Page:Bible (Douay Rheims OT1, 1609).djvu/46

Rh examination was saued aliuein the vncleane world. and after a large catalogue of other iust men in confirmation of this doctrine, that some were iust in the law of nature concludeth thus: Neither is it to be beleued (saith he) that only so manie were iust before the law was receiued, as Moyses contracteth in his most briefe description.

15. Three hundred cubites] Apelles an old heretike, scholar of Marcian, but after leauing him, and amongst other new coyned heresies, reiecting the Law & the Prophetes, would by this place impugne Moyses, saying it was vnpossible that in so smale rowme, as was the arke by this descriptiō, the designed payres of al kindes of beastes, foule, & serpents, should be contained, with the eight persons, and al their prouision of meate for a whole yeare. Wherupon he concludeth that this narration (which he calleth a fable) hath no probabilitie, nor possibilitie to be true. To whom & al such calumniators it may be answered, that Moyses euen in an heretikes owne cōceipt, if malice obscured not his sense, must needes be thought wise ynough, if he had benne disposed to fayne fables, to frame them probable, or possible, especially when he pretended not to signifie a miracle, in the smalnes of the rowme to receiue so much, as he reporteth. Origen to answer him supposeth a cubite here mētioned, to haue cōtained* six ordinarie cubites: and so doubtles the arke might easily containe al thinges that are here spoken of, for so it were like to a great citie. But this opinion neither hath good warrant, that euer the Ægyptians (of whom he supposeth Moyses might haue learned it) or any other nation vsed such long cubites, neither can this measure of a cubite, be agreable to Moyses meaning, who no doubt speaketh of the like cubites here, as he doth in other places. And in Exodus he describeth an Altar to be made fiue cubites long, fiue broade, and three in height. Which would be by Origens measure (euetie cubite contayning six ordinarie cubites, that is nine foote at least) in length, and likewise in breadth 45. foote, and 27. foote in height. Againe (Deut. 3.) Moyses telleth of an iron bed of Og King of Basan, that was nine cubites long, & foure broad. Which make according to Origens measure of a cubite, fourscore and one foote in length, and in breadth 36. foote: which in deede haue no probabilitie. And therefore S. Augustin and other Doctors, supposing that Moses in al these bookes, written for instruction of the same people, whom he brought forth of Ægypt, speaketh of one sorte of cubites, do likewise iudge that he meaneth ordinarie & knowne cubites, which containe a foote & a halfe euerie cubite