Genesis 4

^{1 a} Mans nature, the state of mariage, & Gods blesing were not vtterly abolished through sinne, but the qualitie or condition thereof was changed.

^{1 b} That is, according to the Lords promes, as {Chap. 3,15}: some read, To the Lord, as rejoycing for the sonne which she had borne, whome she wolde offer the to the Lord as the first frutes of her birth.

^{1 !} The generacion of mankinde.

^{3 c} This declareth that the father instructed his children in the knowledge of God, and also how God gaue them sacrifices to signifie their salvation: albeit they were destitute of the sacrament of the tre of life.

^{5 d} Because he was an hypocrite and offred only for an outwarde shewe without sinceritie of heart.

^{7 f} Sinne shal stil torment thy conscience.

^{7 g} The dignitie of the first borne is giuen to Kain ouer Habel.

^{7 e} Bothe thou and thy sacrifice shalbe acceptable to me.

^{8 !} Kain killeth Habel.

^{9 h} This is the nature of the reprobate when thei are reproued of their hypocrisie, euen to neglect God and despite him.

^{10 i} God reuengeth the wrongs of his Saints, thogh none complaine: for the iniquitie itselfe cryeth for vengeance.

^{11 k} The earth shalbe a witnes against thee which mercifully receiued that blood, which thou moste cruelly shed.

^{12 l} Thou shalt neuer haue rest: for thine heart shalbe in continual feare & care.

^{13 m} He burdeneth God as a cruel judge, because he did punish him so sharpely.

^{13 /} Or, my sinne is greater then can be pardoned.

^{15 n} Not for the loue he bare to Kain, but to suppresse murther.

^{15 o} A visible signe of Gods judgement that others shulde feare.

^{17 p} Thinking thereby to be sure & to haue lesse occasion to feare Gods judgements against him.

^{19 q} The lawful institucion of marriage, which is that two shulde be one flesh, was first corrupt in the house of Kain by Lamech.

^{20 /} Or, first inventer.

^{21 /} Or, flutes and pipes.

^{23 !} Lamech, a tyrant, encourageth his feareful wiues.

^{23 r} His wiues seing that all men hated him for his crueltie, were afraied: therefore he braggeth that there is none so lusty that were able to resist, althogh he were already wounded.

^{24 s} He mocked at Gods sufferance in Kain, jesting as thogh God wolde suffre none to punish him, and yet giue him licence to murther others.

^{26 t} In these dayes God began to moue the hearts of the godlie to restore religion, which a long time by the wicked had bene suppressed.

^{26 !} True religion is restored.