Cain & Abel

When Adam fell, he quickly lost God's image which he once possess'd: See all our nature since could boast In Cain, his first-born son, express'd!

The sacrifice the Lord ordain'd In type of the Redeemer's blood, Self-righteousness reas'ning Cain disdain'd And thought his own first-fruits as good.

Yet rage and envy fill'd his mind, When with a sullen downcast look He saw his brother favour find, Who God's appointed method took.

By Cain's own hand good Abel died, Because the Lord approv'd his faith; And when his blood for vengeance cry'd He vainly thought to hide his death.

Such was the wicked murd'rer Cain, And such by nature still are we, Until by grace we're born again, Malicious, blind, and proud as he.

Like him, the way of grace we slight, And in our own devices trust; Call evil good, and darkness light, And hate and persecute the just.

The saints in every age and place Have found his history fulfill'd The numbers all our thoughts surpass, Of Abel's, whom the Cain's have kill'd.

Thus Jesus fell--but, oh! his blood Far better things than Abel's cries, Obtains his murd'rers peace with God, And gains them mansions in the skies.