ess, drinks it, loses his life
and dies the eternal death. Such was the cup the Babylonians drained,
as the prophet has it (Jer 25, 15-27). Let us, therefore, accept the
cup of salvation with thanksgiving, and, as Paul declares of
believers, rejoice in tribulation (Rom 5, 3).

97. Having explained this figure of the ark and the meaning of the
flood according to the canonical Scriptures, we will say something
also about the other features of this story--about the raven which did
not return, and the doves, the first of which returned because she
found no resting-place for her foot, while the second brought back
with her a twig from an olive tree, and the third did not return
because the earth was no more covered by water.

98. In our treatise on the narrative proper, we stated that these
things occurred to be a consolation for Noah and his sons; to assure
them that God's wrath had passed and that he was now pacified. The
dove did not bring the olive branch of her own volition. She
miraculously obeyed divine power. So the serpent in paradise spoke,
not of its own volition, but through the inspiration of the devil, who
had taken possession of it. As, on that occasion, the serpent, by the
devil's prompting, spoke, with the result that man was led into sin,
so, on this occasion, it was not its own volition or instinct which
moved the dove to bring the olive branch, but the prompting of God, in
order that Noah might gain comfort from the pleasant sight. For the
olive does not supply the dove with food; she prefers the several
species of wheat or pease.

99. The incident of the dove, then, is a miraculous occurrence with a
definite meaning. The prophets in their messages concerning the
kingdom of Christ, frequently make mention of doves (Ps 68, 13) and
(Is 60, 8). Solomon also in his Song seems to mention the dove with
particular pleasure. Therefore, we should not despise the picture this
allegory holds before us, but treat its truth skillfully and aptly.

100. The allegory of the raven, invented by the doctors, is well
known. Because ravens delight in eating dead bodies, they have been
taken as a likeness of carnal men, who delight in carnal pleasures and
indulge in them. The Epicureans were an example. A very fair
explanation but inadequate, because it is merely of that moral and
philosophical sort which Erasmus was in the habit of giving after the
example of Origen.

101. We must look for a theological explanation. In