CHAPTER XX.

SECOND HYPOTHESIS;--THE DAYS OF CREATION LONG PERIODS OF TIME.

Diversity of Opinion among the Early Fathers regarding the Days of Creation--Saint Augustine, Philo Judæus, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Saint Athanasius, Saint Eucherius, Procopius--Albertus Magnus, Saint Thomas, Cardinal Cajetan--Inference from these Testimonies--First Argument in favor of the popular Interpretation; a Day, in the literal Sense, means a Period of Twenty-four Hours--Answer--This Word often used in Scripture for an indefinite Period--Examples from the Old and New Testament--Second Argument; the Days of Creation have an Evening and a Morning--Answer--Interpretation of Saint Augustine, Venerable Bede, and other Fathers of the Church--Third Argument; the Reason alleged for the Institution of the Sabbath Day--Answer--The Law of the Sabbath extended to every Seventh Year as well as to every Seventh Day--The Seventh Day of God’s Rest a long Period of indefinite Duration, 318