ompared with it, the
exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt, their passage through the
Red Sea and through Jordan, their captivities and returns, would be as
nothing. But as the primeval world itself perished, so did its
history. In consequence, the first place in the annals of history
belongs to the account of the flood, in comparison with which the
others are only as sparks to the fire. Of the former world we have
nothing but names, but these are, so to speak, great histories in
miniature.

42. It is probable that also Eve lived to the age of 800 years and saw
this great posterity. What must have been her concern, how great her
labors, how devoted her toils, in visiting, in teaching, and in
training her children and grandchildren. And what must have been her
crosses and sighs, when the generation of the Cainites opposed with so
much determination the true Church, although some of them were even
converted by the uncovenanted mercy of God.

43. Truly that primeval time was a "golden age," in comparison with
which our present age is scarcely worthy of being called the age of
mud. During those primeval centuries, there lived at the same time
nine patriarchs, together with their posterities, and all of them in
harmony concerning the faith in the blessed seed! All these glorious
things Moses just mentions, but does not explain; otherwise this would
be the history of histories.

III. ENOCH.

1. Why Moses writes the history of Enoch and not that of the other
patriarchs before the flood 43-45.

2. How it is to be understood that Enoch led a godly life and how
the monks interpret this falsely 46.

3. Enoch's prophecy cited by Jude and where Jude received it 47.

4. Enoch's exceptional courage and how he opposed Satan and the
world 48.

5. The length of time he led a godly life; and Moses justly praises
him 49.

6. Why Enoch is so greatly praised 50.

7. The tenor of his preaching 51.

8. He by no means led the life of a monk 51.

9. How he was missed. "He was not" 52.

* Enoch's ascension a proof of the resurrection of the dead 52.

10. The effect of his ascension upon his father and grandfather
53-55.

11. Whether the other patriarchs living then at once knew that he
ascended; and how such news affected them 54-56.

* The cross must always precede consolation 54.

12. Why God took Enoch 55.

* The news of Enoch's as