ABEL.

The first murder originated in the first religious dispute,

The Targum of Jerusalem relates, that Cain and Abel being in the field, the former asserted that there was no judgment, nor judge, nor life eternal, nor rewards for the good, nor punishment for the wicked; and that the world was neither created, nor governed by the goodness of God; “ for,” says he to his brother, “ my oblation was not received, but yours was.” Abel answered him in his own words, substituting only the affirmative for the negative; and, as to his principal complaint, his answer was, that his works being better than those of Cain, were the occasion of the preference given to his offering. The dispute growing warm, Cain fell upon Abel, and slew him. This was the impious beginning of disputes in religion, and a fatal presage of the terrible confusions they were to cause in the world. It affords us likewise an instance of the foolish vanity of man, who is never so much led to doubt of a Providence as when things do not succeed according to his wishes. Give him but prosperity—his doubts vanish. The reason is, that he thinks he holds too considerable a rank in the universe to be overlooked by an equitable and judicious dispenser of good and evil. “ I acknowledge ye, O ye Gods !” cried Statius, when Rutilius Gallicus, a man of distinguished honesty, had recovered from a dangerous disease. On the contrary, if any thing fell out which they did not like, the ancients either denied the being of the gods,or charged them with cruelty and injustice. Hence Ovid, upon the death of Tibullus,—

“ Cum rapiant mala fata bonos, ignoscite fasso, Solliciter nullos esse putare Deos.”

“ When, snatched by cruel fate, the good and just Perish, and sink untimely to the dust, (May 1 the bold confession be forgiven !) I almost think there are no gods in heaven.”

This is the language of one of the best orators of the sixteenth century Muretus. ³.—Art,Abel.