Before the Fall our first parents had kept the Sabbath, which was instituted in Eden; and after their expulsion from Paradise they continued its observance. They had tasted the bitter fruits of disobedience, and had learned what every one that tramples upon God's commandments will sooner or later learn--that the divine precepts are sacred and immutable, and that the penalty of transgression will surely be inflicted. The Sabbath was honored by 81 all the children of Adam that remained loyal to God. But Cain and his descendants did not respect the day upon which God had rested. They chose their own time for labor and for rest, regardless of Jehovah's express command.

Før syndefaldet havde vore første forældre holdt sabbatten, som var blevet indstiftet i Eden, og efter uddrivelsen af Paradiset vedblev de at holde den. De havde smagt ulydighedens bitre frugter og lært, hvad enhver, der nedtræder Guds bud, før eller senere vil lære - at de guddommelige forskrifter er hellige og ukrænkelige, og at straffen for at overtræde dem vil falde med usvigelig sikkerhed. De af Adams børn, der forblev tro mod Gud, ærede sabbatten. Men Kain og hans efterkommere tog intet hensyn til den dag, Gud havde hvilet på. De valgte deres egen tid til arbejde og hvile uden hensyn til Guds udtrykkelige befaling.