“And the Lord respected Abel and his offering. Gen. 4:4.
By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. Heb. 11:4.
On you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah. Matt. 23:35.
We show that both earthly oblations and spiritual sacrifices were foreshadowed. . . . Cain foreshadowed those of the elder son, that is, of Israel. And the opposite sacrifices are demonstrated to be those of the younger son, Abel. He represents our [Christian] people. Tertullian (c. 197, W), 3.156.
Beloved brethren, let us imitate righteous Abel, who initiated martyrdoms. For he was the first to be slain for righteousness’ sake. Cyprian (c. 250, W), 5.348.
In the sacrifices that Abel and Cain first offered, God looked not at their gifts, but at their hearts. Abel was acceptable in his gift because he was acceptable in his heart. Abel was peaceable and righteous; he sacrificed in innocence to God. He thereby taught others that when they, too, bring their gift to the altar, they should come with the fear of God and with a simple heart. Cyprian (c. 250, W), 5.454