Olney Hymns (1840)/Book 1/Hymn 2

2
Cain and Abel.—Gen. iv, 3—8.

1 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!

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

3 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.

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

5 Such was the wicked murderer Cain,
And such by nature still are we—
Untill by grace we're born again,
Malicious, blind, and proud as he.

6 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.

7 The saints in every age and place
Have found his history fulfill'd:
The numbers all our thoughts surpass
Of Abels whom the Cains have kill'd!

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