Human nature in its fourfold state ... In several practical discourses

2. Consider the opposition that has always been made in the wo• against the doctrine of free grace in Jesus Christ, by men set• for the way of works; thereby discovering the natural tend like an the heart. It is manifest• […] the great design of the gospel […] •ance is to exalt the free grace of God in Jesus Christ, Rom. iv. […] Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace. See Eph i. 6. […] chap. ii 7, 9. All gospel truths centre in Christ: so that […] the truth is to learn Christ, Eph. iv. 20. And to be truly taught, […] to be taught as the truth is in Jesus, ver. 21. All dispensations of ⟨p. 74⟩grace and favour from heaven, whether to nations or particular persons, have still had something about them proclaiming a freedom of grace; as in the very first separation made by the divine favour, Cain the elder brother is rejected, and Abel the younger accepted. This shines through the whole history of the Bible: but as true as it is, this has been the point principally opposed by corrupt nature. One may well say, that of all errors in religion, since Christ, the Seed of the woman was preached, this of works, in opposition to free grace in him, was the first that lived; and it is likely to be the last that dies. There have been vast numbers of errors, which sprung up one after another, whereof, at length, the world became ashamed and weary; so that they died out. But this has continued, from Cain the first author of this heresy, unto this day; and never wanted some that clave to it, even in the times of greatest light. I do not without ground, call Cain the author of it; when Abel brought the sacrifice of atonement, a bloody offering of the firs•ings of his flock, (like the Publican, smiting on his breast, and saying, God b• merciful to me a sinner) Cain advanced with his thank-offering of the first fruit of the ground, (Gen. iv. 3, 4.) like the proud Pharisee, with his God I thank thee. For what was the cause of Cain's wrath, and of his murdering of Abel? Was it not that he was accepted of God for his work?