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