Page:Historical Works of Venerable Bede vol. 2.djvu/293

which period man begins to propagate his species; and for this reason Matthew the Evangelist has deduced his genealogy from Abraham, who became the Father of nations, when he changed his name.

The fourth generation, from David to the Babylonish captivity, has 473 years according to the Hebrew verity, but 485 according to the Septuagint translation. In both texts the generations are seventeen: but the Evangelist Matthew, for the sake of a certain mystery, gives the number fourteen. This may be called the youthful period of God's people, wherein kings first began to reign, for man's youth is best adapted for governing a kingdom.

The fifth age, or age of senility, from the Babylonish captivity to our Lord and Saviour's coming in the flesh, is also divided into fourteen generations, and extends through 589 years, wherein the Hebrew people, old and enfeebled, is shaken by repeated misfortunes.

The sixth age is that in which we are now living; it has no certain division of times or generations, but like the imbecility of decrepit old age, will end in universal death.

Whosoever shall by a happy decease overcome these ages of calamity and toil, will enter upon the seventh age of one endless Sabbath, and may expect to see the eighth age of a happy resurrection, wherein they will reign for ever with the Lord.

THE FIRST AGE.

The First Age In the first age, when the world was first created, and the first on the first day of this age, God made the light, and called it day. On the second, he poised the firmament of heaven in the midst of the waters; for the waters themselves and the land, together with the upper heaven, and the virtues which were there placed to celebrate their Maker, had already been created before the beginning of these six days. On the third day, the waters, which before covered every thing, were gathered into