Page:The Garden of Eden (Doughty).djvu/72

66 part of the second chapter of Genesis. Up to this time Adam had been spoken of; now the term is Ish, or man as distinguished from woman. This is because the two elements of the mind of that time—elements common to the mind in all ages—are here distinctively brought into view. As a historical narrative, this would be a contradiction for which no possible reason could be given; but as an allegory in which the two distinctive elements of human nature, each of which performed its part in bringing about the fall of man, are brought prominently into view, it is a necessity.

Having enlarged upon this point which will be found to have a strong bearing upon what follows, and to be necessary to a full understanding of it, let us next consider what this serpent was, which was the cause of so great disaster to the Church in Eden.

In ancient times those were called serpents who had more confidence in sensual things than in revealed truth; and it was not only customary then to compare the sensual principle of human nature to the serpent, but to call it so. But let us be sure that we fully understand the manner in which we use this term. The word sensuality is so commonly mixed in the mind with ideas pertaining to the indulgence of the appetite, or to luxurious and carnal pleasures, that in using it