations, and corporall apparitions It shall come to passe] Cain being all carnal, feareth nothing but bodily dangers.

Genesis 4:15

Therefore] since thou fearest this onely, I will deliver thee from it, to reserve thee for my judgment, and will not suffer thy solitary, and roming life, to give any one occasion to hurt thee, since the fact is knowne to me alone, I onely can and will be judge of it Seven-sold] the Italian addeth, more than Cain] though he slew innocent Abel. The straightlier to represse all man-slaughters, done without lawfull order and power, a marke] the forme of which is unknowne. Yet it is to be believed, that there was some impression of Gods Majesty added unto it.

Genesis 4:16

Nod] This same signifieth flight or exile, and was given this Land in remembrance of Cains curse.

Genesis 4:19

Took unto him] The abuse of Poligamy contrary to the first institution of marriage. Malachi 2:15. is shewne by this, that it was brought in by the accursed Generation, out of the Church.

Genesis 4:20

Father] That is inventer of the art As dwel] that have no firme habitation, but follow the pastures with their cattell, as now a dayes the Arabians and other people doe.

Genesis 4:21

Of all] That is to say of all Musicians.

Genesis 4:23

I have] Very darke words; neither is there any certainty in any thing that is written thereof. It may be they are onely a vaunt of a cruell and violent man, who thinketh himselfe to have liberty to commit murthers unpunished: and it seemeth hee was one of those Giants of the primitive world, that could kill a man with the least blow of his hand.

Genesis 4:25

Again] That is, many years after the death of Abel, Genesis 5:3. God being willing thereby to try Adams patience, by his long expectation, between his children, in which, and by which the blessed Generation was to be continued, as hee did also afterwards with Abraham eth] That is, put in dead Abels place in the Priest-hood, and to bee head of the holy Generation or branch of man-kind.

Genesis 4:26

Then] Cains progeny running more and more into wickednes, & vices, was parted by som expresse order of God, from Seths: into which the Church was restrayned: this bearing the glorious title, and possessing the right of the Children of God: and the other having no other name or quality, but of Children of men. Genesis 6:2.