Olney Hymns (1840)/Book 1/Hymn 2

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2
Cain and Abel.—Gen. iv, 3—8.

1 When Adam fell he quickly lostGod'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'dIn type of the Redeemer's bloodSelf-righteous reasoning Cain disdain'd,And thought his own first-fruits as good.
3 Yet rage and envy fill'd his mindWhen, 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.

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