But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
Ver. 5. But to Cain and his offering, &c.] Because he brought not the person but the work of a person non personam, sed opus personae, as Luther a hath it; who also calls those Cainists that offer to God the work done, but do not offer themselves to God. Works materially good may never prove so, formally and eventually. That which is fair to men, is abomination to God. Luk 16:15 He rejected the swan for sacrifice, Lev 11:18 because under a white feather it hath black skin. Sordet in conspectu Iudicis quod fulget in conspectu operantis, saith Gregory. A thing may shine in the night from its rottenness.
a Luth., in Decal