Chapter 1

IV. CAIN MURDERS HIS BROTHER; CALLED TO ACCOUNT.

A. HOW CAIN MURDERED HIS BROTHER.

1. What moved Cain to commit murder 107.

2. Cain's hypocritical actions in concealing his anger that he might the more easily commit the murder 108-109.

* Cain the picture of all hypocrites 110-129.

* The attitude of hypocrites to their neighbors. Also, how we are to view the efforts of the pope and bishops in behalf of peace and unity 111-112.

* Against what people we should most guard 112.

3. How Cain listened to no warning in his thoughts of murder 113.

* Complaint of the world's attitude to good admonition 114.

* The ways of the hypocrite. Also, why falsehood wears a friendly aspect 115.

4. Whether Cain's passion to murder Abel was noticeable 115.

5. Cain took no notice of Abel's sighing and praying 116.

* The origin of man's cruel and tyrannical nature 117.

B. HOW CAIN WAS CALLED TO ACCOUNT, AND HIS BEHAVIOR.

1. Who questioned Cain, and his defiant actions 118.

2. Cain accused himself most when he tried to clear himself 119.

* Liars speak against themselves, as is proved by examples 119-120.

3. Cain's vindication more foolish than that of the first parents in paradise 121.

* St. Martin will absolve the devil if he repents 122.

* Whoever excuses his sin follows the example of Satan and makes his case worse 123.

4. How Cain heaps sin upon sin 124.

5. Cain despairs and is in a worse state than our first parents after their fall 125.

6. How Cain placed himself in a position where nothing could help him 126.

7. Gently accused, and yet defiant 127.

8. Cain has not the least reverence for God or his father 128.

* This is a picture of all hypocrites 129.

9. How his defense ends 130.

* How man ought to act when his conscience accuses him of sin 131.

* The hypocrite's actions when his conscience is awakened, and what he is to do 132-133.

10. In Cain's defense wickedness and folly are mingled 134.

* How God reveals hypocrites 135.

* Moses says much in few words 136.

* Whether Abel and our first parents anticipated Cain's murder 137.

* Without a thought of what might restrain him, Cain commits the deed 138.

* The picture of the sacrifice of Iphigenia applied to Moses' description of Cain's murder 139-140.

* Cain's is no ordinary murder, and how he differs from other murderers 141.

* The hypocrite's hatred is different from other hatred, and is found among the Jews and the Papists 142-143.

* Cain the father of all murderers 144.

* How the first parents felt over this whole affair 145.

a. Their grief was so great that they could not have endured without special divine comfort 146.

b. Their severe trial in view of the first sin 147.